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Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2000

X-MEN: EVOLUTION'S STORM

Storm, one of the three adult X-Men in the upcoming X-Men: Evolution animated series on Kids' WB!, was one of the more challenging characters to design, one of the show's directors told The Continuum.

"I played around for a long time to get the features so they were black features," said Steve Gordon, a director and designer for the show at Film Roman. "It wasn't just a white character with dark skin. We went to different sources for that, and eventually I used Tyra Banks as a model to give it more of an interesting look."

Storm's X-Men costume is pretty close to previous versions of the character in the comic books.

"We played with that black jumpsuit look on her," Gordon said. "We knew with all of the characters we wanted to have that basic black negative look on, so we found ways to incorporate that on all the costuming. She's probably the most in black that there is among the X-Men."

Like in the X-Men movie, Storm's civilian clothes reflect her African background.

"In her civvies, we were trying to look for something a little exotic looking, but still something that made her sexy and kind of an Earth mother," Gordon said.

"We wanted something exotic, so we gave her fringe on her skirt. We played with a lot of different things and gave her African bracelets."

The series debuts Saturday, Nov. 4 at 10:30 a.m. (ET) on Kids' WB!.

In other X-Men: Evolution news:

  • The third episode of the series, which features Rogue and is the first directed by Gordon, arrived from overseas last Thursday.

    "I was very happy with the result," Gordon said. "There's some timing things here and there, but overall I was pleased with how it turned out. In my estimation, this is one of the better-looking shows I've seen for Saturday mornings."

  • Pyro, who at one time was in the X-Men movie script, was also a part of the animated series. "But he was dropped," Gordon said. "We were going to use Boom-Boom. That was one that we liked a lot, but Marvel didn't want us to use her. Sauron was going to be in the show, but that is the character Quicksilver actually replaced. Quicksilver was not in the original concept, but he works very well."

  • Look for more of The Continuum's continuing coverage of X-Men: Evolution on Wednesday.

    ALONSO TALKS THIRD SPIDEY TITLE

    Axel Alonso, the new editor of the Spider-Man books, told The Continuum on Monday that a third Spider-Man title will begin in the first quarter of 2001.

    "Spider-Man's got one of the coolest supporting cast in comics, so why not dig down deep and take a look at them?" Alonso said. "The new Spider-Man title is about the formidable shadow he casts over his city, and the people who live in it.

    "Each story -- told either as a stand-alone or a mini-series by rotating creative teams -- will explore the people whose fortune -- or misfortune - is to live in the same city as Spider-Man. The goal is to take a look at the affect that this guy in red-and-blue tights has on people -- good guys and villains."

    Alonso said the tone of the stories will vary from arc to arc. He said most of the rotating creative teams "will surprise you."

    NEW X-MEN MOVIE TOYS

    Toy Biz has provided The Continuum with a rundown of the fourth series of single-pack, six-inch X-Men movie action figures.

    Following are the figures, which will have a standard retail price of $5.99 and will be available in March.

  • Pit Fighter Logan with cage from movie's early fight scene.

  • Battle Ravaged Wolverine.

  • Prison Magneto with plastic chess set from final scene.

  • Lab-Tech Jean Grey with Senator Kelly on lab table.

  • Senator Kelly with containment chamber from when Magneto captured him.

    CHAOS! COMICS FOR FEBRUARY -- WITH ART

    Following are Chaos! Comics' solicitations for February, with information provided by the company.

    LADY DEATH "LOVE BITES" #1

    Written by Len Kaminski, penciled by Peter Vale, cover by Romano Molenaar, Curtis Arnold and Roy Young.

    When love bites, love is dangerous. Join Chaos! this Valentine's Day as it looks into Lady Death's past and uncover a secret story of forbidden romance. Learn about the fateful encounter between two forces of nature: the Diva of Death and the archangel, Michael. Are these two destined to be soulmates or mortal enemies?

    32 pages, $2.99, ships on Feb. 9 (Premium Edition with Scott Lewis cover, limited to 2,500 copies, $9.99).

    CHASTITY "LOVE BITES" #1

    Written by Len Kaminski, penciled by Javier Saltares, colored by Jason Jensen, cover by Romano Molenaar, Curtis Arnold and Roy Young.

    When love bites, love is sensual. It's New York 1980. Love is in the air. Chastity, the lovable vampire assassin, is touring with her boyfriend, Billy, leader of the punk rock band The Nobs. When Billy learns that Chastity is a creature of the night, is it the end of their romance - or just the beginning?

    32 pages, $2.99, ships on Feb. 9 (Premium Edition with Scott Lewis cover, limited to 2,500 copies, $9.99).

    PURGATORI "LOVE BITES" #1

    Written by Len Kaminski, penciled by Al Rio, inked by Tie, cover by Romano Molenaar, Curtis Arnold and Roy Young.

    When love bites, love is deadly. In Purgatori's past lies a secret of dark romance. Peer into the savage courtship of the Goddess of Judgement, Purgatori and the Father of Lies, Lucifer and see a twisted romance that embraces the seven deadly sins. Can two creatures of darkness survive their unholy wedding night? Who will survive?

    32 pages, $2.99, ships on Feb. 9 (Premium Edition with Scott Lewis cover, limited to 2,500 copies, $9.99).

    BAD KITTY #2

    Written by Brian Pulido, penciled Adriano Batista, inked by Curtis Arnold, colored by Drew, cover by Batista, Arnold and Drew.

    Kitty, a former cop, is on the run. Framed for her partner's murder, she has no choice but to return to the seedy black heart of New Orleans French Quarter to learn who the real killer is. But no one wants to play with this cat. It's a monumental, crime-filled game of hide-and-seek, as Kitty plays for her very life evading corrupt cops, voodoo zombies and bad mojo. Is she cursed? Is she possessed? Will she be betrayed by everyone around her? One thing's for sure, it's Mardi Gras time and the livin' ain't easy. Bad Kitty is a good old homicidal tale of bullet ridden, gut wrenching action steeped in bad blood and voodoo.

