Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2000

MARVEL FOR NOVEMBER

Following are Marvel Comics' solicitations for November, with information coming from the company.

MARVEL HEROES TITLES

FANTASTIC FOUR #37

Written by Carlos Pacheco and Rafael Marin, art by Pacheco, cover by Pacheco.

Lights! Camera! Chaos! It's Johnny Storm's first big Hollywood meeting -- but one of his co-stars is not who he appears to be. Will the Human Torch's dreams of cinema superstardom go up in smoke? All this plus... Damage Control?

32 pages, $2.25.

MAXIMUM SECURITY #3

Written by Kurt Busiek, art by Jerry Ordway and Will Blyberg, cover by Ordway.

The conclusion to Marvel's massive cosmic crossover. It's war in deep space as the Avengers attack the barrier imprisoning the Earth system from both sides. But even if they succeed in freeing the system, it'll be meaningless unless the Fantastic Four and the Silver Surfer can find a way to keep Ego, the living planet, from consuming the Earth. The stakes are galactic-and one hero will have to make a supreme sacrifice if humanity is to survive.

48 pages, $2.99.

THOR #31

Written by Dan Jurgens, art by Andy Kubert and Scott Hanna, cover by Kubert.

A nightmare in ice has been loosed across the nine worlds by Malekith, the Dark Elf. The time of trial that Odin predicted before his big sleep is now. And even Thor and his brother-in-arms Beta-Ray Bill are outmatched by Malekith's secret ally.

32 pages, $2.25.

FANTASTIC FOUR'S BIG TOWN #1

Written by Steve Englehart, art and cover by Mike McKone and Mark McKenna.

A What If? Adventure. Writer Steve Englehart explains the stories' set-up: "Big Town operates on the premise that the world changed significally (after the appearance of super heroes). The hi-tech inventions that the Fantastic Four and Stark Industries created to fight villains were suitably modified into consumer products. Civilization as a whole took a great leap forward, but everything cutting edge moved to New York, because that's where all the super heroes are. New York is now a gleaming, ultra-modern showcase of super hero technology. But, this concentration of power has driven the world's major villains to band together to destroy it. Big Town is about the city and the many and varied people who live and work there, including reimagined versions of the FF, Dr. Doom, Magneto, Namor, the Red Skull, Ultron, the Hulk, Speedball, the Avengers and the X-Men."

48 pages, $3.50.

BLACK PANTHER #26

Written by Christopher Priest, art and cover by Sal Velluto and Bob Almond.

Guest-starring the X-Men's Storm. The king of Wakanda has reached a low ebb. Now, only an appearance by Storm, the mutant mistress of weather, may lift T'Challa's sagging spirits. Meanwhile, the reappearance of a mystery character has led to the resurrection of the greatest threat of all.

32 pages, $2.50.

IRON MAN #36

Written by Chuck Dixon, art by Paul Ryan, cover by Kaare Andrews.

A special all-action, stand-alone tale by the veteran team of Chuck Dixon and Paul Ryan.

32 pages, $2.25.

MARVEL MASTERWORKS: FANTASTIC FOUR #51 - 60

Written by Stan Lee, art by Jack Kirby and Joe Sinnott. For the first time in over eight years, it's the first all-new

Masterworks volume. Collecting what many feel is the best run of any super hero comic ever, Fantastic Four (Vol. 1) #51 - #60, plus Fantastic Four Annual #4. Included here are "This Man, This Monster," the debut of the Black Panther and Klaw, an all-out battle between the Thing and the Silver Surfer, the original Human Torch vs. Johnny Storm, and the awesome four-part saga in which the dreaded Dr. Doom steals the Surfer's mighty Power Cosmic. Plus: As a special bonus, a couple of rarely seen character designs and unused covers.

240 pages, $49.95.

SPACEKNIGHTS #4

Written by Jim Starlin, art by Chris Batista and Tom Chu, cover by Batista.

Tristan has discovered that there are Dire Wraiths on the planet Galador, but will anyone believe him? Meanwhile, the Spaceknights battle the Wraith Knights and come face-to-face with their worst nightmare: a Deathwing. With this new threat, will the Wraiths finally succeed in destroying the Knight's homeworld?

