Monday, May 21, 2001

DAVID CHOKACHI TALKS WITCHBLADE

David Chokachi, who plays Jake McCarty in TNT's upcoming Witchblade television series, told The Continuum his character will be more complex in the series than in the pilot movie.

"In the pilot, he was pretty green, trying to figure it out," Chokachi said during The Continuum's visit to the Witchblade set in Toronto last week. "But they took a giant step away from that, which I requested. I'm still the rookie, but in this series, I have a lot more to offer to everyone, and detective-wise to Sara. I just bring a lot more to the dance basically."

Eleven episodes of Witchblade - which stars Yancy Butler as Sara Pezzini, the Top Cow character -- are being produced. The story arc of Jake, who becomes Sara's partner after Danny Woo is murdered, is one of several threading throughout the season.

"They have this 'B' story that our captain is kind of involved with this group of vigilante cops," Chokachi said. "And he hates Yancy's character. And he knows I'm her partner and his only access to her. So he's trying to recruit me into his little group to try and get rid of her, and it all goes into all different directions. And no one knows what my real purpose is and why I'm here.

"It's starting to look like I could be here for more alternative reasons than just being a detective. So it's pretty bad ass. It's killer, the direction it goes in."

The inside of Chokachi's right forearm was all purple and bruised, the result of a recently filmed fight scene with Nottingham, who is played by Eric Etebari.

"It's in this soccer stadium. I started by exercising by myself in the center of the field and then running up the stairs," Chokachi said. "So we wind up starting the fight at the top of the stadium and it winds up in the center of the field.

"I'm throwing a punch at his head and he keeps blocking it. Between rehearsals and the actually shooting, we did it probably 40 or 50 times. Towards the end of it I was like, 'Damn, that's sore.' The stunt coordinator told me to put a pad on and I heard him but I didn't hear him. And by the time I put the pad on, the damage was done. But the fight looks good."

Chokachi hadn't read the Witchblade comic until he started auditioning for the role.

"I went out and bought about 30 of them," he said. "I think they're amazing. One of the artists in particular, they had a collector's edition, and everybody's face looks so angular and really cool, stylized.

"And they're so fun to read. They're good for us. I look a lot like my guy and everybody looks a lot like their characters, which is amazing casting. It's cool to read and research them and pick little things out that you can add to the series that people who are devoted to the comic will say, 'Damn, he's doing what Jake's doing in the comic.' And I think they'll appreciate that."

TNT will rebroadcast the Witchblade pilot movie on Tuesday, June 5, with the series starting on Tuesday, June 12.

Look for much more on Witchblade soon here in The Continuum.

IMAGE COMICS FOR AUGUST

Image Comics has released its solicitation information for August.

For a complete rundown, CLICK HERE.

DAVID WOHL TALKS NOTTINGHAM

Top Cow's David Wohl told the Continuum that the Nottingham mini-series announced by Image Comics will be three issues.

Wohl is writing Nottingham, which spins out of Witchblade and features art by Keu Cha. The mini-series is tentatively scheduled to begin in December.

"Events in Witchblade #50 totally change Nottingham and reveal a lot about his past," Wohl said. "There's stuff no one new about him before, stuff even he didn't know about himself.

"He has to go find himself and realizes he's been living a lie for a very long time. And, considering his background, it totally messes him up."

Wohl said he currently couldn't be any more specific about the mini-series because he has to work out continuity details with Witchblade writer Paul Jenkins.

Wohl said that some of the background told about Nottingham in the first episode of TNT's Witchblade television series will not be used in the comics mini-series.

LOU FERRIGNO ON HULK MOVIE

Lou Ferrigno, star of the live-action Incredible Hulk television series, said he plans on being part of the movie set up at Universal Pictures.

"I'll be involved in the movie, but I can't talk about it yet. It'll be a surprise," he said Saturday at the Motor City Comic Con. "It'll be a big movie with a $100 million budget. They'll probably start shooting in March."

Ferrigno said the days of the Hulk being an actor like himself painted green are over.

"My guess is it will be digital," he said of the movie version. "The character has to look like the comic-book character, with shorter hair and the jaw and blown up.

"I think Ang Lee (Hulk's director) is going to do a fantastic job. The Hulk will look as good as anything like Jurassic Park. It will be a huge hit in 2003."

After starring in the live-action Hulk series and three subsequent TV movies, Ferrigno did the voice of the Hulk for two seasons of the UPN animated series. He said he would enjoy doing the Hulk's voice for the movie.

"Because I understand how the character thinks and talks," Ferrigno said.

JAMES O'BARR'S SAVAGES

Peregrine Entertainment will be releasing James O'Barr: Savages, a 32-page one-shot, in August.

Peregrine's David Napoliello told The Continuum that the book, which was originally intended as a portfolio from the now-defunct Kitchen Sink Press, will contain a collection of fantasy illustrations from O'Barr, the creator of The Crow.

