Monday, Oct. 30, 2000

X-MEN DVD DETAILS

The six bonus scenes in the X-Men DVD - available on Nov. 21 - are all character-building scenes.

The Continuum has obtained an advanced copy of the DVD from 20th Century Fox, and here's a rundown of the bonus scenes, which can be viewed separately or incorporated into the full movie:

* Storm Teaching Class: This lengthens the scene where John and Bobby use their powers, and Bobby tells Rogue, "Welcome to Mutant High." It includes Jubilee answering a question thrown to the class from Storm, and Kitty asking Rogue about Logan.

* Logan Notices Jean and Cyclops/Rogue in Classroom with Bobby and Storm: While Scott is teaching the young mutants about an engine, Logan notices that he and Jean are holding hands. Bobby asks Rogue to dinner, and, after the class is cleared, Rogue and Storm have a conversation, which includes Rogue asking Storm if Professor Xavier can "cure" her.

* Extended Bedroom Scene with Logan and Jean. This incorporates a lot of what was already in the film, but has Logan and Jean talking more about Scott and if he's the right man for her, as well as extended, antagonistic dialogue between Scott and Logan.

* Bobby Walks Rogue to her Dorm Room/Xavier and Jean in Cerebro: The significance of the first part is that Bobby tries to pick something off Rogue's face and she jerks back, not wanting to make physical contact. The conversation between Jean and Xavier mentions another scene cut from the movie, where Jean loses control of her powers during the senate hearing. This comes after Jean insists she can control Cerebro. Xavier then questions if he has done the right thing by bringing mutants into his world, and Jean tells him she wouldn't have had much of a life without him.

* Xavier and Jean in Xavier's Office: A short scene where Jean tells Xavier about her sense of violence - yet inherent good - in Logan.

* Ready Room Scene: Cyclops asks Logan if he's willing to be part of the team and take orders. Logan tells him to give him an order, and Cyclops tells him to put on an X-uniform.

The "Easter Eggs" in the DVD include the gag Spider-Man scene that was shown at the Comic-Con International in San Diego, as well as conceptual designs for Beast and Blob, two characters who did not appear in the film.

X-MEN: EVOLUTION UPDATE

Donna Friedman, senior vice-president of Kids' WB! programming, told The Continuum that X-Men: Evolution could receive a quick renewal if ratings merit.

"Absolutely. We would hope to make a decision quickly," Friedman told The Continuum. "If the show comes out of gate with strong ratings, we'd look at that."

The network recently renewed Jackie Chan Adventures for a second season just a few episodes into its first season.

X-Men: Evolution premieres this Saturday at 10:30 a.m. (ET). Thirteen episodes are being produced for the first season by Film Roman and Marvel.

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Friedman said that X-Men is an important franchise for the network.

"It has a track record," she said. "X-Men is one of the most-loved comic book franchises. With this series, we think we'll introduce kids to this world in a whole new way."

Friedman said making the series with most of the X-Men as teenagers served a couple of purposes.

"It's definitely to make it more relatable to kids," she said. "But we also wanted to do something with X-Men that hadn't been done before."

The network is actively promoting the series, with nearly a dozen spots last Saturday.

Another possible new show for the network is Justice League of America, which has been rumored to be in development at Warner Bros. Animation. Friedman declined comment on the show, referring The Continuum to Warner Bros. Animation, where a representative acknowledged the rumors, but said "there is nothing to confirm."

MARVEL LEGENDS CARDS FROM TOPPS

The Topps Company has announced that Marvel Legends will be the next series of trading cards to be published under its multiyear pact with Marvel.

Following last summer's X-Men movie cards, Marvel Legends is scheduled for a spring release.

Here's how Topps describes the series:

"The card series will feature an ambitious collaboration of comic artists presenting Marvel's classic characters in an exciting fresh style.

"The stunning series of all-new art focuses on the 'Big Guns' of the Marvel Comics Universe. Favorites like Spider-Man, Captain America and Wolverine will be there in force to stop their most hated enemies from wreaking havoc across the galaxy! Written in a hip and witty style that rings with zing, these cards are guaranteed to entertain even the most finicky fan."

Topps said specific details about Marvel Legends are still forthcoming, but one trade promotion will use previously unannounced Ray Park (Toad in X-Men) autograph cards, which were originally planned for the X-Men set but arrived too late for inclusion.

FANTAGRAPHICS FOR FEBRUARY

Following are Fantagraphics Books' solicitations for February, with information coming from the company.

TROSPER

By Jim Woodring (with music CD by Bill Frisell).

