------------------------------------------------------------------------ THE COMIC BOOK NET ELECTRONIC MAGAZINE - ISSUE NUMBER 65 ________________________________________________________________________ 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 each issue automatically through your Email 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] Wizard Fan Awards...................... Wizard Online [5] Valiant Heroes Lineup.................. Karl Kindt IV [6] CBG Fan Awards Winners ................ Johanna Draper [7] Recommended Reading ................... Justin Steiner [8] Marvel signs with FOX ................. PRNewswire [9] New Comics Shipping 7/2/96 ........... 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 week has a couple of "FAN" award results for you to review. The first is the "Wizard Fan Awards" determined by mail in ballots by readers of Wizard, The Guide to Comics; and the second is the "Comic Buyer's Guide Fan Awards" another mail in contest but this ballot is distributed to a much wider audience since it is printed not only in CBG but in every major comic book company's comics for several months. The results of these "fan" awards are often hailed, reviled, or ignored depending on your disposition toward them. Here is the opinions and observations of your humble editor. First and foremost we must understand that these are popularity contests and anyone who points to them and says, "see she won the award so she is the best" or some similar exclamation, does not understand it is not purely quality that wins but the devotion of the fans that puts things in first place. There may be just as many fans of Kurt Busiek, or Mark Waid but if they don't take the time to send in a ballot then all X-fans who place more importance in such a straw poll will put Scott Lobdell in first. Not to put down Scott for winning a fan contest, but he is not in the first string when it comes to writing, IMHO, he just has more passionate fans. There is a distinction between Fan awards and industry awards. Even Industry awards are skewed by the voters. The Diamond Gem awards are voted on by retailers and tend to pick things that were successful money wise for the dealer. While the Eisner's, with lots of creators voting, point to the artistic merit more than popularity of commercial success. Second, in some cases, you must understand the sponsor of the award and take into account their influence on the outcome. I have already noted the Diamond awards and to an even greater degree I see this is the problem (that is as being an objective vote) with the Wizard awards. The voters are readers of the mag which overall caters to the heavy buyers of advertising in the mag. The readers tend to be those who are also fans of those same companies, so it is no surprise that the bulk of the awards go to two companies, the same two that heavily advertise in Wizard and draw their fans to buy Wizard and then those ardent fans lock up the major categories for the most part. Third, since these are mail in, and anyone can vote there is always a chance for ballot stuffing or downright cheating. Look at the CBG award list. 8 out of the 14 winners are related to Gladstone's Disney Comics, including *all* the major awards (except editor), writer, penciller, inker, letterer, story, book, & character. Did they really get out the vote this year after so many years of not being in the running? Perhaps. Did some one or some group flood CBG with lots of bogus ballots in an elaborate scheme to at last get this stuff recognized? It is after all possible. I don't believe CBG itself is involved in any such scheme if there even is one. It is just incredibly out of the blue for such a sweep to occur. It raises the eyebrows of more than one fan of these awards. Oh well, in just another week the San Diego Convention will be going on and yet another list of awards will be announced. I suggest if you are looking to expand your reading list that you choose from any of the nominees of the Eisner Awards. Most of those being considered deserve to be there because they are good, period. Lots of them have many devoted fans as well, who would also tell you to give them a try. Just remember, this time, like the academy awards, it is the professionals themselves who will be picking the *best* of the best. Final note: I have included some information from Steve Gerber that is sure to delight fans of his "Howard the Duck" series. If you go to that URL, which I have added to our own LINKS page, you can also download the script of the never published Howard the Duck #1 from 1985, written and submitted after Steve's suit against Marvel was settled. It clears up things that happened to the cigar smoking hero after other writers took over in thew original series and lampoons the big *crisis* type events of comics. 