Jesse Baer
Apr 3, 2008, 05:16 pm
<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/logos/dcnewlogo.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/logos/dcnewlogot.jpg" hspace=10 align=left alt="DC Comics Logo"></a>Several weeks ago The CW announced that Smallville had been renewed for an eighth season. Today Smallville creators and executive producers Alfred Gough and Miles Millar announced that they will be leaving the show. The pair wrote the following in an open letter to fans:
"As the creators of Smallville we look back at 7 amazing years. We look back at 152 episodes. We look back knowing that the show will continue into Season 8 without us. After much heartache and debate we have decided it is time for us to move on.
"Over the last 7 years we have had the honor of working with a remarkable team of people here in Los Angeles and in Vancouver. We have been blessed with a wonderful cast who we have watched mature with admiration and affection. We have been rewarded with a fan base that is as loyal as it is vocal.
"We are incredibly proud of our work on this show. We achieved what we set out to do. We never compromised our vision. We leave knowing that Smallville is the longest-running comic book based series of all-time. The show was featured on the covers of Rolling Stone, MAD magazine, TV Guide and Entertainment Weekly. The pilot had the highest-rated premiere in the history of the WB. Even in its seventh year it is still the #1 scripted show on the network. Smallville is watched by millions of people in hundreds of countries and in dozens of languages around the world.
"The show’s success is a credit to a fantastically talented group of people. We wanted to take this chance to single some of them out. Our writers – your work speaks for itself. James, Jae, Rob, David – the backbone of our team in Vancouver. Joe Davola, Chris and Shelly – remember those Friday night brainstorming sessions? Len Goldstein and Steve Pearlman – thanks for believing we could do this. David Nutter – for giving the show your magic touch. John Litvack – when the knives were out, you always had our backs. Ken Horton – our Yoda. Peter Roth – Smallville's biggest fan. Melinda, Michael R., Paul M., Susan and Suzanne – for steering us through 152 episodes. Greg Beeman – your passion is an inspiration. Jordan, David, Garth, Carolyn, Bob & Lew – and everyone at the much-missed WB. Paul Levitz, Greg Noveck and the guys at DC Comics. Lisa Lewis – our very own soccer mom/mafia accountant. Michael Gendler – aka mega-counsel. David Lubliner – we can finally focus on features now. And last but in no way the least, Renee Kurtz – the smartest TV agent in town, we would be nowhere without you!
"Finally, to the fans who have stuck with us through the highs and the lows: know this – we never stopped fighting to make this show great. Thanks for watching.
"Alfred Gough & Miles Millar"
In other news, several new comic-based DVDs have been announced in the past couple weeks. TVShowsOnDVD.com has news on several new announcements. First up, Warner Home Video has announced (http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Birds-Prey-The-Complete-Series/9320) that the short lived Birds of Prey WB series will hit DVD on July 15. The Complete Series DVD includes all 13 episodes and all-new bonus features in a 4-disc set with a $39.98 SRP. The special features will include Gotham Girls S1-3, an animated series of shorts starring the Birds of Prey characters.
Warner Home Video has also announced (http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Witchblade-The-Complete-Series/9296) Witchblade: The Complete Series on DVD July 29. The seven-disc set includes all 23 episodes from seasons 1 and 2 of the series that starred Yancy Butler, as well as the original made-for-TV movie and never-before seen bonus features. The set carries a $69.98 SRP. The site has cover art in a seperate article (http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Witchblade-The-Complete-Series/9309).
Warner has also announced the 5th and final seasons of both The Batman (http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Batman-Season-5/9255) and Teen Titans (http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Teen-Titans-Season-5/9254) for July 22. Both sets include 13 episodes, with a $19.98 SRP for both. The Teen Titans set includes 20 minutes of extras, while The Batman set includes two featurettes.
