------------------------------------------------------------------------ THE COMIC BOOK NET ELECTRONIC MAGAZINE - ISSUE NUMBER 89 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] The Pen Is Mightier ................... Brian Matus [6] SUSPENDED ANIMATION ................... Michael Vance [7] INNOCENT BYSTANDER .................... Press Release [8] My View: Quantum & Woody .............. David LeBlanc [9] 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 We seem to be on a roll with a lot of thoughtful input in letters from our readers. I can remember more than one issue having to just say "no letters this time". Now it seems they go on and on. I like to here your feedback and I know the people who write the columns do also. Speaking of columns, it seems most of those guys have taken an early holiday, or just decided not to keep it up. I don't want to discourage anyone from trying their hand at a review or a column of comment for our magazine. However, if you do it because you think you will be flooded with Email as a reward then maybe you shouldn't spend the time. Most people are disappointed to see the lack of response, although this is not the primary reason they stop, but most observe it to be true. I am really not all that concerned about the number of letters we get each issue, or if we get any at all. I do this, because I love to do it. It is a special forum, and I get a few freebies and first looks at some wonderful stuff. I enjoy sharing my thoughts, even acting as devil's advocate to stimulate conversation and jar your thought processes. I like to help others know what is going on in the industry and this publication has attracted some very intelligent columnists that would otherwise not be exposed to the majority of our readers. They run the range of first time rookies who really shine as they get the knack, to up and coming self-publishers like Joe Torres who started the ball for others and then stepped aside to spend more time on his work on COPYBOOK TALES. The mix probably change in 1997 but I'll be here as long as I can have fun doing it. This time around I am running the last SUSPENDED ANIMATION column for now from Michael Vance, a professional who always has some interesting things to say. His columns come in groups so I get to draw on them as needed to fill the issues out. I sure hope we get more of them in 1997. We also have a press release from Gary Sassaman about INNOCENT BYSTANDER #3 which I will review in another issue. Brian Matus is back to tell you about BACCHUS while I give you My View of another new Valiant title, Quantum and Woody. And of course we have the usual news about what is going on and is up and coming from the nets and our friends at COMIC SHOP NEWS. Next will be my first Christmas issue. That means it will be the one before the Christmas holiday. I have something different planned for it, which I hope everyone will enjoy. Then it will be time for the last issue of 1996 as the new year approaches. I won't be going anywhere so I plan to have those issues out on time as usual. P.S. To all my friends in Toronto who are also baseball fans... take good care of Mr. Clemens, he's all yours. 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. +++++ Subject: BWS:STORYTELLER -- LETTERS From: Harris M. Miller II <70760.1156@CompuServe.COM> Date: 6 Dec 1996 22:09:16 GMT Barry Windsor-Smith asked me to post this message requesting letters and/or e-mail for the BARRY WINDSOR-SMITH: STORYTELLER letters page. He encourages anyone who has previously posted messages here to reformat and submit any such messages for the letters page. You can submit the letters/messages as follows: 1. E-mail me at 70760.1156@compuserve.com or Harris M@aol.com and I will forward the letter(s) to Barry; 2. E-mail Barry and/or Alex Bially directly at 71514.2573@compuserve.com; 3 E-mail Diana Schutz at DIANAS@dhorse.com; or 4. Write to BWS:Storyteller, Dark Horse Comics, 10956 S.E. Main Street, Milwaukie, OR 97222. TIA Harris M. Miller II +++++ From: Mike Rizzo First off, thanks for the link to the COMX-TV site. Our site is not perfect, and it's not done, but it portrays COMX-TV pretty well. We don't fluff our reviews. We like it or we don't. On to other matters here.... One thing I really believe is a television show like ours can really help the industry. We have been on for 3-1/2 years, produced about 120 or so shows, reviewed some 600 books and interviewed many industry people. I've seen the Anti-Gravity room. I've seen other comic book television shows. None are like ours. We have humor, real reviews, real news and not just a bunch of useless information simply to sustain the advertisers. We have tried our hand at getting syndicated and it's a tough business. We're still working on it. We would like to get more fans involved in the show. If there's a con in your area, get a camcorder and go ask for an interview of the people you like. A hand held microphone helps. If we can use your interview, it helps us, and we'll send you the show on tape along with some free stuff. Also check out our web site. If you have ideas on what you'd like to see in a comic book television show, email us. We need to know what people want. Thanks for your time! Mike Rizzo, Producer COMX-TV +++++ To: David LeBlanc From: Robert Luedke ( Head Press ) Psychosap@aol.com Thanks for the very complementary review of TEMPLATE, in issue #87. A few more public disclosures like this and maybe a few more people will take notice of this title. But, if you liked what you saw here, wait till you get a look at TEMPLATE SPECIAL #1,( FEB. '97 ). I am just finishing up the pencils and if I can find someone to do computer colors, that won't bankrupt me, it will look great! Nuff said! Issue number two. In regards to the remarks of Lonnie Johnson,(Nightowl Studios), in issue #88. . . Lonnie, it's a cold dark world out there! I think all small press guys, go into the world of publishing with the greatest of optimism,( I did )! Unfortunately, the reality of the comic market, is that it is the worst its been salewise in over twenty years! Titles that would have hit the ground running five years ago are struggling just to cover their costs. And it doesn't come down so much to quality as it does to exposure with the retailers. But, don't let it get you down Lonnie, if you are producing a high quality title,(and I've seen Canus and it's a very strong first issue ),one that the readers truly believe in, the cream will rise to the top, so to speak! At least this has been my mantra the last few months! +++++ Date: 96-12-07 11:41:40 EST From: Rembert@aol.com To: ComicBknet As most folks have no doubt noticed, the non-sports card market has all but completely collapsed. This appears to be a result of increasing prices and the growth of Magic: The Gathering and other collectible card games siphoning off a major chunk of the market. As I finished up my store's orders for this month, the reduction of card orders brought our total orders for the month down precipitously, so I went back and ordered a lot of new books that I'd never heard of - a few boxes of cards can cost as much as hundred comics, so it was a pretty painless move. Was it just me, or were there a lot of interesting new comics solicited for January? [I have been finding new stuff to start reading and old stuff to drop myself. There is plenty worth checking out. BTW Rembert is the host of the America Online Comics and Anime forum and he does a great job] +++++ From: dark.knight@juno.com (John Costa) To: comicBKNet@aol.com Dear Comic Net, Good issue fellahs. You guys have really been "telling it as it is." Before I started reading your e-mag's I never really knew how dire this lack of interest situation was with comics. Well, I have a couple comments. First off, thanks Brian Matus for telling me about Comic Color. Second off, I agree about the Previews deal. They are taking this way to far. And do they not realize that the corner stone of thir business is the comic stores. Its gotten to the point, and this truly shows commitment, but my local dealer works a second job so he can stay open. Previews simply must start giving better deals to the shop owners. More competitors would be an obvious solution, but what if the industry could work together? They could help promote interest by sending writers and artists every once in a while to a comic convention or something. All these cartoons that are on TV, they should advertise comics their. Heck, thats what got on comic books! This business between Rob Liefield and Image is not helping the cause either. So, in conclusion, I think we could help alleviate our comic book woes by working together, promote locals interest, PREVIEWS LOWERING rates, and better advertisement on TV. Thanks a bunch, John +++++ Subj: The state of comics Date: 96-12-09 02:02:11 EST From: rpj@execpc.com (rpj) >I don't believe, as some like to say that the form is dying, but rather >it is in a down cycle and we may have yet to bottom out. Publishers need >to find ways not only to go to market but to stimulate and grow it. >Maybe the answer lies in more and new distributors to support the growing >smaller publishers. Perhaps a co-operative effort is needed to advertise >on radio, tv and even free inserts in other publications to raise the >awareness of the general public as to the diversity of the modern day >comic books. Whatever is needed the professionals can't sit back and >depend on talent or the latest trend to carry them anymore. > >David LeBlanc [ComicBkNet@aol.com] I felt a need to add to this. This has been a important week for me. I just cancled all my X-titles. I had been collecting this title for over 10 years and have a continious run from UCX-Men #200. I did not do this becouse I got sick of the writing or becouse the art was bad. It came about becouse of one simple fact. I am afraid that the chacaters the I have learned to love and hate have become a markiting tool more than elements in a story. I feel that this move is not one that will lead to the end of my collecting; but rather, one that will expand my collecting horizons. I feel that the industry is moving away from the formula hero. As you said, it is not about talent or the latest trend. It is about what is instresting to the reader. The small publeshers currently seem best posistioned to provide this. Thay are not tied down with the burden of maintaining a level of reader ship for a line of titles. Instead thay need to produce consistantly instresting titles that make reader want to find out what happens next. Don't mistake me. I will still be instrested in the Uncanny X-Men; I am just going to be more picky about when I buy one of their stories. It is much the same for me with a Batman story. I can't stand the monthly titles, all the stories seem to have been told. The Elseworlds and the one-shots are inifintaly moer appeling to me. I can only hope that Marvel can come to the realization that thay have a oblgation to their readers that goes behond marketing and ends with quality stories. rob johnson rpj@execpc.com +++++ Subj: Cerebus Date: 96-12-11 17:53:49 EST From: scott_kass@bus.emory.edu (Scott Kass) To: comicbknet@aol.com I really enjoy your e-mag, and was hoping you might be able to help me with a question. Or at the very least, point me in the right direction. I am just now getting into Cerebus, and I am hoping to collect every story appearance. This means I am not necessarily interested in the original issues of any appearance if I can obtain a reprint. What other Cerebus stories (or appearances) exist besides those in the phonebooks, current issues, cerebus #0, shi/cyblade, spawn #10, cerebus world tour book 1995, cerebus jam, xombi #21 (believe it or not), and tmnt #8? I know there were stories in the backs of cerebus bi-weekly and swords of cerebus, but I am hoping that maybe they were collected somewhere. Thanks. Scott Kass Scott_Kass@bus.emory,edu [I have no idea if he missed any, bit perhaps someone can suggest a resource for this info? ] +++++ From: Plattzine To: ComicBknet David -- Wonderful new edition of the Comic Book Net. It brought up a lot of great issues. A few responses to Lonnie Johnson's column in CBEM # 88. First off, there's a major flaw in your assumption that "60% of our cover price belongs to (Diamond), we get to keep 40%." You're ignoring the retailer, who, in your equation, doesn't get a penny of a comic book's cover price. Diamond acts as a wholesaler, selling items to comic book shops at a discount of the manufacturer's recommended retail price. The manufacturer, in this case the comic book company, then gets a smaller portion of the price that the distributor charged from the retailer. If you are basing your projected income on a percentage of the cover price without figuring in the lower income from the discounted wholesale price, your company will go under in a matter of months, Lonnie, no matter how well you do everything else. Secondly, you say that the money you get back from Diamond has to pay for coloring, computer equipment, promotion, conventions, etc. (not even mentioning pay for the creators involved). Now, you complained that retailers are a problem with the comic book industry, but comic book publishers are just as much to "blame," if just because they are expecting too much. Take a look at a magazine on the newsstand, then look at a comic book. What's missing? Advertising. You see, Newsweek doesn't exist to tell the news, it exists to sell advertising space. No publication survives based on circulation. Newspapers and magazines make back all of their costs by selling ad space in their publications; their circulation is used as an incentive to get people to advertise in their publication. Television works the same way. Now, a small comic book publisher can't be expected to get an ad from a huge corporation with just a 5,000 copy print-run, but you might be able to get small local companies to advertise, or comic book catalogs, or other publishers, or any number of other types of companies. If you can bring in a page or two of ads (and they could be several small ads per page, not just full page ads), you could easily bring in $1000 or more, enough to pay half of your printing bill. With that cost covered, you could lower your cover price, or put the extra money into promotion, both of which could serve to increase your circulation, and then make you more attractive to other advertisers with deeper pockets. And from experience with my own small press magazine, even if you have to give a few ads away for pennies in your first few issues, having any ads at all is an indication to potential advertisers that someone else was willing to give you money to advertise in your publication, which might make them more likely to do the same. Comic book publishers have to get away from this "cover price covers all costs" mentality. Selling ads is work, but it will pay off for the industry in the long run. Finally, I fully agree with Lonnie's assertion that people don't read comics anymore. We are living in a nation of non-readers, where a book that sells a million copies is considered a mega-blockbuster bestseller, even though it has only been purchased by less than one third of one percent of the population of the United States. But the problems of the comic book industry are much wider than that. Direct distribution saved this wonderful medium a few decades ago, but it has created stagnation in the Nineties. If people don't go into comic book shops now, they won't go into one in the future (of course, ideas on how to get new readers into comic book stores is a whole other topic). We need to get away from publishing comics as periodicals which loose their appeal for a retailer after they've been on sale for one week. The industry should be pushing its way into book stores with more trade paperbacks and graphic novels. Dark Horse is making a good first step with its new Dark Forces tie-ins, to be co-published by Berkley. But why aren't all of Dark Horse's Star Wars collections on the best-seller lists along with the popular Star Wars novels? If these TPBs are getting into bookstores, they just end up ghettoized in the SF, Humor or "graphic novel" section. We need to publish more material in book form, but we also need to encourage booksellers to place these volumes with new releases, or shelve them in the appropriate genre, like Horror, Mystery, or even Romance. There are a lot of things wrong with the comic book industry today, but they can be fixed. All we have to do is take the first few steps back and start thinking ahead. John Platt plattzine@aol.com [John Platt is an occasional comic book writer, an award-winning short short author, the editor of White Knuckles magazine, and the President of the Garden State Horror Writers.] [TRIVIA CONTEST] Last week's question: >From: Janice Bradford & FX > According to Dharma, what is Quantum Juice? >Bonus Question: Who created it? [Well, this may be a first for us. Only one guess! And it was correct. This may be an indication why Milestone is wrapping up their comics in March, not enough people gave them a chance.] From: MKatz36022@aol.com Date: Sat, 7 Dec 1996 14:22:14 -0500 Quantum juice was the substance put in the teargas used at the "Big Bang" on Paris Island and was responsible for the Bang Babies, such as the Blood Syndicate. I do not recall the inventor's real name, but I beleive he took the nom-de-guerre "Nobody" or something similar becuase his exposure to the Juice made it impossible for others to perceive him. Mark Katzoff +++ Mark gets the Cheezy Prize(tm) and for the record: ANSWER: Q-Juice is a substance called "Dequantified Plasma" that radically alters the laws of physics wherever it is deployed. It is what created the Bang Babies of the Milestone Universe. It was created by Dr. Nathan Flack. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Our winner came up with a terrific question so here it is: THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION: From: MKatz36022@aol.com(Mark Katzoff) He's had two heroic identities, two children, and two wives both with double identities. Who is he? (Gee, he's probably Two-Face's favorite DC hero!) 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 Daily News via Knight-Ridder/Tribune via Individual Inc. : By Angela G. King Knight-Ridder/Tribune Business News Dec. 10--Don't expect Marvel Entertainment's bondholders to decide soon on whether to accept Ron Perelman's proposal for saving the ailing comic book publisher from bankruptcy, company watchers say. Perelman, the Revlon cosmetics mogul who also controls 80 percent of Marvel, offered to bail out the company for $350 million. But bondholders have yet to bite on the offer. Complicating the matter: Three sets of bondholders must come together to make a final decision. "Not only do they have to organize themselves, but they also have to figure out what the realistic options are," said Joel Lustig, an analyst with Moody's Investors Service. "You have everyone trying to get the best deal possible for their bank or their institution," he said. "There's a lot of complexity in it, and it takes time for these people to figure out how they want to work." No matter, some bondholders believe the deal is a loser and would rather see the company go into bankruptcy. Perelman "may be stealing the company on the cheap" with his offer, said Neil Dorflinger, director of DLS Capital Partners, which holds about 250,000 Marvel bonds. "The company's probably worth significantly more than what he's willing to pay," he said. "It's worth at least double that." While these bondholders look for a deal, others have already dumped their bonds in the company. Fidelity Investments and Putnam Investments sold $70 million last month after receiving a briefing on the company from a top executive. The sale saved the mutual fund companies about $14 million in losses because they were able to sell the bonds before news broke. Marvel Entertainment Group stock traded down 1/8 yesterday to close at $2.62 (c) 1996, New York Daily News. Distributed by Knight-Ridder/Tribune Business News. +++++ RADIO COMIX IS FORMED New publisher to publish Furrlough, Genus, other titles beginning Spring 1997 Beginning in April 1997, Radio Comix will begin publishing two long-running anthropomorphic titles Furrlough and Genus. While both titles have been published by Antarctic Press for many years, Both titles will be transferring to Radio Comix early next Spring. "For several years I have dreamed about publishing my own comics, and now I have my chance with Furrlough and Genus," says company creator and Editor-in-Chief Elin Winkler. Although the two titles that Radio Comix is beginning with are both considered anthropomorphic comics, Publisher Pat Duke stresses that Radio Comix will eventually carry a diverse publishing line. "Furrlough and Genus are both well-known and established anthropomorphic titles, but in the future we will be branching out to offer new titles in different genres," says Duke. "Furrlough and Genus are only the beginning." Furrlough originally started as a military-oriented anthology published by Antarctic Press in November 1991, and later became a more general anthology featuring adventure, action, science-fiction and fantasy stories. With the publication of issue #50 (coming in February 1997), Furrlough will become the longest-running anthropomorphic title in modern comics. Over the years, well over a hundred artists and writers have been featured in Furrlough, including some of the top artists in the field. Genus began as a more mature comic book related to Furrlough, but quickly switched over to adults-only stories due to strong reader and retailer demand. Since the first issue in June 1993, Genus has forged ahead to the forefront of adult comics, and it is currently one of the longest-running adults-only titles of all time. Since early 1994 both Furrlough and Genus have been edited by Elin Winkler. During that time period both books have maintained strong and steady sales levels, resistant to all fluctuations in the marketplace. When Antarctic Press decided to focus on its key titles, Radio Comix decided to continue publishing Furrlough and Genus with no break in their continuity. "Both titles have a strong fan following and consistent readership, so we decided to continue publishing them," says Pat Duke. "There is a definite need for higher quality stories in this market, and this move will allow us the freedom to meet the challenge." Furrlough will be published monthly, beginning with issue #52 in April 1997, and Genus will be published bi-monthly beginning with issue #23 also in April. In addition to these two titles, Radio Comix plans on publishing additional comics. In April Radio Comix will publish The Art of Usagi Yojimbo, featuring never-before published illustrations, production sketches, and a new story created specially for this collection by Eisner Award-winner Stan Sakai. Coming in July Radio Comix will publish the fourth Hit the Beach annual (also previously published by Antarctic Press), spotlighting anthropomorphic short stories and illustrations of fun in the sun. Additional titles will be announced at a later date. For additional information about Radio Comix, please contact Elin Winkler or Pat Duke at the following address and phone number: Radio Comix Publisher: Pat Duke 11765 West Ave #117 Editor-in-Chief: Elin Winkler San Antonio, TX 78216 Distributor Contact: Matthew High phone: (210) 348-7195 email: radiocomix@aol.com +++++ HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - The Usual Suspects director Bryan Singer is in final negotiations to direct a big screen adaptation of the Marvel Comics' series the X-Men. Created 30 years ago by Lee and Jack Kirby, the X-Men are an ensemble of good-hearted mutants who are sworn to protect a world that would rather see them destroyed. Their ranks include Cyclops, Beast and Wolverine. Their mentor is the wheelchair-bound Professor Xavier. The villains they most frequently battle are Apocalypse, Mr. Sinister and Magneto. The storyline is being kept under wraps, but Singer told Daily Variety, ``We're taking the subject matter very seriously. This will not be a comic-book style film, for 'the X-Men' are an ensemble of anti-heroes, and we've figured out a way to make the story accessible to fans and non-fans alike. The story deals with the origins of the characters, but its not completely based on the first comic book.'' Singer's credits include Public Access, which shared the Grand Jury prize at Sundance in 1993, and The Usual Suspects. Fox Children's Network broadcasts an animated version of the comic book, which is one of its top-rated programs over the last four years. The picture is just one of several Marvel characters in development at Fox. Jeff Vintar is currently drafting Ironman for the studio. Chris Columbus is set to direct The Fantastic Four and Carlo Carlei has adapted and is set to direct Daredevil for the studio. The Silver Surfer is in development at Fox Family Films with Geoffrey Wright (Romper Stomper) attached to direct. +++++ From: Jeff Mariotte @ Wildstorm Gen13 Chromium was one of the best-selling non-sports card sets of recent years, due to the popularity of the Gen13 comic book and the artists who drew the card art. The cards themselves, though, have become hard to get. In March, WildStorm will reissue the set, but in a more affordable paper format instead of Chromium. The new set, called Gen13 Classic Trading Cards, will include all 107 regular cards and 18 chase cards from the original set, as well as 9 new WildStorms: The Expandable Super-Hero Collectible Card Game cards featuring Gen13. A new WildStorms Expansion Set is planned for April, but game fans will have their appetites whetted with these special bonus cards. Some of the artists whose work is represented in the Gen13 Classic Trading Cards set are Mat Broome, J. Scott Campbell, Travis Charest, Terry Dodson, Alex Garner, Adam Hughes, Richard Johnson, Jae Lee, Jim Lee, Todd McFarlane, Whilce Portacio, Humberto Ramos, Tom Raney, Paul Smith, and Bruce Timm. Suggested retail price for these cards is $1.50 for a pack of 8. Also in March, WildStorm presents Deus, a new collectible card game produced in France that is taking French fandom by storm. Deus is a collaboration between top French game designers Avimages and the artists of Jim Lee's WildStorm Productions. The game consists of 120 cards featuring Gods and Goddesses from mythologies around the world, and 10 special Spell cards. The object is to bluff your opponent regarding the Divine Power of your God or Goddess. Art for the set is by a range of WildStorm talents, including Ryan Benjamin, Brett Booth, Tomm Coker, Juvaun Kirby, Jim Lee, Ryan Odagawa, Michael Ryan, Trevor Scott, and Pete Woods. The cards are printed in French, but each box comes with an English translation of the rules. WildStorm's Vice President of Consumer Products Ted Adams said "Deus is a fun game to play and an easy one to learn. It was originally intended for sale in France, but when we saw the finished game, with all the great art by WildStorm artists, we decided it should be made available to gamers and card collectors in the U.S. as well. Fortunately, the people at Avimages are easy to work with, so here it is!" +++++ And news from Fabian about Acclaim Comics Sean originally asked for one issue off to catch his breath, then decided he wanted to leave the book to pursue the opportunities that were becoming available to him because of the excellent work he was doing on XO 1-4. We're all very disappointed he's leaving, but respect his decision and wish him the best (and hopefully, we'll have him drawing something for us again real soon, even if its not a monthly book). Scott Eaton will pencil #5 and #6, then a new monthly penciler will be decided upon. The TUROK video game, is indeed, an absolute FEAST for the eyes and is expected to be a VERY big seller in the marketplace (this opinion is coming from a guy who knows diddly-squat about video games, but thinks he knows quality screen images when he sees them!) ARMED & DANGEROUS, unfortunately, will not be released, even though it was solicited. Sales never climbed high enough to justify publishing the title any more. Bob Hall IS still writing, penciling and inking this arc (and it's his best stuff yet). We're going to sit on it for a bit until we figure out a way to get it out there to the people who might want to read it which wouldn't necessitate losing money actually printing the darned thing! sigh I LOVE A&D, gang, we all do at the office, but bu$iness reality knocked us on out tushies. ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [4] CSNsider by W. Batty and C. Biggers This is the CSNsider from CSN #496, which will be in shops on 12/18/96. It is reproduced in its entirety with the expressed permission of COMIC SHOP NEWS! One of the casualties of Marvel's recent business shakeup was Malibu Comics; the imprint, whose output had been severely reduced recently, has been closed down entirely, along with the West Coast Malibu offices. Some Malibu projects will be absorbed into the Marvel line-up... Response to Birds of Prey has been strong enough that DC has scheduled a series of quarterly Birds of Prey one-shots, beginning in February with Birds of Prey: Revolution by Chuck Dixon, Steffano Raffaele, and Bob McLeod... Due to health problems, Kurt Busiek reports that he won't be writing Untold Tales of Spider-Man #20, and he will be working with a co-writer on UTOS #21. He expects to be back in solo action with UTOS #22... And speaking of Kurt Busiek, did you know that the upcoming Marvel series Code of Honor is developed from Kurt Busiek's idea for the sequel to Marvels?... Sandman fans take notice: The upcoming Sandman Mystery Theatre story arc, involving murders in the pulp novel industry, will involve the Simon & Kirby superhero Sandman, the Golden Age Sandman, and Morpheus in its storyline-and Sandman Mystery Theatre #50, a March release, will feature a bonus story illustrated by Daniel Torres starring the Simon & Kirby Sandman... If you were wondering if you missed out on Graphitti Designs' Red Dragon & Ted Limited Edition Statue, originally slated for November release, take heart: production delays have pushed the release of the statue back to February... Gladstone Comics has pushed the debut of their Penny Pinchers series of 16-page Disney comics to February; each issue is priced at 99¢... Insiders report that Marvel is happy enough with the response to their Heroes Reborn books, which are produced and packaged by Jim Lee and Rob Liefeld, that they plan to continue the arrangement for another year-but in light of the recent storyline that brings Cable into the Heroes Reborn Universe, it's possible that these characters' relationship with the Marvel Universe may change... The response to Antarctic's alternate-reality Luftwaffe 1946 miniseries has been so overwhelmingly positive that the company is adding an ongoing Luftwaffe 1946 monthly title by Ben Dunn and Ted Nomura to their line-up beginning in March.. WildCATs/X-Men #1 is definitely on the Image schedule for February release, with production alternating between Image and Marvel for the duration of the four-issue monthly series... Interest in a Millennium comic book (based on the Fox-TV series) continues to climb, with four major companies pitching their own bids to produce the book (and interestingly enough, at least two of them have the same writer in mind, should they win the rights to the series!)... Father & Son by Jeff Nicholson, the clever generation-gap humor title previously published by Kitchen Sink, moves to Bad Habit Press beginning in February with Father & Son #5... Big Entertainment reports that they've contracted the film rights to Mickey Spillane's Mike Danger to Miramax Films... Freakazoid has moved from Saturday morning to Friday afternoons; check with your local WB affiliate for the exact time... Joe Quesada and Jimmy Palmiotti are producing the essential Ash reference volume, The Ash Files, in February; the $2.95 comic will feature complete background info on the series' characters and locales... Edward Lee's "Grub-Girl" returns in Verotika #15 in March; this marks the first reappearance of a Verotika character since Satanika... Sam Kieth's Maxx makes a guest appearance in Gay Comics #24 in February; Kieth also supplies the cover art... Dave McKean and Neil Gaiman have overseen the production of Kitchen Sink Press's 10th Anniversary Edition of their acclaimed graphic novel Violent Cases; the new version offers corrected color, meaning that fans will, for the first time, see the book the way Gaiman and McKean meant it to appear... HarperPrism did so well with their first collection of Forteana and anomalous events, The X-Files Book of the Unexplained, that they plan to release a second hardcover volume of weird incidents and outrageous occurrences in April... Antarctic Press unveils their new full-color Robotech series by Fred Perry & Ben Dunn beginning in March... +++++ 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] The Pen Is Mightier... By Brian Matus First off, I'm bummed about the cancellation of SIX STEEL HEARTS, by Warren Ellis. This was touched upon briefly in last week's CSNsider column, but for a fuller story, as well as some info about his past, present, and future work, check out his web page, at http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/WarrenEllis. Upcoming projects include TRANSMETROPOLIS for DC's HELIX imprint, and STARSHIP TROOPERS: INSECT TOUCH, a prequel to the forthcoming movie adapted from the Robert Heinlein novel, to be directed by Paul Verhoeven. This comic will be illustrated by Paolo Parente, and published by Dark Horse Comics as a three issue mini-series late next spring. Get your issues of JINX from Caliber Press while you can. When this book moves to Image in '97, these early issues are going to be HOT! Fans of SIN CITY will dig this book. Last week Mr. LeBlanc said,"...the destruction of E.C. had more to do with the actions of their competition than anything the government did. It is my understanding they used the 'self-imposed' code to drive E.C. out of business." I don't believe I said anything about the government destroying E.C. Comics, as I share the same opinion as you (and Frank Miller, amongst others) do regarding the whole situation. I was trying to draw a parallel to the fact that E.C. was forced out of business because distributors refused to carry their books, due to fear and loathing from within their own industry. Enough of that, let's get on to this week's review... Review of EDDIE CAMPBELL'S BACCHUS #19 From Eddie Campbell Comics (clever name, huh?) Writer/Artist: Eddie Campbell (bet you'd never have guessed that one) If you've ever wanted to get the behind the scenes stories on all of those Greek myths you read, pull up a barstool and pick up a copy of BACCHUS. Bacchus, the god of wine, likes nothing better than to get drunk and tell stories from when he was young. Of course, his drinking has come to a halt recently since he was put in jail after his pub was under siege by the British government for trying to secede from England (and for having a large phallus erected on the roof of his pub, but that's another story). Actually, this issue focused more on some of the other inmates, specifically on one who invented "arse mints", and became quite a successful businessman until the fad wore off and he went bankrupt. This is followed by reprints of some earlier, hard to find BACCHUS shorts, one of which defines divinity as only a 4,000 year old fertility god can. This is followed by two reprints of even harder to find ALEC shorts, Mr. Campbell's semi-autobiographical comic strip, which is only being reprinted because his readers demanded it (it's that good). The writing is inventive (as if the above didn't already illustrate this), and the dialog often has me laughing out loud. This artwork is at times detailed, and other times sketchy, as anyone who's picked up FROM HELL by Mr. Campbell and Alan Moore will surely understand. This is one of the best independents out there, and more than deserving of your support (plus he has trade paperbacks and back issues available for any stragglers who happen to wander into his pub in the middle of one of his stories). Cheers, Brian. bmatus@suffolk.lib.ny.us ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [6] SUSPENDED ANIMATION by Michael Vance THE DIRTY PAIR: FATAL BUT NOT SERIOUS #1-5/24pgs & $2.95 each., Dark Horse Comics/sold at comics shops and by mail. "So, by their ludicrously *exploitative* clothing and their *mindlessly* destructive behavior," says the talk show hostess, "the Dirty Pair only *reinforces* the popular stereotype that Lucien Upgrades (genetically enhanced humans) are 'beautiful, healthy, and *dumb as posts*." Well, yes and no. They *are* bimbos with eyes the size of saucers, bikinis the size of saucers and saucers the size of saucers. They are *not* manga stereotypes. That saucer pun is why *this*, and not previous series about the Dirty Pair, is good manga. This is a traditional Japanese comic book adventure spiked with a poke in the ribs of traditional manga. In fact, this is poke salad, Anne. This Dirty Pair is chock full of subtle satire because Adam Warren, the artist and writer of FATAL BUT NOT SERIOUS, obviously loves manga. And he only hurts the ones he loves. Yuri and Kei are two agents of a pangalactic organization who counter threats to humanity. In this min-series, these wild, sexy females attend a convention held in their honor to improve their public images. But adoration turns into arsenic when their fans are injected with a hate virus, intrigue and violence build into chaos and a supernova destroys an entire planetary system. That's how satire works, of course. Straight faced, one exaggerates silliness. And with manga so full of disjointed story-telling, cloying cuteness, widely varying art styles and inappropriately explosive emotion, manga satire is easy and fun. This series, however, offers excellent storytelling, an ear for dialog, an eye for characterization, and a head for plot. Take Yuri two hundred and ninety five senses to the store and buy it. Highly recommended. MINIVIEW: 3X3 EYES: CURSE OF THE GESU [Dark Horse Comics] Flat art, disjointed storytelling, a cloying cuteness at in- appropriate times, and wild swings in artistic styles makes this title everything you always wanted to no about manga. (Mr. Vance is a professional writer having written for numerous magazines like CBG, Starlog and Comics Interview. His work has appeared in over 500 newspapers and he's had work published by Comico, Renegade, Innovation and Rip Off Press. SUSPENDED ANIMATION appears in 14 publications reaching 214,000 readers in the U.S., Ireland and Portugal.) ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [7] Press Release: INNOCENT BYSTANDER THE SECRET WORD IS "IB3" AS OLLIE OLLIE OXEN FREE PRESS PUBLISHES INNOCENT BYSTANDER #3 . . . THE ALL-MARX BROTHERS ISSUE INNOCENT BYSTANDER returns with a very special issue devoted entirely to THE MARX BROTHERS. This issue contains a 15 page story, "Julius, Arthur, Leonard and sometimes Herbert", an unusual look at the life of the Marx Brothers and what they meant to one person growing up. With a Marxian renaissance going on, including the broadway revival of "The Cocoanuts", a new CD-Rom and Woody Allen's latest movie, "Everyone Says I Love You", containing numerous Marx references, this comic book taps into the nation's renewed interest in all things Marx. Also included in this issue is "Everything I Need To Know I Learned From Groucho Marx", the absolute final word in self-help awareness and "The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of. . .", a short story in the flavor of the Marx Brothers' movies. INNOCENT BYSTANDER is the critically-acclaimed comic book by Gary Sassaman of Pittsburgh, PA. Issue #2 won accolades from CBG (This comic book is a gem...thoughtfully-written comics that look great." Tom Lawton, CBG #1177) and COMIC SHOP NEWS ("4 Stars primo reading, don't pass it up." Cliff Biggers, CSN #469). IB has also won praise from COMIC BOOK NET and SMALL PRESS FEEDBACK. INNOCENT BYSTANDER #3, "The Nice Little Comic You Can Take Home To Mom", is solicited in the January 1997 PREVIEWS (for products shipping in March) from DIAMOND COMICS DISTRIBUTORS. Solicitation notice is accompanied by a full-page Black and White ad. Cost per copy is $2.75. 24 Black and white interior pages with color covers. Also available from COLD CUT DISTRIBUTION and SYCO DISTRIBUTION. For more information, contact: Gary Sassaman (412) 561-8234 or E-mail at GSassaman@aol.com ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [8] My View David LeBlanc Quantum & Woody #1 (B&W preview) - Shipping in February Acclaim Comics/Valiant Heroes Created by Christopher Priest - Script & Plot and M. D. Bright - Plot and Pencils Inks - Greg Adams Letters - David Lanphear of Comicraft Colors in full published release - Atomic Paintbrush The latest in the series of retailer previews from Valiant showed up this week and the first to get my attention was Quantum & Woody. I had confidence that the art on this particular book would be top notch since I always enjoyed M. D. Bright's work on the Milestone books and with David Lanphear once again doing the lettering the package is one that is better than a lot of stuff with a much wider following right now. Adam's inks work well on Bright's pencils and having seen the work so far from Atomic Paintbrush on the titles already shipped the finished product will be high quality. If there is anything wrong with this first issue it is in the disjointed manner the story is told. At first we see a couple of chapters in the life of two upper middle class teenagers who despite the constant bickering are best of friends. Then Woody moves suddenly and Eric