---------------------------------------------------------------------- Ed Dukeshire and Mike Imboden Present: THE COMIC BOOK NET ELECTRONIC MAGAZINE ISSUE NUMBER 195 1/01/99 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] 1998 in Review ........................ David LeBlanc [6] Random Thoughts in a Less Than Random World ......... Gary Sassaman [7] And Let Me Tell You Why ............... David Coulter [8] My Too Sense .......................... Cory Kleinschmidt [9] Odds & Ends ........................... Eddie Mitchell [10] M.O.E. Reviews ........................ Paul Dale Roberts [11] My View:Comic Book Profiles: J. Byrne Virtex #1 ..................... David LeBlanc [12] New Comic Book Releases List .......... Charles LePage [13] HYPE! Section ......................... Various [A] Submission, 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 1999 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 ComicBkNet@aol.com This is our first issue of the year. I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone who takes the time to read this humble bit of rambling, the very best of health and good fortune in this new year. Looking back, one can say a lot about 1998 and the events that shaped the comic industry. We'll recap those for you in this issue so that you might reflect on how those events are being felt today and what they mean for the future. Personally, I always look forward to things I never could imagine whenever I pick up a comic book. That thrill of anticipation is with me still. Here is to 1999! Looking back through the year, there is much to be thankful for and some personal recognition is in order. Here are the people who contributed articles to the Emag in 1998. These are the people that made this magazine grow in leaps and bounds this past year. At this time last year circulation was at 850 via Email and it has since topped 1130. If we add in 200 to 300 hits a week to both online versions on AOL and Digital Webbing, the library copies in the AOL Comic Book file area, and posting to mailing lists and pass-alongs, we could estimate 2000 readers see all or part of the mag every week. This is good news - we are growing but more important the number of readers of comics who seek out more information on the internet is growing as well. So, allow me to recognize those who make my job a lot easier: Ed Dukeshire - who has been with the mag since day one; first as the original editor and now as our resident Online Web Page expert. In 1998 he introduced the world to the user-friendly Web Edition of CBEM on his world famous, award winning DIGITAL WEBBING web site and lured two great cartoonists to contribute an exclusive comic every week. It is not for no reason that his name appears above the title each and every week. The mag was Ed's inspiration and he remains an active force taking us to greater heights each year. He is our Stan the Man. Charles LePage - who deserves special recognition as the longest continuing contributor to the Emag, with the exception of yours truly. His weekly New Comic Releases List is a key element to our mission of providing the latest information to fans of all types of comics. Thanks once again for holding down the anchor Charles! Paul Dale Roberts has become our resident reviewer and interviewer. How he manages to produces all those reviews, get several letters of comment published in a variety of comics, work on his own JAZMA newsletter, and hold down a day job is beyond me. Rich Johnston and Tony Isabella are the other two regular contributors that have helped us grow by bringing in subscribers who want to see what they have to say this week. They have graciously allowed us to run there online columns which have become the baseline for other contributors to follow. Johnny Gonzales and John E. Thompson for their weekly cartoons on the aforementioned web edition and in Gonzo's case for adding a new column to the regular edition. And to these folks in no particular order Eddie Mitchell Ward Batty Cliff Biggers Matt High Mike Imboden Phil White Cory Kleinschmidt Robert Beerbohm Mike Doran Nancy Kuhn Scott Kuhn David Coulter Jim Murdoch Geoffrey Mason John Barker Noah Kuttler Marlan Harris Martin K. Jason Larsen Andy Chalk Tue Sorensen Kirby Krueger Augie De Blieck Jr. Jackie Estrada Brian Griesbach Craig Lemon Ramsey Rusef Dan Braum Shola Akinnuso Rich Henn Ben Adams Michael McKay-Fleming Gary Sassaman Doug Thornsjo Antonio Iacoviello David Groenewegen ...sorry if I missed anyone or misspelled anyone's name. And I also want to mention the sources for most of the news we run since we don't do the leg work but merely serve as a compiler and conduit to get the information to our readers. Thanks to the hard working folks at Newsarama, Zentertainment, The Comic Book Continuum of the Detroit News, Comics 2 Film, Wizard World Emailer, DC Comics Online Newsletter, The Daily Buzz of Another Universe, Diamond Comics Distributors Web Page, the Splash Page of Icomics, The Comic Wire at ComicBookResources.com, Comic Shop News and Mile High Comics Newsletter. SPECIAL THANKS: Extra Special thanks to Angelo Furlan for his long time support and space he provided in his self-published comic SINNAMON! Likewise to Gary Sassaman for always mentioning CBEM in his comments in the pages of the most excellent INNOCENT BYSTANDER. And many thanks to all the publishers and creators who acknowledged our publication in theirs - they are too numerous to mention. Hello and thanks as well to our boosters everywhere who take the time to mention our mag in the message boards on AOL, other pay services, web sites and E-lists, the BBS networks, and the Usenet Newsgroups. Now if more of you guys would just give our web page a vote in the Squiddies this year . . . Thanks to all of you who took the time to correspond to the Emag, either to lend a few words of encouragement or to comment on articles, comic books or the industry in general, or to try your luck on the trivia. In that regard - we were very pleased to have had Acclaim come on board to sponsor the weekly quote contest and the special anniversary contest in memory of one of their own. We wish all those fine folks from Fabian on down (happy birthday Fabian) the best of luck wherever they are now. Special thanks to Lou Novacheck, Jesse McCann, and Weldon Adams for spreading the word by recommending us to your customers and for the major signed products, and collectibles for the "quote of the week" contest. Special thanks to THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT of Worcester, MA for providing the DC retailer previews and other stuff to give away as prizes, and being my source of the weekly comics. The Eisner Award is richly deserved guys! And finally to all the creators and publishers who submitted their work for review. Your contribution is most cherished because even though you are promoting your work for your own success, you provide the means for me to broaden my tastes and become exposed to many things I had not even tried before now. I hope through my reviews, which I try to keep honest and objective, you gain more readers and thereby get your money's worth for sending your material free postage paid. Free comics, so many of which are now on my regular reading list, are the BEST part of this job! Here are some (if not all) of the products I got for free to review in the mag in 1998. You can find those reviews in our back issues and the comics from many distributors or the creators themselves. SECTION 12, W.R.E.C.K.E.R.S. TEMPLATE #0 RAT BASTARD OCTOBRIANA SPOILS TIMESPELL PETE THE P.O.'D POSTAL WORKER INNOCENT BYSTANDER VAMPIRELLA: HOLY WAR QUICKEN FORBIDDEN AERTIMISAN:WAR OF SOULS MARAUDER TIGER WRAITH SECRET KILLERS SOUTHERN FRIED HOMICIDE DR. SPECK. SIREN CONCRETE JUNGLE:LEGEND OF THE BLACK LION. BILLY JOE VAN HELSING JERSEY DEVIL TAYYAR OZKAN'S CAVE-MAN SAGA COMIC BOOK PROFILES DREAMQUEST OF THE UNKNOWN KADATH. EXIT FROM SHADOW ABLE SILLY DADDY VAMPIRELLA/PAIN KILLER JANE THE REVELATORS. HALF-LIFE CHRONICLES PRELUDE NO JUSTICE, NO PIECE PARA TROOP BRENT CLARK ROGERS GUIDE TO THE DC UNIVERSE AVELON DREAMSMITH STUDIO'S BOOK Pi - THE BOOK OF ANTS. SAM & DAVE - SOUL CYCLES. CHASSIS WARRIOR'S WAY STRANGER THAN FICTION THE CLONE CONSPIRACY TITANIC TALES TEMPLATE #0/ MAX DAMAGE #0 THE CAPE ROMANTIC TAILS VIRTEX MUTATOR THE COUCH BUZZBOY DORK TOWER MONSTROCITY GOLDEN AGE OF COMIC BOOKS INDEX SMALL PRESS FEEDBACK DANGER RANGER CHEMICAL WARFARE INFAMA FOREVER EVE CAIN PET SHOP COMICS INDEPENDENT VOICES PLANET RACERS WHITE DWARF: RED GIANT CADRE SILVERSTORM This week on the racks are some products that might broaden your interests: DC COMICS Chronos (Final Issue) #11, 2.5 DC Universe Heroes Secret Files #1, 4.95 Flash #145, 1.99 Kingdom #2, 2.95 <----Pick of the Week! Legends Of The DC Universe Crisis On Infinite Earths, 4.95 Legion Of Super Heroes #112, 2.5 Robin #61, 1.99 Supergirl #29, 1.99 Superman #142, 1.99 MOORDAM COMICS Son Of Rampage Vol 2, 13.95 During the holidays I spent a lot of time on the web pages to get them a bit more streamlined. The LINKS page has a lot less graphics to load faster and I think I have eliminated all the dead links on the main page. I also arranged everything alphabetically in each category to aid in selection and search. I updated a few of the links and added a couple new ones. On the EVENTS page I have totally redone the page into one table of events, cities, dates and electronic contacts. This one loads a lot faster as well. Our purpose on the web page is to aid fans with select information and to point the way to find more. We do not try to be all inclusive, and we don't want to be. Our effort is primarily in the Emag and promoting comics through the content here. If a creator, publisher or other professional asks for a link we are glad to oblige. We do not however link to pages that are strictly web based products. Comic BOOKS is what we promote not Web comics or zines. Please stop by and check it out. I am always grateful for constructive criticism. Finally, I picked up the newspaper this New Years Day and found this bit of wisdom from Ann Landers which I pass on to you all. "Walk tall, and smile more. You'll look ten years younger. Don't be afraid to say, "I love you." Say it again. They are the sweetest words in the world. If you have love in your life, it can be the best year ever." HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY! 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 CBEM unless you specifically request us NOT to use them. Your Email address and/or name will be withheld upon request. +++++ From: Comickaze Subject: Re: 20 cents is nothin'! Recent views from Gonzo and a reader named Keith: "One would think, that if a comic from let's say,Acclaim costs about $2.50 and it doesn't sell just because most people think they suck, what in the world is going to make a shop owner think that someone will pay $2.70 for that same book a month later?" "...my local store (and, granted, I have 3 to choose from) now IMMEDIATELY raises books 50 cents when put into bags and placed in the back-issue bins. I complained and was told to ignore what was a 25-cent increase from the norm... And, frankly, turns me off from buying back-issues (and i used to wait for sales and buy about 50 bucks worth of stuff I'd other-wise never pick up)." That is the cost for warehousing that book until it sells and is the impetus for you to support your LCS (and publishers) by buying those books when they are initially shipped. It amazes that consumers expect comic shops to have an endless inventory of back issues and yet are unwilling to invest twentyfive to fifty cents so that we are able to maintain that inventory. If stores are expected to sell backstock at 50-75% of cover then where is the financial inducement for us to provide back stock? Where do you think the cost of bags, boards, price tags and tape not to mention wages for those that do the bagging, boarding, taping and pricing come from?? "I can't afford 'em [and the new Dr. Strange costs EVEN MORE!!]), the less the increase, the more the likelihood I'll pick it up next sale." If you can't afford them don't buy them or get a group of friends that share your tastes and SHARE. If the book is not worth cover price to you then forget about it and please don't ask retailers to subsidize your hobby by ordering and selling it to you at cost three months later. "The return of dollar, quarter & dime bins in the NY area would be good too (I know of only ONE store that has 'em now )... 'cause making a buck on a book is better than making NOTHING while it takes up space." A few things have to happen for bargain bins to exist. Retailers have to overorder so heinously that it is necessary for them to sell books at 50-75% off, or someone has to be in a position to wholesale comics to a retailer at pennies on the dollar in order for the retailer to sell these reduced books at a profit and be able to acquire more bargain fodder. Look I understand that most comic readers don't want to think of this as a "business" but it is and is the only way retailers can afford to think of it. Most readers visit and buy from multiple stores, not because they are unhappy but because few retailers can afford to carry "everything" especially on a hunch. There is a reason why most book dealers only carry the most recent offering of books. IT COSTS MONEY to buy and maintain a backstock and with the relatively low turnover, as compared to new releases, that has to be made up by increasing the profits earned on them. That is a fact of life that will never go away and one that you will have to accept even if you don't appreciate it. And seriously if twentyfive or fifty cents is "really" preventing you from buying something, maybe you should try asking the shop owner if there is something you could do for the difference. The sooner that consumers start working with and developing a good relationship with their LCS, the sooner everyone is going to be happier. -- Thanx, Robert Scott Owner COMICKAZE- SD's #1 source for Comics, Cards & Video - in CA call(619)278-0371, all others(800)869-5275 Our Online Connection- http://www.comickaze.com Comic Readers Forum- http://www.delphi.com/COMICKAZEonline +++++ Subj: Newsletter from Marvel - Mighty Marvel Mailer From: jose.ant.silva@usa.net (Jose Silva) Dear editor, i've found this piece of information to be useful for myself and i trust it to be also for many Marvel fans all over the world. So, if you're missing the Marvel magazine (which is going to Previews) and wish Marvel had a newsletter like DC or better, then check out Marvel website at http://www.marvel.com or go directly to the subscribe section at http://www.marvel.com/contact/mail/mmmadmin.html where there are also some previous issues of it. Like they say: "Sign up here to receive the MIGHTY MARVEL MAILER every Monday e-mailed direct from the House of Ideas! Get the first word on everything new coming from Marvel!" Does it show that im a Marvel fan? :) Thanks for listening and sorry if its old news for you. P.S. Great idea of creating an Hype section at the end. It's pretty useless to me and i find it more easy to avoid now. Thanks! Jose Silva Portugal jose.ant.silva@usa.net ICQ #26438819 +++++ Subj: "..can't see the forest" REVIEWS ARCHIVE From: ajporter@compuserve.com (Alan J. Porter) ******************************************************* "..can't see the forest" - Comics Review Column ******************************************************** In response to several requests an archive has been created for past "..can't see the forest" review columns. Reviews of over 60 titles from 16 different publishers can now be found at http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/ajporter/cstf.htm The archive will be updated on a regular basis as new columns are written and posted. The latest "..can't see the forest" columns are posted monthly to the Compuserve Comics/Animation Forum and on the Empyre Comics web site (http://members.aol.com/empyre) Please feel free to read and comment on any reviews, past or present. All the best Alan J. Porter ajporter@compuserve.com / GothamAJP@aol.com +++++ Subj: 'Nuff Said! put on forced hiatus Date: 12/30/98 12:35:38 AM Eastern Standard Time From: menje@interport.net (Menje) PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 29, 1998 Contact: Sue Real WBAI-FM's HIGHLY RATED COMIC BOOK TALK SHOW ON FORCED HIATUS HOSTS AND THEIR FANS BEWILDERED BY THE DECISION At Midnight January 3rd WBAI listeners will not hear the theme song that has become a staple of their Sunday night listening habit since July, 1996. 'Nuff Said!, the comic book talk show, has been put on indefinite hiatus by the management of the listener-sponsored Pacifica station. Change is inevitable in the world of broadcasting, and 'Nuff Said! has had a good run by the standards of radio, but the question is why would a program which has proven to be a high ratings grabber for the station be given the fate of leaving the air? Recent Arbitron books have shown that 'Nuff Said! is not only the highest rated program on the WBAI Sunday night schedule, with no visible lead in from the preceding show, it is the highest rated midnight program across the week. Why would the station's management put this program on hiatus and keep a weaker program, which 'Nuff Said! would most likely replace, broadcasting uninterrupted? This is a mystery to the show's hosts, Ed Menje and Ken Gale, who have crafted an interesting mix of information and entertainment and in the process gathered a loyal audience of comics fans and general radio listeners who tune in for the show every Sunday night. The ratings jump bears out this fact. Other producers at the station, and the many fans of 'Nuff Said! have expressed their puzzlement as to the current situation with the program. The show's producers can only ask that listeners write or call the station's program director to voice their support so that 'Nuff Said! can immediately find its new place in the program schedule. "We've discussed the possibility of an direct move to a new timeslot with Matthew Finch, the station's Arts Department Director, who supports our position and has been negotiating the schedule changes with Samori (Marksman, WBAI's Program Director)." Ed Menje says, "I'm not sure of the full content of those meetings, but the fact remains that we've been given a notice of hiatus beginning on January 3rd so that a new music-driven format can replace the current Sunday night lineup, most likely in an attempt to fill the gap being left by the loss of WQED-AM's modern standards programming." To reach the producers for further information contact: Sue Real tel: 212-924-5205 email: menje@interport.net To reach WBAI Management for their comments contact: Samori Marksman, Program Director Matthew Finch, Arts Department Director tel:212-209-2800 WBAI's address: 120 Wall St. NY, NY 10005 ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [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: What character has appeared in comic books, and named in the title, from more publishers than any other. Many people suggested Groo, who has appeared in more now-defunct publishers than any other character, as well as Disney characters, Tarzan and even Superman. The key to the question is that any character that is not covered by copyrights is available for use by any publisher and therefore appears in more comics than those characters that have to be licensed. Jose Silva of Portugal figured out the Special "Holiday" connection to this question and correctly guessed it is Santa Claus who has appeared in more titles by more publishers than any other character. No one has guessed the first comic to have a pinup, according to Overstreet, and so we save that one for another day. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION: For what publication did John Byrne get his first professional pay as a writer? 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 The judges for the 1999 Eisner awards, to be given out at the San Diego Comicon International in August have been selected. I found this news on the Comic Book Resource Web page run by Jonah Weiland, and the reason he had the news first is self evident when you read the list of judges selected. * Jonah Weiland - Executive Producer, Comic Book Resources * Nancy Trempe - The owner of Comics Unlimited in Westminster, California. * Len Strazewski - Comic Book Writer. * Jon Cohen - The owner of Beyond Comics in Gaithersberg, Maryland. * Mike Schimmel - The Diamond Distributors Sales Rep. for the Southern, California and New York areas. Comic Book Resources is one of the few sites we have linked as a fan favorite, and with good reason. Looks like the internet is getting more input into the world of comics all the time. Congratulations Jonah! http://www.comicbookresources.com +++++ For : Dreamriders Workshop Contact : Cory Conrad Email : info@dreamriders.com Phone : 514-366-9096 Keywords : Comic Books, Dreamriders Workshop For Immediate Release : DREAMRIDERS REORGANIZES Dreamriders Workshop is please to announce the finalization of its internal restructuring which has seen many of the titles solicited through November 1998 cancelled and resolicited. "It was clear that we simply did not get the word out about what we were doing, and that hurt our potential sales," said Dreamriders President Cory Conrad. "In addition, problems at the printers meant our books faced significant delays. Clearly shipping the books weeks late is as bad as not shipping them at all." In an effort to solve this problem Dreamriders brought on board additional investors and moves its titles to different printers. The addition of Off Color Digital Designs and several key people is also meant to improve our production schedule and quality of work. "Dreamriders has always been about commitment to the craft of comics," said Chris Butcher, author of the reorganization plan, "and not necessarily the monetary gain from it_. I am a firm believer that good product sells. Of course, it has to be promoted correctly and it has to find it's niche, but it will sell." These changes affected the previous ship dates of FLAT BLACK #1 through #3, as well as the REVENANCE mini-series which will undergo a greyscale toning for its re-release in the Fall of 1999. The FEDERAL TACTICAL RESPONSE GN and the planned FEDERAL TACTICAL RESPONSE UNLIMITED monthly series will be merged, resulting in a monthly oversized book of 48 pages per issue. The ship dates for both PERIPHERY and RABID MONKEY, VO.2, remain unchanged. PERIPHERY is a bi-monthly 48-page anthology produced by Archtype Studios and Dreamriders Workshop. Each issue features a diverse blend of fiction from a number of small-press creators. The RABID MONKEY is a all-ages color book which follows the misadventures of a mischievous gibbon with a one-word vocabulary; all for only $2.95. Find out why the RABID MONKEY was spotlighted in Previews and selected as "On the Edge" comic of the month by Wizard Magazine. COLORFUL MISTAKE IN RABID MONKEY LISTING A mistake was made in the January 1999 listing of Rabid Monkey #1 listed under the Dreamriders Workshop imprint. The book was listed as B&W instead of color. The current listing for February 1999 has corrected that problem. Since each listing has a separate order number, retailers and customers are encouraged to ensure they have used the correct one on their orders and avoided duplication of their orders. We will be accepting reorders for Rabid Monkey up until the second to last week before shipping through Diamond. In addition, retailers and consumers will be able to order the book directly from our online store starting the second week of February, when RABID MONKEY #1 is scheduled to ship. We regret the inconvenience this might have caused. Issues #1 through #3 of the RABID MONKEY will sport a blank back cover. Readers who wish to may send these special books in to Dreamriders to have a unique signed sketch drawn there by series artist, Joel Steudler. Sketches are limited to one copy, per issue, per household, and must be accompanied with sufficient return postage. The RABID MONKEY follows the adventures of a mischievous gibbon after he decides he's tired of being a simple jungle monkey. Striking out on his own he tries to find a job and runs into plenty of obstacles along the way, not the least of which being that he only knows how to say one word - 'ookie!'. Find out why WIZARD MAGAZINE has named RABID MONKEY an On the Edge title to watch. The RABID MONKEY is written by Joel Steudler, Art and story by Joel Steudler, color by Off Color Digital Design. For more information on Dreamriders Workshop, contact Cory Conrad at info@dreamriders.com, or surf over to the DW website : www.dreamriders.com. To no longer receive these press-releases, respond to this message with "remove me" as the subject. +++++ From: hud@thehud.com (James Hudnall) Newsgroups: rec.arts.comics.misc Subject: HARSH REALM TV RUMORS Date: Wed, 30 Dec 1998 07:19:03 GMT There are some casting rumors about the new Harsh Realm TV show Chris Carter is producing based on my comic. Apparently, Nicholas Lea (aka Krycek on the X-Files) has been cast as Dexter Green, the lead character. Chris Owens, aka Agent Spender, also of the X-Files, is rumored to also be cast in the show. His character is slated to die in an upcoming episode of the X-Files so he will be free. Chris Carter's version will most likely be set in the near future and will have new characters. I fully expect a departure from the comic to suit TV, but I also expect to like what he comes up with. Subject: [RETAIL NEWS!] Special deal for Retailers Date: Wed, 30 Dec 1998 23:56:26 GMT -------- On the new Jade Dynasty books from Image, Solar Lord and Megadragon and Tiger, we're offering a variant cover issue for every five issues ordered. That was accidentally left out of the solicitation copy. We will be putting free posters promoting these books in Previews the month before they ship. Check the web page below for a look at the inside pages. www.thehud.com/jade Thanks! James D. Hudnall www.thehud.com +++++ From the Comic Shop News at http://www.csnsider.com/ Monster Fighters, Inc., initially announced in CSNsider a few weeks back, has undergone an upgrade. Creator J. Torres reports that the series was "originally scheduled for release as one shot specials from Image Comics," but now it "has been upgraded to an ongoing bimonthly series." This change takes place effective with the first issue, which is scheduled for April release. +++++ From the DCOnline newsletter; http://www.dccomics.com/newsletter.html To subscribe, or for questions or comments about the DC newsletter, please email DCWebSite@aol.com. NEWS BYTES 1998 WIZARD FAN AWARD NOMINATIONS Wizard magazine has announced the nominations for 1998's Wizard Fan Awards, and once again DC Comics and its talent dominate the list. Nominees for the Fan Awards are determined through online polling by Wizard, and the magazine reports that this year, with their much stronger Web presence, they received double the response of last year. DC did especially well in some categories, earning four out of five of the slots for both "Comics' Greatest Moment 1998" and "Favorite One-Shot or Miniseries". Following are all of DC's nominations: Favorite Writer Kurt Busiek Garth Ennis Grant Morrison Mark Waid Favorite Penciler J. Scott Campbell Jim Lee Joe Madureira Favorite Inker Alex Garner Tom McWeeney Favorite Painter Glenn Fabry Glen Orbik Alex Ross Favorite Colorist Digital Chameleon Bjarne Hansen Liquid Graphics Favorite Letterer Todd Klein Ken Lopez Richard Starkings and Comicraft John Workman Favorite Editor Kevin Dooley Dan Raspler Favorite Male Hero Batman Favorite Female Heroine Abbey Chase Gully Favorite Villain Parallax Prometheus Solaris Favorite Supporting Character Commissioner Gordon Favorite Ongoing Series BATTLE CHASERS JLA Favorite One-Shot or Miniseries DC ONE MILLION JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA: THE NAIL JLA: YEAR ONE SUPERMAN FOR ALL SEASONS Favorite Publisher DC Comics WildStorm Productions Favorite Comic Merchandise GREEN LANTERN (HAL JORDAN) POWER RING Favorite Comic TV or Movie Project Batman & Mr. Freeze: Sub-Zero The New Batman/Superman Adventures Comics' Greatest Moment 1998 Batman sees Gotham City destroyed by earthquake, DETECTIVE #720. Herr Starr nukes Monument Valley, PREACHER #37. The return of Hal Jordan, GREEN LANTERN #99. The Star Conqueror seen as big as a continent, JLA #22. ANIMATION EPISODE SCHEDULE Warner Bros. Animation has supplied us with the following air schedule, which is subject to change. THE NEW BATMAN/SUPERMAN ADVENTURES airs weekdays and Saturdays on the WB Network. Times given are Eastern and Pacific time. 1/4/99(4:00 pm) -- "Identity Crisis" (Superman) 1/4/99 (4:30 pm) -- "Read My Lips" (Batman) 1/5/99 (4:00 pm) -- "Beware the Grey Ghost" (Batman) 1/5/99 (4:30 pm) -- "Target" (Superman) 1/6/99 (4:00 pm) -- "Speed Demons" (Superman) 1/6/99 (4:30 pm) -- "Perchance to Dream" (Batman) 1/7/99 (4:00 pm) -- "Cold Comfort" (Batman) 1/7/99 (4:30 pm) -- "Bizarro's World" (Superman) 1/8/99 (4:00 pm) -- "Stolen Memories" (Superman) 1/8/99 (4:30 pm) -- "The Demon Within" (Batman) 1/9/99 (8:00 am) -- "World's Finest Part 1" (Superman) 1/9/99 (8:30 am) -- "World's Finest Part 2" (Superman) 1/9/99 (9:00 am) -- "World's Finest Part 3" (Superman) On January 16, at 8:30 am Eastern and Pacific times, The New Batman/Superman Adventures will air the brand new episode "Mad Love", based on the acclaimed graphic novel THE BATMAN ADVENTURES: MAD LOVE by the animated series co-creators Paul Dini and Bruce Timm. +++++ From COMICS 2 FILM Website: http://www.comics2film.com -------------------------------------------------------- Kabuki ------ FROM COMICS BUYER'S GUIDE: Matt Brady's Mass O' Media column in Comics Buyer's Guide #1310 indicates that the filmed version of David Mack's Kabuki (which we recently reported on) is to be an animated feature. At the time the article was written Mack was said to be in negotiations with Fox Animation to develop the film. Mack is quoted as saying, "Everything is looking very good right now, and, hopefully, we should have everything worked out within a couple of weeks. What we've been discussing would have me writing at least the first draft of the screenplay and then taking some producer or advisory capacity to maintain some level of input and creative control." Mack told Brady that the storyline for the movie would combine Kabuki: Circle of Blood and Kabuki: Skin Deep. Mack seemed pleased to be working with Fox Animation on the film. "I'm really excited about the possibilities for the project -- I recently saw Fox's first animated feature, Anastasia, and really enjoyed it. Fox seems to be very concerned about the quality of their projects as well as making sure they're not just putting out knock-offs of Disney movies, which Kabuki most certainly will not be." http://www.krause.com/periodicals/html/bg.html Spawn 2 ------- FROM THE DETROIT NEWS COMIC BOOK CONTINUUM: The Detroit News Comic Book Continuum spoke to Terry Fitzgerald of Todd McFarlane Productions, who gave them some new information about the sequel to last summer's hit, Spawn. Todd McFarlane and John Leekley are currently working on the screenplay for Spawn 2. Unlike the original movie, which had Spawn squaring off with the Violator in the depths of Hell, the new movie will downplay the fantasy elements of the character. "Do not expect to see the Violator; he has been retired for the time being. Nor expect to see Angela as all the rumors on the Internet state," Fitzgerald told the DNCBC. "The story is very urban and noir. Expect a definite R-rating. Expect a storyline revolving around Sam and Twitch and a very irate Al Simmons. Wanda also plays a pivotal role this time around." +++++ From the Comic Wire by Beau Yarbrough @ comicbookresources.com: An extensive interview with Mark Waid reveals that the Hypertime concept, introduced in THE KINGDOM #2, will allow ALL DC continuities and past stories to exist and be true. Mark Explains it best: "Hypertime is our name for the vast collective of parallel universes out there, in which you can somewhere find every DC story ever published - but it's also more than that. The standard model of parallel timelines is the branches of a river, right? The main timeline is the main stream while tributaries symbolize the alternate timelines? Well, imagine that sometimes those tributaries feed back IN to the main stream, sometimes for a while, sometimes forever. Other times, they cross OVER for only a MOMENT before going in an altogether NEW direction - and for the most part, no one notices these discrepancies but the fans. In short, the reality of the main DC Universe is a lot more malleable than we've ever given it credit for and allows for more wonder and more possibilities than we'd ever imagined." "Confusing? A little, at this early stage - but so was Earth-Two until Julie Schwartz and Gardner Fox were able to play with it for a little while and define the rules. We're still massaging the fine points, we're still tweaking the machine with help from Karl Kesel, the first to do a big Hypertime story (in "Superboy"), but that's the basic notion. As Rip Hunter told the DC heroes in 'The Kingdom' #2, don't be scared by Hypertime, don't feel your sense of order threatened by these occasional Hypertime fluxes, these carryovers from one 'kingdom' to another. Instead, let them be a reminder that the lives of the heroes you love are simply part of a greater legend, a world of wonder where anything can, has, and will happen. Every story you ever loved, every character you ever cared about - they're still out there, they still exist. Take comfort in that." ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [5] 1998 in Review David Leblanc ComicBkNet@aol.com A look back on the year and the things we reported, most of the time before the trade press did. Proving, once again, that the information age is definitely electronic! January - the Online Edition of CBEM debuted at Digital Webbing, Superman co-starred with Jerry Seinfeld in a TV commercial and Stan Lee appeared on the last episode of the SPIDER-MAN animated series, Marvel began the year with a court-appointed trustee in charge and soon six different suitors emerged to buy the publisher as they announce the first round of cancellations; Garth Ennis, Grant Morrison and Howard Porter are signed to exclusive contracts with DC and Kirby art is stolen just one month after the death of Roz Kirby. February - Chris Oarr is named new Executive Director of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, Simonson is named to replace Byrne on Kirby's Fourth World series, Bob Layton quite Acclaim, EXCALIBUR was cancelled, HOOTER GIRL #1 recalled over rights, Pete David quit AQUAMAN, DC sued an Internet provider over use of the word BRANIAC, the return of TANGENT COMICS is announced, Kevin Smith signs to do GREEN ARROW, the 1997 Usenet Newsgroups "SQUIDDIES" are announced, creator of SPY vs. SPY dies. March - ARCHIE GOODWIN passed away, COLD CUT bought Downtown Distribution, Icahn made a bid for Marvel Comics, Peter David quit INCREDIBLE HULK, New MARTIAN MANHUNTER series announced, ACCLAIM moved to Long Island and cut staff and later announced all series ending in JUNE, TOY BIZ presses for control of MARVEL, EARTH-X series announced, AWESOME too announces cut backs as finance man pulls out, UK Awards announced. April - Hart Fisher fakes own death, MARVEL trustee initiates suits for rights to SPIDER-MAN movie, Erik Larsen gets writing job on WOLVERINE, WITCHBLADE coming to TV, SUPERMAN movie put on hold, Alan Moore working on series of books, MARVEL remove from listing on NEW York Stock Exchange, HARVEY Award winners announced, PREACHER movie optioned, BATMAN mega-theme for 1999 announced, TOP COW gives in to fan pressure over marketing scheme of FATHOM. May - SKELETON KEY announced for animated project, Charest & Lobdell to launch new WILDCATS, MARVEL & TOY BIZ cease fire in court, Dark Horse stops taking unsolicited work, GEN13 Animated to debut at Chicago Convention, MENACE leaving Awesome, WILDSTORM announces new Alan Moore Universe, BIG GUY & RUSTY TV show optioned. AUTHORITY to follow STORMWATCH after #11, DC wins Daytime Emmy for animated series, Byrne & Garney to takeover HULK. June - CBG Fan Awards announced, MARVEl selling Dubble Bubble, SUPERMAN celebrates 60 years, THE KINGDOM announced as December DC event, Silver Surfer cartoon cancelled, MARVEL settlement approved by judge, DC angers Jews over SUPERMAN comic, Larsen to write NOVA, July - iNDY becomes web-only publication, Jim Shooter announces self-publishing plans, Mark Williams dies, WILDSTORM goes multi-media, DANGER GIRL optioned for movie & video game, ALIENS to visit STORMWATCH, TOY BIZ plan approved, AWESOME & HYPERWORKS merge, New #1 issues announced for SPIDER-MAN titles, Fabian Nicieza steps down from ACCLAIM post, DC planning new chapter of CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS in December, MARVEL settlement agreed to by all, August - RAMPAGING HULK canned after few issues, Nicieza to write GAMBIT series, Eisner AWARDS announced, Wolfman sues Marvel over BLADE rights, Jeff Smith to direct BONE animated feature for Nickelodeon, CROW tv stuntman killed, DC to buy WILDSTORM rumors start, SUPERMAN/FANTASTIC FOUR project announced, HBO to do DC's BIG BOOKS as animated series, September - TOPPS to cease comics, Darguad loses ASTERIX rights, Kitson & Burchett sign to DC contracts, SUPERMAN STAMP is issued, Ellison gets DEFENDER OF LIBERTY award, Seagle & Casey leave X-books, TOY BIZ approves Marvel takeover, October - MARVEL ENTERPRISES INC rises out of bankruptcy, 1998 IGNATZ winners announced, WOLVERINE #131 pulled for slur, DC buys WILDSTORM - Lee gets exclusive deal, Marvel scrubs END TIMES and to rename HULK title with new #1, Kesel latest DC exclusive, Geppi buys control of ANOTHER UNIVERSE, Marvel starts layoffs, Rozakis leaves DC, Kevin Smith to produce PREACHER movie, MICRONAUTS set for Fall of 1999, Bachalo leaves UNCANNY X-MEN, Bench Press to get TRANSFORMERS comic rights, Mcrea & Simonson exclusive to DC, November - BOB KANE dies at 83, WARREN PUBLISHING suing HARRIS over VAMPIRELLA, Alan Moore projects at AWESOME, BLADE movie banned in Jamaica, CORTO MALTESE coming to TV, MARVEL President resigns, MARVEL to pay APPLE Computer $1.5 Million, Templeton off Batman Adventures, Marvel names new President, Jurgens leaving SUPERMAN, TECHNO titles coming to Marvel in `99. December - CRISIS hardcover recalled by DC, AVENGERS cartoon likely for FOX, BATMAN musical being developed, Gerber gets collection letter from Marvel for royalty over-payment, GHOST WORLD coming to big screen, new animated BATMAN BEYOND schedule announced, KITCHEN SINK to cease publications, CONTEST OF CHAMPIONS II coming in 1999, animated SPAWN gets EMMY and Joe Orlando dies. ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [6] RANDOM THOUGHTS IN A LESS THAN RANDOM WORLD. Gary Sassaman GSassaman@AOL.COM [Gary Sassaman is the Writer/Artist/Publisher of INNOCENT BYSTANDER, you know...the "nice little comic you can take home to mom."] I had toyed with the idea of sitting down and writing about the high points and low points of the comics world in 1998, but when I racked my brain for what they were, I was damned if I could remember any of either. And then something happened on Monday that changed my mind about this week's column. The best thing about self-publishing a comic book is the people you meet. Well, meet is a relative word. Most times, you just get acquainted with them through the mail or over the internet. Sometimes you meet them in person at conventions. (Sometimes you regret meeting them in person, but that's a whole other story.) Either way, occasionally you learn more about these people because something you wrote or drew touched them in a particular way. Such was the case with Duane Parton. Duane was an often vocal letter writer, both in comics and through e-mail. His letters adorned the pages of CBEM more than once. It always reminded me what a small world comics fans live in. I don't recall the first letter I received from Duane. I know he's been a fan from day one of INNOCENT BYSTANDER, but I think the first letter I printed from him was in I.B. 5, basically in response to I.B. 4 (the cat issue) but more to the point, in response to my text page about my mother dying. Duane wrote, in part: "...I would like to offer my condolences on the death of your mother. I have AIDS (a pretty advanced case), so I deal with facing death on a regular basis. I've been sick for 5 years now and my mom and I have come much closer during this time. She has been an amazing caretaker. We have had lots of opportunities to talk about our lives and say our goodbyes. I can't imagine what it would be like to lose a close loved one without any warning. The image of you picking up the phone before remembering she isn't there to answer is a poignant one. You have my prayers and best wishes as you face your loss." Well, you know what's coming. I'm not going to be melodramatic about it. Duane Parton died in October. After 6 years of battling AIDS, he finally succumbed to it. I received a belated Christmas card in the mail on Monday, Dec. 28. It had an unfamiliar name and return address on it, but it was addressed to me. It was from Duane's mother. She wanted me to know. So what does all of this have to do with comics? How does this fit into all the comics news in this issue, all the year-end roundups, all the top 10 lists of bests and worsts? Well, Duane was one of us. And when one of us dies, whether he be Bob Kane or Joe Orlando or even the humblest fan, it should be noted. Duane's mother wanted me to know...I want you to know. But beyond that, as someone who creates comics (albeit in my own simplistic little way), these are the people we write and draw for. These are the people, through their letters and criticism and support, who make us do another issue, even though sales are down; who buy a t-shirt from us and then send a picture of them in it, because it's their favorite shirt. These are the people who make the day a little better because they take the time to write and tell you what they thought of your latest issue. These are the people...well, one of them is gone now. I wanted you to know. [Duane often corresponded to this Emag and we too shall mourn his passing. Godspeed Duane. D.L.] ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [7] And let me tell you why .... David Coulter david102@netscape.net [David - who declared himself "Official Columnist Of the New Millennium, " and then thought better of it (deciding instead on "America's Weirdly Cool Columnist") -- lives with his family in Kansas City and pays the bills as Marketing Director for a computer consulting group. He likes Superman better than Batman, baseball better than football, and Mac better than Windows.] So I'm planning my End-Of-The-Year Column, and I'm thinking about what I should do. I could go for the traditional Highlights and Lowlights of `98, I'm sure there are a couple of those already. So then I thought -- "What would John Barker do?" See, my fellow columnist John Barker is known for taking a ... um ... different approach to his columns. And I needed something different. And then it hit me. So here's MY wrap up for 1998, from the home office in Bimidji, Minnesota -- home state of Gov. Jesse "The Body" Ventura: TOP-TEN COMIC-BOOK PEOPLE WHO NEEDED A GOOD HEAD-SLAP IN 1998. 10. KURT BUSIEK. I love the guy, I do. But he needs to learn how to say `NO.’ I can't blame the guy for wanting to take on Avengers and Iron Man -- who could resist? But to commit to all the various specials, annuals, and mini-series in addition to those two series, Thunderbolts, and the much-neglected Astro City was an object lesson in doing many things poorly instead of a few things well. Maybe nearly dying from a sinus infection has taught him a valuable life lesson in the art of slowing down. 9. DC and MARVEL EDITORIAL. The last few months of 1998 haven't been good ones for Marvel and DC's editors -- a lot of bone headed mistakes can be laid squarely at their. Remember "The kike known as Sabretooth" misprint in Wolverine? Or the 11th-hour recall of DC's Crises Reprint? What about last week's set-to between Mark Waid and Marvel over Captain America #14? Then there's the premature axing of some of the best new books of the last ten years -- Chase, Major Bummer, Marvel Universe, and Young Heroes In Love. Marvel's staff at least has the excuse (pathetic though it is) of caffeine deprivation. Not even Marvel's Assistant Editor month was this bad. (For the conspiracy-minded among you: I note with some amusement that the word "kike" isn't in the Microsoft Word spell-check dictionary) 8. ROB LIEFELD Just because. 7. RETAILERS For over-ordering flea-ridden dogs like Rampaging Hulk and Captain America, Sentinel of Liberty and under-ordering gems like Siren. 6. CHRIS CLAREMONT For the grim and awful act of necrophilia he has been performing on Fantastic Four every month. Anyone who said it couldn't get any worse than Heroes Reborn is now eating their words. 5. ME For buying the "X-Force/Champions" Annual. What in god's name was I thinking? Was I on drugs? Whap! 4. JIM LEE I looked in the dictionary under hypocrisy, and -- lo and behold -- there was Jimmy Lee's grinning mug. Why? 1994: "These are MY characters, and I care about what happens to them deeply." 1998 "All rights in perpetuity? Perpetuity, schmerpetuity. Where do I sign?" For someone who spent an AWFUL lot of energy not two years ago lambasting guys like John Byrne for taking work-for-hire at the factories while neglecting there personal projects, he did a pretty radical about-face. Plus an extra pop on the noggin for risking what looks like a pretty sweet batch of books from Alan "I'd-rather-eat-my-own-feet-that-work-for-DC" Moore. 3. THE COMIC-BUYING PUBLIC For not buying Nexus. For not buying Chase, Major Bummer, and Young Heroes In Love. For not buying Marvel Universe. For not buying Touch Of Silver. For continuing to ignore books like Berlin and Big Bang Comics. And for continuing to buy Spawn. What the hell is wrong with you people????? Stupid, stupid rat creatures! 2. MARTIN WAGNER On paper, it worked great. Reprint the first twelve issues of Hepcats, give yourself a year to get a running start on a new issue, and finally get this damn book moving again. But then it turns out he's going to be adding new story pages and new covers so old fans have to buy the reprints. An underhanded gimmick -- but he's good, so I swallow it. Then the reprints are late. That's right -- The. REPRINTS. Are. Late. THEN he writes a snide little editorial in the 11th or 12th issue about how hard his life is and how all his so-called fans need to quit giving him grief about how late the book is. In addition to his head-slap, someone needs to acquaint Mr. Wagner with the concept of not shitting where you eat. And now, the number one person on comics who needs a good, hard, open-handed, knock-your-glasses-off, industrial-strength slap to the back of the head ..... 1. RON PERELMAN, CARL ICAHN & THE MARVEL MONEYMEN Whether you love Marvel or hate it, what these jerks have done and continue to do will affect you. See, it's not just about Marvel, it's about a company that controls -- for better or worse -- half the damn market. If they tank, they're going to drag a lot of people down with them. And it sure looks like they're going to. You can make a pretty convincing argument that Marvel tanking would be a good thing -- I've made that argument myself. And maybe it would be. But to allow such a thing to happen just because you're in a pissing match with another Wall Street loan shark is criminally irresponsible. Comments? Criticisms? Flames? E-mail them to david102@netscape.net or DneColt@aol.com. ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [8] My Too Sense #4 Cory Kleinschmidt corypk@zdnetmail.com [Cory Kleinschmidt is a hopeless comic book romantic and Web developer who lives in St. Louis, Missouri.] MY COMIC BOOK SABBATICAL Hey everyone, I'm back! And boy does it feel good to return to my CBEM cubicle next to the other illustrious columnists. And now, like Ricky Ricardo said, "I've got some 'splaining to do!" I've been and on and off reader of comics for the past 20 years; I quit them cold turkey sometime in the mid-1980s after about 5 years because I somehow thought baseball cards were cooler. (What a mistake. Sports cards = useless piece of cardboard.) I thought I'd outgrown comics, way back when. Then along came WATCHMEN and THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS. To a 14-year-old, this was mind-blowing stuff. Heck, it's still mind-blowing to a 26-year-old college English graduate. The point is that it was incredible comics that brought me back. Conversely, it is bad comics that drives me away. I've always felt that I couldn't imagine life without comics. However, I find myself questioning that feeling when the quality of comics declines, as it did around 1993 and as it has recently. The pattern's the same: I reluctantly begin dropping titles and feel like quitting, but look for a reason to stay. In 1993, I stopped reading comics for a year and half. This year, when the 15th issue of Astro City didn't appear at its normal shipping date, I realized it was time to turn away until AC came back. To me, comic books weren't as enjoyable without my Astro City fix. Simply put, no other comic approaches its grandeur, with its unique perspective on superheroes. Others come close but never reach AC. Take some recent DC casualties, for example. You may remember how much I enjoyed comics like CHASE, CHRONOS, and YOUNG HEROES IN LOVE--these were books that I dreamed would help lift comics out of the doldrums. Well, not enough people shared my dream and DC left dedicated fans out to dry. When the absence of ASTRO CITY #15 stretched from weeks to months, I dropped my final two books: JLA and the AVENGERS. I was disappointed, but boy did I have more money to spend on other things, like books and movies. So what brought me back to the comics shop? After months of scanning the new releases, there it was: ASTRO CITY #15. Despite my comics-buying sabbatical, I was still a faithful reader of the CBEM and Mania, and I occasionally picked up a Wizard to catch up on recent developments, knowing that one day I would return. And now--could it be?... After waiting 6 months or so, AC was back! The time was right to go back to the comics shop. The feeling I had upon seeing the gorgeous Alex Ross cover was pure joy and relief. It was like finding a priceless treasure than men search their whole lives for. The wait was definitely worth it. While I was there, I decided to pick up the issues of JLA and AVENGERS I missed. It felt like coming home again! I know that, without a doubt, I will always be a lifelong comic book reader. No matter what happens to the industry, I will always cherish and re-read my trade paperbacks of the SANDMAN, BATMAN, UNDERSTANDING COMICS, MAUS, KINGDOM COME, MARVELS, and all the other comic book Classics. I will always buy some book, however seldom and whatever the price. Because of the lack of quality and the stratospheric cover prices these days, my purchases are *much* more selective. For instance, I wanted to buy the SUPERMAN: WAR OF THE WORLDS book. But it's hard to shell out US$6 for a retread of a classic book that I bought for half the price and have already read, despite the beautiful Michael Lark artwork. Sorry, Mike. Instead, I took that $6 and bought Neil Gaiman's masterful NEVERWHERE novel. And I certainly got my money's worth there. So much has happened since I last stepped into the local comics store: 1. The Marvel bankruptcy, which had been dragging the industry down, was resolved, and many staffers unfortunately lost their jobs. 2. DC bought Wildstorm comics, a move that surprised many. However, I strongly felt that a consolidation of this sort must happen for the industry to start revving up again. I wouldn't be surprised to see more of this happen. It's already happening in a roundabout way, with folks like Erik Larsen working for the Big Two again. The DC-Wildstorm union is great news, I think, because so many wonderful titles are published by Wildstorm and hopefully DC will boost their circulations. 3. John Byrne took over Spidey. And it stunk. Bad. Now he wants to make the Hulk savage again (yawn), retell the X-Men's "hidden years" (yawn), and wreak all manner of havoc by redefining the superhero of age of the 1970s Marvel Universe with Roger Stern (could be interesting). Will somebody please tell Mr. Byrne that his services are no longer needed? 4. A whole buncha sucky books were cancelled, thank God. Seriously, this is just what the industry needs: fewer fluff titles and a renewed focus on the core books and quality titles of a line. Marvel deserves kudos for paring down the Spidey titles and is rumored to do it again to the X-titles. DC is supposedly going to totally revamp the Super- and Bat-books, and hopefully drop a few pointless books. (Can anyone say SHADOW OF THE BAT?) I think this "less is more" approach is a boon to comics. It reminds me of the corporate downsizing trend of the early '90s. Thousands may have lost their jobs, but the leaner companies that resulted were better able to compete and show a profit. Likewise, by churning out fewer titles, the quality on the remaining ones should be higher and more people will give, say, the X-MEN or SUPERMAN a chance if they don't feel they have to buy a hundred books a month to keep up with bewildering storylines. 5. Bob Kane passed away. Thanks, Bob, for giving us one of the greatest superheroes of all time. You'll be missed. 6. Marvel Knights debuted. Although this project is supposedly not bad, you won't find me buying into it. I hope this is the last deal of this kind where outside creators come in and take over a group of comics. The whole idea is absurd. That's what editors are for: They unify groups of comics, they hire creators, and they define direction. If comic books had truly professional editors who knew anything about storytelling, then comics might not be in danger of extinction. When you promote sales managers to editors, you get what you deserve. I'm sure there were other memorable events, but this is all I can muster up on short notice. To be sure, there are more exciting things coming up, too: 1. Alex Ross's EARTH X. Yeah, it's a gimmicky storyline, but anything Alex does is going to be good. 2. Alan Moore's LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN and AMERICA'S BEST COMICS. Anything Alan Moore does is going to be good, too. 3. More ASTRO CITY. Busiek and Co. say they'll keep a bimonthly schedule until they can return to monthly. Yippee! 4. WILDCATS with Travis Charest art. Oh, my, what a rare treat! Unfortunately, the highly talentless Scott Lobdell will handle writing chores. Ugh. 1998 was a very strange year, but with comics (as with the Chicago Cubs) there's always next year. My New Year's wish is that comics will get back into the mainstream and get back to quality storytelling. It's about time, I'd say. Well, dear readers, what do you wish for? ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [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 Last week, I gave some more personal reflections about the time spent over the past year doing this column. This time, I'd like to do a quick, simple list of some of the best of 1998. Like just about any year you can name, 1998 saw more than its share of really lame, tired comics. The "Big 3" and many of the so-called "indies" continued to pump loads of schlock into a battered and beaten marketplace. But, believe it or not, there are still a few comics worth reading out there. Manga continues to take a bigger and bigger chunk of my comics reading. Old standbys like Fantagraphics continue to deliver, while mini-comics and self-publishing have allowed creators with unique and creative visions to have a forum. This is also the year that I finally discovered some of the truly great stuff being produced in Europe. Everything listed below has come out since November 1997, when I started writing this column. I guess that makes this a "year and two months overview," but what the hell? It's my column and I want to do it this way. All of these titles were reviewed here and I refer you to back issues of CBEM for in depth reviews and ordering info. If you can't find them and are interested in something here, drop me a line. So what were the best comics of 1998? I'm glad you asked. Take a look: Naughty Bits #23-25: Roberta Gregory delivered some of the funniest material of her career. Bitchy Bitch went through menopause. Marcie was tempted by the evils of the flesh. And sex happened! (Fantagraphics) Pulp: Viz' so-called "manga for grown ups" still doesn't have the edge I'd like to see, but it's a great anthology none the less. Strain has settled into being fairly standard Ikegami gangster stuff, but Voyeur, Banana Fish, and Black and White more than make up for it. The only weak spot is Heartbreak Angels with its annoying juvenile humor and dirty jokes. (Viz) Boy Trouble and Steven's Comics: The young gay male cartooning scene at its finest. Both of these self-published minis offer the best from an often overlooked segment of the comics community. The Collected Dykes to Watch Out For: Allison Bechdel's Dykes to Watch Out For comic strip has had a huge fan following for several years. This year, QPB (A book club) put out a collected edition of all the individual volumes. A great way to get a HUGE dose of this fantastic strip. (QPB) Harum Scarum: The first volume in the ultimately ill-fated translations of Lewis Trondheim's Lapinot series. This book got me excited about comics again. I hold out hope that conditions will change enough for Fantagraphics to be able to give it another shot. (Fantagraphics) Vellevisions: A retrospective collection of Canadian artist Maurice Vellekoop, one of the best North American illustrators working today. Funny, light, and camp, yet full of longing and tragedy tempered with huge doses of pop culture, this book was one of the best buys I made this year. (Drawn and Quarterly) Homoerotic ABC: Another one from Vellekoop. This time, it's a send up of a child's alphabet book using gay male sexuality and archetypes. It's admittedly not for everyone, but it is a huge scream. (Gates of Heck) Ped X-ing #8: One of my favorite minis of the year. Androo Robinson tells the tragic story of a boy who wills himself to stop growing and the effects this has on his adult life. I'm busy now combing through review zines and distros looking for more of Robinson's work. Gay Comics #25: The end of an era happened in 1998 as this holdover from the days of underground comics breathed its last. (Yes, I'm being melodramatic. I liked this damn comic!) The last issue was a fabulous collection featuring nearly everyone who had ever contributed. What a way to go. Legend of Mother Sara: City of Angels: I like the way that Dark Horse handles the manga it presents, and this apocalyptic tale of a mother searching for her children is no exception. Sadly, this was the last story from this series that Dark Horse will be translating. (Dark Horse) Oh My Goddess!: Hands down the best manga available in translation in the US today. And one of the most accessible series, ever. A new reader could pick up any issue of OMG and know immediately what's going on. (Dark Horse) Dances with Sheep: Hysterical collection of one page strips from alternative cartoonist Keith Knight. Hey Mister Afterschool Special: A collection of the hard to find early Hey Mister mini-comics. This is truly funny stuff. (Top Shelf) Quit Yer Job: Probably the best of the many James Kolchaka books that came out in 1998. Magic Boy finds a magic ring and, well, quits his job. (Alternative Press) Pulpspotting: A collection featuring a long, coming of age story from Tim Brown's mini comic The Obliviositer. The level of skill and craft that Brown exhibits is astounding. (Brown Comix) Queen of the Black Black: A collection of Megan Kelso stories from her self-published Girlhero and elsewhere. (Highwater) Black Candy: Matt Madden's creepy tale of corporate experimentation. Easily the best book of the year. (Black Eye) The Big Bang: Great mini from Garret Uzumi featuring God, the Devil, and Adam and Eve involved in philosophical discussion about the nature of life. Against the Grain: James Schaad's self-published series about going to high school and growing up has had two issues so far and they've both been excellent. Schaad may be the only American artist who truly understands that manga involves more than just slapping big eyes on your characters. (Sterling Graphics) Animerica Extra: Viz cancelled MangaVizion, but replaced it with something better. This new, thick anthology features manga that have or soon will have anime versions available. Cult favorites like Fushigi Yuugi make this a hard core addict's dream, but there's more than enough here for any newcomer. (Viz) Artbabe Vol 2 #3: Jessica Abel once again turns out the best dialogue and most believable characters in the business. (Fantagraphics) There were a few other really good things published in 1998, but this handful represents, in my opinion, the best of the best. I hope you were lucky enough to latch on to one or two of them. Let me know what you think if you did. Next time, one last look at 1998 and looking ahead to 1999. Take care and best wishes for 1999! ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [10] Multiverse Observer and Explorer Reviews Paul Dale Roberts silhouet9@aol.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: Delta the Ultimate Experience - Assembly Station Earth #2 Publisher: Apex 1 Written and Drawn by: Michael Greczek Special ink job on one page of this comic by: DC Great Ray Kryssing Price: $2.95 Michael Greczek gives us an update with 'The Story So Far' and here is what Michael says: "At a secret military base in the western United States, a gigantic genetic experiment has taken place. A decade in the making, the differential device has spawned higher consciousness humans! But, an act of sabotage forced the birth day of these new humans, these 'differentials' earlier than planned. In the chaos that followed, all the Differentials escaped from the base. The chase is on as the military attempts to re-capture the escapees." An elite team that is called Delta - The Ultimate Experience is made up of Dr. Kris Thompson, Cindy Thompson, Dr. Mark Kosarek, General Anthony Kurtz. Beautifully placed together comic book, with gorgeous black and white artwork done on high quality glossy paper, that has a story that is tantalizing for the mind. The story is very well thought out, very well researched and is intelligently enticing. From the beginning we see the creation of the universe, how life started and how meteorites could have pollinated life throughout the universe, the look at DNA structure and the forming of intelligent human beings. Scene shift to an area high above the Rocky Mountains where a fire rages at a military complex and the battle to contain this fire. Beings from the Differential Device have escaped the military base and like Michael says 'the chase is on'. This comic book is more exciting than the 'Fugitive' as the Differentials are trying to survive in a world that is set on their probing and destruction. Investigation into the Deep Core which is able to tap into the Earth's magma for heat and the creation of steam for their mammoth power generators. The Deep Core has met destruction and the question is....why? John Delta a Differential has successfully escaped the military installation and seeks shelter with the help of Cindy. Cindy, a stranger to John Delta and who happened upon him, feels she can trust him and safeguards him from the relentless military. Even though President Clinton faces impeachment, the attack in Iraq and the agony of the Monica Lewinsky case, he is still able to contact the military and keep abreast of the 'escaped Frankenstein creations', as he calls them. The Differentials have a unique way of 'powering up', by re-energizing through absorbing energy from Quantum Vacuum Field". This is a highly evolved story that is going to lead to something incredibly fascinating and I can't wait to see what direction this tale is headed! More mysteries develop with scene shifts to Costa Rica and the chanting..."hail to Lord Abiathar" and then to the Andes Mountains and the discovery of a mysterious cave. Delta the Ultimate Experience is a high tech sci-fi comic book that seeks out a reaction from the readers. After you put this comic book down, you will sit there and wonder if something like this could actually be happening. Powerful and an emotion charged comic book, that will have you rooting for the safety of the Differentials! Also, you get a bonus story, entitled "Tales of the Differential Device"! For more information about this comic book, email Michael Greczek at: MGreczek@aol.com Make sure to check out Michael's webpage at: http://www.digitalwebbing.com/apexone Name: Danger Ranger #3 Publisher: Checker Comics Written by: Mark Thompson Drawn by: Dave Berkebile Price: $1.95 Comments: Just like the Pied Piper who lead the rats to the canal and later had the village kids following him to another reality, because the town folks wouldn't pay up on his service of ridding the town of rats. In this comic book that Pied Piper is Kandy Man. He has the children mesmerized by his presence and he feeds off their anger. In one scene he stops the abuse of Asian children who work in sweat shops, by taking their slave master Mr. Qwan and placing needles in his eyes. Mr. Qwan had been smuggling Chinese children into the country to work in his sweat shop, manufacturing sports clothing for sale in the Midwest. Hard deliverance of reality, that this comic book focuses on, as I sat there and remembered the cruel labor practices of Thailand, as children underaged, overworked, underpaid, labored and toil to make American Nike tennis shoes. So, if Kandy Man is truly the villain of this story, I was already mesmerized by his presence in this story and hailed him as a hero for his vigilante punishment. This comic book is extreme adventure and sets the tone with a mass murder spree in Ohio, seeing an all out, no holds bar confrontation between Kandy Man and Danger Ranger. This story will get your blood pumping! Danger Ranger exposes Kandy Man for what he is, a demonic ghost. After the children see who the Kandy Man really is, the hypnotic effect that he held over them dissipates. Will the Kandy Man be back? I'm betting he will be! High glossy colored pages, intense story that will leave you wanting more! After reading Danger Ranger, check out the other Checker comic book called 'Chemical Warfare'. Also, don't forget to check out their webpage: http://www.checkercomics.com See ya' there! Name: Darkchylde - The Legacy #2 Publisher: Image Comics Written and Drawn by: Randy Queen Price: $2.50 Comments: The scene in the beginning in which the demon 'Evil', is provoking Darkchylde reminded me of the way Hannibal 'the Cannibal" Lecter was provoking the FBI agent portrayed by Jodie Foster in Silence of the Lambs. Evil is able to cause Darkchylde to battle her own inner demons and throw her off balance. He shows himself to be a great adversary for Darkchylde. To be able to take her arm clean off, (during battle) shows me that he definitely has the advantage over her and I hope Darkchylde will be able to gain her sense of balance again and fight this demon the way it's supposed to be done! The reader can feel the full intensity of the evil of this creature and then to see him mock Darkchylde by beating her with her own severed arm was the most heinous thing anyone could do. From this high paced, heart racing scene, I needed to catch my breath and the timing was right, with the scene shift to Nightmareling and Flatulence. It was comical to see the hesitation of Nightmareling as he decides if he should help Flatulence in his dire predicament. Randy Queen, delivers beautiful penciled drawings with a superb method of storytelling. You also get an added bonus with a Darkchylde pin-up. I think everyone out there will love the artwork and the story. It's a "don't-miss-out-on-this one" type of comic book! Name: Chemical Warfare - Fall '98 Publisher: Checker Comics Written by: Mark Thompson Drawn by: Tony Fanning Price: $2.95 Comments: Very unusual cover, that catches the eye with overtones of yellow and a multitude of soldiers with gas masks on. This story is intuitive to the conflicts and illegal activities that third world countries are involved with today. With this story, it does a nice touch base on blackmarketeering between countries, illegal trades with drugs, guns, booze, jeans, chemical agents, women into white slavery and every other slimy item that countries who harbor evil can trade off in. In this case the Chinese and Russians do some of this illicit trading. The US Army Chemical Corps has their hands full in this story as they discover a weapon that can be selective and kill by race. Genocide by chemical or biological warfare. Inexpensive way to dispose of a targeted soldier, the Caucasian soldier. Minorities have nothing to worry about, as this weapon will not kill Asians, Africans, Indians, Hispanics, etc. What if there were designer biological / chemical weapons that can be selective towards racial, physical and gender make ups? Well, this story delves into that aspect. A virus spreads amongst the Caucasians and they fall upon the effects of the virus. A scary story? You bet! Also, you will see some disgusting things of war, as the Chinese tie up Taiwanese civilians to vital targets and keeping Taiwanese babies at important strategic military installations, to prevent bombardment. The horrors of war is shown fully with this story. This story centers around the Siberian Tundra where the Siberian Campaign is at full effect and a soldier enjoys intimate pleasures, a little R&R with a female soldier in a shack they call 'The Foxhole'. The only relaxation he will get in this miserable war and his desolate surroundings. Very well researched story that unfolds a traumatic human drama with precise clarity! I highly recommend Chemical Warfare! You won't find any John Waynes in this powerful story, but only heroes who seek answers and a solution. You don't want to miss out on this one! Check out the Checker Comics website at: http://www.checkercomics.com and find out what 'Designer Death' is all about and while your there, check out their other cool publications! Name: Divine Right - The Adventures of Max Faraday #7 Publisher: Image Comics Written and Drawn by: Jim Lee and Scott Lobdell Price: $2.50 Comments: Very realistic email correspondence was depicted between Max Faraday and Susanna Chaste. What a horrifying ordeal Susanna is going through, as her memories are probed by the evil Lady Cassandra. As this email correspondence between Max and Susanna is layed out for Lady Cassandra, she is not happy with the results and if things don't turn out better, Susanna could die. All for how Susanna received the 'creation equation' from Max. At anytime, I thought for sure, Lady Cassandra was ready to snuff the life out of Susanna and I was hoping Max would somehow be the calvary to the rescue. At the end Max learns that someone is tapping into Susanna's memories and he doesn't seemed to please about it. I can't imagine how this confrontation between Lady Cassandra and Max will turn out. Will Susanna be dead, by the time Max arrives? I guess, I have to wait until the next issue...geesh, the suspense is killing me! I had some good laughs as Max is pleading over the internet, if Susanna is really a girl. That's the truth about the internet, you never really know who your corresponding with, you can be anything you want to be. Susanna downloads a picture of Max as Superman was a good way to let us know that the DC Universe is part of the Wildstorm Universe now. This story is turning out to be an exciting ride and the WildC.A.T.S. are not far behind! Name: Furrlough #71 Publisher: Radio Comix Written and Drawn by: Scotty Arsenault, Norman Scott, Nami 'Red' Jarrett, Dutch. Price: $2.95 Comments: Phil Morrissey does a fantastic cover for Furrlough #71. The first story is called 'Heebas' if you love animal characters, you will like this story. One character named Yebbo has a real bad attitude problem and you never know what to expect from this guy. 'Thanksgiving Day Tomfoolery' was another delight and I laughed my butt off, as a bug named Andy has a life long dream of biting Willard Scott comes true! 'Musa Stories: The Judgement' was quite interesting and reminded me of Stargate SG-1. The Egyptian feel to the story, was right on the money and Ammit the Great Devourer gave me a few chills down my back. This story has the elements of fantasy and horror in it and I was right on the edge of my seat, as the god Anubis removes the heart from the chest of a character named Ani. Before the heart was removed, Ani hadn't realized he was dead, but faces a second death as a demon named Ammit is resurrected! 'Misty the Mouse: Scratch and Sniff' was a delight and a animal character named Misty experiences scratch n' sniff books at her favorite book store. Radio Comix puts out other comic books, here is a listing of their titles: Milk!, Genus, Ahlea, Havoc, Inc., Hit the Beach, Lortnoc, Morning Glory, Rivets & Ruby, Tales of the Fehnnik, Trouble Express, Filthy Animals, Shanda the Panda, Athena, Pervert Club, Wild Life. Name: Para Troop #4 Publisher: Comics Conspiracy Written by: Doug Miers Drawn by: Jason Gillespie/pencils Anthony Cacioppo/inks Price: $2.95 Comments: More things are coming to light with this story, as this series continues. Element 115 is what powers Quim's (the grey alien) spacecraft. The explanation is in this story. Max (Firehead) is the one who names the team Para Troop and Quim has taken Para Troop to Mars. What for? Wait until you pick this comic book up, the answer will surprise you! There might be some friction between Max and Quim, as Max doesn't quite trust Quim. Another strange twist, is that the MIB have captured Para Troop for encephalitic siphoning on Mars! The MIB on Mars are somewhat gigantic in size, not like their Earth counterparts. Eddie, the insane team member of Para Troop does something strange with Element 115 and I won't say too much more, because I don't want to give away all of the surprises that Doug throws at us! But, something big could be happening to Eddie, because of the Element 115. Now, this I will tell you! I completely freaked when I saw that the aliens have been preserving different beings in a cryogenic stasis. In these transparent tubes kept alive, but in suspended animation were...now get this...some greys, the reptile aliens that have been seen in Italy and other parts of the world, a Vulcan, Alien (from the movie 'Alien'), Bigfoot, some humans, El Chucacabra, Nordic aliens (seen in Sweden, Norway, at times the British Islands) and Submariner? If it wasn't Submariner (yes, I'm talking about Namor)...it sure looked like him! I had fun, trying to identify all of the different beings kept in cryogenic stasis, some I missed and perhaps you can tell me who they are! Para Troop just gets better and better and there are some added bonuses like an article from Doug Miers called "An Axe too Kind", a small piece on Max with artwork by Mike Patterson & Jeff Boychuk, article entitled 'Tower of Death' by Steve Orr and a comedy bit about Quim with artwork by Frank Kadar! Coming soon from Comics Conspiracy are: Bastard Stew: a beautiful Cuban spy, a disinherited British journalist and a fast shooting C.I.A. agent find out they all have something in common, besides a dangerous lifestyle! Operator 99: Belle is an operator for the phone company and discovers a shocking conspiracy!! Para Troop is intriguing and at times shocking! I never know what to expect from the pages of Para Troop, this time Doug took me on an adventurous ride and I was hanging on by my fingernails! For more information, contact Doug at: Doug@comicsconspiracy.com or check out that cool website at: http://www.comicsconspiracy.com M.O.E. Sidenote: Happy New Year! Let's see if Brian Peets, the owner of A1 Comics has some new and exciting comic books on his racks, to get this New Year started! Note: Brian Peets carries all the mainstream titles, but surprises his customers with those hard to get independents, let's just say that Brian studies his Previews very carefully. Ok, out on his racks are: Trouble Express #1 by Radio Comix, Ultra Klutz Dreams #1 by Bad Habit Comics, Top Shelf by Primal Groove Press, Kyle Baker's You Are Here by Vertigo/DC, Muktuk Wolfsbreath Hard Boiled Shaman by Vertigo/DC, Johnny Double by Vertigo/DC, The 7th System #4 by Sirius and Kid-Terrific #1 by Image! For more information about any of the above mentioned titles, Brian can be reached at: A1Comics@quiknet.com ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [11] 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 the Manager of Marketing and Sales for a privately owned manufacturer of electro-mechanical components.] COMIC BOOK PROFILES #5 - JOHN BYRNE 44 pages, black & white - magazine format $2.50 subscriptions - 4 issues @ $12 (check or money order) As You Like It Publications CBProfiles@aol.com P.O. Box 2055 Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 For those of you new to this publication, it is a magazine about comic book professionals. Each issue is entirely dedicated to one pro and delves into their career with an in-depth interview and contributions from several contemporaries of that pro. Past issues have covered Neal Adams, John Romita, Bernie Wrightson, and the next two will feature Gene Colan and Mike Kaluta. The format is also growing with next issue increasing to 56 pages (no ads) for $2.99 and then the next issue to 64 pages to include room for ads. There is also an Archie Goodwin tribute issue in the works, a web page, and much more to come. The current issue is about John Byrne. As in the others the interview deals with the early influences, how he got turned on to comics, how he started in the business and other key points of his career. Byrne is one of those creators who continues to evolve his style year after year while others, Curt Swan comes to mind, have a unique style that is very consistent. Byrne has a loyal following no matter what he does, and more than his share of detractors. One thing is undeniable - he is a force in the industry, whether or not he is selling more than anyone else at the time. Byrne himself admits that his best known work - the run on the X-Men - is the same type of art he would criticize today, that he is very critical of his own past work is evident. He also defends more recent, less critically acclaimed work and anyone knowledgeable about the body of his work knows he is not afraid to shake things up, even today with Spider-Man. The rest of the magazine is filled with contributions by a number of collaborators, past editors, friends and co-workers. They include; Terry Austin, Paul Chadwick, Nick Cuti, Fred Hembeck, Tony Isabella, Dan Jurgens, Bill Nichols, Larry Niven, Jerry Ordway, Mike Pascale, John Romita Sr., Andy Smith, Roger Stern, Tim Townsend, and Jim Warden. One thing that stands out from these insights into John and his career is the respect the others have for his work ethic. Every day he works on writing for two hours and then drawing, inking and lettering 3 pages a day. That amounts to the work of 3 or 4 people on other books and, except for the coloring (John is slightly color blind) he completes three full comics a month. There are not many who can keep up such a pace. They also frequently mention his ability to tell a story in just the art. This is a common criticism of what has become all too popular in the nineties from the hot new artists. Lots of books are nothing more than a series of pinups - they rely almost entirely on the dialogue to tell the story. Not so with John Byrne, the pros agree. Like Kirby and a few others, there is also that flow of action and progressive plot development in the pictures alone. Because John does his own lettering he does not let the words get in the way of what is being conveyed in pictures. So if you know all this already, why buy this book? Well, I find it fascinating to read first hand the thoughts of people in the industry as they all talk about one subject. Too much of the monthly publications are fluff to promote the latest projects and the other major avenue for information, the internet, is not well populated with many pros. The ones that due risk the Usenet and other forums are often attacked unfairly by immature grand standers and often driven away from participating. This magazine gives the pros a place to speak about each other and give us unique insights into one of their own. Getting to know more about the most influential people in the business and what their fellow pros think of them, helps me to understand their place in the scheme of things and cause me to look a bit more carefully at the work that has brought them to this level of esteem among their peers. As always, fans of a particular creator could not find a better all around publication to get the most info about their favorite. Comic Book Profiles has become a must buy around here and it keeps on getting better. VIRTEX #1 28 pages, full color, monthly, $2.50/$3.75 CAN Oktomica Entertainment Ltd. http://www.oktomica.com Kowloon, Hong Kong Casey Lau - Creator/Writer/Designer virtex@oktomica.com Kano - Artist Mike Baron - Scripter Alvaro Lopez - Inker Jeff Kwan - Story Assist John Starr - Colorist Elsken Lopez - Cover Colorist I was much impressed by the #0 issue of this series (aside to the industry as a whole - can we please stop these foolish numbering tricks, it was old a long time ago. BTW, I learned ages ago that ZERO is not a counting number!) by its high production values when it comes to the art. This is the real strength of the product as it is essential for new companies to grab an audience with the visuals to get them to want to get into the story. In fact the promotion letter with this issue says they use Image/Top Cow standards of coloring, and I was making that comparison myself when I first saw the previous issue, which was not the first issue because it was numbered #0, which is not a counting number . . .but I digress. As I was, saying the art is the strength. Kano and Lopez really click and have an excellent grasp of what the art is supposed to do - TELL THE STORY! They walk you through the plot from panel to panel and if you ignore the words you get most of what is going on - as is the way it should be! That is not to say the story is not good. The setting is in a world with a strange mix of times existing together - Knights riding dinosaurs chasing Japanese Ninja poachers! Cybernetic lawman Virtex is chasing down Ripnun, a serial killer whose specialty is killing prostitutes ala Jack the Ripper along with his self replicating gang of Rippers. This part is set in a very wild west where vices are exploited as big business and run by the mob - there's that time mix again. After a second failure at getting his man Virtex is bushwhacked by a bunch of metassassins working for a self-proclaimed Telemessiah called Basileos. Virtex is aided from an unlikely ally, or so it seems but soon is out of the frying pan and back into the fire. Meanwhile the Mob Boss hires someone to take out Ripnun, having no confidence in Virtex and the Justice Cycle Bureau to get their man and Virtex's boss Arkimet is the typical mysterious and enigmatic leader making us wonder what he is all about. Lots of elements strung together leading somewhere with plenty of action along the way. I was only disappointed in one thing, and it surprised me. That was Mike Baron's script. At parts I had to grimace and forge ahead because the dialogue was just too, I dunno, amateurish. I think he is trying to convey the character Virtex in a particular manner as that is the main part of the script that bugs me. It is so out of place with the other parts of dialogue that I am sure he is doing it on purpose - but frankly it turns me off. Stuff like "lick this up you dandy-embroidered, talcum-powdered, laced up freaks!" and "figure that out by yourself Einstein?" What tipped me off that this was intentional was the fact that he could not even get the rhyming part of "I'm An Old Cow Hand" right "I learned to ride a bike, before I could stand" What is wrong with the original "before I learned to stand?" The meter would make more sense. SO, I conclude he is not trying to make sense. But this is a Cyborg not a robot, is he indicating the programming is flawed and the corny dialogue is part of that? A minor peeve about an otherwise enjoyable comic. Well worth the money for what you get ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [12] 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, 1/06/1999, 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 ARCHIE COMICS PUBLICATIONS Knuckles #22, 1.75 Pals N Gals Double Digest #39, 2.95 Sabrina The Teenage Witch #23, 1.75 DARK HORSE Oh My Goddess The Devil In Miss Urd #3 (Of 6), 2.95 Territory #1 (Of 4), 2.95 DC COMICS Adventures Of Superman #565, 1.99 Batman No Man's Land Standard Ed, 2.95 Batman No Man's Land Collectors Ed, 3.95 Batman The Gotham Adventures #10, 1.99 Birds Of Prey #3, 1.99 Essential Vertigo The Sandman #32, 4.50 Flintstones And The Jetsons #19, 1.99 Gifts Of The Night #2 (Of 4), 2.95 House Of Secrets #25 (resolicited), 2.5 Martian Manhunter #4, 1.99 Power Of Shazam #47, 2.5 Preacher #47, 2.5 Starman #51, 2.5 Superman Adventures #29, 1.99 Teen Titans Annual 1967 #1, 4.95 Transmetropolitan Lust For Life TPB, 14.95 Trenchcoat Brigade #1 (Of 4), 2.5 Vext #1, 2.5 Young Justice #6, 2.5 IMAGE COMICS Darkness #19, 2.5 Dracula Vs Zorro Reprint #2 (Of 2), 2.95 magazines Comic Shop News #603, AR MARVEL COMICS Cable #65, 1.99 Captain America Sentinel Of Liberty #7, 1.99 Fantastic Four #15, 1.99 Marvel Collectible Classics Amazing Spider-Man #300, 10.00 Spider-Man Chapter 1 #5 (Of 13), 2.5 Spider-Man Manga #27, 2.99 Thor #9, 1.99 Uncanny X-Men #366, 1.99 X-Men Magneto War, 2.99 X-Men Manga #21, 2.99 ONI PRESS INC. Jay & Silent Bob #3 (Of 4), 2.95 PENNY FARTHING PRESS Captain Gravity #2, 2.75 NCRL for the foreseeable future... TITLE OLD NEW DATE DATE DC COMICS Superman: Sunday Classics HC W/Slipcase 11/25 01/13 Golden Age Flash Medium Statue 02/24 03/17 Crisis On Infinite Earths HC w/slipcase 12/02 TBA MARVEL Battlebooks: Colossus 12/02 12/30 TENT. Battlebooks: Gambit 12/02 12/30 TENT. Battlebooks: Rogue 12/02 12/30 TENT. Battlebooks: Storm 12/02 12/30 TENT. Battlebooks: Iron Man 11/18 12/30 TENT. Battlebooks: Spider-Girl 11/18 12/30 TENT. Battlebooks: Thor 11/18 12/30 TENT. Battlebooks: Wolverine 11/18 12/30 TENT. Avengers #13 12/30 01/06/99 Wolverine Winter Special 12/02 CANCELLED ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [13] HYPE! Section Various From: Donna Barr Subject: "Charger" STINZ, "Charger," The War Stories ships in April of l999! It contains all the stories originally collected in the sold-out "Warhorse" and "Wartime and Wedding Bells," plus some hard-to-find anthology items. Yes, it's finished and will be on the way in April! 240 pages, color cover. I will notify you when it has actually shipped -- and, I am taking orders for it now ($20.00 + $5.00 postage and handling). Yay! One more thing done! Donna Barr Owner and Chief Peon A Fine Line Press _______________From: A FINE LINE PRESS___________________________ l999: "Charger:" Collects STINZ "Warhorse" & "Wartime & Wedding Bells" Website: www.stinz.com Or send mailing address for catalog. +++++ FROM THORBY - SHIPPING IN APRIL: ------------------------------------------------- American Irrational Comics Presents... FOOD FIGHT! by Tom Elliott, script by Mark Paoletti Viral parasites have ravaged the world's food supply, and it's up to the powers of BUCK-A-BURGER (TM) to feed the starving masses of infected mutants! **CAN Sgt. Stryker whip a slipshod crew of burger-flippers into a fierce, vicious fighting unit in time? **WILL an assault on BUCK-A-BURGER (TM) seriously impact third-quarter earnings enough to produce a stock dip? **WOULD you like fries with that? This epic launch of American Irrational is produced in GLORIOUS THORBYcolor! FC, 24ppg...........................$2.95 SCANDALS #1 Created by David Campiti, Edited by Mort Castle Scripts by David Campiti, William Messner-Loebs, Tina Jens Art by Cliff Richards, Michael Dutkiewicz Thorby Comics continues its tradition of COMICS FOR SMART PEOPLE with this trio of romantic vignettes by veteran writers and artists centering their tales around That Particular PLACE. Attraction, Flirtation, Allure, Personality, Romance, Love, Sex: "The coolest names in town are involved in _SCANDALS_." In GOOD AS GOLD, a DJ discovers the stuff that dreams are mode of... In THE MEDDLESOME MONTH OF MAY-DECEMBER, a mom and her daughter both have a rude awakening... In PLAYING GAMES, two gals discover that Life's more than just a sporting wager... Produced in GLORIOUS THORBYcolor. FC, 32ppg...........................$2.95 For more information on these and other sterling THORBY titles, contact: Mort Castle Executive Editor Thorby Comics 16 Technology West, Suite 134 Irvine, CA 92618 mort@thorby.com (949)753-0725 (949)753-0782 (fax) ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [A] E-Mag Info: Submissions, Subscriptions, Back Issues, Copyrights and the Comic Book Network BBS system. SUBMISSIONS ----------- To submit an article, review, column, etc. to our e-mag, simply E-mail it to the editor at: ComicBkNet@aol.com Reviews of mainstream books are welcome and will get included when submitted, they are not excluded off hand. We encourage reviews of indies and self published material as we feel that material deserves more exposure to the general public. 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If someone with multiple personalities threatens to kill himself, is it considered a hostage situation?