32 pages, $2.99.

SPIDEY: A UNIVERSE X SPECIAL

Written by Alex Ross and Jim Krueger, art by Jackson Guice and John Romita Sr., painted cover by Ross.

It's the second tie-in chapter to Universe X, starring Spider-Man. Peter Parker, his daughter Venom and the mysterious mutant known as Spidersman star in this adventure set in the alternate future of the Marvel Universe. Throughout his rich history, the world-renowned wall-crawler has endured his fair share of tragedies, including the deaths of his Uncle Ben, Gwen Stacy, Captain Stacy and Harry Osborn. Now he gets the chance to set things right.

48 pages, $3.99.

CAPTAIN AMERICA #37

Written by Dan Jurgens, art and cover by Jurgens and Art Thibert.

It's Captain America vs. Protocide... round two. After their first encounter in issue #35, the Star-Spangled Avenger is looking for answers-and a little payback. Plus: don't miss the fireworks when the two deadliest terrorist organizations in the Marvel Universe collide-as Hydra wages war with A.I.M.

32 pages, $2.25.

CAPTAIN MARVEL #13

Written by Peter David, art and cover by Chriscross and Anibal Rodriguez.

The combustable conclusion to the battle between Captain Marvel and the children of Yon-Rogg, the original Mar-Vell's greatest foe! But if the sinister siblings manage to kill Genis, will it be with weapons or kindness? Meanwhile, Marlo considers a visit to Dr. Strange-and Starfox prepares to teach our hero a thing or two about women. Plus: Evil lurks... in the local comic book shop?

32 pages, $2.50.

INCREDIBLE HULK #32

Written by Paul Jenkins, art by Kyle Hotz and Eric Powell, cover by Hotz.

Somebody still owes Joe Fixit money-which isn't a smart move! Now the mob learns this painful lesson the hard way when the Hulk storms into Chicago to get what's due him. But what he'll wide up getting is a deadly I.O.U. from a twisted killer.

32 pages, $2.25.

THUNDERBOLTS #46

Written by Fabian Nicieza, art and cover by Mark Bagley and Greg Adams.

Scourge takes down another Thunderbolt. The malfunctioning powers of a T-bolt threaten to destroy their headquarters in Mt. Charteris-and much of the surrounding countryside. And in space, the secret of Moonstone's strange behavior is revealed-but does Captain Marvel's appearance represent the solution-or yet another problem?

32 pages, $2.25.

DEADPOOL #48

Written by Jimmy Palmiotti, art by Paul Chadwick and Ron Randall, cover by Chadwick.

"Cruel Summer," part three. Deadpool is buried alive-but by whom? Swerves and turns abound as Wade Wilson finds out who the true mastermind of this twisted scheme really is.

32 pages, $2.25.

AVENGERS #36

Written by Kurt Busiek, art and cover by Steve Epting and Al Vey.

Featuring Captain America, Photon and Jack of Hearts-and a free bound-in poster by Alan Davis. In the aftermath of Maximum Security, the Avengers must cope with twin threats: an attack on their own headquarters by Lord Templar and Pagan, and a deadly menace taking root in the ruins of Slorenia, the country devastated by Ultron. Included in this issue is a poster insert previewing Alan Davis and Mark Farmer's take on the team.

32 pages, $2.25.

BEFORE THE FANTASTIC 4: THE STORMS #2

Written by Terry Kavanagh, art and cover by Charles Adlard.

Sue and Johnny Storm are on the run from the minions of St. Germaine, and to make matters worse, someone-or something-far more evil is searching for the amulet that Johnny is stuck with.

32 pages, $2.99.

MARVEL: THE LOST GENERATION #2

Written by Roger Stern, art by John Byrne and Al Milgrom, cover by Byrne.

Namora of Atlantis and the mighty Monster Hunters meet the Yankee Clipper and his new team, the First Line, in a fateful face-off with a monstrous menace.

32 pages, $2.99.

