---------------------------------------------------------------------- Ed Dukeshire and Mike Imboden Present: THE COMIC BOOK NET ELECTRONIC MAGAZINE ISSUE NUMBER 260 1999 EAGLE AWARD NOMINEE 4/14/2000 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] How ESP can make you fly .............. Link Yaco [6] E-Dispatches .......................... Jonathan A. Gilbert [7] Pond Life ............................. Paul Hayward [8] Venting My Spleen ..................... David Groenewegen [9] Some Pages, A Cover, and A Few Staples. Marlan Harris [10] M.O.E. Reviews ........................ Paul Dale Roberts [11] My View:TAXMAN ........................ David LeBlanc [12] New Comic Book Releases List .......... Charles LePage [13] HYPE! Section ......................... Various [A] Submission, Back Issues, Copyrights ______________________________________________________________________ World Wide Web Home Page-->> http://members.aol.com/ComicBkNet Mailed by ONElist: http://www.onelist.com/community/ComicBookNetworkEmag HTML WEB EDITION at -->> http://www.digitalwebbing.com/cbem featuring a week's worth of the online strip: Steve Conley's ASTOUNDING SPACE THRILLS ----------------------------------------------------------------------- o \o/ _ o _| \ / |_ o_ \o/ o /|\ | /\ _\o \o | o/ O/_ /\ | /|\ / \ / \ |\ /) | ( \ /o\ / ) | (\ / | / \ / \ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- The ComicBook Network was founded by Ed Dukeshire and Mike Imboden ----------------------------------------------------------------------- If you wish to receive each issue automatically through your Email account, FREE, please send 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 This weeks' "comics in other media" alert comes from the MAY 2000 issue of WIRED magazine. As an aside, I reccommend this above the plethora of computer magazines because it is not about promoting all the software and hardwares being sold by the people who pay for the ads. It is more about lifestyles and how technology has, is and will affect us. The newest trends and gadgets are previewed and some very influential people from all aspects of the high tech world we live in - both providers of goods and services and users of same - are profiled and interviewed. It is just a solid, informative mag and subscriptions are an unbelievable $12 a year! The May 2000 issue is out next week and in it there is a fabulous story on comics on the web. Of course they have a few quotes from Stan and the best part is a two page preview of Scott McCloud's upcoming book; REINVENTING COMICS which will be published in August. Check it out! And check out some of these at the local comic shop: DC COMICS Tomorrow Stories #7, 2.95 IMAGE COMICS Age Of Bronze #7, 3.50 <---------Pick of the Week! INSIGHT STUDIOS GROUP Liberty Meadows #9, 2.95 MARVEL COMICS Black Panther #19, 2.50 Earth X X, 3.99 Punisher #3 (Of 12), 3.99 This week I have been reminded of the relative intelligence of our species versus lower animals (though you wouldn't guess from the idiots on the television these days). A robin has been appearing on our deck every morning and continually attempts to attack its own reflection in the glass door. Of course, we humans often strive for things we can never get as well so . . . 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: Review of Infinite Tales #1 From: blue_moon_99@hotmail.com (Lloyd Smith) To: ComicBknet@aol.com Hi David, Thanks for reviewing Infinite Tales #1. I'm glad you enjoyed it, and I can tell you that each issue will just get better and better. And while I appreciate your concern for I.T.'s survival during these hard times, never fear! I (along with over two dozen other talented individuals) am totally committed to seeing that I.T. has a long life. The whole reason that I.T. is put out in such an economical package is so that I can afford to keep it running--whether we sell 2 copies of 2 million! (Though I'd love to do the two million...) Here's hoping that reviews like yours will get fans to seek us out! I constantly read discussions on various chat groups and e-groups about how much fans would like to see something different done in comics, so to everyone out there who is tired of the same old same old, stop gripin' and check I.T. out! I don't think you'll be disappointed with the stories and art in INFINITE TALES! Best, Lloyd Lloyd Smith, Publisher Blue Moon Comics Wanna know what's going on at BLUE MOON COMICS? Check out our website at: http://bluemooncomics.tsx.org INFINITE TALES! Comics done RIGHT by the best and brightest new and pro talents! +++++ Subj: Article: Dedicate a Comic Book Publishing Name for World Peace From: Silhouet9@aol.com Article: Dedicate a Comic Book Publishing Name for World Peace By Paul Dale Roberts, Publisher - Jazma Universe Online! http://www.jazmaonline.com/ Recently, the California Legislature passed a resolution that called for the establishment of a privately funded Rose Garden Memorial on the grounds of California's State Capitol. The garden is being established to bring attention to the need for women, children and families to live in love and peace. The IWPRG (International World Peace Rose Gardens organization has created rose gardens for peace in locations like: Pacific Palisades - California; Mexico City - Mexico; Assisi - Italy and Atlanta - Georgia. Projects that they have in progress is a rose garden in the State Capitol of Sacramento and Rio de Janeiro in South America. Some of the activities that will be commencing is "The 'World Peace Begins with Me' Art Program in which students are invited to artistically express the theme of each garden. Selected art pieces are exhibited at annual dedication ceremonies and other community events. Students from Mexico, Italy, Japan and the United States have participated in past art projects. The mission of the garden is to 'engage world citizens in activities that promote peace'. The comic industry has many publishing companies that have established comic book characters that strive to promote peace, through their valiant efforts in fighting crime or evil. Some of these characters are Superman, Batman, Spiderman, Daredevil, Savage Dragon, Zorro, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Sinnamon, Gen13, Elvira and many others. If you would like to have your publishing company name immortalized on a plaque in this rose garden, or perhaps even have the name of a comic book creator or comic book character immortalized on a plaque in the garden, here's how to do it. It will cost $25.00 per name of comic book creator or comic book character. $100.00 per publishing company name. Mail your check or money order to: The World Peace Rose Garden Memorial - PO Box 15919 - Sacramento, CA 95852-0919 (make sure to ask for a dedication form first!) by calling them toll free at: 1-800-205-1223. You can fax them at: (916) 381-6658 or email them at: Info@WorldPeaceRoseGardens.org Make sure to visit their website at: http://www.WorldPeaceGardens.org - the dedication form can be found on their website and can be emailed from that location! Can you see it now..Superman's name on a plaque in a World Peace Garden! Wow! +++++ Subj: Flash Animator for hire From: kebrugel@kurt5.com (Kurt5) Dear Comicbook Publishers, Capture the attention of future comic book readers with Flash Animation Introductions. The following link holds a special offer to get your comic book animated for the Internet. http://www.kurt5.com/sample/sincity.html For more of an adventure click below and experience first hand what Kurt5.com has done for Arzach.com. http://www.kurt5.com/arzach1/arzach1.html As a Flash Animation Production House, we are looking for Projects that have an established fan base and funding. Take advantage of the offer now, the future of comic books is on-line. Heather Weiss Business Manager Kurt5.com +++++ From: astresin@ea.oac.uci.edu (Alexander Giovanni Stresino) Two unbelievable announcements were made this week. The idea that these projects would ever occur seemed unfathomable. Some people will complain and some people will be overjoyed. I figure what the heck. It's an exciting time. The two projects I am referring to, in no special order, Frank Miller's sequel to Batman: The Dark Knight Returns and Stan Lee's 12 issue take on the DC Universe. Two grand ideas that no one dreamed would ever occur. Once again DC is surprising everyone. I personally look forward to these projects. With books like Starman and Hitman coming close to the ends of their runs and JLA losing Grant Morrison these projects are a welcome necessity for all fans of the DC Universe. Thanks For Listening, Alex [Check out THE NETWORK BUZZ to get details on these events! - D.L.] +++++ Subj: Article: Real Life Superheroes & Super Villains in our Real World. From: Silhouet9@aol.com Article: Real Life Superheroes & Super Villains in our Real World. By Paul Dale Roberts Just recently I was discussing with a comic book aficionado on why we don't have superheroes or super villains in our real world. I told him that in the course of our history, there have been many colorful characters that could be considered as superheroes or super villains, due to their weaponry, bravado and costumes. For heroic groups we have the elite US Army's Special Forces aka the Green Beret, US Army's Airborne Rangers, Navy Seals, Delta Force, Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders with their long tailed coats, various police swat teams that are known to wear Ninja garb, US Air Force Blue Angels. As for super villain type of groups we have the PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization) who are known to hide their faces with sunglasses and scarves, their weapons of choice are bombs, sniper rifles, grenades, land mines. SLA (Symbionese Liberation Army)....look at the garb Patricia Hearst wore! For superheroes we had colorful characters from Alexander the Great, Joan of Arc, Charlemagne whose choice of weapons were broad sword and shield. Super villain types would be the notorious San Francisco Zodiac who was known to wear a mask and cape. Unibomber who wore his sweat top hood with sunglasses. Paris' Sewer Rat Gang, who were known to steal paintings, money, jewels and hid in the sewer tunnels of Paris. In the entertainment industry we have colorful wrestlers like Sting, Hulk Hogan, Vampiro, Gangrel, The Undertaker, Cain. In the music industry we have colorful musicians like Slipknot who all wear masks, KISS, Misfits, ICP (Insane Clown Posse). Other entertainment types like Evil Knievel and the Masked Magician come to mind. So if one says that we do not have superheroic or supervilliany in our own real world, he or she needs to take a closer look. ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [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: 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? Your's truly is on a roll with two stumps in a row. Most of the contestants knew the green brick was Kryptonite but nearly all thought the rest were the remains of the THING [ee-yoo!]. According to PAD they are actually the remains of - The Avengers Mansion! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION: During the famous story arc in the Superman titles, REIGN OF THE SUPERMEN, one cover asked the question we pose as our question this week, WHO WATCHES THE SUPERMEN? 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 Superman and Batman Join Forces With Arch-Rival Stan Lee for the Coolest Collaboration in the History of Comic Books NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 12, 2000--DC Comics is pleased to announce the coolest collaboration in the history of comic books. Living legend Stan Lee, the co-creator of Spider-man, the Hulk and the X-Men and founder of Stan Lee Media is teaming up with longstanding rival DC Comics to present Lee's alternative interpretation of the world's most beloved super-heroes including Batman and Superman. The series, JUST IMAGINE STAN LEE CREATING, gives Lee the freedom to literally start the lives of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and other DC stars over from birth. Will Superman work at the Daily Planet? Will Batman have the Batmobile? Will they even be heroes? The imagination of comic-book lovers everywhere will run rampant as they wait to read the adventures of the DC Universe through the eyes of Stan Lee - the comic book world's most prized and beloved storyteller. The series will feature the hottest artistic talent in the industry: John Buscema, longtime collaborator with Lee on The Silver Surfer and artist of The Avengers, Fantastic Four and Conan the Barbarian; Dave Gibbons, illustrator of the Hugo Award-winning Watchmen; Joe Kubert, illustrator of Tarzan and founder of the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art; Jim Lee, artist of the best-selling and record-setting comic book X-Men No. 1; Bruce Timm, producer of the Emmy Award-winning Batman and Superman animated television series; and others will lend their hand in the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to illustrate and create alternative versions of the world's most popular super-heroes with Lee. "During all the years I've been with Marvel, it was always fun to imagine how I might have written the DC characters. Now, it's really great to have the chance to reapproach the DC Universe and tackle the storytelling and characterization in my own style," said Stan Lee, Founder, Chairman and Chief Creative Officer of Stan Lee Media. "The chance to work with people I've admired for years and the chance to create stories with characters that I've enjoyed for years was an offer I could not resist." "With his artistic collaborators at Marvel, Stan co-created the richest imaginary universe a single comics writer has ever built. Every kid who ever picked up one of his comics wondered what Stan would do if he ever worked on the DC heroes and now we can deliver their dream," commented Paul Levitz, Executive Vice President and Publisher of DC Comics, "and by Stan doing it as a special series, we can capture the magic of turning back the clock to see how he would have started it all." The project will be presented as twelve issues in DC's prestige format, beginning in late 2000 and later collected into trade book editions. Each issue will reveal an alternative version of a DC hero according to Lee and a collaborating artist, beginning with JUST IMAGINE STAN LEE WITH JOHN BUSCEMA CREATING SUPERMAN. Other characters scheduled for the series include Batman, Wonder Woman, the Sandman and the Justice League of America. The project was initiated by Michael Uslan, the principal of Branded Entertainment (a film and television company). As well, Uslan is the Executive Producer of Batman (1989), Batman Returns (1992), Batman Forever (1995), Batman and Robin (1997), and a longtime comics fan. DC Comics is a division of Warner Bros., a Time Warner Entertainment company. Since 1938, DC has created over 5000 characters, including the world's most popular super-heroes: Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. These and other characters have starred in comic books, movies, television, Animation, the Broadway Stage and cyberspace. Stan Lee