------------------------------------------------------------------------ THE COMIC BOOK NET ELECTRONIC MAGAZINE - ISSUE NUMBER 73 Edited by: David LeBlanc [ComicBkNet@aol.com] ________________________________________________________________________ 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!!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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] SOFTWARE REVIEW:COMIC MASTER........... David LeBlanc [5] Marvel has new President .............. PRNewswire [6] Dr. Wonder wants YOU! ................. David Allikas [7] JUST IN!............................... Justin Steiner [8] New Comics Shipping 8/28/96 ........... Bobb Waller [A] E-Mag Info: Submissions, Subscriptions, Back Issues, Copyrights [B] How to join ComicBook Network.......... BBS 101 [C] Bulletin Boards Linked into CBN........ CBN node list ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [1] On the Net by David LeBlanc Trying to get this issue out a little early this week. I will be leaving on Saturday for a week in and around the beautiful city of Cleveland, OH. Anyone who travels on business knows about the stay-over-Saturday-night discounts on air fare right? So the sales meeting starts on Sunday and ends Thursday. We do get Monday afternoon for organized recreation and my selection is the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame mainly because I don't chase little white balls up and down hills and through trees and me and boats on big lakes don't get along too well. What is nice about somebody else paying for you to travel is getting to see other parts of the country, and explore new comic shops. I recall picking up one volume of The Dark Night Returns as it hit the stands in Nashville for instance. I have been able to check out some places I have read about in many messages and ads over the years like the Mile High or Golden Apple stores, and a couple famous places in Toronto many moons ago. Cleveland is not that far from Wooster Ohio and I have been able to visit my predecessor FIDO COMICS MODERATOR at his store, The Collection Connection while in the area on business. I found various issues of Tales of the Beanworld while on my quest to complete the run, in a weekend show somewhere in California near Long Beach or Anaheim (memory fades fast these days) as well as several early issues of BONE at a steal. Whenever I can, and I have the extra time, I pull out the local yellow pages, and a local map, and see what stores are in the area. It is fun to compare the types of books on display, the bargains available and the variety of other merchandise on sale. I guess that is one of the little fringes that makes up for the hassles of trudging through airports and hotels, waiting during delayed flights, not being with the wife and kids and home cooked food, leaving early (like on a Saturday) and getting home late, and all the rest that people who don't travel for a living don't know about. Anyway, the trip made me think about all that. I will be back home Thursday night, Lord willin' and the crick don't rise, so the Emag will continue as always. #75 is coming soon and I have a special trivia question for the die hards so don't miss that one in two more issues. The Web page has a new link to Mythic Comics, publisher of The Bruiser and other great stuff. AND, the Home page has been updated with a new button for NETSCAPE NAVIGATOR 3.0 which was just release on August 19. If you need to download it stop by and click our link to the download site. This time they have added an extra large version with the plug-ins in the archive if you think you want them (audio, video, virtual reality, etc.) or a smaller archive with just the essentials. Meanwhile, this issue starts with something different, a software review, after the usual letters and the latest news. 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. +++++ Well there ain't any! That's ok. I need a break. [TRIVIA CONTEST] Last week's question: >Prior to Zero Hour, we learned that Lightning Lad had been harboring >a deep secret for a long time. What was his secret? And nearly everyone guessed it correctly, although it was PROTY I not Proty II. From: TOPPERSL@sm4.ascsm.wpafb.af.mil (Topper, Steven L.) Lightning Lad was actually Proty who assumed Lightning Lad's form when the Legion attempted to restore Lightning Lad back to life. All these many years, we had thought poor Proty gave his life to restore Lightning Lad, but instead he played Lightning Lad. I don't think this will make the cut as the first, but oh well. That'll teach me to wait until mid-week to read the emag. +++++ From: eds7466@UMoncton.ca (The Great And Powerful Danny Sichel) The deep, dark secret which Garth "Lightning Lad" Ranzz had been harbouring for several decades was that he was not actually Garth, but was instead Proty. +++++ From: "Jim, Master of Comics" You know, this plot was so insipid, I'm not going to