---------------------------------------------------------------------- Ed Dukeshire and Mike Imboden Present: THE COMIC BOOK NET ELECTRONIC MAGAZINE ISSUE NUMBER 311 4/06/2001 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] Interviews: Mark Waid & Steve Epting .. Tim O'Shea, et. al. [6] Interview: Katie DuMont ............... Paul Dale Roberts [7] Stream of Babbling .................... Tim O'Shea [8] Comics Culture Shrapnel ............... Kris Naudus [9] Interview: James Kochalka ............. Turco Massimiliano [10] M.O.E. Reviews ........................ Paul Dale Roberts [11] My View:CRUX #1/OF THE COBRA .......... David LeBlanc [12] Top 100 Comics for MARCH .............. Diamond Distributors [13] New Comic Book Releases List .......... Charles LePage [14] 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 2001 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 This week there is a bit of a theme in some articles. The timing is such that we are spotlighting a new title out April 11, CrossGen's CRUX. We have already provided you with Paul Dale Robert's interviews with Mark Waid and Steve Epting. Now our other main interviewer, Tim O'Shea, takes a swing at the team that will surely cause some buzz when everyone gets to see this new title next week. How can I be so sure? Well, I got the black and white preview and it is the most exciting title to come out from CrossGen so far. You will not need to know diddly about the rest of their offerings to pick up this book and be hooked from the first few pages. With Mark Waid and Steve Epting in the credits how can you go wrong? My review of the preview is in the usual place, MY VIEW. But this issue is not just about CRUX. We have two more interviews, the the top 100 comics and company results for March, more columns and reviews, and of course my suggestions for your reading pleasure this week: CROSSGEN COMICS First #6, 2.95 Mystic #11, 2.95 DC COMICS Zero Girl #5 (Of 5), 2.95 <----------- Pick of the Week! IMAGE COMICS Image Two In One #1, 2.95 MARVEL COMICS Beasts, 3.99 Ultimate Spider-Man #8, 2.25 Ultimate X-Men #4, 2.25 If this seems like a large issue, it should. I checked and it is the third largest ever. I could have added more to the hype section but that can wait until next week. I've gotta put this one to bed so I can relax and watch FARSCAPE on the SCIFI Channel. Not to mention read all these new comics. 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:Re: Creativity From: jackr@axess.com (Jack Ruttan) Paul Dale Roberts writes in CBEM 310.1: "Once at a comic book convention, I listened to a comic book fan complain about how `crappy' the art was in some independent comic book that was Xeroxed together. I looked at him and said, you must respect the fact that this aspiring comic book creator creates, no matter if his artwork is considered `crappy'. If anything we should always encourage the creators. " That sounds like a nice sentiment, but I can't understand, unless you enjoy something that is bad, why you would encourage bad stuff. It's all right to say to someone whose skills are developing, "keep drawing, you'll get better," praise the bits that are good, and, maybe, if the situation is right, offer some ideas on how to make it better. But thoughtless general encouragement simply means that more bad work is done. Talent is discouraged this way, because if ugly work gets praised, and is the norm, what's the point of trying to do better? One can say that we will praise everyone, but the really good ones we will praise an awful lot. Then that becomes a judgement too, and simply changes the scale: It means that if A's comic is readable, and B's is not, then A's is "super-super brilliant" while B's is simply "brilliant," and "brilliant" becomes another word for "crap." This kind of inflation is happening a lot in our schools, for some of the same "nice" reasons that you seem to believe in. It's why we get university graduates who can't put together a coherent sentence. So create by all means, but if it leaves your sketchbook, and you expect people to look at it, perhaps pay money for it, then you can't demand that all must love it. Jack Ruttan, Montreal http://www.axess.com/users/jackr web portfolio: http://www.axess.com/users/jackr/jack1.htm#port Visit Jack's House of Cats at: http://www.geocities.com/jack_ruttan/ +++++ From: john@kovalic.com (John Kovalic) This summer, since Dork Tower #1 is out of print, I'll be putting out a 32-page collection (hopefully priced at $1.95) to serve as an introduction to the series. It'll be called "The Best of Dork Tower, #1." What I'd like is for everybody now to e-mail me their: * SIX favorite one-page Dork tower strips * TWO favorite two-, three- or four-page Dork Tower strips or stories. * ONE favorite Dork Tower story that's five pages or longer... These should be from the eight issues of the comic book ("Matt and Gilly's Big Date" from Dork Tower 11 would be too recent for the collection, for example...) Then I'll put ALL entries into a hat and pull one out at random. The person who sent the winner will get a COMPLETE run of Dork Tower (issues 1-13), as well as a personalized drawing of Carson, Igor and Gilly! All entries must arrive by April 14. The drawing will take place April 15...to help take the sting out of US tax day... and will be posted on the Dork Tower home page! I'll also award a special BONUS prize to the entry that I believe closest represents what *I* think the Best of Dork Tower to be. John -- John Kovalic Dork Storm Press, Box 45063, Madison, WI 53744 http://www.dorktower.com +++++ Subj:Re: [ComicBooknet E-Mag] CBEM 310.3 From: Cory.Strode@aexp.com (Cory Strode) >Haven`t seen Timothy Truman`s name in credit boxes for a while. >There`s a good reason. He`s currently hunched over his drawing board, >working on a JLA project edited by Pete Tomasi. This, ladies and gentlemen, is proof of how badly Dark Horse is handling the Star Wars Franchise, since Truman is writing the "Star Wars" comic currently...yet this story makes it seem like he's dropped off the face of the Earth. Maybe I'm the only one who seems to realize it, but if it doesn't have any of the characters from the first trilogy, fans just don't seem to care. Star Wars is a comic that, if done right (like the first few Dark Horse mini-series) can bring people into comics who don't buy them. +++++ Subj:New Magazine issue up for April Sequential Tart From: scribejen@hotmail.com (Jennifer Contino) BEGIN TRANSMISSION New Sequential Tart Available at www.sequentialtart.com Our cover artists for April are Cayetano Garza and Carla Speed McNeil. Interviews this month talks with with Dan Jolley (Obergeist), Carla Speed McNeil (Finder), Phil Jiminez (Wonder Woman ), Chris Blestein (CBLDF), Renee French (Marbles In My Underpants), and Cayetano Garza (The Magic Inkwell). Features this month is extra special. Our new guest writer Pam Bliss has for us the first in her monthly series Hopelessly Lost But Making Good Time. Rachel Hartman drops by to talk about The Dream of Home. Lee Atchison takes a look at The Fool in her new series Tarot, Comics, and Archetypes, while Jocelyn Figureid discusses part two of her eBay: Comics Meet Auction House series. Christine Gregory discusses The Money The Mouse Deserves. Our two roundtables this month includes a Pro Roundtable discussing Bizarre Convention Stories compiled by Jayleigh Murray, while our Tart Roundtable discusses The Holy Grail of Art Comissions as compiled by Karon Flage. In Atsukamashii Onna, Eisner nominated Lea Hernandez tackles one of the most important parts of illustrated anatomy for the manga-afflicted artist, the hands. Find out the do's and don'ts of drawing expressive digits in Back of My Hand. Learn what brought accomplished American artist, Greg Espinoza over to all that is Manga-influenced, in this month's interview by Lisa Jonte, More Than Meets the Oversized Eye. Plus anime and manga reviews. Columns exhorts you to Read This Or Die with Sock Monkey and Vox, while the Tarts discuss their favourite stores in Retailers Corner and their attitudes towards cloning in Tart To Heart. Kieron Dwyer (LCD) takes centre stage for Declaration of Independents while Shea Anton Pensa (After-Life In Gothland) is under the spotlight for 13 Questions. Anna Jellinek provides an April Fools' Under The Influence and Kady Mae tackles more of your problems. Essays, reviews and an interview with the creator of Black Scorpion are the highlights of Culture Vultures. Chris Gregory bemoans the latest Levis ads in I Got the Blues From Levi's, Jocelyn Figureid is scathing about Xandos, the Seventh Level of Hell, and Kim De Vries examines Wuxia films. Plus movie, comic, video and event reviews. www.sequentialtart.com Also be sure to check out our message boards at: http://www.sequentialtart.com/cgi-bin/community/Ultimate.cgi END TRANSMISSION ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [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: Writer/artist Jerry Ordway's first name is a diminutive of...? Mark Heike, a former collaborator of Jerry's, naturally knew the long version is Jeremiah, and was legitimately our first correct contestant. Mark wins the EARTH X trade paperback from our sponsors. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION: What did Xombi, and Bloodshot have in common? IMPORTANT RULES NOTICE Email your guess to ComicBkNet@aol.com or just REPLY to the message if you read the Emag in your mail. DO NOT quote the entire message! 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 From the SPLASH PAGE of Comicon.com at: http://www.comicon.com/splash/ FANDOM CROAKS! FANDOM.COM TO FILE CHAPTER 11! March 31: According to postings on the FANDOM.COM message boards the company will file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Monday. Posters on the FANDOM board indicate that Libra Group, a venture capital organization, pulled out of a pending $7 million investment that essentially doomed the company. FANDOM was one of the last of the heavily funded "dot com dream" sites associated with comics. Although they aggregated sites for a number of different fan genres, comics fans knew them through the popular NEWSARAMA page, which FANDOM hosted after purchasing ANOTHERUNIVERSE.COM last year. FANDOM had cut 20% of its staff last January when they brought in a new CEO. The East Coast office and warehouse, all that was left of ANOTHERUNIVERSE.COM, were closed last week. TREKTODAY.COM is reporting: "One company rumoured to be interested in acquiring Fandom.com is online entertainment network UGO.com, which focuses on the same young male demographic that Fandom.com targets. The talks indeed seem to have led to a higher chance of survival for Fandom.com, though in a diminished form, sources suggest. All staff members have reportedly been laid off, with the exception of six employees who will work on the company's transition and who will be meeting with UGO.com to talk about the future of all the Fandomains. As for the company's other assets, Fandom.com is apparently selling back convention organizer Creation Entertainment to the former owners, while Cinescape Magazine will also be going up for sale immediately." Fandom.com was launched in September 1999 after closing $11 million in venture capital financing and immediately began a series of acquisitions apparently aimed at positioning itself for an IPO. As the dot com landscape has heaved and shifted, it appears FANDOM has been caught in the now-classic trap of trying to run a business with no profits, or even a cash flow. The problem is, once the investment dries up, the company is blown away. By Saturday evening, the FANDOM message board threads containing details of the company's collapse as posted by ex-employees had been edited out. Insiders tell the SPLASH that the FANDOM story was a familiar case of an IPO-driven company unable to make it in a real-world business environment. Hostilities are said to have existed between the West Coast and East Coast operations. Hefty West Coast payrolls, major acquisitions, and little in the way of a revenue stream added up to a burn rate that quickly had the company desperate for new investment capital at a time when sources were drying up. +++++ From The Daily Buzz at http://www.fandomshop.com/buzz/ Open Newsletter To Our Fans Date: 4/2/01 April 2, 2001 Dear Fan: Fandom has streamlined operations and let approximately 20 people go in the Santa Monica and Virginia offices. We are in the process of being acquired and these cuts were part of that effort. Creation Entertainment and Cinescape magazines are running `business as usual` and it is our intention to continue our agreements with our fan domains. If you have ordered merchandise from our site, please be assured that we`re continuing to ship product and that your credit card will not be charged, nor can it be legally, until your order is shipped. I know rumors are thick, so if you would like further information please go to the linked release here. I apologize for the confusion and I hope this clears it up. Sincerely, Debra Streicker Fine CEO, Fandom FANDOM, INC. TO BE ACQUIRED AND SLIM DOWN ITS ONLINE OPERATIONS Market instability and funding difficulties lead to splitting off valued properties Date: 4/2/01 SANTA MONICA, CALIF. (March XX, 2001) - Debra Streicker-Fine, CEO of Fandom, Inc., a targeted media and entertainment distribution company that reaches affinity audiences of fans ages 18 - 44 with magazines, online content, merchandise, and related services, announced today that the company is reducing its online operations. Its offline properties, Cinescape and Creation Entertainment, will continue to operate. Cinescape publishes Cinescape Magazine, a leading action/adventure/science fiction magazine focusing on film, television and new media and owns and operates the popular Web site Cinescape.com. Creation Entertainment is the nations leading producer of conventions, merchandise, and clubs for fans of selected television series and films. Fandom had acquired Another Universe-now FandomShop-in Q1 2000, and Cinescape and Creation Entertainment in Q4 2000, when Streicker-Fine was working as an advisor to the company. She was named CEO in January to finalize the business unit consolidations and move the company to profitability. According to Streicker-Fine, "For the last three months we have had productive meetings and a series of opportunities to take Fandom to the next level, but the depressed marketplace has forced many companies to close, especially affecting online companies. We expect our offline companies, Cinescape and Creation, to continue." Fandom Inc. was started in 1999 as a catalog company; and has grown to become a targeted media and entertainment distributor that consolidates fragmented fan bases and addresses them with licensed merchandise, magazines, fan clubs, fan conventions, and collectibles auctions. Fandoms multi-platform portal aggregates successful entertainment franchises, including studio films and television series, collectors items, hobbies, and sports to reach fan audiences via its media network. The online store offers more than 7,000 items. The company just launched FandomAuctions.com in Q4 last year. Company founder Mark Young stepped down in January. Fandom, Inc. Santa Monica, Calif. Based Fandom, Inc. is a targeted media and entertainment distribution company that focuses on affinity audiences of fans ages 18 - 44 with content, merchandise, and related services. The Fandom network of companies includes: Fandom, Inc., an immersive online environment that combines content, commerce, and community with an emphasis on fan participation (content includes news, in-depth articles, fan-generated content, chats, surveys and polls, sweepstakes, and contests, as well as 21 "Fan Domains" ranging from X-Men to Buffy the Vampire Slayer to Pokemon to KISS); FandomShop, a mega merchandise store specializing in genre merchandise and collectibles that are also available through a print catalog regularly distributed to 250,000 subscribers; Cinescape Magazine and Cinescape.com, featuring action/adventure/science fiction on film, television, and new media; Creation Entertainment, the nations leading producer of conventions, merchandise, and clubs for fans of selected television series and films; and FandomAuctions, which offers exclusive collectibles and memorabilia from private collections and movie sets. +++++ Columbia Pictures Posts $25,000 Reward for Missing Spider-Man Costumes CULVER CITY, Calif.--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--April 4, 2001--Columbia Pictures has posted a $25,000 reward for information leading to the prompt and safe return of four Spider-Man costumes reported missing early Tuesday from the Sony Pictures Studios lot. Columbia Pictures has created a hotline for tips leading to the recovery of the costumes. Anyone with information regarding the missing costumes is asked to call the Columbia hotline at 310/244-1044. Details concerning terms of the reward are available through Columbia Pictures. Principal photography on "Spider-Man," the live-action adventure film based on the Marvel comic book hero, began in January. The film is scheduled for release on May 3, 2002. Directed by Sam Raimi, the film features Tobey Maguire in the title role, along with Willem Dafoe and Kirsten Dunst. Laura Ziskin, Ian Bryce and Avi Arad are producing "Spider-Man." CONTACT: Columbia Pictures Jamie Geller-Hawtof, 310/244-1472 Stephen Hagey, 310/244-8477 +++++ RAT FINK R.I.P. April 5: Ed "Big Daddy" Roth, who's indelible personal vision of hot rods and monsters became a cult craze in the 1960's, died of a heart attack on April 4th. He was sixty-nine years old. Roth was a true American original. Many consider him the inspiration for much of the renegade West Coast comics and Toons, including the San Francisco underground comix scene and the current fine art movement centered around JUXTAPOZ MAGAZINE. His characters, such as "Mother's Worry" and "Drag Nut" became pop culture touchstones in the sixties and later went on to inspire generations of punk musicians, television animators, comics and tattoo artists. Roth's biography on the RATFINK.ORG website says: "Ed "Big Daddy" Roth was born in Beverly Hills on March 4, 1932. He grew up in a German speaking household with a younger brother, Gordon. In school Ed learned to speak English and he liked to draw. Ed was able to do his homework and keep up with the rest of the class while he drew pictures of airplanes, hot rods and monsters. His father Henry was very strict with the brothers and kept the two out of trouble by supplying them with tools and a workshop. Ed's dad was a German cabinet maker and it was in the workshop where Ed learned how to build crazy stuff out of wood." In the late 1950's, Roth began creating custom hot rods such as the "Outlaw" and "Beatnik Bandit" and supported himself by becoming "Big Daddy" Roth and peddling T-shirts and cartoons at drag racing events. His breakthrough character was "Rat Fink", which caught on with kids nationwide. By the early 1960's, Roth had a deal with Revell to license his hot rods and monsters for model kits which sold in the millions. He advertised his lines of t-shirts regularly in the back of HOT ROD and CAR CRAFT magazines, put out two record albums as "Mister Gasser" and was the star and inspiration for a "Big Daddy Roth" comics magazine put out by CAR-TOONS. Until his death, Roth remained an active artist, designer and inventor living in a small town in Utah. His last creation, The Stealth 2000, was showcased at the American Institute Of Graphic Design in October 1999. FULL BIOGRAPHY: RATFINK.ORG Thanks to Eric Reynolds +++++ FIRST WAVE/SHI: VOICES OF THE DEAD Andromeda and Crusade Team-Up! April 3, 2001 - Los Angeles, CA - Andromeda Entertainment, publishers of First Wave, and Crusade Entertainment, publishers of Shi, have inked a deal for a two-part crossover of their respective series. Entitled Shi/First Wave (Part One) and First Wave/Shi (Part Two), this two-part mini-series carries the sub-title "Voices of the Dead." Relative