---------------------------------------------------------------------- Ed Dukeshire and Mike Imboden Present: THE COMIC BOOK NET ELECTRONIC MAGAZINE ISSUE NUMBER 273 1999 EAGLE AWARD NOMINEE 7/14/2000 Edited by: David LeBlanc - ComicBkNet@aol.com FREE VIA EMAIL SINCE FEBRUARY 1995 ______________________________________________________________________ C O N T E N T S ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [A] Submissions, mailing address, web page [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] Interview: Tom Peyer .................. Tim O'Shea [6] Ramblings 2000 ........................ Rich Johnston [7] Some Pages, A Cover, and A Few Staples. Marlan Harris [8] Manhunter from Marathon, IL ........... John Jones [9] M.O.E. Reviews ........................ Paul Dale Roberts [10] New Comic Book Releases List .......... Charles LePage [11] HYPE! Section ......................... Various ______________________________________________________________________ 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 strips: Steve Conley's ASTOUNDING SPACE THRILLS AND DR. CYBORG by Alan Gross & Mike Oeming ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. Opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Editor, the Network Administration Team or the members and users of The ComicBook Network. ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [A] E-Mag Info: Submissions, Back Issues, Web Page SUBMISSIONS ----------- To submit an article, review, column, etc. to our e-mag, simply E-mail it to the editor at: ComicBkNet@aol.com Reviews of mainstream books are welcome and we encourage reviews of indies and self published material as we feel that material deserves more exposure to the general public. If you write intelligent, coherent, and timely reviews of anything it will almost always be printed so give us a shot. Commentary on the state of the industry, and personal observations and reflections related to comics are *most* likely to be included in our publication. PLEASE, no material on Gaming, role playing, collectible card games or other hobbies or collectibles other than comic books. That does not include plugs for web pages UNLESS they are concerned with print comic books. We do not promote web comics as we do not consider them to be comic books. SEND US YOUR WORK ----------------- We also accept product for review purposes. Advanced copies of comic books will not be returned but anything sent to us *will* be reviewed in the ComicBook Net Emag. Send all material to: David L. LeBlanc 84 Heather Circle Jefferson, MA 01522-1419 Material is generally reviewed in the order received and be advised that we work a few weeks in advance so your review may not be in the magazine immediately. Advanced copies are therefore encouraged so the review will occur prior to your product hitting the stores. THE Comic Book Net WEB PAGE http://members.aol.com/ComicBkNet ---------------- If you have access to the World Wide Web, please stop by and visit our web page! On our web page, you can find the latest issue of our E-Mag, as well as all back issues and an annotated index. You'll also find important information and other neat features like links to the HTML version of the current issue of this magazine at DIGITAL WEBBING, [http://www.digitalwebbing.com/cbem], some of the comic companies and creators' web pages and many other Comic Book related links! You can also find some back issues at America Online, by going to Keyword: COMICS, then choose the menu item _Comic Book Forum_ and then going to the _Comics Library_ from there. These are non-zipped text files. ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [1] On the Net David LeBlanc Those of you who missed the HTML ONLINE version of CBEM #272 last week on Digital Webbing can still access it in file form on the CBEM web site at http://members.aol.com/cbem/emag.htm and then click on Index Icon for back issues. Due to a death in the family, Ed Dukeshire took time off from his online chores last week. There is an old saying, "The more things change, the more they stay the same." These days things seem to change rapidly, especially in the business world, it is hard to keep up with who owns what. Here in New England we are spinning from banks gobbling up each other. I had one bank for years, First Safety Fund. That was bought by Peoples, then they by Shawmut, which got gobbled by Fleet, which merged with Bank Boston to become Fleet Boston. But MY local branch was sold as part of the deal so it will become a Sovereign Bank branch. That is 6 changes in 10 years! What brought this up was a note recently from eGroups. You see, a while back, after much hassle with sending mass Email to AOL from a Netcom account (which became Mindspring and is now merged with Earthlink) I decided to use a mailing list service and the most popular one among the comic and entertainment newsletters that use one seemed to be OneList. So I joined up, it worked fine and the first glitch did not occur until the transition weekend when it (you guessed it) merged with eGroups. Fortunately there are work-arounds when I can't just post the Emag to the site. Now I get an Email from eGroups: Subj: [emn] Important Announcement Date: 6/28/00 9:48:56 AM Eastern Daylight Time From: support@egroups.net (The eGroups Team) To: eGroups-Moderator-News@egroups.com Dear eGroups Moderator: eGroups is very pleased to announce that we are joining the Yahoo! family of services! To learn more about the announcement, you can read the press release at http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/000628/ca_yahoo.html As a group moderator, you can assure your group members that eGroups and Yahoo! will continue to provide the same level of service and commitment that you have come to expect from both companies. We are very excited about extending the opportunities and new offerings that will emerge from this relationship to you and your group. We're just beginning to explore the possibilities and new features that we'll be able to offer as a combined company. As we go through this process, we pledge to solicit your feedback on any proposed changes and keep you up-to-date on any changes to the eGroups service. ***** Ah, there is no stopping these things. Just hope things stay in working order. Now run out and buy some of these before they get gobbled up! ABSTRACT STUDIOS Strangers In Paradise Vol 8 My Other Life TPB, 14.95 ACCLAIM COMICS Shadowman Vol 3 #6 (resolicited) (Pu#428), 2.50 Unity 2000 #3 (resolicited)(Pu#425), 2.50 CROSSGEN COMICS Sigil #2, 2.95 DARK HORSE COMICS Last Day In Vietnam GN, 10.95 DC COMICS Preacher #65, 3.75 <------------ Pick of the MONTH! And if you go to the X-MEN movie you get a free comic!! Speaking of mergers and acquisitions - our lead story in the NETWORK BUZZ involves an old time comic publication changing hands. And last week rumors re-surfaced that Marvel may be willing to sell off some of its characters to Dark Horse. It just goes on and on. 