------------------------------------------------------------------------ THE COMIC BOOK NET ELECTRONIC MAGAZINE - ISSUE NUMBER 52 ________________________________________________________________________ World Wide Web Page------>> http://members.aol.com/ComicBkNet ------------------------------------------------------------------------- o \o/ _ o _| \ / |_ o_ \o/ o /|\ | /\ _\o \o | o/ O/_ /\ | /|\ / \ / \ |\ /) | ( \ /o\ / ) | (\ / | / \ / \ This publication is brought to you by the members of the premiere BBS network for the discussion of comics books and the people who create them, The ComicBook Network!!! Edited by: David LeBlanc [ComicBkNet@aol.com] ------------------------------------------------------------------------- The ComicBook Network was founded by Ed Dukeshire and Mike Imboden ------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you wish to receive these issues automatically through your internet account, please address a message to ComicBkNet@aol.com to be placed on the subscription list. ________________________________________________________________________ T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [1] On the Net ............................ David LeBlanc [2] Letters to the Editor ................. Your Page! TRIVIA CONTEST......................... Guesses & Answers [3] CBN Insider ........................... News, gossip, & rumors. [4] Suspended Animation ................... Michael Vance [5] Reviews: Copy Book Tales/Moot Comics... David LeBlanc [6] Keady's Komic Komments ................ John Keady [7] Some Stuff ............................ Nathan Bredfeldt [8] New Comics Shipping 4/2/96 ........... Bobb Waller [A] How to join ComicBook Network.......... BBS 101 [B] BBSes Linked into CBN.................. CBN node list [C] E-Mag Info: Submissions, Subscriptions, Back Issues, Copyrights ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [1] On the Net by David LeBlanc This is a good news/bad news week for the members of The Comic Book Net. (Remember them? They are the guys who own this rag! :) ) The good news is: SysOp Bobb Waller has overcome high fever and Windows 95 to once again inform us what will be on the racks when we visit the stores next week. The bad news is: The CBN SupeHub has died, and won't be back anytime soon. Those BBS members who got the network conferences from Mike's BBS will have to once again establish an alternate feed. The good news is: Network Moderator Bill Hughes is taking up the slack and will have another BBS in Maryland real soon. The bad news is Rod Liefeld's Captain America is on the cover of the new Wizard! The good news is the "alternate" cover is DC's "Kingdom Come" by Alex Ross! The Bad News is in June Batman 700 begins *yet another* multi-part crossover story which will screw up the only related book I read, Robin (in related bad news, Denny O'neil has NOT retired yet) The good news is Ed Dukeshire, co-founder of the Comic Book Network, reports progress on a new BBS he is setting up and we may soon have even better ties to Internet access for CBN. The bad news is Wayne Bertsch, moderator of FIDO COMICS, has decided to resign early and has called for new elections this spring. The good news (or bad, depending on your point of view) is, um, yours truly is the co-moderator of FIDO COMICS. The bad news is Bruiser #1 did not come out this week, at least not to my area! The good news is Sandman #75 finally did. The best news is we have another fine issue for you this week with regulars Michael Vance and Nathan Bredfeldt once again sharing their thoughts. John Keady has some kosmic Komic Komments for the week. I round out the reviews with a look at a couple of worthy efforts in the mini- comic arena; Moot Comics and Copy Book Tales. Oh and some interesting letters and a trivia response that was 100% correct this week! Check it out, and then send us some Email. Yes even *you* can get your name in our noozpaypa! David LeBlanc [ComicBkNet@aol.com] Editor The Comic Book Net E-Mag ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [2] Letters to the Editor If you want to comment on this or any previous issue, want to offer something for us to publish, or just want to shamelessly suck up to the editor to try and get your name in print send Email to: ComicBkNet@aol.com Note: letters of comment may be used in future issues of the CBN E-Mag unless you specifically request us NOT to use them. +++++ From: Michael Rizzo Date: Sat, 23 Mar 1996 19:01:36 -0500 Nice little mag you've got. I don't know how many of your readers have ever heard of COMX-TV before, but I wouldn't mind if you dropped a line