Thursday, March 29, 2001

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER GETS ANIMATED

Fox Kids is developing Buffy the Vampire Slayer The Animated Series, based on the WB live-action series.

The series will be developed and produced by Joss Whedon, the creator of the Buffy franchise, it was announced Wednesday by Maureen Smith, president, Fox Kids Network and Fox Family Channel.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer The Animated Series follows "the chosen one" as she struggles through adolescence, but unlike most teenage girls who spend hours at the mall and on the phone, Buffy spends her time tackling the monsters that lurk in her cafeteria, her classes and even her home.

"We are excited to bring the talent and creativity of Joss Whedon to Fox Kids and we look forward to building upon this franchise's loyal following," Smith said. "Buffy the Vampire Slayer The Animated Series reflects our commitment to developing innovative, creator-driven programs and will undoubtedly become one of our marquee series."

"Buffy the Vampire Slayer The Animated Series is a great opportunity to take our characters back to high school, back to the painful and hilarious beginning of adulthood, and tell all the stories we never got to tell about Buffy and her friends," Whedon said. "It's a chance to recapture the innocence of the years of heartache and confusion - and a chance to do the stories we never could afford to do in live-action. It'll be spooky, tough and epic, but with a constant vein of lighthearted humor and the comfort of the true affection this usual gang has for each other."

It is highly unlikely that the show will be ready for a fall 2001 start, a Fox Kids representative told The Continuum. Neither a voice cast nor a production house has been firmed up yet.

FOX KIDS ANNOUNCES 2001-2002 SHOWS

Fox Kids announced its shows for the 2001-2002 season, which will not include new episodes of either Spider-Man Unlimited or Big Guy and Rusty the Boy Robot.

Both series, currently airing on Fox Kids, will continue through summer.

Fox Kids' slate will include more than 300 new episodes and eight new shows, including Evolution, based on the upcoming Ivan Reitman movie. Returning shows with new episodes include Action Man, Digimon: Digital Monsters, Los Luchadores, Power Rangers Time Force and Woody Woodpecker.

Here's a rundown on the new shows:

EVOLUTION

The animated series picks up where the film leaves off. Evolution 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. DIC Entertainment will produce 26 episodes.

OUTER DIMENSION

A universe parallel to our own, The Outer Dimension is full of fantasy, mythology and many phenomenal creatures however, it is not without peril. The malicious Gorm has taken over, brainwashing species and destroying worlds, and only one boy can defeat his evil ways, Nicholas Bluetooth. Nicholas, born of an earthling father and Outer Dimension mother, along with the help of his best friend Allegra, a robot named Jens and a cast of imaginative creatures, must overthrow Gorm and unite Earth with the universe of The Outer Dimension. Tom Lynch Company has produced 26 live-action episodes with CGI elements.

THE RIPPING FRIENDS

From the creator of Ren & Stimpy, John Kricfalusi, comes an animated story of Crag, Rip, Slab and Chunk, four of the manliest super-heroes whose mission is to RIP anything that stands in the way of freedom and goodness. They're the greatest crime-busters in the known universe, with powers and abilities beyond those of mortal men. Undaunted by danger, although a little fearful of their mother He-Mom, these really, really big kids will outwit, for example, the villainous mutated under-shorts. Produced by Spumco, Inc. and Cambium Entertainment, there are 13 episodes.

TRANSFORMERS: ROBOTS IN DISGUISE

Dr. Onishi, a very powerful scientist, has influenced the "star" called Earth. The malicious and spiteful Destolonga robots want to capture Dr. Onishi because he has the ability to help them gain control of Earth. Only the good Transformer Car robots, called Cyber robots, can stop the Destolonga's evil plan and save the Earth from being seized. Asatsu has produced 39 animated episodes.

SHINZO

In classic anime style, Shinzo tells the story of humankind being replaced by genetically engineered evil creatures called Enterrans. A young girl named Yukomo is the last existing human on Earth. Yukomo befriends Mushra, Sago and Kutal, three good-hearted Enterrans. These three earthling friendly Enterrans use their transformation capabilities to protect the group as they strive for their common goal, to locate Shinzo where the key to the Earth's restoration is located. Saban Entertainment is producing 30 episodes.

WHAT'S WITH ANDY

Andy Larkin isn't like other children, he's not into sports, science or even video games. Andy spends his time mastering the art of being a prankster. In fact, he strives to be the greatest practical joker the world has ever seen! However, Andy's mischievous antics often backfire and he suffers greatly for his art. The animated series is based on the book series, Just Kidding, by Andy Griffiths. Cinegroupe has produced 26 half-hour episodes.

PAUL JENKINS AT TOP COW

Top Cow announced on Wednesday that Paul Jenkins has taken a position as the company's lead story editor.

His primary responsibility will be working with all of Top Cow's writers in an editorial capacity to ensure a uniform strategic direction in storylines.

"In order to create a seamless transition from the individual Top Cow books to a more cohesive Top Cow Universe, you have to have a focal point who understands and makes it their mission to know everything going on," Jenkins said. "And that will be me."

"Jenkins is one of the best writers in the business," said Top Cow president and chief operating officer Matt Hawkins. "His involvement at Top Cow thus far has elevated the quality of our stories and now that heÂ1s taking a more active role in the grand scheme of things I think it will raise the bar on all of our titles. Plus we wanted a token Brit and Paul seemed like a good choice."

Jenkins will also take a more active role in writing and plotting out stories for Top Cow's core universe. Announcements for new titles that Jenkins will be writing for Top Cow will be forthcoming in the next few weeks. One of those books will be called Universe, spinning out of The Darkness.

