slrichte@uok.UUCP (02/08/86)
The following is a DC Comics news release I received February 6.
DARK KNIGHT RECEIVES INTENATIONAL MEDIA COVERAGE
Frank Miller continues to break new ground in the comics industry.
He revolutionized the comic book when he wrote and illustrated the
six issue mini-series RONIN, published in 1983-1984. Now, Frank's
treatment of Batman in the four issue DARK KNIGHT series will prove
equally goundbreaking.
"We're always talking about how important it is to expand the market
for comics," explains DC Comics Vice President-Executive Editor Dick
Giordano. "WE know comics aren't just for kids anymore, but it's
difficult to convince people of that."
Miller's treatment of the Capped Crusader will prove revolutionary
for both DC Comics and the comic industry overall. In feature
stories scheduled to run in uppcoming isssues of ROLLING STONE and
SPIN, both available nationally and internationally through news-
stands and subscripption, Frank will discuss DARK KNIGHT and the
comics industry. DC Comics plans to advertise the series in both
rock music publications. Other national media coverage of the series
is pending.
Notes Richard Gehr, editor at SPIN, "I think comics and science fiction
are once again on the cutting edge of popular culture. They deserve
their rightful place in magazines like SPIN."
The DARK KNIGHT series of four 48 page issues depicts Batman's last
stand. The story takes place ten years after Batman has retired, when
he's pushing 50. Circumstances in Gotham City combine with his per-
sonal life to put Bruce Wayne back into action for one final time.
The series introduces a new, female Robin; several classic Batman vil-
lains; and Batman paraphrenalia updated and computerized. Superman
will appear in two of the four issues.
The series will be printed in a deluxe format comparable to the RONIN
series. Art Director Richard Brunning describes it as "the best of
the traditional format with the advantages of new technologies. DARK
KNIGHT is more like a series of comic book-sized graphic novels than a
comic book series."
In adition to the national media coverage, DARK KNIGHT will be supported
by a four-color retail poster that sells for $4.95 in comic book
specialty stores; and a unique three-dimensional 9" x 13" counter card.
A recent innovation for the printing world, the three-dimensional point
-of-purchase poster has never been used in the comics industry before.
The DARK KNIGHT series reunites for the first time the penciller/writer,
inker, and editor of Marvel Comics Group's DAREDEVIL: Miller, Klaus
Janson, and Denny O'Neil, respectively. The series is colored by Lynn
Varley. Each contributor has done his/her best artistic work to date.
DARK KNIGHT #1 ships on February 25, 1986, to comic book specialty
stores nationwide. Each issue sells for $2.95.
--Steve Richter
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USMAIL: S. Richter c/o Southside, 754 Asp, Norman, OK 73069
"Sacred Wars? What's that...?"
"I can't tell you that."
"Why not?"
"They're SECRET Sacred Wars."