Universal has scheduled (http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Incredible-Hulk-Seasons-3-and-4/9168) The Incredible Hulk - The Complete 3rd Season and The Incredible Hulk - The Complete 4th Season for release on June 3. Both sets will include a Free Movie Ticket to see The Incredible Hulk, which hits theaters June 13, and both feature lenticular covers (Season 1 had a lenticular cover, but Season 2 did not. Universal is re-releasing Season 2 with a lenticular cover, and have since announced (http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Incredible-Hulk-Season-2-Box-Exchange/9289) a box exchange program for fans that already bought the 2nd season). Season 3 has 23 episodes, Season 4 has 18, and both sets have all-new bonus content featuring show creator Kenneth Johnson. Both sets carry a $39.98 SRP. TVShowsOnDVD.com speculates that the 5th and final season of the series will probably be released around mid-October.
Fox Home Entertainment has announced (http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Fantastic-Worlds-Greatest-Heroes-Season-1-Press-Release/9258) that the complete first season of Fantastic Four: World's Greatest Heroes will be released June 10. The series originally premiered in September 2006 on Cartoon Network, and the set features all 26 episodes from Season One, plus 9 episodes never-before-seen in the U.S. Special features include an exclusive interview with Stan Lee, several behind-the-scenes featurettes, audio commentaries by writer Chris Yost and producer Craig Kyle and more. The set carries a SRP of $39.98.
In high-definition news, Fox Home Entertainment has announced (http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Batman-The-Movie-1966/9242) that the 1966 Batman: The Movie, starring Adam West and Burt Ward, will be released on a Blu-Ray Disc Special Edition on July 1. The Batman: The Movie Special Edition Blu-Ray Disc will include new featurettes; an isolated score; interviews and commentaries by West, Ward, and screenwriter Lorenzo Semple, Jr.; trivia track; galleries and trailers. The disc carries a $39.98 SRP. Additionally, 5,000 limited, special edition Blu-Ray discs will be packaged with a 1/18th scale Batmobile from Hot Wheels with a SRP of $59.98. The site has cover art for the regular release in a seperate release (http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Batman-The-Movie-1966/9303).
Also, DVDActive (http://www.dvdactive.com/news/releases/v-for-vendetta8.html) has details and cover art for the Blu-Ray release of V for Vendetta, which was previously only available in HD-DVD. The Blu-Ray disc will be available on May 20, with a SRP of $28.99.
"As the creators of Smallville we look back at 7 amazing years. We look back at 152 episodes. We look back knowing that the show will continue into Season 8 without us. After much heartache and debate we have decided it is time for us to move on.
"Over the last 7 years we have had the honor of working with a remarkable team of people here in Los Angeles and in Vancouver. We have been blessed with a wonderful cast who we have watched mature with admiration and affection. We have been rewarded with a fan base that is as loyal as it is vocal.
"We are incredibly proud of our work on this show. We achieved what we set out to do. We never compromised our vision. We leave knowing that Smallville is the longest-running comic book based series of all-time. The show was featured on the covers of Rolling Stone, MAD magazine, TV Guide and Entertainment Weekly. The pilot had the highest-rated premiere in the history of the WB. Even in its seventh year it is still the #1 scripted show on the network. Smallville is watched by millions of people in hundreds of countries and in dozens of languages around the world.
"The show’s success is a credit to a fantastically talented group of people. We wanted to take this chance to single some of them out. Our writers – your work speaks for itself. James, Jae, Rob, David – the backbone of our team in Vancouver. Joe Davola, Chris and Shelly – remember those Friday night brainstorming sessions? Len Goldstein and Steve Pearlman – thanks for believing we could do this. David Nutter – for giving the show your magic touch. John Litvack – when the knives were out, you always had our backs. Ken Horton – our Yoda. Peter Roth – Smallville's biggest fan. Melinda, Michael R., Paul M., Susan and Suzanne – for steering us through 152 episodes. Greg Beeman – your passion is an inspiration. Jordan, David, Garth, Carolyn, Bob & Lew – and everyone at the much-missed WB. Paul Levitz, Greg Noveck and the guys at DC Comics. Lisa Lewis – our very own soccer mom/mafia accountant. Michael Gendler – aka mega-counsel. David Lubliner – we can finally focus on features now. And last but in no way the least, Renee Kurtz – the smartest TV agent in town, we would be nowhere without you!
