---------------------------------------------------------------------- Ed Dukeshire and Mike Imboden Present: THE COMIC BOOK NET ELECTRONIC MAGAZINE ISSUE NUMBER 255 3/10/2000 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 2000 ........................ Rich Johnston [6] The Professor of Comics ............... Thomas Read [7] Venting My Spleen ..................... David Groenewegen [8] M.O.E. Reviews ........................ Paul Dale Roberts [9] My View:ATTEMPTED NOT KNOW/WEIRDLING .. David LeBlanc [10] New Comic Book Releases List .......... Charles LePage [11] HYPE! Section ......................... Various [A] Submission, Back Issues, Copyrights ______________________________________________________________________ World Wide Web Home Page-->> http://members.aol.com/ComicBkNet Mailed by ONElist: http://www.onelist.com/community/ComicBookNetworkEmag HTML WEB EDITION at -->> http://www.digitalwebbing.com/cbem featuring a week's worth of the online 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, FREE, please send amessage FROM that account TO: ComicBookNetworkEmag-subscribe@onelist.com To UNSUBSCRIBE send a message FROM the account to be dropped to: ComicBookNetworkEmag-unsubscribe@onelist.com 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 2000 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 Once again we remind you to consider voting for the Comic Book Net Electronic Magazine in the category of Favourite E-zine in the Comics International Eagle Award balloting going on until March 31. You can link to the voting form on their web page at: http://www.comics-international.com/eagleawards/eagleawards.html or just click on the link at our web site on AOL or at the online web edition of the emag hosted at Digital Webbing at: http://www.digitalwebbing.com/cbem Many thanks to the folks at GEEKSVILLE for giving us a great big plug on the inside back cover of GEEKSVILLE #0 out this week from Image. Be sure to pick up your copy soon before they are gone. This is one of the most refreshingly entertaining comic books on the racks today! And speaking of comics on the racks, here are a few to consider: CORSAIR PUBLISHING Dork Tower Pack, 8.85 DC COMICS Millennium Edition House Of Secrets #92, 2.50 Promethea #7, 2.95 IMAGE COMICS Geeksville #0, 2.75 <-------------Pick of the Week!! Judge #1, 2.95 INSIGHT STUDIOS GROUP Liberty Meadows #8, 2.95 magazines Comics International #117, 1.95 Well, another hectic week comes and goes. Not much to say except to comment that the weird weather is reflecting on strange happenings in the personal life. Very odd. I saw a double rainbow in the sky today and it took my breath away. Next week I may see a double milestone in my life as well. Stay tuned . . . David LeBlanc - ComicBkNet@aol.com Editor The Comic Book Net Electronic Magazine ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [2] Letters to the Editor If you want to comment on this or any previous issue, want to offer something for us to publish, or just want to shamelessly suck up to the editor to try and get your name in print send Email to: ComicBkNet@aol.com Note: Letters of comment may be used in future issues of CBEM unless you specifically request us NOT to use them. Your Email address and/or name will be withheld upon request. +++++ Subj: Some help with comic related Research paper, please From: rmann@kakuta.com (Roland Mann) As MOST of you know, I've gone back to school seeking a Masters in English (some of you know me better than others, of course)... Obviously, at a Graduate level, more papers are required, etc, etc. So I decided to try to continue to at least write ABOUT one of my favorite subjects, and that is comic books. What I am trying to do with particular bit of research (for an AMERICAN FOLKLORE class) is to create a vocabulary list of slang terms (not necessarily naughty words, but slang in general) that are SPECIFIC to the comic book industry. Small catch phrases and words that when said in a comic book crowd is immediately understood (or assumed to be) but might not be quite so clear to those "outside" the comic book world. These words can range from the actual creation of comic books, stories and art, to convention life, to fanletters, etc. Basically, anything to DO with the comic book industry. This is a wide list, containing pros, fans, stores, etc. Please feel free to forward this to anyone (including lists or elists or webzines, etc) you think might be able to contribute to the effort. Please be sure to include your name and email address with submitted terms--this IS a research project and I will be required to properly identify all sources. Thanks in advance for your help! -- -Roland Mann EMAIL address: rmann@kakuta.com http://www.kakuta.com/roland Silverline http://www.kakuta.com/silverline +++++ Subj: [Ultimate Art] Erik Larsen Spiderman & Excalibur website updated From: ultimateart@planet.it (Enrico Salvini, the Muffin Man) Dear Collector, just a quick line to inform you that I've updated Erik Larsen Spiderman & Excalibur website. http://members.xoom.com/larsen_art/ What's new on the website? - brand new scans directly from the artwork instead than from cropped copies; - more readable data; - updated situation of sold pieces. Let me also remind you that I can now also accept cashier checks, personal checks and non-postal money orders. http://members.xoom.com/larsen_art/ Happy browsing, Enrico +++++ Subj: What are you working on? From: rickbradford@earthlink.net (Rick Bradford) Hi there! Just a couple of quick things I'd like you to be aware of. First, I wanted to remind all you folks that the 'indy' website now has a message boards area intended specially for publishers of all non-mainstream comix. When you have time, please drop by and let us know what you think. I'd like to encourage you to at least make use of the free advertising message boards offer. Let all of the board readers know what your current and upcoming projects are, post news releases, offer a link to your website, etc. It's there for YOU. On another note, please add me (Rick Bradford, rickbradford@earthlink.net) to your e-mailing list for any and all news of your projects. I'll run all the info I can in upcoming issues of 'Poopsheet' and/or another project I've got in the works. thanks, --Ricko ___________ Rick Bradford / PO Box 1591 / El Cajon, CA / 92022 USA My comic and zine reviews can be seen at www.indymagazine.com and in the sporadic e-version of Poopsheet that appears at http://www.marsimport.com/poopsheet.html. E-mail: rickbradford@earthlink.net. +++++ Subj: Visual Assault News Items From: VISASSAULT@aol.com Hello there, We have several newsworthy items to report this month. Genaissance #1 is scheduled to ship this month. This bi-monthly series, incorporating lost and forgotten books of the Bible, will attempt to solve some of the mystery of angels in a unique retelling of the events of the Old Testament...from an angel's point of view. Mature Readers, b&w, 32pg, $2.95. Created, written & inked by Rhyan Scorpio-Rhys, pencils by newcomer Keith Robinson. Issue #2 of Genaissance is solicited in the current issue of Previews, pages 277 & 278, and features a cover by Mike Kaluta. Rhyan Scorpio-Rhys' work will be part of an exhibit at the New Museum of Contemporary Art in NYC which runs from March 30 until June 25 entitled Picturing the Modern Amazon. His showing will include an original piece of one of our main characters, Nixa. and issues of Visual Assault Omnibus. S.T.A.R.L.E.N.E. - The Model Kit is featured in the current issue of Amazing Figure Modeler (issue #17, page 11). S.T.A.R.L.E.N.E. received 5 out of 5 stars from the model kit reviewers of this magazine, who among other favorable comments, cited the "clean, bold surfaces, effective pose, and nicely rendered head sculpt." This high-quality limited-run resin kit consists of 8 pieces, is ten inches tall and retails for $100.00. For ordering info, check out our website at www.visualassault.com Thank you. Juanita Hicks & Rhyan Scorpio-Rhys Visual Assault Murray Hill Station, P.O. Box 1122 New York, NY 10156-1122 E-mail: visassault@aol.com Website: www.visualassault.com +++++ Subj: stuff From: xfk97@dial.pipex.com (MICHAEL CRUDEN) Reply-to: mcruden@dial.pipex.com (MICHAEL CRUDEN) Estoban Maroto did lots of work for Warren's Creepy, Eerie and Vampirella> His work featured heavily in a U.K. magazine sized comic called Dracula, which reprinted some of Maroto's original Spanish strips, and I think he did some work for DC mystery magazines in the 70's, and also quite possibly for the Marvel b & w horror line. I was quite impressed by his work at first, but then it led to this whole movement of artists seeing the whole page as a piece of art, which completely lost the story telling aspect of comics as sequential artwork: you never knew which part of the page your eye was supposed to go to next, which eventually irritated me so much I ended up disliking his art, and others of his ilk. I find it puzzling to understand how can anybody can like Macy Gray. Her voice is so unpleasant, like listening to somebody with a brillo pad stuck in her throat. Capitalised lettering: I'm sure I once read that the words FLICK and CLINT were not allowed in comics, in case the L and I ran together, so I always smile when somebody refers to Hawkeye by his real name, "Hey, CLINT! Smiley smiley. Mike C. +++++ Subj: Your CBEM column From: paul.smith@eds.com (Smith, Paul A) To: silhouet9@aol.com ('silhouet9@aol.com') Paul, I'd just like to thank you for completely ruining a story line for me. Against my better judgement, I decided to read what you'd written about Rising Stars #5 in your CBEM column, a book that I have purchased, but not yet read. Imagine my surprise to find that, far from a normal review of the book, you had in fact given a complete plot synopsis, including revealing the name of the killer. Gee, thanks. Now I don't need to bother reading the book, which I've already paid god money for, as I already know what happens. I know there has been much debate in the past about your 'reviewing style'. I must chip in that a review should *NOT* give away the whole plot. Perhaps it might be worth you reading a few book/movie reviews, which usually describe the plot well, without giving away the pot twists/ending !!!!! Regards, Paul Smith * E-Mail: paul.smith@eds.com [I have defended Paul's right to structure his column as he wants, but since he does not recognize the need for spoiler warnings I will put one at the top of his column myself in the future. - D.L.] +++++ Subj: Re: Fresh #1 Overview Date: 3/7/00 9:13:47 AM Eastern Standard Time From: editor@orcafresh.net (Bob) To: Silhouet9@aol.com Dear Mr. Roberts, Imagine my surprise and delight to receive your "overview" of FRESH! [See Paul's column later in this issue - D.L.] Thank you for taking the time to peruse it, and offer your feedback. By the way, we're building a new web site at www.orcafresh.net. If you have time, check it out. It's in its infancy, but we have plans to enhance it and make it more interactive. Thanks again, Bob Stronach editor, Fresh +++++ Subj: Read's column From: holmest@ACCESS.ETSU.EDU (Thomas Alan Holmes) Dear Editor: Thomas M. Read, declaring himself "The Professor of Comics," offers a number of suggestions for solving the comics industry's problem of luring new, young readers. Unfortunately, in my opinion he gets sidetracked on superficial qualities of entertainment rather than addressing core issues. He also offers a wide range of baseless assertions. For example, after offering his credibility of a comics critic by naming various stories he has read and noting that the stories recycle old plots, he says, ++ Why do we strip mine the past? Because of a fear. All comics are intended for an "All Ages Audience" that's why we don't see curses in Marvel Comics. Yet, their buyers, their consumers, customers are all 14 to 33 year old males. Then why is everything toned down for the "G" rating? Reading