Media, Inc. (OTCBB:SLEE) (http://www.stanleemedia.com) is an Internet-based, multimedia content production, marketing and licensing company founded by pop culture icon Stan Lee to extend his globally recognized brand name, signature style of content and character creation to all niche markets of the global popular culture. Using the Internet to launch new branded super hero, science fiction and fantasy related content while building the largest global online youth community, the company will pioneer the full integration of all ancillary entertainment and marketing media with the World Wide Web. Note: A Photo is available at URL: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/photoblob.sh?pw.041200/bw1 CONTACT: DC Comics, New York Peggy Burns, 212/636-5450 Fax: 212/636-5756 +++++ Marvel Paid Trustee $771,375 Fee in Chapter 11 Case Wilmington, Delaware, April 13 (Bloomberg) -- Marvel Enterprises Inc. paid $771,375 in fees to a trustee who helped guide the world's largest comic book publisher out of bankruptcy court, according to company records. Marvel officials initially refused to reveal what they paid former 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Chief Judge John J. Gibbons to serve as the company's bankruptcy trustee, citing a confidential court settlement. The company handed over documents outlining the fee after Bloomberg News filed papers in court seeking to unseal the amount. Gibbons' pay became a bone of contention in the high-profile Marvel Entertainment Group bankruptcy case when he originally sought more than $4 million fees for overseeing the company's Chapter 11 reorganization. Marvel objected to the fee and a federal judge in Delaware later awarded him less than 10 percent of it. That award was included in the settlement, lawyers involved in the case said. ``We're happy to have the case resolved,'' Gibbons said today. ``I only served for trustee for eight months, so we got it closed in rather record time.'' Under the settlement, Gibbons received $548,375 in fees and expenses and Marvel agreed to pay an additional $223,000 to a fellowship set up by Gibbons to pay for free legal services for needy clients, according to a copy of the settlement agreement. The fellowship pays for lawyers at Gibbons' firm to represent battered women's groups and handle death penalty appeals, he said. Gibbons' law firm -- Newark, New Jersey's Gibbons, Del Deo, Dolan, Griffinger & Vecchione -- also was awarded more than $2.2 million in fees and expenses by the judge overseeing Marvel's bankruptcy case. That award wasn't part of the settlement. Marvel, which filed for Chapter 11 protection in 1996 amid sliding sales of its comic-book, sticker and trading-card lines, emerged from bankruptcy in October 1998 as a unit of Toy Biz Inc. The toymaker kicked in $238 million to pay Marvel's creditors as part of the reorganization plan. High-Profile Case The high-profile bankruptcy case pitted New York financier Ronald O. Perelman against corporate raider Carl Icahn in a bitter battle for control of Marvel. Icahn, representing Marvel creditors, ultimately ousted Perelman as the company's controlling shareholder only to have a federal judge in Delaware trump Icahn's takeover by vesting control in Gibbons as the trustee. Marvel eventually emerged from bankruptcy court protection as part of Toy Biz, which renamed the merged company Marvel Enterprises. Gibbons asked for $4.3 million in fees and expenses for overseeing Marvel's Chapter 11 operations and helping to negotiate the final version of Toy Biz's reorganization plan. Marvel executives objected to the fee request. U.S. District Judge Roderick McKelvie blasted Gibbons' fee request, noting it was the equivalent of $4,928 per hour of work. In the May 1999 decision, McKelvie slashed Gibbons' fee to $352,000. Gibbons appealed McKelvie's ruling to his former colleagues on the 3rd Circuit, arguing he deserved more for helping the comic book publisher emerge from bankruptcy. The Philadelphia-based appeals court referred the fee dispute to its mediation program in August 1999. The 3rd Circuit dismissed Gibbons' appeal in November 1999 after Marvel and Gibbons settled their claims. Marvel, which owns the rights to comic book favorites such as Spider-Man and the Incredible Hulk, has focused on creating tie- ins for its characters on TV, the Internet and in amusement parks as part of its new business strategy. Universal's new Islands of Adventures theme park in Florida has a much-touted ride based on Spider-Man, for example. Shares of New York-based Marvel fell 1/4 to 5 7/8 on the New York Stock Exchange today. Apr/13/2000 16:27 +++++ Dan Dare returns to earth for 50th anniversary By Emma Feeny LONDON, April 11 (Reuters) - He had a jutting chin, a stiff upper lip and impeccable moral fibre. He was a dashing new hero for Britain who made his first appearance 50 years ago this week. Colonel Daniel MacGregor Dare, better known to readers of the Eagle comic as Dan Dare, Pilot of the Future, was launched on April 14, 1950 as a wholesome role model for children to combat a wave of American horror and crime novels. Bravely Dan battled the Treens and their dastardly leader, the Mekon of Mekonta, never swearing or drinking and only shooting in self-defence. Gallantly he flew his spaceship Anastasia into futuristic adventures on Saturn and Mars, always fighting for justice and never admitting defeat. Dare, the quintessential British hero, was created by Frank Hampson, an illustrator from Manchester, and the Reverend Marcus Morris, a vicar determined to save the nation's youth from being corrupted by American imports. Fifty years on, Dan is set to return from his intergalactic travels to his spiritual home and the birthplace of the Eagle in Southport, northwest England, in the form of a bronze bust. The Pilot of the Future will also be making a 21st century appearance at the town's Atkinson Art Gallery, where a special exhibition commemorating him opens on April 15. The exhibition will feature original artwork and Dan Dare memorabilia alongside props used by Hampson as models. Dare's swashbuckling adventures lasted from 1950 until 1969, when his popularity began to wane and the Eagle was swallowed by rival comic the Lion. He disappeared from the pages until 1977, when the 2000 AD comic book was launched and a ``new'' Dan emerged, revived from suspended animation to face a more violent futuristic life. In 1982 the Eagle comic returned and seven years later so did the original Dan Dare, this time to enjoy a comeback which lasted five years. Whether Dan is destined for another incarnation on paper remains to be seen, but his life-sized bust will provide a small reminder for thousands of adults who, as children, followed his exploits every week in the Eagle. +++++ Rumble Girls #1 includes guest essay by award-winning screenwriter Max Adams! When Rumble Girls #1 hits comics stores in a couple of weeks, it'll have a little something extra: an essay by Max Adams, a Nicholl Fellowship recipient, winner of the Austin Heart of Film Festival Screenwriting Award and screenwriter of "Excess Baggage". "Max has a way of spinning a yarn about the most exasperating things and making then funny, so I was sure she'd have at least one story about movie-making to share, and she did," said Hernandez. "I thought some humorous words of caution from someone in the bosom of Hollywood would go well with a story set in a world of media-made smoke and mirrors." In the meantime, if readers ready to rumble are tired of shadowboxing, they can check out the first chapter of the Adams-penned and Hernandez-illustrated FINDERS, KEEPERS at www.tartcity.com (no relation to sequentialtart.com). Future issues of Rumble Girls will have at least one more essay by Adams, other guest essays to be announced, and a recipe for Pat Duke's Killer Stir-Fried Beef (something to break up the monotony of the Pop-Tarts, Air Crisps and YooHoo diet). Rumble Girls #2, currently featured in Previews, has a flip cover by manga-style god Adam Warren (DIRTY PAIR). Lea Hernandez is the creator of the Image Comics series RUMBLE GIRLS, a 1999 Eisner Award nominee, and a contributor to the 2000 Eisner Award-nominated anthologies DIGNIFYING SCIENCE and BRAIN BOMB. She has previously published CATHEDRAL CHILD and CLOCKWORK ANGELS with Image Comics. +++++ SIDEKICKS ARTWORK NOW ONLINE You've read the press release, you've heard the buzz, now get a first look at some SIDEKICKS artwork from new comic book sensation Takeshi Miyazawa. The three-issue miniseries written by Toronto's J. Torres (Copybook Tales, Siren, Alison Dare) doesn't debut from Fanboy Entertainment until June, but you can take a sneak peek at some character designs and sample interior pages at: http://www.monsterfighters.com/sidekicks/ Also be on the lookout for the SIDEKICKS PREVIEW EDITION which goes out to retailers along with the April 12th issue of Diamond Dateline. Ask your friendly neighborhood comic book shop to show you this advanced look at the exciting new miniseries. And then place your order for SIDEKICKS #1! Lastly, mark your calendars as the entire Fanboy Entertainment crew (including Torres & Miyazawa) will be at Anime Central between May 12-14 in the Northwest Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights, Illinois. For more information about SIDEKICKS, please contact C.B. Cebulski at Fanboy Entertainment at 212-579-0440 or by e-mail at cbcebulski@fanboyinc.com. +++++ DORK STORM on the Horizon DORK TOWER, Corsair Publishing to amicably part company Madison, WI - John Kovalic and Corsair Publishing, LLC announced Wednesday that Dork Storm Press will take over publication of DORK TOWER, Kovalic's critically acclaimed, award-winning comic book, in July, 2000. DORK TOWER #11 (July/August 2000) will be the first DORK TOWER published by Dork Storm. The smash-hit comic book that follows the life of fanboys Igor, Matt, Ken and Carson the Muskrat joins SNAPDRAGONS, WILD LIFE and NEWBIES under Kovalic's Dork Storm banner. No interruption in either DORK TOWER's release schedule or Corsair Publishing's release schedule is anticipated. "I enjoyed working with Corsair Publishing," said Kovalic . "They were founding members of the Army of Dorkness, and have always been good friends of the comic book. But the time was right for me to take a more hands-on approach to the publication. DORK TOWER just had to grow in its own direction." Corsair Creative Director Jon Leitheusser said "This move gives Corsair the opportunity to concentrate on its core gaming lines, which have been demanding more time and resources as they grow. Although we're sorry to lose John and Dork Tower, we know both will be around for us to enjoy for a long time." Corsair Publishing, which had a critically acclaimed hit with 1999's SOVEREIGN STONE roleplaying game in conjunction with Sovereign Press, will continue to expand on the successful system, as well as release groundbreaking new games such as the highly-anticipated SKETCH!. Kovalic and Corsair Publishing will continue to work on other projects together. "It's been my pleasure to get to know the Corsair folks, not just as colleagues, but also as friends," said Kovalic. "I'm looking forward to our future collaborations." Upcoming projects for Dork Storm Press include a "DORK TOWER/The 3 Geeks" crossover comic scheduled for the summer of 2000. "DORK SHADOWS: The collected DORK TOWER Vol. 1," the first DORK TOWER trade paperback, collecting issues #1-6 of the comic (many of which are long sold-out) in the autumn of 2000. DORK TOWER's circulation has risen with every issue of the bimonthly comic book released, and is expected to break the 10,000 circulation mark this year. Corsair Publishing's SKETCH!, an adventure game in which players create characters by drawing them, is due for release in June. SOVEREIGN STONE, the fantasy world of artist Larry Elmore will continue to expand this summer with the release of the SOVEREIGN STONE GAME MASTERS SCREEN, OLD VINNENGAEL: CITY OF SORROWS, THE TAAN, and the SOVEREIGN STONE HARDCOVER. Corsair published DORK TOWER #1 in July, 1998, and will release DORK TOWER #9 and DORK TOWER #10 before the transfer. CONTACTS: DORK TOWER John Kovalic, Publisher Box 45063 Madison, WI 53744 e-mail: john@kovalic.com web page: http://kovalic.com phone: (608) 223-1525 CORSAIR PUBLISHING Jon Leitheusser, Creative Director Box 259836 Madison, WI 53725-9836 e-mail: corsairj@corsairpub.com web page: http://www.corsairpub.com phone: (608) 833-8911 ARTWORK AVAILABLE: 300 dpi Dork Storm Logo: http://kovalic.com/DorkStormLogo.jpg +++++ Comic artists plunge into VZSciFi virtual world! Several comics artists and writers will be taking the plunge into the VZSciFi virtual world (Web access: http://www.vzscifi.co.uk) during the new zone's launch weekend this coming Easter weekend (April 22 - 23 2000) at the Comics Festival 2000 in Bristol, England. Dave Gibbons, John Higgins, Gary Frank, Bryan Talbot and Hunt Emerson are among those creators who have kindly agreed to stop by at the VZSciFi stand at the Comics2000 Festival in Bristol in Britain and create their own virtual avatars, as part of the launch for the new community. 