________________________________________________________________________ Visit Our Web Page! http://www.cris.com/~Xenozoid/ComicBkNet.html ------------------------------------------------------------------------- / THE \ \C O M I C/ Issue #40 This publication is brought to you \B O O K/ by the active participants of \N E T/ Sunday the international center for \ / December 17th, comic book discussion, the Comic *E-Mag* 1995 Book Net. !!! - Editor: Ryan Brewster [Xenozoid@cris.com] - CBN Network Administration Team: - Ed Dukeshire - - Mike Imboden - - William Hughes - - Ryan Brewster - - Jacob Greenberg - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Comic Book Net Founding Fathers: Ed Dukeshire and Mike Imboden ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ________________________________________________________________________ T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [1] The Bullpen ........................... Ryan Brewster [2] CSNsider #445.......................... W. Batty & C. Biggers [3] Comicunications Weekly Re-Cap ......... Ryan Brewster [4] Out of Africa ......................... Marc Sparks [5] Suspended Animation ................... Michael Vance [6] Comic Comments ........................ John Keady [7] New Comics 9/25/95 .................... Bobb Waller [8] Splash Page ........................... Various [9] Letters to the Net .................... Various [10] Join in the Fun! [11] BBSes Linked into CBN [12] E-Mag Info ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [1] The Bullpen by Ryan Brewster Welcome to the _40th_ issue of the CBN E-Mag!!! :) Just to let all you know, there WILL be an issue of the E-Mag put up on the web page and e-mailed out to our subscribers, etc, on Christmas Eve... so if you want to try out your new Christmas toys (computer stuff, of course), pop by the web page and have a look through. :) Things are starting to come together now, as far as putting this e-mag together. The loss of Arkham Asylum took a toll on the mag, and we've been kind of sorting things out since. But things are up and running quite well, so I'll be able to spend more time on my Comicunications newsletter. :) For those of you who are interested in the current issues surrounding censorship in comics, be sure to check out Marc Sparks' Out of Africa column, it's quite informative! Best, --Ry Editor The Comic Book Net E-Mag Xenozoid@cris.com ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [2] CSNsider #445, by W. Batty and C. Biggers This is the CSNsider from CSN #445, which will be in shops on 12/28/95. It is reproduced in its entirety with the expressed permission of COMIC SHOP NEWS! Both Marvel and DC are keeping mum about their line-up of comics scheduled for release between Marvel Vs. DC #3 and DC Vs. Marvel #4, but word is that the two weeks will be filled with an intriguing merged-universe interpretation of Marvel and DC characters set in an amalgamated universe. Will any new characters come out of this? No one's saying, but be ready for some very, very interesting changes... Look for Captain America to venture into the Ultraverse in March, when he crosses paths with Night Man in a special one-shot... The moribund Spider-Man film project, long associated with writer/director James Cameron, may become an active property once again as Carolco Productions is liquidated; several studios are reportedly interested in buying into this one.. Fleer/SkyBox's DC OverPower game is scheduled for March release; as reported last week, this game will be totally compatible with the Marvel OverPower game, allowing players to construct their own versions of DC Vs. Marvel... At long last, the Future Spawn figure from McFarlane Toys made its debut in mid-December, along with a limited edition all-gold Spawn figure... Look for some pretty major changes in Vampirella in '96 that'll affect the direction of the series... CNN has reported that Julia Roberts and Patrick Stewart have been tapped for the roles of Poison Ivy and Mr. Freeze, respectively, in the fourth Batman film; Val Kilmer and Chris O'Donnell will reprise their roles as Batman and Robin in the film, which may begin principal photography in mid-96... It's very likely that the Hulk will be the next Marvel hero to move into the world of animation... If you haven't yet voted in the DC Vs. Marvel/Marvel Vs. DC balloting going in in comic shops across the country, quit reading this and cast your vote right away! Balloting wraps up at the end of December, and if you haven't let your choices be known by that time, you'll have no one but yourself to blame if the results don't reflect your preferences. Remember, Jason Todd died a few years ago as a result of a mere 72-vote difference in fan votes!... The next Lady Death series, Lady Death: The Odyssey, is slated to debut in March, courtesy of Brian Pulido, Steven Hughes, and Jason Jensen... Mad Monkey Press, who had been self-distributing their titles to a rather limited audience for the past few months, have decided to make their books to available via major distributors beginning in February... Topps is producing a 72-card Barb Wire Trading Card Series this spring, featuring photo cards from the Pamela Anderson-starring film as well as a subset of art cards with work by John Bolton, Fastner and Larson, Joseph Linsner, and others... Bo Hampton's Verdilak graphic novel from NBM has been pushed back from January to February release... If you've tried to fax any info to CSN recently and haven't been able to connect, it may be because you haven't updated your phone records to reflect our new area code. CSN's new fax number is (770) 973-6949 (same number, different area code); if you haven't changed your records yet, please do so; and if your company has PBX equipment that doesn't recognize area codes that don't have a 1 or 0 in the middle position, please let us know ASAP via snail mail or e-mail, okay?... The Big Bang Universe, a series of titles previously published by Caliber Comics, has found a new home at Erik Larsen's Highbrow Studios; the books will be published by Image Comics beginning in May... The CSNsider is just a small part of each issue of Comic Shop News. CSN #445 features Extreme Destroyer from Image Comics on the cover as well as more news and the complete January Checklist. The CSNsider is now available via e-mail! In order to subscribe to CSNsider, send a message to majordomo@redweb.com, with a single line message saying: SUBSCRIBE csnsider Visit our WWW site! http://www.actwin.com/csn We post the new CSNsider there each Monday or Tuesday and it will go out via e-mail each Wednesday or Thursday. The WWW site is still the first place it will appear each week, but we wanted to offer it via e-mail as well. The only way to get Comic Shop News is to visit a shop that carries CSN. The publication costs the shops just a dime each and is generally free to customers. If your shop doesn't carry CSN, nag 'em until they do. After all, isn't your business and satisfaction worth a dime a week? Ward Batty wardo@netdepot.com Cliff Biggers cliffbig@netdepot.com (c)1995 CSN, Inc. All Rights Reserved. ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [3] Comicunications Weekly Wrap-Up, by Ryan Brewster ///// ComICunications \\\\\ Weekly Re-Cap 12/17/95 The Comic Book Net's link to late breaking industry news! Contents: 1. A Note From Ry 2. Industry News: * Marvel Signs Lee And Liefeld * Hulk NOT Cancelled * DC and Marvel Universes Merge * Image/Diamond Agreement Finalized * Chaos Goes Exclusive * Nexus And Madman To Cross Over * Batman 4 In '97 * Dark Horse Introduces 99› Previews * BWS Tells Stories * Dark Horse Web Page Wins Award * Petra Introduces New Titles * Shi IS A Bad Girl! * The Truth About Event Comics 3. Rob Liefeld: A Call To Arms 1. A Note From Ry --------------------------------------------------------- With things kind of settling down now, I'll be able to concentrate on this weekly wrap-up thing a bit more. Reviews coming up next week include some of the stuff coming soon from Malibu and a new independent comic called "Pantheon". Hopefully, I'll find time to write a good editorial as well... :) You'll also notice that I included Rob Liefeld's press release as a sort of "featured" news item. I believe he hit a lot of nails right on the head with this one. Best, --Ry Editor/Reporter Comicunications Xenozoid@cris.com 2. Industry News ---------------------------------------------------------- Marvel Signs Lee and Liefeld: 12/14/95 - In a press conference held today at 10:00 AM, Marvel Comics Group announced that they have, in a move dubbed "Unfinished Business", signed 12- month personal contracts with Image Comics founders Jim Lee (of WildStorm Studios) and Rob Liefeld (of Extreme Studios) to "pencil, produce and reshape" Marvel's Captain America, The Avengers, Fantastic Four, and Iron Man comics. The two former Marvel work-for-hire artists left the company in 1992 in a highly publicised move, along with four other artists, to form the Image Comics company. Though the current storylines featuring these characters will be integrated into Lee and Liefeld's plans as well as a big Marvel event, Lee and Liefeld will have "total creative control over every aspect of the four books." Thor and the Hulk will also be involved in the big event, but whether they will retain their current creative teams or continue to be published remains in question. Jim Lee will produce the Fantastic Four and Iron Man titles and Rob Liefeld will produce the Captain America and The Avengers titles. Jim Lee will personally pencil at least the first six issues of Fantastic Four and Rob Liefeld will pencil at least the first six issues of Captain America. Lee and Liefeld will continue to run their studios seperately from their agreement with Marvel. Hulk NOT Cancelled: 12/12/95 - Despite rumors to the contrary, Marvel's The Incredible Hulk will not be cancelled as a result of Marvel's signing of Jim Lee and Rob Liefeld to produce various Marvel Comics. According to Pat O'Neil of Wizard Magazine, the current creative team of The Incredible Hulk (that is, Peter David and Angel Medina under editor Bobbie Chase) will continue to put out the comic book, while in the Lee and Liefeld books, where Hulk was rumored to have become a supporting character, the "savage" version of Hulk ("Hulk Smash!") will appear. Thor, the other book rumored to have been cancelled, will indeed come to an end by next September. DC And Marvel Universes Merge: 12/13/95 - In the wake of the February DC vs. Marvel/Marvel vs. DC comics crossover event, the Marvel and DC universes will be temporarily replaced by the single universe of Amalgam Comics. For one week, beginning February 28th, all of DC and Marvel superhero titles will be replaced by brand-new titles from the Amalgam Universe. The twelve one-shots will be split between DC and Marvel (six will be published by DC, six by Marvel), and will all carry the Amalgam Comics logo. Some of the heroes and villains of the Amalgam Universe will be Access, Dark Claw, Spider-Boy, Catsai, Dr. Doomsday, Speed Demon, Sinistron, Nightcreeper and Dr. Strangefate. The following DC Comics will be distributed by Diamond Comic Distributors, with the following Marvel Comics to be distributed by Heroes World Distribution: DC Comics: Marvel: Legends of the Dark Claw #1 Spider-Boy #1 (w) Larry Hama (a) Jim Balent (w) Karl Kesel (a) Mike Wieringo Super-Soldier #1 Bruce Wayne: Agent of SHIELD (w) Mark Waid (a) Dave Gibbons (w) Chuck Dixon (a) Cary Nord Amazon #1 Speed Demon #1 (w) John Byrne (w) Howard Mackey (a) John Byrne, Terry Austin (a) James Felder, Salvador Larocca, Al Milgrom JLX #1 (w) Mark Waid, Gerard Jones Bullets & Bracelets #1 (a) Howard Porter, John Dell (w) John Ostrander (a) Gary Frank, Cam Smith Assassins #1 (w) D.G. Chichester Magneto and the Magnetic Men #1 (a) Scott McDaniel, Derek Fisher (w) Mark Waid, Gerard Jones (a) Jeff Matsuda, Art Thibert Dr. Strangefate #1 (w) Ron Marz X-Patrol #1 (a) Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez, (w) Karl Kesel, Barbara Kesle Kevin Nowlan (a) Roger Cruz, Jon Holdredge Each comic will contain 32 pages in the Miraweb Format and will bear a cover price of $1.95. A special section of DC Comics Online, on the America Online information service, will host special online events including the Amazon Hour with John Byrne, The War Room and JLX HQ with Mark Waid, Cave of the Dark Claw with Dennis O'Neil, Assassin's Guild with Kevin Dooley and The Sanctum with Dan Thorsland. A schedule of