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, complete with the sender's Email address, may be used in future issues of the CBN E-Mag unless you specifically request us NOT to use them. Email address will be withheld upon request. +++++ From: (Menje) To: comicbknet@aol.com Please add my home account to your subscription list. Ed Menje here, I'm the producer of the New York comic book radio talk show 'Nuff Said! you are allready sending the CBEM issues to my account at the station, and I want to continue recieving it there, but I also want to recieve it at my new account at home. CBEM has been an invaluable tool in being able to bring late breaking stories to my listeners. A few weeks ago it also was able to settle the truth of a rumour by presenting news about a company that the rumour mill had counted as down for the count. My co-host related the rumour and I was able to counter it with the item from CBEM. At the end of the program as well an editor there, a regular listener, called to discount the rumour as well probably not having heard the entire dialog. Keep up the great work in bringing the news to us all, I enjoy reading the entire issue for my own info and entertainment as well. Now more about the show. 'NUFF SAID! the sound of comics in the N.Y. area, airs on WBAI-FM 99.5 bi-weekly on the Tuesday overnight slot from 3:30 to 6:00 am Wednesday morning. The program is usually an in-depth interview with major names or independent creators. Our guest list of shows to date include Stan Lee, Jim Shooter, Steve Gerber, Steve Englehart, Walt Simonson, Scott McCloud, Joe Monks, Michael Davis, Neal Adams, Kurt Busiek, and many others. When I first subscribed through the station account, you ran the letter and wished I had given more info. I hope that this now rectifies that. E-mail can be sent to the hosts Ed Menje and Ken Gale at nuffsaid@escape.com radio-actively mutating, Ed Menje [I'm glad you wrote back Ed, I am sure some of our readers will tune in if they can pick the show up.] [TRIVIA CONTEST] Last week's question: >The Alfred from the TV show and the Joker from the 1989 movie >have something in common. What is it? From: Jose1978 To: ComicBknet You've probably already got an answer, but heregoes anyway: The actor who played Alfred in the tv show and the Joker from the 1989 movie both had the same name. [Sorry, we need the name to win] Subj: Re: Trivia Date: 96-06-23 01:15:13 EDT From: Jose1978 To: ComicBknet Ooops, I forgot that part completely. Sorry. It was Napier. There's ya go! [but did you make it in time to win?] +++++ From: nexus1@soho.ios.com Date: Sat, 22 Jun 1996 22:11:43 -0400 Subject: Facial hair trivia Ummm...they both had mustaches? (The Joker was played by Ceasar Romero, who "covered" his mustache with makeup.) [Wrong movie!] +++++ Date: Sat, 22 Jun 1996 22:53:57 -0400 >At 10:11 PM 6/22/96 -0400, you wrote: > >Wrong movie. 1989 had Jack Nicholson as Joker. > OK then...if it was Nicholson, then....they both had no last name? [Strike two!] From: gerbil@aztec.asu.edu (KEITH OBRIEN) David, Alfred and Joker are both fictional characters... The Keith gerbil@aztec.asu.edu [Yes, but that does not win the prize!] +++++ Subj: Trivia question Date: 96-06-23 07:38:37 EDT From: j.secret@ix.netcom.com (Jack Secret) Alfred's real name is Alan Napier, and in the 1989 movie, the Joker's real name wa Jack Napier, so the answer is they have the same last name! +++++ From: sjdy@mail.idt.net (Stephen J. De Young) Hey Guys! Both the actor on the 60's Batman show who played Alfred and the Joker in the 1989 movie have the same last name: Napier. +++++ From: Brock_Cordeiro@msn.com (Brock Cordeiro) hehehe, i THINK this is this week's trivia question....the answer about what the Joker from the movie & Alfred had in common is: the name Napier oh well, that's my shot of the week =) as for the last guess where i was a week behind, it might be due to why i've also not been on CBN for a few days, my hub had a problem (a bad message refused to toss) and backed up his mail, ergo my mail was backed up....i got a deluge of CBN mail this morning so i'll be typing my fingers off.... =) +++++ From: whegdish@Oakland.edu (whegdish) the actor who played alfred, and the joker from the '89 movie share a common surname: Napier. wade baker +++++ From: jeremy.dennis@lroom.org (Jeremy Dennis) First of all, I'd like to thank you for printing my letter, I didn't expect that at all & maybe I'll get some more advice. Da> THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION: From jcasali@indiana.edu (Hair) Da> The Alfred from the TV show and the Joker from the 1989 movie Da> have something in common. What is it? I'll try this one: They went to the same college. it's probably