---------------------------------------------------------------------- Ed Dukeshire and Mike Imboden Present: THE COMIC BOOK NET ELECTRONIC MAGAZINE ISSUE NUMBER 290 1999 EAGLE AWARD NOMINEE 11/10/2000 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] Pond Life ............................. Paul Hayward [6] Rant & Rave ........................... Vernon Wiley [7] Comics Culture Shrapnel ............... Kris Naudus [8] Some Pages, A Cover, and A Few Staples. Marlan Harris [9] 4Color Review ......................... Adam Frey [10] M.O.E. Reviews ........................ Paul Dale Roberts [11] My View:DORK TOWER..................... David LeBlanc [12] New Comic Book Releases List .......... Charles LePage [13] HYPE! Section ......................... Various ______________________________________________________________________ World Wide Web Home Page-->> http://members.aol.com/ComicBkNet Mailed by Egroups: http://www.egroups.com/group/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@egroups.com To UNSUBSCRIBE send a message FROM the account to be dropped to: ComicBookNetworkEmag-unsubscribe@egroups.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 Emag, simply Email it to the editor at: ComicBkNet@aol.com You must include your REAL name and a valid Email address for letters of comment. Sorry, we do not accept anonymous columns. 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 Remeber I told you I won teh "KING OF TRIVIA" contest in PREVIEWS two issues back? Well, Diamond finally delivered the prize today. What I got was a copy of X-MEN #100 signed by Chris Claremont (what am I bid?) and a copy of the ESSENTIAL SPIDER-MAN Volume #1. Nice of them to be so generous after such a long wait. Maybe they felt good after this week's news from the DOJ? (see Network Buzz) Kris Naudus has completely redone our home page. It has been on my mind for a long time to give the AOL site a new look, but, with many things there is never time to even begin. Then our regular columnist, Kris, volunteered out of the blue to give it the face lift. It was like she read my mind. It is a whole new look, with little left from before except the underlying features - the links, the events, the Emag archives - are all there. Hopefully you will find it easier to navigate and more pleasant to the eye. I know some will have to change a bookmark to get to the latest issue of the emag as the page EMAG.HTM is no longer around. The upside is you can get there from anywhere on the website. Many thanks to Kris for the effort. Job well done. And here are some well done comics out this week . . . CROSSGEN COMICS Mystic #6, 2.95 DC COMICS Authority #20, 2.50 Superman Lex 2000, 3.50 DORK STORM PRESS Dork Covenant The Coll Dork Tower Vol 1 TPB, 15.95 Dork Tower #3 Sampler, AR IMAGE COMICS Rising Stars #11, 2.50 <-------------Pick of the week! Savage Dragon #80, 2.95 INSIGHT STUDIOS GROUP Liberty Meadows #16, 2.95 NUMBSKULL PRESS Gutwallow TPB Vol 1 Trek To Nara Dim, 24.95 (Cold Cut Distribution) ONI PRESS INC. Jingle Belle Naughty & Nice TPB, 9.50 I wish to acknowledge that I did get a couple of letters of protest about the subject of last issue's editorial. I make no apologies about it, as the readers were adequately warned it was NOT about comic books and that the last section was a personal political statement which may offend those with opposing views. I do not structure my life around politics, nor do I patronize any business, venture, nor buy product based on the political beliefs of the persons behind them. I urge the readers of this Emag to do the same. But, as was the main point last week, I urge you all to be involved at any level you can. Our collective future depends on it. My passion in urging everyone to be involved seems now to have been somewhat prescient. The past few days validate the premise that everyone's vote counts! Now, if the eventual winner can rise to the occasion and exhibit true leadership, not partisanship, we just might be stronger for it. With all the accusations, threats of lawsuits and just more of the same politicking this week, a week we thought we could finally get a break from it all, I began to wonder. Maybe this was all a plot from some real world Luthor? Have you ever noticed that James Carvel and Gene Hackman are never seen together? It almost seems designed to throw our political system into chaos so we can get to the point were we don't care who takes over and the real power can come to the rescue. Things were much simpler when Howard the Duck ran for President. I truly believed that by now we would be saying "at last our national nightmare is over" or "good grief 4 years of this?" or some such similar end phrase. Now it really is possible that we will not be sure who is in charge until those Elector's ballots are opened in Congress on January 6th!! (Yes they vote in December but it is secret and sealed until January.) To anyone annoyed by this small aside, once again on politics, this is just too historic not to comment. Maybe by next issue things will be more clear, or not. If it were up to me I would line up all the pundits, all the political operatives, all the talk show hosts and Sunday morning talking heads and all the protestors who obviously don't have jobs since they are posing for the cameras all day and stick them in an iron clad "lock box" until inauguration day. Feh! "So, come on yee childhood heroes, Won't you rise up from the pages? Of your comic books, your super crooks, And show us all the way." "So, make your will and testament. Won't you join your local government? We'll have Superman for President, Let Robin save the day!" Jethro Tull - "Thick as a Brick" 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: NEW BIMP review Date: 11/3/00 7:57:14 PM Eastern Standard Time From: dino@cobite.com (Dean Haspiel) Folks-- Greg McElhatton writes a wonderful review of my latest Billy Dogma comic; BOY IN MY POCKET, at iComics Daily Reviews. Please be sure to take a moment and click onto: http://www.icomics.com/daily_reviews.shtml Enjoy! --Dino Dean Edmund Haspiel 335 Court Street, #131 Brooklyn, NY 11231 USA My website/portfolio/resume ~ http://keyhole.wraithspace.com/dean/ Billy Dogma/etc. ~ http://keyhole.wraithspace.com/dean/bd.html Top Shelf ~ http://www.topshelfcomix.com +++++ Subj: [ComicBooknet E-Mag] CBEM 289.2 From: senft@worldnet.att.net (Donna Ellis € Mitchell Senft) on 11/3/00 9:09 PM, David LeBlanc at ComicBknet@aol.com wrote: [In the NETWORK BUZZ - D.L.] > "As I read this judgment, it was plain to me that the judge found the > case lacked the credible evidence expected in a lawsuit of this > magnitude," McFarlane said, "Mr. Twist with his contingency lawyer > spent nothing on this case, while I'm out a half-million dollars and > two years of my life defending my name because I knew I was right. > Sometimes doing the right thing is the most difficult. I find it > amusing that the corporate entities named as defendants in this case > took the path of least resistance before the fight was finished." As both someone who works as a "contingency lawyer" as well as who has been on the paying end of being billed by attorneys, I must say that I find MacFarlane's claim of paying anything in the six figure range outrageous and, well, just plain incredible. If he's telling the truth, he got absolutely reamed and should now be going after his own lawyers  instead of Twist. Second: If Twist's case was that crappy (and even if McF's spin is B.S., a clear use of limited parody should not be actionable), the only reason for the case having gone to trial are: McF's six-figure attorneys were too stupid, ignorant, lazy and/or greedy to make a pre-trial motion to toss the case (trials generate way bigger fees than motion practice); or, if they made the motion, the motion judge was too dumb or lazy to do the right thing. But I take offense at Toddy's remark -- the truth behind it is all in his mind and has about substance behind it as Twist's case. I think on a certain level, Todd would like to think his comics could actually had any of the influence imputed to them by the suit. But he's dead wrong. My $0.02, of course. Mitchell +++++ Subj: Review From: Harperchildrens@HARPERCOLLINS.com (Harperchildrens) To: ComicBknet@aol.com ('ComicBknet@aol.com') David, Thanks so much for writing this excellent review. I'm glad that you enjoyed Little Lit! I will definitely keep you posted as upcoming features that might interest you are published at HarperCollins. Thanks again, Sarah Merkel [You are welcome. Those who missed it last issue go back and read MY VIEW for the scoop on this great new book of fairytales and fables. D.L.] +++++ Subj: Be Part of the new Insight Studios Book! From: allangross@toadmail.com (Insight Studios Group) Reply-to: allangross@toadmail.com Friends of Insight Studios - How would you like your 15 minutes of fame? Of course some of you have probably already had at least that! But in any case, we're currently in the process of putting together an exciting new project at the studio and we could use your help. The project is "The Art of Insight Studios" or "IS ART" for short. It will be a full color high quality coffee table book along the lines of the Frank Cho Illustrator book that we published this summer (breaking sales records at Diamond no less!). IS ART will feature the art of all the Insight Studios regulars, Frank Cho, Mark Wheatley and Marc Hempel as well as contributions by the many other friends of the studio. These include artists currently working with us, such as Gray Morrow, Mike Oeming and John Staton and the long list of those who have passed through the studio, such as Adam Hughes, Neil Vokes, Damon Willis and many more. What do we want from you? We'd like your comments on the studio. Tell us what appeals to you about the work of any of the studio members. The writing? The art? Do you have any particular favorite works? Breathtaker? Titanic Tales? Radical Dreamer, Tug & buster, Gregory? Mars? Jonny Quest? Doctor Cyborg? Jimghrim and the Devil at Ludd? The Body? The Black Hood? Tarzan? Sandman? Frank Cho Illustrator? Etc. And what would you like to know about the studio? What would you like to see in the book or read in the text portions that I am writing? In addition to showing both classic and unseen paintings from our artists, I'll be telling the tale of the last twenty plus years that the studio has been going. You might be surprised just how much work has been done by Hempel and Wheatley over the last twenty years. There are lots of little gems out there that you may have missed and we'll be telling you where to find them. For example, did you know that Mark Wheatley published an unknown Frank Frazetta illustration in his own fanzine in the '70s? And while you're at, I want to know who you are! Your occupations, your passions. I'd like to describe the wide variety of readers I know we have. I've heard from doctors, space shuttle astronauts, T.V. producers and plenty of kids who lock themselves in the bathroom with Liberty Meadows. What do you do? How has Insight Studios effected you? What it is about the work of this studio that appeals to you? Can you tell me any amusing anecdotes about studio members? Whatever you feel is appropriate and maybe some things that are not. Your experiences with our work are part of the texture of the tapestry I want to weave into this book as I write it. I hope you will take the time to partake in this and that you will support our book. I will be writing the book over the next two months, so the sooner I get your feedback the better! Allan Gross (the guy at the studio who just writes) P.S. In addition to IS ART we have a big year planned. The collected Liberty Meadows, a trade paperback version of Frank Cho Illustrator, a Gray Morrow coffee table book, Mike Oeming's new Hammer of the Gods series, the regular Liberty Meadows comic book and collections of the Doctor Cyborg and Body strip we are now running daily at http://www.sunnyfundays.com +++++ Subj: Al Bigley Illustration Site is HERE! From: geminar@earthlink.net (Albert Bigley) This site features my comics work, as well as art done for packaging, TV, ads, and so much more! Go to: http://www.albigley.com/ and take a look! Be sure to bookmark it, too! Best, Al Bigley +++++ Subj: Al Bigley Illustration Site is HERE! From: geminar@earthlink.net (Albert Bigley) This site features my comics work, as well as art done for packaging, TV, ads, and so much more! Go to: http://www.albigley.com/ and take a look! Be sure to bookmark it, too! Best, Al Bigley +++++ Subj: Comic book radio show info From: nuffsaid@escape.com (Nuff Said) 'Nuff Said!, the comic book interview/talk show, is on the air and over the internet for a full hour every Tuesday at 10 PM (eastern North American time) on WBAI-FM, 99.5 in the New York City metropolitan area. We've also been on the internet at www.porus/com, www.wbaifree.org and www.2600.com as well. There's a link on our own website: www.nuffsaid.net. www.realguide.real.com also broadcasts the porus.com signal. Select radio tuner from the menu then do a search for WBAI. Upcoming shows are: Tuesday, Nov 14, 2000 - Gill Fox, political cartoonist and artist from golden age Quality Comics (Dollman, etc.) as well as the Muppets comic strip, Teen-age Mutant Ninja Turtles and the comic strip "Side Glances." He saved some of the original art he did in the golden age, including inks on Lou Fine covers. Marc Svensson will be joining me. Tuesday, Nov 21, 2000 - Charlton Comics special with several Charlton writers, artists and editors recorded at the September Big Apple Con in New York City. Interview conducted by Allan Rosenberg. Tuesday, Nov 28, 2000 - Terry Nantier, publisher of NBM which publishes European reprints, comic strip compilations and some adult-only material mostly in graphic novel form. Tuesday, Dec. 5. 2000 - Listener phone calls after a short monologue. WBAI-FM, 99.5, is a 50,000 watt station broadcast from the Empire State Building. Our signal usually gets out to New Haven, CT; Westhampton, L.I.; the Poconos of Pennsylvania, Orange County, NY and Trenton & Princeton, NJ. But via the internet for an even greater distance, natch. We cover the entire world of comics: golden age, silver age, contemporary, mainstream, independent, underground, foreign, strips and fandom. Hosted by Ken Gale (interviewer) and Ed Menje (Engineer). WBAI is a Pacifica Network station (if your local station carries any Pacifica programming (such as "Democracy Now" and Gary Null), they might be able to get 'Nuff Said! as well). WBAI-FM, 120 Wall St., 10th flr, New York, NY 10005. --Ken Gale, interviewer and co-host ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [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 1992, Larry Doyle and Paul Kupperberg created a political satire in the form of a super hero comic book insert. It was called the FANTASTIC FOURSOME, patterned after the Clinton/Gore families. In what magazine was this comic a free insert? Our co-founder was the first to come up with the answer on this one. The insert was in the humor/satire magazine SPY. Mike Imboden wins Neil Gaiman's Midnight Days Trade Paperback from our sponsor Discount Comic Book Service. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION: What wrestler did SPIDER-MAN defeat in Amazing Fantasy 15? 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 SPOILER WARNING ----- DC ELECTION RESULTS REVEALED! o /|\ / \ \o/ | / \ _ o /\ |\ _\o /) | _| \o ( \ \ / | /o\ |_ o/ / ) O/_ | (\ o_ /\ / | \o/ | / \ o /|\ / \ DC Comics Parodies Presidential Race; Metropolis Announces ************ President of the United States NEW YORK--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--Nov. 8, 2000--METROPOLIS. In the latest issue of Superman Adventures, the results are in. Alexander Joseph Luthor has been elected the forty-third president of the United States. Running-mate Peter Ross will be vice- president. Luthor's actions as innovator, peacekeeper and philanthropist, as well as the only candidate who can claim to have saved both Metropolis and Gotham, have earned the votes of the nation. For the first time ever, Americans discouraged enough by the both the Republican and Democratic parties, have placed their faith in the Tomorrow Party. Responding to his historic victory, Mr. Luthor said, "I had faith that given their choices, the American people would do the right thing. And now we can all sleep better knowing that Lex Luthor is in the White House." The first Tomorrow Party President-elect initiates one of the most progressive platforms proposed in years. Luthor's platform calls for a moratorium on petroleum-based fuels and an insistence on new energy sources as a means of self-reliance; a further recognition of Atlantis and undersea territories as major world powers; additional funding for the JLA as a peace-keeping force; and a strong-arm approach to running the country closer to Luthor's megacorporation management. According to Luthor's campaign manager and executive editor at DC Comics Mike Carlin, "President Luthor has founded the world's most powerful corporation and turned it into a force for progress and peace. Luthor is leading the world's most powerful nation with a union of politics and technology is the next logical step towards creating a new standard of living for all Americans." While the nation has spoken, others are not so happy with the election results. Bruce Wayne, CEO of Wayne Enterprises, went on the record to state "I don't trust him as far as I can throw him; there's something rotten in Denmark." Luthor will take office on Inauguration Day, January 20, 2001, and has declared that his first action as President will be to send the proposed moratorium on fossil-based fuels to Congress in hopes of putting "a flying car in every garage." The President-elect, also the CEO of LEXCORP and a self-made millionaire, was raised in the poorest neighborhood of Metropolis known as "the suicide slums." Running-mate, Pete Ross, hails from Smallville. Note: A Photo is available at URL:s ttp://www.businesswire.dom/cgi- bin/photo.cgi?pw.110800/bb7 +++++ This article from NYTimes.com has been sent to you by Mitchell Senft senft@worldnet.att.net. Comic Books Not Quite Comic http://www.nytimes.com/2000/11/02/arts/02BOOK.html November 2, 2000 MAKING BOOKS By MARTIN ARNOLD The first, most obvious reaction was to push it aside and ask, who needs a comic book, even one that is adult? It's an absurdity. But after absorbing a few pages of funny book panels, the reader is thinking that this is very pleasant entertainment. Particularly if it can be justified on literary grounds. So what was once fantastical nonsense is now edgy and hip, elegant indulgence that is relevant. Comic books for sophisticated adult readers are not exactly new. Art Spiegelman won a special Pulitzer Prize in 1992 for "Maus" and "Maus II" (both Pantheon Books). The books are Holocaust parables about the artist's family. In them, animals are substituted for humans the way they are in Orwell's "Animal Farm," but the writing is contained in cartoon panels with drawings. (Mice are Jews; cats are Nazis.) Pantheon, in fact, seems to be the leader in publishing what many in the industry (but few of the artists) like to call graphic novels. The imprint used to be celebrated for, among other works, publishing serious and impertinent nonfiction obscurities and the translations of some very formidable foreign fiction. This year, two of the five finalists for the National Book Award in fiction are Pantheon novels, "The Feast of Love" by Charles Baxter and "The Diagnosis" by Alan Lightman. But Pantheon also has a comic book Web site: www.pantheonbooks ..com/comics. So it naturally follows that it has adult funny books, reading encounters of a singular kind, in the stores. What is the seduction, one wonders, of literary types for these comic books? One such comic is "David Boring" by Daniel Clowes, published in hardcover by Pantheon with a $24.95 list price. It is the rather dark story (the panel drawings are nearly all in black and white) of an obsessive 19-year-old security guard who is searching for meaning in a world in which a friend dies, his dream girl disappears and he is the object of a nearly fatal attack. And then there's the funny book story of "Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth" by Chris Ware, a poignant family tale that's not very funny at all, with drawings that are sort of an amalgamation of the posterish style of the artist John Wesley and the cartooning of Chester Gould, creator of "Dick Tracy." "Essentially, I was seeing in my mind the story of Jimmy as if it was happening to me," Mr. Ware said, explaining his creative mind. "Then I try to make its rhythms of life as accurate as I can. I don't script it out in words first. I write it as I go along with the story in pictures. You can look as well as read, and that's what takes on the magic." There are more than 20,000 copies in print, a hefty run for even a traditional first novel. Both books were edited by Chip Kidd, associate art director of Alfred A. Knopf, of which Pantheon is an imprint, who said that the "the same questions a reader or editor would ask of any good fiction have to be asked in this form." Nonetheless, he wants to escape pictures for a while. He has written a novel, words only, which will be published next year by Scribner. Dan Frank, the editorial director of Pantheon, said that his "criterion is a simple one" for publishing adult comic books: "Are the creators as good as writers as they are as artist illustrators?" "Every artist we published," he said, "had the ability to say something unusual by mixing the words and the graphics." Although the first "Maus" was orginally published in paperback, Mr. Frank said it became clear that adult comic books could be sold in hardcover. "A lot of people who buy them are collectors," he said. "The price doesn't bother them. And we wanted them to be treated as traditional books reviewed in traditional places." Of course, hardcover somehow helps hide the stereotype that comic books are either about superheroes or are pornographic. Pantheon has two hardcover comic-strip books by Ben Katchor, a pioneer in the genre. They are "The Jew of New York" and "Julius Knipl, Real Estate Photographer: The Beauty Supply District," and on the way is a memorial to Charles M. Schulz, the creator of "Peanuts." It is being put together by Shelley Wanger, a Pantheon editor, and in it famous cartoonists will create their versions of "Peanuts" stories in their own styles. But Pantheon doesn't have the field to itself. An adult comic book that is truly comic has been published by Villard Books titled "X President," written by Robert Smigel, a "Saturday Night Live" writer, and Adam McKay. They supervised the panel drawings. In this raunchy paperback, former Presidents Ford, Reagan, Carter and Bush are doing little, are lonely and ignored, when they are "struck by a hurricane- powered dose of radiation while appearing at a celebrity golf tournament." Thus, they are "charged with powers and strength rendering them all the more extraordinary." They use their new powers to fight evil and to do other good works, like, for instance, saving a maternity hospital from being torn apart when a huge twister hits a nearby ax factory, sending axes by the thousands hurdling toward the hospital. (I'm not going to tell you how the X's swing into action.) The book, which sells for $12.95, has 25,000 copies in print. In it, the presidents bicker, call one another names and use words that cannot be published in this newspaper. But it is funny. Pamela Cannon, who edited "X Presidents," thinks it will work commercially because "there's obviously a real current interest; it makes light of what's going on now." She added: "You have to choose your audience, and deliver to readers who are smart and looking for a little bit of a break in what they usually read." The genre is not exploding, but it is growing and is likely to continue to do so as more and more of the population becomes visually inclined through video games and the Internet and less word-friendly. HarperCollins is planning some comics, and NBM Publishing has created an imprint called ComicsLit, which will publish American adult comic books and translate adult comic books into English, the first one being "No Pasaran" by an Italian cartoonist, Victorio Giardino. Knopf has Raymond Briggs's "Ethel & Ernest," an affecting portrait of his parents' marriage in working- class London, which hardly seems to be the stuff of a comic book. The publishing company that cartoonists are thankful to for perhaps starting this minor genre is Fantagraphics. Its latest book is Joe Sacco's "Safe Area Gorazde: The War in Eastern Bosnia 1992-95," a black and white hardcover comic book with realistic drawings and journalistic prose. Most of this is serious stuff, social commentary, or about the horrors of war, the terror of human insecurity. Some, like "X Presidents," is meant merely to be funny and/or startling. How about Jimmy Carter and Imelda Marcos as lovers? Whatever. Words in small doses are better than no words at all, and everybody likes pictures. The New York Times on the Web http://www.nytimes.com +++++ Take to Auction Licenses Marvel Super Heroes(TM) FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Nov. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Take to Auction (Amex: TTA) announced today the signing of a licensing agreement with Marvel Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE: MVL) for their world renowned super hero characters. Take to Auction is planning to air brush the images of Marvel's famous super heroes such as Spider-Man, Wolverine, The Hulk and Iron Man onto new, high profile automobiles such as the Chrysler PT Cruiser and Prowler. These exclusive, one-of-a-kind vehicles will then be listed on eBay. The first online listing was kicked off by the "Need a Super Hero Sweepstakes." Participants can vote for the Marvel character they would most like to see painted on a 2001 Limited Edition PT Cruiser. Five lucky contestants will win a CGC Graded Marvel Comic Book, valued between $200-$900. Contestants can find more information about the sweepstakes at Take to Auction's web site: http://www.taketoauction.com; on Marvel's web site: www.marvel.com and at eBay: http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/for-charities@taketoauction.com/ "We are excited about this newly forged relationship with Marvel," said Albert Friedman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Take To Auction, "Together, Marvel and Take to Auction are creating unique items to be listed online. Some of these creations will help great charitable organizations. Once again, we call on the Marvel super heroes to save the day." "Our goal is to continue to enlist high profile companies in our efforts to raise more awareness and support for local and national charitable organizations," continued Mr. Friedman. Russ Brown, Senior Vice President, Consumer Products, Promotions & Media Sales for Marvel Enterprises, added, "We are always looking for innovative ways to maximize exposure for our super hero brands. This partnership with Take To Auction enables us to deliver exciting, one-of-a-kind products that will be of great interest to both our huge fan base and general consumers, while also benefiting others through the charitable donation." The PT Cruiser will be painted live, by artist Michael Israel, at the 13th Annual Downtown Boca Raton Festival of the Arts on November 11, 2000, and will be listed on eBay for ten days, starting November 11. The profits from the proceeds will benefit the Jackson Memorial Foundation for pediatric oncology. About Take to Auction    Take to Auction (www.taketoauction.com) provides a unique opportunity for its membership community by providing access to its online catalog of authentic collectibles and factory-new specialty items to post and sell at premier online auction sites such as eBay and Yahoo! Take To Auction lists the member's selection at an auction site, processes payment from the highest bidder and ships the item on behalf of the member. The member then receives the profit from the spread between the minimum, or reserve bid, and the final bid price. +++++ The Legacy Continues With Activision's X-Men Mutant Wars(TM)For the Game Boy(R) Color SANTA MONICA, Calif., Nov. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- The legacy of the X-Men heroes continues with the release of Activision, Inc.'s new action game X-Men Mutant Wars(TM) for the Game Boy(R) Color. Coinciding with the debut of the new X-Men animated television series, "X-Men: Evolution" and the home video launch of the X-Men feature film, the game lets players assume the role of Wolverine and several other popular X-Men characters in their quest to save the world. X-Men Mutant Wars is currently available in stores nationwide and carries a suggested retail price of $29.99. The title has been rated "E" (Everyone) by the ESRB.... +++++ NEW YORK (Variety) - Warner Bros. has acquired the rights to ``Conan the Barbarian'' and plans to mount a feature that will be written and directed by John Milius, the director of the original 1982 Arnold Schwarzenegger film. The deal is worth a mid-six figure advance against a payout north of $2 million if the film is made. Milius, who wrote the original Universal Pictures film with Oliver Stone, has talked with Schwarzenegger about coming back in some capacity, though they are still working out the story and it's unclear how prominent a role the actor would play. ``The Matrix'' writers-directors Larry and Andy Wachowski will co-create the concept with Milius and are eyeing directing the second unit on the film. Early talks with WWF champion grappler Dwayne ``The Rock'' Johnson to wield a sword in the pic looks to have gone by the wayside as Johnson committed to a $5.5 million deal with Universal to star in ``The Scorpion King,'' an action film that is a prequel to ``The Mummy 2.'' Although Universal did two ``Conan'' pictures with Schwarzenegger in the 1980s, the rights to the Robert E. Howard-created character were controlled by Stan Lee Media when it purchased Conan Properties in a stock swap. Stan Lee Media has had a number of suitors for ``Conan,'' among them Fox, Columbia, Revolution, Dimension, Beacon and Universal. The Wachowskis, who have been longtime fans of the pic, will juggle their preproduction involvement with their plans to mount two sequels to ``The Matrix,'' a process complicated by the threat of strikes next summer by both the Writers and Screen Actors Guilds. +++++ Humanoids Publishing Hires Managing Editor, Marketing Manager for Los Angles Office Los Angles ­ November 7th, 2000 ­ Humanoids Publishing has increased its staff in its Los Angeles office by hiring Marketing Manager, Ian Sattler, and Managing Editor, Alex Cruz, Humanoids Group chairman Fabrice Giger announced. Sattler will coordinate the marketing and sales efforts for the company¹s expanding publishing efforts, focusing on comics and graphic albums. He will also be working with game studio, D6 Legend, on its West End Games brand of products. Most recently manager of Big Planet Comics in Vienna, Virginia and a writer for Mars Import.com, Sattler will draw on his experience as a retailer to improve communication, marketing and sales. " As a retailer, you spend a lot of time wondering if publishers understand what challenges retailers face," Sattler said. "I¹m hoping that I can apply my six years at Big Planet to making things work smoothly for everybody involved." Adrian Cruz is new to the comic book industry, but has been a long time fan of the medium. Adrian graduated with a double major in film and theater from the University of Southern California before finding his place as the Managing Editor at Humanoids Publishing. "I¹m here to do two things; give Humanoids a young, intelligent, American eye for what, when and how we release our products as well as help bring a different type of storytelling to the market," Cruz said. Titles currently available from Humanoids Publishing include: Metabarons by Jodorosky and Gimenez (in comic book form), Enki Bilal¹s Dormant Beast (in a bookshelf format), plus hardcover graphic album titles Aphrodite, The Fourth Power, TechnoPriests, The White Lama and others. Humanoids Publishing is a division of The Humanoids Group, with offices in Paris, Brussels, Saigon, Geneva and now Los Angeles. The Humanoids Group is a multi-faceted conglomerate headed by Giger, its 35-year old chairman. Humanoids features subsidiaries that include an internationally renowned graphic novel/comic book publishing house, a 3-D animation and visual effects studio, an animation software development company and an entity currently developing interactive, role-playing computer games. For more information or a complete product list: Call: Ian Sattler (323) 850-5802 ext. 15 or E-mail: ian.sattler@humanoids-publishing.com +++++ From the SPLASH PAGE of Comicon.com at: http://www.comicon.com/splash/ DOJ DROPS DIAMOND INVESTIGATION! DIAMOND OFF THE HOOK! November 8: Three years after Diamond Comic Distributors announced that they were under investigation for possible anti-trust violations by the Department Of justice, the case has been dropped. In a statement released today, Diamond said: "On November 6, 2000, Diamond Comic Distributors received written confirmation from the U.S. Department of Justice that it had concluded its investigation into the business practices of the comic book industry. The Department's decision reflects a determination that further investigation is unnecessary, and that legal actions because of allegations of monopolistic practices are unwarranted." The statement quotes ,Diamond Founder and CEO Steve Geppi as saying: "When we were first informed by the Department of Justice in the Summer of 1997 that they would be examining our industry, we provided any and all information requested of us. We were confident that we had conducted our business in a fair and ethical manner and that the DOJ would concur. Now, over three years later, they have finished an exhaustive look at not just Diamond, but the entire comic book industry, and have agreed with us that there is no cause for action. Obviously, we felt that was the case all along, and we're pleased with the Department's decision." The investigation, while termed "exhaustive" by Geppi, took place completely out of the view of public scrutiny. Neither Diamond nor the DOJ were forthcoming with details during the three year investigation, and industry executives who were close to the situation were uncharacteristically close-lipped about the nature of the case. The story, while understood by many reporters to be of real importance to the future of the industry, was virtually ignored by the comics press. While Diamond has stated that the DOJ has found no cause for legal action, it is not known if the company, which controls 95% of sales in the Direct Sales Market, voluntarily adjusted any of its business practices to reach a settlement in the case. In the wake of the news, the comics industry remains even more firmly in the hands of the Diamond/Exclusives status quo. Two years remain before the exclusive brokerage deals Diamond signed with DC, Marvel, Dark Horse and Image come up for renewal, at which time DC Comics has been reported to have an option to purchase Diamond. Developing. +++++ From Comic Book Resources at: http://www.comicbookresources.com/ DragonCon founder indicted in molestation Posted by Jonah Weiland The following is from the The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: The founder of the popular Atlanta science fiction convention DragonCon was indicted Wednesday on charges he sexually molested two Gwinnett County brothers. Edward Eliot Kramer, 39, was indicted on two counts of aggravated child molestation and two counts of child molestation for crimes against the boys, ages 13 and 15. Kramer was arrested Aug. 25 for allegedly sodomizing the 13-year-old. The 15-year-old later told investigators he also had been molested while visiting in Kramer's Duluth home, said Curtis Clemons, an investigator with the Gwinnett County Police Department. Kramer, who has worked with troubled children in DeKalb County, was released on $75,000 bond on Monday but placed under house arrest with an electronic monitor. His attorneys argued that he could not stay in jail because he has severe arthritis and a skin condition requiring oatmeal baths and regular trips to a doctor. He has been ordered to stay away from anyone under age 16. AiT/Planet Lar offers Warren Ellis merchandise Official Press Release SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF. (November 9, 2000) Publisher Larry Young announced today that his publishing house, AiT/Planet Lar, will be offering licensed products in addition to original graphic novels and trade paperbacks beginning in March of 2001. "We've been offering quality products in a limited manner ever since we've been publishing," Young said. "The Channel Seven baseball caps from AiT and the ASTRONAUTS IN TROUBLE embroidered mission patches have been successful as adjuncts to the graphic novels we've produced, but we've always intended to branch out our offerings." AiT/Planet Lar editor and business operations officer Mimi Rosenheim concurred. "At first, I was a little wary of spreading out into licensed merchandise. But sometimes even a loose cannon like Larry comes up with sound business ideas. When we were able to license Warren Ellis and Chris Weston's MINISTRY OF SPACE for T-shirts, that gave us an excellent foundation. Joe Casey and Charlie Adlard's CODEFLESH, and Larry and John Heebink's THE BOD, both stories in Image Comics' upcoming DOUBLE IMAGE, seemed natural projects to add to the mix." While DOUBLE IMAGE #1 (featuring THE BOD and CODEFLESH) ships from Image in February, the licensed T-shirts won't be offered until March, with the MINISTRY OF SPACE shirts offered in April. Comics and books published by AiT/Planet Lar, as well as ancillary merchandise, are available from www.amazon.com, Diamond Comics Distributors, Cold Cut Distribution, FM International, and from the AiT/Planet Lar web presence, www.astronautsintrouble.com. Source: AiT/Planet Lat Acclaim owes $4000 to Starlin and Q&As about Quantum & Woody Posted by Michael Thomas - 01:01 PST Acclaim's revamping mini-series Unity 2000 is still plagued by delinquent accounts, and yet Quantum & Woody will have a new life soon after that. After an astute reader contacted CBR after we ran our interview with Acclaim Comics' Jim Perham. We learned that Shooter was not the only one who had not been paid in full. On Jim Starlin's Web site (www.starlin.com), he has posted an advisement of his non-payment of $4,000 from Acclaim, citing that they have not acknowledged his emails or phone calls. It also prominently displays the email address of Perham, de facto head editor of Acclaim Comics. He said that he's averaging about one hate email a day from Jim Starlin fans. The situation has snowballed from when Shooter was behind on submitting plots for Unity 2000 to Acclaim. "So far, in fact, that Mr. Starlin started complaining that the down time was costing him big bucks," Perham said. "So I quit," Starlin said, "and then Walter Black offered my attorney, Harris Miller, the $4,000 bonus if I did the last two issues." Perham said that the bonus would be paid upon completion of the mini-series, which might have been fine had it finished in March 2000. But Starlin contended that the bonus was to be paid upon Acclaim's receiving issue 6's pencils and there was never an agreement to receive the bonus post-publication. "I never would have agreed to stay on Unity 2000 if I knew it was going to be more than six months before I got paid the finishing bonus I was promised," Starlin said. Perham doesn't want people to think that Acclaim doesn't pay for services rendered. "Mr. Starlin has been paid for every page he penciled... and was paid for them months ago. The only monies owed him is this bonus, which I'm working to get paid as quickly as I can." As of this writing, Shooter is still awaiting full payment for his part on the series also. "[Mr. Shooter] hasn't been paid yet either [in full], but both he and Mr. Starlin are the next payables to be taken care of." Just to be thorough, we wanted to check on the rest of the U2K creative team. "We were late to Joe Rubinstein on his last two checks," Perham admits, "but he's been paid up through the first nine pages of U2K #6. He just vouchered for the final 13 pages of U2K #6, but he and I worked something out where he'll hold those pages until I have a check for him, which is a fair deal to everyone concerned. "Digital Chameleon has been paid for everything they've done on the series (colors for issues 1-4), as has Chris Eliopolous (letters for 1-4). The remaining books (and some re-coloring and re-lettering that had to be done) are being done elsewhere." With all the bad blood around, it has been rumored that Walter Black has been ousted, but the rumors are not true. "Walter is still with us as publisher, but is much more active on the strategy guide side of the business than comics," Perham said. "He has over 20 years experience in the regular book trade, so that's really his area of expertise." As a silver lining to this story, it should be announced that fan favorite Quantum & Woody will return to the stands in early 2001. "We have several issues (#22-27) of Quantum & Woody 'in the can' and we will be bringing them out beginning with issue #22 in February," Perham said. "I can't comment on any plans beyond issue #27 until we see how the fans respond to the return, and I discuss things with Christopher Priest and Mark Bright." – Michael Thomas +++++ From Rich Johnston's ALL THE RAGE Gossip Column at: http://www.SilverBulletComicBooks.com. Casey, Crossy and Shooty Case Closed Newsarama is already touting Joe Casey as the most likely suspect to write X-Men (with Grant Morrison on Uncanny). A Marvel source from the X-office confirmed this rumour, telling me "Joe Casey is hard at work on the second script." This Has A Rumour Value Of 9 Out Of 10 Crossing The Boards CrossGen has been all over the internet mopping up after the latest spillage. There's been a lot of press releases and statements issued over artist Josh Middleton's anonymous postings on the WizardWorld message board forum. A number have been deleted by WizardWorld, some at the request of CrossGen. I hope to get copies shortly. You can read responses by CrossGen here at Silver Bulletins and here at the the Warren Ellis Delphi Forum. But what Josh actually said hasn't been widely reported. So here's a few snippets. Remember, he was posing as an anonymous poster with contacts at Cross Gen, as opposed to the penciller of Meridian he actually was. 10-07-2000 04:12 PM "A whopping 5 issues of Sigil and they axed the new guys for "established pros". That's the way to do it." 10-08-2000 04:23 AM On Marc Alessi, "He is easily the most transparent, arrogant, egomaniac I have ever met. The guy talks to you like your 9 years old. I heard him bullying his own staff around like, well, a dumbass overcompensating football coach_ Big salaries for big names buys big loyalty, at least for a while. It is an absolute fact that the Lai brothers were used, and they are NOT the only team leaving Crossgen." 10-08-2000 03:53 PM "Haven't you noticed that Wizard announced the addition of Greg Land (Nightwing) to Crossgen? Haven't you also noticed that he is NOT doing Sigil? There isn't any new title planned, either. That's right, he's a replacement, just not for the Lais. Crossgen isn't telling you something. What else is new?" 10-09-2000 09:43 "Why don't you explain to all these wonderful fans why prior to the Sigil team's exit, the Meridian team had already vacated the building? Come on, Crossgen hasn't been sitting on something, have they?" 10-11-2000 09:16 PM On the Lai Brothers, "Man, Mr. Alessi made it sound like the brothers were his number one sons at Wizardworld. Oh how he praised their immense effort and sacrifice to improve from the abysmal Sigil #1... Apparently that "open door policy" means "my way or the highway". 