this passage, I had to wonder how much of a background Read has in reading comics. DC's Vertigo line, Chaos, much of Image, Fantagraphics, Oni, Harris, and many other companies/publishing lines obviously do not publish comics for all ages. This passage DOES indicate, however, Read's suggestion of how to bring children into the comics reading fold: make all comics adult-oriented. Note his later comments: ++ I saw "American Beauty" the other week. The best film of 1999 and guaranteed to win a bunch of Oscars. And you know what? It was Rated R. Rated R and it is considered the best movie drama of all year. That's why comics aren't accepted in the public, because it is viewed as "Just for Kids" It is marketed towards kids, yet a whole different group buys it. I would like to think that Read intends to suggest that comics should get broader public recognition of being an entertainment genre that encompasses material for all types of audiences. I had hoped that he would point out that, especially prior to the sixties, "Best Picture" honors went to movies that would earn "G" ratings today, and that the stories and characters could engage a wide range of audiences. I had hoped that he would point out that, like with other books, each reader can find a niche in the literature. Instead, he follows this comment with the following notion: ++ And companies wonder why the industry is shrinking. Kids want something edgier. All their movies are more adult, their video games are more adult, but their comics are G. What would happen if "American Beauty" was toned down for a G-Rating? Probably wouldn't be that critically acclaimed, or have been nominated for that many Oscars. Yet the comic industry still markets to its wrong crowd and alienates its old and only readers. Read needs to pay more attention to the entertainment industry. First of all, not all movies for children are "more adult," as we have seen with the recent RUGRATS, IRON GIANT, MOUSE HUNT, STUART LITTLE, TOY STORY 2, TARZAN, and the like. We certainly don't want an industry that confuses "more adult" with "more sophisticated or experienced." Toning down AMERICAN BEAUTY for a "G" rating would be ridiculous, because it was never intended for a child audience. Toning down the "mature" comics to make them suitable for children could be just as disastrous--a "G"-rated "Death of Speedy" section from LOVE AND ROCKETS, for example, could compromise the hard adult themes the work addresses. Next, any glance at PREVIEWS should tell him that the comics companies are not all "market[ing] to the wrong crowd"--the larger companies know that there are particular readerships for different lines. Dark Horse doesn't intend to sell SIN CITY to everybody. Read apparently calls for the industry to prepare everyone for the "edgier" comics, and he suggests inserting profanity as a start. He notes the recent inclusion of the word "sucks" in an IRON MAN issue and points out that FRIENDS dialog includes "ass," "damn," "hell," "bitch," and "bastard." Aside from the question of whether FRIENDS is intended for children and whether Mr. Read assumes that all kids talk like SOUTH PARK characters, he makes his argument more problematic with the following assertion: ++ It is time the industry to start to make a change. Advertise to the older crowd; make it edgier to compete in this market. Advertise outside the medium and get new readers in. Let creators go wild and make some changes, let the characters grow as characters. Re-do the product, make it more of intense story driven comic, with real dialogue, face it, if a super- villain is ripping apart Wolverine, he isn't going to say, "flaming'". Give the market (what's left of it) what they want, more mature comic in line with society today. First of all, there is not a single comics market--it is diverse and should exploit that diversity in developing new readership. Next, the industry HAS been experimenting with the medium for years, including letting creators "go wild" and "[r]e-do" the product; maybe Read needs to look at some of the various publishing lines mentioned earlier in this letter. But Read should not expect wide-range, general-audience characters to encounter supervillains who spout real street profanity. That choice, as well as greater gore volume, deeper-cut women's costumes, and the like, is a mere superficial change that does not affect the real draw to a story--good execution of good writing. An "edge" or a shock element merely titilates. We want enduring material. If anything, the general market comics should follow the lessons of Warner Brothers animation. The Bugs Bunny short features were originally intended for wide audiences; they were shown immediately before the feature presentation in movie houses packed with families. WB knew that a story appealing to adults would attract children, too--that appeal did not have to depend on "mature" subject matter, either. In a like manner, the recent animated adventures of Batman, Batman Beyond, and Superman all have solid, engaging stories that parents can enjoy along with their children. These stories last. For example, Mr. Freeze in the current animated Batman adventures has a tragic quality that a young child may not grasp readily but will grow to appreciate with maturity and repeated viewings. The movie industry understands this concept, sometimes; look at IRON GIANT, for example, and see how emotionally resonant a decision can be--whether to be a bully or a hero. That's what we see in literature that endures, whether in novels (read TOM SAWYER or LITTLE WOMEN lately?), movies, songs, poetry, drama, and the like. I agree that the comics industry misses a number of opportunities in making itself known (WB should advertise DC Comics during every animated adventure on the WB network). I agree that it has to throw off the public perception that all comics are juvenile literature, filled with spandex-wrapped heroes involved in nothing but WWF-style antics. But I don't think merely inserting "grown-up" elements into all books and advertising their perceived hipness on that basis is the way to go. No mom is going let her kid drag her into a comic shop because the kid thinks an established hero is now cooler for saying "motherf'r." But she might go into the shop with her kid when she learns that aside from Archie Comics, there are other gentle and/or heroic books her young child would like, ranging from BONE and SAILOR MOON to BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES and LEAVE IT TO CHANCE. While she's there, she might see LOVE AND ROCKETS, BOOKS OF MAGIC, FROM HELL, WHITEOUT, and other reasons for her to come back on her own. We should hope that her visit to the comic shop is not just one big blur of superheroes, "bad girls," and gore. Redefining the public perception of comics, however, is only one means to increase comics readership; the other is to introduce more young readers to comics so they can enjoy a decades-long involvement with the medium. Curiously, Read overlooks the main solution to the comics industry's problems; in the beginning of his column, he writes: "I grew up reading and learning to read on Wittman Disney Comics that my mom got for me when I was younger." The solution to increase literacy is to encourage children to read. Read's own mother introduced him to comics, and she chose comics that she considered appropriate for a new reader. His interest in comics grew from that introduction. Children learn to value what their parents value, and Read was fortunate in having a mother who valued reading. I find it ironic that with his last name, Read misses this most significant point. In conclusion, I hope that the self-proclaimed "Professor of Comics" performs more prep work before our next lesson. --T. A. Holmes ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [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 Discount Comic Book Service at www.dcbservice.com where you can order most DC, Marvel, Image, and Dark Horse comics, statues and retail products for 35% off. +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: Was our annual TRIVIA CONTEST ANNIVERSARY in honor of Seaborn Adamson, the inspiration for our longest running feature. The question was: The last line of the UNITY SAGA refers to what other familiar work of fiction? Andrew Wilson of the UK correctly identified the reference to the robot that raised Magnus comparing him to the Tin Man in the Wizard of Oz. He wins a signed copy of MAGNUS ROBOT FIGHTER #1 from our personal stash. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ And now our regular sponsor helps us kick off the fifth year of the contest! THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION: What is Millie the Model's last name? 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 ONI PRESS DEBUTS ALISON DARE IN FIRST ONLINE COMICS Oni Press is pleased to announce the introduction of their first online comic strip, which will also debut J. Torres and Jason Bone's ALISON DARE, LITTLE MISS ADVENTURES. On Sunday, February 27, 2000, www.onipress.com will feature the first of a six-part Sunday comic strip series. The remaining five parts will be released weekly through March and April, and they will be colored by Arthur Dela Cruz. "We recently relaunched our website with the goal to make it more exciting and more active with new content and frequently updated news,” said Oni Press editor in chief Jamie S. Rich. "At about the same time, J. Torres – whose work I had enjoyed on THE COPYBOOK TALES and Image's SIREN – sent me the pitch for ALISON. Putting ALISON online seemed like the perfect way to get the whole thing started.” "Jamie and I have been talking about working on something for a while, and I am glad that this one finally hit,” commented Torres. "Oni is a cool company, and I am excited about the progressive way they are looking at marketing the character. It's refreshing to see someone really get behind a property and push it, as opposed to just putting it out and hoping people notice it on the racks.” ALISON DARE, LITTLE MISS ADVENTURES is the story of Alison Dare, the daughter of the world's most powerful couple – her father's a superhero and her mother's a world-famous explorer. As a result of her lineage, Alison has a knack for adventure in her blood, though the most dangerous part of her travails is that she must be back in her boarding school dormitory and in bed before anyone realizes she is gone. In addition to the online strip, Oni has scheduled a one-shot ALISON DARE comic book to be published in September 2000. "ALISON is the sort of comic that will hopefully be able to branch out and find a wide audience,” concluded Rich. "Its timeless charm should appeal to kids of all ages and genders, tapping into the same intrigue that has given characters like Nancy Drew and Indiana Jones such long, creative lives. If all goes well, this online strip will only be the first of many adventures to come.” For more information or artwork, contact: Oni Press 6336 SE Milwaukie Ave., Suite #30 Portland, OR 97202 e-mail: joeoni@spiritone.com or jamieoni@europa.com Alison Dare, Little Miss AdventuresÖ & © 2000 J. Torres and Jason Bone. +++++ From: Comicology March 7th, 2000 Dear Friends: As many of you have noticed, COMICOLOGY Vol. II #1 was solicited in both last month's & this month's editions of PREVIEWS by Diamond Comic Distributors catalog. The listing in the February PREVIEWS for items shipping in April is correct. The listing in this month's PREVIEWS for items shipping in May was an error on the part of the distributor. One more time to clarify: COMICOLOGY is debuting in April. Diamond is canceling the May item code. We'd like to assure readers & retailers that we are not running late and that TwoMorrows Publishing had nothing to do with the mistaken second solicitation. We'd also like to thank Diamond for twice making COMICOLOGY a Featured Item in PREVIEWS and for giving us the pleasant surprise of an