---------------------------------------------------------------------- Ed Dukeshire and Mike Imboden Present: THE COMIC BOOK NET ELECTRONIC MAGAZINE ISSUE NUMBER 259 1999 EAGLE AWARD NOMINEE 4/07/2000 Edited by: David LeBlanc - ComicBkNet@aol.com FREE VIA EMAIL SINCE FEBRUARY 1995 ______________________________________________________________________ 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] 1999 Eisner Award Nominees ............ Jackie Estrada [6] Super-Physics ......................... Link Yaco [7] Splitting Hairs ....................... Travis Clark [8] Venting my Spleen ..................... David Groenewegen [9] M.O.E. Reviews ........................ Paul Dale Roberts [10] My View:INFINITE TALES................. David LeBlanc [11] New Comic Book Releases List .......... Charles LePage [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 a message 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 Looking forward to another busy weekend, as is common this year. The first week on the new job went smooth enough and aside from #2 son taking an unauthorized 60 mile detour out of state, supposedly on his way to the local mall, last weekend was uneventful. The big event this Saturday, 4/8, is at THAT's ENTERTAINMENT in Worcester, MA. Those of you within driving distance should plan on getting there between 1 and 5 to meet and greet Peter David, Paul Ryan, Andy Fish and Tony Antetomaso. If that isn't enough there is a huge sale on everything in the store. I usually pick up a graphic novel for 25% off. Of course the best buys are in the back issue bins and display comics with special discounts as well. And there are all kinds of related items like action figures, used CDs, and sports collectibles too. Sorry kids, Pokeman stuff is not discounted. [evil grin] And the latest comics on the rack are still available if you gotta have the new stuff: ABSTRACT STUDIOS Strangers In Paradise Vol III #31, 2.75 AMAZE INK (SLAVE LABOR GRAPHICS) Love In Tights Anniversary Special #1, 2.95 DC COMICS JLA #41, 2.99 <---PICK of the week (last Morrison - double sized) Millennium Edition New Gods #1, 2.50 Preacher #62, 2.50 Proposition Player #6 (Of 6), 2.50 IMAGE COMICS Mage The Hero Defined Vol 3 TPB, 12.95 LIGHTSPEED PRESS Finder #16, 2.95 MARVEL COMICS Inhumans Vol 2 #1 (Of 4), 2.99 Comics International #118, 1.95 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: CBN # 258's Yaco Feature From: B Canwell Link Yaco writes, "The late Gil Kane entered the field somewhat later than [Wally] Wood. . ." Not true. I believe you'll find Gil's career spans from the Golden Age to the year 2000 (since his and Steven Grant's LEGENDS OF THE DC UNIVERSE two-parter is fresh-on-the-stands material). -- Bruce Canwell +++++ Subj: Re: [ComicBooknet E-Mag] CBEM 258.5 From: SRoweCanoe@aol.com Re: Link Y's column while Gil Kane may have come to fame drawing Green Lantern, he actually had been drawing comics since the early mid 1940s. Steven Rowe +++++ Subj: EC Comic lettering From: veena@CAM.ORG (Éric Thériault) Hello, I am appealing to the community of CBEM readers for a query. I am a cartoonist and my present project is a story taking place in 1953. To push the feel of that era, I was planning to use the same type of lettering as the EC Comics. I know at the time it was done with a stencil, but since I saw many recent use in comics I figured somebody must have made it a computer font. I've checked the Comicraft site but was not successful in my search. Could somebody help me in my quest? Either thru CBEM (I'm sure it might interest some of you) or directly by e-mail. Thanks a lot. Eric Theriault Creator/artist of Veena www.cam.org/~veena veena@cam.org +++++ Subj: new indy Magazine forums Date: 4/2/00 6:28:08 PM Eastern Daylight Time From: rickbradford@earthlink.net (Rick Bradford) Hi, folks, Just a friendly note to let you know that the indy Magazine site has just been revamped. What this means is that the site looks better than ever and is much easier to navigate within. Also revamped was the message boards section, which is now powered by UltraBoard, message board software quite similar to the UBB software used by Comicon.com and The Comics Journal site. It now looks better and is much easier to use, so it's a perfect time to come by and check it out. Come share your thoughts, ask your questions, whatever, in forums designed specifically for readers of alternative comics of all styles and formats (heck, there's even a mini-comics forum moderated by yours truly). To check it out, simply point your browser to: http://63.236.77.227/cgi-bin/UltraBoard/UltraBoard.pl. Hope to see you there! --Ricko (p.s. Also, if you've just got that Message Board Bug (like I do), feel free to drop by my own at http://pub8.ezboard.com/blancelotlinksloveshack.html. Topics include comix, zines, movies, music, etc. Feel the need to vent about something? Come on by.) +++++ Subj: Convention Updates From: almaric@themail.com David, I've been on your list for some time and find the newsletter greatly entertaining. While away on vacation I let things pile up. Since I can't recall ever seeing them in you newsletter before, I suppose the addition of convention updates is something recent. For me, it's one of the more informative informative sections (as opposed to fun) I've seen in the letter in some time. It'll allow for better planning of my upcoming weekends. Thanks and take care, Allen Richards The Unofficial Spider-man Mailing list http://www.onelist.com/subscribe/PeterParker [The list you saw was the monthly one from PREVIEWS! - D.L.] +++++ Subj: Sequential Tart From: Jencomx3 BEGIN TRANSMISSION We are pleased to announce that the April '00 issue of Sequential Tart -- Exclusive cover by Jim Mahfood (Riot Grrlls) -- Interviews: Jamie Rich (Oni Press), Briann Michael Bendis (Jinx, Fortune And Glory), Paul Dini (Jingle Belle), Greg Rucka (Whiteout, Batman), Jay Faerber (Titans), Jamal Igle (New Warriors), Brian K Vaughan (Swamp Thing) and Eric Jones/Landry Walker (Little Gloomy) -- Articles: Karon Flage presents Spotlight On...The Texan Loon Other articles this month: Lee Atchison's critical look at Oni Press' web presence, Rebecca Salek's examination of the character of The Huntress, Marcia Allass' diatribe about aging superheroes and Jen Contino's compilation of comics pros' opinions on the thorny subject of how to get kids to read comics. -- Atsukamashii Onna - our anime/manga sectiion features an interview with Amy Howard (Star Blazers) and articles on Speed Racer, Bubblegum Crisis II, otaku fandom and the eternal question of to dub or not to dub? is examined in Lee Atchison's She Said What?! -- Culture Vultures - Christy Trever rants aabout weight, mirrors and self image, while Anna Jellinek examines web comics in Geek Squad. All this plus our usual array of movie, comic, book and music reviews. -- Thirteen Questions with Jim Mahfood (Riott Grrls) -- Retailer's Corner featuring on-line speciiality store Mars Import -- All our regular columns including Ask Kaddy Mae, All Access, Bizarre Breasts, Going Postal and Redirected Male, plus the debut of Tart To Heart -- Read This or Die featuring the Tarts' favvorites from Oni Press -- Declaration of Independents spotlighting Duality Press' title Vigil -- News, humor, reviews, press releases, upddated links, and more! -- Tart T Shirts are still available in our Store! Also, we are now selling banner space! For more info, check out our Media Kit! +++++ Subj: Creeping Flesh Updated Date: 4/4/00 12:21:56 AM Eastern Daylight Time From: hodge@ionet.net (Tamara Hodge) Okay, I'm a lazy bum. I had the update for the site ready in March and just now got around to uploading the thing. For those of you who are not interested in comics the main page updates you on what's been going on in our corner of the world. And there's a cute pic. of Duncan (who has been showing signs of the terrible fours lately). For those of you who are interested in comics, just hit the ol' Creeping Reviews button and you'll see that I wussed out on the reviews last quarter (only 7). They are quality reviews, however, so give 'em a gander. As always, my little time waster is at http://creepingflesh.tripod.com. HA! I remembered the URL this time. TJH +++++ Subj: [MUSKRAT-L] DORK TOWER # 8 slightly delayed... Date: 4/4/00 11:44:53 AM Eastern Daylight Time From: john@kovalic.com (John Kovalic) I'm sorry to have to report that, although Dork Tower #8 is printed and ready to ship (and has been so for a couple of weeks now), it has NOT shipped. Apart from a couple of issues that made their way to Madison, they are still sitting up at the printer's, in Canada. The reason is so incredibly frustrating, I can hardly believe it. But I'm assured they WILL ship this Thursday (April 6). Dork Tower #9 is almost ready to go to print, so that should follow CLOSE on the heels of Dork Tower #8. I can't really talk more about the reasons behind the delay -- but I will be able to, soon. All I can say is that due to MANY similar, niggling mistakes like this, big changes are in the works. My sincerest apologies, John. +++++ Subj: Top Cow Contest at Primagames.com From: dankassis@primagames.com (Dan Kassis) Hello, I'm the Editor-in-Chief of Primagames.com, the official Web site of the world's number one publisher of video and computer game strategy guides. We just launched a contest to give away fifteen autographed copies of our exclusive Top Cow Daikatana comic. This book can otherwise only be found in Daikatana: Prima's Official Strategy Guide. We've had the comic's three cover artists autograph each copy, making them instant collectors' items. Here's the link to our contest registration page: http://www.primagames.com/cow.php Thanks for your support! Regards, Dan Kassis Senior Project Editor Prima Games (916) 787-2624 www.primagames.com ICQ# 54733148 ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [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: By what name was Guy Gilden better known? Gee, I am getting too good at this! Guy Gilden was better known as GOLD of the METAL MEN. Not one guess this time. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ To celebrate Peter David's appearance locally at THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT in Worcester, MA tomorrow, April 8 here is THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION: In HULK: FUTURE IMPERFECT there is a pile of bricks with one green one on top in Rick's trophy room. From where came the pile and what is the green one? IMPORTANT RULES NOTICE The first correct answer to reach the editor wins the CHEEZY PRIZE(tm). The editor will be the sole judge as to which guess arrived first! Messages with more than one guess will be disqualified. LIMIT: ONE PRIZE PER MONTH PER PERSON! ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [4] Network Buzz News, gossip and rumors from around the industry From thecomicreader.com MARVEL COUNTERSUES JOE SIMON OVER CAPTAIN AMERICA By Christopher Griffen TCR Senior Staff Writer March 31, 2000 NEW YORK - Marvel Comics has filed a declaratory judgment action against Joe Simon, the purported creator of Captain America. With this lawsuit, Marvel Comics intends to prove that Simon was employed as "work for hire" in 1940 when he created the iconic comic book character for Timely Comics, Marvel's predecessor. Should they succeed in doing so, Marvel could retain the copyright to Captain America for an extended period. "We believe it's quite clear that's not the case," said Ross Charap, Simon's attorney. "While [Simon] was working on Captain America, he was working on several other freelance projects. At the time, he was working through an intermediary, Funnies, Inc., and not Timely Comics as Marvel suggests." In December 1999, Bloomberg News reported that Simon had filed suit against Marvel Comics to reclaim the copyright to Captain America. Changes to the copyright laws made in 1978 allow creators to reclaim copyright to their characters if they can prove that they were not bound by a "work for hire" agreement. Further developments in the case were reported online by Mania.com contributing editor Matt Brady. If Simon is successful in his lawsuit, he seeks to reclaim copyright to Captain America on Dec. 7, 2001. Marvel Comics was unavailable for comment. +++++ COMIC CREATORS SAY "ALOHA" WITH CBLDF EVENTS IN OAKLAND & LOS ANGELES The COMIC BOOK LEGAL DEFENSE has organized three ALOHA EVENTS to celebrate the historic launch of MAKING WAVES: The CBLDF Fundraising Cruise. A week-long luxury cruise helmed by two dozen of the best creators in comics, Making Waves is the opportunity of a lifetime for the serious comics fan. But all those missing the boat this year can still participate in pre-launch Aloha Events taking place APRIL 8, 2000 at WONDERCON in Oakland, CA and at GOLDEN APPLE in Los Angeles. WONDERCON will be the site of the official ALOHA PARTY, featuring many members of the Making Waves creator crew. Come and raise a glass with KURT BUSIEK, EVAN DORKIN, SARAH DYER, LINDA MEDLEY, FRANK MILLER, MARTIN NODELL, P. CRAIG RUSSELL, JEFF SMITH, MATT WAGNER, MARK WAID, JUDD WINICK, and many more as they steel themselves for a journey into unknown vistas of fun and frolic. 1999 Defender of Liberty Award-winner BRIAN PULIDO will be your Master of Ceremonies for this gala affair. Sponsored in true desert island style by DARK HORSE COMICS, the Aloha Party is free to all Wondercon attendees. The festivities commence at 9:00 pm on Saturday, April 8, 2000 at the Oakland Marriott. And don't miss the exclusive signings at the CBLDF Cruise Pavilion with all of these creators and more on Friday and Saturday! For more info, visit the CBLDF at http://www.cbldf.org or Wondercon at http://www.wondercon.com. Meanwhile, down in Los Angeles, acclaimed author NEIL GAIMAN will be hosting two additional Aloha Events. From 1:00 to 3:00 pm on Saturday April 8, Gaiman will be working the registers and waiting on customers at GOLDEN APPLE, one of the nation's premiere comic shops. He'll also be happy to sign autographs, and will be making a few important announcements about upcoming projects. 20% of the entire day's sales will be donated to the CBLDF. Furthermore, anyone who attends wearing a CBLDF t-shirt will have a chance to win a ticket for the third and final Aloha Event later that evening. At 8:30 pm, Gaiman will host a small gathering of friends and fans for a special reading of portions of his upcoming Avon novel, "American Gods." This private gathering will take place at a nearby restaurant in Beverly Hills, with coffee, desert, and cocktails served before the reading begins. Limited tickets are still available for $100. All proceeds benefit the CBLDF. 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 in Los Angeles 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 the 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 +++++ NextPlanetOver Joins Forces With Chaos! Comics, All About Books and Comics to Launch Steven Hughes Memorial Auction SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 5, 2000--NextPlanetOver (http://www.npo.com), the ultimate online destination for the entertainment hobbyist, today opens the Steven Hughes Memorial Auction to benefit the wife and children of illustrator Steven Hughes, who passed away on February 18th after a long illness. The comic-book artist was best known for his character Lady Death. Chaos! Comics (http://www.chaoscomics.com), Hughes's publisher, and All About Books and Comics (http://www.allaboutcomics.com), an Arizona-based comic- book retailer, have donated the items that will be auctioned online at NextPlanetOver. "Steven's warmth toward his fans and patience toward the younger kids who came to see him can only be a reflection of the wonderful family that he has," says Mike Banks, manager of All About Books and Comics. "Left behind in Hughes's untimely passing are his wife, Barbara, and his delightful children, daughters Amber and Samantha and son Chance." Among the items that Chaos! Comics has contributed to the NextPlanetOver auction are rare copies of Evil Ernie: Revenge No. 1 (Commemorative Edition), Lady Death: Odyssey No. 1 (Signed Edition), and Lady Death: Between Heaven and Hell No. 1 (Signed Edition). All About Books and Comics has donated such rare Hughes items as a blue ashcan edition of Lady Death No. 0 and the collectible yellow ashcan edition of Evil Ernie No. 1. Hughes was one of the driving forces behind the success of Chaos! Comics, beginning with the launch of Evil Ernie: Youth Gone Wild, in December 1991. Hughes's work gained national attention with the success of the wildly popular Lady Death No. 1, and he rose to global prominence with the release of the sequel, Lady Death: Between Heaven and Hell. Wizard magazine included Hughes in its 1995 list of top 10 artists, and his work was featured on the cover of Wizard No. 875. One of the most prominent African-American artists in comic-book history, Hughes was recognized in February 1999 for his accomplishments by the Words and Pictures Museum of Northampton, MA, in a Black History Month celebration. His work was most recently featured in "The Next Step," a traveling art show featuring mainstream African-American comic-book artists. +++++ Batman's Next Caped Crusade Turns to Calcium; DC Comics' Dark Knight is Milk Mustache Celeb WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 3, 2000--In addition to his physical prowess, master of martial arts and stellar detective skills, Gotham City's Dark Knight, Batman, can add "Milk Mustache celebrity" to his already impressive credentials. The latest celebrity to be spotted sporting a milk mustache, Batman likes his milk of the chocolate variety. Thanks to his mental superiority, he knows that chocolate milk has all the same nutrients as regular milk, including calcium, plus a great chocolatey taste. The Milk Mustache ad featuring Batman appears in the April issue of Sports Illustrated for Kids, on newsstands March 27, and reads, "Be a Dark Knight. Want to grow? Chocolate milk has all the nutrients of regular milk, so drink it up." Taking time out of his busy crime-fighting schedule, Batman is teaming up with the "got milk?"(R)/Milk Mustache campaign to let kids know that calcium is a crucial part of their diets and that milk is one of the best ways to get the calcium they need. "The adolescent and teen years present an opportunistic growth phase for bones - as nearly half of all bone is formed and about 15 percent of adult height is added during the teen years," said Kurt Graetzer, CEO of the Milk Processor Education Program. "Lowfat chocolate milk gives kids a flavorful new way to up their calcium intake whether they drink it in the morning, at lunch or as an afterschool snack." "Joining forces with Batman and DC Comics is a great way for us to start bringing important milk health messages straight to kids and teens," said Linda Racicot, executive vice president of domestic marketing for Dairy Management Inc(TM). "Six out of 10 boys and seven out of 10 girls ages 6 - 11 do not meet their recommended amounts of calcium, while nearly nine out of ten teenage girls and almost seven out of ten teenage boys do not get the calcium they need." Batman's not the only DC Comics Superhero to don a milk mustache. An ad featuring the Man of Steel(TM) himself, Superman, also made its debut on March 27th. Both the Batman and Superman Milk Mustache ads come as part of a multi-faceted, year-long promotional alliance with DC Comics and Warner Bros. Consumer Products that includes a consumer-targeted promotion, sweepstakes program, custom magazine publishing program and an in-school campaign. "We're very excited about pairing Batman and Superman with Milk. Milk is associated with wholesome all-American ideals and behavior and we believe that this attitude is the foundation of what motivates our characters to be heroes," said Joel Ehrlich, Senior Vice President, DC Comics and Warner Bros. Consumer Products. For optimal bone growth, the National Academy of Sciences recommends children ages 6 to 8 get 1,000 mg of calcium each day, the equivalent of at least three 8-ounce glasses of milk. With age comes a significant increase in the recommendation - children ages 9 - 18 need 1,300 mg of calcium or at least four 8-ounces glasses daily, in order to help bones grow strong and help prevent the bone-crippling disease osteoporosis - and that's one enemy not even Batman could bring to justice. In conjunction with the ad's debut, the first 100 kids to tell us in 50 words or less why super heroes need milk will receive a free Batman Milk Mustache poster. Send entries to Attn: Batman Poster Offer, 211 E. Ontario, Suite 905, Chicago, Ill. 60611. The `got milk?(R)' Milk Mustache marketing campaign is jointly funded by the nation's fluid milk processors and America's dairy farmers. The multi-faceted campaign was initiated to educate consumers and correct misconceptions about milk. A series of educational brochures for consumers is available by calling 1-800-WHY-MILK or by visiting the milk Web site at http://www.whymilk.com. got milk?(R)' is licensed by Dairy Management Inc.