Renowned Comic Book Artist Alex Ross to Debut 'Batman: War On Crime' Lithograph at Warner Bros. Flagship Studio Store in New York

Business Wire, May 30, 2000

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BURBANK, Calif.--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--May 30, 2000

Original Art to be Auctioned at Sotheby's June 17

Renowned comic book artist Alex Ross will debut a limited edition lithograph from the award-winning DC Comics graphic novel "Batman: War on Crime" at the Warner Bros. Studio Store Gallery at Fifth Avenue and 57th Street in New York City on Thursday, June 8, at 7:00 p.m.

The reception for Ross will also commemorate Sotheby's auction of the entire selection of original paintings from "Batman: War on Crime."

The book tells the story of Batman as he encounters a young boy whose parents have been murdered and sees a reflection of himself as a youth, about to choose the path that led him into endless conflict with evil. This parallel haunts him as he examines the nature of crime, from Gotham City's dingy back-alleys to its plush corporate suites.

Selected pieces of original art, to be auctioned at Sotheby's on June 17, will be on display at the Warner Bros. Studio Store in New York at Fifth Avenue and 57th Street from June 1 to 8. Ross will donate all proceeds from the auction to the John A. Reisenbach Foundation, benefiting the John A. Reisenbach Charter School in Harlem.

The limited edition lithograph, "War on Crime," with an edition size of 250 and retail price of $425, illustrates Batman's origin and motivation for his never-ending fight against crime. The lithograph, taken from the pages of the graphic novel, was created by Ross and Warner Bros.

Emmy Award-winning producer, and writer of "Batman: War on Crime," Paul Dini, will also be on hand for the debut. Each piece, sold exclusively through Warner Bros. Studio Stores, is signed by Ross and Dini and comes with a softcover edition of the book. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this artwork will also be donated by Ross to the John A. Reisenbach Foundation.

"Alex Ross is a truly extraordinary artist, not only in the power and popularity of his work, but in his commitment to charity," said Mark Taliani, vice president of Warner Bros. Studio Store Gallery. "Warner Bros. Studio Store Gallery is proud to work with Alex on the events surrounding 'Batman: War on Crime' as we did last year with 'Superman: Peace on Earth.'"

Ross studied illustration at the American Academy of Art in Chicago, then honed his craft as a storyboard artist before entering the comics field. His miniseries "Marvels" (Marvel Comics, 1993) opened a wider acceptance for painted art in comics. He moved on to produce the equally successful "Kingdom Come" (DC Comics, 1996) and "Superman: Peace on Earth" (DC Comics, 1998).

Receiving critical acclaim and multiple awards for these best-selling works, Ross made a name as both an artist and storyteller, dedicating himself to bold experiments within the comics medium.

In his 10 years with Warner Bros. Animation, Dini has won four Emmy Awards. Dini joined Warner Bros. on the writing staff of Steven Spielberg's "Tiny Toon Adventures" in 1989. In 1991 he moved on to write and then co-produce "Batman: The Animated Series," then "Superman" and finally the critically acclaimed "Batman Beyond" animated series.

Branching into comics, he wrote the graphic novels "Batman: Mad Love," "Batman: Harley Quinn" and "Superman: Peace on Earth." He is also the author of "Batman Animated" (HarperCollins).

DC Comics is a division of Warner Bros., a Time Warner Entertainment company. Since 1938, DC Comics has created more than 5,000 characters, including the world's most popular superheroes: Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. These and other characters have starred in comic books, movies, television, TV animation, the Broadway stage and cyberspace.

Warner Bros. Consumer Products, a division of Warner Bros., a Time Warner Entertainment Company, L.P., is one of the leading and most diversified licensing and retail merchandising organizations, which includes a vast library of intellectual properties and the Warner Bros. Studio Stores, including wbstore.com, the company's e-commerce Web site.

With more than 3,700 licensees, Warner Bros. Consumer Products licenses the rights to names, likenesses and logos for a variety of entertainment properties, categories and Warner Bros. icons that include "Looney Tunes," Batman, Superman, "Scooby-Doo," "The Wizard of Oz," "Friends," "ER" and its newest member, Harry Potter.

Note: Superman, Batman and all related characters, names and indicia are trademarks of DC Comics.

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