---------------------------------------------------------------------- Ed Dukeshire and Mike Imboden Present: THE COMIC BOOK NET ELECTRONIC MAGAZINE ISSUE NUMBER 219 6/18/99 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] Interview: Richard de Montebello ...... Paul Dale Roberts [7] Too Old For Comic Books?!? ............ Johnny Gonzales [8] Independent Voices .................... Rich Henn [9] Stranger in a Strange Land ............ Jennifer M. Contino [10] M.O.E. Reviews ........................ Paul Dale Roberts [11] My View:WIGGLY READER ................. David LeBlanc [12] THOMPSON AWARD WINNERS ................ Comics Continuum [13] New Comic Book Releases List .......... Charles LePage [14] 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 strip: HEROES RERUN by Johnny Gonzales & a week's worth of the strip: Steve Conley's ASTOUNDING SPACE THRILLS ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Bunches of announcements this week. First - there will be no issue next week. I will be leaving on vacation next week and so will hold back on the Emag until the 4th of July weekend. That issue will be late most likely - probably on Saturday - provided the LeBlanc siblings, all 8 of us, don't get thrown in a black hole for 30 days. *8^) Second - the REAL AUDIO file has been properly linked now. You can go to the Comic Book Network home page and click to begin the online streaming sound of my interview on the "'NUFF SAID" radio program. Then you can go about your other web browsing while you listen. The ability to download the entire 7Megs is still there - if you would rather do that. While you are on the web page you can check out a few corrections to the LINKS (DIAMOND, CATFISH, JAZMA) as well as a new link to TOOTH & CLAW. Third - as our AOL subscribers know the usual hi-jinks were in full effect last weekend. Sorry I cannot control this - I suspect they got over-protective on the news of the latest wide spread virus. On the positive side - if you have not gone to Keyword:UPGRADE lately you should do it and download a fresh copy. The guys have added a few enhancements, nothing major, but nice. I suspect this will be the last change until they come up with the next major version which will be version 5.0 Fourth - here are some comics that came out this week that you should try: ABSTRACT STUDIOS Strangers In Paradise Vol III #24, 2.75 CORSAIR PUBLISHING Dork Tower #4, 2.95 DARK HORSE COMICS Dark Horse Presents #144, 2.95 DC COMICS A Bizarro #2 (Of 4), 2.50 Fanboy #6 (Of 6), 2.50 Gen 13 #42, 2.50 Planetary #4, 2.50 Resurrection Man #27, 2.50 Superboy #65, 1.99 Titans #6, 2.50 GUN DOG COMICS Astronauts In Trouble Live From The Moon #4 (Of 5), 2.95 IMAGE COMICS Evil & Malice #1, 3.50 <---- Pick of the Week! MARVEL COMICS Avengers Forever #8 (Of 12), 2.99 Captain America #20, 1.99 Thunderbolts #29, 1.99 THREE FINGER PRINTS Three Geeks #11, 2.50 Looking forward to a restful vacation and a chance to be with my entire family for the first time in years. Don't forget that THIS Sunday, June 20th is FATHER'S DAY! Tell him how much he means to you while you still can. See you in two weeks! 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. +++++ Subj: Billy Dogma From: dino@cobite.com (Dean Haspiel) Hey-- Starting today, and every Tuesday after that, thecomicstore.com will be featuring Billy Dogma in their "funny pages" section. So, bookmark http://www.thecomicstore.com and be sure to visit the "funny pages" and read Billy Dogma, every Tuesday! --Dino Dean Haspiel 335 Court Street, #131 Brooklyn, NY 11231 USA http://keyhole.wraithspace.com http://www.topshelfcomix.com +++++ From: Comickaze Subject: Re: CBEM 217.3 Rich Johnston wrote: > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > [5] Ramblings 99 Rich Johnston > twisting@hotmail.com > Super Nova. > > We hear that Marvel have cancelled Nova. A quick trip to > www.savagedragon.com confirms this... Erik doesn't reckon it'll get > past issue 7. Now, we haven't done this for a while (the last time > was over Deadpool) but we've got a new twist for this one. > > Before we simply wanted Deadpool not to be cancelled. Deadpool was a very > innovative superhero book and its continued existence was of significant > benefit to superhero comics. Nova is a lot of fun and its continued > existence probably can't be argued as well as Deadpool. Mind you, less and > less superhero books are a lot of fun, so it deserves to stick around for a > while at least. > > On the www.savagedragon.com message boards, Erik says that an appeal might > give him a few more issues to wrap things up. So, why not join the GIVE > ERIK A COUPLE MORE ISSUES campaign? Mail mail@marvel.com and tell them just > that. > > If you're in the mood, why not mail the Voice Of Marvel at > yourman@marvel.com and see if he'll say anything on the Your Man At Marvel > newsboard. Doubtful, but you never know. We did it with > Deadpool, let's try again! Well, personally I feel Nova epitomized most of what is wrong with superhero books today but the fact that there is a small but vocal group that appreciates it causes me to send in this suggestion that is guaranteed to save Nova... BUY MORE COPIES!!! There is no way Marvel is going to cancel a book that sells and there is no way they will not cancel a book that doesn't sell, regardless of how many e-mails they get. Here is a sure fire way to get the job done. If you are a Nova supporter, go to your retailer and hand him $6. Tell him you want 5 copies of Nova 1 at cover price and 4 at 50% off. Tell him you will give the other 4 copies away to people who might become Nova readers and that in exchange for this you will also give each a business card or flier for his shop so that they know where to purchase new issues of Nova (If you're retailer won't do this e-mail me and I'll take care of you). Lets assume that Nova is selling 20,000 copies currently. If half of the readers would do this for the remaining issues (it has to be initial sales for Marvel to notice), that would boost sales to 60,000 copies and Marvel would have a hard time cancelling it at that point. Not only that but if the book is as good as Rich says, those 40,000 copies should be able to win over enough new readers to sustain the title. If not, then it deserves to be cancelled. This is just one example of how comic fans and retailers can work TOGETHER to help grow the industry. On the other hand if the most ardent fans aren't motivated enough to INVEST $8-$12 ($4 x 2-3 months) to save a title, it should be no surprise that retailers are unwilling to order large quantities of books like this either and should clearly show Mr. Larsen exactly why the book failed. -- Thanx, Robert +++++ From: "J.P. de Vries" Subject: Re: CBEM 218.4 Dear David, In issue 218.4 stood the following text. > IRON MAN #18 by Stern & Chen (Marvel) > Run of the mill super-heroics. Read more like an old issue of Marvel > Team-Up than part of the ongoing Iron Man storyline. Another title > that is missing the guiding hand of Kurt Busiek. Well i really have to disagree with you. I haven't read many old Marvel Team-up issues. But i really like the current stories of Iron Man. Kurt Busiek is very busy with all kinds of series, Avengers, Avengers: Forever, Iron Man, Thunderbolts and Astro city. So the editorial staff (Bobbie Chase) have found in Roger Stern a really cool scripter. He knows how to handle Iron Man and besides Kurt Busiek is still co-plotter and will soon return to complete scripter i am sure off. Jaco de Vries P.S. Why so little attention to other Marvel series? +++++ From: Angelo Furlan Subject: We've Moved! I don't know what happened to my old provider, but the Catfish Home Page seems to have vanished. Ergo, I've set it up again at the following URL: http://www.pathcom.com/~afurlan/ One little comment about the most recent CBEM: >Matt Pasteris: So, if the market is >growing, why ain't we selling? I think it's just that there are TOO >MANY goddamn comics! It's hard to compete with a billion other >titles. Well, he may be right. If so, the most obvious solution would be for surplus creators to drop out of the field. So ... who leaves first? Matt, will YOU volunteer? Compare our situation to the recording industry, which also seems to be in a slump. There is still a lot of product coming out, especially when one includes those indie bands who essentially "self-publish" their music. The big advantage we have over them is that there exists a mechanism for ALL comic creators to get "equal" exposure. I guess it's rare for anyone to say good things about Diamond, but comics are lucky to have a distributor that provides all of us a means to get our books in front of every comic retailer. Whether or not the retailers NOTICE our listings is another matter entirely. You don't think indie bands would KILL to have their CDs listed in the same catalog as titles from Warner Brothers, Polygram, and the other majors? I not saying that it wouldn't be nice if we could have a few more national distributors. In fact, it would be GREAT if we did. However, the mere fact that one can see at a glance just how many titles are available each month is a good thing. Otherwise, creators like Matt and myself wouldn't have a snowball's chance of surviving in this industry. Too many titles? Let the consumer be the judge of that. Angelo Furlan Writer/Creator of SINNAMON, INFAMA, and BRUISER. email me at: afurlan@pathcom.com Check out the Catfish Comics Web Page at: http://www.pathcom.com/~afurlan/ (NEW Location!) Check out the INFAMA Web Page at: http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Shadowlands/1002/index.html +++++ Subj: DARKNESS/BATMAN 1st LOOK Date: 6/16/99 1:18:19 AM Eastern Daylight Time From: mjhawkins@earthlink.net (Matt Hawkins) DARKNESS/BATMAN 1st LOOK What happens when Jamie Estacado and the Dark Knight have a rendesvous in Gotham? Sparks fly as Top Cow' Darkness runs into DC Comics Batman in a story you won't soon forget. Take a first look at some of the artwork from the cross-over! Marc Silvestri, David Finch and Liquid! pack quite a punch with some of the most breathtakingly illustrated art ever. Sneak a peek online exclusively at: http://www.topcow.com/ ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [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: For which TV show did Mike Kaluta design an aircraft? "The Human Target" was the correct answer and the first of many to know was Gary Peterson. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION: "The legend has come true! By the will of the Gods, I'm Alive!", was the first line spoken by what character? 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 From: Chris Staros FROM HELL By Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell AT LAST, THE COLLECTED The award winning FROM HELL will at last be collected in one place this November, well in time for Christmas, under Eddie Campbell's own imprint. Alan Moore's third big graphic novel, after V for Vendetta and Watchmen, has been plagued since its inception by an erratic publishing schedule, and has been nigh impossible to collect in all eleven parts. Format decisions remain to be finalized, but the book is envisioned as a 580-page "phone book" in the Cerebus tradition. An object d'art collector's edition is also under discussion. FROM HELL, solicited under EDDIE CAMPBELL COMICS in the September PREVIEWS (Volume 9 #9) for books shipping in November. Queries to: Eddie Campbell (or) Chris Staros Eddie Campbell Comics PO Box 230 Paddington Brisbane, 4060 AUSTRALIA +++++ Dougray Scott to star as Wolverine in ``X-Men'' By Michael Fleming NEW YORK (Variety) - Fox has hooked Dougray Scott, the prince in ``Ever After: A Cinderella Story,'' to play the lead role of Wolverine in ``X-Men,'' the Bryan Singer-directed adaptation of Marvel's best selling comic book. Scott X'd a contract, including a sequel option, with Fox brass confident the Scottish actor can become a franchise lead. Scott became the main contender to star as Wolverine last month, despite being known principally for his fairy-tale role opposite Drew Barrymore in ``Ever After.'' Fox president Tom Rothman called him ferocious in ``Twin Town'' and said he has the necessary edge to play the brooding buttkicker with the razor sharp claws. ``Bryan was incredibly demanding over who could play the character, and we needed to find somebody who was dynamic,'' said Rothman. ``Dougray has the charisma, the physicality and the intensity.'' Scott, now playing the villain in the ``Mission: Impossible'' sequel, joins Ian McKellan, playing the villain Magneto, and Patrick Stewart, playing Professor X, who leads the troupe of mutant super heroes. To keep the budget reasonable for the special-effects-heavy film, newcomers are being cast for other roles, such as 7-foot-tall wrestler Tyler Mane to play Sabertooth. Filming starts in September, the moment Scott wraps the ``Mission: Impossible'' installment. The ``X-Men'' film was scripted by Ed Solomon, with a rewrite by Singer's ``Usual Suspects'' accomplice, Chris McQuarrie. +++++ NextPlanetOver.com Nets $5 Million In First Round of Venture Funding; @Ventures and IDG Ventures Support Hobbyist Web Site's Promising 'Niche User' Strategy NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 15, 1999--NextPlanetOver.com, the ultimate Internet destination for the entertainment hobbyist, has completed its first round of venture funding, enabling the company to launch its dynamic site in August 1999. The $5 million round of financing was led by a $3 million commitment from @Ventures, the affiliated venture capital arm of CMGI (Nasdaq:CMGI), and a $2 million commitment from IDG Ventures. NextPlanetOver.com will sell the Internet's widest variety of current comic book titles as well as a wide array of products that appeal to the entertainment hobbyist, including action figures, card games, role playing games, animation videos and apparel. The site's mission is to provide the existing market niche of avid comic book enthusiasts, popular media fans, gaming aficionados and cyber-culture devotees with everything they need to pursue and enjoy their interests to the fullest. NextPlanetOver.com Co-Founder and CEO, Dave Scott believes that the company's unique focus on a specific customer category is the differentiator that attracted @Ventures and IDG Ventures to the business plan. "The Internet is tailor-made for the entertainment hobbyist. We have developed our site to service these dedicated fans in the broadest way," Scott said. "For example, our e-commerce engine will enable a user to purchase a copy of the latest issue of Star Wars mini-series. We can then compliment that purchase by suggesting a Darth Maul action figure and a related T-shirt." Brad Garlinghouse, a