Wednesday, January 23, 2002

SHOWTIME'S JEREMIAH STARTS MARCH 3

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Jeremiah, the new series created for television by Babylon 5 creator and comics writer J. Michael Straczynski, will premiere on Showtime on Sunday, March 3 at 8 p.m. (ET/PT).

The show stars Luke Perry and Malcolm-Jamal Warner - formerly of Beverly Hills 90210 and The Cosby Show, respectively -- and will open with a two-hour episode. Following that, one-hour episodes will air Fridays at 10:45 p.m.

The 20-episode order is being produced by Jeremiah Productions, in association with Lion's Gate Television and Platinum Studios. It will be distributed by MGM Worldwide Television.

Straczynski will serve as executive producer and show-runner, along with Sam Egan. He is also writing about two-thirds of the episodes.

Executive producers are Perry, Joe Dante, Michael Finnell and Platinum Studios' Scott Mitchell Rosenberg and Ervin Rustemagic.

"Jeremiah is the first European comic to be made into a live-action U.S. TV series," Rosenberg told The Continuum. "This is also the first TV series I've worked on for Platinum Studios since developing MIB for features and TV. MIB turned out to be the #1 grossing comic-to-film adaptation of all time, of course, so let's cross our fingers for how Jeremiah builds over time."

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Jeremiah is based on the Platinum Studios graphic novel series by Belgian author Herman Huppan. Set in the future, the series focuses on Jeremiah (Luke Perry), who must navigate his way through a world populated by the survivors of a deadly epidemic that spared only those who had not yet reached puberty. Now those same survivors must find their way in a decadent civilization and attempt to create a new world order of hope.

Jeremiah, in his quest to find the Valhalla Sector, which he heard about from his father before the Big Death, is joined by the naïve-but-colorful Kurdy (Warner). A loner by nature, Jeremiah senses inherent safety in an alliance with Kurdy. Together they set out on a journey during which they discover rival social factions at war and young people who must make decisions without wisdom from those who lived before them.

The two-hour premiere, "The Long Run," was directed by Russell Mulcahy. The series is being filmed in Vancouver.

Look for more on Jeremiah, including a report from the set, soon here in The Continuum.

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IMAGE COMICS FOR APRIL

Image Comics has released its solicitations for April.

For a complete rundown, CLICK HERE.

ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN SPECIAL

Brian Michael Bendis, who is still mum about his involvement on MTV's Spider-Man animated series, has another special Spider-Man project in the works.

Ultimate Spider-Man Team-Up will go on hiatus for a month in favor of the Ultimate Spider-Man Special, a project Bendis said has been in development for six months and is "an all-new star-studded Spidey story like you've never seen!"

Here's how he sets up the book:

"This self-contained story reveals Spider-Man's young and naive look at his place in the complicated world of the Ultimate Marvel Universe, after what could only be described as a couple of really bad team-ups, Spidey really doubts whether he should be doing it at this time. It all comes together in the form of an illustrated essay he writes for class about power and responsibility."

Said Bendis: "I have been working with Ultimate editor Ralph Macchio to create a special gathering-of-all-star-comic-book-artists-from-all-generations thing - a perfect mixture of Indy stars and comic book legends - each creating a chapter of work written specifically for them. And all of it ties together into one of the biggest stories I have ever written."

Artists involved include Michael Golden with an Ultimate Marvel Jam cover, Dan Brereton on Blade, Frank Cho on Elektra, John Romita Sr. on Peter and Mary Jane, Jason Lutes on Fantastic Four, Sean Phillips on Human Torch, Scott Morse on Daredevil, Mike Avon Oeming on Captain America, David Mack on Wolverine, P. Craig Russell on Doctor Strange and Dave Gibbons on Fantastic Four. Bendis also promised "surprises" from Zander Cannon, Ashley Wood, Leonard Kirk, Craig Thompson, Jacen Burrows, Steve Rude, Brett Weldele, Jason Pearson, Matt Wagner and Jim Mafhood.

"Some artists names and character names are being held in secrecy," Bendis said.

DC COMICS' EDITORIAL RESTRUCTURING

Paul Levitz, executive vice-president and publisher of DC Comics announced editorial changes on Tuesday, including the hiring of Dan DiDio and promotions for Karen Berger and Mike Carlin.

DiDio, former senior vice-president, creative affairs for Mainframe Entertainment, joins the DC staff as vice-president - editorial. In this newly created position, DiDio will work closely with the editorial leaders of all of DC's imprints on project acquisitions, talent relations and the shared goal of keeping DC the most creatively innovative and diverse publisher in comics.

Berger, formerly executive editor - Vertigo, is now vice-president - executive editor, Vertgio. Mike Carlin, formerly executive editor - DCU is now vice-president - executive editor, DCU.

Berger and Carlin continue to report directly to Levitz, as will DiDio.

DiDio is a native of Brooklyn and graduate of Brooklyn College. He began a television career in 1981 at CBS where he worked at a variety of positions until moving to Capital Cities/ABC in 1985. At ABC, DiDio served as public relations manager for the three New York based Daytime Dramas and then moved to Los Angeles to become executive director of children's programming. There he was responsible for Saturday morning programs and After School Specials and served as program executive on such series as Tales from the Cryptkeeper, Hypernauts, Madeline, Dumb and Dumber, and Reboot.