not right, but I took a shot. Jeremy Dennis +++++ And the winner, another second timer, is the "Master of Comics"! He got the right answer to us before Jose did: Date: Sat, 22 Jun 1996 18:36:59 -0700 From: "Jim, Master of Comics" > The Alfred from the TV show and the Joker from the 1989 movie > have something in common. What is it? The last name Napier. The actor who played Alfred (Alan) and the character who became the Joker (Jack). Jim, Master of Comics smiv@primenet.com +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION: From:j.secret@ix.netcom.com (Jack Secret) What continuity problem arose when Wonder Girl joined the Teen Titans in The Brave & The Bold #60? IMPORTANT RULES NOTICE: The first correct answer to reach the editor wins 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! You MUST submit the correct answer with the question. ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [3] CBN Insider - News, gossip and rumors from around the industry From the Hype Comic Cafe: DC is preparing to launch their ongoing Access series, featuring the character that was created for the Marvel vs. DC mini-series. The first issue will feature a slugfest between Superman and Venom... DC is also preparing to launch four new series in the fall or winter of this year. Book of Fate, written by Keith Giffen, pencilled by Ron Wagner and inked by Bill Reinhold, will feture a new Dr. Fate. The first issue will feature Fate fighting Sentinel (Alan Scott), and may not even feature the new Fate. Scare Tactics, written by Len Kaminsky, pencilled by Anthony Williams and inked by Bill Reinhold will feature Jared Stevens (the old Fate) in his own book. Challengers of the Unknown, written by Steven Grant and Len Kaminsky and pencilled by John Paul Leon, will feature a new team, with several original members playing key roles. Finally, Night Force, written by Marv Wolfman, will be similar to the older series. Baron Winter sends different people out on missions involving the occult. The art team will rotate, with Brent Anderson drawing issues #1-3 and J.H. Williams drawing issue #4... +++++ Howie Long, former L.A. Raider, has signed to play the title role in Dark Horse's action-adventure "Black Cross". Production is slated to begin at Disney on March 1 and word is they are trying to get Russell Mulcahy ("Highlander" & "The Shadow") to direct. ``Black Cross'' is an action- adventure in the vein of ``The Road Warrior'' that was created by comic artists Steve Perry and Chris Warner for Dark Horse Presents #1. The project has been described as a futuristic Western set in a world of social corruption. The story is about one man's fight against mercenary members of the military who make a sport out of hunting people. Warner wrote the original screenplay. +++++ From Steve Gerber's Web Page: http://members.aol.com/htduck/howard1.htm For those of you who surfed directly to this page, my name is Steve Gerber. I'm the writer who created Howard the Duck. (The comic book, not the movie.) It's my pleasure to announce that after an absence of too many years, Howard returns to comics in Spider-Man Team-Up #5, slated for release in early October. The working title of the story is "Cirque du Somnambulism," and it features the Ringmaster, the Circus of Crime, the Kidney Lady and the return of perhaps the second-most-requested character I ever created for Marvel, the Homicidal Elf. Story by me. Art by James Fry. But the news doesn't end there...! In 1978, I parted ways with Marvel Comics and later had to sue the company over the ownership of Howard. During the course of that lawsuit, I created, in collaboration with Jack Kirby, another duck. Howard is a duck with attitude. Destroyer Duck is something more: a duck with attitude—and a gun! I'm doubly pleased to announce that October will also see the return of Destroyer Duck, in a special one-shot team-up with Erik Larsen's Savage Dragon. This issue resolves the mystery of "Specimen Q", left hanging after Codename: Stryke Force #14, and also brings back Gregory Brainard and the Industrial Accidents, the villains from that Stryke Force issue. In addition, there'll be a brief cameo by the Ninja Turtles. Story by me again. Pencils by Chris Marrinen. Inks by Erik Larsen. Published by Image Comics. Watch this site for further details and exclusive previews of Savage Dragon & Destroyer Duck #1. But the news doesn't end there, either... Without giving too much away, let's just say that there's a very good reason for duck fans to read both of these stories. Each will definitely...enhance the other. +++++ From this week's CSNsider in CSN #471, lots of stuff we already told you about, plus . . .Ted Turner is supposedly stepping up work on a "Man from U.N.C.L.E." movie because the "Mission Impossible" movie