---------------------------------------------------------------------- Ed Dukeshire and Mike Imboden Present: THE COMIC BOOK NET ELECTRONIC MAGAZINE ISSUE NUMBER 294 1999 EAGLE AWARD NOMINEE 12/08/2000 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:Randy Reynaldo .............. Tim O'Shea [6] Interview:Martin R. Oakley ............ Paul Dale Roberts [7] Sound and Fury ........................ Craig Lemon [8] 4-Color Review ........................ Jason Baldwin [9] Comics Culture Shrapnel ............... Kris Naudus [10] M.O.E. Reviews ........................ Paul Dale Roberts [11] My View:ANOMALY ....................... David LeBlanc [12] New Comic Book Releases List .......... Charles LePage [13] HYPE! Section ......................... Various ______________________________________________________________________ World Wide Web Home Page-->> http://members.aol.com/ComicBkNet Mailed by Egroups: http://www.egroups.com/group/ComicBookNetworkEmag HTML WEB EDITION at -->> http://www.digitalwebbing.com/cbem featuring a week's worth of the online strips: Steve Conley's ASTOUNDING SPACE THRILLS AND DR. CYBORG by Alan Gross & Mike Oeming ----------------------------------------------------------------------- o \o/ _ o _| \ / |_ o_ \o/ o /|\ | /\ _\o \o | o/ O/_ /\ | /|\ / \ / \ |\ /) | ( \ /o\ / ) | (\ / | / \ / \ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- The ComicBook Network was founded by Ed Dukeshire and Mike Imboden ----------------------------------------------------------------------- If you wish to receive each issue automatically through your Email account, FREE, please send a message FROM that account TO: ComicBookNetworkEmag-subscribe@egroups.com To UNSUBSCRIBE send a message FROM the account to be dropped to: ComicBookNetworkEmag-unsubscribe@egroups.com See section [A] for the address to mail material to be reviewed. ______________________________________________________________________ All text contained within is copyrighted to the originating author(s). Except where elsewhere noted, The Comic Book Net Electronic Magazine is Copyright 2000 by The ComicBook Network. You may freely distribute or retransmit this file intact without alteration for noncommercial purposes only. Except for personal archiving, permission must be obtained from the individual authors to reproduce, retransmit, or publish any part of this magazine. Opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Editor, the Network Administration Team or the members and users of The ComicBook Network. ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [A] E-Mag Info: Submissions, Back Issues, Web Page SUBMISSIONS ----------- To submit an article, review, column, etc. to our Emag, simply Email it to the editor at: ComicBkNet@aol.com You must include your REAL name and a valid Email address in order to be published in this Emag. 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 Weekly election update . . . I give up. It is just too frustrating and depressing to see this go on and on and on. The worst part is the hypocracy on both sides, some more than others, claiming the "will of the people" is exactly what they want for themselves. As if we aren't smart enough to know that "the people" are the last things on their minds! Winning is the ONLY thing on their minds. A pox on both their houses. I firmly believe we need a cleen sweep of every elected official now in office. And term limits for all future electees. Feh! Wake me up when we finally have a new President, will ya? What we do have is new comics: CROSSGEN COMICS First #2, 2.95 Mystic #7, 2.95 DC COMICS Authority #21, 2.50 Crisis On Infinite Earths TPB, 29.95 Starman #74, 2.50 Zero Girl #1 (Of 5), 2.95 <------- Pick of the week! MARVEL COMICS Ultimate Spider-Man #4, 2.50 ONI PRESS INC. Adventures Of Barry Ween Boy Genius 2.0 TPB, 8.95 On a more pleasant subject; next week is a special, divisible-by-25 anniversary. But wait, you say, next week is issue #295 - how can it be divisible by 25? Heh, heh! Anyway, to help celebrate, the guys at That's Entertainment, the store I shop at and frequent sponsor of the Trivia Contest over the years, has kicked in a nifty prize. See that section this week for a special announcement. Only two weeks to shop for Christmas folks. I notice the hard cover UNDERSTANDING COMICS is coming out. That is a wonderful gift for the true fan or any individual who has an open mind and wants to learn more about the medium we celebrate here. See you in seven. 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: Stuff From: XQuestCmxX@aol.com To: ComicBknet Dave, Do you want me to send you a copy of AngelFyre #1 for review...? [Yes. - DL] I haven't heard from you so...... [Just send them in - we take all material for review. - DL] Things are moving very well for us. We're doing signings, appearances, interviews on a local(NY/CT)level and AF has been well received. Next year I'll be publishing Bill Maus with his new title Virgin, Jim Shooter(yup, THAT Jim Shooter)with a creator owned title of his own.... And I'm in talks with Howard Porter(JLA....)and Norm Breyfogle(Batman, Hellcat...)to publish titles of their own creations. Anyway...hope to hear from you soon. Pete King Quest Comics +++++ Subj: Guide to the DCU From: bcrog@juno.com Dear Everybody, It's not too late to order my book, The Brent Clark Rogers Guide to the DC Universe, for yourselves or any loved one who is a DC fan for Christmas! The book is $35.00 per copy + $5.00 P&h. I also have several copies left of both the 3rd & 4th editions, which have been marked down to $20.00 each + $5.00 p&h. e-mail me for ordering info, or any other questions you may have. Sincerely, Brent Clark Rogers ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [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 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: The story began in Avengers, continued in Fantastic Four and then jumped to the first issue of an new comic. Name this title that debuted in Feb 1986. Gary Peterson new it first, the return of Jean Grey and the original X-Men was the story that launched X-FACTOR. He wins the FIRE TP by Brian Michael Bendis. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ NEXT WEEK's PRIZE is a first edition FROM HELL trade paperback from THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT, of Worcester, MA. Watch this space for the chance to win. BUT, if you can't wait, or don't feel lucky, they will sell you a copy for $35 and THEY will pay the shipping charges anywhere in the US. Just send Email to Thatse@thatse.com for details on how to buy it. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION: What Issue #1 comic, about a dog and cat, was polybagged to preserve a unique "smelly" gimmick 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 Subj: National Pedro Zamora Project Charity Auction on E-Bay From: barryween@hotmail.com (Judd Winick) The National Pedro Zamora Project is conducting a charity auction on E-Bay from December 1 until December 11, 2000. The National Pedro Zamora Project is a 100% non-profit grant giving foundation. The NPZP awards grants to groups and organizations who promote, develop or create programs for and about young people with HIV and AIDS. Proceeds from the sale of all items will go directly to the project grants. The NPZP is run by The Zamora family, Judd Winick, Pam Ling, and Sean Sasser. You can view the items up for auction here: http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/webmistressmaida Thank you for your time. Your generosity and support is always appreciated. +++++ CULVER CITY, Calif.--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--Dec. 4, 2000--Willem Dafoe has joined the cast of Columbia Pictures' live-action feature film "Spider-Man" as the Green Goblin, the arch-nemesis of the cagey comic book icon, the studio announced today. Dafoe will star opposite Tobey Maguire, who plays Spider-Man. Dafoe, who earned a 1987 Oscar(R) nomination for his portrayal of `Sergeant Elias' in Oliver Stone's "Platoon," recently starred in Steve Buscemi's "Animal Factory." Upcoming films for the actor include "Shadow of the Vampire," "Pavilion of Women" and "Edges of the Lord." "Spider-Man" is helmed by Sam Raimi ("The Gift," "For Love of the Game," "A Simple Plan"), a self-confessed fanatic of the web-slinging superhero. Laura Ziskin ("As Good As it Gets," "To Die For," "Pretty Woman") and Oscar(R) nominee Ian Bryce ("Almost Famous," "Saving Private Ryan," "Twister") produce. Avi Arad ("X-Men," "Blade") serves as executive producer. The film centers on student Peter Parker who, after being bitten by a mutant spider, gains superhuman strength and the spider-like ability to cling to any surface. He vows to dedicate his life to fighting crime. The Green Goblin, a.k.a. Norman Osborn, Spider-Man's arch-enemy, assumed his ghoulish persona after an experimental formula blew up in his face. The formula increased his intelligence and strength but also drove him insane. Dafoe has made a name for himself working with some of the most critically acclaimed directors in the world: with his turn as `Caravaggio' in Anthony Minghella's "The English Patient"; his starring role in "The Last Temptation of Christ" for director Martin Scorsese; his memorable turn in David Lynch's "Wild at Heart"; his performance in Wim Wenders' "Far Away, So Close"; and his role as a civil rights activist in Alan Parker's "Mississippi Burning." Other feature credits for Dafoe include "Boondock Saints," "eXistenZ," "Lulu On the Bridge," "New Rose Hotel," "Speed 2: Cruise Control," "Tom & Viv," "Clear and Present Danger," "Affliction," "Light Sleeper," "Born on the Fourth of July," "To Live and Die in L.A.," "Triumph of the Spirit," "White Sands," "Body of Evidence" and "Off Limits." The screenplay for "Spider-Man" was written by David Koepp ("Stir of Echoes," "The Lost World: Jurassic Park," "Jurassic Park"). The creative team includes Oscar(R)-nominated director of photography Don Burgess ("Cast Away," "What Lies Beneath," "Forrest Gump"), production designer Neil Spisak ("The Gift," "For Love of the Game," "Heat") and costume designer James Acheson, who has won Academy Awards(R) for "Restoration," "Dangerous Liaisons" and "The Last Emperor." The film is slated to begin shooting in Los Angeles in January. The production will then move to New York. "Spider-Man" is being readied for a May 3, 2002 release. +++++ Comics Show Adventures of the Pope By ELLEN KNICKMEYER .c The Associated Press VATICAN CITY (AP) - SHA-ZAM! ... or A-MEN!? Pope John Paul II has joined Captain Marvel and Spiderman in the legion of comic-book heroes. Hitting newsstands in Italy this week, the new Vatican-approved serial depicts the real life and true adventures of ``Karol Wojtyla: Pope of the Third Millennium.'' ``He really wasn't a geek!'' series' narrator, Grandpa, assures children at the outset. The Little Paper, an illustrated magazine for Italian young people by the publisher of the Roman Catholic Church periodical Famiglia Christiana, tells the story in four parts - opening with the pontiff's 1978 election, showing a massive, smiling John Paul looming over St. Peter's Square with white smoke rising behind him. ``Our commitment is rather grandiose, dear children: Telling the life of no one less than the pope,'' The Little Paper tells its readers in an introduction for the first installment. ``It is an adventurous life, full of change, of interest, of tragedy, of missions, of travel,'' the foreword promises. The plot device is Superman simple: Grandpa has a long, flashback-filled talk with his grandchildren when they ask why he isn't pope himself - since he's getting along in years. Installment 1: The small-town Polish boyhood of John Paul, then young Karol. A key theme seems to be assuring kids that the 80-year-old pope - ``Look how old and tired he is!'' a child exclaims in one segment - was once all boy. ``I got it!'' a bony-kneed Karol exclaims in one bubble-dialogued box, blocking a goal in a game of soccer. ``Outa my way!'' a teen-age Karol shouts in another, careening down a snowy slope on skis. ``Crazy fanatic!'' a bystander downslope shouts at the future pope. John Paul's teen-age years as an amateur actor also feature prominently, showing a dashingly mustachioed Karol on stage alongside a beautiful girl in an overwrought costume drama. ``Whattttt? You want me to believe that he acted with girls?'' a T-shirted girl asks Grandpa. ``Certainly. And danced the waltz, the mazurka and even the tango,'' Grandpa says. The papal comics have their serious side as well, showing Karol's anguish at losing his mother at 9 and then his only brother two years later. Morals are there, too. Grandpa points out Karol never felt the need to prove himself by smoking, drinking beer and staying out late as he grew up - ``as some boys do.'' The serial's overseers describe sales in the first days as strong, with versions in languages other than Italian perhaps ahead for the series. The comics are far from the first time the pope's message has gone out in an unconventional medium. Previous innovations in John Paul's 23-year tenure have put the Vatican on the Internet and John Paul himself on a CD. This one tells it to what clearly has been one of John Paul's favorite audiences: children. ``We have to preach the gospel to all the people ... so we have to use all the media,'' Vatican spokesman the Rev. Ciro Benedettini said. ``The comics are a good medium for the children.'' +++++ Collectibles Site WizardWorld.com Fills Key Management Positions NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 4, 2000-- Hires Digital Media Maven Jonathan Trumper as VP of Business Development and Former General Cinema Operations Manager Doug Oines as VP of Operations WizardWorld.com, the online marketplace and portfolio management service for comic books and pop-culture collectibles, today announced it has filled two key management positions. The company has hired Jonathan Trumper as vice president of business development and Doug Oines as vice president of operations. Trumper will develop and oversee the company's strategic partnerships and Oines will manage the company's day-to-day operations. Both gentlemen report to WizardWorld.com President and CEO, Gareb Shamus. "We're experiencing tremendous success since our fall launch. We have nearly 4 million items approaching $50 million in value under management through our portfolio service and more than 70,000 items for sale," said Shamus. "Jonathan and Doug's respective expertise will be invaluable to our continued growth and commitment to providing consumers and dealers premier tools and services they need to enjoy and share their passion for collecting." Trumper will draw upon his experience in the entrepreneurial, creative and business sides of the entertainment and digital media industries to align WizardWorld.com