newcomer Alex Johns, who worked with Billy Tucci at Crusade on a cover for Shi: Year of the Dragon #3, will illustrate the series. The series will be edited for Andromeda by Editor-in-Chief Arthur Holcomb and for Crusade by Shi creator Billy Tucci. Each issue of the mini-series will offer a choice of covers by regular First Wave cover artist Matt Busch and Tucci. "We're excited about the chance to work with Billy," says Holcomb. "It's not a crossover that would be the first one to spring to mind, but we've got a great story, one that makes the involvement of the characters in each other's lives very organic." "This is a great chance for First Wave fans to check out Shi, and for Shi fans to check out First Wave," says Tucci. "I think fans of both comics and the First Wave show are in for a good ride." Shi/First Wave #1: Voices of The Dead is listed under Crusade Entertainment, on Page 250 of the April Previews from Diamond Comic Distributors. First Wave, which has been described as "The X-Files meets The Fugitive," chronicles the adventures of Cade Foster (Sebastian Spence) and Jordan Radcliffe (Traci Elizabeth Lords) as they follow clues about an alien presence among us found in the ancient writings of Nostradamus. New episodes of the series currently air on the Sci-Fi Channel. Details on the future releases, ship dates, and sample artwork will be available in upcoming news releases and at Andromeda Entertainment's website at http://www.andromeda-entertainment.com . Retailers, distributors, and fans may send e-mail to first.wave@andromeda-entertainment.com to set up times for interviews or requests for more information. Andromeda Entertainment develops both licensed science fiction and original properties in conjunction with leading entertainment providers in different media. Andromeda supports the efforts of the toll-free Comic Shop Locator Service, the quickest way to find a comic shop near you. Visit www.andromeda-entertainment.com or call (888) COMICBOOK for more details. +++++ Ultimate Sports Signs Fourth Major League Baseball Team Promotional Contract for the 2001 Baseball Season LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 5, 2001--Ultimate Sports Entertainment, Inc. (OTCBB:ULSP) announced today that they have signed with their fourth Major League Baseball team this year to create two premium comic book give-away promotions on two separate nights during the upcoming season, at the team's stadium. "It's great to have so many teams, players and sponsors coming on board," said President Rick Licht. "Ultimate Sports is continuing to grow and expand at a strong rate," added Licht. The name of the MLB team, Ultimate Sports Entertainment's fee and additional program details were not disclosed due to competitive reasons. "The promotions will be very similar to Ultimate Sports' successful DiGiorno Pizza sponsored "Amazin' Mets Comic Book Day" held July 1, 2000 at Shea Stadium in New York. Rave reviews and extensive press coverage from highly respected media outlets such as ESPN, Fox Sports, NBC's "Today New York", the Howard Stern radio show, Associated Press, New York Post, New York Newsday and many others dominated the press and airwaves when 15,000 collectible comic books were given out to children fourteen years and younger upon entering the stadium. The media flocked to see Mets players Mike Piazza, John Franco and others saving the Statue of Liberty and the No. 7 train from an evil genius and his robot henchmen as they tried to take over New York City. We were pleasantly surprised by the tremendous national and regional media coverage of our promotional day with DiGiorno and the Mets, not to mention the overwhelming support from the players themselves," said Licht. Ultimate Sports Entertainment, Inc. is a Los Angeles based entertainment company that creates, develops and publishes superhero based action/adventure/fantasy stories in collectible comic book form by using world-famous artists and writers. "Ultimate Sports has taken a marketable commodity, the superstar athlete, and created a brand-new licensing, merchandising and premium sponsorship entity," added Licht. Current titles include famous athletes such as: Mark McGwire; Sammy Sosa; Cal Ripken Jr.; Derek Jeter; Alex Rodriguez; Roger Clemens; Mike Piazza; Ken Griffey, Jr.; Barry Bonds; Troy Aikman; Dan Marino; Brett Favre; Peyton Manning; John Elway; Terrell Davis and many others. Ultimate Sports currently has licensing agreements with the Major League Baseball Players Association; Major League Baseball Properties; NFL Properties, NFL Quarterback Club and the NHL Players Association. This press release contains forward-looking statements. The words "estimate," "possible" and "seeking" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which speak only as to the date the statement was made. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events, or otherwise. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject too risks and uncertainties, some which cannot be predicted or quantified. Future events and actual results could differ materially from those set forth in, contemplated by, or underlying the forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties to which forward-looking statements are subject include, but are not limited to, the effect of government regulation, competition and other material risks. CONTACT: Noble House of Boston, Casselberry, Fla. Public Relations Firm Tori Jacobs, 888/217-2553 +++++ RENAISSANCE PRESS TO DEBUT NEW COMIC LINE Titles aimed at a literate all-ages audience Contact: Michael Cohen 603 876-3498 schmutz@monad.net Renaissance Press is pleased to announce the beginning of a new line of comic books aimed at what we believe to be an underserved segment of the reading public. The two initial ongoing titles, AMELIA RULES and THE FORBIDDEN BOOK are slated for June and July 2001 releases respectively and will be featured at the Renaissance Press booth at next year`s Comic-Con International San Diego. Jimmy Gownley and Michael Cohen, the editorial decision makers at Renaissance Press, come into this project having seen both sides of the publishing fence. Gownley being the creator of the poetic slice of life series Shades of Gray, published by Lady Luck and Caliber; while Cohen was co- creator of the retro science fiction series Strange Attractors, published by RetroGrafix and Caliber. He also served as editor and publisher of the fantasy anthology Mythography from Bardic Press. In line with our slogan "welcome to the new mainstream", releases from Renaissance Press will be aimed at segments of the reading public who's interests may lie beyond what is currently being offered in the comic book market. We feel that in order for comic books to attain the across the board demographic popularity they have attained in Europe and Japan, efforts must be made to reach the huge segment of the public who have no awareness of the current comic industry whatsoever. In line with this belief, all releases from Renaissance Press will be self-contained stories, formatted so that they are accessible to new comic readers. They will also be G rated in regards to nudity, language and excessive violence; though we feel that mature and thoughtful stories can still be told regardless of those restrictions. The first book from Renaissance Press will be Gownley's Amelia Rules! Due out in June, this 32-page full-color comic is a smart, satirical look at life through the eyes of a nine-year-old. Forced into suburbia after her parents divorce, Amelia McBride struggles to keep her sanity amid her new friends; the superhero wannabe Reggie Grabinsky, the evil Rhonda Bleenie, and the weird kid known only as "Pajamaman". Gownley composes his stories with hip wit and charm, and always a satirical edge. "It's taken me a long time to develop,” says Gownley, "but it's been a joy. And I hope that sense of fun comes through to the readers.” Amelia Rules! is self-contained, bi-monthly, and will sell for $2.95 U.S. Forbidden Book #1 is the premier edition of a series of square-bound 120 page short story collections, each featuring stories by some of the most respected talents in the comic industry. The theme is magic in all its many forms, and within that realm creators are free to explore where they will. These stories are aimed at the reader looking for entertaining, well-crafted, thought-provoking stories and beautifully rendered artwork. The ten stand-alone stories in this issue are a mix of black and white and color, and range in style from traditional fantasy to cutting edge contemporary. Marv Wolfman and artist Craig Taillefer (Wahoo Morris)tell a tale of how magic came to evolve into something far different. Writer Jean-Marc Lofficier (Tongue Lash, Elsewhere Prince) and artist Philip Xavier take us into the world of a wandering African shaman. Colleen Doran (A Distant Soil) spins a yarn about magic, love and revenge in the Virginia backwoods. Mark Sherman (Strange Attractors) and artist Stephen Blue (The Awakening, Red River) tell a modern Lovecraftian tale of a man trying to gain possession of a legendary book. Novelist James Lowder (Prince of Lies, Knight of the Black Rose) and artist Richard Pace (Starman, X-man) take us to a world where magic is alive, and addictive. Dennis Fujitake (Dalgoda, Reteif) spins a surreal yarn about a hapless scribe getting sucked into an enchanted world. Michael Cohen (Strange Attractors, Mythography) tells a tale of a young girl, a lemur, a mysterious stranger, and the wind spirit that drives them to an odd fate. And newcomer David Gaddis shows why he is soon going to be a significant creative force in the comic world. We're especially proud to include an entire 20 page unpublished issue of Rick Veitch's late, lamented Rarebit Fiends, done at the height of his creative output on the book. This is a dream/magic story that is unlike anything else that has ever been published in comics. We're also proud of presenting a new story from the great Jeff Jones, though it's going to be quite different from what one might expect. Forbidden Book #1 will be available mid-July and sell for $9.95. +++++ Ashley Judd Snags 'Catwoman' Role LOS ANGELES (AP) - Ashley Judd has snagged a purr-fect new role as Batman's nemesis in the new movie "Catwoman." The Caped Crusader will play a supporting role to the "felonious feline" in the new Warner Bros. film, Variety reported Monday. Michelle Pfeiffer played Catwoman in the 1992 sequel "Batman Returns." "Catwoman" is the third film in the comic-book franchise in development at Warner Bros. Darren Aronofsky, director of the bleak drug-addiction tragedy "Requiem for a Dream," is working on a prequel titled "Batman: Year One." Meanwhile, "Remember the Titans" director Boaz Yakin is developing the movie "Batman Beyond," based on the futuristic WB cartoon about a young crime-fighter who replaces the retired Bruce Wayne. +++++ From the SPLASH PAGE of Comicon.com at: http://www.comicon.com/splash/ MARVEL SCALES BACK TOY BIZ! LOST $90 MILLION IN 2000! April 2: Marvel Enterprises finally released its Annual Report today, almost a month after announcing a disastrous fourth quarter, but not providing its balance sheet for beleagured investors in the troubled company. Marvel said: "The Company's strategy is to increase the media exposure of the Marvel characters through its media and promotional licensing activities, which it believes will create revenue opportunities for the Company through sales of toys and other licensed merchandise. The Company intends to use comic book publishing to support consumer awareness of the Marvel characters and to develop new characters and storylines." Marvel said: "Due to the deteriorating financial performance of Toy Biz, the Company has eliminated certain product categories and lines in an effort to focus its future toy business on marketing and distributing toys based on the Marvel characters, which provide the Company with higher margins because no license fees are required to be paid to third parties and, because of media exposure, require less promotion and advertising support than the Company's other toy categories. In 2001, Toy Biz will substantially reduce its advertising and promotion costs as compared to 1999 and 2000 when approximately $37.8 million and approximately $35.3 million, respectively, were spent on these costs. In addition, Toy Biz will market and distribute toys associated with Lord of the Rings Toy License which will coincide with the releases of all three films in the trilogy presently scheduled to be released in December of 2001, 2002 and 2003." Marvel said "At December 31, 2000, the Company had working capital of $41.7 million," which appears to include a $40.0 million Citibank working capital facility. ACCIDENTS, INJURIES, THEFTS HAUNT 'SPIDER-MAN' SHOOT! COULD IT BE (GASP!) SABOTAGE? April 5: Columbia Pictures' big-budget SPIDER-MAN film, racing to wrap principle shooting before a possible actors' strike, has been hit with two more freak incidents. E!ONLINE is reporting: "More trouble on the set of Spider-Man. Just a month after a tragic accident took the life of a construction worker on the big-screen adaptation of the classic Marvel comic, another mishap has left actor Tobey Maguire's stunt double seriously injured. Zack Hudson, the guy whose job it is to perform all the hair-raising daredevil Spidey maneuvers Maguire's contract won't allow, fractured his leg Tuesday after one tricky stunt went way wrong, according to studio sources.' E!ONLINE said: "The accident occurred on Stage 15 on the Sony Studios lot in Culver City, California, a suburb of Los Angeles. Hudson was performing a stunt that was supposed to have him fly through the air and crash through a brick wall before skimming the surface of a second brick structure. Unfortunately, Hudson smashed into the second wall, according to witness reports quoted in the Hollywood Reporter. He was immediately taken to UCLA Medical Center's emergency room for treatment and is still confirmed to be in the hospital. Information on his condition was unavailable." It's not known if the mishap will set back production on the movie, which is scheduled for release in May 2002. The stakes for SPIDER-MAN's owners are huge. Marvel Comics is struggling with financial problems brought on by earlier delays in production which dried up expected licensing revenues that the company sorely needed. With strikes looming in Hollywood, any further delays in wrapping principle shooting could prove disastrous to Marvel. +++++ From Rich Johnston, THE 2000 SQUIDDY JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR, in his ALL THE RAGE Gossip Column at: http://www.SilverBulletComicBooks.com The Last Column - 4/1/2001 By Rich Johnston Friends, On Friday I received a letter from Avril Associates, lawyers representing a comics creator and publisher. Under the terms of the agreement I made with them later that day, this is the only mention I can make of the events in question. Suffice it to say that the column has closed down and I will not be writing a rumour/gossip column again. This is the price I've agreed to pay to avoid severe financial penalties and a long legal battle. I'd like to thank the many, many readers, both inside and outside the comics profession for your support, letters of praise and most importantly of all, your stories. What I'll do next, I don't know. If anyone has any ideas, you know the e-mail address. Yours, Rich Johnston This Has A Rumour Value Of 10 Out Of 10 Foolish Behaviour By Rich Johnston For those of you who tuned in Sunday morning US time, April Fool! About a third of you twigged straight away, about a third of you got it and the rest didn't know either way and sent pleading, begging letters. Also the reason I'm not running any blind items this week is none of you would believe them. Also, in the spirit of April Fools' Day, who knows about any of the following? While none are April Fools on my part, who knows who's been telling me what? A President By Any Other Name The major contender for April Fool is the comics pro who e-mailed me to tell me that Marvel are planning to change "Stan Lee Presents." on their mastheads to "Bill Jemas Presents." Hmmm. No comment from Joe Quesada. I didn't even bother asking Bill. This Has A Rumour Value Of 2 Out Of 10. Well, you never know... Mark And Mac A comics pro tells me When Mark Gruenwald's daughter got old enough, he brought her baby monitor to work at Marvel Comics and put the transmitter right out in plain sight in Ralph Macchio's office, then put the receiver in his own office, a few doors down. All day long people would go into Ralph's office and get chatted up by him, then run down to Mark's to hear the nasty things he said about them when they left. A grand time was had by all. At a couple points the laughter from Mark's office got so loud - people were crowding in there by that point - that Ralph came down to see what was going on. Everyone acted innocent. Ralph went back to his office and the games continued. I don't know if he ever found out about it, and he never noticed the monitor... Fairly convincing... but when were baby monitors popularised? This Has A Rumour Value Of 8 Out Of 10 New Ninjas DC Comics have had a big old update of their website, and so have Wildstorm. Specifically, we get to see some nice pages of the Ninja Boy project we talked about, like ages ago, not to mention under the creator profiles, the appearance of a certain Marv Wolfman, lined up for a number of 2001 projects. This Has A Rumour Value Of 7 out of 10 Drew, Millie And Very Strange With Marvel confirming the Startling Stories line reported here a couple of weeks ago, there's more on Marvel's edgier superhero line from regular correspondent, Lt Kali, with a few instant dismissals from those named. Kali can sometimes be spot on and has broken stories months before they've been confirmed. Other times, it's complete madness without a grounding in reality. Gods, you don't think he's been Joe Quesada all along, do you? Lt Kali tells me I'm told The Kiss Of The Spider Woman title is actually called Drew and Jessica is not a private eye but a Detective in the New York City Police Department who specialises in Superhuman crimes. Which is a lot closer to Powers possibly... Either way, there is no response from Bendis. But based on the following, I wouldn't be that confident... Kali also tells me the superhero shagging isn't in that title but in Millie, starring the former Millie The Model. Millie is now a highflying news anchor woman who reports on stories from around the world, shagging various superheroes including the US Agent and Puck from Alpha Flight. However Mille's new reports start getting weirder as the story goes on, and soon she's drawn into a full on conspiracy with the US Government and SHIELD. Apparently it's being written by Devin Grayson, in a similar vein to the recently announced Codename: Knockabout from Vertigo. Grayson however replied "You have GOT to be kidding me. Does that honestly sound like something I'd do in a million years? Anyway, there's no truth to it whatsoever. I have not been approached about this by anyone, and if I were, I would say no so fast it would make Millie's head spin." Kali then tells me the final title to the line is Dr Strange, a horror title featuring a rotating team of creators for each arc, much like Daredevil. Currently rumoured to be up for arcs are Paul Jenkins, Chris Golden, Steven Grant and Greg Rucka. Steven Grant said "Ask Marvel". Paul Jenkins said "No". Greg Rucka did not respond to e-mails. Joe Quesada replied "LOL, I wish some of these were from me! 30% accuracy at best here but 100% great reading." This Has A Rumour Value Of 3 Out Of 10 Mark And Andy The Andy Mangels's mailing list post from last week's All The Rage kicked up quite a few e-mails. There's a lot to say in the following pages, so take a deep breath and lets dive in. First off, Mark Waid wanted to set the record straight as far as he was concerned. Earlier this week he wrote to me saying: I didn't "not hire" Andy Mangels back in the late '80s because