Writer Bob Andelman, whose biography of Will Eisner, A Spirited Life , will be published by Dark Horse's M Press imprint in July) sent out the word of Eisner's death and shared these events and anecdotes from Eisner's life.

Dynamic Forces has announced the Christmas release of a Marv Statue sculpted by William Pacquet.

Davis Marketing Services has announced that it is representing Starz Behind Barz , a playing card deck featuring mug shots of celebrities ranging from Frank Sinatra and Nick Nolte to Michael Jackson and Winona Ryder.

Warner Bros. Animation is producing a new Batman series, which will air on the top-rated Saturday morning Kids' WB next fall.

DC Direct is preparing a series of four action figures based on Frank Miller's seminal The Dark Knight Returns saga for a July release.

The US Playing Card Company has started issuing cease and desist orders to manufacturers of the Iraq's Most Wanted playing cards.

Electric Tiki is releasing three new maquettes (cold cast resins) in its series of classic Harvey Comics characters.

DC Direct is moving beyond just comic book fans by with offerings that feature Justice League Animated and Super Friends versions of the DC heroes that should have a strong appeal to animation aficionados.

Diamond Comic Distributors has announced agreements with publishers SQP Inc., Toyspress, and Graphic-sha that will allow Diamond to represent them to the bookstore, library, warehouse club, mass merchandiser, and specialty retail markets.

The networks are releasing their fall schedules and the WB, which scored a major hit with Smallville last season, is bringing that series back for a second season and adding another comic-based series from the Smallville producing team.