with content and revenue-enhancing partners. Most recently, he has been a principal with several startups in the digital broadcast and high-definition television markets. He is a 17-year veteran of the William Morris Agency, Inc. where he represented prominent personalities, properties and companies in television, motion pictures, publishing, advertising, location based entertainment, theatrical, and digital media. He co-founded the agency's Corporate Advisory/Digital Media division and negotiated many of the first high profile talent deals in the digital world including agreements for Tom Clancy, Cindy Crawford and Gillian Anderson among many. Prior to joining WizardWorld.com, Oines was director of national operations for General Cinema Theatres where he managed initiatives including Internet ticketing, Internet delivery of digital content to theatres, upscale restaurant/theatre combinations and new theatre design. Before that, Mr. Oines was director of operations for the mid-Atlantic territory for General Cinema where he held responsibility for 35 stores with $100 million in revenues. +++++ From Comic Book Resources at: http://www.comicbookresources.com/ An open letter from Joe Quesada regarding the recent Marvel art theft Hey, All! I'm happy to announce that yesterday Marvel caught the person responsible for the art theft which occurred in the Marvel offices on the night of November 20th. As of this morning we have the majority of the art back and anticipate getting the remainder of it by weeks end. Sometime next week we will issue another release if there are any outstanding pieces still missing, so please continue a vigilant watch in case anything on the originally released list happens to show up. I want to thank everyone on the Internet, in the press and the in the art dealing community who assisted us by getting the word out and also the folks at Marvel, especially Rob Grosser and Wilson Ramos, who were so diligent in catching the person who committed this crime. It saddens me that things like this happen, but I do take some solace knowing that this person will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Here at Marvel we take tremendous pride in the work created by our artist and will not stand for this sort of thing happening. We may not be able to prevent it fully but as this case shows, we will do our best to hunt down the people responsible and try to set things right. For those who are curious as to how the case was solved. We found the culprit in the morning tied to a lamppost with web fluid ;-) Thanks again for all your help, Joe Quesada An open letter from Image Comics Publisher Jim Valentino Folks, You will all soon become aware of a new non-profit organization called ACTOR (A Commitment To Our Roots). I'm on the Board of Directors, but this isn't about me. And it isn't about Image Comics. It's about those who came before us. The giants upon whose shoulders we stand and our industry was built. The creators who got "too old", whose style went out of fashion and couldn't find work, who are living their "golden years" in poverty. And, God help us all, but it may be about US someday in an industry that still has no pensions, no retirement plan and doesn't even give a gold watch to those it callously casts aside to make way for the new. There is going to be an auction at Mega-Con this year for this worthy cause. All monies raised will go toward making someone's retirement a bit more bearable. I'm hoping that each and every one of you will give a piece of original art to it. They'd prefer new pieces, but we all understand how limited a freelancer's time truly is. So, if you have a cover or a splash of a character you are identified with. If you never sell your originals--it will only mean more for you to give. You can send your contributions to me here at: Image Comics, Inc. 1071 North Batavia Street Suite A Orange, CA 92867 or to: Mega-Con/ACTOR auction 4023 Tampa Road Suite 2400 Oldsmar, FL 34677 Please, send soon (don't procrastinate) or by the end of January at the latest (the con is being held on March 2-4 and this will give them enough time to catalogue the pieces received. There are creators who gave but never got -- it's time WE gave something back to them. I hope this does not become future (any of us) but I am grateful that someone (in this case Wizard's Jim McLaughlin) thought of this just in case it is. For the record, the Board of Directors are: Jim McLaughlin, Mark Alessi, Brian Pulido, Patrick McCallum, Joe Quesada, Diana Schutz and myself. The dispersement committee (those who will determine where the awards go) are: Roy Thomas, George Perez, Joe Kubert, Denny O'Neil, John Romita, Sr. and Dick Giordano. You know these people, their credentials speak for themselves. Your confidence should be as high as mine that this isn't just another "scam". If you have questions call (714.288.0200) or write me at the [following e-mail address: Jimvimage@aol.com]. For those who don't -- I will call as many of you as I am able in the next week or two to shame or cajole you into giving. Please join me, Stephen Platt, Harlan Ellison, Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons, Roberta Gregory, Brian Bendis, Kia Asamiya, Jim Lee, Rick Veitch, Matt Wagner, Mike Allred, Bryan Talbot, Warren Ellis and many others who have pledge a page, an original script, what-have-you, to this worthy cause. Thanks for your time and generosity, Jim Valentino VP-Publisher, Image Comics, Inc. 1071 N. Batavia Street Suite A Orange, CA 92867 714.288.0200 imagecomics.com +++++ From Rich Johnston's ALL THE RAGE Gossip Column at: http://www.SilverBulletComicBooks.com. Pulping, Paying And Pouncing - UPDATE By Rich Johnston Mad Marvel Pulpers It's been a common phrase that Marvel are the new DC; i.e., the place where talent runs to and given the room to tell imaginative stories. Well, looks like they may be taking on some of the bad habits as well as the good. I've been told that The Spidey Universe X special was supposed to ship last week but there was a printing error. The error was a hidden message slamming Bob Harris! On page 28, panel 3, there's a bookshelf in the background. If you turn the comic sideways and read the spines of the books you get "Harris, ha ha, he's gone, good riddance, (unreadable), he was a, Nasty (blurred), s.o.b."” The comic was printed, distributed to retailers as part of the First Look scheme where retailers get to see a copy of next week's issue, but then pulped when this item was seen. The book is being reprinted as a result. While one result is that this may become another collector's item along the lines of the Elseworlds 80 Page Giant, the Captain America penis hardback, the LOEG ‘Marvel Vagina' and the Wolverine Kike. However, the harsher rumour is that Al Milgrom, the individual apparently responsible for this graffiti has been fired from Marvel, after spending years there. The word is a number of east coast retailers in the USA received these books as part of their normal shipping, but the rest were caught in time and are being reprinted. Collectors' item folks! This Has A Rumour Value Of 7 Out Of 10 Money Mad? Talking about Joe Madureira, last week's column found more rumoured confirmation and detail about the decision for Battlechasers to move to Wildstorm as a financial one. A source tells me "His contract (along with Cambell's) is up. And there was no way that DC was going to renew it. Basically the original Cliffhanger contract gives the creators 80% of the revenue from the books. And when you do big numbers like Mad and Campbell were doing that's a lot of money. Now Jim Lee might have been generous but DC was not and refused to renew based on those terms. Especially with the fact that those comics come out so infrequently. So after getting turned down by Dark Horse, Top Cow and Marvel he had no place left to go BUT Image.” "And while this had a lot to do with his recent tirade against DC about his Superman pages being redrawn (see the remains of the conversation here), it had more to do with the fact that his pal Jim Lee would not or could not get him the contract that he wanted. But even Lee told him that his work ethic or lack thereof had so angered DC that there was nothing Lee could do to persuade his bosses at DC to do otherwise.” "As for Campbell he is trying to play both sides and keep his options open. But DC is sick of him as well. Only his long friendship with Lee is keeping him from leaving. Oh, and just so you know Ramos contract with Cliffhanger was renegotiated downward because of Crimson's relatively low sales. At least compared to Danger Girl and Battlechasers.” A quick runaround shows that neither Dark Horse or Top Cow were approached to publish Battlechasers, which throws some doubt onto this rumour. No one at Wildstorm was willing to comment. Joe Mad did not respond to enquiries. This Has A Rumour Value Of 4 Out Of 10 Cross DC? The rumoured writer to replace Mark Waid is Joe Kelly. And it might happen sooner than we think... DC's attitude to creators moving to Cross Gen has been less than amicable. And while Dan Raspler fought for Mark Waid for the title against some hostility towards Waid at DC, Waid's announcement that he's moving to work exclusively for a company which makes a point of eschewing the concept of editors seems to have increased that hostility. This may see him leave before the contractually obligated time period. Mark Waid did not respond to enquiries. Joe Kelly's mail bounced. This Has A Rumour Value Of 6 Out Of 10 Dark-ish Horse An anonymous, but well connected source, wanted to comment on last week's `Feeling Horse' column. Replying to rumours about mass firings and cutbacks, my source tells me, "This is clearly a case of somebody putting their own (negative) spin on what actually happened. To nobody's surprise, comics sales have not been what they used to be. Nor is there any sign that there will be a resurgence any time soon. Dark Horse made the decision to cut back on some of the resources (both human and otherwise) which were allocated to comics production. In all nine positions were eliminated throughout the company. However, seven of those positions were already vacant or about to become vacant through the normal process of attrition -- people leaving their jobs for a variety of reasons. One person was let go because their position was eliminated. One person transferred to another department (this other department, by the way, is expanding its scope and output rather than shrinking).” As to the editor demanding the entire marketing and editorial staff be fired or will walk with all their talent, possibly Diana Schutz, the source says "Can't comment on this as I'm not aware of this incident, though I concur with your assessment.” As to Randy Stradley being told not to come into the office anymore, "Actually, Randy has been working like crazy on a joint project for Dark Horse Comics and Dark Horse Entertainment -- a project that could only be finished by deadline if he temporarily stopped coming into the office and spent his time writing at home, where he would not be interrupted. While the project will continue to be a work in progress (requiring regular updating), the bulk of it has been completed and Randy is back in the office.” And as to "Chris Warner still comes in but is basically in exile in his cubicle", my source says "Chris, formerly charged with producing most of Dark Horse's trade paperback collections, is embarking on a new series of projects -- new material, both comics and non-comics related. The responsibility for the trade collections has reverted to the editors (most of whom fought like hell to hang onto their trades back when Chris was first brought in to manage them). Chris will continue to manage the bookstore and Direct Market schedules for all trades. As for being in "exile in his cubicle," (it's an office, actually -- with a door and everything, just like in a grown-up business) Chris is no more in "exile" than any of the other editors who each spend the majority of their days in their offices...” And as for "big changes by Christmas", my source says "Maybe. But you could pick just about any landmark date (Easter, 4th of July, Arbor Day...) and say there will be changes before then. The fact of the matter is, change is ALWAYS occurring. Anybody who thinks things will always be the way they are now (or that they should always be the way they used to be) is setting themselves up for big disappointment.” A final point, I hear that as a result of last weeks column, Chris Warner has put a sign on his office door that reads "PLEASE DO NOT FEED THE EXILE." I trust all staff at Dark Horse will abide by this instruction. This Has A Rumour Value Of 7 Out Of 10 +++++ From the Comics Continuum at http://www.comicscontinuum.com/: BATMAN BEYOND TO RETURN; X-MEN EXCELS Donna Friedman, senior vice-president Kids' WB! programming, told The Continuum that Batman Beyond is not being cancelled. "Batman Beyond will definitely be on the schedule for next season," Friedman said. With production of Batman Beyond having ended, though, will there be new episodes next season? "You'll have to stayed to tuned to the Upfronts," Friedman said, referring to an as-yet-established day early next year when the network unveils its complete plans for the 2001-2002 season. It's possible that even if additional episodes of Batman Beyond aren't made, the network could save new shows for next season. In related news, Friedman said that a premiere date for The Zeta Project, the Batman Beyond spin-off, has not been set yet, but should be announced soon, possibly in January. Friedman said that she is "absolutely thrilled" with the performance of X-Men: Evolution in its first month. The recent sweep stunts by the network, with back-to-back episodes of X-Men: Evolution on Nov. 25, drew strong ratings. "We're excited in doing a show with Marvel that brings X-Men to a whole new generation of kids," Friedman said. As for renewals for either X-Men: Evolution or Static Shock, Friedman again said, "Stay tuned." Men in Black, which was pulled from Saturday to make room for X-Men: Evolution, continues to be a dependable performer on weekdays. Friedman said the show will return to Saturdays this spring. And, of course, Kids' WB!'s bread and butter remains Pokemon. "A lot of the skeptics predicted that the show wouldn't come back with the same strength," Friedman said. "Obviously, the show has lived up to our expectations. It's still the No. 1 show for kids this fall." ROBERTSON TO PLAY UNCLE BEN? Cliff Robertson will play Uncle Ben in the Spider-Man live-action, Daily Variety's Army Archerd reported on Wednesday. Neither Columbia Pictures nor Marvel Studios could confirm Robertson's casting on Wednesday night. In his column, Archerd said that Robertson was at the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif., for