Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2000

X-MEN: EVOLUTION UPDATE

Starting this Saturday, Kids' WB! will show six episodes of X-Men: Evolution within a week, culminating with a new episode and the introduction of a made-for-TV mutant.

This Saturday's episode will be a repeat of "The X-Impulse," which introduces Shadowcat and Avalanche.

Kids' WB! will then show X-Men: Evolution on Monday-Thursday at 3:30 p.m. Episodes include: "Strategy X," the series' debut, on Monday; "The X-Impulse" on Tuesday; "Rogue Recruit," which introduces Rogue, on Wednesday; and "Mutant Crush," which introduces Blob.

The episode scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 9 is "Speed and Spyke," which introduces both Spyke, the new X-Man, and Quicksilver.

STEVE LIEBER TALKS WARREN ELLIS PROJECT

Artist Steve Lieber told The Continuum he is collaborating with writer Warren Ellis on Morning Dragons, a 100-page graphic novel from Image Comics and Ellis' Pop Comics next year.

"Warren contacted me three months ago and said, 'Do you want to do something historical?'" Lieber said. "And I said, 'Hell, yes!' I'm totally psyched about it."

The story, set in 1180, will involve a Viking invasion of Japan. Lieber said he has not received a script from Ellis yet, but expects one soon and isn't daunted by the 100-page count.

"A lot of guys out there don't like to work. I do," Lieber said. "This is how long Whiteout was. The work itself isn't the lengthy part; it's the research. And I've got most of that done. My Vikings will not have horns. That's opera."

To get the proper shading for Morning Dragons, Lieber said he will be using Coquille Board, which he used for a couple of pages of Whiteout. "It's an old illustrators' technique," Lieber said.

Look for more from Lieber in Wednesday's Continuum report.

CLARIFICATION FROM PAUL JENKINS

Paul Jenkins followed up his comments from Monday's Continuum report, clarifying statements that were not intended to be criticisms of Howard Mackie's work.

For the record, the interview with Jenkins, writer of Peter Parker: Spider-Man, was conducted one-on-one by The Continuum at the Mid-Ohio-Con on Saturday and was taped. Jenkins has acknowledged the interview took place and the quotes were not taken from a panel or through any devious manner.

While the thrust of the Spider-Man part of the interview was news of Mary Jane's return to the Spider-Man titles, Jenkins also commented on the writing situation of Spider-Man, which includes him replacing Mackie on Peter Parker and Mackie's upcoming exit from Amazing Spider-Man.

The Continuum stresses that at no time did Jenkins criticize Mackie's work. The quotes about Mackie, while used verbatim, might have been misleading.

So, after a phone conversation with Jenkins and for complete fairness, The Continuum offered Jenkins a chance to clarify his statements, completely in his own words and context.

The following is Jenkins' statement:

"Okay, folks... just a brief note to clarify statements attributed to me at the Comics Continuum website: I talked with Rob Allstetter - the writer of this piece - and expressed concern at how my comments about Howard Mackie are presented in a slightly skewed fashion. It's a problem of context, or lack thereof. Rob has agreed with me that the comments are presented slightly out of their correct context, making it seem as though I have something negative to say about poor old Howard Mackie (who at this point must be turning in his grave, or bed, or whatever). As it happens, I get along fine with Howard and greatly enjoy my working relationship with him. It may surprise and dismay a few people that I also get along very well with both John Byrne AND Peter David... at the same time. Imagine that.

"The problem is, I am assaulted at every single convention by people who are complaining about John or Howard or Peter because I've taken over titles that they either *recently* worked on or a title on which they enjoyed a long and successful run. You can't imagine how many times I hear, 'You saved the Hulk from John Byrne/Peter David' at any given convention. People who don't happen to like Howard's work on Spidey often expect me to rant about Howard just because they prefer my take on the character to his. Each time I hear this, I either bow my head and try to look as blank as possible, or I take a deep breath and try to explain to the culprit that I'm not going to be goaded into speaking negatively about any of these guys. After all, they do the same job as me, and they've done it so well for so many years.

"Let me try to put things into their proper context: When I took over PPSM, I was asked by both Howard and Ralph Macchio for my opinion on the books so far. I told them what I liked and what I didn't like. You'll notice that I mentioned things I didn't like. You'll also notice, if you're reading carefully, that I mentioned the things I *did* like. Early on in the game, I chatted with Howard for a while in order to get his impressions on the book. He told me that he was beginning to get a little tired and a little jaded. He also said he was ever so glad that I'd taken over one of the titles, and felt as though some of the pressure had been lifted from him. He was re-energized. I think Howard's now relishing the opportunity to clear up some of the dangling threads in his storyline that people have been wondering about... that was exactly how I presented this, but to read Rob's article, it seems as though I'm saying I don't care about Howard or his work or his plots, and that's not true. The problem with taping an interview is that you can't tape a person's expressions or body language, so a statement supposedly taken verbatim may lose a smile or a nod or a wink, and I do that a lot. The problem with an interview is that a reporter might extract the salient points from a larger amount of statements and skew an article-unintentionally in this case, I might add.

"Okay, so... first of all, take the word 's---' and replace it with the word 'stuff.' There, see? It's pretty easy. I never referred to Howard's work as s---, only in the sense that I swear too much. Sorry, Howard, if this has caused you any upset. As for John Byrne, he can go to hell. I just smiled when I typed that because I think John will find it funny. What do *you* think I meant by it?

"P.S.: I also have nothing bad to say about the previous writers of Spidey who supposedly wrote Peter Parker's marriage so poorly. Another glitch of intent versus lack-of-context. The above rules apply."

In other Jenkins news, he told The Continuum that Michael Zulli will be drawing an upcoming issue of Witchblade, he has an animated project in the works and might be doing a Marvel Knights project with Sean Phillips.

X-MEN BIG ON VIDEO, DVD, TOYS

According to Daily Variety, the X-Men movie brought in more than $50 million in sales and rentals in its first weekend of release.

Fox shipped 1.8 million copies of the DVD, and 39 percent of that total sold on the first day, prompting the studio to release 500,000 more.

Fox estimated that 1.12 million copies of the VHS version were sold by Sunday.

Meanwhile, the X-Men movie Series 3 figures also appear to be a hit. A representative of Toys R Us in Michigan told The Continuum that the figures "flew" off the shelves. The rep said that the Sabretooth figure appears to be the most in demand, followed by Logan.

FIRST LOOK: SPIDER-MAN: THE MYSTERIO MANIFESTO #1

Spider-Man: The Mysterio Manifesto #1 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from Marvel Comics. The issue is written by Tom DeFalco with art by Lee Weeks and Bob McLeod and a cover by Weeks.

Here's how Marvel describes the issue:

"The mystery of Mysterio is solved. Did Quentin Beck really take his life in Daredevil's acclaimed 'Guardian Devil' story? Who was the Mysterio that recently appeared to befuddle Spider-Man? These and other questions will be answered in a special three-part story that explores the webspinner's most enigmatic enemy. It's a journey into the dark corners of Spidey's world -- guest-starring a man who's no stranger to the dark, Daredevil."

Spider-Man: The Mysterio Manifesto #1 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.99.

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FIRST LOOK: UNIVERSE X #4

Universe X #4 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from Marvel Comics. The issue is written by Alex Ross and Jim Krueger, with art by Doug Braithwaite and a painted cover by Ross.

Here's how Marvel describes the issue:

"Witness Captain America's final battle with Hydra. Observe the fate of Johnny Blaze, the original Ghost Rider. Learn the secrets behind the death of the Avengers. Plus: the Eastern mutant force known as Xen face off against the Tong of Creel. It's more shocks and revelations in the second series set in the Marvel Universe's alternate future."