"Paul has been working with us for months to formulate a plan for all of our core titles and help create new ones," said Top Cow editor-in-chief David Wohl. "This summer and fall will be the beginning of a new era for Top Cow and we're glad Paul is part of it."

AVENGELYNE/SHI DETAILS

Writer Robert Lugibihl said that the story name of the Avengelyne/Shi crossover will be called "Tenshi," which is Japanese for Angel.

Lugibihl is joining artist Sean Shaw for the one-shot, which should arrive in stores in August or September from Avatar Press.

"I've been having a blast writing Avengelyne's solo adventures in the current Dark Depths and this summer's Dragon Realm mini-series'," Lugibihl said, "but I'm ecstatic about the opportunity to team her up with a character as cool as Shi. The fact that I get to work with a talented artist like Sean Shaw - who has worked on stuff from Gen13 to the recent Avengelyne: Revelation -- is just icing on the cake.

"Billy Tucci has created a complex and fascinating history for Shi, and I make full use of that history in a tale which will be far from the typical throwaway crossover. The events in this story - entitled 'Tenshi,' the Japanese word for angel -- will be extremely relevant and have lasting effects on both Shi and Avengelyne."

The one-shot will be preceded by a 16-page 1/2 issue which will feature an encounter between the 17th century incarnation of Shi -- Yuri Ishikawa -- and a "pre-fall" Avengelyne who still has all of her angelic attributes. The full-length one-shot then continues in the present as the modern-day Shi -- Ana Ishikawa -- encounters the now-mortal Avengelyne...and the pair find themselves the targets of a man intent on making them both pay for crimes committed against his ancestor some 400 years ago.

ONI PRESS ROUNDUP

Oni Press announced that the first issue of the new Greg Rucka comics series, Queen & Country, has sold out in its first week.

The international spy story is Rucka's first major creator-owned work since Whiteout, and is Oni Press' first ongoing comic since the cancellation of Oni Double Feature.

"Queen & Country instigated quite a buzz prior to its release," said Oni Press publisher Joe Nozemack. "From Diamond Comics to the online community to professionals like Warren Ellis, advance word on the book was very enthusiastic. As a result, we decided that not only would we overship the book to stores by 25 percent, but we also overprinted by an extra 10 percent. And still it was not enough. All the books were gone within a week."

"We all had high hopes for Queen & Country," said editor-in-chief Jamie S. Rich. "Greg's standing in the comics community has changed significantly since Whiteout debuted, and initial numbers indicated that this book was going to be our best-selling creator-owned property not based on a pre-existing concept. But even with that in mind, the reaction has caught us all by surprise."

A second printing of the book is being scheduled.

In other Oni news, four new strips by Jen Van Meter and Chynna Clugston-Major will premiere at www.onipress.com on May 6. The strips will be advance look at August's Hopeless-Savages four-issue mini-series by Van Meter, Christine Norrie and Clugston-Major.

"The Hopeless-Savage kids were a favorite of last year's Color Special," Rich said. "And these strips by Jen and Chynna are only going to make people hungry for more."

Hopeless-Savages #1 is a 32 page, black-and-white comic that will cost $2.95 and will arrive in stores on Aug. 22.

LAST LOOK: HITMAN #60

Hitman #60 will arrive in stores on Wednseday from DC Comics. The issue is written by Garth Ennis, with art by John McCrea and Garry Leach and a cover by McCrea.

Here's how DC describes the issue, which is the final of the series:

"The conclusion of 'Closing Time!' The extra-sized finale has Tommy and Natt facing off against Truman and his men. Bullets fly, people die, and the world of Hitman will never be the sameâ¤|"

Hitman #60 will be 48 pages and will cost $3.95.

GIVE'EM A CLICK

FIRST LOOK: SUPERMAN #169

Superman #169 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from DC Comics. The issue is written by Marv Wolfman, with art by Paco Medina and Juan Vlasco and a cover by Dale Keown.

Here's how DC describes the issue, which starts the "Infestation" storyline running through all of Superman's April titles:

"The alien Korsa Majalis journeys to Earth to enlist Superman's aid, after Korsa's planet is corrupted and turned into energy by the sentient space virus Viroxx. But is Superman enough to halt the course of this seemingly unstoppable cosmic disease?"

Superman #169 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.50.

GIVE'EM A CLICK

FIRST LOOK: SPECTRE #4

Spectre #4 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from DC Comics. The issue is written by J.M. DeMatteis, with art by Ryan Sook and Mark Propst and a cover by Sook.

Here's how DC describes the issue, which part three of three-part "Redeeming the Demon" story arc:

"Just when Hal Jordan has succeeded in finally containing the bristling Wrath of God, an unexpected intervention from Superman and Batman threatens to undo everything and jeopardizes Hal's new role as the Spectre. Will Hal's soul survive as he discovers the true secrets behind the Spectre's mission?"

Spectre #4 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.50.

GIVE'EM A CLICK

FIRST LOOK: GREEN LANTERN #137

Green Lantern #137 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from DC Comics. The issue is written by Judd Winick, with art and cover by Darryl Banks and Rich Faber.

Here's how DC describes the issue:

"In 'The Bonds of Friends and Lovers,' Kyle's life takes a dramatic turn when he receives some unexpected surprises from all the people around him, including his on-again off-again girlfriend Jade and Kyle's assistant, Terry."

Green Lantern #137 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.25.

GIVE'EM A CLICK

BRIEFLY