dignify it with the response that the mind of Proty I had been inside Garth (LL) since he was brought back to life. +++++ From: nexus1 Lightining Lad's deep, dark secret: His bother, who also received lightining powers from the lightining beast (along with him and his sister), was a wanted criminal. OR MAYBE.... His arm wasn't the ONLY artificially enhanced part of his anatomy ;-) +++++ From: RHODE@email.afip.osd.mil Ok, I'll try again. Lightening Lad's secret was the original Lightening Lad was dead and Proty (one pet, then sapient) the shapechanger had taken his place, pretending to be him - apparently so well that his future wife, the telepathic Saturn Girl, couldn't tell. And at a genetic level too, since they had children after they were married! +++++ From: Jpaulmorr "Garth's" secret was that when he was brought back to life by the the sacrifice of Proty,Garth's body was reanimated with Proty's spirt and memories. And he was married to a telepath! +++++ From: SDelMonte Lightning Lad, as revealed in LSH v4, Annual 3, was not really Lightning Lad. Turned out that when Proty I sacrifriced itself to restore LL's life-energy, the glob of goo actually transferred its consciousness into LL's body, but kept this a secret from everyone except the other Proteans. In the issue at hand, LL's sister, Ayla, learned the truth, but LL never told Saturn Girl. Whether this was a good plot tiwst or a bad one is a debate for another day. +++++ From: j.secret@ix.netcom.com (Jack Secret) I believe, if memory serves, that Lightning Lad's big secret was that he was a Protean, one of them little blob guys. +++++ From: JBarker25 Congrats on your 25th editorial issue of CBN! It's awesome! Lightening Lad's revelation: That he was gay? No... that's not it... That he was really Proty? Yeah... that's the ticket. (it was in LSH v.4 Annual 3, I think). How he fooled Imra Ardeen all those years is beyond me. +++++ From: ray669@dallas.email.net trivia question was what was the pre zero hours lightning lads secret? answer: that garth really died all those years ago, and when proty "sacrificed" himself to revive garth, it was protys life force/essense/memories/soul (whatever) in garths body...and he never told imra. thanks ray sablack +++++ From: kwill@lynx.bc.ca (Ray Randell) Hm... could it be, he was really Proty in disguise? I seem to remember that Lightning Lad had died and Proty took his place for some reason. I think the little blob had a crush on Saturn Girl. Amazingly, none of the Legonaires seemed to upset by this development. +++++ From: Marlous de Neef Hi there, > Prior to Zero Hour, we learned that Lightning Lad had been harboring > a deep secret for a long time. What was his secret? The actual Lightning Lad had died a long time ago. His place was taken by Proty II, who was believed to have died in Lightning Lad's place. So, Lightning Lad wasn't Lightning Lad after all. +++++ From: alfonz0@erols.com (Alphonso Mason) I believe Lightning Lad was actually the original Proty, who was thoughted to sacrified himself to revive the briefly-dead Legionnnaire in ADVENTURE COMICS #312 (September, 1963). +++++ From: garpete@metro.net (Gary Peterson) To: comicbknet@aol.com When Garth was "restored to life," it was actually the mind and soul of Proty I in his body. +++++ And of course, only one person can be the first and get the CHEEZY PRIZE (tm): Date: 96-08-16 22:46:50 EDT From: dharris@bluemarble.net (Gammera) To: ComicBkNet@aol.com Back for another shot at it! I guess I don't know when to give up. :) Answer: He was a Protean (Hope I spelled that right.). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION: In the early Valiant comics, what character was famous for this line: "HELP! HELP! And step on it, ok?" 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 readers! You MUST submit the correct answer with your question. ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [3] CBN Insider - News, gossip and rumors from around the industry. The family of Mark Gruenwald has set up a scholarship fund at U of Wisconsin- Oshkosh. Those interested in contributing may send their donations to: The Mark Gruenwald Scholarship for the Arts University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh Fund 800 Algoma Boulevard Oshkosh, WI 54901 Or for more information call: (414) 424-1020 +++++ The third annual Small Press Expo will be held Saturday September 21st at the Holiday Inn in Bethesda, MD, just minutes outside Washington, DC. The Expo runs from 11am to 4pm. Admission is $5. SPX is sponsored by Washington-area retailers who support alternative comics, and proceeds go to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. The only area event of its kind, SPX is a low-tech, laid-back scene devoted to self-publishers, small publishers, and alternative cartoonists. The only program item is an auction of original comic art and memorabilia to benefit CBLDF, which will be held at 3pm. Some of the