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: Re: [ComicBooknet E-Mag] CBEM 272.1 From: jbarker@inch.com (jb) David- I'm sorry to hear about Ed's loss. This past week I suffered the loss of a friend and mentor (whom I had covered press junkets for for the past year). He was the film critic Paul Wunder. I did his site as well, pwunder.com. Now I cannot do the X-Men press junket, which is unfortunate. Makes ya think. Makes you appreciate those around you. best, john +++++ Subj: Hmmmmmm? Date: 7/8/00 1:17:43 AM Eastern Daylight Time From: mike@imboden.org (Mike Imboden) My wife and I were talking and the subject somehow changed to comics. Without getting into some long, drawn-out recap of HOW we got to the subject of this letter, let's just get there and be done with it. Romance comics. That's what Marvel and DC need to publish to bring some new readers - especially women - into the hobby. But not just any romance comic, no sir. In fact, that may not even be a good way to describe it. What I'm talking about is a book or two that focuses on the love interests and/or secondary characters of the major heroes. We get bits and pieces of these people's lives when, for a panel or three, they pop into the main character's story, but other than that - zip. Turn the tables for a change. Have the heroes make the cameo two panel drop ins and focus on the "normal folks" for a little while. Most of these secondary characters know each other - and if not, it's not like they couldn't meet and interact with one another. In other words, it would be just like a soap opera without all the soft core porn and bed-hopping! Think about it - what's a comic (most of them at least) if nothing more than an ongoing story of one or more characters? Now - what's a soap opera? Bingo! Market this thing towards women, get it in the grocery store checkout aisles and give it a year to catch on. Keep the art realistic and the writing high quality and I bet it sells. -- M!ke Imboden mike@imboden.org www.imboden.org Youth and skill are no match for experience and treachery. ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [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: > What company publishes PETE THE P.O.'ed POSTAL WORKER? Sharkbait Press was the answer and Jim Lawless got it first. Jim wins SPAWN Book 2 and Book 3 (as well as a coupon for $10.00 off an order of $50.00 or more from our sponsor, Discount Comic Book Service.) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION: Submitted by Federico Kereki John Jakes is a western and Civil War novels writer. Michael Moorcock is a fantasy writer. James Cawthorn is a comic book artist. What comic book character do they have in common? 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 This item submitted by John Freeman, Project Manager, VZSciFi http://www.vzscifi.co.uk 6 July 2000 REBELLION BUYS 2000AD Oxford-based 'super developer' buys the award-winning and highly influential science fiction weekly 2000AD. Rebellion has made the acquisition of the year - literally - with the purchase of the sci-fi action comic 2000AD from publisher Egmont International. The Oxford-based software developer will assume creative control of the magazine's content (all other publishing and distribution will continue to be carried out by Fleetway), while looking to maximise the potential of the many characters and storylines which the franchise has created (in both commercial and creative terms). There will be no interruption to publication. 2000AD occupies an unequalled position in the world of science fiction, having been published for more than 23 years. During this time, the comic has introduced a number of the genre's most popular characters (Judge Dredd, Strontium Dog, Slaine, Rogue Trooper, Nemesis and many more) as well as launching the careers of some of the UK's most successful comic writers and artists, including Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons, Brian Bolland, Grant Morrison, Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon. The first issue of 2000AD ('Prog 1' to use the comic's own terminology) hit the streets on February 28th 1977, for the down-to-earth price of 8p (or 17 Galactic Groats on Mercury) and featured a number of characters and stories which went on to enjoy huge popularity, including M.A.C.H. 1, Flesh and Invasion. It was not until Issue 2, however, that the publication's most enduring and notorious icon, Judge Dredd, first appeared. At the height of its popularity, the comic (which has just published its 1,200th issue) sold more than 120,000 copies per week. "I am only too happy to confess that I have been an avid 2000AD reader since Prog 1," says Rebellion's Chief Executive Officer, Jason Kingsley. "However, that doesn't mean that this deal was done for sentimental reasons. 2000AD is not only a goldmine of intellectual properties, it is also a hugely enjoyable read. We are looking forward to helping this top quality publication to achieve its fullest potential." Rebellion's acquisition of 2000AD will allow the team full use of more than 700 characters and series, not only in computer games, but also in films, as action figures, in collectable card games and in any other suitable merchandising vehicle. Also, it is possible that some of Rebellion's own characters and storylines - beginning with the forthcoming Gunlok (to be released by Virgin Interactive later this year) - will make it into the pages of 2000AD. In addition to its new owners, 2000AD also has a new Editor, Andy Diggle, who adds: "This is a very exciting time to be taking over the editorship of 2000AD, with a new look and a new owner. There is so much untapped potential within our universe of characters that the sky's the limit in terms of licensing and branding. But my first priority will always be the comic itself: sci-fi and fantasy action with skewed black humour, bizarre imagination and attitude. The best of the old and the best of the new." "As fans of the galaxy's greatest comic, we will do everything within our powers to make sure that 2000AD reaches its widest possible audience on Earth before we expand into other galaxies - ridding the Universe of all thrill-sucker infestations along the way, of course," says Kingsley. +++++ The Festival of Comics From: komiksforum@poczta.wp.pl (Vitek) Excuse me for my English, but I know very weakly this language. I write this letter at help of computer translator. Pozdrawiam. Vitek komiksforum@poczta.wp.pl -1- The first meeting of people fond of cartoons and graphic art "Ogolnopolski Konwent Tworcow Komiksu" took place in Lodz in 1991 and quickly became one of the most interesting cultural events in Poland. Owing to the festival Lodz was named "the capital of Polish comic works". During the festival one can attend numerous lectures, workshops, join interesting discussions or visit an exhibition of Polish and foreign comics. There is also a competition for the best comics. The festival lasts two days (Saturday and Sunday). It creates a great opportunity to meet many well-known illustrators and cartoonists. One