UNIVERSE X #4

Written by Alex Ross and Jim Krueger, art by Doug Braithwaite, painted cover by Ross.

Witness Captain America's final battle with Hydra. Observe the fate of Johnny Blaze, the original Ghost Rider. Learn the secrets behind the death of the Avengers. Plus: the Eastern mutant force known as Xen face off against the Tong of Creel. It's more shocks and revelations in the second series set in the Marvel Universe's alternate future.

32 pages, $3.50.

EARTH X

Written by Alex Ross and Jim Krueger, art by John Paul Leon and Bill Reinhold, painted cover by Ross.

The saga that examines an alternate timeline of Marvel's most popular characters is collected in one volume - and features a new painted cover by series architect Ross. With Marvel's entire cast at its disposal, this 14-part series conjured a speculative future in which hope and despair walk arm in arm. Confronted by a world in which everyone-not just super heroes and villains-possess strange and amazing powers, a dejected Reed Richards sets out to cure a calamity he fears he may have caused. Meanwhile, a battle-weary Captain America struggles to defeat a horrific new threat to the freedom of all Americans. And all the while, forces beyond their comprehension move to reveal a fate no one could have imagined. Unveiling wild versions of Marvel's greatest personalities including the X-Men, Thor, the Hulk, the Fantastic Four, Daredevil, the Avengers and Spider-Man, this sprawling adventure presents an intriguing vision of the Marvel Universe. This volume reprints Earth X: O, Earth X #1 - #12, Earth X: X, and all the appendixes and original covers.

464 pages, $24.95.

THE ART OF MARVEL COMICS

Collecting the finest visions of Marvel's greatest characters by the industry's most talented painters. The X-Men, the Hulk, Daredevil, Magneto, Thor, the Silver Surfer, Dr. Doom, Iron Man, the Punisher, Captain America, Elektra, Spider-Man, and many more of Marvel's most popular denizens are presented in painted portraits by such artists as Alex Ross, Joe Jusko, Glenn Fabry, Brian Stelfreeze, Simon Bisley, Glen Orbik, Mark Texeira and Jim Steranko. There's even special sections devoted to the work of Bill Sienkiewicz, Kent Williams and Moebius.

128 pages, $29.95.

MARVEL KNIGHTS TITLES

DAREDEVIL #15

Written by David Mack, art by Joe Quesada, cover by Quesada and Mack.

DD and Echo battle on, but when the Man Without Fear tells her a painful secret, will the truth fall on deaf ears?

32 pages, $2.99.

MARVEL BOY #6

Written by Grant Morrison, art and cover by J.G. Jones.

It's the series earth-shattering conclusion! What will be the final fate of Plex and Obliette? Will the evil Dr. Midas prevail? And does this title's end spell the end of Marvel Boy as well?

32 pages, $2.99.

DAREDEVIL: NINJA #2

Written by Brian Michael Bendis, art and cover by Rob Haynes.

Daredevil's search for Stick's staff leads him to Japan-and right into the clutches of the Hand.

32 pages, $2.99.

DAREDEVIL/SPIDER-MAN #1

Written by Paul Jenkins, art by Phil Winslade, painted cover by Alex Ross.

Daredevil and Spider-Man are two of New York's coolest-and most contrasting-crimefighters. What could bring these two famous heroes together? How about a move against their mutual foe, the Kingpin? And how surprising is it when said move comes from the likes of the re-vamped Gladiator, Owl, Copperhead and Stiltman?

32 pages, $2.99.

THE PUNISHER #10

Written by Garth Ennis, art by Steve Dillon and Jimmy Palmiotti, painted cover by Tim Bradstreet.

Frank Castle's war with the Gnuccis rocks on as the Punisher takes on their stone cold killer from Moscow, the Russian. Plus: have the Elite, Mr. Payback and the Holy united? And if so, will Castle be the next vigilante to join their dark alliance?

32 pages, $2.99.

SENTRY #5

Written by Paul Jenkins, art and cover by Jae Lee.

No information available from Marvel.

32 pages, $2.99.

