------------------------------------------------------------------------ THE COMIC BOOK NET ELECTRONIC MAGAZINE - ISSUE NUMBER 80 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 FREE 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] Marvel stock plummets on 3rd Qtr news.. PRNewswire [5] Keep Up With DePace ................... Mike DePace [6] Illiterature .......................... M!ke Imboden [7] Just In ............................... Justin Steiner [8] REVIEW: Troublemakers #1............... David LeBlanc [9] Top 150 comic for October ............. Matt High [10] New Comic Book Releases List .......... Charles LePage [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 On the rack this week, in case you missed them: Bone visits in Gen13 #13B, Bart Simpson's Treehouse of Horror #2, Doctor Wonder #4, [on the back cover of which is an excerpt from yours truly and credit to THIS MAG for a prior review!] Preacher Special:The Story of You-know-who (Arseface), of course Superman:The Wedding Album and lot's more. New web page to check out: The OFFICIAL Bone page from Cartoon Books http://www.boneville.com Speaking of Bone & Gen13 here is a bit of info to consider if you don't normally pick up Gen 13 but like various self publishers at Image and want to see some inside jabs at Liefeld, Silvestri, Keown, Peter David, John Byrne, Wizard, speculators, Image in general and more. ***SPOILER WARNING*** Gen13 #13B In the "B" issue of GEN13 #13 there are guest appearances by BONE, (also on cover) and the Rat Creatures, the Beanworld beans including Mr. Spook and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. But that is only the beginning. Grunge and Tink follow Bone to "IMAGE LAND" where Bone goes to town which reveals and Astro building and a boarded up PITT building. At the Highbrow Club a fin headed green bouncer is tossing out Hulk and Wonder Woman for lack of humor (hellooo PAD & Byrne). The TOP COW barn is labeled "relocated" with spilled milk on the ground. The BLOODQUARTERS is sealed tight while two BIG WEAPON (tm) type guys , Black Frag and Captain Avenger, are reading the eviction notice. Then they end up at the Wildstorm Castle, the nicest place around of course to try to meet the Wizard. There is Dr. Frankenlynch and his assistant LEEgor, a lot more references to the comic world glut and speculator bust, and a grand ending with a meeting in the alley with Spawn who sends them on a quest down Route 666 to find the Wizard, a journey only a MADMAN would dare. Yup, he's there too! *****END SPOILER***** As far as the wedding of the century? Buy the comic, avoid the tv show if you haven't seen it yet. David LeBlanc [ComicBkNet@aol.com] Editor The Comic Book Net Electronic Magazine ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [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: CiscoRam@aol.com Date: Sat, 5 Oct 1996 03:43:17 -0400 Subject: Re: Fastlane Illustrated #3 David, Wow! What can I say? I just read your review of Fastlane Illustrated #3 in CBEM. I'm glad you liked it. I appreciate the fact that you notice my experimentation with the issue. You seem to be able to describe my work better than I can. If you need anything, don't be afraid to ask. I enjoy reading CBEM each weekend because you are always first to deliver the industry news. Keep up the good work! -Francisco [I am dying to see how this story turns out in the end. Keep up the good work and we'll keep plugging it.] +++++ Subj: The net Date: 96-10-10 22:04:46 EDT From: Monster X7 To: ComicBknet Hey guys Just thought i'd drop a line to say that I love the cbnet and read it evey week, i cant go with out it. [Not that we need to run letters like this, but since you took the time I decided to publicly thank you and everyone else who enjoys the mag. Just spread the word to others. The more the merrier!] [TRIVIA CONTEST] Last week's trivia question: > What character, who has been published by 4 companies, > first appeared in the pages of RUST? [Well, I see most of you decided to guess based on the 4 companies clue and I see a certain barbarian has a reputation for moving around. I thought this would be easy for anyone who has a annual price guide, but apparently that is not how this question was approached.] In reverse order: From: "Jim, Master of Comics" > >The Terminator: Now, Dark Horse, Marvel & Malibu. Jim, Master of Comics Comic Madness smiv@primenet.com 3277-L Grand Avenue Chino Hills, CA 91709 universo@lsh.org (909) 590-5949 +++++ From: desada@edc1.edc.ca (Desabrais, Dave) probably way too late, and I'm literally taking a stab in the dark. Was it Terminator? [see, taking a stab - a guess] +++++ From: larryt@tcac.com (Jeff Brown) I'm gonna give this a try, this just popped into my head while reading the question... Groo? Pass the cheese dip. [I prefer Onion dip myself] +++++ From: Marlous de Neef Problably way too late, but I will give it a try anyway: The Terminator. +++++ From: nexus1 Trivia guess: Johnny Quest? I vaugely remember he's been published by NOW, Eclipse, Dark Horse and Comico. Or maybe Speed Racer. [Uh uh! Rules say only ONE guess at a time!] Check out the Green Lantern eulogy and team-up news at POP ROCKET, http://soho.ios.com/~nexus1/ +++++ From: cscherer@mgl.ca (Martin Scherer) Groo Martin Scherer Proud Member of the GFC and DNRC [Did no one think to look up RUST in Overstreet?] +++++ From: MastrMark1 Just a guess, but would that be Groo? Or did I err? [You do know Groo has a habit of destroying comic companies as well as opponents? Pacific, Eclipse, Epic, Image(?) I think I will start sending old Groo comics as the prize for a while, seems everyone knows about him.] +++++ AND, da winna is: From: e@bigfoot.com (Eli Zweifach) To: ComicBkNet@aol.com My guess is The Terminator although I can only think of 3 of the 4 publishers, (Now, Dark Horse & Marvel). I guess the real trivia question is " who was the 4th Publisher???". [The fourth and most recent was Malibu. Congratulations and I hope you enjoy the *special* CHEEZY PRIZE (tm) for this question.] +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ I got some freebies from ACCLAIM for all the letters of comment I sent after reading previews of their new launch of the Valiant Heroes titles so I will be including some Bonus stuff for a while. THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION: In UNITY, Jack Boniface learned about a disturbing future event. What was it, and for a Bonus give the year involved. 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 can stump the readers! You MUST submit the correct answer with your question. ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [3] CBN Insider - News, gossip and rumors from around the industry. OCTOBER 4, 1996 TOP COW RE-UNITES WITH IMAGE! * * * FULLERTON, CA -- Top Cow rejoins forces with Image Comics to further transform the contemporary marketplace! Marc Silvestri-co-founder of Image Comics and President of Top Cow Productions-has announced that effective with product shipping in January, 1997 Top Cow titles will once again be available only through Image Comics and Diamond Comics Distributors. When asked why Top Cow made this extraordinary turnabout at this particular time, Silvestri replied, "It made good sense. Our decision to leave Image Comics was one of the toughest business decisions we ever had to make. But not long after we left, the Board of Directors of Image Comics elected to remove Rob Liefeld from the company. That action enabled me to return to the publishing company I helped found. It's good to be back home again." Image Comics Executive Director Larry Marder adds, "Speaking on behalf of all of Image Comics, we're delighted to welcome Top Cow back. Top Cow built its reputation by producing beautifully drawn and colored comics supported by innovative retailer programs like their guaranteed shipping schedule. The combined clout of Top Cow's cutting edge titles like Witchblade, Arcanum and The Darkness along with the rest of our ever-expanding product mix offers the retail community tremendous opportunities to increase their stores' sales and profitability. Once again they can purchase Top Cow products at the incredibly competitive prices offered by Image Comics' discounting policies." Starting with November orders for product shipping in January, all orders for Top Cow titles will be automatically applied towards each account's Image Comics discount. Top Cow Comics products solicited to ship in October, November and December will be published and distributed under the Top Cow Comics logo but will also feature the Image i on the cover. # # # Contact: Image Comics, Larry Marder (714) 871-8802 Top Cow, Brad Foxhoven (310) 260-4820 +++++ Subject: An Open Letter From Image Comics From: imagecomic@aol.com (ImageComic) Date: 9 Oct 1996 20:04:34 -0400 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE OCTOBER 9, 1996 Contact: Image Comics, Larry Marder (714) 871-8802 AN OPEN LETTER FROM IMAGE COMICS * * * FULLERTON, CA -- Given the incredible amount of information that is circulating, Image Comics, Inc. feels compelled to respond to its fans and the comic book industry as a whole regarding the Rob Liefeld situation. In doing so, we intend to deal with the facts as they plainly exist and leave the formal resolution of our dispute with Rob to a court of law. As everyone probably knows, the other shareholders of Image Comics voted to remove Rob as an Officer and Director of the Company a number of weeks ago. This action, which is clearly authorized by the charter documents of the company, was not taken lightly, but was something that the other shareholders felt had to be done. As many of you may know, minutes before this vote was taken the company received Rob's formal resignation. Each of you can draw your own conclusions from this sequence of events. Terminating Rob as an Officer and Director of the Company was a difficult action to take. Image Comics felt that it had no other choice however in light of the actions of Rob and his employees over the past several months. During this period, it became obvious that Rob was placing his personal interests and the interests of Maximum Press and Extreme Studios ahead of that of Image Comics. Image Comics was unable to sit by and allow these actions to continue. Image Comics made every reasonable attempt after months and months of effort to convince Rob to stop using his Image Comics position as a platform from which to conduct his non-Image business, but for one reason or another he did not cease his actions. Make no mistake, Rob's own actions led to the decision to terminate him from the company, not a personal vendetta by any other shareholder or employee of Image Comics. Regarding Rob's suit against Image Comics and its other shareholders, the company can only state that it feels the lawsuit is without merit and that the company and the other shareholders of Image Comics intend to vigorously defend his so-called claims. Moreover, the company intends to file its own cross-complaint against Rob and his companies in the near future. Enough said. The company would also like to take a moment to address a number of accusations recently made by Rob in the press. First, the "differences" that Rob claims he has been trying to resolve with Image Comics involve a substantial debt that Rob owes to the company. After the other shareholders of Image Comics took the extra-ordinary action to remove Rob as an Officer and Director of the company, a full accounting was conducted and it was discovered that Rob and his companies owed Image Comics a substantial amount of money. The company tried to reach a negotiated settlement with Rob on his debt. Image Comics believes that it gave Rob a fair and reasonable payment schedule by which to settle his obligations to the company and a respectful avenue to make a clean break from the company. After Rob rejected the company's reasonable settlement offer, he sued the company and the other Image Comics shareholders for several unsubstantiated claims. It is the company's opinion that he did this in order to create a diversion from the true issues at hand. Second, Image Comics has never "refused to pay amounts due" to Rob. Statements or implications to the contrary are defamatory and will not be tolerated. After the other shareholders voted Rob out as an Officer and Director of Image Comics, he was placed on 60-day payment terms just like other non-board, non-officer artists of Image Comics. Third, Rob also claimed that Image Comics is "not happy that we left." This is nonsense-Image Comics is happy that Rob is gone, but does not dislike Rob Liefeld, we do however disagree with his business practices and judgment. Plus, he did not "leave Image Comics", the other shareholders decided to vote him out as an Officer and Director because they did not want to be associated with him as a business partner any longer. At this point, Image Comics would like to focus on the future. The company's dispute with Rob Liefeld will now be adjudicated in a court of law. The company welcomes the chance to bring certain information regarding Rob's actions to light and the company is confident that it will ultimately prevail on the merits of this dispute. IMAGE COMICS, INC. +++++ The COMIC CAFE announced that HYPE!,Inc. has made a deal with AOL to