Thursday, Dec. 21, 2000

SPIDER-MAN UNLIMITED UPDATE

"Deadly Choices," the first new episode of Spider-Man Unlimited to be shown on Fox Kids in more than a year, will air this Saturday at 11 a.m. (ET).

Here's how Fox Kids describes the episode:

"Git Hoskins, a Human Revolutionary who has unusual powers due to being experimented on by the High Evolutionary, steals a canister of deadly mutagen from Sir Ram's laboratory. Spidey and the Knights must reluctantly join forces to find Git, because the canister has a failsafe that will detonate a nuclear charge to prevent the mutagen from infecting Counter-Earth."

The episode's teleplay was by Steve Perry from a story by Will Meugniot and Michael Reaves.

"That one's a favorite of mine," Meugniot told The Continuum, noting that the episode shows Git's origin. The character has a mummy-like appearance and is a regular in the series as a member of the Revolutionaries.

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The episode also includes appearances by Venom and Carnage.

"Deadly Choices" is the show's fourth episode. The first three episodes were shown in 1999 before Fox Kids pulled the series and again the last three weeks when the show returned.

Upcoming episodes of Spider-Man Unlimited will include Counter-Earth versions of Machine Man, Vulture and Electro and an episode featuring Venom which harkens back to the previous Fox Kids Spider-Man series and sees Spidey again wearing the black alien costume.

Look for much more on Spider-Man Unlimited soon here in The Continuum.

MARVEL MOVIE/TV UPDATE: BLADE CASTING

Ron Perlman and Luke Goss have been cast in the Blade: Bloodhunt movie, sources told The Continuum on Wednesday night.

It is unclear exactly which roles they will play, but they are likely part of the Bloodpack of vampires that Blade teams with in the film, which is scheduled to go before the cameras in February in Prague under the direction of Guillermo del Toro.

Perlman, 50, is a genre veteran, most recently as the voice of Professor Tucker in Titan A.E. Among his other recent films are Alien Resurrection, Island of Dr. Moreau and Cronos.

Perlman has also been a favorite choice of Mike Mignola for the Hellboy movie, with which del Toro has been connected.

He is perhaps best known for the television series Beauty and the Beast.

Perlman's other animation voices include Wizard in Fantastic Four, the Hulk in Iron Man and Clayface in Batman.

Goss' credits include Love Life, Nine Tenths, The Stretch and Two Days, Nine Lives. He is also involved with another Wesley Snipes/David Goyer movie, Zig Zag, which is the directorial debut of Blade writer Goyer.

Goss, 27, is also known as being part of the British pop duo Bros. He has completed two world tours and has 13 hit singles.

Another possibility - although as yet unconfirmed - for the Blade sequel is Leonor Varela, who starred in ABC's Cleopatra mini-series and The Man in Iron Mask.

In other Marvel movie/TV news:

* Bruce Campbell has joined the cast of the Spider-Man movie. Campbell, a frequent collaborator with Spider-Man director Sam Raimi, will play a ring announcer during a wrestling match involving Bone Saw McGraw.

* The Jan. 6 episode of X-Men: Evolution on Kids' WB! is a repeat of "The X-Impulse," the episode that introduces Shadowcat and Avalanche.

SPIDER-MAN FOR DREAMCAST

Activision announced on Wednesday that it will launch its Spider-Man game for Sega Dreamcast this spring.

Spider-Man for Dreamcast is being developed by Treyarch LLC.

"Spider-Man for the PlayStation game console wowed both gamers and critics alike by capturing the true essence of the comic book series," said Larry Goldberg, executive vice president, Activision Studios. "The swift action of the web-slinging super hero will translate well onto Dreamcast with its 128-bit graphics capability."

Here's how Activision describes the game:

"The first free-roaming, 3D action/adventure game based on the most recognized super hero of all time, Spider-Man challenges players to web-sling, wall-crawl, fight and use Spider-Sense to battle evil-doers. Players must utilize Spider-Man's super strength and superior wit to protect the innocent as they help solve a variety of puzzles and defeat old and new super villains alike.

"Spider-Man for Dreamcast features an immersive storyline that gamers can experience through 34 action-packed levels. From hair-raising police chases and all-out brawls with lizard men to stealth missions, gamers battle through familiar Spider-Man comic book locales including the Daily Bugle, Times Square and a New York bank. Players will utilize all of the classic Spider-Man web defenses from trapping and yanking to impact webbing, as well as new weapons including web doming and web spikes to battle enemies. In addition, players can swing from place-to-place, ambush enemies from above or below, crawl on buildings, ceilings, or walls, and use the always-handy Spider-Sense to detect danger from afar."