MARVEL KNIGHTS #7

Written by Chuck Dixon, art by Eduardo Barreto and Klaus Janson, cover by Joe Quesada.

Has Cloak gone bad? That question is answered as the Marvel Knights and special guest star Dr. Strange finally confront Dagger's former partner. Will Cloak revert back to form or will he turn out the lights on the Knights?

32 pages, $2.99.

BLACK WIDOW: BREAKDOWN #1

Written by Greg Rucka and Devin Grayson, art and painted cover by Scott Hampton.

The rivalry between Natasha Romonoff and Yelena Belova over the Widow mantle picks up right were it left off from the Black Widow mini-series But this time writers Greg Rucka and Devin Grayson have thrown in a wicked twist. What is it? Who is responsible for it? And will there be only one Widow left standing when it's all over?

32 pages, $2.99.

DAREDEVIL #16

Written by Brian Michael Bendia, art by David Mack, cover by Joe Quesada and Mack.

How is a mentally disturbed boy connected to the trial of the Kingpin? That's what Ben Urich is determined to discover.

32 pages, $2.99.

SPIDER-MAN TITLES

ULTIMATE SPIDE-MAN #3

Written by Brian Michael Bendis, art by Mark Bagley and Art Thibert, cover by Bagley.

Peter Parker lays the smackdown in the squared circle? The biggest nerd in high school now finds himself with the extraordinary powers of a spider. Where would any such gifted individual go in today's world? Why, right into professional wrestling, of course. Meanwhile, things start to heat up between Peter and Mary Jane. Plus: something sinister is being cooked up in the labs of Norman Osborn, courtesy of Dr. Otto Octavius.

32 pages, $2.50.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #25

Written by Howard Mackie, art by John Romita Jr. and Scott Hanna, holographic foil cover.

At last, Norman Osborn strikes in this double-sized issue. As Peter Parker struggles with his increasingly serious blackouts, the outlines of Osborn's most indidious plan ever comes into focus. Throughout his career, Spider-Man has been antagonized by a gruesome gallery of foes - but the no one has quite reached the pinnacle of perversity that Norman has. And now that wretched relationship takes an utterly twisted turn with a last-page revelation. It's the Green Goblin as readers have never seen him before, and the horror continues in Peter Parker, Spider-Man #25.

48 pages, $3.99 (non-enhanced cover, $2.99).

SPIDER-GIRL #28

Written by Tom DeFalco, art and cover by Pat Olliffe and Al Williamson.

Raptor is back - but due to events of Spider-Girl #25, May is unable to take her down. Desperate to bring her high-flying foe to justice, Mayday turns to an outside source for help-but you'll never guess who. Plus, Spider-Girl is forced to take on a startling new fighting style.

32 pages, $2.25.

PETER PARKER: SPIDER-MAN #25

Written by Paul Jenkins, art by Mark Buckingham and Dan Green, cover by Buckingham.

Continued from Amazing Spider-Man #25, Peter Parker strives to overcome every obstacle placed in his way to at last face his hated arch-enemy. And although Spider-Man struggles with every fiber of his being, will it still be the greatest triumph of Norman Osborn? It's a desperate descent into madness from which neither will emerge unscathed.

48 pages, $2.99.

SPIDER-GIRL PRESENTS: DARKDEVIL #3

Written by Tom DeFalco, art by Ron Frenz and Al Milgrom, cover by Frenz.

It's the most unexpected team-up of all as Darkdevil is forced to join forces with Kaine against the Kingpin and the Brotherhood of Scriers, Plus: the final revelations about Darkdevil's mysterious origin.

32 pages, $2.99.

SPIDER-MAN: THE MYSTERIO MANIFESTO #1

Written by Tom DeFalco, art by Lee Weeks and Bob McLeod, cover by Weeks.

The mystery of Mysterio is solved. Did Quentin Beck really take his life in Daredevil's acclaimed "Guardian Devil" story? Who was the Mysterio that recently appeared to befuddle Spider-Man? These and other questions will be answered in a special three-part story that explores the webspinner's most enigmatic enemy. It's a journey into the dark corners of Spidey's world -- guest-starring a man who's no stranger to the dark, Daredevil.