(TM)(DMI) and the National Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Board. DMI and state, regional and international organizations manage the American Dairy Association(R), the National Dairy Council(R)and the U.S. Dairy Export Council(R). The MilkPEP program was developed under the guidance of the National Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Board, an organization funded by U.S. milk processors. Note: A Photo is available at URL: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/photo.cgi?pw.040300/bw5 +++++ TrimFast Group, Inc. and Marvel Enterprises, Inc. Join Forces to ProduceNutritional Supplements Based on the Ever-Popular Superhero SPIDER-MAN Children's Chewable Multi-Vitamin Supplements in the Likeness of the Comic Book Favorite to Hit Retail This Summer TAMPA, Fla., April 3 /PRNewswire/ -- TrimFast Group, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: TRIM) announced it has joined forces with Marvel Enterprises (NYSE: MVL) to produce nutritional supplements that make children healthier based on one of the most popular comic book superheroes of all time, Spider-Man. Through the deal, TrimFast obtains the rights to produce, market, and distribute Spider-Man Children's Chewable Multi-Vitamin Supplements. Each of the uniquely designed red vitamins will be shaped like Spider-Man and distributed through TrimFast's extensive channels of health food stores, mass merchants, grocery stores, drug stores and pharmacies. The products are expected to hit retail this summer. Containing no artificial sweeteners or preservatives, the Spider-Man Children's Chewable Multi-Vitamin Supplements will represent the highest- quality children's multi-vitamin supplement on the market. To help the product stand out at retail, TrimFast is developing an intriguing, interactive packaging design featuring a bottle shaped liked Spider-Man's head. The company will support the product with a marketing plan that includes television advertising on Fox's highly rated Saturday Morning programming, reaching an audience of more than 105 million children weekly. For over 40 years, Spider-Man has been among the most popular comic book characters with children. The world's favorite webcrawler will continue to expand his appeal over the next few years with a full-length motion picture being launched in the summer of 2001. Spider-Man is also the star of the world's most advanced theme park ride that bears his name at Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure in Orlando, Florida. "TrimFast is thrilled to be associated with Marvel Comics and Spider-Man," said Gregg Vosler, Executive Vice President of TrimFast Group, Inc. "Spider- Man is extremely popular with our target market, and we expect these vitamins to be a major success for us." Mike Dichter, Senior VP Marvel Character Group, added, "This is exactly the type of product Marvel wants its characters to be associated with. TrimFast has developed a very unique and exciting design for these vitamins, and we feel they will be very popular with children." TrimFast Group, Inc. is an aggressive and successful nutraceutical company. The company and its subsidiaries, TrimFast, Inc.; Body Life Sciences, Inc.; NutritionCafe, Inc.; and Cooler Group, Inc. formulate, manufacture, distribute and market through wholesale, retail and Internet outlets dietary supplements and health and fitness products. These nutraceutical products are part of an explosive growth industry that amounted to $10 billion in 1997 and is expected to be at $30 billion by 2003. +++++ From the SPLASH PAGE of Comicon.com at: http://www.comicon.com/splash/ STAN LEE PLANS TOP SECRET DC UNIVERSE PROJECT! STAN DOES DC! April 5: Freelancers used to call it the 'Revolving Door'. In the bad old days, when the whole comic book publishing industry was based in New York and run by DC and Marvel, creators who were on the outs with one company would pass through the 'Revolving Door' and take up residence at the other. But who'd have thought that the door would ever spin for Marvel's main man, Smilin' Stan Lee himself? The SPLASH has learned that Marvel's 'Ambassador Emeritus', Stan Lee, is in the process of creating a major project for their longtime competitor, DC Comics that will have him spinning his own versions of SUPERMAN, BATMAN, WONDER WOMAN and all of the best known DC characters. Insiders tell the SPLASH that the project will essentially have a "WHAT IF STAN LEE CREATED THE DC UNIVERSE?" theme, although of course the phrase "WHAT IF", which is a trademark of Marvel, won't be part of the title. The idea would be to apply Lee's well known shtick of grandiose spectacle to the DC character bibles, allowing him to essentially 'Marvelize' the staid DC Universe from the ground up as a one-time entertainment exercise. The SPLASH has not been able to confirm the size and scope of the project, or if Lee himself will actually do the scripting. Mike Carlin has been mentioned by one source as series editor. No artists have been named to the project as of yet. Lee was in New York this week, working out details of the deal at the DC offices. While the premise of 'STAN DOES DC' will no doubt appeal to long time comic book fans (and sell well in the current Direct Sales Market), the impact of the move will be felt hardest at Marvel, who have fought DC Comics tooth and nail for market share and talent since Marvel's boom, which was engineered by Lee, in the early sixties. Lee, who up till now has spent his whole career at Marvel, co-creating nearly all their best known properties such as SPIDER-MAN, THE HULK, X-MEN, FANTASTIC FOUR and THOR, is synonymous in the public's mind with that company. Lee and Marvel parted ways last year in the wake of the messy bankruptcy of Marvel Entertainment and the take over of the company's assets by Toy Biz (which rechristened itself 'MARVEL ENTERPRISES'). Lee went on to form STAN LEE MEDIA with co-founder Peter Paul, taking it public and setting up a multi-media studio to broadcast short animations on the web. Stan Lee Media stock rose as high as 30 last month, generating talk in the national business press that Lee was gunning to use his newfound market capitalization to take over Marvel, who's stock has floundered badly since the reorganization. But Stan's stock has dropped steadily from its peak and is currently trading in the 15 range. News of Lee's sudden entry to DC through the old 'Revolving Door' also raises questions about the new properties Lee has recently created for STAN LEE MEDIA, such as THE 7TH PORTAL. Insiders were already wondering if those characters could be destined to end up as DC titles in the near future, too! Developing. GENERAL MOTORS LICENSES 'KEEP ON TRUCKIN''! CRUMB SELLS OUT? April 6: Say it isn't so, Bob! Sixties idealists and firm believers in the artistic integrity of underground cartoonists are going to be cringing at a report in The Licensing Book, which follows the high-powered dealings in the big skin licensing business of corporate Amerika. According to the latest issue, underground comix god Robert Crumb has signed a deal with General Motors to use his iconic "Keep on Trucking character" in an animated commercial to flog Chevy Impalas! The market, apparently, is aging baby boomers who grew up reading ZAP COMIX! ANIMATION PLANET NEWSLETTER reports that: "Crumb's agent, former comic book publisher Denis Kitchen, expressed surprise that GM would want Crumb and Crumb would consent to such a deal. Kitchen told the trade publication that Crumb has turned down similar offers from Pepsi, Toyota and other "major players." Thanks to Mike Dobbs +++++ From Beau Yarbrough's Comic Wire at: http://www.comicbookresources.com/ 'GO GIRL!' A NO GO: LOW ORDERS KILL SERIES BEFORE FIRST ISSUE It's a rough market for kid-friendly comics, especially girl-friendly ones. Witness the cancellation of DC Comics' "Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E.," of Image Comics' "Adventures of Evil and Malice," and the struggles of Marvel Comics' MC2 line. And sometimes, the books don't even get that far. "It is breaking my heart to have to tell you this, but low orders from the retailers have killed 'GoGirl!' before she even had a chance to be born," "GoGirl!" writer Trina Robbins told the Comic Wire on Sunday. "To say I'm feeling frustrated and bitter is to be putting it mildly. 'GoGirl!' was not given a chance because she's a girls' comic." The series was to have been published by Image Comics this spring. Fans shouldn't give up hope yet, though: "Our creative group, however, believes that the fat lady has not yet sung, and we're looking for a possible black and white publisher." +++++ From Comics2Film at http://www.comics2film.com TRENCHER -------- Comics 2 Film got a Trencher progress report from writer/artist Keith Giffen. "I'm pounding my way through another rewrite," Giffen said of the screenplay he's developing for the movie. Trencher tells the story of an agent of the afterlife sent to Earth with the mission of repossessing souls that have wrongly been reincarnated. Giffen seemed happy to be revamping the script, "One of the good things is that I'm turning it back into my vision after a lot of people got involved and tickled with it for a while," the writer said. He also seemed optimistic of the chances of the Trencher movie becoming a reality. "It seems to me it's no longer a matter of 'if'. It's a matter of 'when.'" Giffen has also seen interest recently in a TV project called Lamentations. He described the original concept as, "Twilight Zone stories told through the Monty Python sense of humor, all set in Mayberry." X-MEN ----- FROM CORONA COMING ATTRACTIONS AND THE X-MEN MOVIE SITE: Corona Coming Attractions reports that the second trailer for X- Men will make its debut tomorrow night (4/6) on Access Hollywood. The official website for the movie reports that the trailer will be available online on Thursday night. http://www.corona.bc.ca/ http://www.x-men-the-movie.com/ JOSIE AND THE PUSSYCATS ----------------------- FROM THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER: Parker Posey, who appeared in Scream 3 and about 30 other movies in the last decade, has signed on for Universal Pictures' Josie and the Pussycats. Posey joins Rachel Leigh Cook (She's All That) who signed on as Josie in February. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Posey will play a scheming music mogul who uses the Pussycats to brainwash America's youth. The Reporter also states that Tara Reid (American Pie) is in negotiations to play the drummer of the band. Alan Cumming (Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas) is also in talks for the role of Posey's flunky talent scout who discovers the Pussycats. Of course, every hot new movie needs a website. Comics 2 Film figured Uni must have picked up the domain name for this fast moving project. Sure enough, a quick look at the internet registry shows that Universal Pictures owns www.josiethemovie.com. Not surprisingly, the domain is not yet active. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/ STATIC ------ FROM THE COMICS CONTINUUM: Rob Allstetter of the Comics Continuum reports that Alan Burnett (Batman Beyond) is a producer on the Static animated show for Kids WB! Dwayne McDuffie will serve as a writer on the show and Denys Cowan will be a director (as we reported last week). The two men were founders of Milestone Media which created the character. http://comicscontinuum.com/ FANTASTIC FOUR -------------- FROM CINESCAPE: Producer/Director Chris Columbus has recently been attached to the Harry Potter movie leaving some fans wondering what will happen to the Fantastic Four movie. Cinescape contributor Cindy Pearlman asked Columbus for an update on that comic book movie. "We had budgetary concerns," Columbus told Pearlman. "You have four characters who have these intense superpowers. One person is invisible, which is fairly easy to do. But when you combine that with a guy who bursts into flames plus can fly and a guy who can stretch nearly any part of his body nearly a mile and an eight- foot character made out of concrete and rock--well, it gets to be a budgetary nightmare. We're trying to find a way to do it that's not complete animation. It's really daunting. Right now, the budget would be about $280 million. It's prohibitively expensive. We can't make that film. So we continue to tinker with the script to get this movie down to size." Thanks to BloodFang for the tip. http://www.cinescape.com/ +++++ From The Daily Buzz at http://www.mania.com/newsarama/index.html Columbia Axes Daredevil, Doc Strange Features Columbia Pictures has decided to pass on the Daredevil and Doctor Strange feature films that are currently in development. The people behind those projects (writer/director Mark Steven Johnson and producing partner Gary Foster of Daredevil and likely Doctor Strange scripter Mike France) will probably have to go the free agent route in order to get their films made. According to Variety, Columbia and Marvel "hit a wall" after six months of negotiating. Despite this announcement, Columbia is still going ahead with the Sam Raimi-directed Spider-Man feature film. --Variety New Asterix Film Planned French producer Claude Berri is reported to be prepping Asterix et Cleopatre, a sequel to last year's Asterix et Obelix contre Cesar, France's #1 domestically-produced film for 1999 and brought in $96 million worldwide. The film will once again star Christian Clavier and Gerard Depardieu as Gallic heroes Asterix and Obelix based on the French line of Asterix comics by Rene Goscinny and Albert Uderzo. Shooting is set to begin in September in France, Malta and Morocco with Alain Chabat at the helm. ---Variety New Animated X-Men On Kids'WB Later today, Kids'WB will announce its fall 2000 schedule which will include a new animated X-Men series. The network has ordered 13 half-hour episodes from Film Roman and Marvel Enterprises. Executive producing the project will be Rick Ungar and Avi Arad of Marvel and animation vet Boyd Kirkland. The first episode will premiere shortly after the debut of 20th Century Fox's live-action X-Men feature film. --The Hollywood Reporter Latest DC Millennium Edtion Voting Results DC has announced the latest results and new candidates for their Millennium Editions online fan-voting program. Last month's winner was 1966’s Detective Comics #359, which features the first appearance of Barbara Gordon as Batgirl. The Millennium Edition reprint will be available with books shipping in August. This month's candidates, include the following (with information provided by the publisher): BATMAN #251 Written by Denny O'Neil; art by Neal Adams "This 1973 issue featured the Joker in the classic `The Joker's Five-Way Revenge' which saw the return of the Clown Prince of Crime's darker, more homicidal tendencies in a story written by Denny O'Neil and illustrated by Neal Adams.” BATMAN #428 Written by Jim Starlin; art by Jim Aparo and Mike DeCarlo; cover by Mike Mignola "Reprinting the controversial 1988 issue that saw Jason Todd, the second Robin, die as the result of a fan phone-in poll.” THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #85 Written by Bob Haney; art and cover by Neal Adams "Batman and Green Arrow teamed up in this 1969 issue that featured the first appearance of the bearded, new-costume-wearing archer, illustrated by classic GREEN LANTERN/GREEN ARROW artist Neal Adams.” STRANGE ADVENTURES #205 Written by Arnold Drake; art and cover by Carmine Infantino and George Roussos "Circus aerialist Boston Brand was murdered, only to return as Deadman in this remarkable October 1967 issue that introduced one of DC's most intriguing supernatural characters. Also in this issue: `War of the Mind Readers', a science fiction classic penciled by Carmine Infantino. TALES OF THE TEEN TITANS #44 Written by Marv Wolfman; cover by George Perez; art by George Perez, Mike DeCarlo and Dick Giordano "Former Robin Dick Grayson made his debut as a new hero - Nightwing – in this pivotal 1984 issue, Part Three of the tale `The Judas Contract', that also featured the origin of the voiceless Teen Titan named Jericho as well as his father, the assassin known as Deathstroke.” Voting for this month rounds runs though April 24th at dccomics.com and the winning entry will be released in September. Dark Knight On Broadway Playwright David Ives continues to work on bringing Batman to the Broadway stage. Ives, who is developing the show's book, hopes to have Batman: The Musical on Broadway early next year. Jim Steinman, who wrote Meatloaf's Bat Out of Hell, is penning the score and lyrics. --Playbill DHC Collects Award-Nominated Sock Monkey Dark Horse Comics has announced it will collect the Harvey Nominated Sock Monkey, by new Eisner Nominee for `Talent Deserving of Wider Recognition' Tony Millionaire in a 96-page, black & white, July-shipping trade paperback collection. According to DHC, "In this trade-paperback collection, an adventurous sock monkey named Uncle Gabby and his eccentric friend, Mr. Crow, are up to all sorts of mischief. Follow them as they try to find a home for a shrunken head, play matchmaker between the bat in the doll's house and the mouse in the basement, hunt for salamanders, and try to get to heaven - all with a heady helping of mischief and lots of random destruction. “ Said creator Millionaire on his labor of love, "Ever since I started drawing the Sock Monkey books, I have been overwhelmed with letters from grandmothers all over the world. You would think that they would be writing letters of support for my lovely books, but that is not the case. They are filing a class-action suit against me! It seems that I have violated some sort of copyright arrangement where only these wizened old hags are allowed to create Sock Monkeys!" +++++ From Newsarama; http://www.AnotherUniverse.com/newsarama WINNER OF THE 1997 & 1998 INTERNET "SQUIDDY" FOR BEST WEB SITE More Wolverine/Iron Fist Details Michael Doran, Newsarama Writer Jay Faerber is providing the comics press with more details about his and artist Jamal Igle's upcoming Wolverine/Iron Fist four-issue mini-series, which Igle spoke to reporters about at this past weekend's Orlando MegaCon (as detailed in this past Monday's Daily Buzz). "The plot deals with the our dynamic duo's efforts to prevent the new Iron Fist, Junzo Muto (who debuted in the pages of New Warriors), from bringing the mystical city of K'un-L'un to our reality, as was prophecized back in the pages of Heroes of Hire," explained Faerber. "How - and where - Junzo sets out to do this will have global ramifications, and therefore, the series will feature guest appearances by characters from pretty much every Marvel franchise. I can't go into the plot any more, because we're still ironing out the details." Though his initial proposal has already been approved, Faerber reports he's in the "painstaking process" of "hammering out an overview" for approval by the project's editor Bobbie Chase, as well as most of Marvel's entire editorial staff, as the story makes use of all their characters. And though Igle mentioned November as a probably release date, according to Faerber, though they hope to get the series started by the end of the year, a firm release date has not yet been set. Bendis' Powers Gets Overship Treatment Matt Brady, Newsarama Brian Michael Bendis' Powers coming from Image just got more powerful. The title and Bendis himself, apparently, were major winners with retailers during Diamond Distribution's "Spring Fling" meetings where representatives from DC, Image and Dark Horse met with retailers to discuss upcoming projects and retail concerns. "Due to incredibly positive feedback to the completed first few issues of Powers at the Spring Flings, and some of the buzz surrounding my upcoming work on Daredevil and the new fully painted Spawn comic Hellspawn, Image comics has decided to overship Powers to those store generous enough to order it in the first place," Bendis said. Overshipping is a practice by some publishers which ships a retailer more books than they originally ordered at no extra cost with the idea that the retailer will then push the book, given that the cover price of the overshipped book represents pure profit for the retailer. "There will be a 25% overshipping on all orders for issue one. This will give everyone interested a better chance at checking out this book which we are so very proud of. "Mike Avon Oeming and I are already hard at work on issue six of Powers, so all those who took a chance on our new book can rest assured that we are in it for the long haul. We are having the best time of our professional lives creating this comic and appreciate all those who have been so generous with their support. "I would also like to publicly thank Image for their unyielding support. Frank's Top Cow Future Michael Doran, Newsarama Gary Frank appears to be a popular guy around the halls of Top Cow Productions. The artist, who is currently in the midst of the first six-issue KIN limited series of what's designed as a trilogy of six-issue mini-series, was named this week as possible future contributor to two other Top Cow projects with J. Michael Straczynski – the “2nd act" (issues #9-16) of Rising Stars and Straczynski's first Joe's Comics title, the 12-issue maxi-series Midnight Nation - in two separate news reports this week, at the Wizardworld and Comics Continuum websites, respectively. According to Top Cow's Matt Hawkins, it appears Frank is slated to work on Midnight Nation (he's already working on preliminary design drawings) with Rising Stars remaining `steady as he goes' in the art department. "We had talked about Gary drawing the second act of Rising Stars, but it makes more sense for Gary to start on the newer series and leave the other creative team intact,” said Hawkins. "After Midnight Nation, Gary will most likely embark on the second six-issue mini-series of Kin.” M. Rex In Your Future Michael Doran, Newsarama Readers wondering about the status of writer Joe Kelly and artist Duncan Rouleau's Avalon title M. Rex might be getting some good news soon. While issue #1 and #2 of the series shipped last year, issues #3-5 have yet to be seen by fans, but despite speculation, Kelly reports that the series is not cancelled_just on hiatus as the creators and their publisher retool things a bit. "Avalon isn't a really big company, so to the degree that the M. Rex sales weren't as high as they'd have liked them to been, they can only sort of support something for so long,” Kelly explained to Newsarama. "So what we're doing right now is just kind of restructuring things. It's definitely not dead, it's not cancelled, and we're still working on it.” "That's the closest that I'm comfortable to going to real self-publishing,” Kelly continued, briefly referring to the recent announcement that he's be leaving Gorilla Comics due to their reorganization as a self-publishing imprint