was a hit. He could also revive the tv show. . . Doc Savage movie the next possible? . . . at least one big company (?) has discovered that lowered prices did not generate any significant increase in sales. . . Cliff Biggers and Brett Brooks team up with artist Pat Broderick to introduce a new team of I*Bots this fall in I*Bots #7 . . . James Owen's Starchild projects have been delayed due to health problems. He hopes to get them out this summer . . . Crusade has dropped the exclusive agreement with Diamond AND so has now former Image house, TOP COW. Marc Silvestri has decided to sell through all distributors now that he is not bound by Image's exclusive to Diamond deal. Look for Top Cow products from Capital in October. . . Barry Windsor Smith's "Storyteller" anthology will be out from Dark Horse this fall in oversized format . . . What was "Unfinished Business", and then "Heroes Reborn", has received a new title, "World without Heroes" (are they asking for more sarcastic slaps with this title? - DL). . .Sabrina the Teenage Witch from Archie Comics will be getting a television series on ABC this fall, Friday nights beginning in September. . . Broadway Comics is changing the titles of it's core books to match the features appearing in them. City Perilous will become Knights on Broadway, Shadow State will become Till Death Do Us Part, and Powers That Be becomes Starseed. . . Steve Englehart will be writing Warrior Nun Areala: Scorpio Rose for Antarctic Press this September. . . Film Roman will be the production company to animate the syndicated remake of Richie Rich for Claster Television in 1997. . .Bob Clampett's "Beany & Cecil" is headed for a live action/animation big screen production . . . DreamWorks is producing an animated series called "Invasion America". . . Columbia is hoping to turn its new Godzilla release into a children's animated series in 1998. ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [4] Wizard Fan Awards Through a mail-in ballot, readers of WIZARD: THE GUIDE TO COMICS selected these nominees; comic books that were originally released between November 1994 and October 1995 were eligible, as were story arcs, mini-series, TV series and products that began, ended or continued during this time period. The top vote-getters garnered the Fan Awards. The awards were presented live at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, June 21, 1996, at Dragon*Con in Atlanta, Georgia. Notable personalities accepting the awards included Bob Harras for Marvel and Peter David for DC. Bob's most memorable comment was that Mary Jane Parker has been pregnant for about 18 months; Peter said that he was very honored to accept awards for fictional characters who don't even exist. :) The nominees are listed below by category; the winners are denoted by asterisks. Favorite Writer Most Improved Female Character PETER DAVID JUBILEE NEIL GAIMAN ROGUE * SCOTT LOBDELL SARAH RAINMAKER TODD MCFARLANE STORM MARK WAID * WONDER WOMAN Favorite Penciler Character Most Deserving of J. SCOTT CAMPBELL Own Ongoing Title ADAM KUBERT ANGELA JIM LEE * GAMBIT * JOE MADUREIRA MAGNETO TODD MCFARLANE NIGHTWING STORM Favorite Inker ALEX GARNER Favorite Publisher * TODD MCFARLANE CHAOS! COMICS JIMMY PALMIOTTI DARK HORSE COMICS TIM TOWNSEND DC COMICS SCOTT WILLIAMS IMAGE COMICS * MARVEL COMICS Favorite Colorist * STEVE BUCCELLATO/ELECTRIC CRAYON Favorite Single Issue JOE CHIODO * X-MEN ALPHA STEVE OLIFF X-MEN OMEGA JOE ROSAS SANDMAN #69 Favorite Letterer Favorite Story Arc JOHN COSTANZA * "AGE OF APOCALYPSE" (X-MEN TITLES) CHRIS ELIOPOULOS "THE KINDLY ONES" (SANDMAN) TODD KLEIN "MAXIMUM CLONAGE" (SPIDER-MAN TITLES) TOM ORZECHOWSKI "TERMINAL VELOCITY" (FLASH) * RICHARD STARKINGS Favorite Ongoing Title Favorite Cover Artist GEN13 ADAM HUGHES SPAWN * ADAM KUBERT * UNCANNY X-MEN JIM LEE WOLVERINE JOE MADUREIRA X-MEN TODD MCFARLANE Most Improved Ongoing Title Favorite Editor * CAPTAIN AMERICA BRIAN AUGUSTYN UNCANNY X-MEN KAREN BERGER WOLVERINE BOB BUDIANSKY WONDER WOMAN * BOB HARRAS X-MEN DENNY O'NEIL Favorite Cover Favorite Painter * GEN13 #1 JULIE BELL PREACHER #3 THE HILDEBRANDT BROTHERS WOLVERINE #90 JOE JUSKO X-MEN ALPHA * ALEX ROSS X-MEN OMEGA BORIS VALLEJO Favorite One-shot or Mini-series Favorite Hero ANGELA BATMAN * ROGUE GAMBIT WEAPON X SPAWN SPIDER-MAN Favorite Graphic Novel, * WOLVERINE Trade PaperBack, or Hardcover * GEN13 Favorite Heroine LADY DEATH: THE RECKONING FAIRCHILD MR. PUNCH * ROGUE SPAWN TPB SHI THE X-FILES STORM WONDER WOMAN Favorite Trading Card Series or Set MARVEL MASTERPIECES Favorite Villain * MARVEL METAL APOCALYPSE SPAWN JOKER ULTRA SPIDER-MAN * MAGNETO * ULTRA X-MEN II SABRETOOTH THE X-FILES VIOLATOR Favorite Toy Line Favorite Villainess LEGENDS OF BATMAN ANGELA * SPAWN * CATWOMAN SPIDER-MAN