Friday, October 21, 2005
PAINKILLER JANE ON DEC. 10
Painkiller Jane, the pilot movie based on the Event Comics character created by Jimmy Palmiotti and Joe Quesada, will premiere on Sci Fi Channel on Saturday, Dec. 10 at 9 p.m., The Continuum has learned.
Here's how the network describes the film:
"Painkiller Jane is a super-heroine for the new millennium. When Jane Browning is exposed to a biochemical weapon that alters her genes, she becomes endowed with incredible self-healing powers and extraordinary physical and mental abilities. Now, on the run from a sinister organization determined to replicate her powers - or destroy them - Jane joins forces with some unlikely allies to become an ultra-covert crime-fighting agent."
Emmanuelle Vaugier, who played Lex Luthor's wife in Smallville, stars in the title role.
Tate Donvovan plays Graham Knight, a Ph.D. professor who tries to help Jane figure out her new abilities. Richard Roundtree co-stars as Colonel Watts, her commanding officer and mentor.
Venus Terzo, who did the voice of Jean Grey in X-Men: Evolution, plays Carla Browning, Jane's sister.
The cast also includes Eric Dane, who reportedly is playing Jamie Madrox in X3, and Walker Howard.
The film was written and executive produced by John Harrison, Greg Gold and Don Opper and directed by Sanford Bookstaver.
Look for more on Painkiller Jane soon here in The Continuum.
SMALLVILLE FOR NOVEMBER SWEEPS
The WB has released details of the November sweeps episodes of Smallville.
Following is a rundown:
"Exposed" on Thursday, Nov. 3.
Clark (Tom Welling) and Jonathan (John Schneider) are thrilled when Senator Jake Jennings (guest-star Tom Wopat), Jonathan's oldest friend, arrives at the Kent farm looking for support in his re-election campaign. However, after a young girl turns up dead, it is revealed that she was a stripper and Jennings¹ mistress, which makes him the prime suspect. Searching for answers, Chloe (Allison Mack) convinces Lois (Erica Durance) to go undercover as a stripper.
"Splinter" on Thursday, Nov. 10.
Clark is exposed to silver kryptonite, causing him to have paranoid delusions. The silver kryptonite makes him believe that Chloe is going to reveal his secret, Jonathan is scheming against him with Lionel (John Glover) and Lex (Michael Rosenbaum) and Lana (Kristin Kreuk) are having a secret relationship. Chloe and the Kents frantically search for a cure, but it is Professor Fine (James Marsters) who comes to Clark's rescue although not without an agenda.
"Solitude" on Thursday, Nov. 17.
After Martha (Annette O'Toole) contracts a strange disease and is given hours to live, Clark turns to Professor Fine, who convinces Clark that Jor-El is the one responsible for her illness and the only way to save her is to destroy the Fortress of Solitude. However, once the two arrive at the Fortress, Professor Fine tries to free Zod and kill Clark.
ONI PRESS FOR JANUARY
Oni Press has released its solicitations for January.
For a rundown, with cover images, CLICK HERE.
DEVIL'S DUE FIRST LOOKS
For covers and five-page previews of Devil's Due Publishing titles arriving in stores on Wednesday, CLICK HERE.
Titles include Purgatori #1 and The Lost Squad #1.
Look for more First Looks on Saturday here in The Continuum.
ANGEL GATE'S CHILDREN'S BOOKS
In November, Angel Gate kicks off the first in a new series of funny and lighthearted educational superhero books, Atlas' School for Superheroes, aimed at children ages six and under.
Atlas, created by Darren G. Davis, stars in the series developed by Davis and Debbie Bishop.
Here's how Angel Gate describe the backstory:
"On Mt. Olympus, Atlas had a job holding the Earth on his shoulders. He was fascinated watching people on Earth flying around in capes fighting evil-doers. One day he decided to quit his job with the gods
and become a superhero. When Atlas came to Earth, all the superhero jobs
were taken. So with the help of his dad, Zeus, he opened the Atlas School for Superheroes. Following the Supreme Code, Atlas thought he was going to
teach the kids how to be heroes, but he is learning more from them."
"We find that kids really connect with Atlas' humorously large proportions and colors. They're drawn in by the design of the character and we feel that we can use that attention to really make a difference in these kids education," said Davis. "They're treated a fun story, with interesting characters, and they may not even realize that they're learning something
along the way too. Atlas works really well to make learning fun!"
The series of books will include:
ATLAS: ABC'S FOR SUPERHEROES
Written by Darren G. Davis, with artwork by Mark Brooks and Andrew Dalhouse.
Atlas follows the Supreme Code of Superheroes as he recites the ABC's with the sweet humor he is known for.
ATLAS: 123'S FOR SUPERHEROES
Written by Darren G. Davis, with artwork by Mark Brooks, Andy Park, Frank
Mills, Ken Lashley, and Andrew Dalhouse.
Join the super-powered hero Atlas, as he recites the
Supreme Code of Superhero 123's in this funny and unique board book for
super-kids.
ATLAS: SUPERHEROES GUIDE TO THE PLANETS
Written by Darren G. Davis, with artwork by Mark Brooks, Tom Daniels, and
Andrew Dalhouse.
Atlas takes us on a super-powered tour of
our solar system.