Amalgam events will be posted on DC Comics Online. Image/Diamond Agreement Finalized: 10/4/95 - Image Comics and Diamond Comic Distributiors have announced the finalization of their agreement, making Diamond Image's Exclusive Sales Agent to comic book specialty shops. Under the agreement, Image will set its own pricing and sell directly to retailers, while Diamond will earn a fee for providing Image with distribution and marketing services. Image and Diamond signed a letter of intent for an exclusive brokerage agreement on July 21st, 1995. Chaos Goes Exclusive: 12/10/95 - Chaos Comics has signed an exclusive deal with Diamond Distributors. The deal will take effect with products shipping in March. Nexus and Madman to Cross Over: 12/14/95 - Mike Baron has finished scripting a Nexus/Madman crossover, to ship in March. The cover of the one-shot can be viewed at the following web pages: http://ucunix.san.uc.edu/~reynolmh/Nexus.html http://www.auburn.edu/~ogwynca/NEXUS/nexus.html Batman 4 Coming in '97: 12/10/95 - According to a recent issue of Entertainment Weekly, Schumacher is interested in signing Patrick Stewart to play Mr. Freeze, but Pat is a bit busy. Also, Sharon Stone was mentioned, along with Demi Moore and Julia Roberts, as a possibility for the Poison Ivy part. Finally, it is rumored that Alicia Silverstone is on the list for Batgirl... Dark Horse Introduces 99› Previews: 12/8/95 - Dark Horse Comics will issue special preview comics, containing the first chapter of a particular Dark Horse trade paperback, beginning in March of '96. The 99-cent preview comics will serve as an inexpensive introduction to a more expensive (say, $19.95 or so) trade paperback. The first title will be the first chapter of the Star Wars: Dark Empire trade paperback. The comic will end with an ad directing the reader back to the comics store for the rest of the story. BWS Tells Stories: 12/8/95 - In the summer of '96, a new monthly comic book "omnibus", Barry Windsor-Smith: Storyteller, will debut from Dark Horse Comics. The book will feature three new ongoing titles created by Barry Windsor-Smith. BWS: Storyteller will present the adventures of Windsor-Smith's first creator- owned characters: The Freebooters, Young Gods and The Paradoxman. The jumbo-format (40 9" x 12-1/2" color pgs) comic will be written and drawn by Windsor-Smith, and produced by Windsor-Smith Studios. Dark Horse Web Page Wins Award: 12/8/95 - The Dark Horse world-wide-web site has been rated as being among the top 5% of all sites on the Internet by Point Survey, a free service which rates and reviews world-wide-web sites. The web site can be found at the URL http://www.dhorse.com/ Petra Comics Announces New Titles: 12/12/95 - Petra Comics has announced the addition of three new monthly comics to its flagship title, Stealth Squad. All will be written by Michael Willis. Swoop follows the adventures of Stealth Squad's armored speedster and is due in May of 1996. Jason McQuitty will ink Joe McMullen's pencils. Dr. Gabriel Hunter creates an independent school for Enhanced Beings in Team Orion, to begin in June '96. Jeff Machos will ink CJ Feller's pencils. Petra Spotlight will focus on an individual member of the Petra universe each month. Chris Valin will ink Brandon Hovet's pencils. Shi IS a Bad Girl! 12/13/95 - In Shi: The Way of the Warrior #7, shipping January 1996, William Tucci will depict Shi as a "Bad Girl" in the purest sense of the phrase (complete with fishnet stockings and spiked heels). Crusade Entertainment has been vehemently denying claims that Shi is a "Bad Girl", but has decided to "throw in the towel" this once. The change is temporary; Shi will return to her former status ("Good Girl"??) the following issue. The Truth About Event Comics: 12/10/95 - Due to some rumors that have been floating about in computer information services and such, Event Comics' publisher, Laurie Bradach, has issued the following clarification: Event Comics wishes to clarify their distribution policy in light of some troubling and groundless speculation. Event Comics is currently supplying product to all of our regular distributors. Reports that we have severed our relationship with Diamond Distributon are completely unfounded. Indeed, they have been and continue to be very accomidating and understanding of our position in the industry, and the problems facing independant publishers. Diamond and Bill Schanes have worked to establish a supply agreement with Event that is fair and equitable, and have indeed gone far out of their way to do their best. As a result, Diamond remains the single largest distributor of Event products. We look forward to maintaining a long, productive relationship with Diamond, as well as all of our regular distributors. Laurie Bradach Publisher, Event Comics 3. Rob Liefeld: A Call To Arms ------------------------------------------- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Matt Hawkins Date: 11/15/95 LIEFELD ENCOURAGES A CALL TO ARMS In a bold and unprecedented move, Image Comics founder and President Rob Liefeld announced that, in an effort to help rejuvinate the comics' industry, he has committed to doing 10-12 issues worth of illustrated work in 1996 and encourages his peers to do the same thing. "For the past year the comics industry has asked itself why it has fallen on troubled times," says Liefeld. "Time and again I can't help but feel that one of the important answers for our dilemma is that when the top talents in any industry stop producing work that that industry is bound to suffer for it. If Tom Cruise, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone and Jim Carrey, to name but a few A-list actors, stopped making films, Hollywood would feel a significant loss. In essence that's what has happened in the comics industry. The top talents have stopped or slowed their output and, speaking as a fan myself, we have all suffered for it. I know that I was personally more satisfied as a fan and that the industry itself was much healthier when regular work was being produced by names such as Todd McFarlane, Jim Lee, Whilce Portacio, Joe Quesada, Arthur Adams, Mike Mignola, Frank Miller, Erik Larsen, Valentino and Dale Keown, to name but a few. "Not only have we stopped producing regular work, but we