Multiple Emmy Award winner "The Batman" closes its fifth and final season with a full-hour "movie" entitled "Lost Heroes" at 11:00 a.m. ET/PT. In the special TV movie, the most powerful members of the Justice League are abducted one-by-one. Batman, Robin and Green Arrow discover the mystery surrounding their disappearance.
The Joining has returned (with some earthly villainous assistance) and has transferred the Justice League's powers into alien androids. It's up to Batman, Robin and Green Arrow to help their JL friends regain their powers and prevent an alien invasion. The one-hour special includes appearances by Green Lantern, Hawkman, Flash, Superman, Green Arrow, Toyman, Mirror Master, Dr. Hugo Strange and The Joining. The film is written by Stan Berkowitz and Alexx Van Dyne, and directed by John Fang and Vinton Heuck.
After the March 8th series finale, The Batman will be removed from the Kids'WB! schedule for the foreseeable future. The Batman: The Complete Fifth Season should be released on DVD sometime this year.
In related news, Kevin Conroy, a familiar name to fans of the DC Animated Universe will voice to the upcoming direct-to-video Batman: Gotham Knight.
World War II is over. The Cold War has begun. The Age of the Superhero is in decline. But where are the heroes of tomorrow? From the perspective of those brave individuals who made it happen: encounter Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman, who survived the anti-hero sentiment of the Cold War, as well as eager newcomers like test pilot Hal Jordan and scientist Barry Allen, poised to become the next generation of crime fighters. All leading to the mounting threat of an alien presence on Earth, where dozens of characters from the '40s, '50s and '60s eras of DC Comics team up to defeat it.
Justice League: The New Frontier, rated PG-13 for violent content/images, is scheduled for release on February 26, 2008. The next release in the series will be Batman: Gotham Knight.
First, some Smallville news..
Helen Slater may appear on the next season of Smallville when it premieres in September. Check out this interview for more. She's also pitching a Supergirl story idea to DC comics. Look for Dean Cain, the former star of Lois & Clark:The New Adventures of Superman from the 90s to show up as well.
2) Justice League movie before Superman Returns sequel?
Some sources claim that the 'Justice League' film is more of a priority for WB than the sequel to 'Superman,' so don’t be surprised if you see Brandon Routh in 'Justice League' first. And here's a last bit of news... the biggest rumor is that one of the superheroes in 'Justice League' wouldn’t see a sequel. Yup, WB is planning a death.
3) The Cimmarean is Back
Conan the Cimmerian #1, the first issue of an all new series will launch in May 2008. The new series will be written by current Conan writer Tim Truman, illustrated by Tomas Giorello, with covers by Cary Nord.
4) Free Comic Book Day 2008
FCBD 2008 will fall on Saturday, May 3rd. Watch future posts for more info as its available!
Justice #1 Sells Out @ DC
JUSTICE #1, the debut issue of the new blockbuster maxiseries by Alex Ross, Jim Krueger and Doug Braithwaite, has sold out at DC Comics. The issue arrived in stores on August 3.
"This is the best reaction I've had to any work of mine in the last ten years," says Ross. "I'd like to think I'm giving people what they want from me, and hopefully the sales show that. The first issue is really just a way to start us getting into much more cliffhanger-like moments of this war we're setting."
JUSTICE #2 is scheduled for an October 19 release.
-Jim Lee will be at Midtown Comics October 14th for a signing session. Check the link for more info.
- Fox Home Video is releasing Elektra: Director's Cut DVD, which will be in stores October 18.
Released in theaters last February, Elektra grossed $24.4 million at the box office, though it fared better with its initial release on DVD.
Elektra will air on Cinemax in November. For more movie & tv news, check out the Comics Universe Blog.
-DC Comics is releasing 2 Showcase Editions with over 500 pages of classic Superman & Green Lantern stories from the silver age for only $9.99!
DC Comics has lowered prices on the first two SHOWCASE collected
editions, originally solicited at $16.99 each in the July Previews (Volume XV
#7), the SHOWCASE PRESENTS SUPERMAN VOL. 1 TP and the SHOWCASE PRESENTS GREEN LANTERN VOL. 1 TP are scheduled to arrive in stores on September 14.
