---------------------------------------------------------------------- Ed Dukeshire and Mike Imboden Present: THE COMIC BOOK NET ELECTRONIC MAGAZINE ISSUE NUMBER 291 1999 EAGLE AWARD NOMINEE 11/17/2000 Edited by: David LeBlanc - ComicBkNet@aol.com FREE VIA EMAIL SINCE FEBRUARY 1995 ______________________________________________________________________ C O N T E N T S ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [A] Submissions, mailing address, web page [1] On the Net ............................ David LeBlanc [2] Letters to the Editor ................. Your Page! [3] TRIVIA CONTEST ........................ Win *real* prizes! [4] Network Buzz .......................... News, gossip & rumors [5] Interview: Dan Jurgens ................ Tim O'Shea [6] And Let Me Tell You Why . . ........... David Coulter [7] Comics Culture Shrapnel ............... Kris Naudus [8] M.O.E. Reviews ........................ Paul Dale Roberts [9] Top 100 Comics for November ........... Diamond Distribution [10] New Comic Book Releases List .......... Charles LePage [11] 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 At last we have a new president! Lex Luthor! Yeah, I know. But, even Mussolini made the trains run on time. Actually, I am getting brain cramps from all this bullfunky. And, between the Florida chaos, work related stresses and family concerns it has been a week I would like to put in the past. I need to hit the sack early so as not to miss the second half of "THE CALL" on BATMAN BEYOND this Saturday. If you missed the first half last week catch it anyway. The Justice League of the future is in it and part one ended with a stunner! Also catch STATIC SHOCK later on after the new X-MEN show. All worth watching. Now this . . ABSTRACT STUDIOS Strangers In Paradise Vol III #36, 2.75 AIT/PLANETLAR Astronauts In Trouble One Shot One Beer #1, 7.95 CROSSGEN COMICS Sigil #6, 2.95 DC COMICS JLA #48, 2.25 Tomorrow Stories #8 (resolicited), 2.95 Top Ten #10 (resolicited), 2.95 IMAGE COMICS Geeksville #4, 2.95 <-------------- Pick of the Week! Midnight Nation #3, 2.50 ONI PRESS INC. Jingle Belles All Star Holiday Hullabaloo, 4.95 Next week we here in the USA celebrate Thanksgiving Day. Though for some it has become a four day weekend filled with Turkey dinner and lots of football, it is good to reflect on the many good things in our lives, our communities and our associations with others. Whether or not you attribute your good fortune to a higher power, dumb luck, or your own effort, it helps to take note that more often than not the good carries you through the hard times. Hopefully this election mess will be over by then and we can add that to the list too. Happy Thanksgiving All! 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: JUDD WINICK NEWSLETTER- November 11th, 2000 From: judd@frumpy.com (judd winick) November, 11th 2000 It was in 1993 I suppose, and I was driving down Deer Park Avenue in Dix Hills, New York. Home was, again, the house that I grew up in. I am about to make a right turn to get onto the on-ramp of the Long Island Expressway and I hear "NIGHT SWIMMING" by R.E.M.. It was the first time I had heard it. It really struck me. We all have these moments, and these songs. There was something utterly and remarkably bitter sweet about it. I must have asked 5 people that day if they' had ever heard it. It was a song that was constantly floating at the back of head. Now just then but after. If I was absentmindedly humming, I'd find the melody of " NIGHT SWIMMING" coming out. It had instantly become a little part of me. It was October 23rd, 1994. I had completed my time as a housemate in MTV's REAL WORLD 3, San Francisco and the shows were now airing, there was about a third of the season remaining. My roommate and friend Pedro Zamora had been hospitalized on and off since August with AIDS complications. The whole world knew he was sick, but few knew the truth, he was dying. On that October day many of us, including a crowd of strangers, were gathered in the Hollywood United Methodist Church. We were there for a benefit to raise money for Pedro's medical bills. The producers of THE REAL WORLD were good enough to put together a small tribute tape of Pedro. It included footage that had yet to air. With Pam and Cory beside me, we watched as it played images that the world had become familiar with-- Pedro and his family, his love of this country, his HIV status, him receiving the results of his recent blood work up, his lecture, his words, his message. It also had images of his relationship with his partner, his lover, Sean. And then something new. Sean and Pedro had a commitment ceremony while we were in the house, a small wedding. It was the most joyous time we had together. It was a day so full of pride, passion and love. There was Sean's friend Eric speaking for Sean, then Alex speaking for Pedro, and then Sean and Pedro speaking about their love for each other. And "NIGHT SWIMMING" was playing in the background. I cried then as I cry right now writing this. On November 11th. 1994 at 4:30 am Pedro died. Six years ago today. I'll take a few minutes today, sit down, and listen to it. I say good-bye again. I do it every year. Judd Winick, San Francisco " Night swimming "deserves a quiet night'" http://www.pedroandme.com +++++ Subj: Re: [ComicBooknet E-Mag] CBEM 290.5 From: john@kovalic.com (John Kovalic) To: ComicBookNetworkEmag-owner@egroups.com Dave, Your review of Dork Tower #11 touched me deeply. You commented on the points I was trying to make in a way that just made me think that maybe I'd succeeded at this thing that I'm doing. But it also made me see things in my work as well...it's strange to try and describe this, but I believe your words helped clarify a couple of issues in my mind about the Dork Tower...you helped me see my own work in a new light, and for that I thank you! I really don't have the words to describe what I'm feeling right now, but again, THANK YOU for the *very* thoughtful review. John -- John Kovalic Dork Storm Press, Box 45063, Madison, WI 53744 http://www.dorkstorm.com [Thanks for sharing your talent with us all. I am always pleased to speak well of product that I truly enjoy. - D.L.] ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [3] [TRIVIA CONTEST] **THE FIRST PLACE TO FIND THE EMAG EACH WEEK IS ON OUR HOME PAGE!** IF YOU ARE DESPERATE TO WIN THE TRIVIA, GO THERE FIRST ON FRIDAY NIGHT http://members.aol.com/ComicBkNet/emag.htm QUESTION OF THE WEEK Prizes donated by Discount Comic Book Service at www.dcbservice.com where you can order most DC, Marvel, Image, and Dark Horse comics, statues and retail products for 35% off. +Submit your own trivia and win the CHEEZY PRIZE(tm) if you can stump+ +the readers! You MUST submit the correct answer with your question.+ LAST ISSUE'S QUESTION OF THE WEEK: What wrestler did SPIDER-MAN defeat in Amazing Fantasy 15? Steve Chung Got it first, and many followed. It was Crusher Hogan! Steve wins two action figures from the Marvel Silver Age collection -- Spider-Man and Gwen Stacy, from our sponsor, Discount Comic Book Service. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION: In what Justice League related title did the WONDER TWINS, Zan and Jayna ented DC continuity? 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 Marvel Enterprises to Fire 13 Percent of Workforce New York, Nov. 15 (Bloomberg) -- Marvel Enterprises Inc., a comic book publisher and toymaker, will fire 20 employees at its Toy Biz unit, or about 13 percent of its total workforce of 160 because of slow sales and higher retailers' inventories. Toy Biz's third-quarter revenue fell to $56.2 million from $72.8 million a year earlier, due to slow sales of professional wrestling toys and shortages of components for electronic toys, Marvel spokesman Richard Land said. Total sales fell to $73.5 million from $89.9 million. Marvel expects to take a charge of about $3 million in the fourth quarter because of the firings and said it still can meet its financial obligations using ``current working capital'' and from actions it's reviewing. Land wouldn't comment on what actions Marvel is reviewing. The shares of New York-based Marvel fell 13 cents, or 5.9 percent, to $2 in New York Stock Exchange trading. Nov/15/2000 16:22 ET (C) Copyright 2000 Bloomberg L.P. +++++ THE STORM GROWS STRONGER: PVP JOINS DORK STORM PRESS November 13, 2000 Madison, WI - Dork Storm press announced today the addition of Scott Kurtz's enormously popular PvP ("Player vs. Player") comic strip. This will become the company's third bimonthly comic book with the premiere issue scheduled to be released in March 2001. "I am so excited about this opportunity!" said Kurtz. "I have always wanted to put out a paper version of PVP; nevertheless with any creative project you have the propensity to be quite protective of it. As soon as I met the other artists here and saw the quality and integrity with which they approach their work, I knew this was home!" The daily PvP comic strip has become a smash-hit online that draws 20,000 unique readers to it on a daily basis and 3.5 million page views monthly. The PVP strip has been around for over 2 years and is published monthly in PC GAMER magazine the most read PC gaming magazine in the world. "At its core, PvP is about computer gamers," said John Kovalic, Dork Storm Press publisher, "But it touches on all aspects of life, and has tremendous range and a marvelous mass appeal. Being part of this company will help get PvP in front of an entirely new audience, and I expect that being associated with PvP will do the same for our books Dork Tower and Nodwick." "PvP is a perfect fit for Dork Storm," said Kovalic, "Scott's work is laugh-out-loud funny, and he's a great, great guy. As a fan, finally meeting him was a wonderful experience. I can't say enough about him and what he's accomplished." Starting with Dork Tower #12 and Nodwick # 6, PvP will run as a regular back-up feature in the other Dork Storm titles as well, while all-new Dork Tower and Nodwick comics will run as backup features in PvP. Fans can look forward to a one-week special online PvP/Dork Tower crossover before the end of the year. DORK STORM PRESS: Dork Storm Press was launched in August 1999, when Kovalic, creator of the comic book Dork Tower, teamed up with Aaron Williams, creator of Nodwick. All Dork Storm titles are creator-owned, and circulation has risen with ever issue, with Dork Tower now at 10,000, and Nodwick closing in on 6,000. PVP: PvP began running online May, 1998, and has become one of today's most wildly successful comic strips. online or elsewhere. ONLINE: DORK STORM PRESS: http://www.dorkstorm.com PVP by SCOTT KURTZ: http://www.pvponline.com DORK TOWER by JOHN KOVALIC: http://www.kovalic.com/dork/ NODWICK by AARON WILLIAMS: http://www.nodwick.com CONTACT: Liz Fulda sales@dorkstorm.com (608) 255-1348 +++++ FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Nov. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Take to Auction (Amex: TTA) announced today that it listed a one-of-a-kind 2001 Limited Edition Marvel Super Hero PT Cruiser on eBay Motors, www.ebaymotors.com, with the auction ending on November 20th for the Jackson Memorial Foundation to benefit pediatric oncology. The first ever Super Hero PT Cruiser online listing was kicked off by the "Need a Super Hero Sweepstakes" on November 8th. Participants voted for the Marvel Comic character they most liked to see painted on the PT Cruiser. Five lucky contestants will win a CGC Graded Marvel Comic Book, valued between $200-$900. "We are excited about continuing our charity efforts," said Albert Friedman, President and CEO of Take to Auction.  "By listing this one-of-a- kind vehicle, we can help raise awareness and funds for a worthy organization." The PT Cruiser was painted live, by artist Michael Israel, at the 13th Annual Downtown Boca Raton Festival of the Arts on November 11th. Take to Auction will donate 80 percent of the profits from the proceeds to the Jackson Memorial Foundation to benefit pediatric oncology. Take to Auction has a licensing agreement with Marvel Comics for their Marvel Comic Super Hero characters. Take to Auction is planning to air brush the images 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 Motors at: www.ebaymotors.com   +++++ `X' could mark spot for Singer on action sequel By CHRIS GARDNER The Hollywood Reporter Director Bryan Singer (``X-Men'') is in early negotiations to helm a sequel to the live-action summer blockbuster for 20th Century Fox. During the summer, Fox signed the entire ensemble cast of ``X-Men,'' including Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, Halle Berry, Famke Janssen and Anna Paquin, for one sequel and some of the cast members for a second sequel.   Singer was not a part of the earlier sequel agreement made with the actors to star in another film in the potential franchise, which is based on the wildly popular Marvel Comics title. Sources said a script has not been written for the sequel, and the project have no start date. But sources said Fox would like to get the project before cameras as soon as possible. It is not clear where the ``X-Men'' sequel would fall in Singer's plans. He is next expected to direct ``Confessions of a Dangerous Mind'' for Renaissance Films. Singer and Mike Myers are still in negotiations to team on the project for producer Andrew Lazar. The first installment of the ``X-Men'' feature pulled in an impressive $157.2 million domestically. The film, produced by Lauren Shuler Donner and Ralph Winter, was written by David Hayter from a story by Singer and Tom DeSanto. Marvel's Avi Arad and Stan Lee executive produced with Richard Donner and DeSanto. Singer directed ``Apt Pupil'' (1998) and ``The Usual Suspects'' (1995). +++++ From the SPLASH PAGE of Comicon.com at: http://www.comicon.com/splash/ TODD VS TWIST: ROUND 3! MCFARLANE SEEKS LEGAL FEES AS TWIST FILES APPEAL! Splash Flash by Charles Brownstein November 10: Just a week following Judge Robert Dierker's decision to toss out the jury verdict against Todd McFarlane in the Tony Twist case, both sides are gearing up for round three. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch is reporting that: "McFarlane said Thursday that he will seek reimbursement of some of his legal bills from Twist. Meanwhile, Twist's lawyer said he is about to begin an appeal of the St. Louis judge's order overturning the large cash verdict." The Post-Dispatch continues: "Twist's lawyer, Robert Blitz, said he will take the case to the Missouri Court of Appeals, which could either agree with Dierker, order a new trial or reinstate the jury award." In a statement released on October 31, McFarlane claimed that his legal fees totaled half a million dollars, but how much of that amount he plans to sue for is not yet known. There is also a question of whether other defendants in the case will be joining McFarlane in seeking reimbursement of legal fees from Twist. Developing. WOLFMAN LOSES MARVEL LAWSUIT! JUDGE AWARDS 'BLADE' COPYRIGHT TO COMPANY! November 17: The COMICS JOURNAL is reporting that the bitterly contested lawsuit between Marv Wolfman and Marvel Comics over ownership of 'BLADE', has ended with Marvel the apparent winner. Michael Dean reports: "Marv Wolfman has lost his bid to claim ownership of Blade and Deacon Frost, characters which were created by Wolfman and featured in Marvel's Tomb of Dracula comic in the 1970s. Wolfman registered a formal copyright for the characters and filed suit against Marvel in a US district court in California in August of 1998 as a successful Blade motion picture starring Wesley Snipes was reaching the screen, but due to Marvel's Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, the issue finally came to trial in November of 1999 in a Delaware bankruptcy court. New Line Cinema, Time Warner and other entertainment companies that had licensed Blade from Marvel were also named in the suit, which asked for an injunction against uses of the characters not authorized by Wolfman and compensatory and punitive damages in excess of $35 million." The transcripts of the trial promise to be interesting. At one point, Marvel's house attorney testified under oath that the company had lost all documentation of work for hire contracts before 1988. TCJ says no decision has been made by Wolfman to appeal the verdict. Full Story: TCJ.com +++++ Marvel Enterprises Reports Q3 2000 Results NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 15, 2000--Marvel Enterprises, Inc. ("Marvel") (NYSE: MVL) today reported financial results for the fiscal 2000 third quarter-ended September 30, 2000. MARVEL ENTERPRISES, INC. SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF V% IONS (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2000 1999 2000 1999 Net sales $73,461 $89,882 $167,690 $226,650 Cost of sales 38,915 42,351 85,592 105,832 Gross Profit 34,546 47,531 82,098 120,818 Selling, general and administrative expenses 24,100 33,018 64,235 81,342 EBITDA (1) 10,446 14,513 17,863 39,476 Depreciation and amortization 4,946 4,754 12,043 11,920 Amortization of goodwill and other intangibles 6,020 6,587 18,002 19,361 Operating (loss) income (520) 3,172 (12,182) 8,195 Interest expense, net 7,718 6,891 22,134 21,309 Loss before income taxes (8,238) (3,719) (34,316) (13,114) Income tax provision (benefit) 958 925 1,851 1,996 Loss before equity in joint venture (9,196) (4,644) (36,167) (15,110) Equity in net (loss) of joint venture -- -- (263) -- Loss before extraordinary expense (9,196) (4,644) (36,430) (15,110) Extraordinary expense, net of tax benefit -- -- -- 1,531 Net loss (9,196) (4,644) (36,430) (16,641) Less: preferred dividend requirement 3,886 3,590 11,431 10,558 Net loss attributable to common stock (13,082) (8,234) (47,861) (27,199) Basic and diluted loss per share from continuing operations ($0.39) ($0.25) ($1.42) ($0.76) Basic and diluted loss per share after extraordinary expense ($0.39) ($0.25) ($1.42) ($0.81) Common shares outstanding 33,696 33,532 33,661 33,532 (1) "EBITDA" is defined as earnings before extraordinary items, interest expense, taxes, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA does not represent net income or cash flow from operations as those terms are defined by generally accepted accounting principles and does not necessarily indicate whether cash flow will be sufficient to fund cash needs. MARVEL ENTERPRISES, INC. DIVISIONAL REVENUE/EBITDA (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2000 1999 2000 1999 Licensing(a): Net Sales $ 5,768 $ 6,240 $ 15,138 $ 28,673 EBITDA $ 4,252 $ 4,116 $ 7,518 $ 22,371 Publishing: Net Sales $ 11,477 $10,885 $ 32,829 $ 32,043 EBITDA $ 3,059 $ 2,725 $ 8,387 $ 7,436 Toy Biz: Net Sales $ 56,216 $72,757 $119,723 $165,934 EBITDA $ 5,346 $10,733 $ 7,969 $ 20,580 Corporate(b): Net Sales -- -- -- -- EBITDA $ (2,211) $(3,061) $ (6,011) $(10,911) TOTAL NET SALES $ 73,461 $89,882 $167,690 $226,650 TOTAL EBITDA $ 10,446 $14,513 $ 17,863 $ 39,476 a) Including Internet activities. Additionally, the 1999 nine months included a substantial non-refundable advance from Sony Pictures Entertainment, related to a feature film license for the Spider-Man character. (b) Including Marvel Studios. Marvel's net sales decreased approximately 18% year-over-year in the third quarter. The decrease as in previous quarters was due primarily to a sales decline in the Toy Biz division, largely due to challenging toy industry conditions characterized by excess inventories at toy retailers and slower than expected industry sales. The surplus retail inventory has had a negative impact on both orders and sell-through of toys based on the summer feature film X-Men: The Movie. Also, previously disclosed chip shortages have delayed the launch of V-Mail, an electronic communications device for kids, for which Marvel had strong sales expectations. Continuing chip shortages have further delayed this product's launch into fiscal 2001. Marvel's results on a quarterly and year-over-year basis are subject to the changing timing of entertainment projects and licensing opportunities. Marvel had anticipated realizing licensing revenue in the second half of fiscal 2000 related to the feature film Spider-Man: The Movie. However, as previously announced, the release date for the film has been moved back from November 2001 to May 2002, pushing related licensing revenues into fiscal 2001. Marvel's publishing division achieved a 5% increase in net sales in the quarter due primarily to the successful launch of Spider-Man Ultimate the first title in the new Ultimate series. The Ultimate series is aimed at rebuilding Marvel's teen comic book audience by retelling classic Marvel character stories in contemporary settings, with fresh graphics and design that appeal to today's younger readers. Initial results have been encouraging. Against an industry backdrop of low single digit sales declines, for the first nine months of the year the publishing division achieved a 13% increase in EBITDA on a 2% increase in net sales. Gross margins for the three and nine months periods increased approximately 13% and 11%, respectively, due to an increase in advertising revenue and an increase in direct order sales of comic books. Marvel had approximately $27.3 million in cash as of September 30, 2000, current assets of $144.5 million and working capital of $72.2 million. The Company is confident that it is able to meet its interest and other financial obligations through current working capital sources as well as proceeds from possible strategic actions currently under review. Marvel President and CEO, Peter Cuneo, commented, "Our third quarter and nine months results continued to be impacted by a decrease in net sales largely due to the overall weakness of the toy industry. Nonetheless, during the September quarter we continued to make progress in repositioning Marvel to focus more on its opportunities in entertainment, licensing and new media. As part of this process, we have been conducting a strategic review of each of our businesses to identify opportunities to best leverage our creativity and base of intellectual property assets. Growth opportunities, return on invested capital, and risk are key factors in this review. As a component of this review, we have determined to reduce staffing at our Toy Biz division by 20% or approximately 20 persons. As a result of this action, we expect to record a one-time severance charge of up to $3 million in the fiscal 2000 fourth quarter. Additionally, we are reviewing various strategic alternatives aimed at improving the operating contribution and cash flows from Toy Biz. "We have been very encouraged by the initial success of our partnership with Riot Entertainment which has started to produce original Marvel character content for wireless communication devices (a demo is available at http://www.riot-e.com/marvel/index2.html). This partnership follows the model that has been demonstrated with huge success in Japan by NTT DoCoMo and reflects a growing base of significant new media, Internet and wireless opportunities we are reviewing, and which we believe will eventually lead to the establishment of new core revenue opportunities. We are making progress toward unlocking the enormous potential of our characters through a variety of new high margin opportunities in new media and other areas, both domestically and abroad. "The project lineup for the next several years across Marvel Studios, licensing, and the new media/Internet operating divisions is unparalleled, and builds upon the success of X-Men: The Movie, our first major feature film and one of this summer's biggest hits, as well as Marvel's first-ever self-produced animated television show, X-Men Evolution, which premiered last week on Kids WB stations as the number one children's television show in the time slot, with an impressive 4.5 rating and an 18% market share amongst kids ages 2-11. These projects illustrate the enormous, worldwide commercial potential of our character base and mark the beginning of a `new age of Marvel' in which we are leveraging our comic book past into a broad base of conventional and new media opportunities, many of which we are pursuing for the first time in our history." With a library of over 4,700 proprietary characters, Marvel Enterprises, Inc. is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies. Marvel's operations are focused in five divisions: entertainment (Marvel Studios), licensing, toys (Toy Biz), comic book publishing and Internet/New Media. Marvel facilitates the creation of entertainment projects, including feature films, television, home video and the Internet, based on its characters and also licenses its characters for use in a wide range of consumer products and services including video and computer games, apparel, collectibles, snack foods and promotions. Marvel's characters and plot lines are created by its comic book division which continues to maintain a leadership position in the U.S. and worldwide while also serving as an invaluable source of intellectual property. For additional information visit the Marvel Web site at http://www.marvel.com. Except for historical information contained herein, the statements in this news release regarding the Company's plans are forward-looking statements that are dependent upon certain risks and uncertainties, including the Company's potential inability to successfully implement its business strategy, a decrease in the level of media exposure or popularity of the Company's characters resulting in declining revenues from products based on those characters, the lack of commercial success of properties owned by major entertainment companies that have granted the Company toy licenses, the lack of consumer acceptance of new product introductions, the imposition of quotas or tariffs on toys manufactured in China as a result of a deterioration in trade relations between the U.S. and China, changing consumer preferences, production delays or shortfalls, continued pressure by certain of the Company's major retail customers to significantly reduce their toy inventory levels, the impact of competition and changes to the competitive environment on the Company's products and services, changes in technology and changes in governmental regulation. Those and other risks and uncertainties are described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. CONTACT: Jaffoni & Collins Investor Relations David Collins, Richard Land 212/835-8500 mvl@jcir.com or Bender/Helper Impact Media Jeffrey Klein, Adam Fenton 212/689-6360 jeff-klein@bhimpact.com adam-fenton@bhimpact.com +++++ From Beau Yarbrough's Comic Wire at: http://www.comicbookresources.com/ KURT BUSIEK RETURNS TO 'ASTRO CITY,' TURNS IN SCRIPT FOR ISSUE #23 You know what's been holding up the next issue of "Kurt Busiek's Astro City": Busiek's continuing health problems. Now know this: At long last, issue #23 has a completed script. "Just thought I'd mention that at long last, the script for the next 'Astro City' is done, and has been delivered to both John Layman at Homage and Brent Anderson at Brent's House of Drawing Good," Busiek posted late Sunday night at DC Comics' 'Astro City' message board. "It's taken a long time, but as my health has improved, it's been easier to make headway. So I'm hoping subsequent scripts won't be quite the same ordeal -- I'm hoping to get at least one more done by the end of the year, after which my schedule will be screwed up again what with having surgery in January ... but with luck, I'll be able to keep Brent going, so that the four issues remaining in this 'arc' of single-issue stories can come out reasonably regularly, once they start coming out." As