include some of their magazines and games on their service. This will include the Comic Cafe in some form, but it is unclear if the Web Page version will continue free to the public. The AOL version will have the weekly comic news, a chat group and discussion folders. ALSO . . . Jae Lee's Hellshock will become an ongoing series in January of 1997. The series will be written and drawn by Lee, and coloured by Jose Villarrubia. . . the new BREED III series from Jim Starlin will feature computer generated art. +++++ From the CSNsider in this week's Comic Shop News #486, lots of stuff we already told you about, plus . . . Batman will visit The Power of Shazam in #22 in November. . . Caliber plans an OZ color series in 1997. . . London Night Studios is changing the title of HELLBOURNE to Knightshift, to open up the marketability in toys, comics and other properties. . . Dr. Radium 10th Anniversary Special comes out in December from Slave Labor Graphics and creator Scott Saavedra. . . beginning with GHOST #19, Jason Pearson will be doing the cover art. . . in January DC will offer only 250 limited edition bronze BATMAN statues. The 12", sixteen pound piece will set you back $2000 so plan ahead, order now and don't be surprised if your dealer wants a deposit. . . Sierra Online is producing a CD-ROM based on the PRIMORTALS for December. . . Warren Ellis will be writing the new Vampirella Lives title for Harris in December. . . James Hudnall's CHILLER will be reissued in full color by Halloween Comics in December. . . Lightning will issue Hellina: X-Mas in Hell. . . Sandra Bullock's name is being bantered as the possible Lois Lane for the next Superman movie. ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [4] Marvel will take another loss in 3rd Quarter NEW YORK, Oct. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Marvel Entertainment Group, Inc. (NYSE: MRV) announced that it expects to report a net loss for its third quarter ended September 30, 1996 of a range of ($0.07) to ($0.12) per common share including a non-recurring pre-tax gain of approximately $22 million from the sale of shares of Toy Biz, Inc. (NYSE: TBZ) in August 1996. For the third quarter of 1995, Marvel reported net income of $0.19 per common share. The Company attributes the third quarter loss to continuing weakness in its trading card, publishing and consumer products licensing businesses and expects the current market conditions to also result in net losses for the fourth quarter and full year ending December 31, 1996. As a result of the greater than expected operating losses, the Company has failed to satisfy certain financial covenants contained in its bank credit facilities and has commenced discussions with its agent bank seeking waivers of these covenants and a restructuring of the facilities to provide for its cash requirements. The Company believes that such a restructuring will ultimately require an infusion of new equity capital and has also begun discussions with certain affiliated entities to obtain the necessary funds to meet its current and long term needs. The Company said it expects to report its results for the third quarter in early November 1996. 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. Forward Looking Statements: Statements in this news release which are not historical are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Such statements include, without limitation, Marvel's expectations to financial performance for the remainder of 1996 and for 1997. In addition to factors that may be described in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, the following factors, among others, could cause the Company's financial performance to differ materially from that expressed in any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, the Company: (i) the failure of fan interest in baseball to return to traditional levels prior to the 1994 baseball strike, thereby negatively impacting the Company's baseball card business; (ii) continued weakness in the comic book market which cannot be overcome by the Company's new editorial and production initiatives in comic publishing; (iii) continued weakness in the trading card market; (iv) the effectiveness of the Company's changes to its trading card and publishing distribution; (v) a decrease in the level of media exposure or popularity of the Company's characters resulting in declining revenues based on such characters; (vi) the lack of continued commercial success of properties owned by major licensors which have granted Marvel licenses for its sports and entertainment trading cards and sticker businesses; (vii) unanticipated costs or delays in completing projects associated with the Company's new ventures including media production, interactive software and on-line services and theme restaurants; and (viii) the outcome of Marvel's discussions with its lenders and the ability of Marvel to provide for its cash requirements. ++++++ [Editor's note - The NEXT day after this news hit Wall Street, AP reported in it's list of heavily traded stock as of 1:30p.m.] " Marvel Entertainment Group, down 2 at 5 7/8 The New York-based maker of comic books, trading cards and toys expects to post a third-quarter loss. Marvel said late Tuesday its results have been hurt by continued weakness in its comic book operation and trading-card business, which hasn't fully recovered from the 1994 baseball strike." [By the end of Wednesday it was at 5 5/8. And was THE biggest loser on the NYSE. WOW - down 28.6% ! At the close of the week it hit a low for the year of 4 5/8 another 18% drop.] ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [5] Keep up with DePace by Mike DePace WARRIOR NUN AREALA: SCORPIO ROSE #1 Antarctic Press Story: Steve Englehart Art: Ben Dunn I've been reading the Warrior Nun series ever since it came out. It's about a sect of nuns who protect the Catholic church from evil. But these aren't just any ordinary nuns. Not like the ones from grade school who sharpened their yard sticks in preparation for another day of teaching math (and wielded them like samurai warriors!). These nuns have gauntlets, broad swords, and God Armor. In other words, "they kick ass for the Lord!". In this third series the story starts off with the present day incarnation of the Warrior Nun Areala having nightmares about a foreboding evil that threatened her, the world, and Heaven itself. Also involved is a gypsy witch, Scorpio Rose. She is a mysterious character who had gained immortality and special powers when she was attacked and raped by demons as a child. The nightmares revolved around her encounter with a couple of Warrior Nuns (Gwineth and Hildegard) from 300 years ago in Pfierstadt. As she passes through town the church and the locals make it clear to Scorpio Rose that they don't like gypsies and they don't want her around. On her way out of town she encounters the Anti-Pope. He claims that he is the true pope of the Catholic church and that all of the current heads of church are demons that have taken over. So he asks Scorpio Rose for her help in conquering these demons and restoring the church. Well, I'm getting carried away and I don't want to give the whole story away. I can tell you that there is much more to the story including an intriguing plot twist that's bathed in taboo (tease, tease). Englehart's writing is entertaining. It was easy to read without being insulting to the reader. The action is great and the story is quite dramatic. The characters in the story are more than just super powered beings fighting over good and evil. They have feelings and emotions which humanize them and make us relate to them. There is an actual story here that leaves some unanswered questions and makes you want to read more. Dunn's art is enjoyable. But I like the warrior nun concept more, and that's what keeps me reading the title. But I'm not so sure the penciling job would fit quite well with any other than Dunn. I know I said last issue that I'm not a big fan of manga and there are definite manga influences here. But it's not mega-manga(tm) and no one has big feet (thank God - no pun intended). I've always been a big fan of Warrior Nun and I would recommend anyone buy this book. It has a good story and good art (something not so easily found in today's saturated market). However, let me quell some obvious obstacles for those of you who might judge this book by it's cover: this is not a "preachy" book and the theme does not revolve around Christianity or Catholicism. It's about good and evil and those who deal with it. Warrior Nun Areala is a refreshing change from the fluff bad-girl titles out there today that are just eye-candy with no substance. There's a question: Is Warrior Nun Areala a product of the bad girl genre? I say yes and no. Want to know why? E-mail me and let's explore the possibilities. What do you think? Questions? Comments? I'd love to hear from you. mdepace@aol.com ;^) ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [6] Illiterature By M!ke Imboden This week's title comes to us from Jason Sacks in the land of cheese. I hope Jason is just being cute and isn't trying to comment on my writing skills! I had planned on opening up with some exaggerated spoof of the "Thor-speak" that littered the first issue of Liefeld's AVENGERS, but before I could - WHAM! The second issue came out. Huh? Whazzat? Where's the second issue of Cap? I'm guessing that Rogers re-learned all that there was about being Cap during those 14 pages of pin-up poses highlighted by two or three words per panel of the Pledge of Allegiance. Oh well. "Heroes Re-tooled" is fun in a twisted way, so who am I to complain. Speaking of Rob... What the hell's with this million dollar lawsuit? Ex-squeeze me, Robert? Did you just suddenly realize that you were due some money? If you knew that "they" owed you THAT much money why not BRING IT UP SOONER? Seems to me that Robbie is jumping on the American Dream "lawsuit wagon". What next, Rob? Gonna dump a mug of hot chocolate on your crotch and sue Denny's? Stop acting like a baby and concentrate on putting the comics out ON TIME that you've been contracted to do. Besides, Spawn could kick Badrock's ass so Nyah, nyah. Ahem.... From the "Polar Opposites" category; The TV wedding of Clark and Lois really sucked, I kept waiting for Charles Fleisher to emit a sputtering "Pppppplease Eddie, ya' gotta help me!". And what was with TV's Bosley in the role of 'Mike', the guardian angel? Him I kept expecting to leer at Teri Hatcher like he used to leer at Kate, Farrah, Jacklyn et al as Blake Carrington talked to them through an intercom. What I REALLY would have liked to have seen was a wedding that had guests including Lynda Carter, John Wesley Schipp, Adam West, Burt Ward, Margot Kidder and Christopher Reeve. Sure, it would have cost some money to get some of them, but heck, I'm sure West and Ward would've done it for peanuts. It's gotta beat a gig at the annual World of Wheels and voice overs on The Simpsons. The comic version, however, was a nice conclusion to the 60 year courtship that Lois and Clark have endured. Best of all was seeing Clark with short hair. By no means am I an old stick in the mud, but long hair on the Man of Steel just doesn't look right. In any event, I'm glad to see them finally hitched. A well spent $5 or whatever it was. ********SPOILER ALERT*********** I'm going to reveal the identity of the 'mastermind' behind the Spider-Man Clone Saga, so if you haven't read Amazing Spider-Man #418 yet, hit page down a few times.... You have been warned! **************************************************************************** Two years or so ago I told anyone who would listen that the person behind the clone's return would be none other than Norman Osborne. Finally, the payoff comes in what was, IMO, one of the best Spider-books to come out in a long time. Not that the story itself was so great, but the underlying tension reached a point that I was wishing I hadn't read it until NEXT week when I could read the final part immediately afterwards. Norman is really pulling out all the stops this time - these mysterious invitations can only spell big trouble. Now, while I seriously don't think Mary Jane really had a miscarriage (after all, that cart that that evil-looking chick wheeled up to Normie at the end had something in it), I'd like to think that Marvel will make that the case. Now, don't think I'm some psycho who hates kids, but what else would REALLY get Peter ticked off more than being away from MJ when something like that happened? Man, and you thought he was pissed when Gwen got shoved off the top of that bridge! And let's kill off Ben Reilly. A one-two punch like that would really make things rotten in Pete's world and REALLY set up the REAL Green Goblin as comicdom's vilest villain. In wrestling WCW pulled off a great angle by making Hulk Hogan a heel and they did it in such a way that those folks who really think it's a sport honestly hated Hogan. Marvel can do the same thing with the Goblin - I hope they don't blow it. But come what may, I am VERY glad that this whole clone fiasco is coming to an end. It was fun at first, but so is dating someone like Pamela Anderson. After a while it becomes tedious and boring. *********IT'S SAFE TO PEEK AGAIN!!!!