enthusiastic endorsement in the SPLASH PAGE section of last month's PREVIEWS. You can still order COMICOLOGY Vol. II #1 by name from your local comics shop, even though the first-round ordering process is complete. Diamond & FM International should be happy to take what's known as advance reorders Shops may also order directly from the publisher. You can find the comics shop closest to you by calling 1-888-COMIC-BOOK, a toll-free number sponsored by Diamond Comic Distributors. If there is no comics shop in your area, feel free to subscribe to any of the TwoMorrows Publishing magazines by calling 919-833-8092 or visiting the TwoMorrows Website at Cold Cut Distribution & TwoMorrows Publishing both have back issues available of all TwoMorrows titles, including ALTER EGO, COMIC BOOK ARTIST, THE JACK KIRBY CHECKLIST, THE JACK KIRBY COLLECTOR, and THE COLLECTED JACK KIRBY COLLECTOR Vol. I-III. With covers by Bruce Timm & Lea Hernandez, and in-depth, generously illustrated interviews with Timm, Hernandez, & Jeph Loeb, COMICOLOGY Vol. II #1 is heading your way next month. Don't say we didn't warn you. Brian Saner Lamken Editor/Packager, COMICOLOGY +++++ NEIL GAIMAN "WORKS THE REGISTERS" AT TWO CBLDF BENEFITS IN LA "Aloha" Events Organized By Golden Apple Acclaimed comics and fantasy author NEIL GAIMAN will host two special events in LOS ANGELES to benefit the non-profit COMIC BOOK LEGAL DEFENSE FUND. Both "ALOHA" events take place on SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 2000, one day before Gaiman sets sail with two dozen of his fellow comic creators and a hundred lucky fans aboard MAKING WAVES: The CBLDF Fundraising Cruise. Gaiman's rare appearance at Los Angeles' GOLDEN APPLE, one of the nation's premiere comic shops, will be no ordinary signing. From 1:00pm - 3:00pm, Gaiman will be working behind the counter, ringing up sales and waiting on customers. Of course, he'll also be glad to sign autographs. 20 percent of the entire day's sales at Golden Apple will be donated to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. Further, anyone who comes to the store during Gaiman's shift wearing a CBLDF t-shirt will have a chance to win a ticket for a second benefit event that evening, April 8, when Gaiman will host a small, intimate gathering of friends and fans for a reading of portions of his upcoming Avon novel, "AMERICAN GODS." This private affair will take place at a nearby restaurant in Beverly Hills at 8:30pm with coffee, desserts and cocktails served before the reading begins. Tickets cost $100 and all proceeds benefit the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. "It's going to be a unique experience for me, being out on the front lines, working the cash register, and meeting the fans," remarked Gaiman about his two hour stint at Golden Apple. "After all, the people who work in the comic stores are the ones who are most often the same folk that the Legal Defense Fund has to bail out and to defend, and I have an enormous amount of respect for them and what they do. And I'm thrilled that Golden Apple's going to be making such a substantial donation to such a good cause." Gaiman is an award-winning graphic novelist and short story writer, a screenwriter, and a novelist. His graphic work includes DC's groundbreaking "Sandman" series, an epic meditation on myths and storytelling. He created the hit BBC television series "Neverwhere," soon to be a major motion picture. With the publication of the best-selling "Neverwhere" novel, Gaiman made the leap from graphic visionary to literary novelist. His other books include "Smoke and Mirrors," "Good Omens" with Terry Pratchett and, most recently, "Stardust." In 1999, he wrote the English-language script for the animated blockbuster "Princess Mononoke" and returned to Sandman with the new graphic novel "The Dream Hunters." "The Dictionary of Literary Biography" lists him along with Thomas Pynchon and William S. Burroughs as one of America's "top ten post-modern writers." A constant supporter of free expression in comics, Gaiman received the 1997 Defender of Liberty Award from the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund for his work on their behalf. Both events on APRIL 8 are organized by Golden Apple owner BILL LIEBOWITZ. "This is a great opportunity to do something very special for a special cause," he says. "Neil is always very generous with his time, but he hasn't been able to make an appearance in Los Angeles for quite a while. This will be a rare treat for fans, and I'm proud to be a part of it." "We really appreciate all the hard work that Bill, and of course Neil, are doing on behalf of the Fund," said CBLDF executive director CHRIS OARR. "With Aloha events at Wondercon in Oakland and at Golden Apple in Los Angeles, I know that the CBLDF's first-ever cruise will set sail on a great wave on April 9. We're looking forward to a fabulous weekend." Golden Apple is located at 7711 Melrose Avenue (near Fairfax) in Hollywood. For more information, contact the store at 1-323-658-6047, visit the Golden Apple web-site at http://www.goldenapplecomics.com, or call the CBLDF toll-free at 1-800-99-CBLDF. Tickets for the evening benefit April 8 will be available at Golden Apple or directly from the Fund by calling 1-800-99-CBLDF or visiting the CBLDF web-site at http://www.cbldf.org. The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is a non-profit organization protecting First Amendment rights in the comics community. Donations and inquiries should be directed to the CBLDF at P.O. Box 693, Northampton, MA 01061. For more CBLDF news and information, pick up a copy of "Busted!," the Fund’s free quarterly newsletter, or visit the CBLDF web-site at http://www.cbldf.org. For additional information about the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, the Making Waves Cruise, and other "Aloha" events, contact: Chris Bleistein at (413) 586-6967 or cbleistein@cbldf.org. For additional information about Neil Gaiman contact: Roger Bilheimer at (908) 233-4107 or Bilheim@aol.com +++++ Marvel CEO Says Licensing Revenue Could Triple The release of the X-Men movie this summer may be the first impetus convincing investors to buy into Marvel Enterprises (NYSE: MVL - news) this year, but it certainly won't be the last. Marvel Chief Executive Peter Cuneo told individualinvestor.com Tuesday that the company will announce a 50/50 joint venture with Sony Pictures (NYSE: SNE - news) for the licensing of its live-action Spiderman movie during the first week in May. The event, slated for May 3 in Los Angeles, will bring together all the potential licensees and drive what Cuneo expects to be ``huge (licensing) activity'' over the subsequent six months that will drive those revenues higher. ``The overall licensing on Spiderman will possibly be triple what we did for X-Men,'' he says. Sony won't release Spiderman until late 2001, so investors will mainly focus on the live-action X-Men movie, which Twentieth Century Fox will release on July 14. The $100-million budget film, which stars Patrick Stewart, Halle Berry and Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, already has Internet chat rooms buzzing from the downloadable trailer's special effects. But the two films are linked in that Marvel needs the licensing revenues from Spiderman this year to pick up where X-Men left off. Most of the X-Men licensing was recorded last year, and Cuneo warned during the first quarter conference call and again in our interview that Marvel's first quarter licensing revenue is ``going to be very light'' (about $1.4 million for X-Men) as a result. Reason to worry? We think not. Management is showing that it has the vision to drive new growth into Marvel's business model, so rather than be cautious about the first quarter results, we urge investors to take a longer-term perspective by keeping in mind that this will be Marvel's break out year. Cuneo also expects the company to announce three to four new live-action movie deals with its famed super heroes in the next month and a half. How much that could boost licensing revenues this year is uncertain. ``Licensing income is the hardest thing to predict,'' adds Cuneo, just because it's difficult to time when the big deals will go down. Some of Marvel's big licensing deals so far include trading cards from Topps Co. (NASDAQ: TOPP - news), video games from Activision Inc. (NASDAQ: ATVI - news), and apparel. It also has an X-Men television show due out this fall. The X-Men action figure line and other movie-related merchandize from Marvel's core Toy Biz division also provide a major growth opportunity. Cuneo expects the X-Men line can do between $50-$75 million this year, which would more than offset the expected slowdown in World Championship Wresting products. As if that all weren't enough, Cuneo says Marvel is looking at several distribution deals to deliver its content of characters to popular Internet portals to help build the brand. An announcement related to the Internet initiative could come within the next two to three months. Other movies already in development include The Hulk, The Fantastic Four, and Blade 2. Those, too, will have licensing strategies developed. Bottom Line: First quarter may be a bit bumpy on revenue, but we remain bullish on Marvel shares and continue to rate them a ``Buy.'' Updated on February 24, 2000 with MVL at $5.63. Recommended on December 11 at $6.69. +++++ From Beau Yarbrough's Comic Wire at: http://www.comicbookresources.com/ 'DARKCHYLDE' ALIVE AND WELL AND LIVING IN GERMANY Fans of Randy Queen's "Darkchylde" were likely dismayed at last week's announcement by DC Comics that they weren't going to be publishing the long-delayed next issues of the series, and that they were relinquishing the publishing rights back to Queen. At least, American fans of Randy Queen were dismayed. European fans will be getting their next dose of "Darkchylde" at the end of April via publisher Generation Comics (http://www.marvel.de/). One of the two issues DC Comics specifically mentioned in their press release last week - "Dreams of the Darkchylde" #0 - will be published on April 27 as "Der Traum von Darkchylde." At press time, there was no word as to how Green would be releasing future "Darkchylde" comics in the United States. +++++ From Comics2Film at http://www.comics2film.com THE TICK -------- Ben Edlund's teleplay for the Tick pilot is finished and Patrick Warburton (Seinfeld) has been cast in the title role. Barry Sonnenfeld (Wild Wild West) is set to direct and the cameras are slated to start rolling in April. Now, a tipster who wishes to be identified under the dubious name of The Shyster has dropped by to fill in the details. Shyster is an aspiring actor who actually read for a part in the pilot film. Based on the script pages he saw during his reading he is able to provide the following details about the production. A nationwide casting call has been issued for the parts of Arthur, American Maid, and Die Fledermaus. These characters are definitely in the pilot. Given the nature of the casting call, these parts would likely be filled by unknowns. The pilot involves the villainous Red Scare who is scheming to kill former President Jimmy Carter. Included in the script pages Shyster saw were several scenes right out of the comics. One scene involves the Tick's destructive confusion over Arthur's lack of superhero trappings. Another scene has the Tick and Arthur trying to chase down the Red Scare after the Tick has clobbered him over several city blocks. Shyster reports other plot details, which we'll save for the show. However, the tipster does say that the script is "damned, damned funny and retains the spirit and humor of both the cartoon and the comic." G-MEN FROM HELL --------------- The movie version of Mike Allred's G-Men From Hell has wrapped principal photography and is being readied for the festival circuit. "It's all done. They're editing it right now," Allred told Comics 2 Film this