Tuesday, February 26, 2002

SPAWN 2 UPDATE

Steve Niles told The Continuum that the Spawn sequel is showing some movement.

Niles is working with Spawn creator Todd McFarlane on the script for Spawn 2, which is set up at Columbia Pictures.

"Spawn 2 is coming along great," Niles told The Continuum. "The script has gone through several polishes and we're working closely with Don Murphy to make it something special."

Murphy is set up as producer. He produced last fall's From Hell and has been connected to several comics-to-film projects.

"I think the biggest surprise will be how different this film will be from the first," Niles said. "I think Spawn 2 will be much more accessible to all types of movie fans because it will cross the lines between the superhero, horror and crime genres."

Look for more on Spawn 2 in Comics Continuum #1, in stores on May 1. To pre-order the magazine, CLICK HERE.

Niles' comics writing continues, with Fused! and Savage Membrane next month, Hellspawn and a new three-issue horror series that he said "is going to rock."

Niles provided The Continuum with a Savage Membrane page and the cover to Fused! #2. Click the thumbnails below for those images, as well as the Savage Membrane cover.

GIVE'EM A CLICK

BLADE #1 PREVIEW

Marvel Comics has released three pages from Blade #1, the newest title in its MAX imprint that launches in March.

The series is written by Christopher Hinz, with art by Steve Pugh.

Here's how Marvel describes the issue:

"Blade is back, and he's hunting a new threat: the Tryk, an extremely vicious mutant vampire species. Complicating the situation is the appearance of the Seven, a secret society dedicated to the destruction of supernatural evil. Incredibly, they see Blade as the most dangerous vampire of all! And at the same time, an ancient vampiric text sends Blade on a quest to renounce his monstrous heritage and become fully human at last. But can a mere human withstand the murderous Tryk?"

The pages below are 5, 6 and 7 from the first issue.

GIVE'EM A CLICK

DEREC AUCOIN TALKS SUPERMAN

Derec Aucoin told The Continuum he hopes to begin work as regular Adventures of Superman artist in about three weeks.

"Eddie (Berganza, Superman group editor) is trying to determine what issue will be my first," Aucoin said. "It will be #606 or #607 most likely."

Adventures #606 will be out in July, with #607 in August.

Ironically, Aucoin - who will pencil and ink -- wasn't originally a big Superman fan, but recent fill-in work changed his mind.

"I used to not like the character, but the first time I drew him, I was like, 'Holy crap!' This is the first super-hero," Aucoin said. "And it became a lot cooler, and now I'm jazzed as hell."

Aucoin said he'll be dealing with a "pretty big" group of characters in upcoming issues.

"I'm clued in on some of the things going on with Superman, and I can't say too much, but it's pretty cool," Aucoin said. "I've known (AoS writer) Joe Casey for years and have total faith in him as a writer."

Before he starts work on Adventures, Aucoin said he has drawn issues of Captain Marvel for Marvel and Impulse for DC.

ALAN BURNETT TO BE HONORED

The Writer's Guild of America, West, will present the fourth annual Animation Writing Award to Alan Burnett at its annual award ceremony on Saturday.

Currently serving as a producer/writer on Static Shock, which airs on Kids' WB!, Burnett has also lent his producing talents to Batman, Superman, The Zeta Project and Batman Beyond. In addition, he co-produced and co-wrote the animated feature film Batman: Mask of the Phantasm.

"Alan's well-deserved award comes at a time when animation writers are fighting for greater recognition within our industry," said Patrick Verrone, secretary-treasurer of the Writer's Guild of America, West. "The feats of superhuman courage that Alan writes about are being matched in real life by many of his fellow writers in their ongoing battles for truth, justice and WGA representation."

The award is given to "that member of the Animation Writers Caucus and/or the guild who, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, has advanced the literature of animation in film and/or television through the years, and who has made outstanding contributions to the profession of the animation writer."

Past winners include Gordon Bressack, Paul Dini and Christy Marx.

AVATAR PRESS FOR MAY

Avatar Press has released its solicitation information for May.

For a complete rundown, CLICK HERE.

BRIEFLY