Wednesday, January 3, 2001

BRADSTREET TALKS BLADE SEQUEL

Timothy Bradstreet told The Continuum he has completed his design work on Blade 2: Bloodhunt.

In the film, which will be directed by Guillermo del Toro and begin shooting in February, Blade (again played by Wesley Snipes) must team up with a group of vampires called the Bloodpack against a greater threat.

Bradstreet, Wayne Barlowe and Mike Mignola were among the artists contributing designs. Bradstreet is also the current cover artist for The Punisher and Hellblazer.

In an interview with The Continuum, Bradstreet talked about his work on the film and the Bloodpack characters.

The Continuum: Where do you stand with the film?

Bradstreet: "I'm finished working on the vampire design. Barlowe and Mignola are finished as well. Ty Ruben Ellingson (the technical designer) is on for two more weeks and Leo Duranona (storyboards) has two more weeks as well. So the conceptual guys are all but finished. Now our work goes into the hands of Carol Spier (production designer), Elinor Rose Galbrath (supervising art director) and Wendy Partridge (Costume designer), among others. My credit will be 'Vampire Design.' I basically created the looks for all of the regular Vampire types, the Bloodpack, tattoos, costumes, etc."

The Continuum: Can you describe the look you were going after for the Bloodpack?

Bradstreet: "Originally, there was only one look for the Bloodpack planned. Guillermo wanted them to be outfitted in a battlesuit. Each of these battlesuits would be personalized to the individual's style and fit with their character. I was hoping to do some different stuff as well. They are not in a battle when you are first introduced to them, so I reasoned with Guillermo that they might just be dressed in their own way when first introduced. He concurred. I then set about creating an individual look for the eight members of the BP. Some have tattoos, some are ultra slick and some are based on my own 'Gypsy White Trash' vampire look. They all bear the mark of Damaskinos and they are all battle-hardened vampire warriors. I was given a lot of room to add my own visual style to the characters. Rienhardt, the leader, wears a tattoo of a black hand on his forehead. Guillermo had seen an illustration of mine that had a similar tattoo and wanted this character to have that look.

"I designed a character for an earlier scene that Guillermo liked so much that he made this guy one of the BP. His name is Priest and he fought under Napoleon in the 7th Hussars. In the script, Priest is described as a modern primitive, lots of tattoos and piercings. Now he is decked out in the traditional hair stylings, trappings and livery of an officer of the 7th Hussars. His wardrobe is based on the old uniform blended together with a more contemporary style.

"Also there is a character called Lighthammer. In the script he is described as kind of a big native American. I wanted to take that a step further and made him a Maori tribesman. He wears a half facial Moko that covers the bottom half (below the eyes) of his face. A facial Moko is basically a tatto that covers the face. The Maori (the native tribe of New Zealand), pass the designs of there Mokos from generation to generation. It is a very serious thing to the Maori. I did a lot of research on the subject in order to do a Moko that had meaning and credibility.

"Each of the Bloodpack have similar individual characteristics, it was my job to make them all look realistic and credible."

The Continuum: Were you aware of any casting while you were doing the designs?

Bradstreet: "The only guy we knew for sure would be in the film was Ron Perlman. He will play the character of Rienhardt, the leader of the Bloodpack. Also, there is a character named Verlaine. The idea for Verlaine is that she is the twin sister of the Traci Lords character from the first film. I know that they are trying to get her but she wasn't contracted before I left. They did a few auditions for the Bloodpack in L.A. but I believe that most of the parts will be cast from London.

"Tim Curry came in to meet with Guillermo about the Damaskinos role. Guillermo brought him down to the art office and we all got to shoot the bull with him a while, very cool. However, it is my understanding that Tcheky Karyo will be offered the role. I do know that Terrence Stamp, David Bowie and Donald Southerland were also being considered."

The Continuum: Have you worked on movies before?

Bradstreet: "This is my first time, I'm a cherry. There are many people who think that I worked on the first Blade movie. HSPACE="3" VSPACE="3">

"Some of my artwork did in fact influence the first film to a certain degree. I was told that they had my vampire stuff on hand during pre-production. The first one did seem to borrow a bit from what I had done in my illustration. I was a little pissy about the whole thing when the first one came out. I mean c'mon, I also have a vampire hunter character, my whole 'Red Sky Diary' thing. He has all these tribal tattoos covering his arms, neckline, etc. Then Blade comes out and Wesley's got these tribal tat's all over his neck. I thought, Hmm, Blade looked like Link from the Mod Squad in his comic book appearances. He had a big afro, wore Green tinted glasses a safari jacket and boots up to his knees. This change was definitely inspired by something. Also the vampires in the film seemed to look and feel a lot like all of those archtypes I'd created for White Wolf's Vampire RPG. What can you do?