    32 pages, $2.99, ships on Feb. 16.

    ICP: PENDULUM TRADE VOL. II

    Written by Jesse McCann, illustrated by Jerry Beck, inked by Sandu Florea, colored by Colorgraphix.

    The Wicked Clownz turn the tables on the Stress Team as the elite police hunters become the hunted. Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope aren't going to make it easy for them - the clownz have been dissed, and they're going commando. With the faith-healing priest Jesus onboard, Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope head face-first into adversity as they seek out their ultimate foe, demonic overlord and shady businessman Killnor. Nipping at their heels are Twiztid and the Stress Team - both with deadly unfinished business. Soon the clownz get captured by the Wichita, Kansas police along with the faith-healing priest Jesus who's doing some mighty deep soul-searching as he sits in jail. But Violent J is the man with the plan, and he's called forth the entire Carnival of Carnage to lay down some whoop-ass on all the evil residents in town. Contains issues four, five, and six of The Pendulum, starring Detroit's Insane Clowns, Violent J. and Shaggy 2 Dope.

    80 pages, $8.99, ships on Feb. 23.

    LADY DEATH: TRIBULATION #4

    Written by Len Kaminski, penciled by Ivan Ries, inked by Joe Pimentel, colored by Roy Young, cover by David Michael Beck.

    The finale, and Lady Death is furious at Vandala, Cremator and Seance for their actions while she was incapacitated. Meanwhile Purgatori refuses to join the alliance against Abaddon, for she's eager to get back at Pagan for mistreating her. Lady Death struggles to hide her weakness from the others as they plot to attack Abaddon. As Lady Death and company clash in a climactic battle with Pagan and Abaddon's forces, Vandala and Cremator go toe to toe with Abaddon - and someone will finally lay in shameless defeat. But Lady Death's fate is in turmoil - and her existence remains a question.

    32 pages, $2.99, ships on Feb. 16.

    CHAOS! COMICS PRESENTS: JADE PREVIEW BOOK

    Written by Christopher Golden and Thomas Sniegoski, penciled by Ken Lashley, inked by Curtis Arnold, cover by Lashley, Arnold and Jay Fotos.

    Get an advanced look at the upcoming Jade series (set to debut April). Features preview art in color and black and white, interviews with the creative team and the martial artist fight coordinator Chaos! hired to consult on the project.

    $1.99, ships on Feb. 2 (Premium Edition, left, limited to 2,000, $6).

    HUMANOIDS PUBLISHING FOR FEBRUARY

    Following are Humanoids Publishing's solicitations for February, with information coming from the company.

    THE METABARONS #12

    Written by Alexandro Jodorowsky, art and cover by Juan Gimenez.

    When Dona Vicenta discovers that the man she has just fallen in love with is her father's murderer, the heartbreak is so great that she tries to kill herself with a revolver bullet. Thanks to the Shabda-Oud powers passed down by his mother, Melmoth slows down time and deflects the bullet, which only knocks Doña Vicenta out. While she is unconscious, Melmoth creates a clone in the Metabunker from the remains of Don Nicanor, thus hoping to wipe out his crime and obtain the forgiveness of his beloved. The father and daughter reunite. Melmoth and Doña Vicenta are free to love each other. But Don Nicanor's clone has lost a portion of his memory. He remembers everything and everyone except his daughter. He shuts himself up alone with her and there declares to her that he wants her as his wife. He is about to throw himself upon her when Melmoth separates them.

    $2.95.

    THE WHITE LAMA #6

    Written by Alexandro Jodorowsky, art and cover by George Bess.

    In the first half of the 20th century, a European child born in the heights of Tibet carries within him the reincarnation of an ancient and mysterious Great Lama. In this final chapter of the series, Gabriel Marpa returns to the monastery of the terrible Migmar. Though accompanied by his friends Topden, Dondup, Tzu and the Yeti, Gabriel orders them to stay behind as he wants to face his enemy alone.

    56 pages, hardcover, $14.95.

    FIRST LOOK: SHAZAM!: POWER OF HOPE

    Shazam!: Power of Hope will ship on Nov. 22 from DC Comics. The book is written by Paul Dini, with painted art and cover by Alex Ross.

    Here's how DC describes the oversized book:

    "The third entry in the series of tabloid one-shots by the award-winning team of Dini and Ross. In a personal story told from the hero's point of view, both young Billy Batson and his alter ego, Captain Marvel, devote themselves to keeping hope alive by granting the requests of a local hospital's children -- in a sense, making their wishes come true."

    Shazam!: Power of Hope will be 64 pages and will cost $9.95.

    GIVE'EM A CLICK

    FIRST LOOK: CRIMSON #22

    Crimson #22 will ship on Wednesday from DC Comics and WildStorm Productions. The book is written by Brian Augustyn, with art and cover by Humberto Ramos and Sandra Hope.

    Here's how DC describes the issue:

    "Lisseth sends a huge blow to all humanity: Not a single soul will be allowed to enter Heaven or Hell...forever! Only a 'Chosen One' who is willing to make a huge sacrifice, perhaps the ultimate sacrifice, can stop her nefarious plan."

    Crimson #22 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.50.

    GIVE'EM A CLICK



    BRIEFLY

  • Moore Action Collectibles has provided new images of the Victorian Angel bust and the Buffy II action figures (Buffy, Giles and Oz).

    GIVE'EM A CLICK

  • Coming Wednesday: X-Men and WildStorm news -- and much more!
    E-Mail the Continuum at roballs@aol.com



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