should mention here G. Rosinski, K. Saudek, J. Skarzynski, B. Polch, and many other young Polish artists. Year after year it attracts more and more illustrators and publishers. The popularity of the cultural event has led to announcing it The International Comics Festival. Along with the festival there are many fringe events which are worth mentioning. You can visit an exhibition presenting the history of comics and admire works of Polish artists. The exhibition is accompanied by comics sessions where you can meet artists and editors of famous comics magazines. You can also watch many cartoons such as classic films by Barbarella or Japanese manga. During the festival collectors have a suitable occasion for buying excellent comics. The main aim of the festival is to promote comics and young talented artists. The International Comics Festival will take place on the 7 and 8 of October 2000 in the Community Centre (LDK) in Lodz. -2- History Festivals of Comics in Poland In Poland there is a great number of people interested in creating comics. First comics were drawn in 1919. One should mention here many talented artists who meet at the Festival every autumn. One of them is Grzegorz Rosinski the author of "Thorgal" who has gained much popularity in Belgium. The Comics Festival in Lodz is one of the oldest and well-known such cultural events in Poland. The first edition of the Festival took place in Kielce in 1991. However, all next editions Of the Festivals have been organised in Lodz. The Festival lasts two days. At that time you can attend numerous meetings and lectures. You can learn much about the history and theory of comics. There are also shown some films. The exhibitions presenting works of Polish and foreign artists are also worth visiting. Along with the Festival there is a competition to find the best comics. It is open to the public. Every year over 150 competitors take part in it and their works are exhibited during the Festival. The jury announce whose works are best. All winners of the previous editions of the Festival have published their works in Polish magazines. The Festival is accompanied by a lavishly illustrated catalogue. The Festival is popular with artists, publishers, comic collectors and Mass Media. While visiting the festival you will have an opportunity to buy older and the latest comics. It is a tradition that new Polish comics appear in autumn just before the Festival. People organising the festival invite well-known artists such as Karel Saudek from the Czech Republic. In 1994 visitors could see the exhibition of works which had won the International Grand Prix in Angouleme. In 1997 the exhibition of French drawings. In 1996 and 1999 it was a great honour to invite G. Rosinski the author of "Thorgal". The Festival is a great opportunity to promote this kind of art. During the festival you can read numerous articles in Polish newspapers and watch programmes about comics on TV. You can also meet the best polish artists and talk on topics of your interest. This year we would like to invite you to the 11th Comics Festival which will take place on the 7th and 8th of October. -3- Regulations of comics competition I send You regulations of competition comics and informations about Festival of Comics. I will be very grateful for delivery these information to authors of comics. We want so that all authors of interested took participation in competition. Sum of prizes in this year's carries out 10 000 PLN (about 2500 $). We would want in this of year during Festival on special exposition to show comics of authors from all Europe. The competition is open for the public. The theme of the comics is free. You can use different techniques such as drawing, painting or photography. You may submit comics which have never been published before. You may put forward up to three comics. The number of pages must not exceed twelve pages A3 (297x420 mm). All the pages should be signed and numbered. At the back of the pages you ought to write the title of the work, your name, surname and your address. All the comics should be packed in a cardboard folder which is needed to send you back the comics (xcopies will not be sent back). The comics should be sent to Lodzki Dom Kultury 90-113 Lodz Traugutta 18 Poland KOMIKS 2000 by 31 August 2000. To take in the competition and exhibition you are requested to pay 25 PLN into our bank account Lodzki Dom Kultury, 90- 113 Lodz, Traugutta 18, Poland PKO I o/Lodz, nr 10203352-174642-270-1, and send the receipt together with the comics. Your works will be shown at The Exhibition of Comics housed in LDK. All competitors will be allowed free catalogues and free admission to all fringe events. A special jury consisting of the members of The Academy of Comics will announce the final results on the 8th of October 2000. Grand Prix and other awards will be handed to the winners during The International Festival of Comics. Once the festival has been over, the exhibition will be shown in other Polish cities. The organizers reserve for themselves the right to publish some of the works in the catalogue of the exhibition. You will be requested to collect your comics in The Festival Office when the exhibition is over or they will be sent back in three months. The organizers of The International Festival of Comics: Lodzki Dom Kultury, Traugutta 18, 90-113 Lodz, Poland tel.(0-42) 633-98-00 ext. 244 or 247. Komiks Forum, e-mail: komiksforum@poczta.wp.pl +++++ Batman Author Frank Miller Returns for Highly Anticipated Sequel the Dark Knight Strikes Again! NEW YORK--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--July 14, 2000--For over a decade, readers of the legendary Batman: The Dark Knight Returns have besieged Frank Miller and DC Comics with demands for a sequel. Author and screenwriter Frank Miller has suggested that a story has been brewing in his mind for some time. Now DC Comics is pleased to announce that Miller has begun work on the most-anticipated sequel in comics history - The Dark Knight Strikes Again! - which is slated for publication in 2001. The original publication of Batman: The Dark Knight Returns changed the world of comics forever. Frank Miller brought a unique, dark vision to the classic character, and demonstrated that even one of the world's most well-known and best-loved legends could be seen from a creative perspective that was totally new after five decades of publication. Batman: The Dark Knight Returns was a best-seller in serial and book form, won virtually every award the comics field offered, and firmly established Miller as comics' leading writer/artist. It was recognized beyond comics with a tidal wave of press and critical acclaim, and continues to sell as one of the most important and best-selling graphic novels of all time. "Batman and Superman remain enduring American myths. But many folks don't realize how rich DC's pantheon of heroes is. These characters have a magic to them, and speak to fantasies shared by young and old," said Frank Miller. "Anybody who knows