LADY DEATH STAR WARS: POWER OF THE FORCE MYSTIQUE X-MEN POISON IVY Favorite TV Series Favorite Supporting Male Character BABYLON 5 ALFRED PENNYWORTH LOIS & CLARK BEAST STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE GAMBIT * THE X-FILES * ROBIN Favorite Animated TV Series Favorite Supporting Female Character THE MAXX JUBILEE THE SIMPSONS LOIS LANE SPIDER-MAN * MARY JANE PARKER THE TICK ROGUE * X-MEN STORM Favorite Feature Film Most Improved Male Character * BATMAN FOREVER * CAPTAIN AMERICA JUDGE DREDD GAMBIT MORTAL KOMBAT ICEMAN TANK GIRL SPAWN SPIDER-MAN ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [5] VALIANT HEROES RELAUNCH from Karl Kindt IV Hey Fellow Valiant Heroes Fans, Below is information announced by Fabian Nicieza at Chicago Comicon last Friday, 21 June 1996. I meant to video tape the presentation since--as Fabian said--the information was being given for the first time to fans; unfortunately, I left the camera at the hotel (argh!). I took copious notes. Note: I am not an employee of Acclaim, just a Valiant Heroes fan. GENERAL INFO: The relaunch starts in October 1996. Books will generally cost $2.50. There will be two books for sale each week once the relaunch completes (in March 1997). There will be eight monthly titles with at least one quarterly title. None of the original "Earth-One" Valiant characters are featured, at least right away. TITLE ONE: X-O MANOWAR (October, monthly) * Writers: Mark Waid and Brian Augustyn * Artist: Sean Chen This is the debut title of the relaunch. The man in the X-O can is named Rand Banyan, a military man. TITLE TWO: SHADOWMAN (November, monthly, mature readers) * Writer: Garth Ennis(!) for #1-4, then Jamie Delano starting with #5 * Artist: Ashley Wood This is the only mature readers title in the Valiant Heroes line. The main character is the newest Shadowman whose name is Zero. GARTH!!! TITLE THREE: NINJAK (November, monthly) * Writer: Kurt Busiek * Pencils: Neil Vokes A kid is playing a Ninjak video game from Acclaim when he discovers some secret puzzle in it. He solves it, gets zapped by something because of it, calls himself Ninjak, runs around as Ninjak, and gets sued by Acclaim for using their character's name (I am not kidding on this). TITLE FOUR: TUROK (December, quarterly) * Writer: Fabian Nicieza * Artist: Rafael Kayanan(!) The new Turok is named Joshua Fireseed. The old Turok we know and love shows up later in the series. TITLE FIVE: TROUBLEMAKERS (December, monthly) * Writer: Fabian Nicieza * Pencils: Kenny Martinez The main characters are kids who are genetic creations (Next Men?!). This title will have one-issue story arcs. TITLE SIX: MAGNUS (January?, monthly) * Writer: Tom Peyer * Pencils: Mike McKone * Inks: McKenna The series is set in modern day. TITLE SEVEN: ETERNAL WARRIORS (yes, "...Warriors," not "...Warrior," February, quarterly) * Writer: Art Holcolm(sp?) * Artist: Doug Wheatley There is more than one eternal warrior (duh). TITLE EIGHT: QUANTUM & WOODY (February 14, monthly) * Writer: Christopher Priest * Artist: Mark Bright. Light-hearted book. TITLE NINE: TRINITY ANGELS (March, monthly) * Writer: Kevin Maguire * Artist: Kevin Maguire(for at least two issues, more if he can get it done) Three female characters are featured. When one of them transforms into her "super powered form," the others have to do so involuntarily. When they transform, their costumes are extrapolated from the clothes they are wearing. TITLE TEN: BLOODSHOT (March, monthly) * Writer: Len Kaminski * Pencils: Sal Velluto * Inks: Albrecht The main character is Raymond Garisson. He has (false) memories of being someone named Angelo Mortelli. TITLE ELEVEN?: MAN OF THE ATOM (January, one-shot) * Writer: Warren Ellis * Pencils: Darick Robertson * Inks: George Perez _____ OTHER INFO: Classics Illustrated (reprints, Penguin) will be printed by Acclaim at the rate of four per month. Mark Waid will be writing a Quantum Leap series for Acclaim (December). ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [6] Comic Buyer's Guide Fan Awards from: Johanna Draper [The CBG Fan Awards are voted on by fans using ballots in most major comic books and trade magazines. The results will be in the next issue of CBG, the awards where handed out June 22 at the Chicago Comicon.] CBG made a list of the winners, of course, but if you can't wait: All of these are preceded by "Favorite": Editor: Bob Harras Writer: Carl Barks Penciller: William Van Horn Inker: Pat Block Colorist: Tom McCraw Painter: Alex Ross Letterer: William Van Horn Cover Artist: Alex Ross Comic-Book Story: "Horsing Around with History (Uncle Scrooge Adventures #33)" Original Graphic Novel/Album: Sandman Midnight Theatre Reprint ditto: Carl Barks Library Limited Series: Sin City: Big Fat Kill Comic Book: Uncle Scrooge Adventures Character: Donald's nephews ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [7] Recommended Reading #8 By Justin Steiner I'm going a bit more mainstream with my reviews this month. If this doesn't interest you, I apologize. There is, however, a method to my madness. Trust me. And next time I promise I'll go small press all the way. OK? Then on we go.... NEXUS: EXECUTIONER'S SONG #1 (Dark Horse Comics) 24 pgs. $2.95. Written by Mike Baron. Pencilled by Steve Rude. Inked by Gary Martin. 