| Battle of the Planets Merchandise News: |
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Battle of the Planets to Be Released by Rhino Video in the US
Reports have been mixed. I've heard video quality on the BotP episodes is very good, though there have been some problems with the sound on the G-Force episodes on the DVD. Apparently someone recorded the soundtrack on a "surround sound" channel that only comes through as whispers from some DVD players. Rhino's word on this is that it's a bug. The Gatchaman episodes--which are causing the most fan response right now--are said to be in fairly good, though not perfect quality--chances are they were taken from the early nineties laser disks and not from the new Gatchaman DVD editions released in Japan. The subtitles are said to be good, and from what I've seen of the first two episodes, are accurate. You can read a review of the DVD Volume 1 and Volume 2 on animeondvd.com
Some questions and answers gleaned from mailing lists and newsgroups:
- Will all the episodes be released by Rhino?
We don't know at this time. Depends on how well the first volumes sell. I heard they first polled the fans to find out if running a "best of" collection would work, but many fans stated their preference for the whole thing, in order (using the episode order from original Gatchaman). - How did Rhino get the rights to publish Gatchaman?
They got permission from Sandy Frank. Sandy Frank holds certain domestic (US) rights to Gatchaman and its versions, which allows them to release the episodes in home video. - What are the volumes, prices and release dates?
Glad you asked! Here they are
Volumes Currently Available as of July, 2003: #1-6
Price: $9.95 (VHS) and $19.95 (DVD)
Bonus Materials on the DVD include two corresponding episodes of G-Force and two subtitled Gatchaman episodes and animated menus.
UPDATE September 26, 2003: "Battle of the Planets: The Ultimate Box Set" was released September 9th. This set includes the next 12 uncut BotP episodes where Volume 6 left off (Because Sandy Frank skipped Gatchaman #13, 19 and 20, the next episodes featured on this set will be numbers 14-18 and numbers 21-27. This does not mean any BotP episodes have been skipped, however). No G-Force episodes are included in the set.The special features include twelve uncut corresponding Gatchaman episodes (14-18 and 21-27) with English subtitles (we're not getting the "missing" ones--too bad), plus commentary from Ronnie Schell, Janet Waldo and Alan Young. A collection of new on-camera interviews include segments from Schell, Waldo and Young, along with Casey Kasem and others involved in the show's original production. There is also a gallery of memorabilia and promotional trailers. Retail price is $59.95. Rhino has also released a limited-edition set numbered at 15,000, which includes an exclusive Jason action figure from Diamond Select (the Diamond Select action figure without the helmet and with the civilian version of the Spacemobile). G-2 fans take note! For more, go to Rhino's site
Battle of the Planets on Video in the UK and Australia
In addition to all the episodes, you get:
- The BotP "Movie": This is not the 1978 Gatchaman theatrical feature fans were expecting. Though it starts with the Space Terrapin (as the movie did with the Turtle King), the other episodes used for the movie are quite different. This was a test to determine how Battle of the Planets sound would work with Gatchaman footage. Zark's voice was changed to add lines and make it consistent throughout. This version has a faster pace, with more fighting footage. The opening credits run with the Cuban Boys Remix music and a different animation sequence. Zark's voice is played by David Brett Egen, who plays his part more seriously than Alan Young. Zark's theme music has been replaced by generic computer sounds.
- Mini Feature: An early test to see how Gatchaman footage would work added back to Battle of the Planets. This was shown at the 2002 San Diego Comic-Con. If I recall correctly, the footage is from "The Sky Is Falling!" Part 2.
- "Rescue of the Astronauts" Special Edition: A test cut of "Rescue of the Astronauts" to see how a new beginning and new video transition effects would work with the series.
- "New Animation Promos 2004": Edited versions of the live action and animated NTT commercials from Japan back in 2000. (Note: There is no new production planned for these.)
- Official biographies of the main staff and cast. I've been told they must be from the original promotional material, as everyone is still living and Keye Luke is a "youthful" 74.