2000AD Comics Editor David Bishop will also be stopping by, along with others yet to be confirmed. VZSciFi, part of the VZones virtual communities from Avaterra.com, will have its official launch in the UK during the weekend of the Comics2000 Festival in Bristol. Comics2000 will have its own 'virtual convention' area within VZSciFi during the Festival weekend. The software enables to move, chat with other users and interact in an environment not unlike a living comic book. VZSciFi will be the most vibrant avatar-based virtual community for science fiction fans on the web, appealing to fans of SF film, television, comics, books, collectables and gaming. Plans for VZSciFi, apart from the chance to explore a brave new virtual universe, include: live InWorld events featuring appearances by SF creators; video and audio presentations of forthcoming productions; opportunities for e-commerce links by retailers and publishers; and plenty of opportunities for SF fans worldwide to interact with like-minded souls in a variety of activities, virtually 'face to face'. VZones is a membership-based immersive virtual world accessed through Avaterra's patented VZones software which can be downloaded from our web sites. This software enables members to create their own avatar who can explore the VZones environment, meet other avatars, rent a virtual apartment and decorate it, shop and engage in InWorld events. The VZones World site, offering a free 30-day trial and software for both PC and Mac users can be found at: http://www.vzones.com. In partnership with THUS, UK PC users can enjoy free membership of VZones by downloading the software at: http://www.virtualzones.co.uk To be added to the VZSciFi Mailing List, please send a request to: vzscifmailinglist@avaterra.com. Dave Gibbons will be familiar to comics fans for Martha Washington Goes to War, published by Dark Horse. He drew the ground-breaking Watchmen title, written by Alan Moore, and has made contributions to Britain's weekly 2000AD comic as both artist and writer. John Higgins' work includes Razorjack and series for 2000AD, DC Comics, Marvel and Dark Horse. His stunning art will be in the spotlight during Comics2000 as part of the launch for ComX, a new UK comics imprint whose titles launch this coming August, but will have a special #0 on sale at the Festival. John has also agreed to create two new avatar heads specifically for the VZSciFi launch. Bryan Talbot's latest Luther Arkwright epic has just been published by Dark Horse. His work includes Batman for DC, Nemesis the Warlock for 2000AD and the critically-acclaimed The Tale of One Bad Rat. Gary Frank, whose past credits include The Incredible Hulk and debuted with art for several Marvel UK projects is in the middle of the first six-issue Kin limited series for Top Cow, a project designed as a trilogy of six-issue mini-series. According to Top Cow's Matt Hawkins, Frank will also be the artist for J. Michael Straczynski's first Joe's Comics title, the 12-issue maxi-series Midnight Nation. (More info about Joe's Comics here). Frank is already working on preliminary design drawings for Midnight Nation. Knockabout Comics and Penthouse contributor Hunt Emerson's anarchic cartoon strips have graced the pages of many magazines and comics, including Fortean Times. Watch out for virtual appearances by these artists during daytime GMT over Easter Weekend in the Comics2000 area within Space City, the first port of call within VZSciFi for all new and visiting avatars! +++++ NODWICK JOINS FORCES WITH DORK TOWER PUBLISHING GROUP DORK STORM WARNING IN AUGUST MADISON, WI - John Kovalic, creator of DORK TOWER, and Aaron Williams, creator of NODWICK, announced today that both comic books will be published under the DORK STORM PRESS umbrella. August, 2000 will see the launch of both titles under the Dork Storm banner, with the release of Dork Tower #11 and Nodwick #4. Subsequently, one title will be released a month, with Dork Tower and Nodwick alternating, each retaining its bimonthly status. Both Nodwick and Dork Tower appear in several publications as comic strips, as well as in the popular, critically acclaimed comic books. It was recently announced that Dork Tower would leave Corsair Publishing, LLC, to be produced by Dork Storm Press. "It was a great idea to bring our abilities and talents together," said Williams. "It's truly a synergistic relationship. John has been more than generous with helping me to get Nodwick off the ground, and I hope I can use my knowledge to boost Dork Storm's arsenal of assets. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go wash my mouth with soap for using the word 'synergistic'." "This is huge news for both of us," said Kovalic. "With Dork Storm now releasing one comic book a month, readers and retailers alike will be able to follow the publication schedules far more easily. And there should be a lot of crossover readers for the comic books, as well. Aaron and my senses of humor are frighteningly compatible. Now, if you'll excuse me, I also have to go wash Aaron's mouth with soap for using the word 'synergistic'." What does this mean for the Nodwick comic book? "It means that more readers will be exposed to a great humor comic," said Kovalic. "We'll be doing our best to promote each other's characters in our books by way of in-house ads and announcements. There'll even be a Dork Tower/Nodwick crossover special for 2001." The Nodwick comic strip appears in DRAGON MAGAZINE and DUNGEON MAGAZINE (both published by Wizards of the Coast). Aaron Williams' other projects include the art and co-writing for KNIGHTS OF THE DINNER TABLE ILLUSTRATED (Kenzer). The Dork Tower comic strip appears monthly in PYRAMID MAGAZINE, SCRYE and at NEXTPLANETOVER.COM, and will soon start running in GAMECODEX.COM. The Dork Tower spin-off monthly comic strip, SHOP KEEP, appears in Dragon Magazine. Kovalic's award-winning editorial cartoons have appeared in the NEW YORK TIMES and the WASHINGTON POST. USA TODAY called Kovalic a "Hot Pick."e) and the SMALL PRESS EXPO (Bethesda, MD.) In their spare time, both cartoonists search for spare time. CONTACTS: DORK STORM/DORK TOWER John Kovalic Box 45063 Madison, WI 53744 e-mail: john@kovalic.com web page: http://kovalic.com phone: (608) 223-1525 HENCHMAN PUBLISHING/NODWICK Aaron Williams Box 10032 Kansas City, MO 64171 email: aaron@nodwick.com web page: http://www.nodwick.com phone: (816) 444-9973 ARTWORK: 300 dpi artwork of the Dork Storm logo, Nodwick and the Dork Tower characters, is available for download and reproduction at http://kovalic.com/bio/press.html +++++ From the SPLASH PAGE of Comicon.com at: http://www.comicon.com/splash/ ADAMS DROPS INVESTIGATION INTO STOLEN ORIGINAL ART! NEAL CALLS OFF COPS! April 13: April 13: Neal Adams, who last month provided New York City police with a list of comic book art dealers that he said were trafficking in his stolen originals, has announced that he is dropping the matter. In a letter published on his web site, Adams said: "It has become apparent to me after a reasonable but incomplete investigation, that my artwork has passed through enough hands that the guilty are now so far from my originals and the innocent have now acquired them honestly. To go through this process any further would be bad for everyone, so I hereby call off my attempts to retrieve my once stolen artwork. If you have any, as far as I am concerned, you may keep it." Apparently referring to people who had forwarded pages possibly stolen to him, Adams said: "Thank you. We will return it to you immediately. We are only excepting from this list the work recently stolen from our studio that we first put up and the work currently held at the Museum of Comic art. We will gladly supply authentication to anyone who would like them. We ask only this. If you will provide a clean copy of the pages for our records. No strings attached and an opportunity to purchase any of my work that becomes available at a reasonable price. To the original thieves, you did wrong things. To the rest, I cannot find it in my heart to remain angry. I am sure you acted honestly." Adams' complaint to the police caused a firestorm of controversy behind the scenes with dealers of original comic book art. The artist's motives and ability to certify ownership of his own originals were roundly criticized on Internet mailing lists and message boards. At the same time the move shone a light on what many have acknowledged as a shadowy side of comics, where art is sometimes sold for cash or bartered with no taxes collected and originals change hands with no questions asked. While honest reputable dealers abound in the comic art market, many instances of valuable original art disappearing from publishers' offices have been reported and documented. No one in the industry doubts that some crooks are out there buying and selling stolen pages. To them, Adams' complaint, though ultimately unsupportable, should be a wake up call. CLIFF BIGGERS SUFFERS HEART ATTACK! BY GREG McELHATTON OPEN HEART SURGERY FOR 'COMIC SHOP NEWS' PUBLISHER! April 13: Cliff Biggers, publisher of Comic Shop News and proprietor of Dr. No's in Marietta, Georgia, had open heart surgery yesterday after a major heart attack last weekend. In a post to the Game Forum on Delphi, Biggers said his heart stopped once and arrested four more times while he was being transported. Biggers Partner, Ward Batty posted an update on the Comicon.com message board this morning, saying: "He had a triple bypass Thursday and we are told the damage from the heart attack is less severe than was anticipated. I'm told the surgery went very well. CSN will continue without interruption. We had most of the current issue in and Michael Doran and Brett Brooks are helping out until Cliff feels like writing again (which could be mere hours, he's been asking for his computer.)" Well wishers can send cards to Biggers at: Piedmont Hospital, 1968 Peachtree Road, N.W., Atlanta, Georgia 30309 Room 1377 Thanks to Lea Hernandez STAN TO TEAM UP WITH MICHAEL JACKSON TO BUY MARVEL? REPORT: MARVEL 'NUCLEAR' OVER STAN! April 7: The AIN'T IT COOL NEWS site is often a font of rumor, fact and behind-the-scene machinations in the film industry, but with the X-MEN and SPIDER-MAN film in production and pre-production, webmaster Harry Knowles has been following some of the ups and downs of the always arcane comic book industry. This week, in reply to a report in VARIETY that the SONY/MARVEL deal for DAREDEVIL and DOCTOR STRANGE had fallen apart, Harry said: According to sources that I have spoken with, not only at SONY, but at MARVEL as well... the brick wall that the negotiations hit was constructed, mainly by Avi Arad at Marvel. What was the giant unmovable stumbling block? Was it creative control? No. Apparently it was Avi wanted to create a 30 minute internet original Daredevil program, same with Dr Strange. These films were set to go, correct budgets, good talent, beginning to move in the right direction. But it seems from what I can hear, that Marvel's desire to do a 30 minute streaming bit of original content, unhinged what was set to be two really positive film properties. I've also heard that Sony, in the spirit of splitting the difference was willing to allow a 10 minute original internet streaming product to go forward but Avi wants 30 minutes." Harry follows up today with a stunning report on why Marvel's acting the way it's acting. Harry says: "talking about DAREDEVIL and DR. STRANGE from (an) uninformed point of view... it really doesn't make any sense. BUT from the point of view of (Marvel's head honcho) Avi Arad, it does make sense. (Anyone) familiar with the actual landscape of superhero properties and the current machinations and politics that are currently being waged, would know that the recent explosion that hit Marvel's pride was none other than the online traffic barrage caused by STAN LEE MEDIA and how Stan is currently working on BUYING Marvel Comics and taking it over from those that have...in my opinion... been running it into the ground for years. On this story, I have suits at Marvel, Sony and even some folks I've talked to at other companies talk to me about the current Marvel anxieties. The following spy, is right in the midst of the maelstrom at Marvel... shoulder tapping distance from Avi. And this is why and how the DAREDEVIL and DR STRANGE deals turned belly up..." AIN'T IT COOL NEWS then published the following e-mail, from what they call a Marvel insider, which says: "Avi Arad is going nuts about Stan Lee Media's recent successful launch of the 7th Portal animated webisodes, but really is going nuclear about how Stan has told Time and Dow Jones reporters that he wants to buy Marvel Comics. A few years ago, a certain one-gloved former king of pop tried to buy Marvel, tendering a $500 million offer. Marvel's executives turned him down, saying they wanted $1 billion. Well, with SLM's market cap expected to approach $500 million later this year, Stan is wanting to put in a bid for Marvel... with Michael Jackson as his partner. Jackson spent three hours in Stan Lee Media's studio in LA about a week before the Feb. 29th gala, and was blown away by it. "So, back to Avi Arad -- it's imperative to Avi that he prove to his board of directors that Marvel won't be outdone online by Stan Lee Media. After all, Marvel has been online for years and hasn't even come close to matching the traffic Stan is driving. SLM is an embarrassment to Avi and to Marvel, and Avi's ass is on the line. "After the Time Magazine piece ran, with Stan talking about buying Marvel, Marvel called an emergency meeting of the board of directors, screaming about how they have the characters, they have the movies coming out -- why can't they get Time to talk to THEM? "Bottom line -- It will be a race to see who goes down first -- Avi, because he's doing bad business, or Marvel, because they won't fire Avi." LADRONN NO LONGER EXCLUSIVE WITH MARVEL! SAYS MARVEL RENEGS ON VISA AGREEMENT! April 10: The artist J.O. Ladronn, currently cutting a high profile among superhero fans for his work on THE INHUMANS, has decided to terminate his exclusive employment agreement with Marvel. In a press release pasted on the Comicon.com message board this morning, Ladronn's agent and sometimes writing partner, Jean-Marc Lofficier said: "Marvel wanted Josι to be exclusive and had agreed to a deal signed in early '98 which included three conditions: (1) that Marvel pay for a work visa; (2) that they replace a project that Jose and I (as writer) had secured at DC. (This evolved into a contracted for, scripted and edited 64-page Silver Surfer graphic novel.) and (3) that a $5000 stay bonus would be paid to Josι if he completed ten out of twelve consecutive issues for Marvel. "Then, for some mysterious reason, later that year, Marvel withdrew their contract offer, jeopardizing the visa application and forcing Starwatcher to sponsor Josι instead. When they realized in early 99 that this meant that Jose was then no longer exclusive, they scrambled around and connived to have their immigration lawyer switch visa petitions back from Starwatcher to Marvel, effectively forcing Jose to sign a new contract. And at that point, they saw an opportunity to rid themselves of their earlier obligations (the SURFER project and the stay bonus) and they grabbed it. They have also refused to reimburse Josι for the costs he incurred related to his visa, even though these costs were the direct result of Marvel's actions. "Considering all the broken promises, there is no reason for Josι to remain exclusive to Marvel any longer, and he has therefore decided to become a free agent again." Lofficier told the SPLASH that other than the Moebius-Stan Lee Silver Surfer, Starwatcher or Lofficier have no current relationship with Marvel. Lofficier has published details including quotes from the legal correspondence between Marvel and Ladronn's attorney on his HOLLYWOOD COMICS website. . ALFREDO ALCALA PASSES AWAY ALCALA PULLS FINAL ALL-NIGHTER! April 12: Alfredo Alcala, who's lush linework harkened back to the old pen and ink masters and helped redefine the level of detail expected in American comics, passed away Saturday night in California. He was 74 and had been suffering from cancer for a number of years. According to his biography on the HEROES GALLERY website, "Alfredo Alcala was born August 23, 1925 in the Philippines. He began his career drawing for other classmates in school which led to early jobs as a sign maker, designing chandeliers and furniture, while he copied the work of Harold Foster's Prince Valiant and Alex Raymond's Flash Gordon until early hours of the morning. He was especially influenced by the line work of Lou Fine in the Golden Age of Comics. Fine's work on The Black Condor and The Dollman really impressed the young artist during the years of World War II in The Philippines. Later Alfredo studied the masters of illustration and painting including Dean Cornwell, J.C. Leyendecker, Howard Pyle, N.C. Wyeth and Robert Fawcett. But it was his discovery of the great British muralist Frank Brangwyn that perhaps influenced him the most. In October 1948, Alfredo got his break with the publication of an illustration in Bituin Komiks. By