creators and publishers confirmed to attend include: Art Baxter Spud Comics Gregory Benton Hummingbird, WWIII Illustrated Joe Chiappetta Silly Daddy Michael Cohen Strange Attractors Evan Dorkin Milk & Cheese Mike Friedland & Mercedes Grant Fuhst Jimmy Gownley Shades of Grey Marc Hempel Tug & Buster David Lasky Boom Boom Scott Mills & Flummery Jeff Sharp Dan Parsons, Widow, Harpy, & Bluedog Karl Waller & Mike Wolfer Chris Staros The Staros Report Shannon Wheeler Too Much Coffee Man Roz Warren Laugh Lines Press Bebe Williams ArtComics Joe Zabel The Trespassers, American Splendor For directions to the Expo or more information about participating as an exhibitor, contact coarr@erols.com. +++++ From: BCBOYER Marlowe & Company and Astro Comics are proud to announce the forthcoming publication of "Hilly Rose: Heartbreak News, Volume One," which collects issues one through five of the critically acclaimed comic "Hilly Rose" by BC Boyer. BC Boyer, artist and writer of Hilly Rose comments, "We're excited here at Astro Comics to be working with Marlowe & Company. They've been publishing books for a long time. Now they're getting into graphic story comic medium. They just one day called me out of the blue and said they'd like to carry us. It's great because they have access to book stores like Barnes & Noble, B. Dalton, Crown and BookStar. They also distribute in Europe." Hilly Rose, a Space Reporter, has become a rising star in journalism with every exclusive story she gets while covering recent disasters covering the Space Sector. Everything looks good with her young career until she uncovers a horrifying fact: All the AstroShip crashes, Mall explosions, and Zoomotrain wrecks she has been covering have been caused by her own father, Steeltrap Rose, publisher of the Daily Horn, in an attempt to increase circulation. Hilly Rose was five when her mother died, and has since been raised by her father who has given her complete, undying devotion. Now she must face the moral dilemma of having to expose the truth of her father in this dramatic comedy series, Heartbreak News. +++++ T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS CUTS TIES New Home Sought for Ongoing Adventures of Wally Woods Best Known Characters August 16, 1996 For Immediate release: (Houston, TX) John Carbonaro has announced the comic book rights to the property known as the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents are currently without a publisher and are available for comic book licensing. This follows the discontinuance of Omni Comix, which published the last licensed T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents story. (OMNI Comix #3, Nov - Dec 1995) The rumors that the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents were going to be an Extreme Studio comic are untrue. "While it is true that we were talking to them and trying to work out a deal, nothing ever really came of it," Carbonaro stated. "I met with the representatives of Extreme during the 1995 San Diego Convention. Everyone was enthusiastic about the prospect of an Extreme T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents comic, but ultimately we could not work out the details to everyone's mutual satisfaction." The split with Extreme was an amicable one despite a series of ads run in Diamond catalog and Extremes comic books. "Unfortunately those ads have created some confusion in the marketplace and this announcement should clear that up," Carbonaro declared. "I am now entertaining offers from other publishers and hope to announce a new home for the Agents by the end of this year." The T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents, the critically acclaimed comic book created by Wally Wood in the 60s, generated several notable spin-offs such as Dynamo, NoMan, and Undersea Agent. They included other exciting heroes and intriguing villains such as Raven, Iron Maiden, Andor, Lightning, The Ghost, Red Dragon, Menthor, and all of the members of the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Squad. For additional information contact: John Carbonaro 1445 Lakeside Estates Suite #2219 Houston, Tx 77042 Phone: (713) 789-5289 E-mail: Thunderagents@juno.com +++++ According to Rich Johnston, of RICH'S REVELATIONS, Alan Moore will be writing a revival of The Spirit for Kitchen Sink Comics and is also working on another project with Dave Gibbons. Word is out that Neal Gaiman is also working on the Spirit project which will be an anthology AND Kurt Busiek has confirmed he is contributing as well. +++++ From this week's CSNsider in the Comic Shop News #479, a lot of stuff we already told you about, plus . . . Legionnaires Annual #3, on sale Oct 23 has a story that Barry Allen fans will want to check out, so says Roger Stern . . . Deadpool will get another series later this year. . . again the BIG changes in Superman rumor is circulating . . . Franklin Richards joining Generation X?? . . .a reminder