I was still mad at Fantagraphics. I didn't buy any of his story proposals because--while I have no informed opinion of his current level of craft--at the time, I found him simply to be a poor writer. End of story. After tracking Andy Mangels down, Andy replied: Actually, not quite the end of story. I had to do some digging in my old files of Amazing Heroes, and lots of old computer disks, to find out some basic facts that Mark seems to mis-remember. Which worries me, because he was always so good with continuity. First and most importantly - Mark didn't GET any story proposals from me. EVER. So, he couldn't reject them or not buy them, because they didn't exist. My one attempt to sell something to Mark is in a letter dated 9 December 1988, in which I listed some characters I would be interested in writing for Secret Origins. No stories to reject there, however, and Mark never did me the courtesy of a return letter or phone call. Secondly - if Mark considered me such a poor writer, why did he continually give me assignments for Amazing Heroes? I had multiple articles in six of the approximately ten issues he edited (Fantagraphics doesn't remember the exact number and my collection is missing some issues, but #108's editorial notes that he left after 10 issues). That's ten total articles in six of ten issues. That's a lot of work to give a 19-year-old writer whose work you find to be poor. Finally, as it relates to whether or not he didn't give assignments to Fantagraphics freelancers (including me) because he was mad at Fantagraphics after they fired him in late 1986. . . only he knows the truth. I do know that one DC editor told me that - perhaps they were lying and Mark wasn't really that mad at being fired. I also know that he wouldn't speak to me on the phone (or anyone from Fantagraphics) when I was covering Secret Origins for the Amazing Heroes Preview Special in late 1987; someone else at DC (I believe it was Bob Greenberger) facilitated getting me terse quotes from him. Mark's brief response addressed the reasons he had for hiring Andy at Amazing Heroes: Because (a) we were desperate, and (b) as I recall, a lot of those "assignments" were made by the previous editor.and I was stuck with them. And that's all I really have to say about stuff that happened nearly fifteen years ago-- just trying to shield myself from any absurd insinuations of homophobia. Andy then replied: Umm, no. Mark misremembers again. I was hired by Kim Thompson to do my FIRST professional writing work on Focus on George Perez. Mark guest- edited issue #91 (the Crisis issue) and specifically requested me to work on it for my SECOND professional job; he then made assignments for later issues, after forgiving me for being late on an article on issue #91. On that note, I'd like to note that Andy specifically did not accuse Waid of homophobia but cronyism, and again making the general point that most people don't know why they get certain work and not others. Also, during this time period, Andy wasn't out to *anyone*. But onwards an upwards, there's a lot to get through here... Randy And Andy Randy Stradley had one or two things to say about what he saw as allegations that Dark Horse were institutionally homophobic, specifically Andy saying "I KNOW that it has hurt me locally in the case of a homophobic crew at Dark Horse Comics..." Randy writes: Andy is, of course, entitled to his opinion -- no matter how wrong he might be. As I told Andy to his face years ago when he accused me of not liking him (not "not hiring him," but not _liking_ him) because he was gay: "I don't dislike you because you're gay. I dislike you because you're an idiot." But "dislike" is too strong a word. Indifference is more like it. The fact that Andy is gay is not, and never has been, a factor in him either getting -- or not getting -- work at Dark Horse. It's not even a point of interest. Andy Mangels responded: Golly, add an "R" to the start of this missive and you get: "Randy is, of course, entitled to his opinion -- no matter how wrong he might be." Amazing coincidence, huh? ;> I won't stoop to the level of name-calling, except to say to Randy that, now that he mentions it, I do remember him calling me an idiot. But I guess our degrees of "indifference" are different; whereas he remembers the conversation, I did not. I should be pleased that he marks such shared banter with an idiot so highly, even as he cries indifference. As to my relationship with Dark Horse, it's certainly unique. Generally, my statements and writings about Dark Horse have been good publicity for the company - gosh, I've even sold interviews with Randy to various magazines - and kept my personal feelings about several people in the company out of print. However, that complex relationship doesn't preclude the fact that many DH employees who are friendly to me have told me about negative things that have been said and done (about me, and other gay/lesbian/bisexual people) over the years, by other DH employees. There is a perceived climate of homophobia within the company; my hope is that this perception (and any problems) can be addressed in a positive and forward-moving way. The next day Randy e-mailed me back saying: Just to let you know, Andy and I just finished a three-hour (!) phone conversation during which we cleared the air about our business and personal relationships -- as well as discussed and considered past events at Dark Horse and their future consequences -- and kissed and made up "(and don't think we didn't joke about the possible ramifications of that last part of the statement!) Thanks for all your help in providing an impetus for Andy and I to have a long overdue conversation. I also understand that people at Dark Horse may be about to openly look at this problem - whether perceived or actual. Watch this space. But it doesn't end here. A number of other people were starting to contact me. This Has A Conciliation Value Of 7 Out Of 10 Out At Dark Horse While Randy and Andy were playing e-mail tennis, I was also told that a certain ex- Dark Horse staffer felt he had to keep his bisexuality a secret at Dark Horse, because of the atmosphere he perceived while working there - including negative and/or homophobic comments made about Andy and others. One Portland cartoonist recalls that at an early [company] party, [the ex-Dark Horse staffer] was publicly discussing his feelings that his sexual orientation would have been or was a problematic issue at Dark Horse. The cartoonist didn't remember specifics, but was clear that [the ex-Dark Horse staffer] had felt enough discomfort with the situation to discuss it with other creators in this semi-public forum. But another anonymous ex-Dark Horse staffer had a different take: To be honest, I almost replied to the column by myself on Sunday, as, frankly, I thought Andy was sort of stretching the truth. While it's true there is definitely an old boy's club atmosphere at Dark Horse and an undercurrent of homophobia, I think Andy was generally not hired because his work wasn't very well liked. Despite the chest thumping, his BOBA FETT comic didn't sell on the basis of his name, and even if the Wagner & Kennedy issues sold less, they were also higher priced, being fully-painted, double-sized one-shots (if memory serves). And beyond not being popular at the Horse, I recall him not being very popular with Lucasfilm, if for nothing more than his gift for gab, as exhibited in the post you ran last week. That said, it is true that for a time, [the ex-Dark Horse staffer] felt uncomfortable having his private life being public due to the old boy's network (one bathroom and all). There were several very out employees at the time, but they were in behind-the-scenes jobs, where folks assumed it was okay because "no one could see." But if you know [the ex-Dark Horse staffer], you know that it wouldn't have taken long before he decided he just didn't care and did as he pleased. Nothing changed towards him either. And even if some puny mortal had attempted to give [the ex-Dark Horse staffer] crap, you know they would have crumbled beneath the gale force that is [the ex-Dark Horse staffer]! Believe me, I'd be the first to cry foul were homophobia involved, but in this case, I don't believe it to be true. Andy did reply a little to this, purely on a point of order, saying: BTW, one more factoid to send your way (in response to the one DCer who noted my "chest-thumping" about the Boba Fett book: Topps did a poll of 20,000 Star Wars fans for their Best of Star Wars publication. MY Boba Fett story, "Twin Engines of Destruction" was voted the "Best Individual Comic Book" with 17% of the vote, whomping its closest competitor, Dark Empire #1 (which had 11%). It has also been called one of the best Star Wars stories in multiple articles in the official Star Wars Insider magazine. Since the story by me is what most fans (and publications) cite as their reason for enjoying the book, perhaps my chest-thumping is earned? A slight detour there, but an entertaining one. This Has A Rumour Value Of 7 Out Of 10 Jennie, Zach, Mark And Dark Horse It was at this point that I received the following article from another source. Written for the San Diego Comicon 'Out In Comics' panel booklet, it's a statement by ex- Dark Horse staffer Jennie Bricker. It reads: Bricker had a brief stint in comics as an assistant editor and editor for Dark Horse, from 1992-1997, editing such books as the award-winning Cheval Noir, and much of the Comics Greatest World line. She also worked in the legal department during her final three years at the company. After a legal secretary at Dark Horse was fired (post his emailing information to employees about Gay Pride), Jennie responded to what she felt was a firing based on homophobia. She gave two weeks notice to quit, in protest over the decision, and made her reasons public in a company-wide email. The day she gave her two-week notice, she was fired on the spot. Jennie is now a lawyer, practicing natural resources law in Portland, Oregon for a large firm that offers domestic partner insurance benefits and a supportive work environment. She is also the proud parent of a young boy named Kilian, with Robin, her partner of 13 years. Current/Upcoming: Bricker is elated to report that since the 1999 "OHSU vs. Tanner" court decision, it is now illegal to discriminate in the workplace based on sexual orientation, even in Milwaukee, Oregon, where Dark Horse is based. I was also pointed to a magazine called JustOut, an Oregon gay newspaper which ran an article closer to the time, August 15th 1997. It read: To be or not to be `me' Some queers chafe at being asked to tone down their dress and behavior on the job by Inga Sorensen Jennie Bricker, 34, loves what Zach Heusinkveld, 21, is all about. "Everything about him is a celebration of queerness," says Bricker, an out lesbian who concedes that her own gay ways are "probably more palatable to others." After all, Bricker neither flits nor flames. By his own admission, Heusinkveld does. "I'm a fairy, for goodness sake," says the 21-year-old, who at work has been known to flash elaborately painted fingernails, flounce to the copy machine and gyrate enthusiastically about his office. Both Bricker and Heusinkveld will tell you this is just the way Heusinkveld is-a person whose queerness shines through not simply during a weekend of clubbing, but also during those tamer moments, you know, Monday through Friday-daily-grind time. "It's who he is. Plain and simple," says Bricker. "To attempt to alter or repress that would only do Zach serious damage-and he shouldn't have to change himself." Up until a few weeks ago, Bricker and Heusinkveld worked together in the legal department of Dark Horse Comics Inc., a local comic book publishing company situated on the outskirts of Portland in Milwaukie. Now neither does; Heusinkveld, who had been employed by Dark Horse since February, was fired, and in response Bricker, who had been there five- plus years, quit. In her resignation letter-made available companywide via in-house e- mail- Bricker said she was leaving because she believed Heusinkveld's termination was spawned by homophobia. She also expressed concerns about the perpetuation of a "good ol' boys network," i.e., work environments which require clone-like qualities among staff. Bricker stresses she was never personally treated unfairly by Dark Horse because of her orientation. She also says the company's eclectic employee stew includes other homo folks, as well as straight employees with piercings, tattoos and "green dreadlocks." But none, Bricker adds, who are so overtly queer (or gay) as Heusinkveld. "I think if Zach were straight he'd still be working at Dark Horse, but because he's gay-and very blatantly so-he's a threat," she says. "Whether you're gay or not, you should have the right to be yourself in the workplace." This is not solely a story about Heusinkveld and Dark Horse Comics. It has to do with the broader issue of a queer sensibility in the employment environment. Sure, more companies are granting domestic-partnership benefits-and more people than ever before are out at work-but how far out, and just how identifiable are they? What happens to those who ooze queerness yet want to earn a paycheck, too? Where are the lines drawn, and what are the costs of repression? With younger generations sporting piercings and tattoos galore-not just as fashion statements but as genuine expressions of self-those questions are increasingly sure to pop up. Many of the answers will have to come from within. For Bricker there was no choice but to leave Dark Horse. It was no easy decision, given her professed loyalty to the company, as well as the fact that she has a 5-month-old son to feed and clothe. "But I felt what happened just wasn't right," she says. Heusinkveld, meanwhile, says, "I can't change who I am, and I wouldn't. I come from the streets. I've prostituted.. It was a hard, hard existence, but I was always proud of myself for who I am. I was never ashamed of being queer." Despite the odds Heusinkveld attended Portland Community College, where he studied to become a legal secretary, later landing such a post at Dark Horse Comics. Heusinkveld says he was "very ambitious," volunteering "for everything, from computer work to receptionist stuff, you name it." In late June, a few days before Pride weekend, he sent out company wide e-mail announcing the upcoming festivities. Two weeks later, he says, he was axed. "They said I was too enthusiastic," he tells Just Out. Kim Haines, human resources director for Dark Horse, says Heusinkveld was let go due to a "lack of experience." "He required more supervision than our resources allowed," she says. (Heusinkveld's supervisor, legal counsel Mark Anderson, did not respond to our inquiry.) Haines says Heusinkveld was a vibrant employee, though his work product "wasn't the best." (She says Bricker had been an "excellent employee.") Haines further says Heusinkveld did not exhibit "certain behaviors expected in a corporate setting." She says he was repeatedly asked to turn down the volume of the radio in his office during a two-day period and failed to respond. As for Heusinkveld's e-mail message, Haines says other employees have utilized company e-mail for nonwork-related messages. She says there are no "hard and fast rules" about it, and that the e- mail had nothing to do with Heusinkveld's termination. She adds that Dark Horse has a nondiscrimination employment policy which includes sexual orientation. Heusinkveld, meanwhile, says his legal-career aspirations have been derailed, at least for now, due to this experience. "I lost a whole lot of confidence because of what happened," he says. However current Dark Horse contacts initially suggested that it was the e-mail that contributed to Zach being fired, in official contradiction of office policy on any promotional company-wide e-mails, sent round only an hour before Zach forwarded his Gay Pride post. I then talked to Jennie. She told me that she initially saw Dark Horse's attitude to homosexuality as "as simply unsophisticated rather than overtly discriminatory". She continues: The shit hit the fan right before I left in July 1997. In anticipation of my departure, Mark Anderson and I hired a gay man, Zachary Heusinkveld, as a legal secretary. Zach was young and very, very gay - in a way that was obviously troubling to the long-term folks I mentioned. Zach was hardworking and a quick learner and I focused on getting him up to speed, with Ken's help. But I guess the troubling aspects of his behavior (long, painted fingernails, much swishing, and dancing to music while working in his office (the latter was a specifically enumerated complaint from a manager) were a bigger deal than I thought. Mark, acting at least in part on the instructions of other DHC managers, fired Zach. He picked a day that I had called in sick to do it. He called me at home saying what he was "considering," and I told him flat out that I thought it was discrimination and had nothing to do with Zach's performance. Mark argued that Zach was not "fitting in" and that he was not "corporate" enough (remember, this is at a comic book publisher where many employees sported multiple piercings and hair colors not found in nature). I told him that was bullshit, basically. He went ahead and fired Zach, who called me and filled me in. I composed a two-page response setting out my views and trying to explain how discrimination perpetuates itself when people take actions based on their comfort or discomfort with someone instead of using object performance standards. I sent my response, along with a two-week notice of resignation, to everyone in the company through e-mail, on the morning I returned to work. Mark asked me to leave the same day, and I did. We had a little battle after that about unemployment benefits, then there was the Just Out article, and then I thought that was the end of it. It wasn't. I took and passed the Oregon bar exam in July (I had been attending law school in the evenings for my last four years at DHC) but at some point after I left DHC, Mark Anderson sent in a statement to the Oregon Bar which caused them to block my admission to the bar. Basically, the statement (which I have never seen) must have said I was unfit to practice law, based on what happened at Dark Horse. I sent a letter to the bar explaining exactly what had happened, but I had to spend several weeks in limbo while they waited for a response from Mark. As soon as the bar got his response, they dismissed the matter and admitted me, but that doesn't change my feelings about Mark's little act of vengeance. It also convinces me that, despite his purported liberal mindset, he really (at least by then) did not understand that his actions against Zach had been based in discrimination. Like many straight liberals (especially white male ones who never, themselves, will experience the discrimination practiced against women or sexual or ethnic minorities), he may have a blind spot when it comes to gay men; I've noticed this as a trend and assume it is based on their personal homophobia and feelings of insecurity. Randy at Dark Horse asked to make one point about the incident, however: Our assumption is that Jennie listed Mark Anderson as a "mentor," or professional reference (I have no idea what the exact terminology would be) on her application to the Bar, at which point the Bar would have contacted Mark directly for information. As I said, that's our guess. In any case, whether that is correct and Mark responded to the Bar's query, or whether he took it upon himself to contact them, _whatever_ action he took was on his own behalf and not at the request -- or with the knowledge of -- anybody at Dark Horse. As I said earlier, it may be that Dark Horse may be doing something about this. While it may have taken this column to shine a light on the situation bringing Andy's original observations to a wider audience, it's possible that Dark Horse may well be building some floodlights of their own as a result. This Has A Rumour