10956 SE Main Street, Milwaukie, OR 97222. If one were to name a comics series that has been around for fifteen years and maintained a high level of quality throughout, it would be a short list. And one title on that short list would be NEXUS. The new mini-series continues the saga of Horatio Hellpop, super-powered assassin, and those around him. Granted, the story is more complex than that concise summary but it is the basic gist. The history of these characters is not necessary for enjoyment of the current series, though it will deepen your understanding of the events that take place. In my opinion, that is the way comics should be done. It allows you to gain new readers without alienating long-time fans - the best of both worlds. This issue begins with a grave robbery on Marlis, a cemetery planet and home to the graves of Hellpop's parents. Dorcas Mundis, a photographer, was witness to the attack and is able to point Nexus in the right direction. The trail leads to Mars and Michana Loomis, an unstable teenager who once had the powers of Nexus and still retains some of them. Her father was killed by Nexus and she holds a grudge. The resolution follows from there. We are also introduced to a subplot, which is supposed to run throughout the current mini-series and take center stage in the fourth issue. Ylum, the moon which Nexus and many others inhabit, is set to host the 493rd Olympiad. The co-ordinator for this event is Sundra Peale, who also happens to be Nexus' girlfriend. Sundra is one of the best female characters in the industry today. She is intelligent, caring, and gorgeous (and her breasts are not the size of beach balls, either). To know her is to fall in love. And Sundra only scratches the surface of many fully-realized characters, not including Horatio himself. In this issue we glimpse or hear a reference to Tyrone, Mezz, Vooper, and the Loomis sisters, to name a few. This is where the other 88 issues of this series come in (EXECUTIONER'S SONG is also labeled NEXUS #89 in honor of the series' anniversary), the chance to learn more about these characters. But again, that knowledge is not needed to enjoy the issue at hand. The art team of Steve Rude and Gary Martin is one of the best in the business. I recently had a chance to glance through the Dude's (Rude) sketchbook and it blew me away. The man can flat out illustrate! And Martin does his job perfectly, letting Rude's work shine through. Mike Baron is at the top of his game as well. He mixes up the heavy emotional punches and whimsical humor like a heavyweight champion throws a combination. There are three issues to follow in this series, which is due to be followed by the GOD CON ONE mini-series. Baron and Rude promise six new issues a year of NEXUS. Don't let another issue pass you by. AZTEK: THE ULTIMATE MAN #1 (DC Comics) 22 pgs. $1.75. Written by Grant Morrison and Mark Millar. Pencilled by N. Steven Harris. Inked by Keith Champagne. 1700 Broadway, New York, NY 10019. This comic marks the return of Grant Morrison (along with his buddy Mark Millar) to the DCU, where his work on ANIMAL MAN and DOOM PATROL led in part to the creation of the Vertigo imprint. And Morrison is soon take take over writing chores on a new JUSTICE LEAGUE comic. In my book, that makes this series worth a review. The first issue of AZTEK, titled "A Town Called Vanity," poses a lot of questions. Exactly who is this new super-hero? Where did he come from? What is going on in Vanity? Who is the Shadow God? The answers, I'm sure, will come in due time. But that still leaves the first issue. We are drawn in to the story by the narration of Aztek and we see his surroundings through his eyes, a good device since Vanity is a new creation. Having arrived in Vanity, he needs to "set up an identity, find work and track down a place to stay." Through the course of the first issue, he does reach his objectives but not without some complications and plot twists. Meanwhile, a sinister group of guys is black mailing Curt Falconer into doing some dirty deeds. You see, Falconer is also the villain Piper, who appears to have the ability to emit smoke and is accompanied by animated pipes that can talk. There is also a resident super-hero of Vanity, a grim-and-gritty type known as Bloodtype. His tagline as he blows you away? "What's your bloodtype?" It's parody and celebration rolled into one. Naturally, these stories and characters converge (the aforementioned complications and plot twists) and those questions I mentioned earlier are raised. The art by Harris and Champagne is quite stylish and very accessible, the perfect complement to the writing team. Yes, I think stylish and accessible can apply to the book as a whole as well. This is a highly original and inventive series, which is fully integrated into the DCU (Green Lantern is promised for the second issue). AZTEK holds great promise and I urge you to get in on the ground floor. The ride from here should be a lot of fun. ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [8] Marvel & Fox set deal PRNewswire Fox Kids to Have Domestic And International TV Rights To Marvel's Expansive Library of Characters NEW YORK, June 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Fox Children's Network (FCN) and Marvel Comics Group have signed a long-term production and distribution agreement which will create a home on FCN's domestic and international networks for the world's No. 1 comic book characters. The announcement was made in New York by FCN President Margaret Loesch and Bill Bevins, President and CEO, Marvel Entertainment Group, Inc. (NYSE: MRV). The agreement includes the exclusive television production and distribution rights to such popular Marvel stars as Silver Surfer, Daredevil and Captain America as well as a significant number of select properties from the No. 1 comic book company in the world. In addition to Marvel series currently on FCN, the network has committed to production orders for at least four Marvel properties over the next seven years. "This ground-breaking agreement gives FCN unparalleled access to one of the world's most successful creators of comic book characters," said Ms. Loesch. "We've had great success with our current Marvel characters, and we look forward to working closely with them in further cultivating additional properties and transitioning their rich histories into hit television series." "Marvel is delighted to have a home on FCN said Mr. Bevins. "This comprehensive, long-term deal -- which extends well beyond the year 2000 -- guarantees a powerful media presence for Marvel's characters on the premiere children's programming service that will help drive our comic book, toy, trading card and licensed merchandise businesses for years to come." FCN is currently airing several television series based on popular Marvel properties. The "X-Men," which premiered in January 1993, has remained a standout on FCN and one of television's most popular kids' series; "Spider-Man," which charged to the top of the Saturday morning rankings upon its debut in February 1995, begins its second full season on FCN in the Fall. Fox Children's Network is the No. 1 children's programming service in the United States, amassing 14 consecutive sweeps victories which span three years. Its 19 hours of weekly (Monday-Saturday) children's programming is seen by more than 30 million kids and teens each month. FCN's nationwide radio program, FOX KIDS COUNTDOWN is currently broadcast on more than 170 stations representing nearly 75 percent of the U.S. The quarterly kids magazine, "Totally Fox Kids," is the most widely read children's publication in the country, with an average of 13 million readers per issue. FCN programming is seen on Canal Fox in Latin America, with a full-service kids network scheduled to launch in September 1996. The company also recently launched Fox Kids Australia, a 12-hour kids entertainment network in partnership with Foxtel. Marvel Comics Group is a division of Marvel Entertainment Group Inc., a diversified youth entertainment company with a library of more than 3,500 internationally celebrated properties, including Spider-Man, the X-Men and The Incredible Hulk. Other operations of Marvel include Fleer/SkyBox, leading marketers of sports and entertainment trading cards; Panini, marketers of children's activity stickers; and Toy Biz, an innovative toy producer. The No. 1 comic book company in the world, Marvel has attracted over 150 licensees in categories ranging from toys, games and sporting goods to apparel, home products and interactive media. Spider-Man and the X-Men are stars of their own top-rated television shows and The Incredible Hulk animated series follows them to the airwaves in September 1996. ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [9] New Comics Shipping 7/2/96 by Bobb Waller Well here is What Capital Cities, Diamond and Marvel have scheduled to ship next week. Superboy fans please note the Annual #3 scheduled to ship Today 6/26/96, has been delayed til the week of 7/10. Onto the list: ============================================================================ Acclaim Comics: All New Bad Eggs #1 Adhesive Comics: Too Much Coffee Man Full Color Special Amaze Ink: Replacement G-d #5 Skelton Key #12 Anime Books: Anime Movie Guide Archie Comics Archies Story & Game Digest #36 Betty #41 Cheryl Blossom #3 Hanna Barbera Presents #7 Sonics Friendly Nemesis Knuckles #3 Big Entertainment: Lady Justice #3 Neuro Jack #1 Black Eye Productions: Berlin #2 Dear Julie: Part One Sands #1 Bongo Comics: Simpsons Comics #21 Calenders: H.R. Giger 1997 Calendar Star Wars 20th Anniv. 1997 Calendar Chaos! Comics: Evil Ernie & Lady Death Poster Comic Shop News Inc.: CSN #472 Crusade Comics: Demon Gun #1 Lethargic Lad #1 Dark Horse Comics: Age of Reptile:The Hunt #3 Legend of Mother Sarah City of Child???? Oh My G-ddess Terrible Master Urd #3 Sin City: TYB #6 Tarzan/J. Carter Warlord of Mars #4 Tarzan:The Land that Time Forgot TP DC Comics: Batman: B&W #4 Batman:SOTB #54 Cyberella #1 Flex Mentallo #3 Green Lantern #78 Hitman #5 Icon #37 Pinky & The Brain #3 Power of Shazam #18 Preacher #17 Robin #32 Seekers into the Mystery #8 Showcase 96 #8 Sovereign Seven #14 Starman #22 Steel #30 Superman #115 Terminal City #3 Dynamic Forces: (???) Justice League: A Midsummers Nightmare #1 (T-Shirt, Guide?) Entity Comics: Xtian Comics & Games Magazine #2 Event Comics: Ash-Fire Within #1 Fantagraphics Books: New Love #1 Zero Xero #11 FPG Cards: Metallic Femme Fatales Foil Box Gladstone Comics: Walt Disney Giant #7 Green Man: Books of Ballads & Sagas #3 Head Press: Max Damage Panic High Impact Studios: Jazz #3 I Box Publishing: Thieves & Kings #12 Image Comics: Backlash #21 Big Bruisers Cyberforce #25 Dragon #5 Gen 13 Lost in Paradise or Pirates?? Glory #12 Grifter/Shi HC Troy Hubbs SGN Ed. Lady Supreme #1 Maximage #6 Maggie The Cat #3 Prophet/Chapel Supersoldiers #1 SavageDragon #29 Spawn #50 Strikeback #5 Supreme Madness TP Union #1 Wildstorm Rising TP Kitchen Sink Press: Crow: Flesh & Blood #2 Lightning Comics: Moxi #1A & 1B Moxi Commerative Edition Marvel Comics: Iron Man/X-O Manowar:Heavy Metal Cable #35 Uncanny X-Men #336 Captain America:Operation Rebirth TP Daredevil #356 Prime #10 Sensational Spider-Man #8 Uncanny Origins #1 Ultraforce #9 Planet Lucy Press: Ragmop #7 Pocket Change Comics: Assassinette #1 & #10? Holy Knights #11 Shadow Slasher #9& #1 Slave Labor Graphics: Action Girl Comics #8 Copy Book Tales #1 Java Town #6 Johnny The Homicidal Maniac Poster Skelton Key #12 (Wasn't this also above? Dystopik Snomen #3 Topps Comics: Dragonheart #2 X-Files #19 Topps Finest 95 Football Foil Box Verotik: Death Dealer #2 Viz Communications: Battle Angel Alita:Part 6 #5 Fist of the North STar:Part 2 #8 Return of Lum:Part 3 #2 Warp Graphics: Elfquest #2 Wildstorm: Art of Chiodo Foil Box ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Last week someone asked me why I no longer list Marvel as Marvel/Malibu/Fleer? Well the truth is Marvel o longer lists three separate companies. It all seems to be Marvel. Oh well one Megalomaniacal Company always show it's "We'll keep our hands off,,," true colors. See ya on the Spinners! Origin: FIAWOL/MSConnections * PP288MT II V.34 * 214-790-6472 *(1:124/5023) ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [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 F Steel Dog Cafe Destin FL 904-654-1631 Keith Schultz Ghost's Realm Crestview FL 904-689-6664 Kie Dorton Q Oak Street BBS Ft.Wayne BeachFL 904-244-7434 Michael Fischer -- ILLINOIS ------------------------------------------------------------- -- 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 Tal Meta -- NEW YORK ------------------------------------------------------------- B 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 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 ------------------------------------------------------------ F The Factory BBS Union City TN 901-885-9647 -- TEXAS ---------------------------------------------------------------- F Razor's Domain ][ Edinburg TX 210-631-5159 Kevin Nunn B* FIAWOL/MSConnections Irving TX 214-790-6472 Bobb Waller F Star Streams Waxahachie TX 214-938-7115 Michael Rudolf 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 360-577-7358 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 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 released 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 01522-1419 SUBSCRIPTIONS ------------- If you wish to receive each issue automatically through your Email account, please address a message to ComicBkNet@aol.com to be placed on the subscription list. ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - End of another Issue .. see ya in the funnny papers!! Why be politically correct when you can be RIGHT?