general partner at @Ventures, believes that NextPlanetOver.com represents an important and growing sector of the entertainment and leisure industries on the Internet. "NextPlanetOver.com takes a smart approach to e-commerce," he notes. "Instead of creating a business around a vertical product inventory and then finding customers to buy those products, NextPlanetOver.com is serving a thriving market niche comprised of people who are already twice as likely to be online as the average consumer." NextPlanetOver.com plans to leverage its potential to attract and serve entertainment hobbyists into a dynamic online community of motivated enthusiasts who come together to explore their interests and discuss their hobbies. In addition to e-commerce, the site will host a full range of real-time community functions, including auctions, live chats and discussion forums. "These guys get it," said Managing General Partner of IDG Ventures, Pat Kenealy. "People go to specialty and hobby stores because the merchandise can be a departure point for positive interaction with others who share their interests - a dynamic that usually leads to a purchase. NextPlanetOver.com is one of the first ventures that utilizes the Internet's ability to integrate commerce unrestrained by shelf space with community unrestricted by geographic boundaries." About NextPlanetOver.com NextPlanetOver.com is building the ultimate online destination for the entertainment hobbyist. This vibrant community will offer original content and online forums as well as a wide range of comic books, games, action figures and other popular entertainment products. +++++ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: ARTWORK AVAILABLE LINSNER AND NEXTPLANETOVER.COM LEAD BENEFIT AUCTION FOR CBLDF NextPlanetOver.com, one of the nation's premiere on-line comics retailers, is sponsoring an On-Line Auction to benefit the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. The auction will take place from September 6 through September 19 on eBay, the electronic epicenter of collectibles trading (http://www.ebay.com). The auction will include original comics art and rare collectibles, and its centerpiece is an original painting by Joseph Michael Linsner. Linsner is one of the comic book industry's most celebrated artists. Internationally known for his depictions of beautiful women, Linsner is the creator of Dawn, who stars in her own series from Sirius Publications. The art at auction is the cover for Peregrine Entertainment's upcoming anthology, "Independent Voices" #2, shipping in September. All proceeds from this comic benefit the Fund, and the cover image will also grace a new CBLDF t-shirt. Linsner is very generously donating the cover painting for "Independent Voices" #2 for NextPlanetOver.com's CBLDF auction. This is the first time Linsner has ever allowed any of his cover art to be sold. "This is a very special occasion," said CBLDF executive director Chris Oarr. "Joe's been a long-time supporter of the Fund, and I'm grateful that he's taking the lead in making such a major commitment to this auction. He never sells his originals, but in this case he's making a rare exception for the Fund. We couldn't be happier." "I believe absolutely in free speech," said Linsner, "and I'm very excited to be able to support the cause and the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund through the sale of my art." Linsner's original cover painting, measuring 11" by 17", is mixed-media on high-quality Bristol paper. The auction will also feature a variety of original artwork and collectibles, including variant color artwork by Lyn Varley done for the covers of Frank Miller's upcoming "Sin City: Hell and Back," an original "Swamp Thing" painting by Charles Vess, and a number of rare and signed figures from McFarlane Toys. NextPlanetOver.com is working with other artists, publishers, and its fellow retailers to gather additional materials for the auction. NextPlanetOver.com is sponsoring and organizing this special event to raise funds and awareness for the CBLDF. Thanks to NPO's strategic partnership with eBay, the CBLDF benefit will be the featured auction on eBay's collectibles section for the first half of September. This event will be the largest on-line fund raiser ever undertaken on the Fund's behalf. "This industry relies on the CBLDF to protect the creative freedom that writers, illustrators, publishers, and retailers need in order to give us a never-ending flow of provocative work," said NextPlanetOver.com co-founder and CEO Dave Scott. "We are committed to giving them the support they need in order to carry on with their crucial work." "The internet is a vital component of the comic book industry, and NextPlanetOver.com is an increasingly important part of that," said Oarr. "It says a lot about NPO that, virtually since the company was founded, they have been looking for ways to support the Fund. That kind of leadership is rare, and we certainly appreciate NPO's support." The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization preserving the First Amendment rights of the comics community. Donations and inquiries can always be sent directly to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund at P.O. Box 693, Northampton, MA 01061. Be sure to check out "Busted!" the CBLDF's quarterly newsletter or http://www.cbldf.org for more CBLDF news. For additional information and artwork contact Chris Bleistein at the CBLDF at (413) 586-6967 or cbldf@compuserve.com Matt Schwartz at NextPlanetOver.com at 212-925-9906 x. 411 or mschwartz@nextplanetover.com ********************************************************* Chris Bleistein - Deputy 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 +++++ HBO Home Video Unleashes SPAWN 3: The Ultimate Battle, August 24 Video Box Designed and Signed by Spawn Creator Todd McFarlane NEW YORK, June 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Todd McFarlane's number one, best-selling comic book character, Spawn, is back on video -- continuing his battle against evil on earth. Featuring non-stop action, high-level espionage and cutting-edge animation, "SPAWN 3: THE ULTIMATE BATTLE" is coming to stores on August 24. The DVD and a special DVD collector's set will be available October 5. SPAWN 3: THE ULTIMATE BATTLE follows the success of the company's release of Spawn and Spawn 2 -- both of which were certified platinum by the ITA; were top sell through return on investment releases in 1997 and 1998; and were voted the 1997 and 1998 Video of the Year by the comic book industry. The original release of Spawn became the best selling HBO Home Video Original Production in HBO Home Video's history. A proven video franchise success, HBO Home Video has sold more than one million Spawn units and counting. Based on the comic book created by Todd McFarlane, who also serves as executive producer, SPAWN 3 features the voices of Keith David ("There's Something About Mary," "Armageddon," and HBO's "Don King") and Richard Dysart (TV's "LA Law," "Back to the Future III"); as well as guest voices of Jennifer Jason Leigh ("Single White Female," "eXistenZ"), Eric Roberts (HBO's "Lansky," "Runaway Train") and Robert Forster ("Jackie Brown"). In SPAWN 3: THE ULTIMATE BATTLE, the depths of hell uncover Chinese Triads, government agents, Steven Wynn, the mysterious Zhang Lao, and the terrible secret and awesome power that lies behind the War Mask of Ghengis Khan. Todd McFarlane's Spawn stands alone, torn between heaven and hell. From Hell, the evil forces that control his destiny beckon, and from Heaven, bounty hunters have been sent to destroy him. Torn from the comic book page, the flesh and blood, the cloak and chains, the passion and the torment that is Spawn must rise up and prepare for the ultimate battle. Added Consumer Value Available for $22.97 SRP, SPAWN 3: THE ULTIMATE BATTLE has a running time of 150 minutes and features a special foil package designed and signed by Spawn creator, Todd McFarlane. The release also includes videos of hot Atlantic Records' alternative and urban artists, Kid Rock and Lil' Cease, as well as a special, exclusive behind-the-scenes featurette with Todd McFarlane and SPAWN 3: THE ULTIMATE BATTLE cast members. Additionally, the release is supported by the following consumer offers: -- In-pack, mail-in Offer for a free, limitted edition McFarlane Toys Action Figure; Each SPAWN 3 cassette will Include a mail-in offer for a free, limited edition action figure with proof of purchase of the SPAWN 3 video (plus cost of shipping and handling.) -- $5 Mail-In Rebate Offer. Consumers will receive a $5 mail-in rebate on purchases of Spawn 3 and either Spawn and Spawn 2. -- Free Wizard Collectible 1/2 Comic with sspecial subscription offer. The executive producer of SPAWN 3: THE ULTIMATE BATTLE is Todd McFarlane; co-executive producer, John Leekley; co-producers, Karen Horne and Terry Fitzgerald; supervising director; Frank Paul; writers, John Leekley and Rebekah Bradford; story editor, Rebekah Bradford; directors, Jennifer Yuh, Tom Nelson, Mike Vosburg, Chuck Patton and Brad Rader; developed for television by Alan McElroy. Launched in October 1984, HBO Home Video markets an extensive variety of HBO original programming ranging from multiple Emmy Award(R) winner Don King to Todd McFarlane's Spawn, the hit animated limited series. The company's large catalog contains an outstanding collection of theatrical features including The Best Years of Our Lives and Wuthering Heights -- which are both on the American Film Institute's list of the 100 greatest American movies of all time. HBO Home Video's product line also includes three labels targeted to the sell-through market -- HBO Kids Video, HBO Sports Video and HBO Undercover -- which feature a wide range of collectible programming. SOURCE HBO Home Video +++++ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: David Napoliello Publisher (703) 627-7989 CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED FORTY WINKS RETURNS WITH NEW SERIES THIS SUMMER WASHINGTON, DC—Peregrine Entertainment will renew Forty Winks, the critically acclaimed all-ages adventure comic, with the publication of a new series beginning in August. Forty Winks: The Pirate Queen of the South China Sea will reunite readers with their favorite adolescent heroine and dreamer, Pandora Spocks, as she discovers a kindred spirit in classmate and confirmed "jockette" Annabelle Wu. Wu weaves a tale of adventure and intrigue set in the Far East of the Dreamscape, pulling Pandora into a land of villains with outrageous accents, monks with superior attitudes, and henchmen with big round heads. The new series is written by Forty Winks co-creator Vincent Sneed and illustrated by Peregrine newcomer Billy Martinez, who is best known as the creator of Sirius Entertainment's popular Wildflower comic. "I'm very excited about working on this project." Martinez said. "It's a little different than what I've done on Wildflower but the story is a lot of fun and the characters are cool." Forty Winks: The Pirate Queen of the South China Sea is a black-and-white comic book retailing for $2.95. After the first issue in August, the series will continue on a bi-monthly basis. It will be available through Diamond Comic Distributors and the first issue is listed in the June issue of Previews. More Forty Winks series, including "Return of The Monster," are also in the works. Peregrine Entertainment was founded by David Napoliello in 1997 as a vehicle for publishing his sword-and-sorcery, fantasy-adventure comic book series, Books of Lore. Since then, the company has become home to a wide variety of high-quality creator-owned titles. Its expanding line of books now encompasses such diverse genres as science fiction (Digital Dragon), fantasy (Lynx), superhero (Buzzboy), and gothic horror (Vladimira). For more information, please visit www.peregrine-entertain.com on the Web or call 703-627-7989. +++++ from COMICS 2 FILM at http://www.comics2film.com Batman Vs. Superman ------------------- Recent rumblings in the rumor mill resurrected the stories of a World's Finest movie that would feature both Batman and Superman. The stories called the rumored film Batman Vs. Superman and claimed the characters would be adversaries instead of allies. We asked our source at Batfilm Productions if there was any truth to the rumors. BP have been producers on all the recent Batman movies and hold the option to make future films with the character. Our source told us the stories were false and the project is "not happening." Knights of Justice (Big Bang) ----------------------------- Comics and screen writer Steve Ross informs us that attendees of this year's San Diego comic show are in for a treat. Knights of Justice, the direct-to-video feature based on Big Bang Comics is set to make its debut there. Ross is buddies with Philip Cable of AAA-America Entertainment, a producer on the film. He tells us the movie "should be 99.9% finished by then." Copies of the movie should be available for sale by September. Dark Town (Monkey Bone) ----------------------- FROM DAILY VARIETY, AIN'T IT COOL NEWS and CINESCAPE: There have been a couple of new casting announcements regarding the Henry Selick directed movie Monkey Bone. Daily Variety reports that Megan Mullally has been in the role of the sister to Brendan Fraser's character. Mullally is best known for the scene-stealing supporting character she plays on NBC's Will & Grace. She joins Brendan Fraser, Bridget Fonda, Whoopi Goldberg, Chris Kattan and Dave Foley in this adaptation of Kaja Blackley's Dark Town. Another surprise casting decision was to bring in that master of movie cameos Harry Knowles. That's right: Ain't it Cool News' founder and mad genius has landed a bit part in the live-action portion of the movie. Knowles exploded onto the screen in last year's The Faculty. The webmaster turned in a break-out performance playing teacher who got his hand stuck in a movie projector. Knowles gives an amusing account of his acting experience on his website. Cinescape reveals additional casting news for this movie. Apparently Paul Reubens (Pee Wee, Mystery Men) will be providing the voice of the title character. Selick, in speaking with USA Today, said of the casting decision, "I tried a lot of cartoon voices and listened to all sorts of people. But Paul's voice is like Miles Davis' trumpet. One of a kind. It's really a unique instrument." http://www.variety.com http://www.aint-it-cool-news.com/ http://www.cinescape.com +++++ From The Daily Buzz at http://www.mania.com/newsarama/index.html Ladronn To Pencil FF Annual Cable artist Ladronn, who is being replaced by a returning Rob Liefeld, will draw this year's Fantastic Four Annual, according