in about us. We have been airing in the Buffalo, NY area for 3 years. We aired in Manhattan for a year, and in Dallas for a few months. We currently also air in Utica, NY. COMX-TV is the weekly television show of the comic book world. News, reviews, interviews, and more make up each week's show. We've interviewed the likes of Dave Sim and Jim Lee, and Joe Sinnott and Graham Nolan, along with many others. COMX-TV was born to be a show where fans had a say. We review mini comics, independents and all the big ones. No one is too small or too big. We have a great fan following and were mentioned in Paul Pope's great book _THB_. A friend and contributor to the show is Bill Jankowski, who puts out Danger Comics. He has seen some of his work in Caliber Comics as of late. We have been pushing our show to the limits based on our resources and we are just about ready to push for the big time. If any of your readers, or yourself, are interested in helping push our show in their part of the country, we'll do all we can. A show like ours will never be a multi-million dollar money machine, simply because the comic market is so small. We hope to make it a little more recognizable with our show, and have some fun along the way. That's why i am asking for readers support. If anyone wants to contact me directly, they can. Or a group effort can be launched with local stores. Let's toss some ideas around. As an incentive, we have a ton of books we've reviewed that can be divvied up in a giveaway. Let me know. Best Wishes, Mike Rizzo, Producer [Boy, don't I wish we could get a local show like this in our area. Seems like the local cable companies idea of channels to add next month are the ever popular; American Health Network, The Home & Garden Channel, The History Channel, and a UHF station from Derry NH, about 50 miles from here. HEY GUYS! WAKE UP! Ever hear of the SCI FI Channel, or even the Cartoon Network? Sorry, just venting. This is some cruel April Fools joke since that is the day it starts. Well I may have a few things up my sleeve as far as new and exciting things for April, but I can't mention details right now. Anyway, good luck with your efforts, hope it hits the big time! - D.L.] Subj: Bad Girls Column Date: 96-03-23 13:56:34 EST From: mitchell.rabinowitz@compudata.com (MITCHELL RABINOWITZ) In response to a column that Nate Bredfelt wrote about the whole Bad Girls thing, I'd just like to say how much I agree with him. Also, he mentioned London Night Studios as one of the problems. I looked in the May issue of previews (Vol. VI, no.3), and on page 204, there is London night studios, running the same $10.00/$3.00 deal that they did a few months ago (With their Tommi Gunn: Digital Meltdown #1). I think this should be moved to their adult Supplement also. Just my $0.02. Mitchell [My own 2 cents, I don't mind scantily clad females, if the story is intelligent and the characters are believable. That cuts out about 96% of the *bad girl* comics IMHO. SINNAMON is one I read regularly and Fatale is ok too. I don't buy pinup books, lingerie or swimsuit editions and if i want naked for naked's sake, I'll take Nate's advise and get a mag with well done photography of the real thing. DL] [TRIVIA CONTEST] Not too many guesses this week, and all of them were correct, so in reverse order; Date: 96-03-28 00:37:53 EST From: BradW8 >> THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: >> Who is the grandson of Flash's foe, Gorilla Grodd? I KNOW THIS ONE!!! Sam Simian, of "Angel & the Ape." Actually the Grodd connection is a retcon invented by Phil Foglio. The original A&A were Sam Simian, an ape who grunted ape talk and walked among humans too self-absorbed to notice he was dragging his knuckles, and Angel O'Day, a light blonde detective so blase about violence she often seemed rather stupid -- but she really wasn't. (Most of the time. Some of her later writers made her a genuine dumb blonde. Don't get me started on SHOWCASE #100...) Phil Foglio knitted the characters into the DC Universe. Sam's Gorilla City heritage was used to explain how he could speak human (which he couldn't before) and appear human (Which he couldn't before). That, coupled with Angel's new intensity, made these two different characters. Besides the Grodd-Sam connection, he made Angel the half-sister of Athena Tremor, Dumb Bunny of the Inferior Five. The three-issue mini-series also roped in the Green Glob from TALES OF THE UNEXCEPTIONAL -- Uh, UNEXPECTED. I ran into Phil at last year's San Diego Con and asked him, "You've done STANLEY & HIS MONSTER and ANGEL & THE APE -- what are you going to do about