after severing ties with financial backer eHero.com. "But, some really cool things are happening specifically with M. Rex that I'll be able to announce real soon. Stuff that I'm really excited about.” "It's frustrating, because we both love it, and response has been real good even though sales haven't been high_So it will definitely have new life, it's just a question of ironing out those details.” +++++ From Zentertainment; HTTP://WWW.ZENTERTAINMENT.COM To sign a friend up or begin receiving ZEN yourself, e-mail: subscribe@ZENtertainment.com JOKER TO APPEAR IN BATMAN COMMERCIALS ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY reports Curtis Armstrong (Revenge of the Nerds, Felicity) will play The Joker in ONSTAR's third BATMAN commercial. The Andrew Davis-directed spots for the automotive device stars Bruce Thomas (ALL MY CHILDREN's Dr. Jonathan Kinder) as the Caped Crusader. http://www.ew.com http://www.onstar.com 'WENDY THE WITCH' ANIMATED SERIES Production has begun on 26 half-hour episodes of a WENDY THE WITCH animated series at STUDIO B, for an expected premiere in January 2001. The HARVEY Entertainment property is about a little girl with magical powers, and her three zany aunts who always encourage her to cast mischievous spells. "We are proud to introduce an entire new generation to Wendy The Witch," says HARVEY president Rick Mischel, "STUDIO B has created a Wendy that is edgy and mischievous, with all of the humor and fun of our past children's cartoons. Their development and production talent will ensure that the series is hip, entertaining and talking the language of today's kids." http://www.harvey.com http://www.studiobproductions.com TOP SHELF ACQUIRES 'POISON' TOP SHELF will release Alex Robinson's complete, 600 page ANTARCTIC Press series BOX OFFICE POSION as a trade paperback in April 2001. MARIOTTE & HOLDER EMBARK ON 'BUFFY' SIGNINGS Jeff Mariotte and Nancy Holder make their first stop on a signing tour for their new BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER novels this Saturday afternoon at San Diego's MYSTERIOUS GALAXY. Mariotte's novel is THE XANDER YEARS, bridging events from the first three seasons of the WB series from Xander's own perspective. It's the first of at least three novels the author will have out this year, and he's still heavily involved in his Senior Editor gig at WILDSTORM Comics, for which he's written the twelve-issue sci-fi maxi-series COUNTDOWN (...more on that before it's April 26th release...). Holder's book is ANGEL: NOT FORGOTTEN, her second novel featuring the characters from the BUFFY spin-off, in which Angel, Cordelia, and Doyle must protect a group of illegal immigrants targeted for a demon sacrifice. Mariotte & Holder will also appear at Burbank's DARK DELICACIES on 4/22, at the MYSTERIOUS GALAXY booth at UCLA's L.A. TIMES BOOK FAIR on 4/29, and at the NEWPORT BEACH PUBLIC LIBRARY on 5/2. http://www.buffy.com http://www.mystgalaxy.com http://www.wildstorm.com http://www.darkdel.com ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [5] WILL EISNER COMIC INDUSTRY AWARDS NOMINATIONS Jackie Estrada Eisner Awards Administrator http://www.Comic-Con.org Alan Moore, ABC Dominate Eisner Nominations With a record 13 nominations, Alan Moore leads the pack of nominees for the 12th annual Will Eisner Comics Industry Awards, to be given for the best work done in 1999. Not only is Moore nominated for Best Writer, but his new ABC line of comics garnered a whopping 16 1/2 other nominations, including Best Short Story (two stories from Tomorrow Stories #2), Best Single Issue (Promethea #3, Tom Strong #1), Best Serialized Story (Tom Strong #4-7), Best Continuing Series (Promethea, Top Ten), Best New Series (Promethea, Top Ten), and Best Humor Publication and Best Anthology for Tomorrow Stories. In addition, Moore’s project with Eddie Campbell, From Hell, was nominated for Best Graphic Album—Reprint. The ABC nominations helped DC Comics amass well over 40 mentions, when added to its nods for creators and titles from Wildstorm, Homage, Vertigo, and the DC Universe. The Vertigo imprint received some 17 nominations, while the other imprints garnered over a dozen. (Exact totals are difficult to arrive at, since some individuals were nominated for projects from multiple companies.) The projects of Warren Ellis, another Best Writer nominee, also account for several DC nominations. His Vertigo title, Transmetropolitan, received nods for Single Issue (#27) and Continuing Series, while his Wildstorm book Planetary accounted for four nominations (New Series, Continuing Series, Coloring, and Cover Artist). The DC writer/artist with the most nominations is Kyle Baker, cited for Short Story ("Letitia Lerner, Superman's Babysitter"), Single Issue (I Die at Midnight), Writer/Artist--Humor, and Painter/Multimedia Artist. Fantagraphics creators and projects accounted for 16 nominations, including 4 for Chris Ware and his Acme Novelty Library (Continuing Series, Best Graphic Album--New, Writer/Artist, and Coloring), and 3 for Dan Clowes and Eightball (Serialized Story, Writer/Artist, and Lettering). A wide variety of projects and creators garnered Dark Horse Comics more than 14 nominations, 3 of those going to Bryan Talbot's Heart of Empire (Limited Series, Writer/Artist, Coloring). The hardbound version of Frank Miller's 300 was nominated for Graphic Album--Reprint and Publication Design. Other notable multiple nominees on the ballot include Oni's Whiteout (Limited Series, Writer, Graphic Album--Reprint), NBM's After the Rain by Andre Juillard (Graphic Album--New, U.S. Edition of Foreign Material, and Writer/Artist), Jay Holser's self-published Clan Apis (Limited Series, Title for a Younger Audience, and Writer/Artist--Humor), and Jetlag by the Israeli artistic collective Actus Tragicus (Short Story, Anthology, U.S. Edition of Foreign Material). Creators/projects with two nominations include Mark Crilley/Akiko, Evan Dorkin/Dork, David Lapham/Stray Bullets, Stan Sakai/Usagi Yojimbo, Barry Windsor Smith/Opus, Jay Stephens/Land of Nod Rockabye Book, and Lewis Trondheim/The Nimrod. In all, the ballot contains projects by 27 different companies (not including imprints) in 28 categories. The nominations were selected by a panel of five judges: writer Alex Amado (Nobody), retailer Joe Ferarra (Atlantis Fantasyworld, Santa Cruz, Calif.), editor Brian Saner Lamken (Comicology), distributor Wayne Markley (FM Distribution), and journalist Pam Noles (Los Angeles Times). Ballots will be going out in early May to some 5,000 comics publishers, creators, and retailers. The results will be announced in a gala awards ceremony at Comic-Con: International: San Diego on the night of Friday, July 21 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. The major sponsor for this year's awards is Toonscape.com, a new Web-based company to promote cartoonists and animators. The principal sponsors are Diamond Comic Distributors and Quebecor Printing. The supporting sponsors are Atlantis Fantasyworld, Cold Cut Distribution, Flying Colors Comics & Other Cool Stuff, and Star*Reach. Mel Thompson and Associates will tabulate the votes. The Eisner Awards are presented under the auspices of Comic-Con International, San Diego, a nonprofit corporation devoted to promoting comics and related popular arts. Jackie Estrada has been administrator of the Awards since 1990. EISNER AWARD NOMINEES (FOR PUBLICATION YEAR 1999) •Best Short Story "Bye-Bye, Muffy" by Roberta Gregory, Naughty Bits #28 (Fantagraphics) "Cluttered Like My Head" by Evan Dorkin, Dork #7 (Slave Labor) "How Things Work Out" (Greyshirt) by Alan Moore and Rick Veitch, Tomorrow Stories #2 (ABC) "Letitia Lerner, Superman's Baby Sitter" by Kyle Baker, Elseworlds 80-Page Giant (DC) "Margolis" by Etgar Keret and Yirmi Pinkus, Jetlag (Actus Tragicus) "Orange Glow" (Concrete) by Paul Chadwick, DHP Annual ’99 (DHP Jr.) (Dark Horse) "The Unbearableness of Being Light"(Jack B. Quick) by Alan Moore and Kevin Nowlan, Tomorrow Stories #2 (ABC) •Best Single Issue I Die at Midnight by Kyle Baker (Vertigo/DC) Promethea #3: "Misty Magicland" by Alan Moore, J. H. Williams III, and Mick Gray (ABC) Stray Bullets #19: "Live Nude Girls!" by David Lapham (El Capitán) Tom Strong #1: "How Tom Strong Got Started" by Alan Moore, Chris Sprouse, and Al Gordon (ABC) Transmetropolitan #27: "Monstering" by Warren Ellis, Darick Robertson, and Rodney Ramos (Vertigo/DC) •Best Serialized Story Eightball #19-21: "David Boring" by Dan Clowes (Fantagraphics) Evil Eye #1-4: "Reflection in a Glass Scorpion" by Richard Sala (Fantagraphics) 100 Bullets #1-3: "100 Bullets" by Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso (Vertigo/DC) Tom Strong #4-7 (Saveen/Ingrid Weiss time travel arc) by Alan Moore, Chris Sprouse, Al Gordon, and guest artists (ABC) Usagi Yojimbo #28-29: "The Courtesan" by Stan Sakai (Dark Horse Maverick) •Best Continuing Series The Acme Novelty Library by Chris Ware (Fantagraphics) Planetary by Warren Ellis and John Cassaday (Wildstorm/DC) Preacher by Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon (Vertigo/DC) Promethea by Alan Moore, J. H. Williams III, and Mick Gray (ABC) Top Ten by Alan Moore, Gene Ha, and Zander Cannon (ABC) Transmetropolitan by Warren Ellis, Darick Robertson, and Rodney Ramos (Vertigo/DC) •Best Limited Series Clan Apis by Jay Hosler (Active Synapse) Heart of Empire by Bryan Talbot (Dark Horse) Heavy Liquid by Paul Pope (Vertigo/DC) Scene of the Crime by Ed Brubaker, Michael Lark, and Sean Phillips (Vertigo/DC) Whiteout: Melt by Greg Rucka and Steve Lieber (Oni) •Best New Series Louis Riel by Chester Brown (Drawn & Quarterly) 100 Bullets by Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso (Vertigo/DC) Planetary by Warren Ellis and John Cassaday (Wildstorm/DC) Promethea by Alan Moore, J. H. Williams III, and Mick Gray (ABC) Top Ten by Alan Moore, Gene Ha, and Zander Cannon (ABC) •Best Title for a Younger Audience Akiko by Mark Crilley (Sirius) Batman: Gotham Adventures by Scott Peterson, Tim Levins, Craig Rousseau, and Terry Beatty, and others (DC) Clan Apis by Jay Hosler (Active Synapse) Herobear and the Kid by Mike Kunkel (Astonish Comics) Simpsons Comics by various (Bongo) Superman Adventures by Mark Millar, Aluir Amancio, Terry Austin, and others (DC) •Best Humor Publication Bart Simpson's Treehouse of Horror by Jill Thompson / Oscar González Loyo / Steve Steere Jr., Scott Shaw! / Sergio Aragonés, and Doug TenNapel (Bongo) Dork by Evan Dorkin (Slave Labor) Hey, Mister by Pete Sickman-Garner (Top Shelf) Land of Nod Rockabye Book by Jay Stephens (Dark Horse) Tomorrow Stories by Alan Moore, Rick Veitch, Kevin Nowlan, Melinda Gebbie, and Jim Baikie (ABC) •Best Anthology Blab, edited by Monte Beauchamp (Fantagraphics) Brainbomb, edited by Brian Clopper (Behemoth Books) Comix 2000, edited by Jean-Christophe Menu (L'Association) Dignifying Science, written/edited by Jim Ottaviani (G.T. Labs) Jet Lag, by Etgar Keret, Mira Friedmann, Batia Kolton, Rutu Modan, Yirmi Pinkus, and Itzik Rennert (Actus