Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2000

DAVID KAYE: VOICE OF PROFESSOR XAVIER

David Kaye, the voice of Professor Xavier on Kids' WB!'s upcoming X-Men: Evolution animated series, described this version of the character as a "father figure."

"Xavier's really father-like," Kaye said. "It makes me feel old! With the Evolution show, they're younger X-Men, so he's very much a father figure, very strict and very compassionate at the start."

X-Men: Evolution, which premieres in November on Kids' WB!, spotlights the X-Men characters as teenagers in high school. Xavier heads up the school, and Storm and Wolverine serve as mentors.

Kaye said the movie version of Xavier, played by Patrick Stewart, was an influence on his take on the role.

"I knew Patrick Stewart was going to play the role in the live-action film," Kaye said. "And during the auditions, a guy at Marvel said, 'Do your Patrick Stewart.' And Patrick Stewart is one of my screen heroes, so I gave it a shot."

Voice recording of X-Men Evolution took place in Vancouver, British Columbia, this summer. Kaye is part of a Canadian cast that was directed by Karl Willem.

Kaye's Xavier is involved in all 13 episodes of the first season, but look for him more prominently at the beginning and the end of the season.

"I have a couple of big episodes, Nos. 12 and 13, when I confront Magneto and there's a lot of dialogue then," Kaye said. "And with the beginning stuff when I'm amassing the students, I've got a lot to say."

Kaye is a veteran at voice acting and voiceovers. He also has more than 120 radio and television clients and has performed on such animated series as Beast Machines, Street Fighter, Dragonball Z and Cardcaptors. He voices Megatron on Beast Machines, and is joined on X-Men: Evolution by Beast Machines cast mates Venus Terzo (Jean Grey/Arachnia) and Scott McNeil (Wolverine/Waspinator/Silver Bolt).

Kaye, who completed voice recording for X-Men Evolution's first season in August, says he definitely would like to come back for a second season.

"Everybody got together and jelled as an ensemble," Kaye said, "And we're hoping for another 13."

For more on Kaye, check out Rob Allstetter's ShowBiz column at www.marvel.com.

ROMITA JR. TALKS SPIDER-MAN

With unconfirmed word surfacing that J. Michael Straczynski will be taking over as writer of Amazing Spider-Man, John Romita Jr. said on Monday night that he's still on the book as artist.

"Yup...but who knows what tomorrow holds?" Romita said during an online chat on Monday night. "All I know is I have several plots and a new editor and from what I hear, a new writer.

"Ralph Macchio (Spider-Man editor) is on different titles now. I don't know the name of my new boss."

It's been reported - but not confirmed yet by Marvel - that former Vertigo editor Axel Alonso will be taking over the Spider-titles. Official word on Straczynski is expected as soon as Tuesday morning.

Asked again later in the chat, Romita said, "I hope it'll still be me...but I find out tomorrow!"

Romita, whose exclusive contract with Marvel ends Dec. 31, said he has not spoken to outgoing Amazing Spider-Man writer Howard Mackie "in months" and has yet to be contacted by anyone at Marvel concerning Amazing Spider-Man.

As for Mackie leaving, Romita said, "I'm a little bothered."

Regarding his take on possibly working with Straczynski, Romita said, "I don't know. I've never met or worked with him."

Romita said he is currently finishing work on Avengers #35 before moving on to his next issue of Amazing Spider-Man and then Incredible Hulk #24.

In other Spider-Man news:

* Top Cow editor-in-chief Matt Hawkins told The Continuum he thinks Straczynski, who writes Rising Stars and Midnight Nation as part of Top Cow's Joe's Comics imprint, would be a strong addition to Amazing Spider-Man.

"JMS is one of the best writers in comics today," Hawkins said. "He has incredible vision for these characters and the ability to write across different genres."

* Check back with The Continuum for more updates on this situation.

AVERY SIGNS WITH TOP COW

Fiona Avery has signed with Top Cow to do No Honor, a new series based on a Samurai warrior, due in February. Avery was introduced to Top Cow through her mentor, J. Michael Straczynski, creator/writer of Rising Stars and Midnight Nation.

