Here's the press release for The Batman, debuting on Kids WB this
fall (and turning up later on Cartoon Network). Promotional images
can be seen at ToonZone.net's report on the series at
http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=102021


WARNER BROS. ANIMATION PRODUCING "THE BATMAN,"
AN ALL-NEW TAKE ON THE DARK KNIGHT
FOR KIDS' WB! AND CARTOON NETWORK

U2's The Edge To Perform Theme Song For New Batman Series

(Sherman Oaks, CA – February 9, 2004) "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 is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the
world and home to such other iconic characters as Superman, 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' website is 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.