Backstreet`s back -- and they have super powers

Back - Index - Submissions - - What is RSS? Date: Aug 29, 2000 Source: Orlando Sentinel Submitted By: Newsdiva D Published in The Orlando Sentinel on August 28, 2000 Rick fowler/Universal Orlando The Orlando boy-band battle for world domination has moved to yet another new front: cyber comic series. Nick Carter, Howie Dorough and A.J. McLean unveiled on Sunday "The Backstreet Project" -- the Backstreet Boys` superhero venture with Stan Lee Media. "We`re hoping guys who aren`t Backstreet fans but fans of comics will hear the music on the webisodes and say "That`s pretty cool," said Dorough, whose superhero at http://www.backstreetproject.com can create mental images of anything. Don`t think just because you don`t have computers or read comic books that you can escape the clutches of this venture. Burger King says its Backstreet action figures will be the biggest promotion in the history of Kid`s Meals. The characters are the brainchild of Carter, who asked his band-mates what superpowers they wanted, then sketched and wrote while touring. When others shrugged off his dream, Carter went to Stan Lee, the comic legend who created the X-Men and Spider-Man. "He came to our concert, and I spilled my guts," said Carter, at a Hard Rock Live news conference. "I had this huge novel and he was like `Whoa, kid. Tone it down.` " Their collaboration led to the Carter character`s super Ninja powers, Kevin Richardson`s incredible strength, McLean`s laser marksmanship and Brian Littrell`s high-jumping, flaming basketball throwing. "We vibed off each other," Carter said. Each pop star made suggestions not only into his character`s power but also the wardrobe. "I have monk robes," said Dorough, who added that touch and a light-up amulet to his figure`s "peacemaker" image because his little plastic guy looked too much like Richardson`s. McLean has cowboy hats and a trench coat at home. Does that mean Dorough has monk robes? "No," Dorough said. "But I have a bathrobe!" Asked what he planned to do with his action figures, McLean said, "I think I will put all five in a little case in my house. I`d love to show my grandkids and say, "Look, grandpa was an action figure!" Comment on this item. Next Item: Hitmakers To Shut Stockholm Studio Prev Item: Stan Lee Media to Bring Personalized Web Pages for Fans