have set a poor example for the generations of artists and creators that follow us. As artists, the only way we will continue to improve and impress is by doing regular work. We have let our industry down by not producing the amount of work that retailers and fans had come to expect of us. When that amount of work returns, I predict we will have a healthier industry. "1995 was a tough year on the comic industry and we all felt the effects of what seemed to be a terribly turbulent year. The shakedown left several comic companies, distributors and retailers severely damaged or destroyed. It's time to start the work of putting this industry back together again. I can't think of a better way to begin this task than to have the most talented creators returning to their boards full-time and producing the volumes of work that made this industry the powerhouse it once was. I personally and publicly commit to producing 10 to 12 full issues worth of illustrated work in 1996. This will begin with the Extreme Destroyer Prologue in late January and continue throughout the year with special projects until the summer and fall when the relaunch of Marvel's Captain America and the Avengers begins. "I'm ecstatic about '96 and have been planning most of the past year for all the exciting projects we have planned at Extreme. I encourage my friends and peers, writers and artists everywhere, to pick up this gauntlet that I have presented and begin the work of healing our industry by providing it with the best stories and art anywhere." _________________________________________________________________________ Comicunications is Copyright (c) 1995 by Ryan Brewster ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [4] Out of Africa, by Marc Sparks Way done here at the Southern Tip of Africa we've got something called an Interim constitution, due to be replaced next year by a final (?) constitution next year, it entrenches certain rights never before enjoyed in this country. Now you may ask, what's that got to do with comics? Censorship! for the past 40 years my country has suffered under Draconian censorship laws, which not only effected alledged pornography, but also the people's right to information. Much of the censorship was of course also political. With the introduction of our interim constitution, South Africa experienced a dramatic metamorphosis, Not only were our scriptwriters and authors given a new freedom, but SA found itself engulfed by a flood of "Adult" Material, which in turn spurred a vigorious debate on the issue of censorship. The fundimental issue is one of conflicting desires: How to ensure ~Freedom of speech" and ~Right of Access to Information", and still protect minors. Certain questions begged to be asked: 1. What is obscene (or undesireable), or more importantly who decides? 2. Who's ~Right of Access to information" is not fundimental. 3. How can the our conflicting objectives be met. Classically censorship has always been a muzzle, not merely for so called obscene material, but for ideas and concepts usually what people were afraid of. The censorship of so called obscene works, was based solely on the censor's mores and moral values. In short censorship is fundimentally a scared person insulting our intellegence. My thoughts on how to handle the thorny issue:- The fickle issue of what is absolutly undesireable, must be governed by a simple rule, not the fickle opinion of the censor, to wit, "If the act of generating the work is illegal, then the work is illegal". The second thorny issue is access to adult material by minors, traditionally minors enjoy fewer rights than others, as many of their rights rest the guardian, preventing them access to adult material is simply an application of this principle. In the end the responsibility of censorship falls between the industry and the consumer. The industry must be responsible to it's community, and advise them of the nature of the material, allowing distributers the protect minors. The consumer also censors the industry, and the consumer is the most fickle of all, evenually all ruely undesireable material is censored by the comsumer. Seriousness ends here. Pet question: What's happened to Marvel, they seem to be going moggy killing off classic characters, for no rhyme or reason, merely for the THRILL of it. The only mag that's looking up is THOR, but as for the rest... Iron Man is Pathetic, and I feel the Avengers have been a complete waste of time since Stern left. Thats all folks ze beddie she is calling. Folks can Email be (about anything, I'll argue anything) at: Figment@connx.vironix.co.za Until next time remember: My President has a snappier tailer than yours:) Cheers Marc Sparks (c) 1995 all rights reserved ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [5] Suspended Animation, by Michael Vance COMICS LEGENDS Stan Lee was the most influential writer, editor and publisher of The Silver Age of Comics. Beginning as an office boy in the '40s, Lee rose through the ranks of Marvel Comics and elevated the company as he did so into the largest comics publisher in the world. Lee's success is tied to the genius of artists Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko. With them, he co-created or recreated The X-Men, The Incredible Hulk, Dr. Strange, Captain America, Daredevil, The Silver Surfer and dozens of other superheroes. Lee also co-pioneered the Marvel style of writing and drawing comics. Each title was drawn from a plot summary, then Lee added dialog and captions to finished art, strengthening the artist's role in the storytelling. In addition, he demythologized a superhero genre in which characters had grown so powerful and perfect that readers had difficulty identi- fying with their adventures. Layers of sub-plots and personal problems revitalized Lee's gods-like-men and attracted throngs of new fans. Sub-plots began to spill over from title into another and seemingly coherent "universe" was created in which all plots were related to and were affected by every other title. Following story continuity became a hobby in itself, increasing readership loyalty to Lee's Marvel Comics. These new fans were treated like valued, intelligent members of Marvel's 'family' through Lee's responses to their letters and through