"This special offer combines unbeatable value with some of the greatest
stories of the Silver Age," says Bob Wayne, DC's VP - Sales.
"Retailers should take advantage of the new pricing to put more copies
of each title in the hands of their customers."
SHOWCASE PRESENTS: SUPERMAN VOL. 1 TP collects stories from SUPERMAN #122-133 and ACTION COMICS #241-257, written by Jerry Siegel, Bill Finger and others, with art by Curt Swan, Dick Sprang and others.
SHOWCASE PRESENTS: GREEN LANTERN VOL. 1 TP collects stories from SHOWCASE #22-24 and GREEN LANTERN #1-17, written by John Broome and Gardner Fox with art by Gil Kane, Joe Giella and Murphy Anderson.
DC Comics Panel:
The 7-issue miniseries Infinite Crisis begins in October. With writer Geoff Johns, art by Phil Jimenez & Andy Lanning & alternate covers by Jim Lee & Sandra Hope and George Pérez, Infinite Crisis begins with the dawn of the DCU's darkest day, as the World's Greatest Super-Heroes are divided among themselves and surrounded by their most fearsome foes.
Mark Waid is now exclusive to DC...
All magic will be destroyed at the end of "Day of Vengeance" with issue #6
The Red Hood will appear in Teen Titans, where Tim Drake and Jason Todd will fight...
In October, The Red Hood pays the Titans a visit to claim his rightful place...over Robin's dead body! And what does Donna Troy's return mean for the team? Find out in TEEN TITANS 29, written by Geoff Johns with art by Carlos D'Anda, plus a cover by Tony Daniel
Captain Atom will Quantum Leap into the Wildstorm Universe & will sport his "Kingdom Come" costume in Captain Atom:Armageddon #1, the first of a 9-issue miniseries starting in October. Issue #1 features covers by Alex Ross and Jim Lee. Carried off from the Superman/Batman story and features Captain Atom sent in quantum leap into the Wildstorm Universe which triggered events that threaten to destroy the Wildstorm Universe.
Firestorm is going to play an important role in Villains United, which will lead from Firestorm # 18
Mockingbird's secret identity is revealed in Villian United #6
The tale of the first meeting of two of comics' greatest icons get under way in the long awaited 4-issue miniseries Shazam/Superman: First Thunder in September, written by Judd Winick and illustrated by Joshua Middleton.
The Girl of Steel returns in Supergirl #1, written by Jeph Loeb with art by Ian Churchill. Note that issue #1 ships with alternate covers by Ian Churchill and Norm Rapmund and Michael Turner. Supergirl #0, being released the same day (August 10th) is a reprint of the solo story in Superman/Batman #19. #1 establishes the differences between her and Power Girl. # 2 deals with her relationship with the Teen Titans whether or not there will be one. Issue # 3 features the Outsiders. By the end of issue # 6 any connections she might have with previous Supergirls SHOULD BE clarified," said Loeb.
The true origin of Power Girl is revealed at last in the first story arc in JSA: CLASSIFIED #1, written by Geoff Johns with art by Amanda Conner & Jimmy Palmiotti.
Geoff Johns & David Gibbons are working hard on restructuring the New Green Lantern Corps (7,200 GLs, 2 per sector, Jordan/Stewart for Sector 2814, Kilowog/Salak as the GLC leadership, Rayner/Gardner as trainers, Guardian’s true origins/purpose unrevealled)
The fantastic tale "With a Vengeance" continues in SUPERMAN/ BATMAN, written by Jeph Loeb and illustrated by Ed McGuinness & Dexter Vines. In October's issue #24, the fate of the universe hangs in the balance unless Batwoman and Superwoman can save the day — with the help of Superlad! Issue # 26 is plotted by Jeph Loeb's son, Sam. It was Sam’s last work before his untimely death.
The Crisis of Conscience story in JLA right now leads directly into Infinite Crisis, with the climatic chapter in September's issue #119 as the JLA face off against Despero in Wayne Manor...