me would tell you I can't stop talking about it. It's an absolute joy to bring fresh eyes and long-held affection to these guys and gals in tights." "It's rare that any storyteller can keep their audience on the edge of their chairs for fifteen years, but Frank's pulled it off," said Paul Levitz, Executive Vice President and Publisher, DC Comics. "The Dark Knight Strikes Again! is worth the wait. Frank's talent and craft have grown, and we're sure to be blown away by what his Batman will look like now." For The Dark Knight Strikes Again!, Miller plans to pen another wholly original take on the character. Batman, who has finally put the death of his parents behind him, will set out to save America with the help of the Flash, Wonder Girl, Catgirl, and Batgirl. The Dark Knight Strikes Again! is scheduled to arrive in stores in 2001. Miller will once again be collaborating with the award-winning colorist Lynn Varley. Miller is widely regarded as the most influential and innovative of contemporary comic-book innovators and creators. In addition to the Dark Knight and other Batman projects, he created the popular noir series Sin City, the groundbreaking Ronin for DC, the political correctness satire Lance Blastoff, and his most recent success 300. He also wrote and co-created the British GQ serial Bad Boy, the Martha Washington series, Hard Boiled, and The Big Guy & Rusty the Boy Robot. Miller began his comic-book career at DC Comics and Marvel Comics drawing and/or writing Daredevil, Spider-Man, Elektra, and Wolverine. His screenwriting credits include RoboCop 2 and RoboCop 3, and he recently finished the first draft screenplay for New Line Cinema's adaptation of his Ronin property. Miller is a contributor to the The New Yorker and a Director of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. CONTACT: DC Comics Peggy Burns, 212/636-5450 Fax: 212/636-5756 +++++ BRIAN CLOPPER LAUNCHES WEBSITE Elementary school teacher/cartoonist, Brian Clopper, has launched his very own site: www.brianclopper.com. The website features gobs of art and previews of Clopper's upcoming projects alongside exclusive webcomics. Praised by educators, children, parents and critics for his sincere writing style and endearing characters, Brian felt it was time to establish an online presence. "I was seeing the creative and financial successes many of my comic book peers were having with web publishing and I knew it was an outlet I wanted to explore. I love the freedom web publishing gives the creator. I can publish my work in color on the web and later package it in black and white for paper publication," says Clopper. www.brianclopper.com is a very comprehensive site where fans of Clopper's work and new readers can go to find more about this all-ages creator. The News and Notes section keeps readers filled in on all the latest projects and secret plans Clopper has for his characters. "In fact, the second week of the website's debut will feature an exclusive news bit about my successful search for a literary agent to represent my children's book series, MONSTERS IN BOXERS," says Clopper. In the Published Wackiness section, readers can read the first four chapters of Clopper's latest project, GRAHAM THE GARGOYLE, and glimpse pages from MARSHALL: GODLING OF WAR and BRAINBOMB. The Cartoonists in the Classroom section features info on the workshops Brian helms at public libraries and schools. "Visiting schools and sharing with students ways to unlock their imagination is incredibly fun. Hearing how excited the class is to write stories after I present a lesson is hugely rewarding," says Clopper. "I think the second year of Cartoonists in the Classroom will be even better than the first." Online comics and Monster Pal fun are a big part of the site. Brian's weekly webcomic, SPACE BABIES is off to a cosmically funky start. Web visitors can read the first four episodes of this science fiction comedy that melds RUGRATS with Douglas Addams. SPACE BABIES can be delivered directly to your computer by e-mail for free every Friday simply by subscribing at the site. "The first story arc of the SPACE BABIES features the toddlers facing off against a very irritable universe," says Clopper. "This strip has me very excited! Aliens, spaceships, cosmic-powered toddlers are some of my favorite things to draw." The 9-page DEAD GUYS IN SPACE comic, originally submitted to the Expo 2000 book, can be found at www.brianclopper.com. Clopper says, "I was disappointed that the strip didn't make the cut, but when I heard of all the other superb indy creators who didn't make it into the book, I didn't feel so bad. The EXPO book seems to be heavily skewed towards alternative creators this year, which is fine, but just not a true sampling of the creators who contribute to the small press scene." In addition to reading a news SPACE BABIES every Friday, web regulars can catch a new MONSTER PAL on a weekly basis. These ghastly beasts appear in color on the web alongside hilarious biographies. "The MONSTER PALS section of the site features the monsters that will appear in the next volume of my wildly successful MONSTER PALS series. MONDO MONSTERS is slated for a Spring 2001 release. After selling out of two printings of the first MONSTER PALS, I thought I better gear up a second volume of all-new creatures," says Clopper. The Sketchpad section of the site will feature a monthly batch of sketches and doodles from Brian's studio. It will also feature sneak peeks at characters and concepts that are in the planning stages. www.brianclopper.com officially launches Wednesday, July 13th with the first weekly update occurring on Friday, July 22nd. Clopper hopes fans of his work will spread the word about his new online home. +++++ Marvel's 'Daredevil' on Pic Trail By Michael Fleming NEW YORK (Variety) - As Fox rides a wave of strong buzz into Friday's opening of the superhero saga ``X-Men,'' plans are underway to give live-action treatment to another Marvel Comics character, Daredevil. Fox-based producer New Regency Prods. acquired the rights from Marvel Enterprises and has signed Mark Steven Johnson (''Grumpy Old Men'') to write the script with an eye toward directing the film. It will be distributed domestically by Fox, which premieres ``X-Men'' Wednesday night on Ellis Island. Daredevil, who made his Marvel Comics debut in 1964, is an agile superhero in a red spandex suit who happens to be as blind as justice, using the acutely heightened other senses he possesses to make up for the handicap and fight crime. The character's alter ego is a lawyer named Matt Murdock, who grew so disillusioned with the legal system that he became the vigilante whose lack of fear and proficiency in the martial arts makes him a formidable hero. The deal also accommodates Daredevil's arch villains, the femme fatale Elektra and obese crime boss the Kingpin. While such filmmakers as Chris Columbus and Carlo Carlei once tried to mount the movie, the superhero is Johnson's favorite and he has been seeking to do the movie for several years. Marvel is also developing the ``The Fantastic Four'' with Raja Gosnall directing and ``Silver Surfer,'' with ``Seven'' scribe Andrew Kevin Walker writing the script. 