November, he was working for the largest publisher in the Philippines (Ace Publications). Within months, Alfredo's work was gracing the pages of many titles (often published twice a month) and was becoming a legend for working up to 96 hours straight without sleep." It was Alcala's creation of Voltar, a fantasy strip he wrote, pencilled, lettered and inked, in 1963 that established his legendary style to the world. Voltar dominated the annual art awards of the Society of Philippine Illustrators and Cartoonists. In 1971 a Voltar illustration was exhibited in a fantasy and science-fiction event that was held in the United States and took first place in the heroic fantasy division. And in 1974 Voltar was included in The Hannes Bok Memorial Showcase of Fantasy Art. Alfredo was also a master painter who's oil paintings have been shown all over the world. Mark Evanier, on the Comicon.com message board, said: "Alfredo was a comic book artist who was born and bred in the Phillipines where he was one of the most prolific (i.e., fastest) writers and illustrators. He even had his own comic there called something like ALFREDO ALCALA COMICS. In the early 70's, DC made a deal with a combine of Filipino artists to provide art for American comics The group included Nestor Redondo, Alex Nino, Gerry Talaoc and many others...but Alfredo was the fastest of them all, and sometimes pencilled, lettered and inked 40 pages a week, mostly for DC ghost comics, occasionally for the war books and others. A few years later, Marvel stole many of the artists away and Alfredo did a lot of work on Marvel's monster books, as well as becoming one of the main embellishers of CONAN THE BARBARIAN. Sometimes, he inked; usually, he finished rough layouts; once in a while, he did the whole thing. Eventually, he worked for both companies, and was occasionally tried out on super-hero titles. He inked Gene Colan and Don Newton on BATMAN for a while, Richard Howell on HAWKMAN and a few others...but generally, editors seemed to think his style inappropriate for super-hero books. He also worked on DESTROYER DUCK for Eclipse, the STAR WARS and RICK O'SHAY newspaper strips, and a number of other projects. He had a stroke a few years ago which slowed his drawing down to a human pace." Alcala was also the regular inker of SWAMP THING during the late 1980's. Lee Nordling posted that Alcala had acted as a spy for the Allies during the Japanese occupation of his homeland. Nordling said, "As a spy for the Allies, Alfredo would drive his bike by Japanese installations in the Philipines, and, once far enough away, would draw them from memory. I don't imagine he was much more than ten at the time." A service to celebrate of Alfredo's life and work is being planned for April 22nd in San Pedro, California. For information contact: Phil Yeh +++++ From Beau Yarbrough's Comic Wire at: http://www.comicbookresources.com/ Wednesday April 12, 2000 Comic Wire Extra 'NO AGREEMENT' YET ON MILLER'S DARK KNIGHT SEQUEL OR DAREDEVIL Don't start saving your pennies and dimes up for Frank Miller's new DC and Marvel Comics just yet. A representative of Miller's says the news of him returning to write a new "Daredevil" story with art by Bill Sienkiewicz and a sequel to the landmark DC Comics miniseries "Batman: The Dark Knight Returns" is premature. "We're not even at that stage yet," attorney Harris Miller told the Comic Wire on Tuesday evening. (The two Millers are not related.) "Frank and Bill have been talking for the past year about doing something together." As for his reported DC project, "Frank has ideas for something related to 'Dark Knight,' and it's in the discussion stage, but there's nothing else more concrete at this point." The reports of Miller's return to the mainstream after years of predominantly working on creator-owned properties were first made public Monday, including in Monday's Comic Wire. Rumors of a sequel to "Dark Knight Returns" circulated over the weekend at Wondercon in Oakland, Ca., which Miller was attending before boarding a Comic Book Legal Defense Fund cruise. The rumors - many of which came from confidants and associates of Miller's - said that he was going to make the announcement of a "Dark Knight Returns" sequel while at sea. A more substantiated report had him returning to Marvel Comics, both to work with Sienkiewicz and artist John Romita Jr. Romita announced the news at a panel on Saturday, but Harris Miller says he was jumping the gun. "The only official thing I can say is that Frank and Bill look forward to working together at a project somewhere, but there is no agreement to work at Marvel together," the Los Angeles-based lawyer said. Word of Frank Miller's possible change of heart caught more than a few fans by surprise this week, given his record of speaking out against both companies in the press over the years since he stopped working with them. Harris Miller says public perception of any hard-line stance against Marvel and DC is probably exaggerated. "With respect to Marvel … he has always been willing to do something to package and promote his prior material. … There was a Spider-Man cover he did for a collection of his previous material just a few years ago," he said. "He's had a good relationship with DC. If you go back and look at exactly what he said, rather than rehashing what he'd already done, he said he'd be better off going off and doing some creator-owned stuff." And as for why now, Harris Miller confirmed what some had speculated. "On Batman, Frank has some ideas he'd like to explore on it, and there's been some discussions at DC. And he'd like to work for Bob Shreck again, as well as for DC. As for Marvel, he wants to do some work with Bill Sienkiewicz … but it's too soon to say." As for any formal announcement aboard the week-long CBLDF cruise, if there is one, Harris Miller says, it will be "news to me." Story last updated April 12, 2000 at 10:31 PST. +++++ From Comics2Film at http://www.comics2film.com THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN ------------------------------------- Three weeks ago Comics 2 Film broke the story that comic and screen writer James Robinson (Starman, WW3.com) was in talks with producer Don Murphy to pen the screenplay for the movie version of Alan Moore's The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. This week we can make that official. "I'm officially signed on and I'm currently hard at work on my first draft of LoEG," Robinson told C2F. The writer said he is starting from scratch and will not be using any of the previously completed drafts from the film. Robinson was tight-lipped about what direction he might take with the material. "I don't want to give anything away that might give people false expectations, either positively or negatively. Suffice to say, I intend to be true to the spirit of the comic which I think is brilliant." He went on to tell us that he'll be following the comic stories "fairly closely with some inevitable changes when adapting six comics into a two hour movie." Robinson has several other big-screen projects in the works, the most prominent of which may be the upcoming WW3.COM for 20th Century Fox. However, the writer had little information to share with us about this one. "Sorry, but Fox likes to keep this one under wraps for now. However I can reveal that they're trying to rush this one into production so that it's one of their event movies for 2001." Robinson is also on board to adapt Ursula K. LeGuin The Farthest Shore for Jim Henson Pictures. "All I can say is that I'm going to try to write a script that is fresh and exciting. Something respectful of the book, while at the same time not recycling the sort of stuff we've gotten used to seeing with the likes of Willow and its ilk. Not to mention Lord of the Rings which will be out before we know it." Robinson and his sometime screen and comic writing partner David Goyer (Starman, Blade) had also written a script called Evermere which fetched a seven figure price a few years back. Sadly, it appears that there is little activity around this movie. "[Producers Mario Kassar and Andrew Vajna] paid me and David Goyer a lot of money for the script, got Chuck Russell all excited about directing it, and then promptly let the project die. Go figure." Many fans have wondered why Robinson's outstanding Starman comic is never so much as rumored as being adapted for TV or film. "The problem is that with DC properties you have to set them up at [Warner Bros.] or you aren't allowed to do them," Robinson explained. "There has been interest in Starman but nowhere where they could do much about it. Warner Bros. meanwhile have their hands full developing Superman and Batman. Me being an aviation fan, if I had my choice, would love to write a Blackhawk movie. Fat chance." As far as his work on the Starman comic, Robinson reports that his work on that is starting to wind down. "I'll be done with Starman with #80. I've just finished #74 for I don't have many more to do." And will DC let the series end with that, a la Gaiman's exit from Sandman? "As far as I'm aware, they're retiring my Starman comic with Jack Knight, my version of the hero. However, I'm sure they will be a new version of Starman before long." The writer does hope to revisit the character in the future. "Tony Harris and I have talked about returning to a Jack Knight telling a story set earlier in Jack's career when he visited Japan. This would be a fully painted project. We shall see," Robinson told C2F. "Oh and there's also a Shade Special I'd like to do telling the origin of that character." DEATH: THE HIGH COST OF LIVING ------------------------------ FROM IGN MOVIES: IGN Movies reports that Neil Gaiman is set to direct the movie version of his comic Death: The High Cost of Living. Gaiman made the announcement at a recent signing at the Golden Apple comics store in California. IGN promises more details from their interview with Gaiman, which will be posted on their site Wed. Gaiman made the public appearance as part of his efforts to promote the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. Thanks to Corona Coming Attractions for the lead. http://movies.ign.com/news/3500.html http://www.cbldf.org/ http://www.corona.bc.ca/ THE TICK -------- A source close to the production of The Tick TV pilot has told Comics 2 Film that Jed Rees is no longer cast in production. David Burke (Invisible Man TV show) has replaced Rees in the role of Arthur. Also, the character formerly known as American Maid has undergone yet another name change. The character is now said to be referred to as Captain Liberty. This is a change from previous reports which had her called American Woman (which presumably elicited concern from creators of the recent comic book of the same name). GHOST WORLD ----------- FROM FANTAGRAPHICS: A posting on the Fantagraphics website provides new details on the movie version of Daniel Clowes' Ghost World. The movie is slated to start filming this month. As previously reported, Terry Zwigoff (Crumb) will be directing from a script he co- authored with Clowes. Thora Birch (American Beauty) and Scarlett Johansson (The Horse Whisperer) are set to star as Enid and Rebecca respectively. As reported last February, Steve Buscemi (Reservoir Dogs) and Bran Renfro (Apt Pupil) are set to co-star. The update does provide new details about the roles these actors will play. Buscemi will play Seymour, who is described as "a minor character from Clowes' original graphic novel that is significantly expanded in the film." Renfro is cast as Josh, "the fellow teenager who inadvertently helps drive a wedge between Becky and Enid." Crew members listed on the site are cinematographer Affonso Beato (All About My Mother), costume designer Mary Zophres (Fargo) and production designer Ed McAvoy (Office Space). The site describes Ghost World as "the teenage best friends facing the unwelcome prospect of adulthood, and the uncertain future of their complicated relationship." The film makers are hoping for a 2001 release. John Malkovich, Lianne Halfon (Crumb) and Russell Smith (The Man in the Iron Mask) are producing as Mr. Mudd for MGM/UA Of course, every movie needs a website. Comics 2 Film discovered that Mr. Mudd has acquired the domain name www.ghostworld- themovie.com for the film. Thanks to Corona Coming Attractions for the lead. http://www.fantagraphics.com/ FROM THE COMICS CONTINUUM: Rob Allstetter of the Comics Continuum reports that two new names have been added to the cast list for the Ghost World movie. David Cross (Mr. Show) has signed on to play Gerrold, a friend of Seymour played by Steve Buscemi. Illeana Douglas (Action) will play Roberta, Enid's art teacher. http://comicscontinuum.com/ WITCHBLADE ---------- Production on the Witchblade TV movie has wrapped according to a source at cable's TNT Network. The project is now in post- production, with special effects being added and editing taking place. "Everything's going great," our source told Comics 2 Film, indicating that the project is on track for it's October airing. CROSS ----- A representative for the Lloyd Segan Co. told Comics 2 Film that a movie version of Andrew Vachss' mercenary character Cross is still in active development. Writer/director Gregory Widen (The Prophecy) is attached. The movie project was originally announced in October of 1997, with an eye towards a 1998 production start. Cross was the subject of a Dark Horse Comics mini-series which focused on the character and his team of mercenaries. The character was also featured in Predator: Race War, which had Cross tracking down an alien Predator. The Cross characters and concepts originated in Vachss' novels detailing the exploits of the character and team. http://www.vachss.com/ STATIC ------ FROM DAILY VARIETY: According to Daily Variety, Static Shock is the name of the new animated TV show based on the Milestone Media character. Kids WB! is calling the character the "first teenage African-American superhero." According to the write-up, the show will feature "Chris Rock-like humor.'' Static Shock is set to air at 10:30 am on Saturdays. The same article reveals that the animated X-Men program will be called X-Men: Evolution. That show airs Saturdays at 11:30 am. http://www.variety.com/ FROM THE COMICS CONTINUUM: Phil LaMarr (Mad TV, Pulp Fiction) has been cast as the lead voice in the upcoming show, according to Rob Allstetter of the Comics Continuum. LaMarr will give voice to Virgil Hawkins, the titular kid with the electric powers. Other cast members for the show are Jason Marsden (Step by Step) as Richie Foley, Kevin Richardson (The PJ's) as Robert Hawkins, Michelle Morgan as Sharon Hawkins; and Danica McKellar (The Wonder Years) as Freida Goren. http://comicscontinuum.com/ FROM HELL --------- FROM THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER: According to The Hollywood Reporter, Heather Graham (Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me) is in talks with 20th Century Fox to appear in the adaptation of Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell's From Hell. Graham is currently working on the Farrelly brothers' Say It Isn't So. Following that, she would join the From Hell production in July. The movie is slated to shoot in the Czech Republic. Graham's role would be an Irish prostitute, stalked by the ripper. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/ +++++ From The Daily Buzz at http://www.mania.com/newsarama/index.html A Tick By Any Other Name... Changes appear to be afoot in the project that hopes to bring a live-action series based on The Tick to the small screen. Two familiar characters will receive new monikers. First, Nestor Carnonell will fill the role of Bat Manuel, previously known as Der Fledermaus. Liz Vassey has been cast as American Woman, a character which most comic book fans remember as American Maid. --GIST TV Third X-Men Trailer On Way According to the April issue of Diamond Comics Distributors Dialogue newsletter, a third X-Men trailer will start appearing in theaters on June 23 to coincide with the release of the film Me, Myself, & Irene. As further promotion for the comic-book based feature film, an X-Men blimp is scheduled to tour the country. +++++ From Newsarama; http://www.AnotherUniverse.com/newsarama WINNER OF THE 1997 & 1998 INTERNET "SQUIDDY" FOR BEST WEB SITE Frank Miller Confirms DARK KNIGHT 2 by Michael Doran, Newsarama Fans of Frank Miller got a bit of a surprise this past weekend with reports out of Oakland, CA's Wondercon that Miller and Marvel may have upcoming plans for a new Daredevil project - a story that dates back to his highly acclaimed run on the title in the 1980's that would be illustrated by Bill Sienkiewicz, as well as a new DD project with artist John Romita Jr. also a possibility down the road. According to a spokesperson for Marvel, although not yet set in stone, the Miller/Sienkiewicz DD project is a definite possibility. "At this early part of the game, all I can say is that interested parties are currently discussing the possibility of this project becoming a reality," said the spokesperson. "And if it happened, we would be very, very happy." But the Miller news from Wondercon that's sure to get the readers really talking this week are reports that Miller has confirmed that after 14 years of rumor, speculation and sometimes just plain wishful thinking on the parts of fans, he will be writing and illustrating a sequel to his landmark 1986 DC mini-series Batman: The Dark Knight Returns for publication mostly likely in the early half of next year. Details about the new series are still coming in, but while the original mini-series featured very memorable guest appearances by Superman and Green Arrow, word is Miller has tentative plans to feature many more of DC's major characters in the new story. While no other details were given, keep checking back with Mania's Daily Buzz for more on all these stories as soon as it's available. MILESTONE RETURNS Milestone's Dwayne McDuffie has announced a new Static four-issue mini-series is in the works for release to coincide with the premiere of the animated program. Static Shock!: Rebirth Of The Cool will be co-published by Milestone and DC is much the same fashion as their previous publishing arrangement - meaning Milestone will create all editorial material that appears in the series. And while it's considered a "tie-in" project to the animated program, McDuffie reports that the limited series will continue from the old Milestone, `Dakota Universe' continuity, rather than adapt the continuity of the cartoon, although there is a "pretty cool nod" to the cartoon continuity in the first issue. "It will be completely self-contained story, but fans of the old stuff will note many cameos from some of our old series,” said the creator/publisher. We will fill you in what's been going on with our characters since our books ceased publication in ‘97. That said, the central question of the new series is where Static is going...” "I'm writing the book, for the first time since issue #4 of the original series,” he continued. "I'm thrilled to report that the artist (pencils and inks) will be John Paul Leon. Although he's best known these days for his work on Marvel's Earth X, John cut his teeth on the first year of Static. We're thrilled to have him back.” According to McDuffie, the tie-in project is hoped to attract enough new readers to the existing fan base of Milestone – an imprint that emphasizes heroes of racial and ethic diversity - in order "to make publishing comics viable for us again.” Asked why he choose to place the series in Dakota continuity as opposed to adapting the animated program, McDuffie replied, “I like the old Dakota continuity. I'm writing plenty of cartoon continuity stuff for the show. The comic we do for love. So tell your friends. If this goes well, maybe there's a monthly in the future.” SUNTANNED TITANS After taking a month for July, DC's Secret Files will return in August with another Titans special_ but the team that stars in the main feature may not be the team you're expecting. The story, by artist Drew Johnson and co-writers Ben Raab and Geoff Johns is sort of the next step in a loosely connected storyline that started in Raab and John's Beast Boy limited series, continues in this summer's Titans' `Planet DC' annual (by you know who) that has Beast Boy and the revamped Flamebird encountering a new Japanese superhero Bushido, and then heads into the August Secret Files. In the SF story Beast Boy and Flamebird come home from Japan to a huge already-in-progress Titans membership drive/`super hero party' thrown by Gar's slacker cousin, Matt Logan, in order to create a new `Titans West' team. Explained Raab and Johns, "There will be lots of guest stars from the Titans' bi-coastal past and we get to use a dozen characters that haven't been seen in awhile - specifically Duela Dent - Joker's Daughter! All sorts of chaos ensues and, in the end, several lucky fourth-string superheroes will be stepping up to the plate and Los Angeles finds itself with a most unlikely team of heroes - Titans LA!” Though not revealing the line-up of the new team, Raab tells us he and Johns have come up with a line-up they think fans are going to really enjoy. "Some old, some new, some borrowed... well, you get the idea.” Asked of this would be an officially sanctioned team; why another team; and what will make them unique in the DCU? Raab responded, "'Officially-sanctioned'..? By whom? The east coast Titans? They're not really `officially-sanctioned' by anyone, so why should the west coast version be? You saying they're not a valid enough organization without someone else's say so? Huh?” "Seriously_'why a new team at this time'? And `what makes them unique'..? Just because there are some super heroes who just don't have quite what it takes to be in the `big leagues' just yet doesn't mean they can't pitch in and do their part. Titans LA is, for lack of a better word, a `super hero support group'. They exist to help those heroes - living on the West coast, 'natch - that are a little less sure on their feet to stand up tall and proud so that they, too, can make a difference in the world...and in their own lives. “ Will the new left coast Titans team have a future? That remains to be seen, but both writers say there are plans that are being discussed. The second Johns/Raab back-up - penciled by Derec Aucoin - is a story about Terra (guest-starring Geo-Force) in which the writers finally solve of the mystery of, "Who Tara Markov really is?" Finally, speaking of Faerber, he contributes am 11-page feature penciled by his future Titans creative partner, artist Paul Pelletier. According to Faerber, "It's a quiet, `downtime' story featuring the members of my streamlined roster. It's mainly a way to provide readers with a teaser/primer for my run, since this story mainly serves to set up the subplots that will run throughout my first year on the book.” WORD ON THE STREET - Greg (Whiteout, Detective Comics) Rucka chhecked in with Newsarama to report on the status of a couple of upcoming projects, one which has been pushed back, and one that features the oddest pairing of comic characters since the Avengers met David Letterman or Archie Andrews met Frank Castle. First up, Rucka reports that he and Rick Burchett's Echo mini-series which features the character whose origin was exposed in Secret Origins of Super-Villains 80-Page Giant has been postponed for a little bit. "Rick and I had a change of plans on what we wanted to do next," Rucka tells Newsarama. "Right now, all I can say is that we're putting together a proposal for a new six issue miniseries to follow right after Batman/Huntress' six issues. Honestly, I've got to get working on that proposal right now so we can get working on the miniseries." Rucka declined to comment on whether the new miniseries would flow out of events in Batman/Huntress, but did express a hope that issue #1 of the new miniseries would follow directly after Batman/Huntress #6. "Once Rick and I get this out of our systems, then we'll get busy with Echo." The prolific writer (and recent new dad) also gave a few hints about the Whiteout/Barry Ween: Boy Genuis crossover coming up in the The Oni Press Summer Vacation Supercolor Fun Special. "The story, as you could probably guess stems from one of Barry's experiments gone wrong which causes a 1 x 1 patch of lush, green grass to grow in the middle of Antarctica," Rucka said. " And it starts expanding. Carrie Stetko investigates, and in the meantime, Barry and Jeremy head down to the bottom of the world to rectify the situation, which of course just makes a bigger mess, which just gets Carrie pissed beyond belief. Judd [Winick] and I are working on the script and of course, Judd will draw it." Staying with Oni, Rucka also has a new untitled four-issue mini-series with HBO's Arli$$ writer Nunzio De Filippis in the planning stages for publication later this year. "Basically, it'll be a cross between Mission: Impossible and To Catch A Thief, but not quite, and I don't know how else to describe it in under one hundred words.” In an interview with Sequential Tart's Jennifer M. Contino (www.sequentialtart.com/rucka.shtml), Rucka did add, "The main character is a young woman, early twenties, who will `recover' stolen cultural artifacts for the State Department.” No artist is attached to the project as of yet. - While artist Steve Rude might not be complleting the Joe Casey-written X-Men: Children of the Atom limited series that he began last year, Rude's Marvel fans still have something to look forward to for the future. Monday Yourman@Marvel announced that the `Dude had a story in the works for the near future starring “a major character'. Rude followed that up later this week with an announcement at his new website www.steverude.com that he had a Spider-Man project in the works with writer Fabian (Gambit, T-Bolts) Nicieza. This will be one of several Spider-Man limited series in the works. Also upcoming are Lee Week's Spider-Man: Death & Destiny, Spider-Man Vs. The Green Goblin by Roger Stern and Weeks (Aug) and a future Spidey limited series by J.G. Jones. - And staying with Spider-Man for a moment, Macchio's assistant editor Matt Hicks has been promoted to editor, and has been given the reins to the monthly Spider-Girl, the limited series Spider-Girl Presents: The Buzz, as well as any future Conan projects. - On his WFC message boards, creator Brian ((Jinx) Bendis posted a FAQ of sorts about the upcoming online Jinx animated film that he'll write/produce and direct through Scott Morse's new company Thrave (for more on Thrave, check out there initial announcement in Newsarama Digest). Bendis reports that while Miramax once owned the option to Jinx, they never developed it and their option expired and that he now owns the rights to explore a Jinx animated film "lock and stock.” Miramax does of course still have the option for Goldfish which remains in development at the studio. The film will be in full animation - not Flash - in "harsh noir black & white" with "similar background textures to the comic and very stylized noir animation", and will probably feature a bass and drum type soundtrack with professional actors involved in the voice work. "We're going to try some vocal work like I haven't yet seen on the web,” posted Bendis. - Walter Simonson's Orion will be following up its guest back-up feature illustrated by Frank Miller in June's issue #3 with another guest artist of some reputation_Dave Gibbons is set to draw another back-up feature for July's issue #4. Adams Gets Strong - Updated Michael Doran, Newsarama Newsarama was first to bring you the news about Terrific Tales Featuring Tom Strong, the second ongoing (bimonthly) Tom Strong title to come from America's Best Comics, now, it's been confirmed that in addition to providing the covers, Art Adams (who penciled an untold tale of Tom's in Tom Strong #4) will regularly pencil one of the three eight-page stories for the series as well (but not the lead story as previously reported). Terrific Tales will feature three stories, a Tom Strong lead, written by Alan Moore and illustrated by an artist TBA, a Young Tom Strong strip, co-written by Moore and Steve Moore and illustrated by Alan Weiss, and a third story, Jonni Future, written by Steve Moore and illustrated by Adams. Ladronn & Marvel - Update Matt Brady, Newsarama Though no longer exclusive to Marvel, Ladronn has not ruled out continuing to work with the publisher on new projects. In fact last week - though prior to Ladronn's announcement regarding his new contractual status - Marvel's official online news source Yourman@Marvel announced Ladronn next project would be with them. Answering an email by a reader asking what new projects Ladronn has coming up with Marvel, Yourman replied, "...after Inhumans, Ladronn has a killer Thor project lined up for the end of the year or early 2001." According to Ladronn's agent, J.M. Lofficier, though he's discussed a Thor project with Marvel, Ladronn has not committed to it, and any announcement of one is premature. Lofficier reports the artist would still consider the project, but that it would have to be formally offered to him, that it would have to fit into his new schedule and that he and Marvel would have to agree to a page rate. Harlan Ellison Returns To Gotham City by Michael Doran, Newsarama Yesterday, comics fans learned that after 14 years, Frank Miller will be making his return to the Batman mythos with an upcoming sequel to his landmark 1986 mini-series, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns. Now readers can look forward to another high-profile writer making his return, also after a 14-year absence. According to the new issue of Comics Buyer's Guide (#1380, April 28th), Harlan Ellison will write his first Batman story since 1986’s Detective Comics #567 - a black & white back-up story for an upcoming issue of Batman: Gotham Knights. "I'm taking Batman back to what he hasn't been in years: a detective,” Ellison told CBG's John Jackson Miller. Gene (Top Ten) Ha is set to draw Funny Money, a story that finds the Caped Crusader called in by U.S. Treasury agents to investigate a counterfeiting operation. According to the article, "Correctly sensing that punches and batarangs alone aren't going to do the job this time, Batman relies on his smarts to bring the