May 4, 2004 - Can't remember which DC Direct products are due in at comic book stores soon? Here's the schedule for the next couple of weeks. These release dates are subject to change, sometimes the items are released later than originally planned, and sometimes earlier. (Here's another release date schedule for 2004.)

May 5:

• Teen Titans: Starfire Maquette
• Jim Lee Batman Posters - was May 12

• Justice League Animated: Batman Mini-Maquette
• Vertigo: Despair Mini-Bust - was May 5

• Green Arrow Mini-Statue - was May 26
• Batman Hush Action Figures (Batman, Poison Ivy, Huntress, Hush, the Joker)

SCULPTOR JOHN G. MATHEWS SIGNS TWO-YEAR EXCLUSIVE WITH DC COMICS

John G. "Jack" Mathews has signed a two-year exclusive with DC Comics. Mathews has sculpted DC Direct items including the JOKER and HARLEY QUINN MARIONETTES, the BATMAN FIRST APPEARANCE ACTION FIGURE, and the line of CLASSIC ANIMATION MAQUETTES.

"Working with DC Direct over the past few years has been a great experience for me not only because of the cool stuff I get to work on, but because of the great people I get to work with," says Mathews. "I'm absolutely delighted to sign on, and honored to join the roster of exceptional talent both within and outside the company. This gives me the opportunity to focus my creative energies in one direction, instead of being scattered among many clients. I'm looking forward to the next couple of years!"

"We couldn't be happier to have Jack on board," says Georg Brewer, DC's VP - Design & Retail Product Development. "The work he's done so far for DC Direct has been outstanding; he continues to surprise us with the quality of his work on each new project."

Upcoming DC Direct items sculpted by Mathews are available as follows:

• The BATMAN HUSH 2: RIDDLER ACTION FIGURE, offered only as part of the BATMAN: HUSH SERIES 2 ACTION FIGURES Master Case (APR040392) and Inner Case (APR040393). Both are available for advance reorder and scheduled to arrive in stores on October 13.
• The BATMAN HUSH 2: NIGHTWING ACTION FIGURE (APR040396) is available for advance reorder and is scheduled to arrive in stores on October 13.
• The FIRST APPEARANCE: BATMAN ACTION FIGURE (DEC030332) is available for advance reorder and is scheduled to arrive in stores on June 30.
• The DC COMICS CLASSIC ANIMATION MAQUETTE SERIES: BATMAN THE ANIMATED SERIES: THE JOKER (JAN040308) is available for advance reorder and is scheduled to arrive in stores on July 7.
• The DC COMICS CLASSIC ANIMATION MAQUETTE SERIES: BATMAN THE ANIMATED SERIES: BATMAN (MAR040381) is available for advance reorder and is scheduled to arrive in stores on September 8.
• The HARLEY QUINN MARIONETTE (MAR040389) is available for advance reorder and is scheduled to arrive in stores on September 29.