************ Well, I'm running late, so I guess I still won't get around to talking about comic shops and what I think they should be like. But I would like to close with a suggestion. Look at the comics you buy each month and take out the ones you simply can't do without. The ones you read in the car on the way home from the store. The ones that get sorted to the top of the pile ahead of everything else. Now pretend that you can't get it/them anymore. Not much fun, huh? Now add up how much it costs per year to buy those comics (that's the cover price times 12 for those of you who, like Barbie, find math class tough). What's the total? $23.40? $18.00? $35.40? Whatever it is, make out a check payable to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund for that amount and mail it off to them. Include a short letter and say something like "Thanks for making it possible for books like to be sold. Keep up the good work" or something along those lines. 'Every little bit helps' might sound trite and a little like a Grecian formulaed Jerry Lewis on Labor Day, but it's true. Plus, not only will you be contributing to a (very!) good cause, it's tax deductible! Write the CBLDF at PO BOX 693, Northampton, MA 01061 or call 1-800-99-CBLDF. That's it. More next week! Oh yeah! Go read last week's e-rag for the details of the unofficial CBEM Halloween costume contest. I haven't gotten any submissions yet, so your chances of winning are pretty good at this point! (you can drop a line to M!ke at cambot@ix.netcom.com, visit his recently (somewhat) updated web page at www.netcom.com/~cambot/ or send snail-mail, bribes, free stuff or Victoria's Secret catalogs to him at PO BOX 1423, Frederick, MD 21702-0423). ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [7] Just In by Justin Steiner By Justin Steiner This Saturday (Oct. 12) is the Underground Press Conference/ Independent Comics Exposition in Chicago. I will be one of the (hopefully) many people attending. Also attending will be sometime CBEM columnist J Torres, who also happens to be the writer of the wonderful COPYBOOK TALES from Slave Labor Graphics. He will be joined by Tim Levins, artist on the title. Please stop by and say hello to these fine gentleman and sample their book if you haven't done so already. You might also find me at their table, a bonus for sure :) The UPC/ICE takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Chicago Cultural Center, located at 78 E. Washington St. (Randolph St. entrance). Admission is $3. By the way, did everyone see CBEM editor David LeBlanc's letter in DARK HORSE PRESENTS #113? Good job, David. Only one review this week, as I'm getting ready for Saturday... THE AGE OF HEROES #1 $2.95. 28 pgs. Written by James D. Hudnall, Illustrated by John Ridgway. Published by Halloween Comics, P.O. Box 12266, Las Vegas, NV 89112. When I was young, my imagination was sparked by J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" series. From that point, I was a sucker for well-written fantasy and went on to read such authors as Stephen Donaldson, Terry Brooks, and David Eddings. The worlds they created drew me in and made me hunger for more. AGE OF HEROES is a fantasy series along those lines. We are introduced to this world (Xera) by a blind troubadour who takes shelter with a family to wait out the rain. To entertain them at dinner, he tells them a tale of one of the heroes in this world. And we know there are several because they discuss several options. They finally settle on a story about Wex. Wex is a monk of the Dalen sect, tattooed with ley lines for channeling the world force. He is on a quest to recover the sacred relics of the Dalen, which have been stolen by the Uguth. On the way, he is attacked by some Uguth and is seriously injured. He makes his way to a farm, where the woman who lives there takes care of him, against her husband's wishes. He wants little to do with Wex's sorcery and spurns his help once Wex is well enough to travel again - a decision the man comes to regret. Before the story ends, we see Wex confront a Hellscape and commune with Xera, the earth mother, from whom his power derives. All of his actions show that he truly is a hero. After the troubadour finishes Wex's tale, he sets off again into the night. Along the way, he encounters some cutpurses and we learn something very interesting about the blind man. John Ridgway's art is phenomenal and looks wonderful in black and white. He is a strong storyteller and uses shadow to great advantage in this issue. James Hudnall has created a fully realized world, of which we've only glimpsed a fraction. And his story is strong enough to make you want to delve into more stories about this world and these heroes. AGE OF HEROES looks like a good companion to Hudnall's other series, ESPERS (which I reviewed several months ago). It is a strong fantasy series that is well worth picking up. Reply-to: jsteiner@netnitco.net ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [8] Review: TROUBLEMAKERS #1 (PREVIEW) by David LeBlanc Acclaim Comics/Valiant Heroes Creators/writer: Fabian Nicieza /pencils:Kenny Martinez Inks: Anibal Rodriguez Letters: Dave Lanphear of Comicraft Color: Atomic Paintbrush Dedicated to Gru! I purposely have not read too much hype on this title to better experience the product without preconception. If you don't want to know too much be warned, it won't be in the stores until December. Reading this review could spoil the wait. The setup is simple and some would say done before. We have 4 genetically enhanced teens. The oldest is Chris (XL) Helvin, who can excel and be better at any talent or gift of anyone near her. Michael Jordan wouldn't stand a chance one on one. Her younger brother is Zachary (Rebound) and his biofield enables him to attract or repel anything, including himself, to anything else. Parker (Blur) Mathews can control electromagnetic waves of all types. The other kid is Jane (Chaos) Ngo who is not introduced nor her power explained in this first issue. All their parents work for Galloway and Galloway Pharmaceutical which began to branch off into creating better humans in 1980. They chose from among volunteers in their employ to give the biofield gifts and help develop and record progress in this leap in evolution. There does not appear to be any evil corporation or covert conspiracy at this point, something you would expect from such a setup. In as much as the parents are intimately involved with the kids in their daily routine it appears to be what it is, nothing more. This first issue serves to introduce us to the main characters and is shown from the perspective of one of the other workers there. "Uncle" Jack