"In addition, there's commentary from O'Barr and advice to aspiring artists," Napoliello said.

James O'Barr: Savages will feature a painted cover by O'Barr and will cost $2.95.

BARRY KITSON TO DRAW TITANS

   Barry Kitson told The Continuum he will be the new regular artist of DC Comics' Titans, following Paul Pelletier, who has joined CrossGen Comics.

    Kitson's first issue will be Titans #37. Titans #35-36 will be drawn by Peter Grau.

   "I'm very excited about the prospect - I've always loved the characters!" Kitson told The Continuum. "I'm also looking forward to being on a regular book again - I enjoy the monthly contact with the readers and the feeling of having a 'home and characters I can feel are my own.'"

   Jay Faerber continues as the title's writer.

   "I'm very much looking forward to working with Jay and continuing to work with Andy Helfer as my editor," Kitson said. "Andy also edited Batman Book of the Dead and the Legends of the Dark Knight arc I've been working on."

POP MHAN TO DRAW SPYBOY/YOUNG JUSTICE

   Pop Mhan will be joining Todd Nauck as artists on a SpyBoy/Young Justice crossover later this year.

   The three-issue series will be written by Peter David, who writes both titles.

   "I will be handling the art chores for about two of the issues," Mahn told The Continuum.

     "I've already received the reference for the Young Justice series, so I will be starting soon. That is, as soon as I am finished with the Jedi Quest mini-series for Dark Horse Comics."

   Mhan could not reveal any plot details.

   "However, I do know that the crossover will include most of the major players of both series," Mhan said. "I am itching to get my hands on Impulse again, actually. I have always enjoyed drawing that little guy. Plus, with the evolution of my art since drawing Spyboy, I am wondering how Impulse will look now. It should prove to be very interesting."

THE BALLAD OF UTOPIA FROM BLACK DAZE

     Black Daze Publishing is releasing The Ballad of Utopia: Volume One, an 88-page trade paperback, in August.

     The Ballad of Utopia: Volume One will combine the first three previously released issues along with the unreleased fourth issue, all of which will be enveloped in a new oil painting by artist Mike Hoffman. A second trade paperback will complete the story this winter.

   "Our story has close ties to the dime novels that were mass-produced around the turn of the century, and pulps that followed," said writer Barry Buchanan. "Utopia followed these traditions by being served up in monthly installments appearing in a comic format. Incidently, a huge influence on the book has been serialized stories of the past, the most obvious being dime novels that contained retellings of (and out-right exaggerated lies about!) real Western legends such as Buffalo Bill Cody, Calamity Jane, and so on. One of the less obvious inspirations is Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes adventures, serialized in the London magazine The Strand, which kept readers waiting eagerly for the next installment".

    The Ballad of Utopia is essentially a murder mystery as seen through the eyes of Utopia deputy Sam David, who is sometimes accompanied by the mysterious and occultic bounty hunter Brigham Love. Along the way, they encounter quite a few grisly shocks and encounter many of the odd personalities of the town of Utopia.

    "It's a very weird and bizarre Western, and challenges a lot of the stereotypes of the genre," Hoffman said.

   "We'd planned on continuing in this format, but recent changes in the comic industry have caused us to retool our initial plan. Call it publishing Darwinism," Buchanan said.

   "Nowadays it's the graphic novel that flourishes in this market. Which isn't a problem because this story had been approached as one complete tale from the start with a definite beginning, middle and end, even though initially spread over eight issues. Added benefits to a re-release in the graphic novel format are a more substantial read, longer shelf-life and the inclusion of a ISBN number, which will help make it into bookstores and libraries. This may be a big step in attracting some of the eight billion people on this planet who don't ordinarily read comic books."

FIRST LOOK: CROSSGEN CHRONICLES #3

CrossGen Chronicles #3 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from CrossGen Comics. The issue is written by Barbara Kesel, penciled by George Perez, inked by Bob Wiacek and colored by Laura DePuy.

Here's how CrossGen describes the story:

"Long ago on the floating island of Meridian, a young Minister-to-be named Turos first laid eyes on a beautiful young artist named Ideria. The only impediment to their romance is Ideria's other suitor -- Ilahn, Turos' younger brother."

CrossGen Chronicles #3 will be 48 pages and will cost $3.95.

GIVE'EM A CLICK

FIRST LOOK: SCION #12

Scion #12 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from CrossGen Comics. The issue is written by Ron Marz, penciled by Andrea Di Vito, inked by Rob Hunter and colored by Paul Mounts.

Here's how CrossGen describes the issue:

"A more powerful Bron makes his bid for the Raven throne. The only thing standing in his way -- his own father! Meanwhile, still intent on taking his revenge against Bron, Ethan clandestinely makes his way into the Eastern capital and attempts to steal into the very heart of the Raven Keep. But instead of finding his enemy, Ethan discovers an unexpected captive."

Scion #12 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.95.

GIVE'EM A CLICK

BRIEFLY