02:39 07-12-00 +++++ X-MEN Creator Stan Lee Reveals The Message Behind His Comic Legend for the First Time on CD LOS ANGELES, July 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Oglio Records and Emmy nominated composer and Hollywood Film Music Library founder Robert J. Walsh have announced the release of a CD including music from and inspired by the original 1988 TV movie, PRYDE OF THE X-MEN. The album features songs by rap groups Mobb Deep, Ghetto Inmates, Cool-G, and Tru Life as well as alternative rock from The Rob Walsh Project and orchestral performances by the Encino Light Orchestra. The CD also includes interviews and voice overs by Marvel Comic Book legend and X-Men creator Stan Lee. "Stan was wonderful," says Walsh, who first worked with Lee in the early 1980's. "For the first time he reveals his personal and private thoughts concerning the creation of the X-Men on record. I feel like we've made history and am honored he agreed to contribute to the CD." Featuring a total of 17 tracks, the CD weaves the voice of Stan Lee through selections of urban, hip-hop, alternative, and "mystic score," as Walsh calls it. "We're telling a story, really, and Stan reveals in his interviews the hidden message behind the X-Men." Walsh, who formerly served as musical director for Marvel Animation and Warner Animation has contributed music to such films and TV shows as AMERICAN BEAUTY, LATE NIGHT WITH JAY LENO, ER and many others. The album has drawn significant pre-release interest, and more than seventy-five Marvel related websites have linked to Walsh's website (www.screenmusic.com). In addition, SOUNDTRACK STATION, a top web music site, recently completely a full interview with Walsh. Renown Marvel historian and collector Joe Nothern explains why the album has created such a buzz: "First, the hundred-million dollar X-MEN movie is coming out. Second, it's the first time Stan Lee has ever revealed the secret behind the creation of the X-MEN. And third, the music is fabulous." In Stores: July 18, 2000 +++++ `X-Men' Marks the Spot LOS ANGELES (AP) - There are mutants among you. They may look the same as everyone else, dress the same, walk and talk the same. But they share one notable difference. They are ``X-men'' fans, and their day has finally come. ``I sometimes have to pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming that the X-men movie is actually coming out next week!'' read a recent Internet posting last week, one of tens of thousands of fan messages floating around the Web about ``X-men,'' which opens Friday. Born in the wildly popular Marvel Comics series, the X-men are outcasts whose genetic mutations give them such powers as telepathy, rapid healing and shape-shifting. Fans have awaited a big-screen treatment of their favorite comic heroes and villains for as long or longer than audiences yearned for a new ``Star Wars'' flick. Countingdown.com, which sets up Web sites for hotly anticipated movies, has found ``X-men'' fans' eagerness ``leap years ahead'' of that for other big films, according to site co-founder Phillip Nakov. About 71,000 ``X-men'' notes had been posted on Countingdown.com's message board in the past month and a half, compared with just a few hundred for movies like ``Mission: Impossible 2'' and ``The Perfect Storm,'' Nakov says. The real question for ``X-men'' is whether the story of genetic mutants living among bigoted ``normal'' humans will have crossover appeal for mainstream moviegoers. Marvel, which launched ``X-men'' in the early 1960s, has embarked on a merchandising blitz pegged to the movie, counting on its potential beyond comic-book readers. Avi Arad, chief executive of Marvel Studios, said the thoughtful themes of discrimination and alienation should help attract movie viewers who have never read the comic. ``We've all felt like outcasts in one way or another,'' Arad says. ``Being smart or stupid, too tall or short, the feeling of 'Oh, I'm different.' We're all mutants in our own way.'' ``It's based on powerful, universal themes of people trying to make their place in a world that to a certain extent doesn't want them,'' says Chris Claremont, a longtime writer for the ``X-men'' comic books. ``It's about the search for family and identity and making a home.'' To broaden the movie's appeal, filmmakers lined up a diverse ensemble cast including Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Halle Berry, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, Famke Janssen and Anna Paquin, an Academy Award- winner for ``The Piano.'' Costume designers also dispensed with the characters' gaudy comic-book attire, developing more low-key, realistic outfits. That understated approach should help attract non-comic fans, says Rob Worley, who runs the Web site Comics2Film.com. ``They didn't set out to make a campy adaptation, like the `Batman' TV series. They didn't put a canary yellow suit on a guy with blue underwear on the outside, like in the comic book,'' Worley says. Efforts to widen the audience, however, have led to Internet criticism from die-hard fans, who have complained about the characters' look, the casting and the exclusion of many comic-book mutants from the film. Some have griped that Janssen's hair and eyes do not match those of her character, Jean Grey, who had flaming orange locks and green eyes in the comic books. One fan last week suggested that drag queen RuPaul would have been a better choice than Berry for the mutant Storm. Another would have preferred Tom Cruise to Australian actor Hugh Jackman for the mutant Wolverine. Cruise is ``short and stocky just like Wolverine,'' the fan wrote. ``Just add sideburns and that interview with a vampire attitude.'' ``X-men'' fans are passionate, says Bryan Singer, the movie's director. ``The sheer volume of what they've posted about the movie is what I find fascinating,'' he says. ``There will always be some who will have trouble divorcing themselves from their perception of the comic book.'' Singer said a live-action carbon copy of the comics would be impossible, but that the movie is faithful to the ``X-men'' world and philosophy - ``the concept of being outcasts and surviving and being productive in a world that at times can be oppressive.'' McKellen, who plays the mutant Magneto, has his own ``X-men'' site, where he posts information about the movie. In a fantasy way, he says, ``X-men'' mutants are standing in for ethnic groups, gays, women or others who have been involved in civil-rights movements. The conflict between the rabble-rousing Magneto and his more benign mutant friend Professor X (Stewart) reflects the different approaches of black civil-rights leaders in the 1960s, McKellen says. ``Do you forcibly insist upon your rights or quietly work for change?'' McKellen says. ``Bryan Singer pointed out when we first met that in a way, Professor X is like