to YourMan@Marvel. New characters-Mechamage and the Shadow Hunters-will debut. Chris Claremont will write the special, which also features the Hellfire Club. Quesada To Write Iron Man Joe Quesada will take over writing chores on Iron Man when Kurt Busiek leaves, according to YourMan@Marvel. Busiek cited health and family needs as well as being overworked as his reasons for leaving the Golden Avenger. Busiek writes his last Iron Man with #25 but will also write Iron Man: Look Back In Armor as well as Avengers. Quesada told YourMan@Marvel he intends on concentrating on Tony Stark out of the armor and at home in a billionaire's world. +++++ From Newsarama; http://www.AnotherUniverse.com/newsarama WINNER OF THE 1997 & 1998 INTERNET "SQUIDDY" FOR BEST WEB SITE Not only is Joe Kelly leaving Deadpool, but artist Pete Woods has said he will go with issue #32. Apparently he is off to pencil ROBIN with the January #74 issue. Bart Sears will both write and pencil the new ongoing BLADE series for MARVEL. Dark Horse is collecting TOO MUCH COFFE MAN through #8 this October. They are also going to reprint the first 12 opart story arc of the original GRENDEL series beginning in 2000. The story of Christine Sparr, adopted daughter of the original Grendel, will be recolored by Jeromy Cox over the Pander Brothers art. Matt Wagner will paint all new covers. DC is offering many trade paperbacks and reformatted editions in September: BATMAN: NO MAN'S LAND Book 1 TPBK SUPERMAN FOR ALL SEASONS hardcover SUPERMAN IN THE SIXTIES tpbk JACK KIRBY'S FOREVER PEOPLE tpbk (B&W) TRANSMETROPOLITAN: YEAR OF THE BASTARD tpbk STORMWATCH: A FINER WORLD tpbk +++++ From Zentertainment; HTTP://WWW.ZENTERTAINMENT.COM To sign a friend up or begin receiving ZEN yourself, e-mail: subscribe@ZENtertainment.com AIN'T IT COOL NEWS' Harry Knowles reports he'll have a small part in director Henry Selick (A Nightmare Before Christmas)'s MONKEY BONE, a Sam Hamm (Batman, Watchmen)-penned adaptation of Kaja Blackley's graphic novel DARK TOWN. Knowles will play the nosey neighbor of Brendan Fraser, a cartoonist who enters his own creation after falling into a coma. Knowles adds Stephen King will also make a cameo in the film, and DAILY VARIETY reported Friday that Megan Mullally (Will & Grace) will play Fraser's sister. MONKEY BONE also stars Bridget Fonda, Whoopi Goldberg, Dave Foley, Chris Kattan, and Rose McGowan. Knowles additionally eluded to another appearance in a major motion picture, and I'm going to go out on a limb and say that I got the sense it might be a cameo in X-MEN... http://www.aint-it-cool-news.com http://www.variety.com SONY Entertainment Center METREON opened its doors in the heart of San Francisco's Yerba Buena Gardens yesterday. The four-story, 350,000-square-foot entertainment complex brings together a state-of-the-art, 15-screen movie complex, a SONY IMAX theater with 2D and 3D capabilities, restaurants, shops, and a large assortment of cutting-edge games and attractions. The attractions at METREON include an adventure zone with three original games based on Jean "Mobius" Giraud's AIRTIGHT GARAGE, an interactive playspace inspired by Maurice Sendak's WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE, and a 3D film written, directed, and produced by animator Bob Kurtz, based on David Macaulay's book THE WAY THINGS WORK. http://www.metreon.com http://www.starwatcher.org http://www.anitech-systems.com MOORE ACTION COLLECTIBLES has signed a deal with David Mack (Daredevil) to produce a line of action figures based on Mack's epic sci-fi samurai comic KABUKI. http://www.moorecreations.com +++++ From the DCOnline newsletter; http://www.dccomics.com/newsletter.html To subscribe, or for questions or comments about the DC newsletter, please email DCWebSite@aol.com. WHEN THE JLA VANISHES, THEY BECOME THE L.A.W. Once they were known as the Charlton Heroes: Blue Beetle, the Question, Captain Atom, Sarge Steel, Nightshade, Peacemaker, and Judomaster. Now they are the world's last best hope in THE L.A.W. (LIVING ASSAULT WEAPONS), a 6-issue miniseries that puts them at the forefront of a battle with an enemy who will stop at nothing to achieve his goal -- the elimination of the world's "warrior class" -- regardless of the global chaos his plan will create. A labor of love for writer/inker/lifelong Charlton Comics fan Bob Layton (Hercules, the fanzine Charlon Bullseye) and penciller/legendary Batman artist/former Charlton editor Dick Giordiano, THE L.A.W. (LIVING ASSAULT WEAPONS) #1 witnesses the disappearance of the JLA (and their Watchtower) at the hands of the mysterious Avatar. Now a group of heroes, some familiar (such as the Question and inactive JLA member Blue Beetle) and some radically transformed (among them Judomaster and the more- powerful-than-ever Nightshade) for an elite group -- the L.A.W. -- to thwart Avatar's plans. But can even these mighty heroes stand against a foe who has harnessed the powers of Captain Atom to bend the world to his will? THE L.A.W. (LIVING ASSAULT WEAPONS) #1 of 6 arrives in comic book stores July 21 with a cover price of $2.50 U.S. THE SKY IS NO LIMIT FOR MR. MAJESTIC Mr. Majestic -- since his first appearance in the pages of WILDC.A.T.s, this incredibly powerful, centuries-old hero has saved the world from total destruction more than once. Isn't it about time he got his own series? Of course, the answer is yes! Now the being who just may be the most powerful hero in the WildStorm Universe finally gets the chance to flex his biceps in his own ongoing series, written by Joe Casey (Cable) and Brian Holguin (Aria, Spawn), with art by superstar-in-the-making Ed McGuinness (Deadpool) and Jason Martin (GEN13: GRUNGE SAVES THE WORLD!). Aided only by a boy genius named Desmond, Mr. Majestic faces time-twisting, space-bending, reality-warping adventure, beginning with a cosmic-sized task bigger than any other super hero has ever attempted. Bursting with humor, wonder and, most of all, a highly developed sense of fun, MR. MAJESTIC is super hero action at its best and brightest! According to MR. MAJESTIC editor Jeff Mariotte, "This first issue really gives the book the perfect kick-off. It's a return to the old- fashioned idea that super heroes can move planets -- and then some! Mr. Majestic is the most powerful hero we've seen in years, and this issue demonstrates that power in a previously unimagined and totally unexpected way." Indeed, the scale of events that transpire in this single 32-page issue beggars description. Suffice to say that the special two-page spread of "Mr. Majestic's Universe of Science," which describes several components of our solar system, will be a handy reference guide to key elements of the story! What's more, in addition to all of the narrative excitement, one of every four copies of this issue will feature a variant cover by McGuinness and Martin. "Joe Casey, Brian Holguin, Ed McGuinness and crew have redefined Mr. Majestic in a way that'll last," says Mariotte. "Take all the wimpy heroes, wracked with self-doubt and laden with angst, and set them against Mr. Majestic -- they won't stand a chance." MR. MAJESTIC is an ongoing WildStorm Productions series. The first issue arrives in comic-book stores on July 28 with a cover price of $2.50 U.S. WONDER WOMAN ACTION FIGURE ARRIVING EARLY The second manufacturing run of the WONDER WOMAN ACTION FIGURE, scheduled to arrive in stores on June 30, will be arriving one week earlier, on June 23. GOLDEN AGE FLASH MEDIUM STATUE CORRECTION Please be advised that the GOLDEN AGE FLASH MEDIUM STATUE was incorrectly solicited and labeled on its box as being based upon designs by Steve Rude. The statue was actually designed by Michael Lark. DC apologizes for the error. ALEX ROSS DEBUTS SUPERMAN: PEACE ON EARTH IMAGE AT WARNER BROS. FLAGSHIP STUDIO STORE IN NEW YORK Renowned comic artist Alex Ross debuted a limited edition lithograph from the DC Comics graphic novel SUPERMAN: PEACE ON EARTH at the Warner Bros. Studio Store Gallery at Fifth Avenue and 57th Street in New York City, June 10, 1999. A reception for Ross commemorated Sotheby's auction of selected works of original art from SUPERMAN: PEACE ON EARTH. Sixteen original pieces of art to be auctioned at Sotheby's on June 28 are on display at the Warner Bros. Studio Store in New York at 57th Street and 5th Avenue through June 12. Ross will donate all proceeds from the auction to the U.S. Committee for UNICEF. "It's a tremendous opportunity for Warner Bros. Studio Store Gallery to preview the art for an event of this caliber," said Mark Taliani, vice president Warner Bros. Studio Store Gallery. "We're proud to celebrate Alex Ross, an artist whose work conveys such power, and to support UNICEF, whose global relief efforts are unparalleled." SUPERMAN: PEACE ON EARTH, with an edition size of 350 and retail price of $425, recounts the unforgettable origin and amazing powers of Superman. The lithograph, taken from the pages of the graphic novel, was created by Ross and writer Paul Dini, who was also on hand for the debut. Each piece is signed by Ross and Dini and comes with a softcover edition of the book. Warner Bros. Studio Stores will donate a portion of proceeds from the sale of this lithograph to UNICEF. ANIMATION EPISODE SCHEDULE THE NEW BATMAN/SUPERMAN ADVENTURES airs weekdays and Saturdays on the WB Network, and BATMAN BEYOND airs Saturdays. Times given are Eastern and Pacific. This schedule is subject to change. 6/21/99 (4:00 pm) -- "Sideshow" (Batman) 6/21/99 (4:30 pm) -- "Warrior Queen" (Superman) 6/22/98 (4:00 pm) -- "Avatar" (Batman) 6/22/99 (4:30 pm) -- "The Hand of Fate" (Superman) 6/23/99 (4:00 pm) -- "Solar Power" (Superman) 6/23/99 (4:30 pm) -- "Sins of the Father" (Batman) 6/24/99 (4:00 pm) -- "Mean Seasons" (Batman) 6/24/99 (4:30 pm) -- "Heavy Metal" (Superman) 6/25/99 (4:00 pm) -- "Blasts from the Past -- Part I" (Superman) 6/25/99 (4:30 pm) -- "Blasts from the Past -- Part II" (Superman) 6/26/99 (8:00 am) -- "Monkey Fun" (Superman) 6/26/99 (8:30 am) -- "Old Wounds" (Batman) 6/26/99 (9:30 am) -- "A Touch of Curare" (Batman Beyond) ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [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: 11 June 1999 Kosovo Is Only Just Beginning. New people on board, Pete Hogan (Sandman: Love Street) has agreed to write a 6 page story for the Midnight Kosovo Crisis Benefit Comic Book. The war may be ending but the rehousing of Kosovo refugees is going to be long and hard. If you work in comics e-mail mailto:info@bluesilver.com and ask what you can do to help. Warren Ellis... What's He Up To? Just returning from Down Under (where he has, apparently, tasted Claudia Christian) September brings many things of joy. A Transmet TPB for example, as Year Of The Bastard gets the stitched bound treatment, as well as that short Christmas story from Winter's Edge II. This is fun political satire of the heavy handed variety associated with The New Statesman rather than Yes, Minister and as a result it does tend to shout off the page. This is something common among much Vertigo work, broad stereotypical brushstrokes of satire, most strongly seen in Preacher. While a point is made, this is too often done by creating a straw man to knock down. The most recent issue however is more multi-layered and less like having a sledgehammer smashed against your face repeatedly. Not that I'm knocking the sledgehammer tactics... it's just nice to see Ellis using more than just that trick. Look out for the Transmetropolitan Watch, the three smiley face adorns this bloody expensive wrist attachment that actually shows you what time of the day, or night it is! Whatever will they come up with next? Also from Ellis, a Stormwatch TPB, vol 2 4-9. It's a shame really because at this point, the strain was showing. Despite gorgeous Hitch visuals, Ellis seemed to be running out of steam, The Bleed being particularly stretched and boring in comparison with previous issues and its fine successor, The Authority. Mind you, the September issue of Transmet has a Jim Lee cover. And Bryan Hitch and Paul Neary draw the September WildCATS issue. What the hell is Travis Charest's schedule these days? Smash his N64/Playstation/Dreamcast now! Patty's ABC. Patty Jeres writes to tell us that the cancellation of the ABC merchandise has nothing in common with the Watchmen merchandise fiasco, and that she's preparing a press release to tell us all about. We've promised that if she sends it to us that Dominatrix Mary won't get anywhere near it. Mind you, will that encourage her or put her off? Strange Trademark Protection. This new mini-series-anthology from Vertigo, Strange Adventures says it's weird science's turn to get the star treatment from Brian Bolland, Dave Gibbons, Frank Quitely, Richard Corben, Mark Schultz, Bruce Jones, Joe R. Lansdale, John Totleben, Klaus Janson, Pat McEown, Edvin Biukovic, and Brian Azzarello. Pressed Release. Surprised to see the same Top Cow story around the news columns recently? The one that contradicted "rampant internet rumours" that Fathom 9 was the last issue of the series? Did anyone actually see those "rampant rumours"? Or was this just a press release to cover up for a sloppy solicitation for Fathom 9, using people's preconceptions of the internet to cover their arses? You tell me. Because e-mails to Top Cow aren't getting any responses. Trouble At Home, Scott? We've mentioned Lobdell's planned comedy book for Wildstorm recently, and we get to see it in September; Ball And Chain. A strained marriage gets a new twist as both partners gain superpowers, that only work when they are together. That's a f***ing huge stretch, Lobdell and a plot device that reeks of high conceit. So look to seeing Hollywood snap it up. Mind you, when Lobdell is funny he's very funny indeed and it's good to see him returning to writing the stuff that made me originally like his work in What The--?! and Captain Ultra. Ale Garza and Richard Bennett do the business on art. Hard To Fathom. ***An Extra Rumour Warning For Idiots: The following is complete rumour and has not been confirmed with the people involved.