"I worked with Joe on Babylon 5 and Crusade and learned much from his sterling scriptwriting and his work ethic," Avery said. "Every time I walk away from reading or viewing his work, I have learned a new lesson about the craft of writing."

Avery's credits include a Babylon 5 story for its magazine [True Seeker] and a Lovecraft story titled "The Hunt." She is also an internationally published journalist with regular columns in The Official Babylon 5 magazine.

No Honor is Avery's first comic book.

"I love comics and have always lurked about comic shops reading up on characters like Batman, Rogue, Concrete, and Usagi," Avery said. "My favorite thing to do on a day off is hit the comic store and the ice cream stand and read up on the new issues of my fave characters. To be able to tell a story in this format is a dream come true.

"I'm very excited to be able to tell a samurai story as well, I'm a huge fan of Kurosawa and I love comics like Usagi Yojimbo. I love anime. Feudal Japan is one of my favorite periods and the honor codes of the Samurai are so compelling. I can't wait to see the modern world through that point of view for a while!"

Here's how Top Cow describes the book:

"In short, No Honor is about a world-class jewel thief who steals an ancient katana from a New York museum, but what he pilfers is a whole lot of grief. Accidentally cutting himself on the blade, he releases the spirit of an ancient Samurai warrior -- into his own body -- and the two must share the same mind, same body, same world until both can find release. For the Samurai named Tannen, there is no greater dishonor than to inhabit the body of a thief. And for Random there can be nothing more inconvenient than a spirit that knows only honor. Tannen sets in motion a series of events that will lead to avenging his dishonorable death as well as turning the jewel thief named Random into a man of honor."

ZETA PROJECT DEBUTS OCT. 14

The Zeta Project, a spin-off of Batman Beyond, is scheduled to premiere on Saturday, Oct. 14 on Kids' WB!.

The series is based on the character from the "Zeta" episode of Batman Beyond, a government android who develops a conscience and is on the run from government agents.

Rich Fogel, story editor of the series, said that Zeta - in his robot form -- will have a head, unlike his appearance in Batman Beyond last season.

"When we did the Batman Beyond episode, we had no idea it would spin off into a series," Fogel told The Continuum. "So, we decided to put a head on him to show emotion."

The first season of 13 episodes will feature one that includes Batman. Zeta will also be appearing on an episode of Batman Beyond. Fogel has written both crossover episodes.

"It's set in the same universe as Batman Beyond, but it's a travel show," Fogel said. "We get to see what the rest of the world looks like in this futuristic world."

Paul Dini, producer of Batman Beyond, has written one episode of The Zeta Project. Kevin Hopps, another story editor of The Zeta Project, and Hilary Bader are also writing episodes. Hopps has written for Max Steel, Buzz Lightyear and Disney's Quack Pack. Bader has written for Batman, Superman and Batman Beyond and also writes the Batman Beyond comic book.

FIRST LOOK: MUTANT X #26

Mutant X #26 will ship on Oct. 4 from Marvel Comics. The issue is written by Howard Mackie, with art by Ron Lim and Andrew Pepoy.

Here's how Marvel describes the issue:

"The Six are called in to protect a breach in the super-villain prison known as the Vault - but when a mystery item is stolen from a cell, Bloodstorm takes its recapture very personally."

Mutant X #26, with a cover by Michael Golden, will be 32 pages and will cost $2.25.

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FIRST LOOK: X-MEN: MAGIK #1

X-Men: Magik #1 will ship on Oct. 4 from Marvel Comics. The issue is written by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, with art and cover by Liam McCormack-Sharp.

Here's how Marvel describes the issue:

"With her new role in the Marvel Universe solidified, Magik runs into her first true test -- an adversary so horrifying, Mephisto himself trembles at the mere whisper of his name. Who is this devilish fiend, what are his terrifying plans for Earth-and how can a lone girl and her soulsworld possibly defeat him?"

X-Men: Magik #1 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.99.

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BRIEFLY

Fox has released three images from the season premiere of The Simpsons, which airs Nov. 5 and features The Who.

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