is like a unofficial mentor to them, they trust him and he lets them have a little freedom only to have it backfire on all of them with the CEO of the company. Jack has a special fondness for the children and through Chris' insistence that the kids learn why his mood is often sad by looking into his files in the company records. Thus their first effort as a team, minus Jane who has been in isolation for a month getting her Chaos field under control, is to help Jack overcome his problem. This is a very nice way to begin a series. No super heroics, no strange people lurking around corners or attacking without warning, nothing that you would associate with a super hero team book. It is not the Harbinger story all over again. I think Fabian is purposely doing a whole different take on what was a good concept when done as the DNAgents, and other books about genetically enhanced human. This time they are just growing up, with their parents working with them to learn about their ability as they learn about life. I think he has a nice idea if he keeps to it and doesn't get them drawn into some big corporate conspiracy or world organization bent on some sinister plot. He certainly has the skill as a writer as proven time and again. Now as his own editor he can direct his creations in the way he wants without forced crossovers or plots. If all the stories are like the first it will be a fine effort and a must read each month. The art work is a bit different and yet very comfortable. There is fluid motion from panel to panel. There is a cartoonish feel when the humor requires it and a more realistic tone that even colors won't change when the mood is more somber. There is nothing to pick at here. Martinez and Rodriguez are a good team and the effort is solid. This book gives me a mood that reminds me of the days when Power Pack was at the top of my reading list. It has that quality of telling believable tales of kids being kids, despite the amazing difference that sets them apart from other kids. Indeed it appears they have not been exposed to the outside world, and Chris will be the first to go to an outside school very soon. That no doubt will draw the Troublemakers into new circumstances with other people and I plan to follow them there. ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [9] Top-selling comics for October 1996 from Matt High at Antarctic Press As always, comments are greatly appreciated. Also, new sales charts have recently been published in Marvel Vision and Comics Retailer - I'll get to those later. Top-selling Comics for October 1996, based on pre-orders through Diamond Distributors. These figures do not include Marvel Comics. estimated # # Title Publisher sold (1000's) 1 Spawn the Impaler #1 Image 173.0 2 Spawn #55 Image 163.1 3 DC Marvel Access #1 DC 150.8 4 Curse of the Spawn Part 2 Image 137.1 5 Gen 13 #14 Image 122.1 6 Witchblade #10 Top Cow 92.5 7 Lady Death the Crucible #1 Chaos 91.8 8 Tales of the Witchblade #1 Top Cow 87.4 9 Green Lantern #81 DC 72.4 10 Star Wars Shadows Empire #6 Dark Horse 71.1 11 X-Files #23 Topps 70.8 12 Batman #537 DC 70.1 13 Darkchylde Glory #1 Image 68.9 14 Supergirl #4 DC 67.4 15 Wildcats #33 Image 66.4 16 Darkchylde Avengelyne #1 Maximum Pr 65.2 17 Star Wars Golden Age Sith #1 Dark Horse 65.2 18 Detective Comics #704 DC 64.2 19 Batman The Long Halloween #1 DC 63.3 20 Superman #118 DC 62.8 21 Nightwing #3 DC 56.7 22 X-Files Season One #4 Topps 56.3 23 Crypt of Dawn #1 Sirius 54.6 24 Batman Shadow of the Bat #57 DC 54.0 25 Superman Wonder Woman #1 DC 53.4 26 Batman Legends Dark Kn #89 DC 51.6 27 Robin #36 DC 51.3 28 Preacher #20 DC 51.3 29 Preacher Special Story #1 DC 49.8 30 Batman Death of Innocents #1 DC 49.3 31 Flash #120 DC 49.2 32 Robin Plus #1 DC 49.0 33 Catwoman #40 DC 48.4 34 Lady Death Women Gallery #1 Chaos 47.4 35 Worlds Finest Superboy #1 DC 46.7 36 Shi Kaidan #1 Crusade 45.8 37 Wonder Woman #116 DC 44.9 38 Green Lantern Plus #1 DC 44.2 39 The Dreaming #7 DC 43.9 40 Wetworks #22 Image 43.0 41 Cyberforce #28 Top Cow 42.7 42 Batman Gordon's Law #1 DC 41.1 43 Avengelyne #0 Maximum Pr 40.9 44 Azrael #24 DC 40.7 45 Astro City vol. 2 #3 Homage 39.2 46 Teen Titans #3 DC 39.0 47 Azrael Plus #1 DC 38.6 48 Superboy #34 DC 37.5 49 Wonder Woman Annual #2 DC 37.3 50 Weapon Zero #8 Top Cow 36.0 51 Backlash #25 Image 35.2 52 Impulse #20 DC 34.5 53 Hitman #9 DC 34.5 54 Superman Adventures #2 DC 34.4 55 Aquaman #27 DC 34.2 56 Glory Celestine Dark Ang #2 Image 34.1 57 Birds of Prey Manhunt #4 DC 33.7 58 X-O Manowar vol. 2 #1 Acclaim 33.4 59 Grifter #4 Image 33.0 60 House of Secrets #3 DC 31.9 61 Superboy and the Ravers #4 DC 31.8 62 Starman #25 DC 31.3 63 BW Smith Storyteller #1 Dark Horse 31.1 64 Books of Magic #31 DC 30.8 65 Vampirella 25th Anniv Spec Harris 30.4 66 Stormwatch #41 Image 30.3 67 Hellboy Wake the Devil #5 Dark Horse 30.1 68 Brass #3 Image 28.6 69 Crow Wild Justice #1 Kitchen Sink 28.4 70 Legion of Superheroes #87 DC 27.8 71 Glory #16 Image 27.7 72 Legionnaires #43 DC 27.3 73 Batman and Robin Advent #13 DC 27.2 74 Vampirella Strikes #7 Harris 27.1 75 Lobo Demon Helloween #1 DC 26.2 76 Lady Rawhide #1 Topps 26.1 77 Allegra #3 Image 26.0 78 Strangers in Paradise v3 #2 Homage 25.4 79 Night Force #1 DC 25.2 80 Treehouse of Horrors #1 Bongo 25.0 81 Simpsons #25 Bongo 24.9 82 Hellblazer #108 DC 24.9 83 Bloody Mary #3 DC 24.7 84 Legionnaires Annual #3 DC 24.3 85 Razor #1 London Night 24.2 86 Power of Shazam #21 DC 24.0 87 Lobo #34 DC 23.9 88 Tempest #2 DC 23.9 89 Evil Ernie #1 Chaos 23.7 90 Friends of Maxx #2 Image 23.5 91 Lobo Death and Taxes #3 DC 23.3 92 Savage Dragon Destroyer D #1 Image 23.3 93 Sovereign Seven #17 DC 23.2 94 New Gods #13 DC 23.2 95 Ash Fire Within #3 cover A Event 22.5 96 Madman Comics #11 Dark Horse 22.4 97 Predator Dark River #4 Dark Horse 22.3 98 Green Arrow #115 DC 21.9 99 Black Lamb #2 DC 21.8 100 Youngblood #13 Image 21.8 101 Grifter and the Mask #2 Dark Horse 21.7 102 Sandman Mystery Theatre #45 DC 21.6 103 Spectre #48 DC 21.6 104 Green Lantern #81 DC 21.5 105 Green Lantern Gallery #1 DC 21.4 106 Lady Supreme #4 Image 21.3 107 Tomoe #1 Crusade 20.8 108 Ess. Vertigo Sandman #5 DC 20.7 109 Sovereign Seven Annual #2 DC 20.5 110 Terminal City #6 DC 20.5 111 Supreme #43 Image 20.2 112 Showcase 96 #11 DC 20.0 113 Leave It To Chance #2 Homage 19.7 114 Scare Tactics #1 DC 19.4 115 Ash Fire Within #3 cover B Event 19.3 116 Steel #33 DC 19.1 117 Aztek The Ultimate Man #5 DC 19.1 118 Mythos The Final Tour #1 DC 19.1 119 Stray Bullets #11 El Capitan 18.2 120 Bone #12 reprint Image 17.7 121 Bionix #1 Maximum Pr 17.6 122 Decade of Dark Horse #4 Dark Horse 17.3 123 Space Jam #1 DC 17.1 124 Seekers