- Original Artwork Gallery
- Copies of Original Broadcast, recording and final scripts: You will need your PC for this. There are three files, each with a handful of pages on. "Attack of the Space Terrapin," "Capture of the Galaxy Code" and a never-produced episode called, "Zark-Double-Zark." The scripts include the timing for each line.
Special thanks to Jason, Ronin and Malran for the information!
Australian BotP fans can order the DVDs online via EzyDVD. Visit their direct listing here.
Download the Cuban Boys Remix of the BotP theme here.
BotP Soundtrack News
The Silva Screen Version (Pictured at right): In October 2004, Silva Screen is releasing a 2-disc version of the BotP soundtrack which will have "missing" tracks taken from the master tapes for Hoyt Curtin's BotP recording sessions as well as the original recordings of material from both Hoyt Curtin and Bob Sakuma. There should also be a booklet with recording date details and other behind-the-scenes info. This is a worldwide release.
As of October 4, Play.com is offering it for 10.99 and free delivery within the UK only. According to the Silva Screen site, if you order the CD before October 4th, the price will be 12.95. The normal list price is 14.95.
The Supercollector Version (Pictured at left): Produced by Ford A. Thaxton and original composer Hoyt Curtin. The CD contains a total of 39 tracks (running time: 74 minutes), featuring 19 tracks by Hoyt Curtin, 13 tracks by Japanese composer Bob Sakuma (from the original Gatchaman series music used in BotP), and 6 promotional tracks that have never been heard before.
The CD sold for $14.99 (US) plus shipping. Available at Supercollector.com. Currently out of print.
BotP T-shirts, Alex Ross Lithos and Other Goods from Dynamic Forces
It all started in an article on manga "dream teams" in the May 2001 issue of Wizard Magazine. On the splash page was an awesome realistic painting of the G-Force team in action by none other than renowned comic artist, Alex Ross. According to the article, Ross is nuts about the show and would love to work on "a lithograph or something more with these characters." Fellow fans wasted no time in contacting him with information on who to contact, and the preliminary sketches for the G-Force painting were snapped up from Ross's web site. He's done more art since, and getting G-Force art of this caliber is an absolute treat.
Since then, he's only been picking up steam, and the result was the summer release of the BotP comic from Top Cow. Unfortunately, after a raging head start in which Issue #1 sold out in very short order, the sales went downhill and the title slipped out of the Top 50... then the Top 100. As a result, the Battle of the Planets title ended at Issue #12. However, Top Cow is planning to give it another try, after the BotP Manga three-part edition was released to some success in fall of 2003. According to an interview in Super 7 Magazine, Ross is ending his involvement with the comics after release of a BotP art book and doing the cover to the first issue of the Top Cow "Princess" series due out in Fall, 2004. According to Amazon.com, the BotP art book is due out November of 2004. The ISBN is 1582404062 and the price is $4.99.
Dynamic Forces released BotP lithographs, trading cards, t-shirts, lunchboxes and other items. To order these goodies, visit the BotP page on the Dynamic Forces web site.
UPDATE September 21, 2003: Fans on two mailing lists have reported that Dynamic Forces has refunded their money for the long-awaited BotP fan club kits. It looks like these kits will not be going into production after all. There have been no updates on the battleoftheplanets.com site.