"When Guillermo called to tell me that I was going to be working on his next film, I'll tell ya, the words Blade 2 were about the last thing I expected to hear issuing forth from El Gordo's lips. I was a bit shocked, but when Guillermo calls, I'm there. It was also a chance for me to get a bit of justice in the matter. Guillermo is always telling me, 'This time you get credit!'"

The Continuum: Any general impressions about what the movie is going to be like that you can share?

Bradstreet: "Guillermo's whole thing is horror. The first one was like an action/suspense film with vampires added. This one is will be much more of a horror film with action.

"If you read the script, it's like action all over the place, but Guillermo has a wonderfully subtle storytelling style. This one is going to be different on many levels. It's going to bring in a wider audience and, from what I've seen, the fans of the first film will be in for a real treat. This is a movie that I can't wait to see.

"From a pre-production standpoint, all of the cogs are in place. Our art department ran like a well-oiled machine. No egos, no b.s. It was five guys doing the things they do best and loving it. Guillermo pulled the strings and directed us towards his vision. He trusted us and gave us lots of room to create. He was the perfect springboard."

Look for more on Blade 2: Bloodhunt here in The Continuum on Thursday.

IRON FIST MOVIE OFFICIAL

Artisan Entertainment has officially announced that Ray Park will star in its Iron Fist movie.

Iron Fist is being written by John Turman. Artisan is actively seeking a director for the movie, with plans to fast track the film in order to put it into production before the potential Screen Actor's Guild strike goes into effect.

Here's how Artisan describes the film:

"The martial arts-themed Iron Fist will tell the story of Danny Rand, a westerner, who as a child was raised in a secret temple in the Far East and as an adult returns to the United States to seek revenge on his parents' murderer. The character has the power to channel his 'chi' into his fist and strike with the force of iron."

"With the recent theatrical successes of comic book based programming, audiences have shown their appetite for the genre," said Peter Gunn, Artisan's executive vice-president. "Artisan intends to bring Iron Fist to the screen with the same cutting-edge style and smart filmmaking for which the studio is known. We are pleased that Ray and John have joined us, thereby bringing incredible talent to the table for a project that has already generated a great amount of excitement and anticipation."

Said Marvel Studios' Avi Arad: "We are delighted to be moving ahead with the first feature film project under our unique venture with Artisan. Iron Fist is a very edgy property which perfectly fits Artisan's strength. This project is just the first step in our mission with Artisan to deliver some of our most popular superhero brands to a mass audience through different mediums."

Park played Toad in X-Men and Darth Maul in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace.

ENGLEHART TO WRITE AVENGERS SERIES

Steve Englehart told The Continuum his follow-up to Fantastic Four: Big Town will be an Avengers maxi-series.

"I'm doing an eight-part Avengers spin-out focusing on Mantis vs. Thanos," Englehart told The Continuum. "It has no title as yet, and no artist, but we're looking at June or July for a debut.

"As with all my current stuff, you don't need to know who Mantis is to join in, but those who remember her first appearance will enjoy the fact that the Vision is free this time..."

Englehart broke into television writing the last couple of years on NightMan. That show, based on the Malibu Comics character he created, was produced by Tribune Entertainment, which is also the company behind the upcoming Mutant X show.

Might Englehart be writing for Mutant X?

"I do know that they like my writing there, after NightMan, where they made a concerted effort to get me to do more scripts - but I also know that they probably like a lot of people," Englehart said. "So we'll see."

RETURN OF ALISON DARE IN APRIL

Oni Press is launching The Return of Alison Dare, Little Miss Adventures, a three-issue mini-series by J. Torres and J. Bone, in April.

The mini-series follows up a one-shot last September featuring Alison, the young daughter of a superhero and a world-famous archaeologist/adventurer.

"Oni was excited by the initial reaction Alison got," said Oni Press publisher Joe Nozemack. "While we have been known as a much more edgy publisher in the past, we think Alison Dare proves our commitment to stories knows no boundaries. In our minds, this series is only beginning to pick up steam."

