Wednesday, May 31, 2000

PEREZ TO END AVENGERS RUN

George Perez told The Continuum Tuesday night that upon the termination of his contract with Marvel Comics in July, he will not be continuing as artist of Avengers. His final issue will be Avengers #34.

"The primary reason for my decision is because I need to get my health back to normal," Perez told The Continuum. "My most recent check-up indicated that my blood pressure was still elevated and my blood sugar levels -- I'm a Type -2 diabetic -- are still too high. I need to establish a more aggressive exercise routine and lower my stress. In order to accomplish that I have to get out of the monthly grind for a while.

"I have received many offers from various companies and I've already lined up enough work to keep me busy for over a year. There's also the remote possibility that I could remain on Avengers for a little longer in a diminished capacity -- doing layouts for another penciller as I did years ago for Kerry Gammill on Action Comics -- to help finish the stories Kurt (Busiek, Avengers writer) and I started, but that's a decision that Kurt and editor Tom Brevoort would have to make depending on who would immediately follow me.

"I've had a good run on Avengers and will miss working on the characters, but even the best things end sooner or later. I apologize to the fans who were hoping I'd stay on longer, and up until last week that was my intention, but priorities needed to be made."

Perez said Avengers #34 will be a double-sized issue. "So I should go out with a bang," he said.

Perez said he will be continuing on his Crimson Plague book from Image Comics and Gorilla Comics and will be announcing his future plans shortly.

ARAD TALKS X-MEN

Marvel's Avi Arad said that the X-Men live-action movie is more than meeting his expectations.

"I love it. It's really what Bryan (Singer, the director) set out to do," said Arad, who is executive producer of X-Men. "It's high drama and very true to the X-Men. It's a serious drama with a serious story, but it has magically big action. It's totally different than anything you've ever seen."

Arad said he's also been pleased with Fox's MutantWatch campaign, a pseudo-political advertising campaign about the threat of mutants that backs Senator Kelly's beliefs. "The campaign is doing very well," Arad said. "It's interesting to see people try to figure out what it is."

Arad said the movie will have its world premiere in New York City on Wednesday July 12 - his daughter's birthday.

Toy Biz's X-Men movie figures have already become hot items. "I went into a couple of toy stores; I like to go in and check things out," Arad said. "And forget it. They weren't there. They told me the stuff comes and goes very quickly."

Arad said to expect more X-Men movie figures by the end of the year, as well as toys centered on the new Kids' WB! animated series, X-Men Evolution.

X-Men Evolution features a mostly teenage cast in a series skewed toward younger viewers, but Arad said there's no reason X-Fans of all ages shouldn't enjoy it.

"The issues in the show should appeal to the same broad audience," he said. "It's going to be a terrific-looking show."

ROSS DEBUTS BATMAN LITHO

Alex Ross will debut a limited edition lithograph from his DC Comics graphic novel Batman: War on Crime at the Warner Bros. Studio Store Gallery at Fifth Avenue and 57th Street in New York City on Thursday, June 8, at 7 p.m.

The reception for Ross will also commemorate Sotheby's auction of the entire selection of original paintings from Batman: War on Crime.

Selected pieces of original art, to be auctioned at Sotheby's on June 17, will be on display at the Warner Bros. Studio Store in New York at Fifth Avenue and 57th Street from Thursday to June 8. Ross will donate all proceeds from the auction to the John A. Reisenbach Foundation, benefiting the John A. Reisenbach Charter School in Harlem.

The limited edition lithograph, War on Crime, with an edition size of 250 and retail price of $425, illustrates Batman's origin and motivation for his never-ending fight against crime. The lithograph, taken from the pages of the graphic novel, was created by Ross and Warner Bros.

Paul Dini, writer of Batman: War on Crime, will also be on hand. Each piece, sold exclusively through Warner Bros. Studio Stores, is signed by Ross and Dini and comes with a softcover edition of the book. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this artwork will also be donated by Ross to the John A. Reisenbach Foundation.

"Alex Ross is a truly extraordinary artist, not only in the power and popularity of his work, but in his commitment to charity," said Mark Taliani, vice president of Warner Bros. Studio Store Gallery. "Warner Bros. Studio Store Gallery is proud to work with Alex on the events surrounding Batman: War on Crime as we did last year with Superman: Peace on Earth."

FIRST LOOK - MUTANT X #23

Mutant X #23 will ship in July from Marvel Comics. The issue was written by Howard Mackie and premieres the new art team of Tom Lyle and Andrew Pepoy.

Previewed are pages 1, 8,9 and 11. Here's how Marvel describes the book:

"Throw the X-Men, Apocalypse, The Six and Xavier into a fire and what do you have? This issue! It's the chaotic climax of the battle that's been building for months-and in true Mutant X style, not everyone will walk away from this fight alive. Plus: An epilogue which will set in motion events that will build for the next couple issues, leading us directly to the double-sized 25th issue."

Said Lyle: "After issue 25, I have no idea what Howard is really going to do as a lot of his plans have changed with me on the book. He's very excited and so am I. I like the characters a lot and I'm starting to make them mine."

GIVE'EM A CLICK

VANSCIVER ON IMPULSE

Impulse artist Ethan VanSciver is holding out hope that the DC Comics title might still be save from cancellation.

"The book is in danger of cancellation -- It always was, frankly, even before we came on board," VanSciver said, "And it might very well be that tomorrow we are told that #75 is our final issue. But, we haven't been told that yet, and that means we're still working on it."

Impulse writer Todd Dezago on Monday confirmed rumors that DC planned on canceling Impulse.

"Even if Impulse was cancelled, we have enough issues in house to last throughout 2000 and into 2001," VanSciver said. "Readers shouldn't worry about the storyline being cut short. We have a definite ending in mind, and we've been building to it with 'Mercury Falling.'

"There's always hope that Impulse can be saved, though! Fans are encouraged to send letters and e-mails to DC Comics, demanding that Impulse remain in publication."

BRIEFLY