Super-Hip?" "Close my eyes and hope it goes away!" ----- Date: 96-03-25 03:16:27 EST From: smiv@primenet.com (Jim Murdoch) Sam Simeon, Ape from Angel and the Ape, as revealed by Phil Foglio in the A&tA miniseries. Jim, Master of Comics smiv@primenet.com Order The New GARDE from Artistic Productions Shipping May 1996 ----- Date: 96-03-24 23:40:40 EST From: stopper@ix.netcom.com (Steven Topper) The answer to your question is Sam Simian from "The Angel and the Ape" mini-series by Phil Foglio a year or so back. Thanks for continuing the good work on the emag. It's one of the first hits I go to whenever I get ont he Internet. Thanks again. Steve Topper ----- Date: 96-03-23 09:35:34 EST From: gerbil@aztec.asu.edu (KEITH OBRIEN) To: ComicBkNet@aol.com Sheesh! Sending the mag out under YOUR name, but making us reply to the CBN address! It's so much easier to just (R)eply rather than wear our fingers off typing out the new e-mail address. Which admittedly is shorter than this tirade... =/ Sam from Angel & The Ape is the trivia answer. Keith O'Brien [Keith was first so he wins the CHEEZY PRIZE (tm). AND he makes a valid point. In trying to judge fairly, by having all entries go to the same place I may have made it more difficult to respond. I certainly don't want to discourage participation so I will open it up once again to replies to the Emag Mailer address at Netcom.] +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION: DC says it only once shipped a comic to both newsstands and Direct distributors without a cover price, by accident. It was an issue of what series? IMPORTANT RULES NOTICE: The first correct answer to reach the editor will win the CHEEZY PRIZE (tm). The editor will be the sole judge as to which guess arrived first! Please be sporting and send only one guess at a time. LIMIT: ONE PRIZE PER MONTH PER PERSON! Submit your own trivia and win the CHEEZY PRIZE(tm) if you stump the subscribers! ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [3] CBN Insider - News, gossip and rumors from around the industry Variety reports that Lois & Clark, The New Adventure of Superman has been renewed for a fourth season! +++++ I have been informed that the guess I made about who would be writing a Vampirella mini-series, Barry Windsor Smith, is incorrect. I guess it is someone else who has "ruined" a bunch of comics (that was the clue)! Let's see, who wrote that _RUINS_ for Marvel? Warren Ellis? :) +++++ 3/27 (from Elliot Blair Smith of the Orange County Register, CA) Mighty Asterix is coming to the US in the form of animated videos, computer games comics and squeezable stuffed toys. The launch is characterized as being, low level, word-of-mouth. In Europe the licensing rights are worth more than $100 million a year. There is even an Asterix amusement park near Paris that draws two million visitors a year. The blond, mustachioed Asterix -- who resembles an undersize Viking -- is defended by his querulous canine Dogmatix, overweight sidekick Obelisk, village elder Arthritix and local lecher Geriatrix, among others. But these bulbous-nosed characters are distinctly European, steeped in the dual histories of ancient Gaul, circa 50 B.C., and post-World War II France (hence the double-entendres so appreciated by nearly 300 million readers of Asterix comic books). "Much of the wit is lost when translated from French or German into English," acknowledges German plush-toy manufacturer Michael Muhleck. Moreover, Asterix's creators -- color-blind French artist Albert Uderzo, 68, and the late writer Rene Goscinny -- completed most of their stories in the '60s and '70s. Even by ancient Gaul's standards, the characters are getting long in the tooth, like the white-whiskered Getafix who mixes village potions. +++++ Antarctic Press to publish HEPCATS! Yes, the rumors are true. Antarctic Press is pleased to announce that we will be publishing Martin Wagner's popular comic series HEPCATS beginning in November 1996. All twelve issues published by Double Diamond Press will be republished, with new material, on a monthly basis. Also, Antarctic Press will be publishing future issues of the series as well. - Matthew High, Antarctic Press +++++ 3/29 - VARIETY - New Line Cinema confirmed that they are developing a movie with Rob Liefeld for his "AVENGELYNE" character. There is no indication of actors or writer yet. +++++ Alan Moore takes over Supreme with #41. The blurb on Heroes Illustrated said he was trying to put some of the magic back into comic characters that seem to be missing since his "Watchmen" story came out. +++++ From this week's CSNsider in Comic Shop News #458; lots of