Friday, March 30, 2001

X-MEN: EVOLUTION NEW EPISODE

A new episode of X-Men: Evolution, "Shadowed Past," will air this Saturday on Kids' WB! at 9:30 a.m. (ET).

In the episode, Rogue is plagued by recurring nightmares, which are actually repressed memories of Mystique showing an unfortunate incident involving Nightcrawler as a baby near Magneto's castle. Professor Xavier confronts Mystique about her connection to Nightcrawler, and Mystique tries to reunite with Kurt, only to be intercepted by the Brotherhood under Magneto's direction.

Meanwhile, Xavier gives Wolverine the coordinates of Magneto's castle, taken from Mystique's mind. Logan tries to infiltrate the lair - with explosive results.

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"I really like the way 'Shadowed Past' came together," story editor Greg Johnson told The Continuum. "We get to explore some very dark and creepy things from Mystique's past, which includes Kurt's infancy. Things only hinted at in this episode, but elements we'll be exploring further in Season Two. It also offers a very unique opportunity for Kurt and Rogue to bond in a way they never had before. It's got its bittersweet moments, and by the end, you feel you've learned some things about Kurt, Rogue and even Mystique."

The April 7 episode of X-Men: Evolution will be a repeat of "Middleverse."

PAUL PELLETIER JOINS CROSSGEN

Penciler Paul Pelletier, who has been drawing Titans for DC Comics, is joining the staff of CrossGen Comics.

Pelletier will start with CrossGen drawing relief issues as final preparations are made for his own ongoing title to be released in 2002.

Pelletier will begin with CrossGen in mid-April when he makes the move to the Tampa area from his current home in Maine. When he arrives, he'll begin work on Sigil #15, written by Mark Waid.

"This is such a great opportunity for me," Pelletier said. "I'm looking forward to moving into the studio with all the other creators. There's huge potential here for me to grow as an artist. Everything I've seen and experienced with CrossGen so far has been wonderful. I almost can't believe I'm now a part of the CrossGen family."

"Even though the release of his regular title is still a bit in the future, we wanted to get Paul in here as soon as possible," said CrossGen Publisher Mark Alessi. "Adding another talented artist that has proven he can meet deadlines just continues to strengthen us and makes me realize more and more each day, that from top to bottom, there is no better core of artistic talent anywhere in the comic industry."

TODD MCFARLANE'S JOHN DOE AFFAIR

Todd McFarlane has returned to full writing and scripting to characters he created with "The John Doe Affair," a story arc that began in Sam and Twitch #20.

"Being with Todd for over 8 years I've seen him grow as a writer. Not even I thought he would ever reach this kind of level," said Beau Smith of Todd McFarlane Productions.

"His sense of pacing and dialogue has reached the same high quality that he gave us with his artwork in it's prime."

According to a press release, "The John Doe Affair' begins a story line that will provide glimpse of the kind mood that McFarlane will also be giving the script of the second Spawn movie, which was picked up by Columbia Pictures early this year.

In "The John Doe Affair," the detective team of Sam and Twitch find themselves invited into a gruesome case of murder by the very killer that orchestrates the series of video taped murders.

The story is drawn by Alex Maleev. McFarlane has worked with Comicraft's Oscar Gongora and Richard Starkings for an innovative style of lettering.

FIRST LOOK: ULTIMATE X-MEN #4

Ultimate X-Men #4 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from Marvel Comics. The issue is written by Mark Miller, with art by Adam Kubert and Art Thibert and a cover by Kubert.

Here's how Marvel describes the issue:

"Which mutant will leave the X-Men? In the wake of the team's first big mission, Professor Xavier's students are on the verge of mutiny. One of them has been left in a coma, one of them has been emotionally crushed-and one will leave the group in anger. And, in the midst of these crises, Magneto's first major assault on humanity looms on the horizon."

Ultimate X-Men #4 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.25.

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FIRST LOOK: ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #8

Ultimate Spider-Man #8 will be written by Brian Michael Bendis, with art by Mark Bagley and Art Thibert and a cover by Bagley.

Here's how Marvel describes the issue:

"So now that the wrasslin' gig is up, how's a young Peter Parker going to make some cash for his newly widowed Aunt May? Maybe The Daily Bugle, New York's most famous tabloid, can save the day-and maybe publisher J. Jonah Jameson will ruin his life. And if that's not enough, just wait until you meet the vibrating villain called the Shocker."

Ultimate Spider-Man #8 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.25.

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FIRST LOOK: FANTASTIC FOUR #42

Fantastic Four #42 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from Marvel Comics. The issue is written by Carlos Pacheco and Jeph Loeb, with art by Stuart Immonen and a cover by Pacheco.

Here's how Marvel describes the issue:

"The Human Torch renews his famous feud with Namor, The Thing, Mr. Fantastic and Invisible Woman are trapped in the Negative Zone. Meanwhile, back on Earth, Johnny Storm has to face an enraged Sub-Mariner. Maybe Namorita, Ant-Man and She-Hulk can help."

Fantastic Four #42 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.25.

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FIRST LOOK: CITIZEN V #1

Citizen V #1 will arrives in stores on Wednesday from Marvel Comics. The issue is written by Fabian Nicieza, with art by Michael Ryan and Sean Parsons and a cover by Ryan.

Here's how Marvel describes the issue:

"Spinning from the pages of Thunderbolts come Marvel's newest superstars. Since World War II, they have remained in the shadows, fighting for world stability. They are the V-Battalion, descendants of the heroes of the Golden Age. Now, after decades of waging a hidden war, they have the opportunity to bring long-lasting peace to the planet, but it will require them usurp the plans of a master villain! 'Or,' as writer Fabian Nicieza said, 'to put it another way, let's say you've been fighting the good fight for 50 years. What would you do if a ready-made solution to creating peace on Earth presented itself to you-and all it required was compromising your ethics, just a little?' With the mysterious Citizen V serving as the point man on an international adventure, these conflicted heroes bring high-octane intrigue and a new style of characters to the Marvel Universe. A three-issue limited series."

Citizen V #1 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.99.

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BRIEFLY