that Hal was not going to "assume room temperature" didn't necessarily mean he was not going to die. . . early '97 will bring Venom/Wolverine . . . Sci Fi channel will be running the FLASH series in October . . . Top Cow has an X-fileish type series coming in November called "Nine Volt". . . in '98 expect NEW episodes of BATMAN:THE ANIMATED SERIES on WB Network as part of a Superman & Batman Hour. . . did we already mention Warrior Nun Arela vs. Avengelyne? . . . ROBOTECH moves from Academy to Antarctic Press in March and they plan one high quality, full color title rather than several black and whites. . . ATHENA and Hepcats join Antarctic in December, Pervert CLub comes over in January, and in April Ninja High School vs. Project A-KO. . . a sequel to MARVELS is in the works, about the *darker* side of the MU. . . James Robinson is producing SILVER AGE to follow up his and Paul Smith's GOLDEN AGE. . . E! Entertainment TV reports that GENERATION X will become a *syndicated series* in 1997 since FOX declined to carry it on the network. . . Kurt Busiek and Mark Bagley are working on a superteam book for Marvel. . . Antonio Banderas will be the next Zorro in a film directed by Martin Campbell of GOLDENEYE fame. ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [4] Software Review: COMIC MASTER by David LeBlanc COMIC MASTER - The Comic Book Inventory for Windows - Version 3.0 (WIN 3.1 - works under WIN 95) Shareware available at: http://www.ampksoft.ca/cmaster Registration: $30 (U.S.) AMPK Software Ltd. 7351 Victoria Park Drive #102 Markham, Ontario L3R 3A5 apollock@ampksoft.ca (Avi Pollock) The shareware is easily downloaded from the web site but if you are still not on the web I am sure you can get a copy by writing to AMPK Software. To make it easier I have linked their page on our LINKS page so if you have ComicBkNet bookmarked just go to our Link Page and look for Comic Master. The unregistered version allows 400 entries (separate comic book issues) per file. If you have a large collection, and find this program is what you need, the on-screen registration instructions are simple to follow. Send in the number and $30 and they will send back the code to unlock the unlimited entries per file option. It is worthy to note that you can create separate files, or databases, for parts of your collection, maybe you want to create a database of your want list as well. Each database can be stand alone and does not need to be one huge file. Registration also gets you technical support via phone from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM EST or by Email at tech@ampksoft.ca You will also get patches for upgrades and special pricing on future versions. So much for the business stuff. Avi requested I try this program out. I am not one to spend the time to catalogue my comics but am familiar with data base programs and how they work and should be knowledgeable enough to know what features might be desirable for a collector. First of all this is a WIN 3.1 program which is fine by me since I am not yet on WIN 95. No problems with the install. It comes with a sample *file* of about 40 titles from a variety of publishers. This is a good idea as it allows you to play around and get familiar with the features before entering your own collection. And I guess this is important to note: YOU have to enter the data, all of it, yourself. Unlike another commercial product that comes with lots of titles and information filled in, supposedly with regular updates available, this one is a do-it-yourself. AMPK does plan to add a built-in-price guide in the future with basic information on specific books so the plan is already in the works. For now, if you are too lazy to spend the time entering the data, then any program like this one is not what you want, no matter what the cost. Here is my rough depiction of the basic screen: [ ] [ ] TITLE/LOGO [ ] ISSUE: PUBLISHER LOGO PUBLISHER: or DATE: cover scan WRITER: ARTIST: [ ] INKER: CURRENT VALUE: [CONDITION: ] PURCHASE COST: QUANTITY ()MINT ()VERY GOOD [ ] ()NEAR MINT ()GOOD LOCATION: []IN STOCK ()VERY FINE ()FAIR ()FINE ()POOR [CONTENT SUMMARY-extended text ] [ NEAR MINT VALUE: ] [|<] [SKIP>>] [TO END>>|] The top left is actually a graphic of the publishers logo. When you type in the PUBLISHER: field for a comic the program automatically picks the .gif file from its subdirectory and displays it there. They have included most publishers (the only one I could not find was Malibu, so I dropped a Malibu logo GIF I found on the Web into the subdirectory and it worked fine.) If you are REALLY into this you can use scanned covers of the issue and change the image to that specific .GIF, .BMP or .TIF file for that issue, or group of issues. There is also a provision for Title Logos as well. The title of the comic displays in that box once you type it in and then you fill in the rest of the fields as you go. You can start with one issue and save