CHRIS OARR JOINS DC

DC Comics has announced that Chris Oarr has joined the Direct Sales department as its new manager -- events and retailer services, effective last Monday.

In his new job, Oarr is responsible for DC's presence at conventions, trade shows and distributor events. He also acts as administrator of DC's retailer focus group -- the Retailer Representative Program. In addition, he supervises various retailer services such as co-op advertising and in-store promotions.

"The addition of Chris makes a strong team even stronger," said Bob Wayne, DC's vice-president, Direct Sales. "I've attended many of the same events as Chris over the past few years and he has displayed a contagious enthusiasm for comics both as an industry and an artform."

Oarr comes to DC after three years as Executive Director of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. During his tenure, the CBLDF has increased both its profile and financing with such innovative fundraising events as the Guardian Angels Tours and the CBLDF cruise. Oarr also was Executive Director of the Small Press Expo and served on its Board of Directors and was on the Harvey Awards Committee in 2000.

"I value the friends I've made within the comics' community," said Oarr, "and I look forward to working with them in my new capacity. DC's Direct Sales department is the strongest in comics. I'm thrilled to be a part of this team."

FIRST LOOK: WONDER WOMAN #165

Wonder Woman #165 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:

"Guest-starring Batman, Nightwing and Troia. In 'Avatars,' Wonder Woman and Batman have been drawn into their enemies' trap, unaware of the true power they were confronting. Now the Amazon Princess and Dark Knight Detective find themselves overwhelmed by the awesome power they face, and the hatred behind it. Their only hope: Nightwing and Troia. But Dick Grayson and Donna Troy have their own terrifying adversary to defeat before they can come to the rescue."

Wonder Woman #165 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.25.

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FIRST LOOK: BATMAN: GOTHAM KNIGHTS #12

Batman: Gotham Knights #12 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from DC Comics. The issue is written by Devin Grayson and Dave Gibbons with art by Roger Robinson, Gibbons and John Floyd and a cover by Brian Bolland.

Here's how DC describes the issue, which is part of the "This Issue: Batman Dies!" event:

"The sick serial killer Mr. Zsasz loves nothing more than the thrill of the hunt, commemorating each kill with a fresh hash mark on his body. Now he's after the ultimate rush by having the honor of cutting himself for his next victim, the Dark Knight. Plus, a Batman black and white backup feature written and illustrated by Dave Gibbons,"

Batman: Gotham Knights #12 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.50.

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FIRST LOOK: CATWOMAN #89

Catwoman #89 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from DC Comics. The issue is written by Bronwyn Carlton, with art by Staz Johnson, Craig Rousseau and Wayne Faucher and a cover by Johnson and Faucher.

Here's how DC describes the issue, which is part of the "This Issue: Batman Dies!" event:

"It's the return of Harley Quinn, the cupid of crime. She's one of the few people who knows Selina Kyle's real story, and knowledge is power after all. You'll never look at Catwoman the same way again after this one,"

Catwoman #89 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.25.

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FIRST LOOK: ACTION COMICS #774

Action Comics #774 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from DC Comics. The issue is written by Joe Kelly, with art by Eric Canete and Juan Vlasco and a cover by Kilian Plunkett.

Here's how DC describes the issue:

"Clark spends some time with J'onn J'onzz - the Martian Manhunter -- and many of his various identities during New Year's Eve. But the peaceful night doesn't last long as a villain, once thought gone for good, starts to make things hot for the two Justice Leaguers."

Action Comics #774 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.25.

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FIRST LOOK: HELLBLAZER #157

Hellblazer #157 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from DC Comics. The issue is written by Brian Azzarello, with art by Marcelo Frusin and painted cover by Tim Bradstreet.

Here's how DC describes the issue:

"In this stand-alone issue, entitled '...And Buried?', John Constantine is confronted by FBI Agent Frank Turro, who has more information pertaining to Constantine's incarceration. John's always been a master at pulling the strings, but this time he finds he very well may be the puppet. In addition, a group of bad men wait for the return of an even badder man -- one who seemingly won't stay dead."

Hellblazer #157 will 32 pages and will cost $2.50.

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FIRST LOOK: THE NAMES OF MAGIC #1

The Names of Magic #1 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from DC Comics. The issue is written by Dylan Horrocks, with art by Richard Case and a painted cover by John Bolton.

Here's how DC describes the issue:

"Tim Hunter is back, and he has finally accepted the role he plays in the grander scheme of things, as he learns to recapture his magic. "

The Names of Magic #1 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.50.

32 pages, $2.50, ships on Dec. 27.

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BRIEFLY