"Finally, to the fans who have stuck with us through the highs and the lows: know this – we never stopped fighting to make this show great. Thanks for watching.
"Alfred Gough & Miles Millar"
In other news, several new comic-based DVDs have been announced in the past couple weeks. TVShowsOnDVD.com has news on several new announcements. First up, Warner Home Video has announced (http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Birds-Prey-The-Complete-Series/9320) that the short lived Birds of Prey WB series will hit DVD on July 15. The Complete Series DVD includes all 13 episodes and all-new bonus features in a 4-disc set with a $39.98 SRP. The special features will include Gotham Girls S1-3, an animated series of shorts starring the Birds of Prey characters.
Warner Home Video has also announced (http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Witchblade-The-Complete-Series/9296) Witchblade: The Complete Series on DVD July 29. The seven-disc set includes all 23 episodes from seasons 1 and 2 of the series that starred Yancy Butler, as well as the original made-for-TV movie and never-before seen bonus features. The set carries a $69.98 SRP. The site has cover art in a seperate article (http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Witchblade-The-Complete-Series/9309).
Warner has also announced the 5th and final seasons of both The Batman (http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Batman-Season-5/9255) and Teen Titans (http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Teen-Titans-Season-5/9254) for July 22. Both sets include 13 episodes, with a $19.98 SRP for both. The Teen Titans set includes 20 minutes of extras, while The Batman set includes two featurettes.
Universal has scheduled (http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Incredible-Hulk-Seasons-3-and-4/9168) The Incredible Hulk - The Complete 3rd Season and The Incredible Hulk - The Complete 4th Season for release on June 3. Both sets will include a Free Movie Ticket to see The Incredible Hulk, which hits theaters June 13, and both feature lenticular covers (Season 1 had a lenticular cover, but Season 2 did not. Universal is re-releasing Season 2 with a lenticular cover, and have since announced (http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Incredible-Hulk-Season-2-Box-Exchange/9289) a box exchange program for fans that already bought the 2nd season). Season 3 has 23 episodes, Season 4 has 18, and both sets have all-new bonus content featuring show creator Kenneth Johnson. Both sets carry a $39.98 SRP. TVShowsOnDVD.com speculates that the 5th and final season of the series will probably be released around mid-October.
Fox Home Entertainment has announced (http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Fantastic-Worlds-Greatest-Heroes-Season-1-Press-Release/9258) that the complete first season of Fantastic Four: World's Greatest Heroes will be released June 10. The series originally premiered in September 2006 on Cartoon Network, and the set features all 26 episodes from Season One, plus 9 episodes never-before-seen in the U.S. Special features include an exclusive interview with Stan Lee, several behind-the-scenes featurettes, audio commentaries by writer Chris Yost and producer Craig Kyle and more. The set carries a SRP of $39.98.
In high-definition news, Fox Home Entertainment has announced (http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Batman-The-Movie-1966/9242) that the 1966 Batman: The Movie, starring Adam West and Burt Ward, will be released on a Blu-Ray Disc Special Edition on July 1. The Batman: The Movie Special Edition Blu-Ray Disc will include new featurettes; an isolated score; interviews and commentaries by West, Ward, and screenwriter Lorenzo Semple, Jr.; trivia track; galleries and trailers. The disc carries a $39.98 SRP. Additionally, 5,000 limited, special edition Blu-Ray discs will be packaged with a 1/18th scale Batmobile from Hot Wheels with a SRP of $59.98. The site has cover art for the regular release in a seperate release (http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Batman-The-Movie-1966/9303).
Also, DVDActive (http://www.dvdactive.com/news/releases/v-for-vendetta8.html) has details and cover art for the Blu-Ray release of V for Vendetta, which was previously only available in HD-DVD. The Blu-Ray disc will be available on May 20, with a SRP of $28.99.