Thursday, Sept. 28, 2000

CLASSIC SPIDER-MAN FIGURES

The next line of Spider-Man action figures from Toy Biz, Classic Spider-Man, will arrive in stores in this winter.

The line of six-inch figures includes Spider-Man, Alien Costume Spider-Man, Venom and Man-Spider.

Each comes with an origin comic book and a sculpted base. The two Spidey figures will have 30 points of articulation.

During the Comic-Con International in San Diego, Toy Biz promoted the figures, spotlighting the detail of Man-Spider.

Spider-Man will also be featured as part of the Previews Exclusive Marvel History Greatest Moments series in a Spider-Man vs. Green Goblin two-pack, which is scheduled for a January release.

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VOIGHT IN TOMB RAIDER MOVIE

Jon Voight has joined the cast of the Tomb Raider live-action movie. He will play Lord Croft, the father of Lara Croft, who is played his real-life daughter Angelina Jolie.

Voight joined the cast and crew at Pinewood Studios outside London this week for his week-long stint as Lord Croft, an explorer and adventurer.

Producer Lloyd Levin said, "We are very fortunate to have this incredible actor -- who represents the best of his generation."

Paramount Pictures will release Tomb Raider next summer.

X-MEN FOR PLAYSTATION 2

Activision announced Wednesday that it is in development on two X-Men titles for the PlayStation 2. The titles, a fighting game and an action-RPG, are among the 14 games that Activision has in development for the PlayStation 2.

The announcement follows Activision's successful release of X-Men Mutant Academy for the PlayStation game console, which coincided with the July 14 opening of the X-Men movie.

"The success of X-Men Mutant Academy established Activision as a leader in bringing super-hero characters to the console marketplace," said Ron Doornink, President and COO, Activision.

"With the power of the PlayStation 2 and the strength of the X-Men franchise, Activision will be able to deliver a new dimension to fighting games and launch the series into the popular action-RPG genre."

WORLD'S FUNNEST LINEUP

DC Comics has announced a complete list of contributors to Superman & Batman: World's Funnest, the one-shot written by Evan Dorkin due on Nov. 1.

The book takes cues from classic Silver Age World's Finest/Superman and Batman stories. The activities of Superman and Batman are interrupted by their pesky mystical opponents: Mr. Mxyzptlk and Bat-Mite. But the comedy turns dark as the imps accidentally kill the heroes in an Elseworlds story that takes them on a destructive rampage through nearly every universe and style DC has ever published.

Highlighting the contributors are Alex Ross, who paints the realistically rendered world of Kingdom Come; Frank Miller in the realm of The Dark Knight Returns; Dave Gibbons in the Silver Age; Phil Jimenez in a Crisis of Infinite Earths take-off; and David Mazzucchelli with a Fourth World effort.

Contributors also include Mike Allred, Brian Bolland, Frank Cho, Stephen DeStefano, Joe Giella, Jaime Hernandez, Stuart Immonen, Phil Jimenez, Doug Mahnke, Sheldon Moldoff, Glen Murakami, Norm Rapmund, Scott Shaw!, Jay Stephens, Ty Templeton, Bruce Timm and Jim Woodring. The book will be colored by Chris Chuckry and lettered by Tom Orzechowski.

The book, edited by Joey Cavalieri, will cost $6.95.

FIRST LOOK: SUPERMAN #163

Superman #163 will ship on Wednesday from DC Comics. The issue is written by Jeph Loeb, with art by Ed McGuinness, Paul Pelletier and Cam Smith.

Here's how DC describes the issue:

"Part two of the two-part story guest-starring Aquaman, as the King of the Seas is determined to take down presidential candidate Lex Luthor once and for all. Will Superman be able to save Luthor from being a victim of Poseidonis law? Will he even want to save him? Plus, a special appearance by Young Justice."

Superman #163 will be 32 pages and will cost Oct. 4.

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FIRST LOOK: HELLBLAZER #154

Hellblazer #154 will ship on Wednesday from DC Comics. The issue is written by Brian Azzarell, with art by Marcelo Frusin and a painted cover by Tim Bradstreet.

Here's how DC describes the issue, which is part four of the six-part "Good Intentions" story arc:

"The Fermin Brothers put the squeeze on John Constantine, who quickly finds himself between a couple of hard rocks and a very soft place as he tries to end a cycle of unimaginable depravity. Trouble is, though John's help may be needed, it certainly isn't wanted."

Hellblazer #154 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.50.

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FIRST LOOK: FANTASTIC FOUR #36

Fantastic Four #36 will ship on Wednesday from Marvel Comics. The issue is written by Carlos Pacheco and Rafael Marin, art and cover by Pacheco.

Here's how Marvel describes the issue:

"Diablo triumphant! Last issue the evil alchemist laid the smackdown on the Fantastic Four -- and things haven't improved for Marvel's first family. What is the source of Diablo's newfound power? Will the Deacon be enough to turn the tide of battle? And just what does the Gideon Trust have to do with all of this?"

Fantastic Four #36 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.25.

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BRIEFLY