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[via press release]

Warner Bros. Animation Producing “The Batman,” An All-New Take On The Dark Knight For Kids’ WB! And Cartoon Network

(February 9, 2004 – Sherman Oaks, CA) – “The Batman,” an innovative, all-new animated television series based on the famed DC Comics super hero Batman, is being produced by Warner Bros. Animation for Kids’ WB! and Cartoon Network, it was announced today by Sander Schwartz, President, Warner Bros. Animation; Paul Levitz, President and Publisher, DC Comics; John Hardman, Senior Vice President, Programming, Kids’ WB!; and Sam Register, Senior Vice President of Original Animation, Cartoon Network.

“The Batman” will feature the most complex and intriguing character in comic book history in action-packed super-heroic adventures, melding the renowned character’s extraordinary physical prowess and super-sleuthing skills with a new range of experimental Bat-gadgets and amped-up Batmobiles. This series picks up Batman’s story in year three: in his mid-twenties, just finding his way as protector, defender and Caped Crusader, while balancing his public persona as billionaire bachelor Bruce Wayne. Accentuating the original take on the series, The Edge from multi-Grammy Award-winning sensation U2 will perform the series’ theme song.

“Batman is one of animation’s most recognizable and most popular characters,” said Schwartz. “For decades, legions of fans throughout the world have enjoyed Batman comics, feature films, television series and made-for-video releases. The new series will continue this timeless tradition, while adding an exciting new interpretation that will appeal to current fans, as well as attract a whole new generation to the celebrated Batman franchise.”

“‘The Batman’ is an important new addition to the Batman mythology, produced by our award-winning colleagues at Warner Bros. Animation,” said Levitz. “We look forward to working with them to make it the new creative benchmark for adventure animation, just as ‘The Adventures of Batman’ set the tone for the field a decade ago.”

Living in Gotham, a metropolis where shadows run long and deep, beneath elevated train tracks and within a 150-year-old drainage system, this younger Batman will confront updated takes of familiar foes — meeting each member of his classic Rogue’s Gallery for the first time. From the likes of Joker, Penguin, Catwoman, Mr. Freeze, Riddler and Man-Bat, among others, the war on crime jumps to the next level with a new arsenal at the Dark Knight’s disposal, all operated and linked by an advanced remote-controlled invention he dubs the “Bat-Wave.”

“Batman has thrilled audiences for decades and we look forward to bringing a contemporary vision of this classic hero to a new generation,” said Hardman. “Kids’ WB! is eager to work with the Studio and help expand the scope of this timeless franchise.”

“To me, this is a dream project. Batman is the ultimate action-adventure property, and I’ve been a fan all of my life,” said Register. “The characters will remain true to their heritage, but we’re going to deliver an action-adventure show that will feel so fresh and stylish that today’s kids will love it as much as we all did growing up. I think this new Batman animated series will be a show that kids and their parents will watch together.”

Winner of the “Comics Buyer’s Guide” Favorite Character of the Century Award, Batman is one of the most memorable inventions in literature and continues to sustain his worldwide appeal, starring in numerous collected editions and special publications and appearing monthly in seven comic books. Created by Bob Kane, Batman made his comic book debut in “Detective Comics #27” in May 1939. Within a year, “Batman #1,” the first comic book devoted exclusively to the Caped Crusader’s adventures, hit newsstands. In this issue, he battled the Joker and Catwoman for the very first time. In 2003, the monthly comic book “Batman,” written by fan favorite Jeph Loeb and superstar artist Jim Lee, was the number one comic book in North America. The graphic novels “The Dark Knight Returns,” “Batman: Year One” and “Batman: The Long Halloween” are perennial industry bestsellers.

DC Comics, Warner Bros. Animation and The WB Television Network (home of Kids’ WB!) are all Warner Bros. Entertainment Companies.

DC Comics, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world and home to such iconic characters as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and the Sandman. These DC Super Heroes and others have starred in comic books, movies, television series (both animated and live-action) and cyberspace, thrilling audiences of all ages for generations. DC Comics’ Web site is located at www.dccomics.com.

Warner Bros. Animation, the most awarded animation studio in history, has produced several highly successful Batman interpretations, starting in the early nineties when the Emmy award-winning “Batman: The Animated Series” premiered. In early 1999, Warner Bros. Animation took the legend of the Dark Knight into the future with the hit television series, “Batman Beyond,” and in fall 2001, Batman appeared with his super hero peers as part of the “Justice League,” which debuted to triumphant ratings and acclaim on Cartoon Network. Warner Home Video recently released an all-new, feature-length made-for-video adventure “Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman,” produced by Warner Bros. Animation.

Kids’ WB!, a leader in kids’ television, is the children’s programming service of The WB Television Network. The top-rated broadcast and cable network for Boys, Tweens and Male Tweens, Kids’ WB! has maintained its position as the #1 broadcast network since spring of 1999 and continues to set precedent with its new powerhouse 2003-2004 programming schedule. Kids’ WB!’s website is www.KidsWB.com.

Cartoon Network, currently seen in 85.7 million U.S. homes and 145 countries around the world, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.’s 24-hour, ad-supported cable service offering the best in animated entertainment. Since its launch in 1992, Cartoon Network has remained one of ad-supported cable’s highest-rated networks. Cartoon Network’s website is www.CartoonNetwork.com.