Friday, May 26, 2000

X-MEN EVOLUTION CHARACTER DESIGNS

The Comics Continuum has obtained the first images of Wolverine and Storm for the upcoming X-Men Evolution animated series on Kids' WB!

Although most of the main characters of X-Men Evolution - Cyclops, Jean Grey, Nightcrawler, Rogue, Kitty Pryde and Spyke - are teenagers, Wolverine and Storm will be adult characters.

Storm is of a mentor to the group and is Spyke's aunt. Story editor Bob Forward describes Wolverine as a "protector" to the young mutants.

"He keeps an eye on them," Forward said. "He will keep them from being killed."

The Continuum has also learned that Sabretooth will be appearing in the series, which is being produced at Film Roman. Thirteen episodes are planned for the first season.

Look for more on X-Men Evolution soon here in The Continuum.

PARK TALKS TOAD ON FX

Ray Park, who plays Toad on the upcoming X-Men movie, appeared on FX's The X Show on Thursday night and talked about the character.

During the interview, Park said he was somew

"I knew they were out because I saw the cartoon as a kid," Park said. "I wasn't like a deep-in fan that knew the ins and outs about the X-Men. But I read a lot. I was into Batman, Superman and Spider-Man as a kid growing up as well."

His approach to the character?

"First, you have to be sort of put off all the fan's things you feel about as a kid," Park said. "You have to really calm down and try to take it and make this character and work with the director, Bryan Singer."

Asked to compare the movie Toad to the comics Toad, Park said, "For the movie, Toad is harder. Tough. Evil. Like in the comics as well, he had a bit of fun."

Park also showed some of his fighting techniques.

CHAOS!/INFINITY FOR SEPTEMBER

Following are September solicitations from Chaos! Comics and Infinity Comics, with information provided by the company.

CHASTITY: REIGN OF TERROR #1

Written by Steven Grant, illustrated by Luke Ross, colored by Jason Jensen, cover by Al Rio.

Chastity returns in this high-impact thriller. Still gaining her bearings in the new Chaos! Cosmos, Chastity embarks on a journey to regain her focus and continue the martial arts training she began years ago. She finds herself swept up into a supernatural web of deceit as someone, something is killing off New York City's top martial arts masters in the most macabre ways. As she tries to unlock the mystery and comes closer to the truth, the more she realizes it may cost her her life.

32 pages, $2.95, ships on Sept. 1 (premium edition with cover by Dorian Cleavenger, $9.95).

INSANE CLOWN POSSE: THE PENDULUM #5 - ROAD RAGE

Written by Jesse McCann, penciled by Jerry Beck, inked by Sandu Florea, colored by Colorgraphix.

Out of the mean streets of Southwest Detroit, onto the hellish highways of heartland America come the Wicked Clownz. With the faith-healing priest Jesus onboard, Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope head face-first into adversity as they seek out their ultimate foe, demonic overlord and shady businessman Killnor. Nipping at their heels are Twizted and the Stress Team-both with deadly, unfinished business. And, as if that were not enough to get a clown down, the heroes must deal with a whole city of thugs, thieves and liars. Plus: the coming of The Carnival of Carnage. Each issue features an ICP single that is available nowhere else.

32 pages, $5.95, ships on Sept. 8.

LADY DEATH: THE CRUCIBLE COLLECTED EDITION VOL. I

Written by Brian Pulido, illustrated by Steven Hughes, colored by Jason Jensen.

Enlisted by her guardian, Vandala, to protect the realm of the Northmen, Lady Death, discovers lost aspects of her heritage that link her to the Valkyries, a race of warrior women led by the heartless Vulnavia. When she loses someone near and dear to her, Lady Death becomes enraged and near berserk. She joins in the epic battle against Genocide, a primal evil being so powerful that he causes Lucifer to tremble in fear. With the ruling Gods of Asgard dead and buried, can Lady Death and the demoralized Warrior clans prevail against Genocide or will his horrific Doom Magistrates unlock the power they quest for and use it against all creation? Volume One of this series combines the first two issues of Lady Death: The Crucible.

48 pages, $5.96, ships on Sept. 22.

COUNTER-STRIKE #4

Written by Len Kaminski, penciled by Ivan Reis, inked by Joe Pimentel, colored by Jason Jensen.

In the final issue of the mini-series, Robin and Matt Hunter are on their own, stripped of Counter-Strike's enormous resources, separated from their allies. And now they must face their greatest nemesis, Gabriel Blackwell - and either prevail or die.

32 pages, $2.50, ships on Sept. 15.

FIRST LOOK - EXPOSURE THE SECOND COMING #1

Avatar Press has provided The Continuum with additional images of Exposure: Second Coming #1.

Here's how Avatar describes the issue, written by Dave Campiti with art by Al Rio:

"This special oversized first issue drops Lisa and Shawna in the middle of another paranormal mess as a billionaire is accused of impossibly horrific murders. This issue also features the women in a lingerie clad photo session that are some of the hottest pages Al Rio has ever drawn!"

The 40-page book ships in August and will cost $3.50.

GIVE'EM A CLICK

BRIEFLY