10-12-2000 04:56 PM "Prior to the release of the Lai brothers from Crossgen, the penciler and inker team of Meridian had already been removed from the building. The addition of Greg Land was not to replace Ben Lai on Sigil, but rather to replace Middleton on Meridian. More details when the good folks at Crossgen figure out how to explain the lapse in honest communication with their many fans who pleaded for clarification on Crossgen's own boards. Of course, had any of the good, not-at-all-insecure people at Crossgen actually read the posts on these very boards, they would have realized that many people already knew of this change weeks ago, but decided to give CG a chance to make an official announcement. Instead they chose to lower themselves to the juvenile level of bickering with fans, staunchly defending their noble position and ideology (which nobody questioned in the first place)all the while ignoring the truth, which in turn disillusioned many, including myself, as the decision to replace or remove any of their staff is completely their own and likely very justifiable. Let's all thank them for removing any shred of dignity from Crossgen." And then finally 10-27-2000 03:16 PM "I would like to apologize to comic fans who read the comments I made under the screen name "bigdad" on the WizardWorld.com message boards about Cross Generation Comics. It was wrong of me to use an anonymous pseudonym to personally attack the staff, management, and business practices of Cross Generation Comics. The information conveyed was incorrect and misleading. I am sorry for any damage or hurt feelings I may have caused. Sincerely, Joshua Middleton" It has widely been interpreted that this message was not written by Josh, but by Cross Gen as part of his firing, but he agreed to sign and post it accordingly. A number of posts were deleted by Wizard World, some at the request of Cross Gen. However I believe Cross Gen only requested one post be removed that revealed Steve Epting was moving to Cross Gen. Regular Rage readers will know that this could have got him fired from his current comics work, and apparently it almost did. Certainly if it was purely over defamation of Cross Gen a number of the above posts would also have been deleted. Cross Gen had promised Epting that his hiring would not wind up in an announcement the next day. And then it did. Apparently Wizard then made the independent determination to remove the entire thread. This Has A Rumour Value Of 7 Out Of 10 Shoot Up Some of the artwork to the banned-before-it-was-pulped Hellblazer issue written by Warren Ellis has been put on Ebay being sold by an Aidan Reid, a Star Wars fan who seems to be in a band called Prozak. Since it contains the last third of the book, I presume it's the pages that were given to inker, Andy Lanning. This Has A Rumour Value Of 6 Out Of 10 +++++ From the Comics Continuum at http://www.comicscontinuum.com/: SUPERMAN ON BATMAN BEYOND An older, dark-costumed version of Superman will be highlighted in "The Call," the first of a two-part episode airing on Saturday on Kids' WB!'s Batman Beyond. Superman's costume is mostly black with white used for logo. He has white temples to help reflect his age. Last weekend's promo for the episode on Kids' WB! also provided brief glimpses of two other members of the Justice League, a Green Lantern and Warhawk. Both fly. Because "The Call" was moved up - it was originally thought it would air at the end of the season, probably in May - little information has been released yet about the episode, including who is doing the voice of the older Superman. Tim Daly did the voice of Superman in Kids' WB!'s Superman series. He is currently starring in CBS' The Fugitive. Batman Beyond is now airing at 8 a.m. (ET) on Saturdays on Kids' WB!. BLADE SEQUEL UPDATE David Goyer told The Continuum that pre-production has begun on Blade: Bloodhunt, the sequel to the 1998 movie featuring Marvel Comics' vampire hunter. Goyer, who wrote Blade, also has written the sequel, which will be directed by Guillermo del Toro and is again being produced by New Line Cinema. Wesley Snipes returns as Blade. "We began pre-production on Blade II last Monday," Goyer said. "Right now, Guillermo has been working with Mike Mignola and Tim Bradstreet and a number of other conceptual artists. Looks like Steve Johnson will be doing the creature effects. Casting begins next week, etc." Goyer is also writing Ghost Rider for Dimension Films and Crystal Sky Entertainment. "I'm just finishing up the first draft," Goyer said. "Should be turning it in by the end of the month." Stephen Norrington, the director of Blade, will be directing Ghost Rider. To focus on his movie efforts, Goyer is leaving as co-writer of DC Comics' JSA. "Issue #25 was my last issue; just finished scripting it," he said. "But I may be coming back for two more story arcs after 6-8 weeks." X-MEN: EVOLUTION'S BIG RATINGS, EPISODE GUIDE The premiere episode of X-Men: Evolution on Kids' WB! on Saturday scored the highest ratings the network has seen all season. In metered market overnight ratings, X-Men posted a 4.2 rating and a 12 share. This Saturday's episode of X-Men: Evolution is "The X-Impulse," which features Shadowcat and Avalanche. The Saturday, Nov. 18 episode is "Rogue Recruit." Sources told The Continuum that Kids' WB! might air two episodes of X-Men: Evolution on Saturday, Nov. 25. The Continuum on Monday obtained the loglines for all 13 episodes of the first season of X-Men: Evolution. Here's a complete rundown, which includes guest appearances by Alex Summers, Forge and Juggernaut: "STRATEGY X" Written by Bob Forward, story by Rick Ungar and Avi Arad. Nightcrawler arrives at the Xavier Institute as Toad attempts an infiltration. "THE X-IMPULSE" Written by Greg Johnson, story by Ungar and Greg Johnson. Xavier and Jean try to recruit Kitty Pryde into the X-Men, but Avalanche has other plans for her. "ROGUE RECRUIT" Written by Simon Furman. Believing herself a danger to others, a mutant known only as Rogue goes on the run, as both the X-Men and Mystique race to recruit her first. "MUTANT CRUSH" Written by Katherine Lawrence. Although recruited by Mystique, Blob develops a crush on Jean and is determined to make her his girlfriend - at any cost. "SPEED & SPYKE" Written by Bob Forward, story by Ungar and Bob Forward. Evan and Pietro, fellow students and constant competitors, discover that they are both mutants with super-powers - which increases their competition to dangerous levels. "MIDDLEVERSE" Written by Adam Beechen, story by Evelyn Gabai and Beechen. After accidentally activating one of Forge's old inventions, Nightcrawler gets stuck between dimensions. "TURN OF THE ROGUE" Written by Johnson, story by Ungar and Greg Johnson. Scott and Rogue must survive a Geology Club field trip into stormy mountains, while realizing that the people they trust most have been lying to them. "SPYKECAM" Written by Christy Marx and Randy Littlejohn, story by Ungar, Marx and Littlejohn. Spyke gets an assignment to document teen life events with a digicam - just as Sabretooth attacks the Institute. "SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST" Written by Hickey and McCoy. It's survival training, mutant style. But while the X-Men are proving their mettle in the wilderness, the unstoppable Juggernaut escapes from prison to exact a little revenge against his brother - Professor Xavier. "SHADOWED PAST" Written by Forward, story by Jules Dennis. Nightcrawler's recurring nightmares lead him to investigate the truth about his past. "GRIM REMINDER" Written by Len Uhley, story by Johnson. A dormant, undiscovered computer chip in Wolverine's brain is reactivated, luring him to Canada... and to a hidden lab from his past. "THE CAULDRON - PART ONE" Written by Furman. As fights break out between good mutants and bad, Scott learns that his brother is still alive after 10 years, and must get to him before Magneto includes him in his dangerous plans. "THE CAULDRON - PART TWO" Written by Johnson. Magneto's ambitious plan for Mutantkind takes shape upon his fortress, Asteroid M. SPIDER-MAN'S MAGUIRE ON TONIGHT SHOW Tobey Maguire, who will play Peter Parker and Spider-Man in the live-action Spider-Man movie, will make an appearance on NBC's The Tonight Show later this month. Maguire's appearance will be on Tuesday, Nov. 14. He will appear on the show with crocodile hunter Steve Irwin and singer Natalie Cole. Maguire will likely be promoting the re-release of Wonder Boys, but, with production of Spider-Man scheduled to begin in January, he will likely be taking about Spidey, too. BRIEFLY Savage Dragon #84 continues the Erik Larsen/Mike Allred [Image] crossovers. The issue, due in February, guest-stars Madman and The Atomics. In March, Dark Horse will release a Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Blood of Carthage trade paperback, which collects Buffy the Vampire Slayer #21-25. Marvel Comics will announce its plans for X-Men titles Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. (ET). Joe Casey has been rumored as the next X-Men writer, but so far has not responded to The Continuum's requests for comment. The title of Chris Claremont's upcoming Fantastic Four one-shot will be The Fantastic Fourth Voyage of Sinbad. The art is by Pascual Ferry and Scott Hanna. The book is being edited by Bobbie Chase. Marvel will be releasing Essential Avengers Vol. 3 in March. The book will reprint Avengers #47-68 and Avengers Annual #2. +++++ From Comics2Film at http://www.comics2film.com ASTROTHRILL ----------- Animator, musician Craig Clark is producing a short film based on his comic book/CD Astrothrill. The comic, published by Cheeky Press, tells the story of Zeon, a half human, half alien from the asteroid Nor, who's stranded in Hollywood. Zeon juggles his time between his rock band, Astrothrill, and his yen for extreme sports, all the while avoiding evil aliens and government agents. Astrothrill 3D short will feature the voice talents of William Barker (Family Matters) and Rene Estevez (The West Wing). http://www.cheekypress.com/ DOC SAVAGE ---------- "Doc Savage is a movie that is written," Schwarzenegger told SciFi.com "It's all done. It's just a matter of me having time to film the movie. Because these are all huge projects, and you can only do ... them one at a time. But it will be done, ... I would say, probably next year." http://www.scifi.com/ +++++ From The Daily Buzz at http://www.mania.com/newsarama/index.html Goblin Not Malkovich's Thing Last week at a London screening of his new film Shadow of the Vampire, John Malkovich told Empire Online that, despite rumors to the contrary, he would not be playing the Green Goblin in the upcoming Spider-Man feature film. "It's not really my genre particularly, and there were scheduling difficulties and what they offered wasn't in any way an inducement for me to do it," Malkovich said. "It was everything," he added, "way too much time, not enough money, not enough of anything. I mean, if I'd have loved it obviously I would have done it, but those sort of films aren't art films, they're business propositions." --Empire Online Richie Rich Goes To College Hartbreak Film's Paul Hart and Jon (Sabrina, the [Image] Teenage Witch) Vandergriff are executive producing and developing a live-action TV show based on Harvey Entertainment's Richie Rich comic book character. In the script being written by Vandergriff, the former wealthy kid is now a rich teenager heading off to college. The new show will portray Richie as a real person trying to fit into the real world. [Hint to Richie: if you want to fit in, try changing your name!-Editor] --The Hollywood Reporter U.K.'s Outlaw Gets Movie Deal Outlaw, the super-warrior star of the British comic book 2000AD, will be getting a big-screen treatment, courtesy of Fine Line Features. Andrew Upton is expected to direct the $10 million-$15 million budgeted feature from a script by Lloyd Foneville. The story will follow the adventures of a criminal who is turned into a fighting machine by a weapons design company. --The Hollywood Reporter Director Reveals 2nd X-Men DVD Plans Eric J. Moreels, X-Fan In a recent article at NYPost.com, X-Men movie director Bryan Singer revealed that a second DVD for the film is in the works. "20th Century Fox has committed to doing a second X-Men DVD, in which I would use a slightly longer version, including two new scenes which I`d like to shoot, a commentary track, and at least a dozen outtakes," said Singer. "I would also include hundreds of hours of video-camera footage of the shooting of X-Men, chronicling the experience, which was inspired by Heart Of Darkness, the documentary about the making of Apocalypse Now." "You definitely think about the DVD from the moment you start shooting the theatrical film," said Singer of the DVD format. "The DVD is a new and different piece of work." Singer cited as an example five scenes that were deleted from the original X-Men movie. The clips were not discarded but rather incorporated on a DVD take to make what is, essentially, a different movie. "There are certain scenes that take away from the theatrical movie which, when you see them on the DVD, you will understand why," he said. NY Post/X-Fan +++++ From Newsarama; http://www.Fandom.com/comics/ WINNER OF THE 1997 & 1998 INTERNET "SQUIDDY" FOR BEST WEB SITE MARVEL ANNOUNCES X-ADDITIONS_NOT SUBTRACTIONS - UPDATED Marvel Comics' Joe Quesada and Bill Jemas` focus in this afternoon`s much-publicized X-Men press conference was new additions to the line, and not the possible cancellations and revamps preoccupying the minds of X-Men readers these last couple of weeks. The most notable announcement was maybe the most expected one, Marvel officially confirmed rumors Newsarama first reported to you a week ago, writer Joe Casey has been named as writer of one of the core titles, along with the previously confirmed Grant Morrison. Both will begin as expected in May 2001. Quesada did not say which title each writer would be assigned to. Another focus of the conference was twice ex-core title Chris Claremont's new monthly ongoing X-Men title (set in current continuity) penciled by Salvador Larroca, which will also begin in May, 2001. According to Quesada, it will feature Claremont`s "own team with their whole own agenda." Marvel however, did not announce any new additions the artistic line-up of the core titles, with Larroca shifting over to this new title. Also announced was a new series of five new mini-series in 2001 starring some of the main X-Men characters - Storm, Rogue, Cyclops, Angel and Nightcrawler - which according to Quesada wil focus on the "hardcore archtypes" aspect of these characters. No creative teams were named... Unrelated to the X-Men was the announcement that Marvel will probably be announcing in a month`s time a new "trick up their sleeve" - a new imprint that might feature more diverse, non-spandex material. BREVOORT TALKS MASTERWORKS Along