meetings. Robertson then returned to New York for post-production on The Curse of the 13th Child, a film based on a true Indian legend exacted upon the British Redcoats in the 1700s in the New Jersey Pinebaron Forest. Robertson, 75, has appeared in more than 70 movies and television series since 1943. He won an Academy Award in 1968 for Charly. Robertson also played the villain Shame for four episodes of the 1960s live-action Batman television series. THE COVEN GOES TO AVATAR PRESS Avatar Press has announced that it will publish a series of full-color mini-series and specials featuring The Coven, the Ian Churchill creation that launched at Awesome Entertainment. Avatar's first Coven project will be The Coven: Spellcaster, a March release which will feature interior artwork by Al Rio and covers by , left to right, Rio, David Finch, Matt Martin and Tim Vigil (not shown). "Ian Churchill and Jeph Loeb kept readers spellbound with their work on this series, making it one of the hottest title launches in recent years," said Avatar Press editor-in-chief William Christensen, who will also write The Coven: Spellcaster with Mark "As we have begun work on it over the past few months, it's easy to see why. This is a great mix of characters and concepts. And with Al Rio on interior art and guys like David Finch on covers, I think we're capturing that dark magic that makes The Coven great. "We are going to deliver what the fans have been demanding with Al Rio's art on this book. As we have put out titles such as Avengelyne and Exposure in recent months, readers have been asking to see more high-profile, full color projects from their favorite creators. So I was very pleased to be able to get artists like Rio and David Finch involved with this. Finch of course is doing scorching work on best-selling Aphrodite IX at the Cow right now. And Al Rio's art on this project is the best work of his career. That's definitely saying something considering his work on titles like Gen 13. Al's fans know that he can draw it all, from monsters and mayhem to beautiful babes, and he gets ample opportunity to show off his range of talents in The Coven: Spellcaster." Begun at Awesome in 1997, The Coven is an enigmatic group whose members possess supernatural powers, brought together to maintain the balance between good and evil. Spellcaster, a member of The Coven, is a beautiful young white witch named Sasha Cullen. Still coming into her true power, Sasha is the focus of The Coven: Spellcaster. UNGAR TALKS MUTANT X, THOR Marvel Studios' Rick Ungar told The Continuum that production on the Mutant X television series could begin as early as April and that developments will soon be announced on the Thor television series. "We anticipate getting in front of the cameras in April," Ungar said of Mutant X. "If you've done it really well, you hope to have eight to 10 scripts in your pocket before you go to shooting." As for releasing details about Thor, which has been in development at Artisan Entertainment? "Soon," Ungar said. "Something is happening there." Getting back to Mutant X, Ungar said it is not based on the comic of the same name. In fact, Ungar doesn't even want to call it an X-Men spin-off. "Everybody wants to make it that, but sorry," Ungar said. "It would probably be fair to say it's a new generation of characters, but it's not the X-Men. The X-Men are the X-Men." Ungar said the initial idea of Mutant X came from Marvel's Avi Arad. Ungar has written the series bible and a treatment. STATIC SHOCK RENEWAL REACTION Static Shock story editor Chris Simmons said the staff at Warner Bros. Animation is "psyched" over the renewal of the Kids' WB! series for a second season. The network confirmed the anticipated renewal Thursday morning. Since its debut on Sept. 23 on Kids' WB!, Static Shock has been a consistent performer. Airing on Saturday mornings at 11 a.m. after a brief stint at 10:30 a.m., the series is the No. 1 broadcast program among its time period competitors, season-to-date, in the key demographics of Kids 2-11, Kids 6-11, Boys 2-11, Boys 6-11, Boys 2-5, and Girls 6-11. In addition, the series ranks No. 3 among Kids' WB! programs in Kids 2-11. "We are extremely proud of Static Shock and are thrilled that it has been picked up for a second season, keeping its teenage protagonist, Virgil, and his super-hero alter ego, Static, in the esteemed company of such Warner Bros. Animation super-heroes as Batman and Superman," said Jean MacCurdy, president, Warner Bros. Animation. In related news, while Kids' WB!'s Friedman told The Continuum that Batman Beyond would return to the network next season, it's unclear if there will be any new shows. No new shows are currently in production. "No one has said anything to us, meaning the producers and crew, about new Batman Beyond episodes," Batman Beyond producer Paul Dini said. "Static Shock has been renewed, but that's all we have heard." DEADENDERS ENDING Writer/creator Ed Brubaker told The Continuum that DC Comics is canceling Deadenders with #16. He said, "#16 is the final issue of the series. I offered to wrap it up because I didn't want to do a book that was losing money for my publisher every month. My plan was to end it later, but this was the issue that was decided upon. Brubaker is writing Batman and Catwoman for DC. X-MEN: EVOLUTION'S SPYKE VS. MARROW? Spyke, the made-for-TV X-Men who debuts in the "Speed and Spyke" episode of Kids' WB!'s X-Men: Evolution, bears a resemblance to the comics' Marrow, but that's only coincidental, the show's creators told The Continuum. "With Spyke, we kept kicking around ideas," producer Boyd Kirkland said. "What can this guy do? What could he be? There were all kinds of possibilities." Gordon said that Spyke, who is the nephew of Storm in the show, is not in pain when the spikes grow out of him, but there is a biological result to the action. "What we do show, even though we don't make a big point of it, is that he has to drink a lot of milk to make up for the calcium that he loses," Gordon said. "There's a show where he's grabbing every carton of milk he can find and is just chugging it down. We don't make too big of a point about it, but it's there for anyone who is interested in." In other X-Men: Evolution news, Kids' WB! will repeat the "Rogue Recruit" episode on Saturday, Dec. 16 and the "Mutant Crush" episode on Saturday, Dec. 23. BRIEFLY Upcoming villains in Ultimate Spider-Man will include Doctor Octopus, Kraven, the Enforcers and Electro. Dark Horse will release a trade paperback in April reprinting the Joker/Mask mini-series by Henry Gilmore and Ramon Bachs. George Perez has announced that Crimson Plague #3 from Gorilla Comics has been delayed until April. +++++ From Comics2Film at http://www.comics2film.com JLA ANIMATED ------------ JLA animated is in development at Warner Animation for the Cartoon Network by Bruce Timm. The team roster: * Superman * Batman * Wonder Woman * The Flash * Green Lantern: This Green Lantern is John Stewart. H * Martian Manhunter * Hawkgirl: A member of the Thanagarian police. The JLA Watchtower is a satellite that is in geo-synchronous orbit with the Earth. Aquaman will be included but not as a regular member. The Manhunters will also make an appearance early on. POWERS ------ Work on the Powers movie is proceeding rapidly according the David Engel, Director of Development at Mace Neufeld productions. Doug Miro and Carlo Bernard have just been hired to write the screenplay for the movie. The current plans are to adapt the Retro Girl story arc from the first issues of the comic. KABUKI ------ Fox, who had previously bought an eighteen month option from David Mack to develop Kabuki into a film have renewed the option by buying another 12 months of exclusive rights to develop the film. http://www.wfcomics.com/boards/mack/ +++++ From The Daily Buzz at http://www.fandomshop.com/buzz/ Hayter Talks Hulk Talk of the Absorbing Man being in the Hulk movie may have been premature. While talking to the Comics Continuum, scribe David Hayter would not confirm that Crusher CReel was the film's baddie, saying, "I read that in Entertainment Weekly, but I am not sure where they are getting their information...As far as I know, NO ONE has read my script outside of Universal yet and therefore I would assume that anything you read until it leaks out is incorrect." --Comic Book Continuum, Gen13 Big Changes The changes made for the developing TV series based on the Gen13 comic series has been so extreme that should the series happen, it may not only not look like the comic but it won't even have the same title. While talking to Eon Magazine {http://www.mothership.com], producer/director Courtney Solomon (Dungeons and Dragons) spoke of his involvement in the project, saying, "I unfortunately haven't been doing much on Gen13 the last year as you can imagine, but I've read all the scripts and given comments on them. I'm just a producer on that -- I actually acquired the rights for Disney from Jim Lee and brought that deal to them. It's been through a bunch of different executives. Fortunately, the last two years we were developing it, Nina Jacobsen who is now president of Disney was our development executive on the project so it's one of her personal favorites. Disney changed it slightly -- they've changed the characters and stuff like that. I believe they've even changed the name of it. They intend to go into pre-production on it early next year." The site reports that the project is currently being titled "Seventh Graders" and has been reworked to be more family friendly. Regarding these changes, Solomon says, "For me personally, I think [Disney] should have stayed more with the comic book. They've moved it slightly away from the comic book. What I loved about that in the first place was that it was sexy. It was good and I loved the first six issues -- the setting up of the whole thing. That was all great. The premise was great and you could go anywhere with the story." --Cinescape +++++ From Newsarama; http://www.Fandom.com/comics/ WINNER OF THE 1997 & 1998 INTERNET "SQUIDDY" FOR BEST WEB SITE GHOST RIDER RIDES AGAIN AT MARVEL KNIGHTS Joe Quesada and Marvel Knights have long been promising fans of Ghost Rider something new to look forward to, and now they're letting us in on a few of the early details_ MK editor Stuart Moore told Newsarama Thursday afternoon that a new, six-issue mini-series is in development for release in the spring of 2001. Written by Gotham Knights' Devin Grayson and penciled by artist Trent (Creed) Kaniuga, Moore called it a "very much a `back to basics' Ghost Rider." Moore declined for now however, to respond to the question – "Johnny Blaze or Dan Ketch??" Reached for comment about her new gig, Devin Grayson responded in her usual reserved manner... "So far Ghost Rider just might be the most fun I`ve ever had with a project," she exclaimed. "I turn my scripts in and Trent calls up to say `DUUUDE!` And then he sends over a new page and I call him up to say `DUUUDE!` Occasionally, Joe Q will send Trent or me a little note to the tune of `DUUUDE!` and of course, Stuart is Dude of Dudes and I`m only sorry that this is the first time I`ve had the opportunity to work with him. We are all truly having a blast. "To be honest, I didn`t even realize that Ghost Rider was a comic character before I started this project. I knew and loved him from alternative culture - during my brief but unforgettable days as a motorcycle babe, I saw him all over the place - on tattoos, and the backs of leather jackets, on customized rods, pipes, and black light posters.... I was so excited to discover that (d`uh!) he came from the medium I`ve been working in these last few years that I practically bribed one of my friends into giving me a shot at the project proposal. The thought of getting to write about a guy with a flaming skull head who rides around on a tricked-out, fire-wheeled motorcycle... I`m sorry, that`s just BEYOND cool! "Joe and Stuart, who had attached Trent to the project quite a while ago, really liked my proposal, and that was that - we were in third gear before the flag dropped. I`m probably not supposed to say this, but I had the first script written before we were officially approved - just too psyched to wait!" THE COVEN MOVES TO AVATAR In another acquisition of former Awesome Entertainment title, Avatar Press has announced that it will publish a series of full color mini-series and specials featuring The Coven, beginning with The Coven: Spellcaster, in March 2001. The series will feature interior artwork by Al Rio and covers by Rio, David Finch, Tim Vigil, and Matt Martin. "Ian Churchill and Jeph Loeb kept readers spellbound with their work on this series, making it one of the hottest title launches in recent years," said Avatar Press editor in chief William Christensen in a press release. "As we have begun work on it over the past few months, it`s easy to see why. This is a great mix of characters and concepts. And with Al Rio on interior art and guys like David Finch on covers, I think we`re capturing that dark magic that makes The Coven great." Q&A, QUESADA STYLE Quesada again restated that a new line featuring diverse genres – including mature readers titles - was being pursued, and the E-I-C described it as "open to any genre but with a real commercial sensibility." Quesada called the increased focus on the trade paperback/reprint program as their "single most important" initiative for 2001. "More important than Spidey and X combined! I love Essentials and Masterworks and I really dig the Backpacks but I think that they need to be in color." On the Daredevil front, Quesada said he was "completely at fault" for its lateness problems, and implied that after Dave Ross' fill-in issues and the story arc illustrated by David Mack, he had a "pretty decent artist" picked out to take over the series, but he did not reveal who. "As of right now we have pencils up to issue 20 in the drawer so you should see a steady flow of DD soon." On a related front, asked if the Daredevil character Echo would star in a rumored mini-series or ongoing, Quesada replied "Hmm, possibly ;-)". David Mack's name has been attached to some rumors involving this project. Asked whatever happened to Event Comics, Quesada said "_Event isn`t dead. Invisible College/DBA Event Comics is more profitable and healthy than ever. Back in the day Event had one employee and three freelancers. Today Event Comics has five employees, employs over 20 plus freelancers and produces some of the best selling books in the industry. Event is Marvel Knights, any creator who works for MK receives a check from Invisible/Event not Marvel. So although Event isn`t producing creator owned at the moment, it is one of the healthiest small publishers in the industry. Event will also be instrumental in helping Marvel launch its Mature Readers line. And if the