[an error occurred while processing this directive]
BBC News
watch One-Minute World News
Last Updated: Friday, 19 August 2005, 16:13 GMT 17:13 UK
Gallery told to drop 'gay' Batman
shot from the movie Batman Begins
The Batman character was revived in recent hit movie Batman Begins
DC Comics has ordered a New York gallery to remove pictures which show Batman and Robin kissing and embracing.

The Kathleen Cullen Fine Arts gallery was told it would face legal action unless it removed watercolours of the superhero by artist Mark Chamberlain.

"DC Comics wants me to hand over all unsold work," said Ms Cullen.

Arts website Artnet was also told to remove the series of semi-naked images of Batman and Robin from its website. DC Comics was unavailable to comment.

Homoerotic poses

The colour pictures, which depict the superheroes in a number of homoerotic poses, were put on display in the gallery in February.

Seven images from the collection were subsequently displayed on the Artnet site.

Artist Chamberlain's works have been exhibited in numerous Manhattan galleries since 1991, with collections entitled Neo-Erotic and Gender Tennis among others.

Two years ago an artwork featuring Kylie Minogue's bottom was pulled from the Royal Academy's summer show after the singer's lawyers complained.


SEE ALSO:
Batman triumphs at US box office
20 Jun 05 |  Entertainment
Film critics hail Batman revival
15 Jun 05 |  Entertainment
In pictures: Batman through the years
16 Jun 05 |  In Pictures
The many faces of Batman
15 Jun 05 |  Entertainment
Film fans fall for Pitt and Jolie
13 Jun 05 |  Entertainment


RELATED BBC LINKS:

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites


PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Americas Africa Europe Middle East South Asia Asia Pacific