previously reported in the Comic Wire, Busiek's been dogged by chronic sinus troubles which flared up again this year. "As to when this one'll come out, I don't know -- it's up to DC when they'll solicit it. But since the logjam has been me, not Brent, Will or anyone else, there shouldn't be any hellacious delay. "Now I get to catch up on my 'Avengers' scripting, and then start on the next one ..." Wednesday November 15, 2000 JOHN BYRNE LEAVES MARVEL As much as he may be linked with DC Comics' revamp of Superman in the 1980s, to many fans, John Byrne will be inextricably linked with Marvel Comics. It was there, with Chris Claremont, that he was part of the creative team of "Uncanny X-Men" during its ascent to comic book royalty, there where he produced a legendary run on "Fantastic Four" and there that he showed his more light-hearted side, taking a third-tier character and making her a hit in "Sensational She-Hulk." And now, Byrne has cut ties with Marvel. "I was officially informed yesterday that, despite the fact that they are still profitable, several 'redundant' X-Titles are being axed," Byrne told the Comic Wire Wednesday morning. "'X-Men: The Hidden Years' is one of these, ending with #19. No one at Marvel was able to provide a reasonable explanation of why, in today's marketplace, profitable books are being canceled. Since I have no interest in working for a company apparently so intent on committing suicide, I have terminated my association with Marvel Comics effective immediately." Byrne had initially made the announcement Tuesday night at his America Online forum. "Well, we really wanted to announce the cancellations when it was the proper time but since John decided that he wanted to talk about it on his message board then there's really no reason for me to wait," Marvel editor-in-chief Joe Quesada told the Comic Wire on Wednesday. "Yes, 'Hidden Years' is one of the X titles that are being canceled. With regard to John's remarks I think he meant to say that my reasons made no sense to him. We discussed the reasons and came to the conclusion that were not going to see eye to eye." Byrne's run on "Uncanny X-Men" was with the "new" X-Men team introduced in the late 1970s, after several years of reprints in the failing title. "Hidden Years" is the story of what happened to the original X-Men during the same period. As for Byrne's future with Marvel, Quesada was realistic: "I think John made it very clear that he had no intentions to work with Marvel, but if he ever has a change of heart, he knows where to find us." +++++ From Comic Book Resources at: http://www.comicbookresources.com/ Australian ban on From Hell lifted Posted by Jonah Weiland - 10:57 PST Eddie Campbell has posted on his Web site notice that the Australian ban on his comic, with writer Alan Moore, "From Hell" has been lifted. Here is the text from Eddie himself: "From Hell has been cleared by the Office of Film and Literature Classification in only fifteen days. Andrew Frith of Quality Comics in Perth phoned me yesterday to say that the book was given the green light and that they should come and retrieve their impounded copies. However, a curious detail; Andrew informs me that the ban against Volume Seven still stands. It remains to be established whether the giving of this information is to be interpreted as a face-saving manoeuvred by the officers concerned. I am still investigating the possibility of an Australian edition of the book. It is already available in bookstores in the U.S. and England in preparation for the arrival of the movie around April. Eddie Campbell, November 15" +++++ From Rich Johnston's ALL THE RAGE Gossip Column at: http://www.SilverBulletComicBooks.com. Cancellations And Consolations Dist-Rob-Ution Solution? A source of mine contacted me about Awesome's recent comics solicitations, saying "Diamond recently cancelled just about all of their outstanding solicitations, and I've gotten conflicting reports about the future of the company. Jimmy Jay's brother said the company was gone for good, but a few days later Jimmy himself said they'd found a new investor and were getting back on track." This is the kind of rumour surrounding Awesome that goes around on a regular basis. Still, I passed it to Rob Liefeld. And he told me a rather interesting story. Liefeld writes "First off, I very seriously doubt that Bill Jay, Jimmy Jay's older brother said anything concerning Awesome's status. Secondly, we have no new investors and are not looking for any." "Finally, it is absolutely true that for the moment we are our making no attempt to fulfill our current Diamond orders. Our future will no longer be determined by the archaic practices of the severely depleted direct market. We continue to produce new comic material and look forward to premiering our product through the exciting new avenues of distribution that are available to us." Goodness. Awesome Comics leaving Diamond and pursuing other forms of distribution? What could this mean? I pressed Rob on this, especially the controversial Youngblood: Genesis, also on the Diamond cancellation list. He wrote "Youngblood: Genesis still exists, it will be released in the next 60 days. It will not, however be released through Diamond's system." Okay, that's all I'm getting out of him. But it looks like we might see a new way of distributing mainstream comics very shortly indeed... This Has A Rumour Value Of 7 Out Of 10 Good For Business Everyone read the new Transmetropolitan, entitled "Business"? Good. Everyone read the online version of "Shoot", the Hellblazer that got pre-printing pulped and saw Warren Ellis leave the book? Pretty similar in fact. Both mature readers titles, both using a similar structure and both including children. Except the one that was withdrawn involved children shooting each other and the one that was printed involved children raping each other and engaging in child prostitution. Interesting variable standards? Or did Ellis manage to sneak one past DC... This Has A Rumour Value Of 5 Out Of 10 Harrissed By DC? I've been getting a number of reports that suggest that Tony Harris' relationship with DC has not been rosy of late. Harris' work on titles such as Starman and Lazarus 5 has been critically acclaimed and has attracted die-hard fans. But a few months ago, it was announced after an investigation, that DC were dropping Obergeist, a project from Harris they had previously commissioned. The new trouble seems to revolve around his work for the Superman office. However, details are sketchy. Harris himself refused to comment and there has been no word about this from DC. This Has A Rumour Value Of 5 Out Of 10 Getting Down With Obergeist But as part of the pretty much aborted investigation into the above story, I came across Tony Harris and Top Cow's name being mentioned in the same sentence by one of my sources. So, on a whim, I asked "Is Top Cow going to publish Obergeist as part of its upcoming creator-owned Minotaur line?" And the response I got makes me think so. Obergeist was the project that DC commissioned and then decided not to publish. Good to hear it's found a home at last - and part of what sounds like a prestigious new line of comics. At the same time, Warren Ellis was talking to WizardWorld about "doing a six issue mini-series for Top Cow that's also creator owned, for early next year. That's a straight crime thing, but we don't have an artist yet." This sounds like the previously mentioned Down comic, also linked to the Minotaur imprint. This Has A Rumour Value Of 7 Out Of 10 +++++ From Comics2Film at http://www.comics2film.com GIPSY, DAMAGE CONTROL, SHADOWMAN -------------------------------- Barry Levine's production house, Brigade Entertainment, is working on an adaptation of a French comic called Gipsy. The Gipsy comic is published in the U.S. by NBM and originally published in Europe by Dargaud. It's written by Smolderen with art by Enrico Marini. Another project is Marvel's Damage Control. Don Calume and Chris Conroy are the screenwriters on this one. Shadowman is another Brigade project. Dimension Films is looking at the Acclaim comics character as their superhero franchise. The story for Shadowman was developed by Ari Arad, Director of Development at Brigade. Rapper/Actor/Writer/Director/Producer Ice Cube is also a producer on Shadowman. http://www.nbmpublishing.com/ http://www.dargaud.fr/ SPYBOY ------ A source at Dark Horse Entertainment told Comics2Film that they are closing a deal to bring SpyBoy to the small screen. Freddie Prinze, Jr. is attached to provide a voice for the young adventurer. SpyBoy would be done in animation as a co-venture with Nelvana. IRON FIST --------- Following up on recent Internet rumors regarding the Iron Fist movie, Comics2Film has verified that writer John Turman (The Crow: Stairway to Heaven) has been hired to write the screenplay. http://www.aintitcoolnews.com/ FROM HELL --------- Fans looking for another peek at the From Hell movie can take a look at the December issue of Premiere Magazine. RAT BASTARD ----------- 4ColorReview is showing the five minute test animation of RAT BASTARD on their site. The QuickTime movie intros the show's hero: Rosco Rodent, a genetically engineered humanoid rat who works as a private detective. http://4colorreview.com/ GEN13 ----- The Gen13 animated movie went on sale at UK outlets on November 6, 2000. It was released by Paramount Video with little fanfare. In the UK, the movie carries a classification certificate of 15, which means suitable only for persons of 15 years and over. http://4colorreview.com/ +++++ From Newsarama; http://www.Fandom.com/comics/ WINNER OF THE 1997 & 1998 INTERNET "SQUIDDY" FOR BEST WEB SITE WEINBERG ON `DARKSIDE` Cable writer Robert Weinberg has sent around a press release regarding his new Marvel series slated to launch in summer of 2001. According to the writer, the series, entitled Darkside saw its genesis as a result of suggestions by editor Mark Powers and assistant editor Pete Franco who wanted to utilize the writer's horror roots. No artist has been named for the series. CABLE'S RYAN STAYING PUT SAYS WRITER In a follow-up with Robert Weinberg, the Cable writer tells Newsarama he has spoken with artist Michael Ryan and reports he will continue to pencil that title as well as the three-issue Citizen V and the V-Battalion mini-series next spring (as detailed in the current edition of Newsarama Weekly). Finally, Weinberg reports his X-Men: Citadel of Night limited series, has been rescheduled for next fall. "As far as I know, Citadel is scheduled for next October, as it is perfect for Halloween," he said. "It got bumped from the schedule this year due to all the other mini-series being published. Though with the way the world works, who knows?" X-CANCELLATIONS BEGIN John Byrne's X-Men: The Hidden Years is apparently the first – and possibly of several – Marvel X-titles to placed on the chopping block in the upcoming re-evaluation of the line by the publisher. Today, in a John Byrne-dedicated AOL message board folder, The Byrne Ward, creator Walter Simonson asked Byrne about the status of his Hidden Years series, citing rumors the Orion creator had heard this afternoon regarding its possible cancellation and the cancellation of other X-Men titles. This evening, Byrne responded with the following post, "Unfortunately true, Walter. HIDDEN YEARS, and a lot of other X-Books (all of which are profitable), are being axed. Joe Quesada was not able to give me any sort of reason that made sense -- killing profitable books in a failing market? -- so, since I have no interest in devoting my time and effort to a company apparently intent on committing suicide, my relationship with Marvel is over." QUESADA EXPLAINS HIDDEN YEARS AXING As we said earlier today, you've got to stay tuned to keep on top of the changing face of Marvel's X-line. This afternoon Marvel E-I-C Joe Quesada responded to Newsarama's request to explain the decision to end X-Men: The Hidden Years (with issue #19 according to John Byrne, though he says he's halfway through issue #22), considering Byrne claims it's currently a profitable title for the publisher and that Quesada did not offer him a "reasonable explanation" for its cancellation. "As we look at the tapestry of X books we`ve noticed that many [titles] are saying the same thing about the mutant experience thus cannibalizing the audience and quite frankly not adding a level of diversity which is one of our goals for 2001," explained Quesada. "This is no fault of any individual editor or creator but rather what the beast that is X-Men has become. "In Hidden Year's case it was a two fold reason. "First, it was another team chronicling the adventures of Professor X and his X-Men. It`s my belief that the core books should and will be dealing with this subject matter. "Second, it was a story taking place in-between the pages of issues that were printed in the early eighties, quite frankly the book was very insular and mostly appealing to fans, like myself, who remember the early stuff. New fans coming in cold would naturally feel as if they weren`t in on the joke. "John and Tom Palmer like all of the creators of the X-Books were doing a fine job, but these are the tough calls that I as EIC have to make. At the end of the day there`s really no way that everyone is going to be pleased, but I feel strongly that the calls made will help Marvel, the X-Men franchise and the comic industry in general." JEANTY TAKES ON DEADPOOL In a conversation with Marvel editor Mike Marts, Marts told Newsarama that former Bishop artist Georges Jeanty will take over as regular artist of Deadpool as of May's issue #54, following two issues by artist Anthony Williams in March and April. And so while Deadpool with now have a new, regular look beginning in May, along with the entire X-line, this announcement raises