Event property Ash will ever be published by Marvel? "I guess we could work out some sort of deal but right now that would seem a bit self serving for me to move forward with that. If we had enough fan mail warranting it and an editor with a real jones for doing the book, maybe." In response to a reader question about the books recently canceled because of lack of accessibility to new readers, in which the reader cited Black Panther and The Thunderbolts, Quesada said neither book in danger of cancellation but were "definitely being worked on to increase the accessibility", and in a later response said liberal use of "footnotes' in comics explaining past continuity " can sometimes can be as daunting as 40 years of history." Finally, in random, various X-Men notes_ Chris Claremont's upcoming new series will be completely separate from the two core titles by Grant Morrison and Joe Casey, respectively, and they will be separate from each other as well, featuring, "considerably different teams and characters." On why X-Man was canceled? "X-Man was a good book but the confusing to new readers. Too many Nates and too many time travel books. We don`t need three so Cable was the one that survived. This had nothing to do with the creative teams, it was a strategic brand decision. Asked if John Byrne was offered other assignments with Marvel after X-Men: Hidden Years, the E-I-C said "I don`t want to get into discussing the intimacies of John`s deal, it`s not fair to him or me. What I can say is that John had proposals in with Marvel that we were ready to go ahead with." For a full transcript of Quesada's Q&A, check out the Marvel Universe newsgroup or Fandom's X-Fan domain. TURNER HAND PICKS `TALENT' FOR NEW FATHOM PROJECT According to Top Cow and creator Michael Turner, the artist assigned to illustrate the upcoming Fathom mini-series Fathom: Killian's Tide, was discovered and handpicked by Turner himself. The "discovery happened when Turner visited newcomer Talent Caldwell's former art school scouting for new talent. "Although Talent needed work on a few basics like proportions, the problems were minor," said Turner in a company release. "I knew he`d work through these kinks qβ ly with guidance. Talent`s main appeal to me was that he wasn`t trying to mimic a style, he was trying to create his own. His story telling was also very cinematic; you really got the feeling of camera movement. These are similar to approaches that I take to my work." "Mike told me that part of why he hired me was because of the way I thought, my approach to comics and art, my basic repulsiveness to try anything that's already been done to death... that and my love for movies," said Talent. After drawing backgrounds on several issues of Fathom, Turner felt Caldwell was ready to move onto drawing his own issues and offered him Fathom: Killian`s Tide. Said the publisher, "The story's basic elemental breakdown is `Man versus Society'. A group of rebellious teens embody `man' and a government council represents the `society'. The teens, later referring to themselves as the Dissidents, are headed by Killian and his older brother Sear. They feel repulsed with the council's decision of non-involvement after humans unintentionally destroyed an underwater habitat housing others of their species. In angst they set to invoke a series of events against humans for retribution of their acts both current and historical. Amid this, Killian discovers his drive and formulates idealized priorities which beg to question, `At what point is the loss of life too much? When do you draw the line, devise your limits?’" Here is how Top Cow described the series in their March solicitations_"Bad guys aren`t made, they`re grown; Killian, architect behind the Blue Sun, grew from rebellious teenager to polarizing political figure. This four-issue mini-series is his story. In the first issue, an American H-bomb test wipes out the underwater city of Marielle. When the Council decides to take no retributive action, the Dissident Six, led by Killian`s brother Sear, decide to take matters into their own hands." When asked by Top Cow about the differences between this story and the regular Fathom series, writer Bill O`Neal replied, "While Fathom mainly focused on Aspen, most of this story will take place underwater and focus on the beings that live there. The readers will get to learn Killian`s origin. How he went from a rebellious teen to a polarizing political figure." Fathom: Killian`s Tide #1, the first issue of a four-issue mini-series, is slated for release in March 2001. WHEDON TAKES ACTIVE ROLE IN DHC`s BUFFY-VERSE According to a report by Diamond Comics Distributors, Buffy the Vampire Slayer's dad (in the figurative sense), Joss Whedon will expand his involvement in Dark Horse's line of Buffy, Angel and related spin-off comics in the coming months. DHC/Buffy editor Scott Allie told Diamond Whedon – the show`s creator & executive producer – "will take an active role in guiding the future direction" of the line. "We are talking about refreshing the style [of the titles] and taking stories in some different directions," explained Allie. "The thing [Whedon] says he really wants is for the comics to stand on their own, not to merely be spin-offs from the show." Whedon`s expanded involvement will also reportedly give the titles` creative teams more insight into future plans for the Angel and Buffy TV series, "allowing them to plan accordingly when developing story arcs in the books." Whedon is of course also in the midst of writing an upcoming eight-issue, Buffy-related mini-series for DHC, which will launch in May, 2001 in standard comics format. Penciled by newcomer Karl Moline, Fray is set 500 hundred years in a future where all vampires and demons have been dead for a while and all but forgotten, so the Watcher Council has deteriorated. They come back however and the story will pit a new rising tide of vampires against a young girl named Melaka Fray, who may be that future`s Chosen One. "The tone is a gritty, action-adventure, sci-fi fun thing," says Whedon. "It’s not quite as based in the day-to-day experiences of a girl’s life the way that Buffy is. It's a much more broader-scoped adventure. It's really fun. "It's set in the Buffy universe, except that nobody from Buffy will appear in it. By setting it in the future, I don't have to create a whole new world; I can sort of play off of this mythology but not through jeopardizing the characters from the show." BENDIS CLARIFIES ART TEAMS Over on his message board, Brian Bendis laid out just who will be drawing what in the upcoming Ultimate Marvel: Spider-Man and..., which launches in February from Marvel. Here`s what he said: "Here is THE OFFICIAL updated list of artists for Ultimate Marvel: Spider-Man and... For the record, all artists picked their characters, except Bill Seinkevicz- because I begged for him to do this one. Matt Wagner- Wolverine Phil Hester- The Hulk Mike Allred- Iron Man Sam Keith- Daredevil Terry Moore- Black Widow Bill Seinkevicz- The Punisher Mike Avon Oeming And Pat Garrahy- Captain America Andy Kubert- Nick Fury Jon Totleben- Man Thing P. Craig Russell- Dr Strange David Mack and Rick Mays- Master Of Kung Fu Dave Gibbons- Fantastic Four Talent on board without a character decided: Zander Cannon, John Romita Jr. and Sr., Leonard Kirk, Jim Mahfood, Phil Jimenez, Steve Rude, Dan Brereton and believe it or not, much, much more." BIG EASY CON CANCELLED FOR 2001 While it had become the favorite pre-con season comics convention of many fans, Big Easy Convention organizer Roger Price has issued a statement confirming the convention`s cancellation for 2001. official statement It is with deep regret and sadness that R.A.P. Promotions announces that there will be no BIG EASY COMIC-CON in 2001. It was our intention, as part of a three-year development plan, to return to the Hilton New Orleans Riverside Hotel on Memorial Day weekend, 2001. Throughout the production of our 2000 show we were consistently assured by the local management of the hotel that this was their intention as well. Much to our dismay, the local management of the Hilton New Orleans Riverside Hotel mistreated both Big Easy Comic-Con 2000 and our attendees. Nonetheless, we felt the issues at hand would be addressed and corrected in 2001. We were again assured that Big Easy Comic-Con would have a show venue within the Hilton New Orleans Riverside. The producer even received a written letter of apology from the hotel`s general manager as it related to the treatment we endured in 2000. Understand our dispute was only with the local management of the Hilton New Orleans Riverside. R.A.P. Promotions had no difficulties with the Hilton chain and our sister show, Mid-Ohio-Con, enjoys a very positive relationship with the Hilton Columbus and its local management. Less than 24 hours after receiving our payment in full for services rendered, we received a phone call from the hotel`s sales manager that the Hilton New Orleans Riverside would not host Big Easy Comic-Con 2001. It was explained that the hotel had received an offer from another group that wanted to rent the space promised to us for more money and that the hotel was accepting that other offer. We were given no forewarning. We were offered no further explanation. The local management refused to honor an agreement that they had assured us, both verbally and in writing, would be honored. Despite our very best efforts, and the tireless dedication of many local supporters, circumstances far beyond our control make it impossible to produce this event in 2001. We offer our most sincere apologies to the fans, celebrity guests, industry professionals and our dedicated crew. We are especially sorry that this decision will not permit us to participate and support, as fully as originally planned, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund`s "Making Waves II Cruise". Be assured that the cruise will indeed take place as advertised and we urge everyone to support it as fully as possible. More information on Making Waves II can be obtained by visiting the CBLDF`s web site (www.cbldf.org). We hope to someday bring the Big Easy Comic-Con back to New Orleans. Until then, we thank you for your support and understanding. Roger A. Price R.A.P. Promotions, Inc. +++++ 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. WIZARD'S "BEST OF THE BEST 2000" ISSUE SERVES UP HEAPING ACCOLADES FOR DC Wizard: The Comics Magazine #112 is its year-end "Best of Everything" issue features a one-of-three variant covers of Batman by artist Scott McDaniel; inside, Wizard paints a picture of 2000's top projects in comics and also has a few things to watch for 2001, with DC at the forefront. Beginning with the cover feature article on BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT STRIKES AGAIN! that showcases interviews with both Group Editor Bob Schreck and writer/artist Frank Miller. Most notable was THE AUTHORITY being named "Best Comic" in its "Best of the Best 2000" feature. Calling it "comics' boldest book," Wizard touts the series' "odd situations, ingenious twists_ Fans never know what to expect next, and unlike most comics (and most major motion pictures), readers can't be certain that all the stars will make it to the end of the storyline alive." The current creative team of Mark Millar, Frank Quitely and Trevor Scott are celebrated giving the series its "classic adventure serial" feel. In a year full of noteworthy comics rife with competition, this is a high honor indeed. Speaking of The Authority, the WildStorm super-team is the winner of the "Super Brawl", a fictitious contest among super-teams from different publishers. While the earlier "elimination rounds" feature the Titans, the Legion of Super-Heroes and the JSA, The Authority defeated even the JLA in the final round. Calling it "the most knock-down, drag-out fight on the list," The Authority's ultimate victory is attributed to the fact that "the entire roster of The Authority plays dirty and for keeps_ While the JLA fights for truth, justice and peace_ The Authority fights to win." Wizard #112 also features a "News & Notes Special Report" on HELLBLAZER, saying "the end of PREACHER signals a new beginning for HELLBLAZER -- as the #1 VERTIGO book." Featuring comments from writer Brian Azzarello, the article discusses the success of this year's stories teaming Azzarello first with Richard Corben and now Marcelo Frusin, with HELLBLAZER veteran Steve Dillon drawing issue #157. Also covered in the "News & Notes" are the BATMAN: OFFICER DOWN crossover and the upcoming "Return to Krypton" storyline in the Superman titles, as both Batman and Superman head into 2001. The issue's "First Look" features preview color pages from THE MONARCHY #1 and comments from series writer Doselle Young. Likening the new team (first appearing in this month's THE AUTHORITY #21) to "a band of vagabond doctors [who] search for and solve the world's ills, while managing to steer clear of the limelight," Wizard adds that "it's spun from the same cloth as the insanely popular THE AUTHORITY, PLANETARY and JENNY SPARKS." Also featured in the "Best of the Best" is Batman for "Best Villain", for his scheming betrayal of JLA that played the team into the hands of Ra's Al-Ghul this year in JLA's "Tower of Babel" storyline. SUPERMAN artist Ed McGuinness was named "Best Artist" for his "next millennium" take on the Man of Steel. And with eyes pointed towards the future, Wizard voted Lex Luthor as the "Villain to Keep Your Eye on in 2001," after his ominous election as U.S. President in the DC Universe, saying Luthor's gone from the most dangerous man in Metropolis to "the most dangerous man on the planet." HELLBLAZER/100 BULLETS writer Brian Azzarello was named "2001's Writer to Keep Your Eye On," and "2001's Moment to Keep Your Eye On" is the imminent clash between Batman and Superman in the upcoming BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT STRIKES AGAIN!, alluded to in hushed tones by Schreck. Wizard #112 also features: -- JSA listed as "Book of the Month" -- Pascual Ferry (SUPERBOY) profiled as a hoot up-and-coming artist in "On the Rise" -- Manga artist Kia Asimya's current Batman project (currently being published in Japan by Kodansha) -- THE POWERPUFF GIRLS leading an influx of American comics into Japan And DC Comics couldn't be more thrilled. According to Manager -- Direct Sales Vince Letterio: "Praise from Wizard translates into fan enthusiasm and increased sales on the retail front. This kind of coverage makes fans buy books they may not normally pick up, which is good for everybody." THE AUTHORITY #21 (SEP00 0529) arrives in stores on December 27, with THE MONARCHY #1 (DEC00 0450) arriving on February 14. THE AUTHORITY: UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT TP (NOV00 0530) is still available from Diamond. HELLBLAZER: HARD