Friday, December 14, 2001

X² TO FILM IN VANCOUVER?

X², the X-Men movie sequel, apparently will at least be partially filming in Vancouver.

"We are developing a great script, we have put money down on stages in Vancouver and we are going full tilt in the art department," producer Ralph Winter told The Continuum on Thursday. "It all feels very good."

Fox announced on Wednesday that the sequel will begin production in May for a May 2, 2003 release.

"We are very excited about planting our flag on May 2," Winter said.

The first X-Men movie was filmed in Toronto.

Fox's announcement included official word that there will be new mutants introduced into the movie franchise, but the studio did not elaborate.

"We want to keep those characters a surprise," director Bryan Singer told Daily Variety. "But there will be some really interesting new characters, both young and old." .

SPIDER-MAN'S SECOND TRAILER

The second Spider-Man trailer, a high-powered, detailed first look at the film, premiered on Thursday night on Fox's Temptation Island 2.

The trailer was actually first glimpsed during the syndicated Access Hollywood. A two-minute version aired halfway through Temptation Island 2, and a slightly longer version then appeared on the film's official site.

In addition, the official site had a short interview with Spider-Man star Tobey Maguire.

"Every couple of months, one my friends will come up and say, 'Dude, you're Spider-Man. You're doing Spider-Man. I can't wait to see that movie,'" Maguire said.

Sources told The Continuum there will be at least one more trailer for Spider-Man and "possibly more."

Click below for larger images from the trailer.

X-MEN: EVOLUTION'S "ON ANGEL'S WINGS"

Cyclops and Rogue will be prominently featured in "On Angel's Wings," Saturday's new episode of X-Men: Evolution on Kids' WB!.

The episode introduces Warren Worthington, aka Angel, to the series. Angel is portrayed as an adult who lives in New York City.

Look for at least two subtle references to the Marvel Universe in the episode.

"On Angel's Wings" was written by Boyd Kirkland, producer of X-Men: Evolution, and directed by Frank Paur.

Click below for images from the episode.

MIKE WIERINGO'S FANTASTIC FOUR COVERS

Marvel Comics has released Mike Wieringo's covers to Fantastic Four #51-54. The four covers form a vertically interlocking image.

The arc is drawn by Mark Bagley and guest-scripted and inked by Karl Kesel. Wieringo will be joining writer Mark Waid as the new creative team on the book.

Following is a breakdown of FF #51-53.

FANTASTIC FOUR #51

Written by Carlos Pacheco, Rafael Marin and Karl Kesel, penciled by Mark Bagley, inked by Kesel, cover by Mike Wieringo.

Mister Fantastic: enemy of humanity? The royal family of the Inhumans has returned from space (and from the events of the Carlos Pacheco/Ladronn Inhumans limited series) as beings without kingdom or country - and hunted by both the Kree and the Shi'ar. With nowhere else to turn, they must petition the United States for political asylum. Will Mr. Fantastic be considered a traitor to the Earth for harboring them? And what part does the alluring mystery woman Senso play in all this?

32 pages, $3.50, in stores on Jan. 6.

FANTASTIC FOUR #52

Written by Carlos Pacheco, Rafael Marin and Karl Kesel, penciled by Mark Bagley, inked by Kesel, cover by Mike Wieringo.

The Inhumans are welcomed... by Dr. Doom? Is there any nation on Earth willing to shelter the beleaguered Inhumans? The answer is yes... but it's iron-clad monarch wins no endorsements from Marvel's First Family. Though with Mr. Fantastic the subject of a government enquiry, will the FF have anything to say about it? And lurking in the shadows, pulling the strings... who are the Hidden Ones?

32 pages, $3.50, in stores on Feb. 6.

FANTASTIC FOUR #53

Written by Carlos Pacheco, Rafael Marin and Karl Kesel, penciled by Mark Bagley, inked by Al Vey, cover by Mike Wieringo.

On all of Earth, only one nation is willing to provide sanctuary for the Inhumans - but it's the country that's under the iron rule of Dr. Doom! And as the plan of the Hidden Ones comes into focus, Mr. Fantastic faces the onslaught of his own government as an enemy of the state. Plus: the Invisible Woman's pregnancy reaches a critical turning point.

32 pages, $2.25, in stores on Feb. 6.

G.I. JOE #2 SELLS OUT

Despite over-printing G.I. Joe #2 by a considerable amount, Image Comics has announced that Diamond has completely sold out of the issue.

Originally scheduled for a November release, Image shipped G.I. Joe in October to capitalize on the success of G.I. Joe #1, which sold out in September and immediately went back to press despite an overprint of one third.

Instead of issuing a second printing of G.I. Joe #2, Image is directing retailers and fans to the upcoming G.I. Joe: M.I.A., a double-sized one-shot collecting G.I. Joe issues #1 and #2 in their entirety with no ads. G.I. Joe: M.I.A. is scheduled to ship the week of Feb. 6.

G.I. Joe #3 is scheduled to ship on Jan. 4.

GREEN ARROW HARDCOVER

DC Comics will be collecting Kevin Smith's first Green Arrow story arc in Green Arrow: Quiver, a 232-page hardcover, on March 13.

The book features art by Phil Hester and Ande Parks and a new cover painting by Matt Wagner.

Here's how DC describes the story:

"Oliver Queen's mysterious reappearance in the DC Universe will have fans constantly guessing about how Queen survived seeming death aboard an exploding airplane. What really happened on that fateful day? In Quiver, readers get a chance to uncover the truth for themselves, as they follow Green Arrow along his quest for the media-dubbed 'Star City Slayer.'