In 1996, DiDio joined the computer animation company Mainframe Entertainment as a freelance story editor and scriptwriter for the series Reboot and War Planets. Later he became its senior vice-president, creative affairs, where he oversaw development, distribution, marketing, and promotion as well as merchandising and licensing of all Mainframe's television properties. Among the projects he has developed are Weird-Ohs, Beast Machines, Black Bull's Gatecrasher and Jill Thompson's Scary Godmother. He is currently the co-writer of DC's Superboy with Jim Palmiotti.

"Dan combines a lifelong love of comics with years of working in creative management positions in the related field of animation," Levitz said. "This is an exciting time in comics history, with new creative opportunities opening for us all, and it's wonderful to have another talented executive coming on board to help us seize them."

DiDio said, "Comics have always been an important part of my life and I've enjoyed finding ways to incorporate them into my career. By joining DC Comics, I look forward to being part of the premier comic company, working side by side with some of the true innovators in the field. For me, it's a dream job come true."

Berger joined the DC staff after graduating from Brooklyn College in 1979, and within a few years, became known as an editor who sought to push mainstream comics into new territories. Her early series of note include Amethyst, Princess Of Gemworld, Wonder Woman and Swamp Thing. Wishing to push comics further, she created the Vertigo imprint in 1993, now seen as the definition of cutting edge comics in the industry. In addition to publishing series such as The Sandman, Preacher, Transmetropolitan and 100 Bullets, she moved Vertigo into further recognition with a strong line of original graphic novels and best-selling collected editions.

"Karen has been one of the great editorial pioneers of her generation, building a new audience for comics with the Vertgio line, and new ways for us to work with the creative community," Levitz said. "It's a pleasure to recognize her contributions, and I look forward to more years of working together."

"There are many great things about working at DC all these years, but probably the best has been the company's support of taking creative risks to expand the boundaries of the medium," said Berger. "I'm grateful that DC has given me the opportunities and autonomy to publish the creative and diverse visions of so many talented writers and artists. We've only just begun to show what this medium is capable of."

While a student at New York's High School of Art and Design, Carlin was an intern at DC Comics. He went on to study with Harvey Kurtzman and Will Eisner at the School of Visual Arts. Upon graduating, he began his professional comics career writing and drawing features for Marvel Comics' Crazy Magazine, and was soon hired as an editor for the super-hero comics. In 1986, he returned to DC Comics, where he achieved national celebrity for the "Death of Superman" series of comics, which he edited. As executive editor, he is responsible for everything that happens to the DC super-heroes.

Levitz said, "Mike has one of the toughest jobs in comics, keeping the greatest and longest-running line of heroes fresh and faithful to their history at the same time. He tackles it with spirit and courage, and a terrific track record, and I'm happy to recognize his contributions and to have him a key part of our team for the future."

"This is just a really cool development for a guy who only ever wanted to work with Superman since he was 7-years-old!" said Carlin. "And having started as an intern at DC in 1974, it's a particular honor to receive this latest vote of confidence. But I guess now I'll have to go out and buy a tie!"

IMAGE OFFERS TOMB RAIDER 1/2 ON FREE COMIC DAY

Image Comics has announced that it will offer Tomb Raider 1/2 free to all retailers as the publisher's contribution to the upcoming Free Comic Book Day event on May 4.

According to the company, Image will absorb the printing costs of the comic, so retailers will only pay shipping charges for their usual order.

"But there are a couple of caveats," said Image vice-president/publisher, Jim Valentino. "One, we are printing a limited supply and two, we will not be offering a poster."

Valentino said that if retailers are to give these books away, he felt Image should give them to retailers, adding, "It only seems fair." He also noted that it was his hope retailers would be inspired to advertise the event locally.

"Let's not let another golden opportunity pass us by, regardless of what any nay-sayers may say. This is the first time in comics history publishers, distributors, retailers, fans and creators can do something positive together. Let's roll up our sleeves and really work to make this event as successful as possible."

HUMANOIDS PUBLISHING FOR APRIL

Following are Humanoids Publishing's solicitations for April, with information coming from the company.

EXTERMINATOR 17

Written by Jean-Pierre Dionnet, art and covers by Enki Bilal, colors by Dan Brown.

The beginning of a new epic from Humanoids Publishing. Nikopol Trilogy artist, Enki Bilal, teams with world-renowned writer Jean-Pierre Dionnet to create a unique science fiction adventure. For generations, warrior robots called, "Exterminators", have fought in deadly environments across the galaxy. When the soul of the man who created the Exterminators is transferred into one of his killing machines, a series of events is set into motion that will lead to the liberation of his creations from their human masters. Exterminator 17 will mark the first time that Humanoids Publishing will follow a graphic album with a comic series. Fans of Bilal should also take note that Exterminator 17 features a master re-coloring by comics veteran Dan Brown.

66 pages, $15.95.

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THE INCAL #9

Written by Alexandro Jodorowsky, art by Zoran Janjetov, coloring by Dan Brown.

The first story arc of the series comes to a dangerous end, as even more secrets are revealed about those involved in John Difool's first case as a detective. The Incal is respected world wide for its vision and ability to weave incredibly detailed stories, and this issue is no exception. The Incal #9 also continues the countdown until legendary artist Moebius' work is showcased, beginning in issue #13.

32 pages, $2.95.

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