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Tuesday, April 9, 2002
BIRDS OF PREY CAST PHOTO
The WB has provided The Continuum with a first look at the cast of Birds of Prey, the live-action pilot based on the DC Comics characters.
From left to right in the photo, are Ashley Scott, who plays Helena Kyle, the Huntress; Dina Meyer, who plays Barbara Gordon, Oracle; and Rachel Skarsten, who plays Dinah Lance, the Black Canary.
Sherilyn Fenn plays Dr. Harleen Quinzel in the pilot.
Look for more on Birds of Prey soon here in The Continuum.
SPIDER-MAN MOVIE UPDATE
Hardee's is reporting that its Spider-Man movie promotion has been an overwhelming success, with disappearing posters and other promotional items.
Television spots featuring never-before-seen footage from the film plus new original scenes have garnered significant attention from Internet and trade media. Hardee's Spider-Man antenna toppers are selling out in so many locations, the company has double-ordered additional toppers to meet the demand. Meanwhile, online auction sites are swarming with collectors clamoring for the unique molded-plastic Spider-Man figures featured in the kid's meals.
In addition, several Hardee's restaurants have reported the large Spider-Man cut-outs and poster displays missing, likely the victims of Spider-Man's ardent fans. Those same fans have even been offering to buy the Spider-Man promotional T-shirts off the backs of the chain's restaurant employees.
"We knew that the release of the Spider-Man film would be a major event, but, frankly, we underestimated the response from fans," said Brad Haley, executive vice-president of marketing for Hardee's. "Hardee's has had some very successful promotions throughout its history, but this looks like it is going to be our most successful ever."
CABLE/SOLDIER X PREVIEW
Marvel Comics has provided The Continuum with preview images of Cable #107 and Soldier X #1, both shipping in July.
Cable creative team Darko Macan and Igor Kordey continues with Soldier X.
Following is the solicitation copy for both books:
CABLE # 107
Written by Darko Macan, art and cover by Igor Kordey.
The man from the future is forced to deal with his actions in the present - and he does so in typically self-destructive fashion! Believe it when we say that writer Darko Macan and penciler Igor Kordey wrap up Cable in a completely unexpected fashion - and then launch Soldier X, just two weeks away.
32 pages, on sale July 10.
SOLDIER X #1
Written by Darko Macan, art and cover by Igor Kordey.
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What has Cable become after the events of Cable #107? Find out in this jump-on issue. Bored stiff while covering a Sumo tournament, reporter Irene Merryweather - Cable's old flame - gets entangled with S.H.I.E.L.D. and delivers an important hint as to the future of the man formerly known as Cable. What has happened to turn him into Soldier X? The answers are revealed here.
40 pages, on sale July 24.
MARVEL TEAMS WITH THQ
THQ and Marvel Enterprises on Monday today announced a worldwide agreement naming THQ exclusive interactive game licensee of several Marvel properties, including Captain America, The Punisher and Nick Fury.
The all-inclusive relationship grants THQ rights to all classic, TV and film versions of each of the properties for every viable game system including those manufactured by Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft, as well as PC through 2007.
The companies also announced they will collaborate on the upcoming comic series, The Call. Based on the adventures of real-life heroes in New York City, The Call may feature many characters in the Marvel Universe such as Spider-Man and the X-Men. The Call is scheduled to make interactive debut in spring of 2004.
"Working with Marvel not only on rich properties like The Punisher but in jointly creating a brand-new property like The Call is a huge win for THQ as we continue to execute on our strategy of bringing the best gaming content to market," said Germaine Gioia, vice president, licensing, THQ. "THQ looks forward to tapping into the essence of these characters from their comic book roots and creating true digital experiences that reflect Marvel's future plans for the franchises."
"Marvel is looking forward to a true partnership," said Bill Jemas, president and COO, Marvel Enterprises, Inc. "THQ's top developers will work closely with Marvel's best creators to produce the most exciting games on the market. We are especially excited about jointly developing The Call -- an all-new property about real-world heroism."
The first game under the new agreement is The Punisher (working title) scheduled for release holiday 2003.
MARVEL'S MAY SERIALS
Marvel Comics has announced changes to its plans for backup extras in May, including a Spider-Man story featuring The Tonight Show's Jay Leno.