his editorial columns. It would be difficult to to overstate his influence on the entire art and industry of comics in the world today. And in the words of Marvel "True Believers", that's....'nuff said. Among Lee's best are the first thirty-eight issues of THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN and the first one hundred and eight issues of THE FANTASTIC FOUR. Stan Less is highly recommended for entertainment. Published over many years, these may be difficult to locate. A price guide or comics dealer will help. Comic book shops, mail order companies, trade journals and comics conventions are best sources, Prices vary widely; shop around. [co-editors note - Most of this stuff has been reprinted in one form or another so finding a copy of it is about as difficut as falling off a log. A nice package is Marvel's Masterworks Collection which your local comic shop should be able to get for you.] (Mr. Vance is a professional writer having written for numerous magazines like CBG, Starlog and Comics Interview. His work has appeared in over 500 newspapers and he's had work published by Comico, Renegade, Innovation and Rip Off Press. SUSPENDED ANIMATION appears in 14 publications reaching 214,000 readers in the U.S., Ireland and Portugal.) ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [6] Comic Comments, by John Keady Action #718 Demolitia is one woman I do not want to have pissed off at me! This girl has more muscles in one arm than I have in my entire body! I kina like the way they have her play the fence. SHe works for good causes but uses extreme measures in her actions. Not a bad issue and a nice change from the Trial of Superman which was the first story arc that I liked in a long time! DC Vs. Marvel #1 The big crossover starts with a bang as two universes crash together, causing chaos as heroes & villans from both universes clash. I personally liked the part when J. Jonah Jamison took over at the Daily Planet. Overall it was a good beginning that has me looking forward to the next installment! Green Lantern / Silver Surfer It took it's sweet time coming but Green Lantern/Silver Surfer finally hit the stands today! Did it live up to all the hype? Mostly in my opinion! The art work is spectacular as Darryl Banks returns to drawing GL in this one shot. He returns full time after GL #73 which is fine though I have really enjoyed Pelletiers work on the last few issues! Now for this story. Every time I see Hal Jordan, I'm hoping that he'd come to his senses but it seems that Ganthets merging with Hal didn't produce the desired results. Hal's still as demented as ever. I'm also beginning to wonder if Kyle is as gullible as I think he is. He seems to get himself in more trouble listening to the wrong people. Green Arrow #105 GA and Robin team up to take on Conner's stepfather who is running an illegal operation. I am really warming up to the art team of Damaggio and Campanella. They give this book a unique look that gives it it's character. I am looking foreward to the upcoming GL/GA crossover due out this spring! Another road trip! :) Guy Gardner #39 It's Christmas eve at Warriors and Guy is reflecting over the troubles of the past year. Visits from characters in the past and a trip with the Spectre bring Christmas joy to a weary Gardner! I loved this issue since I am already in the spirit of the season and seeing Guy happy for the first time in a long time was refreshing and the last page of the book was a shocker! :) Robin #25 This books 25th issue was a morality play about the evil of guns in the schools. A pretty good issue overall but I am now growing more convinced that Mike Weiringo is not suited to do a book in the Batman family. Robin may be the least gritty of the titles but I think it's still too dark for an artist of Weiringo's style. Top Cow Secrets Lingerie Top Cow Secrets Winter Lingerie Edition was exactly what you'd expect from the title! Half naked Image bad girls sporting scanty clothes. The art was rather eye catching but I won't make a habit of getting this type of comic unless I hear otherwise. Sensational Spiderman #1 Killer reindeer just don't cut it for me in this issue. I am looking for an upswing in the quality of the stories in the Spidey titles but haven't seen it yet. Web of Scarlet Spider #4 The final installment of this series was a dissapointment. I had heard that this title was supposed to be a vehicle for Peter Parker and Mary Jane but was saddened to see that this is the final issue. I personally think that they'd continue with their story. John Keady, 1995 ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [7] New Comics 12/18/95 - by Bobb Waller Well add one wife and her Xmas party, add the new Babylon 5 screen saver, mix vigorously and you get Bobb not being able to post this list till Thursday. Sorry, but the B5 CD Screensaver is GREAT!!!!! Onto the list! ############################################################################## Abstract Studios: Starangers in Paradise #2-Current Strangers in Paradise #8 Acclaim Comics: Bloodshot Last Stand Eternal Warrior #50 Turok Dinosaur Hunter #42 Archie Comics: Archie's Story & Game Digest #34 Betty & Veronica Double Digest #56 Jughead #78 Scooby Doo #6 Sonic the Hedgehog #32 Bongo Comics: Radioactive Man Atom-Smashing Super Century Publishing: Combo #13 Comic Shop News, Inc: Comic Shop News #444 Comic Shop News Winter Preview Dark Horse Comics: Doc Savage Curse of the Fire God #4 Ghost & The Shadow Special Grendel Tales The Devil May Care #1 Star Wars Tales of the Jedi-Sith War Tex Avery's Droopy #3 You're Under Arrest #1 DC Comics: Animaniacs #10 Azrael #13 Batman #527 Black Lightning #13 - Final Issue Extreme Justice #13 Flash #110 Joker Devils Advocate HC GN Legion of Super-Heroes #77 Sandman Mystery Theatre #35 Shade the Changing Man #68 Spectre #38 Superboy #24 Superman the Man of Steel #53 Vamps Hollywood & Vein #1 Vigilante City Lights Prairie Justice Wonder Woman #106 Xombi #21 - Final Issue Drawn & Quarterly: 32 Stories Regular Ed. My Most Secret Desire - Regular Ed. Event Comics: Ash #6 Fantagraphics Books: Hate #21 Untamed Love #1 - 2nd Printing Zero Zero #2 Gemstone Publishing - R. Cochran Shock Suspenstories Annual #3 Weird Science Annual #3 High Impact Studios: Double