"Quiver features several guest-stars who have questions that demand answers, including Queen's ex-teammates in the JLA, his ex-lover Black Canary, his ex-partner Arsenal, and the son he hardly knew, Connor Hawke - who adopted the mantle of Green Arrow after Queen's 'death.' A certain Dark Knight from Gotham City has some questions of his own, but he won't like the answers…

"Displaying Smith's masterly characterization, brilliantly engaging dialogue and eye for action, Quiver follows Oliver Queen through man's most uncharted realms - life, death, and back to life."

The book will cost $24.95, and DC said it will not offer a trade paperback version earlier than September.

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY ON MAY 4

Free Comic Book Day, a multiple-company promotional event, has been scheduled for Saturday, May 4.

Originally proposed by retailer Joe Field of Flying Colors Comics in Concord, Calif., Free Comic Book Day is supported by Diamond Comic Distributors and, according to a release from Marvel, "enthusiastically embraced" by leading publishers Dark Horse Comics, DC Comics, Image Comics and Marvel Comics as "a way to salute the positive aspects of the medium, unite the industry, thank current readers and fans, and, most importantly, to invite new readers to visit their local comics shops."

Each company will offer a free issue showcasing its finest efforts. Details on what each publisher will offer to follow.

"I'm confident that this industry-wide initiative will meet with amazing results," said Marvel editor-in-chief Joe Quesada. "It's great to see our industry coming together for this incredible push forward into the mainstream!"

"This is a great opportunity for those persons who haven't read a comic in years to discover what Hollywood, The New York Times Best Seller list and the Pulitzer Prize Committee already know: comics are a viable and vital literary medium and not just for kids only any more," said Image Comics vice-president and publisher Jim Valentino.

Bob Wayne, vice-president of sales and marketing for DC Comics, said, "We have every confidence Free Comic Book Day will lead more people to discover just how much fun it is to shop for and read comics."

Dark Horse president and publisher Mike Richardson said, "We're extremely pleased to be working with North America's finest retailers, publishers, distributor and printer to reach out to those who are unaware of the high-quality comics currently available."

Look for more details on the event soon.

FIRST LOOK: NEW X-MEN #120

New X-Men #120 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from Marvel Comics. The issue is written by Grant Morrison, art with art by Igor Kordey and a cover by Frank Quitely.

Here's how Marvel describes the issue, which is the conclusion to the "Germ Free Generation" story arc.

"The U-Men launch their assault on the Xavier Institute -- where only Jean Grey remains to protect the school's innocent students. Meanwhile, Cyclops and the White Queen confront John Sublime -- from the comfort of vivisection tables. And, amid this crisis, the new Angel arrives."

New X-Men #120 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.25.

GIVE'EM A CLICK

FIRST LOOK: UNCANNY X-MEN #401

Uncanny X-Men #401 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from Marvel Comics. The issue is written by Joe Casey, with art by Ron Garney and Mark Morales and a cover by Garney.

Here's how Marvel describes the issue:

"'Nuff Said! No dialogue. No sound effects. No Sonic scream. Nevertheless, Banshee is back. The question is, why are his current activities of great concern to the X-Men? What does he have to do with the strange abductions of some familiar X-villains? And if that weren't enough, the newest X-Man's 'extracurricular activities' are quickly becoming a distraction, to say the least."

Uncanny X-Men #401 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.25.

GIVE'EM A CLICK

FIRST LOOK: ULTIMATE X-MEN #13

Ultimate X-Men #13 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from Marvel Comics. The issue is written by Chuck Austen, with art by Essad Ribic and a cover by Adam Kubert.

Here's how Marvel describes the issue:

"He's charming. He's dangerous. He survives on wits alone. He's Gambit -- and he could be the next X-Man. That is, if the team can convince him to join! And if he doesn't get himself killed helping a fellow street urchin. And if Storm and Professor X can actually find him."

Ultimate X-Men #13 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.25.

GIVE'EM A CLICK

FIRST LOOK: PETER PARKER, SPIDER-MAN #38

Peter Parker, Spider-Man #38 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from Marvel Comics. The issue is written by Paul Jenkins, with art by Mark Buckingham and Wayne Faucher and a cover by Humberto Ramos.

Here's how Marvel describes the issue:

"'Nuff Said! Spidey faces his fiercest -- and quietest -- foes: murderous Mimes."

Peter Parker, Spider-Man #38 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.25.

GIVE'EM A CLICK

FIRST LOOK: JSA #31

JSA #31 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from DC Comics. The issue is written by Geoff Johns, with art by Peter Snejbjerg and a cover by Rags Morales.

Here's how DC describes the issue:

"A DC Full Coverage! entry-point issue! In "Making Waves," a familiar face is found drowned in the middle of New York City, and the JSA discovers Batman lurking at the scene. The Justice Society want to get to the bottom of this mystery, but the World's Greatest Detective has plans that don't include the JSA. This story will mean the end of the membership for a veteran JSAer, as a former member returns."

JSA #31 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.50.

GIVE'EM A CLICK

FIRST LOOK: JUST IMAGINE STAN LEE WITH JERRY ORDWAY CREATING THE JLA

Just Imagine Stan Lee with Jerry Ordway Creating the JLA arrives in stores on Wednesday from DC Comics. The issue is written by Stan Lee, with art and front cover by Jerry Ordway and a back cover by Adam Hughes.

Here's how DC describes the issue:

"The DC heroes re-imagined by Stan Lee join forces in an incredible adventure, illustrated by Jerry Ordway. What threat could lead wildly different heroes Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, and the Flash to join together as a team? And which heroes will survive the battle with the mysterious Dominic Darrk?"

Just Imagine Stan Lee with Jerry Ordway Creating the JLA will be 48 pages and will cost $5.95.

GIVE'EM A CLICK

BRIEFLY