TIME TP (SEP00 0551) and HELLBLAZER issues #152 (MAY00 0188), #154 (JUL00 0385), #155 (AUG00 0503) and #156 (SEP00 0550) are currently available for reorder through Diamond. WILDCATS #18 AND #19 TO FEATURE COVERS BY JIM LEE Please note that WILDCATS VOLUME 2 #18 (OCT00 0594) and #19 (NOV00 0563) will feature covers by Jim Lee. The issues will arrive in stores on December 6 and January 3, respectively. LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES VOL. 10 ARCHIVES UPDATE To help retailers save on freight costs when returning copies of LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES ARCHIVES VOL. 10 HC, Diamond will accept "stripped cover" returns consisting of the book's front cover and its dust jacket. JLA #49 CREDITS UPDATE Please note the following update to the solicited creative team on JLA #49 (SEP00 0507), which arrives in stores on December 20): Mark Waid (writer), Bryan Hitch & Javier Saltares (pencils) and Paul Neary & Chris Ivy (inks). DC'S FIRST "LAST CHANCE SALE" BEGINS! This week, DC Comics initiates its "Last Chance Sale" program, an invaluable opportunity for retailers to pick up best-selling DC products at incredible savings. These "Last Chance Sales" will also feature a special Reorders section for hot products that shipped the previous week and highlight new additions to the STAR System! Appearing as a flier insert every other week in Diamond Dateline, the "Last Chance Sale" fliers give retailers up-to-date sale information to place orders either via fax or over the Phone to Diamond Customer Service reps for items both offered at 70% discount. According to DC's Manager -- Direct Sales Vince Letterio: "This new program is a retailer's best chance to restock proven bestsellers at a remarkable discount. Combined with the 'last week's comics for Reorder' section, this biweekly flier makes the constant restocking that separates a great store from a good one easier and cheaper." Beginning on December 4 and running through December 25, the following "Last Chance Sale" items will be priced at 70% off their list price: AUG000437D ACTION COMICS #772 ($2.25/$0.68) AUG000435D ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #585 ($2.25/$0.68) AUG000444D AQUAMAN #74 ($2.50/$0.75) AUG000413D AZRAEL: AGENT OF THE BAT #71 ($2.50/$0.75) AUG000414D BATMAN #584 ($2.25/$0.68) AUG000412D BATMAN: GOTHAM KNIGHTS #10 ($2.50/$0.75) DEC990124D BATMAN: GOTHAM KNIGHTS #2 ($2.50/$0.75) JAN000185D BATMAN: GOTHAM KNIGHTS #3 ($2.50/$0.75) FEB000117D BATMAN: GOTHAM KNIGHTS #4 ($2.50/$0.75) MAR000134D BATMAN: GOTHAM KNIGHTS #5 ($2.50/$0.75) AUG000424D BIRDS OF PREY #24 ($2.50/$0.75) AUG000425D CATWOMAN #87 ($2.25/$0.68) AUG000445D CREATURE COMMANDOS #8 ($2.50/$0.75) AUG000501D DEADENDERS #10 (MR) ($2.50/$0.75) AUG000410D DETECTIVE COMICS #751 ($2.50/$0.75) AUG000476D DEXTER'S LABORATORY #16 ($1.99/$0.60) AUG000502D THE DREAMING #55 (MR) ($2.50/$0.75) AUG000446D THE FLASH #167 ($2.25/$0.68) AUG000491D GEN13 #58 ($2.50/$0.75) MAY000189D HELLBLAZER SPECIAL: BAD BLOOD #1 (MR) ($2.95/$0.89) JUN000322D HELLBLAZER SPECIAL: BAD BLOOD #2 (MR) ($2.95/$0.89) JUL000386D HELLBLAZER SPECIAL: BAD BLOOD #3 (MR) ($2.95/$0.89) AUG000504D HELLBLAZER SPECIAL: BAD BLOOD #4 (MR) ($2.95/$0.89) AUG000449D HITMAN #56 ($2.50/$0.75) AUG000450D HOURMAN #21 ($2.50/$0.75) AUG000458D JSA #17 ($2.50/$0.75) AUG000460D LEGENDS OF THE DC UNIVERSE #35 ($2.50/$0.75) AUG000428D NIGHTWING #50 ($3.50/$1.05) AUG000431D ROBIN #83 ($2.25/$0.68) AUG000480D SCOOBY-DOO #41 ($1.99/$0.60) AUG000438D SUPERBOY #81 ($2.25/$0.68) AUG000436D SUPERMAN: THE MAN OF STEEL #107 ($2.25/$0.68) FEB000207D SWAMP THING #2 (MR) ($2.50/$0.75) MAR000237D SWAMP THING #3 (MR) ($2.50/$0.75) APR000261D SWAMP THING #4 (MR) ($2.50/$0.75) MAY000194D SWAMP THING #5 (MR) ($2.50/$0.75) AUG000508D SWAMP THING #8 (MR) ($2.50/$0.75) AUG000466D THE TITANS #22 ($2.50/$0.75) AUG000483D WILDCATS ANNUAL 2000 #1 ($3.50/$1.05) AUG000484D WILDSTORM ANNUAL 2000 #1 ($3.50/$1.05) AUG000467D WONDER WOMAN #163 ($2.25/$0.68) A new "Last Chance Sale" offering new items at a 70% discount will be announced every other week in Diamond Dateline. Contact your customer service representative to place your order. USER ANIMATED PROMO AT DCCOMICS.COM A new Flash animation previewing the VERTIGO miniseries USER by Devin K. Grayson, John Bolton and Sean Phillips is currently online at www.dccomics.com/features/user/user.html. 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: 12/09/00 (8:00 am) -- "Betrayal" (Batman Beyond-new) 12/09/00 (11:00 am) -- "Sons of the Fathers" (Static Shock!-new) 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 Espionage and Excitement: An E-Interview with Randy Reynaldo I'm always looking for interview suggestions. With this in mind, I was bugging Kindly Kurt Busiek for ideas. Kurt gave me a whole load of suggestions, so rather than thanking him each and every time we run the different suggested interviews in the near term, let's just say right now, "Kurt, thanks now and in advance." Now on with the interview subject--Randy Reynaldo, the publisher- writer-artist of the comic-book series, ROB HANES ADVENTURES, which Randy publishes through his WCG Comics entity. As Randy describes it (at www.wcgcomics.com/ack.html): "Rob Hanes is a globetrotting troubleshooter for Justice International (JI), a worldwide private investigation, security consultancy and information gathering agency. . . WCG Comics began publishing in 1990 with a digest-sized zine called ADVENTURE STRIP DIGEST, featuring the adventures of a globetrotting private eye names Rob Hanes. The series was launched in 1994 as an independent comic-book series, with four issues of the title released . . . In the mid- and late-1990s, Reynaldo went on hiatus after two agreements, first with Caliber Comics, then with Image Comics, were not successful. In the meantime, Reynaldo continued drawing the series, relaunching his all-new ROB HANES ADVENTURES comic-book series in October 2000 under the WCG imprint." After reading the e-interview, be sure to visit the WCG website for even more information, it's a great site. My thanks to Randy for his time. -Tim O'Shea, TCR Senior Online News Editor O'SHEA: You've gone the route of self-publishing, then tried publishing through a company, and now you're back to the self-publishing route. How good does it feel to be back in control of your creative destiny again? On the other hand, what are the pitfalls/disadvantages you've found to self- publishing? REYNALDO: I'm very happy to be self-publishing again. You're exactly right -- I'm in charge of my own creative destiny again. I have been making comics since I was a kid -- starting with "homemade comics," no doubt like a lot of other cartoonists, so self-publishing is really an extension of that whole approach. I do enjoy the business and promotional side of self-publishing, and being involved in the whole production of a comic-book, so it's fun for me. On the other hand, the disadvantage is that I just don't have time to do everything! Many self-publishers have some kind of assistance -- in the case of Jeff Smith (Bone) and David Lapham (Stray Bullets), their spouses serve as their business managers and partners. I recently got married, but as we both have full time jobs and may start a family soon, if she was spending as much time on the company as I was, we wouldn't have much time for the marriage! O'SHEA: Presently, your company WCG Comics solely publishes your title. Any plans to publish other titles down the road? REYNALDO: I've always daydreamed about the company being successful enough to do other projects (mostly my own), but that's mostly fantasy. Right now the focus is to make ROB HANES ADVENTURES a success and to get it out on time. O'SHEA: How much did winning a Xeric Foundation grant, back in March 1995, help your career? REYNALDO: The Xeric Foundation grant gives you credibility and validation. It's a great thing to put on promotional items, advertising, etc. But you still need to do the work. If you're not out there on a regular basis, people forget you. Before an artist applies for and receives a Xeric Grant, he or she should have a long-term strategy in place to make sure the grant is used effectively -- both financially and in the timing. O'SHEA: Being a quarterly publication is it harder to pull off a multi- part story arc for fearing of losing readership, given the lag time between issues? REYNALDO: That's why I don't do multi-part stories! All my stories are self-contained. I do have larger story arcs in the background, but they are secondary to the main story and readers are never left hanging. I also like this approach because, given how long it takes me to draw an issue, I would get bored pretty quickly working on the same story for a long period of time. This gives me an opportunity to do a wide variety of stories. O'SHEA: In your bio (http://www.wcgcomics.com/ack.html), your work/storytelling style is described as in the tradition of Will Eisner's SPIRIT, Roy Crane's BUZ SAWYER, and Milton Caniff's TERRY AND THE PIRATES as well as like the work of Alex Toth. Of these, who would you say influenced you the most and how? Are there other artists/storytellers not in that list that may have influenced you even more? REYNALDO: As anyone familiar with my work will tell you, Caniff was my first inspiration. And he remains a strong inspiration. But it's not only his art -- his art was ground breaking and vibrant on its own, but the writing took it to a whole new level. Although he was a strong plotter, his real forte was character. More than most cartoonists, his stories were driven by character, and they were all memorable and well-defined. I discovered Crane, Toth and Eisner later. I must admit, that in terms of craftsmanship, I appreciate, in some ways, Roy Crane and Alex Toth even more than Caniff. Crane's work had a lot of life and vitality, even more so than Caniff. It was very breezy, and there was a real joy to his work. Toth is also a big admirer of Crane, as well as Caniff, and he was a perfectionist always striving for the best. While Caniff certainly cared about his work, at the end of the day he always considered himself a newspaperman and as a craftsman. Toth really considered what he was doing to be art. I love Eisner because of the economy of his stories. I can think of no one who could have done some of the stories he has done in the span of eight pages, as he did. I'd love to emulate it, but it's incredibly difficult! It's amazing to think he did this every week -- 52 times a year for about 12 years! But I've been inspired by a lot of people, including current artists. People like Joe Kubert, John Severin, Russ Heath, Howard Chaykin, Marshall Rogers, Michael Golden, Gil Kane, John Byrne and others I'm no doubt forgetting have all been influences for me in one way or the other. O'SHEA: Rob Hanes has been likened to a grown-up Jonny Quest, what kind of upbringing did Rob have and will there ever be any tales of the Toddler/Small Child Rob Hanes? It looks like you might be delving into his background with the resurrection of Rob's long-thought dead father, Patrick Hanes. Does this mean Mama Hanes is not far behind? REYNALDO: It's funny you should ask... Around issue 5 and 6, I plan to finally resolve the whole Rob Hanes/Patrick Hanes storyline. This story thread was actually introduced in the ROB HANES ARCHIVES trade paperback in a story called "The Glowworm Conspiracy." In the story, Rob meets his long-lost father and discovers that Patrick Hanes is believed to have been "Glowworm," a Cold War era Soviet mole. After his father disappeared and his mother died, Rob was raised by his maternal grandfather, Senator Thurmond McCay -- the patriarch of a Kennedy-like family. I'll delve more into this background. But I DO plan to do a few "Young Rob Hanes" stories! In fact, space permitting, I have an idea for a "Year One" backup story, as well as a story tentatively titled "Rob's First Adventure." I also want to do a Patrick Hanes story set in the 1970s! O'SHEA: Which do you enjoy more, the role of writer or artist (or both)? REYNALDO: I do enjoy both, though the writing doesn't come as easy as I'd like. I think my art has developed more than the writing, but that's something I certainly will work on. O'SHEA: Other than Rob, who is your favorite character in the book? REYNALDO: I really love Abner McKenna -- though I really don't feel I've used him enough recently and may be retiring him for awhile. And I do like Rob's nemesis, Nicolai Korda, a lot. I'll need to bring him to the fore again. O'SHEA: Do you already have the final ROB HANES written in your mind, or do the ideas for new stories come day by day, influenced by current international events and your own travels abroad (In other words, the ideas will never stop coming, so they'll never be a final story)? REYNALDO: I have a lot of different story ideas for the series, but I have never really thought of doing a final story. (Ask me again after I've been doing this for a lot more years!) ROB HANES ADVENTURES is meant to be a modern-day "serial," which means it's intended to go on for as long as it can sustain itself and I don't get bored. I do have a general direction I'm taking the series, but since the stories are generally self-contained, I have the flexibility to take detours with other kinds of stories when the mood strikes me. As you suggest, current events and my own travels sometimes inspire me to do spur-of-the-moment stories. But right now, I'm trying to stick close to my plan for the first several issues. Current events can also wreck my plans. If you recall, I originally created Rob Hanes back in the '70s. I had several story ideas that would take Rob into the Soviet Union. With the end of the Cold War, however, that put the end to that story arc!!! (I told you I work slow!) O'SHEA: How much research do you do for a story? In one issue, you had a character refer to MITI, Japan's Ministry of Technology. That's not an agency you hear about every day and you always seem to have really obscure, but credible details in your stories. In the most recent issues liner notes you mention that you're a news junkie. How many magazines, newspapers or other news sources do you read in a week? REYNALDO: A lot of my research is for photo references, but I do end up picking up a lot of interesting tidbits that I try to use in the stories, like the reference to MITI you just mentioned. I also get ideas for characters and situations from news articles. I subscribe to several weekly and monthly magazines and read newspapers fairly regularly. And I'm not just talking about newsmagazines like TIME -- I have even gotten story ideas from GEORGE magazine and FORTUNE! (The Liner Notes section of ROB HANES ADVENTURES #1 mentions a private "spy" agency I read about in GEORGE magazine that is not too different than Justice International, which