------------------------------------------------------------------------ THE COMIC BOOK NET ELECTRONIC MAGAZINE - ISSUE NUMBER 87 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] Network Buzz........................... News, gossip & rumors [4] CSN Insider............................ Comic Shop News [5] Rich's Revelations .................... Rich Johnston [6] The Pen is Mightier.................... Brian Matus [7] New Distributor to open in 1997........ Angelo Furlan [8] My View: TEMPLATE...................... David LeBlanc [9] Our Favorite Stores ................... ComicBook Network [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 Quote of the week: "I will quit Image Comics . . . I will quit this industry . . . before I let that kid back in Image. You can put that in big bold letters. Over my dead body will that kid come back to Image Comics" Todd McFarlane about Rob Liefeld in Wizard #65 BTW, in the same issue a report on the Small Press Expo by Frank Cho and a mention and picture of our friend and CBN old timer, Chris Oarr. Way to go Chris. Great big thanks and a Hatlo Hat Tip (obscure comic strip reference) to Allan Gross and the folks at Attention! Publishing for the free plug at the top of the letter page of DOCTOR CYBORG #1. They mention the issue that ran the review of their book, and highly recommend us to their readers, giving the Email and web page addresses. I told you folks that #1 hit the stands last week so go out and get one! My review was based on the preview, which had bits and pieces of stories and served to peak my interest. The first issue tells a story and builds the basis for future issues and could be just the different type of comic you are looking for these days, especially if you are into conspiracies and unexplained. Speaking of web pages, I have made some changes to ours this week. I added Worlds of Westfield and Dark Horse on the main links page, I also have linked a page done by Brad Haffey who does color work for Full Bleed and our friends at Mythic Comics. I also stumbled on a very comprehensive page that links to all kinds of comics that can be read online as well as other resources. It is called COMICS 'N STUFF and I added their link to our page as well. Check it out at: http://www.cclabs.missouri.edu/~c617145/comix.html Once again, I remind everyone I do not add lots of links to our pages because I have all I can do to get this mag done right. Our web page is to provide easy access to the back issues, promote the Comic Book Network and suggest a few places that may be of interest to fellow lovers of comics. If you are setting up a web page and you want to get links on other pages go to the ones we are linked to and ask them to add yours. Their hit rates are usually much higher than ours. I have a few new graphics on the Pictures page as well. This leads into the last of three columns about Email. Previously I mentioned some do's and don'ts about being on a mailing list. I have found a couple people do not understand that what I do is not like some other lists where everyone who writes to a central mailer gets copied to everyone one else on the list. Requests for information about where to buy art or how to find and old friend who happened to like comics or any such stuff not related to the Emag or of general interest to comic book fans will not be included in the Emag. My list is a subscription list. You sign up to get whatever I feel like putting in each issue, but it doesn't mean your letters, or anyone else's will automatically be included, although most are. Also if you have specific questions about detail in columns, like the new comic release list or something else I did not write the best thing to do is to Email the author. I will always forward their mail if you send it here and I always include their Email address if you want to do it in private. A while back I did a column on junk Email and am happy to report that America Online has finally instituted controls so that each account can block out Email from any person or an entire domain. This was a welcome change as the volume of junk was getting horrendous and the domains set up to JUST send bulk Email seems to be on the rise. Unfortunately, if you are using such a service as a legitimate user and other users are bombing AOL accounts with bulk junk mail there is a good chance no one from your service will be able send Email to AOL if it gets too bad. However, if that happened, individual people using AOL can allow messages through to their accounts and there are very few domains AOL does block out by default. Why am I mentioning this? Because people that bulk mail use mailing lists, often compiled by other people. They can get them from Usenet news groups, chat rooms on AOL and even the Customer profiles, which is information you decide to let people know if they look it up in a section of AOL. There may be other dubious means of generating mailing lists, like a random account generator that sends tests messages to eliminate non-existing accounts. With 7 million users on AOL alone you can find a lot of screen names this way. They also get addresses from other mailing lists. That is why whenever I get a message from another fan, with a bunch of other people on the CC: list I send back a note asking them to find out how to use the BLIND CARBON COPY feature of their particular Email software so that the people who receive the bulk mail do not see the names of the others and therefore cannot use those names on other bulk mailings. Eudora and other mailers have the bcc: field already built in. AOL is simple, just add parenthesis. So if you want to send Email to JByrne@aol.com and blind carbon copy to me you can just type our addresses like this (from an AOL account) TO: JByrne, (ComicBkNet) Since mine is in parenthesis JByrne won't know I got a copy. Other software differs, but it is the right thing not to broadcast other people's addresses. Now you will note the header in the copy of this and every issue is not cluttered up with a bunch of names (another reason not to send them in the open is to save space). I send about 100 blind carbon copies to each of 4 addresses to cover our readership and no one sees anyone else's address except mine, M!ke's and Bill Hughes'. I do not give out addresses without permission. Our letters page CLEARLY says your Email address will be published with any letters unless you request we don't - and some people have requested so. If you win the Cheesy Prize I request your mailing address but share it with NO ONE. I still contend with a fair amount of junk mail but I can now deal with it so it is not recurring. I vow to you that our mailing list will never be used as a source for bulk mailing as long as I am editor here. I humbly request that you respect this philosophy and not give out my address except to promote this magazine. I'll take my chances on that basis. 