Batman Beyond Video and John Broome.

``Batman Beyond:The Movie'' -- a new action-packed video based on the adventures of the futuristic crimefighter who stars in the hit Kids' WB! animated series -- will debut on May 18.

The Warner Bros. Family Entertainment release, being offered in conjunction with Warner Home Video's year-long Century Collection promotion, will be part of a special group called ``Totally Batman.''

Also included are the hits ``Batman: Mask of Phantasm,'' ``Batman and Mr. Freeze: Subzero,'' ``The Batman/Superman Movie'' and ``Superman: The Last Son of Krypton.'' All five titles are available at their lowest price ever.

To further enhance the value, several premiums and discount offers will be included. There will be free ``Batman Beyond: The Movie'' posters on all videos as well as free comic books and rebate offers from Act II Popcorn and Jello Yogurt. Each video will include more than $300 in consumer savings/a.

The ``Batman Beyond'' television series -- from the creators of the original contemporary ``Batman'' animated series, a four-time Emmy award winner -- has proved to be a super-hero in the ratings. It recently became the No. 2 program in its time period among boys 2-11. Based on this season's overwhelming response, the network has ordered 13 additional episodes for the start of their 1999-2000 season.

The soaring popularity of the series has resulted in the development of other Batman-related products. Hasbro Toys has introduced a line of action figures and DC Comics is publishing a new comic book devoted to the superhero. A website created exclusively for the Caped Crusader can be accessed at www.BatmanBeyond.com.

With its futuristic look and feel, ``Batman Beyond'' is being touted by critics as leading a stylistic revolution in animation. Charles Solomon of the Los Angeles Times praised the ``hard-hitting and fast-paced'' series, quoting co-producer Alan Burnett, ``Batman is a great character who embodies a sense of justice that everybody understands. He's so strong that we were able to open our minds to all sorts of possibilities and new story ideas.''

``Batman Beyond: The Movie'' is set in the early 21st century when Gotham City has become an enormous megalopolis etched in neon with sleek futuristic vehicles, behemoth people movers and foreboding architecture. Amidst all the change, the aging Bruce Wayne, Batman's alter-ego, has retired his Batsuit. When a brave high school student stumbles onto the secret of Batman's true identity, a unique alliance is forged and an awesome hero is born. Armed with a dazzling array of advanced Bat-technology, the crime-fighting tradition is carried into the next millennium.

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