was a surprise even to me.) When I was on Japan for my honeymoon, I saved some articles because they gave me story ideas. (I love out-of- town newspapers when I'm on the road!) As one example, ROB HANES ADVENTURES #4 will feature a rather flamboyant warlord based on a real Balkan paramilitary leader that I read about who liked to dress in classic traditional military uniforms. I thought that was a kick and adopted it for my character. I should add that the real-life person was actually recently assassinated, which I will mention in the Liner Notes for that issue. O'SHEA: You have a flair for writing interesting female guest-star characters for the book, but by the next issue Rob is always in a new city and a new adventure. Has there been one female in particular that you say to yourself "She could become a series regular . . ." ? (or would that be just like James Bond getting married?) REYNALDO: No, I definitely want to have some recurring female characters. Actually, we'll see more of that -- Tiffany Lance, seen briefly in issue 1, for example, originally appeared in a very early story called "The Assassin." I think recurring characters are essential to creating a rich, believable "universe" that readers can get into. By the same token, right now I haven't really developed a female character yet who may be a serious love interest for Rob. But I'm working on it. O'SHEA: You're obviously happy in the self-publishing world, but would you ever be interested in relaunching CHALLENGERS OF THE UNKNOWN for DC (or some other title if DC or Marvel contacted you), or maybe having ROB cross into the world of Karl Kesel/Tom Grummett's SECTION ZERO (which also has a tinge of espionage to it)? REYNALDO: I would love that, but I really haven't given it much thought because I just don't have the time! Actually, back in the '70s when I did have time to daydream, I actually did some "faux" comic-book covers (i.e., just the covers for a non-existent, fantasy "Rob Hanes" comic-book series with no actual story or comic-book. The covers were meant to suggest a story). In these fantasy covers, Rob teamed up with EVERYONE I could think of. Believe it or not, I had Rob in the Star Wars and Alien universes, and teaming up with Batman and with Superman! There were also "teamups" with more down-to-earth characters like the Beatles and the Blues Brothers. So I guess anything is possible! ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [6] Interview Paul Dale Roberts Silhouet98@cs.com Interview with: Martin R. Oakley of Bloodstained Comics Interviewed by Paul Dale Roberts, Publisher, Jazma Universe Online! http://www.jazmaonline.com/ Question: Before we get this interview started, can you tell us something personal about yourself? Your family life, where you were born and raised, what schools you attended? A: Sure I can! Well, I was born and raised in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, about 13 miles south and west of Lake Superior. My early life was definitely interesting as I was drawing from an early age, walls and such. Then I graduated to paper and drew my way through school all the way to the 8th grade where I dropped out. (a mistake I constantly regret) I got my GED and headed to Northern Michigan Universities Illustration Department, where coincidentally Norm Breyfogle of Batman fame went also. (Not to mention he's my cousin!) After about three semesters, I got fed up with the politics inherent with college, and struck out on my own professionally........and well........here I am! Question: What was the first comic book you ever read? A: I'm not even sure about this one! It was probably a batman comic by Norm or perhaps a GI Joe or Transformers book. But I can tell you the first book that I got hooked on easily! X-Men all the way! Question: For people unfamiliar with Angelfyre, can you please tell us something about it? When is this comic book due out? Who will be publishing it? A: Angelfyre is the creation of my friend and publisher Peter J. King. It follows the adventures of Angela Brand who is appointed one of the guardians of earth. She has a guardian/teacher who is the archangel Michael who helps her upon her path and teaches her the uses of her powers. The first issue is currently available from Quest Comics (e-mail: xquestcmxx@aol.com for information) and my work will begin appearing in Angelfyre #2, coming out in January or February of 2001. Quest Comics will be publishing. Question: What have you done before in the comic book industry? A: Mainly I've worked on several defunct titles that never got off the ground. Some are the fault of the publishers, some are my own fault for not being professional enough the first time out. I have worked my way up the ladder from the very bottom and am now extremely happy where I am. I also will be inking 7 pages in Angelfyre #2 for one of the other artists, and see that in my future I"ll be drawing and inking my own work more often than not. Question: Now tell us about your other comic book: Twilight: Liturgy. A: Okay, now for a subject I can really and totally sink my teeth into! *laughs maniacally* Twilight is basically a cross between Grant Morrison's LSD trips, my own insane imagination, a screwed up childhood (I never said it was happy!) and an inherent curiosity about the darker side of the human condition. I take my main character, whose name is Dameon Talbot, and put him through hell and back to temper him into the hero that he must become at the end of the 3 issue series. It's a horror merged with Crime Fiction, with the crime taken partially from unsolved case files that I have happened upon in my research and partially from my own, as I said before, insane imagination. This book is Mature reader's where Angelfyre is all ages. As for the plotline, I'll give you a teaser. Dameon Talbot and Caitlynn Dannen, a couple detectives partnered for 7 plus years come across a spate of killings that the media has named the perpetrator "The CrossHatch Killer". There's one problem....All the evidence points to Dameon! Dameon sees these murders as they happen, through dreams and visions, and slowly attempts to understand why he has this connection while the police force begins to suspect, and later arrest him for the crimes. Will Dameon be able to prove his innocence? Will a case of unrequited love finally come to the open? Only time will tell, and I'm not telling! Question: How did you come up with the idea of Twilight: Liturgy? A: It began with a nervous breakdown about 2 years ago. (Yes, this title has been in the works for two years, minus a 2 month hiatus to recharge) It began as therapy, and slowly became an obsession of mine to fulfill a dream that I've had since I was a youngster, not saying that I'm that old right now! I switched religions, and am now a practicing Wiccan (witch) and that merged itself into my writing. Then I got a hold of some unsolved case files from my area, Los Angeles, and Chicago and began to see a plot forming within the confines of my insane mind. Slowly it developed into the storyline that I have today. I don't have any one place that I can point out and say "There's where I got the idea!" Cause I take inspiration from everywhere. Sitting in Big Boy with a cup of coffee and a note pad, listening to the conversations will give me an idea that I have to jot down. Anything goes with me. Question: Are you the writer of both comic books? Who are the artists for these comic books? A: While I am working on a speculative script for Angelfyre, Pete King is the writer for that title. Angelfyre also has a stable of artists such as Brian Proctor, myself, and a few others that I don't know of really at this point in time. Twilight: Liturgy is my baby all the way. I'm the writer, the editor, the penciller, the inker, and the letterer on this book along with some ink assists and assists in the editing by my business partner Troy Wall. Question: When will we see these comic books on the racks? A: Angelfyre #1 is available through Quest Comics right now. As I understand it, Pete's working on getting a distribution deal through Diamond Distribution. Angelfyre #2 will be available in January or February of 2001. Twilight: Liturgy will be coming out from BloodStained Productions along with Troy's title American Dream in March or April of 2001. I will be posting a 10 page teaser on my website for both comic books sometime within the next two months. I'm currently working on the teaser for Twilight: Liturgy, and have yet to spring the news on Troy of exactly what I'm going to need from him. I'm a little stinker ain't I? Question: Do you have a website? If you do what is the URL address? Can we see your comics on your website? A: Yes I do, but it is under MAJOR construction at this time. The URL is as follows, and nevermind the date that I put on there! I ended up being hit with the flu and bronchitis at the same time and blew my design date for the website. http://business.dencity.com/bloodstainedprd Question: How can somebody contact you? A: E-mail works great for me! bloodstained2001@aol.com I love getting e-mail, so fill up my box! Question: If you were stranded on a desert island, what 3 things would you bring with you and why? A: 1)The love of my life Lisa, 2)a box of paper and pencils, 3)My Crow Salvation Soundtrack in my portable CD player with batteries that will never run out. (heheheh) Question: Your thoughts on the comic industry? A: The industry at this time is very rocky, very unstable and uncertain of itself. We lost a LOT of reader's in the 90's due to the established pro's hacking out work for their paychecks. If you look at the 80's and the boom that we had during that time, what brought it about? QUALITY stories and artwork. None of the crap that came out during the 90's, even though that's when I came into the fan base. I think that Warren Ellis has the right Idea--Mini series and Trade Paperbacks. Graphic Novels. But then again, Mark Alessi from CrossGen has grabbed my attention through how he has begun getting comics noticed by running it like any other large Fortune 500 corporation. People such as Grant Morrison, Mark Millar, and several others who's names I cannot recall at this time predict a major boom in the industry. I don't see it happening quite that way. I think we'll begin to slowly get reader's again, a steady slide that will LEAD to a big boom. But this time we're going to have to treat the reader's RIGHT, and give them quality ALL THE TIME, no matter what to keep them. I'm very outspoken about many things, and the 'salvation' of the comic book industry is one of the things that lies near and dear to my heart. Question: Your 3 favorite fictional heroes and why? A: 1)Cyclops: The last boy scout, mainly because he epitomizes heroism throughout all of his adventures, down to his sacrifice to save Nate Grey (X-Man) From Apocalypse. 2)Hal Jordan, pre-spectre. When he still had the ring. He was an imperfect human being who did the best job that he could with what he had. 3)Dameon Talbot, if I can choose one of my own creations. He's like an avatar for me through my writing. I put him through hell, but no less the hell that I have put myself through. I feel that he can be one of the heroes of the 21st century who is imperfect, stays imperfect, and yet gets the message of heroism and honor out to the masses. Question: Your 3 real life heroes and why? A: 1)I have a friend online named Cameron. He has spina-biffeta (I know I spelled that wrong) And Hydro-Cephalus. Both put together means that he has a shunt in his brain to drain out the excess fluids, and is confined to a wheelchair. He's a real life hero to me because he continues to have a sense of humor and pursue an active career in writing no matter what anyone says. To me, this is heroism at it's best. 2)Hackers across the world. You see, many people give these intelligent folks a bad rap cause they hack programs. Do you admire Robin Hood? I thought you might. Many of the Hackers don't do nasty things, but instead crack open programs for the less fortunate. I perceive them as Robin Hood's of the 21st century, taking from the rich who won't miss a few pennies, and giving to the poor. 3)And last but certainly not least, my Grandmother Eva Rynnanen. She's been alive for 84 years and still fat and sassy as she puts it. She's been there for me through it all, and supported me when nobody else would. She believed in me when I didn't believe in myself, and without her I wouldn't be where I am today. Question: What movies, cartoons and TV shows are your favorites? A: My favorite movie of all time is Strange Days, followed very VERY closely by Excalibur. If I miss ER on TV, I kick myself. It's one of the best written and produced shows out there. My favorite cartoon is, and always will be the Flintstones. Question: What books do you read? A: Basically anything I can get my nicotine stained hands on. Fiction, non-fiction, biographies..........anything and everything. Right now I'm working my way through "The Spiral Dance" by a woman named Starhawk. I would say that this book should be required reading for anyone even remotely interested in practicing Wicca. Question: What are your hobbies and recreational activities? A: Reading, walking, hiking, chatting with the love of my life Lisa, sketching nature scenes, painting...........too many to list really! Question: What comic books do you read now? A: Planetary is a must for me, as is Crimson Plague by George Perez. Other books come and go, but X-Men stays in my mind all the time. Question: Where do you want to be in 5 years? 10 years? A: In five years I hope to be happily married to Lisa and still doing what i'm doing now. Plunking out a living on the keyboard and drawing board. In ten years, I still see myself married (FOR LIFE AND BEYOND!) to Lisa, and STILL plunking out a living on the keyboard and drawing board! I hope that they have to bury me with the keyboard grasped in one hand, and the pencil grasped in the other. Question: What are some of your other projects? A: I'm in the beginning stages of a fantasy epic comic book in the tradition of what Pat Lee began with Warlands. I'm trying to take a different approach to it, showing what magick really is compared to what people "believe" it is. I'm blending my own beliefs in a fantastic environment and enjoying every moment of it! Also, I'm building my website slowly as I"m pretty busy on the pencilling of pages lately. Question: What advice would you give to someone attempting to break into the industry? A: Good Better Best, never stop till you top all the rest! Also, get as many contacts as you can and make FRIENDS with them! Don't constantly badger pro's, be nice to them. If they want to look at your work, they'll ask. And never say die. Keep on plugging away until you get that first, second, third.......so on and so forth, assignments! It's a rough, hard road to get to where I am today, but oh so worth it! Question: When can we expect a Twilight: Liturgy the Movie? Who will play the character parts? A: Funny thing you should ask that. In my initial query to you about this interview, I didn't mention any movie interest! But yet there has been! I turned it flat down, preferring to get the book made first. As for the character parts, I can easily see R. Fiennes (Strange Days' Lenny) as Dameon Talbot. Caitlynn Dannen would be played by Nicole Kidman, and the Crosshatch killer would be played by Willem DeFoe. As for the rest, I'd want to see Danny Devito in there someplace, and John Travolta. Question: Well, I guess that winds up the interview. Thank you. Is there anything else you would like to say before closing? A: You are most definitely welcome! As for anything else to say in closing, keep your chins up and keep that pie in the sky attitude! Life's too short to while away the hours being either lazy or whiny about something! Open your mouth, make your voice heard in this industry. If you have a logical argument about something that you see that is wrong in the industry.....SAY SOMETHING! ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [7] Sound And Fury Craig Lemon craiglemon@aol.com [Reading comics for 20 years, reviewing them for 5, and now reviews editor at http://www.silverbulletcomicbooks.com/ Craig is waiting for the bottom to fall out of the market he loves and cherishes, and hopes it never happens.] Interview with Mark Buckingham, current artist on Peter Parker: Spider- Man, and former artist on Batman, Hellblazer, Miracleman, and many, many more. This is an extract from the full interview, that you can find at http://www.silverbulletcomicbooks.com/ reprinted from here with permission. CL: You managed to avoid the typical Brit route of 2000AD followed by US comics work... MB: Yes, I'd done three years of work for US comics before anything in 2000AD, the Tyranny Rex stories. Neil held the door open for me with Miracleman to break in initially, and Neil & Dave together called Karen Berger to get me the work on Hellblazer - she called me back and said: "You have some influential friends". CL: Tell us more about how they helped you onto Hellblazer. MB: Neil showed examples of my work to Karen and also setup a meeting for me with Richard Piers Rayner. I produced some samples based on Richard's previous work, by inking over photocopies, but this received a poor reception. Neil encouraged me to try again. So I called Richard and asked for more samples; he kindly sent some from issue 10, which I inked and sent into the Karen Berger again. At the next SSI meeting I also showed these to Dave McKean, he liked them, felt good about them, and between them Neil and Dave persuaded Karen to give me the job on a trial basis. Neil had advised me to take my time over the new samples and "razzle dazzle" her. His advice, as always, paid off. CL: Who is your favorite inker at the moment? MB: That would have to be Wayne Faucher, he's based in Pennsylvania, he really takes his time over inking, so doesn't do too much. It is too easy in this industry to take on too much work, so you don't do as much thinking, just use your craft to get things done quickly. The danger, of course, that it is too tempting to coast through. CL: Whose pencils would you love to ink? MB: Kirby, naturally. I'd really like to do one of the covers for the Jack Kirby Collector magazine. There are a few pencillers I like the work of - Duncan Fegredo, Sean Phillips are two of them. Inking Mike Mignola's Hellboy would be great if the chance arose, as would doing the inks on Tom Strong over Chris Sprouse's pencils. I'd particularly love to work with Alan Davis, I would be able to learn an awful lot from him. I'm open-minded as regards collaborations, really, I'm happy to work with new people - for example, I like John Stokes' inks on our recent Merv Pumpkinhead book, and I like the fluid inks on Peter Parker at the moment. I try to adapt my art to fit each project, and a new inker can help in that process. CL: OK, so back to your early US work then. After Hellblazer, and other Vertigo projects, you ended up at Marvel. MB: Yeah, I had always been supported and encouraged as an artist by everyone at Vertigo, but the DC Universe weren't really interested, as I had no real "mainstream" superhero experience. Finally I got to do Ghost Rider and Generation X at Marvel, first of all inking again, then gradually the pencil work came through. With these superhero pencils under my belt, the DC Universe came calling and I ended up on Batman, Shadow Of The Bat. The Marvel work, the famous Marvel Method, was actually quite nice, it was good training for the future and gave the artist more freedom - it's nice to have the artistic license to complement a plot visually, rather than work to a rigid script. The Peter Parker: Spider-Man stuff I'm doing now is lovely - it feels like I'm half of a working unit; it's a collaborative piece, very organically grown, and strongly adheres to the Marvel Method. Paul is such a busy guy that it is not feasible for him to do full scripts; he plots it out, we spend one to two hours talking through it, then I get working. I worked with Neil in a similar fluid way on Miracleman. I suppose the difference is that Neil would provide much of the dialogue without too much plot; which gave me great pleasure in choreographing the issues; but the key point was that we spoke a lot before starting work. Maybe it's an odd way of working, but it's great fun working story details out over the telephone with Paul and Neil. Maybe it gives the editor a headache, maybe we wing it a little, but they trust us to do a good job and I think we deliver. CL: Speaking of Neil and Miracleman, I can't avoid it, can you tell us a little about Miracleman and where it's at, at the moment. MB: From a purely logistical point of view, #25 was totally completed except for the coloring. Issue 26 had eight pages of story written, and loose pencils done. Neil used to write chunks of story at a time: "Here's the latest batch of pages, get back to me when you've drawn them". The rights situation is in a complete pickle. Maybe it will never be resolved. To be honest, I resent the fact it is still in limbo, that it is not in our power to continue. From Neil's point of view, his babies aren't available to him; some of our best work is locked away, maybe never to see the light of day. Neil has continued to try and sort out control of Miracleman; he feels he has to pursue this as Alan Moore entrusted him with the property, and Neil owes Alan a lot - Alan especially encouraged him to step into the medium. However, even if Neil does win the rights back, he may not care to resume scripting duties - this whole situation has left a very bad taste in our mouths. If it does continue, with Neil at the helm, I would definitely be interested in resuming art duties; we had three issues to go in the Silver Age storyline, then we'd hit the Dark Age... CL: The next thing you're slated to do is a reasonable run on Peter Parker: Spider-Man, which we touched on earlier. You and Paul Jenkins started off in #20, but I understand you've a short break coming up? MB: #26 is not mine, but it's not a break! Issue #25 is a double-sized issue; so we needed to have someone come in for #26 to give me enough time to do justice to #25. It would've been easy to do a rush job on #25 and #26 to get them both done, but I'd much rather do an excellent job on #25 and skip #26, than compromise either book. #25 is the big Green Goblin story, so it's important that it was very, very strong. CL: What character or characters would you love to draw that you haven't done so already? MB: The Fantastic Four, no question about it. I want to draw the Thing; I've done the Human Torch in a recent PP:SM issue, but would rethink and refine it if I got the chance to draw him again. I would quite like to draw Cerebus, but I think there's little chance of that! I'd also love to do some of the classic early-years 2000AD characters - DR & Quinch, Robo-Hunter, Ace Trucking Co. Not Dredd as such, as I've a slight fear I'd get him horribly wrong. What else? Strontium Dog - oh, I'd love to draw the Gronk. Not Rogue Trooper, however, I'm not really interested in war stories. CL: What question have you never been asked, that you'd dearly love to be asked? MB: Um, "do you find it hard being the most desirable man on the planet? Is it hard to beat off all those fantastically sexy, young, nubile women?" CL: (laughs) And what would your wife say if you got asked this? MB: She'd hit me for even thinking it! CL: Thanks very much for your time, Mark, do you have any final comments you'd like to add? MB: Just that I'd like to thank everyone who has read and enjoyed my work over the last 13 years. It's a real pleasure to entertain them - they don't have to look at my work, but they do. I really appreciate everyone's continued support. Thank you. ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [8] 4 Color Review webmaster@4colorreview.com [4-Color Review is a website that's gone through many changes in the 4 years it's been online. It began as a small review site, and has grown to a full-blown webzine with reviews, columns and much more. The following article is presented by 4-Color Review where it was originally posted. If you enjoy this article we encourage you to send mail to 4-Color Review and then visit the web site for comic book READERS at - http://4colorreview.com ] Jason Baldwin (jbaldwin@4colorreview.com) is a copy-writer by day and a comic book reader by night. Jason's POV on comic book happenings is often very different from just about everyone else's. Combine the fact that he's not afraid to stir things up with his background in investigative journalism, and you have an interesting - and oftentimes controversial - combination. Jason's column, Paper Cuts!, can be read regularly at 4-Color Review (4colorreview.com). ---------------------------------------------------- Stars My Destination You know how you stumble onto something -- regardless of the entertainment medium -- that you find to be so good, so wonderful, that you wonder how you've gone so long without discovering it before? It happens every so often to someone who is passionate about their entertainment: we'll find a new film maker whose work speaks directly to us or a novelist with a list of books that are so engrossing, we'll go out and buy their entire listing as quickly as we can. It happened to me, most recently, with Starman. 4CR reviewer Eric Haar had been singing the praises of the book since it's debut six years ago during Zero Hour. "You really should pick up an issue," he'd tell me from time to time. I dismissed him regularly, waving it off quickly because, as far as I was concerned, it was a book with heavy ties to the Golden Age (and consider it blasphemy, but here goes) something I really don't have a lot of interest in. Last summer, a funny thing happened. I had lost a couple of titles either to cancellation or personal excommunication (just having dropped the floundering Impulse, for example) and I had a few extra bucks I could spend a month on a new title or two. That was right about the time Eric once again started his push to get me to pick up Starman. "It's getting close to Robinson's climactic story arc he's been building to for years. You should pick it up," he told me. And I gave in. It was the Alex Ross six-part linked cover that really got me to do it. It depicted Jack Knight in all his glory, leaping through the stars. I grabbed that issue and the one before it and slid them both at the very bottom of my stack of books that day. I read them both back-to-back and, to be honest, I had NO CLUE as to what was going on. Except Jack and his friend Mikaal were looking for some guy named "Will Payton," who used to be Starman long ago. I talked to Eric for a long while, having him explain every single question I had about the two issues I'd just finished, and I was satisfied. I still wasn't entirely sure of everything that was going on, but I consider that a good thing. A writer, when telling an episodic story, shouldn't give you all the answers right away, otherwise you won't be compelled to come back the next time. Anyway, It wasn't until three or four issues into my Starman experience that I sat up and took notice. It was during the "revolt" scene of Stars My Destination. The battle scene was pitched. Peter Snjebjerg's art had never looked better to me. And the kicker was when Mediphyl, the one-time Green Lantern, showed his true colors and betrayed the group of rebels led by Jack Knight. Robinson capped that issue with a cliffhanger so gripping, I HAD to know what was to come next and I couldn't wait a month. 30 days (or so) later, Starman found it's way a little higher up in my "Stack Heirarchy." The same thing occurred the next month. The story took another heated turn, and I was salivating for the next installment. And the book again moved up into the top 10 books in my stack. To further the addiction, Eric bought me a good chunk of the back issues from about issue 48 on up to where I had started purchasing them -- the entire "Stars My Destination" story aarc -- as well as the first issue of the series. I've been slowly but surely buying up as many back issues I can since then, and I'm literally blown away by the breadth and depth of this series. I learned, very quickly, that this book has less to do with the Golden Age than I thought, and more about becoming a hero, understanding and appreciating a legacy and being a family. For those of you that don't know, Starman is about Jack Knight, the son of the Golden Age Starman Ted Knight. Jack did not want to be Starman. He was very disinterested in the role and even the long line of Starmen that came before him, including Mikaal, the blue alien Starman from the 70s and Will Payton, the Starman of the 80s. Jack's brother David was set to become Starman, but was shot to death before he could even act as a hero on his first night as Starman in a modified version of his father's costume. Jack unwillingly takes on the mantle of the protector of Opal city after his father is seriously injured by Golden Age villain Ragdoll and his henchmen. Ragdoll is being manipulated in turn by fellow Golden-Ager The Mist and his son, Kyle and daughter Nash. Kyle, who is set to become The Mist, is responsible for David's death. Jack, who was never very close with his father or his brother, winds up killing Kyle in revenge. Nash unwillingly takes on the mantle of the Mist while sinking lower and lower into her own psychosis. So there's some serious parallels between the two families, what with the younger siblings taking on a role they don't want for various reasons. Jack eventually comes to terms with his relationship with Ted, realizing over time that the old guy is actually pretty cool and always meant well. David's death also has it's repercussions, as his ghost comes to visit Jack (and Mikaal on one occasion) once a year in the annual "Talking with David" issues, which always wind up being very resonant. Mikaal, obviously, joins the cast, too, and the Mist gets her ultimate revenge on Jack by conceiving a child with him while he is unconscious during a battle. Another Golden Ager with a prominent role in the series is The Shade, who, by the time Grand Guignol rolls around, we find has a much larger part in the scheme of things than series writer James Robinson led us to believe. The early issues of the book have really struck a chord with me on a personal level, as I have a brother of my own, but mine is younger. The relationship between Jack and David mirrors my relationship with my brother very very closely at some points. Most recently, it brought me nearly to tears with Ted Knight's heroic sacrifice and Jack's sudden realization that with the death of Ted and Nash and his girlfriend Sadie leaving him, he was all alone in the world to raise his son. Potent stuff. As the months pass, I wonder how I could have ever read comics without reading this wonderful title. If you're not reading Starman and you appreciate super-heroes, you should pick it up. The first trade is readily available, called "Sins of the Father." It's well worth the trouble and the price. And as the months pass, the end of the series looms closer and closer and I'm starting to realize I'll miss it when it's gone. But thankfully, I'm still rediscovering the series as I continue to buy up the back issues. Few comics evoke a sense of deep inner emotion from me. Preacher and Hitman are two perfect examples. Starman will now be added to that list forevermore. ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [9] 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. ] The Spirit of Giving and Gaming I suppose that time is speeding up as we approach the holidays. I can't believe Thanksgiving was two weeks ago. And I can't believe I haven't done any of my Christmas shopping yet. And as for my own personal greed, I just handed my wish list in a few days ago. Tried to keep it cheap, everything under $20. My mother doesn't have a lot of money... and come to think about it, neither do I. I want some new sweaters, a few CD's, some new Jelly Roll pens. I put a few books on the list... well, comic books anyway. I asked for my own copies of Superman: Peace on Earth and Batman: War on Crime. They're beautiful, they don't cost much... and my parents are used to this whole comic shopping thing by now. I remember staying up one Christmas Eve until 4am reading Sandman: Season of Mists, while listening to Smashing Pumpkins' Melloncollie and the Infinite Sadness. Pure bliss. Then there are those things I don't dare to wish for. At least, not while I'm in a financial mess. Tuition is due right after New Years, and my parents are perpetually tight for cash. So last year they laughed at me when I asked for a Gameboy Color. My affections have been stolen, I admit. I love video games. I love the graphics, I love the storylines, I like the opportunity to be someone else. In fact, it seems I love them for all the same reasons I should love comics. People complain that video games are stealing comics' audience, and it's mostly true, because video games can offer things that comics can't. One is gameplay. Interactivity. Even a mediocre game is more involving than most comics, though this might be a problem with the writing. Give me an issue of Planetary and I'll be just as drawn in by it than I am with the latest Final Fantasy game. But otherwise, comic shelves offer little in appealing product. Some of it is originality - I was playing my cousin's Dreamcast over Thanksgiving, drawn in by the sheer originality and quirkiness of the games. Shen Mue is an ultra-realistic, super-detailed virtual world. You are quite literally living another life. Jet Grind Radio is a pure sugar rush through the street of Tokyo, with a kickin' soundtrack. Shame I didn't get a chance to play Samba de Amigo: the controllers are maracas. Maracas!!! What would it take for comics to create this kind of excitement, this kind of buzz? Better stories and art are a given, but what else? More innovative packaging? Changing the format? It seems that only so much can be achieved on paper - perhaps the Internet will providing the revolution I look for. Or maybe I'm just reading too much Scott McCloud. Thus I present my wish list. Things I would like to see soon, besides Metal Gear Solid 2. I want more fantasy comics in the vein of Squaresoft games. I like their stories, I think I'd like to read more. Producing comics that closely emulate the style of certain types of games might be a good way to draw gamers into the comics world, if pulled off correctly. I'd like to see joint ventures between games and comics... you know, tie-ins? Each medium showing a different facet of the same storyline. Might encourage people to try something new, by having gamers buy comics and fanboys buy games. Hey, we buy crossovers, don't we? Okay, that was evil. But it's just an idea. Okay, something definite I want is more comics on the web. I love them. Anything well-written, well-designed, good presentations for all. I like the diversity available, and in the comfort of my own home, too. That last comment is a big deal for every entertainment industry now, I think. People like to stay home and be amused. Arcade profits are down, perhaps even non-existent because console systems are the big thing now. People are buying DVD's like there's no tomorrow. I wonder where it's all going to go with print? The new year is coming soon, and doesn't that always brings promise for the future? Be optimistic, keep reading and keep playing. Make a wish list. Surely something will pay off eventually. Just as sure that I'm going to find a sweater and some CD's under the tree at Christmas. ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [10] 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: The Coffin #2 of 4 Publisher: Oni Press Written by Phil Hester Drawn by: Mike Huddleston Price: $2.95 Comments: Coffin is one strange character. Even in the way he talks. As he says he no longer lives, he persists! Then there is the grotesque Mr. Heller who is 144 years old who had major transplant surgery. I have stepped into a world void of what is natural and true. I have stepped into a world that would make Rod Serling shake in his boots. Dr. Lynde's chest cavity is opened up and they find out he has a missing heart, along with lungs, liver and both kidneys. It's interesting on how that exo doesn't detect fatigue. The Coffin's exoskeleton has many unique qualities to it. Ahmad is a dead man, with a soul that is contained in a exoskeleton referred to as a Coffin. Not a coffin that is non-mobile, but a coffin that has the ability to move around. In this comic book, the dead have truly risen. For all intents and purposes Dr. Lynde may still be alive, even though he is missing his organs. Incredible! Coffin, can he truly reach out with his soul? Can he beat death? As we walk around, we are actually in our own coffins. Biological coffins. Host bodies that contain souls. When the host body dies, the soul departs, where it goes from there is anyone's guess. But, with Ahmad, we know where it went. As some of us have perfect bodies or flawed bodies, there are perfect coffins along with flawed coffins. Wow! Then seeing Coffin create the strange tentacles on his hands and reaching out and releasing Lynde's soul left me in awe. The depiction of Lyndes' soul was something else to behold. A soul is pure energy and this was energy that wanted to be released. Name: Meridian #6 Publisher: CrossGen Comics Written by: Barbara Kesel Drawn by: Joshua Middleton/pencils Steve McNiven/pencils - Dexter Vines/inks Price: $2.95 Comments: Let me give you a quick run down on the storyline. Here's what they say about the origins of Meridian. On the world of Demetria, explosions rocked the surface and gigantic rocks shot into the air and stayed there. Great cities were built on some of these rocks. They are ore-buoyant islands and the people who have settled on these great floating islands use floating ships to go from one island to another. One of the islands is called Meridian which is home of the shipbuilders and Sephie. Sephie is the 16 year old daughter of Minister Turos. She is being groomed to take over the duties of ruling Meridian. Sephie's uncle Ilahn who is the minister of Cadador met up with Turos, Sephie's father. Both brothers are engulfed in light and receive the mysterious mark of the sigil. In one storyline Sephie was pursued by Cadadorian soldiers. In the melay, Sephie falls off the edge of her small skyship. Illahn believes Sephie is dead. Sephie is now on the surface world and is discovered by a woman, that woman is the Minister of Akasia, named Maraya. Now with this latest issue, Sephie is wandering around on a surface that is more treacherous than the sky cities. The story entails on some strong character development as the reader is observing the character interactions between Sephie and Maraya. Sephie tells on how her father died and how she misses Meridian. She talks on how she has toured Cadador and Akasia and she doesn't favor Cadador. As the story progresses, the reader is able to get into the mind of Sephie, there is much to learn about this young lady. Maraya is a unique character that is good comfort for Sephie as she travels through this forbidden territory. Another character is introduced, a woman of color who calls herself Reesha Teramu who seeks alliance with Ilahn, the Minister of Cadador. What is her true purpose is not disclosed yet? She sort of a mysterious woman. In this one issue, you will come across Feral Toxin Dwellers, learn why anything built of wood has to be constantly rebuilt on the surface world I must say that Minister Ilahn is a get-to-the-bottom-line leader as he addresses Lorosi and tells him to get to the point. A good leader will dissect the clogged up information and seek what is of importance and the Minister does just that. I like his style. Reesha Teramu is an elegant character and it would seem that her presence keeps the storyline perked up. The Greeter ship in the air is fanciful and takes me on an escape route from our true reality. Meridian #6 is perfect escapism. I also love the sunset at the end, almost made me feel like I was back at Tahiti! In this issue, Sephie becomes and is a mythic goddess of protection, she can feel the power of the sigil. With so many things going on with this one issue, you can imagine everything that is going on with the full CrossGen series. You will enjoy the beautiful artwork that is displayed in each and every one of these CrossGen gems. Like the picture of the Greeter ships and other skyships. The drawings of the islands in the skies, the scenery, the outfits of each character. High quality precision artwork done with perfection. Sephie has plenty to learn about herself. There are others who are willing to show her the potential she has with the sigil. Sephie in this issue creates a small paradise. Could it be that she is headed towards a godly level with the power of the sigil? It's anyone guess, but the mysteries within these comics deepens and when you pick up an issue of any CrossGen comic, you will be transfixed to what lies ahead! This definitely is a must read! Name: Marvel: The Lost Generation #2 Publisher: Marvel Comics Pencils/Co-Plot/Script: John Byrne & Roger Stern Price: $2.99 Comments: Love the time jump within Marvel: The Lost Generation #2 going from Tranquility City - 22nd Century to Long Island 1958. This comic book is one of the most exciting comic books on the lineup of Marvel titles. Why? Because many forgotten Marvel characters are being brought back into focus to make a new superhero team called The First Line. I love it! Quick future jump to the 22nd Century where Cass is the main issue. The team is unable to monitor her time-jumps and they think she may have died in the process. Right from there I was hooked! Then we have Ulyssess Bloodstone who is a monster hunter, soldier of fortune and is roughly 10,000 years old. Ulyssess is a man of adventure and would make Indiana Jones blink. I like the character of Lady Zawadi of Wakanda, she has the stealth agility of a jungle panther, she will be another highlight to the team, not to mention Yankee Clipper, Black Fox, Liberty Girl and the secretive SA Scott of the NSA - who is actually a Skrull. I like the dramatic appearance of the monster that The First Line encountered. It made its appearance like something out of a Jack Kirby Silver Age comic book. In this story it mentions that where Neil Armstrong made his footprints on the moon, has now become hallowed ground. These first footprints can never be disturbed. No doubt when we finally do colonize the moon, that area will be guarded like Fort Knox. Those first footprints represent man's first steps on another world and mans' dedication for exploration of outer space. I was surprised to learn that this threatening monster was actually a man named Schreiber and before these superheroes, he returns back to normal. A bit dazed from his monster transformation. Kudos to John Byrne & Roger Stern for bringing this story to life. What a fantastic story it is! Name: Elvira #91 Publisher: Claypool Comics Staff Involved: Jo Duffy, Dave Simons, Dan Day, Bruce Patterson, Frank Strom, Tod Smith, Louis Lachance. Price: $2.50 Comments: 'One for the Mummy' took me by surprise. (Elvira #91). As I thought Elvira was actually dealing with a paranormal creature like a living mummy, she happens to be on a film set. Of all the craziest things in the world, she is asked to show less cleavage?? Is the film producer at this set nuts? Things were turning real bad for Elvira, as she is stuck in a contract and out in the middle of desert. It's always interesting to see how Elvira will make a bad situation into a good one. Like the heroic efforts of Lawrence of Arabia she manages to get out of this bad position real quick. I had to wipe the sweat off my brow as she manages to escape the clutches of Luke the Mummy. The desert beetles was something right out of Indiana Jones. These are the kind of beetles that eat the flesh off corpses. Elvira gives Roz a beetle as a trinket is the ultimate surprise! Yep, Elvira doesn't like Roz too much..heh..heh. Brendan Laser with his shiny teeth and rugged good looks comes to Elvira's rescue. This is the kind of rescue that Elvira likes. Hey, this is one unusual cover. Elvira tied up. It reminded me of Penelope Pitstop. Perhaps Betty Page would be a better example. I would say that this is a tad bit of seductive bondage. Okay, enough of that. Now, let's get to