Monday, July 2, 2001

JEPH LOEB TALKS BUFFY, FANTASTIC FOUR

   Jeph Loeb, who is executive producing the Buffy the Vampire Slayer animated series with Buffy creator Joss Whedon, told The Continuum that work is underway on the first six scripts for the show.

   The animated version of Buffy is targeted to premiere on Fox Kids next season.

   "Jane Espenson and Steve DeKnight are the first from the Buffy staff to contribute scripts (as well as Joss, of course) and they just hit them so far out of the park, we may not write any more and just let them have the show!" Loeb told The Continuum. "They are funny, bright, intelligent, true to the mythos and are going to make great animation -- the scripts, not Jane and Steve!"

   Loeb said the show is at the budgeting phase with Fox Kids, which will determine the animation studio and more.

    "Joss and I are still very confident this will be an awesome series and a worthy match for the live-action show," Loeb said.

   Loeb also commented on Carlos Pacheco's decision to stop drawing Fantastic Four. Loeb has been writing dialogue for the book from plots by Pacheco and Rafael Marin.

  "Carlos' decision to stop pencilling the book has me saddened, but I respect it and understand his reasons for wanting to try new avenues," Loeb said. "I wish I had gotten a chance to plot and dialogue at least one issue before he left. We've talked about working together in the future and that should be a hoot."

   It appears that Pacheco's last issue as artist will be Fantastic Four #49 and that he might continue plotting the book.

   As for Loeb's involvement?

  "My continuing the book is very much up in air as they have not chosen an artist," Loeb said. "As much as I love the characters, I know I do my best work when the artist and I are in sync. It should not be taken that whomever is chosen -- should I not stay -- be the blame or the hero (depending on how you look at it!). There are some amazing artists out there who I just don't feel I could do my best work with -- and until that part is settled, I don't know what to say. How is that for vague?"

LEE WEEKS TALKS SPIDER-MAN

Lee Weeks told The Continuum that the arc of Tangled Web he is drawing is called "Gentlemen's Agreement."

The arc is written by Bruce Jones.

"It's honestly one of the two or three best stories I've ever worked on," Weeks told The Continuum, "even though Spidey is really not in it. It's about some original civilian characters and the moral dilemma of one in particular."

Weeks provided The Continuum with an early look at his pencils for the book. Give them a click for larger images.

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DALE EAGLESHAM ON GREEN LANTERN

   Dale Eaglesham told The Continuum he is now the regular artist on DC Comics' Green Lantern, replacing Darryl Banks.

   "I owe (editor) Bob Schreck a huge debt of gratitude for giving me a chance on this storied book," Eaglesham told The Continuum. "Green Lantern is a great draw for any artist. I was in the right place at the right time. I've been a fan of the book for a long time.

   "I have a few 12 cent Gil Kane -- love him! -- Green Lantern books that I bought as a kid hanging in front of my desk as inspiration. With this book I'm inheriting a super hero with lots of history and a dedicated fan base like no other. There's a lot of pride, energy and commitment amongst the GL fans and that makes the job a lot more special.

   "I'd also like to say hats off to Darryl Banks and for doing such a tremendous job on GL during his eight- year tenure. You don't spend that amount of time on something without contributing mightily to it."

ARCHIE'S HALLOWEEN ASHCAN

Diamond Comic Distributors and Archie Comics are teaming up for the Archie Halloween Ashcan 2001, which will feature an all-new adventure celebrating Archie's 60th anniversary.

The mini-comic will be sized to fit easily in most shopping (or trick-or-treat) bags. Retailers can use them as free giveaways and bag-stuffers to consumers, or distribute them in lieu of candy on Halloween night. They can also sell the ashcans to customers who want to distribute them to the children in their neighborhoods.

"Archie Halloween ashcan editions drew an incredible response from our retailers in previous years," said Jim Kuhoric, Diamond purchasing manager/comics, "so we will be pulling out all the stops to make this new edition even better. One of our continuing goals is to grow the children's market for comics by attracting younger consumers. Archie titles are ideal for this purpose, and this ashcan will help us seed communities with wholesome Halloween entertainment."

The 16-page, full-color mini-comic features a time-travel story entitled "Going Retro," which stars Sabrina the Teenage Witch and her cat Salem checking out Archie Andrews and his pals throughout various decades - from the 1940s to the year 2042.

FIRST LOOK: FANTASTIC FOUR #45

Fantastic Four #45 will arrive in stores on Thursday from Marvel Comics. The issue is written by Carlos Pacheco, Rafael Marin and Jeph Loeb, with art by Jeff Johnson and a cover by Pacheco and Jesus Merino.

Here's how Marvel describes the issue:

"In the aftermath of the Negative Zone saga, one member of the FF has been radically changed! Readers will see a new costume and a new identity for one of the intrepid explorers."

Fantastic Four #45 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.25.

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FIRST LOOK: STATIC SHOCK!: REBIRTH OF THE COOL #4

Static Shock!: Rebirth of the Cool #4 will arrive in stores on Thursday from DC Comics. The issue is written by Dwayne McDuffie, with art and cover by John Paul Leon.

Here's how DC describes the issue:

"After the stunning ending to issue #3, Static stands alone risking everything in an epic battle against Power Junkie, the super-hero turned drug lord who now possesses the super-powers of over one hundred Bang Babies. Will this be Static's final adventure?"

Static Shock!: Rebirth of the Cool #4 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.50.

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FIRST LOOK: MYSTIC #14

Mystic #14 will arrive in stores on Thursday from CrossGen Comics. The issue is written by Ron Marz, penciled by Brandon Peterson, inked by John Dell and colored by Andrew Crossley.

Here's how CrossGen describes the issue:

"The battle between Animora and Giselle reaches its climax, with the fate of all Ciress hanging in the balance! When not even the aid of the other Guild Masters is enough, Giselle's only hope of victory is to lure Animora to the spirit plane, where she must face her alone."

Mystic #14 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.95.

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FIRST LOOK: THE FIRST #9

The First #9 will arrive in stores on Thursday from CrossGen Comics. The issue is written by Barbara Kesel, penciled by Bart Sears, inked by Andy Smith and colored by Michael Atiyeh.

Here's how CrossGen describes the issue:

"There's a stranger running wild through Elysia, and the event sends shockwaves through the entire city. Among the few not caught up in the disturbance are Gannish, Yala, and Persha, meeting to exchange secrets, yet Yala may not let Persha leave with hers. Meanwhile, an even greater event occurs: the alliance of Seahn and Ingra."

The First #9 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.95.

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FIRST LOOK: THOR #39

Thor #39 will arrive in stores on Thursday from Marvel Comics. The issue is written by Dan Jurgens, with art by Stuart Immonen and Wade Von Grawbadger and a cover by Barry Windsor-Smith.

Here's how Marvel describes the issue:

"Surtur walks the Earth! Will the flaming giant's sword bring about the end of times? And will Thor - separated from his Jake Olson persona - be able to do anything to stop it?"

Thor #39 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.25.

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FIRST LOOK: CRUX #4

Crux #4 will arrive in stores on July 11 from CrossGen Comics. The issue is written by Mark Waid, penciled by Steve Epting, inked by Rick Magyar and colored by Frank D'Armata.

Here's how CrossGen describes the issue:

"Gammid and Galvan can pool their power to raise the continent of Atlantis -- but not without leaving themselves totally defenseless against the Negation. That leaves Capricia, Tug and Zephyre to handle an alien invasion of unprecedented proportion -- and those are not good odds."

Crux #4 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.95.

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BRIEFLY