WIZARD WORLD PHILADELPHIA: VERTIGO/WILDSTORM PANEL

PHILADELPHIA -- Deadman, the new Vertigo series by Bruce Jones and John Watkiss, will launch early next year, Jones said at DC Comics' Vertigo/WildStorm panel on Saturday.

Here's how DC describes the book:

"Airline pilot Brandon Cayce thought he was having a bad day when his plane went down in a fiery wreck at Heathrow Airport. But it was all downhill from here. Even though hešs DOA, he walks out of the morgue -- and finds strange men in sunglasses trying to kill him. How is any of this possible? He might get the answers, if only he can stay dead."

In other highlights from the panel:

* The Constantine DVD will contain a mini Hellblazer comic book.

* DC released new art from Harvey Pekar's The Quitter, which hits stands in October. Art is by Dean Haspiel.

* Top 10: Beyond The Farthest Precinct is a five-issue mini-series written by science fiction author Paul DiFilippo, with art by Jerry Ordway. The story takes place five years after the Smax mini-series, when Toy Box, Kemlo Caesar, Smax, Joe Pi and the rest face dangers from outside and within their ranks.

* When a long-lost relative makes a desperate plea for help, Mayor Mitchell Hundred is forced to leave New York City for the first time since his election in Septemberšs Ex Machina #15, the start of a two-part tale.

* WildCats: Nemesis is a nine-issue mini-series starting in September. In the series -- written by Robbie Morrison with art by Talent Caldwell, Horacio Domingues and Matt Banning -- a rogue warrior Charis Adrastea embarks on an epic quest to avenge a massacre, only to uncover a conspiracy that threatens the entire universe.

* The Authority returns in September in The Authority: The Magnificent Kevin, written by Garth Ennis with art by Carlos Ezquerra and covers by Glenn Fabry. Kev has begun to ponder the futility and horror of his life -- until he gets sent on a another lethal mission involving the Authority.

* Wraithborn, by Marcia Chen and Joe Benitez, kicks off with two issues in September.

* After the seventh issue, look for Phil Jimenez's Otherworld to take a hiatus and return next year with another arc.