Value Of 7 Out Of 10 Genetic Virus After sending out his future plans to a variety of news sources, Gene Ha had to send a follow up. A slight mishap had occurred, and a virus went out alongside it... This Has A Rumour Value Of 8 Out Of 10 Shaken And Stirred I've been hearing rumours about Fandom all week and Comcion Splash printed them all on Friday. The James Bond Fandom Site seem to have made it official, saying "It brings me great sadness to report to you that Fandom.com will cease operations very soon." I'm sure a number of the sites and contributors we all rely on will find another home easily. Some however, who rely on it for income, may not be able to. I speak for the whole SBC team in wishing everyone at Fandom well, and hope things work out. This Has A Rumour Value Of 6 Out Of 10 P.S. You think the earlier April Fool was bad? Look at the one I started in the Warren Ellis Delphi Forum! +++++ From the Comics Continuum at http://www.comicscontinuum.com/: SPIDER-MAN MOVIE UPDATE Spider-Man producer Laura Ziskin will be featured Saturday on E!'s What Is a Producer? special. Promo spots for the special showed clips from the Spider-Man set, including Ziskin talking to director Sam Raimi and stars Tobey Maguire and James Franco during a scene. Here's how E! describes the show: "E! Entertainment Television in cooperation with the Producers Guild of America answers the age-old question: 'What exactly does a producer do?' To get the answers, E! went to the top producers in feature film and network television, including industry heavyweights like Jerry Bruckheimer (Armageddon, Pearl Harbor) and Sex and the City's Darren Star. Plus, learn what producers do in preproduction, production and postproduction, and see what actors like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Tobey Maguire have to say about their relationships with producers." The special starts at 8 p.m. (ET) on Saturday and will be replayed Sunday at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. In other Spider-Man movie news: * Look for extensive coverage of the film in upcoming issues of Ultimate Marvel Magazine. * X-Men director Bryan Singer will be visiting the Spider-Man set. +++++ From Comics2Film at http://www.comics2film.com MAN-THING --------- Variety reports that Hans Rodionoff has been hired to pen the big screen version of Marvel Comics' Man-Thing. Rodionoff has previously written the sequel Skulls 2. http://www.variety.com/ ZIPPY THE PINHEAD ----------------- Film Roman unveiled Zippy the Pinhead as one of five new, half- hour, animated properties available at MIP television trade show. +++++ From Newsarama; http://www.Fandom.com/comics/ WINNER OF THE 1997 & 1998 INTERNET "SQUIDDY" FOR BEST WEB SITE A BIRD`S-EYE VIEW OF HAWKMAN While Saturday's announcement of a new Hawkman ongoing series probably didn't come as a great surprise to DC readers considering the amount of fanfare the publisher has generated around the character's upcoming return, for the extremely faithful fans of the JSA, it was still good news indeed. Particularly considering the identity of the series creative team - JSA writer Geoff Johns, penciler Rags (Hourman) Morales and inker Michael (JSA) Bair, and the surprise addition of writer James Robinson. Newsarama caught up with Johns Saturday to talk about the new series (at least as much as we could at this early stage), and the first order of business was to ask just exactly how he and Robinson would be splitting the writing duties. "James and I will be co-plotting the series," Johns explained. "James is busy with a lot of film work so I`ll also script - and I`m happy to do it. So far, we`ve been able to plot the first two issues over the course of two dinners. Afterwards, I head off to the computer to write up the script. I will say, despite what James and I have worked on before - Hawkman will be a very different superhero book. It`s been fun, and our main goals, which we are constantly focusing on, are to make Hawkman a bad ass and to create a new Hawkman mythology. This is a series no one who`s ever heard of Hawkman can pick up. "Like JSA, we won`t be ignoring the past, but we will be heading into the future." Asked to describe the tone and flavor of the series, Johns said to think Raiders Of The Lost Ark, Maltese Falcon, The Mummy, Lethal Weapon, "and a dozen others". "Comic books wise - a cross between what I`m doing in The Flash and what James did in Starman." "We`re going for a more `feet on the ground' approach with The Flash." responded the writer, asked to explain the statement. ".Developing subplots and supporting characters, defining moments of what makes the Flash unique (his super-speed `tricks`). From Starman, the great care that has gone into Opal, the respect for history while moving into the future and the vivid cast of characters." Finally, expanding upon that latter point, Johns said he and Robinson are taking great care to craft a brand new locale for the Hawks - a city that will be "extremely different" from every other location in the DCU. "A lot of the fun both James and I have are with fictional cities - Opal and Keystone. Now we`re setting our sights on St. Roch. If curious, readers can check out the history of the French saint the city is named after. That should give them some insight." You heard the man, start hitting those search engines. GAIMAN TALKS ENDLESSLY Earlier today DC announced that Neil Gaiman would return to comics with an upcoming new hardcover anthology featuring The Endless (for those details and more, scroll down), so Newsarama caught up with Gaiman Saturday afternoon to get his two-cents on the project. "I always said I wanted to do more stuff with the Endless, when I had time, and Karen {Berger] and I have been talking about doing this particular book for about four years now," replied the writer, asked if time has given him the desire to return to his creations in comic book form. "Time pressure has meant that I`ve begged it off the schedule more than once. Now I`m wrapping a bundle of long projects up - American Gods took over two years to write, and I`m just finishing the Death movie - and I loved the idea of doing a few shorter projects. As I said when I finished Sandman, `Things I can finish by tea time'. "I`m looking forward to it all," he said, asked if there was a particular character he's excited about writing. "I`ve missed them. I`m not sure who`ll be the most fun to write, but the Despair story should be particularly fun; I`ve had it in my head since 1994. It`s called 24 Portraits of Despair. And I`m hoping the Desire story will be unsuitable for children or those of a nervous disposition. According to the writer, the hardcover anthology - with the simple unifying theme of "an original story for each of the Endless" - will feature stories of about 10-25 pages in length and Gaiman expects the final page count to come in around "the length of five monthly comics". Gaiman could not mention any of the specific artists attached, and concluded the conversation by saying the next full-length Endless - "if there is one" - will still be Delirium. DC REVEALS NEW 2001-2002 PLANS DC Comics held a presentation to members of the retail community at a "Retail Round-up" weekend conference held in Dallas, TX. The slideshow presentation presented several new projects on the publisher's schedule, and the following are some of the highlights. DC officially announced six new ongoing DC Universe titles, including the previously announced Doom Patrol series by John Arcudi and newcomer Tan Eng Huat, Suicide Squad by Keith Giffen and Paco Medina (stemming out of the Our Worlds at War event) and the new Legion ongoing series by Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning and Olivier Coipel. New to the list is a Hawkman ongoing series by Geoff Johns, James Robinson and Rags (Hourman) Morales; a Deadman ongoing series by writer Steve Vance and another newcomer, artist Josep Beroy, and The Power Company, about a "superpowered law firm" by Kurt Busiek and Tom Grummett. In news of existing series, Joe Kelly and Dough Mahnke have been officially confirmed as the new JLA creative team as of issue #61, and it was announced Kevin Smith and Phil Jimenez will both continue on their runs on Green Arrow and Wonder Woman respectively, beyond their initially-announced one-year arcs. Speaking of the JLA, a series of prose novels are in the works, each starring one of the team's `Big 7'. First up will be Batman, written by Alan Grant. Each will sport a cover by Alex Ross. Over in the Wildstorm Universe, the publisher finally confirmed long- standing rumors that once writer Mark Millar completes his run on The Authority with issue #29, the series will relaunch in 2002 with a new #1 as a Mature Readers title, under the creative team of Brian Azzarello and Steve Dillon. But not before a special two-part story arc between Millar's last issue and the new series, by the creative team of Garth Ennis and some guy named Bryan Hitch. Speaking of the The Authority, writer Ian Edginton's new spin-off ongoing series has been officially title The Establishment and will be illustrated by Charles (Codeflesh) Adlard. And readers still waiting to complete their collections of Authority precursor, Warren Ellis' Stormwatch, a trade paperback collecting the last story arc of that series is in the works, including the Wildcats/Aliens crossover one-shot with Dark Horse Comics that sent the bulk of the team to baritone section of the choir invisible. Later this year, DC will be taking a shot at attracting new Batman readers by offering a full-length, in-continuity one-shot by Greg Rucka and Rich Burchett entitled Batman: The 10 Cent Adventure. and yes, DC says the comic will actually sell for 10 cents and will tie into an important upcoming Batman storyline called Bruce Wayne: Fugitive. It was reported that Alan Moore is now two-issues into the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen sequel, is working on his Comet Rangers graphic novel drawn by Jim Lee, and has plans for a mini-series starring Solomon, Tom Strong's simian companion. Other high-profile offerings include a Star Trek one-shot by science- fiction author David Brin, a Jim Lee-drawn special based on the online role-playing game Everquest, new original graphic novels by Will Eisner, Kyle Baker, Paul Pope and four new "World War II inspired" Vertigo one-shots by Garth Ennis [See this week's HYPE SECTION for full details of DC's long range plans - D.L.] MARVEL BREWS UP SOME WITCHES Marvel editor Lysa Hawkins has confirmed a new ongoing series coming from her office, and it looks like it will be one of those titles promised featuring strong female leads. Entitled Witches, the October- debuting series will be written by former Catwoman writer Browyn Carlton and penciled by industry vet Mike Deodato. "Who are the Witches?" asked Hawkins rhetorically. "Why they`re the Magical Marvel Universe`s equivalent to Charlie`s Angels, with Doc Strange as Charlie. More specifically they are: Satana - Satan`s daughter and succubus! Jennifer Kale - young sorceress and friend of the Man-Thing! And, last but not least, Topaz - Jack (Werewolf by Night`s) Russell ex-squeeze and an empath too boot! "These lovely ladies get it together to fight the (magical) forces of evil!" Doctor Strange's role is described by Hawkins as "very Charlie-like", but he won't be a detached voice emanating from a circa-1978 intercom, he will have "on-panel" time. "Not every issue, but enough of a presence that we still remember he`s around," said the editor, who said the book could be described as a "brilliant blend" of both a dark and moody magical-based series, and the fun, frothy, tongue-in-cheek style of the recent Charlie's Angels movie. Finally, asked if this series would be one of Bill Jemas' infamous "bad girls for fanboys" series, Hawkins responded, "No, this book is for the girls as well as the guys. However, my ladies sure aren't hard on the eye." JENKINS STILL SAYS `MAKE MINE MARVEL' In response to a Newsarama inquiry regarding reader and pro speculation that writer Paul Jenkins might be leaving his freelance writing assignments at Marvel, in light of his announced editorial position at Top Cow, the writer replied with this following statement. "The editorial position has no effect on my work for Marvel. It`s really an editorial position by name only... I`m basically a freelance consultant trying to make sure the upcoming Top Cow books don`t contradict each other." SPIDER-GIRL MAY YET STICK AROUND It looks like the online efforts to save Marvel's MC2 title Spider-Girl may (stress may) have been successful. Marvel has announced a Wednesday afternoon press conference where on of the scheduled topics of discussion will be, quote: "the rescue of Spider-Girl by an outpouring of fan support." And while not officially announcing anything, series creator Tom DeFalco has reportedly told online sources that rumors from Marvel suggest the series has been "saved." FINAL DC NEWS FROM DALLAS Okay, it`s just about all tapped out, but there are still a few more tidbits coming in from DC`s retailer meeting in Dallas. First off, it looks as if DC Direct is prepping for another season, with statues to be released including: Hawkman, animated Catwoman, a Batman bust, Captain Marvel and a new Superman statue coming in 2002. Along with the action figured listed earlier, other upcoming DC action figures include: a Green Arrow 2-pack, Power Girl, Deadman, Wildcat, Solomon Grundy, Martian Manhunter and three that are sure to make Sandman fans happy: Daniel, Desire, and Delirium. Continuing with its plush line of items, an Ace the Bat-Hound stuffed toy is planned for later 2001, and something that was the hit of meeting with many retailers, thanks to the free samples that were distributed... DC- themed, "Underoos for men." A Dark Knight Strikes Again PVC set is planned as well, which will include, among other characters, Batman, Wonder Woman, and the Atom. Speaking of DKSA, current plans call for the first issue of the eagerly anticipated series to run 80 pages and tentatively retail for $7.95 - $8.95. Currently, the series look like it may run for three equally meaty issues, although that is subject to change as Frank Miller continues work on it. Frank Frazetta Archive is planned, collecting and reprinting all of the master`s DC work. Also, DC distributed a copies of Kia Asamiya`s manga masterpiece, Batman: Child of Dreams manga among retailers, and asked for suggestions on how, format-wise they would like to see DC publish it in the U.S. Finally, Vertigo chief Karen Berger announced that, as rumored elsewhere, Brian Azzarello is working on a Sgt. Rock miniseries. MARVEL PRESS CONFERENCE- Spider-Girl Saved Quesada said their might be some sort of project or initiative announced soon that will serve as a creative `try out', or new talent search, but that it is too early to announce and would probably revolve around the major summer con season. Quesada said they are looking a possibly one more Marvel Ultimate title (presumably Mark Millar's), but that they probably won't stretch out the line any more than that, making four titles most likely the line maximum. Quesada addressed the new ongoing series Witches (announced here at Newsarama Monday), saying he expects the title to be a Marvel Universe- proper title, though they are debating whether or not it will be a code-approved book. Writer Christopher Priest will write editor Tom Brevoort's last issue of The Incredible Hulk (#33), before it moves to editor Axel Alonso's office. Creative teams are currently pitching for a comic version of the X-Men animated series X-Men: Evolution , though Quesada said their looking for a unique angle for the series to compliment its television counterpart, as opposed to straight adaptation. Asked to comment on the reaction in the retailer community to their new "overprint" policy, Bill Jemas responded, in part saying it's "sort of an IQ test for retailers. The smart guys who like to make money are very happy with the overall increased reader interest." Regarding the Mature Readers line - Quesada announced there is very good possibility, that come September (the expected launch month), one of the books in the line may debut as a weekly comic, for at least three months, to see how the market reacts to it. Cited as "Manga-influenced", Quesada said they "have a team of the highest caliber that can produce the material, and they will try to keep the price point as low as possible. Marvel Knights editor Stuart Moore announced Grant Morrison and Jae Lee's four-issue mini-series Fantastic Four: 1, 2, 3, 4 has been scheduled to debut in July. As expected, the first order of the day was the fate of Spider-Girl , and Joe Quesada announced because of the online reaction to the cancellation news of a few weeks back, the book is "alive and well", and they'll be "keeping the book ticking for the foreseeable future." In addition to the strong message board and email response, Quesada cited a `snail mail' letter from a young girl who was a fan of the series that "melted Bill Jemas' charcoal heart." MARVEL INTRODUCES `MARVELSCOPE`. Marvel comics take a new angle this July when, according to YourMan, Marvel will print the New X-Men Annual horizontally, instead of vertically, much like the recent issue of Promethea , and then stapled at the top, rather than along the spine. This publishing innovation, according to YourMan, is now called "Marvelscope." "For years, people have talked about bringing the widescreen experience of movies to the printed comic book," YourMan said. "Marvelscope will deliver it! And best of all, our first Marvelscope adventure will feature the all-star creative team of writer Grant Morrison and penciler Lienil Yu...and the setup goes like this: `Someone is seizing huge tracks of the Mongolian tundra -- and they`re not above exterminating the region`s indigenous people to get it! At the heart of this terrifying conspiracy lies a rusting death camp -- and at its heart waits this story`s greatest mystery. Who is the Doomsday Mutant? And what is the new group known as the X Corporation? The X-Men will race to unravel this horrifying conundrum ... and Domino, fresh from the pages of X-Force, will be on hand, too!