N E W S
Return to the Continuum home page

Clicking on images frequently provides larger ones.
Friday, Sept. 29, 2000

ULTIMATE MARVEL MAGAZINE

Marvel on Friday announced details for its Ultimate Marvel Magazine, which will reach newsstands and mass-market retail chains with its first issue on Jan. 16.

"The Ultimate Marvel Magazine will revolutionize the comic book industry and will help to resolve two of the major issues facing comic book publishers - distribution and appeal to tweens and teens," said Matt Ragone, Marvel vice-president of retail sales. "We recognize the difficulty some consumers currently face in finding the specialty stores to buy our comics. By developing the product in a magazine format we are able to ensure there will be ample distribution and that it will be available everywhere."

According to Marvel, "The new magazine is the next step in Marvel's aggressive strategy to increase the appeal and accessibility of the company's core comic book heroes to a younger demographic. To help ensure that the exciting new magazine will be available for mainstream consumers, Marvel is increasing the size of the publication to standard magazine dimensions -- thereby availing itself to a much wider distribution system than with traditional comic books. This broader distribution system will widen the magazine's reach into more conventional retail outlets including newsstands and mass-market retail chains.

"The new format of Ultimate Marvel Magazine enables Marvel to take advantage of a distribution system that will allow the Company to significantly improve delivery of the magazines to the mainstream consumer. Marvel will utilize Curtis Circulation Company and I.D. Wholesalers (Regional Magazine Wholesalers) to distribute Ultimate Marvel Magazine to newsstands and mass market retailers which have not traditionally carried comic books in recent years.

"The largest publishing initiative in the Company's history, Marvel will back the Ultimate's program with a major marketing and promotional campaign that will include print advertising, content on Marvel.com, ads promoting the other Marvel comic book lines, and the distribution of promotional samples through its licensing and promotional partners."

Ultimate Marvel Magazine will include issues of the soon-to-be-released Ultimate Marvel comics and will feature rotating Spider-Man and X-Men covers. It will cost $3.99.

X-MEN MOVIE UPDATE

As Fox announced the Nov. 21 DVD and VHS release of X-Men on Thursday, the film's sequel remains in the earliest stages.

Executive producer Tom DeSanto, who developed X-Men's story with director Bryan Singer, told The Continuum he has no current news on the sequel. "Just taking some time off for the first time in four years," DeSanto said.

Marvel's Avi Arad told The Continuum he hopes to have a writer for the sequel in place in the next month. No word yet if Singer will be returning.

Meanwhile, consumers can reserve copies of X-Men beginning on Friday. Both the DVD and VHS versions of X-Men will include never-before-seen bonus footage, interview segments with Bryan Singer and a special animated production storyboard animatic.

The DVD features more extras including Hugh Jackman's screen test for the role of Logan/Wolverine, a special "Extended Branching Version" to preserve the integrity of the film -- as intended in its original theatrical form -- while allowing consumers to view six never-before-seen sequences.

The VHS version is packaged in a collectible foil video sleeve and presented in pan and scan format. It includes 10 minutes of never-before-seen footage, an animatic animated storyboard, created to demonstrate Singer's vision for one of the movie's action sequences, as well as an interview with Singer from PBS' Charlie Rose Show.

The X-Men DVD is presented in anamorphic widescreen format (aspect ratio: 2.35:1) with a "reference quality" video transfer and English 5.1 Surround, English Dolby Surround, French Dolby Surround and English and Spanish subtitles.

A complete list of DVD contents:

  • Never-before-seen footage comprised of six movie sequences (available as part of "Extended Branching" or to be viewed one after another in a special section). They are: Storm character development -- teaching class; Logan notices Jean and Scott/Rogue, Scott and Storm in the classroom; an extended bedroom sequence between Logan, Jean and Scott; relationship development as Bobby walks Rogue to her dorm; Professor Xavier and Jean are in the Cerebro; development of relationship between Professor Xavier and Jean in his office.

  • A 22-minute "behind-the-scenes documentary "Mutant Watch," which aired to promote the movie's theatrical release.

  • The screen test of Jackman, as he auditioned for the part of Logan/Wolverine.

  • Five excerpts from Singer's interview on the Charlie Rose Show as Singer discusses making a "studio film."

  • Expansive Art Gallery -- 170 concept art stills from both production and character design stills and development stills -- including shots of several characters not included in the film.

  • Two animatic animated storyboards, created to demonstrate Singer's vision for the look, blocking and angles of shots in the Statue of Liberty fight sequence and train station fight sequence.

  • Two theatrical trailers.

  • Three TV spots.

  • THX Optimode -- home theater audio optimizing system.

  • Two Easter Eggs for DVD enthusiasts.

  • X-Men will be available priced at $22.98 ($26.98 Canada) on VHS and $29.98 ($41.98 Canada) on DVD.