it, and then use the COPY TO RECORD command which will increment the issue number by one and the cover date by one month. Any difference, like a bi-weekly or quarterly publication would have to then be changed manually. However, the COPY TO BLOCK command allows you to automatically add a whole string of issues from one number to another (Say issue #94 through 201 of X-Men) by typing in data for one issue and then COPY TO BLOCK for the range of issues. You can then go back and fill in or alter specifics of individual issues. It DOES allow you to increment the date by 2 months instead of one for bi-weekly comics. There is no provision for special number issues like 1/2, lettered variants of covers or volumes of the same title. The work around is to enter them in the title since you can only have SUPERMAN #1 as one entry, the second series would be entered as SUPERMAN : Second Series, in the title box and then normal issue numbers in the proper field. 1/2 issues would be entered as MAXX 1/2 as the title and #1 under issue number. You will notice there is an IN STOCK box to choose. Once you get the hang of the COPY TO BLOCK command you can make entries for an entire run of a comic and then go back through each entry and check the box for those you have. Then by sorting the database and filtering it for just the IN STOCK issues you can enter specific information, like creators, or issue condition one by one. This also allows you to SELECT (filter) for NON STOCK issues which becomes your want list. You could then print that out, for example, before going hunting for issues you need at a store or convention. The dollars that you enter will also be tracked both for cost, or what you PAID for an issue, and VALUE or what the price guide says it is worth. This part will come in handy if automatic price guide updates become available. At first I thought that the NEAR MINT VALUE field was not connected to the CURRENT VALUE field. Ideally, such a program should allow you to enter the latest NEAR MINT VALUE and then, based on the CONDITION button you checked off it would automatically calculate the CURRENT VALUE and correct it. It is nice to easily check off condition, but not having it tied in to the pricing fields would be a major omission. Not so with Comic Master! Once you have typed in the latest price guide NEAR MINT value you just DOUBLE CLICK the condition of YOUR copy and the CURRENT VALUE displays what your copy is worth. NOTE: this feature IS NOT listed in the help file or document in the copy I have, but the word is passed on and it will be documented in the future. LOCATION: refers to where you keep it, like Box #12, Grandma's house, whatever system you use. Good idea, again for sorting by just what is in each box for example. Also the inclusion of a quantity field is great for those speculators who hoard multiple copies. The CONTENT SUMMARY button opens a comments box that allows you to type in anything you want to reference that issue. Stuff like crossovers, cameos, deaths, and so on. Also if you look close you will see no area for COLORIST, LETTERER OR EDITOR so for now that info goes into the CONTENT SUMMARY. The bottom row of buttons lets you move through the database either one record (issue) at a time or by using the SKIP buttons you can go to the next Title in the list, forward or back. You can even program the SKIP for other numbers of issues in the File-Options-Skip menu. This is the handiest way to navigate so get used to using it. There is also a title list you can pull down from the Selection menu to quickly find the title and go to it. Like some other database programs, the new entries are added on the end of the list. It is best to resort the list before working with the data and this is done with the ALPHABETIZE option. There is also a built in BACKUP feature so if you do not regularly run a backup anyway at least the program will help you get in the habit for your comic list. I would play it safe and COPY the database file .LDB or .CDB extensions to disk as well. There is nothing worse than losing all that effort because you did not back up your work. The SELECTION feature allows you to get a summary of the selection, by criteria you set. You can select a group of books, or the entire database and then use the summary to get a listing of the number of comics, total value of all the books, and total cost. Aside from the obvious omission of documenting the CONDITION double click feature, I found this to be a rather nice program to work with. Some would grouse about the lack of fields for Colorist and Letterer but for me I could deal with it. I am usually only concerned with writing and major art. The LOGO graphics is really neat and the selection of logos included, and the automatic selection of publisher logo is very nice. Most comments I have seen on the nets about comic database programs often say, if you want to get something you like, use a regular database program and create your own. Well, a really good data base program is much more expensive. This program seems to be a reasonable compromise between an expensive full featured database which requires you to build your own features, and the already available commercial comic database programs that may not be what you want but you can't try before you buy. Since it is shareware, there is nothing to lose so give it a try. I think you will like what you see. ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [5] Marvel Names David J. Schreff President and COO PRNewswire NEW YORK, Aug. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Marvel Entertainment Group (NYSE: MRV) has named David J. Schreff President and Chief Operating Officer of Marvel, it was announced today by William C. Bevins, Chief Executive Officer of the Company. In his new capacity, Mr. Schreff will guide the growth of the Company's diverse entertainment and sports interests, which include the following operating divisions: Marvel Comics Group, Fleer/SkyBox International, Panini, Marvel's character licensing and interests in Toy Biz. His appointment is effective in September. In addition, Mr. Schreff will assist Mr. Bevins in overseeing the Company's interests in location based entertainment, which include Marvel Mania, a themed interactive restaurant operation being launched in 1997 with Robert Earl, founder of Planet Hollywood; and a Marvel themed attraction at Universal Studios 2, to be launched in 1999 in Orlando, Florida. Mr. Schreff will be also responsible for deploying Marvel intellectual property in support of new motion picture, television and on-line service applications. Most recently, Mr. Schreff served as President, Marketing and Media Group for NBA Properties, the business arm of the National Basketball Association. In that capacity, he broadened the league's strategic media and sponsor partners on a global basis. In addition, he managed the league's licensing activities and investments in book and magazine publishing, electronic publishing and on-line services, toys, games and video games, home video and direct broadcast satellite marketing. Prior to his six and a half years at the NBA, Mr. Schreff held executive positions for the previous eight years with Walt Disney Company (The Disney Channel) and Viacom International (Showtime Networks). He is also the author of two books chronicling the growth of traditional and new media businesses. Mr. Bevins, to whom Mr. Schreff will report, noted, "There are few individuals who have such strong proven track records and wide ranging knowledge in both the sports and entertainment industries. David is a seasoned strategic thinker, proven entertainment brand marketer, and an outstanding leader. His Disney and NBA experience have prepared him perfectly for the challenge of building Marvel into a global youth entertainment powerhouse." Mr. Schreff said, "I am delighted to join Bill Bevins and the entire Marvel team at this unique time in its growth cycle. There is so much talent and inventiveness locked in each operating division. My constant focus from day one will be to coordinate and unleash Marvel's unparalleled characters, story lines and properties to elevate its value for hundreds of business partners, thousands of shareholders and millions of fans worldwide." Marvel Entertainment Group, Inc. is a leading youth entertainment company. Operations include publishing of comic books, trading cards and activity stickers; marketing and distribution of toys; and licensing of its characters for consumer products, media and advertising promotions. The Company operates through various subsidiaries, including Marvel Comics, Fleer/SkyBox, Panini and Toy Biz. SOURCE Marvel Entertainment Group, Inc. ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [6] Reader Submissions Sought for Dr. Wonder's Silver `60s Section (New York, NY, August 7) Dr. Wonder by David Allikas, Dick Ayers, and Irwin Hasen has attracted a diverse group of comic book readers, from children to people with great-grandchildren. Most of these fans have one thing in common: a love for the Marvel Comics of the 1960s which Dr. Wonder emulates. And so Dr. Wonder is quickly becoming the favorite monthly meeting ground for people who want to experience the same kind of good feelings that the Stan Lee classics elicited the first time around. And now Old Town is extending the time we spend together every month. With the October issue (#3), Dr. Wonder increases to 40 pages to accommodate the new Silver '60s Section, featuring articles and artwork about this unparalleled era in comics history. Included in the first section are "Calamity at the Cocktail Hour!," Craig (Mr. Silver Age) Shutt's hilarious take on Marvel weddings (reprinting art from some of the original issues); "Monstrous Marvel!," Scott Saavedra's homage to the cuddly giant critters that dominated Marvel's pre-FF days; and other