Monday, Aug. 28, 2000

X-MEN'S CYCLOPS TALKS

Voice recording for the first season of the X-Men: Evolution animated series has been completed, Kirby Morrow, the voice of Cyclops, told The Continuum.

X-Men: Evolution was voiced recorded in Vancouver and features Canadian performers. The series casts the X-Men - Cyclops, Jean Grey, Nightcrawler, Kitty Pryde, Rogue and a new character, Spyke -- as teenagers, with Storm, Wolverine and Professor Xavier as adults.

"I think what this could do is answer some questions people might have had that have never been touched on about the youth of the X-Men," Morrow told The Continuum. "People always want to know what happened in the beginning. This is the coming together of the group and the jelling together of the X-Men unit."

What's Morrow's take on the teenaged Cyclops?

"I think he's one of those guys who felt like he had to grow up a little faster than he wanted to, but he also enjoys the fact that he's the leader," Morrow said. "He takes on greater responsibility and tries to act like the adult amongst his peers. Cyclops is a little bit more of a straight man."

Will there be a romance between Scott and Jean Grey?

"Not so much as yet. It kind of hints at it," Morrow said. "It's something that we're going to develop a lot more.

"The series really went back to basics, I think. It explains to people who might not know the X-Men exactly who they are. Because they are younger, in the concept, they're all learning about themselves, what powers they have and how to use them. There are some similarities to the (X-Men) movie, actually, with Rogue discovering she is an X-Man and she has these powers she has to deal with."

Morrow said the recording sessions were done ensemble style.

"The cast actually got pretty large at times," he said. "We squeezed a lot of people in.

"Sometimes it can pretty crazy when you have a lot of screaming and stuff. But it's good fun. It's great being in that room when everybody has the energy level that is so high. This cast is great."

Morrow said one of the first season's late episodes of X-Men: Evolution was particularly memorable.

"There's a lot of emotion from Cyclops," he said. "There was a lot of joking between takes, 'Academy Award! Academy Award-winning material.'"

Morrow's animation credits include NASCAR Racers, Action Man, Ranma, Escaflowne, Kong and Gundam Wing. He also did the voice of Michelangelo in the live-action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle series.

His live-action credits include Total Recall: 2070, Highlander: The Raven, Stargate SG-1, Viper and the Outer Limits in television and his feature films include the upcoming New Line release, Bones.

Morrow said playing a teenager in X-Men Evolution isn't a difficult adjustment.

"I've played a lot of characters, some that go 9-10 years old," he said. "It's kind of funny. When I get in the room and the script's in front of me and everybody's there and you feed off the energy, you start to feel that character and totally get into it. My pitch gets higher, and the words just come out."

Although Morrow said he enjoys doing the voice of Cyclops, one other character really interested him.

"I would have liked to have played Wolverine, but I don't think I would have been the best choice," Morrow said. "Wolverine's definitely a very fun character with a lot of attitude. He's kind of the favorite in the X-Men."

X-Men: Evolution will likely premiere in early November on Kids' WB!. Thirteen episodes are planned for the first season.

Look for more on the series soon here in The Continuum.

STATIC SHOCK! PREMIERE

Static Shock!, the animated series based on the Milestone Comics character, will premiere on Kids' WB on Saturday, Sept. 23.

"The first two episodes are definitely linked together," story editor Chris Simmons told The Continuum.

The first episode, written by Simmons, is called "Shock to the System."

"It deals deals with Static's wild, exciting origin," Simmons said, "as well as establishing the key relationships in Virgil Hawkins' life, namely his best friend Richie Foley; his father Robert Hawkins, a social worker who runs the local community center; and his sister, Sharon, a freshman in college."

The second episode will be "Aftershock," a story by Stan Berkowitz and Alan Burnett with a teleplay by Berkowitz.

"It deals with the direct ramifications of Virgil's getting superpowers, and also features Static's first super-villain, Hotstreak," Simmons said.

CROSSGEN FOR DECEMBER

Following are CrossGen Comics' solicitations for December, with information provided by the company.

THE FIRST #2

Written by Barbara Kesel, penciled by Bart Sears, inked by Andy Smith, colored by Mike Atiyeh.

When the hunt for a Sigil-Bearer turns tragic, the First decide to abandon their hunt and return to their homeworld, Elysia, while a new character with orange eyes is left behind... along with a Sigil-Bearer who vows to destroy the gods for what they have done. Once home, Seahn plots to overthrow his House, while Persha schemes to unite the two.

32 pages, $2.95, ships on Dec. 6.

MYSTIC #7

Written by Ron Marz, penciled by Steve McNiven, inked by Batt, colored by J.D. Smith.

As Giselle and Genevieve recover from last issue's magical battle with the Guild Masters, Darrow meets with a group of shadowy figures who intimidate even him. At their urging, he redoubles his efforts to get closer to Giselle and learn the nature of the mysterious sigil imprinted on her palm. But does Darrow's interest mean good or ill for Giselle?

32 pages, $2.95, ships on Dec. 6.

SIGIL #7

Written by Barbara Kesel, penciled by Ben Lai, inked by Ray Lai, colored by Wil Quintana.

The sentient BitterLuck waits in Saurian space, trying to hide behind a small moon. That is until Prince Tchlusarud orders the secret surveillance on the small ship changed into an execution! Now, Roiya and the BitterLuck have to outmaneuver a squad of Saurian cutwings... Meanhile, Zanni, JeMerik and Sam are all down on the surface of Tcharun, with Sam finally taking his shot at Loser in a long-awaited fight to the death.