Martin Luther King and Magneto is Malcolm X.'' 20th Century Fox, which is releasing the movie, has tried to incite ``X-men'' mania with the whimsical Web site MutantWatch.com. The site is ``sponsored'' by Senator Kelly, a politician in the comic books and movie who preaches racism and McCarthyism against the mutants. If Internet users fail to notice the ``paid for by the stop the X-men campaign'' in tiny type at the bottom of MutantWatch.com, they might think they were viewing a hate site set up by a wacko who really believes mutants walk among us. Senator Kelly (played in the movie by Bruce Davison) campaigns for his ``mutant-registry'' bill, which would encourage teachers to finger disruptive students whom they suspect are genetically enhanced. The site also includes a ``genetic-purity'' quiz and allows Internet users to report friends as ``mutants'' in jest. Countingdown.com set up a Web site dedicated to stopping the ``maniacal ravings'' of Senator Kelly. The group also plans an anti-Kelly rally in Los Angeles on Thursday, the day before the movie opens. ``We're just letting everyone know who this man really is, what his issues are, and allowing mutants around the world to talk about their experiences with discrimination and being different and being persecuted,'' Nakov joked. While such efforts are all in good fun, fans take the ``X-men'' very seriously, debating the tiniest detail with the same devotion ``Star Trek'' enthusiasts show for their universe. ``Of all the comic books, this is the most important,'' says Denmon Sherman, 30, of Los Angeles, an ``X- men'' fan since childhood and creator of his own fan Web site. ``It's got the best message, and it's a lot deeper. It's not just about superheroes,'' he says. ``These people didn't ask to be what they are. It's about judging people based on who they are rather than what you think they are. +++++ Activision Brings the Most Popular Comic of All Time To Life With The Release of X-MEN: Mutant Academy Prepare for the Fight of Your Life! SANTA MONICA, Calif., July 14 /PRNewswire/ -- For the first time ever, Marvel's successful comic book property X-MEN is brought to life in full 3D with the release of X-MEN Mutant Academy from Activision, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI). Timed to coincide with the highly anticipated summer release of Twentieth Century Fox's "X-MEN," the action packed game places players in the role of their favorite mutants and challenges them to harness their rage and utilize their special powers as they train with Professor X to become full-fledged members of the X-MEN. X-MEN Mutant Academy will be available for the PlayStation(R) game console and Game Boy(R) Color beginning July 14, 2000 and have been rated "T" (Animated Violence -- "Teen" -- content suitable for person ages 13 and older) and "E" (Mild Animated Violence -- "Everyone" -- content suitable for persons ages six and older) respectively by the ESRB. "The X-MEN characters are wonderfully suited to the creation of a video game and X-MEN Mutant Academy's stunning graphics and dynamic game play have really allowed us to bring to life some of most popular Super Heroes of all time," said Steve Crane, senior vice president, Activision Studios. "The game not only draws on the X-Men's 36 year history but also incorporates elements of the "X-MEN" movie striking a balance that is sure to appeal to a wide audience." X-MEN Mutant Academy treats players to the ultimate X-MEN experience and features 10 playable characters -- including Wolverine, Cyclops, Gambit, Beast, Storm, Phoenix, Sabertooth, Mystique, Toad and Magneto -- that appear in both their classic comic aand movie costumes. Players have four ways to rumble with Academy Training, Arcade Mode, Survival Mode and Versus Mode (classic two-player fighting). In Academy Training, Professor X teaches player how to hone their mutant powers in preparation for the challenges of Arcade and Versus modes. Additionally, Cerebro mode provides fans with loads of X-Men bonus material including "X-MEN" movie clips, behind the scenes movie photos, classic comic book covers and more! Paradox Development developed X-MEN Mutant Academy for Activision. +++++ Press Release: For Release July 14, 2000 This September sees the incredible return of True Swamp Gainesville, FL, July 14, 2000: In September 2000 Alternative Comics will release Jon Lewis' follow up to his beloved TRUE SWAMP comic book series, one of the biggest independent hits of 1995 and still generating enormous enthusiasm today. TRUE SWAMP: UNDERWOODS AND OVERTIME picks up where the original series left off in chronicling the life of Lenny, a self-absorbed but charming young frog who, when not evading the beaks, jaws and maws of the swamp's many predators, creates plenty of his own problems with his overactive mind. Luckily, Lenny has his good friend Hale Marmot (the swamp's only inventor) to keep his neuroses from getting the better of him. Then there's Lenny's newest acquaintance, Nikolas: a nicer guy you could never hope to meet, but what the heck kind of animal IS he? And is Lenny ever going to find anything resembling a girlfriend? These are just two of the questions driving TRUE SWAMP: UNDERWOODS AND OVERTIME. With lushly-rendered artwork, uproarious humor, intricately imagined settings, and striking, inventive page layouts, this new Swamp will envelop the reader even more thoroughly than the old one. (However, familiarity with the previous True Swamp stories is not necessary to read and enjoy TRUE SWAMP: UNDERWOODS AND OVERTIME.) The new TRUE SWAMP presents 60 pages of story and retails for just $4.95. It begins with a reprint of the 20-page story (from 1996's GHOST SHIP #1) that introduces Nikolas and details Lenny's new career. Then comes 40 pages of all-new story in which Nikolas proves revolutionary to Hale's research but disastrous to Lenny's peace of mind. Also, a cheerfully morbid tortoise takes an interest in Lenny, but her interest may not be the sort Lenny craves. And the secret doings at Hale's lab are overheard by the Swamp's most accomplished eavesdropper, who always has his price. Lewis' characters fall outside the conventions of the "funny animal" or "anthropomorphic" comics genres-- they look like animals, and do not wear little waistcoats or drive little automobiles. But saddled with the full weight of consciousness and speech, they testify just as much to the Human Condition as to Natural Selection. The reader who falls into the distinctive rhythm of life in the Swamp will find it neither carefree nor idyllic, but will be very reluctant to leave. TRUE SWAMP: UNDERWOODS AND OVERTIME will be available at comic book specialty shops worldwide. To find a comic book specialty shop in one's area, call the Comic Shop Locator Service toll-free at 888-COMIC-BOOK (888-266-4226) or on-line at: http://csls.diamondcomics.com/. TRUE SWAMP: UNDERWOODS AND OVERTIME, written and drawn by Jon Lewis and published by Alternative Comics, does contain profanity and thus is not recommended for