32 pages, $2.99.

THE ESSENTIAL SPIDER-MAN VOLUME 4

Written by Stan Lee, art by John Romita Sr., Jim Mooney and John Buscema.

The latest installment in this classic collection of Spider-Man's earliest adventures. Reprinted in this are Amazing Spider-Man #69-90 and Amazing Spider-Man Annual #4 and #5.

528 pages, black and white, $14.95.

X-MEN TITLES

MUTANT X #27

Written by Howard Mackie, art by Tom Lyle and Andrew Pepoy, cover by Michael Golden.

Bloodstorm faces a group of mutants called the Outcasts -- led by a young woman named Dagger. Meanwhile, the rest of The Six hunt for their missing teammates. Plus: is their romance in the air for Havok?

32 pages, $2.25.

UNCANNY X-MEN #388

Written by Chris Claremont, art by Salvador Larroca and Tim Townsend, cover by Larroca.

"Dream's End," part one of four. Beginning a four-part story that will determine the future of the human/mutant war. Professor X and Bishop are back -- but they've arrived to discover a world in which genetic relations have changed for the worse. Magneto has forced out all opposition in Genosha and is preparing for war. The Neo have emerged as a major threat to both man and mutantkind. Familiar faces such as Marrow have left while unknown quantities like Thunderbird have arrived. Two previous wild cards now lead the main X-teams. X-Force has gone rogue. And -- most troubling of all-Senator Robert Kelly is on the verge of seizing the Presidency. To make matters even worse, one of the X-Men's deadliest enemies has triggered a chain of events that could doom both species of man. The Children of the Atom must regroup -- and quickly -- or everything they've fought for will be destroyed.

32 pages, $2.25.

X-MEN: THE HIDDEN YEARS #14

Written by John Byrne, art by Byrne and Tom Palmer, cover by Byrne.

It's the end of one story and the beginning of another as Professor X and the Beast end their encounter with the girl with her pet Sentinel, and Angel encounters the villain called The Dazzler.

32 pages, $2.50.

X-MEN: MAGIK #2

Written by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, art and cover by Liam McCormack-Sharp.

Magik and Nightcrawler leap into the Splinter Realms in an effort to stop an unseen menace from wrecking havoc throughout Limbo. What is this mysterious threat? What hope do two mutants have if this entity is powerful enough to douse the flame of Surtur's sword? And will the demon known as Mephisto help them... or destroy them?

32 pages, $2.99.

CABLE #87

Written by Robert Weinberg, art and cover by Michael Ryan.

"Dream's End," part two of four. Continuing the story that will determine the future of the war between humans and mutants. The Brotherhood of Mutants is back-and are determined to launch a terrorist attack unlike any before on mankind. Only Cable and Rogue stand in their way... but in order to stop them, the two X-Men will not only have to defeat the fanatical Mystique, but will also confront a shared past they never dreamed existed.

32 pages, $2.25.

GENERATION X #71

Written by Warren Ellis and Brian Wood, art by Steve Pugh and Bob Wiacek, cover by Art Adams.

"Four Days" part one of four. Presenting the first of four stand-alone stories that will put readers inside the heads of their favorite Generation X characters. First we take an intimate look at Chamber, the mutant who blew half of his face off - a teenager who knows that he will never be "normal."

32 pages, $2.25.

WOLVERINE 2000

Written by Frank Tieri, art and cover by Jorge Santameria.

A stranger appears, seeking Logan's help on an unspeakable mission. But can this stranger be trusted, especially after Wolverine learns his horrible secret? Let's hope so, because an old menace is back, more powerful and vicious than ever before!.

48 pages, $3.50.

X-MEN: THE SEARCH FOR CYCLOPS #2

Written by Joseph Harris, art by Tom Raney and Scott Hanna and cover by Tom Raney.

Presumed dead following his merging with Apocalypse, Scott Summers might in truth be alive. Now his wife and son follow a trail of rumors and violence that they simultaneously hope and dread will lead to Cyclops. But Jean Grey and Cable aren't the only ones hunting the first X-Man. Others who don't want to see him live also prowl the desert night-and they will let nothing stand between them and their goal.