Impact #5 Image Comics: Backlash #14 Bloodpool #3 Gen 13 Maxx #1 Glory & Friends Christmas Special Spawn #38 Wetworks #12 Marvel Comics: Doom 2099 #38 Excalibur #94 Fantastic Four: Origin of Galactus #1 Iron Man #325 Star Masters #3 Storm #1 X-Man #12 X-Men #49 Beavis & Butt-Head #24 Conan the Savage #7 Tales of the Marvels: Inner Demons Doc Samson #2 Incredible Hulk #438 Saban MMPR:Ninja Rangers/VR Troopers #3 Punisher #4 Spider-Man/Punisher Part 2 Akira #38 Typhoid #4 Green Goblin #5 Spider-Man #65 What If? #82 Malibu Comics: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine #31 Terminator: Nuclear Twilight #2 Mantra #3 All-New Exiles #3 Maximum Comic Press: Battlestar Galactica TP Planet Lucy Press: Ragmop #1 - 2nd Printing Ragmop #2 Ragmop #4 Sirius Entertainment: Akino on the Planet Smo #1 - Reg. Tekno Comix: Leonard Nimoy's Primortals Origins #2 Mickey Spillane's Mike Danger #8 Topps Comics: X-Files Comics Digest #1 X-Files Special Edition #2 Viz Communications: Animerica Vol. 3 #12 Crying Freeman Perfect Coll.Shades Manga Vizion Vol. 1 #10 Ranma 1/2 Part Five #1 Return of Lum Part Two #5 Sanctuary Part Four #5 Warrior Publications, Inc.: Ventura #4 ====================================================================== Welcome to SFNet as they join our weekly postings. (It is OK isn't it?) I'm off to play with mt new Screen Saver tools again! See ya on the spinners! bbwaller@iadfw.net is Bobb Waller Sysop of FIAWOL-BBS Dedicated to both Fandom and empowering the disABLED ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [8] Splash Page! Call Dark Knight BBS! (519) 850-9929 - KnightNet, CLIBNet, Comic Book Net, FIDONeet, Trans-Canada Net, and networks from England like GLASSNet and U.K. FIDO - message areas connected to the U.K. - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - 1.2 GIG of HD of files and messages - special comic book GIF, program, and relatted file areas - files direct from Seth "Able" Robinson's ((writer of LORD) BBS in Oregon - files direct from LucasArts Entertainment BBS in California - files direct from England - beta test site for SymSoft software - some 60 online games and programs to choosse from - more than can ever be written here! Call today! -------------------- / The Harris Horrornet \ ---------------------- Join up with the Harris Horrornet - a biweekly electronic newsletter filled with news about upcoming Harris Comics like Vampirella and Cyberfrog, info on creator appearances, interviews, contests, reviews, and more! To join, just email to smb25@columbia and you're in... ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [9] Letters to CBN Send your questions/comments/complaints to ComicBkNet@aol.com, or to the editor at Xenozoid@cris.com. From: Paul Castiglia <76511.3445@compuserve.com> To: Ryan Brewster Subject: The Comic Book Net E-Mag, Issue #39! Ryan: Thanks for sending me the net E-mags. However, I have noticed a trend that disturbs me and I'd like to set the record straight. I refer to the "items that were late but have now shipped" list. You listed several Archie titles with ship dates in late November which showed up in stores the first week in December. There is an easy explanation for this. With most of the bigger, "a-list" publishers, the product winds up in stores shortly after the ship date. However, for the rest of us suppliers the materials do not reach the stores until a week after the ship date. This does not make the items "late," however. When "Archie On the Moon #XYZ," for example has a ship date of November 25th, it DOES ship on that date-- from the printer to the distributor, that is. Then the orders are processed and allocated and shipped to the stores. With a publisher on our level (I don't think I have to tell you we are considered a "b-list" publisher) that process takes about a week. In other words, except in unique circumstances, all Archie titles reach stores within approximately one week (eight days) after the announced ship date. This is not considered late due to the systems used by the distributors. In fact, if you ask the distributors themselves, they will cite Archie as one of the few suppliers with a perfect (or near-perfect) on-time shipping record. Please understand, I am not angry with you, I just thought I should fill you in on the reality of the situation-- there are many who are not aware of this fact. Feel free to print this letter in one your newsletters if you wish, and thank you kindly for your continued coverage of Archie Comics' publications! Best regards, Paul Castiglia ARCHIE COMICS: Manager of Direct Sales/Promotions Thanks for clearing that up, Paul. I forwarded your message to Andrew S. Troth, who writes the feature, and he is thankful as well for the information. We try to be as accurate as possible when we can. :) Best, --Ry Editor Xenozoid@cris.com Subj "Marvelution" is not a failure Date 95-12-14 13:27:09 EST From ThorIsCool@aol.com To ComicBknet@aol.com In issue #39 of the Comic Book Insider, you called the "Marvelution" a "dismal failure." I agree that it probably has not had the effect that Marvel thought it would have, but I wouldn't call it a dismal failure. I think that it helped many of it books (such as the Classic Heroes line) because it gave these great comics the attention that they deserved. Instead of having one editor-in-chief who would obviously focus on the X-books, Marvel has five editors that control their own lines, thus giving each line more exposure. Marvel's books are as popular as ever, and as long as their popularity did not go down, you cannot call the "Marvelution" a failure. Sincerely, Justin Marsh ThorIsCool@aol.com [Since David put it so well, I'll let _him_ field this one - Ry] Hi. The comment your refer to was made by the editor of the Emag in his editorial. He says it reflects the attitude that prevails on the Comic Book Network, the BBS network that sponsors the magazine. For myself, I would say it is a failure because it did not do what it was supposed to do. Yesterday Marvel announced they are turning over their non-Spider-Man core books of the 60's to Jim Lee and Rob Liefeld - an admission that they have no confidence in their current stable of writers, artists and editors to handle what started the Marvel legacy. I suggest you check out recent sales figures with someone who is in the know. Marvel circulation has been dropping like a rock. AND, it is no secret that future *drastic* measures will be taken by them in the coming months to cut their losses. It is only rumored at this point but by mid-year you could well see only X-men, Spidey, and 2099 books still being published (as well as the Image takeover stuff). AND Marvel will probably at the very least sign back up with Capital for their direct sales because Heroes World is losing money (yes that was a part of the Marvelution) hand over fist and from all the dealers I talk to is incredibly inept. Anyway, your comments are welcome and will be forwarded to the Network. Look for future issues of the Emag for comments and some of the guys may send you Email as well. Best regards and Happy Holidays. ...