At the end of this year, two of the greatest icons in the history of comics meet at last in Batman/The Spirit, a stand alone Special written by Jeph Loeb and illustrated by Darwyn Cooke.
And in the new year, look for The Spirit, the first issue of a new, ongoing series written and illustrated by Darwyn. This new series is set in modern-day Central City, where The Spirit will face villains both old and new.
Also coming in December is The Best of the Spirit, an affordable trade paperback collecting almost two dozen stories by Will Eisner, with a new introduction by Neil Gaiman.
The All Star line expands in November when writer Grant Morrison and artist Frank Quitely take on the Man of Tomorrow with All Star Superman.
Also, check the new DC Comics Download page, packed with exclsuive wallpapers & buddy icons. The DC Online team has also created a site just for kids featuring Johnny DC. The site can be found here.
Back from vacation... now on with the news.
Family Guy:
2005 has been a big year for Fox's once cancelled show, as it came back to primetime May 1st. That episode, the first of the series' 4th season (North by North Quahog) was nominated for an Emmy for "Outstanding Animated Program (for Programs Less Than an Hour") . It's competition? Samurai Jack, The Simpsons, South Park, & SpongeBob SquarePants. Also, Fox has officially announced the direct-to-DVD title "Family Guy Presents Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story Unrated". The DVD will be released on September 27, will retail for $29.98 US, or $41.98 CAN.
Justice League Unlimited:
The Joining Forces DVD will be on sale September 20th and comes with 3 episodes, with a runtime of 66 minutes. Price is just $14.97 SRP.
Tonight's episode, "Divided We Fall" airs at 9pm tonight and the episode is described as follows:
When most of the Justice League is incapacitated, the League's deadliest enemies emerge to take advantage of the chaos.
July 23rd is the US airdate for "Epilogue"
Fifty years in the future, the history of the Justice League is the key to Batman's darkest secret...and his final destiny.
As for the next season, Rob at Comics Continuum has news from the San Diego Comic-Con on the newest plot details, including the Legion of Doom!
And even more Justice League news... 2006 will see a new Justice League of America video game (the first in over 10 years on a console) for Sony's Playstation 2 & Xbox 360.
In other news... the new Transformers Movie website has been up for a couple days & the movie is set to debut sometime in 2007. The new movie will be live action with a lot of CG... Marvel recently announced at the Comic-Con that they would give Microsoft exclusive rights to create a MMORPG for the Xbox 360 based on the Marvel characters.
press release:
George Pérez, the legendary artist who's contributed his talents to THE NEW TEEN TITANS, WONDER WOMAN, JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA, the upcoming DC SPECIAL: THE RETURN OF DONNA TROY, and much more, has signed a 5-year exclusive agreement with DC Comics.
"So many of my landmark successess have been with DC Comics, and I've developed so many long-lasting relationships with people there — it really feels to me like a family atmosphere," says Pérez. "I have great regard for what Dan DiDio's doing for the company as well. They made me a great offer, and it just seems like the place to be. I couldn't be more thrilled!"
"George is an incredible talent whose voice and vision helped define our world and his work will continue to shape the DC Universe for years to come," says Dan DiDio, VP — Executive Editor, DCU.
Some of Pérez's work for DC Comics may be found in these titles, all available for reorder:
• CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS
• THE HISTORY OF THE DC UNIVERSE
• JLA/AVENGERS COLLECTORS EDITION OVERSIZED SLIPCASE
• THE NEW TEEN TITANS ARCHIVES VOL. 1
• THE NEW TEEN TITANS ARCHIVES VOL. 2
• THE NEW TEEN TITANS: THE TERROR OF TRIGON
• WONDER WOMAN: GODS AND MORTALS
• WONDER WOMAN: CHALLENGE OF THE GODS
In addition, issues of DC SPECIAL: DONNA TROY are available as follows:
• DC SPECIAL: THE RETURN OF DONNA TROY #1 is scheduled to arrive in stores on May 25.
• DC SPECIAL: THE RETURN OF DONNA TROY #2 is scheduled to arrive in stores on July 7.
Also, THE NEW TEEN TITANS: WHO IS DONNA TROY? is scheduled to arrive in stores on June 1.