Monday, March 12, 2001

DARK HORSE FOR JUNE

Dark Horse Comics has released its solicitation information for June.

For a complete rundown, CLICK HERE.

PAUL STORRIE WRITES BATMAN BEYOND

Paul Storrie told The Continuum that he will be writing two issues of the Batman Beyond comic book for DC Comics.

"The first one should be out in July," Storrie said. "It looks like the other will come out a few months later."

Storrie's first Batman-related work was an inventory issue of Batgirl, completed in November.

"Apparently Michael Wright, the associate editor of the Bat-books, really liked what I did with that issue," Storrie said. "He got in touch with me a while back, asked if I was familiar with Batman Beyond, and whether I might be interested in writing a fill-in. I jumped at the chance.

"It's kind of funny -- when the premise for the cartoon series was first announced, I wasn't sure of how well it would work. With the track record of Paul Dini and Bruce Timm, I should have known better than to doubt. The series won me over from the start. The interaction between Terry McGinnis and Bruce Wayne makes for a great dynamic, and the Gotham of the future is a really interesting setting. Now I get the chance to play in that particular sandbox -- talk about a terrific opportunity."

Storrie said he is also working on a new series featuring Robin Hood for Moonstone Books, and a super-hero series with comedic overtones, tentatively titled Night & Day, for Lone Star Press. "It's what I call a 'banter' book," Storrie said. "Sort of Moonlighting meets Quantum & Woody."

SPIDER-MAN MOVIE UPDATE

Production of the Spider-Man movie will move to New York City next month, with shooting tentatively scheduled to start on April 16.

Filming in New York is expected to last 2-3 weeks.

In other Spider-Man news:

* Marvel Studios' Kevin Feige confirmed for The Continuum that Ted Raimi, brother of director Sam Raimi, is playing a Daily Bugle reporter named Hoffman. Feige said that a previous Sony release - which listed Raimi as Curt Connors - is inaccurate.

But is Curt Connors a character in the movie?

"Maybe â¤| maybe not," Feige said.

* Kirsten Dunst, who plays Mary Jane, has made several public appearances recently, revealing that at least part of her hair has been dyed red.

X-MEN, BATMAN VIDEOS PRICING

Warner Home Video announced Friday that it is releasing two tapes collecting episodes of the X-Men: Evolution animated series.

The tapes, UnXpected Changes and Xplosive Day, will each feature three episodes and will be available on May 1 for $12.95.

Warner Home Video also announced the re-pricing of The Iron Giant - which has sold more than 3 million copies - to $14.95, as well as newly reduced prices ranges on Batman and Batman Beyond videos.

Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker will be priced at $19.96. Priced at $14.93 each will be Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero, Batman Beyond: The Movie and The Batman/Superman Movie.

Priced at $9.95 each are Batman Beyond: Spellbound, Batman Beyond: School Dayz, Batman Beyond: Tech Wars, Batman Beyond: Disappearing Inque and Batman Beyond: Crush.

All four of the Batman live-action movies - Batman, Batman Returns, Batman Forever and Batman and Robin - are priced at $9.94.

JOE QUESADA TALKS X-FORCE, MUTANT X

Marvel Comics editor-in-chief Joe Quesada said the new-look X-Force book "is not necessarily as advertised."

The revamped book, by Peter Milligan and Mike Allred, launches in May with X-Force #116.

"The Allred/Milligan X-Force book is probably one of the books I'm looking forward to the most, because whatever you guys have seen, it's nothing like what the book actually is," Quesada said. "And Allred really pulls out the stops with this book.

"There is going to be some unexpected things happening in this book. If you're a hardcore X-Men fan, your head will explode. If you're a hardcore Allred fan, this is Allred as you've never seen him."

Quesada said he expects that the potato-looking Doop character will be popular.

"I swear to you, this time next year, next to Wolverine, the most popular X-Men character will be Doop," Quesada said. "You have no idea what this character can do. It's just amazing stuff."

Quesada also said that Marvel will be publishing a new Mutant X comic book to coincide with the television series premiering in October. "That will be an adaptation of the TV show," Quesada said.

The Mutant X web site, www.mutantxtv.com, is now up with material.

FIRST LOOK: X-MEN: THE HIDDEN YEARS #18

X-Men: The Hidden Years #18 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from Marvel Comics. The issue is written by John Byrne, with art by Byrne and Tom Palmer and a cover by Byrne.

Here's how Marvel describes the issue:

"The final story arc begins. Who is Tad Carter and what does he want with Lorna Dane?"

X-Men: The Hidden Years #18 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.50.

GIVE'EM A CLICK

FIRST LOOK: BLACK PANTHER #30

Black Panther #30 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from Marvel Comics. The issue is written by Christopher Priest, with art by Norm Breyfogle and a cover by Sal Velluto and Bob Almond.

Here's how Marvel describes the issue:

"Captain America guests-stars as the Black Panther is put on trial. It's the perfect time for new readers to jump onboard as T'Challa stands before the National Security Council. At stake: the citizenship of Everett K. Ross-and the Panther's right to walk on American soil."

Black Panther #30 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.50.

GIVE'EM A CLICK

FIRST LOOK: TOP TEN #11

Top Ten #11 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from DC Comics. The issue is written by Alan Moore, with art and cover by Gene Ha and Zander Cannon.

Here's how DC describes the issue:

"A sad aftermath to the apocalyptic events of the previous issue unfolds with devastating results. A new cop joins the force to replace the precinct's fallen brother officer. The mood is tense, the atmosphere uneasy - and the 'nature' of the newbie makes it all the more troubling."

Top Ten will be 32 pages and will cost $2.95.

GIVE'EM A CLICK

FIRST LOOK: SIGIL #10

Sigil #10 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from CrossGen Comics. The issue is written by Barbara Kesel, penciled by Scot Eaton, inked by Andrew Hennessy and colored by Wil Quintana.

Here's how CrossGen describes the issue:

"A war is brewing. Zanni contacts the Planetary Union with information that changes the way they view Sultan Ronolo and the Saurians. When this information gets leaked to the Saurians, it may mean the end of Zanni's world. Meanwhile, Sam and JeMerik have come to a misunderstanding..."

Sigil #10 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.95.

GIVE'EM A CLICK

BRIEFLY