32 pages, $2.99 (alternate cover by Adam Pollina).

BISHOP: THE LAST X-MAN #16

"Dream's End," part three of four.

Written by Joe Pruett, art by Thomas Derenick and Nathan Massengill, cover by Georges Jeanty.

Continuing the story from Uncanny X-Men X-MEN #388 and Cable #87. Bishop and Senator Robert Kelly are on the run from the Brotherhood of Mutants. What bond does this unlikely pair share? What secrets about Senator Kelly's candidacy does Bishop possess? Where have the X-Men gone? And just in case the threat of the Brotherhood wasn't dangerous enough, an even greater foe lurks right around the corner-one that spells certain doom for both mutants and humans alike. Continued in X-Men #108.

32 pages, $2.25.

IRON FIST/WOLVERINE #3

Written by Jae Faerber, art and cover by Jamal Igle and Rich Perrotta.

Tokyo and the mystic city of K'un Lun have merged into one-and it's up to the Marvel's mightiest heroes to set things right. This thrill-a-minute issue features appearances by Captain America, Iron Man, Psylocke, Power Man, Sunfire and the K'un Lun Dragon Kings. Oh yeah, Iron Fist and Wolverine are in here too.

32 pages, $2.99.

X-MAN #71

Written by Steven Grant, art and cover by Ariel Olivetti.

"Fearful Symmetries," part one of four. For the last eight issues, Nate Grey, the mutant shaman of the 21st Century, has walked across worlds on a quest for justice. Now another is traversing the boundaries between realities -- and leaving a wake of destruction in his wake. The mysterious and powerful Qabiri (first seen in X-Man #67) is determined to "cleanse" the "lower" realities -- by riding them of all life. Now Nate sets out to end his mad mission, but what will happen when he faces an entity whose power rivals his own?

32 pages, $2.25.

X-MEN #108

Written by Chris Claremont, art by Leinil Francis Yu and Mark Morales, cover by Yu.

"Dream's End," part four of four. With a shorthanded team crushed by tragedy, the X-Men must save the life of the man who might be their greatest foe. But even if this hated man lives, the team may be insuring that the war between man and mutant becomes a terrible reality. And little do the Children of the Atom suspect that an even greater foe looms in the background, poised to lay waste to everything they believe in.

32 pages, $2.25.

GAMBIT #24

Written by Fabian Nicieza, art and cover by Yanick Paquette and Sean Parsons.

Gambit faces New Son for the last time as all is revealed. What is the New Son's true connection to Remy LeBeau? Where does the ragin' Cajun fit into his mad plans? The shocking revelations of Gambit's powers-and hints of his unknown past-are at last uncovered. This issue answers a ton of questions that have been percolating for years-and establishes this title's new direction.

32 pages, $2.25.

X-MEN FOREVER #1

Written by Fabian Nicieza, art and cover by Kevin Maguire.

It begins with an urgent return to Earth for a long-missing character. He comes with a dire warning for mutants: the key to our future lies in the secrets and sins of the past. Five very special people are responsible for gathering the "Cataclysm Keys" that will unlock the door to salvation. But can Phoenix, Mystique, Juggernaut, Toad and Iceman work together while their hearts and souls are torn asunder?

32 pages, $3.50.

X-MEN UNIVERSE #14

This issue reprints Uncanny X-Men #384, #385 and X-Men #104 -- along with character bios and story summaries.

80 pages, $3.99.

WOLVERINE #158

Written by Rob Liefeld and Eric Stephenson, art by Liefeld, cover by Ian Churchill.

The Watchtower made the mistake of stealing Wolverine's genetic material. Now Logan is hunting down the Administrator. Can you say "payback time?"

32 pages, $2.25.

X-FORCE #110

Written by Warren Ellis and Ian Edginton, art by Whilce Portacio and Gerry Alanguilan, cover by Portacio.

