Hugh Sterbakov is still going strong after a successful first year with his comic book series, "The Freshmen." It’s a comedic collaboration between Sterbakov and actor Seth Green, and focuses in on a group of friends in their first year of college whose serendipitous super powers are as wacky as they are wonderful. Some have pretty practical powers, like Annalee, who can read minds. But others struggle with finding uses for their "gifts" such as Jaques, who’s personality has been altered to match that of a squirrel. Over e-mail, Sterbakov talked about what’s ahead for the Freshmen.

Q: When is the release date for the next series?

A: We’re firm for November 2006, although we haven’t settled on an artist just yet, so there’s always a possibility that this could delay us. But Top Cow wants to go in November, and I’m very ready.

Q: I heard that you had issues 1-3 written out and that you had approval on No.1. Do you have the entire series figured out, just not written out?

A: I do. Last time around, I had the pitch for the movie, and I wrote the first three issues from a basic plot in my head. Then I sat down and wrote basic plots for issues No. 3-6. This time, I sat down beforehand and wrote the entire story in a seven-page document covering all six issues: the titles, the narrators and everything. Makes it a lot easier, quite honestly, and I’m still able to be fluid and change things up. Some of the biggest plot points and ideas have come since I wrote that document, but that’s still the basic blueprint.

Q: I’m not asking for plot, but can you brief us on what lesson we’ll learn this time?

A: Well, the kids are going to go through a lot of stress — some of them are going to face their deepest, darkest fears head-on. This is going to be a very dark time in their lives, with pressure from within the team as well as outside. I think the Beaver would say this semester will be about the kids facing their fears and learning to deal with them.

Q: Are there any more talks about making this into a movie or a show?

A: We had a big meeting today about it. It’s something that’s in the works, but everything in Hollywood is hit or miss, and one step short of a lottery. It’s something I’d love to do, but the comic has been fantastically fulfilling.

Q: I’ve read that soon there will be Freshmen figurines. What other merchandise can we expect to see and how soon can we get a hold of it?

A: It’ll be a bit down the road, a good target for us is November, because that’s when the new series will launch. We’re looking at some character statues right now, and we’ve set a deal for a toy company to develop a mold of one of our characters, but we have to approve the sculpt before they can produce it.