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: dark.knight@juno.com (John Costa) To: comicBKNet@aol.com Dear Editor, I'd like to thank you for having a great publication. I am editor of my high school yearbook and if this is anything like that, then you have done a LOT of work. [Thanks, it does require a bit of effort. *8^) ] Now, for my comentary... I am a small press reader, as well as a large one. I read all the x-stuff like everyone else. I also read a lot of chaos! stuff. But then I get down to the small stuff. And I have a question. What happened to Vampire Bayne by Redline comics?I read the first issue and loved it, then never heard so much as a peep from it. Oh yeah, I would also like to ask permission for forwarded un altered segments of your reports in the Wildnet (tm) comics conference, for which I am moderator. Thanks and keep up the good work! [The entire Emag is free to anyone and we request it be sent unaltered in it's entirety, mainly because the contributors have extended their permission to ME to put there work in the Emag and it would not be fair to spread their work elsewhere without their permission. I have no problem with people using my reviews or news reports in other forums but request you contact other individuals with columns directly by Email for their permission. This would include the review columns, The New Comics Release List, Rich's Revelations, and the Comic Shop News CSNsider. If they give permission then you may copy and paste those columns to other forums.] +++++ From: Manel Martinez I have changed my e-mail adress [Gotcha covered pal] By the way, you are doing a great job!!!!! And I DO read the taglines at the end of EVERY issue of the magazine and I find them very funny, keep them please. [I just asked to see if anyone was paying attention. I'll bet many people never scroll past the weekly shipping list since they may not need to know the CBN information and therefore never knew I put those little ditties at the end. BTW, newer fans might want to go to our home page and look up the SPECIAL EDITION from 4/1/96 in our back issues section for a real treat] +++++ From: mar96@singnet.com.sg (Kok Kean Mun) Dear Mr. LeBlanc, Thanks a lot for the (b) part of #86. [Somehow had a problem with this reader last week] By the way, you and whoever else is involved in the production of CBEM are doing a really great job. CBEM is simply a gem. Thanks for all the effort that you guys have put in to make all this information available. Really appreciate it. [And I appreciate the thought] +++++ From: charles.ahrends@privy.com (Charles Ahrends) Organization: The Privy Ledged BBS Hello David, Thanks for the newletter. It will help me a lot. Also others too. I have also passed some of this info on to some sysops, so you might be picking up some more boards for your network. Hope you don't mind. [and this is the reason we started to begin with, to get more people involved in discussing comics via the ComicBook Net!] +++++ Subj: Re: Marvelcution Deja Vu (CBEM #86) From: jimbo@sr.radiks.net (Jim Lawless) Greetings! Since I no longer publish the Comics Jabber e-zine, I don't have much of a medium to rant and rave like the lunatic that I used to be, so I thought I'd transfer my witless banter to your publication. My hackles were raised after reading the following quote from Terry Stewart in CBEM #86 ( regarding the Marvel layoffs ): "Given the significant and continued downturn in the comic book market, we've taken steps to resize the business," Stewart said. Marvel's comic book business generates about 15 percent of the company's revenue. The portion in particular that I dislike is the reference to the "continued downturn in the comic book market". Excuse me! Who is it that is responsible for this "continued downturn" ? At this point, I readied myself to spew forth maniacal drivel blaming people for this or that particular event which has soiled Marvel's quality...but, I won't. I know that all of you are going through it and are all too aware of what's been going on. In a nutshell, Marvel's quality has dropped in the last couple of years forcing me to avoid their titles. That's the bottom line. The "continued downturn" is, in my humble opinion, due to a continued production of things that few desire to read. I have more money in my comics budget than ever. It's getting spent on back issues and independents. If Marvel could come up with some good stuff, I'd gladly hand over my hard-earned cash for it. 'nuff said! Jim Lawless jimbo@radiks.net +++++ From: hershst@juno.com (Steven S. Hersh) To: ComicBkNet@aol.com Dear Dave, I think that the limited, edited CBN Insider was not such a bad thing. Why print the same news twice in CBEM, once in your original columns and again in the CSNsider? (Of source, due to speed of the electronic word, the same news might appear two weeks earlier in your original sources, way before it is made ready for CSN publication. So rarely. would the same news be repeated twice in a single CBEM.) [I have permission to print the entire CSNsider, not just portions of it. It saves me time to run the whole thing, even though some items have already been reported in more detail, than just pick out new stuff which I would have to re-type in different form in order to honor the copyright restrictions of "fair use". I would rather be redundant than have to add to the workload. The full version also has items of interest to our readers that pertain to gaming, cards, and movies, which I tend to leave out if there is no comic book connection.] Now for a comment on the decline of the comic magazine publishing industry. I remember when both comics and the local newspaper cost a dime. In a typical issue of SUPERMAN there would be three thrilling tales or one complete "book-length" novel. For the same amount of money my parents might purchase a newspaper with dozens of articles and two pages of comic strips. Today for the price of a typical Image comic I can subscribe to a _week's_ worth of a newspaper or buy a pretty book with one installment of a story which may drag on for a year. A comic magazine is no longer a cheap source of quick thrills and excitement. No wonder youngsters are not catching on to the habit. Its not just that the youngsters have the internet, electronic games, and malls as attractive alternatives. Rather, the publishers are gearing their product to a very select niche of nostalgic and art-loving fans with loads of patience. I guess this is why DC is publishing so many high-priced trade paperbacks these days. It is not that they expect fans to buy both their monthly books and the special projects. The magazine format for comics is not likely to last long. While DC still supports the magazines for those who are accustomed to buying them, it realizes that if comics in print have *any* future it is in modestly priced trade paperbacks, not over-priced magazines. See ya at the back-issue bins??? [You raise an interesting point and some publishers are finally getting a clue by reducing