week. "They're planning to premiere it at the Cannes film festival in May. Last time they checked in with me...they just had a few special effects shots that they had to finish and the soundtrack." Following its debut at Cannes, G-Men From Hell will likely move on to other film festivals before the studio arrives at a distribution plan. The cast of the movie includes such familiar names as Tate Donovan, Paul Rodriguez, Robert Goulet, Bobcat Goldthwait, Kari Wuhrer, Krista Allen-Moritt, Vanessa Angel and Gary Busey. While Hollywood adapts Allred's various creation, he and his wife and collaborator, Laura Allred are enjoying their success at self-publishing under the AAA Pop Comics label. "We're in heaven as far as that goes," Allred enthused. Sales on their first title, The Atomics have been much better than expected. "We got our first reorders on #1 the day after it hit the shelves. I overprinted on it. I said 'it might take us a year or two years but we're going to sell this print run.' We sold out in less then two weeks, so we immediately went to a second printing." Allred also reports that he's finished the first issue of a four-issue Madman arc, which will be published by Dark Horse starting in August. X-MEN ----- FROM CORONA COMING ATTRACTIONS: Corona Coming Attractions unveiled the first look at Anna Paquin, in character as Rogue, from the upcoming X-Men movie. The production still features Paquin standing in a train station, just prior to a big action sequence involving Magneto. The costume worn by Paquin matches up with previous reports made by CCA. She's seen wearing a dark, hooded cloak which covers most of her skin, preventing unwanted contact with bystanders. Although it's not completely clear from the picture, CCA also reports that we should not expect to see the trademark skunk stripe in the character's hair on the big screen. http://www.corona.bc.ca/ SPAWN ANIMATED -------------- Reports from the Spawn.com indicate that fans should not expect to see a fourth season of the Spawn animated program on HBO. According to the postings, which have been confirmed by sources a Todd McFarlane Entertainment, new venues are being sought for the show. The official response posted on the message boards reads, "We have decided to cease production of the Spawn animated series on HBO for several reasons. This does not mean the series is completed however. We are in early discussions with another network to take the show there, and/or might simply produce our own animation as a direct to video feature and cut out the middle man all together. Stay tuned in the coming months for news regarding this." Thanks to Kevin L. Knoles for the tip! http://www.spawn.com/ PURSUERS --------- Freight Films recently announced that production of a feature film version of the MonsterPants Comics concept The Pursuers is set to begin mid-2000. The Pursuers are a group of 60's-style super-agents which first appeared in a back-up feature in MonsterPants Comics' Psychonaut #3. "I like to describe The Pursuers as a sort of a combination of the original Avengers comic books and The Avengers British TV series" says creator James Felix McKenney. The press release for the film reports that it will feature colorful characters, non- stop action and a tongue-in-cheek sense of humor. According to the announcement, the movie will feature several actors who are well know to comic book movie fans. Adam West and Frank Gorshin, who may be best known for playing Batman and the Riddler on TV will appear in the movie. West plays FBI Director Tarrell while Gorshin portrays Doctor Morton, The Butcher. John Levene, who appeared in Doctor Who and starred in the Who spin-off movie Wartime, also appears. Also starring are Beto Simas as The Lutheran and Diana Lee Inosanto as The Pink Lady. Simas is said to be a Brazilian superstar and martial artist. Inosanto is an actress, stunt woman and also a martial arts expert. She's done stunt work for Mystery Men and Blade and had an acting role in Barb Wire. The film will be directed by David Hale and produced by Andreas Scholtz, both of Freight Films. Pursuers creator James Felix McKenney is the screenwriter. This will be the first full-length feature from Freight, who are best known for their award-winning documentaries as well as music videos for artists such as Wu Tang, Ben Fold's Five and Bracket. Freight Films is currently in Brazil filming a documentary on capoeira, the martial art that is featured prominently in The Pursuers. Additional information on The Pursuers is available at the MonsterPants web site. http://home.earthlink.net/~monsterpants HELLBLAZER ---------- Stax, proprietor of the ultra-cool Flixburg, USA website has posted a review for Constantine, the movie version of DC/Vertigo's John Constantine, Hellblazer. The screenplay is by Kevin Brodbin (The Glimmer Man) and is dated June 1997. Stax tells us that the review is positive, but it does contain spoilers. Things have been pretty quite on the Hellblazer front. It was over a year ago that we told you that music video director Paul Hunter was attached to this project. At that time Mark Bomback had been brought on board to work on the screenplay. Little word has been heard about the movie since then, but that may be due to the producers being occupied with a quiet little production called X-MEN. http://welcome.to/flixburg +++++ From The Daily Buzz at http://www.mania.com/newsarama/index.html Lugibihl on Demonslayer Robert Lugibihl, co-author of The Witchfinder mini-series and More than Mortal #7, said he is joining Marat Mychaels and Jaime Mendoza on Image Comics' ongoing Demonslayer series. "I'll be handling the scripting chores beginning with issue #1 of the new three-issue story arc entitled 'Into Hell,'" Lugibihl said. "Marat, Jaime and I are very excited about this new story arc." +++++ From Newsarama; http://www.AnotherUniverse.com/newsarama WINNER OF THE 1997 & 1998 INTERNET "SQUIDDY" FOR BEST WEB SITE JRJr. Reacts to Spider-Man News In the current edition of Mania's Newsarama, we reported that John Romita Jr. announced to readers on AOL that he was scheduled to pencil 5 consecutive bi-weekly issues of Amazing Spider-Man immediately after he completed his run on Thor, and then take over as regular penciler of both monthly Spider-Man titles, Amazing and Peter Parker, as previously announced. Reached for comment in light of today's news that Paul Jenkins and Mark Buckingham will take over as the regular creative team of Peter Parker in June, Romita said there has been a "major change of plans" since that post on AOL and the announcement that he would serve as penciler of both titles. The artist explained that he will pencil two issues month of Amazing for a few months immediately after leaving Thor, but that these issues will ship monthly as per its regular schedule and that he will then pick up another second regular title elsewhere at Marvel, or possibly some special projects, later on. Jenkins Takes On Spider-Man In an interview last month, writer Paul Jenkins told Mania's Newsarama that due to his ever-increasing workload. He wouldn't be taking on any new projects beyond his current assignments in the foreseeable future. But, when asked if he'd make an exception if he ever got the call to write one of his favorite characters Spider-Man on a regular basis, he replied, "Oh yeah, I'd say so. If I got that phone call I'd find a way to do it.” Flash forward a month later, and Jenkins is holding true to his word. Marvel's online Yourman@Marvel announced today that Jenkins, along with former Titans penciler Mark Buckingham are the new creative team of Peter Parker: Spider-Man as of June's issue #20. Deadpool Creative Changes Coming Michael Doran, Newsarama Marvel's `Merc-With-A-Mouth' Deadpool will be going through some major changes as the title heads towards its 50th issue - a noteworthy milestone as readers familiar with its up and down history are aware. Making their exit over the spring and summer will the current team of writer Christopher Priest and penciler Paco Diaz, with Priest's last issue being August's issue #45 and Diaz's April's #41, according to Deadpool editor Mike Marts. The bulk of the changes then begin with September's issue #46, the first of a 3-part story arc by the "guest" creative team of writer Jimmy Palmiotti (yes, you read that right) and artist Paul (Concrete) Chadwick. Palmiotti, who in similar fashion to his Marvel Knights partner's current work on Iron Man, will be making his first foray into writing Marvel characters with the arc. And along with the change in creative teams will come a change in tone and direction for the title, as Marts explained the series will be getting somewhat away from the over-the-top irreverence that has defined the book since writer Joe Kelly and editor Matt Idelson launched it 3 ½ years ago. Following the three-issue Palmiotti/Chadwick arc, artist Jim Calafiore, who pencils the four issues (#42-#45) leading up to it, will then rejoin the title as its regular penciler. He'll actually write and draw issue #49, and then a new regular – but as of now unnamed – writer will join the creative team with issue #50. +++++ From Zentertainment; HTTP://WWW.ZENTERTAINMENT.COM To sign a friend up or begin receiving ZEN yourself, e-mail: subscribe@ZENtertainment.com 'TUROK 3' PLANNED FOR LATE SUMMER ACCLAIM has announced a late summer release for the NINTENDO 64's TUROK 3: SHADOW OF OBLIVION. The game takes mission-based 3D gameplay to new heights, with scripted in-game events and cut scenes, and varying stories depending on whether you play as Joseph or Danielle Fireseed. The five huge, very-different worlds which exist in a "living environment" evolving around the players include a BLADE RUNNER-esque city, a military city, and a jungle level. There are also 24 upgradeable weapons, 8 gameplay modes, a fully-orchestrated score, and over 40 intelligent enemies who you'll never find in the same place twice. http://www.acclaim.com SMITH JOINS THE RANT Kevin Smith again stops by HBO's DENNIS MILLER LIVE this Friday night, at 11:30, where the DOGMA director & occasional DAREDEVIL writer will help take on the topic of God. http://www.hbo.com/dml http://www.viewaskew.com http://www.newsaskew.com 'UNLIMITED' DELAY? The COMICS CONTINUUM reports that FOX KIDS' SPIDER-MAN UNLIMITED animated series might not return to Saturday mornings until next year. Three of the first season's 13 episodes aired before the show was pulled. http://comicscontinuum.com http://www.foxkids.com ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [5] Ramblings 2000 Rich Johnston twisting@hotmail.com [Renamed for the new year, Ramblings 2000 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: 06 Mar 2000 Chris Mass News is coming in from a recent small comics convention in Chicago that impacts on our previous Wildstorm and Ellis rumours. Fans talking to Chris Sprouse revealed the following. "Sprouse was pretty eager to continue on Tom Strong after issue #12, and said Alan had ideas for the next 12 after that (including 10 new characters and a direction somewhat like Inhumans and Fantastic Four). Sprouse also said that Top Ten will probably end after #12, and Alan and Gene were discussing doing semi-regular graphic novels of Top Ten. Veitch is definitely leaving Tomorrow Stories, and Kevin Nowlan is already drawing the next Jack B. Quick story. The Glenn Fabry ABC book may still happen, but maybe not, since he is kinda slow. And so far, Gaiman has been asked to write back-ups in Tom Strong (and not to take it over), but it doesn't seem like either will happen." Which, again, partially confirms much of the ABC rumourmongering of late. Party Popper Pooper Now, Warren Ellis' Pop Comics line. He recently wrote a column announcing its demise due to publisher problems, and the name being taken by Mike Allred. However, we heard from one professional who recently got an email from Warren Ellis saying that the Pop Comics line at Wildstorm is dead. He