Into Mystery #11 DC 16.6 125 Teenage Mutant Ninja Tur #4 Image 16.6 126 Grendel Devils Legacy #3 Dark Horse 16.4 127 Battlestar Galac Journeys #4 Maximum Pr 16.2 128 1111 #1 Crusade 16.2 129 Cyberella #4 DC 16.1 130 Body Bags #3 Dark Horse 15.8 131 Poison Elves #17 Sirius 15.7 132 Power Rangers Zeo Youngbl #1 Image 15.7 133 Jaguar God #6 Verotik 15.5 134 Satanika #5 Verotik 15.0 135 Black Pearl #2 Dark Horse 14.7 136 Newmen #23 Image 14.5 137 Vermillion #3 DC 14.4 138 Blood A Tale #2 DC 14.2 139 Elfquest #6 Warp Graphics 14.2 140 Dark Horse Presents #114 Dark Horse 14.2 141 ER Burroughs Tarzan #4 Dark Horse 13.9 142 Priest #3 Maximum Pr 13.4 143 Hate #25 Fantagraphics 13.3 144 Ranma 1/2 V #11 Viz 12.9 145 Gunsmith Cats Return Grey #3 Dark Horse 12.7 146 Power Rangers Zeo #2 Image 12.6 147 Vanguard Strange Visitors #1 Image 12.6 148 Vertigo Verite Unseen H #4 DC 12.6 149 Hazard #6 Image 12.6 150 Gemini Blood #4 DC 12.6 The top-selling comic books from publishers that did not quite make it into the top 150... 154 Cerebus #211 Aardvark-Van 12.2 167 Hari Kari Rebirth #1 Blackout 10.0 169 Mike Danger #7 Big Entertain 9.8 172 Knights on Broadway #4 Broadway 9.6 173 Donald Duck #300 Gladstone 9.5 176 Horseman #2 Kevlar Studios 9.3 181 Lillith Demon Princess #2 Antarctic Pr 8.8 182 China Jazz Code Name Doub #1 High Impact 8.7 183 Sabrina Teenage Witch #1 Archie 8.6 188 Pandora #1 Brainstorm 7.7 193 Tales From the Crypt #18 Gemstone 7.0 197 Snowman 1944 #1 Entity 6.8 208 6 Lethal Origins #1 Byron Preiss 6.2 209 La Blue Girl #4 Central Park 6.0 215 Araknis #5 Mushroom 5.8 218 Berlin #3 Black Eye 5.6 222 Tribe #0 Good Comics 5.5 224 Hellina Hells Angel #1 Lightning 5.5 245 Bacchus #18 Eddie Campbell 4.4 246 Star Blazers #8 Argo Press 4.4 251 Gothic Nights Two Rebel Studios 4.3 252 Lost #1 Caliber 4.3 255 Joe Psycho and Moo Frog #2 Goblin Studios 4.1 257 Vampire Bayne vol. 2 #1 Comico 4.0 259 Archangels the Saga #4 Eternal St 3.9 268 Tug and Buster #6 Art and Soul 3.7 270 Warrior #3 Ultimate 3.6 280 Milk and Cheese Other #1 Slave Labor 3.2 295 Blue Dog #1 Ground Zero 2.6 Comic Book Market Share, October 1996: 1 DC Comics 32.86% 2 Image Comics 14.54% 3 Dark Horse 7.37% 4 Top Cow 3.72% 5 Topps 3.31% 6 Wizard Press 3.21% 7 Maximum Press 2.52% 8 Chaos! Comics 2.41% 9 Viz Communications 1.60% 10 Fantagraphics/Eros 1.58% Note: This information was obtained from Diamond Distribution's DIAMOND DIALOGUE, which publishes various sales charts every month, and is available to comics retailers. This listing includes sales of all comic books (excluding Marvel) sold through Diamond, which constitutes 98-99% of all direct market comic book sales. This list only includes pre-orders, and does not include advance reorders, reorders, or cancellations. This listing also does not include trade paperbacks, magazines, or other non-comic items. ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [10] New Comic Book Releases List by Charles LePage ncrl@fair.net NCRL: New Comic Book Releases List for Wednesday, 1996, compiled by Charles LePage. This is the *preliminary* list and is not complete. The completed list is posted weekly, usually Monday evening, at rec.arts. comics.info, http://www.america.net/~cslepage/ncrl.html, and Compuserve's Comics Publishers Forum. PUBLISHER, TITLE, ISSUE NUMBER, PRICE IN U.S. DOLLARS ACCLAIM Armed & Dangerous TPB #1, 8.95 ARCHIE Archies Story & Game Digest #37, 1.79 Jugheads Double Digest #41, 2.75 Jughead #88, 1.50 Scooby Doo #16, 1.50 Sonic The Hedgehog #42, 1.50 BIG Mickey Spillane's Mike Danger #7, 2.25 CLAYPOOL Elvira #41, 2.50 COMIC SHOP NEWS Comic Shop News #487, free CRUSADE Shi: Way Of The Warrior #10, 2.95 Thundergod #2 (Of 4), 2.95 DARK ANGEL Blackjack #2 (of 3), 2.95 DARK HORSE Black Pearl #2 (of 5), 2.95 Chronowar #3 (of 9), 2.95 Decade Of Dark Horse #4 (of 4), 2.95 DC Adventures Of Superman #541, 1.95 Amber: The Guns Of Avalon #3 (of 3), 6.95 Aztek: The Ultimate Man #5, 1.75 Batman And Robin Adventures #13, 1.75 Batman: The Long Halloween #1 (of 13), 4.95 Batman: Death Of Innocents #1 (of 1), 3.95 Blood: A Tale #2 (of 4), 2.95 Detective Comics #704, 1.95 Dreaming #7, 2.50 Gemini Blood #4, 2.25 Icon: A Heroes Welcome TPB, 12.95 Lobo #34, 2.25 Sandman Mystery Theatre #45, 2.50 Space Jam, 5.95 Sovereign Seven #17, 1.95 Superboy #34, 1.95 Superman/Doomsday Bookends, 215.00 Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego? #4, 1.75 Wise Son: The White Wolf #2, 2.50 EL CAPITAN Stray Bullets #8 (AA), 2.95 FIREMAN Drywall Unzipped #1, 2.95 GOBLIN Joe Psycho & Moo Frog #2, 2.5 HALLOWEEN Espers #4, 2.95 HARRIS Cyberfrog Reservoir Frog #2 (of 2), 2.95 Vampirella Strikes #7 (Silver Special), 2.95 IMAGE Angela TPB, 9.95 Big Bang Comics #5, 2.95 Brass #1 (Folio edition), 4.50 Curse Of The Spawn Dark Future Part II: Blood Lust, 1.95 Glory #16, 2.50 Grifter #4, 2.5 Hazard #6, 2.25 Lady Supreme #3, 2.50 Maxx #27, 1.95 Prophet/Avengelyne #1, 2.95 Shattered Image #3, 2.5 Spawn TPB, 9.95 Vanguard: Strange Visitors #1, 2.95 Youngblood #11, 2.50 KITCHEN SINK Crow: City Of Angels Movie Poster One-Sheet #10, 8.95 KRAUSE Comic Buyer's Guide #1197, 2.95 MARVEL Abominations #1 (of 3), 1.50 Adventures Of Spider-Man #9, 0.99 Adventures Of The X-Men #9, 0.99 Daily Bugle #1 (of 3), 1.95 Disney Comic Hits #14, 1.50 Excalibur #104, 1.95 Generation X #22, 1.95 Incredible Hulk #448, 1.50 Iron Man #2 (Heroes Reborn), 1.95 Punisher #14, 1.50 Spider-Man #75, 2.95 Spider-Man's Strangest Adventures TPB, 16.95 Star Trek: Starfleet Academy #1, 1.95 Ultraverse Unlimited #2, 2.50 What If? #92, 1.50 X-Force/Youngblood #1, 4.95 X-Man #22, 1.95 X-Men #59, 1.95 X-Men '96 #1, 2.95 X-Men: Mutations TPB, 19.95 X.S.E. #2, 1.95 MAXIMUM Avengelyne #0, 2.99 Battlestar Galactica: Journeys End #3 (of 4), 2.99 MIKEY-SIZED Von Fange Brothers: The Uncommons #1, 1.75 NBM Suburban Nightmares Vol II (Childhood Secrets), 11.95 SLAVE LABOR Copybook Tales #2, 2.95 Skeleton Girl Comics #3, 2.95 TOP COW Tales Of The Witchblade #1, 2.95 Weapon Zero #8, 2.50 VEROTIK Goth TPB, 9.95 Jaguar God #5, 2.95 Satanika #5, 2.95 VIRTUAL They Call Me The Skul #1 (of 3), 2.50 VIZ Animerica Vol. IV # 10, 4.95 Maison Ikkoku Part VI #3 (of 11)(Note Price), 3.5 Nausicaa Of The Valley Of The Wind TPB Vol. VII, 16.95 No Need For Tenchi #7 (of 7), 2.95 WILDSTORM Gen 13 Fairchild Door Poster (AA), 15.95 ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [A] E-Mag Info: Submissions, Subscriptions, Back Issues, Copyrights SUBMISSIONS ----------- To submit an article, review, column, etc to our e-mag, simply post it in any ComicBook 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 ComicBook 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. 