several more questions_ In August Jeanty was named new regular penciler of Gambit (along with writer Scott Lobdell) and it was believed that team would continue with the series in 2001 after the three-month, six-issue Gambit & Bishop: Sons Of The Atom `combined' mini wrapped up in March. But now with Jeanty moved over to Deadpool as of May, and with cancellation rumors already surrounding the various `second tier' X-titles, Gambit's future looks very uncertain. Industry sources indicate that Bishop and Gambit will indeed be cancelled by Marvel, but the publisher has not confirmed this (Joe Quesada responded "no comment" when asked) and Marts could not comment when asked by Newsarama. Asked for his comment on this development Wednesday afternoon, Scott Lobdell - current writer of both series - responded, saying only, "I have no plans for Gambit and/or Bishop for the immediate future." WINICK JOINS THE X-SQUAD - (UPDATED with New Details) Changes, additions and subtractions to Marvel`s X-line are now coming fast and furious... In an interview at the Diamond Comics Distributors website, writer Judd Winick revealed his previously announced spring X-project is tentatively entitled Exiles (not to be confused with the former Malibu series), and will be a new, monthly ongoing title. The series will presumably debut in May, a month previously identified by Quesada as a sort of `ground zero` for all the coming changes. According to editor Mike Marts (in a follow-up with Newsarama), the series will be penciled by fan-favorite artist Mike (Big Town) McKone and asked for a hint as to who and what the series will about about, Marts told Newsarama it will star Blink. SPYBOY GOES OUT TO THE COLD In a situation reminiscent of yesterday's announced cancellation of X-Men: The Hidden Years by its creator John Byrne in his AOL message board folder, today another creator announced the cancellation of a series in his AOL message board folder, just a few clicks away from Byrne's. Today, in the folder Peter David Speaks, the writer known as `PAD' announced his series, Dark Horse Comics Spyboy, is to end – for now at least - with issue #15. The full text of David's announcement follows_ "Well, I just got off the phone with the folks at Dark Horse. Issue #15 will be - for the time being, at least - the last issue of SPYBOY. "I can`t fault the folks at Dark Horse. Their support for the book has been unconditional and unstinting, and they pretty much let me do whatever I wanted with it. But people simply didn`t buy the book in sufficient quantities to keep it profitable. Simple as that. "Simple...and frustrating. On the one hand readers ask rather than working within an established universe...that, and why do I appear to stick with the biggest publishers. And there`s all sorts of talk about how we need books that younger readers can appreciate. And along comes SPYBOY, and the message I then get in terms of support - or rather the lack thereof - is very much the opposite of what folks were saying before. The fans don`t buy it, or the retailers don`t order it in sufficient quantities to get readership. The reviews were by and large positive. Comics International said it was `great,’ and that its lack of Marvel or DC label resulted in it being `sadly neglected.’ Well, that`s what happens when titles are neglected. They go away. " SPYBOY SAYS: "THE RUMORS OF MY DEATH HAVE BEEN GREATLY EXAGGERATED" According to an announcement issued Thursday evening by Dark Horse Comics, contrary to reports currently circulating on the internet (including here at Newsarama), began with a post by writer Peter David in an AOL message boards folder - the publisher has not cancelled its SpyBoy series. "The series will likely undergo a few minor changes in the coming year due to developments beneficial to the series," explained editor Phil Amara, "but cancellation of the series is not one of those changes." "In coming weeks, Dark Horse will make further official statements regarding the status of SpyBoy, including an exciting announcement involving multi-media development of SpyBoy in the entertainment industry." MAYGAR JOINS CROSSGEN FOR `CRUX` press release Rick Magyar has signed with CrossGen to join writer Mark Waid and penciler Steve Epting as inker on Crux, scheduled for release on April 11, 2001. Magyar first began working in the comic book industry in 1981 at Marvel Comics and has since also worked for Dark Horse Comics and DC Comics, among others. Magyar`s most recent projects include Star Wars: Darth Maul for Dark Horse and Swamp Thing for DC. As well, he inks the syndicated newspaper strip, Zorro. Magyar will join CrossGen in January when he relocates from Pompano Beach, Florida to the Tampa area. Immediately upon his arrival, he will begin work on Crux. The veteran inker said he is extremely pleased to move into the CrossGen studio environment. "After working freelance for 19 years, it`ll be a big change to move into this type of situation," said Magyar. "But based on what I`ve seen so far,it`ll be exciting to work in a team environment and produce the best comics of my career." WINICK`S X-ILES DETAILS More details are surfacing regarding writer Judd Winick`s upcoming new X-Men related ongoing series with artist Mike McKone... Wizardworld.com has contributed these new details - Spinning out of the recent one-shot X-Men: Millennial Visions, the new series will have a "Quantum Leap/Sliders" quality, with Blink leading a "team of mutants from various realities — most from others, but some from our own — gathering pieces of a puzzle that she needs from across realities to solve her overall quest." This could involve all existing alternate realities - `Days of Future Past`, `Earth X`, `Mutant X`, as well as brand new alternates Winick would create. Winick reports the current frontrunning working title is Blink and the X-iles. X-MAN UPDATE In response to news of Ariel Olivetti departing X-Man with issue #73 (though remaining on as cover artist), new editor Lysa Hawkins has informed Newsarama that artist Enrique Alcatena has been tapped to take his place. "We were fortunate enough to find a wonderful replacement in Enrique," said Hawkins. "We`re delighted to have him on board for the duration of the series and wish Ariel all the best on his future endeavors." In a follow-up, asked to explain if by "duration of the series" she meant the series was coming to a close with Alcatena onboard, Hawkins referred us to Joe Quesada, who declined to comment. X-ROUND ROBIN CONTINUES - IT`S X-FORCE'S TURN Since we're effectively covering the entire Marvel X-line in some respects the last 24 hours, let's talk X-Force_and you can chalk this one up to the "sticking around" file_though not without changes. New Marvel editor Axel (Spider-Man) Alonso has confirmed that as of last Wednesday, he has taken over the editorial reins of the series (following Marvel's dismissal of Counter X editor Jason Liebig), and if Alonso's comments to Newsarama Thursday afternoon are any indication, the series will definitely continue on an ongoing basis. X-MAN`S OLIVETTI MOVES UPTOWN While Marvel has given no outright indication that the Counter X title X-Man will be a cancellation victim in the current X-men line-wide re-evaluation, and series writer Steven Grant has recently gone on record saying that as of Wednesday morning, cancellation doesn`t seem imminent (though recognizing the title was on Marvel's `hit list' and probably still is), if the title does continue it will do so without regular artist Ariel Olivetti. Olivetti has confirmed with Newsarama that while continuing on as the series' cover artist, his last issue as interior artist will be #73 (January). Olivetti will be leaving the title to take on what he calls a "big project" at Marvel`s uptown rival, DC Comics. A spokesperson for DC confirmed that Olivetti will illustrate a project for editor Mike Carlin that will take "several months", but declined to specifically identify the project. Comment from Marvel was not immediately available. CABLE NOT GOING ANYWHERE SAYS WRITER Can ya stand another X-Men cancellation rumor story?? Well, this one may serve cut at least one one off at the knees... Thursday morning, Cable writer Robert Weinberg issued a statement with the intent of squelching ongoing rumors of its possible cancellation. "CABLE is not being cancelled," wrote Weinberg. "It will continue, with me writing the scripts and CABLE`s terrific artist, Michael Ryan, doing the art. Michael`s endured having two wisdom teeth pulled recently, so issue # 89 is going to be done by a fill-in artist (whose name I apologize for having forgotten) but Michael should be back to speed for issue # 90 and beyond. "I`ve been cautious about making any statements about CABLE primarily since there are a lot of changes happening to the X-line, but the higher-ups at Marvel have made it quite clear that CABLE is not a title that is in danger of being cancelled. "So, if you thought Cable had problems with the Undying and Gaunt, you haven`t seen anything yet. In months to come, Nathan Dayspring Summers is going to encounter a Dark Tide Rising and then discover the true Heart of Darkness. "I do want to thank all of the many, many fans who wrote to Marvel in support of CABLE. There`s no question that their many letters and emails really helped. I know that I was absolutely stunned by the response to my open letter asking for support of CABLE and that Mark Powers, my editor, was equally amazed and delighted. I also want to thank all the e-zines who published my letter and got behind the effort to make sure CABLE wasn`t cancelled. For everyone who wrote, I hope to continue writing CABLE stories that will justify your support of my work." +++++ From Zentertainment; HTTP://WWW.ZENTERTAINMENT.COM To sign a friend up or begin receiving ZEN yourself, e-mail: subscribe@ZENtertainment.com 'JLA' ON CARTOON NETWORK? AIN'T IT COOL NEWS reports The CARTOON Network has greenlit an animated JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA series created by Bruce Timm (Batman). http://www.aint-it-cool-news.com http://www.cartoonnetwork.com http://www.dccomics.com MID-OHIO-CON IS NOVEMBER 25 & 26! Attracting comic book & pop culture fans from all across the USA, Canada & Europe, MID-OHIO-CON is bringing over 100 celebrity guests, special programs and the industry's best retail exhibitors, to the new Hilton Hotel at Easton Town Center in Columbus, Ohio. Meet TV stars; JUNE LOCKHART, YVONNE CRAIG, BILL MUMY, ANGELA CARTWRIGHT and JON PROVOST. Meet major comic book stars; SERGIO ARAGONES, BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS, JOHN BYRNE, DAVE COCKRUM, PAUL JENKINS, MIKE AVON OEMING, TOM PALMER, MARK WAID, and MORE! Updates, advance tickets, and everything else you need to know is at; www.midohiocon.com +++++ From the DCOnline newsletter; http://www.dccomics.com/newsletter.html To subscribe, or for questions or comments about the DC newsletter, please email DCWebSite@aol.com. PHIL JIMENEZ TAKES HOLD OF THE MAGIC LASSO IN WONDER WOMAN #164 As an exciting new era dawns for the Amazon Princess with superstar writer/artist Phil Jimenez (JLA/TITANS, PLANETARY/AUTHORITY, THE INVISIBLES) beginning his year-long tenure on WONDER WOMAN with issue #164, DC shows its support of Princess Diana's return to greatness with a free 50% overship of this instant-classic issue. According to Jimenez: "I was shocked and thrilled by this incredible display of faith from DC for both me and my work as well as something retailers can take advantage of. It's going to be a terrific year on WONDER WOMAN -- it will certainly be a product retailers can push strongly -- and I'm honored DC has done this wonderful, rare thing by overshipping my first issue on the series." Adds Vince Letterio, DC's Manager -- Direct Sales: "I've watched this first issue come in as both pencils and inks; most retailers have underestimated how well this is going to sell. Be very sure you've ordered enough of these, the demand will be even higher than anticipated once this first issue hits the stands." This issue begins a 4-part storyline entitled "Gods of Gotham, " in which Jimenez's plots and pencils are joined by the talents of master scripter J.M. DeMatteis (THE SPECTRE) and inker Andy Lanning (LEGION LOST, JLA/TITANS), with continuing covers by Adam Hughes. Diana travels to Gotham City to stop the Joker, Scarecrow and Poison Ivy from turning the Dark Knight's city into the source of a worldwide conflagration. But the Bat-villains have formed a mysterious alliance with some familiar Wonder Woman characters that gives them greater powers than they've ever dreamed! Jimenez's love for Wonder Woman and her supporting cast is evident in every beautifully rendered, finely detailed panel as he produces the most personal and passionate artwork of his career. The stories that Jimenez has conjured return an emotional resonance to Wonder Woman, while delivering heart-stopping action and pulse-pounding excitement. Future story arcs in Jimenez's year-long stint will feature other special DC guest stars (with some surprise cowriters joining in on scripting chores), as many well-known foes return, deadlier than ever. Jimenez reestablishes Wonder Woman's role, presence and prominence in the DC Universe, culminating in a major event next year that will forever change the Amazon Princess. "As I plot ahead beyond our first story arc "Gods of Gotham" with new editor Eddie Berganza, we've worked through a 2-part story with Wonder Woman and Troia on Paradise Island, which will also focus strongly on Hippolyta," says Jimenez. "We're also introducing a new (and very important) Wonder Woman villain in the pages of the PRESIDENT LUTHOR Secret Files, so WONDER WOMAN readers take note! We've got so many tricks up our sleeve custom-designed to thrill and entertain!" WONDER WOMAN #164 (SEP00 0520) arrives in stores November 29 with a cover price of $2.25 U.S. The PRESIDENT LUTHOR Secret Files (DEC00 0410) will be retro-solicited in Previews Vol. X #12 and arrives in stores January 17 with a cover price of $4.95. 