Cartoonist Jim Woodring - creator of the surrealist comic adventures of the anthropomorph Frank - and jazz guitarist/Nonesuch recording artist Bill Frisell have collaborated to create this unique multimedia storybook. Reminiscent of a Little Golden Book, this full-color, hardcover storybook is a made more special with the inclusion of a CD featuring an original soundtrack, created and recorded by Frisell and inspired directly by Woodring's story. The story itself spotlights the playful eponymous pachyderm-like creature who wants nothing to do but play with his colorful bouncing ball. Unfortunately, there are menacing forces conspiring against him. With one full-color painting per page, and no words, Woodring has crafted a compelling yet simple narrative of innocence and fear that will inspire multiple re-readings by children and adults for years to come. The accompanying CD will come packaged inside the book in a custom pocket. Frisell's ambient and ethereal jazz soundtrack creates a remarkable aural tension that perfectly accompanies Trosper's fraught-filled adventure as well as Woodring's eye-poppingly vibrant and colorful landscapes.

36 pages, $12.95.

THE COMPLEAT CANNON

By Wally Wood

The Compleat Cannon reprints the entirety of Wally Wood's sex and violence strip from the 1960s. The Cold War is still the hottest topic throughout the world in 1970. Surely either the ruthless dictators of the U.S.S.R. or the greedy capitalists of the U.S.A. will take over the planet before the century careens to a climax. Britain has James Bond, and there are many others of many nationalities and diverse personalities roaming the world. In America, there is John Cannon, who has not only a license to kill but the nerve to accomplish this and other ugly duties without mercy or remorse. He is the government's most able agent except for one constant challenge - how to

maintain his loyalty.

160 pages, black and white, $19.95.

THE COMICS JOURNAL #232

Cover by Steve Conley.

Comics on the Internet. The Comics Journal examines the hottest medium for comics of the past few years: the World Wide Web. TCJ talks to Scott McCloud about his book Reinventing Comics and the possibilites of comics online, and follows through with a roundup of web comics from Stan Lee Media to Splash. Also discussed are the unique advantages and problems of web-based comics with Astounding Space Thrills creator Steve Conley (this month's cover artist) and other web-savvy cartoonists. Plus, the usual assortment of news, reviews, columns and letters.

120 pages, $5.95.

EVIL EYE #7

By Richard Sala .

Girl sleuth -and all-around loose cannon - Judy Drood finally meets up with the pirate girls. Will she be hypnotized by evil puppet Aunt Azalea into joining their ranks? Plus, in the same issue, cover-girl Peculia gets into a (literal?) catfight with a gang of feline assassins. Were they sent by Obscurus to kill her? Once again, Evil Eye manages to pack more mystery, murder and bloody black-humor into every issue than any other current comic-book series.

24 pages, black and white, $2.95.

JUNIOR #5

By Peter Bagge.

In the final issue of the collected series of that lovable oaf Junio, Peter Bagge's diabolic vision has been realized - getting all the stories of his dopiest characters in one place. Contained within: a sequence of 10 one-page Junior stories that push humor and good taste to the limits; another tale of socialized yuppies entitled "Party Poopers"- starring Chet & Bunny; and from the pages of Comical Funnies #1, a Junior tale: "Now You're Hip, Now You're Not."

32 pages, black and white, $2.95.

MEASLES #8

Edited by Gilbert Hernandez, cover by Jaime Hernandez.

Contained within: the final chapter of "Hector & Dexter," a hilarious serial by Raw cartoonist Joost Swarte; another tale from Steven Weissman's li'l kids; Gilbert Hernandez' brand of pre-teen adventures; plus a cover by Jaime Hernandez.

24 pages, black and white, $2.95.

FIRST LOOK: BATMAN: LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT #137

Batman: Legends of he Dark Knight #137 will ship on Wednesday from DC Comics. The issue is written by Doug Moench, with art and cover by Paul Gulacy and Jimmy Palmiotti.

Here's how DC describes the issue:

"The five-part storyline 'Terror,' a sequel to 'Prey,' begins. Hugo Strange is alive! Taking over an old haunted house as his base of operations, Strange uses fake documents to get him a job as a visiting psychiatrist at Arkham Asylum. Deciding he will need help to defeat Batman, he begins sessions with the Scarecrow, now frightened and humble, in an attempt to win his aid against the Dark Knight. Meanwhile, Batman and Gordon are after a mysterious female Cat burglar..."

Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #137 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.25.

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FIRST LOOK: 100 BULLETS #18

100 Bullets #18 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 issue:

"The conclusion of the 4-part 'Hang Up on the Hang Low.' Armed with a gun and 100 rounds of untraceable ammo, Loop finds himself forced to fight for the man Agent Graves meant for him to kill - or did he? Meanwhile, a

familiar face returns to bring Graves' true intentions to light -- but this new information for Loop may be too little, too late."

100 Bullets #18 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.50.

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FIRST LOOK: HELLBLAZER #155

Hellblazer #155 will ship on Wednesday from DC Comics. The issue is written by Brian Azzarello, with art by Marcelo Frusin and a painted cover by Tim Bradstreet.

Here's how DC describes the issue:

"Part 5 of the 6-part 'Good Intentions.' Trapped between a nasty secret and a brutal threat, Constantine discovers something in the backwoods of West Virginia -- a horror that's older, stronger and infinitely more vicious than any human threat could possibly be. Something that finds Constantine in a most unlikely position: completely out of his element."

Hellblazer #155 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.50.

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