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You can also find the back issues at America Online, by going to Keyword: COMICS, then choose 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. COPYRIGHTS ---------- The Comic Book Net E-Mag is published by the many participants of The ComicBook 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 ComicBook Network. Except where elsewhere noted, The Comic Book Net Electronic Magazine (CBEM) is Copyright 1996 by The ComicBook 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 ComicBook Network. ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [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 ComicBook 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 ComicBook 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 CBN Node Board Name Sysop Phone ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 23:102/0 Warner Robins Net Host Jeff Floyd 1-912-929-3762 23:102/1 The Congressional BBS Jeff Floyd 1-912-929-3762 23:103/0 Russellville Net Host Robert Wood 1-501-968-3910 23:103/1 Karate & Comics &... Robert Wood 1-501-968-3910 23:103/2 The Factory Rick Brewer 1-901-885-9647 23:103/3 The Mystic Curtis Tesch 1-501-284-5503 23:103/4 Conway PC Users Group BBS Tim Stone 1-501-329-7227 23:104/0 Raleigh Net Host Walter Tietjen 1-919-833-3412 23:104/1 TI-Raleigh Maximus Walter Tietjen 1-919-833-3412 23:104/3 Psychotronic Richard Lee 1-919-286-7738 23:104/4 Electronic Hangover Richard Lee 1-919-286-4542 23:104/6 The Federal Post Frank Koza 1-910-436-2055 23:108/0 Melbourne Net Wayne Bell 1-407-253-8754 23:108/2 Never Never Land Wayne Bell 1-407-253-8754 23:109/0 Jacksonville Net Eric Cohen 1-904-363-6347 23:109/1 Extreme Online Eric Cohen 1-904-363-6347 23:110/0 Destin Net Keith Schultz 1-904-654-1631 23:110/1 Steel Dog Cafe' Keith Schultz 1-904-654-1631 23:110/2 Ghost's Realm Kie Dorton 1-904-689-6664 23:111/0 Lake County Net Thomas McNeill 1-904-357-0355 23:111/1 Programmers Citadel Thomas McNeill 1-904-357-0355 23:111/2 Ded Dudez Mike Burgess 1-904-343-7272 23:112/0 Area Code 305 Mitchel Waas 1-305-792-9622 23:112/1 Information Interchange Mitchel Waas 1-305-792-9622 23:202/0 Houston Net Jeff Watts 1-713-568-0825 23:202/1 The RASTER Line Jeff Watts 1-713-568-0825 23:202/2 Dream Sequence Biju Mathai 1-713-835-0965 23:203/0 Nearly Dallas Wayne LeMonds 1-214-494-3702 23:203/2 Star Streams Michael Rudolf 1-214-938-7115 23:203/5 Way Out There Justin Pasher 1-214-680-2755 23:205/0 Odessa Net Dennis Brown 1-915-530-2712 23:205/1 Orion BBS Dennis Brown 1-915-530-2712 23:206/0 Collinsville Net Jeff Bennett 1-918-371-0980 23:206/1 Snart's Dreamland Jeff Bennett 1-918-371-0980 23:206/2 CompuMate Danny Pelletier 1-918-663-3454 23:206/4 The Round Table Garett Merrill 1-918-274-0775 23:207/0 Killeen TX Net T.J. Gohl 1-817-699-2254 23:207/1 Young Blood T.J. Gohl 1-817-699-2254 23:208/0 OKC MetroNet Lonnie Johnson 1-405-787-2540 23:208/1 Beggar's Forum IV Lonnie Johnson 1-405-787-2540 23:208/2 Beggar's Forum IV Lonnie Johnson 1-405-787-2557 23:400/0 Saugerties Net Host John Dragun 1-914-247-9601 23:400/1 Starbase : RED DWARF John Dragun 1-914-247-9601 23:401/0 Mass Net John Harris 1-508-753-3767 23:401/3 Archives BBS John Viera 1-508-995-0085 23:401/7 Keystone BBS John Harris 1-508-753-3767 23:401/8 Call Again Soon Joe Johnson 1-508-791-8456 23:401/9 Muskrat & Heatwave Dennis Racine 1-508-984-4632 23:401/10 HellFire BBS Brock Cordeiro 1-508-979-8930 23:403/0 DC MetroNet Spencer Greenwald 1-703-415-1130 23:403/4 Crystal Aerie Spencer Greenwald 1-703-415-1130 23:403/6 Bifrost Kevin Carlin 1-301-779-9381 23:403/7 Vampyre Bar Darryl Pierce 1-301-698-5194 23:403/8 Womens World East BBS Net Wendy Dumser 1-301-445-1612 23:403/9 DataStorm Tarek Gordan 1-301-390-5243 23:404/0 New Hampshire John McNally 1-603-382-0338 23:404/1 Computer Castle John McNally 1-603-382-0338 23:404/2 Venom's World Ira Locke 1-603-743-4188 23:405/0 LI Net Host Tom Pemberton 1-516-422-4225 23:405/1 Asgard.TW BBS Tom Pemberton 1-516-422-4225 23:406/0 Philadelphia Net William Horton 1-215-365-5225 23:406/1 Comic Book Board William Horton 1-215-365-5225 23:406/2 Dark Lands Chris Ford 1-215-487-7315 23:407/0 RoachTel Net Eric Sears 1-716-647-9068 23:407/1 Generation X Eric Sears 1-716-647-9068 23:409/0 St Mary's County Net Linda Peek 1-301-884-9732 23:409/1 Shearata's Realm Linda Peek 1-301-884-9732 23:410/0 Bergen County Net Jacob Greenberg 1-201-722-1495 23:410/1 Bergen BBS Jacob Greenberg 1-201-722-1495 23:410/2 Cyberspace Arcade Rick Smorawski 1-201-440-0563 23:410/3 Unnamed BBS Edward Di Geronimo J 1-201-368-1866 23:410/4 Quantum Zone Wayne Robinson 1-201-307-9225 23:410/5 Virtual Connection Dmitry Korsun 1-201-796-7202 23:411/0 AreaCode 908 Tal Meta 1-908-830-8265 23:411/1 Phoenix Modernz Systems Tal Meta 1-908-830-8265 23:501/0 KY Net Todd Millhouse 1-502-867-0992 23:501/1 Lex Corp Todd Millhouse 1-502-867-0992 23:503/0 Windsor Net Gary Ranchuk 1-519-974-2976 23:503/1 The Trading Post ][ Gary Ranchuk 1-519-974-2976 23:503/2 The Snake Pit BBS Mark Godard 1-519-979-4251 23:505/0 Dearborn Hgts Net Anthony Palacio 1-313-565-8464 23:505/1 Int. Comic Network Anthony Palacio 1-313-565-8464 23:506/0 Gananoque Net Mike Serson 1-613-382-1788 23:506/1 Gananoque System Mike Serson 1-613-382-1788 23:507/0 Iowa Net Andy St.Pierre 1-319-359-4449 23:507/2 The Final Destination BBS Andy St.Pierre 1-319-359-4449 23:508/0 KC Area Net Brian J. Stewart 1-816-767-1488 23:508/1 The Oan Citadel Brian J. Stewart 1-816-767-1488 23:509/0 Ontario Net Michael Cross 1-519-850-9929 23:509/1 Dark Knight Michael Cross 1-519-850-9929 23:509/3 Mach 1 Tomasz Heiber 1-519-457-6771 23:509/5 Stargate: Above & Beyond Paul Nicolas 1-519-472-4938 23:510/0 Chi & Burbs Alex Gen 1-708-776-2395 23:510/1 Warp Speed Alex Gen 1-708-776-2395 23:512/0 Area Code 219 Rob Swanson 1-219-325-3655 23:512/1 Rob's BBS Arcade 1 Rob Swanson 1-219-325-3655 23:512/2 Rob's BBS Arcade 2 Rob Swanson 1-219-324-4713 23:600/0 Longview Net Host Jeanne Lejon 1-360-577-7358 23:600/1 Longview On-Line! Node1 Jeanne Lejon 1-360-577-7358 23:600/2 Longview On-Line! Node2 Jeanne Lejon 1-360-577-0276 23:601/0 Tacoma Net Host Robert Richards 1-206-272-8083 23:601/1 Alpha's Attic Robert Richards 1-206-272-8083 23:601/2 Area 51 Paul Powloski 1-206-538-9435 23:602/0 VanPortNet Robert Leveque 1-360-696-2440 23:602/1 Cyberotica Online Robert Leveque 1-360-696-2440 23:700/0 Mexico DF Net Emilio Karam 52-5-264-2994 23:700/1 The Gate Emilio Karam 52-5-264-2994 ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - End of another Issue .. see ya in the funnny papers!! "The gov't is the problem, not the solution" - R. Reagan