Monday, Feb., 26, 2001

KIRSTEN DUNST TALKS THE CROW: SALVATION

Kirsten Dunst said that she had "a really amazing chemistry" with Eric Mabius, her co-star of the upcoming The Crow Salvation.

In the film, Dunst plays Erin Randall, the murdered sister of the new Crow, Alex Corvis (played by Mabius), who is accused of murder and sent to death. The film, which has been completed for more than a year, is going to straight to video (also as part of the Crow boxed DVD set) on March 20 after a one-week theatrical test run in Spokane, Wash.

"Every time I worked with him, it was so intense," Dunst said of Mabius. "His eyes are amazing to look at. With that Crow makeup on, you have to express so much with your eyes and everything - and I think he's very intense.

"He comes across as one of the best Crows, I definitely think so. He's got a very good air about him, that kind of mystique of any strong man. His eyes are very powerful. A very good actor."

Dunst said that she enjoyed Erin's character arc in The Crow: Salvation.

"In the beginning, she's a weaker character," Dunst said. "She lives with her dad now, she has no mom, her sister's gone. She's a lonely girl, I think. Throughout the script, when she meets The Crow and helps him avenge my sister's death, I think she learns more about love and she also becomes much more of a tougher girl by the end.

"So she's independent and you can see that she's a strong person at the end."

Dunst also enjoyed being part of the action of The Crow: Salvation.

"Erin kicks butt in the film," she said. "She doesn't stand back and just watch. I liked that about her character a lot."

Dunst, 18, is currently filming Spider-Man, in which she plays Mary Jane Watson. Like her Spider-Man situation, Dunst didn't know much about The Crow before getting the role.

"I was never shown a comic on the set," she said. "Everyone kept telling me, 'Oh, we're going to show you the comic.' Everyone told me how fabulous they were. And I never saw one of The Crow movies because I didn't want to see it before I had done the movie. I hadn't seen the TV show, either. I never get the chance to watch TV."

Dunst told The Continuum that she's aware of the fervent Crow fan base.

"I think they'll love this movie so much," she said. "Even though it's got the same feel as the others, it's got a major love story going on underneath it all.

"I think that everyone will enjoy it - Crow fans and even people who have never seen a Crow movie before. Because I think it takes a step out of the genre, and it's almost better than the others. I think the Crow fans will be very, very pleased."

Look for more on The Crow DVD release soon here in The Continuum.

BONGO COMICS FOR JUNE

Following are Bongo Comics' solicitations for June, with information coming from the company.

RADIOACTIVE MAN #136

By Lash, DeCarlo and Morrison.

It's 1966 and the Atomic Avenger must battle his way through would-be assassins, frolicsome beach parties, biker gangs, teen crushes and anti-royalist spies to defend a visiting princess. But the Nuclear Knight and his trusty sidekick, Fallout Boy, are about to face the greatest challenge of their crime-fighting careers - Prom Night!

32 pages, $2.50.

FUTURAMA COMICS #4

By Rogers, Cooke and Morrison.

Zapp Brannigan disappears into the jungles of a distant planet, where he is made ruler and worshipped as a god. He sends only on message from the bust - the king needs a one-eyed jungle queen. The Democratic Order of Planets (DOOP) sends a reluctant Leela, Kif Kroker, Fry and Bender up the river into the heart of darkness to save him - but they are not prepared for the unspeakably bloated horror they find there.

32 pages, $2.50.

SIMPSONS COMICS #59

By Rogers, Ortiz and Morrison.

Trying to strike it rich off the current "boy band" phenomenon, Homer forms a group from the boys of Springfield. But despite savvy salesmanship, a fool proof boy band formation formula and an unscrupulous agent, Homer must face the music when it becomes obvious that his five-man crew has no discernable talent or singing ability, with one exception - the group's breakout star, Ralph Wiggum.

32 pages, $2.50.

FIRST LOOK: SPIDER-MAN: LIFELINE #2

Spider-Man: Lifeline #2 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from Marvel Comics. The issue is written by Fabian Nicieza, with art by Steve Rude and Bob Wiacek and a painted cover by Rude.

Here's how Marvel describes the issue:

"Dr. Strange, The Lizard, Hammerhead, The Eel, Boomerang, a mystical artifact and a certain wise-cracking wall-crawler. Mix them all together and what do you get? A Spidey adventure sure to thrill veteran and new readers alike."

Spider-Man: Lifeline #2 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.99.

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FIRST LOOK: DEADPOOL #51

Deadpool #51 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from Marvel Comics. The issue is written by Jimmy Palmiotti, with art by Darick Robertson and Jon Holdredge and a cover by Robertson.

Here's how Marvel describes the issue:

"Featuring Kid Deadpool, the Sensational Character Find of 2001. School's in session, and the Merc-with-a-Mouth's the teacher. Will Wade's lessons fall on deaf ears-or will they have deadly consequences for Deadpool himself?"

Deadpool #51 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.25.

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FIRST LOOK: UNIVERSE X #7

Universe X #7 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from Marvel Comics. The issue is written by Alex Ross and Jim Krueger, with art by Doug Braithwaite and a painted cover by Ross.

Here's how Marvel describes the issue:

"The strange saga of Marvel's alternate future continues. On the surface of the moon, Thor, Captain Marvel, the Hulk and the X-Men confront the Supreme Intelligence. Meanwhile, back on Earth, Reed Richards and Castle Doom are besieged by Immortus' mutant army."

32 pages, $3.50.

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FIRST LOOK: FANTASTIC FOUR: BIG TOWN #4

Big Town #4 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:

"It's the 48-paged conclusion to the new What If? adventure! What will Reed Richards choose: his invention-or the people that use it? Meanwhile, the family of the Human Torch faces their destiny. Plus: the Avengers vs. Magneto and the Brotherhood."

Fantastic Four: Big Town #4 will be 48 pages and will cost $3.50.

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FIRST LOOK: WONDER WOMAN #167

Wonder Woman #167 arrives 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, which is part four of the four-part "Gods of Gotham" story arc:

"The conclusion to co-writer/artist Phil Jimenez's first story arc arrives as Wonder Woman and Batman struggle to defeat the Children of Ares. As if Deimos, Phoebos and Eris weren't dangerous enough in the bodies of the Joker, Scarecrow and Poison Ivy, now the situation turns critical as Phoebos piks a new host-body. And the God of Fear's new pawn is the most fearsome imaginable."

Wonder Woman #167 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.25.

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FIRST LOOK: HELLBLAZER #159

Hellblazer #159 arrives in stores on Wednesday from DC Comics. The issue is written by Brian Azzarello, with art by Marcelo Frusin and a painted cover by Tim Bradstreet.

Here's how DC describes the issue, which is part two of the four-part "Freezes Over" story arc:

"As the snow falls, anxiety rises in a tiny roadside cafe caught in the midst of a devastating blizzard. Tensions naturally run high in such situations, but when you add John Constantine to the mix, you're throwing gasoline on a fire. Sure, John's just playing with the stranded travelers, having a laugh at their expense, but with the discovery of a horribly mutilated body, the tables turn. Obviously, there's a brutally sick killer among them. Guess who's the smart-mouthed prime suspect?"

Hellblazer #159 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.50.

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BRIEFLY