32 pages, $2.95, ships on Dec. 13.

SCION #7

Written by Ron Marz, penciled by Rick Leonardi, inked by Karl Kesel, colored by Paul Mounts.

Ethan and his family mourn the loss of one of their own as a royal funeral is held. Soon after the body is laid to rest, a stranger from distant lands arrives at the Heron castle, offering his services as war adviser and taking particular interest in Ethan's sigil. As thoughts turn to revenge against the East, Ethan is forced to make a decision that could mean turning his back on his family forever.

32 pages, $2.95, ships on Dec. 20.

MERIDIAN #7

Written by Barbara Kesel, penciled by Joshua Middleton, inked by Dexter Vines, colored by Morry Hollowell.

Ilahn's met his match in an ambitious newcomer to Cadador, but is he charming her, or the other way around? Meanwhile, down in Akasia, Sephie discovers the cruel secret of the dye factory and finds herself its prisoner! Akasia's Minister knows what Sephie can do and wants to keep those powers in her city. And Jad, in Cadador, hears the awful news of Sephie's death...

32 pages, $2.95, ships on Dec. 27.

DERENICK DRAWS X-MEN

Tom Derenick told The Continuum that he is drawing Uncanny X-Men #386, one of four X-titles to feature his work next month.

"It was originally supposed to be drawn by Adam Kubert, but the move to Ultimate X-Men made it impossible, and Tom Raney is currently working on The Search for Cyclops," Derenick told The Continuum. "There was a deadline crunch, so I lucked out.

"The issue takes place in New Orleans when the team tries to get some downtime, but, as usual, there's no such thing as downtime with the X-Men. I've also penciled nine pages in X-Men #106."

Also in September, Derenick's art is featured in the first two issues of the X-Men: Black Sun event.

"I was joking with my friends that with four books out in one month -- Three being full issues - X-Men readers are going to think Marvel built a robotic penciler and gave it my name," Derenick said. "They weren't all drawn in a month's time span, but I'm sure that's obvious. I'm quick, but not that quick."

Derenick told The Continuum that he's about to start work on Bishop: The Last X-Man #16, the final issue prior to the Bishop/Gambit crossover and the relaunch of the Bishop title.

"It's part three of the big 'Dream's End' X-Men crossover in November," Derenick said. "Bishop is trying to protect Senator Kelly from the Brotherhood of Mutants."

Bishop #16 is written by Joe Pruett.

BUSCH COVERS FIRST WAVE

Matt Busch has signed with Andromeda Entertainment to produce the first covers for its new line of licensed sci-fi comic books.

The first covers by Busch will be for the flagship title of the new line, First Wave, based on the Sci-Fi Channel series from Pearson Television.

"I'm honored to be working with such a talented assortment of folks in this new high profile company," Busch said. "It's amazing to see all of the work that's going into these books, and then I get tapped to do a cover piece that unifies the cinematic feeling of the book as a whole. I feel very dedicated to these books, and working with the Andromeda team is very inspiring."

In addition to his comic portfolio, Busch's work for Lucasfilm licensees includes Bantam/Doubleday (Star Wars: Tales from the Empire) and West End Games (Star Wars Adventure Journal). Busch also counts extensive film and television credits.

Andromeda editor-in-chief Art Holcomb said he feels the blending of a filmmaker's sensibilities with a comic artist's talent is exactly what is necessary for expanding the scope of the comics industry.

"Think of a comic book cover like you would a trailer for a new movie," Holcomb said. "It must be powerful and beautiful and should only hint at the excitement that awaits you. It is the promise of things to come, and the image that you will hold in your mind as you eagerly await the film's release or that moment when you hold the new comic in your hands. Matt's work does all that and much more. His stuff just rocks and we're delighted to have him aboard!"

First Wave #1: Heart of a Killer will be on sale Dec. 20.

WYNONNA EARP - THE MOVIE?

Writer Beau Smith told The Continuum that his properties continue to draw interest from Hollywood.

"While in San Diego I had pretty good meetings with MindFire Entertainment about my property Wynonna Earp," Smith said of the studio behind The Specials and another upcoming comics film, Alley Cat.

"I also had a very good meeting with Kevin Bernhardt -- screenwriter/producer/actor -- on Parts Unknown, Wynonna Earp, The BadLander, Maximum Jack and a Mafia-based story of mine. Kevin wrote the films The Immortals and Top Of The World and was one of the writers on The Art Of War. Some of the studios he represents are very interested in all of my properties. We'll see. I've got a very good feeling from this."

Maximum Jack is a comic book Smith is developing with artist Scot Eaton. Smith said he is finishing up the Wonder Woman/Xena crossover for DC and Dark Horse.

"It is very much along the lines of the Xena episodes where they have light-hearted fun," Smith said. "I think the DC/Wonder Woman readers are going to enjoy seeing a side of Wonder Woman they don't get to very often ... her very good sense of humor."

Smith said his Image series, Parts Unknown: Hostile Takeover has sold pretty well for a non-studio, black-and-white title. He also said he is working with actors Cynthia Rothrock and Gary Daniels on comics and that Steve Rude has already committed to do the cover for Rothrock's book.

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