Diamond Finalizes Deal with Sandy Frank to Release BotP and Gatchaman Goods
 | Diamond Comics Distributors and Diamond Select Toys now have the rights to produce and distribute BotP and Gatchaman goods. Diamond Comics plan to import Gatchaman goods from Japan such as the Medicom figures, the Unifive Godphoenix, Yujin models, Kubrick-style figures, and so forth. Diamond Select Toys has the rights to produce BotP goods like action figures, statues, calendars, wall scrolls and building block figures. Click here to see the official press release. |
Merchandise Available from Diamond
| Product | Description | Price | Available |
| Limited Edition Zoltar Bust | Sculptor Greg Aronowitz's depiction of a laughing Zoltar. Approximately 6" high and limited to 5,000 pieces. | $45.00 | August '02 |
| Mark, Princess & Keyop Figures | 7" articulated figures sculpted by Gabriel Marquez. Feature the characters' signature weapons as well as mini version s of their vehicles (sculpted by SOTA). There is also a special "civilian" version of Keyop with the figure in his uniform but with a "civilian" head and his "untransmuted" dune buggy. Blister card packaging. | $10.99 Each | August '02 |
| Special Edition Mark Figure for '02 San Diego Comic Con | This is the 7" Mark figure described above, painted Pearl White in place of the standard white on his uniform, helmet and cape. This is an '02 San Diego Comic Con Exclusive, limited to 2002 pieces. Comes with Mark's Sonic Boomerang and Summit Jet. The figure will be sold at the Diamond Select Toys booth as well as other retailers around the show. | $9.99 Each | July 31-August 4 '02 |
| Jason, Tiny & Zoltar Action Figures | 7" articulated figures sculpted by Gabriel Marquez. Feature the characters' signature weapons as well as mini version s of their vehicles (sculpted by SOTA). Jason comes with cable gun and Spacemobile, Tiny comes with mini model of the Phoenix, and Zoltar will come with a mini model of the Space Terrapin. "Civilian" models will also be made available. For previews of the prototypes, visit here and here. | $10.99 Each | December '02 |
| Fiery Phoenix Previews Exclusive T-Shirt | Features the BotP logo in yellow on the front, and a full color image of the G-Force team, the Phoenix and Zoltar, with two opposing images of the Fiery Phoenix below everything on the back. This is available only through Previews. It is printed on a dark blue shirt and will be available in sizes L through XXL. | L-XL - $16.95 XXL - $17.95 |
Now |
| Zoltar and Cast T-Shirt | This shirt features the G-Force team, with a giant image of Zoltar looming behind them. The bottom of this full-color image has G-Force's "G" logo, the Battle of the Planets logo and the Spectra logo. Printed on black. | L - XL - $16.95 | Now |
| Battle of the Planets 2003 Calendar | This will be a 12" x 12" calendar featuring classic images from Battle of the Planets. | $13.99 | June/July '02 |
| Gatchaman Grafitti |
Highly-sought-after treasure trove of images, articles and design art from all of the Gatchaman series ('94 OVA as well). A4 size, 144 pages. Re-released in 2000. Japanese language only. |
$51.99 | Now |
| Gatchaman Materials | Offers articles, character sketches and most importantly, the designs for both the Kagaku Ninjatai's weapons and mechs and the Gallactor vehicles. B5 size, 225 pages. Released in 1999. Japanese language only. | $34.95 | Now |
| Medicom Mark and Jason 11" action figures | Diamond will be releasing these detailed, fully articulated 11" figures with removable costumes and weapons available under the Battle of the Planets label as Mark and Jason. They come with removable weapons (Mark with his boomerang and Jason with his cable gun). These figures were previously released in Japan under the Gatchaman name for $90. The $30 versions are not articulated at the knees and use cheaper materials for the costumes, which don't fit as well. Nevertheless, these are fantastic figures, especially at this price. | $29.99 | Now |
| Character Busts | Info TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Kubrick-style Figures | Not released by Kubrick, but very similar, this cute set of six figures (the team and Dr. Nambu) come with weapons (Nambu has a pointer and for some reason, Ryu has his snot-wad weapon from Gatchaman II). Worth the price for the packaging alone. | TBD | Now |
| Wall Scrolls | Standard wall scrolls featuring some of the art seen on the BotP DVD covers. | $15 | Now |
| For detailed information, visit the Diamond website. | |||
What Happened to the Battle of the Planets Video Game?
Battle of the Planets Online
The Bad News: Those of us who don't have DSL or some other really fast connection are pretty much out of luck. The downloads take "half the time the feature takes to play." For Mac users, I've been told there is also a beta DivX codec for OS 9 and OS X at this site. I highly recommend you read through the main DivX site, especially the FAQ page, for system requirements and details. DivX may not be available to users in the UK, Canada or Australia.
http://www.battleoftheplanets.com is now operative... sort of. All that's up now is the merchandise section, sponsored by Dynamic Forces. More will follow when the web staff gets to it.