    In other X-Men movie news:

  • Vicki Phillips, who was the stunt double of Rebecca Romijn Stamos' Mystique, is doing stunts for Gena Lee Nolin in the syndicated Sheena television series. "She can do just about anything," Nolin said.

    MERO/10TH MUSE ON ET


    GIVE'EM A CLICK

    Rena Mero, the former professional wrestler known as Sable, promoted the upcoming Image Comics series The 10th Muse during an appearance on Entertainment Tonight on Thursday.

    Mero's likeness is the basis for the character in the book, which starts in November. The title, from Tidal Wave Productions, is written by Marv Wolfman, with art by Ken Lashley.

    Mero appeared in a spot comparing her and the pro wrestler Chyna in regards to their appearances in Playboy.

    "I've been able to use my brains and my brawn throughout my entire life," Mero said. "Now that I have a cartoon character that embodies that, it's really exciting."

    NOLIN TALKS SHEENA

    Gena Lee Nolin appeared on CBS' The Late, Late Show with Craig Kilborn on Wednesday night, promoting Sheena, her upcoming syndicated, comics-based television show.

    Here are some of Nolin's comments:

  • On the show's concept: "Sheena is actually based on the comic book from the 1930s. So she's a very tough, strong, sort of warrior of her jungle. She morphs into animals, I morph into animals, so it's a lot of fun."

  • On problems Sheena encounters: "There's people that try to invade the jungle, and, of course, I have to beat them up. I'm the one that makes it all happen and I keep my family and my animals safe."

  • What she wears: "A chamois cloth. It's very cute. It's exciting, it's something that's different. I've never done anything quite like this."

  • What she prefers wearing, the loincloth or the swimsuit she wore on Baywatch? "I really prefer this because it's a sexy sort of outfit, and yet it's practical. I'm able to do what I need to do. I can fight, I can do all of these important things and be a very strong and independent woman, but yet, I look good doing it."

  • What kinds of animals does she work with in Sheena? "Lions, panthers, tigers, snakes. They're real. There have been times where it gets pretty dicey. It's scary."

    FIRST LOOK: WILDCATS #16

    Wildcats #16 will ship Wednesday from WildStorm Productions and DC Comics. The issue is written by Joe Casey, with art by Sean Phillips and a cover by J.G. Jones.

    Here's how DC describes the book:

    "Part 3 of a deadly 6-part story finds a popular member of Wildcats becoming the latest victim of a brutal serial killer. After the sadistic confrontation that occurs this issue, things will never be the same for the 'Cats as the gruesome 'Serial Boxes' continues."

    Wildcats #16 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.50.

    GIVE'EM A CLICK

    FIRST LOOK: 100 BULLETS #17

    100 Bullets #17 will ship on Wednesday from DC Comics. The issue is written by Brian Azzarello; with art by Eduardo Risso and a painted cover by Dave Johnson.

    Here's how DC describes the book:

    "Part 3 of the 4-part 'Hang Up on the Hang Low.' Street player Loop Hughes discovers that his intended target and the mysterious Agent Graves have crossed paths in the past. For Graves, Loop's assignment is quite personal. And for Loop, 100 bullets might not be enough."

    100 Bullets #17 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.50.

    GIVE'EM A CLICK

    FIRST LOOK: CAPTAIN MARVEL #12

    Captain Marvel #12 will ship on Oct. 18 from Marvel Comics. The issue is written by Peter David, with art and cover by Chriscross and Anibal Rodriguez.

    Here's how Marvel describes the book:

    "The vengeful son of Yon-Rogg (the greatest foe of the original Captain Mar-Vell) is back -- but that's nothing compared to Una-Rogg, his daughter! But first and foremost, can Captain Marvel survive the horror of... a personal appearance at a comic book store?"

    Captain Marvel #12 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.50.

    GIVE'EM A CLICK




    BRIEFLY

  • Lea Hernandez said that she is staging a contest in Rumble Girls #5

  • Moore Creations has announced a change in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel ornaments that are shipping in December. The base of the ornaments will not have the look of wood, as originally pictured, but rather a green faux finish marble color.

    Angel star David Boreanaz will be the subject for an upcoming bust, the first in a series of statues and busts, featuring the character in his original Victorian clothing early next year. Moore Action Collectibles is planning an action figure line with various characters from the television series in 2001.

  • Last Saturday's 10:30 a.m. (ET) debut of Static Shock posted what Kids' WB termed "solid time-period ratings" in Kids 2-11 (3.2/13), Kids 6-11 (3.7/15), Boys 2-11 (4.6/17) and Boys 6-11 (5.2/19). At 11 a.m., Batman Beyond outperformed the time period broadcast competition to rank first among Kids 2-11 (2.8/12), Kids 6-11 (3.4/15), Boys 2-11 (3.8/16), Boys 6-11 (4.4/18) and Girls 6-11 (2.4/12).
    E-Mail the Continuum at roballs@aol.com


    Return to the Continuum home page


    Copyright © 2000, The Comics Continuum