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: 11/18/00 (8:00 am) -- "The Call-Part 2" (Batman Beyond-new) 11/18/00 (11:00 am) -- "The New Kid" (Static Shock!-new) 11/21/00 (3:30 pm) -- "Untouchable" (Batman Beyond) 11/22/00 (3:30 pm) -- "April Moon" (Batman Beyond) 11/23/00 (3:30 pm) -- TBD 11/24/00 (7:30 am) -- "Final Cut" (Batman Beyond) Retailers are encouraged to share this information with their customers. Be advised that this schedule is subject to change. ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [5] Interview Tim O'Shea tim_jen@mindspring.com [Tim O'Shea is a 32-year old desktop publisher who lives in Atlanta with his wife and son. Tim, who has been reading comic books on a weekly basis since 1977, thinks he's the only rabid comic book fan who intends never to attend a convention.] Originally posted to: http://www.thecomicreader.com/newsmain.htm Copyright 2000 - The Comic Reader, used with permission The End Is Near (At Least for Aquaman), But Not For Cap, Thor or Lara Croft: An E-Interview with Dan Jurgens I'm pesky, just ask the guys of the industry who I interview or try to interview. Well, I got to recently pester Dan Jurgens, writer of Aquaman (which ends this month), as well as writer/artist for the adventure-filled Marvel patriotic living legend, CAPTAIN AMERICA, while at the same time writer of that wacky Asgardian God of Thunder, THE MIGHTY THOR, and last, but not least, TOMB RAIDER But before I could start firing my e-questions at Dan, he wanted to make a statement. Thanks to Dan and here goes. -Tim O'Shea, TCR Senior Online News Editor JURGENS: I want to thank everyone for their kind words of support with regard to AQUAMAN. The book has only one issue left before it disappears, but the flood (pun intended!) of positive letters, comments and e-mail about the book have been extremely gratifying. O'SHEA: While Aquaman will no longer be published, you have a knack for writing about water-based monarchies. With Namor poised to be more active in the Marvel Universe through Kurt Busiek/Erik Larsen's relaunching of THE DEFENDERS, would you ever be interested in writing a SUB-MARINER book or limited series? JURGENS: I'll leave the underwater world alone for awhile. Namor is a cool character but I wouldn't want to replicate any of the ideas or thoughts I had for Aquaman. Frankly, there are still a number of ideas I have for Aquaman and I'd rather tell them. O'SHEA: When you say that you've got "a number of ideas I have for Aquaman," is there any talk with DC of one-shot special Aquaman issues down the road? JURGENS: Sadly, no. If fact, I fully expect it won't be long before you see a new Aquaman project with a completely different creative team. O'SHEA: I consider this year's HEART, the World War II tale from CAPTAIN AMERICA #32 to be one of my all-time favorite CAP stories, up there with the Stern-Byrne CAP run in terms of good storytelling. Any chance you could do another WWII era story next year? I'd love to see your take on Union Jack. If not a TIMES PAST type story, what are the odds Cap might find himself in England in the near future and might run into the modern day UNION JACK? (I think UNION JACK is one of the most under used characters in the Marvel Universe, if you didn't notice.) JURGENS: Thanks for the kind words. And I like Union Jack as well. I don't know about another flashback story. There seems to be a feeling among some in the Marvel offices that those stories make Cap look old and stodgy; that there's no new ground to be explored there. That having been said, one of the more unique aspects of Cap is the idea that he's led two lives. One in the past and one in the present. Connecting those, in my mind, is always a good idea. O'SHEA: In recent issues of THOR, I've been enjoying the presence of the Warrior Three (and in particular the depth of character you've added to Hogun). Now with the return of Beta Ray Bill, I'm torn as to which character or group of characters I should try to convince you to do an 8-page back-up TALES OF ASGARD. But I know you're already overloaded with writing chores on three books (CAP, THOR and TOMB RAIDER) as well as art duty on CAP. Have you or THOR editor Tom Brevoort given any thought to getting guest artists and writers to pitch in with a relaunched TALES OF ASGARD (much like THOR alum Walter Simonson is doing with NEW GODS tales in the back pages of DC's ORION)? JURGENS: We've talked about that from time to time. Unfortunately, going with that format cuts the front story. When I was a kid I didn't care for that because I wanted more Thor stories, even though I enjoyed TALES OF ASGARD. O'SHEA: Is Beta Ray Bill going to be a long-term supporting character in THOR? JURGENS: I believe it's better for Bill to move in and out of the book. The stars of the book are Jake and Thor and it's best to concentrate on them. O'SHEA: Would you say Tomb Raider is easier or harder to write than your Marvel/DC work, given that there's decades' worth of continuity to juggle (or play with, depending on one's perspective) versus the relative blank slate that is the Lara Croft continuity. JURGENS: It's refreshing because it's different than heroic books like THOR and Cap. The idea is to convince readers that we'll do stories of consequence and won't back down just because it's a licensed video game property. O'SHEA: Given the current popularity for the Ultimate Spider-Man and Ultimate X-Men, would you ever be interested in tackling an Ultimate Cap or Thor? JURGENS: As far as I'm concerned, Thor is an Ultimate type book. We reinvented it to a degree and it's very, very accessible to the audience Marvel wants to reach. That they don't capitalize on that is unfortunate because I'm convinced the book can be bought and enjoyed by younger readers. It's mythic, heroic and certainly not bound to its past. O'SHEA: Any guest stars or teasers you'd like to throw out to Marvel fans? In a recent interview (www.fandom.com/comics/Editorial.asp?obj_id=222628&aff_id=19) you mentioned a desire to return to Spider-man "the real Spider-Man this time" and an interest in Daredevil. Any chance they'll turn up soon in your Marvel work? JURGENS: Nothing planned at present. O'SHEA: Anything else that I didn't ask you about that you'd like to discuss? JURGENS: Only that the TOMB RAIDER special currently in production with incredible painted art by Joe Jusko is gorgeous. I promise you, you won't want to miss that book! ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [6] And let me tell you why .... David Coulter DneColt@att.net Okay, I'm getting sidetracked on this -- I'll get to my topic in a minute, but I heard something on the radio that irked me this morning: They were discussing this retarded guy who's going to be executed in Texas, and the reporter described him as "sitting quietly in his cell, reading comic books." Shows you how far we have to go, I guess, when reading comics becomes shorthand for low intelligence and mental retardation. What was he reading? It says a great deal to me about the level of his intelligence if he was reading Chris Ware's "Jimmy Corrigan, The Smartest Kid On Earth?" instead of "X-Men?" (a comic I DO associate with mental retardation). But, no, comics are comics, and they're a clear sign of mental regression. I've said it before and I say it again -- one thing that might make a difference in how the "general public" perceives comics would be a concerted effort on our parts to change the way we are portrayed by the media: Every time you run across a newspaper or magazine article that has the words "Pow" or "Biff" ANYWHERE in the headline, send an email to the editor pointing out what a tired, ridiculous cliche that is. If you run across an example, as the one I mentioned above, of comics being used to imply that someone is a cretin, fire off another email criticizing the reporters obvious lack of skill in needing to resort to such a sweeping and erroneous generalization. But whatever you do, DON'T identify yourself as a comic fan. Identify yourself as a reader or viewer or listener (which you are), if they know you're a comic fan, they'll write you off as an over-sensitive nut and crybaby. But if you come across as a reader who's simply tired of an overused cliche (like, who didn't get tired of the all the stupid damn road analogies used in ever article about the Internet from 1992-1998?) you're more likely to be taken seriously. Anyway, there's my rant. Now for the real reason I'm here, The Goon. Those of you who caught the final issue of Dark Horse Presents (and shame on you if you didn't) know what I'm talking about. The story in DHP #157, "The Return of the Goon" knocked my socks off (and then kicked them in the head a few times and buried them in the back yard -- it was THAT good). After I finished reading it, my first thought was "wow!" My second though was "The RETURN of The Goon?" Where had he been before this? How had I missed him? For those who missed it, The Goon was a hard-boiled detective parody/action-adventure/horror story. Imagine sticking Raymond Chandler's "Marlow" novels, Will Eisner's "Spirit," anything by Harvey Kurtzman, and George Romero's "Night of The Living Dead" in a blender for a few minutes on high: That's The Goon -- big mean guys on the "wrong" side of the law, beating up zombies. How cool is that? Plus, you have to love any book with the tagline "no zombies were hurt in the production of this book, although afterwards, we did poke them with sticks and mock them with taunts like 'smelly smelly wormhead.'" Or, how's this piece of dialogue, spoken after the two main characters have kicked a vampire's teeth down his throat: "You thinking what I'm thinking?" "Probably not. What are you thinking?" "That we tie him to the hood of the car and set him on fire." "Wow, that IS what I was thinking." If that doesn't make you laugh, then The Goon isn't the book for you -- go find something with a tea party. The Goon is an aggressively funny, hilariously hostile comic book that revels in the oft-used phrase "Comic book violence" -- but in a good way. In other words, a book right up my admittedly twisted alley. Again -- how could I have missed this? I followed the conveniently-included URL: http://www.thegoon.com to the website of writer/artist Eric Powell, and discovered that The Goon had appeared in three eponymous issues from Avatar a couple of years back. Aha. With the exception of the 5 issues of Threshold with Warren Ellis's "Dark Blue," I have avoided Avatar books like the creeping crud they are. If there's anyone one company out there that could be giving comics a worse name or reputation than they already have, it's these losers. But that's a subject for another time. Luckily -- thankfully -- Eric Powell seems to have gotten someone's attention at Dark Horse, first in DHP #157, and apparently in the upcoming mini-series "Evil Pants." (I'm sold on the title alone). If you like -- or ever liked -- Mad Magazine, EC Comics, the Spirit, anything by Frank Miller or Warren Ellis -- you'll like this book .... I promise. So get out there, and track down Dark Horse Presents #157. Then go to www.thegoon.com and buy the three Avatar issues from Mr. Powell (it's a measly $8), and then keep an eye out for "Evil Pants." You won't be sorry. Comments? Criticisms? Flames? Bring `em on! DneColt@att.net ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [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. ] Crossing the Eastern Divide The perceptions that exist towards comics aren't very nice - they're thought of as adolescent power fantasies filled with inane plots populated by over-muscled gun-toting maniacs and big-breasted martial arts nymphos. This is exactly what comes to mind when otaku think of American comics. It's odd that fans of media (manga and anime) so riddled with stereotypes would harbor the same stereotypes about their American counterparts. Even odder still, that they would harbor the same stereotypes as those held in the outside world. It's ridiculous. Aren't we all fans of the same artform? Aren't we all geeks? Shouldn't we all be united against the outsider's misconceptions of us? It's a lot like junior high. The social structure is all about the principle of divide and conquer - let the outcasts destroy each other. It might not be true of everyone reading this, but I remember so desperately wanting to be liked by the 'popular' people that I would tease and alienate my fellow geeks. Eventually I found my own group in high school, a small comfortable group of geeks with varying interests. A clique of our own. The interests originated from many sects of fandom - techies, trekkies, gamers, otaku. Most of them were comics fans as well - and whoever wasn't, I made it my mission to convert them. Especially the otaku. I like manga and anime, why couldn't they like the American equivalents? It seems most of them turned to Japanese comics and animation because they found a greater level of complexity and sophistication. They harbor the impression that the American media completely lack those attributes. It may all be a matter of exposure - living in the United States would show them a greater variety of crap, while only the good stuff (should) get imported from Japan. From the samples given, it does seem that more intelligence is given into the production of manga and anime. Of course this is only partly true - while manga is more widely accepted in Japan by the public, the industry still produces its fair share of utter crap. The key is to expose otaku to the good stuff. I show them my Transmetropolitans and Sandman. I make them watch Batman/Superman Adventures (when it was still on). I want them to know that America can produce something of value in these media. There shouldn't be any such thing as separate fandoms. As geeks we should get along, and it should be possible to like the same things. Its all the same media - comics and animation. Just different nationalities, with their different cultural values, backgrounds, strengths and history. Otaku are just fanboys with a different name. Fandom should mingle and converse, the common interest should unite - creating one comics landscape, culturally diverse, nurturing a free flow of ideas, and enriching the medium as a whole. ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [8] Multiverse Observer and Explorer Reviews Paul Dale Roberts Silhouet98@cs.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: J. Michael Straczynski's Rising Stars #11 Publisher: Image Written by: J. Michael Straczynski Drawn by: Ken Lashley & Christian Zanier Price: $2.50 Comments: This issue was quite dramatic in the beginning, as William Corealis stands over John Simon's body and thinks of their childhood. Young John Simon was very protective of his then fat friend Willie who had a difficult time flying. Any harassment from the kids and John was on them quickly. John was a true friend to Willie and Willie always remembers those precious moments. These are powerful human emotions coming to play within this story, between these two characters. This is exceptional story-telling. I was completely amazed at the way William rips that wall apart to break out Cathy Jean from her cell. What I didn't expect is to see John return from the dead and then Cathy Jean getting shot. This was truly a tragic scene. William had great intentions of using Cathy Jean to bring back John from the brink of death. John and William are reunited with the great loss of a wonderful human being known as Cathy Jean. Cathy Jean's powers of bringing back the dead was a great power, but it's sad that she didn't have the powers of invulnerability. Super issue! Name: Top Ten #10 Publisher: America's Best Comics Written by: Alan Moore Drawn by: Gene Ha - pencils & inks Price: $2.95 Comments: Holy Hannah! Top 10 #10 is a landmark issue! Right on the 'ten' spot and this one issue really makes an impact! I started this night off with excitement. First I watched Titan A.E. and then saved the best for last, with this issue! Robyn and Jeff investigate homicides better than Nash Bridges. In this issue Robyn & Jeff investigate the murder of a teen idol nicknamed Bluejay. Bluejay is a user of the hyperdrene drug. The hyperdrene drug is weirder than LSD, being that the user hallucinates and sees little Pixies. With these manifesting Pixies, other people can see them and interact with them and that makes it even stranger. What blew me away is that Jeff & Robyn take these hyperdrene mites (Pixies) to a holding cell for questioning, before 4 hours are up and they vanish. Where does Alan Moore come up with this stuff? I LOVE IT! Teen idol Glenn 'Bluejay' Garland murder is the beginning for more sinister situations to arise within this story. I was impressed with the mural of past heroes, like always there is something incredible to look at in every issue, thanks to the penciling/inking magic of Gene Ha. Commissioner Ultima enters a room like she was the Czar of Rome. Right from the beginning Ultima was on edge as she demands to inspect the labs. Her presence was full of negativity. I love the suspenseful moment as Detective Jackson accuses her of the murder of Stefan Graczik, because she detected the smell of Joy perfume on her - which was translated from musical tunes....bizarre! Sad moments as Li takes a blast full on from Ultima. Officer Wornow is ready to lose it and is prepared for a nuclear strike. Then when I thought no one else was going to get killed, then Qualtz goes down and Ultima at this time is raving mad and is screaming for the drug Xenite. Her addiction is truly bad. The threat that Ultima will destroy the city Neopolis was in the air and I was hanging onto the edge of my seat wondering what would occur next. As the dust settles, Alan delivers the cliffhanger that keeps readers coming back, with Robyn severely injured and facing an entity that has been only rumored to exist. This story was exhilarating! Name: Vampirella's Scarlet Letters - Vol. 1 - Issue 18 Publisher: Harris Comics Comments: This is the Official Newsletter of the Vampirella's Scarlet Legion Fan Club. I have been receiving this issue from #1 and I must say, it gets better and better. This time we have a Manga Vampirella gracing the cover. Interior carries: Listing of outstanding members who donated pictures, drawings, figurines of Vampirella to the newsletter. An interview with the first Vampirella model - Angelique Trouvere. Convention Report: San Diego Comic-Con with pictures of the new Vampirella model: Arban Ornelas. MOE Sidenote: Make sure to check out 'How to Draw Those Bodacious Bad Babes of Comics by Frank McLaughlin & Mike Gold'. This book is a powerful tool for those aspiring artists who can't seem to get the female anatomy correct. I'm one of them, when I draw women superheroines, I draw them like horses. It's shameful. Another comic book novel to look for is Roman Dirge's Lenore. This is a very entertaining book! Also, if you haven't done it yet, check out IMF Agent Ethan Hunt aka Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible 2 - now at a video store near you! You know I love comic books, but I also love good science fiction, horror, Anima and fantasy movies. Right now at Hollywood Video, some of the best in the genre I mentioned above are out on their racks. Let's check a few out: Princess Mononoke (good animated movie done in the adventurous mode); The Reaper; Perfect Blue; Party Crasher; Laserhawk (sci-fi done with great special effects!); Komodo; The Magical Legend of Leprechauns (if you love great fantasy, this is the movie to see!); The Horrible Doctor Bones (horror done with rap music - uggh!); The House That Screamed (scary...I mean scary!); Dragonheart - A New Beginning (a bit of fantasy, a bit of Sword & Sorcery); Believe; Ancient Evil (B-rated - a bit slow); Angel of the Night (this movie drags); Premonition; Sin - The Movie (Super Anima!); and Shades of Darkness (a sleeper). So, if you are out of good comic book reading material, go down to your local Hollywood Video and pick up a rental, you'll be glad that you did! If you have a chance check out Vampi: Switchblade Kiss by Harris Comics and Butcher Knight #1 by Image! 2 new exciting comic books, get ready for the adventure! By the way, I have a new email address, it's Silhouet98@cs.com Drop me a line and let me know what comic book you would like me to review. Multiverse Observer and Explorer signing off until next time.... ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [9] TOP 100 COMICS FOR - NOVEMBER Diamond Comics Distributors Rankings are based on orders placed by retailers and reflect total units ordered not dollar values of total ordered. Unit prices are given for reference only. This is NOT a list of comics that sold the most copies to the consumers - it is a list of ORDERS by DEALERS. Rank Title Cost Pub. 1 UNCANNY X-MEN #388 $2.25 MAR 2 X-MEN #108 $2.25 MAR 3 BATTLE CHASERS #7 $2.50 DC 4 WOLVERINE #158 $2.25 MAR 5 JLA #49 THE 10TH MUSE #1 (2 covers) $2.25 DC 6 THE 10TH MUSE #1 (2 covers) $2.95 IMA 7 AVENGERS #36 $2.25 MAR 8 THE PUNISHER #10 $2.99 MAR 9 DAREDEVIL #14 (RES) $2.99 MAR 10 SPAWN #104 $2.50 IMA 11 DAREDEVIL #15 (RES) $2.99 MAR 12 X-MEN: THE SEARCH FOR CYCLOPS #2 (2 covers) $2.99 MAR 13 WOLVERINE 2000 $3.50 MAR 14 UNIVERSE X #4 $3.50 MAR 15 RISING STARS #12 $2.50 IMA 16 FANTASTIC FOUR #37 $2.25 MAR 17 ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #3 $2.50 MAR 18 X-MEN FOREVER #1 $3.50 MAR 19 TOMB RAIDER #9 $2.50 IMA 20 PETER PARKER:SPIDER-MAN #25 $2.99 MAR 21 HARLEY QUINN #2 $2.25 DC 22 DAREDEVIL/SPIDER-MAN #1 $2.99 MAR 23 SPIDEY: A UNIVERSE X SPECIAL $3.99 MAR 24 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN FOIL COVER #25 $3.99 MAR 25 IRON MAN #36 $2.25 MAR 26 BATMAN #585 $2.25 DC 27 THOR #31 $2.25 MAR 28 X-FORCE #110 $2.25 MAR 29 CABLE #87 $2.25 MAR 30 MIDNIGHT NATION #3 $2.50 IMA 31 CAPTAIN AMERICA #37 $2.25 MAR 32 DETECTIVE COMICS #752 $2.50 DC 33 SUPERMAN #164 $2.25 DC 34 MUTANT X #27 $2.25 MAR 35 BATGIRL #10 $2.50 DC 36 GENERATION X #71 $2.25 MAR 37 MAXIMUM SECURITY #3 $2.99 MAR 38 ACTION COMICS #773 $2.25 DC 39 BUTCHER KNIGHT #1 (RES) $2.50 IMA 40 BLACK WIDOW: BREAKDOWN #1 $2.99 MAR 41 JSA #18 $2.50 DC 42 NIGHTWING #51 $2.25 DC 43 DAREDEVIL: NINJA #2 $2.99 MAR 44 THUNDERBOLTS #46 $2.25 MAR 45 STAR WARS: DARTH MAUL #3 (2 covers) $2.99 DAR 46 MARVEL KNIGHTS #7 $2.99 MAR 47 X-MEN: MAGIK #2 $2.99 MAR 48 SUPERMAN: THE MAN OF STEEL #108 $2.25 DC 49 ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #586 $2.25 DC 50 THE AUTHORITY #21 $2.50 DC 51 JLA: ACT OF GOD #1 $4.95 DC 52 GREEN LANTERN #132 $2.25 DC 53 PLANETARY #13 $2.50 DC 54 X-MAN #71 $2.25 MAR 55 BATMAN: GOTHAM KNIGHTS #11 $3.25 DC 56 BATMAN: TURNING POINTS #1 $2.50 DC 57 IRON FIST/WOLVERINE #3 $2.99 MAR 58 BATMAN: LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT #137 $2.25 DC 59 SUPERMAN: LEX 2000 $3.50 DC 60 GAMBIT #24 $2.25 MAR 61 INCREDIBLE HULK #22 $2.25 MAR 62 BATMAN: TURNING POINTS #2 $2.50 DC 63 BATMAN: TURNING POINTS #3 $2.50 DC 64 BATMAN: TURNING POINTS #5 $2.50 DC 65 GREEN LANTERN/SUPERMAN: LEGENDS OF THE $5.95 DC GREEN FLAME 66 BATMAN: TURNING POINTS #4 $2.50 DC 67 SENTRY #5 $2.99 MAR 68 MARVEL BOY #6 $2.99 MAR 69 FLASH #168 $2.25 DC 70 BISHOP: THE LAST X-MAN #16 $2.25 MAR 71 X-MEN: THE HIDDEN YEARS #14 $2.50 MAR 72 HELLSPAWN #4 $2.50 IMA 73 TITANS #23 $2.50 DC 74 GREEN LANTERN VS ALIENS #3 $2.99 DAR 75 TOMB RAIDER: THE GREATEST TREASURE OF ALL $5.95 IMA 76 TOM STRONG #11 $2.95 DC 77 STAR WARS: BOBA FETT, AGENT OF DOOM $2.99 DAR 78 WARLANDS #11 $2.50 IMA 79 YOUNG JUSTICE #27 $2.50 DC 80 ROBIN #84 $2.25 DC 81 FANTASTIC FOUR: BIG TOWN #1 $3.50 MAR 82 GHOST/BATGIRL #4 $2.99 DAR 83 THE FIRST #1 $2.95 CRO 84 SPIDER-MAN: THE MYSTERIO MANIFESTO #1 $2.99 MAR 85 DEADPOOL #48 $2.25 MAR 86 SPIDER-GIRL #28 $2.25 MAR 87 CAPTAIN MARVEL #13 $2.50 MAR 88 SUPERMAN & BATMAN:WORLD'S FUNNEST $6.95 DC 89 CATWOMAN #88 $2.25 DC 90 AMERICA'S BEST COMICS SPECIAL #1 $6.95 DC 91 WONDER WOMAN #164 $2.25 DC 92 BIRDS OF PREY #25 $2.50 DC 93 ROBIN YEAR ONE #2 $4.95 DC 94 BATMAN CHRONICLES #23 $2.95 DC 95 STAR WARS #24:INFINITY'S END (Part 2 of 4) $2.99 DAR 96 GEN13 #59 $2.50 DC 97 STARMAN #73 $2.50 DC 98 SUPERGIRL #52 $2.25 DC 99 SPAWN: THE DARK AGES #21 $2.50 IMA 100 MYSTIC #6 $2.95 CRO ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [10] New Comic Book Releases List [NCRL] by Charles LePage chuck@comiclist.com +++WINNER OF THE 1996 REC.ARTS.COMICS.* "SQUIDDY" FOR BEST WEB SITE+++ http://www.comiclist.com New Comic Book Releases List for Wednesday, 11/22/2000, compiled by Charles LePage with information from Suncoast Comics. This is the *preliminary* list and is not complete. The completed list is posted weekly, usually Tuesday evening, at http://www.comiclist.com and other places. You can receive this list each Tuesday via email by following the instructions at the web site, or you can email NCRL-subscribe@egroups.com PLEASE NOTE- Not all of these titles will actually arrive in all stores. Let CHARLES know if any of the names or numbers are wrong. chuck@comiclist.com (Charles LePage) PUBLISHERS: If you know when your comics are going to be available through Diamond, please email chuck@comiclist.com so that he can place your comics on the appropriately dated list. Thanks! "TPB" = "trade paperback". "GN" = "graphic novel". "AA" = "available again". "SC" = "softcover". "HC" = "hardcover". "S/N" = "signed/numbered". "AR" = "ask retailer about price". PUBLISHER TITLE, ISSUE NUMBER, PRICE IN U.S. DOLLARS AMAZE INK (SLAVE LABOR GRAPHICS) Griffin TPB, 19.95 Lenore TPB Vol 2 Wedgies (Pu448), 13.95 Patty Cake & Friends Vol 2 #1, 4.95 Oddjob #6, 2.95 ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS Archie & Friends #45, 1.99 Betty & Veronica #156, 1.99 Betty & Veronica Digest #117, 2.19 Jugheads Double Digest #73, 3.19 Sonic Super Special #15, 2.49 CHAOS! COMICS Purgatori #1/2, 2.95 CPM MANGA Record Of Lodoss War Grey Witch Book 3, 15.95 CROSSGEN COMICS Scion #6, 2.95 CRUSADE ENTERTAINMENT Shi Tomoe Unforgettable Fire Coll Ed, 6.99 DARKCHYLDE ENTERTAINMENT Dreams Of The Darkchylde #2, 2.95 DARK HORSE COMICS Blade Of The Immortal The Gathering (9 Of 15) #51, 2.99 Grendel Devils Legacy #9 (Of 12), 2.99 Super Manga Blast #7, 4.99 Usagi Yojimbo #43, 2.99 DC COMICS Aquaman #75, 2.50 Batman #585, 2.25 Batman Turning Points #4 (Of 5), 2.50 Cartoon Network Starring #17, 1.99 Countdown #8 (Of 8), 2.95 Hourman #22, 2.50 House On The Borderland HC, 29.95 Jet #3 (Of 4), 2.50 JLA Act Of God #1 (Of 3), 4.95 JSA #18, 2.50 Millennium Edition Detective Comics #1, 3.95 Orion #8, 2.50 Outlaw Nation #3, 2.50 Superboy #82, 2.25 Supergirl #52, 2.25 Superman The Man Of Steel #108, 2.25 Titans #23, 2.50 DIAMOND PUBLICATIONS Previews Vol X #12, AR EL CAPITAN BOOKS Murder Me Dead #2 (Of 8), 2.95 FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS Eightball Like A Velvet Glove Cast In Iron TPB (Star01344), 16.95 IMAGE COMICS Hellspawn #3, 2.50 Kabuki Metamorphosis HC, 49.95 Objective Five #4, 2.95 Powers #7, 2.95 Rising Stars Deluxe TPB, 19.95 Spawn The Dark Ages #20, 2.50 Tomb Raider Painted Poster, 5.95 Violent Messiahs #4, 2.95 IRONCAT Futabakun Change Vol 5 #4, 2.95 Hyper Dolls Vol 5 #2, 2.95 Ogenki Clinic Vol 6 #6 (adult), 2.95 Vampire Princess Yui Vol 1 #4, 2.95 MARVEL COMICS Deadpool #48, 2.25 Gambit #24, 2.25 Incredible Hulk #22, 2.25 Maximum Security #3 (Of 3), 2.99 Punisher #10 (Of 12), 2.99 Spider-Girl Presents Darkdevil #3 (Of 3), 2.99 Spidey A Universe X Special, 3.99 Ultimate Spider-Man Coll Ed #1 (Pu447), 3.99 X-Man #71, 2.25 X-Men Forever #1 (Of 6), 3.50 X-Men Universe #14, 3.99 ONI PRESS INC. Breakfast After Noon #4 (Of 6), 2.95 Coffin #2 (Of 4), 2.95 PENNY FARTHING PRESS Loch Vol 1 HC, 17.95 VIZ COMMUNICATIONS Animerica Vol 8 #11, 4.95 Neon Genesis Evangelion Book 5 #2 (Of 7), 2.95 Neon Genesis Evangelion Book 5 Coll Ed #2 (Of 7), 2.95 Pulp Vol 4 #12, 5.95 Ranma 1/2 Part 9 #7 (Of 11), 2.95 WIZARD ENTERTAINMENT Wizard The Comics Magazine Frank Miller Batman Cover #112, 4.99 Wizard The Comics Magazine Spider-Man Cover #112, 4.99 Wizard The Comics Magazine Ultimate X Men Cover #112 (Pu448), 4.99 magazines Comic Shop News #701, AR Jack Kirby Collector #30, 5.95 NCRL for the foreseeable future... TITLE OLD RELEASE DATE NEW DATE DARK HORSE Bettie Page Dress Up Magnet Set 11/01 11/29 General Halftrack Book & Figure Set 9/27 11/29 Last Temptation TP 11/15 12/06 Miss Buxley Book & Figure Set 9/27 11/29 DC COMICS America's Best Comics Special #1 11/22 12/13 Batman Beyond: Return o/t Joker 10/25 12/13 Batman Emblem Ring -- Sizes 6-13* 12/20 11/29 Batman: Harvest Breed 11/15 11/29 Danger Girl #7 10/25 11/29 Hellblazer #156 11/22 11/29 Jenny Sparks: Secret History o/t Authority #5 10/18 12/27 JLA #49 11/29 12/13 JSA Golden Age Wonder Woman Action Figure 11/15 11/29 MAD #400 11/01 11/15 Mister Miracle/Big Barda DLX Action Fig Set 10/11 11/22 Planetary #13 11/8 12/27 Resident Evil: Fire & Ice #2 12/6 12/13 Sandman Mini Bookend Set 11/22 11/29 SHAZAM!: Power of Hope 11/22 11/29 Tom Strong #11 11/29 12/13 IMAGE Age of Bronze #9 11/24 12/8 Aphrodite IX #2 12/29 Aphrodite IX Poster #1 11/29 Aphrodite IX Preview Excl. 11/29 Crimson Plague #3 11/29 04/04 Dark Angel Lithograph 04/04 Dark Angel Lithograph S&N 04/04 Dark Angel PR Asamiya Cvr #3 04/04 Dark Angel PR Van Fleet Cvr #3 04/04 DarkMinds Vol 2 #8 11/24 DFE Aphrodite IX Chrome Cvr #1 04/04 Empire #3 04/04 Fathom #13 11/29 04/04 Fathom HC 11/29 Fathom HC: Excl. Signed Dustcover 11/29 Fathom Poster Chrome #2 11/29 04/04 Hellspawn #4 11/29 Hellspawn #5 01/03 Objective Five #4 11/10 11/17 Powers Vol. I TP 12/15 Rising Stars #12 11/15 11/29 Rising Stars Deluxe TPB 11/17 11/24 Rumble Girls #5 12/22 Saffire #3 11/29 04/04 Savage Dragon #81 11/29 Savage Dragon Vol. 1 TP (2nd Printing) 11/29 04/04 Section Zero #5 12/27 Spawn #101 11/15 11/29 Spawn #102 12/8 Tellos #10 11/29 Tomb Raider Greatest Treasure of All GN 11/29 Top Cow Classics: Tomb Raider #1 11/8 11/29 Torso HC S&N 11/15 12/15 Torso TP 11/15 12/15 Warlands #11 11/29 Wicked Special 10/18 11/29 Witchblade #45 12/27 ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [11] HYPE! Section Various Subj: [wizard-world] Exclusive offer for Wizard Fans! Date: 11/17/00 11:59:06 AM Eastern Standard Time From: wizemailer@wizardworld.com You must be at least 18 years of age and reside in the United States to apply for this credit card. *********************************************************** Get the Wizard Entertainment Visa(R) credit card and receive the rarest ½ of all, Witchblade vs. Darkness #½, after your first qualifying transaction! WizardWorld.com values this comic at over $40, and you can only get it by getting the Wizard Visa(R) Credit Card. To learn more about exclusive Wizard Rewards Program and to submit a secure online application, click on http://www.webapply.com/wizard-yhzm (or copy this address into the location/address field of your browser). *********************************************************** Dear Wizard Fan, Here are just a few of your Wizard Entertainment credit card benefits: * Wizard Rewards Program – Earn points towards exciting Wizard products like exclusive comics, tickets to Wizard World Chicago, Wizard Authentic Products, etc. * No Annual Fee! * Low 2.9% Introductory Annual Percentage Rate (APR) on cash advance checks and balance transfers. * MBNA Net Access(SM)--the Internet connection to your credit card account. Get up-to-the-minute account information, track charges and payments, review recent statements, or schedule electronic payments for your account. * ...and a whole lot more. Just click on http://www.webapply.com/wizard-yhzm (or copy this address into the location/address field of your browser). You can even apply securely online right away! P.S. HURRY! Supplies of Witchblade vs. Darkness ½ are limited. You must apply for and use your card for at least one purchase or cash advance transaction to qualify for the free Witchblade vs. Darkness ½ comic. +++++ PREVIEW OF PREVIEWS Diamond has updated their web site for the new PREVIEWS out next week. Writer/Ad Coordinator Vince Brusio is the designated editorial writer for Previews' "The Splash Page" which is our source material On The Cover... The front cover this month sports a DC title that seems to have been in the works forever. Why? Because if it was going to be done, it had to be done right. Expectations would be high. And an all-star team would be needed to get the chemistry right. This month, the front cover of Previews features Green Arrow #1, written by Kevin Smith, with art by Phil Hester and Andre Parks. Yeah, this is the real deal gang. No cheap imitations here. The Emerald Archer is back for another bout of crimefighting in an ongoing series that gives everyone what they've been waiting for since those fateful few seconds when we all thought Oliver Queen had his check cashed. The real score is announced! Did that ticking time bomb aboard a plummeting airplane really cause Ollie to take a dirt nap? Until now, only Superman knew what really happened on that fateful day. But in the new series, a telescope into the truth is presented to all the faithful. And everyone wants the truth. DC heroes are taking numbers and standing in a line that's far out the door, since there are multiple questions that demand multiple answers. Ex-lover Black Canary isn't about to be deterred from knowing where her squeeze has been all these years. Ex-partner Arsenal, and the son he hardly knew, Connor Hawke, have also got to get the lowdown. And would you dare to write off the Dark Knight from Gotham City who has his own set of files to update? Nope. On the flip side, we find a new title from Image Comics that's capable of melting titanium. Double Image #1 is a new anthology that's not content to play by the rules. On the contrary: it's here to make up the rules — and have lots of fun while doing it. Astronauts In Trouble writer Larry Young and Elvira artist John Heebink bring us the first slice of comic meat with the tale of "The Bod." We meet a gorgeous bombshell with ZZ Top long legs that's as talented as she is brainy. But it's a combination that many corporate suits tend to oversee. They're not looking for such a person, actually. One look at college graduate Kelly Gordon, and you see the kind of chick who heats up a music video on MTV. But just when life seems to turn a deaf ear to Kelly's plight, an on-set special-effects gig goes awry, and Kelly becomes invisible! The other featured story in Double Image comes to us via writer Joe Casey with art by Charlie Adlard. Codeflesh is the type of weird outrageous story twisted readers want from a comic book that could care less about "good" and "bad." Not worried about looking like the good guy, Cameron Daltrey is the owner of Daltrey Bail Bonds. And he makes Shaft look like a rookie. All that matters is the job. When super-villains skip out on bail, Cameron lays down the hammer. See a seedier, brutal side of masked superheroes in an ongoing story that ain't for the squeamish. Look for Green Arrow #1 from DC Comics and Double Image #1 from Image Comics in the Premiere section of Previews! Bombastic Marvel Statues There is no better way to start off your own Planet Hollywood than by honoring a certain wallcrawler who soon makes the leap to the big screen. In other words, you want to grab up the Spider-Man Mini Bust and jump on the arachnid bandwagon, because this gem is designed by none other than Randy Bowen! The master sculptor — in coordination with fellow sculptor Thomas Kuntz — produces a fully painted, 5"-tall bust of Spider-Man in his element. The wallcrawler is poised against a New York City sculpted relief base. So Doc Ock, the Vulture, Electro, and other super-baddies better beware. Peter Parker is on the scene, and both his web shooters are full. But don't limit your horizons for your museum just yet. Also this month we're offering choice Wolverine Statues, which give us collectible keepsakes of everyone's favorite feral X-Man. Immortalize the Canadian runt in the classic yellow costume, or his brown costume. Both statues also are designed by Randy Bowen, but with sculpting assistance from Mark Newman. Both statues stand 11" tall, and depict Wolverine ready to leap from a rocky crag, his real metal claws popped and ready to rend! Look for both Spider-Man Mini Bust and the Wolverine Statues in the Models section of Previews! Kabuki-Faced Tail Kicker A moonbeam that cuts through the murky depths of seawater. What better way to characterize the ravishing sword-wielding Ana? Actually, poetic love songs describing Billy Tucci's Shi abound on the Internet. But watch them triple in number when readers get a copy of Tucci's latest project, Shi — Akai #1! The Shi saga continues with a title that bespeaks technicolor. "Akai" means Red, and Tucci uses this color to celebrate Valentine's Day, and the color of Shi. Red as in blood red. Yes, everyone knows that there are sure to be crimson rivers running into sewer gutters should idiotic savages get in the way of Ana's katana. But what would the consequences have been for headstrong idiots that bumbled into the path of Ana's heroic ancestors? Did the quick flash of her blade derive from a history that Shi fans have yet to discover? The purpose of Shi — Akai #1 is to depict a Shi during the 30s in the middle of an exploding crisis. In this issue, we also experience the first-ever appearance of Tucci's newest heroine — RAF Victoria Cross! Let the curtains part. Let the faithful fill the box seats. A new cinema show is about to begin, and you don't want to be without your popcorn. Look for Shi — Akai #1 from Crusade Entertainment in the Comics section of Previews! Love Hurts Whoever said that being shot by Cupid's arrow felt good every time? Not so, if you look in the Chaos! universe. Love hurts this month. But, as the cliché goes, it hurts so good. December finds us looking at a variety of Chaos! Comics titles that share a common theme: love can put a kink in our necks. In Lady Death: Love Bites #1, the Diva of Death and the archangel Michael are entangled in a secret story of forbidden romance. Talk about a love/hate relationship! But Lady Death isn't the only femme fatale to have her fur stroked the wrong way. In Chastity: Love Bites #1, Billy, leader of the punk-rock band The Nobs, finds out that his girlfriend is a vampire. Does this mean that Chastity will lose the love of her life? Or will the two of them begin a new undead life together? The blood continues to flow in Purgatori: Love Bites #1, as Purgatori, and the Father of Lies, Lucifer, fool around in an infernal haystack that embraces the seven deadly sins! Can two creatures of darkness survive their unholy wedding night? Will it be in the tabloids? The white-skinned diva, the Goddess of Judgment, and the cute vampire assassin have their tales told in both regular and Premium Edition comics that are limited to 2,500 copies! Get `em all for your own lady love. Look for them in the Comics section of Previews! The Comic Bible Resurfaces So, how much is your collection worth? Collecting Guru Bob Overstreet will help you answer that question, as he once again sets the tone for the comic book market with the release of the much-anticipated 31st edition of The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide. Regarded as the industry's premier source on comic book information and pricing, the price guide features the most up-to-date information on comics published during the Golden Age, the Silver Age, the Bronze Age, and the Modern Age. This year's price guide will also include Overstreet's annual "Market Report;" "The Overstreet Comic Book Hall of Fame;" tips about collecting, grading and caring for your comics; an updated director of fan web sites; the most complete record of comic books from the 1800s to the present; and much more. In addition to Overstreet's valuable research and pricing information, the newest edition of the guide will also offer comics fans a choice of covers by Silver Age legend Murphy Anderson (Hawkman), who recreated Bob Kane's classic cover to Detective Comics #31 and John K. Snyder, III (Doctor Mid-Nite), who recreated Jack Kirby's epic cover to Fantastic Four #1. The 31st edition of the Price Guide also features articles celebrating the 40th anniversary of Marvel's landmark Fantastic Four #1; Wonder Woman's 60th anniversary; profiles of cover artists Murphy Anderson and John K. Snyder III; a look at the phenomenal Platinum Age success of The Brownies; and the work of the hottest creator in comics right now, Brian Michael Bendis (Powers). Look for both editions in the Comics section of Previews! A Foul Feathered Friend He's been a part of the Dark Knight's rogues gallery longer than most people have been reading Batman comic books. He's the cigarette-smoking umbrella fighter with a pot belly physique and a real nasty temper, baby. But you'll be delighted to see the criminal mastermind is armed with a collection of specially-crafted umbrellas that containing an arsenal of ingenious devices and weaponry via the Golden Age Penguin Medium Resin Statue. The insidious Penguin is replicated down to the smallest detail, standing 5¾" tall on a sleek black base emblazoned with a gold "The Penguin" emblem. Presented by Dave Grossman Creations, this is stunning piece of work that's not only the perfect gift for fans of the foul feathered