stuff you know already plus...MainBrain Productions, Chris Ulm and Tom Mason's new company, has signed on long time MALIBU editor Dan Danko to help develop their first comic offering code named "Pacific". . .Knight-Ridder News Service reports Steven Grant's "ENEMY" will definitely be part of FOX's Fall tv season, possibly as part of the Friday Night lineup. . . .Penthouse Comix is moving away from "adult" comics and will attempt to reach a broader (no pun intended I think) audience with well crafted tales for "mature" readers. . . . Donruss has signed to produce Simpsons Trading Cards with the first set out for Halloween. . . there is an original two page SUPERMAN comic spread in the latest LANDS END catalogue. . . 12" GI JOE dolls will be relaunched by Hasbro later this year with 28 points of articulation. . TMNT starts a series at Image in June. +++++ This release just in our mail today: Coming Soon . . . The Independent Universe Collector Card Set Series Two They're at it again.... Due to the overwhelming response received by the first series and numerous requests from publishers who did not appear in our first set....Dilemma Productions is proud to announce the second coming of an exciting new universe in collectable cards which will be available in the summer of 1996, the Independent Universe Series II. Still one of the largest cooperative efforts among small independent publishers. In this second series you will see characters new to the Independent Universe along with the return of some of the publishers from series one. From the pages of your favorite Independent Comics numerous publishers have joined together to bring you an outstanding set of cards. You'll see fabulous artwork with exciting characters like: A-Girl, Bloodshed, Bru-hed, Capt. Jolly, Dark Muse, Flying Girl, The Nailer, Primitives, Rib, Section 12, and many many more!!! This unique card set contains original _Independent Universe Collector Cards_ using powerful black & white and vibrant full color images printed on a glossy stock. All sets are handsomely packaged in a clear plastic collector's box, and each contains a special "Gold Foil" subset. For more info contact: Dilemma Productions PO Box 803 Easthampton, Ma 01027 or email LMihalovic@aol.com +++++ Finally: The rumor that won't die. Remember those secret meetings I told you about last time? Latest spin is that that exclusive distributor went belly up and that publisher will soon be exclusive with the "we try harder" of the big two. Unsubstantiated, and challenged by those whose contacts say they have not heard anything yet. Stay tuned! ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [4] SUSPENDED ANIMATION by Michael Vance Grimm, indeed. Those whining about violence in Disney's homogenized, pasteurized and animated versions of folk tales will shudder at the original German stories gathered by Wilhelm and Jakob Grimm. First published in 1812, they reek of intended cannibalism, stabbing, hangings, strangulation and poisoning. And that's just in "Little Snow White"! These will be silly shudders of course. This collection of Grimm tales adapts "Little Snow White", "The Shoemaker and the Elves" and "The Three Sluggards". The first is universally known; the second story of elves stitching shoes for a poor cobbler and his wife is almost as recognizable. The third story of three sons vying for their father's crown by bragging about their laziness is a rare tidbit, and only one page of FAIRY TALES of the BROTHERS GRIMM. These adaptions remain true to the originals; each is a morality play for adults and children. The personalities of the Grimm Brothers' characters were and are wonderfully full and brief, and did much to stereotype our current images of princes, princesses, kings and witches. And wisely, most of the violence is distanced in the telling. Packaged like a children's book, this collection uses the visual techniques of comic books, including panels and dialog balloons. Its art is richly detailed, stylized and entertaining. It's a shame many adults will shun it, as they will, thinking that reading about violence will turn angels into demons. Put the silly shudders aside. Men are susceptible to temptation, not programmed like computers. Simply reading bad things doesn't make us bad, or reading good things make us angels. Recommended. FAIRY TALES of the BROTHERS GRIMM/48 pgs., $15.95, NBM/ adapted by Doug Wheeler; art by David Wenzel/ available in comics shops and by mail. MINIVIEW: NOSFERATU [Caliber Press]. An intriguing adaption of the first vampire movie, it suffers _slightly_ from an abstract, brightly painted art lacking the moody atmosphere of the silent, German adaption of the novel DRACULA. (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.) ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [5] Reviews - Mini Comics by David LeBlanc MOOT COMICS & COPYBOOK TALES What is a mini comic? It is about 4 pages of comic art, folded in half and stapled together in book form. It is the simplest form of comic book available, and certainly the least expensive with some issues given freely and others from $.25 to about $.75 each. They are often hard to find, sometimes only available by mail. Traveling as I do on business, I have found very few comic specialty shops that bother to give them any shelf space. But, this is the most basic form of comic book you will find, and like other forms, there are varied degrees of quality. I am fortunate to get to sample some things contributed for consideration and this week two sets of mini comics showed up in the mail box. MOOT COMICS Moot comics are from Brian Kirk, Jeff Patterson, and Carolyn Faille. The sample I got was Blue Rat and Slip & Smitty #2, both creations of Brian Kirk. I didn't care all that much for Blue Rat, a misnomer since it is a black & white comic and too brief to judge fairly. The art however is delightful and reminiscent of some of the simpler underground comix of the sixties. Slip & Smitty is a real gem. The two little guys share some neat little adventures, in this case in time travel, and the meaning of the Stonehenge. This is the essence of what mini comics are about. No long introductions or exposition, just a premise, the ensuing action, and resolution. Very simple and done with a wonderful sense of humor. A three page back up, Asinine Head rounds out the issue with the same style and humor. Brian also sent along the MOOT spring catalogue, which itself has a 2 page Slip and Smitty gem, as well as listing for all the offerings with names such as Botticelli, Dr. Pain, Dangernauts, and others all at prices you can't resist. Want to know more? Write to Brian Kirk - MOOT COMICS 93 Sunapee St. Springfield, MA 01108 And if you take my word for it, send him a buck and ask for samples, you will enjoy it! COPYBOOK TALES The other batch that came in the mail was issues 1-5 of Copybook Tales by Joseph Torres and Tim Levins. They are traditional 8 page stories with illustrated covers as well. It took me a while to catch on to the set up. Jamie and Thatcher are working on publishing a comic book, and up to this point have not had much success. Mixed in we have the "copybook tales" which are from a journal Jamie kept as a high school student in 1985. These are wonderful little stories that bring back the memories of fast friendships we all form at those carefree times that are all too short. The comedy is delightful, like the night at the friend's whose parents are away, or the pranks and food fights nearly all can relate to. What makes them even more fun is the main characters are into comics so it plays on the hobby and it's quirks and even the related interests like tv shows and cartoons both back then and now. There is really an awful lot packed into just eight pages, and it is over too soon. This self published effort is $.75 per issue and goes under the banner of: TRUE PATRIOT STUDIOS 305-6 Assiniboine Road North York, Ontario CANADA M3J 1L3 Now for the latest news: Look for the solicitation for The Copybook Tales #1 in May catalogs for an early to mid-July release from Slave Labor Graphics. And, in case you did not make the connection, Joseph Torres made his CBEM debut in our last issue with his RECOMMENDED READING column, a welcome edition to our contributing columnists. ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [6] Keady's Komic Komments by John Keady Not a bad week in comicdom this week. Most of the stuff I read was pretty good! Action Comics #721- Metropolis's run of good luck suddenly turns sour as the force behind the strange luck comes foreward in one of the more hilarious endings to a comic I've seen in a long time! The tension between Lois & Clark make me feel uncomfortable seeing all the bad feeling. They've really played this out realistically and hope the things are resolved for the better soon! Azrael #17- In an effort to control the rage within him, Azrael turns to a controversial doctor to help control the demons within. Meanwhile, Sister Lilhy continues her exploration of her feminine side as she encounters some of the more creepy type of guy at a pool hall. I'd like to see the book pick up the pace a little but it's still a wonderful read and the characterization is among the best in comics