younger readers. To view the cover and a selection of sample pages, visit http://www.indyworld.com/ts. From there one may contact Jon Lewis or Alternative Comics publisher Jeff Mason with any questions. Jon Lewis will be premiering TRUE SWAMP: UNDERWOODS AND OVERTIME at The Expo: Small Press Expo, September 15-17 in Bethesda, Maryland (http://www.spxpo.com). Meanwhile, Jon Lewis' swamp-sense will be on display to more readers than ever this summer in DC Comics' (http://www.dccomics.com/) SWAMP THING: SECRET FILES, with an 8-page story written by Jon and drawn by Michael Zulli. And scheduled for the same month as TRUE SWAMP is this year's The Expo Comic, which will feature Jon's elegant, distressing 13-page tale of two medieval avant-gardeists. The original TRUE SWAMP stories are still available in a single trade paperback from Slave Labor Graphics (http://www.slavelabor.com) of San Jose, California, entitled TRUE SWAMP: THE MEMOIRS OF LENNY THE FROG. A mock-up of the cover to True Swamp: Underwoods and Overtime is available on-line in TIF format (CYMK color mode) at: http://www.indyworld.com/pics/ts.tif (270k) or in GIF format (RGB color mode) at http://www.indyworld.com/pics/ts.gif (19k). The official Alternative Comics Web site is: http://www.indyworld.com/altcomics For more information or additional graphics please contact Alternative Comics publisher Jeff Mason at 503 NW 37th Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32609-2204. Phone: (352) 373-6336. E-Mail: jmason@gator.net; or Jon Lewis at jlewis@indyworld.com. +++++ From the SPLASH PAGE of Comicon.com at: http://www.comicon.com/splash/ MISSED MORTGAGE PAYMENTS THREATEN CARTOON ART MUSEUM COLLECTION!! BANKS FORECLOSE ON PRICELESS MICKEY MOUSE DRAWINGS! July 14: The SunTrust Bank of Boca Raton, Florida has filed a petition to seize 36 early animation drawings of Mickey Mouse valued at $3.7 million from the International Museum of Cartoon Art as penalty for missing mortgage payments. A hearing was set to be held this week in Palm Beach County Circuit Court. The drawings were created for the 1928 cartoon Plane Crazy, the first animated film featuring Mickey Mouse. The museum used the drawings as collateral for a $3 million loan in 1995 to build its showplace in Mizner Park. "They are our Mona Lisa, museum founder and chairman Mort Walker, told the MIAMI HERALD. "They are very delicate, and we have taken very good care of them. Now it looks like the sheriff will be coming in Wednesday to take them off the wall and march them away." The Walkers are asking the bank to leave the drawings at the museum until refinancing can be arranged. The MIAMI HERALD is reporting that: "The museum owes roughly $1.1 million to SunTrust, but has missed $20,000 in quarterly interest payments since October, largely because of a proposed partnership with Florida Atlantic University, according to Mort Walker. The deal fell through last month after criticism from city officials. Under the agreement, the FAU Foundation would have picked up the museum's debt in return for using part of its building for classrooms and other projects, he said. Foundation officials couldn't be reached for comment. Walker said the museum is refinancing its mortgage with another institution, and has begun talking again to other schools and arts groups about sharing the Mizner Park building and bills." FULL STORY: MIAMI HERALD +++++ From Comics2Film at http://www.comics2film.com JOSIE AND THE PUSSYCATS ----------------------- An inside source has told Comics2Film that Paulo Costanzo, who recently appeared in the movie Road Trip, has joined the cast of the Josie and the Pussycats movie. Costanzo will play Alexander Cabot, one of the Pussycats' sibling managers (brother the Parker Posey's character). Our source also told us that the movie is set to go in front of the cameras on August 21st of this year. The band will be played by Rachel Leigh Cook as Josie, Rosario Dawson as Val and Tara Reid as Melody. The movie is written and directed by Harry Elfont and Deborah Kaplan (Can't Hardly Wait). Producers are Marc Platt of Marc Platt Productions and Chuck Grimes and Tony DeRosa-Grund of Riverdale Productions. Tracey Edwards will serve as Executive producer on the movie while husband Kenneth "Babyface" Edwards acts as musical producer. G-MEN FROM HELL --------------- Producer Rick Albert told Comics2Film that the preview screening of G-Men From Hell at the San Diego Comic-Con has been expanded. Fan response to news the screening prompted the producer to book a 500 seat theater, allowing almost double the capacity of the previously booked theater. The screening will take place at 9:30am on Saturday, July 22nd at the nearby Pacific Theater. Fans can still write to Albert at Gmenfromhell@aol.com to try to reserve tickets. At this point it appears that tickets will be distributed by Dark Horse at their Comic-Con booth. It's still uncertain which members of the cast and crew of the movie will attend, but Albert, director Christopher Coppola and creator Mike Allred are confirmed. Albert also expects that Dark Horse will present some kind of preview of the G-Men From Hell story arc that will appear in the upcoming issues of Allred's Madman Comics. THE CROW: SALVATION ------------------- Fans who missed the U.S. Premiere of The Crow: Salvation at the recent Dragon*Con will have another opportunity at next week's San Diego Convention. Rob Allstetter of the Comics Continuum reports that the movie will be screened there. Eric Mabius, who stars in this latest outing, will also appear at the con, as will producer Jeff Most. http://comicscontinuum.com/ EARTH X ------- Marvel Comics and Graphitti Designs are set to release a deluxe, hardcover version of Earth X. The Alex Ross, Jim Krueger and John Paul Leon mini-series that depicted a near future Marvel universe in which everyone has superpowers. The collector's set is to include a 2 CD soundtrack with music by composer Scott Vladimir Licinia (Night of the Living Dead 30th Anniversary Soundtrack), a 3-D hardcover depicting the updated X-51 (Machine Man) and a short video made up of live-action sequences directed by Ross and CGI sequences as well. A source for Screem Jams Productions has informed us that images from the video can now be seen a Licinia's The Dark Theater. 