Tragicus) Tomorrow Stories, by Alan Moore, Rick Veitch, Kevin Nowlan, Melinda Gebbie, and Jim Baikie (ABC) •Best Graphic Album-New The Acme Novelty Library #13 by Chris Ware (Fantagraphics) After the Rain by Andre Juillard (NBM) Ethel & Ernest by Raymond Briggs (Knopf) Good-bye, Chunky Rice by Craig Thompson (Top Shelf) The Jew of New York by Ben Katchor (Pantheon) Lost Girl by Nabiel Kanan (NBM) •Best Graphic Album-Reprint From Hell by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell (Eddie Campbell Comics) Geisha by Andi Watson (Oni) Land of Nod Rockabye Book by Jay Stephens (Dark Horse) 300 by Frank Miller and Lynn Varley (Dark Horse) Whiteout by Greg Rucka and Steve Lieber (Oni) •Best Archival Collection/Project Dori Stories, edited by Don Donahue and Kate Kane (Last Gasp) Edgar Rice Burroughs' Comics Library by Russ Manning (Dark Horse) Mystery in Space (DC) Peanuts: A Golden Celebration (Harper Resource) Toth: Black & White, edited by Manuel Auad (Auad Publishing) •Best U.S. Edition of Foreign Material After the Rain by Andre Juillard (NBM) Blade of the Immortal, by Hiroaki Samura (Dark Horse) Comix 2000, edited by Jean-Christophe Menu (L'Association) Jet Lag, by Etgar Keret, Mira Friedmann, Batia Kolton, Rutu Modan, Yirmi Pinkus, and Itzik Rennert (Actus Tragicus) The Nimrod by Lewis Trondheim (Fantragraphics) •Best Writer Ed Brubaker, Scene of the Crime (Vertigo/DC) Warren Ellis, The Authority, Planetary (Wildstorm/DC); Transmetropolitan (Vertigo/DC) Mark Millar, Superman Adventures (DC) Alan Moore, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Promethea, Tom Strong, Tomorrow Stories, Top Ten (ABC) Greg Rucka, Whiteout: Melt (Oni) •Best Writer/Artist Dan Clowes, Eightball (Fantagraphics) Andre Juillard, After the Rain (NBM) David Lapham, Stray Bullets, Amy Racecar Special #2 (El Capitán) Brian Talbot, Heart of Empire (Dark Horse) Chris Ware, Acme Novelty Library (Fantagraphics) •Best Writer/Artist'Humor Sergio Aragones, "Xt'Tapalatakettle's Day" in Bart Simpson's Treehouse of Horror #5 (Bongo); Sergio Aragones' Groo & Rufferto (Dark Horse Maverick); MAD magazine Kyle Baker, I Die at Midnight (Vertigo/DC); "Letitia Lerner, Superbaby's Babysitter" in Elseworlds 80-Page Giant (DC) Mark Crilley, Akiko (Sirius) Jay Hosler, Clan Apis (Active Synapse) Lewis Trondheim, The Nimrod; "The Beach," Measles #3 (Fantagraphics) •Best Penciller/Inker or Penciller/Inker Team Travis Charest/Richard Friend, Wildcats (Wildstorm/DC) Ricardo Delgado, Hieroglyph (Dark Horse Maverick) Gary Gianni, Gary Gianni's Monstermen (Dark Horse Maverick) Gene Ha, Top Ten (ABC) Kevin Nowlan, "Jack B. Quick," Tomorrow Stories (ABC) J. H. Williams III/Mick Gray, Promethea (ABC) •Best Painter/Multimedia Artist (interior art) Kyle Baker, I Die at Midnight (Vertigo/DC); "Letitia Lerner, Superbaby's Babysitter" in Elseworlds 80-Page Giant (DC) John Bolton, Gifts of the Night (Vertigo/DC) Alex Ross, Batman: War on Crime (DC) Jill Thompson, Scary Godmother: The Mystery Date (Sirius) •Best Coloring Laura Allred, Madman Comics (Dark Horse Maverick); Happydale: Devils in the Desert (Vertigo/DC) Laura Dupuy, The Authority; Planetary (Wildstorm/DC) Angus McKie, Heart of Empire (Dark Horse) Kevin Nowlan, "Jack B. Quick," Tomorrow Stories (ABC) Chris Ware, Acme Novelty Library (Fantagraphics) •Best Lettering Dan Clowes, Eightball (Fantagraphics) Todd Klein, Promethea, Tom Strong, Tomorrow Stories, Top Ten (ABC);The Dreaming, Gifts of the Night, The Invisibles, Sandman Presents: Lucifer (Vertigo/DC) John Roshell, Kurt Busiek's Astro City (Homage/Wildstorm/DC) Stan Sakai, Usagi Yojimbo; Sergio Aragones' Groo and Rufferto (Dark Horse Maverick) Richard Starkings/Comicraft, Avengers; Avengers Forever; Avengers 1 1/2; Daredevil; Inhumans (Marvel); Witching Hour (DC) •Best Cover Artist John Cassaday, Planetary (Wildstorm/DC) Frank Cho, Liberty Meadows (Insight Studios) Glenn Fabry, Preacher (Vertigo/DC) Dave McKean, The Dreaming (Vertigo/DC) Alex Ross, Batman: No Man's Land, Batman: Harley Quinn, Batman: War on Crime; Kurt Busiek's Astro City (Homage/Wildstorm/DC); ABC alternate #1 covers OUTLETS Deserving of Wider Recognition Ellen Forney (Monkey Food) Lawrence Marvit (Sparks) Tony Millionaire (Sock Monkey) Ariel Schrag (Potential) Judd Winick (The Adventures of Barry Ween, Boy Genius) •Best Comics-Related Periodical/Publication Comic Book Artist (TwoMorrows) The Comics Journal (Fantagraphics) The Imp #3 (Chris Ware issue) (Dan Raeburn) •Best Comics-Related Book The Art of Nick Cardy by John Coates (Coates Publishing) From Girls to Grrrlz by Trina Robbins (Chronicle Books) art spiegelman--Comix , Essays, Graphics and Scraps, designed by Raw Books (Seallario Editore/La Centrale dell'Arte) Opus, vol. 1 by Barry Windsor-Smith (Fantagraphics) The Sandman: The Dream Hunters by Neil Gaiman and Yoshitaka Amano (Vertigo/DC) •Best Comics-Related Product/Item Lunch boxes: Milk & Cheese, Sin City, Bettie Page, Hellboy, Groo (Dark Horse) Sin City Marv action figure (Todd McFarlane Productions) Superman Masterpiece Edition—statue, hardcover book, facsimile comic book (Chronicle Books) Totally MAD 7 CD-ROM collection (Broderbund) •Best Publication Design Cave-In, designed by Jordan Crane, Tom Devlin, and Brian Ralph (Highwater Books) Opus, vol. 1, designed by Barry Windsor-Smith (Fantagraphics) Sandman: The Dream Hunters, Georg Brewer, design director, Amie Brockway, art director (Vertigo/DC) 300, designed by Mark Cox (Dark Horse) Veils hardcover, Georg Brewer, design director, Amie Brockway, art director (Vertigo/DC) •Hall of Fame (Past winners: Neal Adams, Murphy Anderson, Carl Barks, C. C. Beck, Milton Caniff, Jack Cole, L. B. Cole, R. Crumb, Steve Ditko, Will Eisner, Hal Foster, Frank Frazetta, Bill Finger, Gardner Fox, William Gaines, Archie Goodwin, Gil Kane, Bob Kane, Walt Kelly, Jack Kirby, Joe Kubert, Harvey Kurtzman, Stan Lee, Winsor McCay, Moebius, Mac Raboy, Alex Raymond, Alex Schomburg, Julie Schwartz, Charles Schulz, Joe Shuster, Jerry Siegel, Joe Simon, art spiegelman, Dick Sprang, Curt Swan, Alex Toth, Wally Wood) Judges' Choices for 2000 Induction: Bill Everett Sheldon Mayer Nominees (four to be elected) Charles Biro Al Capp Reed Crandall Roy Crane Dan De Carlo Will Elder George Evans Al Feldstein Chester Gould Herge George Herriman Carmine Infantino Bernie Krigstein Jerry Robinson E. C. Segar John Severin Al Williamson Basil Wolverton 2000 COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL. ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [6] Super-Physics: Where super powers come from Link Yaco linkyaco@aol.com [Link Yaco has written comic books for several publishers. His collected "SPACE CHICKS AND BUSINESSMENS," illustrated by his partner John Heebink, is due from Fantagraphics in June, 2000. The collection has been praised by Mark Evanier, Steve Skeates, Greg Theakston, Kieron Dwyer, and Gray Morrow. He is currently working on a comics- related paperback for a major publisher. Check out his web page at http://members.aol.com/lexicon70s/index.html ] IF superheroes existed. IF super powers were real. HOW could they be? HOW would they work? Curiously, super powers are in the realm of possibility. An imaginative application of principles and phenomena of contemporary high physics and century-old math could explain how these fantastic powers could work. Newton's universe would not explain these things. Power beams and flying humans cannot be admitted into the universe of classical physics. However, classic physics were supplanted by Einstein's physics where he developed his ideas of relativity as early as 1915. And Einstein's universe in turn was replaced by the reality of quantum physics. This followed so close on the heels of Einstein's work that the foundations were laid only a decade later. By 1935, when Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster invented Superman, quantum physics were in full bloom. Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster grew up as the children of immigrants and were schooled in an American curriculum. They soaked this up as intently, as all the children of immigrant in their era were focussed on acculturation. That curriculum didn't include Einstein. It was a strictly Newtonian worldview. Superman was sent by a rocket that flew through interstellar space without the relativistic complications of faster-than-light travel. Superman's powers were explained largely by the very Newtonian idea of gravity, which was stronger on his home world than ours. Two decades later, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby invented oodles of superheroes who got their powers from radiation. Spiderman, the Fantastic Four, the Hulk, and the X-Men all owed their powers to some form of radiation. This is a concept very much from the physics of Einstein, for it was his generation of physicist who created the atomic bomb. However, even this level of physics cannot plausibly explain power beams and flying men. Quantum physics, high physics, and transfinite mathematics can offer such an explanation. Predating Einstein, the infinitely dimensional space described at the turn of the century (around 1900, not around 2000) by the German mathematician David Hilbert allows for some fantastic speculation. In conjunction with some later physics, a possible scenario for super powers can be devised. All this is prelude. Here comes the real thing. Hold onto your hats, because the physics is going to come fast and furious now. Stephen Hawking has theorized that a rotating black hole has unique properties. It could be much smaller than the limits otherwise assumed (about the mass of three of our suns). It could be possible to control--objects might safely enter it. And it might produce a singularity--a hole in the dimensional space of our universe. Bear that in mind as we consider Hilbert's concept of infinitely dimensional space. Beyond our three dimensions are an infinite number of other dimensions--each at 90 degrees to the previous. Modern physics, particularly string theory, embraces the concept that there are only about 12 dimensions in our universe--all but three are curled up into unimaginably small areas. However, ours is not the only universe in the larger multiverse. Our universe is finite. It has a beginning--about 12 billion years ago is one of the current estimates--and an end, which might be about 40 billion years from now, depending on if there is enough "dark matter" in the universe to cause a cosmic collapse into the ultimate black hole, similar to the white hole from which it was all born. That black hole will collapse the matter and space of the universe back into the fabric of the multiverse and it might pop out into another dimensional space. Maybe there will be more than 12 dimensions in the next configurations of the universe. There might be an infinite number of universe in the infinitely dimensional space of the multiverse. In our little universe, we started out with a universal force but within seconds that force began to separate out into the