---====*David LeBlanc> ComicBkNet@AOL.COM From: Arif Haque To: Ryan Brewster Subject: Re: The Comic Book Net E-Mag, Issue #39! Dear CBN, Hey, great looking issue (Issue 39). I enjoyed the interview and look forward to part two. The only thing the issue needed was some more industry news. Keep up the good work, Arif Haque Hey, thanks, Arif! We may not be able to get part 2 of the interview out till next issue.. but rest assured, I'll do what I can to bring it to you! As for the industry news, worry not! As long as we have you as a reader, you will not go uninformed! :) Best, --Ry Editor Xenozoid@cris.com ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [10] Join in the fun! You too can enjoy the intelligent conversations and informative threads that occupy the conferences of the Comic Book Net every day! However, many people who read this e-mag aren't familiar with the Local BBS echo-mail system.... Bulletin Board Systems are scattered everywhere across the USofA, and many of them are free! Chances are, if you have a modem you have the accompanying communications software. Using the Terminal Emulation software that came with your modem, you can dial up one of the many systems linked into CBN (see the listings down a few paragraphs). Most of the boards offer all the message echoes in the Comic Book Network... there are message bases devoted to all the bigger comics publishers, as well as big Small Press and Independent message bases, not to mention sections for general (doesn't even have to be about comics!) conversation. If you are worried about long distance charges, worry no longer! Most if not all the BBS's offer a mail service from which you can download a .QWK packet of recent e-mail to read offline with a program called an offline mail reader. You can read & write messages at your leisure, and then upload your own messages & replies the next time you call your local BBS. There are many .QWK packet readers out there, for every type of computer system. They all give you a better explaination in their documentation than I can. These programs are available all over the Internet and are downloadable from most BBS's. These "mail runs" (dialing up, downloading the mail packet and uploading replies) generally take less than 5 minutes to accomplish, and at the average after-5pm/weekends/holidays long distance phone rates, that is LESS THAN 75›! See? Even less expensive than many of the commercial information services available! :) So what else can you find on free BBS systems? Theres plenty of files for specific types of computers. Some systems also offer other types of message networks ranging from general topics to specific themes like sci-fi, role playing, games, music, etc. And, let's not forget online games. Join into the many different multiplayer games, each system sports different challenges. There's nothing like becoming the most powerful being in a online adventure! And when you _do_ log on, leave a message in The Bullpen conference to ALL, and introduce yourself to us! You're guaranteed to get plenty of replies and all the help you need to join in the fun! Best, --Ry, the editor, with assists from Ed Dukesshire. ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [11] BBSes Linked into CBN Here's the most up-to-date node listing for the COMIC BOOK NETWORK F=FIDO Q=QWK B=Both *=Major HUB -- ARKANSAS ------------------------------------------------------------- F* Karate & Comics & ... Russelville AR 501-968-3910 Robert Wood F The Mystic BBS Hector AR 501-284-5503 Curtis Tesch -- CALIFORNIA ----------------------------------------------------------- Q Corner Mailbox BBS Lakeside CA 619-561-2961 Joy Manning Q Freedom Flight Victorville CA 619-955-6445 Ronald Siodla -- FLORIDA -------------------------------------------------------------- F Info. Interchange Ft Lauderdale FL 305-792-9622 Mitchel Waas F Flamingo Melbourne FL 407-253-0782 Genie Bohn F Never Never Land Melbourne FL 407-253-8754 Wayne Bell Q Twilight Hall BBS Tampa FL 813-977-6712 John Pierce F Steel Dog Cafe' Destin FL 904-654-9385 Keith Schultz Q Oak Street BBS Ft. Walton FL 904-244-7434 Michael Fischer Q Extreme Online Jacksonville FL 904-363-6347 Eric Cohen F Ded Dudez' Tavares FL 904-343-7272 Mike Burgess -- ILLINOIS ------------------------------------------------------------- F Warp Speed BBS Palatine IL 708-776-2395 Alex Gen -- INDIANA -------------------------------------------------------------- F The CyberSpace BBS Indianapolis IN 317-856-9020 Charlie Smith B* Rob's BBS Arcade La Porte IN 219-325-3655 Rob Swanson -- KENTUCKY ------------------------------------------------------------- Q Mister Rogers Lexington KY 606-273-6611 Doug Rogers -- MARYLAND ------------------------------------------------------------- B* The Daily Planet Frederick MD 301-831-8057 Mike Imboden F The Vampyre Bar! Frederick MD 301-698-5194 Darryl Pierce B Zoneland BBS Gaithersburg MD 301-601-9731 Bob Hair F DataStorm Kettering MD 301-390-5243 Tarek Gordan F Bifrost Mount Rainier MD 301-779-9381 Kevin Carlin F Castravalva Walkersville MD 301-898-4088 Jeffrey Frasure F Womens World East BBS Silver Spring MD 301-431-0647 Wendy Dumser F Boardwalk BBS Bishopville MD 410-352-5754 James Davis -- MASSACHUSETTS -------------------------------------------------------- Q DJ Dave's Domain Agawam MA 413-789-6533 David Scarpa F Archives BBS Acushnet MA 508-995-0085 John Viera F* Arkham Asylum Haverhill MA 508-372-2258 Ed