Wednesday, April 27, 2005
DC COMICS FIRST LOOKS
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For covers and four-page previews of DC Comics titles arriving in stores on May 4, CLICK HERE.
Titles include Batman: Dark Detective #1, Blood of the Demon #3, Matador #1, Seven Soliders: Shining Knight #2, Swamp Thing #15, Villains United #1 and Y: The Last Man #33.
MARVEL COMICS FIRSTS
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For covers and six-page previews of Marvel Comics titles arriving in stores in May, CLICK HERE.
Titles include Ultimate X-Men #59, Black Panther #4, Toxin #2 and Marvel Knights 4 #18.
NASCAR STAGES BATMAN BEGINS 400
NASCAR, Warner Bros. Consumer Products and International Speedway Corporation announced on Wednesday that Batman Begins will take center stage at Michigan International Speedway on June 19 for the running of the NASCAR Nextel Cup Batman Begins 400. The Batman Begins 400 at Michigan International Speedway will be broadcast live on Fox.
"The launch of Batman Begins will be fun for the fans at the track and those watching from home," said NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France. "Batman will cheer on the 43 super heroes that will be competing for the Batman Begins 400 at Michigan International Speedway."
"We're looking forward to pairing the on-screen excitement of Batman Begins to the on-track excitement of NASCAR," said Dan Romanelli, President, Warner Bros. Worldwide Consumer Products. "A fast car, the Batmobile, and a host of high-tech gadgets have always been key to Batman's success in fighting his way to victory over crime. As NASCAR's finest drivers take to the track on June 19 for the Batman Begins 400 at Michigan International Speedway, they will utilize all of the high-tech gadgets at their disposal to take their team to victory lane."
Mark Martin's Ford will feature a special Batman Begins paint scheme for the race. Martin's fellow Roush Racing driver, Ricky Craven, will also be sporting a Batman Begins scheme during the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event on June 18.
"Our relationship with Warner Bros. has been long and incredibly rewarding for NASCAR fans," said Lesa France Kennedy, President of International Speedway Corporation. "With the Batman Begins 400 we are taking the entertainment factor to a new level. We're looking forward to seeing the racing action unfold on the track -- and the super hero action unfold in theaters."
The Batmobile from the film will lead the pack of 43 cars off of pit road to start the race.
The newly redesigned fan area behind the main grandstand at Michigan International Speedway will incorporate the Batman Begins Fan Zone, which will feature the Batmobile from the film, Mark Martin's Batman Begins themed car, the Ricky Craven truck, and the fantasy and event cars that are part of the weekend's Batman action. The Batman Begins Fan Zone will also include other activities and exclusive merchandise based on the film and the Batman Begins 400.
There will be a full line of merchandise being offered by companies such as Mattel and Team Caliber. Both companies are offering a line of die-cast vehicles based on the special Batman Begins paint schemes. Mattel also has a full range of products based on the film including the Batmobile, Batman action figures and playsets.
"We are very proud to be making history with the Batman Begins 400 at MIS, and to again be partnering with Warner Bros. Consumer Products, DC Comics, and Roush Racing," said Michigan International Speedway President, Brett Shelton. "Our fans really enjoyed the Justice League racing weekend last August and I know it will be another outstanding weekend of racing. This race sponsorship certainly adds to our history of putting super heroes in Victory Lane at MIS."
While this is the first time a major motion picture is serving as the title sponsor of a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup race, it is not the first time Warner Bros. Consumer Products has been involved with NASCAR or Michigan International Speedway. :ast August, Warner Bros. Consumer Products and DC Comics partnered with Michigan International Speedway for the successful Justice League Racing Weekend Presented by Hot Wheels, as some of NASCAR's top drivers piloted cars emblazoned with the familiar heroes of the Justice League. Adding to the excitement of that weekend was the fact that Roush Racing's Greg Biffle and his super hero counterpart, The Flash took home the checkered flag.
"It's an honor to be participating in the Batman Begins program this season, especially at Michigan, which I consider our home track," said Jack Roush. "We had a great time with Greg's (Biffle) victory last year with The Flash paint scheme on his car, so I am banking on Batman providing incentive to both Mark and Ricky this year."
DAY OF VENGEANCE SECOND PRINTING
DC Comics has announced a sell-out and second printing for Day of Vegenance #1, in which the Spectre returns to the DC Universe.
The new printing, which features a new cover by Walter Simonson, is scheduled to be in stores on May 25. The initial printing is in stores on Wednesday.
Day of Vengeance #1 Second Printing reprints the story by Bill Willingham, with art by Justiniano and Walden Wong.
"This is wonderful news, but also a bit worrisome," Willingham said. "I've just started writing the sixth and final issue of Day of Vengeance, and now the pressure's doubly on to make this end with a bang. I don't like to brag, but Day of Vengeance is a series that should come with safety belts -- it's going to be a wild ride. The entire magic corner of the DC Universe is going to be turned over, crunched, munched and whacked upside the head a few times."
Day of Vengeance is one of four mini-series spinning out of Countdown to Infinite Crisis.
BRIEFLY
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* Above is a first look at the final covers for Spider-Man: Breakout #2, Cable/Deadpool #15, Daredevil #73, Exiles #64, Hercules #2, New X-Men #14, Marvel Knights Spider-Man #14, New Thunderbolts #8, Uncanny X-Men #459 and Wolverine #28. Click on the thumbnails for larger images.
* Artist Ed Benes, whose run on Superman begins with next month's issue #217, has extended his exclusive agreement with DC Comics for three years.
"I'm really honored to know that DC wants to continue to work with me," Benes said. "I'm even more honored to have the opportunity to have the chance to draw Superman. It's a dream come true for me!"
"Following Jim Lee is not easy, but Ed is doing a phenomenal job," said Group Editor Eddie Berganza. "I've loved his stuff since he was doing Gen13 and Supergirl, and that's nothing compared to what he's bringing to the table on Superman! Ed's known for his hot women, and he's got some great storytelling and powerful action going on too... and yeah, the ladies are still fine!"
* Coming Thursday: Marvel news and much more!!!
COMICS CONTINUUM BACK ISSUES
In case you missed The Continuum's recent coverage, here are some links:
* For Thursday, April 21, including Smallville news, CLICK HERE.
* For Wednesday, April 20, including Batman Begins news, CLICK HERE.
* For Tuesday, April 19, including Batman Begins news, CLICK HERE.
* For Monday, April 18, including Marvel and Image solicitations for July, CLICK HERE.
* For Friday, April 15, including Devil's Due solicitations for July, CLICK HERE.
* For Thursday, April 14, including Fantastic Four movie news, CLICK HERE.
* For Wednesday, April 15, including Cindy Margolis promoting the Tenth Muse, CLICK HERE.
* For Tuesday, April 12, including Batman Begins and Fantastic Four movie updates, CLICK HERE.
* For Monday, April 11, including DC Comics' solicitations for July, CLICK HERE.
* For Friday, April 8, including IDW Publising's solicitations for August, CLICK HERE.
* For Thursday, April 7, including Smallville news, CLICK HERE.
* For Wednesday, April 6, including Smallville news, CLICK HERE.
* For Tuesday, April 5, including Sin City movie news, CLICK HERE.
* For Monday, April 4, including Dark Horse's solicitations for July, CLICK HERE.
* For Saturday, April 2, including Sin City news, CLICK HERE.
* For Friday, April 1, including WildC.A.T.s DVD news, CLICK HERE.
Copyright © 2005, The Comics Continuum