"Rage War," part one of four. Beginning a new "Counter X" four-part adventure. The Cold War was a time of spies, propaganda and the ever-present threat of nuclear annihilation. The time may be over, but some of its secrets are now awakening! Genetically-enhanced Soviet sleeper agents are being activated-but who is triggering these agents, and why? Cannonball, Meltdown, Proudstar and Jesse Bedlam will have to put their newly developed powers to the test to uncover the truth.

32 pages, $2.25.

WAID JOINS CROSSGEN

Writer Mark Waid has accepted a full time position as Senior Writer with CrossGen Comics, the company announced on Tuesday.

Waid will be relocating from New York to Tampa in November and will begin work for CrossGen full time in early January.

"This is probably the most exciting opportunity I've ever had in this business," Waid said. "Don't get me wrong -- I love writing comics -- but for a long time now, I've been itching to put to use all the other editorial and business skills I've acquired along my way. The challenge ahead of us all in the 21st century is to help this industry thrive once more, and I've been saying for years that I want my chance to contribute to that end in a capacity greater than simply that of a freelance writer. I'm grateful to Mark Alessi for giving me the chance to roll up my sleeves and get to work. Alessi and I share common goals, common ideologies, and frighteningly common musical tastes, and I'd be an idiot not to be in this guy's corner."

Said CrossGen: "With secure funding set for CrossGen for at least the next two and one half years, this hiring is just the first of other high-profile moves planned for the relatively near future."

In his position as Senior Writer, Waid joins other Senior Writer Ron Marz and Head Writer Barbara Kesel as the CrossGen Comics writing staff.

Waid's writing responsibilities will include taking over the writing duties of Sigil from Kesel, allowing her to concentrate her efforts on Meridian, The First and her other responsibilities as Head Writer.

Waid will also help launch CrossGen's yet-to-be-announced sixth monthly title, tentatively scheduled for an early 2001 release. This launch will include his participation through November and December on the final planning of this new title, as well as working with Alessi to hire an art team to work with him on the title, which will be released simultaneously in the U.S., Japan and other countries.

"I'm happy to welcome Mark into the CrossGen writer's world. I worked closely with Mark back in our mutual DC Comics days, and am looking forward to working with him again," Kesel said. "I'm thrilled to be working with him as a fellow writer, and am excited about watching him develop our informal writer's training program into a real and viable formal program. Mark's been a top-level, award-winning writer long enough to have gotten that role down -- now he needs a challenge!"

As was the case with Marz, Waid will fulfill his already contracted work, meaning he will continue on projects outside of CrossGen into 2001. All existing assignments will be written by the time he relocates to Tampa, the company said.

According to CrossGen, Waid's Gatecrasher will end by the time the title reaches the conclusion of its first year. His Gorilla Comics title Empire should continue through issue #6, the end of the first story arc. And his JLA run for DC Comics will continue through 2001, ending sometime late in that year.

Said Alessi: "CrossGen is all about the commitment to making great comics and Mark Waid is all about the commitment to making great comics. CrossGen is all about high quality mainstream product and Mark Waid is all about high quality mainstream product. There's tremendous synergy, tremendous potential. We're all excited and looking forward to seeing what we can do together."

DEADMAN ON TNT?

DC Comics' Deadman is in development at Warner Bros. Television for a possible television movie and series on TNT.

"Yes, Deadman is in development," a representative of TNT said. "But we don't comment on projects in development."

According to Daily Variety, Jason Pomerance is writing the pilot script. The film will tell the story of a murdered stuntman whose ghost is able to possess the body of his brother, a "nerdy accountant."

TNT is airing a pilot movie for another comics property, Top Cow's Witchblade, this Sunday. The network has also aired reruns of Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman.

CHAOS! COMICS FOR DECEMBER

Following are December solicitations for Chaos! Comics, with information coming from the company.

CHASTITY #1/2

Written by Steven Grant, art by Peter Vale, colored by Jason Jensen, cover by Peter Vale and Colorgraphix.

