In the episode, an injured Terry must save Max from Zander and the clutches of Kobra, and also save the world from Kobra's plans. The episode also continues the involvement of Kairi Tanaga, an old training partner of Bruce Wayne's who was training both Zander and Terry.

Alexis Denisof provides the voice of Zander, and Takayo Fischer provides the voice of Kairi Tanaga.

GIVE'EM A CLICK

The episode leaves two episodes of Batman Beyond unaired. Although Kids' WB! has announced plans for Batman Beyond to return next season, no new episodes are in the works. Several members of the Batman Beyond staff - including producers Bruce Timm and Glen Murakami and writers Fogel and Berkowitz - are working on the new Justice League series for Cartoon Network.

Here's how story editor Chris Simmons describes the episode:

"Edwin Alva, Jr., Alva's son, is perpetually angry because his father pays no attention to him. In retaliation, Alva Jr. applies his vast scientific knowledge to manipulate the properties of the Big Bang gas, and turns himself into a multi-powered being bent on destroying dear old Dad's business interests. Static, as always, is caught in the middle of the bickering father and son. At the same time, Virgil and Robert are at odds over what appears to be Virgil's increasing irresponsibility."

In the episode, Ro and Zeta continue to try to track down Zeta's creators, visiting an institute where Bucky, a petulant young genius, develops an inductance controller that allows him to take control of Zeta and wreak havoc at an innovation awards ceremony.

Ulysses Cuadra provides the voice of Bucky.

Upcoming episodes of the shows include:

Feb. 17: "Change of Heart" on The Zeta Project; "Sons of the Fathers" on Static Shock; and "Out of the Past" on Batman Beyond.

Feb. 24: "Grounded" and "Winds of Change" on Static Shock; and "The Next Gen" and "The Accomplice" on The Zeta Project.

March 3: "His Maker's Name" on The Zeta Project; "Replay" on Static Shock; and "The Call, Part 1" on Batman Beyond.

SPIDER-MAN MOVIE UPDATE

TNT has released the first image of James Franco - who is playing Harry Osborn in Spider-Man -- as James Dean for its upcoming television movie about the movie star.

At the Spider-Man press conference on Jan. 4, Franco was asked to compare the two roles.

"James Dean is a real person. I met his friends and I could look back into real history," he said. "In this, I read comic books.

"With James Dean, I got a real respect for a genius in our craft and I'm learning how he made his way. I guess delving into this imaginary world of Spider-Man is taking me back to my childhood or something like that."

Franco said he isn't sure how to react to how big 2001 is shaping up for him.

"I don't know. I haven't had much experience with it yet," he said. "It hasn't hit me and I don't know if it will. I enjoy the work, and it's not really about any notoriety. It just fulfills something within me, so and I just hope to continue on this path. So far, I've been able to work with wonderful people, and it's been more than I've expected."

In other Spider-Man movie news:

"Spider-Man: The Movie, a Columbia Pictures film, is based on the adventures of Peter Parker, who will be played by Tobey Maguire (The Cider House Rules, Wonder Boys), a smart yet reserved high school student who becomes the Amazing Spider-Man when bitten by a radioactive spider. Spider-Man: The Movie will be directed by Sam Raimi (A Simple Plan, The Gift, For Love of the Game). Willem Dafoe (Platoon, Affliction) will star as the Green Goblin and Kirsten Dunst (The Virgin Suicides, Bring It On) will star as Peter Parker's love interest, Mary Jane. James Franco (Deuces Wild, Whatever it Takes) will play Harry Osborn, the college roommate and old pal of Peter Parker and Cliff Robertson (Falcon Down, Mach 2) will play Uncle Ben. J.K. Simmons (The Gift, Autumn in New York) will play J. Jonah Jameson and Ted Raimi (For Love of the Game, The Shot) will play Dr. Curt Conners."

FIRST LOOK: AZRAEL: AGENT OF THE BAT #75

Azrael: Agent of the Bat #75 will arrive in stores on Wendesday from DC Comics. The issue is written by Dennis O'Neil, with art by Sergio Cariello and James Pascoe and a cover by Tony Harris and Ray Snyder.

Here's how DC describes the issue:

"An extra-sized issue guest-starring Batman introduces a new costume - and a new mission - for Azrael. Facing two pretenders to the role that must be his alone, will Jean Paul's new costume trigger the abilities he needs in time to avert a tragedy?"

Azrael: Agent of the Bat #75 will be 48 pages and will cost $3.95.

GIVE'EM A CLICK

FIRST LOOK: STEAMPUNK #7

Steampunk #7 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from Cliffhanger Productions and DC Comics. The issue is written by Joe Kelly, with art and cover by Chris Bachalo and Richard Friend.

Here's how DC describes the issue, which is part two of the "Mechanica Sundown" story:

"Cole learns the origins of the manimatronics that keep him alive, and gains another piece of the puzzle which is his memory. Laslo, Vicki and Cole undergo their own personal moments of crisis. Meanwhile, Faust goes on a tear through the countryside, and readers meet a fringe group of freedom fighters known as the Sundowns."

Steampunk #7 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.50.

GIVE'EM A CLICK

FIRST LOOK: WILDCATS #20

Wildcats #20 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from WildStorm Productions and DC Comics. The issue is written by Joe Casey, with art and cover by Steve Dillon.

Here's how DC describes the issue:

"Guest artist Steve Dillon illustrates this two-part adventure as Grifter and Maul go head-to-head with the FBI in an old-fashioned Miami grudge match. Who is Agent Orange and how will he affect the future of the Wildcats?"

Wildcats #20 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.50.

GIVE'EM A CLICK

FIRST LOOK: TRANSMETROPOLITAN #43

Transmetropolitan #43 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from DC Comics. The issue is written by Warren Ellis, with art by Darick Robertson and Rodney Ramos and a cover by John Cassaday.

Here's how DC describes the issue which is the first part of the three-part "Out Loud" story.

"The Smiler is operating on the American Constitution. Civic Center is remaking the City in the image of his New Politics. Some anonymous freak is turning a Print District street into Sniper Alley. And Spider Jerusalem is having black-outs and episodes of mental confusion that are not related to his usual diet of narcotics and whiskey. Things are going very wrong. And they're going to get worse before they get betterâ¤|if they get better."

Transmetropolitan #43 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.50.

GIVE'EM A CLICK

FIRST LOOK: WEIRD WESTERN TALES #1

Weird Western Tales #1 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from DC Comics. The issue is written by Dave Gibbons, Paul Pope and Greg Rucka, with art by Gibbons, Pope and Rick Burchett and a cover by Darwyn Cooke.

Here's how DC describes the issue which is the first part of the four-part mini-series.

It begins updating the popular anthology of the '70s, offering weird and unique twists to a familiar genre. The first issue features "Serial Hero," a prose tale written and spot-illustrated by Dave Gibbons, that tells the story of a drunken TV cowboy who gets a second chance to be a real-life hero. In "Tall Tale," Paul Pope writes and illustrates a twist on the dime novels that gave rise to the legends of the Old West, where truth was definitely stranger than fiction. And in "Gun for Hire," Greg Rucka writes and Rick Burchett illustrates an action-filled romp that follows a very special six-gun that is literally "for hire."

Weird Western Tales #1 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.50.

GIVE'EM A CLICK

BRIEFLY