MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 2002

JUSTICE LEAGUE ANIMATED UPDATE

The "Legends" episode of Cartoon Network's Justice League animated series will include several guest-stars.

Providing voices for the two-part episode are Jeffrey Jones, William Katt, Udo Kier, Ted McGinley, Michael McKean, David Naughton and Neil Patrick Harris.

The episode features the 1940s super-team, the Justice Guild of America. The members of the JGA will include Tom Turbine, Black Siren, Catman, Green Guardsman and Streak.

"Legends" will appear later in the first season of Justice League; it has not been scheduled yet by Cartoon Network..

Look for more on the show soon here in The Continuum.

9-11: EMERGENCY RELIEF SIGNING TOUR

Alternative Comics announced that with Wednesday's release of its 9-11: Emergency Relief benefit comic book anthology, more than 50 contributing cartoonists will begin a signing tour across the United States and Europe.

Eighteen confirmed scheduled stops start in New York City on Jan. 17. Each tour stop will be an event at which participating cartoonists will be signing and discussing the 9-11: Emergency Relief book and their other works.

"The terrorist attacks in New York, Washington DC, and Pennsylvania on Sept. 11, 2001 touched people worldwide," said Alternative Comics publisher Jeff Mason, "and cartoonists have turned to art to express their grief and support."

9-11: Emergency Relief is a comic book project to benefit the American Red Cross. The 208-page book is a collection of cartoonists' personal non-fiction accounts of their experiences related to the tragedy.

For a complete list of confirmed tour stops, CLICK HERE.

JOE MADUREIRA PUTS BATTLE CHASERS ON HOLD

Joe Madureira has announced that he has canceled Battle Chasers #10 and is putting the series on hold.

Madureira said he is focusing efforts on starting the TriLunar game development company.

Here's the announcement he posted on his website:

"I’d like to apologize for the lack of information regarding BC#10. I’ve recently been given the extraordinary opportunity of starting up a game development company with a very talented group of people. As many of you know, this has been a dream of mine for some time. At first it seemed like I might be able to handle all my new responsibilities while still working on BC, but it’s just not possible. Sure, I could probably still get 2 or 3 issues out a year, but this is not how I want to handle the series.

"So, after much inward reflection and deliberation, I have decided to cancel this issue and put the series on hold. I would rather not speculate as to when we will see Battle Chasers resurface, except to say that it WILL happen, but not until I can commit myself to it fully. A lot of folks at TriLunar love Battle Chasers too, and want to see the book continue, so believe me when I say that as soon as I can manage it I will!

"Why not just release issue #10? Unfortunately, #10 introduces a few important elements to the story that are not resolved for several more issues. While issue #9 is not the most ideal point in the story for a break, it’s the best one until around issue #12 or so. Basically, releasing issue #10 would force me to do two more issues, and it’s not something I can realistically handle at this time (without more tremendous delays).

"I’d like to apologize to all the fans who have waited patiently for this, and other issues since the series began. I’d also like to thank Jim Valentino and Image for being so understanding in this matter. It sounds like PR fluff, but let me tell you, these guys have been extremely helpful and supportive since day one.

"This is a major, major life change for me. I’m entering a whole new field. I’m moving across the country. I’m facing new challenges every single day. It’s scary, but it’s even more exciting. It’s an excitement that’s been lacking for some time. Not due to Battle Chasers, but comics in general. In fact, I think BC is actually what’s helped me hold on as long as I have. I still love the book, I still love the characters, and I look forward to someday finishing this great story."

POWERPUFF PIN-UPS

DC Comics has provided The Continuum with previews of two pin-ups that will be included in PowerPuff Girls #25.

The images are by Jamie Hernandez (left) and Adam Warren (right) and part of six pin-ups included in the issue. The others are by Kyle Baker, Mike Mignola, John Byrne and Mike Allred.

According to DC, the kid in the striped shirt in Hernandez's drawing is his daughter.

PowerPuff Girls #25 will be in stores on March 20.

FIRST LOOK: FANTASTIC FOUR #51

Fantastic Four #51 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from Marvel Comics. The issue is written by Carlos Pacheco, Rafael Marin and Karl Kesel, with art by Mark Bagley and Kesel and a cover by Mike Wieringo.

Here's how Marvel describes the issue:

"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 men 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?"

Fantastic Four #51 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.25.

GIVE'EM A CLICK

FIRST LOOK: ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #600

Adventures of Superman #600 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from DC Comics. The issue is written by Joe Casey, with art by Mike Wieringo, Humberto Ramos, Eduardo Risso, J.G. Jones, Jose Marzan, Jr. and a painted cover by Daniel Adel.

Here's how DC describes the issue:

"When a mysterious criminal mastermind appears in Metropolis, Superman is forced to explore the deeper meanings of his relationship with his arch-nemesis, Lex Luthor. Plus, Superman's origin is retold in full-page pin-ups by some of comics' greatest talents. And, an updated take on the Superman daily comic strips, featuring the regular Superman writers and some surprising artists."

Adventures of Superman #600 will be 64 pages and will cost $3.95.

GIVE'EM A CLICK

FIRST LOOK: IRON MAN #50

Iron Man #50 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from Marvel Comics. The issue is written by Mike Grell, with art by Michael Ryan and Sean Parsons and a cover by Greg Horn.

Here's how Marvel describes the issue:

"Years ago, Tony Stark was a builder of weapons - but when he became aware of the cost in lives, he mended his ways. But now, a cache of those long-forgotten weapons has resurfaced, in a hot-spot nation torn by internal strife! How far must Stark go to prevent anyone else from being slaughtered by the fruits of his genius - especially when the power of Iron Man is denied him? It's a double-sized kick-off to a brand-new chapter in the life of the Armored Avenger."

Iron Man #50 will be 48 pages and will cost $2.99.

GIVE'EM A CLICK

FIRST LOOK: BLACK PANTHER #40

Black Panther #40 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from Marvel Comics. The issue is written by Christopher Priest, with art by Sal Velluto and Bob Almond and a cover by Steve Uy.

Here's how Marvel describes the issue, which is the third part of the three-part "Return of the Dragon" story:

"In a cataclysmic, all-out action issue, the Black Panther and Iron Fist race against time and a 100-foot dragon hell-bent on destroying the world. Meanwhile, the deadly Nightshade discovers the Panther's darkest secret."

Black Panther #40 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.50.

GIVE'EM A CLICK

FIRST LOOK: DEADMAN #2

Deadman #2 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from DC Comics. The issue is written by Steve Vance, with art and cover by Josep Maria Beroy and Dan Green.

Here's how DC describes the issue:

"Boston Brand discovers that the intended recipient of the explosive package that killed a pair of grave robbers is a former resident of Nanda Parbat - a man Deadman has sworn to track down and bring to justice. But Sirna seems to be only a small cog of a much bigger machine...one that may threaten the future of the entire civilized world."

Deadman #2 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.50.

GIVE'EM A CLICK

FIRST LOOK: THE POWER COMPANY: WITCHFIRE #1

The Power Company: Witchfire #1 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from DC Comics. The issue is written by Kurt Busiek, with art by Matt Haley and Karl Kesel and a cover by Tom Grummett and Michael Bair.

Here's how DC describes the issue:

"Guest-starring Wonder Woman. Introducing Witchfire, a media celebrity par excellence - singer, actress, model…even daredevil stunt-cyclist. But it's her occult dabblings that unleash a deadly threat - one that she and Wonder Woman must join forces to stop. Will this open up a new career for her?"

The Power Company: Witchfire #1 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.50.

GIVE'EM A CLICK

BRIEFLY