It's now legend in Hollywood how Mel Gibson's $25 million investment from his own pocket yielded a heavenly $600 million worldwide for "The Passion of the Christ" -- of which Mel keeps about $210 million, according to Forbes' Peter Kafka -- and that's before the DVD. But now, in the wake of the film's overwhelming controversy and success, many have been asking, "Where's Mel?"

Mary Murphy of TV Guide gave us the scoop, saying, "I think Mel did a disappearing act because of the criticism."

Maybe so, but it looks like Gibson's about to stage a comeback. Mel's mug will show up on next week's TV Guide, and there's good reason he's TV's new cover boy -- besides re-stirring "The Passion" pot with the film's upcoming DVD release, Gibson's recently gotten big on the little screen, with three new TV projects due out in the fall: ABC's "Complete Savages," CBS's "Clubhouse," starring Dean Cain, and the adult-themed "Kevin Hill," starring Taye Digs, on UPN.

And next on the big screen, Mel's producing "Paparazzi," a film about how the roving band of photographers affect stars' lives.

So Mel may have been out of the spotlight, but he's been busier than ever and still passionate about his work.