Video Feature: "The Two Masks Of The Caped Crusader" Family Channel Special

A rare gem posted for Batman's 25th Anniversary! "The Two Masks of the Caped Crusader" was an interview special produced back in 1989 for the Family Channel. Featuring a lone Bob Kane seated at his art table, the special gives us the Batman co-creator's insight on the Bat-phenomenon, with a strong focus on Tim Burton's film. Enjoy! And many thanks to longtime friend of the site Dan Kampling for sharing this great video with all of us!

Vintage Magazine Article: "Comics Scene" Issue #6

Issue #6 of Comics Scene magazine provides us with one of the better Bob Kane interviews from Batmania '89. In the article, Kane does a bit of crediting clarification- Giving a nod to Bill Finger as the early writer of the Batman comics, then putting his name behind the casting of Jack Nicholson & the starting point for the Batman movie suit design. Kane also reveals some early thoughts on the Gotham City set & the Batmobile, and even explains how he missed out on his cameo as "Bob the cartoonist". Enjoy!

Video Feature: Entertainment Tonight The LA Premiere

A segment from the June 20, 1989 edition of Entertainment Tonight focusing on the Los Angeles Premiere of the film. Look at what an incredible event this was! Nothing has come close in the last 25 years...

Vintage Magazine Article: "Movieline" June 23, 1989 Vol. V Issue #103

In the June 23, 1989 issue of Movieline magazine, readers were greeted with a funny and informative interview with Batman director Tim Burton. Burton discusses thing likes his motivation for accepting the project, his stance on comic books, and the ever -changing script in this fantastic three-page article-









Also in this issue, a small blurb focusing on the Warner's Batman film versus Fox's ownership of the 60's show... A subject not typically tackled in Batmania '89 articles-



Lastly, the magazine also features this full-page theater ad for Batman. Like this? Well, the site will eventually feature a complete archive of the newspaper-style ads, all reproduced from the original advertising slicks. :)

Robin Relics: "DC Direct Currents" Issue #34 November 1990 & Issue #45 October 1991

For the first new post in the "Robin Relics" feature, I figured we'd go back and take a look at a couple of issues from DC's now defunct "Direct Currents" preview magazine. First up- The November 1990 issue! The magazine features a cover story on the first Robin mini-series, solicitation blurbs for the initial issue & a cloisonné pin, AND a stellar interview with writer Chuck Dixon & artist Tom Lyle!







Next, we jump forward a year and check out the October 1991 issue. This installment features a cover story on the "Robin II" mini-series, solicitation blurbs for the many different ways you could collect the series, and a back cover panel showcasing the issue #1 variants (sans holograms).











I remember these years quite fondly... Back when a comic mini-series focusing on just one character (and a sidekick at that) could elicit this kind of excitement and promotion. Nowadays everything has to be a huge, company-wide crossover to get this kind of attention from the big two. Little things like solid storytelling and good, clean art put on the backburner in exchange for "creating an event". Ah, the good ol' days...