*** Talking of Fathom, just how is an issue usually put together? Certainly, if Mike Turner allegedly roughly laid the work out (for example, drawing a circle and writing 'submarine' in it), allegedly let the 'background pencillers' draw almost everything else, then returned to fill in the face detail before getting back to Crash Bandicoot 3, you'd have thought taking a full 'penciller' credit would be a bit much,and retailers could demand returnability on the book. Good to hear we haven't any actual proof that this is the case, isn't it? Judgment Daze. It's Judgment Day in the DC Universe! Sadly that doesn't mean that Chuck Dixon will be sent to the fires eternal, nor the DC have bought Rob Liefeld and are doing a TPB of the shoddily produced but geniusly inspired Alan Moore series. It is in fact another month long crossover with a five issue series running weekly through September. Another one. And this time it's Guy Jones' bank manager who'll be rubbing his hands as Guy writes all five issues as well as his ongoing Stars And STRIPE. Many people have speculated as to what's up with the Spectre (including us), and that's what's happening in this mess. Spectre threatens the Universe and Heaven and Hell get involved and the JLA and others go to both domains. Azmodel, Neron and Etrigan mix it up as the dead come to life in a crossover which smacks like a cross between Zombieworld and Marvels' Inferno event. So loads of comics get to deal with dead people coming to life and getting in the way of their individual plotlines. Still, that does mean Anarky gets to deal with The Haunted Tank, J'onn J'onzz goes against Justice League Of The Damned, Young Justice revisit Harm, Azrael faces St Dumas, Snapper Carr takes over Hourman, The Marvel Family star in Stars And STRIPE against Solomon Grundy, Aquaman gets his father back, Superboy deals with Etrigan, Titans go for Raven, Supergirl teams with Zauriel and get all that angel stuff off of her sizeable chest. And yes, Jim Corrigan refuses to become the Spectre and another hero must be found to replace him. Oh Hal? Could it be you? And as JM Dematteis takes JLA for a month, how do they cope with the new Spectre? Okay, we reckon it could be Hal Jordan, but the last time that kind of thing leaked in Armageddon 2001, they went and changed it from Captain Atom being Monarch, to Hawk which made no sense whatsoever. Remember everyone, Hal Jordan is definitely The Spectre... somewhere in Hypertime! Oh yeah, Lois Lane is stuck in Hell and Superman must rescue her. Sadly, this issue isn't the famed Superman Goes To Hell proposal of years ago... Another highlight has to be the Secret Files for Day Of Judgment with two stories by Mark Millar and Phil Winslade exploring the DC Magical universe and yet more Spectre stuff. Missing Cerebus? Well, it looks like it's official. Cerebus 242 has not shipped to Britain. 243 came into London shops on Friday, the last issue received was 241. The news is that it's stuck in a Diamond US warehouse waiting.... and we should see it sometime, hopefully before 244! Thankfully another book feared missing, Alan Moore and Dame Darcy's Meat Cake 9, finally arrived in the same shipment. Only a month delay on that one Batman Revisited. Batman Beyond, starts it's comic book series from Hilary J. Bader; art by Craig Rousseau and Rob Leigh in September too, as Bruce Wayne dons the costume again far into the future, to stop a berserk Terry McGinnis. Cliff Hung. Will we be seeing a fall in Cliffhanger numbers soon? The consistent delays have led to a disgruntled audience. Battlechasers 5 was returnable because it was so late... at least one shop I know was grateful as they had boxes of the stuff. And the fans aren't that happy to see backup stories in the new issue either. The lesson? People don't seem to mind irregular books as long as they *know* they'll be irregular and shipping dates aren't constantly missed. Peculiar Customs. What did happen with Flinch 2 last week? A week delay in nothing new for British shops, but if it's a DC book, they usually all come together. Word has it that British Customs were quite interested in the book and pulled it for viewing. We hope they had a good read, and it did indeed turn up this week, but can't they buy a copy from a shop like everyone else? Lump It! It's a replica lump of Kryptonite! And it lights up! Woo hoo! Hitting your planet in October. Preacher Uncovered. The most recent issue of Preacher, issue 52 had a very rare variant cover, 0 issues in 50,000 issues had it. Thankfully, Ramblings grabbed a copy. Okay, I can probably see why they decided to pull the cover, in light of recent American news stories... but surely the insides diffuse the image anyway. Ah well. This image is probably copyright DC Comics and maybe Glenn Fabry, Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon too, we don't know. Either way, this image is reproduced for journalistic/editorial reasons to illustrate how current events can unnerve even the boldest of editorial staffs and is not intended as an infringement of anyone's rights. Fin Of Steel. The first of the Savage Dragon/Superman teamups arrives in September by Karl Kesel and Jon Bognadove. Oh great. And it's a trip from Metropolis to Apokolips... of course, Larsen's already done this story in his own way in the ongoing title. The good news? There's another one of these coming from DC soon. Thankfully Larsen should be doing this one. Pulp Friction. Anyone who thinks they'd enjoy Rich Johnston being beaten to a pulp is encouraged to visit http://www.egroups.com/group/comics_international and see Dez Skinn doing just that, using nothing but words. Why not join in? From Moore To September. Okay, we've been talking about it for ages which probably means it's been written for years too but the Alan Moore Deathblow book is finally coming out, drawn by Jim (Skizz) Baikie. And yes she's a black woman in an egg, but it's still Michael Cray. I'm really reminded of that I Am Curious (Black) Lois Lane story or something... oh and she's battling other people who also claim to be Deathblow. Hoo hey! And we're also told that Charles Vess will draw the intro to Promethea 4. Oooh.... Quantum Mechanics. We were so upset when we read on ComicWire that Joe Kelly was leaving Deadpool, but so happy to hear on Newsarama that Christopher Priest is his replacement! We've been calling for a Quantum And Woody And Deadpool crossover one of these days... could this be the catalyst? After that a Pete Wisdom Vs. John Constantine Vs. Tao would do us fine too.. Faith In The Future. Despite the subject matter and creators associated with Vertigo, they very rarely do writer/artists projects. Some theorize this is because editorial desires a strong role (see Nevada) and a separation of creators enables editorial to work their magic between the two or three. Paul Pope's Heavy Liquid is an exception, as was Ted McKeever's Industrial Gothic. Well McKeever's back with Faith, set in a Limbo-like land, where even the dead can be murdered. Ha. So it's a detective-type story set amongst the undead. Should be a fun one. Mixed Bag. This looks fun and silly, while probably being very serious. Our Army At War 80 Page Giant for September shows an Elseworld where England won the Revolutionary War. And a damn good thing too, if you ask me. With all this inter-DC gossip that Flinch will soon run out of top talent, issue 6 in September refutes this with William Messner-Loebs, Phillip Hester, Ivan Velez Jr., Duncan Fegredo, Phillip Hester, Ande Parks, and Ho Che Anderson. So there. Alright, time for me to get moody again. A great new Gon book, Gon Underground, comes out in September, and yet again us Brits have top wait till it goes through the grey/black market as someone else owns the Gon rights in Britain and isn't doing anything with them. Sigh. Astro City gets a new issue in September, no 19. Says it'll ship September 1st, and any shipping forecast that puts a consistently patchy shipping book on the first week must be confident! Desperadoes get a one shot too, with Marriotte, Cassidy and John Lucas (from Cassidy's layouts) and they're all doing what they usually do. Til next time! Remember, those who want to sign up to the e-mail update list, it's ramblings99@hotmail.com. And if you've got some Ramblings of your own, e-mail me! ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [6] Interview Paul Dale Roberts Silhouet9@aol.com Interview with Richard de Montebello, Writer of The Adventures of Browser and Sequoia by SaberCat Comics Question: Richard, before we get into what your comic book is all about, can you tell me something personal about yourself? Like your family life, where you were born and raised, schools you attended? I am 44 years old, a graduate of the University of Central Florida Film School--Class of 92. That was my third BA from UCF. I have a BA in Political Science and a BA in Criminal Justice. I also earned a Masters in Criminal Justice from Rollins College (Winter Park, FL). I was a police office for 2.25 years--received 5 Commendations for saving lives and drug investigations, a teacher for 18 and a writer for 26 years. (c) The Adventures of Browser and Sequoia 1993-99 is my first published work. I was born on Long Island, NY and moved to Winter Park, FL when I was 16. I now live in Virginia. I am also the founder and president of The Happy Kids Toy Company Inc., SaberCat Comics and Dominion Pictures Inc. I have several other works that I am working to produce into movies and TV shows. Question: What was the first comic book you ever read? Superman. Question: For people unfamiliar with The Adventures of Browser and Sequoia, can you please tell us about this comic book? The Adventures of Browser and Sequoia is a series of stories about a very special young Indian boy named Sequoia. He is the son of the Medicine Chief, Kennesaw and the grandson of the wise and generous Chief White Cloud. Sequoia's life changed on the day he happened to come upon a battle between a group of warriors and a female Saber Tooth Tiger. He heard a whimpering from a pile of snow and white feathers and saw two little blue eyes staring back at him. Suddenly, the white new born Baby Saber Tooth Tiger reached out his paws to Sequoia. When Sequoia lifted the newborn, he remarked how strongly the cub held onto the white feathers with gold shafts. Little did Sequoia know that it was his Spirit Guide who covered Baby Saber to hide him from the warriors. Saber and Sequoia became like brothers. In time, Saber would imitate Sequoia by walking on his hind legs and wearing clothes. Sequoia would teach Saber how to talk and in doing so, he would learn how to speak to the animals. It was during his first hunt with his father that Sequoia would meet the biggest and nobelist friend he would ever have: Browser the Chief Bull Mammoth. THE GOOD GUYS Sequoia and his family are members of the Eagle Clan, who live somewhere in Eastern Tennessee. They are a peaceful people, very religious, very family oriented and mindful of the many dangers that lurked beyond the village. THE VILLAINS Conversely, there are characters in the story who are not so friendly. Sneer for instance. He is the largest Saber Tooth Tiger that ever lived and he is feared by the natives and all the animals in the forest. Their fear is justified. Saber Tooth Tigers were the largest cats that ever roamed the Earth. They had jaws that could flap against their chest and when they struck their prey with their elongated saber fangs, they were goners. The natives of the story would refer to him as "He who sneers." Then there's Red Hawk, war captain of the Wolf Clan. Tough, vicious and a born leader. Once he learns of Sequoia's special ability to speak to the animals, he would relentlessly pursue young Sequoia for that knowledge. I really enjoy writing about villains. To me, they are the most important characters in the story. Without them, there's no conflict and no empathy for the good guys. I don't know how I did it, but I somehow wrote an action-adventure where there is little or no violence. That's the magic of The Adventures of Browser and Sequoia. Question: Can you tell us some of the talent at SaberCat Comics? The cover was created by the legendary Charles Vess. It was Charles who persuaded me to adapt the movie script into a comic book series. Charles is an Eisner Award Winner and has an office in Abingdon, Virginia. Charles introduced me to his assistant and colorist, Eric Olive. Issue One was the first entire comic book that Eric digitally colored. And he did a great job! When the living legend Will Eisner (The Spirit) reviewed the comic book at MegaCon 99 in Orlando, he couldn't say enough good things about the coloring. Eric introduced me to Dave Rowe, who did about 18 pages of Inking. Eric then introduced me to Gene Gonzales, who brought life to the story with his pencil and inking. Gene is part Cherokee and Choctaw Indian and this was the first comic book series where he was allowed to truly explore and expand his creative talents. What I mean by that is, I allowed him to draw the story the way he saw it. My attitude towards creative people is: Let them do what they do best without interference. Gene did a wonderful job with the first issue, but he really out did himself with the second issue. If you like the first issue, you will absolutely love the second issue. I thank God everyday that I was introduced to these gifted artists whose special talents turned my dream into a wonderful comic book series. Question: How can someone get a hold of you or any of the staff members, if they need information about your comic book? Do you have an email address? Richard de Montebello, 250 Henry Street, Abingdon, VA, 24210. (540) 623-9233. "SaberComic@aol.com" Charles Vess "greenmanpress@naxs.com" Eric Olive "Olive@naxs.net" Gene Gonzales "Gonzoart01@aol.com" Question: Do you have a website and if you do, what is the URL address? Our Web site is: "www.happykidstoys.com" Our Web Site was created by Chris Dickenson and Larry Giles, who has won a hatful of Internet Awards for Web Site creations. Question: Your comic book mentions the Mattaponi River. What is the struggle that the Mattaponi Indian Tribe facing? How can we do our part in supporting this cause? The Mattaponi Indians are involved in the fight of their lives. The City of New Port News wants to build a reservoir that will destroy 1,550 acres of pristine woodlands and wetlands and pipe 28 million gallons of fresh water a day out of a river that the US Conservancy calls "One of the cleanest rivers in America" to meet their water needs for the year 2040. That's almost 40 years from now. To do this, they would have to lay down 60 miles of pipe to reach their city. Assistant Chief Carl Custalow e-mailed me about eight months ago and asked if my comic book company would help. We have donated 2 pages of the first issue to saving the Mattaponi River and we continue to donate space to alert our fellow countrymen about this illegal project. According to the Wetlands Act, it's a violation of Federal Law to damage, pollute or threaten the existence of a wetlands region. And yet, the courts have given that Law a blinds eye view. I think it's wrong and the staff and members of SaberCat Comics is going to do what ever we can to help the Mattaponi save their river environment and culture. Question: Who came up with The Adventures of Browser and Sequoia? Let me tell you a little story. This whole thing is about the Town of Saltville, Virginia--one of the most historical locations in Virginia. I first visited Saltville in 1987, during a July 4th Civil War event. Something hit me and I have been writing about that town ever since. I wrote a Civil War/ghost story called "(c) The Legend of War Graves Hill 1988" which has not been published. During Easter, 1992, while studying film, I came to Saltville to shoot a "Movie Trailer". Over a hundred Civil War reinactors came to participate in the shooting. Afterwards, I was talking to a good friend and former Town Councilman, Barry Loupe. He told me that they were going to build a museum in Saltville to house all of the artifacts from the archaeological digs they were unearthing--especially human remains carbon dated 14,000 years old and bones from a mammoth. I told Barry that the museum needed a mascot and that I would dream up one and give it to them. Four months later, while teaching Earth Science, I found a ripped up September 1979 Issue of National Geographic which had an article about mammoths and Paleo-Indians. They described mammoths and mastodons as natural "Woodland Browsers." I said to my students, "Hey kids. What do you think about Browser the Mammoth?" "That stinks!" they replied, along with a symphony of jeers and other demeaning sounds. But the next day, one of them asked, "How's Browser doing?" That was the beginning of The Adventures of Browser and Sequoia. Now this is long before anyone heard of Web Browsers. The museum curator flatly rejected Browser. Someone else then recommended that I write an animated movie script and it wasn't long before I fell in love with the characters. I have been writing scripts steadily ever since and probably have 10 years worth of script for the comic book series, covering all kinds of stories and issues. Question: Reading this comic book, it was like watching a live action animation film. This comic book has the potential of being a blockbuster hit. Any chance for this comic book to see the silver screen? Yes. However, I'm not talking to anyone about options until the first series comprising the entire first movie script is published in SaberCat Comics. With Gene drawing out the scenes, I now see things in more detail than ever before. We noticed that the second issue really flowed. The story is getting stronger and I want to continue the process without interference. I feel that by publishing the comic book version that we are testing the waters and following the lead of other storylines like Superman, Batman and so forth. An animated movie will cost upwards to seventy to eighty-million dollars, requiring hundreds of animators and three years of hard work. However, the track record for animated movies is far better than with live action films. And the real money in animated movies is with the merchandising. This is the main reason I formed The Happy Kids Toy Company. Lion King earned $200 Million in the theaters and $2 Billion from merchandising. Question: If you were stranded on a desert island, what 3 things would you bring with you and why? A gallon of gasoline, a portable gas generator and my computer. As long as I can write the next episode of The Adventures of Browser and Sequoia, I will be happy. Question: Where do you want to be 5 years from now? 10 years? My dream has always been to write, produce and direct movies. Within a year, after we've secured a movie option or TV syndication deal with either The Adventures of Browser and Sequoia or (c) StoryBook Dominion 1999, we will go through the process of Initiating a Public Offering with our company. We hope to raise enough money to build a plastics manufacturing facility and a movie studio in Southwest Virginia and to produce TV pilots and movies. I can't think about what lays a head for me five or ten years from now. I have trouble thinking about all the things I have to do today and tomorrow. Since we went to print, it's been a race! Question: What are your favorite books? My favorite writer is Jack Higgins. The Eagle has landed, Storm Warning, etc. I tried to copy Jack's simplistic style of writing. He made writing look easy. Tom Clancy comes in a close second with Red Storm Rising, The Hunt for Red October. Great storyteller and I envy his success. Question: What are your favorite comic books? My all time favorite is `Spirits of the Earth' written and illustrated by Charles Vess. Question: What are your favorite cartoons, TV shows and movies? I grew up watching Bugs Bunny, the Road Runner, Flintstones, Space Angel, The Herculoids, Jetsons. I still watching them to this day. They are timeless. Question: What are your hobbies and recreational activities? I am a frustrated Trout Fisherman. Frustrated because I don't have the time to fish. I love to write and travel. Question: What do you think of the comic industry? Perhaps, it would be inappropriate for someone who just published his first comic book to criticize the industry as a whole. But, let me just say that I noticed that there was an area in the comic book market that was wide open for development. I am referring to comic books for kids and for parents who love to read comic books to their kids. Fifty percent of comic book purchases are made by adult white males. Even at comic book conventions, it's the white male collectors who fill the aisles. This is not good for the industry. If young kids don't get use to buying comic books at an early age, then they won't be the future collectors that the industry is relying on now. Question: That ends this interview, thank you Richard. Is there anything you would like to comment on, before closing? Yes, we would like for all our readers to log on to the Mattaponi's Web site, (just type in "Mattaponi" on your Web Browser) and learn about planned King William Reservoir Project. Then, if they'd like to take an active part of this effort, if they could e-mail the President, VP, EPA Secretary Brown or Virginia Governor Gilmore and tell them that they are concerned about what this project will do to the Mattaponi River Environment. Perhaps if enough Americans raise their voices and flood a few e-mail boxes, then possibly the politicians will back away from this destructive project and leave the Mattaponi alone. That's all they really want. To live in peace and in harmony with their culture and environment. In closing, I would like to thank you for taking the time to write such a wonderful overview of The Adventures of Browser and Sequoia. With Warm Regards, Richard de Montebello SaberCat Comics ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [7] TOO OLD FOR COMIC BOOKS?!? Johnny Gonzales gonzalesj@ltsgate1.lts.aetc.af.mil [When Johnny Gonzales graduated high school, he took off to follow his dream. When the adult film industry turned him away, he decided to enlist in the Air Force and pursue cartooning on the side. He's sold cartoons to AJA Blue magazine and draws caricatures at local events and parties. He has been reading and buying comics ever since grade school. Johnny use to live in Texas until a misunderstanding with local law enforcement forced him to relocate to parts unknown.] You know, I get the feeling that too many our fellow comic book enthusiasts are just plain lazy. Sure, these individuals claim to be comic book fans, readers, collectors, etc., but when it comes down to it, they can't stop bopping their baloney while surfing for computer porn and listening to the Backstreet Boys long enough to actually g out and search for some decent comics. Most of these people have become to dependent on filling out the order form from Previews, turning it in and then when the time comes, going into their comic shop, picking up their books and walking out. If there seems to be a line at the counter, they may take a quick peek to see what's on the "New Arrivals" rack, but they won't bother digging through the back-issue or bargain bins for that "gem" What was it? A couple of weeks ago that I wrote about trading comics and even listed some stuff I was willing to part with for some very small yet eclectic titles? Well, luckily one individual did write me and we worked out a trade for his three issues of Barry Ween: Boy Genius. Thank you Chad! Hope you enjoy the comics I sent. And not only did Chad take the time to respond, he also took the extra time to search for the Nobody mini-series I was looking for as part of the trade. However, I was fortunate enough to have already found them and guess what? I found them for fifty cents a piece! A week ago I visited my sister in Waynesville, Missouri. We took a short trip to Springfield to do some looking around and I stopped into this comic shop off of East Battlefield Road called CAVEMAN Comics. Now this was a very impressive shop. Just by looking at their titles I noticed that they carried quite a few indy books like Mr. Blank, Stray Bullets, and Kane. I also noted that they had grouped many mini-series and offered them and great prices like the recent Batman/Hellboy/Starman mini- series for three bucks. What really caught my attention were the many boxes of fifty cent bargains that were next to the back-issue bins. I tore into this treasure trove and before I walked out I picked up Batman: Reign of Terror, Heartthrobs #1, Carves #2 and 3, Human Target #1, Vampirella: Queens Gambit #3, X-Force #88, Mr. Blank #7, Bloody Mary: Lady Liberty #1, 3, and 4, The Girl who Would Be Death #2 and 3, Legends of the DC Universe #14, Scene of the Crime #1-2, Nameless #5 and NOBODY #1-4. Now if any of you readers out there had paid attention to my post and lived near this comic shop, you would have spent $2.00 for the comics I was looking for, plus whatever postage came out to, and in return you would have gotten about 27 comics in exchange? But did any of you do that? Especially you folks who read this newsletter and live nearby this place? Nooooooooo. I think the times are a changing and while many people agree about the sucky customer service we've gotten at countless comic shops, it seems that many customers are just as guilty of making things the way they are. We've become too dependent on trying to have everything right in front of us and don't want to bother to take a little side- trip to see if the grass is greener over the hill. Heck, I'm not saying you should dump your local comic shop, I'm just saying that you should always check out alternative ways to get your comic fix. Some of the best anecdotes I love reading involve how people go out and hunt down bargains, whether it's by car or on the internet. Why should I pay $10 for a four issue mini-series when spending less than an hour a day on the internet I can find it for a buck (along with many other books at a bargain). And again, there is always trading which works out for both individuals. Just recently, I traded six issues of Dreadstar and Co. for the four-issue mini-series Johnny Dynamite, from Dark Horse. And postage for both of us was less than two bucks. Heck, what's that old saying, "You can't buy it for less!" ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [8] 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 beautiful wife and their lazy Siberian Husky.) Well, when it rains it pours. Talk about a big black cloud over the house of Henn. First my wife busts her foot all up; tripping in a hole the dog had dug. The worst part is, the day before I was out in the yard filling those holes. The next day...she found the one I missed. Very bad sprain...and a chipped bone. Two days later, I realize that the carpet in the basement is damp. I'm thinking it's a leak from the dehumidifier. I lift the rug to discover that the leak is coming from the next room over. The central air unit is pumping water. Not enough that you'd notice...but enough of a trickle that over time...a week and a half to be exact...we got a damp basement. All my comics were in that room...and a whole case of Timespell #0 got ruined. Keep in mind...the initial print run on that books were only 1500 copies. So now this rare book is that much more rare. Then...my computer caught a virus. TWO to be exact. Lovely. Fortunately, one of my friends on the SPX committee saw the virus, as I unintentionally emailed it to him. He knew how to get rid of it, and it took some time...but now my computer is feeling a little better. On the plus side, I just got word that the cover to INDEPENDENT VOICES #2, by Joe Linsner, will be going up on the EBAY action block in September. I understand that this will be the first time Linsner has allowed a piece of his work to go up on the block. For those of you who have not seen the cover yet, go to http://www.timespell.com and it's right there on the home page. You can click on the image for a bigger view. Also, CBLDF has plans to turn that image into a T-shirt. Yippee! Look for INDEPENDENT VOICES #2 to be solicited in the next Previews, for books shipping in September. It will be carried under Peregrine Entertainment. Creators on that book will be myself, David Napoliello, Brian Heybor, Mike Manley, Eric Powell, Vince Sneed and John Peters. Every now and then, you may discover that one comic that really blows you away. I'm talking about the kind of book that makes you remember what truly good storytelling is. The kind of comic that sends you back to your childhood days, when you eagerly anticipated the next issue of say, Spider-Man or Superman. The kind of book that makes you go WHOOA! Or maybe it was that Tales From The Crypt comic, or Twisted Tales or EC sci-fi comics. Well, back in April at the Captain Blue Hen ACME show in Delaware, I found that book. As luck would have it, I finally just got around to reading that comic about two weeks ago. PAPER CINEMA by Don Bethman. Published under Grey Blossom Sequentials, and funded by the XERIC Foundation. (Remember last year, another of my favorites, Jack's Luck Run's Out, was ALSO a XERIC award winner!) Where to start with this book? What angle do you approach on something so wonderful? It's like reading a movie, or more to the point...a TV Serial from the wonderyears of television. Which, I believe, is the take that creator Don Bethman was going for. Back in the 1960's & 70's a character actor named Eli Wallach graced the screen. Both TV and movies, this gentleman was probably most remembered for his role as Mr. Freeze in the Batman serials, or his western's with Clint Eastwood. Remember The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly? Well, now creator Don Bethman has cast Eli Wallach in his serial comic book. Not as one character in an ongoing tale...but as a lead in a different role in each issue! Don covers three major genre's in his series. Western, sci-fi and Horror. You may ask "How in the world