"The fun of writing this book is the lack of constraints," Torres said. "With the occupations her parents are in, Alison can literally end up going anywhere. The first issue sees her traveling to a fictional country in Saudi Arabia, and each subsequent issue will see her in a different environment, on a different mission."

The mini-series will also give readers the opportunity to get better acquainted with the book's large cast of characters. Alison has an uncle who is an international spy, she attends a boarding school where not all is as it seems, and she often drags her best friends, Wendy and Dot, along for the ride.

"Like the best of children's literature," Nozemack said, "Alison Dare works because it exists in a realm where there are no limits on the imagination. And where it will stand apart from other comics is that it is infused with a sense of fun. We sometimes seem to forget that not all comics need to be angsty, dark, and overbearing. Some comics should be about having a good time, and that's what keeps Alison Dare from being limited to any one category of readers."

The first issue ships on April 6. Each issue will be 32 black-and-white pages and will cost $2.95.

FIRST LOOK: THE FIRST #3

The First #3 will arrive in stores on Thursday from CrossGen Comics. The issue is written by Barbara Kesel, penciled by Bart Sears, inked by Andy Smith and colored by Mike Atiyeh.

Here's how CrossGen describes the issue:

"The story of Altwaal, the original Leader of the First. The reappearance of his 'lost' weapon has sparked a number of questions. Seahn investigates the mystery of Altwaal by going to the best source for rumors about the elder First...but her knowledge may come with a price he's not ready to pay. While Persha seeks answers from the mystic Orium, her quest may be cut short when Ingra finds out her daughter wants to form an alliance with the other House."

The First #3 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.95.

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FIRST LOOK: ROBIN: YEAR ONE #3

Robin: Year One #3 will arrive in stores on Thursday 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:

"After last month's disastrous first encounter with Two-Face, Dick learned the terrible sacrifice he must make in order to serve Batman and protect the greater good as Robin. Before his wounds even have time to heal, Dick meets an icy stranger ready to bathe Gotham's streets in cold blood. If Two-Face was too much, how can a wounded, solo Robin hope to defeat the chilling threat of Mr. Freeze? And is he even prepared to stick around and try?"

Robin: Year One #3 will be 48 pages and will cost $4.95.

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FIRST LOOK: WILDCATS #19

Wildcats #19 will arrive in stores on Thursday from WildStorm Productions and DC Comics. The issue is written by Joe Casey, with art by Sean Phillips and a cover by J.G. Jones.

Here's how DC describes the issue, which is conclusion to the six-part "Serial Boxes" story arc:

"Slaughterhouse Smith finally comes face to face with his ultimate target: Spartan. But which one will walk away from the final confrontation? The answer might surprise readers as the darkest chapter in Wildcats history reaches its inevitable, bloody conclusion."

Wildcats #19 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.50.

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FIRST LOOK: THE SPECTRE #1

The Spectre #1 will arrive in stores on Thursday from DC Comics. The issue is written by J.M. DeMatteis, with art and cover by Ryan Sook.

Here's how DC describes the issue:

"He was one of the greatest super-heroes the world had ever known. As Green Lantern of Sector 2814, fearless Hal Jordan was a bright and shining star, a true hero beyond measure -- until one moment of madness caused his star to fall. In a courageous effort to atone for his sins, he sacrificed his life to save the world. Now Hal has returned, whether he likes it or not, as the Spirit of Vengeance, the Spectre -- and he'll face dark forces that will stop at nothing to usher in global chaos. Spinning out of events from Day of Judgment and the recent arc in Legends of the DC Universe #33-36, the adventure continues in the ongoing monthly. To better learn the true meaning of retribution and to understand the nature of his cruel cosmic duty, the Spectre travels to Hell -- only to find it's not at all what he expected. What effect will the ultimate place of punishment have upon our fallen hero? Thus begins one man's long path to enlightenment, as Hal undergoes some surprising transformations over the course of the series. It's the start of something bigger than the DCU itself."

The Spectre #1 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.50.

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BRIEFLY

Oni Press has provided The Continuum with a preview of its upcoming Gunwitch: Outskirts of Doom mini-series. The three-issue, black-and-white series is written by Dan Brereton with art by Ted Naifeh. The bi-monthly series will start in June and will alternate with a new Nocturnal mini-series that starts in July.

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