today! Green Arrow #108- Interesting....a Green Arrow comic without it's main star through most of it. The story focuses on Thorn and Eddie and their connection to the crime syndicate. We do get some insights as to Connor's family and the interesting mix of heritages that flow through him. He is truly a multi- ethnic individual! I think this book is the best that Chuck Dixon writes. He seems to have found a perfect vehicle for his writing style! Gal Gardner #42- That's right! GAL Gardner. Dementor has played the cruelest trick on our hero as he is forced to find his more feminine side! :) Other than this interesting premise, the story has the feel of a book trying to wrap up a bunch of stories, which it is due to its cancellation! ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [7] SOME STUFF by Nathan Bredfeldt I confess. I really liked venting my feelings about Dark Horse (in CBEM #59). And, since I got no mail calling me a crazy maggot for insulting Dark Horse so severely, I thought I'd take the opportunity to vent my severe upsettedness at another company: DC. First the bad stuff, and once I get that off my chest, I'll probably feel better, and list some great things about DC (I have to be a little objective, you know...) The things about DC that bug me: Exclusivity. But, I'm disappointed in everyone that went exclusive with any company. First of all, DC has this misconception that if they drop poorly selling titles, and make a few changes then reintroduce, everything will be ok. This is a good theory, but as DC practices it, it falls short. For example, I am glad that The New Titans is getting help (after about 100 it just got BAD), but putting Dan Jurgens in charge, and filling the team with new characters is not the best of moves (George Perez on art should be good...but he never stays long). Same with Justice League. Three books aren't selling, so they are cutting it back to one. A good plan (and I can't wait to see Grant Morrison at the helm), but this will either leave a lot of good characters homeless, or make the JLA into a 42 character team. Either way, we readers lose. (On the other hand, two JL team books would be perfect!) DC also has this horrible knack for ruining perfectly good characters. Firestorm was once a good, respectable hero; now he's a stupid drunkard punk. Atom was the same way, until Zero Hour turned him into yet another teenage angst machine. And, they KILLED poor old Captain Boomerang! Plus, Hal Jordan is still Parallax (I hate the way they treat him!) I'm mightily pissed about the poor art, low page count, and high price of the NINE PRINCES IN AMBER adaptation; and it's still six weeks off! Talk about getting off to a bad start... Oh, about really late stuff like Sandman 75. I think DC is being too lax about solicitations. I mean, should they really solicit a book that is so far from completion that it still isn't out six weeks after it's scheduled ship date? Oh, and I really admire Byrne as one of the great (if a bit slow paced) writers in the industry. That being said, he really needs to get either a new penciller or inker for Wonder Woman. Anyway, I'm starting to nit pick. Let's see what kind of good stuff I can come up with... Despite its flaws, DC manages to put out some of the best comics you can find. Starman is a good read every month; and Batman and Robin Adventures is consistently a fun, lighthearted read. (Superman could use an out of continuity book like this...no way I'm spending $8-10 a month on his books when I can see Superman on TV. $2, on the other hand...) Underworld Unleashed managed to renew my faith in big crossover stories. I came away from every issue with a smile (except the first one, where they killed Captain Boomerang), and didn't have to buy a single crossover title to follow the story! (Though I would like to know what deal Ray made with Necron) This year's big crossover bonanza, Kingdom Come, looks extra cool. The promo art looks better than the art from Marvels (Ross must be practicing), and Waid's record speaks for itself. It should be well worth the $5. Low cover prices make for a nice company, as well. With most books under $2.50, and some below ever $2, it is very easy (and not as risky) to try new stuff. A definite plus for those of us with comic wanderlust. Well, that's about it for DC. You might have noticed that I didn't mention Milestone. Well, they've been getting on my nerves since Hardware #1 (especially with the brutal cancellation of Blood Syndicate), but I'm saving them for a future Some Stuff, where I have room to look at them as a whole. Next Week: If I have all these companies so much (and don't get me started on Big, Acclaim, and Marvel), why do I keep reading comics? Next time, I'm going to list ten things I really like about the industry, or just comic books in general...