`" The annual ships on July 4th. EVENT COMICS SITE TO CLOSE Bringing an end to a lively and well-visited site despite the fact that it`s been years since an Event Comic shipped, Joe Quesada reported on the EventComics.com messageboards that the site will be shutting down shortly. PROBLEMS WITH THE JINX TRADE According to a post on his messageboard, there are problems with the Jinx trade paperback that hits shops today, Brian Bendis announced. Due to the errors, it is fully returnable. "The printer did not print the inside front and back cover, they flipped pages 2 and 3 of David Mack`s introduction and put the bar code in the wrong place," Bendis posted. "So, yes they f***ed up. To tell the truth- it in no way takes away from the enjoyment of the story. The graphic novel is intact. So you could buy it and enjoy it. But a fixed edition will ship in two weeks. I will have further info on this shortly. I am so sorry to my retailer friends for the headache. It was not my fault - or Images." MARVEL RELEASES MASTER PRINTS IN JULY According to YourMan , Marvel will release a set of twelve comic-book sized trading cards on July 18th, called Marvel Master Prints. The cards will be printed on cardstock, laminated on both sides, and feature art on one side, and a character biography on the reverse. After the first set, the cards will ship on a quarterly basis. The artists for the twelve cards includes: Wolverine by Bill Sienkiewicz, Captain America by Travis Charest, Punisher by Tim Townsend, The Avengers by Alex Ross, Daredevil by David Mack, Spider- Man by John Romita Jr., Wolverine by Frank Quitely, the Hulk by Kaare Andrews, Elektra by Greg Horn, Daredevil and Spider-Man by Alex Ross, Black Widow by J.G. Jones, and that Phoenix/Wolverine kiss by Ian Churchill. It is unclear if all of the art will be reprinted from other sources, or a mix of new and previously-seen art. The line will begin with a preview Elektra card, which will feature four images of the character by Greg Horn, and will ship to retailers on April 25th. The Elektra cards will also be available at the Marvel booth at the San Diego and WizardWorld conventions. TRANSFORMERS: MORE TO PLEASE THE EYE Along with G.I. Joe, Marvel`s Transformers series was arguably responsible for introducing a good number of `Generation X'ers to comic books, and now those readers who didn't hold onto those impressionable issues may get a chance to relive a part of their youth. Titan Books, the self-described "leading publisher of graphic novels in the UK", has announced an agreement with Hasbro to publish trade paperback collections featuring The Transformers. Originally published in single-issue form by Marvel Comics, the two titles - The Transformers: All Fall Down and The Transformers: End of the Road, will collect the apocalyptic Unicron storyline from issues #69-80, written by Simon Furman and illustrated by Andrew Wildman, Geoff Senior and Stephen Baskerville. "It`s a dream come true to finally see these issues collected and re- published," said Furman. "I`d been writing Transformers for several years, both for the US and the UK, but this for me was when it all really kicked in to top gear. At this stage in the saga, we (artist Andrew Wildman and myself) had been given a whole lot more latitude to really go epic on Transformers and basically wreak a whole lot of havoc and kill a lot of characters. So we did." Wildman agreed, saying, "The opportunity to draw Transformers was an exciting one. For me, particularly, it was the challenge of taking a bunch of tin boxes and breathing life into them that I relished. I could see at once there was more potential here than first met the eye, so to speak, and Simon and I gave them the depth of character they deserved. For me, this was the best fun I ever had in comics. Fond memories indeed." The first collection The Transformers: All Fall Down debuts in August and continues in November with The Transformers: End of the Road. Titan did not announce any possible additional collections. JENNY FINN MIGHT YET LIVE Following up on Newsarama`s report last week about the seemingly perpetually stalled Jenny Finn, a little good news may be in the offing. Readers will recall that the miniseries, written by Mike Mignola and illustrated by Troy Nixey saw two of the series` four issues published at Oni Press before publication was halted due to differences between the publisher and creators. Nixey reports: "As it is right now, someone has come forward with interest in publishing the entire project as one book. I can`t say anymore than this as it has just came about in the last couple of days, and by no means is it a finished deal. There is just a couple of minor details to work on. I should know for sure in a couple of days if this is going to happen or not. I`ve had to leave the Jenny Finn project on hold while I`ve finished other projects over the past year, like Batman: The Doom That Came To Gotham, a story for the Matrix site, and a Simpson`s story for the next Treehouse Of Horror. "It`s funny how many people continually ask me about Jenny Finn. The audience is there, and this may be a case of perfect timing. Trust me when I say that I want that book to come out as much as everyone else. Keep your fingers crossed." +++++ From the DCOnline newsletter; http://www.dccomics.com/newsletter.html To subscribe, or for questions or comments about the DC newsletter, please email DCWebSite@aol.com. Phil Jimenez extends exclusive contract with DC Official Press Release DC Comics is pleased to announce that Phil Jimenez has extended his exclusive contract for an additional year, taking his stay on WONDER WOMAN beyond the originally planned twelve issues. This announcement comes in the wake of the extraordinary success of his run on the series, which began in last November with issue #164. "It's gratifying to see my work being so well received," says Jimenez. "And now that I've signed on with DC for another year, I can really start laying the groundwork for the future of WONDER WOMAN." Reader enthusiasm for Jimenez's WONDER WOMAN is clearly building, with issues #166 and #167 completely sold out of their print runs despite significant overprinting. These issues are collected as part of the WONDER WOMAN: GODS OF GOTHAM trade paperback, in which the Joker, Scarecrow and Poison Ivy form an alliance with some of Wonder Woman's deadliest foes. ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [5] CRUX Interviews:Mark Waid & Steve Epting 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 2001 - The Comic Reader, used with permission Conducted by James Schee (TCR-S), Corey Blake (TCR-B) and Tim O'Shea (TCR-O) Getting to the CRUX of the Matter: A TCR E-interview with Steve Epting This month (April 11 to be exact) is when CrossGen's latest title, CRUX, debuts. CrossGen is pulling out all the stops to launch the new book including a 28-page first issue at a 22-page price of $2.95. Well in the spirit of going the extra mile, when CrossGen offered TCR the opportunity to e-interview Mark Waid and Steve Epting about CRUX, we decided to unleash three e-interviewers on the task, rather than just one. What follows is the part one with Mr. Epting (part two with Mr. Waid follows after). Thanks to CrossGen's Ian Feller for facilitating these e-interviews and Steve for sharing his thoughts and time. Enjoy! -Tim O'Shea, TCR Senior Online News Editor TCR-S: With the recent Megacon convention you both experienced your first major convention as members of CrossGen (at least since starting on CRUX). What is your reaction to fan convention reactions to CRUX and CrossGen? EPTING: The CrossGen fans are absolutely fantastic! They are genuinely interested in everything the company has planned and of course this includes CRUX. Even the fans who had not previously tried any CrossGen comics were enthusiastic in their interest in our new book. It was a very gratifying and encouraging weekend. TCR-O: In the initial release announcing your arrival at CrossGen, you said that saw a "chance to make a lasting impact on the comics community with his work on CRUX." Do you wish to elaborate on that? EPTING: Anybody who knows me will tell you that I am far too humble to ever pretend anything I do will have a lasting impact on anything. I think the actual quote was that I was looking forward to the chance to do something special with this book, and that was mainly in reference to comparing it to the work I have done previously as a freelancer. I saw the opportunity to be intimately involved with all the processes involved in creating a comic book, not just penciling. Being able to work so closely with Mark Waid, Rick Magyar, and Frank D'Armata has allowed me to produce what I think is the best looking work of my career, and I think it will only continue to improve. TCR-B: When Mark handed you the script for CRUX #1, what was your initial reaction after reading it? Without giving away the story, what process did you go through in deciding how to draw the issue? EPTING: Since we had already discussed most of the concepts involved in CRUX, there were no great surprises in the story itself, so my reaction was mainly one of amazement that Mark was able to introduce all of these ideas so seamlessly into a dramatic and compelling story. Mark is also a writer that knows that comics are a visual medium, and even though there is a good bit of exposition necessary in any first issue, we need something visually dramatic to convey the ideas. As a result, the plots read very cinematically and are a pleasure to work from. TCR-O: At what point did you realize that the first issue could not be told in the standard CrossGen 22- page format and would require a special 28-page first issue? EPTING: I think Mark realized it fairly early on and I realized it as soon as he showed me the plot! TCR-O: Given the unique creative process of CrossGen, what's it like to be able to work with the writer of your stories as well as the inker (Rick Magyar) all under the same roof? Do you think being able to be in constant dialogue with your inker so readily will make your art look even better, or do you take more of a hands-off attitude with your pencils and just trust Rick to do a great job (seeing as he is a nearly 20-year veteran of the industry himself)? EPTING: All three of us work very closely together. It's not a matter of whether I trust Rick or Frank, because of course I do, but working in such close proximity allows me to get exactly the effects I'm looking for. It also allows Rick and Frank to give me suggestions, sometimes for things that I didn't even know were possible. For instance, Frank saw me drawing something the other day and showed me how he could do it better in the coloring stage, and he was right. TCR-B: Also how does Frank D'Armata's colors compliment your pencils? EPTING: Better than any other colorist I have worked with. And again, I think it's because I am actually working with him instead of sending the pencils off and never seeing them again until the book is published. TCR-B: Being under the same roof with so many other talented artists, have you picked up any tips from or dispensed any advice to some of your co-workers? EPTING: That's one of the best things about the studio system. I can walk 15 feet and ask Bart Sears what he thinks of a cover composition or see how Jim Cheung lays out a tricky panel sequence. The artistic experience in this company is invaluable and all of us take advantage of it. TCR-B: Where and/or how do you feel you've grown the most as an artist? Would you say that your style is drastically different than when you started out in comics more than a decade ago? EPTING: I wouldn't say it's drastically different, but it is much more refined and polished. Unlike a lot of comic artists, I never drew my own comics as a kid, so when I started I had absolutely zero experience with storytelling, layout, and panel-to-panel continuity, so it was on the job training in the purest sense. I still feel that I am learning and growing as an artist and hope I never stop. TCR-S: Has the adjustment from freelancer, to the structured environment of the CG quad system been easy? EPTING: Yes, and I think it has made me more productive as well. I actually look forward to coming to work each day! TCR-O: Again, given that you all work under the same roof, are you having more input on plotting of the book than you have in your creative situations of the past? EPTING: Given that I had ZERO input before, the answer is yes. But I should say that Mark deserves all the credit for the plotting, even though he is very receptive to our ideas, and seeks out suggestions from us frequently. TCR-S: How much say did/do you get in the design for the characters in CRUX? EPTING: The concepts for the characters, including personalities, sex, age, etc., are all Mark's. Visually, they're entirely mine. TCR-S: Who would you say are your major art influences? EPTING: Good, an easy one! In no particular order... John Buscema Jose Luis Garcia Lopez Al Williamson Stan Drake John Romita Sr. Joe Kubert TCR-B: Do you still find yourself utilizing lessons learned from your graphic arts schooling in your art, or are the talents of your craft just second nature to you now? EPTING: Actually a lot of it is second nature now that I think about it. I think the nature of Graphic Design, where you are concerned with how different graphic elements relate to each other and the impression they make together as a whole is directly applicable to sequential art and I think my experience with graphic design has had a direct influence on my comic art. TCR-B: What different approaches do you take in drawing a team book, as opposed to a solo book (like SUPERMAN or AQUAMAN)? Which type of book do you prefer (if in fact you have a preference)? EPTING: I honestly don't have any preference at all when it comes to illustrating comics. Any genre or style of comics comes with its own set of problems to solve visually and that's the thing I enjoy the most about drawing them. The team books are always a bit harder because you have to be sure to give each character enough screen time as well as make them visually unique and distinctive from the other members of the cast. This means giving each character a different body posture, mannerisms, and expressions that reflect their individual personalities. It ain't easy. TCR-B: If you'll indulge the fanboy in us for a moment, how much fun was it to draw the Avengers one last time (particularly written by Busiek) before going CrossGen exclusive? EPTING: It felt like I never went away. I loved it. TCR-O: Anything we didn't ask you about that you'd like to discuss, particularly in terms of CRUX? EPTING: Only that I hope everyone will give CRUX a try. I think it's something that is completely different from everything else out there right now and I hope everyone enjoys it! Weaving the Center of CrossGen's Tapestry: A TCR E-interview with CRUX's Mark Waid Interviewers Three- James Schee (TCR-S), Corey Blake (TCR-B) and me (TCR-O)-are happy to provide the second half of our interview with the CRUX creator Mark Waid. Thanks again to CrossGen's Ian Feller for facilitating these e-interviews and Mark for sharing his thoughts, humor and time. Enjoy! -Tim O'Shea, TCR Senior Online News Editor TCR-S: With the recent Megacon convention you both experienced your first major convention as members of CrossGen (at least since starting on CRUX). What is your reaction to fan convention reactions to CRUX and CrossGen? WAID: I'm overwhelmed. As far as CRUX goes, I can't remember a time I got to work on something that generated this much pre-publication buzz. CrossGen fans are very faithful, very vocal, and, well, gosh...they're just the best gol-durn fans out there! TCR-O: In the sea of the many new and old superhero teams that dominate the comic book genre, what is it that makes Crux stand out from the rest? WAID: Well, as Mark Alessi would be the first to tell you, this ISN'T a "superhero" team. It's not super-team-up action in the mighty JLA manner. It's, instead, the story of six lost souls given a second chance at something that tragically eluded them centuries ago. Yes, each character has a "specialty" when it comes to his or her abilities, they're simply different extensions of a common internal energy--or, to put it another way, it's not about the powers. It's about the personalities, because that's what most interests me- -six semi-strangers thrown together and forced to survive in a world unfamiliar to them. TCR-B: What kind of consistency should we expect for the team roster? Will the "membership" expand after the first few issues? WAID: In fact, it's more likely to decrease. And more than that, I cannot say. TCR-B: How formal of a team will they be, or is it that merely that they share a common background and heritage that holds the team together? WAID: Exactly. There's no "team leader," there's no "field commander"...Atlanteans were artists and dreamers, not warriors. Of course they'd be a non-militaristic society- -think about it. THEY HAD NO ONE TO FIGHT. Now, however, these six DO face a genuine threat--and they'd better learn some combat skills FAST. TCR-B: Who came up with Crux for the name of the book? Crux is defined (at www.m-w.com) as: "a puzzling or difficult problem: an unsolved question" or "an essential point requiring resolution or resolving an outcome" or "a main or central feature (as of an argument)." What do you mean by the use of Crux? WAID: The name arose out of some editorial discussions here at CrossGen, hewing closest to that final definition. Part of the fun for the readers in the coming months and years will be in watching the tapestry threads of the CrossGen Universe weave together--and CRUX will be at the center of it all. TCR-B: Many of CrossGen's books loosely fit into a certain genre (i.e. Scion could be medieval fantasy, Sigil could be sci-fi). How do you see CRUX? Is there a certain style or theme you are aiming at? WAID: Classic mythology melded with high-tech science fiction. TCR-O: Back when TCR talked to you (http://www.thecomicreader.com/html/archive/082800a.SHTML) in late August 2000 about joining CrossGen, I asked you what advantage CrossGen had over the Marvel and DC, your answer was "A seemingly unique conviction that things HAVE TO CHANGE." What do you think CrossGen (and you as part of the company) have done so far to brought about this change? How will CRUX play a part in the change? WAID: Well, I doubt that any one book will singlehandedly revolutionize the industry; if CRUX is indeed a small "part of the change," it's because we've successfully gotten into readers' hands one more well-crafted comic where the characters are clearly identified, where the problem at hand is clearly defined, where you're not lost if you missed last issue, and where you can find amidst the ongoing subplots and threads actual self-enclosed monthly stories. As far as CrossGen the company goes, however, we're on the verge of announcing several new business paradigms that have been carefully and secretly engineered over the past year or so, and to me, they point to the future of comics. Keep watching. TCR-S: You have always in your comic writing had a healthy deal of respect for the characters and history that you used in your stories. Is it harder working with characters who don't have that history to be mindful of or easier? WAID: Both. Harder in that there's no childhood-nostalgia affection I can draw energy from, but easier in that the characters are mine to define and to play with and have a simple purity to them. TCR-S: You have in the past made mention that comics were very important to you while growing up. Do you ever give thought that what you write might be giving the same experience to some other kid out there? WAID: I think the more accurate question is, "Do I ever NOT give thought to that?" Believe me, that's one of the driving forces in my career. TCR-B: How would you best describe your writing style? As a writer, do you feel you are able to continually improve your abilities? Also, are you finding your current career stage at CrossGen to be the most fun you've had creating comics or is it too early to say? WAID: I'm certainly having a great deal of fun because I'm able to stretch beyond traditional superhero fare for a change--which, I hope, WILL improve me as a writer. And while I'm hardly the best suited to describe my own writing style, if pressed, I'd say it's swashbuckling action-adventure with humor and heart. TCR-O: How odd is it to be working without an editor, or let me put in another way, how liberating (or is it)? WAID: It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. TCR-B: With The JLA/Avengers crossover finally official, the George Perez clause is soon going into effect. Do you wish you had the same clause in your contract that Perez does? Or in a way do you have a similar kind of clause seeing as you've previously gone on record that EMPIRE will continue (but not as a GORILLA imprint)? WAID: I do have a similar clause for EMPIRE and for the duration of my JLA run. Spreads my days a little thin sometimes, but it's worth it. ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [6] Interview Paul Dale Roberts Silhouet98@cs.com Interview with: Katie DuMont, Associate Editor of Writer's Digest magazine; overseer and co-author of the Zine Scene column. 