the number of crossovers. Even Maggie Thompson of CBG extols the virtues of comics that tell a story all in one issue.] [TRIVIA CONTEST] Last week's question: > In the Marvel "NEW" Universe, who or what was "THE PITT"? > Bonus: Is there a comic industry significance to the answer? From: cscherer@mgl.ca (Martin Scherer) the pitt was a cross over (the first universe wide cross over) who finished in a specail one shot.The pitt was the explaining of the White Event and how the beyonder was involved. I alos IMO this is where the new universe began to go down hill. +++++ From: rjp1224@hci.net (Jay Perry) The Pitt was Pittsburg after Starbrand nuked it while trying to rid himself of his powers. I would say that its significant to the comics industry because it was a major event designed to reinvigorate the New Universe to readers, but it didn't work. The New Universe still failed. Goes to prove that silly major changes (ala the Spider-Clone Saga) are no substitute for good writing and artwork. +++++ From: Ginchy1019 I believe THE PITT, was a comic about Pittsburgh, and superheroes there. Bonus: maybe there was a big comic convention there. Jesse Dubinsky Am I supposed to send my address now, or will you reply if i win? [The winner is notified immediately by return Email. Send a mailing address ONLY if you are notified you won] +++++ From: "Jim, Master of Comics" The giant gaping hole that used to be pittsburgh, left over after Ken Connell tried to get rid of the Starbrand power. > Bonus: Is there a comic industry significance to the answer? Yep, at the time, the New Universe John Byrne, writer-artist of the Starbrand comic, was attending a con there when it got vaporized. Jim, Master of Comics Comic Madness smiv@primenet.com 3277-L Grand Avenue Chino Hills, CA 91709 universo@lsh.org (909) 590-5949 +++++ From: Milo 68 THE PITT is what was left over of PITTSBURG after it was blown to hell in the Marvel "NEW" Universe. The comic industry significance happened recently when Ronald Perlman blew the Marvel Stock to hell. +++++ From: e@bigfoot.com (Eli Zweifach) The Pitt was a 50 foot wide crater in Pittsburgh that was caused by a White Event in which at least one million people died. Now tell me what significance this had to the Comic Industry. +++++ From: cscherer@mgl.ca (Martin Scherer) The pitt was what's left of Pittsuburg after it got blown up? Martin +++++ From: dafrench@dttus.com (David French) What is what was left of the city of Pittsburgh. If I remember correctly, the explosion that destroyed the city gave many of the heroes their powers. or [Actually, if I recall correctly, the powers came from the *first* white event which happened in space at the start of the NEW UNIVERSE. The PITT takes place a year and a half or so later] What best describes the current location of Marvel's stock, as "in the Pits" [BTW David - you might want to check about a fluke in your incoming mail. The response I sent you via Email was bounced back to me as *user not defined*] +++++ From: desada@edc1.edc.ca (Desabrais, Dave) I just got to my e-mag today, and I'm sure you have your answer by now, but I'll send mine anyway. The Pitt was what was left of Pittsburgh after Star Brand tried to transfer his power to a twisted dumbell (a weight, not a person), and accidently blew the city off the face of the map. +++++ The Pitt was the nickname given to the (former) city of Pittsburgh, after it was destroyed. Only a giant crater, or pit, was left. Bonus: Is there a comic industry significance to the answer? I'll take a stab . . . The Pitt closely paralleled the plunge in the sales of Marvel's "New Universe" line of titles ;) SSymco +++++ From: whegdish To: "David L. LeBlanc" Subject: Re: CBEM #86a the pitt was the GI joe headquarters. +++++ [As is often the case, the very first response had the answer exactly correct and the bonus response, tying in the destruction of Pittsburgh to Jim Shooter, was the significance we were looking for as well.] From: John Northey The answer is Pittsburg after Starbrand destroyed it. Right after Jim Shooter left Marvel they had his character try to lose the power by slapping in onto a weight. The weight blew up and created the Pitt. A one-shot was made showing this. This was the symbolic destruction of Jim Shooter from Marvel, done by John Byrne mainly (not the one shot but the idea iirc). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION: What *special* logo, beside the title, was on the cover of every issue of "Crisis on Infinite Earths"? 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] Network Buzz News, gossip and rumors from around the industry The Comic Cafe reports that Milestone Media will cease publication of all its ongoing titles as of April. After recent changes, they have been publishing Icon, Static, and Hardware and the mini series about Wise Son. The company will continue to exist and will work on some book projects for Hyperion, a subsidiary of Disney. On rec.arts.comics.misc this week Dwayne Mcduffie said, "Even a cursory look at our creative teams should be enough to convince folks that Milestone included creators from a _wider_ ethnic pool of talent than just about anybody. From staff to freelancers to finished product, Milestone was _inclusive_, I mean, that was the whole point. Sorry it was lost on so many people. We gave it our best shot." Dwayne McDuffie Editor In Chief Milestone Media, Inc +++++ Last issue in our article about Marvel we reported the expected loss at the Comic division would be $10-15 million. It should have been $7 million Also last issue, we hinted that some folks heard that the West Cost operation and the Malibu Ultraverse would be closed as well. Reportedly the Star Trek titles are heading back to New York and as to the Ultraverse, here is an official post: Date: 25 Nov 1996 OK. Here's the straight dope. UV is finished as of December books. Marvel was gracious enough to allow the books to wrap up current storylines. We here at Panic Button have done our best trying to explain some of the inconsistencies created by Black September but we certainly don't have the room to explain every continuity problem. UV fans will have to speculate on the remaining unresolved threads. Our office will be closed down Dec 31. I know not everyone has agreed with the direction that UV took after I was given charge of it, but I do thank all those who have loyally stayed with the books and given the line the support I think it really deserved. Mark Paniccia +++++ On the financial front, the news for Marvel did not look any better after Monday when this report was released: (Press release provided by Moody's Investors Service) NEW YORK, Nov 25 - Moody's Investors Service on Monday said it downgraded to C from Ca the ratings on Marvel Entertainment Group's three immediate parent companies. Moody's downgraded the ratings on Marvel Holdings' 11-1/4 percent series B senior secured discount notes; Marvel (Parent) Holdings' 11-7/8 percent senior secured discount notes; and Marvel III Holdings' 9-1/8 percent senior secured notes to single-C from Ca. The notes, which mature in April 1998 and are secured by 79 percent of MEGs common shares, had an aggregate accreted/face value of $773 million as of September 30, 1996. MEGs $400 million shelf-registration ratings were also downgraded to (P)Ca from (P)B3 for senior debt and to (P)C from (P)Caa for subordinated debt. At the same time, Moody's assigned a Caa rating to $495 million in U.S. bank credit facilities of Marvel Entertainment Group. The bank loan ratings were also placed under review with direction uncertain. The downgrades conclude a review that was initiated on October 10, 1996. The notes' C ratings reflect the near certainty that recoveries will fall far short of contractual amounts regardless of whether noteholders agree to the terms of a debt restructuring plan proposed by an affiliate, Andrews Group Incorporated, on November 12, 1996. +++++ BOULDER, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 25, 1996--Poised for growth and expansion, VR-1, the online entertainment company specializing in multiplayer games and digital comics, has added two renowned professionals to its creative team. Carl Potts, former editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics, is spearheading the development of VR-1's online comics, while accomplished game designer and writer Graeme Davis is lending his talent to the development of VR-1's multiplayer games. Graeme Davis (whose name is an anagram of "Game Adviser" and "Varied Games") has a 14-year career in roleplaying games, computer games and edutainment software. Starting as a freelancer for the influential British gaming magazines White Dwarf and Imagine, Davis joined Games Workshop to develop their Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay game line. He has written for many major roleplaying games, including Dungeons & Dragons, Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, and Vampire: the Masquerade. At MicroProse UK, Davis contributed to Harrier Jump Jet, The Legacy and Fields of Glory. His freelance clients have included Interplay, Psygnosis and U.S. Gold. Davis joins VR-1 from Magnet Interactive Studios, where he worked on various projects including the award-winning One Small Square: Backyard edutainment CD-ROM for Virgin Sound and Vision. Carl Potts is a cornerstone of the comic book industry, having spent over 15 years as a writer, artist and editor. Among his many accomplishments are developing a widely successful franchise out of the Punisher group of books and creating the Alien Legion comic book series. During his tenure as a comic editor, Potts's keen eye for talent prompted him to recruit and develop many of today's top comic book artists. Potts will contribute his talents to the expansion of the subject matter and genres offered in VR-1's series of online comics, which currently includes MegaBot(TM), Animal Kingdom, I4NI and the recently launched Tech-Monger. Headquartered in Boulder, Colo. with facilities in St. Petersburg, Russia and Toronto, Canada, VR-1 is an entertainment company that is creating massively multiplayer games and innovative serialized content. VR-1 is developing sophisticated proprietary client and server technology for the creation of digital entertainment to be distributed over the Internet, online services and emerging broadband and cable networks. VR-1 is located at www.vr1.com. CONTACT: Technology Solutions Inc. Kymberlee Norsworthy/Laurie Rubenstein, 212/696-2000 kn@tsipr.com +++++ Mark Leonard Dead The Actor Mark Leonard, who portrayed Sarek of Vulcan, Spock's Father, in Star Trek died on Nov. 22 in New York. The 68 year actor died of cancer. He had portrayed the Character Sarek in both Star Trek and its sequel Star Trek: The Next Generation. As well he appeared in three of the series' feature films. +++++ Our friend Angelo Furlan has provided some news about a couple of projects: PEERLESS PRESSURE! There's a strange story behind THE SINNAMON ARCHIVES #1, to be released by Catfish Comics in 1997. According to Angelo Furlan, Catfish publisher and co-creator of the Sinnamon character, he was contacted by an individual who claimed that comics featuring a heroine named Sinnamon were published as far back as the 1940's. Furlan's initial disbelief was answered by a package containing a number of very old comic books. Somehow, Catfish came up with the idea of Sinnamon without knowing Peerless Publications (later known as Priceless and even Precious) had published various versions of a similar character for nearly twenty years. The next step was to hold a meeting with the various parties. "Seeing how the company published their last comic back in June 1958, there wasn't much that their representatives could do to me. But rather than risk having the lawyers duke it out, I decided to compromise", said Angelo (via the Catfish Home Page). The compromise is that Catfish will print some of these "classic" stories in the ARCHIVES comic book. Currently, the plan is to take three stories, each showing a different facet of the Sinnamon character in her Peerless/Priceless/Precious incarnations. As well, there will be text articles on this Sinnamon's publishing history, and the creators of the original character. "It's nothing I ever expected. Seeing Sinnamon as a costumed WW2 heroine was surprise enough, but some of the other stories really knocked me for a loop. I can't believe I hadn't heard of this before," Angelo Furlan. "It's really quite unbelievable." Available through Diamond and SyCo Distributing, THE SINNAMON ARCHIVES #1 will be released on April 1, 1997. [see further in the mag about SyCo Distributing] Hold on! Have I got some Mythic Comics news as well? GET STUF-ED! Mythic Comics will be taking a unique twist to the concept of alternate covers with their release of STUF #1. In keeping with the nature of this offbeat humor comic, the book will have a "Shiny" foil cover edition along with the "Sweet" regular cover. "Stuf (the main character) has an eye for shiny things, so a foil cover made sense," says Gary Ainsworth, Mythic publisher. "At the same time, berries (yes, the fruity kind) play a big role in the comic, so the regular cover features big red berries. (Stuf creator) Angelo Furlan asked about making this a bubble gum enhanced cover, but the technology's just not there yet." STUF #1 tells the story of how the main character finds that friendship and family conspire to get him involved in a hotly contested election. STUF is written by Angelo Furlan and illustrated by Kevin Bertazzon and George Todorovski, and will be shipping in December. Angelo Furlan Writer/Creator of SINNAMON, BRUISER, and STUF. email me at: afurlan@pathcom.com Check out the Catfish Comics Web Page at: http//www.thenerve2.com/catfish ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [4] CSNsider by W. Batty and C. Biggers This is the CSNsider from CSN #494, which