surprises. Readers are encouraged to submit writing and artwork for future sections. We're looking for letters, articles of all lengths, sketches, photos, news of other Silver Age related projects, and more, with only two provisos: (1) a G or PG rating, and (2) a connection to the comic books or the comic book style of the 1960s. (We want to publish artwork from all age groups, so kids should definitely submit, and include their age.) Contributors retain 100% ownership of their work, and the right to publish it again anywhere and anytime they choose. A stamped and self-addressed envelope is necessary for those who want their submissions returned. Artists and writers can find more detailed guidelines in every issue of Dr. Wonder. You can also obtain them by e-mailing us at oldtownpub@aol.com or by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to Dr. Wonder Guidelines, Old Town Publishing, P.O. Box 447, Franklin Square, NY 11010. Contributions from comics pros are also welcome; especially the Silver Age creators themselves. With issue #4, Dr. Wonder will be expanding to a new larger page size (7 x 10 5/8") so that we can fit more into our Silver '60s Section, as well as into our other text features, such as our monthly text story, our fan section, and our four-page letters section. Copies of Dr. Wonder #1, #2, and #3 can be ordered directly from Old Town. Send a check or money order for $2.95 per issue to the address given above. ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [7] Just In by Justin Steiner Just In #1 Hi. My name is Justin Steiner and for the past two months I've been filling in for my friend J Torres on his Recommended Reading column. I hope you enjoyed those columns I did because I am going to continue to write for the CBEM. As you can see, I have named my column after myself in a fashion. I have done this for two reasons. One is that it is a play on my name (obviously) - but I think people will recognize me much easier this way. The other is that it describes what I want to do with this column. I want to give you weekly reviews of comics, comments on the industry, some interviews, and all sorts of (hopefully) interesting stuff. I want to keep as current as possible, hence the weekly frequency and the column name. I plan to cover material from the biggest publishers to the smallest publishers to the best of my abilities. My focus will be on the smaller press comics due to the fact that they don't get the exposure they should. However, I read super-hero comics as well and will include that genre in this column as well. And while I can't guarantee comprehensive coverage, I will give you as much as wallet can possibly handle. Anyone wanting to send me material for possible review can send it to: Justin Steiner 910 Chicago St. Valparaiso, IN 46383 Feel free to send me mail at that address as well or you can e-mail me at the address listed below. I would love to hear from you. Only one review this time but don't worry, there's plenty more to come. STRANGE ATTRACTORS #14 $2.95. 21 pgs. Story by Michael Cohen and Mark Sherman. Script by Mark Sherman. Art by Michael Cohen. Published by RetroGrafix, 67 Emerald Street, Suite 623, Keene, NH 03431-3626. At the 1995 convention in Chicago I picked up #9 of this title. I read it and enjoyed it but for some reason never got around to picking up more. At this year's convention I came across #13 and bought it. Well, I knew I couldn't make the same mistake twice and added it to my pull list. Which brings us to the current issue... The issue opens with Sophie and Widow (and the robots Roshi and Mister Teach) in a predicament. They are underneath the surface of a planet and their way back to the surface is filled with such dangers as flying jellyfish that drip a subtle nerve poison and tree-sized sentient mushrooms. Furthermore, they have been abandoned by their companion Pirate Peg. There is light at the end of the tunnel, however, their friend Shock Centauri is in close-orbit. The overall story is complex and requires close reading, especially since a good portion of the story is told in flashback, including flashbacks to comics stories. Many of the characters in the book have been the subject of comics, such as SPICY SPACE STORIES, that Sophie used to read (and perhaps still does). These stories have helped to shape her view on life and her feelings about the Rangerettes (of which Widow and Pirate Peg are members). This title has several touches like that, including paying homage to the creators' influences both in the comic itself and in the editorial pages. One substance referred to this issue is called "Heinleinium." The art is crisp and clean with wonderful depictions of alien worlds and creatures. The writing is sharp and the characters are individuals - no cookie-cutter characters here. The title is a lot of fun, giving us drama, humor, interesting worlds and ideas - it is a work of true vision. There is a real sense of the comics community in the editorial pages (and echoed in the story). An added bonus to his issue is a preview of a side project titled MYTHOGRAPHY. This comics collects fantasy stories by a variety of creators, including Drew Hayes, Teri Wood, Andrew Pepoy, Michael Cohen himself, and more. I remember seeing this comic listed in Previews several months ago and almost ordered it. Now I'm wishing I had. Look for it from Bardic Press in September (they promise more if it sells well). The only thing missing from STRANGE ATTRACTORS is a "What Has Gone Before," to help out new readers. Don't be discouraged by its absence, though, the story is definitely worth it. There is also a trade paperback collecting the first seven issues (CHAOS JITTERBUG) available and I'm sure you will want to purchase it and get the whole story. You'll be glad you did. Justin Steiner jsteiner@netnitco.net ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [8] New Comics Shipping 8/28/96 by Bobb Waller Well here is my next to last list, unless the new offer I have for the BBS pulls through! But on the good side, I got my H.R. Puffenstuff Statue today! (32 of 100) Now onto the list of what's scheduled to ship 8/28/96: ======================================================================== Acclaim Comics: All New Bad Eggs #3 Gravediggers #2 Archie Comics: Archie #453 Betty's Digest #1 Jughead Double Digest #40 Veronica #57 Big Entertainment: I-Bots #5 Black Eye Productions: Pickle #9 Bongo Comics: Simpsons #23 Broadway Comics: Knights on Broadway #2 Claypool Comics: Deadbeats #19 Comic SHop News Inc.: CSN #490 Crusade Comics: Crusade Special Shi Vs. Tomoe #1 Dark Horse Comics: Adventures of the Mask #8 Aliens Outbreak TP Remastered Decade of Dark Horse #2 Hellboy Wake of the Devil #2 King Tiger Motorhead #2 Monkeyman and Obrien #2 Solo #2 Spirit of Wonder #5 DC Comics: Batman:LODK #8? Birds of Prey:Manhunt #2 Books of Magic:Bindings TP Catwoman #38 Eradicator #3 Flash #118 Gon #3 Hellblazer #106 Legion of Super-Heroes #85 Power of Shazam Annual #1 Robin #34 Spectre #46 Superboy & the Ravers #2 Superman:MOS #61 Swamp Thing #171 (Final Issue) Takion #5 Teen Titans #1 Vermillion #1 Vertigo Verite Unseen Hand #2 Wonder Woman #114 Deep Sea Comics: Reid Fleming Worlds Toughest Milkman Full Bleed Studios Pitt In The Blood Halloween Comics: Age of Heroes #1 Image Comics: Backlash #23 Blindside #1 Deathblow #0 Glory #14 Hazard #4 Man Against Time #5 Prophet #8 Shattered Image #1 Trouble Man #4 Witchblade #9 Marvel Comics: 2099: World of Tomorrow Avengers: Legend Iron Fist #2 Marvel Fanfare #2 Silver Surfer #121 Spectacular Spider-Man #239 Venom:The Hunger #3 Wolverine #106 Wolverine 96 X-Force/Youngblood #1 X-men vs. Brood #2 Moore Creations: Grifter Resin Statue Slave Labor Graphics: Empty Love Stories #2 Topps Comics: Hercules:TLJ #3 X-Files #21 X-Files Season 1 #1 X-Files Special #4 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- See Ya On the Spinners! Origin: FIAWOL/MSConnections * PP288MT II V.34 * 214-790-6472 * (23:203/4) ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [A] E-Mag Info: Submissions, Subscriptions, Back Issues, Copyrights 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 http://members.aol.com/ComicBkNet ---------------- 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! 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, but are not excluded off hand. We give more consideration to reviews of indies and self published material as we feel that material deserves more exposure to the general public. If You write intelligent, coherent, and timely reviews of anything it will almost always be printed so give us a shot. 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. ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [B] 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! ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [C] 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 -- 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 Beach FL 904-244-7434 Michael Fischer -- ILLINOIS ------------------------------------------------------------- -- INDIANA -------------------------------------------------------------- -- 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 -------------------------------------------------------- F 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 ------------------------------------------------------------- F Beggar's Forum Oklahoma City OK 405-787-2540 Lonnie Johnson 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 ---------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Alpha's Attic Tacoma WA 206-272-8083 Robert Richards -- 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 & Beyond London 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# ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - End of another Issue .. see ya in the funnny papers!! Batman:"SHAZAM!" Luthor: "Shut up."