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? I was born in raised in the Wood (Norwood, Ohio, that is--a city within the city of Cincinnati). I went to gradeschool, highschool and college in the greater Cincinnati area--Xavier, is where I received my BA in English (minored in philosophy). I have a huge extended family, and we all get along! Question: What was the first comic book you ever read? Do the ones in Frisch's Big Boy restaurants count? Other than that I'd say it was a Spiderman comic. Question: For people unfamiliar with Writer's Digest, can you please tell us something about it? Writer's Digest is a monthly magazine that strives to inspire, instruct and inform writers about the writing craft and publishing business. Question: Tell us about your section: Zine Scene? Zine Scene is one column we run every month. The premise behind it is to recognize and promote the passion and art that goes into the creation of a self-published zine or e-zine. We run reviews of exceptional zines every other month as well as sponsor a yearly contest. (So send your zines our way for review! Zine Scene 1507 Dana Ave. Cincinnati OH 45207; wd-zinescene@fwpubs.com. And read about our 2000 contest and enter the 2001 Zine Publishing Awards when it gears up in July: www.writersdigest.com/catalog/contest_frame.html) Question: Besides comic book 'zines, what other kind of 'zines are out there? You name it, it's out there. We have seen zines dedicated to niche topics—everything from zippos to pez dispensers to the St. Elsewhere t.v. series to polka. In addition, there are more general zines that strive to publish chosen genre writings, like horror, poetry, science fiction, short fiction or some combination of two or more. With zines, passion for the subject is the only requirement. Question: What are your favorite kind of 'zines? Personally, I love the ones I categorize as enthusiast. Those publications dedicated to the love of a specific topic—those that revolve around the love for a hobby, or collector's item or craft. One dedicated completely to comics, for example! But also those about zippo lighters and polka included too! They are usually the most entertaining reads, and I am constantly dazzled at the creativity—and eccentricity—exhibited by them. Question: What do you think about comic book 'zines? If I was a comic artist and writer, and wanted to publish my creations, but was having trouble doing so through traditional forums, I would definitely consider starting up my own zine. The periodic publishing cycle, which is the nature of the zine, is conducive to comic books, which also can work in installments. Question: Do you review email ezines and website ezines? Yes! Again we welcome print zines and e-zines for review- to run every other month in our Zine Scene column. Send zines to Zine Scene 1507 Dana Ave. Cincinnati OH 45207; wd-zinescene@fwpubs.com. And read about our contest at www.writersdigest.com/catalog/contest_frame.html. The 2001 is up and running in July. Question: How can someone subscribe to Writer's Digest? Online at www.writersdigest.com and by purchasing our magazine, which is found at most bookstores, and filling out the subscription card within. Question: Thank you for reviewing the Peoples' Comic Book Newsletter? How do you find out about various 'zines out there? Mostly, zinesters send them to us for review. Also, word of mouth. As well as a basic search of the internet from time to time (course it's difficult to find print zines this way.) On another note, it was our pleasure to review the Peoples' Comic Book Newsletter. (I loved your art!) Question: Do you have a website? If you do what is the URL address? Can we see information from your column at the site? Writer's Digest: www.writersdigest.com. There isn't a specific spot dedicated to that column per say. But if you regularly read our magazine or subscribe to our newsletter (writersdig@fwpubs.com) you can keep posted on zine stories that go online. For example, read our January 2001 column at www.writersdigest.com/wd0101/zinescene.html. Question: How can somebody contact you? To contact me, e-mail the Zine Scene e-mail account: wd-zinescene@fwpubs.com. Or write me at Writer's Digest 1507 Dana Ave. Cincinnati OH 45207. Question: If you were stranded on a desert island, what 3 things would you bring with you and why? Bongos, for entertainment and to feel really tribal. Another human, preferably one I love, so I wouldn't have to talk to a volleyball (see CastAway). And a mattress, because sleep is one of my favorite things in life and I don't think waking up on a bunch of rocks could ever create that morning feeling of not wanting to get out of bed. Question: Your 3 favorite fictional heroes and why? Superman, because he is just so cool and has all the superpowers I would like. Wonder Woman, because she rocks. And probably someone from the Masters of the Universe series because that was my favorite cartoon when I was growing up. Question: Your 3 real life heroes and why? Mother Teresa, because she lived what she preached. Firemen, because they turn and face what others run from. And in a way McCain, not as much for his politics but for his bravery in VietNam. Question: What movies, cartoons and TV shows are your favorites? At this moment--my favorite movies are Hitchcock movies; cartoons, any old ones-Smurfs, Gummy Bears, Dungeons and Dragons, but the Warner Bros' Animaniacs are pretty cool; TV shows: Boston Public and CSI. Question: What books do you read? Tons, science fiction and fantasy especially. But I am in love with the Potter books at the moment. Question: What are your hobbies and recreational activities? I write, dabble in theater and jog. Question: What comic books/'zines do you read now? Sorry, still those Frisch's ones from time to time but other than that I am not a big comic book reader. Although now I'm keeping my eye on what The People's Comic Book Newsletter is doing! Question: Well, I guess that winds up the interview. Thank you. Is there anything else you would like to say before closing? I feel lucky to work on the Zine section of our magazine because I am reminded of the creative spirit in each of us with each new zine sent my way. The magic about zine publishing to me is that the time and effort and energy that goes into these publishing efforts are done truly for the love of the content; profit is never what drives zinesters to do what they do. And that is a refreshing mind set in this day and age. ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [7] STREAM OF BABBLING Tim O'Shea tim_jen@mindspring.com [Tim O'Shea is a 33-year-old desktop publisher, who lives in Atlanta with his wife and their 19-month-old partner in fun, Colin. Tim, who's been reading comics on a weekly basis since 1977, is most recently proud that he's taught Colin how to play his toy guitar over and behind his head (in tribute to Jim Hendrix) and to sit transfixed by ESPN Sportscenter highlights for at least two minutes. Colin's mother fears that her son may become a useless baseball fan like his father and tries to get Colin to watch more TLC, Discovery and History channel documentaries as well as go for walks when dada's not home.] Stretching out the Childhood Atlanta has a local free alternative weekly, CREATIVE LOAFING, that covers the Atlanta art/music/movie/theater/politics scene. It's that kind of whacked weekly that will run the police blotter, News of the Weird, some cool reviews and a whole lot of classified ads for "adult services." (Hey they've got to pay to print a free weekly somehow). Well this week's cover story, which can be found also online at http://atlanta.creativeloafing.com/cover.html, covered the rather odd (at first) following of women my age that are still (and regard themselves) as Duran Duran groupies. Cynic that I am, my first instinct was "Weirdoes!" Then of course I realized that I always pick up my free weekly CREATIVE LOAFING when I'm buying the comic books like I've been buying on a weekly basis for more than 20 years. So really I'm in no position to be judging anyone. The story is worth reading as it focuses on how these women's love of the band exceeded more than just a love of their music and did more than your average band does for an average listener. One woman attributes a series of concerts helped her in the grieving process when her sister died of cancer (it sounds odd, I'll admit, but read the story and in context it is rather touching). Another fan, Sheila O'Shea (no relation) makes an interesting point that I think actually applies very well to any sort of fan: "If every aspect of your life is centered around one thing and your grip on reality is not quite what it should be, that's when fandom goes too far. There comes a point when it's not really about the band anymore. There's this whole inner fantasy that you create with them in it. When you perceive them as people instead of deities, that's the right side of fandom." This leads me to another point, loosely connected to comics. How many times have you cruised the usenet and read posts to creators or fans where it seemed rather than discussing the latest plotline of GREEN LANTERN, the poster typed in a tone as if he was handling closing arguments at the Nuremberg trial. I love comics, but I hope to God no one will ever catch me ripping some poor creator a new one because of a costume redesign or a plot direction. Sure I'll get on my high horse about Hal Jordan being the one true and almighty Green Lantern, but now with the help of medication I've stopped wanting to build a Church of Hal. Seriously though, the passion and the level that some folks put comics on sometimes astounds me. Thankfully comic fans don't often approach the level of one recent NASCAR fan (who in no way reflects the NASCAR fan base, so please hold off on your letters of defense, it's a fine group). After the recent death of racer Dale Earnhardt, one person called in to say his tragic demise was a horror on the scale of the death of Martin Luther King. Yes, you read right. It's never good when folks say things like that. It's like the whole misunderstanding years ago in 1966 when John Lennon half- jokingly said: "We're more popular than Jesus now" and Beatles record burnings began in earnest in the United States (at least for awhile). Darryl Hall of Hall & Oates apparently hadn't learned from Lennon's public relations mistake when some 20 years later in a ROLLING STONE interview he said something to the effect "We're bigger than the Beatles." Of course, very few people noticed and soon they faded into oblivion. Then Oasis, a few years back (Apparently in an effort to more quickly consume their 15 minutes)-or more specifically Liam Gallagher-made the topping Jesus line and tossed in that Oasis was going to be "bigger than the Beatles," just to get a rise out of both Christians and Beatlemaniacs. If only he'd somehow insulted Iran, it would have been a hat trick of musical/religious insults and Salman Rushdie could be sleeping better at night. What the heck is my point, you may ask? Here's my point, folks. Enjoy your comics, buy your comics, sell your comics, e-mail creators, but please stop telling fans and industry members that their opinion or work "sucks" or doubt their family lineage (or the status of their mother). Stop getting so wound up and dooming a book before it comes out because of imagined paths that you just know the writer's going to take. Stop trying to find out spoilers. Next time you want to flame someone, count to 10 or hug your hermetically sealed copy of KINGDOM COME or whatever book you hold dear to your heart (or brain). I'm a fan, but I'm a fan that looks at these books in a certain context. Some folks have a passion for the medium because of adult-aimed comics that elevate the genre to closer (in their mind) to literature. Some folks view them as an investment ("This is my reading copy, this is my bagged copy".). Me? I handed CrossGen Chronicles #2 to my toddler while we were still in the store and he proceeded to rip the cover off. I bought it at full price with a ripped cover, laughing the whole time. The folks in front and behind me in line looked at me like I was crazy. I wanted to ask them: "OK, please tell me how is my enjoyment of the story affected by a ripped cover?" The answer? It's not. I'm trying to broaden my horizons and read more mature titles, but at the end of the day, the book that's always at the bottom of the stack to read, the one I look forward to, is always and will always be a superhero book. It's why I read comics, yes comics should make you think, but I'm in it more for the absurdity and escapism. I remember a review a few months back where someone complained that Dan Jurgens had Captain America doing physically impossible things with his shield. Hate to tell you, but 95 percent of superhero comics books are physically impossible. It's fantasy; some critics need to stop trying to make it realism. When I read a comic book I'm trying to extend my childhood a little bit more, touch on the fun I had as a kid and bring that joy to the present. That's essentially what the Duran Duran fans do as well. That's what I assume NASCAR fans seek as well, fun. Heck even the usenet flamers are just trying to have fun, I guess. But hey, let's be reasonable about it. Step back and try a little context sometimes. ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [8] 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 Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay Michael Chabon Random House, New York: 2000 ISBN: 0-679-45004-1 A few weeks ago, maybe two or three, I found myself desperately looking for something to read. Granted I don't have a lot of time to dedicate to books given school and work and this evil computer, but hey, my computer was broken, right? So I needed something to pass the time other than Final Fantasy and the evil demon box of TV. I went to the library and grabbed myself a few things, including a JSA TPB. That was cool, but I needed a novel. So gave in and finally took out their copy of "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay" by Michael Chabon. Previously I was inclined to ignore it as some cheesy period piece that would manipulate and exploit my favorite medium for all it could. I've never seen anything that treated comic books as anything but silly or gratuitous. I originally planned to avoid this book altogether. But I was running out of reading options. (It's a small branch library, and I'm not going to resort to Jackie Collins.) And what do you know, I was pleasantly surprised. In fact, I was hooked. The novel tells the story of two teenagers, Josef Kavalier and Samuel Klayman, cousins who meet when Sam's mother bursts in his bedroom one night and demands that Sam move over and make room for his cousin Josef, newly arrived from Nazi-occupied Prague. Sam sees Josef's artistic talent and one thing comes to his mind: comic books. Sam has this dream of writing and drawing his own unique super- creation, a hero to be the paternal figure his own father never was - and hopefully net him a fortune in the process. Josef is interested, if only because the money could be used to smuggle the rest of his family to safety in America. Together they create the Escapist - an athletic, death-defying master of escape influenced by Josef's earlier experiences as a magician and escape-artist in his native Prague. What follows is a prolific career as the boys, now called Joe Kavalier and Sam Clay, recruit others into the new company they help create - Empire Comics, and the success is parlayed into radios, movies, fame, fortune, true love, tragedy, family life, and an eventual hearing in front of the Senate, thanks to Frederic Wertham and his evil little book. Author Michael Chabon (who, it seems, also wrote the book Wonder Boys) essentially treats us to an extensive history of the Golden Age, all seen through the eyes of these two young men who, as we are told through a plethora of referential comments, are later acknowledged as two of the greatest innovators of comic storytelling. Right up there with Eisner and Gaines. Chabon takes some liberties with fact, but they're forgivable. His manipulation of the facts succeeds with creating a credible atmosphere for these two young men to find love and success. The book is just as much about their lives outside the comics page, tracing Joe's struggle to bring his younger brother over to New York, and the love he finds in the arms of Rosa Saks, a young socialite whose surrealistic paintings inspire Joe to create the psychedelic and sexy Luna Moth. Sammy faces his own problems, whether it be his overbearing mother, questions of his own sexuality, or increasing estrangement from his partner/cousin. I've tried not to give too much away, but we are all too aware that the Golden Age must end and make way for the future. Which is the book's single failing - that like the era it portrays so vividly, it ends too soon. I found myself caught up in the magnificent prose, the intriguing characters and the adventures in which they find themselves entangled (and they certainly are adventures, I assure you), and the detailed portrayal of an era most of us probably regard as a dream. I want to see what happens next. If any book warranted a sequel, it's The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay. It would be a treat to see Chabon's take on the Silver Age and beyond, hopefully with some indication of the fate of the Escapist and his two creators. Consider it a history lesson. ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [9] Interview by Turco Massimiliano smoky_man@yahoo.com Turco Massimiliano is the Editor of Ultrazine Webzine http://web.tiscalinet.it/ultrazine Interview with JAMES KOCHALKA The importance to being a Superstar Special thanks to: Chris Staros, Alessandro Onori and Gianfranco Loriga James Kochalka has been called "one of the brightest lights of independent comics" (by Diamond Comic Distribution). And it is true! With his unique, instantly recognizable cartoonist style and his works full of elves, cats, robots and minimal ordinary life he has conquered the heart of comic readers and critics. Bone's creator Jeff Smith says of him: "James Kochalka's work is free and spontaneous. I love his comics. There's nothing better than seeing someone uninhibitedly pushing black ink around a white paper; filling in the corners and layering objects on objects with a full understanding of the spatial depths that exist in a two dimensional world. I love James Kochalka's comics. They pull my head in and I ride along until the end." (from the introduction to Quit Your Job) His indie works include little masterpieces as: Quit Your Job (Alternative Press); The Horrible Truth about Comics (Alternative Comics), a fundamental reflection on comics medium; Monica's Story (with story by Jon Lewis and ink by Tom Hart, Alternative Press), the irreverent chronicle of the Clinton-Lewinsky affair; the graphic novels, Magic Boy and The Robot Elf and Magic Boy and the Word of God. His most recent graphic novel is titled Monkey vs. Robot (Top Shelf Production): a funny struggle between a bunch of monkeys against a group of robots maybe revelatory of the battle between the past versus our possible future and of the dangers of industrialization. Upcoming projects include the publication of his daily personal sketchbook diaries, the sequel to Monkey vs. Robot called Monkey vs. Robot: Battle Wars and his first appearance in a book by a major publisher. He will contribute to DC's Bizzaro Comics Hardcover, an anthology of "strange and subversive" interpretations of DC's classic superhero characters by some of the most interesting small-press and indy comics creators. The volume will be on the shelves this June. His comics have been published in Canada, Japan, England, Mexico, Australia, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain. We'll soon see the first Italian edition of one of his works: a 16 pages book published by Kerosene's staff and contains "Little Lovers", a cute story about cats and birds originally see in the Small Press Expo '98 volume, packed in a all new cover. But is this all we can say about a man self-proclaimed Superstar? Obviously not! James Kochalka has another career mixed with his cartoonist one, a career during for well over ten years. He is a rock star with his group called James Kochalka Superstar, of course. He has issued three CDs: "Carrot Boy the Beautiful" through Sudden Shame Records, "The True Story of James Kochalka Superstar" through Dot Dot Dash, and his last work, "Monkey vs. Robot" through Tarquin Records. With his music