with revealing to Fandom.com`s Craig Shutt that the next Marvel Masterwork coming from the company (given positive sales on the upcoming Fantastic Four Masterwork volume) would reprint Daredevil #11-#20, Marvel`s Tom Brevoort discussed the extras that he`s been able to include in the FF volume, which has become a clear labor of love for the editor. From the article: As added incentive, the new book also includes two goodies not included in the original issues: two extra pieces of Jack Kirby art. Including extras is something not done in previous Masterworks volumes, nor is it done with DC's Archives. The two pieces are Jack Kirby's original character design for the Black Panther (when he was to be called The Coal Tiger) and a rejected Kirby cover for Fantastic Four #52, both of which have been printed before. "I had two extra pages to work with, and I knew I had these two funky things available," explains Brevoort. "I like throwing in bonuses and extras when I have them and I have the room. Why not?" In addition to the extras, the new FF volume is notable for another change: a new trade dress that was begun with six previous volumes that are available again via second printings. NEXT LEGION SERIES GETS NAME CHANGE DC Comics reports that the previously announced follow-up mini-series to the current Legion of Superheroes limited series Legion Lost has undergone a name change. Previously entitled Legion of Superheroes: Legion Quest, the new series has been retitled Legion Worlds. MILLAR`S `PUNISHING` WORKLOAD Thought declining to go into details, new Marvel Knights editor Stuart Moore told Newsarama that writer Mark (The Authority) Millar is "in the mix" when their Punisher series continues as an ongoing series next year. Also "in the mix" of course if the current team of Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon. According to Marvel Comics, penciler Jorge Pereira Lucas (Inhumans #4) has been named the new regular penciler of the `Counter X' title X-Force as of issue #110, shipping this month. This despite former regular penciler Whilce Portacio being listed as penciler in the November and January advanced solicitations (the penciler of December's X-Force #111 is listed as the always prolific veteran artist `To Be Announced'). This may be the first of several announcements made upcoming regarding changes to the X-titles, some maybe as early as tomorrow afternoon, although unlike this move, expect the bulk of changes to happen in May, 2001, this according to Joe Quesada. Asked Friday regarding the rumors Newsarama reported that suggest Joe Casey has been chosen as writer of one of the two core X-titles along with Grant Morrison, Quesada said he would not be making any sort of formal announcement "until the time is right" regarding the new writer, though he went on to add, "May 2001 is going to be the greatest X-Men month since the printing of Giant Sized X-Men #1. We`re going to be kicking it into high gear with all new teams and concepts. It`s going to make and X-reader out of everyone. People will be reading X-Men books for years to come just to see what concepts they can steal!" On a related note, X-Force/Counter X editor Jason Liebig has announced his exit from Marvel. In a brief statement to friends, colleagues and members of the comics press, Liebig announced that today is his last day at Marvel Comics. CGC AND TOP COW UNITE FOR THE FUTURE Press Release "Top Cow Productions has joined forces with Comics Guaranty L.L.C. "CGC", the premiere comic book grading company, for them to become the official grading service for Top Cow and their respective titles. CGC will screen and grade up to four different Top Cow titles within the coming year, 2001, to be released on a quarterly basis as part of the new "Top Cow Collection". "This is a great time to be a comic fan", says Frank Mastromauro, Director of Sales and Marketing for Top Cow. "We`ve opened our vaults and will be releasing a few key titles to be graded by CGC for release to the public. We`ve always striven to provide fans and retailers with the highest quality product and collectibles and feel that trend will continue strong with our partnership with CGC." "CGC is excited to be associated with Top Cow, one of the most innovative publishers in comics today. Like CGC, Top Cow`s commitment to excellence on behalf of the hobby proves that they plan to lead by example for a long time to come", says Steve Eichenbaum, President of CGC. As many fans would surmise, the first title to be graded and released under the "Top Cow Collection" banner will be the original Witchblade #1, set to hit stores shelves in March 2001. This renowned issue drawn by superstar artist Michael Turner will be limited to only 100 graded copies, all having achieved a grade of 9.6 or better. Subsequent releases will include such other classic hits as Darkness, Tomb Raider and Fathom with exclusive signed editions also premiering in 2001." MORE X-CHANGES ON THE WAY In the latest of what might become a series of announced changes to Marvel`s X-line over the next several weeks, X-Men Ulimited writer Joe Pruett has announced his voluntary exit from that quarterly title as of January`s issue #30. CROSSGEN NAMES NEW ART TEAMS CrossGen Comics has officially confirmed the ongoing art teams for their titles Sigil and Meridian, this following the somewhat controversial departures of their previous art teams, Ben and Ray La, and Josh Middleton and Dexter Vines, respectively. According to CrossGen, Scot (B>Creature Commandos) Eaton and Andrew Hennessy will take over Sigil as if issue #11 and the previously announced team of Greg Land and Drew Geraci will take over Meridian, also with issue #11 of that series. MILLAR`S AUTHORITATIVE EXIT In a run which has seen sales, acclaim and controversy increase with every issue, The Authority writer Mark Millar sent Newsarama a statement this morning outlining he and artist Frank Quitely's exit from the series. "Well, it`s been an Internet rumour for months, but I`d just like to confirm that Frank Quitely and I are indeed wrapping up our year-long run on The Authority with #25. Our third and final arc, Brave New World, begins in #22 this December and caps what must surely have been the most creatively-rewarding and critically-acclaimed series either of us have ever been involved with. "Just as Warren and Bryan threw every big and crazy superhero idea they ever had into the first twelve issues, Frank and I agreed from day one that our run would be equally finite. The huge jump in sales and the unprecedented media attention made it very tempting to hang around a little longer than planned, but we decided to stick to our principles and pass along the torch while the audience was clapping loudest. At the moment, the details of the new creative team have still to be finalized, but I`m delighted to say that DC Comics and Wildstorm are on the verge of signing up our two big recommendations. "All I can say for now is that the writer is the geezer behind what must surely be my favourite comic at the moment and the art is being handled by someone who is, quite simply, the best story-teller in the business. Trust me when I say that this book will be in very capable hands next year and this is more than just hyperbole. This is still going to be a bloody great book. "As for future plans, Frank and I are keeping mum for the moment, but details of a major new initiative will be announced in due course. We`re still sticking with superheroes, but want to take them to the NEXT level and are in serious discussions with Wildstorm about a new, creator-owned thing aimed at Mature Readers which would be as distinct from our Authority run as this book was from my work on Superman Adventures. Again, details will be available once contracts are signed, but trust me when I say that this isn`t going to be like anything you`ve ever read before." Regular Newsarama readers will remember that Brian Azzarello and Steve Dillon were rumored to be The Authority's replacement team in our September 8th report_time will tell. ZIRCHER NAMED NEW T-BOLTS PENCILER In an interview with Yourman@marvel, editor Tom Brevoort announced artist Patrick Zircher will take over as the The Thunderbolts` next regular penciler as of issue #51. Zircher, who will also draw issue #49, will replace the exiting Mark Bagley, whose last issue is #50. Brevoort also announced a T-Bolts limited series will spin out of the events of issue #50, which in keeping with the title's tradition will change the direction of the series. No other details were offered. +++++ From Wizard World Emailer; to subscribe send Email to WizEmailer@aol.com with the subject: ADD ME WIZARD PRE-HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR Dynamic Forces and Home Shopping Network are pleased to present a spectacular pre -holiday shopping extravaganza on, Friday, November 17 at 2 a.m. eastern standard time. For viewers on the West Coast, show time is Thursday, November 16 at 11:00 p.m. The show will premiere unbelievable key comics from Marvel's past and include rare books not available anywhere else. Watch for X-Men books signed by "New" X-Men co-creator, Dave Cockrum; Uncanny X-Men #381 signed by writer and "New" X-men co-creator Chris Claremont; X-Men #25, the exciting issue where Wolverine has his adamantium ripped out, by artist Andy Kubert plus a "Marvel and Friends Lucky 21 Package" which features five #1 Marvel comics plus 16 bonus books! The "Marvel's Rare Signed and Sketched Package" features Ultimate Spider-Man #1 with a head sketch of Spider-Man on each cover plus Uncanny X-Men #360 and Hulk #1 signed and re-sketched. The highlight of the show will spotlight an incredible Wolverine and Sabretooth lithograph pair signed by artist Joe Jusko. Not only are these lithographs signed, Joe also drew a head sketch of Wolverine at the bottom of each Wolverine litho. This pairing is also special since this is the very first time Joe has ever created a re-marked edition of a lithograph for Dynamic Forces. These are the debut of WizardWorld.com collectibles, combining three great names in comics' collectibles: Dynamic Forces, Inc., WizardWorld.com and Home Shopping Network. Don't miss this tremendous opportunity to do a little holiday shopping from home! Watch on November 17, at 2 a.m. and on the West Coast at 11 p.m., November 16. JOBS @ WIZARD INQUEST EDITOR WANTED InQuest Gamer, the leading gaming publication, is searching for an editor. Applicants should have copy editing experience, knowledge of gaming (CCGs, roleplaying and/or computer games) and the ability to write. Macintosh knowledge a plus. Send resume, cover letter, pertinent clips and salary requirements to: Mike Searle Wizard Entertainment 151 Wells Ave. Congers, NY 10920 Att: InQuest editor Or Fax: 845-268-0053 Or E-mail: Msearle@wizardworld.com TOYFARE MANAGING EDITOR WANTED ToyFare, the #1 magazine about action figures from Wizard Entertainment, is searching for a Managing Editor. Applicants should have magazine editing experience, full knowledge about and love of action figures, and management skills. Macintosh knowledge a plus. Send résumés with salary requirements to: Douglas Goldstein Wizard Entertainment 151 Wells Ave. Congers, NY 10920 Or Fax: 845-268-3562 Or E-mail: DGoldstein@WizardWorld.com DESIGNERS Wizard Entertainment has openings for freelance and full-time editorial designers to work on four monthly magazines — Wizard: The Comics Magazine, InQuest Gamer, ToyFare and InPower on topics such as comic books, collectible card games, toys, science fiction, etc. We are looking for entry- level and experienced candidates versed in Macintosh work on the following programs: QuarkXPress, Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. Applicants should have a strong knowledge of typography and production skills. Editorial design experience a plus. Wizard Press is based in Congers, NY, 45 minutes northwest of NYC. Salary commensurate with experience. No phone calls please. Send résumé and clips to: Steve Blackwell Wizard Entertainment 151 Wells Ave. Congers, NY 10920 Wizard also provides internships to college students. To apply for an internship or for more information, contact: Joe Yanarella Senior Managing Editor Wizard Entertainment 151 Wells Ave. Congers, NY 10920 +++++ 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. www.dccomics.com www.dckids.com www.madmag.com NEW READERS FLOOD TO METROPOLIS THIS NOVEMBER With Election Day tension mounting minute-by-minute, the question on every readers lips will be answered tomorrow morning, November 8. Readers will know the next president as the SUPERMAN: LEX 2000 one-shot hits the stands tomorrow, and while this book is self- contained, it is also a "triangle" book, following in sequence with the regular Superman monthly titles, much like the fast-selling SUPERMAN: Y2K one-shot. Retailers are advised check their inventories and place reorders as early as possible to insure sufficient copies. According to Vice President -- Direct Sales Bob Wayne, "The presidential election storyline not only spills over from the one-shot into the monthly books, but will be referred to for some time. Readers who are sampling the Superman line with LEX 2000 for the first time in a while will come back for more. It's a great opportunity to bring even more regular readers into the goings-on in Metropolis." The momentum following the SUPERMAN: LEX 2000 continues throughout all the Superman titles this month as the prepercussions of the presidential election are felt throughout Metropolis and the rest of the DC universe. Follow the story completely as LEX 2000 continues in the following titles: Firstly, in ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #586, Lex Luthor makes his first public appearance since the election as Satannus does his best to turn Metropolis into a living hell for the Man of Steel --using Luthor's just-ended campaign to diminish Superman's spirit. Can Rampage, Thorn or even Adversary resist the devil's temptation or will their souls be lost too? Find out in this issue written by J.M. DeMatteis with art by Mike S. Miller, José Marzan, Jr. and Armando Durruthy with a cover by M. Miller. Then, in SUPERMAN: THE MAN OF STEEL #108, an escaping menace from the Phantom Zone tears through a ticker-tape parade in downtown Metropolis, resulting in a big battle between the monster and The Man of Steel in this tale by Mark Schultz, illustrated by Doug Mahnke, Paco Medina and Tom Nguyen with a cover by Mahnke. Finally, ACTION COMICS #773 gives us the conclusion of a 2-part confrontation between Superman and Ra's al Ghul! What happens when Superman falls into the Lazarus Pit? It's been known to drive men mad, but what will it do to the Man of Steel, especially in light of recent events? Plus, the fate of Encantadora is revealed in this issue by Joe Kelly with art by Kano and Marlo Alquiza with a cover by Matt Haley! SUPERMAN: LEX 2000 (SEP00 0484) arrives in stores November 8 with a cover price of $3.50. ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #586 (SEP00 0486) arrives in stores on November 15 with a cover price of $2.25 U.S. SUPERMAN: THE MAN OF STEEL #108 (SEP00 0487) arrives in stores November 22 with a cover price of $2.25. ACTION COMICS #773 (SEP00 0488) arrives in stores November 29 with a cover price of $2.25. LEX 2000 ELECTION UPDATE Votes are pouring into the polling centers. As of this writing, Tomorrow Party candidate Lex Luthor is making an unexpectedly strong showing. In a nation known for its level of comfort, Luthor's promise to share new LexCorp technologies has struck a chord with our nation's voters. "The potential for sociopolitical change through an implementation of new technology is limitless. For example, we'd have no vested economic interest in maintaining peace in oil-rich lands if America operated on one of LexCorp's new fuel sources," says Brentwood Academy semiotics professor Marek Pashenko. Cat Grant, reporter for WGBS adds: "The whole country is holding its breath. As both a Metropolis resident and an environmentalist, I'd love the rest of the country to stop driving cars. Imagine a LexCorp Rail Whale system running on a national level." Voting continues through this evening, with results to be announced early tomorrow. BATMAN BEYOND'S 2-PART "THE CALL" TO FEATURE JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED Premiering this Saturday on the KidsWB! (see BELOW schedule for showtimes), Batman Beyond will air the 2-part episode "The Call" during which Terry McGinnis is invited to join the Justice League by an aging Superman. The idea is suggested to the elderly Bruce Wayne, who confirms to Superman that Terry is indeed ready to step into the "big leagues." The episode is also set to feature future incarnations of other Justice League members, among them the classic Female Fury of Apokolips Big Barda, Aquagirl (daughter of Aquaman and Mera), an 8-year old Tibetan "mystic" who bears the Green Lantern mantle, the furious Warhawk and Micron (a size-changing hero a lá the Atom). Part 2 of "The Call" is scheduled to show the following week in the same timeslot. BATMAN BEYOND/STATIC SHOCK! EPISODE SCHEDULE Warner Bros. Animation has supplied DC with the following air schedule for the animated Batman Beyond and Static Shock! on the WB Network, airing Saturday mornings and on weekday afternoons. All times are Eastern and Pacific: 11/11/00 (8:00 am) -- "The Call-Part 1" (Batman Beyond-new) 11/11/00 (11:00 am) -- "They're Playing My Song" (Static Shock!-new) 11/14/00 (3:30 pm) -- "Hooked Up" (Batman Beyond) 11/15/00 (3:30 pm) -- "Bloodsport" (Batman Beyond) 11/16/00 (3:30 pm) -- "The Last Resort" (Batman Beyond) 11/17/00 (7:30 pm) -- "Armory" (Batman Beyond) 11/18/00 (8:00 am) -- "The Call-Part 2" (Batman Beyond-new) 11/18/00 (11:00 am) -- "The New Kid" (Static Shock!-new) Retailers are encouraged to share this information with their customers. Be advised that this schedule is subject to change. ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [5] Pond Life Paul Hayward pjhay@clara.net Real life has a funny way of getting in the way of comics. This past week I've been burgled, my wife has had her handbag stolen, a friend's mother has been diagnosed with cancer and I've had a car accident and written the car off. Not a good week. But you know what? I can pick up a copy of Ultimate Spider-Man #3 and read it and... all those problems are gone for a few minutes. Yes, they still exist afterwards but for a while it's like the real world does exist. Isn't that what comics are for? I think that sometimes we lose sight of that. Dez Skinn said in an editorial in Comics International #126 (which I read sitting in my smashed up car outside the comic shop) about the obsessive mentality of the comics collector. You know the type (and probably are one to an extent, I think we all are) with the list, the must-haves the mylar bags & boards and boxes. And it's true. how often do you reread *most* of your comics? We've all got favourites, comics we might read a hundred times in a life-time. But for every one of those how much dross have we bought? Sure, you can't know that it's dross until you've read it, especially if the creative team and/or characters and publishing company are unknowns. But how often have we bought, for arguments sake and not necessarily picking on it, Spider-Man books & known *known* before we say down to read them that they were dross? That many? Me too. I guess what I'm trying to say is: Why keep all your comics? The ones that you're never going to reread in a thousand years and/or don't like could be read by someone. We all know the refrain: kids don't see comics much anymore outside a comic shop that you have to make a conscious decision to enter. Why not put them in hospitals, dentist surgeries even take them to second hand book stores and give them to the owner or sell them for pennies. May be even exchange them for a book or two without pictures :) That way kids (& other adults too but I think you can write most of them off. Except the odd person who sees a Spidey in the 10 pence or 20 cents or whatever box who buys it on impulse. Or the mother looking through the thrift store who sees an X-Men that little Johnny loved for a few pennies and buys it for him.) can and will be exposed to them. Whether the product is good or acceptable to the kids of today is another point. Whether it should be is another argument. And no, I'm not saying that comics are for kids. I'm saying that it can be. I'm saying that by changing the Price Guide Wizard type mentality and actually helping to make comics what they were, can be and will be escapist entertainment some of which can have a mass appeal, we'll be doing the industry and , not wishing to stretch it too far, society a service. Let's help others to escape into comics. All the other stuff, the rare collector's items, the buying comics at full price (and yes, that is another argument) can come later. First you've got to catch your fish. ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [6] Rant & Rave Vernon Wiley comixgallery@earthlink.net Hey kids, don't divert your eyes, I'll try and make this as quick and painless as possible- It's a subject nobody wants to hear about but is continually on our minds- LATE SHIPPING COMICS !!!! It recently came to my attention that both recently solicited issues of Danger Girl and Battle Chasers made it into the top ten on the preorder lists at Diamond Distributors. This was met with utter bile and spew emanating from my bodily orifices. Can we really have forgotten so soon? I can't speak for anyone but myself, but as a retailer I can find few examples of comics that promised so much, but in the end delivered so little for our precious hobby. If I had a buck for every Tom, Dick, and Harry that walked into the shop and asked, " Got any new Danger Girl? Or how about that other one, Battle Chasers?" , I definitely could of vacationed somewhere exotic that year. Instead, we sheepishly offer what we can in explanation, doing our best to diffuse the situation, and in turn working hard not to let the customer lose interest any farther than that. Well, I don't know about you, But I figure THEY OWE ME at this point...I mean, come on! TOP TEN in the preorders? Are we THAT DESPERATE to sell comics?!!! I believe in catering to customers interests , and will have copies of these books available in the shop, but they WILL NOT be displayed! As weird as it may sound, I will not promote product from creators who so unprofessionally treat their retailer and more importantly, their reader base with the disrespect demonstrated by these guys... From the looks of it, Marvel is preparing several Daredevil mini series I assume to at least get us ONE Daredevil read a month.....I mean, just what happened to a regular schedule of publication deadlines, anyway? I can understand art for arts sake, but for cryin out loud, get the books out, already! Some of the top sellers in the shop are books that have chronically late shipping dates. It's frustrating and financially makes it tougher to plan. Titles like Top Ten, which has all but eroded a reader base that was so promising- Stuff like Planetary, which just now seems to be annoying it's fans wondering when and if the next will be out. I believe it was short of three months since the last issue...Marvel Boy, that had ridden the sales stream of the Marvel Knights books, now that I'm outta #1's and can't get new readers started on it, or what about Rising Stars...can it be the art is REALLY the reason that book is late? I doubt it. Then I take a look at other books, perhaps books produced in a system, but one that works nonetheless. Nightwing and Birds of Prey have really nicely rendered art, but they seem to make it out once a month..How about Hitman, JLA, Starman, Wildcats, Transmetropolitan, Deadenders, 100 Bullets, Hellblazer... These books have a regular standard they meet in terms of art, but they seem to make it out on time..Powers and Sam & Twitch have loyal readerships that is even more positive due to the fact that they ship regularly. I am reminded of a recent independent series Luther Arkwright by Bryan Talbot that despite the minutely detailed artwork, he put it out on time. And his stuff was just as good or better than what you'd find in Danger Girl or Battle Chasers.. Crossgen, the newer fantasy based comics company, has an excellent track record thus far of publishing their product. I understand from an interview I read with the publisher Mark Alesi, that artists are required to turn out at least five pages a week to avoid working weekends. That rounds out to a page a day. A page a day. With weekends free. Man, I think of someone like Jack Kirby working under those terms and I can't help but to laugh. Joe Quesada eat your heart out. I guess the point I'm trying to make is this: Publishers, if you want a successful product, don't fib to us, don't give us visions of grandeur, don't promise us the moon... Just get it out. It has been proven by the hard working creators mentioned earlier that a book CAN have a certain plateau of creativity and maintain a reasonable publication schedule. When I was a kid, a lot of books came out bi-monthly, and went monthly when demand would support it. If a book like Planetary says it'll come out bi-monthly, fine , I'll expect that. But put it out when you say you'll put it out otherwise I don't want to waste my time promoting it. I sure as hell don't want to explain to a hundred customers why it isn't in after it's been re-solicited for the third time! And besides, there's other books out there that do live up to their professional responsibilities and will make for a much better experience than yours would. I heard the new issue of Danger Girl is coming out late. Anybody want to take bets on that latest issue of Battle Chasers? And to think, they both listed top ten in preorders.... ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [7] Comics Culture Shrapnel Kris Naudus Krissy80@aol.com [Kris Naudus is a full-time student at New York University, founder of the Justice League of Stuyvesant, part-time Amazonian warrior and distinguished scholar of geek studies. Her previous roles have included "pathetic Star Wars fan #6" outside the Zeigfield Theatre last May, as well as "bored cashier #4" at Barnes and Noble. ] Feeding the Comics Habit Comics are like crack. Look - they're highly addictive, expensive, and possibly bad for you. You may disagree on that last part - meaningful stories have been produced and we're always trying to convince the world of that. But some titles are guilty pleasures for us and then there is just plain obsession: "I must have them all!" Anyway. Comics are highly addictive but expensive. What's a comics reader to do when they don't have much money? Contrary to what many collectors may think, one does not need money to be a hard-core fan. There are alternative methods of distribution that can be enjoyed by all, regardless of financial standing. Let's start with your local library. Maybe you visit it regularly but have never noticed, that they do, in many cases, carry trade paperbacks. Located in the art section, you're likely to find some of the proverbial classics: "Understanding Comics," "Watchmen," "Marvels." I found several copies of "Pedro and Me" on the shelf in my neighborhood branch, which goes to show that the selection isn't always outdated. But otherwise, most of the titles you may have read before. And maybe you haven't, so it's a good time as any to catch up on what you've missed. Or maybe you have friends who haven't read many comics, now they can catch up too. There are those who would say that everyone should have these titles, since they are after all, classics. But most people don't have copies of "To Kill a Mockingbird" or "Macbeth" either. Academic libraries are also a good bet. If you're fortunate enough to have university access, the selection is bound to be more diverse genre-wise than the one in the public libraries. The NYU library boasts a good collection of "Love and Rockets" in addition to the superhero and comic strip standards. You can also find more scholarly work in college libraries - I borrowed a copy of the very excellent book "Manga Manga" by Frederick Schodt. Scholarly thought is more accessible, hopefully encouraging further academic scrutiny. While the library is a very open and public resource, their selection is still limited. Their selections are limited to the better-known, the child-safe, the acceptable. For newer material, one must turn to bookstores. Not the smaller ones - they watch you like a hawk, would not be so forgiving, and they need every cent you can give them. A large bookstore can afford to let you sit and browse. They encourage the behavior: whatever makes the customers happy. The clerks who have to clean up afterwards might not be so thrilled, but at least their livelihood is not at stake, so relax. Head to your local bookstore and check out the end of the Sci-fi section. You might find the latest Batman book, a manga collection you're unfamiliar with, some graphic novel with kick-ass art. Take one, sit in a quiet corner and read it. This isn't exactly the most responsible behavior - but not everyone can afford every new book that comes out, and you might expose yourself to something different. Of course you may not want to spend so much time in bookstores. It's not the comfort of your home, and then there's all those pesky shoppers...just kidding. But there are still more alternatives. Ever look online? We all know the web is a wonderful means of distribution. Most of you reading this are probably familiar with some of the sites I'm going to suggest. True enough, they aren't comic books - neither are they some bastard child we can ignore. The grand poombah of so-called 'cybercomics' is Scott McCloud (www.scottmccloud.com). There's not much I will say since most of us are familiar with his name, and his thoughts on comics and the web are readily available through his website, columns, and the book "Reinventing Comics." No use for me to preach to the choir. But if you haven't looked, there's some good stuff to read on the site, and the perfect place to start. See web comics done right first. Big Panda House (www.bigpanda.net) is a sort of clearinghouse for comic strips - maybe they don't fall even close to comic books but they're still comics and I know we all love 'em. This is the best place to look for quality web comic strips, and hopefully you'll find something appealing. Some of my faves are Sluggy Freelance (www.sluggy.com), Japanese Beetle (www.wfcomics.com/beetle), and Goats (www.goats.com). Hours of fun in reading the complete archives, and keeping up with the dailies. Penny Arcade (www.penny-arcade.com) is chock-full of gamer humor, if you're into that. I mention it because these guys also run The Bench (www.thebench.org), which is subtitled "Community Cartooning." They provide the basic art, you provide the cartoon. It's like a message board - people use it as an outlet for opinions and others make strips in response. Small warning: there are over 3500 strips, so you might want to clear your calendar. When I'm short on money I can't just go cold turkey on comics, so I find ways to fill the void. The selection of alternatives is diverse and you might find some new interests. Even if you're financially comfortable and happy as a clam with a large pull list, these are some ways to supplement and expand your reading list at no cost. Don't think of them as replacements, think of it as diversity. ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [8] SOME PAGES, A COVER, AND A FEW STAPLES Marlan Harris mar93@aol.com [Marlan Harris is a visual effects artist for television. His credits include SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH, MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE, and POWER RANGERS. He lives in North Hollywood, CA. He's desperately trying to get back on track with regularly submitting columns. Please note the new web page address.] INCREDIBLE HULK #12-15 (Marvel) There was a time when the HULK comic (INCREDIBLE or otherwise) was the only good comic Marvel could produce. Back in the mid-90's Marvel had all the great, flashy artists (who went on to start Image) but those comics were usually a convoluted mess, when there was actually an effort to produce a story. Peter David had been writing a quietly innovative, different, and clever HULK since the 80's but around 1995 was when his writing was reaching a fevered pitch and his artists, notably Dave Keown and Gary Frank, were getting some recognition. Unfortunately, David used up his really good ideas and got paired up with some artists that were just wrong for the series, like Liam Sharp, and eventually got dropped from the title. So where does HULK go from there? Some genius came up with the idea of restarting the series and getting it to be more like the rambling-wanderer-with-a-horrible-alter- ego trip that everyone thinks worked so well for the TV series back in the 70's. As it turns out, they thought this would be a good idea for the HULK spin-off series, THE RAMPAGING HULK. And it's not that it's necessarily a bad idea, it's in the execution. RAMPAGING had a consistently lame creative team and, in the main series, whoever thought John Byrne could write the Hulk was sadly mistaken. The new HULK series, INCREDIBLE or otherwise, dropped quickly from attention, even with some good, but not great, art from Ron Garney. Is there a chance at redemption for the comic? There always is, though Marvel can't always seem to get it together without a complete overhaul and restart of the series in question, which also doesn't always work, and by the time the creative team gets the title going the way they want the editors come down and take control of the title, pushing the creators off the title or watering it down for the masses so much that it completely loses whatever head of steam it had developed. Which we'll probably see now that Paul Jenkins is on the book. Jenkins has done some great work in the last few years, from HELLBLAZER to the career-so-far-defining INHUMANS. And HULK seems like the comic he was born to write. The stuff is often so clever and in tune with the character it seems as he took the best stuff that Peter David didn't write and is using it, along with some new tricks. Ron Garney was doing the art in the first of Jenkins' issues, which is good but not great, though he does draw a good, powerful Hulk. The inking of Sal Buscema doesn't always fit with Garney's pencils, but it is consistent and appropriate to the anxiety of the comic (also appropriate since he drew the original Hulk comic years ago). We're in the middle of the best HULK comics we've seen in 5 years, until Marvel sees what they potentially have on their hands and figure out some way to exploit it, thereby ruining what made it special in the first place. In Marvel's new rush for better talent, they may have overlooked a comic that was good already. Or they keep giving Jenkins comics to write, eventually burning him out or spreading his magic over too many comics. But for right now HULK (INCREDIBLE or otherwise) is a fine comic. However, the recent HULK 2000 is much less a solid story than the usual series, despite being written by Jenkins. It's yet another story of the Hulk meeting and battling the good guys, in this care the Avengers, that leads nowhere and, even though Jenkins' superhero writing is traditionally sparse on words, could have been pared down to an 8-page feature and probably would have been better in that format since the story itself isn't much to speak of. Why did Marvel stop calling them Annuals? They still come out once a year and most of them still suck. BATMAN: OTHER REALMS (DC) You have to wonder what brings DC to put out the trade paperbacks (sometimes hardcovers) that they do. It's usually first-run series that sell decently well for them, stories that have won or been nominated for awards, or whatever Paul Levitz feels like repackaging and republishing. BATMAN: OTHER REALMS must be the latter because it isn't award-winning material and if it sold well it was only because it had Batman in it. But that's not to say that the book's two stories aren't any good. The second story, by Scott Hampton, is clearly the better one - a concise, well-told Batman tale that adds a little something to the character without altering continuity -- the sign of the proper kind of LEGENDS OF THE BATMAN story, where these stories originate. The first story, by Bo Hampton, doesn't fare nearly as well, though the idea of Batman fighting alongside a Viking is almost clever, now completely exhausting any more possible Batman-Elseworlds ideas. The art is in a painterly style, with both Hamptons being painters (the collection also includes some great covers) emphasizing the fluidity and intensity of the action over trying to get every image line-perfect. DC can and should go buck-nutty in putting out collections. The trade paperbacks get into bookstores and DC has old material for miles. Let's see DC put out the run of SUICIDE SQUAD in three or four volumes. Hell, throw in some PRIMAL FORCE and MANHUNTER (any series) collections. Not any worse than reprinting a Batman-Viking story. SILVER AGE (DC) Quietly, and with no credit given, CD has done away with the big, annual crossover event and replaced it with the "skip week" event. I never completely understood why these "skip weeks" existed in the first places, something to do with shipping schedules, I think, but DC has turned them into a comics event happening every few months. The idea is that a bookend #1 issue for the event, for example, SILVER AGE #1, comes out one week, along with the rest of the week's regular comics, and starts the overall story, then the next week (the "skip week") has regular-sized issues spinning off from that first issue instead of the regular DC comics that come out that week, then the story is tied up with the second bookend issue that comes out the following week. Most everyone that's a DC fan already knows this, but I was hoping that detailing the whole thing would explain why a "skip week" has to happen in the first place (it didn't). Largely the events have been successful, enough for Marvel to copy the idea and for DC to try the event every few months instead of once or twice a year like it started out. The whole event revolves around an overall concept, such as combining Marvel and DC characters, revisiting characters from the Golden Age, etc. And often there have been some clever ideas and good execution (with the notable exception of "Sins Of The Youth," which was an abuse of the whole "skip week" notion, feeling like it was done just to rush out a "skip week" "event," and was just a dumb idea, with so-so characters and apparently without the involvement of Peter David, writer of YOUNG JUSTICE, whose characters most of the story revolved around). The strength of each individual project lies in the 5 or so spin-off issues. These are loosely connected, aside from carrying on the overall story from and into the bookends and can often stand alone as self-contained stories, which is the idea at least, and offer a variety of talent. SILVER AGE is no exception. DC's obvious stable of writers do their part, notably Mark Waid who seems to show up as part of every skip week event and who writes the SILVER AGE bookends. Each issue also throws in a sampling of veteran talent, like Kevin Maguire on BRAVE & THE BOLD, and breakout newcomers, like Rob Haynes on SUPERBOY & SUPERMAN, almost making the whole project akin to a huge, sprawling anthology. The problem with "Silver Age" lies with the concept more than the execution: The bad guys switch bodies with the good guys. Sure, it's a goofy idea, like, we're told, some of the stories from the so-called Silver Age of comics itself, but it then defines the whole project as goofy. Not much that can happen beyond that and for most of the spin-off issues and the bulk of the story the bad guys in the good guys' bodies are in space. But luckily the story doesn't just end with this concept. The comics' creators are smart enough to bring in other characters for the Silver Age, like the original Challengers of the Unknown and the Doom Patrol. The focus is taken away from the main story, which is largely useless in the first place, and goes instead to these characters who honestly aren't that little-used or obscure, seeing how DC strip-mines every character they've ever had every few years, revising them for the so-called Modern Age or updating them by reverting them back to what they were before the most recent revision. And the characters indeed can carry a story, even the 7 Soldiers Of Victory, a mixed-bag of characters thrown together, which comes closest to not making the whole 22 pages. I'm just not so sure the actual Silver Age of DC was really this goofy, just the stories that stand out in the writers' minds. The "Silver Age" doesn't really suffer for this goofiness but it's a shame some of these classic characters aren't treated with more respect, served by a straighter story. Seeing some of these characters back in action in the appropriate time-frame (not updates) is refreshing but the story doesn't have enough weight to make it one we'll remember until it's rehashed again by the next generation of writers. But give DC a little more credit: at least there wasn't a crappy spin-off from this series that'll be canceled in 12 issues like in its past crossovers. If you're a comics writer, or you want to be one, here's a site to go to. Yes, "x-men," is in the address but it has little, if anything to do with X-Men, save for being written by Robert Weinberg, writer for Marvel's CABLE, who is incredibly knowledgeable about the craft of writing comics. It's a very, very good article for aspiring comics writers and writers in general, and I know there are a number of those who read the CBEM. If you ever want to write comics, you're a fool if you don't go to this site. If you don't the time or motivation to read this article, it's likely that you don't have the time or motivation to be a comics writer. Go to this site: http://www.fandom.com/x-men/editorial.asp?action=page&obj_id=233477 mar93@aol.com http://bonemachine.homestead.com/main.html ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [9] 4 Color Review webmaster@4colorreview.com [4-Color Review is a website that's gone through many changes in the 4 years it's been online. It began as a small review site, and has grown to a full-blown webzine with reviews, columns and much more. The following article is presented by 4-Color Review where it was originally posted. If you enjoy this article we encourage you to send mail to 4-Color Review and then visit the web site for comic book READERS at - http://4colorreview.com ] Adam Frey's Morality Play The Cliff Notes version of the column's goal: "THE MORALITY PLAY will examine a different comic book with a dramatic moral issue. We'll break down exactly what the dilemma is, what its consequences were, and whether or not it was the right thing to do. People are bound to take issue with my responses, so, by all means, respond if you feel like it at adamefrey@aol.com." Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #9 "Assault on Galactus" Writer: Jim Shooter Pencils: Mike Zeck Inks: John Beatty A quick summary: The purpose of Galactus in the Marvel Universe is quite uncertain (or at least it WAS at this point in Marvel Continuity). A cosmic force in the form of a hundred-foot man, Galactus roams the known universe in search of planets with a "life-force" that can sustain his endless hunger. To the dismay of any living beings in the vicinity, the planet is subsequently eaten. Galactus has attempted to consume the Earth on several occasions, but has been repeatedly denied thanks to the efforts of the Fantastic Four and other heroes. In the year 1984, dozens of Earth's superhuman champions (including the Fantastic Four, the Avengers, the X-Men, Spider-Man and the Hulk) were transported to a planet called "Battleworld" on the other side of the universe. Along with our heroes were several of their greatest nemeses...and just to make things interesting, Galactus. The seemingly omnipotent being responsible for this relocation called himself "the Beyonder." He told the kidnapped heroes and villains, "Slay your enemies and all you desire shall be yours." The characters were subsequently dropped onto the planet and left on their own. While Earth's heroes simultaneously sought a way home and fought off the attacks of their opponents, Galactus began his own efforts to consume Battleworld. And that's where our dilemma comes in... The Moral Issue: For the Fantastic Four's leader, Reed Richards, Galactus always seemed to be a cut-and-dry issue. Stop villain, save planet. So when Galactus began to consume Battleworld, his first instinct was to join his fellow heroes in their efforts to save the precious few lives on this planet. Something was nagging at the back of Reed's mind as the heroes entered the battle. Of all the heroes on the planet, only he questioned the Beyonder's decision to engage several dozen beings in a cosmic gladiator fight. Surely "God" was above such petty amusement. And what of Galactus? Richards realized that the cosmic goliath was akin to a force of nature, above such concepts as "good" and "evil." What was his role in this conflict? In the course of the battle, one of the heroes actually damaged Galactus' planet-eating machine. At this point, Richards realized that the heroes actually did have a chance of stopping the monster. At which point, he interrupted the battle and screamed, "We must not stop Galactus!" The remaining heroes could scarcely understand why Richards would advocate suicide. He continued: "This is a chance to rid our universe of the threat of Galactus! All we have to do is let him win the contest! If the Beyonder indeed grants his wish, he'll be freed of his planet- consuming hunger at long last! Countless billions who would have eventually fallen prey to Galactus will live in peace!" When Galactus began his assault again, almost all of the heroes decided to continue the battle anyway. Just as things seemed to be hopeless, Richards and the other members of the Fantastic Four also joined in the battle. Reed Richards decided that the few lives on Battleworld were worth preserving, even in the face of a cosmic holocaust--and the battle went on. Let's come out and admit that this dilemma was probably one of the toughest that a super-hero ever faced. Here's the basic breakdown: -Galactus wins: a few dozen beings die. Any inhabited worlds that Galactus would have eaten are now spared. -Galactus loses: a few dozen beings live. Galactus escapes and continues his probable slaughter of billions. (Remember, this is how it actually DID turn out.) I hate to admit it, but I think that Reed Richards and the other heroes made the wrong decision, at least in the context of what was known about Galactus at this time. (Moral decisions can only be made on the basis of information known about the dilemma. In 1984, we were unsure of Galactus' supreme purpose in the universe. We STILL don't know. The EARTH X series purports him to be a "birth control" agent for the cosmic race known as the Celestials. However, EARTH X is an apparently apocryphal story, so its claims have no basis in our debate here.) The fact of the matter is that if Galactus' cosmic rampage had been halted, the billions of beings that he would have killed later would be spared. Conceivably, they could have been killed by something else, but that idea amounts to little more than speculation. The motivation of Richards and the other heroes amounts to little more than selfishness, unfortunately. Self-preservation is a natural, human reaction, and I can find little fault with their futile effort not to go gentle into that good night. Yet I can't get past their notion that the immediate threat to their own lives outweighs the long-term benefits for the universe. Whatever happened to, "the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few"? What of Christ's proposal, "No greater love has a man than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends"? It's a tough choice, and one that no one should ever have to make in their lifetime. Yet we cannot get past the fact that here it was, and these heroes blew it. Earth's champions bear no direct responsibility in the deaths of billions slain by Galactus since the "Secret War." Nonetheless, they should all share in the guilt of knowing that things could have been different. ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [10] Multiverse Observer and Explorer Reviews Paul Dale Roberts silhouet9@aol.com [Paul promotes amateur and professional comic book artwork, scripts, storylines, and unpublished comic books with a newsletter called the Peoples' Comic Book Newsletter. Its website is at Jazma Comic Book Newsletter Productions at http://www.jazmaonline.com/ He is also a prominent letter hack, as anyone who reads comic letter pages would know. He is in production of his own self-published comic book called The Legendary Dark Silhouette and has copyrighted over 600 characters for his Jazma Universe.] WARNING: THE FOLLOWING COLUMN MAY REVEAL SIGNIFICANT PORTIONS OF PLOTS OR ENTIRE PLOT DEVELOPMENTS. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED. Name: Kabuki Agents: Scarab #5 Publisher: Image By: David Mack & Rick Mays Price: $2.95 Comments:  Kabuki Agents: Scarab #5 was remarkable.  I sat there intensely as Scarab narrates her story.  The story goes into detail on how Yukio ran errands for local thugs and how the Yakuza's tentacles are intertwined throughout this harrowing drama.  Scarab tells a good story as she mentions her friend Tigerlily and then her childhood friend Seiko.  Powerful emotional humanistic drama set things in motion as a movie is in the stages of development and Yukio is faced with a question, on where is the money?  I thought to myself, lucky for Yukio that the police have arrived and Shiro and his gang won't be able to touch him.  To my disappointment, the thrill of escape knowing that Yukio had the money and the police had the thugs was very short lived.  Now Yukio could be dead, shot off his motorcycle.  What a very sad ending.  I can only wait to see if somehow miraculously he could have survived this horrible ordeal.  When is that next issue?  This comic book has a super eye-catching cover.  Superb interior black and white artwork and a story that will catch you with hook, line and sinker!  Name: Gate Crasher #5 Publisher: Black Bull Written by: Mark Waid & Jimmy Palmiotti Drawn by: Amanda Conner/pencils Jimmy Palmiotti/inks Price: $2.50 Comments:   Gatecrasher may be funny, but it also carries a well-written story with it.  Sure I was laughing at many parts until my side started aching.  Especially the part where Norton is saying that no one will be touching his sister. Very protective brother and I was the same way with my own sister Sharon, even though she was an able armed Burns Security Guard at the time during her single days, she's now a Dental Hygienist and is settled down.  But, many times I would check over the guy that was taking her out, sometimes it was so intense, I would scare off her would-be-date.  Now I don't have to worry about that anymore, plus I'm 45 years old and too old for that kind of silliness.  Here I go again, getting sidetracked.  Let's talk about Alec Wagner.  Even though Alec Wagner had a ridiculous bumblebee costume on, he still does a good job with the ladies and has a good comeback line.  While Alec worries about his costume, Trystan is concentrating on his 'tracer'.  I love the fact that Split-Second Squad's secret headquarters is underneath the Mt. Syber University, this sort of reminds me of the movie "Skulls".  They say that the secret fraternity Skull & Bones actually has a secret underground complex underneath Yale University, if this is true or not, who knows, but it keeps the mystique up. Who would ever think of taking a sewage system route?  Who would want to go through this system to do any investigating for that matter?  In this issue the aliens use the sewage system for their own evil purposes.   Alec gets a nice surprise as he tries to utilize the restroom and finds an alien using the toilet facilities for other matters beyond what is humanistic.  The story becomes a force to reckon with as Balzzar causes havoc at the Halloween party, everyone needs to pee and sexy Mike (Norton's sister) kisses Alec which causes a severe retaliation by her brother Norton.  Gatecrasher was a real class thriller.  Who needs to go see Bruce Willis in Unbreakable or The Lost Souls when there is an exciting comic book like Gatecrasher #5 on the racks! Now with more aliens on the way the excitement is only going to get better! This issue has some cool gallery pictures to check out.  Now that I finished this exciting tale...I will go see Charlie's Angels this weekend!  I do make certain exceptions to the rule.  Name: Elvira #90 Publisher: Claypool Comics Staff Involved: Frank Strom, Ronn Sutton, Louis Lachance, Richard Howell, Anna-Maria Cool & Bill Anderson. Price: $2.50 Comments:  Elvira is one of my old time favorites.  I keep up with the continuity of this series with full hearted dedication.  So after each issue I read, I always letter hack to Claypool Comics.  Here's my letter to the editor in regards to this incredible Halloween story!  Watch out for spoilers!  Gee Wilikers!  This is going to be another long letter again!  Let me get my song on to get me in the mood...ahh, here it is...'Monster Mash', now I'm ready to talk about Elvira.  I LOVED 'Creepy Hollow'...absolutely LOVED it!  I enjoyed the take on Ichabod Banesworth and the Headless Highwayman.  Creepy Hollow is one of those small little towns, that roll up the carpet after the sun goes down.  I hate those kind of towns.  I have two things to look forward to on Halloween and that's the Simpson's Halloween Special and the Elvira Halloween issue.  I must say this issue beat out the Simpsons!  Cute...the Little Truckstop of Horrors in reference to Little Shop of Horrors.  Even though Elvira was facing murder charges and the sheriff was telling her that she couldn't leave town, she still was composed in character.  That's one of the things I love about Elvira.  All that time Elvira thought Skelloween was behind this mess.  Speaking of which, we had our own haunted house during Halloween and my wife dressed up as Ms. Pumpkin in honor of Skelloween, one of her favorite characters.  I dressed up as a scarred up Kung Fu Master and called myself Chen Lei, my son Jason was bloodied and was called the Hit & Run Phantom of Laguna.  It wasn't as elaborate as Elvira's Nightmare Haunted House, but it was fun scaring the beejuzuz out of the local kids!  The sheriff in this story sure looked like Michael Myers...did you guys do that on purpose?  Hmmm.  I'm surprised Elvira didn't fly off the handle when that wench called her an airhead.  Elvira did better than 'Charlie's Angels' and discovered that Tim Bourban, loser filmmaker was behind this twisted charade!  This story was MOST excellent!  Now let's talk about another excellent story 'Boys on the Slide'.  I hate boy bands and I hate the Back Street Boys...heck, they're now superheroes (sigh).  What's with all these celebrities turning into superheroes, even WWF's Rena Mera formerly known as Sable is a superheroine with her own comic book.  Well, these celebs all have someone to look up to, the original celeb - superheroine and that's Elvira!  Enjoyable story as these kids are stuck in an ironclad contract and try desperately to jump out of the contract.  If Elvira likes cute boys, she just might like Harry Potter (smile).  The tension builds as Elvira faces off with Lois, even though this story is comical, it still has its dramatic moments!  The ending was perfect as Elvira saves the day, the boys are out of their contract and are grateful to Elvira!  Everything was GREAT in Elvira #90 and I also am looking forward to the 100th issue.  What a time to celebrate!   Name: Saint Angel #2 / Deity #2 Publisher: Image Comics Creators: Karl Altstaetter / Robert Napton Price: $3.95 Comments:  Here's something I want to mention, Fox TV has their new television series James Cameron's Dark Angel and they have in the past did a superhero genre superhero named Mantis, that was a short-lived television series.  The executives at Fox TV with their great Saturday morning cartoon line-up should take a hard look at the Saint Angel/Deity series.  If Saint Angel/Deity were to become a cartoon or a prime-time television series, they would have a major hit!  That's my thought on the matter.  Now let's talk about Saint Angel #2 & Deity #2!  With Saint Angel it is interesting that she has sided with a dark force like the vampires to go after a darker force The Markeen.  Saint Angel's followers think of her more than just a heroine, but as a goddess.  The way she is so good with the blade and seems to be the only one who can put a dent into the Markeen, she may just be on a godly level.  The Markeen parasites are absolutely bizarre.  They work in a collective similar to the Borg and consume and devour everything in their path like common locust.  I sat there and wondered are they truly evil, or is this just a way that they must survive to exist?   King Bashir and Lt. Lebo have an interesting alliance and I question the fact that King Bashir has lead a small regiment into battle against the 'insects'.  The soldiers already have fear of the Markeen and now the King asks for close quarter combat?  What madness is this?  Luckily, Saint Angel was around or the devastation would have been climatic.  Creepy noise that the Markeen produce...a 'chk' noise.  From my own imaginings of what they are hearing when the Markeen approach, I would imagine it sounds like insect clicking noises, like from beetles.  It was mentioned that it is good when a soldier knows when to retreat.  Something that General George Armstrong Custer should have realized at Little Big Horn.  Saint Angel finally looked vulnerable when Jonn entered her quarters.  Saint Angel is quite lovely and I was completely baffled when she asked Jonn to be her scribe in regards to her lifestory and record her own death?  There goes my godly theory right out of the window.  Saint Angel perhaps knows of her own future death?  She's not concerned about it?  She wants it recorded?  I really was unable to see this cliffhanger coming.  I'm now on pins and needles awaiting the next explosive issue!  Now that I'm shaken with the Saint Angel story, let's talk about Deity #2.  That was cute with Kosmic Kat getting his 'groove on'.  Club Orbital reminded me of a futuristic Studio 54.  I had a good laugh on how Angel was able to shindig her way through the club via that bumbling idiotic bouncer.  She is truly a sly one and has the powers of manipulating.  I was quite impressed with the amazing drawing of Lucius.  Again, I found myself chuckling as this mighty dragon is concerned about Kosmic Kat's vomit hitting his powerful wings in