(I better start thinking...this is gonna take a while...) ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [8] New Comics Shipping 4/2/96 by Bobb Waller Well I guess Win 95 isn't as bad as everyone says. At least I get to post this weeks list: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Archie Comics: Betty #38 Betty & Veronica Dbl. Digest #58 Art & Soul Comics: Tug & Buster #3 Big Entertainment: Lady Justice #11 Bongo Comics: Simpsons Comics #18 Chaos! Comics: Lady Death The Odyssey #1 Cosmic Comics: Rock N Roll High School #2 Crusade Comics: Horseman #1 Shi #7 Tomoe #2 Dark Horse Comics: Legend of Mother Sarah City of... Sin City:TYB #3 X #25 DC Comics: Batman:B&W #1 Batman:SOTB #51 Books of magic:Summonings TP Green Lantern #74 Hawkman #32 Hitman #2 Justice League America #111 Power of Shazam #15 Preacher #14 Seekers Into the Mystery #5 Showcase 96 #5 Sovereign Seven #11 Starman #19 Steel #27 Superman #112 Superman/Batman Alternate Histories Delta Comics Publishing: Big Time #1 Diamond Publications: Diamond Dialogue Fiasco Comics: Megaton Man vs. Forbidden Frankenstein Fireman Press: La Cosa Nostroid #1 Full Breed Studios: Pitt TP Horse Press: Buzz Buzz Comics Magazine #1 Image Comics: Crush #5 Cyberforce #21 Defcon 4 #2 Glory Lingerie Issue #1 Grifter/Shi #1 Maxx #23 New Man #2 New Shadowhawk #7 Newmen TP Prophet #5 Spawn #45 Supreme #36 Team 7 III Dead Reckoning #3 Weapon Zero #3 Witchblade #5 Marvel Comics: Cable #32 2099 Boxed Set Uncanny X-Men #333 Spider-Man 2099 #44 X-Men Prime Boxed Set Avengers Unplugged #5 Conan # 11 Captain America #452 Ren & Stimpy #43 Sergio Massacres Marvel # 1 Daredevil #353 Sensational Spider-Man #5 Prime #7 Advs. of Cyclops/Phoenix Boxed Set Maximum Comic Press: Oz Squad #10 Slave Labor Graphics: Skelton Key #9 ============================================================================= See ya in 7, On the Spinners! * Origin: FIAWOL/MSConnections * PP288MT II V.34 * 214-790-6472 * (23:203/4) ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [A] How to join the COMIC BOOK NETWORK (CBN) You too can enjoy the intelligent conversations and informative threads that occur in 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 continent and the world, 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 conversation, collecting, gaming and other forms of entertainment. 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 explanation in their documentation than I can. These programs are available all over the Internet and are free to download from most BBS's. I recommend SLMR or OLX-TD for DOS to get started. 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? There are 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! ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [B] 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 Conway PC Users Conway AR 501-329-7227 Tim Stone -- CALIFORNIA ----------------------------------------------------------- Q Freedom Flight Victorville CA 619-955-6445 Ronald Siodla Electronic RPO Newbury Park CA 805-498-8061 Kelly Cruise -- FLORIDA -------------------------------------------------------------- F Never Never Land Melbourne FL 407-253-8754 Wayne Bell Steel Dog Cafe Destin FL 904-654-1631 Keith Schultz Ghost's Realm Crestview FL 904-689-6664 Kie Dorton -- ILLINOIS ------------------------------------------------------------- F The Chess Board Grand Prairie TX 214-641-1136 Ken Givens -- INDIANA -------------------------------------------------------------- F The CyberSpace BBS Indianapolis IN 317-856-9020 Charlie Smith -- KENTUCKY ------------------------------------------------------------- Lex Corp Georgetown KY 502-867-0992 -- MARYLAND ------------------------------------------------------------- F The Vampyre Bar! Frederick MD 301-698-5194 Darryl Pierce F DataStorm Kettering MD 301-390-5243 Tarek Gordan F Bifrost Mount Rainier MD 301-779-9381 Kevin Carlin F Womens World East BBS Silver Spring MD 301-431-0647 Wendy Dumser F Sherata's Realm Mechanicsville MD 301-884-9732 Linda Peek -- MASSACHUSETTS -------------------------------------------------------- F Archives BBS Acushnet MA 508-995-0085 John Viera F Muskrat & Heatwave New Bedford MA 508-984-5321 Dennis Racine 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 -------------------------------------------------------- Venom's World Rollinsford, NH 603-743-4188 Ira Locke -- NEW JERSEY ----------------------------------------------------------- Phoenix Modernz Systems Seaside Hts. NJ 908-830-8265 -- NEW YORK ------------------------------------------------------------- Asgard TW BBS West Islip NY 516-422-4225 Tom Pemberton Interzone BBS Long Is. City NY 718-786-5557 Jim Garvin F Starbase : Red Dwarf Saugerties NY 914-247-9601 John Dragun -- 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 F Federal Post Spring Lake NC 910-436-2055 Frank Koza -- OKLAHOMA ------------------------------------------------------------- Compumate Tulsa OK 918-628-0887 Danny Pelletier F Snart's Dreamland Collinsville OK 918-371-0980 Jeff Bennett F The Dreaming World Broken Arrow OK 918-451-3056 Greg Adkins -- PENNSYLVANIA --------------------------------------------------------- F Comic Book Board Philadelphia PA 215-365-5225 William Horton -- TENNESSEE ------------------------------------------------------------ The Factory BBS Union City TN 901-885-9647 -- TEXAS ---------------------------------------------------------------- F Razor's Domain ][ Edinburg TX 210-631-5159 Kevin Nunn Q Way Out There Dallas TX 214-680-2755 Justin Pasher 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 -- VIRGINIA ------------------------------------------------------------- B Crystal Aerie Arlington VA 703-415-0134 Spencer Greenwald -- WASHINGTON ----------------------------------------------------------- -- ONTARIO, CANADA ------------------------------------------------------ F Dark Knight BBS London ONT 519-850-9929 Michael Cross F MACH 1 BBS London ONT 519-457-6771 Tomasz Heiber Stargate:Above & BeyondLondon ONT 519-472-4938 Paul Nicholas -- MEXICO --------------------------------------------------------------- B* The Gate BBS Mexico City 52-5-264-2994 Emilio Karam - From USA, dial international-access 011 then 52-5-264-2994# ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [C] E-Mag Info The Comic Book Net E-Mag is published 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. Some articles are independent of any connection with CBN and are used with permission. All text contained within is copyrighted to the originating author(s). Opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Editor, the Network Administration Team or the members and users of The Comic Book Network. Except where elsewhere noted, The Comic Book Network Electronic Magazine is Copyright 1996 by the Comic Book Network. You may freely distribute or duplicate this file intact without alteration for noncommercial purposes only. Please do not distribute except as the complete file as originally transmitted by The Comic Book Network. 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 and all back issues. You'll also find important information on how to join the conversation in the Comic Book Net, and other neat features like newly release comic book graphics, links to lists of Comic Book Company addresses, Comic Professionals Email addresses, and other Comic Book related Web pages! The URL address is: http://members.aol.com/ComicBkNet LOCATING THE ISSUES ------------------- The latest issue is always available from all the systems linked into The Comic Book Network. You can also find the back issues at America Online, by going to Keyword: Science Fiction, scrolling to the menu item _Comic Book Forum_ and then going to the _Comics Library_ from there. Most issues should also be available on Compuserve, Genie, Channel1 BBS and Software Creations BBS as well as other non CBN affiliated Bulletin Board Systems. 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 articles for consideration to the editor at: ComicBkNet@aol.com Reviews of mainstream books are least likely to get included when submitted from sources outside of CBN. We give more consideration to reviews of indies and self published material as we feel that material deserves more exposure to the general public. Commentary on the state of the industry, and personal observations and reflections related to comics are *most* likely to be included in our publication. We also accept product for review purposes. Advanced copies of comic books will not be returned but anything sent to us will be reviewed in the ComicBook Net Emag. Send all material to: David L. LeBlanc 84 Heather Circle Jefferson, MA 01522 SUBSCRIPTIONS ------------- If you wish to receive these issues automatically through your internet account, please address a message to ComicBkNet@aol.com to be placed on the subscription list. ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - End of another Issue .. see ya in the funny papers!! COMICS: They aren't just for fat ageing hippies anymore!