do you cast/direct someone in a COMIC BOOK?!?!" Simple. Like any good movie, you need a good script. Like any good creator, you need a great character to carry the weight of your story. Someone to stand up and deliver the goods. Don and Eli do just that. Don draws and directs Eli in his roles as Sancho the Bandit King, Captain Solaris, and Mr. Prune. Issue #1 is his western take for Paper Cinema. He casts Eli Wallach as the lead in The Return of The Bandit King. It's a nice send-up of the western serials, and a great homage to How The West Was Won and The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. It's easy to see that this was Mr. Bethman's favorite of the three issues of PAPER CINEMA. The passion in the story and the art is quite apparent, and ends on a great cliffhanger, leaving room for a sequel. (Coincidentally enough, I just heard the other day that Bethman is planning a sequel to The Bandit King). Issue #2 of Paper Cinema is Don and Eli's homage to the sci-fi genre. Entitled "Waves in space...or Close Consumers of the Third Kind". (I must admit...I'm torn between #2 and #3 as being my favorites). This book sees Eli Wallach as Captain Solaris, as he heads a mission into deep space, to discover the origins of television signals from another galaxy. What he and his crew find when they get there will astound you... and the cliffhanger ending to this story will remind you of the last scene in Planet of the Apes. Excellent story, all around. Issue #3 sees Eli as Mr. Prune, in the horror title "The Box...or, What's Eating Mr. Prune?" The crazy thing about this story is...there's SO much I want to tell you about it, because there is SO much to love about it. But I'm actually afraid that anything I divulge will give it away. I really want you to go out and buy this book, and discover the same thrill I did, blind, unbiased without knowing a thing about it firsthand. I will say that the opening and the ending tie together very nicely. As I started to read this one, I was thrown off until I got to the very end and said "OH YEAH! Now I get it!" It's a story of undying love and devotion, and without sounding corny...it's a horror story as well. It reminded me of the horror movie serials I watched as a kid on Sunday afternoon. You can't just READ Paper Cinema. You have to EXPERIENCE it. There you have it. For more on PAPER CINEMA, check out Don Bethman's website at http://delanet.com/~dbethman/index.htm Until next time... ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [9] Stranger in a Strange Land Jennifer M. Contino Jencomx3@aol.com [Jennifer M. Contino is 27 and a life-long lover of comics books and super heroes! While most girls were playing with Barbies and watching cute little shows, she was playing with Mego's and watching the Superfriends and any other super hero show she could find on the television! NOW almost 19 years later she owns over 26000 comics, has written some interviews for SEQUENTIAL TART--the online e-zine, is a frequently published letter of comment writer and is the official HOST of the DC COMICS chats on AOL! She is pursuing work in the comics field at DC and is trying to start her own independent comics company!] "THOSE were the Days..." "Those were the days, my friend, we thought they'd never end..." Heh..I always liked that song! IT reminds me of some of the comics I used to love as a kid! DO you wonder what some of those titles were?? WELL don't wonder, I'll tell you! (*see how nice I am??*) I read the titles that I remembered seeing on TV--IE bats, supes, spider, and Wonder Woman! This love of Wonder Woman ( but no newsstand here carried the regular title) led me to discover an awesome title called the ALL STAR SQUADRON! I saw an add for the comic. The ad read: THE GREATEST HEROES OF WORLD WAR 2! Now I was about 8 years old and I asked my dad, "was Wonder Woman a hero of WW2?" to which he replied, "SURE WAS!" SO I went to the newsstand and bought the comic! There was no WONDER WOMAN in the issue, but what there was I LOVED! COOL characters that I had never heard of before (*save for Hawkman and Green Lantern--but this was no GL i'd ever seen!*) I was intrigued by Robotman and Steel! I thought that Johnny Quick was one of the wittiest people in comics! The character who really caught my eye though was that of FIREBRAND! (*Cause my grandmother at this point in time was out at flea markets and garage sales buying me all kinds of comic books and she had gotten me FREEDOM FIGHTERS and the Firebrand in there was a man! AND the FIREBRAND in there did not have 'flame' powers!*) ANYWAY, I fell in love with this series from the first issue I read *issue 4 I think* to the Crisis---post Crisis..well we are not going to get into that right at this point in time :D! The stories were unique and they were well written! ROY THOMAS is one of the best writers around imho! HE took an era where the heroes were first coming on the scene and made kids in the 80's CARE about the life of the 40's! What's more each issue was more entertaining than the previous one! The characters of Steel (Nope not John Henry Irons but a man named HANK HEYWOOD), Robotman (Again long before Doom Patrol this hero was in the comics fighting crime!), Johnny Quick ( Another person I had heard of thanks to a few 80 page FLASH giants), Liberty Belle (STILL One of my favorites--and I HATE the way she is in comics now..Belle would never have become so..."BITCHY!"), FIREBRAND( What can I say about Brandy..she really developed and grew as a character---it would be cool to see her again), and Shining Knight (Sir Justin--what more could anyone want then their own KNIGHT In shining armor!) quickly became my favorites in comics! ( Second only to the TEEN TITANS) The guest stars of the JSA and the inside reasons for some of the actions they performed just made me so intrigued with this series! I loved seeing Al Pratt (Atom) saying 'bye' to his longtime girlfriend as he left for the services! IT was awesome seeing the 'days in the life' of these characters! OK the reason I am talking about a long gone comics title is because RECENTLY there has been a revival of the JSA...and I'm not sure I like it! I mean..it will probably be nice and everything (*remembers the ten issues we got of the JSA from 1991!) but I don't see it lasting! First off, the idea of superheroes in their 70's is absurd! (Let's figure it out..Jay was a college graduate when he got his power--like 22--and this was 1941....58 years ago..so he has to be booking 80! EVEN if the speed force kept him younger..he still is like 60ish then let's say!) Allan Scott old again young again..it's hard to keep track! Black Canary, Wonder Woman, etc...this just does not interest me! LET me rephrase that...THIS in the 90's just does not interest me! I mean there is JLA, Titans, YOUNG Justice, New Gods, the whole SUPERMAN and BATMAN FAMILIES, etc.,. IF we really wanted something UNIQUE a team of EUROPEAN heroes would have been interesting (THAT was what was lacking from the JLE title you know..the EUROPEAN heroes!--sure we had DR LIGHT for a few issues and Crimson Fox and Rocket red..but beyond that it was mainly JLA abroad! OOPS sorry another rant within a rant!) THE JSA post crisis is not as interesting as the PRE CRISIS world and IF they wanted to do a series about the JSA it should have been done in their prime--in the 40's! Not now! I know that comics are supposed to be somewhat 'realistic' but I just cannot believe that a 'hero' would still be out there in his 70's and 80's fighting crime--or even fit enough to do that! IF DC wanted to do a JSA series they should have gone back to the basics..back to the 1940's and shown us the true prime of the JSA! THIS new series might be interesting! IT really might! However I have my doubts--especially if the most memorable thing about it is going to be a stripping teen or a butt shot! BUT I could be wrong! NOW as for the rest of you out there reading this and thinking things....IF YOU WANT to see a great comic...if you want a fantastic read....then go to the back issue shops and buy ALL STAR SQUADRON! THE only hard to find issues are the ones with INFINITY INC in them..but the rest should be easy to pick up! READ the first eight issues...you won't be disappointed! "Those were the days, my friend, we thought they'd never end...." BUT like any cool comic..you can re-read and relive! Peace and hope and love..be well! Jen ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [10] Multiverse Observer and Explorer Reviews Paul Dale Roberts silhouet9@aol.com [Paul promotes amateur and professional comic book artwork, scripts, storylines, and unpublished comic books with a newsletter called the Peoples' Comic Book Newsletter. Its website is at Jazma Comic Book Newsletter Productions at http://www.twmgrafix.com/jazma He is also a prominent letter hack, as anyone who reads comic letter pages would know. He is in production of his own self-published comic book called The Legendary Dark Silhouette and has copyrighted over 600 characters for his Jazma Universe.] Name: Young Justice #11 Publisher: DC Comics Written by: Peter David Drawn by: Angel Unzueta/pencils Jaime Mendoza/inks Price: $2.50 Comments: I was completely taken in by the story as high intensity melodramatics unfolded with Red Tornado at the bedside of comatose victim Ms. Sutton. I couldn't help but feel sorry for poor Traya. She has been through so much with her adoptive mother and now with her adoptive android father, the Red Tornado. She has been blamed for causing her adoptive mother to be in the state that she is in. This must be a traumatic experience for a young girl so young. Red Tornado has his day in court, as the legal system tries to decide if Traya should be parented by the Red Tornado. Red Tornado had as much as he could stand in the American legal system as they bring up dirty history, with his attempt on the life of the pope and that he is a machine. Calling him a walking talking Macintosh was way out of line! Red Tornado does the only thing that he can do and that is to escape with his precious Traya. I was very proud of the way Young Justice handled this situation, even though Red Tornado didn't want their assistance. Robin is showing great potential leadership abilities as he took charge of Young Justice and came up with a quick solution on how to help Red Tornado. Red Tornado may be an android, but he does have emotions. His emotional chip was turned all the way up in this episode! Quite interesting as A.P.E.S 'Y' Squad and DEO fight for turf, it's a matter of time and things will come to a head with these two factions. Both factions do everything in their power to stop Red Tornado from escaping with Traya. Great comedy was thrown into this story as the gigantic Kenneth Starr made his diabolical appearance! How was this done? You have to pick up this issue to find out! Let's just say he was a distraction of sorts. Name: Monster Fighters, Inc. Publisher: Image Written by: J. Torres Drawn by: Logan Lubera/pencils Craig Yeung/inks Price: $3.50 Comments: J. Torres started this masterpiece right off with high velocity excitement, as our heroic team teleports right into a comic book convention! I can't wait to learn more about each character and their origins! I even want to know about Fraidy cat and why he has been selected to record the paranormal events that Monster Fighters Inc., have been involved in. Fraidy cat is actually a cat! Roll call of Monster Fighters, Inc. are as follows: Firestarter (team leader), Adam Bomb, Kid Gloves, Rapunzel, Porte. Porte has the ability to teleport the team to anywhere they need to be and right now they need to be at the comic book convention, because supposedly there is a monster loose at the convention! Kid Gloves reacts without thinking. He doesn't strategically plan things out and again I want to know more about how he suckered punched some old lady, who he had thought was a succubus! One of the team members brings this up to Kid Gloves and he is quite embarrassed about this situation and doesn't want to talk about it. I enjoyed the humor that was placed within this on-the-edge-of-your-seat story and found myself laughing out loud as Adam Bomb wanted a battlecry, like GI Joe and the talk of the Godzilla rejects! The Godzilla rejects he is referring to is characters created by this kid named Simon, who has the ability of bringing his creations to life and that's why there are a few monsters loose at this convention. Simon doesn't do this on purpose and has no real control over his power. Amanda Firestarter seems to be the perfect team leader and handles the team with ease. She seems to be respected by each team member. I like her commanding persona, she's like Capt. Janeway. Simon creates a team called Fright Force that happen to be good guys and Monster Fighters, Inc., doesn't waste time to find out that they are good guys and teleports them away. According to J. Torres, they will be back! Great action as Adam Bomb fought hard with Lady Fang of Fright Force! The artwork in this comic book was amazing and every panel was drawn with perfection! Monster Fighters, Inc. have their own codes?? Now, I know what 214 is...monster under the bed! What code number do they use for "zombies pounding at my front door" would be? I guess, I'll have to wait and find out! Excellent! Another comic book from Image is: Bulletproof Monk. Let me know what you think of the story. Email me at: Silhouet9@aol.com Name: The Renegades of Justice (1 of 7) and (2 of 7) Publisher: Blue Masque Studios Price: $2.50 Written and Drawn by: Ernest Edwards Comments: Before I talk about these two comic books, let me tell you how to order them. Anyone wishing to purchase postpaid copies of #1 and #2 for $2.50 each, may send cash or US postal money orders only (no checks) to: Blue Masque Studios, PO Box 581, Sicklerville, NJ 08081-0581 - Attn: Ernest Edwards, Publisher. Now to the overview: Issue #1 starts off interesting enough as Madfire addresses the readers and one of the Strap Squadron wants to know who she is talking to. Some comedy is incorporated into the stories here and there, which makes an enjoyable read. We have some biblical overtones in the story and evil forces are at play here. Dominating the scene are: The Monarch (who is the leader), Bloodshadow, Madfire and Capt. Strap and the Strap Squadron. What makes these comic books so unusual is that the bad guys are the stars of the comic books, not the good guys. Bloodshadow and The Monarch work close together and The Monarch is purely diabolical. High wire action as the good guys, that being the Jetpack Guardians go against the Strap Squadron. The Strap Squadron literally wipes out the Jetpack Guardians and all superheroes of Logan City. The populace is shocked