Comic Book Shops Celebrate The Dark Knight Rises

The Dark Knight Rises is slated to hit theaters July 20. Chances are you're aware of it, have tickets and are gearing up to wait in line for good seats. The day before the film's release is getting a boost of sorts as well, with comic book retailers declaring it The Dark Knight Rises Day.

“The arrival of The Dark Knight Rises in theaters is a seminal moment for comic book readers and moviegoers; what better way to mark the occasion than with a free Batman comic book that rewards a broad range of fans and taps into the unprecedented excitement surrounding this film,” stated DC Entertainment Vice President of Marketing, John Cunningham.

Fans who visit their local comic book retailer on July 19 will receive a free, special edition comic book featuring several exclusive previews of current and upcoming Batman comic books and graphic novels. More than 500,000 copies of the free Batman comic book will be handed out that day on a first-come, first-served basis.

The free Batman: Earth One Special Preview Edition comic book features the first chapter of the highly anticipated graphic novel Batman Earth One, written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Gary Frank, as well as a preview of Batman Vol. 1 The Court of Owls, written by Scott Snyder and illustrated by Greg Capullo.

Full press release below.

COMIC BOOK SHOPS ACROSS NORTH AMERICA TO CELEBRATE
“THE DARK KNIGHT RISES” DAY ON THURSDAY, JULY 19

Free BATMAN Comic Book Offered to Fans Awaiting
This Summer’s Most Anticipated Film

Burbank, Calif., June 21, 2012 – DC Entertainment and comic book retailers across North America are declaring Thursday, July 19 “The Dark Knight Rises” Day to celebrate the arrival of this summer’s most anticipated film opening in theaters and IMAX ® on Friday, July 20.   Fans who visit their local comic book retailer on July 19 will receive a free, special edition comic book featuring several exclusive previews of current and upcoming Batman comic books and graphic novels. More than 500,000 copies of the free Batman comic book will be handed out that day on a first-come, first-served basis.

The free Batman: Earth One Special Preview Edition comic book features the first chapter of the highly anticipated graphic novel Batman Earth One written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Gary Frank, as well as a preview of Batman Vol. 1 The Court of Owls, the New York Times #1 best-selling graphic novel collection of the hit series written by Scott Snyder and illustrated by Greg Capullo.

“The arrival of The Dark Knight Rises in theaters is a seminal moment for comic book readers and moviegoers; what better way to mark the occasion than with a free Batman comic book that rewards a broad range of fans and taps into the unprecedented excitement surrounding this film,” stated DC Entertainment Vice President of Marketing, John Cunningham.

Fans can find a comic book retailer in their area by visiting Comic Shop Locator <http://www.comicshoplocator.com/Home/1/1/57/575> .

About “The Dark Knight Rises”
Opening in theatres and IMAX on July 20, 2012, “The Dark Knight Rises” stars Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Anne Hathaway, Tom Hardy, Marion Cotillard, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Morgan Freeman. Christopher Nolan directed the film from a screenplay by Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan, story by Christopher Nolan & David S. Goyer.  Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan and Charles Roven are the producers, with Benjamin Melniker, Michael E. Uslan, Kevin De La Noy and Thomas Tull serving as executive producers, and Jordan Goldberg co-producing.  “The Dark Knight Rises” is based upon Batman characters created by Bob Kane and published by DC Entertainment.

Warner Bros. Pictures presents, in association with Legendary Pictures, a Syncopy Production, a Film by Christopher Nolan, “The Dark Knight Rises,” to be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.  The film has been rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some sensuality and language. www.thedarkknightrises.com

About DC Entertainment:  
DC Entertainment, home to iconic brands DC Comics (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash), Vertigo (Sandman, Fables) and MAD, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating its content across Warner Bros. Entertainment and Time Warner.  DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment and interactive games. Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC Entertainment is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world.  In January 2012, DC Entertainment, in collaboration with Warner Bros. and Time Warner divisions, launched We Can Be Heroes —a giving campaign featuring the iconic Justice League super heroes—to raise awareness and funds to fight the hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa.