---------------------------------------------------------------------- Ed Dukeshire and Mike Imboden Present: THE COMIC BOOK NET ELECTRONIC MAGAZINE ISSUE NUMBER 184 10/16/98 Edited by: David LeBlanc - ComicBkNet@aol.com FREE VIA EMAIL SINCE FEBRUARY 1995 ______________________________________________________________________ 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! [3] TRIVIA CONTEST ........................ Win *real* prizes! [4] Network Buzz .......................... News, gossip & rumors [5] Ramblings `98 ......................... Rich Johnston [6] Tony Isabella's Journal ............... Tony Isabella [7] Too Old for Comic Books? .............. Johnny Gonzales [8] The Emperor's New Comics .............. Jim Murdoch [9] Odds and Ends ......................... Eddie Mitchell [10] Top Ten Black & White Comics .......... Comic Shop News [11] M.O.E. Reviews ........................ Paul Dale Roberts [12] My View:WRITER'S BLOC ANNUAL MONSTROCITY .................. David LeBlanc [13] New Comic Book Releases List .......... Charles LePage [A] Submissions, Subscriptions, Back Issues, Copyrights, BBS Info ______________________________________________________________________ World Wide Web Home Page-->> http://members.aol.com/ComicBkNet HTML WEB EDITION at -->> http://www.digitalwebbing.com/cbem featuring the exclusive comic strips: HEROES RERUN by Johnny Gonzales and ACTION COP by John E. Thompson ----------------------------------------------------------------------- o \o/ _ o _| \ / |_ o_ \o/ o /|\ | /\ _\o \o | o/ O/_ /\ | /|\ / \ / \ |\ /) | ( \ /o\ / ) | (\ / | / \ / \ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 with the word SUBSCRIBE in the SUBJECT to be placed on the FREE subscription list. To drop it use UNSUBSCRIBE as a SUBJECT. See section [A] for the address to mail material to be reviewed. ______________________________________________________________________ All text contained within is copyrighted to the originating author(s). Except where elsewhere noted, The Comic Book Net Electronic Magazine is Copyright 1998 by The ComicBook Network. You may freely distribute or retransmit this file intact without alteration for noncommercial purposes only. Except for personal archiving, permission must be obtained from the individual authors to reproduce, retransmit, or publish any part of this magazine. ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [1] On the Net David LeBlanc This has been one of the most interesting week's of the year, both personally and comics-wise. Saturday there was an exceptional episode on the Batman/Superman hour on Kid's WB. Most everyone has had something to say about it and here is the take from a regular source of entertainment news, Sean Jordon of Zentertainment: As ZEN advised last week, this past weekend's BATMAN ADVENTURES was not to be missed - It involved a group of kids discussing the mythical DC superhero, with one recollecting a '60s-ish Batman & Robin whose punches were near-choreographed, and could escape any trap and capture any crook with the odd materials surrounding them, and another telling of a LEGEND OF THE DARK KNIGHT (older) Batman & (female) Robin battling a pack of mutants in a world straight out of Frank Miller's vision. One slightly disguised delight of the episode was a flamboyant boy the kids encounter between stories, named Joel, playing with pink boas in a broken store window of a store called Shoemakers's, who comments "I love Batman; All those muscles, the tight rubber armor, and the flashy car - I heard it can drive up walls." *** It pays to be up Saturday morning! Monday was Columbus Day but a regular workday for yours truly. I also drove #1 son back to college and got a very important fax that night - more about that later. Tuesday was a lot of windshield time as I traversed the width of Massachusetts twice going to Providence, Nashua NH, and back to Providence again before returning here to CBEM Central. A long business day but a beautiful ride with the fall colors at peak. Speaking of windshields, the next day I had mine replaced as it took a rock on the highway which propagated a foot long crack. Thursday I wandered into a store I had not been in for a decade or so and picked up a cop of the FREEX CD-ROMIX for only $2. I never had seen one of these so it was worth $2. Still have not looked at it. I also got a request for a link to a web page dedicated to a cause that touches close to home. I have been running short on time for adding links but this one will find its way there soon. From: Ksjharmis@aol.com To: ComicBknet Insulin-Free World Foundation is selling a T-shirts which features King Features comic strip characters including Popeye, Snuffy Smith, Hagar the Horrible, Dennis the Menace, Betty Boop, Blondie, Tiger, Family Circus, Hi & Lois, Tiger, Andy Capp, Mutts, and Beetle Bailey. These characters are all marching in a noisy parade, carrying a banner which reads, "We're Making Noise to Cure Diabetes!" The t-shirt is the focal point of a diabetes awareness campaign designed to let the world know that diabetes must be cured, not managed. Please check us out at www.insulin-free.org/campaign/makenoise.htm. I hope you'll provide a link from your web-site to ours. Many thanks, Stacey Harmis Public Relations Here is an excerpt from the page: Making Noise to Cure Diabetes Proudly sponsored by the Insulin-Free World Foundation MAKING NOISE TO CURE DIABETES T-shirts are being sold individually and with huge volume discounts to diabetes organizations, hospitals, and corporations around the world. The shirt can then be used to raise funds for diabetes in whatever way the organization would like. Diabetes camps can raise money to fund their programs. JDF can raise money to fund research. The ADA can use their profits to help make the world a better place for people with diabetes. WE ARE GRATEFUL TO KING FEATURES FOR THEIR GENEROUS SUPPORT OF THIS CAMPAIGN. WITH THEIR TIME, CREATIVE SPIRIT AND BY ORGANIZING THE PARADE OF CARTOON CHARACTERS TO "MAKE NOISE TO CURE DIABETES." +++ Has anyone been watching the new HOLLYWOOD SQUARES with Whoopie Goldberg? They tend to work in a comic book related question on every show. Tonight they named Torch, Thing, Invisible Woman and Mr. Fantastic as members of what? The bluff answer was The AMERICAN JUSTICE LEAGUE. Bwa HA HA HA! I got a package in the mail from longtime friend Angelo Furlan of SINNAMON and BRUISER fame. In it was 3 autographed copies of his latest series - INFAMA which will be future sleazy, er CHEEZY PRIZES (tm). Also a note that said: THINGS TO DO - 1. Invoice Diamond, 2. Send Comics to Dave L., 3. Play the Guitar. I hope he remembered everything without his list. INFAMA #1 has a spectacular cover and is on the racks this week so check it out. My review will be here soon. Speaking of the comics on the racks this week, T.E. got shorted a box by the buster brown package company so some of these SHOULD be out there but I can't say I saw them: STRANGERS IN PARADISE 18 INFAMA #1 <---------PICK OF THE WEEK DANGER RANGER 2 PARATROOP 3 SIN CITY JUST ANOTHER SATURDAY NIGHT JLA YEAR ONE 12 LEGENDS OF THE DC UNIVERSE 11 LEGIONNAIRES 66 DV8 23 Oh, almost forgot, that fax I got? - it was a job offer. I accepted it! 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 may be used in future issues of the CBN E-Mag unless you specifically request us NOT to use them. Your Email address and/or name will be withheld upon request. +++++ Date: Sun, 11 Oct 1998 10:08:43 -0400 From: Anthony Isabella Subject: Mid-Ohio-Con >Well, now that SPX has passed us, it's now time to prep for Mid-Ohio >Con. Roger Price has been throwing this shindig for quite a while now. >I've been going pretty much every year for about 12 years or so. Last >year was my first year there behind the table as a creator. Roger has >a nice Small Press area set up, for those of you indy publishers who >are interested. It's at the Adams Mark Hotel in Columbus, OH >Thanksgiving weekend November 28th & 29th. > >Roger's usual guests include John Byrne and Tony Isabella. Others this >year include Peter David, Jeff Smith, Linda Medley, Charles Vess, Carla >Speed McNeil, David Napoliello, James O'Barr and many, many more. > >For more info, check out http://www.wfcomics.com and click on the >Mid-Ohio Icon.<<< This will be Mid-Ohio-Con's 19th year. Peter David has cancelled his appearance due to family obligations, but we do have Adam West, Frank Gorshin, the Trilogy Tour, and lots more. By all means, check out the Mid-Ohio-Con website for the rest of Rog's guest list and other updates. Tony Isabella +++++ From: Oktomica Entertainment Subject: Oktomica Virtual Coupons! We've been getting some feedback from viewers of our web-site at www.oktomica.com that their retailers aren't ordering enough copies of Virtex #1 for their stores, and since we don't sell direct, they may miss out on this new series starting with the first issue! We've remedied that with our first VIRTEX RESERVATION COUPON! Basically you can download a coupon that alerts your retailer what page and the item number for VIRTEX #1 in their current Diamond catalog. It has room for your name and telephone number so they can even call you back to let you know when it arrives. We thought we'd try something different and utilize the internet to help out our potential reader base and to inform retailers that it's the readers that "make" a comic series and that sometimes they need reminding that there are other comics for them outside of the big 3. If you're interested in getting one click: http://www.oktomica.com/virtex/minicoupon.jpg for the small one and http://www.oktomica.com/virtex/bigcoupon.jpg For the larger one. thanks! --- Oktomica Entertainment http://www.oktomica.com Detonating the Face of Comics! The Wait is Over! Virtex #1 Ships in December 1998! Monthly full-color series by Casey Lau, Kano and Mike Baron! +++++ From: "Paul Dale Roberts" To: "Chris Rattray" Subject: Re: WB#26 review > From: Chris Rattray > To: silhouet@ix.netcom.com > Subject: WB#26 review > Date: Saturday, October 10, 1998 2:36 PM > > Just a quick one. > > I'm so glad to see that someone's finally READ Witchblade > BEFORE forming their opinion of the book. It's refreshing > to read an opinion of the book that doesn't include the > words "near naked!", or "T&A comic". > > Thanks for a straight, unprejudiced, and down to earth > review of one of the best comics being published today. > > -- c h r i s. > > ** List/Webmaster DOTB -- Disciples of the Blade ** > ** http://www.iinet.net.au/~ratty/witchblade ** > > PS.. just a small thing; you referred to Sara Pezzini as > "Witchblade" a couple of times. I think it's an important > distinction to make -- Sara is Sara, the Witchblade is the > Witchblade. They are two separate entities, despite their > symbiotic nature. But that's just a small thing, as I said :) > Thanks again. Thanks Chris for the praise. I don't consider Witchblade as a T&A comic book, there is plenty of story there and Witchblade needs to be appreciated for what it is, a story with substance. Also, thanks for the distinction info on Sara and Witchblade, I see your point. Best, Paul Dale Roberts, Publisher Jazma Comic Book Newsletter Productions http://www.twmgrafix.com/jazma ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [3] [TRIVIA CONTEST] **THE FIRST PLACE TO FIND THE EMAG EACH WEEK IS ON OUR HOME PAGE!** IF YOU ARE DESPERATE TO WIN THE TRIVIA, GO THERE FIRST ON FRIDAY NIGHT http://members.aol.com/ComicBkNet/emag.htm QUESTION OF THE WEEK (Prizes donated by THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT - Worcester, MA) (DC COMICS & DIAMOND COMIC DISTRIBUTORS, INC.) +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.+ LAST ISSUE'S QUESTION OF THE WEEK: >>Who used the alias Paul Creddick in some of his comic work? Answer: Jim Shooter and Steve Topper was the first of many to get it. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION: Which actor first introduced the "comic book character" based dance done by John Travolta in "Pulp Fiction" 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! Messages with more than one guess will be disqualified. LIMIT: ONE PRIZE PER MONTH PER PERSON! ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [4] Network Buzz News, gossip and rumors from around the industry Marvel Enterprises Announces New Board of Directors and Search for New CEO NEW YORK, Oct. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Marvel Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE: MVL) (the "Company"), which acquired Marvel Entertainment Group, Inc. and changed its name from Toy Biz, Inc. on October 1, 1998, announced today its Board of Directors and new Chairman of the Board, Morton Handel. The Company also announced that, to address the significant expansion in the breadth of its business resulting from the acquisition of Marvel Entertainment, and in particular its library of characters, the Company has retained the executive search firm Spencer Stuart to assist it in a search for a new chief executive officer. Joseph Ahearn is expected to step down as the Company's chief executive officer, but will remain the Company's chief executive officer until his successor is appointed. Morton Handel, Chairman of the Board, commented that: "Joe Ahearn grew our company from a toy manufacturer with sales of only $45 million in 1991 to one with sales in excess of $220 million and a reputation as one of the most efficient toy makers in the country. In addition, Joe played a key role in the company's hard-fought acquisition of Marvel Entertainment." Handel went on to note, "Our Board of Directors has both the financial background to allow us to revive Marvel's widely recognized youth entertainment business and the toy and entertainment industry experience to fully develop the potential of our combined product lines." Mr. Ahearn commented that: "I am proud of our remarkable achievement in engineering the acquisition of Marvel Entertainment. It has been an exhausting yet rewarding two years. Now that this transaction is complete, I understand the board's desire to search for a new chief executive officer whose background more closely fits the board's long term vision for the company." The new Marvel Enterprises Board of Directors includes: -- Morton E. Handel, Chairman of the Boaard. Mr. Handel, age 63, is the President of S&H Consulting Ltd., a financial consulting group. Mr. Handel also serves as a director of CompUSA, Inc., Ithaca Industries, Inc. and Concurrent Computer Corp., and was previously Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Coleco Industries, Inc. Mr. Handel was appointed as a director of the Company in June 1997. -- Avi Arad. Mr. Arad, age 50, a founderr of the Company, has served as a Director of and consultant to the Company since April 1993. Mr. Arad was previously the President and Chief Executive Officer of Marvel Films, a media production company affiliated with Marvel Entertainment. At Marvel Films, Mr. Arad served as the Executive Producer of numerous animated TV series including the X-Men and the Spider-Man animated TV series and the live action movie Blade. Mr. Arad has been a toy inventor and designer for more than 20 years. -- Mark Dickstein. Mr. Dickstein, age 400, is the President of Dickstein Partners Inc. and is primarily responsible for the operations of Dickstein & Co., L.P., Dickstein Focus Fund L.P. and Dickstein International Limited, each of which is a private investment fund. He also serves as a director of Hills Stores Company, News Communications Inc., and the Leslie Fay Company, Inc. -- Eric Ellenbogen. Mr. Ellenbogen, age 41, is the President and a Director of Golden Books Family Entertainment. Prior to its acquisition by Golden Books in 1996, Mr. Ellenbogen served as president of Broadway Video Entertainment, which he built into New York's leading independent motion picture and television production and distribution company. Mr. Ellenbogen is the co-chairman of the American Film Institute's Third Decade Council. -- Shelley F. Greenhaus. Mr. Greenhaus, age 45, is the President and Managing Director of Whippoorwill Associates, Inc., an investment advisor which he founded. Whippoorwill manages investment accounts for a prominent group of institutional and individual investors from around the world. -- James F. Halpin. Mr. Halpin, age 47, has served as a Director of the Company since March 1995. Mr. Halpin is the President and Chief Executive Officer and a Director of CompUSA Inc. Mr. Halpin also serves as a director of Interphase Corporation and Lowe's Companies, Inc. -- Michael M. Lynton. Mr. Lynton, age 388, is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Penguin Group. Previously, at The Walt Disney Company, he was President of Hollywood Pictures and President of Disney Publishing - Magazines and Books. -- Lawrence Mittman. Mr. Mittman, age 477, is a partner in the law firm of Battle Fowler LLP. Mr. Mittman also serves as a Director of CompUSA, Inc. -- Isaac Perlmutter. Mr. Perlmutter, agee 55, a founder of the Company, has served as a Director of the Company since April 1993 and is an independent financial investor. As an independent investor, Mr. Perlmutter has had controlling ownership interests in Remington Products Company, Westwood Industries, Inc. and Tangible Media, Inc. -- Michael J. Petrick. Mr. Petrick, age 36, is a Managing Director of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated. Mr. Petrick also serves as a director of CHI Energy, Inc. and Premium Standard Farms, Inc. Marvel Enterprises, Inc. is a leading entertainment-based marketing and licensing company operating in the licensing, comic book publishing, toy, trading card and children's activity sticker business on a worldwide basis. Forward-Looking Statements: Except for historical information contained herein, the statements in this news release regarding the Company's plans and intentions are forward-looking statements that are dependent upon certain risks and uncertainties, including Marvel Enterprises' ability to integrate Marvel Entertainment Group's business, Marvel Enterprises' ability to refinance its bridge loan used to finance its acquisition of Marvel Entertainment Group, the level of media exposure or the popularity of Marvel Enterprises' characters and trademarks, consumer acceptance of Marvel Enterprises' new product introductions, the effectiveness of Marvel Enterprises' changes to its trading card and publishing distribution strategies, a decrease in the level of media exposure or popularity of Marvel Enterprises characters resulting in declining revenues based on such characters, the lack of continued commercial success of properties owned by major licensors which have granted Marvel Enterprises licenses for its sports and entertainment trading card and sticker businesses, unanticipated costs or delays in completing projects associated with Marvel Enterprises' new ventures including media, interactive software and on-line services and theme restaurants, or the ability of Marvel Enterprises to make its information systems year 2000 compliant, Marvel Enterprises' dependence on Chinese manufacturers, U.S. trade relations with China, and weakness in recent years in the comic book, trading card and children's activity sticker markets. Those and other risks and uncertainties are described in Marvel Enterprises' and Marvel Entertainment Group's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including their respective Annual Reports on Form 10K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10Q. SOURCE Marvel Enterprises, Inc. +++++ NOTES FROM THE UNDERGROUND: A CONVERSATION WITH NEIL GAIMAN Award-winning comics and fantasy author Neil Gaiman offers a rare insight into his work in "Notes from the Underground," a new video produced by the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and KCTS-Seattle public television. This intimate conversation with the author delves into his inspirations and writing techniques, his work for comics, television, and film, and his continued support of the CBLDF. Gaiman is best known as the author of DC Comics' acclaimed "Sandman" series. His other comics work includes "Death: The High Cost of Living," "Violent Cases," "Stardust," and many more. Much of "Notes from the Underground" concerns Gaiman's hit BBC fantasy series "Neverwhere," soon to be a major motion picture. His books include the best-selling "Neverwhere" novel, "Good Omens" with Terry Pratchett, and "Smoke and Mirrors," due out from Avon Books later this month. "Myth is what I eat. Myth is what I drink, breathe, sleep." With these words, Gaiman begins an exploration of his inspirations as a writer. He discusses the genesis of "Neverwhere," and speaks candidly about the delights and frustrations of watching his creations brought to life for the small screen. He addresses the differences in writing scripts for television and comics, and reveals some of his own strategies for writing. Gaiman also explores his on-going commitment to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, a non-profit organization protecting the First Amendment rights of creators, publishers, and retailers in the comics community. As a creator of comics for mature readers, Gaiman recognizes the importance of the Fund's work and acknowledges the common misconceptions which often make the medium an easy target for censors, crusading reporters, and grandstanding politicians. Gaiman also brings to light the injustices in the case of Michael Diana, the only American artist ever convicted of obscenity for his or her work. "Notes from the Underground" runs approximately 60 minutes and retails for $14.95. The videotape is featured on page 387 of the October issue of Diamond's "Previews." It will be available directly from the CBLDF beginning in December by calling 1-800-99-CBLDF or by visiting our web-site at http://www.cbldf.org. Additional donations can always be sent directly to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund at P.O. Box 693, Northampton, MA 01061. Be sure to check out "Busted!" The Newsletter of the CBLDF or our web site for more news. # # # For additional information and graphics contact Chris Bleistein at (413) 586-6867 of cbldf@compuserve.com +++++ From the Comics Continuum of the Detroit News at http://www.detnews.com/metro/hobbies/comix/ 3 Spawn spin-offs are planned for next year. CURSE OF THE SPAWN will be cancelled and there will be a SAM & TWITCH mini-series. Two new monthly titles will be launched in 1999: CY-GOR with creators not yet set and SPAWN:DARK AGES by Brian Holguin and Liam Sharp. Beau Smith is writing THE BLACK TERROR that will come out in April also from Todd McFarlane Productions. The art is by Clayton Crain and Alp Altier. Then there is THE CROW monthly by John Muth and Jamie Tolagson with Kent Williams covers. THE CREEPER shows up on BATMAN ANIMATED this season. WILDCATS #1 will launch the WILDSTORM imprint for DC on January 6th. Scott Lobdell, Travest Charest and Richard Friend do the chores with new members, missing members, (yada, yada, yada - DL) (and of course) SIX different covers by Charest, Lee, Campbell, Madureira, Simon Bisley, Arthur Adams. 32 pages $2.50 Greg Kinnear, an Oscar nominee for As Good as It Gets, has landed a key role in Universal Pictures' Mystery Men, a live-action film based on the Dark Horse mini-series. In a tale of a crazed band of self-proclaimed super-heroes, Kinnear plays Captain Amazing, the only one among them with true powers, who sees others grabbing credit for is good deeds. The cast of Mystery Men also includes Ben Stiller, Hank Azaria, Geoffrey Rush, Janeane Garofalo and Lena Olin. +++++ THE DOORWAY TO ADVENTURE OPENS JANUARY 1999! Hot on the heels of Oktomica Entertainment's flagship book VIRTEX, comes our next ongoing monthly series - THE WONDERLANDERS! What happens when Fairy Tales grow up? This is the basic premise to this brand new series from creator/plotter Casey Lau, super-hot art by Kaare Andrews and scripted by Tom and Mary (Legion of Superheroes) Bierbaum. "You remember the stories like Alice in Wonderland and The Narnia Chronicles, that you read or were read to you when you were young? Well I always wondered what happened to the kids that participated in those adventures if they grew up today." Says creator Casey Lau. "We've created a new world that mixes up all you remember, with some new ideas to create a new "wonderland" called Flynn. A Great War happened there 20 years ago, where four school kids helped stop the evil wolf-prince Fenris from taking over King Layoran's kingdomŠ they lived happily ever after...until now!" It is 2009, and Fenris has escaped Flynn to scheme Earth. His diabolical plot arouses the suspicions of Elizabeth Gable - the eldest of the school kids - who as an adult, has established a career as a counsellor for street kids. Elizabeth finds a way to travel back to Flynn and inform Layoran and his followers, what evil plans Fenris is manufacturing on Earth. When the "Wonderlanders" arrive on Earth they are transformed from their simpler "magical" selves into a cross between modern superheroes and videogame combatants. Those are the alterations that occur when these magical creatures enter our dark, polluted world. And from there on out it's all-out action. Two sides fighting for the fate of two worlds, with the universe as the prize. Best described as "Wizard of Oz" meets "Street Fighter" - this series is bound to be enjoyed by fans of the classic superheroics, video game action and fantasy, as THE WONDERLANDERS dabbles in each. THE WONDERLANDERS is a full digital-color monthly series that heralds in the new year when the first issue is released in January 1999. THE WONDERLANDERS is 32 pages, retails for $2.50 and is available for ordering in the November issue of Diamond's PREVIEWS catalogue. For more information about Oktomica, Virtex and THE WONDERLANDERS please visit the official company web-site at: http://www.oktomica.com or e-mail marketing manager: Linda Lum at goddess@oktomica.com for more info for retailers and the press. +++++ From The Daily Buzz at http://www.AnotherUniverse.com Matt Brady reports that Karl Kesel has signed an exclusive contract with DC for at least a year. This will cover his work on SUPERBOY, said to be key in the upcoming changes in the DC UNIVERSE, and his 10 part WORLD'S FINEST. +++++ From Newsarama; http://www.AnotherUniverse.com/newsarama WINNER OF THE 1997 REC.ARTS.COMICS.* "SQUIDDY" FOR BEST WEB SITE The JSA one-shots for the March DC fifth week event have been revealed. Each will feature a pair of JSA'ers done by different teams and be set in the Golden Age: STARMAN & THE ATOM HOURMAN & DR. MID-NITE WONDER WOMAN & HAWKGIRL FLASH & MR. TERRIFIC WILDCAT & HAWKMAN GREEN LANTERN & JOHNNY THUNDER SANDMAN & SANDY The bookend stories will be written by James Robinson and David Goyer. There is also a JLA/JSA 4-issue prestige mini-series written by Mike Barr in the works. According to DC Paul Kupperberg will leave the editorial reigns of THE FLASH and IMPULSE to do Special Projects and likewise Joey Cavalieri will work on upscale projects, leaving the SUPERMAN titles. Taking Joey's place will be Eddie Berganza. Scott Lobdell will write and Marc Silvestri will share pages of pencils with David Finch on the TOP COW half of the DARKNESS/BATMAN crossover. Lobdell also has Homage projects in the works: MOSTLY WANTED is a six issue mini with Roberto Flores. BALL & CHAIN is a one shot with Ale Garza art. It is all part of a 12 issue total deal. +++++ From Zentertainment; HTTP://WWW.ZENTERTAINMENT.COM To sign a friend up or begin receiving ZEN yourself, e-mail SeanJordan@aol.com and say SUBSCRIBE. October is DEADPOOL month at MARVEL Comics, celebrating one of their best and easily their most amusing title. We're all knee-deep in the festivities already with the releases of DEADPOOL TEAM-UP STARRING DEADPOOL AND WIDDLE WADE, BABY'S FIRST DEADPOOL BOOK, and the DEADPOOL #0 packaged with the new WIZARD, and still on their way are a trade paperback, t-shirt, poster, bust, and the double-sized 3rd part of the 5-part DEAD RECKONING story arc, which continues to bring together the "Mithras Directive" threads from the past two years of issues, all leading up to what DEADPOOL writer Joe Kelly considers to be the book's second "Season Finale," with issue #25. TOP COW has signed a deal with EIDOS Interactive (Tomb Raider), to have EIDOS create a WITCHBLADE video game, for release in mid-to-late 1999. WITCHBLADE is a TOP COW comic, that will soon leap to the small screen in a TNT series, about a female New York detective with a mythical, symbiotic weapon known as the Witchblade. +++++ From: Horrornet After Vampirella #12, we take a quick break in December, then return to the Vampirella monthly series in January with Vampirella Monthly #0. Here's some info on that! Vampirella Monthly #0 Jan `99 This special zero issue features two stories in a split book: Vampirella (10 pgs) and Pantha (10 pgs) The 10 pg. Vampirella tale The 10 pg. Pantha tale Writer: Steven Grant Writer: David Conway Artist: Patrick Zircher Artist: Mike Mayhew The Vampirella story is a bridge between Vampirella #12 (the climax to Hell on Earth) and our upcoming Vampirella / Lady Death crossover with Chaos! Comics in February 1999. The #0 story is a prelude to Vampi / Lady Death, and Lady D will be appearing in Monthly #0 in a short sequence. The Vampi tale is written by Steven Grant, who's been working with Morrison & Millar on the Vampirella Monthly series for quite some time. The Vampi story artist is Patrick Zircher — he's new to Vampirella, but he has done a number of issues of Iron Man (both the Busiek regular series, and the Iron Man: the Iron Age miniseries). Check your local comic shop for Iron Man issues to get a sneak peek at Zircher's work! The Pantha story is the beginning of our plans for Pantha in ‘99 - she's to be featured prominently in the Vampirella Monthly series. This is the first published comic story by David Conway, who is new to the comics field and comes highly recommended to us by Grant Morison. The art for this tale is by Mike Mayhew, again new to Harris Comics, but he's done great work on Lady Rawhide and Starman recently. Vampirella Monthly #0 will be equally distributed with both a Vampirella Monthly #0 cover by Louis Small, Jr. and a Pantha #0 cover by Gary Frank. There will also be variant covers of Vampirella Monthly #0 by Patrick Zircher, and a variant edition cover of Pantha #0 by Mark Texeira. $2.95 cover price All I can say on Vampirella / Lady Death right now is.... Vampirella / Lady Death to be published by Harris Comics Lady Death / Vampirella to be published by Chaos Comics -- Both released in Feb. `99 with a Valeentine's Day Theme Our creative team: Steven Grant & David Conway, writers Louis Small Jr, artist The Vampirella / Lady Death crossover tale will be in continuity. The lead-in prelude to the crossover is Vampirella Monthly #0, and the events of Vampi / Lady D will influence Vampirella #13. As far as upcoming covers go, we have new pieces by Joseph Linsner, Bruce Timm, Mark Texeira, and Nelson. Stay tuned for previews soon! The Vampirella Convention Sketch Set by Nelson has finally shipped to all comic stores. If you ordered it from your local comic shop, be sure to ask about it. As you may recall, the Convention sketch set included an original, hand-drawn Vampirella illustration by Nelson. I must admit, these sketches are WAY better than I could have ever expected, and Vampirella fans are in for a real treat with this set! The Vampirella Blood Lust Hardcover is currently in production and should hit stores by the end of October. We will be offering the limited deluxe hardcover directly from Harris Comics soon for those of you who missed it in the Previews catalog. The deluxe hardcover will include a signed slipcase and an exclusive, tipped-in signed Jusko pencil illustration litho available nowhere else. Look for the direct offer in the Vampi comic soon! Sharky #4 from Image Comics shipped this week to comic shops. This book features a cameo appearance by Vampirella for all you Vampi completists out there. Due to a scheduling change, the Vampirella Monthly Year II ashcan that was offered in the Previews catalog for November shipping will be replaced by the Vampirella Monthly #0 ashcan instead. We'll re-offer the Vampirella Year II ashcan again later on this year. Be sure to check out http://www.abs.net/~scorpion/vampirella.html for frequent updates to the Vampirella archive, new Vampirella model pics, and lots more. That's it for now. See ya next time! Seth B Harris Comics +++++ Legendary Artist Bernie Wrightson and Writer Joe Monks have teamed up to produce COVEN - a floppy diskette to premiere at Chiller Theatre in Secaucus, NJ, October 30 - November 1, 1998. An illustrated story on diskette, "Coven" is the story of a woman's struggle to save her child against witchcraft in a small New England town. Complete with illustrations by Wrightson, and written by Monks, the disk will feature a complete layout version (PDF format), plus a .doc and .rtf format with images. This is the first diskette Wrightson has ever worked on. Chanting Monks Studios previously released a limited Agony In Black special diskette, which shipped in a special edition of the first issue of that horror magazine in October 1997. Wrightson will be signing at Chiller Theatre (http://www.chillertheatre.com) in the Chanting Monks Studios room, as will Monks. The diskette will be solicited for the general comic book market to ship in March 1999, in both PC and MAC format. For more information, visit the Chanting Monks Studios web site at http://www.mediasi.com/chantingmonks +++++ From: Jeff Mason NEWS RELEASE: For release October 12, 1998. New comic book makes love from the Starr Report Kochalka, Hart and Anonymous create January 1999 Alternative Comics release to support First Amendment Gainesville, FL, October 12, 1998: This January, the millions of civic-minded Americans who read the Starr Report and wondered "but where's the love?" will find their prayers answered with the release of Monica's Story, the comic book adaptation of the most important and intimate American public document since the Bill of Rights. Published by Gainesville, Florida publisher Alternative Comics, this 32-page, black & white, one-shot is adapted and scripted by Anonymous, pencilled by James Kochalka, and inked by Tom Hart, and takes the reader from Bill and Monica's first stolen glances to the turmoil, tumult and tears of their breakup. The net proceeds from this project will benefit the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF), a non-profit, tax-exempt organization dedicated to the preservation of First Amendment rights for creators and retailers in the comics community. Kochalka and Hart's cartoony, expressive artwork cuts to the heart of the matter, and the story unfolds in a show-don't-tell manner far removed from the narrative-heavy style common to most comic book adaptations of the past. "As a mass of raw data, the Starr Report is bleak and impersonal," said Alternative Comics publisher Jeff Mason, "These guys have turned it into something dramatic and rather touching." The simple eyecatching artwork depicts the rather explicit subject matter in a tasteful R-rated fashion and lends the characters an unexpected innocence. "Readers will find themselves sympathizing with a couple of characters they thought they had run out of all sympathy for," said Mason, "in contrast with most 'pulled-from-the-headlines' comics that play up the sleaze and go for a photorealistic look, Monica's Story is a bold, refreshingly honest read." "I flesh out the dialogue to make it sound more natural," said the critically-acclaimed comics writer who adapted the Starr Report into the script for Monica's Story, "but other than that it remains absolutely faithful to the Report. It's just a matter of selecting the crucial sequences and crafting them into a flowing, engaging romance. I don't take a satirical tone... the thing is hilarious already, so a deadpan, unironic presentation works best." James Kochalka is one of the most prolific and distinctive artists in the comics scene today, his simple figures conveying a wealth of emotional nuance. Some of his most recent graphic novels include Tiny Bubbles, Quit Your Job, and Magic Boy and Girlfriend. Tom Hart's work has been met with wide critical acclaim for its manic energy and poetic grace. His first graphic novel, Hutch Owen's Working Hard, was the underground hit of 1994 and has made its way onto many critics "Best Ever" lists of graphic novels. Hart's latest, The Sands, has just been released by Canadian publisher Black Eye Books. Kochalka and Hart's styles share a stripped-down eloquence and emotive energy that, in Monica's Story, is the perfect blend. Monica's Story is a 32 page black & white one-shot, debuting January 1999 at a retail price of $2.95, adapted from the Starr Report, the common name of the official Referral to the United States House of Representatives pursuant to Title 28, United States Code, § 595(c) submitted by The Office of the Independent Counsel on September 9, 1998. Monica's Story will be available at comic book specialty shops worldwide. To find a comic book specialty shop in one's area, call the Comic Shop Locator Service toll-free at 888-COMIC-BOOK (888-266-4226). Individual copies of Monica's Story can be ordered directly from Alternative Comics starting in January 1999 for $4.00 postage paid in the United States. The official Monica's Story Web site is: http://www.indyworld.com/monica ### A mock-up of the cover to Monica's Story is available on-line in TIF format (CYMK color mode) at: http://www.indyworld.com/pics/monica.tif or in GIF format (RGB color mode) at http://www.indyworld.com/pics/monica.gif The official Alternative Comics Web site is: http://www.indyworld.com/altcomics Alternative Comics also publishes indy Magazine, Ed Brubaker's Detour, Steve Weissman's Yikes, Jon Lewis' The Frost Changes books, Sam Henderson's Magic Whistle, Dave Lasky & Greg Stump's Urban Hipster, and Jen Sorensen's Slowpoke. The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization dedicated to the preservation of First Amendment rights for creators and retailers in the comics community. Donations can always be sent directly to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund at P.O. Box 693, Northampton, MA 01061. For additional information, call (413) 586-6967 or E-Mail cbldf@compuserve.com. For more information please contact Alternative Comics publisher Jeff Mason at 611 NW 34th Drive, Gainesville, FL 32607-2429. Phone: (352) 373-6336. E-Mail: jmason@gator.net. +++++ SPECIAL VIZ-IN section! From: Oliver Chin Subject: Viz products for 2/98 All, Here is our lineup for you to review. Oliver ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- viz-in vol. 10, no. 11 ITEMS SHIPPING FEBRUARY '99 Director of Sales & Marketing/Oliver Chin featuring… NEON GENESIS EVANGELION BOOK 4:1 7-issue monthly series story & art by Yoshiyuki Sadamoto b&w, 32 pages $2.95 USA/$4.50 CAN SHIPS 2/26 THE THIRD CHILD The most controversial science fiction manga and anime of the '90s continues! In the year 2015, half of the human race is dead, and the survivors face a terrifying judgment from giant "Angels." Within Tokyo-3 and the headquarters of the secretive organization called NERV, a handful of teenagers-including withdrawn, troubled Shinji Ikari-are trained to pilot the colossal superentities known as "Evangelions" and battle the Angels on their own terms - whatever the cost to their minds and souls. IN THIS ISSUE: Tokyo-3 braces itself for a new kind of impact-the arrival of 14-year-old Asuka Langley, the latest teenager able to pilot the Evangelion units, and a prodigy in combat. Shinji and his classmates are sent to meet her upon her arrival, but hurricane Asuka is more than they bargained for! Not quite the same as in the animated TV show, with this issue the EVANGELION manga becomes co-creator Sadamoto's distinctively personal version of the series. NEON GENESIS EVANGELION SPECIAL COLLECTOR'S EDITION BOOK 4:1 7-issue monthly series story & art by Yoshiyuki Sadamoto b&w, 32 pages $2.95 USA/$4.50 CAN SHIPS 2/26 PRINTED IN REVERSE The same comic as above, but printed from right to left as it is in Japan, thus preserving the original orientation of this major manga series! MAISON IKKOKU: STUDENT AFFAIRS graphic novel story & art by Rumiko Takahashi b&w, 264 pages $16.95 USA/$25.50 CAN SHIPS 2/6 HOMEROOM HIJINKS Rumiko Takahashi's most beloved romantic comedy! MAISON IKKOKU: STUDENT AFFAIRS, the 11th MAISON IKKOKU graphic novel, collects MAISON IKKOKU PART SEVEN #7 (second half) through #13 into one convenient, bento box-sized volume. Bashful college student Yusaku Godai is madly in love with beautiful Kyoko, the widowed manager of his apartment building, comfortably shabby Maison Ikkoku. As Yusaku and handsome tennis coach Shun Mitaka vie for Kyoko's affections, the other Maison Ikkoku residents-a motley crew of drunks, deadbeats and pranksters-can't resist meddling in their affairs. IN THIS VOLUME: High school student Ibuki resumes her efforts to win Godai's heart! When she tricks him into signing up as his private tutor, it looks like they'll be spending lots of time together, and the meddling of rumored pervert Mr. Yotsuya and the other Maison Ikkoku dwellers don't help things any. Meanwhile Mitaka, having conquered his dog phobia, resolves to marry Kyoko and put an end to his arranged marriage plans with shy but persistent Asuna. When Godai loses his job, Mitaka moves into the home stretch, courting Kyoko ever more aggressively. Will Godai ever be able to support her_or will the richer man win? STRIKER VERSUS THE THIRD REICH graphic novel story by Hiroshi Takashige art by Ryoji Minagawa b&w, 160 pages $15.95 USA/$23.95 CAN SHIPS 2/13 RAIDERS OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL As seen in the anime motion picture! Around the globe a race is on for relics of an ancient civilization, relics powerful enough to help save the Earth_or destroy it. It's the job of the Arcam Foundation and its elite Strikers to keep that power out of the wrong hands. Against biological weapons, cyborg troops, and the living dead, one Arcam agent is always on the front line_Yu Ominae, super-powered special operative and high school student! The third STRIKER graphic novel collects the final two STRIKER storylines from MANGA VIZION magazine into a convenient, carbon-dated graphic novel. IN THIS VOLUME: Arcam faces its most ruthless enemies ever-an army of Neo-Nazis determined to use ancient super-artifacts to do again what they failed in 1945! In THE CRYSTAL SKULL, Yu Ominae travels to Cairo to safeguard a fabled artifact with more power than any nuclear bomb. But an ominous German corporation has hired a hitman to kill Ominae, and if anyone can do it, it's the infallible Mirage! In THE HOLY GRAIL, the Nazi forces steal the Holy Grail, the only object on Earth with the power to resurrect Adolf Hitler! With the Aryan superman Bo Brantze and dozens of Hitler clones on their side, will the Third Reich rule the world again? It's violent, apocalyptic archaeological action, STRIKER style! viz videos MAISON IKKOKU: GODAI COME HOME two complete episodes each volume in English color, stereo, 52 mins. $24.95 USA SHIPPING 2/6 HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE_ A rumor that Kyoko and Mitaka have decided to tie the knot leaves Godai so heartbroken that he moves out of Maison Ikkoku, and straight into a situation that some might say is even worse_MAISON IKKOKU from Viz Video: Because Home Is Where the Heart Lives.™ RANMA 1/2 HARD BATTLE SUBTITLED EDITION: SMELLS LIKE EVIL SPIRIT two complete episodes each volume subtitled color, stereo, 52 mins. $29.95 USA SHIPPING 2/13 SPLIT PERSONALITY NEW SUBTITLED EDITION! In an attempt to set Ranma's female side free, Happosai sets an incense burning that ends up separating Ranma's good side from his bad. Soon, Ranma becomes the bad girl even Happosai never dreamed possible viz comics DRAGON BALL Z PART TWO #3 story and art by Akira Toriyama 14-issue monthly series b&w, 32 pages $2.95 USA/$4.50 CAN SHIPS 2/13 NAPPA THE INVINCIBLE If you've only seen the TV series, you won't believe how much more intense the action is in the original manga version of DRAGON BALL Z! While his partner Vegeta watches, the super-strong Nappa attacks Earth's defenders, leaving terrible destruction in their ranks. DRAGON BALL #12 story and art by Akira Toriyama 12-issue monthly series b&w, 32 pages $2.95 USA/$4.50 CAN SHIPS 2/6 MONKEY BUSINESS Look out Fay Wray-under the light of the full moon, Goku has transformed into a giant ape! This sounds like good news for the rest of the Dragon Ball seekers, but the all-new, all-hairy Goku doesn't just smash them out of Pilaf's prison-he's wrecking indiscriminate mayhem! Can he be stopped? NO NEED FOR TENCHI PART SIX, #4 5-issue series story & art by Hitoshi Okuda monthly, b&w, 40 pages $3.25 USA/$4.95 CAN SHIPS 2/26 TENCHI VS. HISHIMA Bio-engineered ninja Hishima has defeated Gohgei and transformed into Gokei, a creature with all of Gohgei's powers. Can Tenchi defeat him? Their battle is interrupted as the entire Jurai space fleet surrounds them-but who sent the ships, and why? POKÉMON: THE ELECTRIC TALE OF PIKACHU #4 4-issue monthly series story and art by Toshihiro Ono b&w, 40 pages $3.25 USA/$4.95 CAN SHIPS 2/20 GHOSTS N' POKÉMON Ash goes to Saffron City to challenge Sabrina, the teenage Pokémon gym leader, but the fight is cancelled when a bad dream sends Sabrina into a coma! Ash and Brock must climb the Pokémon Tower to stop the problem at its source_a deadly Haunter Pokémon! NIGHTWARRIORS: DARKSTALKERS' REVENGE, THE COMIC SERIES #4 6-issue series story & art by Run Ishida b&w, 32 pages $2.95 USA/$4.50 CAN SHIPS 2/20 THE APPRENTICE A young monk is sent by his monastery to help the people of a village who are plagued by a succubus_the soul-thirsty Morrigan. But another hunter is on the trail of this Darkstalker, and the monk finds himself with an experienced ally_Donovan Baine! MAISON IKKOKU PART EIGHT, #7 8-issue series story & art by Rumiko Takahashi b&w, 40 pages $3.25 USA/$4.95 CAN SHIPS 2/13 AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER After making Kyoko angry, Godai is afraid to come home to Maison Ikkoku. Meanwhile, a hung-over Mitaka is unable to remember exactly what happened between him and Asuna the night before. When he arranges a date to talk to her, his worst fears seem to be confirmed_MAISON IKKOKU: The story of a boy, a girl, and the drunks who interfere. RANMA 1/2 PART SEVEN, #13 14-issue series story & art by Rumiko Takahashi monthly, b&w, 32 pages $2.95 USA/$4.50 CAN SHIPS 2/20 SAND TRAP The Three-Legged Obstacle Course Race at Zekkyo Hot Springs continues! The boys and girls get separated from their partners in a hot-water bath, and in the confusion Ranma and Akane are tied together-only to end up in a pit of quicksand! INU-YASHA PART TWO #8 9-issue series story & art by Rumiko Takahashi b&w, 40 pages $3.25 USA/$4.95 CAN SHIPS 2/6 HOUSE OF HORRORS Trapped in a house by a spider's web of human flesh, Kagome must nurse a gravely injured Inu-Yasha who, through the worst imaginable timing, has turned into a human being! Kagome and Nazuna must fend off the nightmare without him_and it's a long time until dawn_ viz magazines ANIMERICA EXTRA VOL. 2, No. 3 manga anthology b&w, 128 pages $4.95 USA/$7.50 CAN SHIPS 2/13 THE ANIME FAN'S COMIC MAGAZINE Presenting the manga anthology you've been waiting for, with exclusive anime news from the editors of ANIMERICA, fan art, contests, and the best in romance, action, science fiction, fantasy and shôjo manga! In X/1999, Kamui meets up again with the frail and beautiful Kotori, but their meeting is bittersweet because he cannot tell her of the supernatural chains which bind his fate. In FUSHIGI YŰGI, Yui notices that her friend Miaka is missing, and begins to be plagued by strange occurrences while Miaka explores the Universe of the Four Gods. In VIDEO GIRL AI, Ai cooks Yôta a meal-an edible one, this time-only to have to swallow her pride and hide the food when Yôta comes home with Moemi, who wants to cook for Yôta herself. In STEAM DETECTIVES, Goriki and Narutaki fight to the finish against Shadow Bolt No. 2. Has Dr. Guilty invented the ultimate robot engine of destruction? And will the orphan Karin be reunited with her parents? All this and our mysterious fifth title, a manga so exciting we can't even say its name yet! PULP MAR '99 Vol. 3, No. 3 manga anthology b&w, 128 pages for mature readers only $5.95 USA/$8.95 CAN SHIPS 2/6 MANGA FOR GROWNUPS Six adult, alternative manga titles, plus columns on underground and mainstream manga, Japanese film and music, the Internet and more! In VOYEURS INC., a concerned father hires the voyeurs to spy on his teenage daughter, Reika. In DANCE TILL TOMORROW, Suekichi and Aya are reunited and glad to be back in one another's arms (and that's putting it mildly). In STRAIN, madame Kyoko decides to take Shion under her wing and raise her into a woman who can one day command the Kusaka corporation. But their plans may be foiled permanently when a group of killers comes to take them hostage! In BANANA FISH, Ash is threatened with rape or worse by one of the other prisoners, and is about to murder him with a fork when they are interrupted by Max Lobo. Meanwhile, Eiji meets up with Ibé and leads him to a critically ill hospital patient who turns out to be none other than Ash's brother! And in BLACK & WHITE, an injured Black must fight the assassin named Dragon-or die. All this, plus your monthly dose of sick humor in HEARTBROKEN ANGELS! ANIMERICA Vol. 7, No. 2 anime & manga monthly color and b&w, 88 pages $4.95 USA/$7.50 CAN SHIPS 2/20 BASTARD!! Revisit the world of anime fantasy, powered up to the extreme with the sword and sorcery anime series BASTARD!! Plus, Leiji Matsumoto's GALAXY EXPRESS 999 manga, and more. Remember, If It's Anime in America, It's Gotta be ANIMERICA!™ VIZ-IN MAGAZINE Vol. 11, No. 2 $6.00 per bundle of 50 SHIPS 2/20 Your monthly guide to new releases from Viz Comics, Viz Video, and Viz Music, Viz-In is North America's manga and anime connection! Don't miss this free monthly full-color poster and sneak peeks at your favorite graphic novels, videos, music, and merchandise! ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [5] Ramblings 98 Rich Johnston twisting@hotmail.com [Renamed for the new year, Ramblings 98 continues to spread confirmed and unconfirmed news and rumours. It welcomes comment, especially comment that clarifies, refutes and corrects information already disseminated. Rich Johnston is an advertising copywriter, co-self publisher of Twist And Shout Comics, BBC comedy writer and comics columnist. He currently lives in South London, England. His column can be found online at: http://www.twistandshoutcomics.com All Ramblings e-mail received will be considered public domain and may be quoted.] This column is RUMOUR. Do not take anything here seriously. These RUMOURS are presented here as GOSSIP for their ENTERTAINMENT value. Dateline: 09 October 1998 Where In The World Is Mike Mignola? Mike Mignola has a few interesting projects up his sleeve. He's writing a Batman Elseworlds three part 48 page prestige mini-series with artist Richard Pace that incorporates various HP Lovecraft mythologies. Cthulu-Face anyone? He's also working with talk-of-the-town Trout creator Troy Nixen on an Oni Press Victorian Detective series. He hasn't got much nice to say about Vertigo creator Matt Smith however, as Smith jumped off drawing the next Hellboy mini-series and Mignola hasn't been able to contact him since. Looks like Mignola will have to draw it himself... which personally I'm very much in favour of. Because, dammit, no-one can draw Hellboy better than his creator. Moore Snippet Of The Day: Alan Moore's biggest reason for staying with Wildstorm, apparently, was loyalty. He'd signed up to do a series of books, recruited artists, got them excited, put them on the schedules and if he was to back out, the repercussions would harm his fellow contributors. While he is diametrically opposed to working for DC, he felt that his principles weren't worth the harm they might cause others - a lesson he may have learnt recently after letting Marvel reprint the Moore/Davis Captain Britain stories. Dateline: 13 October 1998 Twisted Tales from Northampton. Ramblings '98 presents a few exclusive excerpts from an upcoming interview with Alan Moore in Tripwire Magazine, available from all good comic book shops (and probably a few bad ones too). All right, commercial plug over. The interview took place on the 6th of October in a pizza restaurant in Northampton. DC/Wildstorm First, the DC/Wildstorm deal and the now famous trip by Jim Lee and Scott Dunbier to meet Alan Moore and later a number of other British creators for Wildstorm, including Warren Ellis and Gary Frank. Mike Doran has been telling Jim Lee's side of the Wildstorm-Meets-Alan-Moore event on Newsarama, and it is much the same from Moore, although he uses slightly more colourful language. "I was down in Wales minding the chickens during the time that the whole thing blew up. Jim Lee is a gentleman. He came over here, rather than do it over the phone or get an underling to do it... he did have trepidations because I think that they had both been worried about my response. When I got out of the cab at the station and he saw that I had my stick with me, he told me that he half expected me to beat him like a red haired stepchild." "My paycheques will come from him, I won't deal with any DC people and most importantly, I'd already committed not only myself but I'd got other people involved. It was a matter between sticking to my principles and me having to apologize to a load of people whose enthusiasm I'd worked up... I made the stipulation that DC shouldn't try and make any political capital out of this and Karen Berger phoned up, assured me that they wouldn't and I trust her." "I've said before that in a perfect world, I'd like to not be working remotely for DC Comics but this is a far from perfect world. To be honest, I'd prefer not to be working in a capitalist system but there you go." Fixing The Industry "Comics these days are too divided up. There used to be an incredible range of stories, everything from Little Nemo to Bernie Krigstein's Master Race. It was a rich field. It seems to me that we don't really have an entry level comics. It's definitely true to say that we don't have that many adult comics for people over thirty either, apart from some Fantagraphics and Drawn And Quarterly material. I don't see why, if your ideas are good enough, they should appeal to a nine year old or a fifty year old. This is a creative matter and it's something that should be within my power to fix. I have a naive belief that if the books in question were any f'ing good, we wouldn't have these other problems... This is an attempt to design, probably a foredoomed attempt, a lovely miniature utopian comic industry. It's only in the early stages." The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen In his first new book for Wildstorm, a superhero book in the nineteenth century using Victorian sci-fi, fantasy and adventure literary characters, Moore sees nineteenth century fiction as the point of generation of the superhero genre. Gathering together The Invisible Man, from Wells' novel of the same name, Haggard's Allan (King Solomon's Mines) Quatermain, Stoker's Mina Harker (from Dracula), Robert Louis Stevenson's Jekyll and Hyde and Verne's Captain Nemo means that Moore has plenty to play with. "I could pick any one of the characters and come up with something brilliant... If you bring them all together, you've got a Victorian Justice League of America... When I was writing it, I became obsessive and decided that if there were any walk-on characters, they would all be from somewhere in the fiction of the nineteenth century. We mention Anna Kypo, also known as Nana, the murders in The Rue Morgue and we've even got some characters from The Pearl, the pornographic magazine. "Kevin [O'Neill]'s researched a lot of the abandoned architectural ideas that might have gone through in the London that never was... The Victorian era was incredible, an era of fantasy and dreams. They were dreaming the century to come and the more sensitive amongst them, the artists, the poets, the imagineers, were trying to come up with a vocabulary to describe it and they invented these great machines, fantastic cities and fantastic characters." The Plot "The first six part League story tells of the assembling of the group. An invention has fallen into the wrong hands, a substance called Cavarite, an anti-gravity metal, which comes from Wells' First Men In The Moon. The League have to retrieve it which they do in #4 but as it's a six part story, this is only the end of the second act really. Then we see the consequences of their retrieval, which will come to a devastating conclusion in #6... it'll be like the Blitz, only it's happening in 1898." Time, Gentlemen, Please. "In the time period of the first series, Sherlock Holmes is dead. A wannabe detective has moved into his address in Baker Street. This young pretender is Sexton Blake, because the first Sexton Blake story was written around 1898 and he lived in Baker Street... We drag in all sorts of things but I've tried to keep true to the dates that the story takes place. I've written a very complicated chronology. It has to happen in 1898 because a couple of the characters didn't appear until 1897." Captain Nemo "Until Kevin actually pointed it out, I hadn't realised that Captain Nemo was Indian. I'd always thought of him as looking like James Mason. He's an Indian techno-pirate, presumably a Sikh, as they're the most warlike of the Indian castes. We've got a steering wheel which is in the shape of Shiva The Destroyer." The Invisible Man "The great thing about invisible characters in comics is that everybody goes to the trouble of inventing one and then puts a dotted line around them so that you know where they are. That's stupid... When you can actually use the startling visual and narrative effects that the invisibility makes possible, it's amazing." Dr Jekyll And Mister Hyde "One plausible case I've heard for the book is Stevenson himself might have had tendencies of the Uranian persuasion and he might have been encoding them into Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. This could have been one of the reasons why his wife hated the book so much, because she thought that it was possibly too transparent about something that should have remained a private matter between the two of them. Hyde obviously represents sexual appetite, all Id and instant gratification." "I love all of the characters. I like Quatermain with his opium habit and his weaknesses. When you see him, he's got scars all over his body. Wilhemina wears a scarf, which she never takes off, which is a nice erotic touch." Characters For Series Two "The Beetle, who was the subject of a gothic novel published the same year as Dracula, which outsold Stoker's book and was much creepier and madder but is completely forgotten today. I've made a note to use the statue of Rima The Jungle Girl, which actually exists in Hyde Park. She was a fictitious character from a novel called 'Green Mansions', which was a kind of Amazon ecological fantasy of the Nineteenth Century and she was such a beloved character that they built a statue of her." Days Of Future Past "After the first two, we've talked about the possibility of a proto Eighteenth Century League of Extraordinary Gentlemen or a Roaring Twenties Equivalent." Tripwire Special A, containing the full interview with Alan Moore is published in November 1998 and should reach the USA by December. -------------------------------------------- Paul Levitz On The Scrounge? Still San Diego stories are leaking around the industry... a nice little story passed it's way to us last week. Apparently Paul, Executive Vice President and Publisher at DC Comics was trying to use his status to acquire freebie comics from a certain publisher at San Diego... but no go. Forced to pay up like a normal punter, he wandered off in a mood. ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [6] Tony's Isabella's Journal Tony Isabella tonyisa@ohio.net Tony Isabella is a featured weekly columnist in the nation's largest comic book collector's publication, Comics Buyer's Guide. His satiric "Tony's Tips!" is a favorite among fans and industry professionals alike. A life long comic book fan, Tony began his career in 1972 as a comics professional as assistant to Stan Lee! He has worked in nearly every aspect of the business, from retailing, to distribution to writing. Among his credits is the creation of DC's first black super-hero, Black Lightning. Tony's latest project, the daily "Tony's Isabella's Journal" made its debut in June of 1997 on the world wide web exclusively through World Famous Comics, at http://www.wfcomics.com/tony The following is one of those daily columns . . . Tony Isabella's Journal #476 Welcome to the Sunday edition of TONY'S ONLINE TIPS. Because even "America's most-beloved comic-book writer and columnist" needs a day off, Sunday is when I reprint, one of my recent "Tony's Tips" columns from the pages of COMICS BUYER'S GUIDE. Today's column is from CBG #1296 [September 16, 1998]. ****** "I also thought, 'If you have women about, why not let them do the fighting?'" --Patrick Macnee on his AVENGERS co-starrs ****** This is a special "girl power" edition of "Tips" celebrating what certainly seems like my daughter Kelly's 100th viewing of her SPICE WORLD tape. The movie features the Golden Age Spice Girls, way back when Ginger Spice was still part of the team. The current roster consists of Baby, Posh, Scary, and Sporty, with a spice-to- be-named-later. Vanilla Spice, anyone? There are actually a lot of comic books starring "girls" being published today. Just off the top of my head--and with apologies for those titles lodging at the bottom of my head--I can think of AKIKO, CASTLE WAITING, SUPERGIRL, WONDER WOMAN, WITCHBLADE, GHOST, PATTY CAKE AND FRIENDS, CHASSIS, SIREN, BETTY, VERONICA, BETTY AND VERONICA, LITTLE WHITE MOUSE, XENA, CATWOMAN, OH MY GODDESS, BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, JINX, KABUKI, ACTION GIRL COMICS, LADY DEATH, ELVIRA, VAMPIRELLA, and SHI. Not to mention--though, of course, I will--the items reviewed herein. ****** COMICS REVUE PRESENTS MODESTY BLAISE #14 (Manuscript Press; $5.95) reprints "The Golden Frog," a complete 19-week continuity of the classic adventure strip by writer Peter O'Donnell and artist Enrique Romero. As most of you know, Modesty Blaise is one of the truly great characters in comics. Modesty is a war orphan/refuge who created herself anew--even to giving herself her name--and the former head of a surprisingly moral criminal outfit called the Network. Ostensibly retired, she often acts as a volunteer trouble-shooter for British Intelligence. Always at Modesty's side is Willie Garvin, the man whose soul she reclaimed from the darkness of his own past. Theirs is one of the most memorable friendships in all fiction. In this story, Kem Tok, a vicious Khmer Rouge commissar, seeks revenge on Modesty, blaming her--not without some justification-- for his relatively low position in the "revolutionary" government. Back in their Network days, Modesty and Willie heisted a gold shipment from him, which resulted in Tok being demoted in rank and suspended from the party. Learning that an old friend of Modesty's lives within his "domain," Tok threatens the man's granddaughter to lure Modesty back to Cambodia. O'Donnell's story, which would translate to about 57-60 pages of comic book, is simply masterful. He introduces and defines his characters efficiently but completely. Even a new reader quickly becomes aware of the depth of the Modesty/Willie relationship, and of Modesty's knack for inspiring loyalty from those she befriends. Tok's plans--like the commissar himself--are clever and nasty. The action sequences are well-staged. The ending is very satisfying. As I've told my occasional students, any writer could benefit from studying O'Donnell's work. Romero's drawings are also excellent. Today's strip artists, especially those few drawing adventure strips, face the day-to-day challenge of telling stories in a space most often compared to that of a postage stamp. Despite the detail he puts into them, Romero's superb panels seldom look cramped. He's amazing. Even at six bucks a pop, COMICS REVUE PRESENTS MODESTY BLAISE offers good entertainment value for your cash. It gets my highest recommendation. ****** ELECTRIC GIRL #1 (Mighty Gremlin; $3.50) is the fun creation of owner/president/writer/artist/letterer/janitor Michael Brennan. A graphic designer and professional illustrator by day, Brennan is a lifelong comics fan. As his press release says, "The publishing of ELECTRIC GIRL is the culmination of his lifelong lover of comics and the bizarre high that he gets from working nights and weekends after running a business, drawing and designing all week." The star of the book is Virginia, an average 19-year-old girl with two other-than-average quirks. She can conduct electricity through her body...and her best friend is an invisible gremlin only she can see. Brennan has a lot going for him. He does a good job bringing a reader into Virgina's world and keeps the stories moving. His dialogue is natural, his drawings pleasant. However, the invisible gremlin does get old very fast. I would have preferred seeing more of Virginia's human friends. All in all, ELECTRIC GIRL shows a lot of potential, as does its creator. The title will be published quarterly with this first issue solicited in the September issue of Diamond Distribution's PREVIEWS. At $3.50 for 40 pages of story and art, I think it's a pretty good buy and recommend you check it out. ****** APOLLO SMILE #1 (Eagle Wing Press; $2.95) stars the real-life Apollo Smile--a performer who recently hosted an anime festival on the Sci-Fi Channel--in manga-inspired science-fiction adventures. The "real" Apollo is so cute/perky one could almost believe she was drawn instead of born. The fictional Apollo is kind of fun, too, but she deserves a better comic book. This premiere issue is credited to Apollo Smile ("groove and scripting"), Peter Kato ("illustration and color"), Paul E. Hosten ("story and scripting"), and Douglas diMonda ("creative director, design, enhancement, layout"). I readily confess ignorance as to what "groove" and "enhancement" involve. There are some decent ideas in APOLLO SMILE #1, but the manga style didn't really allow them to be explored at sufficient length to capture my interest. I wanted more characterization and more plot. The artwork was good, but uneven; some of the "manga" asides were cute. On several occasions, the placement of word balloons was so wonky I had to study them to figure out their reading order. The end result was a comic I truly wanted to like--the Apollo Smile character is an eye-catcher--but couldn't. It just fell short in too many areas. Your mileage may vary. ****** TRANQUILITY #1 (Dreamsmith Studios; $2.50) by Fred Van Lente and Steve Ellis is schedule to ship in September. The title heroine is a genetically-engineered prostitute-turned-security officer on Tranquilitatis Base, a moon colony run by a ruthless corporation. She has a cybernetic link with her talking pistol, and is secretly working with a clandestine group of Tranquilitatis residents trying to escape back to Earth. The it's-become-a-cliche talking gun aside, TRANQUILITY #1 is a good first issue. Van Lente and Ellis have gotten me interested in their leading lady, even if her methods are a little brutal for my sensibilities. The story moves well and there are a couple of real "gotchas" along the way. My only quibble would be a confusing "daydream" sequence that threw me off track for a bit. Unless this sort of sequence is vital to their overall storyline, I suggest the creators forego the technique in future issues. TRANQUILITY is definitely worth checking out. ****** CHERYL BLOSSOM #15 and #16 (Archie Comics; $1.75 each) finds the fourth member of the Archie/Betty/Veronica triangle holding a summer beach show for "NTV." Written and penciled by Dan Parent, these stories have a lot going for them. The rivalry between the snobby students of Pembrooke Academy and the down-to-earth kids of Riverdale High is in full swing. The Archie-chasing, fame-seeking Cheryl is determined to get it all, no matter that it seems to be her against everyone. (Of course, with Cheryl, those odds probably work out to around 60-40 in her favor.) There are even a couple of celebrity pastiches along the way. Cheryl Blossom isn't my idea of a role model for young girls, but I think teen and older readers will get a kick out of her comic book and her sheer chutzpa. She's fabulous! ****** Finally, Ed Buchman, who is the very model of fan generosity, continues to publish and distribute free of change his Little Lulu fanzine, THE HOLLYWOOD ECLECTERN. Each issue is packed with great art, articles, and letters by Lulu devotees. You can get a sample copy by requesting one from: Ed Buchman P.O. Box 4215 Fullerton, CA 92834 THE HOLLYWOOD ECLECTERN isn't a flashy publication, but it is an enjoyable visit with fellow Little Lulu fans. I recommend it to one and all, especially those of you who have never experienced the delights of print fandom. I'll be back tomorrow with more Spider-Man reviews. Tony Isabella September 27, 1998 ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [7] TOO OLD FOR COMIC BOOKS?!? Johnny Gonzales gonzo@intellisys.net [Johnny Gonzales is an active duty Air Force member and aspiring cartoonist. He has been reading and buying comics ever since grade school. Many CBEM readers may recognize him from his weekly cartoon strip, "Heroes Rerun" which runs on the HTML edition of the e-mag.] I was looking at my rather large comic collection and got to thinking about how much money I had spent throughout the years on it. I then got to thinking about how much I spend a month on comics and how it's changed in the last year. About five years ago, I was spending close to a hundred bucks a month on comics. However, that all came to an end abruptly when I promised my wife that I would cut down on my comic spending habit. So I went through the list of books I was buying monthly and cut it down so that my monthly habit came down to about forty dollars a month. Of course with the cost of books nowadays, that equaled between 12-15 books every month, depending on the price. Well, about two years something occurred that changed my comic spending habit. I officially became part of the super-information highway and discovered the internet. In particular, I discovered the rec.arts.comics.marketplace (RACM) Newsgroup. Because of these two discoveries, in the last year and a half I have doubled the size of my comic collection but at only a fraction of the cost. For example I have almost completed the entire run of "American Flagg" and "Nexus" by buying each book at about a quarter a piece. I bought the entire run of "Whisper" for only $20 postage paid. And most recently, I purchased "Young Heroes in Love" #1-13 at fifty cents each. By searching throughout the RACM newsgroup, I can afford to wait out certain books that I would like to read but can't because of my budget. This came in handy when I found one of the books I had dropped in my cutback, "Grendel Tales," on one post going for a buck a piece. I was able to get the six-issues I had missed out on and with the cost of postage, it was still less than what three of the books would have cost me had I bought them at cover price. Now, I'm not saying that using RACM should replace your weekly visit to your local comic shop. I'm only saying using RACM has worked well for the way I need to stretch my measly monthly allowance. As with all things, there are some quirks to RACM. The biggest one is that you will occasionally find several "collectors" who are out to try to make the quick buck on the latest hot variant cover. Also, many times you will find messages in which people have either posted their website that you then need to visit to see what they have or list a bunch of books with no prices thereby trying to get you to "haggle" with them. Personally, I prefer to get a good idea about what it is a person has for sale in the subject line, then within the body they should list the books with an asking price as well as a good "guestimate" about how much postage will be. Whenever I get a package in the mail that I've ordered from someone through RACM I like to take out the nice stack of books and spread them out on the table. I then ask my wife to check out the cover price on each and then guess how much I've paid for it all. After doing this for about a year, she's getting rather good at guessing. Finding some great gems like this has even made it easier for me to try to bring in some of my friends back into the world of comics. But I'll talk more about that next time. ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [8] THE EMPEROR'S NEW COMICS Jim Murdoch smiv@primenet.com All right, enough of that nice guy stuff. Time to kick some teeth in. But first, how much should you pay for a variant cover? Ideally not more than cover price, but that's not always possible. Here at Comic Madness, we base our price on several factors. What was the split? 50/50, 1 in 4, 1 in 5, 1 in 10? If it's an even split, they all go on the shelf at cover price. Was it solicited with a variant? If so, then we ordered accordingly. If not, then we need to look at the next point. Can we get more? If it's a "surprise" variant, then it may already be out of stock by the time we can call Diamond. Finally, is it better than the regular cover? No one will pay extra for a Rob Liefeld variant, but they may be willing to shell out big dollars for a Travis Charest cover. We tend to use a simple rule of thumb: The variant pays for the split. That means a 1 in 4 Gen 13 variant gets priced at $5, and the 1 in 5 Vampi cover goes up at $7.50. Once you get above that level, however, the model tends to break down, otherwise we would charge $200 for the Witchblade 25 holofoil variant. This lesson in Comics Economics has been brought to you by Specu-Lad of the Legion of Substitute Retailers. What the hell was that? As far as the Wolverine 131 fiasco goes, I think Marvel tried to act responsibly once the mistake was made, but it never should have been made in the first place. If it were up to me, not only would the letterer get fired, but so would both the editor and the assistant, and ComiCraft would be shelling out for the new print run on Wolvie. Notice we haven't heard word one from Richard Starkings. And we probably won't, since his company's lettering ALL of Marvel's comics these days. If Starkings keeps that job, I suggest he invest in a proofreader, or at least a spell-checker. Brian Hibbs, YOU are my hero! Brian's "Tilting at Windmills" column in Comics Retailer is the main reason to read this mag. In issue #80, new this week, Brian takes umbrage with the practice of publishers "debuting" new product at conventions weeks or sometimes months before they are released to stores. He makes special note of Bob Chapman and Graphitti Designs, who were not only selling the Big Blast toys that were already four months behind schedule, but they were also selling Jay & Silent Bob toys, which hadn't been solicited yet! Maggie Thompson lets Chapman respond with a weak string of justifications that ends by calling retailers "whorish" and "lazy" for reselling the Expo giveaway toys. To which I say, Bite me. Why doesn't Diamond list the Spawn toys in the Toys section of Previews? If they're in the Image section, they should be exclusive to comics stores, right? While we're bagging on Spawn, why is Diamond still offering new solicitations when the book is consistently two months or more behind schedule. For God's sake, try a skip month! And while we're bagging on late Image comics, I hope Jeff Campbell and Joe Madrio-- Madrigal-- Maradoo-- whatever! have a good nest egg built up, because I don't think DC is going to put up with the one every three months shipping schedule they've been on for very long. Let's see, attacked Marvel, Image, Diamond, oh yeah, almost forgot DC. Well, DC must have looked at their list of Dumb Things Marvel Did That We Haven't Done Yet, and bought Wildstorm. I can hear Jim Lee laughing from here. One more slap at DC: the new action figures look great, but what dumbass decided to make the variant figure ratio 1 in 10? And while we're trying to locate dumbasses, while I like the concept of the Wizard overship program, do they expect us to believe that it costs them $1.50 per issue to administer it? Bah. That was weak, even for me. Next time, I promise some real gut-ripping. Jim Murdoch Comic Madness smiv@primenet.com 3277 Grand Ave. #L universo@lsh.org Chino Hills, CA 91709 Read HIGH OCTANE THEATRE (909) 590-5949 Phone from Infiniti Productions! (909) 590-1395 Fax ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [9] Odds and Ends Eddie Mitchell memitch@worldnet.att.net [Eddie Mitchell lives in Louisville, KY with is partner of five years and three cats. Having read comics for most of his thirty-plus years, he believes strongly in both the medium and the message it can convey. His goal in life is to expose more sadly under-exposed comics to comics readers at large.] A Column of Reviews and Such I'm going to take advantage of this forum for a minute and get off on a non-comics topics just once. Those who don't feel this is appropriate can just skip this section. The reviews start after the line below. In my defense, from time to time David has opened CBEM with a commentary on current events. Of course, it's his newsletter to do that with and I'm just a lowly columnist. But at the same time, none of us read or collect our comics in a vacuum. We are surrounded by and impacted by the events in our world. This is what's been impacting me. A young man died this week. He died in Wisconsin. He died after being severely beaten, tied to a fence, and left exposed to the weather for 18 hours. He died from massive skull fractures and hypothermia after being on life support. His death was not a natural occurrence. He was murdered because he was gay. He was the victim of a hate crime, plain and simple. The story isn't over yet. There's the drama of a trial and conviction to be played out, among other things. There are vigils happening all over the country, even as I write this. But eventually, the news will move onto the next big thing and this story will be forgotten. For those of us who are or who love someone who is gay or lesbian, this is a story that simply won't fade away so easily. A kind, gentle young man has been brutally robbed of life, something that could easily happen to us or to someone we know. Personally, I'm feeling fears and angers I haven't experienced in years. None of us needed to be reminded that there are people who hate gays, especially at this cost. We live every day of our lives acutely aware of the this fact. It would be tempting to get on my political high horse here and start mandating for hate crime laws, anti-discrimination laws and other things, but this isn't the place for that. I just wanted to take a minute to honor a young man cut down far too early and process some of my own feelings in writing. I also wanted to raise a bit of awareness about the brutality of hate crimes, this one in particular. Having done that, I'll move on to my regularly scheduled column, but first one parting thought. Think about Matthew Shepard next time someone tells you a fag joke. And then refuse to listen. -------------------------------------- Even though I'm talking about minis mostly these days, here