The books are each 5 inches by 5 inches and will cost $5.99.
MARVEL COMICS IN MIDDLE EAST
Teshkeel Media Group on Friday announced a comprehensive agreement with Marvel Entertainment to bring Arabic-language Marvel comics, trade paperbacks and magazines to the Middle East region.The agreement was announced by Naif Al-Mutawa, CEO of Teshkeel, and Bruno Maglione, President of Marvel International.
Under terms of the agreement, Teshkeel will engage in a wide-ranging multi-year publishing program which for the first time will bring Marvel's comic books to the Middle East in local language. The Marvel comics will be distributed throughout the region, from the Arabian Gulf to North Africa.
"We're extremely excited and proud to be working with Marvel," said Al-Mutawa. "Marvel's super heroes provide positive role models for children worldwide, and it's extremely gratifying to be able to bring them to an Arab audience."
Maglione said, "The Arab world is emerging as one of the fastest growing markets in the world. Our character franchises each began as comic books, and introducing Marvel comics is a crucial first step to developing our full business model in new regions. We met with a variety of potential partners, and it was clear that Teshkeel was uniquely situated and best able to execute on bringing Marvel's comic book franchise to this region."
Headquartered in Kuwait, Teshkeel is a publisher and developer of comics and other children's entertainment in the Arab world.
Al-Mutawa added that Teshkeel will begin Arabic publication of several of Marvel's most well-known and successful titles early next year. The company may also release additional titles to tie in with the release of next year's X-Men 3 and Ghost Rider movies.
BRIEFLY
* Wizard World has unveiled its third poster in its series from the Ultimate Avengers animated movie. The Thor poster will be featured at Wizard World Texas, along with comics artist and character designer Bryan Hitch. Click on the thumbnail for a larger image.
* Starting in 2006, Blue Water Productions will release a series of action figures and statues by
developer Proto-Hype Studios.
Among the titles being developed for figures and statues include The Legend of Isis, Judo Girl, Blackbear Legacy and a statue featuring actress/model Cindy Margolis as The 10th Muse.
"They have some of the
coolest characters in print, and are a serious force to be reckoned with in
comics and media -- and they've been very supportive of our concept ideas so
far," said Proto-Hype Creative Director, Scott Fensterer.
* Coming Saturday: Television news -- and much more!!!
COMICS CONTINUUM BACK ISSUES
In case you missed The Continuum's recent coverage, here are some links. Click on the date to get the day's full report.
* Sunday, Oct. 16: Motor City Comic Con panels featuring Grey DeLisle (voice of Wasp from Ultimate Avengers) and Ron Garney.
* Saturday, Oct. 15: Smallville and First Looks.
* Friday, Oct. 14: Sin City DVD, September sales, Maximum Fantastic Four, The Simpsons' "Treehouse of Horror," The Batman, Scott Allie talks The Fog and First Looks.
* Thursday, Oct. 13: IDW Publishing for February, Marvel and Image First Looks and Superman DVDs.
* Wednesday, Oct. 12: Kirsten Dunst on Spider-Man future, Smallville, City of Villains, Marvel and DC First Looks and Moonstone Books' February soliciations.
* Tuesday, Oct. 11: Teen Titans' Kid Flash, Geoff Johns exclusive to DC and First Looks.
* Monday, Oct. 10: Dark Horse solicitations for November, Marvel movies, Alan Moore's DCU collection, DC trade paperbacks, Dwayne McDuffie on Fantastic Four and Tom Welling in The Fog.
* Saturday, Oct. 8: Elektra and Spider-Man 2 on Cinemax, more Franklin Richards, House of M trade paperbacks, The Batman and Smallville.
* Friday, Oct. 7: Teen Titans, Smallville, Star Wars: Purge and First Looks.
* Thursday, Oct. 6: IDW Publishing's soliciations for January and Smallville.
* Wednesday, Oct. 5: Batman Begins and The Flash on DVD, Marvel and DC Comics First Looks, Blade: Trinity on Starz and Neal Adams covers All Star Superman.
* Tuesday, Oct. 4: Smallville's Aquaman, Marvel and DC First Looks, Superman Returns video game, New X-Men and Claypool for January.
* Monday, Oct. 3: Top Cow and WildStorm/Vertigo panels at Wizard World Boston and Heroic Publishing's January solicitations.
* Sunday, Oct. 2: Marvel and DC panels at Wizard World Boston and Heroic Publishing's January solicitations.
* Saturday, Oct. 1: Ultimate Avengers Panel at Wizard World Boston, Smallville and Dark Horse First Looks.
* Friday, Sept. 30: DC's Crisis Panel at Wizard World Boston, Scott Pilgrim preview and The Batman.
* Thursday, Sept. 29: Scary Godmother on Cartoon Network, Blade TV, Justice #1 second printing, WildStorm vs. Aspen and First Looks.
* Wednesday, Sept. 28: Cartoon Network for October, Marvel First Looks and Peter Cuneo talks Marvel movies.
* Tuesday, Sept. 27: Mark Hamill voices The Trickster, X-Men 3 movie, The Batman, Aspen soliciations for December, DC and Image First Looks and Pete Woods exclusive to DC.
* Monday, Sept. 26: The Batman, Teen Titans, Spawn: The Animation and Arcana's December solicitations.
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