feels deserted. Flash forward 15 years. Eric has gone through West Point and meets Woody at the funeral of their father's who died together in a copter crash. So far pretty straight forward. Then all of a sudden they are trying on super heroes garb and the next page they are being questioned at police headquarters about the copter accident and about how they were found outside their father's lab after an explosion there. Then we go back again to events leading up to the interview with the cops. Took me a while to piece it together in the right order. But don't get me wrong this is a minor flaw, if you can call it that. The charm of this book is in the characters and there relationship. Priest and Bright have taken pains to develop the relationship between the two. We see the fun ribbing between friends to the point of using what would be grave insults to anyone else. The teen pranks, and the long held resentment at an unfortunate parting with no communication is dealt with very realistically. Unlike other "buddy" stories where the banter is totally for laughs, this mixes both humor and truth and the two guys try to cope with being thrown together by circumstance. This first issue shows them trying to clear the air of a some old baggage but it is clear that under it all the relationship never really changed and the fun of good hearted conflict will be the constant theme each issue. The plot for the most part deals with the beginnings of how they are becoming a team. We still don't know what if any powers they might have acquired. They are searching for the truth about the death of their fathers and the secrets of their work that was left behind. Will it be a simple murder for vengeance or profit? Was it murder at all? Are the guys forever doomed to fight the good fight side by side while cutting each other up verbally? I sure hope so, it wouldn't be much of a team otherwise. This is an enjoyable read with some really good art and wanting to know what happens next, I will pickup number two. Having to wait until March is going to be tough. ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [9] 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: When Irish Eyes Are Dying #1 (of 4), 2.95 Jane Eyre By Charlotte Bronte Study Guide, 4.99 Romeo & Juliet By William Shakespeare Study Guide, 4.99 Shawdowman #2 (of 4), 2.50 Tale Of Two Cities By Charles Dickens Study Guide, 4.99 Tom Sawyer By Mark Twain Study Guide, 4.99 AMERICAN CINEMA Taboux #4, 3.95 ANTARCTIC Change Commander Goku TPB #1, 12.95 Fantastic Panic Vol. II #8 (of 10), 2.95 Hepcats #0, 2.95 Hepcats #0 (Soundtrack Edition), 9.95 Hepcats #1, 2.95 Ninja High School Spotlight: Ted Nomura, 3.50 Tigers Of Terra Book #3 (AA), 9.95 Warrior Nun Areala/Avengelyne #1, 2.95 Warrior Nun Areala/Avengelyne #1 (Poster edition), 5.95 ARCHIE Archie Digest #146, 1.79 Flintstones #19, 1.50 Jughead #90, 1.50 Sonic The Hedgehog #44, 1.50 BIG Mickey Spillane's Mike Danger #9, 2.25 CHAOS Lady Death: The Crucible #2 (of 6), 2.95 CLAYPOOL Elvira #43, 2.50 DARK HORSE Aliens: Lovesick (One Shot), 2.95 Black Pearl #4 (of 5), 2.95 Chronowar #5 (of 9), 2.95 Predator Kindred #1 (of 4), 2.50 Star Wars: Splinter Of The Minds Eye TPB, 14.95 DC Adventures Of Superman #543, 1.95 Aquaman #29, 1.75 Aztek The Ultimate Man #7, 1.75 Batman & Robin Adventures #15, 1.75 Batman: The Long Halloween #3 (of 13), 2.95 Batman/Captain America Retail Poster, 5.95 Blood: A Tale #4 (of 4), 2.95 Books Of Magic Annual #1, 3.95 Bronze Batman Statue, 2000.00 Challengers Of The Unknown #1, 2.25 Detective Comics #706, 1.95 Dreaming #9, 2.5 Final Night Collectors Set (net), 5.89 Gemini Blood #6, 2.50 Green Lantern/Flash: Faster Friends #1, 4.95 Justice League: A Midsummers Nightmare TPB (AA), 8.95 Lobo #36, 2.25 Sandman Mystery Theatre #47, 2.50 Supergirl Plus #1, 2.95 Superman: Whatever Happened To The Man Of Tomorrow?, 5.95 The Sandman: The Wake Hardcover, 29.95 Thrillkiller #2 (of 3), 2.50 Time Breakers #2, 2.50 Wise Son: The White Wolf #4 (of 4), 2.50 EVENT Thrax #1, 2.95 FIREMAN Scud The Disposable Assassin #14, 2.95 GEMSTONE Crime Suspenstories #18, 2.50 Frontline Combat #7, 2.50 Haunt Of Fear #18, 2.50 Overstreets Fan #20 (Shi Daredevil Cover), 5.50 Shock Suspenstories Annual #4, 9.95 Weird Science Annual #4, 9.95 GLADSTONE Uncle Scrooge Adventures In Color #15, 8.95 Uncle Scrooge Adventures In Color #16, 8.95 HARRIS Vampirella: Death And Destruction TPB, 14.95 IMAGE Bone #14 (reprint), 2.95 DV8 #3, 2.50 Friends Of Maxx #2 (resolicited), 2.95 Gen 13 Zine #1, 1.95 Grifter #6, 2.50 Maxx TPB (AA), 12.95 Spawn TPB #3, 9.95 Stormwatch #43, 2.50 WildCATS #32, 2.50 Wizard's Tale TPB, 19.95 magazines Jack Kirby Collector #13, 4.95 MARVEL Abominations #3 (of 3), 1.50 Adventures Of Spider-Man #11, 0.99 Art Of John Romita Sr. Hardcover, 34.95 Art Of John Romita Sr. Hardcover (signed), ? Daily Bugle #3 (of 3), 2.50 Domino #2 (of 3), 1.95 Excalibur #106, 1.95 Ghost Rider/Ballistic, 2.95 Incredible Hulk #450, 2.95 Iron Man #4 (Heroes Reborn), 1.95 Iron Man #1 (Heroes Reborn)(signed), ? Onslaught TPB #5, 9.95 Onslaught TPB #6, 12.95 Osborn Journals #1 (of 1), 2.95 Punisher #16, 1.50 Spider-Man #77, 1.95 Star Trek: Mirror Mirror, 3.95 Tales Of The Age Of Apocalypse #1 (of 1), 5.95 Ultraforce #15, 1.50 What If? #94, 1.50 X-Man #24, 1.95 X-Men #61, 1.95 MAXIMUM Avengelyne #8, 2.99 Santa The Barbarian #1, 2.99 TOPPS Lady Rawhide #2, 2.95 ULTIMATE CREATIONS Warrior Winter Wonderland, 3.50 VIZ Animerica Vol. IV #12, 4.95 Fist Of The North Star Part IV #1 (of 7), 2.95 Ranma 1/2 Part VI #1 (of 14), 2.95 Return Of Lum Part III #8 (of 11), 2.95 Sanctuary Part V #10 (of 13), 3.5 Viz In News Magazine Vol. VIII #12, free ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [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 1-708-776-2395 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 23:700/0 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!! Don't make me angry Mr. Magee. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry!