---------------------------------------------------------------------- Ed Dukeshire and Mike Imboden Present: THE COMIC BOOK NET ELECTRONIC MAGAZINE ISSUE NUMBER 198 1/22/99 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] Ramblings `99 ......................... Rich Johnston [6] Venting My Spleen ..................... David Groenewegen [7] Had Your Phil? ........................ Phil White [8] Sound And Fury ........................ Craig Lemon [9] Independent Voices .................... Rich Henn [10] And Let Me Tell You Why . . ........... David Coulter [11] M.O.E. Reviews ........................ Paul Dale Roberts [12] My View:40 WINKS CHRISTMAS SPECIAL/ BOOKS OF LORE/PARA TROOP ...... David LeBlanc [13] Top 50 Black & White Comics ........... Comic Shop News [14] Top 100 Comics - December ............. Diamond Comic Dist. [15] New Comic Book Releases List .......... Charles LePage [16] 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 This week I have some interesting news to reveal that will be of special interest to those within the broadcast range of WBAI 99.5 FM in New York. Long time readers of our letter section know that the folks who run 'NUFF SAID', a weekly radio talk show about comic books, frequently mail us their schedule and list of guests which we pass along for those of you who might be able to tune in. Lately it seems there is a scheduling change in the their future but for now they have been on Sunday at Midnight. This Sunday, January 24th the scheduled guest is none other than, drum roll please, .............. yours truly, David LeBlanc. I can't say what it will be like, not ever being able to get the program myself, but I have agreed to an interview and plan to discuss the Emag and my role here as well as anything else they can throw at me. It might be the Internet as a source for news, the evolution of The Comic Book Network, my own observations and opinions about recent events, but I'll leave that up to Ed and Ken. This will be a great lead-in to our upcoming 200th issue and our 4th Anniversary in February. It appears Matt High may no longer be posting the Top 200 comics and the associated sales numbers each month. Just to keep our readers appraised of the relative volume of the top comics I am including Diamond's Top 100 list as posted to their web page. I do not have the sales figures to go with it but it is the same list Matt used every month. Bear in mind it is a VOLUME ranking not a $ value ranking and multiple cover issues include all variants to make up their rank on the list. It is also based on ORDERS by retailers and should not be interpreted as what is actually selling to consumers once in the stores. What is actually in the stores this week is up to you to determine as far as how they will sell. These are some I suggest you try: DC COMICS Batman Beyond #1 (Of 6) (resolicited), 1.99 Fanboy #1 (Of 6), 2.5 Superboy #60, 1.99 Gen 13 #37, 2.50 IMAGE COMICS Age Of Bronze #2, 2.95 <------Pick of the Week! Mage The Hero Discovered Coll Ed Book 2, 5.95 LIGHTSPEED PRESS Finder #13, 2.95 MARVEL COMICS Black Panther #5, 2.5 Captain America #15, 1.99 Thunderbolts #24, 1.99 OKTOMICA ENTERTAINMENT Virtex #2, 2.50 Wonderlanders #1, 2.50 OLIO Castle Waiting The Curse Of Brambly Hedge (Revised Ed,)_ 9.00 PLASTIC SPOON PRESS Exit 6 #3, 2.95 One administrative note about the Online Web Edition of CBEM at Digital Webbing. Starting this week Johnny Gonzales who writes and draws one of our exclusive comic strips, HEROES RERUN, will also be doing ACTION COP for a few weeks. Gonzo also contributes a column here from time to time. perhaps it is a mad plot to take over it all in time? If you have not yet set up your bookmark or link to Stan Lee's new web site then do it now. The URL is http://www.stanlee.net and it just came on line this week. There is not much content yet but the opening screens are pretty flashy and promise a first class site is on the way. You can sign up for his mailings and keep up to date on the news as released about Stan's new line of comics and other projects. This is going to be a multi-media adventure and it is just starting now so stay tuned. 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. +++++ Viz Comic's Pokemon #2 has sold out, so I will be reprinting it with a scheduled ship date of 2/12/99. Let your distributors know how many you want, and we'll oblige. I've heard retailers' demand for Pokemon is skyrocketing so much that Pokemon will be in Wizard magazine's upcoming Top 10 Comics list! This is another first for Viz! Quantity for Pokemon #1 (2nd printing) is still available, and #3 has just shipped. Oliver Chin Viz ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [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: From Jay Perry: Who was the first Avenger to use the phrase, "Avengers Assemble!" The first guess by almost all was Captain America - which proves that some images last forever. But, the first one to issue that rally phrase was, The Mighty Thor(issue #10) No one got it so Jay gets the prize. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION: In SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE, what color underwear was Lois wearing? 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 MSNBC News - Jeannette Walls Jan. 20 - Who bought Mark McGwire's 70th home run ball when it was sold at auction for $2.7 million? A well-placed source says it was Todd McFarlane, a 37-year-old comic book artist turned multimillionaire. McFARLANE IS the creator of Spawn, the hit comic that was turned into movie that grossed more than $100 million. His characters are dark; the character Spawn is an ex-covert assassin who was betrayed and killed then brought back in a deal with the Devil. His characters are also hugely popular. As one writer noted, "McFarlane is to comic books what Madonna is to popular music." An animated video directed by McFarlane, Pearl Jam's "Do the Evolution," has been nominated for a Grammy. McFarlane also has a line of toys - such as a Skull Queen action figure and a Graveyard Playset - that toy censors often put on their worst toys of the year lists. A native of Alberta, Canada, who lives in California, McFarlane is described by an associate as "a baseball fanatic" and is also part-owner of the Edmonton Oilers hockey team. "He bought the ball for $2.7 million and now he's not quite sure what to do with it," says the source. "He might put it on tour or something." [AP picked up on this story this week, even had contact with Todd's father but did not confirm he actually bought it. The Daily Buuz on ANOTHER UNIVERSE now says that Todd did not buy the ball. - DL] +++++ Legendary Superhero Creator Stan Lee Turns New Career Page With Launch of Stan Lee Media Inc.; Strategic Alliance Set with Organic for First Venture, StanLee.Net LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 19, 1999--One of this century's most prolific storytellers, Stan Lee, whose classic superhero creations, The Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk and Silver Surfer have entertained three generations of fans, has formed a new company, Stan Lee Media Inc. to harness the power and global outreach of the Internet to create a new world of superheroes. The first venture for the newly formed company is StanLee.net (http://www.stanlee.net), which is being constructed to attract and accommodate the largest global assemblage of young comic book enthusiasts engaged in community creation on the Internet with Stan Lee and his new universe of superheroes. It will become a "virtual clubhouse" for 10-20 year-olds interested in interacting with creative leaders of the genre and each other. The branded, niche, hub will offer free web pages, email, games, the ability to buy, sell and trade comics and digital trading cards and related merchandise, with special access to the Internet's largest online comics distributor, to share stories, new characters and artwork and to participate in Stan's creative process. Stan Lee Media has partnered with preeminent e-commerce and online marketing specialist, Organic, to develop StanLee.net. "I am very excited about using the power of the Internet to build a global community of young comic book enthusiasts to take the superhero tradition into the new millennium," said Lee, chairman, Stan Lee Media. "In addition to creating new characters who will derive their powers from the Internet, we will be reaching out to a global community of fans." "Working with Stan Lee provides us with a tremendous opportunity to fully explore character development and storytelling using the full range of multiple media, including sound, motion and interactivity, to create truly unique content," said Mike Golden, executive vice president, Organic. "We are also excited about building a community that has a very strong business model and tangible revenue opportunities." "Stan Lee is a legend at Marvel," said Eric Ellenbogen, chairman, Marvel Inc. "We are grateful for his lifelong involvement with our company and look forward to our continuing relationship at Marvel. We are very supportive of Stan's new venture and hope to be working with him in that capacity as well." Management Team Lee has assembled an experienced management team with established track records in global marketing, branding and the comic book industry to shepherd his new company. Devendra Mishra, who ran LIVE Entertainment, RCA-Ariola Worldwide Manufacturing and Distribution and Technicolor Worldwide New Media and New Ventures, is CEO. "After working with some of the largest international branded companies to extend their brands and business operations worldwide, I am especially looking forward to working with Stan Lee, a living legend `brand' to extend his global brand in all media and merchandising," said Mishra. Dave Devarajan, former vice president of operations for Time Warner and a noted authority on business strategy, who brings strategic and fiscal expertise to the company, is CFO. A recognized marketing and branding professional with experience in new media development, co-founder Peter Paul, president of Panversal Inc., brings expertise in business development with the new media community and oversees publicity and promotional activities. "Stan Lee is a unique living global brand revered by three generations, millions of fans around the world, as the Walt Disney of the superhero genre of entertainment," said Paul. "I am excited about the unlimited creative opportunities that will evolve from establishing the nexus of Stan's new creative universe on the Internet." Lee will continue to serve as chairman emeritus of Marvel Media and as a member of the Marvel Comics editorial board, a role enabling him to continue shepherding the universe of superheroes he co-created for Marvel, in all media. All of Lee's future creative endeavors, along with his brand, name and likeness will be the property of Stan Lee Media Inc. Stan Lee Media has headquarters in Encino, Calif. The company's corporate and investor relations Web site can be found at http://www.stanleemedia.com. CONTACT: Greg McAndrews & Associates Greg McAndrews, 310/301-3035 or mPRm Dan Wool, 323/933-3399 dwool@mprm.com +++++ Little Veronica gets to keep her Web site By Michael Miller LOS ANGELES, Jan 19 (Reuters) - Yes, Veronica, there is a fairy godmother. A comic book publisher said on Tuesday it was dropping its efforts to shut down the Web site of 22-month-old Veronica Sams over alleged trademark infringement. The little girl's site, http:/www.veronica.org, incurred the wrath of Archie Comic Book Publications because the company claims it has a copyright on the name Veronica, a character in its ``Archie'' comic strip who has her own Web site at http:/www.veronica.com, a lead-in to the Archie Web site. Veronica Sams' Web site was established by her father, David Sams of Los Angeles, to celebrate her birth in 1997. It features two photographs of Veronica, one of her playing in a bathtub and the other of her sitting in a high chair with food smeared all over her face. Now it is Archie who has egg on his face. The company said it had asked Network Solutions, with which Sams had registered the veronica.org domain name, to put it on hold to protect young Web surfers ``from the possibility that the veronica.org domain name might be used for a Web site containing inappropriate, unsavory or explicit material.'' But after being assured by Sams that veronica.org was for his daughter and the most explicit thing shown would be the bathtub snapshot, the company, based in Mamaroneck, N.Y., has dropped its threat to take Veronica to court. ``We did not take this action to challenge a child,'' Michael Silberkleit, chairman and co-publisher of Archie Comic Publications, said in a statement. ``We did it to protect the millions of children who read our comic magazines and look for our Web site. Now that Mr. Sams has publicly stated that the veronica.org Web site will be devoted to his daughter, we have withdrawn our request.'' Little Veronica herself professed to be surprised by all the fuss. ``I don't understand. ... How can a company own my name? It's a common first name. Veronica, in Archie comics, is a brunette. I'm a blonde. How could the world confuse me with her? She's much older than I am. I'm still a baby! ... I'm confused and very hurt,'' she -- or, rather, her father -- wrote on the Web page. Sams could not be reached for comment on Tuesday, but in a letter to Archie Comic attorneys that he posted on his daughter's page, he pointed out that the firm would have to take little Veronica to court, as the Web site was registered in her name. It is not the first time that children's Web sites have incurred the wrath of big companies. Last year a Pennsylvania boy nicknamed Pokey set up a Web site at http:/www.pokey.org featuring himself, his puppy and his favourite video games. The Prema Toy company of San Rafael, California, sought control of the site, saying they owned the trademark for Pokey, a line of toy. The dispute was resolved when Pokey creator Art Clokey stepped in and said the boy was welcome to his site. +++++ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CLOCKWORK ANGELS "virtual ashcan" now online at http://members.aol.com/divalea/clockangels.html Lea Hernandez has released a "virtual ashcan" for her second Image Comics graphic novel, CLOCKWORK ANGELS, a sequel to last year's sold-out hit, CATHEDRAL CHILD. Following up on the success and sales generated by the online preview for CC, Hernandez has added art from CA to her "Atelier DivaLea" site at http://members.aol.com/divalea/clockangels.html. "I put up the CC (and CLOCKWORK ANGELS) previews to give people a 'try before you buy' look at my work," Hernandez says. "I heard and read from many people the biggest reason for not pre-ordering a book, especially one from someone new to them, was not knowing what they'd get," Hernandez says the "virtual ashcan" for CATHEDRAL CHILD is cited by half of the people who write her as the reason why they sought it out and bought it. However, not everyone was a believer. "I got and still get poo-poohing for promoting through the web," Hernandez laughs, "It was like, 'The Web? Aw, who's gonna see that?' I couldn't believe anyone would turn up their nose at a medium that reaches worldwide, so it almost became like a dare. I just had a gut feeling it would work, and it did, and the response was far beyond my expectations. I'd love to be surprised again this year with CLOCKWORK." +++++ David Lasky wins Frye Art Museum grand prize for cartooning Urban Hipster cartoonist David Lasky has won the grand prize, adult division for the cartooning contest held by Seattle's Frye Art Museum in conjunction with "Children of the Yellow Kid" an exhibition of newspaper comic strip art spanning the past century. Co-curated by comics historian R.C. Harvey, the show featured a dazzling collection of some of the medium's finest artisans, including George Herriman, E. C. Segar, Charles Schulz, and Lynn Johnston. Winners were announced on December 31st. Mr. Lasky was awarded a trip for two to scenic Blake Island where he will visit Tillicum Village to be a guest at a potlatch-style salmon feast. He was also given a year's membership to the Frye, where his winning comic will be displayed through January. David Lasky is a Seattle, Washington resident who divides his time between working as a part-time office clerk, part-time art director for comic book publisher Fantagraphics Books, and cartooning whenever he can. In collaboration with humorist Greg Stump, he recently released the first issue of "Urban Hipster," a comic book about the cafe dwellers and scenesters they know and love. Lasky made no attempt to mask his surprise over the announcement: "In a town like Seattle, where everyone and his brother's sister is a cartoonist, I had no real expectations of winning," he said. "Naturally it is a great honor, and I think it is a good sign for the year ahead." When asked what he was going to do now, his plans didn't include Disneyland: "I plan to draw another issue of 'Urban Hipster', maybe draw my other comic title 'Boom Boom', and collaborate with some of my favorite cartoonists like Jennifer Daydreamer, John Porcellino, and Lisa Maslowe." The Frye Art Museum, both an intimate gathering place for Seattlites, and a major center for realist art in the rain-drenched Pacific Northwest, boasts a collection of masterworks in 19th and 20th century American and European painting. Noted works include Bouguerou's "The Shepherdess" and Childe Hassam's "Parc Monηeau, Paris." The Frye is located at 704 Terry Avenue in Seattle, Washington's First Hill neighborhood, overlooking the downtown skyline and Elliot Bay. Admission is always free. Phone: 206-622-9250. Fax: 206-223-1707. Web: http://www.fryeart.org/ For more information about cartoonist David Lasky, contact his publisher Alternative Comics at 611 NW 34th Drive, Gainesville, Florida, 32607-2429. Phone: 352-373-6336. E-Mail: jmason@gator.net. Web: http://www.indyworld.com/uh +++++ GAIMAN'S SIGNAL TO NOISE LEAPS TO THE STAGE IN A BENEFIT FOR THE CBLDF Chicago's NOWtheatre will present a special performance of its new play, "Signal to Noise," as a joint benefit for the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and for the non-profit theatre group. "Signal to Noise" is adapted for the stage from Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean's ground-breaking graphic novel. Gaiman himself will introduce the performance and attend a reception before the show. Proceeds from the evening will benefit the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, a non-profit organization protecting the First Amendment rights of the comics community. The benefit performance of "Signal to Noise" takes place on Saturday, February 6 at 8:00 pm at Chicago's Victory Gardens Theater, 2257 North Lincoln Avenue. A private reception with Gaiman and the authors of the play will precede the performance at 6:00 pm. This reception is limited to ticket holders only. Gaiman will also be on hand for questions following the performance. Tickets for the evening cost $40 and are available at the Victory Gardens Theatre box-office by calling 1-773-871-3000. "I come from a country where free speech is something you must work for," said Gaiman. "I do these things to raise money for the CBLDF whenever I can, because I can. I wish we didn't need the CBLDF, and everyone would let everyone else get on with the business of making, reading, buying and selling comics without hindrance. But we don't live in a perfect world. The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is more important now than ever before." Gaiman, who first attracted critical acclaim for his graphic novels and comic series "Sandman," has seen his unique vision successfully translated for film, television, and two best-selling novels. Gaiman has won the prestigious World Fantasy Award and is noted in "The Dictionary of Literary Biography" as "one of the top ten post-modern writers" in America. "Signal to Noise," first published in 1992, is one of Gaiman's early collaborations with artist Dave McKean, whose striking work in paint, ink, collage, and sculpture also graced the covers of all seventy-five issues of "Sandman." "Signal to Noise" has been adapted for the stage by Robert Tooms and Marc Rosenbush, who also directs. True to Gaiman's original, the play presents a richly textured, intensely theatrical experience with something for everyone: paper storms, flagellants, numerology, star-crossed lovers, a slightly mad hunchback, the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, giant puppets, and more. The story revolves around a dying filmmaker's final project. In the film-within-a-play, a group of people in 999 AD wait for the end of the world. The filmmaker knows he won't live to make the film, but he writes anyway, filling his last days with the one activity that gives joy and meaning to the time he has left. Awaiting the inevitable, his thoughts and feelings are echoed and illumined by the fears of his characters as they count the hours until the Millennium's end and the coming of the Apocalypse. Proceeds from the performance will benefit the non-profit Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, which since 1988 has protected the First Amendment rights of creators, publishers, and retailers in the comics community. Guided by the principle that comics should be afforded the same Constitutional protection as film, literature, and other media, the CBLDF has successfully funded the defense of more than a dozen artists, publishers, and specialty retailers. As a creator of comics for mature readers, Gaiman knows well the common misconceptions which often make the medium an easy target for censors, crusading reporters, and grandstanding politicians. The benefit performance is made possible through the generous assistance of Neil Gaiman, the NOWtheatre group, Dark Horse Comics, and the nationally-known Chicago area bookstores, Stars Our Destination and Chicago Comics. The stage adaptation of "Signal to Noise" stars award-winning actor William J. Norris, a veteran of hundreds of Chicago productions, best known for having played Scrooge for twelve years in the Goodman Theatre's annual production of "A Christmas Carol." He is supported by a large ensemble cast that features some of Chicago's finest actors, including Mary Zentmyer, Peter Toran, David Skidmore, Michael McAlister, Jane deLaubenfels, Ann Marie Hieman, Glenn Fahlstrom, Bill Ryan, Matt Diehl, Melissa Van Kersen, Cathleen Sperling, Robert Hungerford, Mary Kathryn Bessinger, Robert Buscemi, and Mark Mysliwiec. Director Marc Rosenbush is NOWtheatre's Artistic Director. He co-produced the acclaimed "Buckets O' Beckett" festival (for which his production of "Endgame" was named as one of Chicago's "Top Five Plays of 1996"); and was a 1997 finalist for the prestigious NEA/TCG Career Development Program for Directors. The production team includes Robert G. Smith (set and lighting design), Kevin Geiger (lighting design), Stacy Ellen Rich (costume design), Lindsay Jones (original music and sound design), and Cynthia Orthal (giant puppets). The play opens on February 4 and runs until March 14, with regular performances Wednesday through Sunday. Chris Bleistein at The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund 1-800-99-CBLDF cbldf@compuserve.com http://www.cbldf.org and Lauren Henry at NOWtheatre nowtheatre@aol.com Chris Bleistein - Assistant Director Comic Book Legal Defense Fund P.O. Box 693, Northampton, MA 01061 413-586-6967 Voice 413-582-9046 Fax web: http://www.cbldf.org e-mail: cbldf@compuserve.com +++++ DAN NORTON TO ILLUSTRATE LADY PENDRAGON/MORE THAN MORTAL X-OVER Veteran penciler Dan Norton (X-Men, WildCats, Black Ops) has signed on to pencil Image and Liar Comics joint production of Lady Pendragon/More Than Mortal. Norton joins the creative teaming of writers Sharon Scott and Matt Hawkins and inker Jag for the two issue collaborative effort slated for a May, June release. "Out of a long list of artists Dan was at the top," says More than Mortal writer/creator Sharon Scott. "We were all very excited when he agreed to do it. The story has a much lighter theme than normal issues of More than Mortal and Lady Pendragon and Dan's story really brings that sense of fun to life." "I've watched Dan's work for quite a while now," says Lady Pendragon creator/writer Matt Hawkins. "He's an incredible talent and I'm glad we're finally able to work together on this project. He's turned in the first batch of pages already and they are awesome." Solicitation for Lady Pendragon/More than Mortal #1: The battle of the 6th century is on! Image and Liar Comics unite to bring to life the tale of two great warriors who will meet one another on the battlefield of an age-old feud: Britain v. Ireland, Pendragon v. Protector. Guinevere has come to the Emerald Isle, seeking guidance from her only remaining friend in the Catholic Church--Saint Patrick. Soon after her arrival, she uncovers an Irish plot to murder her aging friend. Caring little for Pendragon's plight, Brigid takes up arms against Patrick, an English-born priest who seeks to turn the Protector's people against their ancient traditions. Witness the tension as Ireland's Protector clashes swords with England's Leading Lady, as worlds collide and threaten to change history as we know it. The two cross-over books ship in May and June of ’99 respectively and both will be $2.50. A special T-shirt, posters and a host of other licensed materials will be made available during the heavy promotional campaign. +++++ THORBY COMICS's NIGHT CITY, a black and white anthology written by Mort Castle, with art by Mark. A. Nelson, Don Kramer, and Jaewon, has been nominated for the International Horror Guild's "Best Graphic Story/Stories" award. The other nominees are, BLOOD FOR THE MUSE: Agony, Ecstasy, Tragedy by Terry M. West, art by Stew Noak, Glenn Chadbourne, and Ryan Dunlavey (Blind Wolf Studios); CAGES by David McKean (Kitchen Sink Press); PREACHER ANCIENT HISTORY: ANCIENT HISTORY, written by Garth Ennis, art by Richard Case (DC); and TRANSMETROPOLITAN: BACK ON THE STREET, written by Warren Ellis, art by Darick Robertson (DC). The book deals with "urban violence," but, as reviewers have been quick to point out, it is not a "splatter book" nor a "too flashy art plus too much angst" comic. "We pride ourselves on making 'comics for smart people,''" says Castle, who also serves as the executive editor of the Thorby line. "And we hope this is a book that's just as smart as the people who read comics." While a ten plus years comics vet, Castle is probably better known for his work in novels and short stories, including the bestselling novel CURSED BE THE CHILD. Castle says he wants to bring the same level of thoughtfulness and polished craft to his comics work. "And fortunately, on this book, I had the perfect artists. Mark A. Nelson, artist on ALIENS and on several prestigious Joe R. Lansdale books for Vertigo, is an established star. Don Kramer and Jaewon are rising stars--and Thorby can proudly say we helped discover 'em." Future NIGHT CITY comics will continue to present "Meditations on Urban Violence." "We have several new artists on the project," Castle says, "and me, I'm determined to maintain the quality we've established with our initial effort. 'Comics for Smart People' isn't a sound bite; it's our guideline for any publication with the THORBY logo." -30- For More Information, or to request review copies of THORBY publications: Tom Tetzlaff, Editor tom@thorby.com www.thorby-comics.com 16 Technology West Suite 134 Irvine CA 92618 949-753-0725 +++++ From The Daily Buzz at http://www.mania.com/newsarama/index.html Dark Horse has acquired the rights in the US to publish and distribute Italy's top comic books from Bonelli Books. The titles tend to be murder mysteries and occult and are 90 or more pages long. Rikki Rockett, president of No Mercy Entertainment, said that movies based on the No Mercy comic books Coven 13 and Nightshade are being developed. +++++ From Newsarama; http://www.AnotherUniverse.com/newsarama WINNER OF THE 1997 REC.ARTS.COMICS.* "SQUIDDY" FOR BEST WEB SITE Ruben Diaz confirmed that CONTEST OF CHAMPIONS II will be done for Marvel by Chris Claremont and Oscar Jimenez. It will be a 4 issue weekly mini-series this summer. Here is the lineup on Marvel's upcoming TECH line as announced by Matt Idelson: X-51 (Machine Man) - Michael Higgins, writer. German (X-Men) Garcia, penciler. DEATHLOK - Joe Casey, writer. MAGUS - James Felder, writer. Pascual (Heroes for Hire) Ferry, penciler. Frank Miller returns with another 8 issue SIN CITY series called HELL AND BACK. Mike Mignola has a new HELLBOY project for Dark Horse later this year. Jason Liebig has been promoted to replace editor Frank Pittarese on the four X-Men related titles he is leaving. +++++ From Zentertainment; HTTP://WWW.ZENTERTAINMENT.COM To sign a friend up or begin receiving ZEN yourself, e-mail SeanJordan@aol.com and say SUBSCRIBE. CORONA COMING ATTRACTIONS reports Ivan Reitman is still working on a possible WONDER WOMAN feature film he'd produce for WARNER BROS., and the site had confirmed that Catherine Zeta-Jones (The Mask of Zorro, Haunting of Hill House) is being eyed for the title role. http://www.corona.bc.ca/films DEL REY Books has signed Peter David (Imzadi, Young Justice) to write a trilogy of BABYLON 5 books, which will be prepared by B5 creator J. Michael Straczynski, detailing the rise and fall of the Centauri Republic. David has also written a script for an episode of the upcoming (expected to premiere in June...) B5 spin-off, CRUSADE. http://www.randomhouse.com/delrey UPDATE: Neil Gaiman's STARDUST tour has extended to 21 cities, and will now wrap up on February 12th in Toronto. Catch Gaiman in a interview with the Bay Area's KFJC 89.7fm tonight at 6:15 PT, which you can hear live at the station's website. http://www.kfjc.org/signal.html ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [5] Ramblings 99 Rich Johnston twisting@hotmail.com [Renamed for the new year, Ramblings 99 continues to spread confirmed and unconfirmed news and rumours. It welcomes comment, especially comment that clarifies, refutes and corrects information already disseminated. Rich Johnston is an advertising copywriter, co-self publisher of Twist And Shout Comics, BBC comedy writer and comics columnist. He currently lives in South London, England. His column can be found online at: http://www.twistandshoutcomics.com All Ramblings e-mail received will be considered public domain and may be quoted.] This column is RUMOUR. Do not take anything here seriously. These RUMOURS are presented here as GOSSIP for their ENTERTAINMENT value. Dateline: 18 January 1999 Lee Lines The net's been abuzz with the news that Stan Lee is no longer exclusive with Marvel and is setting up a new line of online comics, reviving his previous Marvel project, Excelsior (specifically our friends at Comicon). We also know that the arrangement is that Marvel pay him to use Stan Lee Presents, he's credited as Editor Emeritus and that he spends time at Marvel. However, one Marvel editor is alleged to report that this change came from Marvel, not Stan, that Marvel weren't happy with Stan's contract and refused to renew it after the expiry date of December 31st 1998. Hence the new 'agreement' which takes away much of Stan's previous salary. The editor in question states that Marvel letting Stan Lee go like this equates to the Walt Disney Company letting go of Walt Disney. The Colour Of Money One of our more reliable rumourmongers e-mails to tell us that "Marvel has told Comicraft to cut its rate for lettering their titles. Currently they pay about $500,000 total." Apparently, Marvel recently took back most of the letter column and production work in an effort to cut costs. But the management insist on yet more cuts, hence the new price wrangling. Marvel are Comicraft's largest customer, but how much can Comicraft realistically discount? And if they do, will we be seeing more "proofreading errors?" Our monger also states "Also look for a new wave of layoffs in Editorial." Like that's news... We've been handed a writer line-up of the new Marvel-Tech books that are spinning off the next big X-Crossover in an attempt to get them some initial sales before they are quickly and hurriedly cancelled (what, cynical, us?) No idea if these have been seen before, probably Doran or CSNsider, someone might be interested anyway. Magus: The old Warlock character from New Mutants. Writer: Prof. James Felder Machine Man X-51:Writer Mike Higgins Deathlok: Writer Joe Casey Talking of Joe Casey, he's the fella picked to script over Davis' plots on X-Men and Uncanny X-Men. CSNSider reported a behind-the-scenes story of Steven Grant's decision to leave Sentinel Of Magic after three years of shenanigans. We've been handed a different version. To read Grant's, go to www.csnsider.com. Anyway. This is what we've been told. Elmo Warning applies. First it was called called Circle of Light, then Circle of Magic then the editor (Dan Thorsland) quit. New editor (Kevin Dooley) gave the book the new title Sentinel of Magic. Then the 4 issue 48 page mini becomes a 6 issue 32 page mini. Then the artist Christopher Shenk is fired. New artist Matt Smith is hired. Then Smith submits his own plot which the editor likes better. And Dooley dismisses Steven Grant, who had to sit through all of the above because he didn't want to be demoted to scripter. On the CSNSider page, Grant claims a more active role in the decision to leave the book and Matt Smith's involvement in that isn't mentioned at all. Dateline: 20 January 1999 Jim's Krew. A source close to Jim Krueger states that Earth X issues 0 and 1 have pipped the 100,000 mark. Jim Krueger is also planning to work on a Superman/Green Lantern project shortly. Lee Way. We also receive an anonymous message from a industry creator confirming our Stan Lee story, adding that it was simply a part of the ever-growing Marvel cutbacks. They canned Stan Lee because they didn't want to keep paying his salary. Remember when it was described as a 'lifetime salary'? Yeah, so do we... Award Ward. And so the Squiddies are here, the awards organised and supported by Usenet's rec.arts.comics geezers for the comics industry (which mostly means the North American comics industry, distributed through comic shops... strange that). Pop to http://www.innocence.com/~squiddy/squid-ballot.cgi for a new style voting form that allows you to use pull down menus to vote. Nice touch, gives you a lot of prompting... but is there the ease that stops you thinking up new ones for yourself? Anyway...so what looks good? This could be Warren Ellis' year for best writer, he's been doing a lot and while the second run of Stormwatch wasn't exactly top notch, his Transmetropolitan has shined. Especially since Alan Moore's work was pretty much the From Hell epilogue. Alan Davis should be a top contender for penciller, though competition from Dave Sim, Travis Charest, Peter Bagge, Paul Grist and Chris Ware is evident. Chris Ware's Acme Novelty Library gets my attention for best comic although Love Bomb, Transmetropolitan, From Hell, Kane, Finder, Cerebus, Viz, Desert Peach and Naughty Bits vie for a lot of it. Limited series... well it's Jay And Silent Bob isn't it? Maybe Whiteout? Oni could get quite a lot here, what with that Trout guy, Kevin Smith on board and a reprint of St Swithin's Day. They could be up for publisher along with Kitchen Sink, Fantagraphics, Alternative and Abaculus. New series, well Daredevil, Black Panther and Inhumans weigh in heavily for Marvel. Periodical, I'll go for Tripwire or Journal. Both good fun. Editor? C'mon, let's give this one to Gary Groth. Anthology, well its The Factor for me, I guess. And since I was only in January's issue 2, my bias isn't there. I just think it's great. Maybe Hate Jamboree? I forget... did we have a Blab this year? Maybe Gyre... Oni Double Feature of course. Howabout those SPX pieces? So many web sites, so little time. This could be a great debut for Comicon, Warren Ellis' web page hasn't been updated enough to make the impact for me, Newsarama is still a great read, the Fantagraphics page used to be one of the best and hell, CSNsider is always on my bookmarks. And Savaged Dragon is just plain funny. If this year, Dave Sim doesn't get best letterer (as well as many other nominations) then there's no justice. And of course, from our side, Rich's Ramblings for Web Site, X-Flies for Web Comic, Rich Johnston for writer, penciller, inker, letterer, favourite R.A.C.er, Mike Meyer for colourist, editor and Twist And Shout Comics for best publisher might appeal to some strange people. Hell, let's see if we can at least get the Web Site in there shall we? Looks like someone's voted for it at least. Correction Granted. We recently posted a Steven Grant story, we knew it differed from Steven Grant's version on CSNsider. Steven recently e-mailed us to expand on this. "It's entirely possible that Matt Smith will become the new plotter on Sentinels Of Magic (which started as a 6 issue 32 page mini, then became a 3 issue 48 page mini, then became a 4 issue 48 page mini, then became a 6 issue 32 page weekly mini, just for the record). Matt Smith was one of the artists being bandied about to replace Chris Schenck, who was fired off the book. Nobody ever discussed a demotion to "scripter" with me, and as far as I was made aware, Matt wasn't signed on to draw the book at the time I left. Like I say, it's entirely possible that Matt may have come up with his own story, since they're not using mine. But there's no cause and effect there." Steven adds "By the way, the book was never called Circle Of Magic. It went straight from Circle Of Light to Sentinels Of Magic (a change DC suggested after Dan left), though it had a few different names which escape me prior to Circle Of Light. I originally joked that it should be called The Justice Coven Of America. So there." This could mean that someone close to our original source is trying to rewrite history. But who? ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [6] VENTING MY SPLEEN David Groenewegen david.groenewegen@lib.monash.edu.au [David Groenewegen is 30, a librarian and sadly addicted to comics. He has been reading them since before he could read, and plans to keep on doing so. His first trip out of the house with his infant son was to a comic shop. Can't start 'em too young. ] Last time I gave my thoughts on the last two attempts by DC to fix their continuity problems. This time I want to look at The Kingdom, and the controversial new attempt, Hypertime. Basically, The Kingdom, as a comic book, has been a real disappointment to me. This was the first DC "event" where I bought every issue, and on this form it will be the last. Of the seven issues there was one really good one (Offspring, which was brilliant), a couple of OK ones (Kingdom #1, Kid Flash and Gog from last year), a few really average ones (Planet Krypton, Son of the Bat and Nightstar), and one really bad one Kingdom #2, mainly because of the execrable art, not to mention the endless boring fight scene and the anticlimactic ending to the battle with Gog, where a bunch of Superheroes team up to kill someone). On the whole it was a step up from Zero Hour though, but Crisis is still number one in my book. But the bigger question running around the web seems to be, is this a betrayal of Alex Ross' vision, and the answer is, of course, yes, and no. Yes in the sense that the big three are prepared to sell all of humanity down the river for their kid (thus far more specifically departing from Kingdom Come than the furphy that they were getting their costumes back). But thanks to Hypertime, no is also the answer. I have been amazed at the number of people on the web who seem either outraged or confused by Hypertime. Despite what some people might have you believe, Hypertime is not the end of coherent DC continuity as we know it. There has never been coherent DC continuity anyway. Even if every book was written by one person, there will never be really coherent DC continuity. It's impossible. Hypertime just legitimises the true status quo - a universe where there is a good deal of continuity, and where it mostly seems pretty consistent, but where things can change at a moments notice, at the whim of a writer. And the DC Universe, being fictional (as some people seem to forget), has always been like that. After all, is Dark Knight in continuity? It wasn't an Elseworld, or an imaginary story. Is Kingdom Come now no longer an Elseworld because its characters have interacted with the current timeline? And if so, which is the "real" Batman? It doesn't matter. Maybe one day one of these stories will be slotted into continuity. Till then, just enjoy them for what they are - good stories. This is the crux, the essence of Hypertime. It is all true, but it may not be true just now. I hear the continuity buffs screaming, "But I remember it, so it must have happened". I would direct these people to the first manifestation of Hypertime (or at least its machinery) that I know of, Animal Man #23-26. This was an in continuity story (Animal Man's family are murdered a couple of issues before and it is mentioned in the Justice League titles, AM being a member at the time), and in it Buddy Baker travels to comic book limbo, from which he has recently escaped by virtue of being written about again. It is explained to him that he has forgotten he was ever there, and that all the gaps in his memory were filled by a writer. But he didn't actually exist in the "real world" during that time. This is where your memories are - they live, they are not forgotten, they return to life whenever they are read. And they can be put back into the world at will. This is the way it is, and has always been, if you are honest with yourself. And this is why Hypertime works. In a few years time it may have been corrupted and spoilt like Crisis was, but it has the potential to free comics up, and remove them from the anally retentive obsessions that have polluted them in recent years, from the ceaseless nostalgia and looking back. And that can only be a good thing. Everything you have ever read in a DC comic is true. At least while you are reading it. David Groenewegen davidhar@lib.monash.edu.au ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [7] HAD YOUR PHIL? Phil White Ogre4@earthlink.net [Phil White has contributed articles and cartoons to Comic Buyer's Guide, Wizard and Cinefantastique. He has written comic books for Americomics (AC) and Mattel Toy Company and has self-published comic books featuring his own characters, including Ogre, Felony, and the acclaimed "I Hunt." He supports his comic book hobby, and his family, as director of marketing and sales with a medium sized software and remote data-entry company in Southern California.] January 22, 1999 Subject: Retroactive Reimbursement Payment Due Dear Mr. White: It has come to this Law firm's attention that, during the Marvel bankruptcy episode, you purchased approximately 396 Marvel Comic Books through your subscription service, M&M Comics of Illinois. The bankruptcy court has determined that cover price on said comic books could have actually been high enough to cover compensations to those vendors who, otherwise, received no payments during Marvel's Chapter 11 filing. It was further determined that a retroactive cover price increase of fifteen cents per comic book is now in order, with such funds being used to reimburse said vendors, this in accordance with Toy Biz and the court appointed Trustee. Therefore, please consider this as an official notification that, as the purchaser of 396 Marvel Comic Books, you now owe $59.40 additional. This retroactive reimbursement payment is due in thirty (30) days. This retroactive reimbursement payment covers Marvel comics purchased through your subscription service only. We are currently investigating evidence of any purchases you may have made directly from a retailer, like that issue of WARLOCK. Please do not feel you are being singled out in this matter, as similar letters are being sent to anyone who purchased forty (40) or more Marvel comics during this period. (We understand that one fellow, Paul Dale Roberts of Sacramento, owes in excess of $250,000! Boy, does he read a lot of comics!) Please make your retroactive reimbursement payment payable to "Bailout the Vendors of Perelman & Icahn Fund" and forward it to our Law Offices immediately. Sincerely, Dewey, Cheetum & Howe, L.L.P. New York, NY PS: If this ruse works, you can look forward to a special bonus feature poly-bagged with future Marvel Comics. Each will include an Estimated Payment Voucher so that you may pay any upcoming retroactive price increases in advance of court decisions. Whew! And now, here's a memo to the creators of the latest Image comic... MEMO To: Brian Holguin and Brian Haberlin C/O: Avalon Studios Subject: ARIA #1 Kudos on your first issue of the above referenced comic book. The story, so far, is entertaining and intriguing_ guaranteed to bring back many readers for issue #2. Your choice of Jay Anacleto is inspired. Sadly, there are too many editorial errors that detract the reader from the flow of the story. To name the more obvious errors: 1.) Page 4, Panel 2 “… a letter from the old county.” Should read, “…a letter from the old country.” 2.) Page 4, Panel 4 "_write as soon as soon as it_" Should read, "_write as soon as it_" 3.) Page 4, Panels 6 & 7 the newspaper depicted should be colored white, so as not to confuse it with the parchment in the preceding panels. (Unless there is a daily newspaper in New York that prints on yellowed paper, of course.) 4.) Page 9, Panel 1 "_who's probably terrorizing them as speak_" Should read, "_who's probably terrorizing them as we speak_" 5.) Page 9 Panel 3 the word balloon which reads, "Define Big.” Is obviously the mirror speaking and should, therefore, be both double outlined and in shades of green, as established everywhere else on this page. 6.) Page 12, Panel 5 "_you made Greek! Should read, "_you mad Greek!” 7.) Page 14, Panel 3 "_rather lingering__ Should read, "_rather than lingering_" None of the typographic errors cited are of a nature that can be caught or corrected with a spelling or grammar check function that comes with most word processing software. But then, such software is no substitute for human editing, is it? Call it "nit picking" if you will, but errors such as these detract from the pleasure of reading a story. They reflect, and perpetuate, the lower standards often attributed to the comic book publishing industry by outsiders. At least you did not commit errors that insult any particular religious, ethnic or sexual minority, as has happened recently at both DC and Marvel. Your attention to details in the future will improve your excellent efforts to date. Good luck to you both. ------------------------------------------- You can count up all my editorial errors on the first three pages of "I HUNT," a comic book story, just posted this week on: http://home.earthlink.net/~ogre4/ ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [8] Sound And Fury Craig Lemon CraigLemon@aol.com [Phil White has contributed articles and cartoons to Comic Buyer's Guide, Wizard and Cinefantastique. He has written comic books for Americomics (AC) and Mattel Toy Company and has self-published comic books featuring his own characters, including Ogre, Felony, and the acclaimed "I Hunt." He supports his comic book hobby, and his family, as director of marketing and sales with a medium sized software and remote data-entry company in Southern California.] Well, I'm back. And you almost certainly didn't miss me. Never mind, I'll carry on regardless, on an infrequent basis, when situation's like today's occur. To whit: it's Saturday 16th January. The usual weekly shopping trip has concluded with the also usual visit to the David's Comics in Brighton. The haul this time? Ten regular comics (six DC, two Marvel, two indies) - one of which gets itself put aside for reading in a batch (Transmetropolitan). Rather unusually for me, the others all get read by the time bedtime comes around. So, here's a few reviews of these lucky nine, in case you haven't seen them yet:- Preacher 41 (DC/Vertigo: Ennis/Dillon) The story of Jesse's tenure as Sheriff of Salvation nears its conclusion as the stakes are raised by mad businessman, Odin Quincannon: the entire town is wired with explosives as Quincannon forces a confrontation with Jesse on an old railway bridge. With Preacher, I guess you either read it or loath it - you can't join in on the storyline at this stage and expect to make any sense of it, as a lot of continuity is referred to in this issue without any attempt made at explanation for new readers (hence the large number of Preacher TPBs already out). Not a lot of violence, less swearing, and a couple of twists at the end but we're really shouting at Ennis - get on with the sodding (main) story! And this title suffers from the lack of a letters page - having Ennis reply directly to LoCers, and his crazy competitions, added immensely to the book. The Minx 6 (DC/Vertigo: Milligan/Phillips) Part three of the four part story 'The Monkey Quartet' sees the world preparing for its end in three days time, and the Minx relinquishing control back to Anna. Again, if you haven't read the previous five issues, this one won't make much sense - in fact, it doesn't make much sense even if you have! But that's part of the appeal of Milligan's work - you keep on reading hoping that everything comes clear at the end, unfortunately it never does. Oh well, at least the journey is interesting ... The Trenchcoat Brigade 1 (of 4) (DC/Vertigo: Ney Rieber/Ridgway) This tongue-in-cheek title features the four heavy-weights of the DC/Vertigo mystical universe - John Constantine, The Phantom Stranger, Doctor Occult and Mister E - together once again to save the world from destruction by a Russian with green eyes. Um, right. Constantine gets all the best lines, as you'd expect, and the ending is slightly jarring, but a good read nonetheless. Starman 51 (DC: Robinson & Goyer/Snejbjerg & Champagne) Certain reviewers have been saying for the last couple of years that James Robinson has begun to tread water with Starman - I've now begun to concur with this: even the addition of David Goyer to help with plotting hasn't improved matters. The problem is with Jack Knight's trek through space - it just reads far too much like Swamp Thing's wandering many years ago under the capable hands of Alan Moore. A couple of issues ago, Starman even touched down on Swamp Thing's 'Blue' planet, and next issue they'll visit Adam Strange. This time, Starman drops in on Krypton and meets Jor-El (Supe's dad) as a youngster, giving him the binary co-ordinates of Earth before they leave. Ho hum. Get the first couple of TPBs, and hope the next storyline after this is better. Young Justice 6 (DC: David/Nauck & Strucker) I really don't know why I buy this. I don't get the Robin, Superboy or Impulse titles. I'm not really interested in youthful heroes. It all seems oh-so-familiar. Oh, occasionally David comes up with a few twists, but this issue is the story of the youngsters proving themselves to the old guard. Nothing here that wasn't expected, or been seen many times before. Perhaps time to drop the book? Avengers 13 (Marvel: Busiek/Perez & Vey) This is the only Heroes Return title I've stayed with - Iron Man went too far into subplots to stay interesting; Captain America just got boring; and Claremont started (over)writing the FF. However, Busiek has managed to keep my interest with the Avengers - even if, as with this issue, the cover promises much more than the story inside. Nice touches are everyone refusing the hot potato of deputy chairmanship of the Avengers until it lands in the Scarlett Witch's lap by default, and the promise of the return of the Beast next issue. The downside to the Avengers, of course, is that Hawkeye left a few issues ago, as predicted. Without him the team is a little bland, but hopefully the Beast will shake things up a bit, even if he's unlikely to stick around long (but I can but hope). Avengers Forever 4 (of 12) (Marvel: Busiek & Stern/Pacheco & Merino) I'm buying this title for Hawkeye. The story is convoluted and poor: it's Kang and Immortus again, this time trying to kill Rick Jones. Someone should have shot him ages ago and put us all out of our misery. In this issue the team of past, present and future Avengers are split into three groups to deal with various time anomalies - where they, of course, meet other Marvel heroes with the usual tedious consequences - one group wants to fight, one to chat, and one to be ignored. Not sure if I'll bother with 5 to 12. Strangers in Paradise 20 (Abstract Studios: Moore) The storyline goes back to the past again, as we see the massive fight between Katchoo and Francine, and what happens at Katchoo's first art show. But the story is really about David, and how he tries to keep everything together as it (and presumably he) inexorably falls apart. Again, get a TPB for an introduction to the series - this storyline is by no means a good jumping on point - events are going to start moving rapidly over the next few issues. Kane 23 (Dancing Elephant Press: Grist) It's been 23 issues, and Detective Kane still hasn't brought the corrupt officers in the New Eden Police Department to justice, but somehow you don't seem to mind. It finally seems that the real story is getting underway, as someone is systematically torching crime lord Oscar Darke's clubs - but everyone is claiming responsibility, although none of them did it. Kane edges closer to the truth every issue - you can start reading with almost any issue, this one is fine - just be aware that a certain panel format indicates a flashback is occuring. That's it for this time: comments, questions or recommendations gratefully received at the above email address. ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [9] Independent Voices Rich Henn rasmus@timespell.com [When not stressing at the day job, Rich is stressing over the next issue of TIMESPELL. He lives in sunny Maryland with his wife Lisa and their lazy Siberian Husky] I just simply cannot believe it's already time to start moving into gear on convention season again. It seems like we just wrapped up a whole season, catch a breath and do it again! I was talking with my friend Carla Speed McNeil today, who mentioned that she's not only going to APE, but has been asked to be a panel speaker too. For those of you who don't know, Carla does a Sci-Fi/Twilight Zone book called FINDER. And NO....Speed is NOT her "nickname". It's her MAIDEN name. People tend to put that in quotes all the time, thinking that it's some sort of crazy nickname, but it's not. My first big show of the Convention year will be Pittsburgh Comicon. After that, I'm playing it all by ear. I'm still beat from last year's tour. And...I'm going to address the following briefly, and then move on. Last year, I spearheaded a benefit book for the CBLDF. Independent Voices #1 raised over $1000 for the fund. It contained the work of myself, Carla Speed McNeil, David Napoliello, Vince Sneed and John Peters. I've been asked if there will be a second Indy Voices, and to tell the truth, I'm not sure. I have entertained the thought, but I'm not entirely sure that to do one would include the same creators as last time. That would be entirely up to them, so I'll keep you posted. However, one fellow who did mention an interest to me at SPX this past September was Pete Sickman-Garner, fellow creator and subject of today's review. So maybe, if we do another one this year, you can see the fine craftsmanship of Pete. Now....let's take a look. HEY MISTER! #4 Written and drawn by Pete Sickman-Garner Published by Top Shelf 32pg. b&w $2.95 Well, he's done it again. That wacky Sickman-Garner has once again found a way to touch our funny bone in such an obnoxious manner, it boarders offensive and sheer genius. From the front cover, right down to the one page gag on the inside back cover, Pete wastes no time or space to bring you the finest in quality family entertainment. All your old pals are at it again. Aunt Mary, Mister, Young Tim....and a special appearance by Billy Karma, what appears to be a collaboration between Pete and Dean Haspiel. But perhaps the finest bit in this book is the first story, entitled MEMBERS ONLY. The bit is this...Young Tim discovers that his penis TALKS. Whamo! Just the premise alone is enough to make you split. Now I don't know about you, but I like my humor extremely UN-PC. The more offensive, the better. So here comes Young Tim, who decides to make it big in the porno industry. Upon the first day of filming, Tim gets the jitters. His penis does ALL the talking, calming Tim down. The producers now discover a gold mine in Young Tim's talking penis....and chaos ensues. Well, not quite chaos in the literal sense, but I'm talking Boogie Nights chaos. They dress him up, take him out, buy him drinks, and get his face on the cover of all the big showbiz mags... (not Tim....The Penis). Life is just a big party, and there's no end in sight! Until finally, Young Tim just snaps, and decides to take his talking bedfellow out of the picture once and for all. I cannot say enough about HEY MISTER! Pete delivers the hits time and again, and the gags work. They are original, creative and smartly crafted bits that make this the best humor comic on the market. Even the letters pages in the book are a scream! Again, if you offend easily...BUY THIS COMIC! If you don't offend easily...BUT TWO!!! And if you're looking to pick up other copies of HEY MISTER!,. then be sure to contact Chris Staros at Top Shelf Productions PO Box 1282 Marietta, GA 30061-1282 Email: topshelf@europa.com Or contact Pete directly at pgarner@comp.uark.edu Other HEY MISTER! books by Pete are the Hey Mister Afterschool Special, Hey Mister #1-#3, and the much sought after Hey Mister mini comics #1-#5 ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [10] And let me tell you why .... David Coulter david102@netscape.net So DC's bringing back Earth-2. The recently-concluded (and insufferably awful) event Kingdom introduced the concept of Hyper-time -- a too-clever-by-half way of reintroducing the multiverse concept back into DC's continuity -- a notion which I'm sure has continuity hounds howling. In honor of that, I'd like to re-run a column I wrote last year on the topic of continuity. I know it's lazy, and I know it's low rent -- but I'm doing this for two reasons: 1. I'm running way behind this week, in work and in life; and 2. One year of Internet time is equal to 7 people-years, so this column is actually a golden oldie. Reason two-and-a-half is that people thought it was funny the first time around. See you next week! -------------------------- Please ... would someone -- anyone -- explain to me what the big deal is with continuity? I've been reading comic books for most of my life, and I still don't get why anyone cares about continuity. Why does it matter that, in issue #457 of Snot-Man Adventures, the Mucousy Marauder kept his Snot-a-Rangs in a secret pouch in his cape, and then in Snot-Man #123 kept them in his utility belt? How does this affect their enjoyment of the comic? Good grief people, they're comic books! Not rocket science! How can anyone take these things so seriously? It seems especially pointless right now, when revamping, ret-conning, and rebooting are the industry standard. Comics are inherently illogical. They have to be. Look, Spider-Man's been around for over 35 years, and Peter Parker's still only in his 20’s. There are whole plot points that have to be overlooked to maintain an internal logic -- like the fact that Flash Thompson served in Viet Nam -- hell, for that matter, Reed Richards and Ben Grimm served in WWII! If you tried to deal with those things logically you'd have smoke coming out of your head like one of those computers on Star Trek after Spock puts the big whammy on it. I mean, anyone who can get hung up on what Thor was or wasn't doing in issue #135 while ignoring the fact that Franklin Richards has been 6 years old since 1972 is a poster-child for mental illness. Case in point: On AOL's John Byrne message board, some sweaty little troll announced that Byrne's entire run on West Coast Avengers had been "invalidated" by him and his troglodyte buddies on r.a.c.m.u. This guy's (I'll call him The Accuser) this guy's contention was that Byrne's revamping of a character's origin violated all kinds of continuity laws, and was therefore "totally invalid" and what did Byrne think about that? Byrne replied by saying that, since the character's origin had been revealed by a villain, and that villains sometimes lie, why couldn't the character's origin be a lie, too? >From there he proceeded to invent one that took advantage of several other perceived loopholes. Seemed reasonable to me. But all it served to do was spin The Accuser into a frothing fury. He posted a frenzied reply, saying Byrne's explanation violated the CONTINUITY laid out in George Oleshevsky's Official Index To The Avengers (whatever the hell that is -- not that I really care), which he proceeded to quote from -- at great length (hence, I guess, the origin of the phrase ad nauseam). When Byrne ignored him, he went ballistic -- posting again and again and again -- all in a period of a couple of days. And he kept getting more and more hysterical, raving about how "real publishers" would never, NEVER accept manuscripts from writers who changed the plot halfway through the story, and how Byrne was a big sissy for not responding to his accusations. It was like Dustin Hoffman freaking out in Rain Man -- "AHH! AHHH! Quantus! Quantus! Continuity! AHHHH!" You could almost picture The Accuser: A mouth-breathing geek in a Boba Fett t-shirt, all pale and pasty and round and sweaty, muttering to himself as he pounded furiously away on the keyboard, determined to prove he was better than John Byrne, to make Mr. High-And-Mighty artist capitulate before the awesome intellectual might of r.a.c.m.u. assembled. Whatever. It got pretty tiresome for those of us who had no interest whatsoever in his paranoid little fantasy. And I have no doubt that he went running back to his little pals on r.a.c.m.u. full of tales about how he "stuck it to that jerk Byrne" and proved his point that Byrne was lowdown continuity-violator. In fact all he proved is that he desperately needs to get out of his mother's basement and get a life. Now, I know the internet is about free speech and open exchange and blah blah blah, and I have no problem with a little spirited debate. Every once in a while, it's fun when someone with a chip on their shoulder comes into a message board and starts lobbing hand grenades around. And John Byrne's board needs a little shaking up now and again, otherwise it's the same dozen people saying the same dozen things ("good job on Wonder Woman,” "whatever happened to Danger Unlimited?” and "what kind of pencil do you use?”). But there's a point at which it goes too far -- and this guy crossed it. Sure, minutia is a big part of this hobby. Who HASN'T spent way too long arguing whether Flash is faster than Superman, or if Batman could take Captain America in a fight? But to get wrapped up in it to the point where you wind up berating an artist online about continuity violations? What's the point of this? I mean, here we have a valuable opportunity that comic fans rarely get -- to hang out (even if it's only virtually) with creators we admire. Why spoil it by being a jerk? And over continuity? Please give me large break, and a side order of get over it. Reading comics is a hobby, a pleasant diversion, not a way of life. Give it up. Get a life. Breath. Comments? Criticisms? Flames? E-mail them to david102@netscape.net or DneColt@aol.com. ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [11] 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: Thieves and Kings #25 Publisher: I Box Publishing Written and Drawn by: Mark Oakley. Price: $2.50 Sidenotes: Lady Salina enters the gorgeous surroundings of Lady Locumire and when the subject of controlling the thief of Quintens is mentioned, all heck breaks loose. Their conversation escalates, from lukewarm to hot! Salina retaliates and starts throwing barbs at Locumire. Locumire places Salina into submission, right before she has a chance to walk out the door. Now Salina must be punished! Black and white comic book and a very well defined story plot. Plenty of mystery and suspense! See what happens when Salina opens a certain bottle....not going to tell! Also, in this comic book is a filler called Xeno's Arrow. Xeno's Arrow is full of fun and humor. If you like fantasy and adventure, then Thieves and Kings is the comic book for you! Name: Resurrection Man #22 Publisher: DC Comics Written by: Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning Drawn by: Butch Guice Price: $2.50 Comments: Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning are futurists or should I say visionaries? Why do I make this statement, you ask? Easy....with Mr. DeWitt and his 'livemail'. Instead of having regular boring email, we all have 'livemail'. Wouldn't that be kewl? I actually believe that the way it was depicted in Resurrection Man #22, is the way it will be one day in the future. Were heading towards that direction. We will one day receive 'virtual holographic messages' just like Mr. DeWitt receives and the best message he got was from the Lunar Recovery. When he received the livemail from the Lunar Recovery, the transmissions were making the noise.... 'skzt'. You'd think with all that technology, they'd be able to fix the 'skzt'! Mr. DeWitt is the villain of this story and a powerful villain he is. The weak link in the chain for Mr. DeWitt is through his father. Since he hates his dad so much, this is the way to get at him. Everything was falling in place as it was discovered that Mitchell Shelly aka Resurrection Man was the same man in all those target plants. Nice surprise for Mr. DeWitt. The Body Doubles are in this issue! I love those Body Doubles and I'm glad they are getting their own mini! Be on the look out for the mini, because they take on the super powered ladies of the DC Universe! Now back to Resurrection Man. The confrontation between Mr. DeWitt and Resurrection Man left me glued from one page to another.....wow! Resurrection Man is at the mercy of Mr. DeWitt. Mr. DeWitt places him on the Wheel of Misfortune and you will see RM get tortured in the most cruelest way. One death after another and BAM...something unexpected happens and we have to wait 30 days to find out!! Superb cliffhanger! I'm driving down to the DC offices right now and steal the #23 script and sketches! I hate waiting 30 days! Name: Silver Storm #2 Publisher: Silverline Comics Written by: Roland Mann Drawn by: Jaxon Renick/pencils Chuck Bordell/inks Price: $2.95 Comments: Remember the great days of Malibu Comics? Well, those days are back! Silver Storm is connected to Cat & Mouse of Malibu Comics and the superheroes and super villains of this story are just as exciting as those Malibu comics we all used to get thrilled about! With Silver Storm, meet the bad guys...Crossbones and Skull! A male and female team, that is lethal and deadly and have proven to be great adversaries to Chris. Chris when donning the armor, becomes the super hero known as Silver Dollar. Chris is having a major problem in this story, because his armor is now in the hands of evil. Chris gets in some close calls with this story and fortunately he has a superheroine known as 'Tash, who watches his back carefully. Lots of strange things happen in this story and the surroundings of New Orleans, just makes it stranger! 'Tash blames herself for Chris' missing armor and see why she places fault upon herself. Chris doesn't blame 'Tash, but is deeply worried about the armor being in the wrong hands. Will the villains of this story, learn the full use of the armor? Hmmm...only time will tell. Lots of things are going on this story and without giving too much away, I will tell you that there is a furry mystery man who has met up with Chris and 'Tash. Who is this man, will he assist them in their time of need? Then there is the Kastle takeover and Tooth and Nail. Who are Tooth and Nail? Wait and see! Oyabun is giving his men, 48 hours to master the suit. The suit is very hard to control and if they learn to control it, New Orleans is in BIG TROUBLE! Another character named Champion is in this issue and his mission was to find Cat & Mouse, but now things have been shuffled to the side and it's his job to locate the armor and for what purpose? Plenty of adventure, dodging bullets and razor sharp action! You don't want to miss out! High quality comic book with very well drawn artwork that smoothly blends with the story! The action is back and you will find it with Silverline Comics! Check out their website at: http://www.kakuta.com/silverline or ask Roland for some information on their new line of comics at: rmann@kakuta.com Name: Nightwing #29 Publisher: DC Comics Written by: Chuck Dixon Drawn by: Scott McDaniel/pencils Karl Story/inks Price: $1.99 Comments: When superheroes live in a city, they attract other superheroes or supervillains. Now, that Nightwing resides in Bludhaven, he has attracted the lovely Huntress. These two are physically attracted to each other, but mentally, they are far apart. Huntress is ready to let Mr. Blaine burn to death, as he is tied up to a chair in a burning building. Nightwing, says....'not on my shift' and saves him. Huntress is callous in her methods, while Nightwing has a heart of gold. Good training by the Batman. If your tired of playing with your Playstation - Oddworld: Abe's Exoddus or Nintendo 64 - Zelda for hours on end, then take a break and get some good superhero action and fun with this issue of Nightwing! Name: Undertaker #1 Publisher: Chaos! Comics Written by: Matt Brady Drawn by: Manny Clark Price: $2.50 Comments: Fabulous, absolutely fabulous! If your a WWF fan, then you will definitely want to pick up this comic book! Great bios on the Undertaker, aka The Lord of Darkness, The Phenom who was once a ruler of Stygian (Hell's prison) and later become a WWF wrestler who deals with the Dark Souls. He tries to send back the Dark Souls to Stygian. Kane: Younger brother of the Undertaker. What about his severe facial burns? Was Undertaker involved in this? Why is Kane obsessed with fire? Kane has access to the realm of Stygian and one of his aliases is: The Big Red Machine! The Embalmer: aliases Augustus the Dark, Augustust Slayer. During his covert trips to Stygian, the Embalmer has managed to free many Dark Souls. He now possesses one book of the Books of the Dead and needs the other two, to gain a greater dark power! Mankind: Known as the Deranged One. Real name: Mick Foley. He has two other aliases: Cactus Jack and Dude Love. Mankind is a madman, who was once institutionalized in a mental ward. Could his insanity be caused by the fact that he is able to see other wrestlers as something demonic, like the Dark Souls? Paul Bearer: Paul followed the footsteps of New England's famous Dr. West, learning the secret of re-animation of the dead. Paul has traveled to Stygian several times and has in possession one of the Books of the Dead, he also seeks the other two. Possibly born in the 1800s and served as a doctor in one of the southwest's vilest prisons during the latter portion of the century. That's the introductions to the main characters of this exciting story! You'll learn that some of the Dark Souls have created mayhem under the human guises of Rasputin, Jack the Ripper and Son of Sam! Yep, this story is going to be wild! Also, in this comic book are interviews with Beau Smith, Manny Clark and the Monti Brothers! I'm going to tell you this once, you don't want to miss out on this series!! Wow! Name: New York, New York It's a Hell of a Town - Timespell - The Director's Cut Publisher: Club 408 Graphics Written by: Rich Henn and Russ Colchamiro Drawn by: Rich Henn/pencils Gerry Coffey/inks Price: $2.95 Comments: Some more material has been added to the beginnings of Timespell....this is the way it should have been! This is Rich Henn's true vision. This is Rich Henn's the Director's Cut! Awesome cover showing blood dripping hands with New York scenery in the background, done in red. One of the great things about Timespell are the incredible covers. If you want eyecatching, then just find any Timespell cover, it will blow you away! Meet Michael Murphy, detective who has seen enough blood, who has seen enough homicides and is consumed with the images of crime scenes that he has had to deal with, during his career as a peace officer. But, one thought, one image comes into focus, deadly focus and that being the evil Harold Gillespie aka the Cradle Robber. The Cradle Robber M.O. (modus operandi or mode of operation) is killing pregnant women. Yep, the Cradle Robber is a sick man, a very sick man. Michael Murphy will become obsessed with Harold. Harold comes very close to eating a bullet with his name on it and that bullet is in Murphy's gun chamber! There is a big chase, with Murphy and his partner on foot and by car, chasing down the Cradle Robber. When Harold is cornered, he receives a severe beating and only because of the interference of Murphy's partner, Harold is spared his life. Intense interrogation scene is focused in this issue. Harold is shown his own bag of sharp tools, that he uses for the murders and things get ugly in that interrogation room! Harold has a habit of talking in riddles and talks about Hell on Earth, that 'he' will come, that he can smell the 'scent' of Murphy and the Shadowmakers are coming! Plenty of drama, mystery, intrigue, action in one comic book! Not for people who wear pacemakers, because this story is quite shocking at times. Harold Gillespie makes people like Hannibal 'The Cannibal' Lecter, Norman Bates, Ted Bundy, Charlie Manson, Son of Sam, Jack the Ripper and the Hillside Stranglers seem like Cub Scout Leaders, compared to the brutality and sickness that Harold harbors within his soul! Harold gives you goosebumps real quick into the story! So, if you read the first issue of Timespell before, but want more gory details, then definitely get 'The Director's Cut'! Don't forget to check out their website at: http://www.timespell.com or email Rich Henn at: Rasmus@timespell.com and see what you can do to get this exciting series! ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [12] My View David LeBlanc ComicBkNet@aol.com [David LeBlanc is the Editor of the Comic Book Net Electronic Magazine. He is a long time fan of comics and the electronic media - having been the moderator of the comics forums on WME, FIDONET and the Comic Book Network. He and his wife are attempting to raise two teenage sons in a suburb of Worcester, Massachusetts. David supports his comic book habit by working as the Manager of Marketing and Sales for a privately owned manufacturer of electro-mechanical components.] FORTY WINKS CHRISTMAS SPECIAL 24 Pages, black & white, color covers, $2.95 Peregrine Entertainment www.peregrine-entertain.com Written by: Neal Patterson, John Peters, Vincent Sneed Illustrated by: John Peters Cover by John Peters Back cover by Denise Drsata-Peters This Christmas story spans several years starting with a time when a father, a mother and a little baby enjoy their first one together, despite sparse beginnings. They start a tradition, to buy a new ornament every year for each of them. Next we move to a time when the little girl begin to doubt the existence of Santa Claus. And then to a later time, It is a simple story and delves into relations and traditions. The characterization and art blend well to give this a special tone in both visuals and story. A nice little tale for the holidays. BOOKS OF LORE: THE KAYNIN GAMBIT (Issue #1 and #0) 24 pages, black & white, color covers, $2.95/$3.95 CAN Peregrine Entertainment Written by Kevin Tucker & David Napoliello Illustrations: "Soul of a Thief" - Greg Larocque "Relations" and "Opening Bids" - Philip Xavier Covers: George Pratt, Philip Xavier, Dorian Cleavenger Here we go again with the silly numbering system. Issue #1 is dated November and #0 is dated December. In any counting system Zero IS NOT a counting number, but that is a pet peeve of mine. So, it is anyone's guess as to which issue really comes first - the earlier date, or the lower "number". Characters in #1 are involved in what is obviously a later time than issue #0 - so why not just number them #1 and #2 and issue them in that sequence? And, since both stories in #0 are "to be continued" I immediately wonder continued where, in #1/2 perhaps? Oi! Anyway, the "Kaynin Gambit" involves Talun Daar, a sorcerer and more with the earlier story involving a young couple who sneak into his mansion via underground tunnels hoping to grab proof they had been there to gain entrance into the Guild of Thieves for Jesse and vindication for Rafe. What they find is more than they bargained for as Talun is not so easy to get the drop on. Later, in issue #1 (which came out earlier) we find Talun engage the talents of Slythe, known as Shadow among those in Kaynin, to get rid of Leonardo Meredyth, a wealthy merchant. Leonardo's daughter is aware that her father is in danger and attempts to find Shadow before he succeeds. The tale is how the game is played and whether Shadow completes his mission. The story is pretty interesting and handles the elements of sorcery, and the supernatural very well without getting into too much lingo that no one cares about but the author. I have found this type of tale needs to involve the reader on a level where he cares about the characters and the plot. Sometimes the creator will care more about the mythos than the story, not so here. The back up story in #0 is about a pair of travelling companions and elf and a half-human who help a band of elves under attack only to be spurned later for their trouble. This too is an interesting story and apparently weaves into the others art some point later. The art work is very much up to snuff, especially the art of Phil Xavier. Larocque has a very different look, which sets off the opening story of the #0 issue from the others. The look and dynamic of all of it has a flow and feel that is perfect for the types of tales being told. Check out BOOKS OF LORE for a solid new entry into myth and magic comics. PARA TROOP #4 32 pages, black & white, color covers, $2.95/$4.15 CAN Comics Conspiracy http://www.comicsconspiracy.com Stories: Doug Miers Pencils: Jaon Gillespie Inks: Anthony Cacioppo Covers: James E. Lyle Backup stories- Pencils: Mike Patterson Ink: Jeff Boychuk Art: Frank Kadar In the final episode of the first arc we get to see what the purpose of Quim, the alien who brought the 4 para-normal humans together, really is. His spaceship lands them on Mars and through their rash actions they all pass out from lack of oxygen. Not to worry because they are soon carried away and fitted with mind control helmets by those mysterious men in black. It turns out there are hundreds of more being held this way in a sinister plot that will thwart the last chance of a dying race to save itself. Our four heroes are the key to salvation as Ed the lunatic absorbs the energy that had been stored by the MIBs and the rest help prepare the aliens for their migration to a new world. This is an often quirky tale with strange images. Ed is always in a straight jacket and yet is one of the most powerful of the group. Indeed each member has there own peculiarity from silent power to overbearing bluster. It works well when they join together and they differences are put aside for the common cause. Indeed it takes teamwork to resolve the issue so that right is upheld in the end. The back stories add a little bit more insight into the flaming man and the silent little alien, Quim. Taken with the last three issues these little bits add to the characters and help flesh them out. I have been enjoying this comic from the start and this chapter shows the ability of Doug to tell his story in an entertaining way. We have closure on one front and stay interested in what might come next. That will be issue #6 which is a flip book featuring a soon to come color series, BASTARD STEW. Another new book soon to come is called OPERATOR 99 about a phone company employee that discovers a conspiracy. And not far away is, you guessed, the famous Issue #0! ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [13] Top 10 Black & White Comics Comic Shop News CSN's Top Seller charts are based on orders reported by Diamond Distribution and sales reported by a cross section of comic specialty shops. The former are orders placed by retailers for stock while the later are actual sales to the consumers. 1 CLERKS HOLIDAY SPECIAL 2 POKEMON: TALE OF THE ELECTRIC PICACHU 2 3 DRAGONBALL Z PART TWO 1 4 SAILOR MOON 3 5 OH MY GODDESS!: THE DEVIL IN MISS URD 2 6 DRAGONBALL 10 7 BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL: ON SILENT WINGS 28 8 MAZAKAZU KATSURA'S SHADOW LADY 3 9 RANMA 1/2 PART SEVEN 11 10 Tick Luny Bin Trilogy 3 ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [14] TOP 100 COMICS - DECEMBER DIAMOND COMIC DISTRIBUTORS Image strikes gold this month as Witchblade Tomb Raider takes the top spot for December, while Spawn #81 aggressively positions itself at #6. Mark Waid's ambitious Kingdom #1 gives DC Comics a foothold in the charts at #8. And the unstoppable X-Books continue Marvel's dominance of the Top 10 with X-Men #85, Uncanny X-Men #365, and X-Men #84 at #2, #3, and #4 respectively, while Gambit (#5), Amazing Spider-Man #2 (#7), Peter Parker: Spider-Man #2 (#9), and Wolverine #134 (#10) round out the Top 10. 1 WITCHBLADE/TOMB RAIDER #1 $2.95IMA 2 X-MEN #85 $1.99MAR 3 UNCANNY X-MEN #365 $1.99MAR 4 X-MEN #84 $1.99MAR 5 GAMBIT #1 $2.99MAR 6 SPAWN #81 $1.95IMA 7 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #2 (Two Covers) $1.99MAR 8 THE KINGDOM #1 $2.95DC 9 PETER PARKER SPIDER-MAN #2 (Two Covers) $1.99MAR 10 WOLVERINE #134 $1.99MAR 11 THE KINGDOM #2 $2.95DC 12 WOLVERINE #135 $1.99MAR 13 AVENGERS #13 $1.99MAR 14 JLA #26 $1.99DC 15 DAREDEVIL #4 $2.50MAR 16 ARIA #1 $2.50IMA 17 FANTASTIC FOUR #14 $1.99MAR 18 CAPTAIN AMERICA #14 $1.99MAR 19 SPIDER-MAN: CHAPTER 1 #4 $2.50MAR 20 MUTANT X #5 $1.99MAR 21 THOR #8 $1.99MAR 22 AVENGERS FOREVER #3 $2.99MAR 23 JLA/TITANS #3 $2.95DC 24 IRON MAN #13 $2.99MAR 25 THE KINGDOM: SON OF THE BAT #1 $1.99DC 26 THE KINGDOM: PLANET KRYPTON #1 $1.99DC 27 THE KINGDOM: NIGHTSTAR #1 $1.99DC 28 THE KINGDOM: KID FLASH #1 $1.99DC 29 WEBSPINNERS: TALES OF SPIDER-MAN #2(Two Covers) $2.50MAR 30 THE KINGDOM: OFFSPRING #1 $1.99DC 31 TOMB RAIDER/WITCHBLADE REVISITED #1 $2.95IMA 32 GENERATION X #48 $1.99MAR 33 SPIDER-GIRL #5 $1.99MAR 34 X-FORCE #87 $1.99MAR 35 CURSE OF THE SPAWN #28 $1.95IMA 36 INHUMANS #4 $2.99MAR 37 GREEN LANTERN #109 $1.99DC 38 BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #4 (Two Covers) $2.95DAR 39 WOLVERINE WINTER SPECIAL $2.99MAR 40 STAR WARS #1 $2.50DAR 41 X-MEN: LIBERATORS #4 $2.99MAR 42 BLACK PANTHER #4 $2.50MAR 43 X-MAN #48 $1.99MAR 44 DOCTOR STRANGE #1 $2.99MAR 45 SUPERMAN #142 $1.99DC 46 PUNISHER #4 $2.99MAR 47 CABLE #64 $1.99MAR 48 KISS: PSYCHO CIRCUS #16 $2.25IMA 49 FANTASTIC FOUR & FANTASTIC FOUR '98 $3.50MAR 50 CAPTAIN AMERICA: SENTINEL OF LIBERTY #6 $2.99MAR 51 COVEN VOLUME 2 #1 $2.50AWE 52 LEGENDS OF THE DC UNIVERSE: CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS $4.95DC 53 BATMAN/HELLBOY/STARMAN #2 $2.50DC 54 INCREDIBLE HULK #473 $1.99MAR 55 BATMAN #562 $1.99DC 56 ACTION COMICS #751 $1.99DC 57 NIGHTWING #28 $1.99DC 58 ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #564 $1.99DC 59 THUNDERBOLTS #23 $1.99MAR 60 TEAM X 2000 $3.50MAR 61 SUPERMAN: THE MAN OF STEEL #86 $1.99DC 62 DETECTIVE COMICS #729 $1.99DC 63 GEN13 #36 $2.50IMA 64 FLASH #145 $1.99DC 65 CLERKS HOLIDAY SPECIAL (MR) $2.95ONI 66 YOUNG JUSTICE #5 $2.50DC 67 PREACHER #46 (MR) $2.50DC 68 A-NEXT #5 $1.99MAR 69 DEADPOOL #25 $2.99MAR 70 ASCENSION #12 $2.50IMA 71 SUPERMAN & BATMAN: GENERATIONS #2 $4.95DC 72 DARKMINDS #6 $2.50IMA 73 STAR WARS: CRIMSON EMPIRE II #2 $2.95DAR 74 J2 #5 $1.99MAR 75 SPIRIT OF TAO #6 $2.50IMA 76 BATMAN: SHADOW OF THE BAT #82 $1.99DC 77 SLINGERS #3 $1.99MAR 78 EARTH X SKETCHBOOK $3.99MAR 79 X-MEN UNIVERSE: PAST, PRESENT, & FUTURE $2.99MAR 80 ALPHA FLIGHT #19 $1.99MAR 81 CATWOMAN #65 $1.99DC 82 LADY PENDRAGON #2 $2.50IMA 83 GENERATION X HOLIDAY SPECIAL $3.50MAR 84 ROBIN #61 $1.99DC 85 BATMAN: LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT #115 $1.99DC 86 MARTIAN MANHUNTER #3 $1.99DC 87 SUPERGIRL #29 $1.99DC 88 SUPERMAN 80-PAGE GIANT #1 $4.95DC 89 MOON KNIGHT #1 $2.99MAR 90 LEGENDS OF THE DC UNIVERSE #13 $1.99DC 91 STARMAN #50 $3.95DC 92 WONDER WOMAN #141 $1.99DC 93 STAR WARS: MARA JADE BY THE EMPEROR'S HAND #5 $2.95DAR 94 GEN13: MAGICAL DRAMA QUEEN ROXY #3 $3.50IMA 95 BIRDS OF PREY #2 $1.99DC 96 BATMAN BEYOND #1 $1.99DC 97 MOON KNIGHT #2 $2.99MAR 98 PITT #20 (MR) $2.50FUL 99 SUPERMAN: A NATION DIVIDED $4.95DC 100 MOON KNIGHT #3 $2.99MAR ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [15] 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, 1/27/1999, 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 ACCLAIM COMICS Nio #3 (Of 4), 2.50 ALTERNATIVE COMICS Horrible Truth About Comics, 2.95 AMAZE INK (SLAVE LABOR GRAPHICS) Definition GN (AA), 12.95 Patty Cake & Friends #12, 2.95 Slave Labor Peepshow #11, AR ARCHIE COMICS PUBLICATIONS Jughead #115, 1.79 Jughead Double Digest #58, 2.99 Laugh Digest #148, 1.99 Sonic The Hedgehog #69, 1.79 CHAOS! COMICS Evil Ernie #8, 2.95 Lady Death #13, 2.95 Cremator Hells Guardian #3 (Of 5), 2.95 CPM MANGA Lodoss War Grey Witch #3, 2.95 DARK HORSE Aliens Apocalypse Destroying Angels #1 (Of 4), 2.95 Blade Of The Immortal Dark Shadows (1 Of 5) #29, 2.95 Drakuun The Hidden War (4 Of 6) #22 , 2.95 Sergio Aragones Groo & Rufferto #2 (Of 4), 2.95 DC COMICS Big Book Of Vice, 14.95 Cartoon Network Presents #19 Cow & Chicken, 1.99 Catwoman #66, 1.99 Detective Comics #730, 1.99 Doctor Midnite #1 (Of 3), 5.95 Dv8 Annual 99, 3.50 Essential Vertigo The Sandman #32, 4.50 Flash #146, 1.99 Flintstones And The Jetsons #19, 1.99 Gen 13 #37, 2.50 Girl Who Would Be Death #4 (Of 4), 2.50 Hellblazer #135, 2.50 Hitman #35, 2.50 JLA #27, 1.99 Jonah Hex Shadows West #2 (Of 3), 2.95 League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen #1 (Of 6), 2.95 Looney Tunes #50, 1.99 Robin #62, 1.99 Sandman Presents Lucifer #1 (Of 3), 2.95 Supergirl #30, 1.99 Superman Man Of Steel #87, 1.99 Supermans Nemesis Lex Luthor #1 (Of 4), 2.50 Wonder Woman #142, 1.99 DRAWN & QUARTERLY Extended Dream Of Mr D #2 (Of 3), 3.50 IMAGE COMICS Ascension #11, 2.50 Daring Escapes #4, 2.50 Darkminds Coll #1, 7.95 Fire TPB Vol 1, 9.95 Kabuki Masks Of Noh HC, 19.95 Kabuki Poster #1 Scarab, 5.99 Lady Pendragon #3, 2.50 Mask Of Zorro #4 (Of 4), 2.95 Savage Dragon Greatest Team-Ups TPB, 19.95 Witchblade #28, 2.50 Zorro Lady Wears Red TPB, 12.95 IRONCAT Crusher Joe #1, 2.95 Dragon Wars #10, 2.95 Futabakun Change Vol 2 #1 , 2.95 Hyper Dolls #6, 2.95 New Vampire Miyu Vol 3 #4, 2.95 Femme Kabuki #3 (adult), 2.95 Ogenki Clinic Vol 3 #5 (adult), 2.95 LIAR COMICS More Than Mortal Truths & Legends #4, 2.95 magazines Comic Shop News #606, AR MARVEL COMICS Daredevil #5, 2.50 Deadpool #26, 1.99 Earth X #0, 3.99 Gambit Cover A #2, 2.99 Gambit Cover B #2, 2.99 Inhumans #5 (Of 12), 2.99 J2 #6, 1.99 Webspinners Tales Of Spider-Man #3, 2.50 Wolverine #136, 1.99 X-Force #88, 1.99 X-Men Unlimited #22, 2.99 VIZ COMMUNICATIONS Animerica Volume 7 #1, 4.95 Inu Yasha A Feudal Fairy Tale Part Two #7 (Of 9), 3.25 No Need For Tenchi Part Six #3 (Of 5), 3.25 NCRL for the foreseeable future... TITLE OLD DATE NEW DATE DC COMICS Green Lantern: New Corps #1 01/20/99 02/03/99 Titans Secret Files #1 01/20/99 02/03/99 Crimson #8 01/13/99 02/10/99 New Teen Titans Archives Vol 1 01/27/99 02/10/99 Sandman: The Doll'S House HC New Ptg 01/20/99 02/10/99 Kurt Busiek'S Astro City Vol. 2 #16 01/20/99 02/17/99 Gen13: Wired #1 02/03/99 02/24/99 Crimson #9 02/10/99 03/10/99 Divine Right #9 01/27/99 03/10/99 Golden Age Flash Medium Statue 02/24 03/17 Crimson #10 03/10/99 04/14/99 Crisis On Infinite Earths HC w/slipcase 12/02 TBA ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [16] HYPE! Section Various GREETINGS MONKEY BOYS, MONKEY GIRLS AND ALL PRIMATES IN BETWEEN!! This is not a form letter, this is a NEWSLETTER! Welcome to: UNCLE FRANK'S OFFICIAL LIBERTY MEADOWS NEWSLETTER This is the second of a regular series of Liberty Meadows Email Newsletters that I hope will keep all my readers informed on the latest news and happenings with LM. ------------------------------------------------------------------ The BIG NEWS: LIBERTY MEADOWS COMIC BOOK That's right -- LIBERTY MEADOWS is going to be published as a regular, bi-monthly comic book. The guys I share space with, here at INSIGHT STUDIOS are publishing this series and the first issue will be out in June. Each issue of LIBERTY MEADOWS will present nearly eight weeks of daily and Sunday strips. Each day's strip will be reproduced from my original art at a size that will allow you to see the every detail of the drawings. Most of the original punchlines will be reinstated unless "Da Man" stops me. The comic book will start with the very first strip I did for the newspapers and include every single one I've done along the way. And I'm topping the whole thing off with spanking new covers for each issue. If you want to take a look at the first issue's cover, go to http://www.clark.net/pub/insight/lmcomic.htm And while you're there, you can subscribe to the first six issues of the LIBERTY MEADOWS comic book and then just sit tight and wait to have them delivered directly to your door by a fully empowered representative of the United States Postal "Lock and Load" Service! STILL AVAILABLE: A few copies of the original version of UNIVERSITY2. This is going to be a collectors item in about ten minutes. More info and ordering: http://www.clark.net/pub/insight/universi.htm You wanted to see more of Brandy from UNIVERSITY2? Take a look at my portfolio of Magnificent Proportions -- CHEESECAKE and CRITTERS: http://www.clark.net/pub/insight/cheeseca.htm FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS!!!!!!!!!!!! 1) Is Brandy real? Yes. 2) Do you sell your original strips? Soon. They will be up for sale once all the originals have been scanned into my permanent archive. 3) What tools do you use to draw Liberty Meadows? I use Micron Pigma pens (size 02 and 08) on Strathmore Bristol board (regular surface). I also use a regular Winston-Newton brush with Speedball black ink to block out large black areas. 4) How big is it? That's a personal question. 5) No. No. How big do you draw your originals? Daily strip - I draw on a 8" x 18" paper with active area of 4 3/4" x 16" (Active area is where the actual image is drawn on). Sunday strip - I draw on a 12" x 25" paper with active area of 8" x 23 1/2". Well, that concludes another newsletter (or what my therapist calls, "my cry for help"). Keep those questions coming, sports fans, and I'll talk to you, monkeys later! -- HAVE FUN! Frank Cho INSIGHT STUDIOS http://www.clark.net/pub/insight +++++ Subj: Comics Writer Lands Film at Slamdunk Festival! FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: "RED LIGHT AUGUST" ACCEPTED INTO SLAMDUNK FILM FEST COMICS WRITER/EDITOR JEFF GOMEZ's SHORT PSYCHOLOGICAL DRAMA WILL SCREEN TWICE IN PARK CITY DURING SUNDANCE FESTIVITIES Red Light August, a music-driven psychological drama by writer/director and noted comic book and video game creator Jeff Gomez, has been selected for screening at the Slamdunk Film Festival which takes place in Park City, Utah, simultaneously with the Sundance Film Festival, January 24 - 28, 1999. The 30-minute 35mm short was accepted by Justin Henry, the Acquisitions Director of the Slamdunk Festival, which is best known for premiering the documentary Kurt & Courtney last January when Sundance would not screen it because they feared legal reprisals for the film's allegation that Courtney Love had something to do with the death of Kurt Cobain. Red Light August is the story of a young artist named Boothe, who suffers from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and has isolated himself an old public school converted to look like a Medieval castle in the heart of Spanish Harlem. Boothe's fragile friendship with Eric, a homeless teenage poet, is endangered when Eric discovers clues Boothe'se's bizarre OCD ritual. The striking first three minutes of the film are definitely in the "you don't see that every day" category, distinguishing it from the white-washed As Good As It Gets depiction of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Gomez, who has struggled with the tormenting intrusive thoughts and repetitive rituals of OCD since childhood, says he wants the film to draw attention to one of the most hidden and misunderstood mental afflictions among young people. Tony Award-nominated actor Richard H. Blake studied the disorder closely in order to fully realize the character of Boothe. Noted Hong Kong action shooter Derek Wan (Jet Li's Fist of Legend) handled the film's lush cinematography, and its haunting score features songs by such Euro-techno acts as Lamb, Lo Fidelity Allstars, Death in Vegas, Superswirls, and Ashtrax. The film also marks a distinct new direction in Gomez's career, which has thus far been highlighted by his editorship at Acclaim Comics, and his fantasy and science fiction writing on the highly successful Magic: The Gathering and Turok: Dinosaur Hunter comic book and video game franchises. His “Primagen” storyline and mythology for Turok 2: Seeds of Evil has helped the Nintendo 64 game gross over $90 million since its release this past December, making it more lucrative than virtually any feature film over the same span of time. Justin Henry himself was nominated for an Academy Award for his work as the little boy in Kramer Vs. Kramer nearly twenty years ago. Slamdunk was founded when one of Justin's films was not accepted by Sundance or Slam Dance two years ago. Justin has been actively looking for unusual, well made films that have some kind of buzz around them. Red Light August came to his attention after being contacted by Simian Pictures co-producer Robert Spinak. Slamdunk also accepted two other Simian Pictures shorts, the comedies Methods and The Woman in Martin Schwartz's Life. Red Light August, a co-production of Zealous Pictures, Simian Pictures, and Starlight Runner Entertainment, will be screened twice at Slamdunk's chosen theater on Main Street in Park City between January 24th and 28th. The film will also be screened on videotape at both the Simian Pictures chalet, and the Zealous/Starlight Runner condominium in Park City that week. All three production companies will be giving out videos as well as the Red Light August/Interactive Film Guide CD-ROM to the press and interested parties. If you're in Park City during the festivities, and wish to see the film, call Kai Bau-Madsen at 435-647-4100. All other inquiries can be directed to Chrysoula Artemis at SREArtemis@aol.com. CONTACT: Chrysoula Artemis Starlight Runner Entertainment 212-929-1682 +++++ CLAYPOOL COMICS solicitations for MAY, 1999: ______________________________________________________________ ELVIRA #73: Elvira’s in a beauty-contest frame of mind--and body--as she enters the "Miss Lucky Legs" competition, against such formidable opponents as Spooky Suzie and_a hideous alien who's disguised as a hardbody-babe. It's a challenge to the Mistress of the Dark's ingenuity to ensure that the winner is at least human — in "Lucky Legs!" by Frank Strom, Ronn Sutton, and Bruce Patterson. Also, Skelloween and Princess Pumpkin attempt to convert El's loyal assistant Pierce to their side, in "_Or Give Me Death!,” by Jo Duffy, Tod Smith, and a surprise guest inker. Color Photo Cover of Elvira B&W Interior 32 pages $2.50 REMEMBER: Claypool Comics can be ordered as back issues. Reorders can be placed for Elvira #68, 69, 70, 71, or 72 along with your order for #73. PLUS: All Claypool Comics have easy, reader-friendly intro pages on their inside front covers, making it simple to get a new reader started enjoying our stories. ______________________________________________________________ SOULSEARCHERS #36: Arnold Stanley — the group's founder who's now a prairie dog — has had enough of the Soulsearchers' slow path to success, and he takes off to find his fortune. Unfortunately that leads him to the most depraved Vegas animal act of all time, headed by the evil mutant pig Sooey Generis! Gamble with us on "Bright Lights, Big City, Small Rodent" by Peter David (with Richard Howell) and a super-special one-issue art job by Dan Spiegle with a high-flying cover by Amanda Conner and Steve Leialoha). Color Cover B&W Interior 32 pages $2.50 REMEMBER: Claypool Comics can be ordered as back issues. Reorders can be placed for Soulsearchers #31, 32, 33, 34, or 35 along with your order for #36. PLUS: All Claypool Comics have easy, reader-friendly intro pages on their inside front covers, making it simple to get a new reader started enjoying our stories. ______________________________________________________________ ALL CLAYPOOL TITLES CAN BE RE-ORDERED — AND WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU START WITH OUR PERENNIAL TRADE PAPERBACK COLLECTIONS ______________________________________________________________ ELVIRA MISTRESS OF THE DARK TPBK "Comic Milestones — Comics Format!” The very best of the adventures of Elvira, Mistress of the Dark as she faces foes both fearsome and farcical. Make sure you get your customers to sign a laugh-release so you won't be responsible if they suffer harm from extreme amusement. The volume is an incredible 152 pages if sexy, silly, satirical sashays by Elvira. Buy it for your sexist roommate! Buy one for your feminist cousin! Your mother! Your job counselor! Everyone will enjoy Elvira— except those who have absolutely no sense of humor! Don't become one of them!! This collection features work from the first twelve issues of Claypool's Elvira Mistress of the Dark comics series, nominated by the British Comics professionals Society as Best Humor Comic (and they read it). Stories and Art by: Kurt (Astro City) Busiek, Paul (Batman Adventures) Dini (his first published comics work), James (New Shadowhawk) Fry, Terry (Mr. Miracle) Austin, Dave (X-Men) Cockrum, Ricardo (Strange Tales) Villagran, Jim (Spider-Man) Mooney, and a host of others! Every line approved by Elvira herself as being witty and/or curvaceous enough for her! New Photo Cover B&W Interior 152 pages $12.95 ______________________________________________________________ SOULSEARCHERS & COMPANY TPBK "On the Case" The early adventures of the funniest supernatural investigators that ever existed! Discover the roots of Bridget, Baraka, Kelly, Janocz, and Peterson in their first forays against the forces of farcical fright! This material had initial low circulation and is in high demand today. Including: "Puppet Dictatorship,” a cadre of killer marionettes target kids'-show hosts; "Pastramia on Wry,” introducing Creature-Feature; "Season of Misseds,” the war between the dream-demons (Sandman parody); "Into the Woods,” twisted excursions into fairy-tales; "Spin Cycle,” Soulsearchers get a make-over into more commercial models (Image Parody). This riotously funny collection features work from the first six issues of Claypool's much-hailed Soulsearchers & Company comics series, nominated by the British Comics Professionals Society as Best Humor Comic (they read this one, too). Stories and Art by: Peter (Hulk, Aquaman, Spider-Man 2099) David, Amanda (Vampirella) Conner, Jim (Spider-Man) Mooney, Steve (Hitchhiker's Guide) Leialoha, and Richard (Portia Prinz) Howell. New color cover by original Soulsearchers artist Amanda Conner with Steve Leialoha; introduction by Peter David. New Color Cover B&W Interior 152 pages $12.95 ______________________________________________________________ DEADBEATS TPBK "New In Town!!” Five fearsome newcomers arrive in Fear City, and their first outreach is to murder four teen-agers on the beach. They're the Deadbeats, a cruel and crafty vampire gang, and their mission could result in utter destruction of the entire town. Meet Dodger, Colleen, Mickey, and their so-called leader Southie, as they were presented for the first time. Discover why Deadbeats is the vampire saga with enough murder, sin, lust, and redemption to satisfy the most discerning reader. The early chapters of the vampires' invasion are presented in their integrity. Deadbeats is America's new favorite vampire epic, and this volume collects all the vital early issues of the story. This thrilling and terrifying collection features work from the first six issues of Claypool's much-hailed DEADBEATS comics series, with stories and art by Richard (Portia Prinz) Howell and Ricardo (Strange Tales) Villagran. Deadbeats has been nominated by the British Comics Professionals Society as Best Dramatic Comics Series (and they read it). And, as a bonus for fans — Kathryn Leigh Scott of the original Dark Shadows television program has written a foreword to this collection. Vampire fiction — especially that with a strong horror or sexual flavor — is always popular, and Deadbeats has both of those qualities in spades, in addition to the added allure of strong, continuing story momentum and lush, reality-based art. Any reader of Vampa, Vampirella, Lady Bathory, or viewer of Dark Shadows or Forever Knight would be happy to add Deadbeats to their ongoing list of "must-have" titles. Try it out and see! New Wraparound Color Cover by Howell and Villagran Foreword by Kathryn Leigh Scott B&W Interior 160 pages $12.95 ______________________________________________________________ THE PITCH Many retailers have found that their customers have expressed interest in all the critical praise that Claypool Comics have garnered, but are wary of committing to any line which is so hard to locate. Our TRADE PAPERBACK LINE is Claypool's commitment to making our earlier material continually available to the comics-store retail professional chain, with an eye towards solidifying the interest in a continuing consumer base for Claypool Comics. _____________________________________________________________ CLAYPOOL COMICS: They're GREAT! So BUY 'EM, already! ______________________________________________________________ If you have any questions about story content or distribution, please call me at (707) 887-1524 or fax (707) 887-7128. Thank you, catherine yronwode ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [A] E-Mag Info: Submissions, Subscriptions, Back Issues, Copyrights and the Comic Book Network BBS system. 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On our web page, you can find the latest issue of our E-Mag, as well as all back issues and an annotated index. You'll also find important information on how to join the conversation in the Comic Book Network, and other neat features like links to the HTML version of the current issue of this magazine at DIGITAL WEBBING, [http://www.digitalwebbing.com/cbem], details of upcoming conventions around the country, some of the comic companies and creators' web pages and many other Comic Book related links! You can also find some back issues at America Online, by going to Keyword: COMICS, then choose the menu item _Comic Book Forum_ and then going to the _Comics Library_ from there. These are non-zipped text files. COPYRIGHTS ---------- The Comic Book Net E-Mag is published by The ComicBook Network. This is a compilation of articles and columns which were originally posted in other forums or web pages or written specifically for this electronic magazine. 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Information about the Comic Book Network of computer bulletin board systems and how to join can be found on our internet homepage at: http://members.aol.com/ComicBkNet ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- - End of another Issue .. GIVE A KID A COMICC TODAY! Isn't it a bit unnerving that doctors call what they do "practice"?