matter to a surprising and clever conclusion.” Ellison told CBG he enjoyed returning to work in the Batman universe, noting how closely he tried to pay attention to some of the milieu's finer details. "There's a scene where Batman meets Commissioner Gordon and some treasury agents, and even though he calls Gordon by his first name through the whole story, here you must have Batman say `Commissioner', because Batman isn't sure Jim Gordon wants the feds knowing how cozy he is with a vigilante.” According to a spokesperson for DC, the story is in the "development" stage and has not yet been placed on their schedule for publication. Topps Unveils X-Men Promotion Matt Brady, Newsarama With over 1 million cards slated to be given away, Topps has given the lowdown regarding its promotional campaign for its upcoming X-Men trading card series based on the upcoming film. Four different cards are part of the promo campaign featuring Magneto, Storm, Cyclops and Wolverine. Get ready to chase down your set. Diamond Comics Distributors' retailers and Topps' Home Team Advantage stores received a stack of card #4 (Magneto) to give away free to customers; card #3 (Storm) is cello-wrapped inside X-Men #381; card #2 (Cyclops) is inserted into all copies of Diamond Previews and is also being given away through sports card distributors and at this spring's major comic conventions including: MegaCon, Wonder Con, Pittsburgh and Motor City; and card #1 (Wolverine) was polybagged in Wizard #104. Additionally, all 4 promo cards are available by visiting the Topps' website and the mailing of a self addressed stamped envelope. Details are available at www.topps.com. There is a limit of one set per household. "We're trying to blitz as many areas as possible with these teaser promo cards," said Marc Patten, Topps Project Manager for the X-Men Movie Trading Cards. The four cards form a puzzle when placed together, and each card features the Comic Shop Locator number and the toll free 888 GoTopps number, so that fans can easily find a hobby store near them. "We will also be on both the Topps and Marvel websites." Patten also gave details on the upcoming X-Men trading card set as well. "At this juncture we have confirmed many of the cast members for randomly inserted autograph cards, plus key movie people like director Bryan Singer for the hobby only version of the series," Patten said. "Also exclusive to the hobby edition will be a 10 card double-sided Chromium subset randomly inserted into boxes at a ratio of approximately 6 per box. The Chromium cards feature the heroes and villains of the film using photos on one side and stellar artwork by Bill Sienkiewicz on the other side. "And that's not all," Patten added. "We're thrilled to announce that the hobby version also includes the hottest trend in trading cards—randomly inserted memorabilia cards. These Movie Memorabilia cards feature genuine material used on the X-Men movie set for the creation of the main characters' costumes. You won't find these ultra-rare collectibles in mass market retail packs." The mass market edition of Topps' X-Men Movie Trading Cards will have its own randomly inserted surprises with unique cards featuring photos of the X-Men heroes and villains. They include 10 randomly inserted foil cards and 12 Static Clear Cling puzzle-back cards that peel off and stick to any smooth surface. - In Superman: Arkham, our hero breaks out oof Arkham Asylum daily, only to be recaptured at the end of each day by Earth's Greatest Hero, who am none other than Bizarro! One of DC's most established villains is behind the transformation of the entire Superman cast of characters — but who is it? That's DC's official but rather enigmatic sound byte on the storyline running through this July's Superman titles, and that sets up another storyline for the August titles_ But what does it mean? Japanese comics book readers (and there are a lot of them) are current getting treated to the first original Batman comics series to be published in that country, a black & white manga story by creator Kia Asamiya. Entitled Child of Dreams, the story is being published in monthly serialized form in a publication called Magazine Z by Japanese publisher by Kodansha. Part four of 14 is on sale in Japan now and when complete the story will total some 400 pages, where it will then by published as two 200 page collected editions by Tankobon. According to C.B. Cebulski, Kia Asamiya's representative here in the U.S., “a Japanese news crew travels to Gotham to report on the mysterious legend of the Batman. And of course they end up running right into him. So far, in the series, Batman has encountered Two Face, the Penguin, the Riddler and the Joker, but none are the real deal. There is a new drug circulating through Gotham that makes average citizen think they are these villains from Batman's rogues gallery. Bruce Wayne has also taken an interest in the Japanese female reporter Yuko Yagi.” Half the story – parts #1-7 – take place in Gotham City, while parts #8-14, take Batman to Tokyo. And though DC is not sure when and how, they are discussing releasing an English version here in the U.S. - This July's Hitman #53 is the start of thee Garth Ennis-written, John McCrea penciled title's final story arc. In a story titled Closing Time, Tommy Monaghan winds up facing the deadliest adversary of his career when tries to help an old friend. And while this may be the title's final story arc, don't go getting that black suit outta mothballs just yet. Asked to confirm when the title will actually end, a spokesperson for DC told Newsarama that a final issue has not been determined, and that they've been told the final arc is, and we quote, "lo-o-o-o-ng.” - In an interview with Sequential Tart's Karron Flage, Oni Press Editor-in-Chief Jamie Rich dropped some details on a couple of new projects coming from the publisher this summer and fall. The first is Oni's first original color book, called the Oni Press Summer Vacation Supercolor Fun Special. With a wraparound cover by Mike and Laura Allred, this 48-page anthology will feature seven 6-page stories, including a new Geisha story by Andi Watson, Jingle Belle by Paul Dini and Stephen DeStefano, and most interestingly, a crossover of Whiteout and Barry Ween: Boy Genius by Greg Rucka and Judd Winick. "In addition to that, we will debut all new characters by Jen Van Meter and Chynna Clugston-Major, Jim Mahfood, Scott Morse, and Crash Metro's boy wonder, Martin Ontiveros,” Rich told Sequential Tart. "The latter will spin off into Martin's own semi-regular series, Big Monster Planet, debuting in August. That book will be vastly different from all of our other books. It's Martin playing in his own world. It's just what the title says—a planet full of big monsters doing wacky things.” September then debuts two new book for Oni, The Coffin by Phil Hester and Mike Huddleston, and Alison Dare, Little Miss Adventures by J. Torres and Jason Bone, which is currently previewing with online Sunday morning strips at Oni's website. The Coffin, as Rich reveals in the interview, "is a futuristic, pseudo-superhero thing - but a very skewed superhero book, with more focus on the character development than big fights. Basically, it revolves around a scientist who has built a suit that reanimates dead flesh. When he tries to steal it from his employer, they try to take him out, and he is forced to crawl into the suit himself. From there, he has to learn to cope with life. It's very dark, very bent 0 and calling it a superhero book is probably a misnomer, but wait until you see it.” Alison Dare, according to Rich, "is a fun, all-ages comic book", about “a young girl who gets into more trouble than Nancy Drew, Chance Falconer, and Indiana Jones combined.” The full interview can be read at www.sequentialtart.com/rich.shtml SPOILERS SPORTS (skip it if you don't want to know) [we warned you] While we've already looked into the immediate future of the Superman books this week, looking even further into the future, while neither DC nor any of the Superman creators are commenting, DC might have tipped their own hand just a little bit as to big plans for the fall, and possibly well into next year_ Over the last several months, readers of the Superman titles have already read Lex Luthor's hints here and there about expanding his power base beyond Metropolis, resulting in some online fans speculating that he could be considering a run for the White House, this being an election year. Well, that speculation will only be further fueled by a comment in the Hey Kids, Comics page running in some DC titles with a May, 2000 cover date. In a short paragraph on the recent Superman Summit, Hey Kids, Comics says of the pictured Superman writers, Marc DeMatteis, Joe Kelly, Mark Shultz and Jeph Loeb, "_and you won't believe who THESE guys are voting for for President!!!” Somehow we don't think they mean Pat Buchanan_ Though not going into any details, Jeph Loeb did tell Newsarama last month that "_you're not going to believe what Lex Luthor has in mind for the entire DCU", so a run for the Presidency does sound logical at this point, not to mention topical. The question however, is this_could and would the DC editorial Powers That Be actually allow him to win? Not to mention upping the ante for the Superman book considerably, a `President Luthor' scenario could provide a No Man's Land-esque `backdrop' for the entire DCU to play with in 2001, for as long as the publisher wants to take it. All indications are DC was very pleased with the creative avenues opened by that year-long Batman storyline, and it seemed to be a success with readers as well. But it would also continue that "separation from real world" trend other readers criticized No Man's Land for_further drawing lines between `our' U.S. government and the DCU version of Washington D.C. Ah well, time will tell_Newsarama just hopes the Titans are all registered to vote. Gotta get those young people out to the polls_ DC Signs Jimenez To Exclusive Contract Michael Doran, Newsarama Last month DC announced Phil Jimenez would be taking over as writer and penciler of the monthly Wonder Woman for a year-long stint beginning with November's issue #164. Today they announced he'll be doing it as an exclusively contracted creator, having just signed him to a one-year agreement. Jimenez, better known as an artist throughout his career, began his writing career with the 1996 Tempest mini-series, following that up with the Girlfrenzy: Donna Troy one-shot. Getting that taste of writing, Jimenez felt this direction was the one he was interested in pursuing. "I consider myself primarily an artist but what appeals to me about writing as well as drawing is I have such a real emotional attachment to several characters, and a group of stories that I want to tell about them. The joy of writing in addition to illustrating them is I have the opportunity to help the characters evolve to the next level, allow them to grow and change." Jimenez will be joined by a rotating cast of collaborators, such as J.M. (Adventures of Superman) DeMatteis on his first story arc, which the creator calls "an experience "For the first Wonder Woman story arc, we're planning a Batman family/Wonder Woman family crossover dealing with an alliance between the Children of Ares and some classic Batman villains who plan to take over Gotham in the name of Ares. The fun part of this was playing the family members off of one another and seeing how they're similar and different. You get to play the smartest minds and the strongest characters in the DCU off of each other and see what happens." "Phil's excitement and passion are contagious,” said Wonder Woman editor Maureen McTigue. "And with Adam Hughes staying on as cover artist, every month readers get two artists who are very passionate about Wonder Woman and get to see that in their work.” For more on Jimenez's plans for Wonder Woman, check out the 3/17 edition of Mania's Newsarama by clicking RIGHT HERE_ Stan Lee on Spider-Man Film Matt Brady, Newsarama In a chat on the IGN.com website yesterday, Stan Lee joked with fans about Marvel's Spider-Man and X-Men films and also answered a few other burning questions. Coyly keeping as many details about the upcoming Spidey film secret, Lee joked that he would love to play the film version of the wallcrawler - if he was younger, but would prefer to cast an unknown as Spider-Man/Peter Parker and fill the other roles with big stars. He also reiterated that his first choice for a villain in the Spider-Man film would be Doctor Octopus, a character created by Lee and Ditko in Amazing Spider-Man #3. When asked about the choice of directors for the film, Lee replied, "I'm disappointed about Jim [Cameron, not directing], but hoping David [Koepp, screenwriter] will do a great job. I know Sam Raimi will!" Lee also revealed that he has yet to read Koepp's script for the movie, but did read Cameron's treatment, from which Koepp's is based, and felt Cameron's version was "great." Lee also added that thanks to a fan's suggestion, he's going to bug director Sam Raimi to allow him to make a cameo in the film. Stan the Man as Uncle Ben, anyone? Finally, in response to questions about rumors of Lee buying Marvel from the revenues generated by StanLee.net, Lee jovially replied that they weren't true, and that he barely had the spare change to buy lunch. Oni Press: Now in Color! Matt Brady, Newsarama Oni Press has announced it will publish its first color comic this summer, entitled The Oni Press Summer Vacation Supercolor Fun Special. The special will run 48 pages and will include works from present and past Oni creators. Stories featured in the include: a new Jingle Belle story by Paul Dini and Stephen DeStefano; a crossover between Whiteout's Marshall Carrie Stetko and Barry Ween, Bo Genius by Greg Rucka and Judd Winick; a preview of the upcoming series Big Monster Planet by Martin (Crash Metro) Ontiveros; a new Geisha short story by Andi Watson; and the debuts of new characters by Jim Mahfood, Scott Morse, and Jen Van Meter & Chynna Clugston-Major. Color for the special will be provided by Watson, Morse, Ontiveros, Guy Major, and Laura Allred, while the cover will be a wraparound by Mike Allred, colored by his wife, Laura. "We've been wanting to play around with stuff in color for a long time,” said Oni Press editor in chief Jamie S. Rich. "The biggest problem was how do we crack that ice. We couldn't possibly choose one single creator to go through that barrier, as it was an opportunity everyone deserved. A big anthology featuring as many people as we could cram in it seemed like the most viable, as well as the most fun, solution.” "We definitely wanted the emphasis to be on the more playful aspects of our books, to give the thing a nice summery tone,” Rich added. "That's why you're getting an unlikely crossover like Barry Ween and Carrie Stetko, or why both Morse and Mahfood are contributing new characters that are a little cuter than what they might be known for – a monkey and a dog, respectively. Additionally, this book will end up being sort of an Oni Press primer. If a Paul Dini fan has never tried Jingle Belle or a Buffy fan hasn't