Friday, Jan. 19, 2001

X-MEN: EVOLUTION'S FORGE

Forge is featured in "Middleverse," the next new episode of X-Men: Evolution, which will air on Kids' WB! on Saturday, Jan. 27.

In the episode, Forge is a teenager who created a trans-dimensional projector, which trapped him in a pocket dimension - which he calls Middleverse -- in 1978. Nightcrawler accidentally discovers the device and winds up in the Middleverse, where he meets Forge, who hasn't aged.

Nightcrawler and Forge try to figure a way back, while Cyclops, Jean Grey, Spyke and Shadowcat scrap with Toad, Blob and Avalanche over the projector. Rogue also plays a prominent part in the episode.

Like in the comics, Forge is a Native American. His right arms transforms into machinery.

"Middleverse" was written by Adam Beechen from a story by Beechen and Evelyn Gabal. It was directed by Steve Gordon.

The episode will air in the show's new time period, 9:30 a.m. (ET). Look for more on "Middleverse" next week here in The Continuum.

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IMAGE APRIL SOLICITATIONS - UPDATED

For complete Image Comics' solicitations for April - now with artwork - CLICK HERE.

FOX KIDS' EVOLUTION SERIES

Fox Kids announced Thursday that it will air Evolution, a new animated series based on the upcoming live-action movie from DreamWorks, beginning this fall.

The series is based on the feature film of the same title, directed by Ivan Reitman and starring David Duchovny, Orlando Jones and Julianne Moore. DIC Entertainment will produce at least 26 episodes.

"We are excited to have the talents of Ivan Reitman, DreamWorks and DIC together in this animated series," said Fox Kids' Maureen Smith. "Evoluton's action-packed premise with out of this world aliens and over-the-top comedy is a perfect fit with our existing action-packed line-up."

Featuring traditional animation, the half-hour episodes will be executive produced by Andy Heyward and Michael Maliani, as well as TMPC principals Ivan Reitman and Tom Pollock. Heyward and Reitman previously collaborated on two successful animated series, Real Ghostbusters and Mummies Alive.

Here's how Fox Kids describes the show:

"Picking up where the film leaves off, the series tells the story of history repeating itself when a meteor carrying a single-cell organism from outer space crashes in the Arizona desert. The extraterrestrial organism begins evolving at an incredibly rapid rate and soon promises to obliterate all life on earth and supplant it with its own. Miraculously, four brave people put a temporary stop to the destruction, but protecting the Earth and its inhabitants soon proves to be a full time job for the civilians turned heroes.

"Evolution's heroic foursome includes, Dr. Ira Kane, a maverick professor of chemistry and biology, Dr. Allison Reed, a ranking official at the Center for Impending Disaster (CI.D.), Harry Block, a geology teacher and volleyball coach and Wayne Green, a seventeen year-old fireman in training. These civilians turned heroes saved the world from extinction, but little do they know that their true challenge still awaits them One cell has survived and is constantly growing, with the sole purpose of evolving to a point of supremacy over the Earth. Mankind will need their heroes to act fast!"

COMIC ART EXHIBITION

What A Hoot: Comic Art!, an exhibition of more than 70 examples of original comic art, will be on view in Ford Gallery, on the campus of Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Mich., from Feb.6 through March 2.

Curated by Richard Rubenfeld, an art historian in Eastern Michigan's Art Department and a lifelong student of pop culture, the exhibition showcases work created for American comic strips, comic books, and gag cartoons. Some works have never been published nor exhibited before.

Although original comic art has been displayed in art museums, galleries, and comic conventions, the general public rarely has the opportunity to actually see the artworks.

This exhibition, drawn from public and private collections, is noteworthy for its historical range and diversity.

Classic comic strips images include George Herriman--Krazy Kat; George McManus--Bringing Up Father; Alex Raymond--Flash Gordon; Chester Gould--Dick Tracy; Milton Caniff--Terry and the Pirates; and Charles Schulz--Peanuts.