by this outrageous brutal act. The Monarch shows no mercy, killing is a pleasure for this guy. There is plenty of high tech vehicles and machinery in these issues, which makes these comics border on sci-fi. Logan City is the way Gotham City was after the Earthquake hit, severe damage to buildings and deaths everywhere. The Monarch has plans to dominate Logan City's future and possibly the world. Majority of the costumed crime fighters are dead and The Monarch glees with delight, knowing that he has ended their crusades. Logan City mourns their dead heroes and the loss is incredibly heavy. Another character who has an important role in this story is Karen Styles. Karen Styles, a former superheroine has doubts about herself ever becoming a superheroine again, but with the chaos of her city that surrounds her, she feels even more helpless. Now, I thought this Monarch guy was bad, but things only get worse as he has his allies surrounding him, one thing ticks this guy off and he wipes them out too. The main allies like Bloodshadow, Madfire, Commander Strap still live, but the minor allies get completely destroyed. Commander Strap was somewhat hesitant in following the ways of The Monarch, but knowing the power of The Monarch, excepts his ways, which was the smart thing for him to do. With the Logan City police busy with damage control, citizens up in arms and becoming vigilantes, the city is completely uncontrollable. The action is nerve wracking. The way it is presented to you, you feel like part of the crowd watching these traumatic episodes unfold. Horror upon horror upon horror! At the end of Issue #1, Logan Circle (a main part of Logan City) is obliterated, the city falls into shambles. In Issue #2 it is hinted that the evil forces known as The Monarch, Blood, Madfire and Commander Strap could be the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse. With their defeat of all superheroes, it almost appears this way. The reader is left wondering, is there no way to stop them? With the moon a blood tone, is the end of the world near? There is talk of a New Order and the reader is lead towards the path of wondering if The Monarch is leading his flock to a New World Order. A New World Order of complete dominance over the world. As evil as The Monarch is, can Hell on this world be the next crossroads to cross? Karen Styles, our former superheroine, has an unexpected guest, her former partner superheroine friend Bittersweet. Wait until you see the black outfit that Bittersweet wears, it will knock your socks off! Karen Styles at the end of Issue #2 asks herself...is there a god, that we can call upon during these troubled times? Exceptionally great read and powerful dramatics unfold with each character. Strong character development and you easily learn to loathe the main four villains. The artwork is done painstakingly with care and finesse. Great details are placed in each and every panel, done in black and white. The way this story is flowing, it could very well become the "War and Peace" of comic book literature! Well, maybe I'm exaggerating somewhat, but darn close! Highly entertaining and I strongly recommend that you check these comic books out! MOE Sidenote: Some new comics on the racks of A1 Comics are: Happydale - Devils in the Desert by Vertigo, Giant Killer - Book One by DC Comics, Gloom Cookie #1 by Slave Labor Graphics, Bryan Talbot's Heart of Empire, Manga May Magazine, Zaibatsu Tears by Limelight Publishing, The Lonely War of Willy Schultz by America's Comics Group, Chester Brown's Louis Riel, Love in Tights by Slave Labor Graphics, Jumbo Comics - Sheena, Queen of the Jungle by A List Comics, Alizarin's Journal by Avatar Comics and Decoy #3 by Penny Farthington Press. If you want information on any of the above mentioned comic books, you can contact Brian Peets, owner of A1 Comics at: A1Comics@quiknet.com Multiverse Observer and Explorer signing off until next time...... ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [11] My View David LeBlanc ComicBkNet@aol.com [David LeBlanc is the Editor of the Comic Book Net Electronic Magazine. He is a long time fan of comics and the electronic media - having been the moderator of the comics forums on WME, FIDONET and the Comic Book Network. He and his wife are attempting to raise two teenage sons in a suburb of Worcester, Massachusetts. David supports his comic book habit by working as the Manager of Marketing and Sales for a privately owned manufacturer of electro-mechanical components.] THE WIGGLY READER #3 by John Kerschbaum 32 pages, Black & White, full color covers, $2.95 Fontanelle Press 438 Court Street, Suite 103 Brooklyn, NY 11231 thewigglyreader@yahoo.com Back issues available - $2.95 + $1 S&H with check payable to J. Kerschbaum at above address Some cartoonists seem to see the world through different eyes, maybe it comes from Living in the Big Apple - I don't know. THE WIGGLY READER is probably unlike anything else you are reading unless you are already into very offbeat humor. The comic is a collection of short and medium length episodes which are mostly cartoon reality stories. That is to see there are elements or characters that could not happen in reality. First we see animals with human heads - a dog and a cat called Petey and Pussy - who frequent a bar regularly. On this trip though, Pussy is almost crushed by a falling body, one that hits the pavement with gruesome fierceness. The shaken duo carry on and soon are treated to a round and a smoke by Joe the bartender - who then asks them for a favor. The punch line is not much of a laugh though. In fact, there is very little real funny humor in this comic, if that is the intention. Now, whenever I say something like that I get a couple letters telling me I missed the point and it is wicked funny - no accounting for taste. I just didn't get the point. There is a three page story about a man pondering whether to answer the door at Christmas time. The postman is calling and he has no change to offer a Christmas tip. He starts recalling all the times the mail got messed up, not delivered and so on to rationalize to himself his lack of generosity. He answers the door and besides the package the mailman gives him a christmas card from himself and the occupant rushes him off without the tip, as expected. The last panel shows how pathetic the mailman's home life is and how much sacrifice his family will have make because he did not get good christmas tips. This is made a little absurd when you get a look at his kid, a cartoon exaggeration of deformity. Next is a six page long story of a man first sleeping under a tree. Next he wakes up and aided by a cane starts walking to town. Every know and then clutching his stomach. He stops in a diner for cake & coffee but can't finish and so leaves, clutching his stomach. He apparently is heading to a retirement home - 7 miles away and soon stops at the same ttree to take a rest, and a nap. Once asleep, we find out why he has a stomach problem. But it is neither funny nor dramatic, just plain silly. Maybe that is the point here, absurd and silly. Frankly I found it a waste of time for 6 pages. Another similar episode, 8 pages long, finds a woman coming home to find her man in bed with what appears to be his clone. After much defensive talk by the two about which one is the "real" Hugh, we find one is really a gigantic lawn beetle and has been doubling as her husband for years. Again, silly and absurd but not laugh out loud funny. Finally there are a couple of shorter pieces that just did not make much sense at all - just seemed to go on on for 2 or 3 pages and then stop. It is not often I am entirely critical of any comic as I have found good things in almost every work. In this case it is the art. What John Kerschbaum lacks in the scripting is not the case in the execution of the art. He is very adept at filling in detail and bringing his characters to life with the least amount of effort it seems. The transitions are good and he is equally proficient in 6, 9 or 12 panel pages. His covers are unique as well, using perspective from a different angle to grab your attention. THE WIGGLY READER is definitely for those with eclectic tastes. My local comic store clerk loves the stuff and maybe you will too. ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [12] THOMPSON AWARD WINNERS Detroit News: Comics Continuum http://www.detnews.com/metro/hobbies/comix/ THOMPSON AWARD WINNERS The Compuserve Comics/Animation Forum has announced the winners of this year's Thompson Awards. Founded in 1993 by Paul "Zeus" Grant, the awards have been a staple of Doug Pratt's Comics/Animation Forum since their inception. After the passing of Don Thompson in 1994, the awards were named for the longtime co-editor of Comics Buyer's Guide with the blessing of Thompson's widow, current CBG editor Maggie Thompson. They are now known, more or less, as the Don Thompson Comics/Animation CompuServe Forum Awards. This year's Thompsons were administered by Brian Saner Lamken, editor/publisher of Comicology, "with the invaluable aid," said Lamken, "of Andrew Troth, proprietor of The Mind's Eye in scenic Eagan, Minnesota. "Andrew's the one who assembled comprehensive lists of every eligible comic book, graphic novel, and graphic album released last year and posted them in the Forum libraries. I just had to deal with the voting." The winners: Favorite Comic Strip: Dilbert. Favorite Individual Comic-Strip Creator or Creative Team: Scott Adams and Bill Holbrook (tie). Favorite Writer: Warren Ellis Favorite Penciler/Inker or Penciler/Inker Team: Bryan Hitch & Paul Neary. Favorite Painter or Mixed-Media Artist: Alex Ross. Favorite Letterer: Todd Klein. Favorite Colorist: Matt Hollingsworth. Favorite Editor: Stuart Moore. Favorite Publisher: DC Comics. Favorite Cover Artist: Alex Ross. Favorite Writer/Artist or Cartoonist (Humor): Batton Lash. Favorite Writer/Artist or Cartoonist (Drama): Frank Miller. Favorite New Talent: Paul Storrie. Talent Most Deserving of Wider Recognition: Brian Wood. Favorite Individual Comic-Book Creator or Single Creative Team: Kurt Busiek, Brent Anderson, et al. of Kurt Busiek's Astro City. Favorite Cover: Preacher #40. Favorite Ongoing Series: Transmetropolitan. Favorite Limited Series: Whiteout . Favorite Short Story (less than one standard issue in length): "Desire," Batman 80-Page Giant #1. Favorite Single-Issue Story (about one standard issue in length): "Another Cold Morning," Transmetropolitan #8. Favorite Serialized Story (continued from issue to issue or otherwise longer than one standard issue in length): "Sonovawitch," Wolff & Byrd, Counselors of the Macabre #17-19. Favorite Comic-Book Work for All Ages: Batman: Gotham Adventures. Favorite New Series: Astounding Space Thrills. Favorite New Graphic Novel or Graphic Album: Superman: Peace on Earth. Favorite Reprint Graphic Novel or Graphic Album (Current Work): Astro City: Family Album. Favorite Reprint Graphic Novel or Graphic Album (Historical Work): The Plastic Man Archives Vol. I. Favorite Publication Design: The Acme Novelty Library. Favorite Publication about Comic Strips, Comic Books or Animation: Comic-Book Artist and Comics Buyer's Guide (tie). ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [13] New Comic Book Releases List [NCRL] by Charles LePage ncrl@mediaone.net +++WINNER OF THE 1996 REC.ARTS.COMICS.* "SQUIDDY" FOR BEST WEB SITE+++ http://www.jacksonville.net/~ncrl New Comic Book Releases List for Wednesday, 6/23/1999, 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 AMAZE INK (SLAVE LABOR GRAPHICS) Potential Unit Five Animals Form & Function, 3.95 ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS Betty & Veronica Spectacular #37, 1.79 Betty & Veronica Double Digest #82, 2.99 Jughead #120, 1.79 BONGO COMICS Simpsons Comics #43, 2.50 CHAOS! COMICS Chastity Lust For Life #3 (Of 3), 2.95 CPM MANGA Lodoss War Lady Of Pharis #3, 2.95 Lodoss War Grey Witch #8, 2.95 DARK HORSE COMICS Blade Of The Immortal Food #34, 3.95 ERB Tarzans Savage Heart #3 (Of 4), 2.95 Ghost Vol 2 #10, 2.95 Madman Comics #14, 2.95 World Below #4, 2.50 Zombieworld Tree Of Death #1 (Of 4), 2.95 DC COMICS Authority #4, 2.50 Batman Bullocks Law, 4.95 Catwoman #71, 1.99 Detective Comics #735, 1.99 Dv8 #29, 2.50 Flash #151, 1.99 Flinch #3, 2.50 Hellblazer #140, 2.50 JSA #1, 2.50 Legion Of Super Heroes #118, 2.50 Looney Tunes #55, 1.99 Robin #67, 1.99 Superman #147, 1.99 Wonder Woman #147, 1.99 DRAWN & QUARTERLY Peepshow Cartoon Diary Of Joe Matt New Printing (resolicited), 14.95 EL CAPITAN BOOKS Collected Stray Bullets Vol 2 TPB (resolicited), 11.95 FIREMAN PRESS Gear #6 (Of 6), 2.95 I BOX PUBLISHING Thieves & Kings #27, 2.50 IMAGE COMICS A Distant Soil #28 (resolicited), 3.95 Aria Poster #1, 5.99 Cosmic Ray #1, 2.95 Detectives Inc A Terror Of Dying Dreams TPB, 19.95 Hellhole #1, 2.50 Kabuki Classics #5, 3.25 Kiss Psycho Circus #20, 2.25 Mage The Hero Defined #13, 2.50 More Than Mortal Lady Pendragon #1, 2.50 Ozzy Osbourne Magazine #1, 4.95 Savage Dragon #62, 2.50 Spawn The Dark Ages #4, 2.50 Tellos #2, 2.50 Zorros Lady Rawhide Other Peoples Blood #4, 2.95 MARVEL COMICS Earth X #5 (Of 12), 2.99 Gambit #7, 1.99 Iron Man 1999, 3.50 J2 #11, 1.99 Webspinners Tales Of Spider-Man #8, 2.50 Wolverine #141, 1.99 X-Man #54, 1.99 X-Men 1999, 3.50 RED INK Non #4, 6.95 TOO HIP GOTTAGO GRAPHICS Wahoo Morris #3, 2.75 VIZ COMMUNICATIONS Animerica Volume 7 #6, 4.95 Galaxy Express 999 Vol 2 TPB, 16.95 Pulp Volume 3 #7, 5.95 Ranma 1/2 Part 8 #3 (Of 13), 2.95 magazines Comic Shop News #627, AR Comic Shop News Summer Preview, AR NCRL for the foreseeable future... TITLE OLD RELEASE DATE NEW DATE DC COMICS Batman: Dark Knight Returns Mini Statue 06/23 06/30 Batman: The Book Of Shadows 04/28 07/07 Battle Chasers T-Shirt LG 03/03 TBA Battle Chasers T-Shirt XL 03/03 TBA Crimson #11 05/12 07/07 Crimson #12 06/09 08/04 Danger Girl Door Poster 03/10 TBA Darkchylde Summer Swimsuit Spect. #1 06/02 07/07 Darkchylde: The Legacy #4 08/04 TBA Divine Right #10 04/28 07/21 Divine Right #11 07/14 TBA Divine Right Collected Edition #3 06/02 07/07 Dreams Of The Darkchylde #0 06/16 TBA Gen13: Starting Over TPB 07/07 07/14 Manhunter The Special Edition TPB 06/23 06/30 Planetary #5 06/23 TBA Tom Strong #3 06/16 07/07 Tom Strong #4 07/21 08/04 *Please Note: These dates are tentative. ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [14] HYPE! Section Various The Small Press Action Network presents Generous Margins 3 A one-day Independent Publishers' Fair Saturday, June 26 1999 10 am to 5 pm at The Sugar Refinery, 1115 Granville Street (2nd floor) Vancouver, B.C. FREE admission * Door prizes Info: http://www3.bc.sympatico.ca/span or call (604) 251-4706 The Small Press Action Network, a non-profit society celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, presents the third Generous Margins Fair, a gathering of Independent Publishers' and their work. From the self-published to medium sized local presses, Generous Margins offers a rare opportunity to meet the publishers and artists, who often bring unusual and rare publications to these events... this time around there will be comics banned in Canada (though created in Vancouver)*, many of the illustrators, comic artists and book artists currently on show at the Moonbase gallery's Nog-A-Dod show, guests from Seattle and points East, and a host of the most creative and interesting publications you'll NEVER see at Chapters... or Duthie's, for that matter! Admission is always free, with exhibitor space priced very reasonably (more information on exhibiting can be found on our website, including an on-line registration form; tune your browser to http://www3.bc.sympatico.ca/span). There will be a number of funky door prizes, and of course the inimitable Sugar Refinery ambience... Take a break from the heat at the Jazz Fest and get some culture for your eyes to go along with all that ear stuff! More info can be found on our new website (see above) or by calling 251-4706. The Small Press Action Network also operates the Vancouver Independent Publishers' Centre (or V.I.P. Centre for short) which is open each and every Sunday at 1636 Franklin Street (1 block North of Hastings, 1/2 West of Commercial Drive). We gratefully acknowledge the assistance of the Canada Council for the Arts and the British Columbia Arts Council, through the Ministry of Small Business, Tourism and Culture. * Robin Bougie's comic title "Deviant" contains sexually explicit material in a comic-book form. Originally self-published, it was later expanded and published by Venus Comics, a division of Antarctic Press, based out of Fort Worth, Texas. Because of the explicit material, which would probably lead Canada Customs to refuse it entry into Canada, Diamond Distributors refused to handle it internationally, deeming it not worth their trouble to distribute... basically, self-censoring his work. Because of the distributor's reluctance, the title has since been cancelled, even though the publisher figured it would have been financially viable if foreign orders were possible. So the ironic situation has ocurred where a comix created here is not available here! (except at Generous Margins 3...). Come meet the creator, and see what all the fuss is about! (No sales or peeks to kiddies under 18... sorry). Robin Bougie has also created and published "Insipid Love" (an anthology of local Vancouver artists' takes on 70s love comix), "Vincent the Bear" (a story of his more suitable for kids, featuring his stuffed animal... with the odd swearword), and "Scarred for Life" (true stories of harrowing experiences in cartoonists' lives). Media Contact: Tom Snyders 251-4706 * tom_snyders@bc.sympatico.ca +++++ Mark Pacella's TOOTH AND CLAW www.toothandclaw.com Tacmail123@aol.com Monday, June 14th, 1999 After several years away from the comic book world, Mark Pacella returns to image comics this summer with the start of his bombastic new series TOOTH AND CLAW. Asked recently in an oline interview Mark gave this description of his work: "An epic tale of love,reincarnation,aliens, junkie cops and the possibility that we're all neither really god's or Darwin's children." Going on a bit more in a dark an ominous tone he told the interviewer: "Prepare yourself for the next millennium in comic books when TOOTH AND CLAW hits the stands this August 6th." "Your going to get rocked, and rocked hard." "Making a triumphant return to image comics has always been a goal of mine for a couple of years now",said mark,"I deeply enjoyed the time away and the work that Hollywood gave me. Now I'm back,haveing had the time to work with a plethora of skilled story tellers in a variety of entertainment arenas has made me itching like crazy to hop back into comics and tell a story of my own." Image comics will begin publishing the three part origin series this August of '99 Beginning with a full support of the project that included an aggressive advertising and promotional campaign in conjunction with the TOOTH AND CLAW official website. For Public relations and promotional info Contact Dana at: TnC comics@aol.com Or go to: www.toothandclaw The website right now carries a daily update,tri-weekly contest, news page, stunning gallery of artwork and a fairly inclusive links page. A message board is planned for the near future as are quite a few other surprise's. +++++ This August--Hit The Road! Image Comics and Hyperwerks Entertainment is proud to present the return of WEASEL GUY in this 4-issue limited series. The Slacker-Super-Hero made his feature-length comics debut in last summer's sleeper hit Weasel Guy/ Witchblade One Shot! The one shot was chock-full of action, humor, insanity and weasely wackiness! Weasel Guy: Road Trip promises more of the same! This story begins as 26 year-old Dweasel Ravenswood (The 'Guy,' himself) is making some huge life changes. After ten years of fighting crime as Weasel Guy, Dweasel wants to give up the Super-Hero life to start a career in Hollywood --producing a TV series about his own heroic exploits! An added bonus to his moving from New York to Los Angeles is that he can finally spend some QT with his L.A. based girlfriend, the heroine Ferret Female. This 4-part series is a perfect introduction to the off-beat world of Weasel Guy, as our hero drives across America and encounters some his world's more...unusual inhabitants. Gangstas, The Amish, Las Vegas Zombies and an Alien Invasion are only part of Weasel Guy's troubles, because life in L.A. isn't what he thinks it will be... Weasel Guy: Road Trip is written & illustrated by Wizard Fan Award winner, Steve Buccellato, who also was responsible for the One-Shot last year. Each issue will have a special variant cover by different artists. Lined up so far: issue #1 variant cover by Chris Bachallo (Uncanny X-Men, Death: the High Cost of Living), and issue #2 will sport a cover by Kyle Baker (Why I Hate Saturn, You Are Here). But be warned: Weasel Guy isn't your usual Super-Hero Comics fare... ...It's a whole lot more fun. For more information on this book and it's creator, please visit http://www.madsciencemedia.com/ (Weasel Guy and all related characters are TM & 1999, Steve Buccellato, All Rights Reserved) +++++ viz-in vol. 11, no. 6 Your One-Stop Monthly Manga & Anime Connection! ITEMS SHIPPING SEPTEMBER '99 Director of Sales & Marketing/Oliver Chin featuring: POKeMON ADVENTURES: MYSTERIOUS MEW 5-issue monthly series story by Hidenori Kusaka art by MATO squarebound, b&w, 48 pages $5.95 USA/$8.95 CAN SHIPS 9/24 NEW MONTHLY ACTION Join Ash and all your other favorite characters on the all-new POKeMON ADVENTURES! These 48-page, trade-paperback-quality comics follow the story of the original Game Boy game rather than the anime or manga, with plenty of battles and surprises! Each issue is completely self-contained. IN THIS ISSUE: Meet our hero, Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town; the Pokemon expert Professor Oak; Professor Oak's nephew (and Ash's rival) Gary; and the rest of the cast as Ash's Pokemon Training Journey begins! But a quirk of fate will bring Ash into contact with Mew, the super-rare 151st Pokemon! POKeMON TALES collectible board books color, 18 pages, 4 1/2" x 6" $4.95 USA/$7.50 CAN SHIPS 9/24 POCKET-SIZE POKeMON These board books, each featuring a different character, are perfect for children and Pokemon fans of all ages! Each of these books is beautifully illustrated in full color by a different artist, and is durable enough to withstand any number of Pokemon battles. CHARMANDER SEES A GHOST story by Akihito Toda art by Kagemaru Himeno Charmander sees a ghost and tells all its friends about it. COME OUT, SQUIRTLE! story by Tomoaki Imakuni art by Naoyo Kimura Will Squirtle be brave enough to come out of its shell? BULBASAUR'S TROUBLE story by Akihito Toda art by Benimaru Itoh Bulbasaur helps settle an argument between two children. PIKACHU'S DAY story & art by Toshinao Aoki Pikachu wakes up to a Pikachu sort of day! LET'S FIND POKeMON! art by Kazunori Aihara color, 22 pages, 8 1/4" x 11 7/10" $11.95 USA SHIPS 9/24 WHERE'S PIKACHU? Is it in Pallet Town? At the Celadon City Fair? Or lost in Mt. Moon? This detailed book is packed with pictures of hundreds of Pokemon, at work, play and fighting. 8 spread-page dioramas show you different locations in the Pokemon world, plus other activity pages. POKeMON ORIGAMI created by Ryoko Nishida color, 80 pages, 7 1/4" x 10 1/4" $8.95 USA SHIPS 9/24 POKeGAMI! Why catch Pokemon when you can make your own? Fold, spindle & manufacture your own Pokemon in minutes with this full-color kit containing both pre-printed paper and a step-by-step instruction manual! Includes Pikachu, Bulbasaur, Squirtle, Eevee, Zubat and your other favorite characters. A CHINESE GHOST STORY: THE TSUI HARK ANIMATION theatrical animated feature color, stereo, 84 mins. in English or subtitled $19.98 English/$24.98 Subtitled SHIPS 9/24 ROMANCE AND REINCARNATION Based on the world-famous CHINESE GHOST STORY films by Hong Kong's Tsui Hark (ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA), this lushly animated version seamlessly combines the renowned action director's trademark pace with the latest computer graphics to create a tale of strange demons, hungry ghosts, and timeless love! Forsaking his home and safe life, Ning embarks into the world of the unknown to look for his true love, Shine. Only his trusty and loyal dog, Solid Gold, stands by his side on his dangerous journey. Produced over three years with a budget of US$7 million, A CHINESE GHOST STORY is considered to be Hong Kong's most important work of animation ever! "Lavish, dazzling:a must-see for fans of Japanese animation," says the SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE. RANMA 1/2 MARTIAL MAYHEM: BUNS OF STEEL two complete episodes each volume subtitled color, stereo, 52 mins. $24.95 USA SHIPS 9/3 GIMME THAT PIGTAIL! Special two-part story arc! Ranma's never worn his hair in anything but a pigtail, and now it turns out there's a reason for that. How long will he be able to dodge the four steamed little buns from China out for his head?! THEN: Talk about your bad hair days! Without the famed "Dragon Whisker," Ranma's hair will keep growing and growing. But even Rapunzel's hair ran out eventually... RANMA 1/2 VOL. 14 Viz graphic novel story and art by Rumiko Takahashi b&w, 184 pages $15.95 USA/$23.95 CAN SHIPS 9/3 ONE'S COMPANY It's the story of a boy, a girl, and a martial artist...and they're all the same person! Rumiko Takahashi's RANMA 1/2 is universally acknowledged as the masterpiece of the gender-bending kung-fu comedy genre. Due to an unfortunate accident at the cursed Chinese training ground Jusenkyo, when Ranma and his father get splashed with cold water, papa turns into a giant panda and male Ranma becomes a buxom young woman! Hot water reverses the effect - but only until the next time! RANMA 1/2 VOL. 14 morphs RANMA 1/2 PART SEVEN #9 (second half) through #14 into one handy volume. IN THIS VOLUME: Four dumpling-headed assailants travel from China on a sinister mission:steal the legendary "Dragon's Whisker" that ties Ranma's pigtail together! What hair-raising power does it hold? Then, the gang pairs up for a three-legged race competition at a hot springs obstacle course. But with waterfalls, quicksand, and land mines along the course, will anyone cross the finish line? viz graphic novels NIGHT WARRIORS: DARKSTALKERS' REVENGE Viz graphic novel story and art by Run Ishida b&w, 168 pages $15.95 USA/$23.95 CAN SHIPS 9/17 NIGHT FIGHTERS All your favorite supernatural fighters come to life in this graphic novel based on the hit Capcom video game NIGHTWARRIORS: DARKSTALKERS' REVENGE (VAMPIRE HUNTER in Japan)! This graphic novel contains the entire six-issue comic series of the same name. Vampire prince Demitri awakens from his slumber; catwoman Felicia tries to adjust to human society as a 6' tall fur-covered humanoid; the ghoulish Lord Raptor launches an attack on Felicia and J. Talbain; and, in the final storyline, vampire hunter Donovan must come to grips with his past and claim his sword to save a Tibetan monastery from Morrigan, princess of the night. NO NEED FOR TENCHI!: (TITLE TBA) Viz graphic novel story and art by Hitoshi Okuda b&w, 176 pages $15.95 USA/$23.95 CAN SHIPS 9/10 SPACE FOLLIES Science fiction comedy based on the anime series from Pioneer! It all started when high school student Tenchi freed the alien pirate Ryoko from her captivity on Earth. Soon enough, her friends and enemies showed up: alien princess Ayeka, mad scientist Washu, ditzy space cop Mihoshi:Surrounded by beautiful, feuding alien women, poor Tenchi is either the luckiest or the most miserable boy on Earth! IN THIS VOLUME: With the Great Tree of the Jurai Royal Family under her control, the evil super-genius (and Washu's rival) Yume has all she needs to take over the world. Does the fate of the galaxy rest on the outcome of a drinking bout 5000 years ago? Can Tenchi and Gohgei defeat Yume's robot-ninjas Hishima and Takashima? And where does Tsunami fit into it all? Believe it or don't in the exciting climax of this storyline:where even Tenchi gets a speaking part! viz merchandise STEAM DETECTIVES POSTER full-color poster 26 ¾" x 34 ½" $9.95 USA SHIPS 9/3 EXCLUSIVE NEW ARTWORK! A fabulous full-color poster drawn by Kia Asamiya exclusively for the American market, this poster depicts all the movers and shakers from the dark streets of Steam City: Narutaki, Ling Ling, the Phantom Knight, the Red Scorpion, Goriki, Shadow Bolt and more! viz videos MAISON IKKOKU SUBTITLED EDITION: GODAI COME HOME two complete episodes each volume in English color, stereo, 52 mins. $29.95 USA SHIPS 9/10 SHACKING UP NEW SUBTITLED EDITION! Fate leaves Godai sharing an apartment with an attractive woman, and everyone - including Kyoko - assumes the worst. Will Kyoko let him return to his old room at Maison Ikkoku? viz comics BLACK & WHITE #2 5-issue monthly series story and art by Taiyo Matsumoto b&w, 40 pages $3.25 USA/$4.95 CAN SHIPS 9/13 THINGS FALL APART The city wakes up to the reality of a cold corpse lies in the police morgue, a sign that times are changing. Meanwhile Black, on his own downward spiral, has a final encounter with old man Genroku. DRAGON BALL Z PART TWO, #10 story and art by Akira Toriyama 14-issue monthly series b&w, 32 pages $2.95 USA/$4.50 CAN SHIPS 9/ TO THE MOON, VEGETA Vegeta is literally knocked into orbit by the ferocity of the fight! But the worst is just beginning for Goku… DRAGON BALL PART