friend, but it's also a collectible that helps round out the Golden Age DC statue series. Keep your collection complete, and help make a fan happy by looking for this beauty in the Models section of Previews! Wild Wacky World of Woodring He's the surrealistic genius who ties his shoes with the aid of a bucktooth cat. He's Jim Woodring, creator of the psychotropic adventures of Frank. There are some who think him mad. Other's think he is a prophet. And some think that he's made of child drool and peanut butter daydreams. But those who think they finally figured out the road map to his madness have another surprise in store for them. developing an object d'art that is part Little Golden Book, part nightmare! Trosper is his latest project, and it's about a playful little pachyderm-like creature that must deal with menacing forces that want to prevent him from playing with his ball. They have other ideas for him! Sinister ideas. Included with the book is a CD with the music of ambient jazz musician Bill Frisell! Prepare for an audio log ride to Woodring's twisted cartoon adventure. Here are images and an aural tension that you have to digest with peanut butter! Girls Just Want To Have Fun Strap in for some with Archie Comics' girl that never grows old – Veronica! In the latest issue, Veronica turns to good old capitalism. She sees an opportunity and decides to market it. She creates a comic that happens to be surprisingly similar to the Powderpuff Girls. But what does she do when she foils a real robbery while dressed in costume?! Could this be used as a marketing advantage? Or could it just lead to trouble? Find out in Veronica #111 in the Comics section in this month's Previews! Blood, Guts, and Gundam So you cried when the Gundam Wing television storyline ended. You were heart broken. Stop those tears, because the saga continues. World peace doesn't come without a hefty price, however. And the lives of the Gundam pilots are in danger. Who would want to kill them? This isn't how you wanted it to continue! But you know you have to read_ you've been waiting for it. Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: Blind Target #1 has all the shonen manga and beautiful art that you expect from Gundam Wing! Bend Over Belly Laughs It was funny when you used to make milk squirt out of your sister's nose. It was funny when Grandpa bent over and his pants split. Funny times don't always happen when we want them to. But now, funny times have been made portable. A magazine with cartoonists like Dave Barry, Molly Ivins, Lynda Barry, Nicole Hollander, and more make Funny Times a portable laugh fest. And it just wouldn't be complete if it didn't make fun of our politicians and all the morons in the world. Look for it in the Magazines section! He Comes In Colors This book takes you on a tour of Manuel Sanjulian. From his studio, research, and planning, to the step by step progressions of his work, you will see why he has been called an "artist's artist." Most known for his work on Vampirella, Sanjulian shares his art in a full-color gallery, along with black-and-white sketches. Legendary artist Jim Warren provides the introduction for Sanjuilan Master Visionary, located in the Books section. Wesley's Deadly Pigsticker Watch out vampires! Just the sight of these will make them go running! The replica of the Blade's glaive is an exact reproduction of the original – it has a hidden release on the back so it can fold and is 12" in length. The letter opener is just like the original as well, except it's smaller: 10". Both are made of stainless steal and come with display stands. Factory X is pleased to bring you the Blade Glaive Replica and the Blade: Sword of the Daywalker Opener from the Blockbuster film Blade. Closure To The Darkchylde Saga Randy Queen is closing a chapter in the thrilling adventures of his light-haired demoness. Darkchylde Redemption #1 gives us what we've been waiting for, fiends. Ariel Chylde's adventures are put into focus. The established continuity of the first two mini-series is wrapped up tighter than a burrito in a story where the child killer, the "Silencer," decides to make his presence known once again to Ariel! Plus, this issue sports the first appearance of a brand-new Darkchylde villain! Look for Darkchylde Redemption #1 in the Comics section of Previews! Singing The Blues "Bubbles, bubbles, oh why didn't I use bubbles?" That's got to be what Blue is thinking when a videotape of her taking a bath makes its way around school. Which one of those one track-minded boys filmed it? And poor Alan realizes he has a crush on her – what bad timing! Blue Monday: Absolute Beginners #1 from Oni Press contains enough drama, scandal, humor, and raging hormones to make you feel like you're back in high school again! Look for it in the Comics section! [Convention Calendar] As a service to you, the dedicated Previews reader, we offer this rundown of upcoming events and conventions. SHOW DATE LOCATION HANUKKAH Dec. 21 CHRISTMAS Dec. 25 NEW YEAR'S DAY Jan 1, 2001 Angouleme 2001 Jan 25-28, 2001 Angouleme, FRANCE Taipei Feb 1-6 Taipei, Taiwan International Book Exposition Comic Fest 2001 Feb 3-4 Sydney, Australia Armageddon Pulp Feb 10-11 New Zealand Culture Expo East Coast Hobby Mar 24-26 Philadelphia, PA Show +++++ Avatar Press 9 Triumph Drive Urbana, IL 61802 ph 217-384-2211 fax 217-384-2216 PRODUCTS SHIPPING: FEBRUARY 2001 If you have any problems or questions on any of the information, or need any graphics, please contact William Christensen, Editor in Chief, Avatar Press. WARREN ELLIS' STRANGER KISSES #3 Retail Price: $3.00 US Cover: Mike Wolfer Writer: Warren Ellis Artwork: Mike Wolfer Readership: Mature Readers Format: B&W, 32 pages, monthly 3 of 3 PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: In this explosive final issue, Warren Ellis wraps up his hyper-kinetic masterpiece! The underground culture of Los Angeles has swallowed up combat magician William Gravel. He knows their terrible secret, the secret that would gut Hollywood and traumatize the entire country if revealed. As far as they're concerned, he must die. So why is he putting a gun to his own head? Mike Wolfer provides the stunning art. WARREN ELLIS' STRANGER KISSES #3 Wraparound Retail Price: $3.95 US Cover: Mike Wolfer Writer: Warren Ellis Artwork: Mike Wolfer Readership: Mature Readers Format: B&W, 32 pages, monthly 3 of 3 WARREN ELLIS' STRANGER KISSES #1 Leather Signed Retail Price: $24.95 US Cover: Mike Wolfer Writer: Warren Ellis Artwork: Mike Wolfer Readership: Mature Readers Format: B&W, 32 pages, monthly 1 of 3 PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: This slick black leather-composite edition is printed with green foil, limited to only 700 copies, and each hand- signed by Warren Ellis and Mike Wolfer. AVENGELYNE: DARK DEPTHS #2 - Al Rio cover Retail Price: $3.50 US Cover: Al Rio Writer: Robert Lugibihl Artwork: Rick Lyon Readership: All ages Format: 4/c, 32 pages, two of two PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: The full color adventures of the Avenging Angel continue at Avatar! With her relaxing vacation on the beaches of Greece already ruined, Avengelyne's underwater adventure really kicks into gear as she must stop Atlantis from begin torn apart by hidoeus sea creatures! Robert (Demonslayer) Lugibihl provides the story as penciller Rick Lyon works his magic on more luscious pages! AVENGELYNE: DARK DEPTHS #2 - Marat Mychaels cover Retail Price: $3.50 US Cover: Marat Mychaels Writer: Robert Lugibihl Artwork: Rick Lyon Readership: All ages Format: 4/c, 32 pages, one of two AVENGELYNE: DARK DEPTHS #2 - Rick Lyon cover Retail Price: $3.50 US Cover: Rick Lyon Writer: Robert Lugibihl Artwork: Rick Lyon Readership: All ages Format: 4/c, 32 pages, one of two JADE WARRIORS: SLAVE OF THE DRAGON #2 Retail Price: $3.50 US Cover: Mike Deodato Writer: Dave Campiti Artwork: Mike Deodato Readership: All Ages Format: Full color, 32 pages, 2 of 3, bi- monthly PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: Mike Deodato's sexy assassins return for more sword fighting and mayhem! Deathkiss and the original Jade Warriors join forces against the Coda Warriors and a newborn dragon child. But how can they possibly also stop the rampaging Elder Dragon who is destroying Japan? The team must pull off a miracle or they will all die by dragon fire! JADE WARRIORS: SLAVE OF THE DRAGON #2 Photo Retail Price: $3.50 US Cover: Photo of Effie Chang Writer: Dave Campiti Artwork: Mike Deodato Readership: All Ages Format: Full color, 32 pages, 2 of 3, bi- monthly JADE WARRIORS: SLAVE OF THE DRAGON #2 - Nude cover Retail Price: $6.00 US Cover: Mike Deodato Writer: Dave Campiti Artwork: Mike Deodato Readership: All Ages Format: Full color, 32 pages, 2 of 3, bi- monthly THRESHOLD #37 - PANDORA cover Retail Price: $4.95 US Cover: Rick Lyon Artists: Patrick Fillion, Dan Parsons, Tim Seeley Readership: Mature Readers Format: B&W, 48 pages, monthly series PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: The longest running American anthology continues to bring you the best in independent comics. This month we lead with a Pandora story by new artist Tim Seeley! In another tale of Pandora's past, she discovers a sacred artifact that is being protected by a horrific creature. The Lookers return with stunning art by rising star Patrick Fillion. Tanya and Michelle are asked to find a cult that has been abducting wealthy socialites, but they too find it strangely attractive. Rounding out this issue is part two of Dan Parson's latest Harpy epic, fully-rendered in greys! THRESHOLD #37 -LOOKERS cover Retail Price: $4.95 US Cover: Patrick Fillion Artists: Patrick Fillion, Dan Parsons, Tim Seeley Readership: Mature Readers Format: B&W, 48 pages, monthly series THRESHOLD #37 - LOOKERS Nude cover Retail Price: $6.00 US Cover: Patrick Fillion Artists: Patrick Fillion, Dan Parsons, Tim Seeley Readership: Mature Readers Format: B&W, 48 pages, monthly series THRESHOLD #37 -HARPY Nude cover Retail Price: $6.00 US Cover: Dan Parsons Artists: Patrick Fillion, Dan Parsons, Tim Seeley Readership: Mature Readers Format: B&W, 48 pages, monthly series RAW MEDIA QUARTERLY #9 Retail Price: $3.95 US Cover: Pete Ayala Writer: David Quinn Artists: Al Rio, Pete Ayala Readership: Adults Only Format: B&W, 32 pages, quarterly series PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: Raw Media will knock your socks off with the continuation of David Quinn and Al Rio's erotic epic, Thrust! In the crazy streets of Rio de Janeiro, you can find people who will do anything, no matter how depraved it may seem. This previously long-lost series marks the most hardcore work of Rio's career. Also in this issue, Pete Ayala fantastic Naked Justice series continues to shock and amaze! This labor of love has been in the making for five years, and every page shows it. For adult comics, it just doesn't get any better than this! RAW MEDIA QUARTERLY #9 - Ayala Nude Retail Price: $6.00 US Cover: Pete Ayala Writer: David Quinn Artists: Al Rio, Pete Ayala Readership: Adults Only Format: B&W, 32 pages, quarterly series RAW MEDIA QUARTERLY #9 - Rio Adult Retail Price: $6.00 US Cover: Al Rio Writer: David Quinn Artists: Al Rio, Pete Ayala Readership: Adults Only Format: B&W, 32 pages, quarterly series AVENGELYNE: REVELATION PRELUDE Rick Lyon cover MSRP: $5.95 US Cover: Rick Lyon Writer: Christensen & Seifert Artist: Sean Shaw Readership: All Ages Format: Full color , 16 pages PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: Rick Lyon provides this all-new sexy shot of Avengelyne in the ruins of ancient Rome, available here for the first time! Limited to just 1000 copies. AVENGELYNE: DARK DEPTHS #1 Prism Foil (Previews Exclusive) MSRP: $12.95 US Cover: Al Rio Writer: Robert Lugibihl Artist: Rick Lyon Readership: All Ages Format: Full color , 32 pages PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: Avatar's Previews Exclusive Prism foils continue to sell-out as fans everywhere realize they are incredibly rare variants and an incredibly great price! Limited to 500 copies. All copies ship bagged and boarded. STRANGE KISS SCRIPT BOOK (O/A) Retail Price: $4.95 US Cover: Mike Wolfer Writer: Warren Ellis Readership: All ages Format: B&W, all text, 48 pages PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: Warren Ellis fans have been screaming to see the master's original scripts, well here they are! With all-new commentary on the genesis of the book, the scripting of the series, and how to write horror comic books all by Warren Ellis, this is destined to be a classic compendium! See for yourself why Warren Ellis is the most critically acclaimed writer since Alan Moore! New cover and pinup art by Mike Wolfer. STRANGE KISS SCRIPT BOOK Hardcover (O/A) Retail Price: $24.95 US Cover: Mike Wolfer Writer: Warren Ellis Readership: All ages Format: B&W, all text, 48 pages PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: This stunning hardcover edition will make a fine addition to anyone's bookcase. Limited to just 500 copies. MICHAEL MYERS TO TERRORIZE AGAIN IN MARCH 2001! Scottsdale, AZ - October 30, 2000 - Topping of the success of the first Halloween comic book, based on the successful horror franchise, Chaos! Comics will bring Michael Myer¹s furor back yet again in the Halloween II comic book. The first Halloween comic outsold all other comics nearly 3 to 1 in its release and was October¹s biggest selling comic for Chaos! Comics. It was by far one of the best sellers of the year. As a result, fans are craving for more twisted stories of the famed horror character - and Chaos! is delivering just that! The popularity for the first Halloween comic solidifies that entertainment licensed comics are a unique niche that has yet to reach its full potential. Many fans who have enjoyed the Halloween films (and horror films in genera