are some really good full size comics from really good publishers that I highly recommend. All have come out this Fall and Summer and should be available at good comics shops everywhere: Nowhere #4 ($3.75, Drawn and Quarterly): Debbie Dreschler's poignant story about growing up and trying to fit in continues. The story is set in the late sixties and the two color artwork gives the comic a nostalgic feel, like long buried memories coming back to the surface. Hundreds of Feet Below Daylight ($3.95 Drawn and Quarterly) James Sturm's exploration of the darker side of American History continues. While not as griping and compelling as the earlier The Revival (one of my all time favorite comics), Hundreds is still an excellent comic. The panels are loaded with blacks, giving this story about the demise of a mining town a claustrophobic feel, like being in a mine. American Splendour: Transatlantic Comics ($2.95, Dark Horse): Harvey Pekar and usual suspects Frank Stack and Joe Sacco join forces with a new artist Colin Warneford to tell the story of some of Warneford's struggles with Asperger's Syndrome, a form of autism. The story is text-heavy since it's based on letters Pekar received from Warneford, but it's compelling and impossible to put down. Warneford's anger and frustration at feeling trapped inside his own head and cut off from normal social interaction is palpable. The way he's been treated by others is infuriating. This is an eye-opening comic. And now how about some minis? (Actually, these are all goodies from the summer of the San Diego Convention.) Goodbye Chunky Rice (Preview Ashcan) from Top Shelf (PO Box 1282, Marietta GA 30061-1282) Creatively labeled "a promotional pamphlet, a meager nibble of the meal to come," this preview whets the appetite for the finished product. Top Shelf has been distinguishing itself of late as an up and coming publisher of fine alternative comics, which is good because we need all the fine alternative comics we can get. Chunky tells the story of a turtle setting off on an ocean voyage. Seems simple, but this short preview drops all sorts of hints that there's more going on here than meets the eye. The art is fabulously cartoony, looking like a cross between Marc Hempel's Tug and Buster and any one of a dozen Southeast Asian cartoonists, which is appropriate, since the notes at the end of the preview indicate that there's an Asian connection coming. This one is supposed to be coming this Fall. Watch for it! Three Friends (The Amy Unbounded Ashcan Series #6) from Rachel Hartman, 5464 South Harper #2D, Chicago, IL 60615. Hartman picked up an Ignatz award at SPX this year, and while I'm not sure that her work on Amy is necessarily the best out of her field of competitors (I'm fairly partial to John Porcellino's King Cat), it is a charming book nonetheless. Amy is a young tomboy with a head full of adventure living in a medieval era fantasy world. This time around we find out more about the lives of her tow best friends and the nature of their relationship. (Want to know more? Order it! This is a review not a book report!) The art is clean and detailed. The panels have a depth and the layouts are uncluttered and direct. Hartman is a story teller with a lot of potential. This is the sort of thing that people who like Bone, Castle Waiting or Akiko will love. All the Amy minis are available from Hartman at the address above at 2.00 for one issue and 1.50 apiece for any other issues ordered. Get the set! Asi Pasan Los Dias/Escuadron Rescate from Matt Madden and Jessica Abel, Coahuila 129-A Colonia Roma 06700 Mexico D.F. Mexico. Madden (Black Candy) and Abel (Artbabe) have been living in Mexico for the past several months, studying Spanish and making comics. This mini-flip book brings us up to date on their artistic endeavours. Madden's side, Asi Pasan Los Dias (This is the way the days go by), is a melancholy little tale about a young, expatriate writer looking for work abroad and dealing with his own homesickness. Madden gets inside his character's head with uncanny accuracy and brings his longing out using very few words. This is a short little tale with an emotional punch. Abel's side, Escuadron Rescate (Rescue Squad), is a fun little romp, a farcical look at what I suspect is a type of Mexican TV show. Her characters blithely rush off to do their good deeds, only to end up suffocating in a sewer. It's really funny, especially as Abel uses just the right mix of irony and satire to pull it off. I got this one for a buck, but you might throw in another buck for postage. For more info about what Madden and Abel are up to south of the border, check out www.artbabe.com. Well, that's it for this time. believe it or not, I'm just about all the way through my mini pile! One more week ought to do it. So come back and celebrate the end of my backlog! As always, comments can be sent to me at the address above. This column dedicated to the memory of Matthew Shepard, 1977-1998. Never another hate crime! ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [10] Top 10 Black & White Comics Comic Shop News CSN's Top Seller charts are based on orders reported by Diamond Distribution and sales reported by a cross section of comic specialty shops. The former are orders placed by retailers for stock while the later are actual sales to the consumers. [Numbers are the Diamond index; 100 = 100,000 copies ordered] 1 Strangers in Paradise 17 18.4 2 Coven Black & White 21.6 3 Dragonball Z 7 4 Dragonball 7 5 Sergio Aragones' Boogeyman 4 6 Gunsmith Cats: Bad Trip 4 7 Tick: Luny Bin Trilogy 1 8 Ranma 1/2 Part Seven 8 9 Blade of the Immortal: On Silent Wings 5 10 Elfquest 28 ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [11] Multiverse Observer and Explorer Reviews Paul Dale Roberts silhouet@ix.netcom.com [Paul promotes amateur and professional comic book artwork, scripts, storylines, and unpublished comic books with a newsletter called the Peoples' Comic Book Newsletter. Its website is at Jazma Comic Book Newsletter Productions at http://www.twmgrafix.com/jazma He is also a prominent letter hack, as anyone who reads comic letter pages would know. He is in production of his own self-published comic book called The Legendary Dark Silhouette and has copyrighted over 600 characters for his Jazma Universe.] Name: Comics Buyer's Guide #1296 Publisher: Krause Publications, Inc. Editor: Maggie Thompson Price: $2.95 Comments: I'm always overviewing and reviewing comic books, but let's review something different, like the Comics Buyer's Guide. I think of the CBG, as the bible for comics and to be truthful, I couldn't be a comic book aficionado, if I didn't have my CBG, I'm lost without it. In this fabulous issue, we have a great Sirius 'Akiko' cover and plenty of doozies inside like: an article about Bone becoming a Nickelodeon feature film, some news on the Comic-Con International San Diego, news on Rob Liefeld penciling DC's Orion of the New Gods, news on Small Press Expo (SPX) '98, article on DavDezArts, classifieds, cool ads, letters to the editor and more! Many comic book magazines like Overstreet Fan, Hero, and Combo have came and gone, but CBG is like the Everready Bunny, it keeps going, and going and going! Most comic book retailers know the importance of CBG and always keep one handy for themselves and like my comic book retailer Brian Peets at A-1 Comics, he always makes sure to remind me after my comic book purchases, not to forget my latest CBG. I made sure when I went on my vacation to Hong Kong and Mainland China, to bring along about 5 CBGs, because there is always plenty to read and it made my 15 hour flight enjoyable. If you want the latest information about new comic books hitting the racks or inside scoop about the comic industry, then the CBG is what you need! Come out of the dark and into the light with CBG! Rating: From a possible 10, this publication gets a soaring 10, above and beyond! Name: Knight Watchman #3 Publisher: Big Bang Comics Written by: Gary Carlson & Chris Ecker Drawn by: Ben Torres Price: $2.95 Comments: This comic book is a winner. The first thing that impressed me with this comic book, was the fabulous black and white artwork, that has a Sin City feel to it. Plenty of good details. For people just jumping on board, there is a convenient "The Cast" information located behind the cover, with bios on the Knight Watchman to Maggie Randall. In this story, Dick the Bruiser is to impersonate the Knight Watchman for the ultimate set-up. If you like the villain Moriarty of Sherlock Holmes fame, then you'll like the evil genius of the Pink Flamingo, he's in here too! I highly recommend this comic book! For more information you can contact the publishers at: GCARL0007@AOL.COM Fast sidenote: If you want a good scary video for Halloween, I suggest you rent out "Milo". After watching this movie, you'll never trust kids in yellow rain slickers again! Name: Warrior's Way Publisher: Bench Press Studios Written by: Benny R. Powell Drawn by: Jesse Chen Price: $2.99 Comments: Let's talk about this exciting new comic book called Warrior's Way #1! My congratulations go out to: Benny R. Powell, Chi, Jesse Chen and Thom Zahler for their superb contributions to making this a high quality comic book! I was completely blown away as this riveting story introduced me to James Marshall, a kick boxing champion who challenges himself in the sport and definitely in there for the rush! My kind of hero, because like it said in this story, most sports stars are in the game for the fame and glory, like that idiot Dennis Rodman. What a way to live his life, by living in the squalor of the worst part of New York and dealing with gangs everyday. A gang confronts him at his doorstep and he takes 8 down easily. They even had guns! Afterwards, he goes up to his apartment and calls the police to pick them up. There is plenty of kick boxing action in this story and will cause you to give a few cheers for James Marshall. James doesn't have a girlfriend, he only has his cat name Mischief, and he's crazy over this cat. There are many things happening in this comic book, as there are Armored Vigilantes and Armor Clad Mercenaries. I can't wait to find out who these guys are! Marshall wants to join up with the Armored Vigilantes and it's a good thing he has a good source like his friend Bryon who has some good Air Force intelligence information. Some great artwork and we have color! Another comic book that will soon be coming out by Bench Press Studios is Ultra-Violet and Crime Buster! - Magazine. Jump on board with Bench Press Studios and take the ride! For more information, you can email them at: Benchcomic@aol.com or check out their cool website at: http://www.benchcomics.com Rating: I had to give this comic book a full 10, from a possible 10. It's new and it's hot! I loved the story! Name: The Hero Defined Mage #9 Publisher: Image Written and Drawn by: Matt Wagner Price: $2.50 Comments: Kevin Matchstick is in love and she's a witch/enchantress named Magda. This may be his greatest challenge yet! Ut gives him good advice about love and Kevin just calls him crazy. When Kevin isn't in the loving embrace of Magda, he has other more serious matters on his mind, like if the Pale Incanter might be after him. Kevin and Joe stake out the cemetery and Joe is subduced by something female and quite evil! Matt Wagner has plenty of mystery in this story and you will be kept right on the edge! Be on the lookout for other Image titles coming out, like: Hellcop, Daring Escapes #3 with Houdini, Dark Minds #5. Note: Hellcop is put out by Image/Avalon Studios combined. Name: Tayyar Ozkan's Cave-Man #4 Publisher: Caveman Publishing Written and Drawn by: Tayyar Ozkan Price: $3.50 Comments: You know, anthropologists may take this comic book one day and use it as a guide on how modern man may have evolved. It's all starting to come together, from seeing the cavemen learning how to swing on a vine, to the comparison of modern man showing off with acrobatics. How when things got cold and the caveman learns that by skinning an animal and wearing its skin, he can keep warm, there was a purpose to this and now with modern man, he wears all kind of clothes (like business suits) on the hottest of days...why? Whoa! In this comic, it has a very analytical summing up on how prostitution began. The giving of food, beads and animal skin to a cavewoman for sex. They say that prostitution is the oldest of professions and with Cave-Man #4, it shows just how old it can be. Shocking on how a caveman is depicted destroying things with his club for no apparent reason, besides that it feels good doing it. After showing the caveman with the destructive club, then we get a comparison to modern man with a city leveled out from an all out war, showing bodies strewn out on the streets. Black and white artwork that is of high quality. No word balloons, but plenty to look at and plenty to think about. I highly recommend this comic book. For more information, you can contact Tayyar Ozkan at: tayyar@concentric.net or check out his website at: http://eroscomix.com or http://www.nbmpub.com Name: Empty Zone #3 Publisher: Sirius Written and Drawn by: Jason Alexander Price: $2.50 Comments: Meet the cyborg known as Banx. Banx describes the pain he endures as a cyborg to a character named Corrine. Banx describes on how people have certain parts