Dukeshire F Computer Castle BBS Haverhill MA 508-521-6941 John McNally B U.S.S. Saratoga BBS New Bedford MA 508-984-1212 Justin Campeau F Muskrat & Heatwave New Bedford MA 508-984-5321 Dennis Racine F Computer Castle BBS North Andover MA 508-686-8010 John McNally F Enigma BBS Rochester MA 508-763-5579 Chris Ferreira B* Keystone BBS Shrewsbury MA 508-753-3767 John Harris F HellFire BBS S. Dartmouth MA 508-979-8930 Brock Cordeiro B Call Again Soon Worcester MA 508-791-1281 Joe Johnson -- MICHIGAN ------------------------------------------------------------- F Intl. Comic Network Dearborn Hgts MI 313-565-8464 Anthony Palacio -- MISSOURI ------------------------------------------------------------- F The Oan Citadel Grandview MO 816-767-1488 Brian J. Stewart -- NEW HAMPSHIRE -------------------------------------------------------- F Computer Castle BBS Atkinson NH 603-362-4125 John McNally F Computer Castle BBS Exeter NH 603-778-4662 John McNally F Computer Castle BBS Hampstead NH 603-329-5643 John McNally F Computer Castle BBS Kingston NH 603-642-5949 John McNally F Computer Castle BBS Newton NH 603-382-0567 John McNally F Computer Castle BBS Raymond NH 603-895-2393 John McNally F Computer Castle BBS Rye Beach NH 603-964-4760 John McNally F Computer Castle BBS South Hampton NH 603-394-7534 John McNally -- NEW JERSEY ----------------------------------------------------------- F Virtual Connection Fair Lawn NJ 201-796-7202 Dmitry Korsun B* Bergen BBS Hillsdale NJ 201-722-1495 Jacob Greenberg F Cyberspace Arcade Little Ferry NJ 201-440-5499 Rick Smorawski F The Quantum Zone Park Ridge NJ 201-307-9225 Wayne Robinson F Unnamed BBS Saddle Brook NJ 201-368-1866 Edward Di Geronimo Jr. -- NEW YORK ------------------------------------------------------------- B Asgard.TW BBS West Islip NY 516-422-4225 Tom Pemberton F Generation X Rochester NY 716-647-6960 Eric Sears F X-Mansion BBS Astoria NY 718-204-0159 Benny Powell F Starbase : Red Dwarf Saugerties NY 914-247-9601 John Dragun B Gotham City BBS Spring Valley NY 914-426-3029 Gerald Schranz F Di Vermiis Mysteriis Poughkeepsie NY 914-485-5463 Thomas Morton -- NORTH CAROLINA ------------------------------------------------------- F Electronic Hangover Durham NC 919-286-4542 Richard Lee F Psychotronic Durham NC 919-286-7738 Richard Lee F* TI-Raliegh Maximus Raliegh NC 919-833-3412 Walter Tietjen F Crystal Winds Raliegh NC 919-790-3599 Mike Gurkin -- OKLAHOMA ------------------------------------------------------------- F Lets PC BBS Oklahoma City OK 405-672-0615 Hyun Nam F Snart's Dreamland Collinsville OK 918-371-0980 Jeff Bennett -- PENNSYLVANIA --------------------------------------------------------- F Comic Book Board Philadelphia PA 215-365-5225 William Horton Q 3-4-2 LEVI Online Philadelphia PA 215-342-5384 Leo Keil F Dark Lands Philadelphia PA 215-487-7315 Chris Ford F The Malverne BBS Eddystone PA 610-872-2830 Raymond Jones -- TENNESSEE ------------------------------------------------------------ F The Factory BBS Union City TN 901-885-9647 Rick Brewer -- TEXAS ---------------------------------------------------------------- Q Way Out There Dallas TX 214-680-2755 Justin Pasher F House Atreides Garland TX 214-494-3702 Wayne LeMonds F The Chess Board Grand Prairie TX 214-641-1136 Ken Givens B* FIAWOL/MSConnections Irving TX 214-790-6472 Bobb Waller F Star Streams Waxahachie TX 214-938-7115 Michael Rudolf F* The RASTER Line Houston TX 713-568-0825 Jeff Watts F The Dream Sequence Missouri City TX 713-835-0965 Biju Mathai F Young Blood Killeen TX 817-699-2254 T.J. Gohl F Orion BBS Odessa TX 915-530-2712 Dennis Brown -- VIRGINIA ------------------------------------------------------------- B Crystal Aerie Arlington VA 703-415-0134 Spencer Greenwald -- WASHINGTON ----------------------------------------------------------- F* Longview On-Line! Longview WA 206-577-7358 Jeanne Lejon -- ONTARIO, CANADA ------------------------------------------------------ F Dark Knight BBS London ONT 519-850-9929 Michael Cross F MACH 1 BBS London ONT 519-457-6771 Tomasz Heiber F The Outpost BBS St. Mary ONT 519-284-0223 Murray Atthill F Snake Pit BBS Tecumseh ONT 519-979-4251 Mark Godard F Gananoque System's BBS Gananoque ONT 613-382-1788 Mike Serson -- MEXICO --------------------------------------------------------------- B* The Gate BBS Mexico City 52-5-264-2994 Emilio Karam - From USA, dial international-access 011 then 52-5-264-2994# ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [12] CBN E-Mag Info The Comic Book Net E-Mag is published weekly by the many participants of The Comic Book Network. This is a compilation of articles and columns which were originally posted in the network's conferences or written specifically for this electronic magazine. All text contained within are copyrighted to the originating author(s). Freely distributable for noncommerical purposes only. THE CBN WEB PAGE ---------------- If you have access to the World Wide Web, please stop by and visit our web page! On our web page, you can find the latest issue of our E-Mag, as well as an annotated index of back issues. You'll also find important information on how to join the conversation in the Comic Book Net, an archive of Comic Book Net fanfic, and other neat features! The URL address is: http://www.cris.com/~Xenozoid/ComicBkNet.html LOCATING THE ISSUES ------------------- The latest issue is always available from all the systems linked into The Comic Book Network. Issues may be obtained through several online pay services as well (ie; AOL, CompuServe, GEnie). All back issues should be available at the above sites, as well as our World Wide Web page. SUBMISSIONS ----------- To submit an article, review, column, etc to our e-mag, simply post it in any Comic Book Net conference and leave me a message in the CBN: E-Mag conference giving me permission to use the article. If you cannot access the Comic Book Net, submit your news articles (no reviews accepted at this time...) to the editor: Xenozoid@cris.com. SUBSCRIPTIONS ------------- If you wish to receive these issues automatically through your internet account, please address a message to Xenozoid@cris.com to be placed on the subscription list. ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - End of Issue #40.. see ya next week!