Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2000

THIS JUST IN: EPTING TEAMS WITH WAID AT CROSSGEN

Penciler Steve Epting has joined CrossGen Comics to pencil its sixth monthly release, Crux. Epting will begin work with writer Mark Waid on the pivotal story of the CrossGen line upon his arrival in Tampa on Dec. 1.

Crux is scheduled for release on April 11. Crux will be the first book Waid writes for CrossGen in which he will have control of the title's story direction beginning in issue #1. Crux tells a vital piece of the underlying story of the CrossGen Universe as it reveals how our Earth plays a role in its origin. The rest of the Crux creative team will be revealed shortly.

Said Epting, "I'm looking forward to the chance to be part of something really special, not only with this book, but with this company. Working with Mark Waid is an extra bonus. I can't wait to get started."

This is the first time Waid and Epting have worked together.

Said Waid, "What I like about Steve's work is that the man knows how to draw. His art is stylish and exciting without sacrificing, oh, little piddly old-fashioned things like basic anatomy or clear storytelling. Steve's a real coup for us."

Crux will supersede the previously announced sixth title, The Path, moving its simultaneous launch in the U.S. and Japan back until late third quarter or early fourth quarter 2001. The Path will continue the story that begins in the initial two issues of CrossGen's next release, The First, shipping Nov. 1. Waid is still set to write and an announcement of the artistic team for The Path is forthcoming.

X-MEN: EVOLUTION'S NIGHTCRAWLER

Nightcrawler will be one of the first characters spotlighted in the X-Men: Evolution animated series, which begins Saturday, Nov. 4 on Kids' WB!

"We build the characters up with the X-Men themselves as the show goes on," said X-Men: Evolution director Frank Paur. "The first episode we have Scott and Jean already in the mansion and then we bring Nightcrawler in."

How does Kurt look in the series?

"We wanted to come up with a standard, high-school type," said X-Men: Evolution director Steve Gordon of Kurt's "human" appearance. "He looks a little more like a partier, with long, floppy hair and the boxers pulled up high and the layered look with big, floppy elephant pants. He's very much the type of kid you'd see at school these days."

Kurt's human form is a hologram that he induces.

"It's basically the same design, that's altered to look human," Gordon said. "We're still trying to get it to work overseas, that whenever he does hand movements to have his hands split with his fingers."

Nightcrawler's X-Men costume is one from X-Men: Evolution that most resembles the comic book.

"He's pretty much the Nightcrawler everyone's used to, except for the curly hair," Gordon said. "We wanted to go with more of a contemporary hairstyle.

"From my animation background, I came up with the idea of using a different foot, using more of an animal foot. Doing all the research with the comics, no one seemed to really handle the feet very well. It was also kind of clunky. They gave him these long toes and they didn't seem to do anything. But, other than that, he would walk like a normal person.

"We wanted to come up with something a little more unusual for him, so we came up with this animal look. And when he walks, it's like an animal, and when he runs, it's basically a modified cat run. He gets on all fours and runs."

Look for more on X-Men: Evolution here in The Continuum on Thursday.

CROSSGEN FOR FEBRUARY

Following are CrossGen Comics' solicitations for February, with information coming from the company.

THE FIRST #4

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

The story of Altwaal, the first leader of the First, continues, but a new set of players has taken up the tale, and a new level is added to the mystery of what happened to the legendary warrior. And why is the question being raised again, after so many centuries, of what happened to Altwaal?

32 pages, $2.95, ships on Feb. 7.

MYSTIC #9

Written by Ron Marz, penciled by Brandon Peterson, inked by John Dell, colored by Andrew Crossley.

Despite dissension within their ranks, the Guild Masters pool their magical power for a ritual designed to release an ancient, unspeakable evil. The target, of course, is Giselle, who's being swept off her feet by Darrow as he instructs her in the use of her arcane abilities. Could Darrow's intentions be less than pure? The result is a confrontation between Darrow and Thierry, who might just find comfort in the arms of another â¤| Giselle's sister Genevieve.