tried any of Andi Watson's solo stuff, this will make for an easy intro. It will also be the first time Martin Ontiveros' Big Monster Planet will be seen anywhere, leading straight into his series in August. Having our buddy Mike Allred do the cover was just throwing the sauce on the barbecue.” The Oni Press Summer Vacation Supercolor Fun Special will hit stores in early July. The cover by Allred will be sold as a print benefiting the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund later this year. +++++ DC's Schreck Confirms Dark Knight Sequel by Michael Doran, Newsarama DC Bat-editor Bob Schreck has corroborated Newsarama's Monday report that a Frank Miller written and illustrated sequel to Batman: The Dark Knight Returns is in the works. According to the WizardWorld.com website, Schreck told attendees of this week's Comic Book Legal Defense Fund Benefit Cruise that a sequel to Dark Knight, entitled Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again is "progressing nicely". "We've got a lot more fleshed out now than we did two weeks ago," Schreck said in the report. "This all stemmed from one scene Frank wanted to do in Dark Knight but never got in. Now we've got some other stuff." Schreck is quoted as saying there's some scenes so juicy that the editor is trying to make sure he can divert attention away from them until they get approved by DC higher-ups. "Sometimes it's like a shell game," he said. "You've got to keep your best stuff hidden until the last moment. So no one can change it." Besides the Dark Knight sequel, Wizard also cites "rumors" on the cruise that Miller also wants to pitch a story involving “a fellow with a big red S on his chest" soon. +++++ From Zentertainment; HTTP://WWW.ZENTERTAINMENT.COM To sign a friend up or begin receiving ZEN yourself, e-mail: subscribe@ZENtertainment.com SORVINO TO PLAY 'SHI'? According to COMICS CONTINUUM, Billy Tucci announced at Orlando's MEGACON that the movie based on his comic series SHI will now likely star Mira Sorvino instead of Tia Carrere. Tucci also mentioned the film has moved from FRANCHISE Pictures to WARNER BROS., and will have a budget of around $40 million, opposed to one around $15 million. http://comicscontinuum.com 'WARHAMMER 40k' FILM? DARK HORIZONS reports EXILEFILMS will produce a feature-length WARHAMMER 40,000 film based on the BLOODQUEST storyline told in the WARHAMMER MONTHLY comic. http://www.darkhorizons.com http://www.games-workshop.com +++++ From the DCOnline newsletter; http://www.dccomics.com/newsletter.html To subscribe, or for questions or comments about the DC newsletter, please email DCWebSite@aol.com. KIDS' WB! ANNOUNCES NEW ANIMATED SERIES 'STATIC SHOCK' AND 'THE ZETA PROJECT' TO BE PART OF NEW 'FRATURDAY' LINEUP Kids' WB!, the #1 kids' network has announced it will add seven new animated properties to its top-rated Saturday morning and weekday slates during the 2000-2001 television season. In an effort to deliver more of what kids want, the network also announced its all-new original "Fraturday" (formerly known as Friday) programming block. Now Saturdays begin on Fridays -- only on Kids' WB! Included among these new animated series are two new DC-related series, Static Shock! (based on the DC/Milestone Comics title STATIC) and The Zeta Project (a spin-off series based on characters from Batman Beyond). STATIC SHOCK! is an all-new, animated series about the adventures of the first teenage African-American superhero. Quick-witted Virgil Hawkins (voiced by Phil LaMarr, "Mad TV") finds himself imbued with electromagnetic superpowers after being exposed to a mutanic gas and takes on the guise of "Static," an urban hero of his own creation. Based on the DC/Milestone comic- book title, the series will confront real problems and issues faced by today's kids, such as peer pressure, gangs and growing up in an ethnically diverse urban neighborhood. Learning to control his powers, figuring out how to patrol the skies at night and still make it home in time to study for his chemistry class, Virgil's greatest discovery becomes the real "charge" he gets in helping people and making a positive difference in his community. STATIC SHOCK! is produced and animated by Warner Bros. Animation, under the creative supervision of executive producer Jean MacCurdy, supervising producer Alan Burnett and producer Scott Jeralds. THE ZETA PROJECT chronicles the futuristic adventures of Zeta, a renegade government-designed robot, and Ro, a 15-year-old street-wise runaway. Zeta (voiced by Diedrich Bader, "The Drew Carey Show") was originally designed as a high-tech weapon for the government, but made a decision to deny his 'destruction' program, and is now searching for his creator while trying to stay a step ahead of government agents' intent on his capture. Ro is a savvy runaway searching for her long-lost family, while trying to avoid the system. With his awesome gadgetry and moral conviction and her street smarts and humor, Zeta and Ro are on the road and on the run in 2040, helping each other and those they meet along the way -- unlikely allies in a kaleidoscope of adventure! The series will thrust viewers into an adventurous and heartfelt escapade. THE ZETA PROJECT, a spin-off series from Batman Beyond, is produced by Warner Bros. Animation under the creative supervision of executive producer Jean MacCurdy, supervising producer Alan Burnett and producers Bob Goodman and Liz Holzman. In addition to the new series airing on Saturday mornings, the lineup will include the return of the ever-vigilant Batman Beyond in its third season of 13 all-new episodes. THE NEW BATMAN/SUPERMAN ADVENTURES/BATMAN BEYOND EPISODE SCHEDULE Warner Bros. Animation has supplied DC with the following air schedule for the animated The New Batman/Superman Adventures and Batman Beyond on the WB Network, airing Saturday mornings and on weekday afternoons. All times are Eastern and Pacific: 4/15/00 (8:00 am) -- "Animal Act" (Batman) 4/15/00 (10:30 am) -- "Plague" (Batman Beyond-new) 4/17/00 (3:30 pm) -- "Deep Freeze" (Batman) 4/17/00 (4:30 pm) -- "Shriek" (Batman Beyond) 4/18/00 (3:30 pm) -- "Mudslide" (Batman) 4/18/00 (4:30 pm) -- "New Kids in Town" (Superman) 4/19/00 (3:30 pm) -- "Perchance to Dream" (Batman) 4/19/00 (4:30 pm) -- "Legends of the Dark Knight" (Batman) 4/20/00 (3:30 pm) -- "Bane" (Batman) 4/20/00 (4:30 pm) -- "Prototype" (Superman) 4/21/00 (3:30 pm) -- "Time Out of Joint" (Batman) 4/21/00 (4:30 pm) -- "Eyewitness" (Batman Beyond) 4/22/00 (8:00 am) -- "In Brightest Day" (Superman) 4/22/00 (10:30 am) -- "The Last Resort" (Batman Beyond) 4/24/00 (3:30 pm) -- "Little Girl Lost-Part 1" (Superman) 4/24/00 (4:30 pm) -- "Little Girl Lost-Part 2" (Superman) 4/25/00 (3:30 pm) -- "The Main Man-Part 1" (Superman) 4/25/00 (4:30 pm) -- "The Main Man-Part 2" (Superman) 4/26/00 (3:30 pm) -- "Blasts from the Past-Part 1" (Superman) 4/26/00 (4:30 pm) -- "Blasts from the Past-Part 2" (Superman) 4/27/00 (3:30 pm) -- "Legacy-Part 1" (Superman) 4/27/00 (4:30 pm) -- "Legacy-Part 2" (Superman) 4/28/00 (3:30 pm) -- "Last Son of Krypton-Part 1" (Superman) 4/28/00 (4:30 pm) -- "Last Son of Krypton-Part 2" (Superman) 4/29/00 (8:00 am) -- "Last Son of Krypton-Part 3" (Superman) 4/29/00 (10:30 am) -- "Sneak Peek" (Batman Beyond) Retailers are encouraged to share this information with their customers. Be advised that this schedule is subject to change. ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [5] Super physics! How ESP can make you fly 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 ] What follows is an attempt to rationalize super powers. The physics here are real. You can't make this stuff up! My application of quantum physics to super heroes might sound fantastic but compared to some of the things that theoreticians such as Stephen Hawking have proposed, what follows is positively mundane. I hope I've phrased the physics in understandable terms. Quantum physics are part of our everyday experience these days--especially for the latest generation. Kids learn a lot of this stuff in high school. Us older folks have to struggle a bit to follow what every bright teenager takes for granted. Assuming you have access to a fantastic power source--e.g. a non-Einsteinian trans-dimensional universe--how do you control it? How does a superhero channel an energy that defies the physical laws of our little universe? If we pose a rotating micro-black hole as a gateway to a universe with different physical forces, we are then faced with the problem of what to do with it. A nuclear power plant is a source of great energy but you might be surprised at the crude methods used to employ it. The heat of the atomic pile is used to drive a steam turbine. Yes, atomic energy is used to run a STEAM ENGINE. You were probably expecting some high tech direct conversion of the power of the atom to electricity, right? Sorry. No can do. But since we aren't operating in the real world here, maybe we can imagine a more elegant control mechanism for our fantastic power source. I suggest psionic control--of a sort. These days, we (us scientists!) know that thought is chemical, not electrical--in nature. Early researchers were baffled when they measured the speed of transmission of a pain signal along the length of an arm to the brain and found that, while it was quite fast, it was nowhere near the speed of light, which is the speed of an electrical transmission. Believe it or not, thought is CHEMICAL--a series of microscopic chemical reactions. So any sort of telepathic ability would mean that you're directing chemical activity. Our hypothetical telepaths must use, instinctively, a telekinetic ability on a molecular level. To read minds, our telepaths must be able to manipulate their own brain functions and lock-step with the subject of control--the person who is the target of this ESP. If our telepaths can direct this power to such a microscopic degree, they can lock in on the subject's brain activity and make their own synapses fire in parallel, and mirror their thoughts. To control molecular activity I suggest we use two of the four physical forces of the universe. The first two forces of the universe, electro-magnetic and gravity, are the ones everybody knows. The second two don't have as much press. They are just called the "strong" and "weak" binding forces of sub-atomic matter. These forces only work on sub-atomic level. These two forces glue sub-atomic particles together. They are like gravity, but they work at the smaller, quantum level. They hold elementary particles together in the nucleus of an atom. The strong force attracts particles over longer distances and the weak force works only at shorter ranges. The weak force works only within the nucleus and the electrons, the strong force works across the whole atom. Some theorists pose a relationship between electro-magnetism and the weak force. This allows a method to control molecular activity. Electrical fields generated by living forms are weak but it would not take much to make for a lot of sub-atomic binding. Electric fields could influence the weak force and recombine matter in new ways. In a nuclear chain reaction, the release of the energy of one atom causes the same release in its neighboring atoms. Similarly, increased binding in one sub-atomic particle might cause similar reactions in nearby particles until an entire molecule stops in motion and then stops the movement of surrounding molecules. This would cause a chain reaction--cascading force effects in the sub-atomic world. Weak and strong forces could be used for transmission of telepathic information. Again, these work only at the sub-atomic level but have effects on our own level. Weak and strong forces, after all, hold matter together. That is my hypotheses: cascading chain reactions at the quantum level--cascades of the effects of the weak and strong forces. Our telepath could cause a resonance in matter across a distance this way. Let us also consider the rotating micro-black hole our telepaths must have in their craniums...or navels. This could pinch dimensional space and abbreviate the distance to their subjects by taking a shortcut through infinitely dimensional space. Psionic powers are a manifestation of extra-dimensional force, much like the light of an electric light bulb is a materialization of electricity. It's like a computer "booting up" or like starting a car. A small current from the car battery is used to ignite the controlled explosions in the firing cylinders of the combustion engine. Once the engine gets going, it supplies electricity to the car's electrical system. This keeps the spark plugs firing and igniting the gasoline in the cylinders. The car picks itself up by its own bootstraps. Our telepath could start with a tiny bit of the super force, convert it to psionic power, and then use that to control greater amounts of the force. Millions of neurons fire across myriad synapses just to raise a single finger. We perform complex neurological and physiological functions constantly without any conscious thought. A telepath would instinctively perform the complicated physics I've described . The telepath wouldn't be aware of controlling quantum forces to produce psionic effects. Make sense? 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. ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [6] E-DISPATCHES FROM THE GREAT WHITE NORTH! Jonathan A. Gilbert SeajayVentures@netscape.net [Jonathan A. Gilbert is a freelance writer and columnist. His internet work can be found at www.jazmaonline.com, www.madreview.com, in CBEM and other places. His print work can be found in MAD SCIENTIST; THE JOURNAL OF SCIENCE GONE AWRY, THE PEOPLE'S COMIC BOOK NEWSLETTER and later this year in TandT Comics' 'Dark Warriors' comic book series.] As many of you know, recently I moved from the thriving metropolis-at least a metropolis by Canadian standards-of London Ontario with a population of around 310,000 people to a quaint fishing village with a population of 2,200 thereabouts. What many of you are unaware of though is the role this village, Port Stanely Ontario, played in my becoming a comic book writer. Back in the 1960s my mother's sister, known affectionately to one and all as Sis, owned a number of cottages here in Ontario's Banana Belt. Then like now, Port Stanely was a majopr tourist attraction and each summer Aunt Sis made a killing renting out cottage to the Big City Folk. Sis though always reserved one of her larger cottages for family use so each and every summer my family, consisting of my father, mother and myself, along with many of my relatives on my mother's side spent most of our summers here in the 'Sunny South'. Well, it wasn't always that sunny, actually. More often than not it would rain cats and dogs whenever my family would take up occupation of said reserved cottage resulting in us spending most of our time indoors. Luckily for me though I had a fantasy escape route that would prevent me from suffering from hours of terminal boredom; comic books. I think it was Don Thompson who once said that a comic reader's Golden Age was 10. While I can't speak for anyone else I can definitely say that was true in my case. While I appreciate comics of all decades, comics of the mid-1960s hold a special place in my heart. If someone offered me a choice between a free copy of Mighty Comics #40 and All-Star Comics #3 I'd grab the copy of Mighty Comics without giving it a second thought. That probably seems crazy to most of you but I have never exactly been accused of being the sanest person on the planet. Anyway, comics were pretty darn exciting in those days; at least in the eyes of one particular ten year old kid. Fantastic Four was in its prime, Archie and company were playing at being superheroes (and who can forget Betty in her role as Superteen), the JLA and JSA were jointly protecting the multiverse on an annual basis, Charlton was challenging Marvel and DC for Superhero Supremacy and Jerry Lewis was taking the comic book world by storm; it was and is the stuff of legends which was capable of providing a certain ten year old with hours of entertainment on those damp and dreary summer days. Unfortunately, Port Stanely, then as now, was out of the loop when it came to comics. While even the most out of the way hamlet in those days had a rack absolutely crammed full of four color fantasy fixes Port Stanely, for some strange reason, carried only the bare essentials in its two variety stores. That was bad enough but the situation was made even worse by the fact that the comics the stores did carry were months old and had already been read, re-read, re-read and re-read by a certain bored ten year old comic book fan. Crisis of Crisis! What was one to do?!?!??? While my blessed Aunt Sis, always in tune with the concerns of the young, tried to keep a stock of new comics on hand for me to deal with just such an emergency, if the rain was to last more than a couple of days, as often it did, the emergency stock was quickly depleted and young Jon would once again come face to face with his real life nemesis known simply as Boredom. Fortunately though he, meaning me, was a pretty resourceful lad. When faced with the dilemma of not having comic books to read I did what any other young comic book fan would do; I created my own. Actually, creating my own comics was nothing new for me. As young as five I was talking pencil-I wasn't allowed to use a pen at that age because I was always getting more ink on myself than on the page-to paper and creating my own action- packed superhero adventures. It wasn't until the mid-60s though that I got really creative with my craft. In my younger years I would use established characters such as Space Ranger, J'onn J'onzz and Batman in the comics I would create but by the time I had reached the ripe old age of ten I was developing heroes and villains of my own. Mind you, many of the characters I created were carbon copies of already existing superheroes. Red Flames was far more than a mere tribute to the original Human Torch, Seaman was not just a tip-of-the-hat to Aquaman, Captain Canada was, well, you get the picture. But I also created a lot of original characters, many of whom have remained with me to this very day. Thunderhawk, who eventually evolved into a real nasty bad guy, got his start as a member of a Canadian superhero team known as The Law Squad. Canadian Shield, who was slated to become a member of the still-borne Team-Omega, also got his start in The Law Squad as did Black Angel and The Meteor (who debuted in Blue Moon's "Mystery Adventure Tales' #6). But the favorite of my own creations was a character named The Badger who was basically a Wolverine-type character. Needless to say I was not a happy camper when Wolverine, and later The Badger, came along. While the comics that I created in those days were not exactly of an award-winning quality they did none-the-less provide me, both by creating them and later re-reading them, with hours of entertainment. Also, by producing them, I learned a lot about what it took to create a comic; knowledge that I've carried with me to this very day. Most importantly though they were fun to do. Comics today are still fun to do. And believe it or not I get just as much enjoyment out of writing a script as I did back in the 60s. Perhaps a bit more. So as long as that's the case I'm going to keep on writing comics. Hmm. It looks like it might rain. ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [7] Pond Life Paul Hayward pjhay@clara.net Wow! Isn't it great when you get a whole pile of great comics in one go? Last week was probably the best week I've had for new imports in a dog's age: berlin, cerebus,finder, kiss (oops! There goes the credibility), love in tights, Preacher, sam and twitch and, last but not least, Strangers in Paradise. Berlin 7 by jason lutes (drawn & quarterly) is a real gem. If you love deceptively simple line work with gorgeously detailed backgrounds then I'd advise you to pick this up. It's so rich in texture, both in the story & art department that it is at least a solid 10 minute read at a good pace. That's without being verbose & having lots of captions you can skip over. Real value for money. What's it about? It's the story of berlin (d'oh) before the Nazis came to power. It attempts to explain how & why it happened but in terms of humans rather than politics. To that end it features a number of well-rounded characters who move and interact in a world which gives at least the appearance of being meticulously researched. However historically accurate it is it feels right. These are "real" people in a "real" world- living & loving with all the concerns of every day life (housing, work & love) as well as the extraordinary politics. It's a real treat & you've only missed 7 issues. Alternatively you could wait for the book collection, due to come out after #8, I think. At $2.95 it's highly recommended. Cerebus 253 (aardvark-vanaheim). Hey, don't be put off by that or the fact that you haven't read it since (fill in the gap). Take a look at this one if you get the chance in a comic shop. Why? Well, the art is as good as if not better than anything I've seen in this book (& that's saying a lot) page 434 & 435 where we see the aftermath of Ham's action, only apparent upon close observation & beautifully observed or page 440 where ham imagines Jaka naked are worth the price of admission ($2.25) alone. The story? There's nothing to it & also a depth rarely seen in any creative medium. Ham, Mary, Jaka & Cerebus sitting round a camp fire takes up much of the space but the characterization & dialogue on those pages which work on several levels needs to be seen to be believed. If you're in the mood for deep & meaningful it doesn't get any better than this. Finder #16 (Carla Speed McNeil- Lightspeed press) If you're interested in anthropology, science-fiction or just plain good stories then you really should be reading this. It's only the 2nd part of the cats storyline, so if you're missing Sandman why not give this a try? At $2.95 you won't regret it. Kiss Psycho Circus 28 (image) is perhaps a good book in you're about 13 years old. It's got a fairly cool cover with Gene Simmons doing his thing. But you've seen it all before. Literally. I confess- I'm a Kiss fan. The only reason I buy the book. Nothing new in either story or art department and at $2.25 it's a fairly expensive 2 and a half minutes. Goodbye kiss. Love in Tights Anniversary #1(SlG) by various. It includes the best take off of Batman & a gay Joker in a bondage scene that will have you laughing out loud as well as other takes on superhero love with a twist. Preacher 62 (DC Vertigo) You've already bought this one. sam & twitch 9 (image) Bendis strikes again! Told entirely from the villain's point of view as he flees from our heroes. The art is sub-par fill but not bad for all that. The dialogue will make you wish you'd bought the other 8. Strangers in Paradise 31 (abstract) Not your older brother's SiP. This one features a change of direction and a pace that were missing from this book for a while. Come and try Terry Moore's magic again. See; Francine thinner! See: Veronica make Darcy look like a choir girl! See: David (oh well, 2 out of 3...)Nice cover too. How many of these did you read? Can you be enthusiastic about the books that you buy? If not- why not try one or more of these? Happy reading ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [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. ] Tom Spurgeon, former editor of THE COMICS JOURNAL and now comic strip writer, has often claimed that the real power and interest in Frank Miller's THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS lies in icon manipulation - that is, if I understand him correctly, we enjoy the book because Miller does something to Batman that we wouldn't expect, that is contrary to his established image. There's a great deal of truth in that of course (although I think he tends to undersell DARK KNIGHT as a comic as a result), and I was reminded of it when I read THE AUTHORITY #13. I've never bought this book before, so I'm a little lost as to who all the characters are, and what their powers are (I really just bought it because I do so love Frank Quitely's art - that man can DRAW!). But there's clearly a lot of icon manipulation going on. Apollo and the Midnighter are not only Superman and Batman recast as killers, but as gay killers. You'd think we's be over this sort of thing. I remember being pretty impressed by it, not only when I read DARK KNIGHT, but also in SQUADRON SUPREME fifteen years ago. Since, I've seen it done in MARSHALL LAW, JUSTICE LEAGUE, MAXIMORTAL, MIRACLEMAN and RUINS. I'm sure you've seen many more yourself. All of them feature a thinly disguised version of a well known iconic character, acting in a way that we don't expect them to (usually nastier or more violent). Given that there have been so many of these stories, why do we keep buying them? Surely the novelty should have worn off by now, yet the very issue of AUTHORITY that provoked this column features a thinly disguised, and very violent version of the Avengers. And I enjoyed it quite a lot (in fact, I've been surprised by how much I enjoyed the story in this book, given that I've never been much impressed by Mark Millar in the past. It's probably the art). There's a few reasons that occur to me: 1) It's fun playing "Spot the Knockoff", and it makes you feel clever when you figure one out. It wasn't until a few "Avengers" popped up that I realised who they were supposed to be, but I was pleased when I did. 2) Superheroes make good villains, because they usually have the coolest powers. And making them into villains helps satisfy the old "Who would win a fight out of XXX and XXX" disputes, even if they're never quite the same. 3) The nature of comic book publishing makes it hard for real change to happen to the big characters. The knockoffs can do things, and try things that their originals would never be allowed to do. Sometimes you can even get some closure, as in DARK KNIGHT (although the recent talk of a sequel will probably bugger that right up - what's next, the WATCHMEN sequel?). 4) You never know how the character will be changed, even though they're usually just violent. The gay Apollo-Midnighter thing is a good example. It keeps you interested. Those are a few that popped into my head. If you come up with any more, drop me a line. The trouble with knockoffs is that they are sometimes promoted as being more "mature" or "adult". Personally, I've been less convinced of that as I've grown older. Knockoffs are different, but all the same rules of superheroics tend to apply. Which is fine with me. I'll just enjoy them for what they are. ********* In my column last week, I neglected to name the editor, or give any details about the SLINGS & ARROWS GUIDE. The editor is Frank Plowright and the ISBN is 1854104861. It can be found on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1854104861/104-2493420-1986835. Thanks to Jose de Leon for looking up that info, and saving me the trouble. David Groenewegen davidhar@lib.monash.edu.au ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [9] Some Pages, A Cover, and A Few Staples Marlan Harris mar93@aol.com [Marlan Harris lives and works in Burbank, CA.] LOBDELL AWARDS NOMINEES Will Eisner was an amazing and pioneering comics creator whose work will be remembered, respected, and loved long after he stops doing comics work. So I obviously run the risk in naming these awards, recognizing the worst comics and comics creators of the last year, the Lobdell Awards, since Lobdell's stuff will be forgotten shortly after he quits comics (which, I've heard and hope, will be soon. He's gonna write movies? Great, Hollywood loves bad screenwriters. He'll do great. And get enough money to stop hogging good comics artists.) It was a run-off between calling these awards the Lobdells or the Liefelds, but I figure picking Liefeld would just be too easy a target. Though I'll make one thing clear: I don't think Lodbell is, per se, a bad writer. However, his work is unoriginal, derivative, and dull, and that will always make for a bad comic, no matter how well the writer gets along with Wildstorm's Editorial Director, or whatever Jim Lee is. And having said that, I'll also admit that Rob Liefeld isn't, per se, a bad artist. Though I can't come up with anyone who's any worse than Lobdell or Liefeld at what they do (however, challenge me then give me a few minutes and I can probably come up with something). Being a comics critic, my reason for doing this column in the first place, is to recognize and discuss comics, the varying degrees of quality, the good along with the bad. And it's fairly one-sided to recognize only the good comics, like with my picks for the Eisner Awards from two weeks back. So to be completely fair, I present my picks for the first-ever Lobdell Awards. In a few categories I picked the winners since, given a selection of nominees, the winner would be all too clear. That, and there's only so much research I can do. Remember, these are the worst books of the last year and I've already had the misfortune of reading most of them. I also threw in an extra category at the end. And to be completely fair, I'll note that some of these winners (though I use the term loosely) are not necessarily doing horrible work, just they were the worst available, especially if they are lot more popular than they deserve to be. In no particular order: WORST WRITER Scott Lobdell (WILDCATS) Howard Mackie (AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, PETER PARKER: SPIDER-MAN) Jay Faerber (GENERATION X, NEW WARRIORS) John Byrne (INCREDIBLE HULK) Erik Larsen (WOLVERINE) WORST PENCILER/INKER Tony Daniel (THE 10TH) Rob Liefeld (CABLE) Randy Green (DARKCHYLDE) Travis Charest (just for being unforgivably inconsistent on WILDCATS) WORST WRITER/ARTIST J. Scott Campbell (DANGER GIRL) Joe Madiuera (BATTLE CHASERS) Michael Turner (FATHOM) WORST ONGOING SERIES DANGER GIRL GENERATION X BATTLE CHASERS NEW WARRIORS WOLVERINE WORST NEW SERIES PROPHECY OF THE SOUL SORCERER HULK (up until recently) What's Cliffhanger's newest series? The new issues are so infrequent, they always seem like a new series. WORST ANTHOLOGY Most of DC's half-assed 80-Page Giants, which just doesn't usually have enough good material for a f