replaced with plastic and metal and then hearing him describe his replaced parts from his arteries being replaced by coated Tokyo thread wiring and his heart replaced by 18 point Japanese construction generator, made me feel some sorrow for this futuristic cyberpunk Frankenstein. He has a good heart, but he is a freak. The question on everyone's mind and Banx mind is "when is it enough?" I wonder if our future will be headed this way? Already present day man replaces certain body parts with artificial parts, from pace makers to plastic movable legs that now replace their amputated leg. If you want to get a taste of where our future may be headed, then take some time to check this comic book out, you won't be disappointed. For more information about Empty Zone, contact Jason at: DARKWIRE@NETSCAPE.NET Name: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #17 Publisher: Image Comics Written by: Gary Carlson Drawn by: Frank Fosco Price: $2.95 Comments: TMNT #17, was sort of a sad issue. TMNT has been one of the greatest teams ever. Great team spirit, strong comradery and a oneness in their fighting abilities. They were like the 3 Musketeers, all for one and one for all and now this. Mike is too busy with his writing and has now put being a Ninja on a secondary status. Raphael is too busy being a leader for the Foot Clan, Casey is too busy eating his pizza, Splinter is recovering, Donatello...ahh, heck you know what I'm saying. Poor Leo is doing all the superheroing on his own and now he faces the dreaded Komodo. Komodo is a serious threat for the TMNT, as he has wiped out a group of armed men and has placed the fallen dead at the doorsteps of the TMNT. Another surprising feature was how Raphael is so dedicated to the Foot Clan now. Raphael kept Leonardo from coming with him as he returned to the Foot Clan. Raphael does not want his authority undermined by Leo and he was straight up with this fact. There has been some big changes with TMNT and with every issue, there are more changes. This story was suspenseful and kept me right on the edge of my seat and now I sit here wondering how Leo will face Komodo by himself? Gary Carlson keeps on throwing more surprises at the reader and just when I think I know how things will turn out, I find myself dumbfounded at the twist of events. Superb storytelling! Frank Fosco does the penciling and he does it well! Bravo! For more information, you can contact the publishers at: Turtlemail@aol.com ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [12] My View David LeBlanc ComicBkNet@aol.com [David LeBlanc is the Editor of the Comic Book Net Electronic Magazine. He is a long time fan of comics and the electronic media - having been the moderator of the comics forums on WME, FIDONET and the Comic Book Network. He and his wife are attempting to raise two teenage sons in a suburb of Worcester, Massachusetts. David supports his comic book habit by working as a sales and marketing engineer for a manufacturer of high performance copper alloys.] WRITERS' BLOC ANNUAL 1998 80 pages, black & white, $3.50 Published by the Writers' Bloc - Jareth Grealish, Publisher gothamkid@aol.com Web preview at: http://members.aol.com/haiku1.html seanmed@aol.com Contributors: NAPTOWN: Created by Sean Medlock, drawn by Pat Quinn THE GNAT: Shaun Behrens & Kaare Andrews BOLT FROM THE BLUE: Jack Nolan, Dan Hunter & Pat Quinn ROULETTE: Jareth Grealish & Ruben Cordero PENNYROYAL: Erik Sirmenis & Pat Quinn Editor - Shaun Behrens; assistant - Erik Sirmenis Erik, in his editorial comments, describes this book as a demo tape, rather than the beginning of a self-publishing effort. He compares the group to a new band not a new publisher. Shaun adds they are a small group of creators with some very big ideas. The first impression you get is that these guys are a mix of styles and talents, of strengths and weaknesses and that makes for a very entertaining anthology. Often in such a compilation the reader ends up picking a favorite and a least favorite among the lot. This may well be your reaction to WRITERS' BLOC ANNUAL 1998. My favorite was NAPTOWN, and as someone once said - and let me tell you why. First the art is very polished. It has detailed pencils, crisp finishes, and interesting and varied panel composition. It works a lot better than BOLT FROM THE BLUE, for example, which starts with 4 pages by Dan Hunter that need more work and then shifts to Pat Quinn's more appealing pencils & inks - a very clear and disrupting change. But NAPTOWN is also got a good story and a very clever scripting devise. The hero is called HAIKU and as you might guess only speaks in that manner - which is a Japanese verse form that is structured with 3 lines of unrhymed text consisting of five, seven and five syllables. If you think that is easy try ONLY speaking that way and still get the point across, page after page. Sean Medlock really has his act together to not only pull this off but to tell a intricate and entertaining story at the same time. Haiku gets involved in trying to stop a jewel thief with flying cherubs accomplices. The battle rages on and the thief slips away to plot with a mysterious benefactor and perhaps this will be continued elsewhere. My least favorite was the last story, PENNYROYAL. This was not due to any failing in the art, though Pat Quinn manages to change his style somewhat to fit the mood his talent shows the same attention to detail and storytelling. I just did not care for the story too much. Set in New Orleans in 1850 it is a story of people who are experimenting on humans by giving them diseases and then possible cures. This is the story of two of those subjects, a man and a woman. The title refers to a drug she is taking to abort the result of prior indiscretion. The ending is tragic and the story did not move me to feel for the characters or even care what happens. Perhaps if there is more to be told it would be more fulfilling. The rest fall somewhere between. BOLT FROM THE BLUE is an interesting story of a girl trying hard to get noticed as a super hero so she can join the "club" aka the Superheroes Guild. Aside from the art juncture mentioned before the tale is a good one as she sets out to prove herself, tracks down a perp to prove her worth and watches her hopes dashed through her own actions. ROULETTE is what one might consider a typical origin story. The single female is visiting her brother who lives with grandma since their parents died. Cass is told by her grandmother that she is the heir to magical weapons with roots thousands of years old in Irish history. The bad guys come looking for the weapons and the tragedy that ensues serves to forge a new reluctant force for the good side as Cass vows to find the people behind the evil stalking her. Not bad stuff and a proper introduction to the character and her motivation. THE GNAT is the other work that is most appealing in this volume. Kaare Andrews serves up the story with large panel backgrounds of the present littered with small panels relating the backstory for the first six pages - a very effective devise. There is effective use of blacks and speed lines throughout the story - altogether a well composed piece. The story is gripping as well. THE GNAT is a superspy created as an assassin who can shrink to microscopic size. Michael Ronowski gave it up and is now hunted by his own father. In an effort to start a new life he hides in the big city of Chicago and soon befriends a girl on the local bus. As their friendship grows so does the effort to get Michael for as we all know - a spy can never retire - nor should he or she fall in love. I won't spoil the rest but this too makes it worth getting the book. So, in the end the positives outweigh the few minuses. This is a group of talented creators looking to get noticed and start telling their stories on a regular basis. From what I see, we should be seeing more of them in the future, for sure. MONSTROSITY 72 Hulking pages, black & white, color covers, $4.95 Slap Happy Comics 21 Valley Park Court Damascus, MD 20872 Wingnutibh@aol.com Contributors: J. Torres/Tim Levins/Jeff Wasson, John Green/Dave Roman/Adam Dekraker, Ben Capozzi/Steve Ellis, Andi Watson, Jason Asala, Cayetano Garza, Ted Tucker, Brian Clopper/Butch Chalkley, Keelan Parham, Rachel Hartman, Vince Sneed/John Peters, Lyman Dally, David Yurkovich, Pam Bliss, Ken Harrison, Fred Harper, John Gallagher, Steve Conley, Mark Jackson/Jim Kirkland, Levi Krause/George Broderick, Chris Yambar Want to get in the mood for Halloween? How about 21 different creations of horror, ghoulishness, fearsome fantasy and supernatural weirdness? Actually there are more than 21 as each creator or team gives a couple of images with one of them fleshed out in a single text page. That is the format of this book. The text page is in the form of a newspaper front page, the "Regal Spectacle" and it is accompanied by two pages of art - generally one on the main story and the other on the secondary headline that has no text piece. With all these creators on one project you can imagine the diversity of offerings. There are dragons, and demons and bugs (oh, my!). There is an animated dinosaur come to life, a demonic snowman and even a space flea. And for a change of pace there is a terrific one pager illustration of a couple of Marvel Zombies complete with anatomical descriptions. This is not a "story" comic, but more like descriptive illustrations. It is interesting to see how each creator/team can tell a story or invoke an image with just one picture and a page of text. A lot of these names are easily recognized, especially among those who follow small press comics. If you are looking for long involved stories of horror then this is not for you. But, if you want a great sampler and a variety of thought than this will fill the bill. Still time to get ready for the holiday. ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [13] New Comic Book Releases List [NCRL] by Charles LePage ncrl@mediaone.net +++WINNER OF THE 1996 REC.ARTS.COMICS.* "SQUIDDY" FOR BEST WEB SITE+++ http://www.jacksonville.net/~ncrl New Comic Book Releases List for Wednesday, 10/21/1998, compiled by Charles LePage with information from Suncoast Comics. 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.jacksonville.net/~ncrl, and Compuserve's Comics Publishers Forum. "TPB" = "trade paperback". "GN" = "graphic novel". "AA" = "available again". "SC" = "softcover". "HC" = "hardcover". "S/N" = "signed/numbered". "AR" = "ask retailer about price". PUBLISHER TITLE, ISSUE NUMBER, PRICE IN U.S. DOLLARS ANTARCTIC PRESS Gold Digger #45, 2.95 ARCHIE COMICS Betty & Veronica #131, 1.75 Cheryl Blossom #18, 1.75 Jughead Double Digest #56, 2.95 AWESOME ENTERTAINMENT Deity Silver Foil Ed Ndc Exclusive #0, 12.95 CHAOS! COMICS Evil Ernie #5, 2.95 CLAYPOOL Soulsearchers #32, 2.50 CPM MANGA Slayers #1, 2.95 DARK HORSE Dark Horse Classics Terror Of Godzilla #4, 2.95 Ghost Vol 2 #2, 2.95 Gunsmith Cats Bad Trip #5 (Of 6), 2.95 Starship Troopers Dominant Species #3 (Of 4), 2.95 Usagi Yojimbo #24, 2.95 DC COMICS Arsenal #3 (Of 4), 2.50 Batman Dark Knight Of The Round Table #1 (Of 2), 4.95 Batman Toyman #2 (Of 4), 2.25 Bugs Bunny & Friends A Comic Celebration TPB, 14.95 Chronos #9, 2.50 Detective Comics #727, 1.99 JLA Titans #1, 2.95 Jonny Double #4 (Of 4) , 2.95 Legion Of Super Heroes Archives Vol 8, 49.95 Lobo #57, 2.50 Resurrection Man #19, 2.50 Sandman Mystery Theatre #68, 2.50 Superboy #57, 1.99 Superman #140, 1.99 Superman 3D #1, 3.95 Superman Doomsday Wars #2 (Of 3), 4.95 Superman The Dark Side #3 (Of 3), 4.95 DRAWN & QUARTERLY Sleepwalk & Other Stories TPB, 12.95 EL CAPITAN Stray Bullets #16, 2.95 FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS Evil Eye #2, 2.95 Hate Jamboree, 3.95 IMAGE COMICS A Distant Soil #26, 2.95 Age Of Heroes #5, 2.95 Battle Chasers #4, 2.50 Bohos #3 (Of 3) $2.95 Darkminds #4, 2.50 Jackie Chans Spartan X #5 (Of 6), 2.95 Kiss The Psycho Circus #13, 2.25 magazines Comic Shop News #592, AR MARVEL COMICS A Next #3, 1.99 Black Panther Cover A #2, 2.50 Black Panther Cover B #2, 2.50 Captain America #12, 2.99 Dracula Lord Of The Undead #2 (Of 3), 2.99 Encyclopedia Deadpoolica, 2.99 Heroes For Hire #18, 1.99 Incredible Hulk #471, 1.99 Iron Man #11, 1.99 Supernaturals #3 (Of 4), 3.99 Thunderbolts #21, 1.99 Union Jack #1 (Of 3), 2.99 X-Men #82, 1.99 ONI PRESS INC. Geisha #2 (Of 4), 2.95 Jay & Silent Bob #2 (Of 4), 2.95 VIZ COMMUNICATIONS Animerica Extra Vol 1 #1, 4.95 Black & White Vol 1 TPB, 15.95 Dragonball #8 (Of 12), 2.95 Maison Ikkoku Part Eight #3 (Of 8), 2.95 No Need For Tenchi Part Five #3 (Of 5), 2.95 NCRL for the foreseeable future... TITLE PREVIOUS NEW RELEASE DATE RELEASE DATE DC COMICS Batman: Dark Knight Of The Round Table #1 AUG980122D1 10/14 10/21 Bugs Bunny & Friends: A Comic Celebration AUG980186D1 10/07 10/21 Chronos #9 AUG980157D1 10/07 10/21 Resurrection Man #19 AUG980177D1 10/14 10/21 Superman: The Dark Side #3 AUG980143D1 10/14 10/21 Green Lantern 3-D #1 AUG980161D1 10/14 10/28 Superman: War Of The Worlds AUG980148D1 10/14 10/28 Batman: Scarecrow 3-D #1 AUG980215D1 10/28 11/04 MARVEL COMICS Blade #3 AUG980764D4 10/07 10/28 ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [A] E-Mag Info: Submissions, Subscriptions, Back Issues, Copyrights and the Comic Book Network BBS system. 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