Friday, Dec. 15, 2000

MUTANT X ACTION FIGURES

Toy Biz has provided The Continuum with images of the four Mutant X action figures that will be available exclusively through comics shops in March.

The figures will include Havok, Goblin Queen, Bloodstorm and The Fallen. Each figure will cost $9.99.

In related news, ToyBiz's fourth set of X-Men movie figures and second set of twin packs have been put on hold.

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SPIDER-MAN UNLIMITED EPISODE

Fox Kids will show the "Where Evil Nests" episode of Spider-Man Unlimited this Saturday at 11 a.m. (ET).

Here's how Fox Kids describes the episode:

"Settling in on Counter-Earth, Peter gets to know his new landlady, Naoko Yamada-Jones, and her son, Shayne. When Shayne is captured by the Bio-Mass, an amoeba-like creature under the control of Venom and Carnage, Spidey and a mysterious vigilante called the Goblin must rescue him. Afterwards, Peter gets a job as a news photographer at the Daily Byte."

The episode's teleplay was written by Brynne Chandler Reaves and Steve Perry, based on a story by Will Meugniot, who also directed the episode.

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The Goblin - voiced by Rino Romano, who also does the voice of Spider-Man - is initially leery of Spider-Man because he wears a spider costume like Venom and Carnage. The episode also provides background into the alien origins of Carnage and Venom and why their powers might be different than they've been in the past.

Meugniot told The Continuum that Goblin will be in at least five episodes of the first season of Spider-Man Unlimited. "The Goblin has a major story arc," he said.

The end of the episode shows the publisher of the Daily Byte. The character is voiced by Garry Chalk, who played Dugan in Fox's live-action Nick Fury movie and a government official in the Generation X movie.

"Deadly Choices," the show's fourth episode that has not been seen in the United States, will air on Saturday, Dec. 23. Look for more information on that episode soon here in The Continuum.

BARRY KITSON'S BATMAN ARC

Barry Kitson told The Continuum that he is drawing Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #146-148 for DC Comics.

The story arc, written by Doug Moench, is called "Bad" and has a psychological bent.

"I think it's some of my best ever work," Kitson said. "It feels great! I can never draw enough Batman pages!"

Here's a look at some of Kitson's art.

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X-MEN: EVOLUTION'S STORM

X-Men: Evolution director Steve Gordon said that the look of Storm in the Kids' WB! animated series was inspired in part by model/actress Tyra Banks.

"I played around for a long time to get the black features, so they were black features. It wasn't just a white character with dark skin," Gordon said. "We went to different sources for that, and eventually I used Tyra Banks as a model to give it more of an interesting look. She's got the long, flowing hair."

Gordon said Ororo's clothing was meant to reflect her culture.

"In her civvies, we were trying to look for something a little exotic looking, but still something that made her sexy and kind of an Earth mother look to her," Gordon said.

"We wanted to come up with something exotic, so we gave her fringe on her skirt. We played with a lot of different things, gave her African bracelets."

Storm's costume is based off her traditional black jumpsuit look from the comic books.

"We knew with all of the characters we wanted to have that basic black negative look on, so we found ways to incorporate that on all the costuming," Gordon said. "Her costume is probably the most in black that there is."

This Saturday's episode of X-Men: Evolution is a rebroadcast of "Rogue Recruit."

ARCHIE FOR MARCH

Archie Comics has released it solicitations for March.

For the complete rundown, with cover art, CLICK HERE.

JIMMY PALMIOTTI ENDS DEADPOOL RUN

Jimmy Palmiotti told The Continuum that he will end his run as writer on Deadpool with Deadpool #55.

"I am enjoying the book like hell, but #55 will wrap up the storylines I started and the book will continue without me," Palmiotti said. "I have the animation and film properties I'm baby-sitting as well as creating a new character for another company as well."

Palmiotti said artists for Deadpool will include Darick Robertson on #50-51, Anthony Williams on #52-53 and Georges Jeanty on #54-55.

Palmiotti has been working with Mainframe Entertainment for an animated version of the Gatecrasher comic book as well as Surf 'N Turf, a property he created with Amanda Conner.

Greg Johnson, story editor of X-Men: Evolution, has completed the first script for Gatecrasher, which appears headed for Fox Kids.

"Everything happens at the end of January," Palmiotti said.

EISNER AWARDS UPDATE

Entries are now being accepted for the 13th annual Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, to be given to the finest publications and creators of 2000.

Publishers can submit any comic, graphic novel, or comics-related periodical, book, or item that was shipped to retailers between Jan. 1, 2000 and Dec. 31, 2000. The deadline for submissions is March 15, 2001.

The submitted items will be considered by a blue-ribbon panel of judges, who will select the final items to appear on the Eisner Awards ballot. This year's judges, who have been chosen by Awards Administrator Jackie Estrada, are:

*Anina Bennett, a writer and editor with over a decade's experience in the comics industry.. She has been an editor at both First Comics and Dark Horse, is the co-creator/writer of the series Heartbreakers, and was co-author of The Big Book of Bad, published by DC Comics's Paradox Press.

* Karon Flage, business manager and one of the founding members of Sequential Tart, a comics industry webzine created by women. She is also on the steering committee for The Expo (formerly SPX) and on the steering committee for the Ignatz Awards, prizes given to publishers and creators for excellence in independent/alternative press.

* Ralph Mathieu, owner of Alternate Reality Comics in Las Vegas, Nevada. A longtime reader of comics, he opened his store seven years ago with the goal of expanding the audience for comics by offering a wide selection of genres. The store was a finalist for the Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailing Award in 1998.

* Chris Schaff, brand manager at Diamond Comic Distributors. After running a small mail order comics business from 1989 to 1997, he went to work for Diamond in 1997 as a customer services representative. He is currently responsible for the marketing and promotion of half the nonexclusive titles listed in the Previews catalog.

* Doug Wolk, editor of Publisher's Weekly's comics department. Since 1993 he has written the monthly comics review column for CMG New Music Monthly and has written extensively about comics for World Art, Spin, and The Village Voice. He also writes about music for Rolling Stone and The Boston Phoenix and hosts a weekly radio show on WFMU.

"These individuals were chosen for their knowledge of comics and their reputation for integrity," Estrada said. "I look forward to working with them in the judging process and really appreciate them volunteering their time to this important task."

Those wanting to submit entries for the judges to consider should send one copy each of the comics or books to be considered and include a cover letter indicating what is being submitted and in what categories. The tentative categories include best single issue, best short story, best serialized story, best continuing comic book series (at least two issues must have been published in 2000), best limited comic book series (at least half of the series must have been published in 2000), best new series, best title aimed at a younger audience, best anthology, best graphic album-new material, best graphic album-reprint, best archival collection, best humor publication, best U.S. edition of foreign material, best writer, best writer/artist, best penciler/inker (individual or team), best painter (interior art), best lettering, best coloring, best editor, best comics-related publication (book or periodical), and best comics-related item.

Publishers may submit a maximum of five items for any one category, and the same item or person can be submitted for more than one category. Each imprint, line, or subsidiary of a publisher may submit its own set of entries. There are no entry fees.

Creators can submit materials for consideration if: (a) their publisher is no longer in business; (b) their publisher is unlikely to have participated in the nomination process; or (c) they have severed connections with the publisher or have similar reasons for believing that their publisher is unlikely to consider nominating them or their work.

All submissions should be sent to Jackie Estrada, Eisner Awards Administrator, 4657 Cajon Way, San Diego, CA 92115, before the deadline of March 15. The nominees will be announced in April, and ballots will go out in May to more than 5,000 creators, editors, publishers, distributors, and retailers. The results will be announced on July 22 at Comic-Con International in San Diego.

FIRST LOOK: SUPERMAN: THE MAN OF STEEL #109

Superman: The Man of Steel #109 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from DC Comics.

The issue is written by Mark Schultz, with art and cover by Duncan Rouleau and Jaime Mendoza.

Here's how DC describes the issue:

"Linear Man Lori Lee gives Clark a glimpse into a possible future without Superman -- only to find a world that has been ravaged by war with the heroes having taken to defending its leader Lex Luthor. It's not such a wonderful life without The Man of Steel..."

Superman: The Man of Steel #109 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.25.

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FIRST LOOK: OUTLAW NATION #4

Outlaw Nation #4 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from DC Comics. The issue is written by Jamie Delano, with art by Goran Sudzuka and a painted cover by Glenn Fabry.

Here's how DC describes the issue:

"Story hits the open road with Jenny and Martin in search of the fabled Johnson Place and his lost memories. And what better way to catch up on the last 25 years than a marathon TV bender? As bits of Story's past stream back to him via satellite dish, the uber-sadistic Kid Gloves sinks to new levels of depravity in order to bag his brother Story."

Outlaw Nation #4 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.50.

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