For the first three weeks of the month, half of Marvel's comics will contain the three-part "Spider-Man and Jay Leno in: One Night Only" story by writer Ron Zimmerman and artist Greg Capullo.
For the last two weeks of the month, half of the books will contain the first two chapters of "Spider-Man: You Can Call Me Al", by Zimmerman and penciler Al Rio -- which leads directly into June's Spider-Man: Get Kraven mini-series.
For those five weeks, Marvel's comics will contain the all-new, five-part lead-in to The Call, by writer Chuck Austen and artist David Finch. The story leads into The Call of Duty: The Brotherhood mini-series.
Here's the updated list of which title gets which insert:
ON SALE MAY 1
"Spider-Man & Jay Leno: One Night Only" part 1: Deadline #2, Spider-Girl #47, Thor #49, Ultimate Spider-Man #22.
"The Call" part 1: Alias #9, Citizen V #4, Exiles #13, Fantastic Four #55, Uncanny X-Men #406.
ON SALE MAY 8
"Spider-Man & Jay Leno: One Night Only" part 2: Black Panther #44, Cable #105, Iron Man #55, Morlocks #2, Spider-Man: Blue #1.
"The Call" part 2: Captain America #2, Marvel Knights: Double Shot #2, Marvel Mangaverse #2, The Order #4, X-Treme X-Men #13.
ON SALE MAY 15
"Spider-Man & Jay Leno: One Night Only" part 3: Daredevil #33, Muties #4, New X-Men #126, Peter Parker: Spider-Man #44, Spider-Man: Quality of Life #1, Ultimate X-Men #18.
"The Call" part 3: Black Widow: Pale Little Spider #2, Incredible Hulk #40, Punisher #12, Taskmaster #4, Thunderbolts #64, Ultimate Marvel Team-Up #16.
ON SALE MAY 22
"Spider-Man: You Can Call Me Al" part 1: Avengers Icons: Tigra #3, Captain Marvel #32, Deadpool #67, X-Factor #2.
"The Call" part 4: Elektra #10, The Hood #1, Marvel Knights #3, Mutant X: Future Shock #1, Wolverine/Hulk #4.
ON SALE MAY 27
"Spider-Man: You Can Call Me Al" part 2: Amazing Spider-Man #41, Paradise X: Xen, Spider-Man's Tangled Web #14, The Ultimates #5, Wolverine #176, X-Force #128, X-Men Unlimited #36,
"The Call" part 5: Avengers #54, Blade #3, Cage #3, Howard The Duck #5, X-Men: Evolution #7.
CROSSGEN TEAMS WITH ENORBUS
CrossGeneration Comics and Enorbus Technologies, the largest wireless entertainment company in China, have signed an agreement that will see CrossGen's properties exclusively developed by Enorbus for the worldwide wireless entertainment marketplace.
The agreement includes the development, marketing and distribution of icons, characters and games usable on current and next generation wireless communication products available around the world. The first product resulting from this agreement should make it to market by the fourth quarter of this year.
Enorbus' products are already available to more than 150 million users in Asia on operators such as China Mobile, China Unicom, KDDI and Chunghwa Telecom. Enorbus also has existing relationships with leading technology companies, including Ericsson, Intel, Motorola, Nokia, Packet Video and Siemens.
"Our two companies are great companions and they compliment each other wonderfully," said Enorbus Technologies CEO, Norbert Chang, "With their dedication to fantastic art, and enthralling storylines, CrossGen has proven themselves to be leaders in worldwide comic publication, and we feel that our revolutionary technology-based background is the perfect means with which to introduce the many aspects of their product to mobile phone users throughout the world."
CrossGen CEO and Publisher Mark Alessi said the agreement is only one part of CrossGen's overall worldwide expansion plans.
"Enorbus is a stellar organization with a lot of drive and determination, and Norbert showed a lot of fortitude and vision in making the trip to see our studio and then pressing onward with our current agreement," Alessi said. "Enorbus will be one of the anchors in our worldwide expansion, which thus far, has seen CrossGen's comics licensed and sold in more than 20 countries, and soon, see development in the Far East. More than that, working with Enorbus is going to be a lot of fun."
DYNAMIC FORCES FOR SEPTEMBER
Dynamic Forces has released product information and images from some of its products arriving in stores in September.
For a rundown, CLICK HERE.
BRIEFLY
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Copyright © 2002, The Comics Continuum