Comic book greats are also represented, such as Jack Kirby--Captain America; Harvey Kurtzman--Jungle Book; Will Eisner--Spirit; Joe Kubert--Sgt. Rock; Bob Montana--Archie; and Steve Ditko--Spider-Man. The exhibition also includes art by Carl Barks, Jules Feiffer, Trina Robbins, Robert Crumb, Marie Severin, Chris Ware, Alex Ross, and Lynn Johnston.

The exhibition and all activities associated with it are free and open to the general public. While supplies last, a catalogue for the show, written by Rubenfeld, will be available to visitors at no charge.

The exhibition opens on Tuesday, Feb. 6. Rubenfeld will give a gallery talk at 2 p.m. The opening reception for the show is from 3-5 p.m. At 3 p.m. "Mr. Meridies," a.k.a. Robert Boster, will perform a sound collage inspired by the comics in the reception area near the gallery.

On Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2001, from 7-9:30 p.m. in the auditorium of Halle Library on Eastern's campus, a comics symposium will take place. The panel for the symposium is Marie Severin, a veteran cartoonist and colorist best known for her work at EC and Marvel Comics; Marv Wolfman, writer and former editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics; Shel Dorf, co-founder of the Detroit Triple Fanfare and founder of Comic-con International: San Diego; Jim Ottaviani, a specialist in non-fiction science comics; and David Quinn, omic and film writer and co-creator of Faust and Nightvision.

FIRST LOOK: X-MEN: THE SEARCH FOR CYCLOPS #3

X-Men: The Search for Cyclops #3 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from Marvel Comics. The issue is written by Joseph Harris, art by Tom Raney and Scott Hanna and a cover by Raney.

Here's how Marvel describes the issue:

"What will happen when the heroes seeking Cyclops crash into the forces hunting for Apocalypse? What are Jean Grey and Cable willing to do to save their lost X-Man... and what will the forces of evil do to prevent his return?"

X-Men: The Search for Cyclops #3 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.99.

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FIRST LOOK: DARDEVIL #14

Daredevil #14 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from Mavel Comics. The issue is written by David Mack, art by Joe Quesada and Dave Ross.

Here's how Marvel describes the issue:

"Following the rags-to-riches story of Wilson Fisk, from his humble beginnings as an impoverished youth to an obsessed businessman to the Kingpin of Crime. Plus: The battle between Daredevil and Echo rages on, but when Matt Murdock tells Maya a painful secret, will the truth on deaf ears? And a guest-appearance by Black Widow."

Daredevil #14 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.99.

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FIRST LOOK: X-MEN FOREVER #3

X-Men Forever #3 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from Marvel Comics. The issue is written by Fabian Nicieza, with art and cover by Kevin Maguire.

Here's how Marvel describes the issue:

"Jean Grey, Juggernaut, Mystique, Toad and Iceman have been sent to crucial point in their lives. How did the decisions they made affect the fate of humanity? And when asked to make those choices again, will they do the same?"

X-Men Forever will be 32 pages and will cost $3.50.

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FIRST LOOK: PETER PARKER, SPIDER-MAN #27

Peter Parker, Spider-Man #27 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from Marvel Comics. The issue is written by Paul Jenkins, with art by Mark Buckingham and Dan Green and a cover by Buckingham.

Here's how Marvel describes the issue:

"Banking machines, traffic lights and everything electrical are going haywire in NYC. So whose face appears atop a skyscraper in Times Square, and what is his message for Spider-Man? And when the web-slinger battles his way to the nerve center of a spooky building, what horrifying truth will he uncover?"

Peter Parker, Spider-Man will be 32 pages and will cost $2.25

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FIRST LOOK: FANTASTIC FOUR: BIG TOWN #3

Fantastic Four: Big Town #3 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from Marvel Comics. The issue is written by Steve Englehart, with art and cover by Mike McKone and Mark McKenna.

Here's how Marvel describes the issue:

"Ultron makes his move on Big Town's power system-while Namor makes his move on the Invisible Woman."

Fantastic Four: Big Town #3 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.99.

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