It's Christmas Eve 1980. As Chastity - the adorable vampire assassin - settles into the fun nightlife as a bar maid on Goth night at CBGB's in New York City, fate deals her a cruel hand. A gang of hard-core punks invade the club ready to raise hell. In the ensuing melee, the leader of the Goths is killed. Now the two cultures are about to declare war. Who killed the Goth king? That's what Chastity goes undercover to find out. As she's swept up into a web of supernatural underground intrigue, she comes closer to the truth and realizes it may cost her her life.

32 pages, $2.95, ships on Dec. 1 (premium edition, $9.95; Chromium edition, $15.95).

LADY DEATH: TRIBULATION #2

Written by Len Kaminski, art by Ivan Reis, inked by Joe Pimentel, colored by Roy Young, cover by David Michael Beck.

Lady Death has been betrayed and this time it's personal -- for the traitor is none other than her blood-sister, the valkyrie Vandala. Enraged, the Avatar of He Who Reaps puts aside her battle against the threat of the Dark Millennium, consumed by a raging thirst for vengeance. But she soon finds that Vandala's power has grown to equal her own, and while the two are locked in a battle to the death, Abaddon's reign of darkness gains new allies: the unspeakable Pagan, and Purgatori, Queen of the Undead.

32 pages, $2.95, ships on Dec. 8.

PURGATORI vs. LADY DEATH I

Written by Len Kaminski, penciled by Romano Molenaar, inked by Joe Pimentel, colored by Roy Young, cover by Ivan Reis and Young.

The Queen of the Dead vs. the Queen of the Undead -- and this time, Purgatori has the home-court advantage. With Death himself forbidden to interfere by Fate, can Lady Death survive alone against the entire Scarlet Imperium -- not to mention the raging thirst for vengeance of its ruler?

32 pages, $2.95, ships on Dec. 15 (premium edition. $9.95).

LADY DEATH: THE RAPTURE COLLECTED ED. VOL. I

Written by Brian Pulido and Len Kaminski, penciled by Ivan Reis, inked by Joe Pimentel, colored by Roy Young.

A new era unfolds in the saga of Lady Death. Armed with a nihilistic new sword, Apocalypse, forged from chaos matter, Lady Death hunts Father Orbec, the priest who condemned her to Hell. Her confrontation with the priest unwittingly sets off a chain of events that triggers the prophesied war between Heaven & Hell. As the Final War between Heaven and Hell heats up -- each side tries to claim her for their own. Lady Death must battle both the seductive Angel Acquiescence and the Hellborn Demonatrix -- and should she fall, she will forfeit half her soul. Will Lady Death fight for Heaven, Hell or herself? This is the detonating event that led directly to the Armageddon of the Chaos! Cosmos last December. Volume I collects issues one and two of Lady Death: The Rapture into one edition.

48 pages, $5.95, ships on Dec. 22.

ARMAGEDDON TRADE PAPERBACK

Written by Brian Pulido & Len Kaminski. Illustrated by Luke Ross. Inked by Fabio Laguna. Colored by Starlight Runner.

This is the storyline that Chaos! has been building up to for five years. Dread reigns over all as Armageddon, the Father of Fear, arrives on Earth and begins his preparation for the extinction of all that exists. Characters will live. Characters will die. No one is safe as an enemy as old as the universe and more deadly than Lucifer himself arrives. Starring Lady Death, Evil Ernie, Chastity, Bedlam, the Chosen and more. Witness the origin of the Chaos! Cosmos, revealed in the final hours before its obliteration at the hand of Armageddon. Learn the darkest secret of the Chaos Lords and see Lady Death, Purgatori, and Evil Ernie face their own battles against the Father of Fear.

104 pages, $12.95, ships on Dec. 22.

TOP COW TACKLES A-TEAM

Top Cow Productions has signed a deal to develop The A-Team, the 1980s television series on NBC, as a feature film to be released next year.

The A-Team creator Stephen J. Cannell will produce the film with Top Cow. Top Cow president Spike Seldin and CEO Marc Silvestri will be executive producers.

Seldin said that The A-Team will be a live-action feature, to be totally "reimagined, with a contemporary feel."

Top Cow's other movies in development include The Darkness at Sony and an animated Fathom at Fox.

BRIEFLY