11 images are currently on display at that website. It appears that eventually the video itself may be downloaded from the site as well. Our source said that the video is "definitely the coolest animation to date for Marvel characters," and based on the images, he may be right. Our source also informs us that the sound track and music video will enjoy a huge premier party at the upcoming WizardWorld convention. The party is scheduled for the night of August 5 in the Grand Ballroom at the Hyatt. Ross, Licina, Krueger and inker Bill Reinhold are set to attend the bash. Our source tells us that animation hungry fans attending the party will enjoy "food, beverage, props from the video, art and tons of fun." Check out The Dark Theater for more information on Earth X and Licinia. http://www.graphittidesigns.com/ http://www.tdt-euro.com/ SPIDER-MAN ---------- John H. Turner of the National Center for Electron Microscopy (NCEM) reported to currents that the creative types were gathering information for designs for the Spider-Man movie. Quoting the article directly: "The plot presumably involves Spider-Man jumping on a large electron microscope to retrieve some spider DNA being manipulated by researchers at Cornell University., Turner says. And the design of their prop may be based on the Berkeley ARM microscope at NCEM." Thanks to the white-coats at Corona Coming Attractions for the lead on the Berkeley story. http://www.lbl.gov/Publications/Currents/Archive/June-30- 2000.html#RTFToC18 http://www.corona.bc.ca/ Meanwhile, Spider-Man Hype has had a number of recent reports on the movie. According to the Hypesters, Digital Domain will not be doing effects work for the movie. SMH heard directly from the effects house on the subject. According to the write-up, Sony Pictures Imageworks will be running Spidey up walls instead. http://www.spidermanhype.com/ Stan Lee on the other hand, knows little about the movie, at least not at present anyway. Stan The Man, who created the character way back in the early 1960's recently spoke with the Hero Realm website. When asked if the rumors about the organic web-shooters were true, Lee replied, "Oh, I have no idea. I'm not part of that. I know as little about it as.in fact, you probably know more about it than I do because you have more time to search the web and get the rumors." Lee does expect to get more involved with the movie as work progresses. "I know [director Sam Raimi]," Lee told Hero Realm, "In fact, he and I tried to do a Thor movie about, oh God, it must have been ten or fifteen years ago. So, he's a great guy and I assume I'll be hearing from him sooner or later but right now I think they're just starting to put things together." http://www.herorealm.com/ HULK ---- More movie news comes out of Berkeley Labs this week. Berkeley, located in California, was involved in recent research for the big-screen version of The Hulk. A recent article appearing in The Berkeley Labs Currents reports that screenwriter Michael Tolkin came by as research for his writing of the part of Dr. Banner. According to the article, Tolkin is hoping to make Banner's scientific background as plausible as possible. The article also states that the movie is set in Berkeley. Currents reports, "At the 88-Inch Cyclotron, Tolkin discussed the Gammasphere experiment with Paul Fallon and Rod Clark of the Nuclear Science Division. And at the Advanced Light Source he spoke with Carolyn Larabell of the Life Sciences Division about cell imaging with optical and x-ray techniques, and with Kristen Balder-Froid and Gerry McDermott of the Physical Biosciences Division about protein crystallography." The article does give Tolkin credit for trying to get a handle on the scientific aspects of big-screen fiction. According to the write-up, Tolkin's work on Deep Impact garnered a favorable review in Science magazine. Thanks to the propeller-heads at Corona Coming Attractions for the lead on the Berkeley story. http://www.lbl.gov/Publications/Currents/Archive/June-16- 2000.html#RTFToC16 Corona Coming Attractions recently heard from a fan who got a peek at the February draft of Michael France's script for the Hulk movie. In general, the scooper was happy with what he read. It's apparently a serious treatment of the character with "no campy Batman and Robin moments." The scooper also provides a rundown of various plot details. Of note: * Banner is the inventor of the Gammasphere, a device which converts Gamma radiation into a usable energy source. An accident with the Gammasphere causes the scientist's condition. * The Hulk is shown in full comic book rampage glory. * Villains include Sterns (who is the Leader, although that name is not used in the screenplay) and The Absorbing Man. If the scooper's remarks are on the money, it sounds like a big improvement over previously rumored treatments. However, it should be noted that Michael Tolkin (Deep Impact) has since taken over the scripting chores for this movie. http://www.corona.bc.ca/ X-MEN ----- With the final countdown to the X-Men movie underway, online and and offline events are springing up everywhere. X-Fan also tipped us off to Fox's Auction of X-Men props now underway. Most of the items are street-clothes wardrobe from various characters. However, the current big-ticket items are Magneto's Cape, Sabretooth's animal skin (both exceeding $1000 at the time of this writing) and Wolverine's black battle suit which is heading for a $10,000 price tag. http://www.fandom.com/x-men http://fox-auction.com/ With so many mutants to choose from, many fans are bummed that their favorite didn't make the cut for the big screen. Now MovieHeadlines is reporting on a sequel that includes Angel, Colossus and Psylocke. The sequel is actually the X-Men Movie Special comic book that was packaged with the new Wizards of the Coast collectible card game which was released last week. The comic presents a sequel to the movie storyline. Both the comic and the card set feature movie-made-over versions of other X-Men characters. The comic also supports design illustrations that show how other characters were given the black leather treatment. http://www.movieheadlines.net/x-men/default.php3?postid=467 The X-Men will grace the cover of this week's TV Guide in anticipation of Friday's big event. The July 15 edition of the magazine will ship with six variant covers featuring the good guys: Patrick Stewart as Professor X, James Marsden as Cyclops, Famke Janssen as Jean Grey, Halle Berry as Storm, Anna Paquin as Rogue and Hugh Jackman Wolverine. All six images can be seen at the TV Guide website. Thanks to Coming Soon! for the lead. http://www.tvguide.com/magazine/covers/index.asp http://www.comingsoon.net/ Fans might also check out the audio interview with X-Men screenwriter David Hayter at the Entertainment Tomorrow. http://www.entom.com/ Likewise, fans can read the thoughts of Tyler Mane (a.k.a. Sabretooth) by checking out his recent interview at the X-Fan site. http://www.fandom.com/x- men/editorial.asp?action=page&obj_id=218124 SENATOR KELLY ------------- Comics2Film was alarmed to find the following message in our mailboxes late last week: "a MEssAGE fRoM MuTaNtS wHO cArE "First, let's clear up a thing or two. One -- Not all mutants are dangerous criminals. Two -- America is supposed to be the land of freedom and tolerance. Three -- Senator Kelly is a hate-mongering fascist. "THiS iS nOt a jOkE "We of the Mutant Underground have declared this fourth of July Mutant Independence Day, and as an act of rebellion, we have sent our friend Senator Kelly a little wake-up call. Kind of like our own Boston Tea Party. We invite everyone to take a peak at our work at http://www.mutantwatch.com/wakeup "Who knows, maybe if look hard enough, you'll even find the