claimed that there were problems with Wildstorm over the debut line and a mutual agreement that Ellis may be spreading himself thin. Personally, I think that's bollocks. Ellis has shown an ability to work on many projects simultaneously, and with the X-books raising his profile, now would be the time to strike. Look Who's Scripting Now. Scott Lobdell's been shooting his wad all over the boards.crawlspace.com forums. Stoically defending his work on Gen 13, especially issue 50, the emergenmce of editor John Layman on the boards in light of Lodell recently leaving the book led Scott to say: "I guess I'm a little confused here. Clearly, you read these boards - and yet you're standing by and letting everybody slam me for your writing. While I certainly make my share of mistakes (and while there are clearly people here who did not enjoy my run), I have to say it seems kind of...I don't know,...shameful...to see that you're here and not responding to the criticisms hurled at issue #50's faults." "For the record, I agree with everyone who wrote in and said "Too much talking to the camera is a bad thing..."" "I too was surprised by lines like "This never happened when Alan Moore wrote me..."" "I too wondered what happened to Helspont's motivation that was in the plot but didn't make it into the script." "Now, on the bright side -- you get credit for a lot of the funny stuff too!" "I think we all agree that the Kherabhim seat covers was hysterical. And while SOME people think Helspont's street lingo was a bit over the top -- I thought it was hysterical, and shows that you were right there with HELSPONT trying to trick Caitlyn into submission. I even told you personally that I thought the Lobdellotomy was a funny line." "But to the point of this post, John -- I have spent the last twelve years being slammed for my writing (and there are some people that even -- gasp -- like it!)...and I can take that." "Watching people slam me for the writing I DIDN'T do -- while the writer who DID do it silently lurks...? I don't know, it just seems so...dirty." Scott Lobdell has often been known to be frank about creative collaborators on message boards but it's another thing entirely to be the same about an editor... Hogan's Heroes. Ramblings hears of another Brit recently signed up for the Marvel makeover, joining such luminaries as Morrison, Millar, Ellis and Edginton is Pete Hogan! We hope to hear more soon Static Animation We hear more confirmation behind the rumour of a STATIC animated series from Warner Brothers this autumn, by the BATMAN BEYOND crew. Dwayne McDuffie, mighty Milestone mogul replied "I can't comment on that". Hope there's no conflict with the Space Kidettes... ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [6] The Professor of Comics Thomas Read trodimus@hotmail.com Welcome, come in and sit down. We have a lot of material to cover today. Today we start our second class of The Professor of Comics, and I, Thomas Read, will be your instructor for this afternoon. Last week we discussed about the product itself, the comic. We talked about the declining readership and a major mistake (in my and other's view) of the comic target market and its subject matter presented. So we have talked about two major aspects of Marketing in Comics (target markets and the product), the rest consists of Price, Promotion, and Place (distribution). All four of these: Product, Price, Promotion and Place are commonly referred to as the "Four Ps" of marketing. So what do I have to say about the distribution of comics? Well.there is Diamond Comics who distributes to 90 percent of the comic community (that's 100% of the direct market). And there are various mail order catalogs (and their on-line counterparts) that sell through the mail. Other than that? Not much. When has been the last time you saw comics in a drug store or supermarket? They are few and far between. But today, we are not going to talk about the problems with just one distribution system, nor or we going to go into the vast problems of a direct only market. Today, we are going to talk about one thing: The Comic Retailer and how he shapes the comic world today. When the "Outside" community picture comic stores, they tend to think of one thing: sleaze. A sleazy little stores tucked between the bad sections in the inner city and next to topless clubs. Or overcrowd mall stores that feed the Poke- craze that has gripped America and Asia by their collective throats. But that is not the case. Maybe in some areas, and we have all seen them, the little store in-between the crack dealers and porn shops. But a majority of the comic community is not this. There are a few bad apples, and that spoils the image for everyone. But there are some establishments that really shine. And that's what is on the agenda for today. I frequent two comic stores, one when I visit my parent and another where I live. The one near my parents is about 40 minutes from their house and is in the less than desirable area of Syracuse. It is a huge store, it is nice and clean, helpful, but of course, across the street form a topless bar, "Lookers". The store where I live in York, Pennsylvania is Comic Store West. A nice little establishment run by a Mr. Brett Stoner. I have shopped there for about 4 years now, and was even a register jockey for a while when I was finishing up school. Brett is a good guy. He owns Comic Store West and another store across town. He is a loyal husband and father and even coaches Little League during the season. Like I said, Brett is a good guy. He takes care of all his customers; he offers a subscription service, with a discount, for anyone who signs up. Free of charge. He will hold and pull your orders, he'll call you when your stuff comes in. He will even special order those Preacher figures after the date the order was due; because you didn't think to ask him until after the fact. Brett has set up numerous nights for the people.customers.no.friends that frequent the comic store. He has a Warhammer night for gamers to come in and play. There is a Magic: The Gathering night for trading and gaming. There is even a special Pokemon night with a special Pokemon league for the younger kids. And speaking of Pokemon, Brett is one of the only people, retailers, that I know of that doesn't jack up the price of Poke-packs, and limits packs per person so all the kids can get at least some. Brett is a good guy, and sometimes that pisses me off. Because a lot of other people know he is a good guy too, and take advantage of that. Like all stores of recent, he has had trouble with some kids. We all know the type. They come in, in groups of five and split up. Sometimes they distract the clerks, or just move real fast. Whatever the method, the result is always the same: Brett is missing merchandise. He has tried his best in stores; they have caught people and just have given them warning. That didn't work. They have set policy that all people must leave their bags at the front. That hasn't worked. They have pressed charges on several repeat offenders and even banned people from the stores. That hasn't worked. Limiting of groups, nothing. Accompanied by a parent if under 16? Just started in one of the stores. And what happens? The wholesomeness of the store, and the industry at large is decreasing. And you know what? That sucks, and we can't do a thing about it. The kids that steal mostly come from broken homes, that is a fact. Brett tries to give them a place to hang out, have special nights, let them bond with older kids, at least get them into a semi- healthy environment for a bit (Before you start, I know that a comic book life is not the most healthy environment, but is some cases, it beats the alternatives.) He does what he can, but he is only one man, and he has kids of his own, he can't be a father to all of the kids. I have been there when they have tried to pull their little games. Six of them came in, three distracted Brett as we where taking pictures of the new Savage Dragon display we put together the previous day. As we do this, the other three wandered around and started to open their jackets. There are other customers in the store too. When Brett goes up to the register up he tell the kids that thereof them would have to wait outside and could come in when three other customers left. The kids started to argue a bit, trying to figure out who was going to leave and who was going to go. I stood, not watching as I went through the 20- cent comic bin and was talking to my beautiful girlfriend across the bin. She mouthed to me, "Watch for the kid on your left." I looked and he had some Spawn toy in his hand and he had started to motion to put it into his jacket. I turned to my side, and he looked at me. I then told him to get out and not to try any crap like that again. He looked at me and asked what I cared. I told him that I used to work there and that I still have authority to throw people out. He left without a problem. I don't think Brett knew I tossed the kid; he was busy himself. So what is the big deal you ask? It doesn't add up to much here and there? It does add up, and it adds up quickly. And it is not just stolen merchandise either. The day before we took the pictures of the New Savage Dragon Display, his front door (A giant glass door) was smashed as kids broke in. I had set up the display that day with one of the clerks, Jeff, and the next day when we went to take pictures of the display, we had to take other pictures too. Pictures of the shattered door for the insurance company. A lot of stuff besides the door got shattered, not the store, not the merchandise but Brett's faith in people a bit. And mine as well. We live in a society where people come from all walks of life, that all families are different and that all geographies are different (incidentally, Brett's store is located in a clean, open area, common ground mall in the good part of town). But no matter what you where born with or without, or who you think owes you; stealing is wrong. Plain and simple. And Brett.well what can I say about him? The gaming nights are still going strong, the kids still come in with their friends, hell, and he even hosts a local cable show on Sci-Fi and Comics called "Lunch with Sharks". He is still the same old Brett, the same Brett that used to employ me and watch me spend my paycheck that night. The same Brett that tries to defend my "Trash Pick of the Week" every week. And the same Brett that tells me, "Go ahead and pull your stuff off the wall" before it is all inventoried. But Brett does look a bit different. A bit more tired when the groups of kids come in, a bit more mistrusting. But it hasn't stopped him from asking every customer how they are and what he can do for him. Hasn't stopped him from starting up a casual conversation with a customer that will engulf the whole store in time. Nothing's really changed, but there is talk about bars being put up on the glass replacement doors and possibly on the big bay windows on the outside. And when or if those bars do go up, then we all have lost something as a comic community. Because, I know that it isn't just Brett thinking about all of these changes, that other good and caring retailers face these situations too. It just comes to mind when it literately happens in your own back yard. So thanks Brett, for all the comics, the conversations and quality service and selection I have always come to expect from you. And the quality television programs you help produce to enhance our medium and educate the general public about Sci-Fi and Comics. It means a lot to me and a lot of others. But next time I see one of those kids try something, I am going to punch him square in the head. Hey, with great responsibility comes great power.or is it the other way around;) Class Dismissed. Professor Thomas M Read Assigned Homework: Last week, I assigned Dark Victory for reading, hope you enjoyed. This week we are going something in the same vein. Try one of the Superman titles since the new writers have come aboard (my person favorite's Superman and Action Comics) give them a shot, you won't be disappointed. ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [7] VENTING MY SPLEEN David Groenewegen david.groenewegen@lib.monash.edu.au [David Groenewegen is 30, a librarian and sadly addicted to comics. He has been reading them since before he could read, and plans to keep on doing so. His first trip out of the house with his infant son was to a comic shop. Can't start 'em too young. ] I know I said I wouldn't do it, but I couldn't help myself. The preview I saw of it looked OK, and I was in the mood, so I succumbed. I bought LEGION LOST #1. I did this despite the fact that I'm pissed off with the third relaunch of the Legion in the last ten years, despite the fact that it features some of my least favourite Legionnaires (Monstress, Kid Quantum, Umbra and Lightening La... oh, sorry "Livewire" How badly does that name suck?). I haven't read the Legion for ages, so I have no idea what's going on. And I really didn't want to start reading the Legion again anyway. But I still bought it. It was OK. The whole thing with the Insect Queen/Dawnstar knock-off character was quite interesting (although why she has to be an attractive humanoid alien escapes me). I liked the nasty little Progeny, and their space ships. The premise of stranding a bunch of Legionaries a long way from home is not too bad, but it has been done before and even featured a couple of the same members as I recall (Chameleon and Saturn Girl for sure). The art, which I was sure I was going to hate, was actually great, really dynamic and alive, although over-inked in places. And it was nice to see Interlac again. I was amazed by how much of it I can still read. Boy, is it sad that I can still read Interlac. I'm even mildly interested in what's going to happen next issue. But on reflection, it was not a satisfying read. Not enough was explained to someone like me who hasn't been reading recently (what is the "rift"? Why these members?). For a jumping on issue, it was pretty poor. And the annoying character traits the Legion have been saddled with in recent years started to annoy me right from the off. Ultra Boy's obsessive love for Phantom Girl (sorry "Apparition". Another sucky "modern" name). Livewire in general. Brainiac 5's excessive distractedness in battle (I mean, Brainy was always easily distracted, but he used to pay attention). And not very much happened in this issue, which is one of the annoying elements of superhero comics in general these days. Once this issue would have been covered in ten pages. Now we get to have full pages of the Legionaries standing around looking tough, instead of snappy, well-paced writing. Maybe I'm being too critical. My trouble is the same for every disenchanted fan of a book who tries to go back - I expect too much sometimes. This book is certainly an improvement on the last couple of issues I read, when the Legion were turning into a bunch of bumbling fools. At least, when the action came in, the team did the business. And those pages helped to introduce their powers as well, which I liked (except Kid Quantum's which have never made sense to me, and still don't. I've never understood why they persisted with possibly the lamest Legionnaire since Chemical King. Even Quislet was more interesting). I don't know if I'll bother to buy it again. It'll probably be a mood thing. The more I think about this book, the more annoyed I feel, but there's a little part of me saying "There's something here, stick with it". Maybe I'm hoping they'll all fall through a space warp and end up back where Giffen left the book, lo those many years ago. But if we have another cover with all the characters standing (or sitting!) on thin air, I'm definitely not coming back. David Groenewegen davidhar@lib.monash.edu.au ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [8] 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.jazmaonline.com/ 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.] WARNING: THE FOLLOWING COLUMN MAY REVEAL SIGNIFICANT PORTIONS OF OR ENTIRE PLOT DEVELOPMENTS. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED. Article: Money Back Guarantee from CrossGen Comics!! By Paul Dale Roberts, Publisher, Jazma Universe Online! http://www.jazmaonline.com/ It seems like there might be a good future for comics when Cross Generation Comics takes precedent in a new way of selling their comic books. Just the other day, received some promotional material from a long time friend named Ian Feller who is the Manager of Media Relations to Cross Gen Comics. What I found astonished me. What I received was a professional layed-out kit that displays the artwork, press releases, characters, their created universe, staff biographical information and a mission statement. Their mission statement outlines that they will: a) set and maintain the industry standard for quality in comic book publication. b) to deliver product in a timely and consistent manner. c) to provide readers with high quality, entertaining product that does not insult their intelligence. d) to treat all employees with integrity, courtesy, dignity and respect. e) to share the wealth with those who help to create it. To prove it can be done. Besides all of this, they are willing to give the readers back their money if they are not satisfied with their comic book merchandise! Yep, you heard me right, they have a money back guarantee! The guarantee asks readers to purchase CrossGen Chronicles #1, plus the first three issues of any one of their series and read them. If after reading all four comics and they don't feel they received value, they can package the books, write them a hand-written note explaining why they didn't believe they received value and send it back to them. CrossGen Comics will in turn send a refund check back to the reader, reimbursing them for their full retail price of the four comics within three weeks! I'm 45 years old and have been reading comic books since I was 8 years old. I have never in my lifetime of reading comic books, seen an offer like this! How can the reader go wrong? I've seen the samplers they sent me, one was called "CrossGen Sampler" and the other "CrossGen Primer" and the artwork is mind staggering! The stories have been planned, mapped out and a universe has been born. Some of the staff involved are Barbara Kesel, writer; Ron Marz, writer; Brandon Peterson, artist; Joshua Middleton, penciler; Dexter Vines, inker; Mike Atiyeh, colorist; John Dell, inker; Andrew Crossley, colorist; Jim Cheung, penciler; Don Hillsman II, inker; Caesar Rodriguez, colorist; Lai Brothers, penciler/inker; Wil Quintana, colorist; Claudio Castellini, penciler and Steve McNiven, penciler. With an all-star cast like this, you know that the comics produced are going to be high caliber quality. A bit about their universe, it starts off with the Sigil. It's a mark that appears on unsuspecting people that will link them to power. How that power manifests, is their own choosing. You will find incredible worlds, floating cities, cities run by magic and fascinating characters with names like Giselle, Genevieve, Skitter, Roiya Sintor and others, too many to mention here. Ian M. Feller would like to get some feedback from comic book readers and says in part..."Because Chronicles #1 is the key to our Money Back Guarantee, we are trying to determine the proper number, or percentage of copies, of CrossGen Chronicles #1 to overprint for reorders. We want to make sure that everyone that is interested in trying our books without risk and requests a copy of Chronicles #1 from his or her favorite store will be able to get one. I am very interested in hearing the views on this topic and appreciate any input. As always, I can be reached at: ian.feller@crossgen.com......." From the looks of things, I see CrossGen Comics taking comic books to the next level, I hope other comic companies take notice, there is something to learn from this! Maybe there is hope for the comic industry after all! Standing ovation to CrossGen Comics for caring! Name: Tom Strong #7 Publisher: America's Best Comics Written by: Alan Moore Drawn by: Chris Sprouse/pencils Al Gordon/inks Price: $2.95 Comments: Great story about Tom Strong's son who thinks like a right-wing white supremist. I was impressed with the story and wrote Alan Moore a few comments about this particular issue. (Beware of spoilers). Now, here's what I said: It was mentioned that villains are creatures of habits. This would be true, if the villains are your average garden variety and harbor in ignorance. Some of the most elusive murderers and killers changed their habits to elude the police. Example: Richard "The Nightstalker" Ramirez changed his M.O. on each crime scene. I don't mean to correct you on this - but, I did major in criminology and that statement is not always true. One day, let's see a singular story on Solomon the gorilla, I enjoy this character and feel he doesn't get the proper exposure in the Tom Strong series. Dire situations were at hand as they look for the vermin below the manhole cover. I knew they weren't going to find the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Of course, I was right and Tom discovers a dastardly deed that violated his human rights. Genetic material that was extracted from him, to create a son who is pure W.A.S.P. (White Anglo Saxon Protestant). What better weapon to use against Tom Strong, than his own son? With the brainwashing by Weiss, it was no wonder that Albrecht will not go against his mother. The bitterness, hate that makes up the poison in Albrecht was absolutely disgusting. With remembrance of the Holocaust and Hitler's minions, this story would probably offend every person with an ounce of Jewish blood. As Weiss and impostor Saveen antagonize Tom, I admire Tom's cool level head. Instead of bashing the brains out of his son, he shows him the events of the year 2050. Events that lead to his downfall. Could these be the events of an alternate reality or a set reality that follows the timeline that they are in? It must have been hard for Tesla to fight her own half brother. It must been harder for her to listen to his discontent for what he refers as the 'lower races'. Question: Is Tesla named after the great Nikola Tesla? Just curious. I had a good laugh, as Tom breaks up this melee and says..."I'm not going to tell you kids...." That was a good description of Albrecht - "one man Klan". Strongmen of America have good intentions, but sometimes they seem in the way of things, especially in this story. Saveen's photon technology is used against Tom and the science of this technology is advanced, sort of like Nikola Tesla's technology was advanced. Again, it made me wonder if there is a Nikola Tesla connection to this story. I was quite surprised to see that Saveen was Denby Jilks, good twist to the story! Also, I cheered when Tom's wife opened a can of whoop *** on Weiss, she definitely deserved it! I can see how her spirit would be shattered, after getting beaten down in front of her son, who worships her. I wonder what Albrecht thinks now? Great happy ending as Tom celebrates the New Year in Millennium City! Tom Strong #7 ended perfectly. Things are good now, but as we readers know, not for long! Another top of the line story - catch you on the rebound! Name: Dirty Pair - Run from the Future 2 of 4 Publisher: Dark Horse Comics Written and Drawn by: Adam Warren Price: $2.95 Comments: The series gets more and more enjoyable as the story moves at lightning speed in a direction unknown to me. The terrorists bit off more than they can chew as they took on these 3WA thugs aka the Dirty Pair. I enjoyed the humorous side of the terrorists as they thought Yuri and Kei looked non-threatening. Boy, were they in for a surprise. As the 'crybaby neuroagent' set in with the terrorists, it was interesting to see their weaknesses