32 pages, $2.95, ships on Feb. 7.

SIGIL #9

Written by Barbara Kesel, penciled by Kevin Sharpe, inked by Randy Elliott, colored by Wil Quintana.

Zanni was the first to notice that JeMerik Meer may be more than he seems, but now it's Roiya's turn to learn more about the enigmatic Meer, although she'll never be able to tell the others what she's seen... Meanwhile, at Sam's request, Zanni's people give him the space he needs, and the Saurian Weaponsmaster is granted the power to become a living weapon.

32 pages, $2.95, ships on Feb. 14.

SCION #9

Written by Ron Marz, penciled by Jim Cheung, inked by Don Hillsman, colored by Caesar Rodriguez.

Back in Eastern lands to exact his vengeance upon Bron, Ethan decides to seek out Ashleigh and the Underground movement. But he finds an unexpected obstacle standing in his way - Exeter, the bounty hunter Ethan believed dead. Even if Ethan manages to survive a rematch with Exeter, does the Heron prince have any chance of locating the Underground's sanctuary?

32 pages, $2.95, ships on Feb. 21.

CROSSGEN CHRONICLES #2

Written by Ron Marz, penciled by George Perez, inked by Dennis Jensen.

George Perez comes to CrossGen. The all-time master of epic scope and detail pencils the first of his specials for CrossGen, a tale drawn from the past of Scion. Centuries ago, ancestors of Ethan and Bron led rival fleets against each other in a battle, and the outcome provides the basis for the annual tournament of ritual combat.

48 pages, $3.95, ships on Feb. 21.

MERIDIAN #9

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

Sephie is alone against a deadly menace on Akasia. How can the power of her sigil help her against a frenzy of teeth and claws? If she survives this monster, a bigger one awaits... Ilahn has come to Akasia to retrieve Sephie, and he's not happy to find they've lost herâ¤|

32 pages, $2.95, ships on Feb. 28.

FRANK BRUNNER UPDATE

Frank Brunner, perhaps best known for his 1970s work on Doctor Strange, might be returning to comic books soon.

Brunner told The Continuum that he has been in talks with WildStorm Productions editor-in-chief Scott Dunbier about some work.

"I don't want to get back into doing a monthly thing," Brunner said. "A monthly is too much of a grind. But if the right project came along, a one-shot or a mini-series, I'd be interested."

Brunner has worked on several animated series the last decade, including as a character designer for Fox Kids' X-Men, and has been working on commission pieces the last few months since returning to the East Coast. He recently did the cover for the first issue of a new independent comic book series Wildstars.

Brunner is also developing an animated series, DinoForce, through his Maelstrom Entertainment.

DREW GERACI JOINS CROSSGEN

Inker Drew Geraci told The Continuum that he will be joining CrossGen Comics in January and will be inking Greg Land on Meridian, starting with #12.

"Mark (Alessi, CrossGen CEO and publisher) brought us down to check out the place and gave me an offer that was impossible to refuse," Geraci told The Continuum.

"Mark has a well-thought-out game plan for the next few years, as opposed to the quick, desperate gimmicks that turn off fans. I'm really looking forward to working in such a creative and productive environment."

Land, who is finishing his run as Nightwing artist, and Geraci will take over for Josh Middleton and Dexter Vines. Meridian #12 will ship in May.

TOM LYLE OFF MUTANT X

Tom Lyle told The Continuum that he is no longer the regular artist of Marvel Comics' Mutant X.

"While surprised at the suddenness of the decision, it has not been unexpected," Lyle said.

Lyle said his comics future is uncertain following Mutant X #29, his final regular issue.

"They're giving me a fill-in on Mutant X as my severance package," Lyle said. "I'm going to throw myself into my film full-time now."

BRIEFLY

Battle Chasers #7 is set to ship on Nov. 29 from DC Comics and WildStorm Productions.