modern day four forces: electromagnetic, gravity, and the weak and strong nuclear binding forces. Perhaps in another universe there are five forces. Or three. In our universe, the free fundamental or elementary particles (leptons--which include electrons, quarks, and gauge bosons) quickly condensed into the known elements of the periodical table. Generally speaking, only electrons remain free. With the exception of the somewhat theoretical "dark matter," a great percentage of the matter in the universe condensed to stars and then planets. In another universe, perhaps huge amounts of quarks remain free. In our universe, there are no free quarks. They are all tied up in condensed matter. Perhaps the six "flavors" of quarks run free in another universe--or in very different configurations. Different dimensions and different physical forces might allow matter composed entirely of quark of one flavor, such as "charm" or "strange." The properties of "strange" or "charmed" matter might be very unusual indeed. We can speculate freely. Almost anything is possible, given the infinite nature of the multiverse and the infinite possible numbers of universes with, if not an infinite then a very large number of possible configurations of dimensions, universal forces, and fundamental particles. A Hawkings hole--a tiny spinning black hole--might allow access to the matter or forces of another universe. These could have any properties in our universe. They might give us power beams...or allow people to fly. And if the Hawkings hole is small enough it could even be safely tucked away inside a superperson's head. Or navel, for that matter. And that is how superpowers could be possible. If you want to read about this in FAR more detail, see the upcoming books, mentioned below. The ideas and concepts in this article--beyond the established physical principles--are property of the author and may not be used without his permission. These concepts are the central thesis of upcoming books entitled "The Science of the X-Men" (Putnam, due August 2000) and "The Science of Superman" (in development with Time Warner). This article was written and published to establish the author's ownership of these concepts which have been put in service to the aforementioned books. The publication of these books may establish only the publisher's right to publish the text, not the publisher's ownership of the central concepts which are established here, prior to book publication or authorized acceptance of final manuscript. ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [7] Splitting Hairs Travis Clark grizzld1@yahoo.com ["Splitting Hairs" is the work of the highly-opinionated Travis A. Clark. He hates working on computers so much, he is employed as a "computer guy." It makes sense in a karma type of way.] I found out pretty big news yesterday. While perusing my copy of Previews, I stumbled across the promo for Orion #3 by Walt Simonson. Well it seems old Wooly Walt has talked Frank "Sin-City" Miller into doing a six-page backup story for that issue! Pretty impressive job if you ask me. Miller has constantly stated his displeasure for both Marvel and DC, and yet my favorite writer/artist got him to do a spot for the company. That takes guts, and that's why I like Walt. But that's what's missing in today's mainstream comics, writers with the gall to change the status quo. I'm not talking independent comics, they have total control over what happens in their publications. But with the big two, change is not necessarily good, from a profit point of view. Or at least, permanent change. Superman didn't stay dead, Batman's back didn't stay broken, Captain America didn't stay an outcast, and the Hulk had to say "Hulk Smash,” again. It bugs me that the companies have to turn back to the status quo. But there have been some gutsy undertakings, mind you_ Wooly Walt eliminated Donald Blake in the first three issues in his run on the Mighty Thor. Peter David removed Aquaman's hand at the beginning of his run. Hal Jordan was driven mad and died. (Yes, I know he's back, but technically he's still dead) And there are probably others out there I just can't think about. But the main moneymakers, Batman, Superman and Spider-Man, are left untouched. C'mon, have Batman get arthritis, Superman lose an eye and Spider-Man develop arachnophobia. A major character change is always good, and it develops that character further. And keep it permanent. That would take guts. ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [8] 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. ] There's a terrific book by Nick Hornby about the nature of being a fan, called FEVER PITCH. One of the things that Hornby notes is that if you're really a fan, you jump into people's heads whenever they run across the thing you're a fan of. In the book, this happens whenever someone sees the score of an Arsenal game. With me, it's comics. A friend of mine recently came across a book called THE SLINGS & ARROWS COMIC GUIDE at a book sale, and bought it for me. And I've had my head stuck in it ever since. It's like one of those Leonard Maltin movie guides - an alphabetical listing of short reviews about almost 3,000 titles (according to the back of the book. I didn't count them). Each title has its number of issues listed, and when they came out. It has a synopsis of miniseries, or points out major storylines in long running titles like SUPERMAN or SPIDERMAN. In the longer running titles, there are guides to when significant artists/writer/teams came on board, and when they left, guest artists or writers of note (there's even an index to help you track down every piece of work by a particular creator). And each entry ends with recommended issues (if any). One of the best things about it is that it doesn't concentrate on just mainstream books, nor is it dismissive of all of them. Each book is considered on its merits, and based on what it was trying to achieve. So it doesn't just recommend the arty comics (in fact, it bags some), and even critically reviled books like SPAWN manage a couple of recommended issues. I like all types of comics, so I find this to be very useful. The reviews aren't too po-faced or dry, there's a sense of fun here. These reviews were written by people who like comics and want to recommend the stuff they like to you. And their taste tends to agree with mine, so they're obviously all very clever folk, with exceptionally good judgement. And it lists all sorts of stuff. NFL SUPERPRO gets an entry ("Redefines the term 'low concept'"), as does US1 ("You're not getting Dostoevsky here"). It goes through all those permutations of titles that Marvel used in the sixties, has tons of "series" that managed only a couple of issues. Some creators get bagged over and over (Bill Mantlo for one). The critics (there are 17 of them) take the chances to attack the companies as well as the creators (Marvel gets a serve over the whole "Spider-clone" saga, as does DC for CRISIS). All in all, its a pretty good book. It's pinpointed a couple of things that I'd like to track down, and reminded me of a few things that I haven't re-read in a while. It came out in 1997, so God only knows if it's available anywhere other than remainder shops, but if you see it cheap, it's worth picking up. As is FEVER PITCH, which is excellent. The film version isn't bad either. David Groenewegen davidhar@lib.monash.edu.au ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [9] 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 PLOTS OR ENTIRE PLOT DEVELOPMENTS. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED. Name: Kabuki - Nine Publisher: Image Written and Drawn by: David Mack Price: $2.95 Comments: To better understand confusion, chaos, order & meaning and formlessness to form - it explains it all here in Kabuki - Nine. Plenty of conspiracy theories thrown about as to if Kabuki was murdered and if she was, how she was murdered. Control Corps uses disinformation tactics - just like our own shadowy government agencies. Get lost in the words of Akemi and Buddha in this story. Watch the freeze film video shoots of a murder weapon used - a knife and the possible death of Kabuki. Kageko looks very devastating in this story with her sickle and when Kabuki and Kageko face down anything could go wrong. Kageko and Kabuki discover that they are so much alike and David Mack says: "R is for reflection". Kabuki's file gets closed and there is a new beginning. You don't know what I'm talking about? Then check this comic book out while its still on the racks! David uses an abstract way with his artwork to tell a very complex story. Name: Pocket Gods #1 Publisher: Promethian Productions Written and Drawn by: Juan Navarro Price: Free Comments: Meet very unusual characters - Snakeboy - Meathook - Mime and Pug. Pug is an actual dog that enjoys swigging on beer. Hilarious dialogue is played out between the characters and Snakeboy complains that he has a chocolate covered raisen stuck up his snowzer - find out why and how, by sending in a stamp to: Promethian Productios - c/o Juan Navarro, 2390 W 78th Street, Hialeah, Florida 33016. For more information contact Juan at: shazb0t@aol.com Black and white artwork, drawn in a detailed manner. Very well done. 12 pages - pocket size comic book. Give it a shot, you just might like it! Name: Gigantor #2 Publisher: Antarctic Press Written and Drawn by Ben Dunn Price: $2.50 Comments: Boy, now I know what I was missing out on. I have plenty of catching up to do, since I never had the opportunity to watch Gigantor when I was a kid. As long as Jimmy's grandfather was around, I believe he could keep the General in line. I believe the General will always be against the idea of having Jimmy control the robot. The General doesn't seem to understand that Jimmy doesn't use Gigantor as a big toy, but has become one with the robot through his aura. An aura that has positive energy that feeds into the mechanisms of Gigantor. As it is mentioned that a robot built by man can be fallible, would this actually apply to a robot that has indestructible titanite armor and is in tune with Jimmy's aura? There is a more complex issue here at stake, since Jimmy's aura is what controls Gigantor via the control box. I will be curious to see how this unravels. I am anxious to know more about the Four, who have unique abilities from their exposure to cosmic quantum anomalies. Already, I find these four characters fascinating. Dr. Sparks shows plenty of love for his grandson and is not one bit hesitant in giving over the controls to young Jimmy. Dr. Sparks knows the ultimate grand scheme of things and had a set course planned for Jimmy and Gigantor. It was sad to see Dr. Sparks leave the story so quickly through his death. With Gigantor's nemesis being Prince Mecha and Grand Zoom, I know the action will be intense as this series continues! Prince Mecha tries to steal Gigantor for his Iron Empire...but, he doesn't realize that it won't be that simple, he's going to have to work for it and it's not going to be easy! Prince Mecha needs to realize, that you can't underestimate little Jimmy or Gigantor for that matter. Little Jimmy Sparks might be a kid, but he has the heart of a warrior! MOE Sidenote: New at A1 Comics are the following comic books: Aria & Angela #1 by Image; Hellhole #3 by Image; The Wicked #3 by Image; Battleaxes 2 or 4 by Vertigo; Proposition Player 6 of 6 by Vertigo; Frontier Line #7 by CPM Manga; Ted McKeever's Faith #5 by Vertigo; Hyperdolls #6 by Ironcat, LLC; Panku Ponk! by Ironcat LLC; Cardcaptor Sakura #3 by Chix Comix; Mangaphile #4 by Radio Comix; Manga Zine 8 - Antarctic Press, Cinefex #87; Big Game #1 by Antarctic Press, Eagle Vol. 2: Scandal; Prophecy of the Soul Sorcerer #1 by Arcane; House of Java; Battlestar Galactica by Realm Press; Gareth Hind's Beowulf; Comic Book Heaven; The Detective by Sunset Strips and a whole lot more! For more information about any of the above-mentioned comic books above, contact Brian Peets, owner of A1 Comics at: A1Comics@quiknet.com Multiverse Observer and Explorer closing out until next time..... ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [10] 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 BBS 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'S favorite motivational phrase is, "BEHOLD THE TURTLE, HE ONLY MAKES PROGRESS WHEN HE STICKS HIS NECK OUT!"] INFINITE TALES 36 PAGES, bi-monthly, BLACK & WHITE, COLOR COVERS, $3.95/$.50 CAN Blue Moon Comics Group HC 66 Box 1448 Barbourville, KY 40906 blue_moon_99@hotmail.com http://bluemooncomics.tsx.org Lloyd Smith, Publisher Infinite Tales is an anthology in Magazine size format. It is a combination of fantasy, science fiction and high adventure stories by various artists - some well known and others no so well known. The format allows for a mixture of styles and lengths. Some stories are self-contained, others will continue. TOTEM RECALL Steve Skeates - story; Jesse Landrum - art This may be the best of the book. The tale is of a tribe that changes its ways after the policy of assimilating captured enemies into their culture brings a very persuasive individual into their midst. With the ear of the chief he soon has them worshipping a new god, and becoming more willing to kill and even sacrifice their own on the altar of blood. One lone member seeks understanding in the wilderness when he cannot stand the slaughter. The solution he finds leads to a valiant decision, one the reader might not expect. SKYBLAZER Scripts - Lloyd Smith Pencils - Evan Driscoll Inks & Letters - David Vance This is a brief episode in a continuing serial. Mark Mason is a pilot on an island after the end of WWII. the opening has him in a barroom brawl with a huge Nazi bent on enforcing his expulsion from the island by his enemy Chang Tao - he fails. Next a lady shows up and offers Mason $10,000 to fly her to the States. He decides that he could use the dough and as they fly off he can't believe what happens to the island. Good suspense leaves you waiting to find out the ladies plans, and just who she is mixed up with. I BATTLED BAZTOGG! Story - Lloyd Smith Art - Ed Quinby A newspaper reporter on assignment happens on an old mansion near where his car breaks down. Looking for help he seeks shelter from a storm and falls asleep. He awakens to find a rather large alien who advises that the man will be his slave - and Earth's sole survivor. The plan is to destroy the Earth and then teleport his own planet to its place and escape their own enemies in another galaxy. Naturally, like all the classic science fiction stories of this type, the by chance human that stumbles onto impending doom by invading aliens manages to save the day for us all. This one has another twist on how exactly it is done. KRAGOR: GUARDIAN OF THE TOMB STORY: Lloyd Smith ART: JP Dupras Letters: David Vance This one is a tale of sword and sorcery with a battle between barbaric warriors ending with two of them striking out to find a treasure in Vanteim's Tomb that could buy twelve kingdoms. What they find is a gigantic snake named Redlah and the wizard Vantiem himself. The serpent's secret is the twist that makes the story and changes the thoughts of at least one warrior. There are two other brief offerings by Sean Michael Wilson, Pedro Belushi, David Law and Bryan Henry that add diversity to the mix, but may not appeal to the average reader. The package as a whole is very entertaining. It is up to the public to support such an effort if it is to survive. An anthology with an oversized format (and not even slick covers) seems unlikely to survive very long. Time will tell. ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [11] 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, 4/12/2000, compiled by Charles LePage with information from Suncoast Comics. This is the *preliminary* list and is not complete. The completed list is posted weekly, usually Monday evening, at rec.arts.comics.info, http://www.jacksonville.net/~ncrl, and Compuserve's Comics Publishers Forum. "TPB" = "trade paperback". "GN" = "graphic novel". "AA" = "available again". "SC" = "softcover". "HC" = "hardcover". "S/N" = "signed/numbered". "AR" = "ask retailer about price". PUBLISHER TITLE, ISSUE NUMBER, PRICE IN U.S. DOLLARS ABISMO Pablos Inferno #3 (Of 5), 2.95 ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS Archies Weird Mysteries #5, 1.99 Betty #86, 1.99 Pals N Gals Double Digest #49, 3.19 BONGO COMICS Hopsters Tracks #2 (resolicited), 2.95 CHAOS! COMICS "Purgatori Empire #1 (Of 3), 2.95 CPM MANGA Martian Successor Nadesico #10, 2.95 DARK HORSE COMICS Battle Gods Warriors Of The Chaak #1 (Of 9), 2.95 Bettie Page Queen Of The Nile #3 (Of 3), 2.95 Dr Robot Special, 2.95 Masakazu Katsuras Shadow Lady Awakening #19 #7 (Of 7), 2.50 DC COMICS Adventures Of Superman #579, 1.99 Azrael Agent Of The Bat #65, 2.25 Batman Huntress Cry For Blood #1 (Of 6), 2.50 Books Of Magic #73, 2.50 Creature Commandos #2 (Of 8), 2.50 Detective Comics #745, 2.50 Hourman #15, 2.50 Impulse #61, 2.25 JSA Justice Be Done TPB, 14.95 Millennium Edition Our Army At War #81, 2.50 Nightwing #44, 1.99 Realworlds Wonder Woman, 5.95 Relative Heroes #4 (Of 6), 2.50 Scooby-Doo #35, 1.99 Speed Racer Born To Race TPB, 9.95 Stars And Stripe #11, 2.50 Superman Adventures #44, 1.99 Swamp Thing #2, 2.50 Tomorrow Stories #7, 2.95 Transmetropolitan I Hate It Here, 5.95 Young Justice #20, 2.50 EL CAPITAN BOOKS Stray Bullets #21, 2.95 FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS Acme Novelty Library #14, 10.95 HUMANOIDS, INC. Saga Of The Metabarons #3 (Of 16), 2.95 I BOX PUBLISHING Thieves & Kings #31, 2.50 IMAGE COMICS Age Of Bronze #7, 3.50 Alley Cat #6, 2.95 Astounding Space Thrills Comic Book #1, 2.95 Blood Legacy #1, 2.50 Blue #2 (resolicited), 2.95 Fathom Coll Ed #5, 5.95 Go Girl #1, 2.50 Hawkshaws #1, 2.95 Kabuki Agents Scarab #4, 2.95 Lady Pendragon #9, 2.95 Lost Ones #1, 2.95 Parts Unknown Killing Attractions #1, 2.95 Rumble Girls #1 (Of 8), 3.50 Saffire #1, 2.95 Savage Dragon Gang War TPB, 16.95 Shock Rockets #1, 2.50 Soul Saga Coll Ed #1, 5.95 Spawn Vol 10 Vengeance Of The Dead TPB, 9.95 Tin Can Man #3, 2.95 Top Cow Classics Ascension #1, 2.95 Witchblade #39, 2.50 INSIGHT STUDIOS GROUP Liberty Meadows #9, 2.95 MARVEL COMICS Amazing Spider-Man #18, 2.25 Avengers Two Wonder Man And Beast #2 (Of 3), 2.99 Avengers United They Stand #7, 2.99 Black Panther #19, 2.50 Cable #80, 2.25 Daredevil Vs Punisher, 3.50 Deathlok #11, 2.50 Earth X X, 3.99 Generation X #64, 2.25 Iron Man #29, 2.25 New Warriors #9, 2.50 Punisher #3 (Of 12), 3.99 Spider-Girl #21, 2.25 Spider-Man Universe #3, 4.99 X Men Children Of The Atom #3 (Of 6) (resolicited), 2.99 ONI PRESS INC. Fortune & Glory #3 (Of 3), 4.95 RED INK Last Lonely Saturday, 6.95 SHARKBAIT PRESS Adventures Of Liberal Man Final Mission TPB (resolicited), 14.95 TOP SHELF PRODUCTIONS Goodbye Chunky Rice (AA), 14.95 WIZARD ENTERTAINMENT Toyfare The Toy Magazine #34, 4.99 magazines Alter Ego #4, 5.95 Comic Shop News #669, AR NCRL for the foreseeable future... TITLE OLD RELEASE DATE NEW DATE DC COMICS A Contract with God SC 04/12 04/26 Batman: Dark Victory Print Set* 06/21 04/19 Batman: Haunted Gotham #4 03/29 04/26 Crimson #18 05/17 05/10 Kurt Busiek's Astro City: Tarnished Angel HC 04/19 05/10 Planetary #10 03/08 05/03 Sgt. Rock's Prize Battle Tales 80-page Giantd. 04/19 04/26 Star Trek: Embrace the Wolf 04/12 04/19 Starman Archives Volume 1 HC 04/26 05/03 Superman: Metropolis Secret Files #1 04/19 04/26 The Authority: Relentless TP 05/03 05/10 The Sandman Presents: Petrefax #4 04/19 04/26 Titans/LSH: Universe Ablaze #4 03/08 05/03 Tomorrow Stories #8 04/19 05/10 Top 10 #8 03/15 04/26 Top 10 #9 05/10 06/21 Yeah! #9 04/05 05/03 IMAGE Aria/Angela #1 Museum Ed 04/19 05/10 Aria/Angela #2 05/03 Aria/Angela Blanc & Noir Ed. #1 04/19 Big Bang #31 04/26 05/03 Big Hair Productions #2 04/05 04/19 Blood Legacy #1 04/19 Blue #2 04/12 04/26 City of Silence #1 05/10 Cow #1 Spring 00 04/12 04/26 Crow Magazine #2 04/19 05/03 Curse of the Spawn Vol. 3: Shades of Gray TP 05/10 Dark Crossings Special: Dark Cloud Rising #1 05/03 DarkMinds Vol. 2 #3 04/19 Darkness #31 04/19 Demonslayer Vol. 2 #1 04/26 Echo #1 Holochrome Ed. 04/12 04/19 Echo #2 04/26 EVE Protomecha #3 04/26 F5 #1 04/26 Fathom #12 04/26 Fear Effects Special #1 04/12 04/26 Gear Station #2 04/26 05/10 Geeksville # 1 05/03 Go Girl #1 04/12 Cancelled Hawkshaws #1 04/19 04/26 Intrigue #4 04/19 Iron Wings Vol. 2 #2 04/19 05/03 Jinn #2 04/26 05/10 JUDGE #2 04/19 Kabuki Agents #4 04/12 05/10 Kabuki Skin Deep 2nd Prtg TP 04/19 04/26 Kin #3 04/19 Kiss: Psycho Circus #29 05/03 Kiss: Psycho Circus Whispered Scream Vol. 3 TP 04/19 04/26 Lady Pendragon #9 04/12 04/19 Lost Ones #1 03/29 04/26 Magdalena #1 Holofoil Cover Incent. 04/12 04/19 Magdalena #2 04/19 05/03 Magdalena Poster #1 04/12 04/19 More Than Mortal #7 04/19 Cancelled Mr. Monster's Gal Friday Kelly #3 05/03 M-Rex #3 04/26 05/03 Neon Cyber #7 04/19 Nine Rings of the Wu-Tang #4 04/26 05/03 Pakkins Land: Forgotten Dreams #4 04/05 04/26 Parts Unknown: Killing Attractions #1 04/12 04/19 Powers #1 04/19 Primal Instinct Preview 04/19 Cancelled Rising Stars #0 04/26 05/03 Rising Stars #7 04/26 Rumble Girls #1 04/12 04/19 Saffire #1 04/12 04/19 Sam & Twitch #10 05/10 Savage Dragon #73 04/26 Savage Dragon: Gang War TP 04/12 05/03 Shockrockets # 2 05/10 Soul Saga #3 03/15 04/26 Spawn #95 05/10 Spawn TPB Vol. 10 04/12 04/26 Spawn: The Dark Ages #14 04/19 Spawn: The Undead #11 04/26 Cancelled Spirit of the Tao #15 04/12 04/26 Stone Vol. II #4 04/12 04/26 Tellos #7 04/26 Tenth Special Ed. #1 04/05 04/26 Tin Can Man #3 05/03 04/26 Tomb Raider #5 04/26 Top Cow Classics: Fathom #1 05/03 Wahoo Morris #1 04/19 04/26 Warlands #6 04/12 04/19 Warlands Poster #1 04/05 04/26 Warlands Poster #2 04/26 Wicked #4 04/19 05/03 Witchblade #40 05/03 *Please note that these items are shipping early. ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [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. 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