will be in shops on 12/5/96. It is reproduced in its entirety with the expressed permission of COMIC SHOP NEWS! It turns out that some of the WildStorm news reported in the CSNsider was premature; while most of those books are on schedule, contracts have not been signed on all the books. As soon as deals are finalized, CSN will let you know... And while we're talking about errors, our spellcheck outsmarted itself and substituted Ernie Colon's last name for Gene Colan's in our report concerning the Aliens story (written by Mike Barr, illustrated by Colan) that will be running in CSN #500. Our apologies to Gene Colan, one of the finest artists working in the field today, and a man whose work we've admired since before anyone ever heard of Adam Austin... Cully Hamner and Jason Martin's new Blanc Noir title Brave is slated for late February release from Dark Horse; the mystery-adventure miniseries will feature a prelude to Adam Hughes' no one series in each issue... Topps has a new Star Wars Trilogy: Special Edition Widevision Trading Card Series in the works to tie in with the cinematic debut of the revamped Star Wars films. The 72 card series, which is being retro-scheduled for mid-January release, focuses on the new material being added to the Star Wars films... In light of the success of the X-Men/Star Trek crossover book, don't be surprised if you see another Marvel/Paramount crossover in '97... The voice actors for the Gen13 animated series have been chosen: Alicia Witt plays Caitlin Fairchild, Flea plays Grunge; E.G. Daly plays Freefall; John DeLancie plays Lynch; Mark Hamill plays Threshold; Lauren Lane plays Ivana; and Cloris Leachman plays Helga... The Comic Cafe reports that Marvel is considering a variety of older concepts for revival in '97, including Alpha Flight, Quicksilver, Ant-Man/Hercules, Shanna The She-Devil, Werewolf By Night, Black Panther, Dazzler and Longshot, Cloak and Dagger and The Rawhide Kid. This doesn't mean that all of these concepts will be appearing in comics next year-but it does put 'em on the "Likely Prospects" list, at least... FPG is working on a 128-page art book highlighting the works of acclaimed fantasy illustrator Brom. Darkwerks: The Art of Brom features over 150 full-color reproductions of Brom art; the $24.95 trade paperback is slated for February release... The next expansion for FPG's Dark Age collectible card game is entitled Dark Age: The Brood; look for it in March... Art Adams is producing a new Monkeyman and O'Brien serial for Dark Horse Presents; the first installment is scheduled to appear in DHP #118, a February release. Evan Dorkin also has a story in this issue, and the book will feature Dorkin and Adams flip-covers... The Stefan Petrucha/Jill Thompson X-Files Graphic novel Afterflight is finally on the schedule for February release; the 64-page book is priced at $5.95... Image Comics has announced the addition of two new titles under the Image black and white line being spearheaded by Jim Valentino. The Adventures of Aaron by Aaron Warner is described by Valentino as "one of the funniest books I've read in a long time," while Soulwind by Scott Morse is described as "a bit fantasy, a bit science fiction, all drawn in a brush style that reminds me of a cross between Jeff Smith and Vaughn Bode, but still completely unique unto itself." These titles join the already-announced Espers and Age of Heroes, whose move Valentino announced earlier... +++++ CSN is available exclusively at over 1,000 finer comic shops nation-wide. A list, sorted by zip code, of shops that carry CSN is available at our website. CSN only costs your shop a dime each, so if they don't carry it, nag them until they do. Isn't your patronage and satisfaction worth a dime a week? We post some art to go along with this news at our website: http://www.dreamsville.com/CSN/CSNsider.html Ward Batty wardo@netdepot.com Cliff Biggers cliffbig@netdepot.com (c)Copyright 1996 CSN, Inc. All Rights Reserved. ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [5] Rich's Revelations: Almost December/Rich Johnston Rich's Revelations. Life, Love and Happiness. Another spin round the sun and I'm back. Let's crack on. First: www.netgate.net/~twist is under construction, but have a stroll what's going on there anyway. Triple crossover. Marvel vs DC vs Image?! It could happen if Jim Lee has anything to do with it. Autumn 1997 seems a good time, when Heroes Reborn bows out. UKCAC 97 details March 15th-16th, Swingin' London hosts its Comic Convention, still run by lovable Rusty Staples. And I'm excited! Why? 'Cos we got Dan Clowes and Joe Kubert coming over. Oh, and Bill Loebs, Trina Robbins, Steve Leialoha and loads of other peeps from this side of the pond. I'm applying for the special Joe Kubert classes right now! So... who's coming? We need to get a rac* get together this year. 20 quid for the weekend, UKCAC97 PO Box 146, Glasgow G1 5RN, Stamped SAE Surging Serge Looking forward to Sergio Aragones' new work for DC, a new creator owned series with Mark Evanier in tow. Captain Crossover Has Rob got bored with Captain America so quickly? Cable appearing in Captain America 1 seems to contradict the concept of Heroes Reborn from Onslaught. Hey ho.. Time Tales Untold Tales of Spider-man looks to be crossing over with the main titles, introducing a new baddie who will then turn up in all the present day Spider titles. Any Spider reader should pick up recent Supremes by Alan Moore to see the twisted thinking behind such retcons. Madam, I'm Adam Where, oh where now for Adam Kubert. While Andy jumps X-Men to Ka-Zar, Adam has no home to call his own. He was going to join Hulk for 451, but Deodato has decided he actually likes doing Hulk and wants to stay. Adam has an issue of X-Men/WildCATS done and helps Madureia out on deadlines, but... Never mind Adam, there's always room for you at Twist and Shout Comics Twisted Shite You saw the address at the top of this page, Twist and Shout have finally got a web page together. What's more, the web page will compile Rich's Revelations, so you can check just how much I got wrong. And when you have a shufty, run down to your local Previews person and order a copy of X-Flies Bug Hunt 2: Monsters by me and other peeps. If you don't I'll get miffed. You wouldn't like me when I'm miffed. Ta ta for now, folks! ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [6] The Pen is Mightier... By Brian Matus About a month ago, Diamond Comic Distributors, distributors of 98-99% of comics to the direct market (i.e. comic specialty shops) decided to no longer distribute any books affiliated with Mike Diana. Mike Diana is the creator of BOILED ANGEL, an adult comic published by Michael Hunt Publications that was recently deemed obscene in court in the state of Florida. To date, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF) has spent over $56,000 in his defense, and is appealing his case in the Supreme court. In an exemplary show of cowardice, Diamond has turned their backs on Mike Diana, and by association, the CBLDF and the first amendment (freedom of the press). I'm not being overly dramatic here. Instead of taking a stand and contributing to the defense, they are putting the torch to a dying man. It is now practically impossible to buy any books by Mike Diana, short of ordering them directly from Michael Hunt Publications (if anyone has their mailing info, please e-mail me and I will put it in a future column). I understand that Diamond has a right not to carry any books they want, but I don't understand the rationale behind their decision when they continue to carry adult comics from Amaze Ink/Slave Labor Graphics, Antarctic Press's Venus Line, Boneyard Press, CFD Productions, Fantagraphic Books/Eros Comix, Kitchen Sink Press, NBM, Rebel Studios, Verotik Press, Penthouse Comix, the new Hustler Comix, and other publishers too numerous to mention. This even prohibits customers (like me), who order from Diamond's PREVIEWS order form every month, from ordering Mike Diana's books for my personal reserve file at the store I shop at, even if the store chooses not to order Diana's books for the shelf. I feel this is just the beginning of the end of controversial and/or adult work being able to be published successfully by small comic book publishers, and I hope Diamond reconsiders their decision on this dangerous precedent. Sorry I didn't review any books this week, but allow me to recommend some "mature readers" comics that I pick up every month (or as often as they come out): Armed & Dangerous (Crime-Acclaim Comics), Bacchus (Contemporary Mythology-Eddie Campbell Comics), From Hell (Jack The Ripper-Kitchen Sink Press), Hellblazer (Horror-DC/Vertigo), Jinx (Crime-Caliber Press), Night Cry (Horror Anthology-CFD Productions), Poison Elves (Fantasy comic about an Elven Assassin/Sirius Comics), Penthouse Comix (Anthology), Preacher (Action/Adventure-DC/Vertigo), Sandman Mystery Theatre (Pre-WWII Crime-DC/Vertigo), Sin City (Crime-Dark Horse), Stray Bullets (Crime-El Capitan Press), Sunglasses After Dark (Horror comic about a Vampire/Prostitute-Verotik Press), The Big Book...series (Anthology-DC/Paradox), Tug & Buster (Humor-Art & Soul Comics), and Verotika (Horror Anthology-Verotik Press). Be forewarned - These comics may induce shock, horror, arousal, insights into the human condition, or intense hilarity at any given moment! Brian bmatus@suffolk.lib.ny.us P.S.: Feel free to contact Diamond directly & let them know how you feel: Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc. 1966 Greenspring Drive Suite 300 Timonium, MD 21093 Phone:(410) 560-7100 or (800) 783-2981 E-mail: cussrv@diamdcom.com Web Site: http://www.diamdcom.com You can also contact Wizard Magazine at: Wizard: The Guide to Comics 151 Wells Ave Congers, NY 10920 E-mail: WizardTGTC@aol.com Web Site: http://www.wizardpress.com Or you can contact Overstreet's Fan at: Overstreet's FAN 1966 Greenspring Drive Suite 405 Timonium, MD 21093 Fax: (410) 560-6107 E-mail: fanmail@gemstonepub.com Web Site: http://www.gemstonepub.com/fan/home.html [EDITORIAL COMMENT: There is a reason for the disclaimers at the bottom of this mag, and the above is Brian's view. I rarely add my thoughts in this manner, but I feel compelled to address a couple of points. Brian says Diamond is turning it's back on the "freedom of the press" rights, but then he says they are free NOT to any distribute book they wish. Freedom of the press does not guarantee your product will be bought, only that you can put to paper anything you want, and take your chances on it being acceptable by local standards. Just as freedom of speech does not guarantee you an audience. Should radio and tv stations be forced to give air time to some hate group just because the constitution says they can speak their mind? If local authorities use the law, as was the case in the above situation, to restrict the distribution of printed product in their markets you can argue and appeal as is the system in this country. Holding third parties responsible for not distributing product that is already gotten people in trouble with the law seems to be demanding that their right of free choice as a business decision be subordinate to your right to spread your beliefs at any cost. It is too easy for we fans to pass judgement on Diamond since we are not the ones who face prison or fines or other penalties like Mr. Diana did. I am not thrilled with the direct market being dominated by one distributor, and they certainly don't make the correct decisions all the time, but proclaiming this the beginning of the end of adult products IS being over dramatic, IMHO. Opinions on this subject will be printed in the letter columns, but let's keep them to the point and not repeating the same arguments. D.L.] ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [7] There's A New Distributor In Town Angelo Furlan When Capital City Distribution closed shop a few months ago, the comic book industry was left with a single major distributor in the form of Diamond Comic Distributors. Beginning in January 1997, the industry will once again have an alternative as SyCo Distribution swings into business. Gathering together support from a number of independent publishers, SyCo will be selling product through their Internet ordering platform until the April 15 release of their bi-monthly "S.C.A.N.S." catalogue. The publication is meant to serve as both a product listing and a collectible for fans. Editor-in-Chief Marcus Harwell will oversee contributions from such writers as John Thompson (Mini Comics Editor), Mike Manley and Angelo Furlan (Contributing Editors). There will also be 2 ongoing comic strips: "Onion Head" by Max Espinosa and "Clem And Zeke" by John Thompson plus an ongoing comic with the creators still to be determined. "S.C.A.N.S." will also feature reports from retailers from around the globe reporting on the current conditions related to the industry. To enhance the collectibility of each issue, SyCo has enlisted a number of well known artists to provide original cover art. The first issue's cover is by "The Dark One", with future covers to be provided by such luminaries as Charles Vess, Ruben Gerard, Steve Furko, B.C. Boyer, and Jeff Amano. S.C.A.N.S. #1 will also feature interviews of Sirius Entertainment's Robb Horan, Liar Comics' Matt Scott, and Ground Zero's Mike Wolfer. The issue is capped with pin-up pages of original art and a pullout poster. On the business side, SyCo Distribution will be offering retailers the best terms available in the market today. Along with most of today's hottest titles, SyCo will be able to offer a large variety of back issues from many of the industry's finest independent creators. For more information, contact SyCo Distribution at 703-492-8787 or 415-637-9722. ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [8] My View David LeBlanc TEMPLATE & MAX DAMAGE: PANIC are publications of HEAD PRESS HEAD PRESS P.O. Box 299019 #380 Lewisville, TX 75029 Email: Psychosap@aol.com TEMPLATE 1-6 $2.50 ea. B & W (some color in #6), COLOR COVERS 32 pgs. future issues @ $12 for 6 issues. Check or money order only. Created, written, drawn, inked and lettered by Robert Luedke Other artistic contributions by Jennifer Furman, Michael Lagocki, Scott Meath, Carlos Phoenix Jimenez, Eric Allen, Kelsey Shannon, John Wooley, Heroic Age Studios, and many one panel contributions to various gallery pages in various issues - too numerous to mention. MAX DAMAGE: PANIC $2.75 B & W 32 pages Plot, Pencils, co-script - Michael Lagocki Co-script, letters, & edited by Robert Luedke Inks by Scott Meath Every time I get ready to write this review, I get more material from Robert so I put it off until I finish the new stuff. First I got TEMPLATE 1-5 and the Max Damage one shot. Just when I finished reading those along came a preview of the Template Special due out in February ($2.95 B & W & Color) so after I put to bed another edition of the Comic Book Net Electronic Magazine I planned to write the review when more shows up in the mail, in the form of Template #6. I figure I better zip this sucker off or I'll get buried in comics. *8^) After flipping through a couple it appears the Max Damage issue takes place before Template #1, even though it was published after #4 so being the kind who like to read things in chronological sequence I start with Max. Max by the way is Maxine, the chief field operative trainer of Project Template. She is a high order telepath and can also cast illusions. Her specialty is Mind Tap, which is taking mental control of a human being. She also has expertise in various forms of martial arts and serves as the personal body guard of Thomas Duval, the Director of Research and Development for Mammoth Corp. The story served as a good introduction to the premise of the Template "universe." Mammoth is a worldwide communications conglomerate which began Project Template in 1945 to usher in a new age of communications technology based on the secret work of the Germans during the war. Their plan was to develop Psychotronics, the connection of matter, energy and consciousness; to develop a race of Psycho-Sapiens . . . the next generation in evolution. They use their test subjects in covert manners to further their own, sometimes dubious ends. In this one shot Maxine has been tasked to retrieve a very powerful telekinetic who had been discovered by Mammoth and been kept under their study for 18 months and sent home to his foster parents when they could not find any Psychotronic abilities in the boy. A few years later, after running away from home, he has developed a power to an awesome level and got the attention of the Dallas police after killing one of their men. Duval wants the boy back, or dead and sends Maxine Damage in to do the job. For someone who can make others believe she is not there it is easy for her to slip past the police barricades to where the boy Panic is holed up. The confrontation is quite dramatic with lots of action and emotion. Unknown to Max, Duval has taken steps to ensure the mission is accomplished, one way or the other. In the end she confronts the true nature of her worth to Duval and the overriding importance of Project Template. This issue was pencilled by Lagocki and inked by Smeath. It is distinctive in style and suits the subject and the action perfectly. It is a good companion to Luedke's own pencil and ink work in the Template books which have the same qualities with only a slightly different tone, sometimes using a bit more grey and shadow. All of the art is exceptional in these books, with attention to detail on the scenes that need it. Kelsey Shannon does the pencils on the backstory set in WWII in issue #5 of Template and that work will really get your attention! But I digress . . . TEMPLATE is a code name for the ultimate weapon that Mammoth hoped to create and in 1995 they finally get him in the person of Jason 4, an 18 year old with Psychotronic power levels of telekinesis, telepathy, illusion projecting and force waves so high they outfitted him with a mental dampening field to attempt to limit the use of his power. When he gets near the end of his training he finds the true nature of the project is to use him as a covert weapon and so he escapes only to be hunted by operatives of Mammoth. Cornered by the first group he uses his power to the fullest out of his survival instinct and thus becomes the killer he did not want to be. The series follows Jason as he eludes capture and others go after him, including Maxine. The final player to show up is Ism, possibly the most powerful Psychotron alive who wants Jason to join his "side" in a war against Mammoth and Duval. After the few glimpses of him prior to his testing Jason in #6, you begin to wonder if there are any good guys with powers, beside Jason. There is a lot of detail I have left out so as not to spoil too much. There are bits of humor here and there, some pretty good, some just so so. The gang Jason hooks up with is a bit too overdone, especially in #6, and the other minor flaw is some editing mistakes here and there which don't detract too much, but I did notice them. So what is in this book for anybody? Well at first glance it appears to be very similar to the premise of HARBINGER, an old favorite in its early issues - evil corporation using gifted kids for own purposes and the most powerful of those with psychic powers (Sting) challenges the whole shebang - which is what Jason ultimately wants to do once Duval goes to far in one episode. What is different is that the story is told on a very personal level. It is Jason's story and revolves around him. Every character that is introduced somehow relates to his story and is part of the big picture of events down the rode. I am anxious to see if he can sort out the motivations and manipulations of others and develop his ability so as to lose the ridiculous head gear. I wonder if he will continue to be driven by revenge or if events will help him to mature and seek other reasons for using his great gifts. The stories are not without deaths, but they have not been gratuitous so far. Template is not just action for its own sake, but what there is of it fits in with the plot just right. Some neat visual effects are used, including color sequences which as of yet just tease us about what will come. The series will transition to color with the TEMPLATE SPECIAL #1, DEGREES OF PERCEPTION which is solicited in the new Previews and is highly recommended; with Jason reaching new levels of awareness of reality on another plane while he also visits with his younger selves through his subconscious in his sleep. Sounds like some interesting times are ahead. While there is really nothing new about telepaths and other psychic powers or corporations with covert operations using people like commodities, there is a freshness to the story, without the trappings of a whole super hero universe. If you like the type of story I have described, but are tired of the stuff the mainstream offers than this self published effort is well worth the money. More pages for the dollar and lots of honest care in what they are doing. ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [9] Our Favorite Stores The ComicBook Net In the spirit of the Holidays, we suggest you shop for some fine comic related products. Graphic Novels, mini and maxi-series, calendars, and other related merchandise is plentiful. A gift certificate at your local store is the best gift for some. Here is a list of the stores that the members of the Comic Book network say are the best around. Conway Comics Plus The Comic Book Store Hwy 286 9307 Treasure Hill Road Conway, AR Little Rock, AR Warp Drive Comics & Cards Collector's Edition Comics 525 Kiehl Ave. 3217 John F Kennedy Blvd Sherwood, AR North Little Rock, AR Comic Madness The Golden Apple 3277-L Grand Avenue 8962 Reseda Blvd Chino Hills, CA 91709 Northridge, CA 91324 Famous Faces THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT Wickam Rd 244 Park Avenue Melbourne, FL Worcester, MA 01609 Comikazi, Comics, Toys, & Noise THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT 503 State Road 387 Main Street North Dartmouth, MA Fitchburg, MA 01420 Web Head Enterprises Collectors World 353 Main Street 235 Muddy Branch Rd Wakefield, MA 01880 Gaithersburg, MD The Closet Of Comics Brainstorm Comics 7315 Baltimore Avenue (U.S. Route 1) 177B Thomas Johnson Dr. College Park, MD 20740 Frederick, MD Paperback Bazaar The Card Buck 120 Tri-City Plaza 68 Partition Street Somersworth, NH Saugerties, NY 12477 The Comic Empire Of Tulsa World of Comics 3122 S. Mingo 5623 E 41st Tulsa, OK 74146 Tulsa, OK Memphis Comics & Records Excalibur Comics & Cards 665 S Highland State Line Avenue Memphis, TN Texarkana, TX Myth Adventures EG Comics 3000 N. 10th 142 Maple Ave McAllen, TX Vienna VA 22180 The Spiders Web Lady Jayne's Comics & Books 729 River Road 5969 6th Avenue Puyallup, Washington 98371 Tacoma, Washington 98406 ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [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 ABSTRACT Strangers In Paradise: I Dream Of You TPB (AA), 16.95 ACADEMY Robotech: The Movie #2 (of 2), 2.95 Robotech Romance #1, 2.95 Winter Break Wild Bikini 4-Pack, 5.95 ACCLAIM X-O Manowar #2, 2.50 ANTARCTIC Athena #0, 2.95 Furrlough #48, 2.95 Ninja High School Swimsuit Specials 1995 (AA), 2.95 Ninja High School Swimsuit Specials 1994 (AA), 2.95 Tigers Of Terra Books One (AA), 9.95 Tigers Of Terra Technical Manual Vol. I (AA), 2.95 Tigers Of Terra Technical Manual Vol. II (AA), 2.95 ARCHIE Betty #46, 1.50 Cheryl Blossom Goes Hollywood #3 (of 3), 1.50 Jughead Double Digest #42, 2.75 Sonic: The Death Egg Saga #3 (of 3), 1.50 BIG Neil Gaiman's Lady Justice #8, 2.25 BYRON PREISS 6 Lethal Origins #2 (of 3), 2.50 Suit #2 (of 3), 2.50 They Call Me The Skul #2 (of 3), 2.50 COCONUT Totally Horses #1, 1.95 DARK HORSE Body Bags #3 (of 4)(resolicited), 2.95 Cud Comics #6, 2.95 Edgar Rice Burrough's Tarzan #6, 2.95 Nexus: Alien Justice TPB, 16.95 Warrior Of Waverly Street #2 (of 2), 2.95 DC Batman Chronicles #7, 2.95 Batman/Deadman Hardcover Graphic Novel, 24.95 Batman: Gordons Law #3 (of 4), 1.95 Batman Plus #1, 2.95 Batman: Shadow Of The Bat #59, 1.95 Book Of Fate #1, 2.25 Comic Book Collecting Kit, 13.99 Cyberella #6, 2.50 Green Lantern #83, 1.75 Hardware #47, 2.50 Hitman TPB, 9.95 Icon #42, 2.50 JLA #2, 1.95 Nightwing #5, 1.95 Pinky And The Brain #8, 1.75 Power Of Shazam #23, 1.75 Preacher #22, 2.50 Sandman Watch Set, 79.95 Seekers Into Mystery #13, 2.50 Sovereign Seven #19, 1.95 Starman #27, 2.25 Steel #35, 1.95 Superboy Plus #1, 2.95 Superman Adventures #4, 1.75 Superman: Man Of Tomorrow #7, 1.95 Superman: Whatever Happened To The Man Of Tomorrow, 5.95 Terminal City #8 (of 9), 2.50 ECHO Winterstar #1 (of 4), 2.95 FANTAGRAPHICS Life Of The Party Graphic Novel, 14.95 GLADSTONE Uncle Scrooge #302, 1.50 Uncle Scrooge Adventures #43, 1.50 GOBLIN Goblin Lord #2, 2.50 HARRIS Vampirella Lives #1 (of 3)(Die Cut Version), 3.50 Vampirella Lives #1 (of 3)(Deluxe Version) , 3.50 IMAGE Backlash #26, 2.50 Big Bang Comics #6, 2.50 Gen 13 #15, 2.50 Labman #1, 3.50 KITCHEN SINK Xenozoic Tales #14, 2.95 MARVEL Cable #40, 1.95 Code Of Honor #1 (of 4), 5.95 Daredevil #361, 1.50 Daredevil/Shi, 2.95 Fantastic Four #4 (Heroes Reborn), 1.95 Fantastic Four #1 (signed), ? Greatest Spider-Man & Daredevil Team-Ups TPB, 16.95 Marvel: Shadows & Light #1 (of 1), 2.95 Onslaught TPB #1 (of 6), 12.95 Onslaught TPB #2 (of 6), 9.95 Prime #15, 1.50 Sabretooth & Mystique #3 (of 4), 1.95 Sensational Spider-Man #13, 1.95 Spider-Man Unmasked #1, 5.95 Ultra Girl #2 (of 3), 1.50 Uncanny Origins #6, 0.99 Uncanny X-Men #341, 1.95 X.S.E. #4 (of 4), 1.95 MAXIMUM Passover #1 (of 2), 2.99 Youngblood #14, 2.50 NBM Gullivera TPB, 13.95 PLANET LUCY Ragmop #8, 2.75 SICK MIND Sheba #2, 2.95 SLAVE LABOR Action Girl Comics #9, 2.75 TOP COW Weapon Zero/Silver Surfer #1 (of 8), 2.95 VIZ Adolf TPB #5 (1945 And All That Remains), 21.95 WIZARD Inquest Guide To Collectible Card Games #21, 3.99 ZEN Manga Zen #3 (resolicited), 2.50 ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [A] E-Mag Info: Submissions, Subscriptions, Back Issues, Copyrights SUBMISSIONS ----------- To submit an article, review, column, etc to our e-mag, simply E-mail it to the editor at: ComicBkNet@aol.com If you have access to the ComicBook Net, submit your articles for consideration in any ComicBook Net conference and leave me a message in the CBN: E-Mag conference giving me permission to use the article. Reviews of mainstream books are welcome and will get included when submitted from sources outside of CBN, they 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 FREE subscription list. 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 ComicBook Net, and other neat features like newly released comic book graphics, links to Jeff Mason's lists of Comic Book Company addresses and Comic Professionals Email addresses, plus other Comic Book related Web pages! LOCATING EMAG ISSUES -------------------- The latest issue is always available from all the systems linked into The ComicBook Network. 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, as well as some non CBN affiliated Bulletin Board Systems. All back issues are also available on 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) 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 1-703-415-0134 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 23:405/0 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 23:506/0 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 1-847-776-2395 23:510/1 Warp Speed Alex Gen 1-847-776-2395 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 23:700/0 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!! GHOSTRIDER? Isn't he the one with the talking car?