Monday, April 7, 2003
SCARY GODMOTHER TV SPECIAL
Mainframe Entertainment has announced completion of its first one-hour primetime special, Scary Godmother Halloween Spooktakular, scheduled to air on Canada's YTV network this coming Halloween, Oct. 31.
There's no word yet where or when the special, based on Jill Thompson's comic-book characters, will appear in the United States.
"Being the first animation company to complete a full CGI television production utilizing SoftImage XSI software, we were able to bring a feature film quality to television," said Mainframe CEO Rick Mischel. "We're anticipating that this special Halloween show will not only secure primetime pick-up in the States, but will also migrate into a successful television or direct-to-video series."
Mainframe plans an extensive Halloween promotional push for the special with tie-ins to Halloween retailers and candy makers.
Here's how Mainframe describes the special:
"Based on the popular comics and children's books by the award-winning artist and writer Jill Thompson, Scary Godmother Halloween Spooktakular is a whimsical animated story that follows the first trick-or-treating adventure of Hannah Marie, a young girl who is being babysat by her older, and meaner, cousin one dark Halloween night. Unhappy to be saddled with Hannah, her cousin cooks up a scheme to frighten her, but the scheme backfires when Hannah gets help from her Scary Godmother and her quirky monster friends."
"Respecting the integrity of Jill Thompson's original illustrations and stories, we thought no one would be better to art direct the production than Jill Thompson herself," said director Zeke Norton.
"Her contributions to the overall production were greatly appreciated and her role as art director ensures that her fans will be pleased with this extension of the Scary Godmother franchise. We think we've created an evergreen Halloween special!"
The Continuum visited Mainframe during the production of Scary Godmother. Click on the thumbnails for larger images and look for more on the special here soon.
|
|
|
ONI PRESS FIRST LOOKS
For covers and four-page preview of upcoming Oni Press titles, CLICK HERE.
Titles include Courtney Crumrin & The Night Things #4, Three Strikes #1 and Killer Princesses #3.
MARVEL MOVIE ROUNDUP
A new trailer for the Hulk movie could reach theaters before the end of the month, The Continuum has learned.
The trailer will include more of the CGI Hulk, but most of the "secret" story elements will remain so.
At the latest, the trailer will reach theaters on May 2, the release date of X2.
|
|
|
In other Marvel movie news:
* Fox has confirmed that X2 will have a Hollywood world premiere. On Tuesday, April 15 at 3 p.m. (ET), the official X2 site will stage a "Live Global Video Chat" with director Bryan Singer and members of the cast.
* Blade II made its cable debut on Starz! over the weekend. Upcoming broadcasts include Tuesday at 10:15 p.m., Saturday at noon, Thursday, April 17 at 12:05 a.m., Monday, April 21 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, April 27 at 10 p.m.
* After the weekend, Daredevil was at $99.96 million in domestic gross and should go over the $100-million mark this week.
CROSSGEN ANNOUNCES 11 SUBSIDIARIES
CrossGeneration Comics, Inc. has changed its name to CrossGen Entertainment, Inc. (CGE).
In an effort to more efficiently and effectively manage its business lines, CGE has also formed 11 wholly owned subsidiary companies, which represent its broad-based entertainment products and offerings.
"Our 11 subsidiaries are neither spin-offs nor exterior companies that will act independently of CGE," said CrossGen Entertainment senior vice president of product development Tony Panaccio. "Rather, they will function together as interior business units, all working towards CGE's overall goals. With this arrangement, all current and future projects will be managed and guided by our founding principals."
"CrossGen has been, and always will be, dedicated to preserving and expanding the comic book medium," said CGE publisher and CEO Mark Alessi. "At the same time, we're also bringing our passion--in a variety of formats--to audiences who have yet to experience how entertaining our stories can be. And now our name matches how we want the world to perceive comics--as great entertainment, made for anyone with imagination, a thirst for adventure, and a hunger for heroes."
CrossGen Entertainment's new subsidiaries are:
* CrossGen Intellectual Property, LLC: CGIP holds all CGE content intellectual property (IP).
* CrossGen Technologies, LLC: CGT holds all CGE technology IP and manages technology IP creation, development, production, and application.
* CrossGen Publishing, LLC: CGPub publishes all print projects, including CGE Ancillary, Code 6, CrossGen Universe, and foreign publishing.
* Code 6 Comics, LLC: A subsidiary of CGPub, C6C publishes Code 6 publications.
* CrossGen Comics, LLC: A subsidiary of CGPub, CGC publishes CGU print publications.
* CrossGen Media, LLC: CGM is responsible for feature films, television programs, video games, websites, merchandise, and additional interactive products.
* CrossGen Productions, LLC: A subsidiary of CGM, CGP produces feature films and television programs.
* CrossGen Interactive, LLC: A subsidiary of CGM, CGI is responsible for interactive publishing, video games, and role-playing games.
* MegaCon, LLC: MGC manages the MegaCon convention.
* CrossGen Education, LLC: CGEd publishes education materials.
* Comics On The Web, LLC: COW is responsible for internet publishing,
including Comics On The Web.
FIRST LOOK: JSA ALL-STARS #1
JSA: All-Stars #1 will arrive in stores on May 7 from DC Comics. The issue is written by David S. Goyer and Geoff Johns, with art by Sal Velluto and Bob Almond and a cover by John Cassaday.
Here's how DC describes the issue:
"An all-star group of creators tackles the JSA past and present! This 8-issue miniseries provides a perfect introduction to the rich world of the JSA! The entire team is in jeopardy, and only by going off on their own can they tackle the enemy within their midst."
JSA: All-Stars #1 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.50.
|
|
|
|
|
BRIEFLY
Copyright © 2003, The Comics Continuum