Universe X #4 will be 32 pages and will cost $3.50.

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FIRST LOOK: WONDER WOMAN #164

Wonder Woman #164 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from DC Comics. The issue is written by Phil Jimenez and J.M. DeMatteis, with art by Jimenez and Andy Lanning and a cover by Adam Hughes.

Here's how DC describes the issue:

"A new era for Wonder Woman begins. Wonder Woman travels to Gotham to help Batman in defeating the Joker, Scarecrow and Poison Ivy -- only they're being possessed by even more sinister forces."

Wonder Woman #164 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.25.

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FIRST LOOK: ROBIN: YEAR ONE #2

Robin: Year One #2 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from DC Comics. The issue is written by Chuck Dixon and Scott Beatty, with art and cover by Javier Pulido and Robert Campanella.

Here's how DC describes the issue:

"The story of Dick Grayson, the original Robin, continues. Robin squares off against the Mothman, the original Blockbuster, and Two-Face -- all while trying to live the life of a normal teenager. When duty gets in the way of blooming romance, Dick at last learns the impossible cost he must pay to be a champion of good."

Robin: Year One #2 will be 48 pages and will cost $4.95.

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FIRST LOOK: BATMAN: TURNING POINTS #5

Batman: Turning Points #5 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from DC Comics. The issue is written by Greg Rucka, with art by Paul Pope and Claude St. Aubin and a cover by Pope.

Here's how DC describes the issue:

"In the present day, as the events of 'No Man's Land' have brought Gordon and Batman closer to understanding each other than ever, the toll of that war makes Gordon reassess one last time his relationship with Gotham and the Dark Knight. Gordon's readiness to walk away from it all sets the stage for several major storylines in the months ahead."

Batman: Turning Points #5 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.50.

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FIRST LOOK: THE FLASH #168

The Flash #168 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from DC Comics. The issue is written by Geoff Johns, with art by Angel Unzueta and Doug Hazlewood and a cover by Brian Bolland.

Here's how DC describes the issue:

"'Wonderland' races towards its finale as Wally West finds Keystone City a smoldering hole in the ground, thanks to the newest Flash villain for the next millennium -- the sinister entity Brother Grimm. And it turns out he and Wally have met before -- but how? And when?"

The Flash #168 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.25.

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FIRST LOOK: GENERATION X #71

Generation X #71 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from Marvel Comics. The issue is written by Warren Ellis and Brian Wood, with art by Steve Pugh and Bob Wiacek and a cover by Art Adams.

Here's how Marvel describes the issue, which is part one of the "Four Day" story arc:

"Presenting the first of four stand-alone stories that will put readers inside the heads of their favorite Generation X characters. First Marvel takes an intimate look at Chamber, the mutant who blew half of his face off - a teenager who knows that he will never be normal."

Generation X #71 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.25.

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FIRST LOOK: BLACK WIDOW: BREAKDOWN #1

Black Widow: Breakdown #1 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from Marvel Comics. The issue is written by Greg Rucka and Devin Grayson, with art and a painted cover by Scott Hampton.

Here's how Marvel describes the issue:

"The rivalry between Natasha Romonoff and Yelena Belova over the Widow mantle picks up right were it left off from the Black Widow mini-series But this time writers Greg Rucka and Devin Grayson have thrown in a wicked twist. What is it? Who is responsible for it? And will there be only one Widow left standing when it's all over?"

Black Widow: Breakdown #1 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.99.

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FIRST LOOK: HELLBLAZER #156

Hellblazer #156 will arrive in stores 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, which is the sixth and final part of the "Good Intentions" story arc:

"John Constantine's backwoods adventure comes to a vicious, chilling climax as he finds himself confronted by the entire population of Doglick, as well as the brutal force of nature that's been terrorizing them for years. For once, John means well -- but he may be the only one who does."

Hellblazer #156 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.50.

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BRIEFLY