unfold, everything from wanting not to be a war criminal, but wanting to be a dancer; losing a puppy; having a hidden female personality; not being fulfilled in killing people. These big muscular war criminals all started crying like newborn babies. Adam Warren has a fantastic imagination that borders on genius, as he comes up with ideas like genital tastebuds and smart suits that show a variety of writing and designs. I would say that Adam is a futurist and is able to envision the future that has inventions that are mind staggering. I would love to have a smart suit, where I can have it say a WCW Wrestling slogan one-day and a WWF Wrestling slogan the next. Thrills by the minute as the Dirty Pair go after the terrorists and open a can of whoop *** on them. The terrorists are making artistic statements the wrong way, committing crimes is not the way to go. I guess they are learning from their mistakes. The way the Dirty Pair use their hair for weapons was extraordinary! Just as I thought the smart suits were 'smart', then the sound chip in the Jude t-shirt took the cake. To be a futurist like this, it takes some time to think these ideas up. I used to always think that one day in the future we will have a hand-held copier machine in which you can point at a book and copy all the contents inside, without opening it, all done by laser. When I thought no other idea was going to top the ones mentioned above, then comes the saliva encoded with an incapacitation agent when kissing the soon-to-be prisoner. Now that was plain weird. I guess swapping spit with a terrorist is okay, if the Dirty Pair thinks the terrorist is cute. Ya..right. Dirty Pair - Run from the Future 2 of 4 hit its mark again, storywise and artwise. I admire Adam's artwork, he is one of the best Manga artists in the industry! The story has one whallop of a punch! Name: Fresh #1 Publisher: ORCA Director/Founder: Rick Olney Editor/Publisher: Bob Stronach Price: $1.75 Comments: Superb ezine with plenty of good information. Super cover with Shi (Crusade comics). Great articles. Some articles are "From the Top" - new information on ORCA and ORCA members. "Presidential Pardons" - talk of the legendary Charles Schulz and hhis Peanuts comic strip. "Marvel Improves" - article that talks about what makes Marvel great again! "Comics as Literature" - talk on more cool comics! "Good Art v. Good Writing" - info from ORCA Internet discussion groups. Very professional looking newsletter, easy to hold and open. Nice printing with readable fonts. Top of the line newsletter - give it a try. Check them out at: http://www.ORCAfresh.net or email them at: ORCA@egroups.com Snail mail: Fresh, PO Box 477, Marcy, NY 13403-0477 Telephone: (315) 733-6041 MOE Sidenote: New at Broadway Comics and Cards are the following comics: Battleaxes 1 of 4 by Vertigo; Takeshi Takebayashi Maxion #3 by CPM Manga; Record of Lodoss War - The Grey Witch #16 by CPM Manga; Kia Asamiya's Nadesico #9 by CPM Manga and a whole lot more. For more information on any of the above mentioned titles, you can contact Wilson Lew, owner of Broadway Comics & Cards at: wilsonlew@sprintmail.com MOE Sidenote: New at Broadway Comics & Cards are the following comics: Dark Utopia by Timothy B. Vigil; J.U.D.G.E. #1 by Image; Demonslayer #3 by Image; Adrenalynn - Weapon of War #4 by Image; Steampunk #1 by Cliffhanger; The Nine Rings of Wu-Tang #3; Prophet #1 by Awesome Comics and a whole lot more! For more information about any of the above-mentioned titles, you can contact Wilson Lew, owner of Broadway Comics & Cards at: wilsonlew@sprintmail.com Multiverse Observer and Explorer signing off until next time....... ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [9] 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.] ATTEMPTED NOT KNOWN #5 12 pages, black & white, $1.00 Created and produced by: Peter S. Conrad PO Box 64522 Sunnyvale, CA 94088 dregs@quack.kfu.com www.kfu.com/~dregs This one is a bit of an odd mixture of things. Some of the short stories are true, some are real dreams people have had. One is a quick story of a horny old guy who does not get results from viagara. Another is life from the point of view of a pair of jeans. The intro story seem more like a train of thought of someone on acid - a lot of themes mixed and woven together. It is not quite the classic underground style I remember from the early 70's - but then how much can one remember from then?? :) For only a buck there are some interesting themes with better than average art. From the credits in the back it appears Peter is getting material printed in a couple dozen publications and he talks about his experiences at APE 2000 as well. Chances are if you are on the left coast you may run across his stuff. Check it out. WEIRDLING 48 pages, black & white, color covers, $8.00 Fantastic Visions Studio 15 Sieber Road Kerhonkson, NY 12446 Created by Mike Dubisch fanvisions@aol.com This is the beginning of an ongoing space epic that was slated to begin in Kitchen Sink's "DEATH RATTLE" which was cancelled before it had the chance. Mike's work has been in Frank Frazetta's Fantasy Illustrated #8, GORE SHRIEK, CRY FOR DAWN, and RAW MEDIA MAGS. I must say I am enthralled by his style. The composition is constantly changing and is equally well detailed with alien monsters and dreams sequences from ages past. The story is about a woman in a very controlled society. It is one that is reminiscent of other tales where the authority is very strong. The working class has certain privileges to keep them docile. They are allowed hemp and virtual reality dreams. Her recurring dream is about a female doctor called to help a baby with a strange growth. the emergency surgery does not save it and soon the father is telling a story of his son's return, by the power of some ancient god. An even stranger experience occurs when she meets the mother. The waking hours are spent on a warship in the oceans of the moon Tallis I. The local life forms, the XAX, can penetrate the walls and take over bodies of their enemies. It is a horrifying type of war and our heroine, Anna Mandretta, is caught in the middle of it trying to survive the battles, the horrors and the claustrophobic life on the ship. Each sequential dream moves the dream story further on and the real life people have their own agendas going on. This is a fascinating world that should have gotten a chance in regular comic format. Maybe it still will if enough people write in for a copy of this special edition. ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [10] 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, 3/15/2000, was not released as of our deadline this week. ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [11] HYPE! Section Various Avatar Press Inc. 9 Triumph Dr Urbana, IL 61802 e-mail: avatar@net66.com Please let us know if you would like any graphics. MAY 2000 releases CUDA Trade Paperback Retail Price: $19.95 US Cover: Tim Vigil Writer/Artist: Tim Vigil Readership: Mature Readers Format: B&W, square bound, 160 pages PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: Where Myth melds to Memory, Magick meets Metal! Fourteen years worth of Cuda stories are now finally compiled into one spectacular square bound book as Tim Vigil's sword and sorcery masterpiece is now available in this massive collected edition! The new Cuda series starts this summer, so now is the perfect chance to revisit the classic adventures of the masked barbarian drawn by one of the masters of Black and White artwork, Tim Vigil! CUDA Hardcover Retail Price: $34.95 US Cover: Tim Vigil Writer/Artist: Tim Vigil Readership: Mature Readers Format: B&W, squarebound, 160 pages PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: Limited to just 500 copies. FAUST: SINGHA'S TALONS #4 Retail Price: $3.95 US Cover: Tim Vigil Writer: David Quinn Artist: Tim Vigil Readership: Mature Readers Format: B&W , 40 pages, monthly (4 of 4) PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: Her grotesque minions have carried out her psychosexual threat to the letter - now, Fallon shows why she has earned the title Queen of Pain, pushing Joanna beyond all limits. But Joanna Tan's double-edged Singha's Talons bite both ways. And what mystery weapon does the battle-scarred mage Cabal still hold? This is the searing climax of another twisted Faustian tale from the original comic book rebels, David Quinn and Tim Vigil! FAUST: SINGHA'S TALONS #4 Wraparound (Previews Exclusive cover) Retail Price: $4.50 US Cover: Tim Vigil Writer: David Quinn Artist: Tim Vigil Readership: Mature Readers Format: B&W, 40 pages, monthly (4 of 4) FAUST: SINGHA'S TALONS #4 Nude Retail Price: $6.00 US Cover: Tim Vigil Writer: David Quinn Artist: Tim Vigil Readership: Mature Readers Format: Full color , 40 pages, monthly (4 of 4) THRESHOLD #28 - WARREN ELLIS' DARK BLUE cover Retail Price: $4.95 US Cover: Jacen Burrows Writers: Warren Ellis, Christensen, Seifert Artists: Jacen Burrows, Phillip Xavier Readership: Mature Readers Format: B&W, 48 pages, monthly series PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: Warren Ellis and Jacen Burrows continue to shatter the world of Frank Christchurch in Dark Blue. The life he knew has been exposed as a fraud, but who, or what, can be behind such a complex fabrication of reality? Ravyn and Glyph return this issue, as the plot thickens in their quest to kill the Pursuer, also drawn by detail master Jacen Burrows! Phillip Xavier brings his lush style to a new Webwitch story, that finds Nina and Lattice searching for mates, and to determine if any other of their race are alive! THRESHOLD #28 -WEBWITCH cover Retail Price: $4.95 US Cover: Phillip Xavier Writers: Warren Ellis, Christensen, Seifert Artists: Jacen Burrows, Phillip Xavier Readership: Mature Readers Format: B&W, 48 pages, monthly series THRESHOLD #28 - WEBWITCH Adult cover Retail Price: $6.00 US Cover: Phillip Xavier Writers: Warren Ellis, Christensen, Seifert Artists: Jacen Burrows, Phillip Xavier Readership: Mature Readers Format: B&W, 48 pages, monthly series THRESHOLD #28 - RAVENING Nude cover Retail Price: $6.00 US Cover: Jacen Burrows Writers: Warren Ellis, Christensen, Seifert Artists: Jacen Burrows, Phil Xavier Readership: Mature Readers Format: B&W, 48 pages, monthly series WIDOW X #13 Retail Price: $4.95 US Cover: Mike Wolfer Writer/Artist: Mike Wolfer Readership: Adults Only Format: B&W, 48 pages, (13 of 14) PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: The penultimate chapter in Mike (Strange Kiss) Wolfer's erotic opus! The horrors of Area 51 have been unleashed and Emma is forced into action and experiments with alien sex! Loads of new adult material has been put back in, just as Wolfer originally intended! WIDOW X #13 XXX cover Retail Price: $6.00 US Cover: Mike Wolfer Writer/Artist: Mike Wolfer Readership: Adults Only Format: B&W, 48 pages, (13 of 14) FAUST: SINGHA'S TALONS #1 Prism Foil Edition (Previews Exclusive) MSRP: $12.95 US Cover: Tim Vigil Writer: David Quinn Artist: Tim Vigil Readership: Mature Readers Format: B&W, 40 pages, 1 of 4 PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: Our line of Previews Exclusive Prism Foils continues with the first issue of Quinn and Vigil's latest horror masterpiece! This special edition is limited to just 500 copies. Allocations may occur. AVENGELYNE / PANDORA Preview - Matt Haley cover MSRP: $5.95 US Cover: Matt Haley Writers: Christensen & Seifert Artist: Rick Lyon Readership: All ages Format: Full color, 16 pages, one shot PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: Matt Haley delivers the goods on this stunning masterpiece of a cover, which will simply blow you away! This special edition is limited to just 1000 copies. JUNE 2000 releases FAUST / 777: THE WRATH Trade Paperback Retail Price: $16.95 US Cover: Tim Vigil Writer: David Quinn Artist: Tim Vigil Readership: Mature Readers Format: B&W, square bound, 112 pages PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: Introduction by Faust fan Warren Ellis! The Undying Wrath. Kia, Angel of Destruction. Claire, Sex-Magick Violence Extremist. All three are stalked by the nightmare scourge of the underworld, the razor-fingered woman known as Faust. Faust lives. She lives to rage, to carve herself a life on her own, beyond her own darkness despite her ancient black claws, the Singha's Talons, despite the unholy price she paid to wield them! Hyperviolent action, extreme drama, and strange sexual magick all reach a crescendo as femme fatales Claire and Kia face off, while Joanna Tan rips away the magickal veil of the devil known as M, to fight John Jaspers, her Faustian brother! This story, designed to be accessible to new readers, explores the shared world of Faust and 777: The Wrath, illuminating and expanding both sagas! The entire five issue series is collected here in one volume with a new cover by Tim Vigil. FAUST/777: THE WRATH Hardcover Retail Price: $34.95 US Cover: Tim Vigil Writer: David Quinn Artist: Tim Vigil Readership: Mature Readers Format: B&W, square bound, 112 pages PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: Limited to just 500 copies. NIGHTVISION #0 Retail Price: $7.95 US Cover: Tim Vigil Writer: David Quinn Artist: Hannibal King Readership: Mature Readers Format: B&W, 32 pages, all copies ship signed and bagged [Diamond Caution 4] PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: David Quinn's original Nightvision mini- series was often compared to the early short stories of Clive Barker. Last year, Nightvision returned its danger stoked by a dangerous new plot twist designed to break ground for a new series in the year 2000 in the pages of Avatar Press's Threshold. This volume corrects and enhances that story, with a never-before-seen bonus feature: the Nightvision bible "Carpe Noctem." Blythe, the ice-cold killer is on ice, frozen in suspended animation by two of her sister creatures. Blythe must break free of their deadly blend of occult influence and genetic torture to do what she does best, exterminate the bitches! But what is the secret of their transgressive techno-magick? And what does it mean to the future of all the creatures of the ens veneni virus? Like co- creator and author David Quinn's seminal FAUST, here's a gothic tragedy with a razor wit that dramatizes the terrain beyond good and evil, lust and other obsessions, and the thin line between the alluring and the repulsive. Called by one reader "Vampires for the Age of AIDS," Nightvision promises hot sensuality laced with dread, a moody Gothic atmosphere, and a beguiling tragic heroine to mature readers of graphic fiction interested in the cutting edge of post-modern horror. This special one shot is limited to just 2000 copies, all of which ship signed by writer David Quinn! Bagged with certificate of authenticity. NIGHTVISION #0 Nude cover Retail Price: $9.95 US Cover: Sean Shaw Writer: David Quinn Artist: Hannibal King Readership: Mature Readers Format: B&W, 32 pages, all copies ship signed and bagged [Diamond Caution 4] PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: David Quinn and cover artist Sean Shaw both sign every copy of this special edition, limited to just 1000 copies! Bagged with certificate of authenticity. THRESHOLD #29 - WARREN ELLIS' DARK BLUE cover Retail Price: $4.95 US Cover: Jacen Burrows Writers: Warren Ellis, Christensen, Seifert Artists: Jacen Burrows, Phillip Xavier Readership: Mature Readers Format: B&W, 48 pages, monthly series PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: Warren Ellis unleashes the penultimate chapter of Dark Blue where we find Frank Christchurch totally out of his element, and possibly out of his mind! Find out why fans are screaming for more of this critically acclaimed masterpiece by the industry's most cutting edge writer and scorching artist Jacen Burrows. We get another dose of Burrow's stunning pencils on this chapter of Ravening as well where Ravyn and Glyph's plan horrificly backfires! Rounding out this stellar issue is Phil Xavier's art on a new chapter of Webwitch. The Spider Nation is in danger of becoming extinct, and Nina must make a daring attempt to bring new life into the ranks! THRESHOLD #29 -WEBWITCH cover Retail Price: $4.95 US Cover: Phillip Xavier Writers: Warren Ellis, Christensen, Seifert Artists: Jacen Burrows, Phillip Xavier Readership: Mature Readers Format: B&W, 48 pages, monthly series THRESHOLD #29 - WEBWITCH Adult cover Retail Price: $6.00 US Cover: Phillip Xavier Writers: Warren Ellis, Christensen, Seifert Artists: Jacen Burrows, Phillip Xavier Readership: Mature Readers Format: B&W, 48 pages, monthly series THRESHOLD #29 - RAVENING Nude cover Retail Price: $6.00 US Cover: Jacen Burrows Writers: Warren Ellis, Christensen, Seifert Artists: Jacen Burrows, Phil Xavier Readership: Mature Readers Format: B&W, 48 pages, monthly series WIDOW X #14 Retail Price: $4.95 US Cover: Mike Wolfer Writer/Artist: Mike Wolfer Readership: Adults Only Format: B&W, 48 pages, (14 of 14) PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: The fiery conclusion to one of the greatest erotic horror tales ever! Mike Wolfer wraps up the 14 issue Widow X series this month with a carnal bang. Widow X has continued to shock and surprise with the fantastic original Widow material expanded with lots of never revealed naughty bits. WIDOW X #14 XXX cover Retail Price: $6.00 US Cover: Mike Wolfer Writer/Artist: Mike Wolfer Readership: Adults Only Format: B&W, 48 pages, (14 of 14) RAZOR: THE FURIES EXPANDED EDITION Retail Price: $5.00 US Cover: Sean Shaw Writers: Christensen and Seifert Artists: Bill Maus and Hentai Bandit Readership: Adults Only Format: B&W, 56 pages, one shot PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: Now is your chance to get the modern manga masterpiece, Razor: The Furies, with an all-new chapter of artwork added in, the scenes that were too hot for the regular edition! Bill Maus and newcomer Hentai Bandit provide the lucious grey-toned pages for this stunning expanded tome! Limited to just 1000 copies. RAZOR: THE FURIES EXPANDED EDITION - Adult cover Retail Price: $6.00 US Cover: Rick Lyon Writers: Christensen and Seifert Artists: Bill Maus and Hentai Bandit Readership: Adults Only Format: B&W, 56 pages, one shot PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: Limited to 1000 copies. AL RIO'S ANA #1 Prism Foil Edition (Previews Exclusive) MSRP: $12.95 US Cover: Al Rio Writer/Artist: Al Rio Readership: Adults Only Format: B&W, 32 pages, one shot PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: Ana is Al Rio's jungle girl masterpiece! Raw and uncensored, Al Rio's naughty epic from Threshold can now be seen all in one place and in it's pure state, with all the annoying word balloons moved out of the way! This is Al Rio at his finest, and a must have for fans of adult comics with brand new, staggering, ultra- adult pages! This special Prism foil edition is limited to just 500 copies. Comes with certificate of authenticity. AVENGELYNE / PANDORA - Adam McDaniel cover MSRP: $5.95 US Cover: Adam McDaniel Writers: Christensen & Seifert Artist: Rick Lyon Readership: All ages Format: Full color, 32 pages, one shot PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: The smash sensation Avengelyne/Pandora cross-over is now available in this special variant edition, never before available, which is limited to just 1000 copies. FAUST: SINGHA'S TALONS #1/2 - Mark Beachum cover MSRP: $5.95 US Cover: Mark Beachum Writer: David Quinn Artists: Tim Vigil and Mark Beachum Readership: Mature Readers Format: Full color, 24 pages, one shot PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: Quinn, Beachum and Vigil unwrap this long-missing issue after a ten year wait! This special edition is limited to just 1000 copies. PANDORA / RAZOR Original Art Edition MSRP: $149.95 US Cover: Rick Lyon Writers: Christensen & Seifert Artist: Rick Lyon Readership: Mature Readers Format: B&W 32 page book packaged with one page of original artwork in a box set. PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: This is your chance to own one of the original pages from the neo-classic Pandora/Razor crossover! Each special box set contains a copy of the book along with one 11 x17 page of Rick Lyon's original pencil artwork for the issue and a certificate of authenticity! EARLY AVATAR GOLD FOIL SET MSRP: $16.95 US Creators: Mike Wolfer, Matt Martin, Bill Maus Readership: Mature Readers Format: B&W, 3 comics packaged as a bagged set. PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: Now is the first time these special Gold Foil editions have been released from the warehouse. Widow #0, Nira X: Exodus #1, and Snowman: Dead and Dying #1, all with gold foil logos! This special set is limited to just 400. Comes with certificate of authenticity. ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [A] E-Mag Info: Submissions, Back Issues, Copyrights SUBMISSIONS ----------- To submit an article, review, column, etc. to our e-mag, simply E-mail it to the editor at: ComicBkNet@aol.com Reviews of mainstream books are welcome and will get included when submitted, they are not excluded off hand. We encourage reviews of indies and self published material as we feel that material deserves more exposure to the general public. If you write intelligent, coherent, and timely reviews of anything it will almost always be printed so give us a shot. Commentary on the state of the industry, and personal observations and reflections related to comics are *most* likely to be included in our publication. PLEASE, no material on Gaming, role playing, collectible card games or other hobbies or collectibles other than comic books. That does not include plugs for web pages UNLESS they are concerned with print comic books. We do not promote web comics. SEND US YOUR WORK ----------------- We also accept product for review purposes. Advanced copies of comic books will not be returned but anything sent to us *will* be reviewed in the ComicBook Net Emag. Send all material to: David L. LeBlanc 84 Heather Circle Jefferson, MA 01522-1419 Material is generally reviewed in the order received and be advised that we work a few weeks in advance so your review may not be in the magazine immediately. Advanced copies are therefore encouraged so the review will occur prior to your product hitting the stores. THE Comic Book Net WEB PAGE http://members.aol.com/ComicBkNet ---------------- If you have access to the World Wide Web, please stop by and visit our web page! On our web page, you can find the latest issue of our E-Mag, as well as all back issues and an annotated index. You'll also find important information on how to join the conversation in the Comic Book Network, and other neat features like links to the HTML version of the current issue of this magazine at DIGITAL WEBBING, [http://www.digitalwebbing.com/cbem], details of upcoming conventions around the country, some of the comic companies and creators' web pages and many other Comic Book related links! You can also find some back issues at America Online, by going to Keyword: COMICS, then choose the menu item _Comic Book Forum_ and then going to the _Comics Library_ from there. These are non-zipped text files. COPYRIGHTS ---------- The Comic Book Net E-Mag is published by The ComicBook Network. This is a compilation of articles and columns which were originally posted in other forums or web pages or written specifically for this electronic magazine. Most articles are independent of any connection with The ComicBook Network and are used with permission. All text contained within is copyrighted to the originating author(s). Opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Editor, the Network Administration Team or the members and users of The ComicBook Network. ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- - End of another Issue .. GIVE A KID A COMICC TODAY! Many people quit looking for work when they find a job.