he has reached a big success in the indie circuits and Monkey vs Robot has recently win The College 500 Awards (as voted by radio stations and music labels across the country) as "Best Indie Record". In a brief autobiography put on www.bigheavyworld.com he frankly says "I myself don't know how to play an instrument, but I write the songs in my head, sing them to my musicians and they figure out how to play 'em. It's fun and I like it." Actually he is working on his new CD, "Don't Trust Whitey". Ah, Magic Boy Superstar, a.k.a. James Kochalka, lives in Burlington, Vermont with his wife Amy and their cat Spandy. More info about James Kochalka can be found at: http://www.kochalka.net (Swedish James Kochalka fan site) http://indyworld.com/kochalka http://www.mp3.com/jks (Kochalka's music on-line that you can download! http://www.thepants.com/wte.htm (where you can see the irresistible cartoon: Magic Boy in "Welcome to Earth"!) ON THE ROAD TO BE A SUPERSTAR Can you remember the very first time you read a comic book? No, I can't remember the first. I'm pretty sure it all began before I knew how to read, because my father was a big fan of early newspaper comics, and he probably read them to me. Pogo was my favorite as a kid, and we had a lot of old vintage Pogo books. I liked Peanuts too, Flash Gordon, Krazy Kat, Little Nemo in Slumberland, Li'l Abner. When did you realize the potentiality of the comics medium to be a carrier for bigger ideas? I don't think I realized that until fairly recently, in the early to mid 90's. Until then I thought of comics mostly as a kind of disturbed nonsense. When I started getting into the American mini-comic scene was when I realized the poetic side of comics. John Porcellino's King Cat, and David Lasky's Boom Boom were big influences on me. Why comics? Well, when I was 8 years old, my best friend and I would draw comics together all the time. We encouraged each other. I think he grew up to be an auto mechanic. We don't really talk or see each other anymore. In college and the years afterwards I pretty much dedicated myself to oil painting. No one really ever saw my paintings except pizza deliverymen and my wife, Amy. But with minicomics, hundreds of people would see them, and would even write me letters of encouragement. Basically, I drew comics all my life so it was inevitable that I would eventually discover the small press scene and join it. And I think as a scene, it's much more vibrant than American painting is right now. Which are your artistic influences? Yeah, I already answered that, didn't I? My other big influence is the Moomintroll books. They are unbelievably great. Also Tintin and Asterix were favorites of mine as a kid. Books for adults haven't had as big an effect on me as children's books have. What does it means for you to be an "indie" artist? I guess it means freedom. Freedom to do whatever I want. Comics: industry or art? It's an art, as far as I'm concerned and my publishers are more like patrons than businessmen. ELVES, CATS AND MONICA LEVINSKY Your stories can seem cute full with elves, magic rings, wizards, and of course, for your cartoonist drawing style. But they often contain disturbing moments as for example, the final pee in Magic Boy's Welcome to Earth and in The horrible truth about comics, or, the monkey shitting on Adam's bald head in Paradise sucks, just to name a few ones. Is it a punk spirit's legacy or maybe a lesson of underground comics? Yeah, it's the punk spirit. I used to go up to restaurant windows and spit at the people eating. I would spit on the window, right at eye level, just to gross them out. But I was young and stupid then. I just felt a little rejected by society, so I in turn rejected them. Eventually I learned that positive actions had a much greater payoff. I try to write pretty positive stories now. I actually think my work can make people's lives happier and better. What kinds of stories do you like the most to tell? Could you try to define your own aesthetic vision? Well, life is a struggle, and I try to show that struggle. But for me, however deep the level of stress that I feel, I can see that the earth is just bursting with beauty. I'm trying to push through all the stressful bullshit of my life and experience the world as a joyous explosion. When you break past the struggle, life is gleeful and giddy. If you have to define your comics what would you say? My comics are life affirming. You have drawn Monica's Story, a phenomenal rendition of the grotesque Bill Clinton-Monica Lewinsky affair. What was the input to do a story like that? Oh, it was the publisher's idea. Jeff Mason of Alternative Comics thought it would be funny if we did a quick knock-off book when the Starr report came out. Of course we couldn't do a real piece of crap. We portrayed the real human emotions behind the scandal. In fact, we didn't treat it like a scandal at all, but as an honest examination of the workings of these real human being's hearts. In your last graphic novel Monkey vs. Robot, you tell an almost silent story with a cruel struggle between a group of monkeys and one of robots. Is it nature vs. technology? Do you try to send to the readers an environmentalist message? It can be read as an environmental story of nature vs. technology if you want to, but that's not my real message. The moral is not that technology is wrong and that it's destroying nature, but rather that technology and nature are two sides of the same coin. If you look closely at the book, you'll see many many similarities between the monkeys and the robots. They struggle because they think they're opposites, but they're really the same. Really the book is my attempt to unite my analytical nature with my animal nature. Cats are an important element in your work. Why? Well, because the cats in my life have been almost as important to me as the people in my life. Can you tell us something about your "Little Lovers" story that will be soon published here in Italy? And in which way the Kerosene's guys have contacted you? Well, it's a story about love, about a cat in love with a bird and a bird in love with a cat. The cat wants to chew the bird's head, and the bird wants her head chewed. There, I've ruined the story for everyone. I think the Kerosene guy emailed me saying he'd like to publish some of my work and so I sent him that. I don't know if there's any magic story behind it. I kinda wonder why people are interested in translating my work, surely there's some Italian cartoonist who's just as deserving of being published as I am. Still, I'm very very excited to have my book published over there, and hope I get more opportunities to do so in the future. Hopefully, Italians will like the book. I hope Kerosene does a good job on the translation. Soon we'll see in print your personal daily strips. Will they add something new that your reader don't know about you and your style or will see the usual, surprising JKS? Um, I don't know if I understand your question. But yeah, my diary strips document my life pretty accurately I think. They capture my dull physical life, my emotional life, and my imaginative life. They all add up to a pretty complete portrait of the fully dimensional reality of this one human's existence. The book is titled The Sketchbook Diaries and should be out from Top Shelf really soon. From what I've read you have a story coming out in DC's Bizarro Comics. This is your first mainstream work so how do you feel about and what will be your contribution? I wrote a Hawkman comic, which was drawn by Dylan Horrocks (who did the great, complex, graphic novel Hicksville). DC wouldn't let the same person both write and draw the story. I guess if a person both writes and draws the story they can make a claim of copyright ownership, and DC wants to avoid that. But I love superheroes and I'd jump at the chance to write or draw one again. THE HORRIBLE TRUTH ABOUT COMICS Let's talk about The Horrible Truth About Comics. For me it is one of the most important comics I have ever read and a phenomenal point to start a critical reflection on comics. Of course, I agree with a lot of your ideas. So is it true "you can't stop thinking to comics"? It's true that I can't stop thinking about comics. Especially now that I do the daily diary comic strip, everything I do all day long, I'm translating in my mind into comics. The Horrible Truth About Comics is my attempt to explain the magical grip they seem to have on me and many other people. Which is your opinion on Scott McCloud's Understanding Comics? It's a very exciting book to read when you're getting started in the comics form. But the more deeply familiar with drawing comics you are the more simplistic and diagrammatic it seems. What do you think should be making experiments in comics? Can the Internet be a new frontier? Or (will) the revolution have to be done in the artist's head and soul? Yeah, the revolution will be in our minds. However, a technological revolution can affect a change in our minds and souls. Just as a philosophical revolution could also bring changes in technology. I do think it's a little silly for Scott McCloud to be so excited about comics on the Internet. The main problem is that they just look bad. The screen is a poor substitute for the printed page right now. I think he's more excited about the future than about the present. I'm not anti technology though; I love my computer almost as much as I love my cat. Spandy likes to cuddle up next the computer while I'm typing or playing video games. You have said, "Craft is the enemy, Craft isn't a friend" and these statements have started a lot of discussion and polemic. Can say us what do you really want to say? Well, I don't know exactly what I was thinking at the time I said, "Craft is the enemy". Let's just start over from a new beginning. I think that artists who are great craftsmen, who have perfected their craft, are artists who have atrophied and have stopped growing. I would rather always be reeling off-kilter than be settled. Also, the process of attaining greatness is one of struggle against unbearable odds and surpassing your abilities. You don't attain greatness by learning a collection of graphic tricks and skills that you can pull out of your hat at opportune moments. THE MAGIC MUSIC BOY In which way your music and your comics interact each other? Well, they're both a big part of my daily life. I draw comics everyday, and I write songs everyday. Like life itself, music and comics are part of the bubbling joyous froth of my existence. Music and comics. If you have to choose? Interviewers LOVE to ask that question! Why do I have to choose? I have listened to your music and it seems to me very contemporary and low-fi. Which are your music influences? I love amateur music. I love music by people who lack technical skill, yet who are just bubbling over with amazing melodies. But I can appreciate good musicianship too. But melody is probably the most important quality of music that stirs my soul most deeply. If you have to define your music? It's silly and sometimes dirty, but it's melodic heart runs deep. They're not novelty songs; they're songs about my deepest thoughts and feelings expressed in a silly, goofy way. In one of your songs titled "I am rock", you sing: "my name is Mr. Rock n' Roll/ and you know that I want your body/ I could also use your soul/ my name is rock, Mr. Rock n' Roll". Is it your music a very physical experience? Well, my live performances are very physical. I come away from my shows battered and bruised. But I think even the music itself is physical. In the sense that it can elicit a powerful emotional response and emotions can have a strong physical effect on your body. I remember a funny story contained in the Small Press Expo '99 volume and titled "The 3 Geeks in: Who heck is CBLDF? (by Rich Koslowski). In that story there is you guest star appearance singing nude something about a "little pony". Is it a true fact? Do you do that number habitually in your live show? I performed in the hotel bar at the Small Press Expo. (The expo is held in a hotel.) I did take off my clothes while singing. I never walked naked through the comics convention floor like he draws me doing in that comic, though. I often get partially naked at my rock shows, but not every time. It's a little different than you might imagine though, it's not so freaky. Which is the most powerful emotion you get from singing live in front of an audience? Which difference in meeting your readers in a convention? Meeting my fans at a convention is always a little awkward feeling, but they're a lot more nervous than I am, so I try my best to put them at ease. It's nothing like performing though. Performing is pure power. A simple curiosity: is it true you know Moby? Yes and no. I haven't really spent any time with him since he got famous. Last time I hung out with him was years ago. He promised to "scratch" records on one of my albums but it never happened. My next album should have a song on it that he sang back up on though. And when I say he sings backup, I mean he's one person in a crowd of 30 people singing backup. He and his friend Paul Yates took their penises out during the recording. How do you feel being a Superstar? It feels awesome. It's really cool that so many people enjoy the work I do. I hope I'm having a positive effect on the world. Which is your dream comics project? and your musical one? My dream comics project right now, is to draw a comic in the style of an old fantasy adventure video game, like Zelda or Final Fantasy. I've got a couple other books to finish before I get to work on that one, though. I'm currently working on a new book for Top Shelf called Pinky & Stinky about two pigs exploring the moon. It's really silly. I don't know yet if it will add up to anything deeper than just a silly romp. Musically, I'd really like to have my own weekly animated musical TV show. Let finish making a comics little game. I'll give you 5 comics artist's names and 5 comics character's names and you can say whatever you want. I well know you are a man without fear! Artists: Robert Crumb His sketchbooks are better than his comics. His sketchbooks are fantastic. Moebius Elegant, but ultimately meaningless. Alan Moore Too pretentious and mystic. But I loved Watchmen. That's one of my favorite books ever. Hernandez Bros. They're awful. I've tried to read a little and just found it really awful and had to give up. A lot of people like them, so what do I know. I think one of them draws really well, but I don't know who is who. George Herriman He's great! I especially like the Tiger Tea series of Krazy Kat trips. Characters: Pogo Great looking character. Nice round head and funny nose. The Spirit Didn't appeal to me as a kid because it looked to grown up. Doesn't appeal to me now either, though. Sandman I like the Baby Sandman story. The story that had cute cartoony drawings of Sandman as a baby is the only one I ever bought. Calvin & Hobbes The design of Calvin and Hobbes is great. The just look great standing next to each other. They compliment each other's size and shape and movement. Superman He's great. The more goofy and outlandish Superman's stories are the better. 60's DC comics are weird and great. I love the stiff drawings, but don't love the stiff writing as much. Those comics seem the product of bad writers with wonderful imaginations. Thanks for your willingness, kindness and time. ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [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: Jim Balent's Tarot #7 Publisher: Broad Sword Comics Written and Drawn by: Jim Balent Price: $2.95 Comments: Love the start-off with this story, a whole lot better than the Blair Witch Project, in which the reader is taken into the mysterious Salem woods, the home of the Raven Hex. The witch-haters who captured Willowry in the beginning reminded me of the hate crimes we now have with various races of people, along with people who are persecuted for their religious beliefs. Hate crimes are horrifying no matter what the situation is and Willowry is placed in a very bad situation that could cost her to lose her life. Shades of Witchfinder General Cotton Mather and Witchfinder General Matthew Hopkins of the original Salem, Massachusetts witch-hunts. Willowry is still quite immature as she seeks out her apprenticeship. She learns that Wicca religion is completely different from Satanism and many people do not realize this. As Wicca is the belief system of earthly deities, Satanism is a belief of evil and Satan himself. It will be interesting to see how Willowry will survive her training, as she seems to take witchcraft lightly and loves to crack jokes about it. Love the imps in the story. Since in my first letter, I mentioned on how much I love the artwork, I shouldn't mention it again..but, I can't help it..I LOVE THE ARTWORK! Usually when the creator does both story and artwork, you only get one thing that is good, but in this situation, the story is GREAT and the artwork is FABULOUS! If it is legal to clone a human being, I think Jim Balent needs to be cloned 10 times over. Now to the story in hand. Loved the romantic interlude to Jon and Tarot as they become intimate and they're past lives come into focus. How come I get the sneaky feeling that Willowry is about to mess up big time? She now is ready to bring back the dead for this ghost that she just met. The Crypt Chick is a supernatural wonder..wow! Ahh.Willowry, you have so much too learn, but will your trainer have the patience to send you down the right path? Jim, you are definitely the man, you have left me with a cliffhanger that is going to drive me nuts, until the next installment comes out! Name: J. Michael Straczynski's Midnight Nation #6 Publisher: Top Cow Writer: J. Michael Straczynski Drawn by: Gary Frank/pencils Jonathan Sibal/inks Price: $2.50 Comments: The story had me laughing in the beginning, as Laurel is mad that she has to head off into cold Chicago. Man, this story really gives me the creeps sometimes. I mean here we have David Grey who may become a Walker and everytime he uses his power to materialize in the real world, the more of a demon he becomes. He sees the other side of reality when he uses his power and I know he yearns like a mad devil in heat to go back into his reality and be with his love Sarah. For David, seeing Sarah in the other reality is like looking at a ghost. She can't hear him and he walks through her, like she was mist. Whatever is cast aside, David can use, so he uses the lipstick to leave her a sad message. This scene reminded me of Patrick Swayze in the movie "Ghost". Not only all the sadness which almost made me misty- eyed, but then we have David thinking about how bad he treated Sarah in the past. His love is so strong for her and then later David learns that the Walkers are watching and they will hurt his loved one to get at him. The Walkers really give me the heebie jeebies as they play mind games with Sarah and try to get her to commit suicide. It was a true touching moment, as David is able to touch Sarah, because she felt she was abandoned and eventually saves her. But, now David once again used his power and is now ever so close to becoming a Walker! Damn! This story is good! Name: Meridian #10 Publisher: CrossGen Comics Writer: Barbara Kesel Drawn by: Steve McNiven/pencils Jordi Ensign/inks Price: $2.95 Comments: Seeing the loggers destroying the trees almost had me creating a sign that would read `Stop destroying our forests!' I didn't like this scene, since I'm a person who wants a paperless society and wants our rain forests and other forests saved from the chainsaw blade. But, the loggers I have to admit in this story seem downright at home, in harmony with themselves and look up to the big guy named Cotson. Cotson was a tad bit like Paul Bunyan. Now the scene shifts to the evil Ilahn - Minister of Cadador, as I watch to see what he is preparing. Sephie has plenty to worry about and exclaims on how Ilahn is a monster and wants to control Demetria. Sephie has much planning ahead, as she must raise an army against Ilahn. Or perhaps there is another way? Steve McNiven drove me nuts with his gorgeous drawing of Sephie in that logger accident and depicting her flying and using her Sigil powers. What true magic was found in this brilliant drawing. Now that the loggers have seen Sephie use her unique powers, the main question arises, how will they react to what they saw? One thing I have to say about Meridian #10, you have got to LOVE this story! Name: Savage Dragon #83 Publisher: Image Comics Group Written and Drawn by: Erik Larsen Price: $2.95 Comments: This is a letter I just recently wrote to Erik Larsen about Savage Dragon #83. Another wonderful crossover issue! First off, I'm sorry to hear that you had pneumonia & bronchitis, that's a terrible thing to have. Today I sat back and enjoyed Savage Dragon #83. I always enjoy when Savage Dragon crosses over with someone. I would like to see Savage Dragon crossover with Lara Croft one day. I can see it now. Savage Dragon is stranded in Egypt, down on his luck, out of money and hungry. Out from the shadows, a dangerously looking lady steps out. Lara: You must be the Savage Dragon. Savage Dragon: Wow! Who are you, love those guns lady! Lara: I'm Lara Croft and I am in need of your services! Savage Dragon: Cool, the hotel is right down the street. Lara: "SLAP!" Savage Dragon: Ouch! Anyway, that's a fantasy crossover of mine, maybe one day it will come true. Anyway, let's talk about the issue in hand. Great action from the beginning, perked me right up from the start. While Savage Dragon is desperate to get out of that prison, Madman is saying he has no place to go. I can see why Savage Dragon might get upset with this guy. Madman would be content in a Turkish prison. What an icky feeling Savage Dragon must be feeling, having his hero friends Badrock & Barbaric haul him away to the arena, like he is a common convict. Mind tricks and mind control is weighing heavy into this story and I can't quite see how Savage Dragon is going to pull out of this one. I'm stumped. I felt the intensity, as Savage Dragon's hatred spills upon Brainape. The mind tricks have gotten completely out of control as Savage Dragon must now face down in heated battle against the Atomics and Madman. This cliffhanger is pumped up with high octane....I'm gassed up for more! This is good stuff Erik! MOE Sidenote: New at A1 Comics are the following comics: Wizards of Winter #1 by Antarctic Press; Wizard in Training #0 by The Upper Deck Company; Brian Michael Bendis Graphic Novel: Torso; Soulwind - The August Ones; Monster Magazine and Fanzine Collector Guide #2! Get them now, before they're gone! Multiverse Observer and Explorer signing off until next time..... ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [11] My View David LeBlanc ComicBkNet@aol.com [David LeBlanc is the Editor of the Comic Book Net Electronic Magazine. He is a long time fan of comics and the electronic media - having been the moderator of BBS comics forums on WME, FIDONET and the Comic Book Network. He and his wife are attempting to raise two sons in a suburb of Worcester, Massachusetts. David's favorite motivational phrase is: BEHOLD THE TURTLE, HE ONLY MAKES PROGRESS WHEN HE STICKS HIS NECK OUT!] CRUX #1 (black & white PREVIEW) CrossGen Comics, 32 Pages, on sale April 11 Written by: Mark Waid Pencilled by: Steve Epting Inked by: Rick Magyar Colored by: Frank D'Armata First issues are often a do or die proposition. Most of the time you can count on good sale if there is any interest from readers, the collectors for collecting sake will buy it anyway. The test is do you keep the readers coming back and bringing their friends with them? Having seen this story ahead of time I am here to tell you to jump on for the ride at the beginning. Mark Waid and Steve Epting will keep you coming back for more. Warning: SPOILERS BELOW, but first issues are hard to review without giving the reader lots of information. The story starts with a gifted youngster, Verityn, observing cave people from perhaps hundreds or thousands of miles away. He observes them discovering fire and shares that vision with two elders, Danik and Capricia. You see, they live on Atlantis, the ancient continent, and have often observed homo sapiens with their special talents. The female, Capricia is hopeful that this early version of human beings, with the Atlanteans guidance, may someday surpass even their own achievements. She is willing to fulfill that role, along with others of like mind. But Danik is with those who are ready to transcend the corporeal form and ascend to the next level of existence. Even as they speak the ascendants gather in the sky for the transition. She worries about the raw power that will be unleashed at the ceremony, even though those who will stay behind will be in stasis chambers. She regrets they are parting ways, without an effort to hold on to each other. These Atlanteans have gifts that they hone in one of five specialties: the mind - as telepaths and telekinetics the body - as those who push the limits of the flesh the spirit - the seers and psychics passion - manifesting external energy empathy - the shapeshifters, to which Capricia belongs Of the entire continent, 1142 elected not to join in the pooling of power that the others hope will lead to enlightened status. As they commence, Capricia sees a bright light from inside her chamber. She wonders what the others have done and the consequences it will bring. The next thing she knows the city is crumbling and water is all around. She emerges underwater, and amazingly she is able to breath and has armor now. A stranger informs her she must help him free 4 or 5 others to protect the rest from attacking beasts. She chooses twins, Gammid & Galvan who control portions of the electromagnetic spectrum, Zephyre who is swifter than any other, Verityn the boy seer, and Tug the telekinetic. They are not warriors, or super heroes. They are advanced beings with special gifts. But they had better act like warriors if they hope to stay alive and save their brethren. The Earth has changed a lot in 500,000 years! This has all the elements I look for in a comic. It has great artwork that is detailed and pleasing, that tells the story without trying to overwhelm and distract. The inks work well with the pencils and I am anxious to see the colors. Waid's story is engaging. There is exposition, character development, and some intrigue in the plot for the next issue. He does not overwhelm you with involved side issues, and vague multiple references to other things that you will be scratching your head about from one issue to the next. Often in creating a new "world" the writer is so detailed in his mind about the intricacies of where he wants to go and how everything fits together he may forget the reader does not have all that knowledge. More importantly, he has to spoon out details in a fashion that both helps the reader to understand the story, the characters and the big picture and entertains them along the way. Mark Waid is very capable in that regard. We are told that this title will be the key to understanding much of the CrossGen Universe. It will at last bring the planet Earth into the continuity and show us how that fits into the big picture. Indeed, it is more readable than some of the other titles. As a stand alone story it promises to keep interesting and not be a cookie cutter copy of other comics on the racks. How it weaves in the rest of the titles or characters will be interesting indeed. I'll let that part develop as it will while I enjoy the story at hand. I suggest you join me. OF THE COBRA #1 (ashcan edition) 16 pages, black & white Shaddowfish Comics www.sfcomics.com Writer: David Dentler Pencils: John Haack Inks: Ken Anderson The text pieces supporting the story claim the stories to be told are from ancient sources, secretly discovered, thought to be the thoughts of madmen, or perhaps myth. An intriguing premise, if the story plays up to the hype. It begins with a traveler, Narada, in the land of Udnih. He is seeking a cliff. What he finds is a small dwelling. The blowing desert winds play tricks on his vision - was that a dragon? He finds the house and is invited to eat and drink by the man inside. After a while Narada tells his host of his tragic life. He does not remember his father who left when he was too young. And later as he grew, the tragedy of his mother's death and the mysterious snake he followed away from the village. He ran searching for answers and perhaps found them at the top of a cliff. Perhaps there is more to tell in the full edition of the first issue. If it does not sound like much, well it is mostly set up for what to come. There is detail of the Narada growing up, living in the village, afraid to leave his mother. He is a wandering soul. There is not enough exposition to figure out where this will lead. The art is more interesting to me than the story so far. On this one, I would reserve judgement until there is a bigger dose. ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [12] TOP 100 COMICS FOR - MARCH Diamond Comics Distributors Quantity Rankings are based on orders placed by retailers and reflect total units ordered not dollar values of total ordered. Unit prices are given for reference only. This is NOT a list of comics that sold the most copies to the consumers - it is a list of ORDERS by DEALERS. TOP 100 COMICS QTY Rank Retail Rank Description Price PUB 1 1 252.72 ULTIMATE X-MEN #5 $2.25 MAR 2 2 244.01 UNCANNY X-MEN #393 $2.25 MAR 3 3 238.81 X-MEN #113 $2.25 MAR 4 7 194.72 ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #8 $2.25 MAR 5 9 178.16 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #30 $2.25 MAR 6 10 171.20 JLA #53 $2.25 DC 7 14 168.34 WOLVERINE #163 $2.25 MAR 8 15 166.14 ULTIMATE MARVEL SPIDER-MAN & HULK #3 $2.25 MAR 9 8 160.60 GREEN ARROW #3 $2.50 DC 10 17 156.05 AVENGERS #41 $2.25 MAR 11 5 147.96 DAREDEVIL #16 (RES) $2.99 MAR 12 6 147.54 DAREDEVIL #17 (RES) $2.99 MAR 13 4 140.15 DAREDEVIL YELLOW #2 (Of 6) $3.50 MAR 14 18 132.53 SPAWN #109 $2.50 IMA 15 16 122.67 TANGLED WEB THE THOUSAND #1 (Of 3) $2.99 MAR 16 22 122.27 FANTASTIC FOUR #42 $2.25 MAR 17 26 118.93 PETER PARKER SPIDER-MAN #30 $2.25 MAR 18 13 108.23 UNIVERSE X #9 (Of 12) $3.50 MAR 19 19 107.99 X-MEN UNLIMITED #31 $2.99 MAR 20 36 100.00 BATMAN #590 $2.25 DC 21 30 98.07 JSA #23 $2.50 DC 22 39 97.78 THOR #36 $2.25 MAR 23 40 96.62 SUPERMAN #169 $2.25 DC 24 11 96.07 BEASTS $3.99 MAR 25 31 95.85 DETECTIVE COMICS #757 $2.50 DC 26 32 94.14 MIDNIGHT NATION #7 $2.50 IMA 27 33 93.89 TOMB RAIDER #13 $2.50 IMA 28 25 92.48 FATHOM KILLIAN #2 $2.95 IMA 29 34 92.40 JLA BLACK BAPTISM #2 (Of 4) $2.50 DC 30 43 91.72 CAPTAIN AMERICA #42 $2.25 MAR 31 35 91.09 BATGIRL #15 $2.50 DC 32 44 91.04 IRON MAN #41 $2.25 MAR 33 45 90.74 X-FORCE #115 $2.25 MAR 34 20 90.15 X-MEN FOREVER #6 (Of 6) $3.50 MAR 35 27 88.87 MUTANT X #32 $2.99 MAR 36 28 88.34 DOLLZ #1* $2.95 IMA 37 48 88.21 NIGHTWING #56 $2.25 DC 38 50 87.24 ACTION COMICS #778 $2.25 DC 39 51 86.71 THUNDERBOLTS #51 $2.25 MAR 40 53 85.24 ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #591 $2.25 DC 41 54 84.11 SUPERMAN THE MAN OF STEEL #113 $2.25 DC 42 55 84.09 CABLE #92 $2.25 MAR 43 56 83.87 INCREDIBLE HULK #27 $2.25 MAR 44 57 83.16 GREEN LANTERN #137 $2.25 DC 45 46 80.82 BATMAN GOTHAM KNIGHTS #16 $2.50 DC 46 62 79.69 BATMAN LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT #142 $2.25 DC 47 63 79.43 DEFENDERS #4 $2.25 MAR 48 52 77.86 WITCHBLADE #47 $2.50 IMA 49 66 74.33 HARLEY QUINN #7 $2.25 DC 50 37 74.31 MARVEL KNIGHTS #12 $2.99 MAR 51 38 73.93 JUST A PILGRIM #2 $2.99 BLA 52 59 72.33 SPECTRE #4 $2.50 DC 53 61 72.19 TITANS #28 $2.50 DC 54 42 71.08 MINISTRY OF SPACE #1 $2.95 IMA 55 64 69.77 MONARCHY #3 $2.50 DC 56 24 68.52 UNIVERSE X OMNIBUS $3.99 MAR 57 76 66.95 FLASH #173 $2.25 DC 58 47 66.44 CITIZEN V #1 (Of 3) $2.99 MAR 59 77 66.35 WONDER WOMAN #169 $2.25 DC 60 78 66.32 ROBIN #89 $2.25 DC 61 49 66.09 STAR WARS JEDI VS SITH #1 (Of 6) $2.99 DAR 62 69 65.94 CAPTAIN MARVEL #18 $2.50 MAR 63 71 64.14 X-MEN THE HIDDEN YEARS #19 $2.50 MAR 64 58 62.33 POWERS #11 $2.95 IMA 65 74 61.54 YOUNG JUSTICE #32 $2.50 DC 66 60 60.36 STAR WARS UNDERWORLD #5* (Of 5) $2.99 DAR 67 75 60.34 BIRDS OF PREY #30 $2.50 DC 68 83 59.88 SPIDER-GIRL #33 $2.25 MAR 69 86 58.81 CATWOMAN #93 $2.25 DC 70 65 57.41 RED STAR #6 $2.95 IMA 71 91 56.57 DEADPOOL #53 $2.25 MAR 72 67 56.31 CRUX #1 $2.95 CRO 73 68 55.95 PROMETHEA #14 $2.95 DC 74 81 55.08 NO HONOR #3 $2.50 IMA 75 41 54.79 LEGION WORLDS #1 (Of 6) $3.95 DC 76 12 54.53 J SCOTT CAMPBELL DANGER GIRL SKETCHBOOK $6.95 DC 77 70 54.47 STAR WARS #29 THE HUNT FOR AURRA SING PART 2 (OF 4) $2.99 DAR 78 85 53.67 STARMAN #78 $2.50 DC 79 72 52.52 ARIA SOUL MARKET #2 $2.95 IMA 80 87 52.47 CODENAME KNOCKOUT #0 (MR) $2.50 DC 81 21 52.14 BATMAN LEAGUE OF BATMEN #1 (Of 2) $5.95 DC 82 73 51.57 TENTH RESURRECTED #1 $2.99 DAR 83 89 51.54 STEAMPUNK #8 $2.50 DC 84 29 50.90 GREEN LANTERN DRAGON LORD #1 (Of 3) $4.95 DC 85 94 50.57 BATMAN HOLLYWOOD KNIGHT #3 (Of 3) $2.50 DC 86 105 50.48 SUPERGIRL #57 $2.25 DC 87 95 50.16 GEN 13 #64 $2.50 DC 88 98 49.16 BLACK PANTHER #31 $2.50 MAR 89 80 47.13 OBERGEIST #1 $2.95 IMA 90 23 46.07 ENEMY ACE WAR IN HEAVEN #2 (Of 2) $5.95 DC 91 104 46.07 HELLSPAWN #9 $2.50 IMA 92 84 45.54 FIRST #6 $2.95 CRO 93 106 44.57 HELLBLAZER #161 (MR) $2.50 DC 94 88 43.72 SCION #11 $2.95 CRO 95 107 43.56 TRANSMETROPOLITAN #45 (MR) $2.50 DC 96 108 43.50 SAM AND TWITCH #21 $2.50 IMA 97 109 43.43 WILDCATS VOL 2 #22 $2.50 DC 98 90 43.27 MYSTIC #11 $2.95 CRO 99 92 42.43 SILKE #4 (Of 4) $2.99 DAR 100 93 42.35 BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #32* $2.99 DAR DC Takes Top Rank by Dollars, Marvel by Units Sold Comics, GNs, Comics, GNs, All Products Magazines Magazines Publisher Dollar Share Dollar Share Unit Share DC COMICS 25.37% 30.65% 31.74% MARVEL COMICS 20.27% 28.58% 34.74% IMAGE COMICS 6.97% 9.78% 10.74% DARK HORSE COMICS 5.41% 6.82% 5.23% PLAYMATES 2.41% N/A N/A WIZARD ENTERTAINMENT 2.40% 3.37% 2.48% VIZ COMMUNICATIONS 1.74% 2.40% 1.80% CROSSGEN COMICS 1.73% 2.44% 2.32% TOPPS COMPANY 1.45% N/A N/A CHAOS! COMICS 0.99% 1.32% 1.15% DYNAMIC FORCES 0.90% 0.70% 0.17% HASBRO 0.86% N/A N/A THE UPPER DECK COMPANY 0.84% N/A N/A JAPAN PUBLICATIONS TRADING CO. 0.82% N/A N/A GRAPHITTI DESIGNS 0.81% N/A N/A TOKYOPOP.COM 0.77% 0.99% 0.68% BOWEN DESIGNS 0.77% N/A N/A TOHAN CORPORATION 0.71% N/A N/A ANTARCTIC PRESS 0.64% 0.55% 0.39% JUN PLANNING CO., INC. 0.62% N/A N/A Other Non-Top 20 23.52% 12.40% 8.56% TOP 25 GRAPHIC NOVELS Qty Retail GUIDE Description Price PUB 1 5 31.71 LONE WOLF & CUB VOL 9 SHADOWS ECHOES TP $9.95 DAR 2 1 27.28 PREACHER VOL 9 ALAMO TP (MR) $17.95 DC 3 3 16.16 PUNISHER WELCOME BACK FRANK TP $24.95 MAR 4 7 14.22 QUOTABLE SANDMAN HC (MR) $9.95 DC 5 6 11.96 TOP TEN BOOK ONE TP $14.95 DC 6 2 8.75 SPIRIT ARCHIVES VOL 4 HC $49.95 DC 7 9 8.71 STAR WARS DARTH MAUL TP $12.95 DAR 8 14 8.60 SAILOR MOON POCKET MIXX GN VOL 9 $9.95 TOK 9 16 8.34 BROMS LITTLE BLACK BK $9.95 SIR 10 4 7.13 GREEN LANTERN ARCHIVES VOL 3 HC $49.95 DC 11 8 6.80 STARMAN VOL 6 TO REACH THE STARS TP $17.95 DC 12 24 6.27 ESSENCE ART OF YOSHITOSHI ABE $7.95 FNB 13 18 5.92 ALIENS VS PREDATOR VS THE TERMINATOR TP $11.95 DAR 14 11 5.02 DARKMINDS VOL 1 PARADOX TP $19.95 IMA 15 25 4.93 SPYBOY TRIAL & ERROR TP $9.95 DAR 16 27 4.81 GUNDAM WING POCKET MIXX VOL 3 $9.95 TOK 17 19 4.60 GUNDAM WING VOL 1 GROUND ZERO TP $14.95 VIZ 18 20 4.56 MASAKAZU KATSURAS SHADOW LADY SUDDEN DEATH TP $14.95 DAR 19 12 4.48 MYSTIC VOL 1 TP $19.95 CRO 20 13 4.40 AGE OF BRONZE VOL 1 A THOUSAND SHIPS TP $19.95 IMA 21 15 4.25 SIGIL VOL 1 TP $19.95 CRO 22 22 3.84 STAR TREK OTHER REALITIES TP $14.95 DC 23 17 3.75 ORION 3RD ED TP $19.95 DAR 24 23 3.53 VIDEO GIRL AI VOL 3 RECALL TP $15.95 VIZ 25 26 3.21 ESSENTIAL FANTASTIC FOUR VOL 1 TP NEW PRTG $14.95 MAR ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [13] New Comic Book Releases List [NCRL] by Charles LePage chuck@comiclist.com +++WINNER OF THE 1996 REC.ARTS.COMICS.* "SQUIDDY" FOR BEST WEB SITE+++ http://www.comiclist.com New Comic Book Releases List for Wednesday, 4/11/2000, compiled by Charles LePage with information from Suncoast Comics. This is the *preliminary* list and is not complete. The completed list is posted weekly, usually Tuesday evening, at http://www.comiclist.com and other places. You can receive this list each Tuesday via email by following the instructions at the web site, or you can email NCRL-subscribe@egroups.com PLEASE NOTE- Not all of these titles will actually arrive in all stores. Let CHARLES know if any of the names or numbers are wrong. chuck@comiclist.com (Charles LePage) PUBLISHERS: If you know when your comics are going to be available through Diamond, please email chuck@comiclist.com so that he can place your comics on the appropriately dated list. Thanks! "TPB" = "trade paperback". "GN" = "graphic novel". "AA" = "available again". "SC" = "softcover". "HC" = "hardcover". "S/N" = "signed/numbered". "AR" = "ask retailer about price". PUBLISHER TITLE, ISSUE NUMBER, PRICE IN U.S. DOLLARS AAAARGH! COMICS Desperate Times Vol 2 #3, 2.95 AMAZE INK (SLAVE LABOR GRAPHICS) Gloom Cookie #7, 2.95 Highway 13 #2, 2.95 Waiting Place Vol 1 TPB, 15.95 Waiting Place Vol 2 #8, 2.95 ANTARCTIC PRESS Courageous Princess The Quest TPB, 12.95 ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS Archie Digest #180, 2.19 Archies Weird Mysteries #13, 1.99 Sabrina Vol 2 #18, 1.99 BONGO COMICS Radioactive Man #222, 2.50 CARTOON BOOKS Rose #2 (Of 3) (resolicited), 5.95 CHAOS! COMICS Insane Clown Posse Pendulum #8, 5.99 Jade #1, 2.99 Jade Premium Ed #1, 9.99 Lady Death River Of Fear #1, 2.99 Lady Death River Of Fear Premium Ed #1, 9.99 Purgatori Love Bites #1, 2.99 Purgatori Love Bites Premium Ed #1, 9.99 CPM MANGA Geobreeders #25, 2.95 Lodoss War Chronicles Heroic Knight #7, 2.95 Martian Successor Nadesico #22, 2.95 CROSSGEN COMICS Crux #1, 2.95 Scion #11, 2.95 DARK HORSE COMICS Angel Cordelia Special #17, 2.99 Angel Cordelia Special Photo Cvr #17, 2.99 Rockstar Games Oni #3 (Of 3), 2.99 DC COMICS Adventures Of Superman #591, 2.25 Azrael Agent Of The Bat #77, 2.50 Batman #590, 2.25 Batman League Of Batmen #1 (Of 2), 5.95 Gen 13 Science Friction, 5.95 Harley Quinn #7, 2.25 Impulse #73, 2.50 JLA Black Baptism #2 (Of 4), 2.50 Nightwing #56, 2.25 Planetary #14, 2.50 Star Trek Other Realities TPB, 14.95 Starman #78, 2.50 Swamp Thing #14, 2.50 Transmetropolitan #45, 2.50 Weird Western Tales #3 (Of 4), 2.50 EL CAPITAN BOOKS Stray Bullets Innocence Nihilism Pack, 14.95 FANBOY ENTERTAINMENT INC Mobius Klein #1 Silent Mobius Side 0, 2.95 Spellbound Magic Of Love #1 (resolicited), 2.95 FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS Ghost World Film Ed TPB, 9.95 Mystic Funnies #1 B&W Ed, 3.95 IMAGE COMICS Astounding Space Thrills Galaxy Size #1, 4.95 Double Image #3, 2.95 Go Girl #3, 3.50 Goldfish The Definitive Coll TPB, 19.95 Kabuki Agents Scarab #7, 2.95 Mech Destroyer #1, 2.95 Top Cow Classics Witchblade #25, 2.95 Warlands Special Three Stories, 5.95 IRONCAT Futabakun Change Vol 4 GN, 15.95 MARVEL COMICS Amazing Spider-Man #30, 2.25 Black Panther #31, 2.50 Iron Man #41, 2.25 Spider-Girl #33, 2.25 Universe X Omnibus, 3.99 X-Men #112, 2.25 X-Men Blink #4 (Of 4), 2.99 X-Men The Hidden Years #19, 2.50 NBM Boneyard #2, 2.95 ONI PRESS INC. Return Of Alison Dare Little Miss Adv #1 (0F 3), 2.95 PENNY FARTHING PRESS Loch Vol 2 HC Knowledge Journey, 17.95 VIZ COMMUNICATIONS Animerica Extra Vol 4 #5, 4.95 Dragonball Part 3 #11 (Of 14), 2.95 Inu Yasha Part 5 #11 (Of 11), 2.95 Pulp Vol 5 #5, 5.95 WIZARD ENTERTAINMENT Toyfare Mummy Returns Cvr #46, 4.99 Toyfare Shrek Cvr #46, 4.99 magazines Comic Shop News #721, AR Comicology Volume #3 (resolicited), 5.95 NCRL for the foreseeable future... TITLE OLD RELEASE DATE NEW DATE DARK HORSE COMICS Pop-Out People: Futurama 06/27 07/13 Pop-Out People: Simpsons 06/27 07/13 DC COMICS Danger Girl Sketchbook 04/11 05/02 House of Secrets: Façade #2 04/04 04/18 Monarchy #2 03/21 04/18 Monarchy #3 04/18 05/16 Orion and Darkseid Deluxe Action Figure* 06/27 06/06 Tom Strong #12 01/24 04/18 Tom Strong #13 03/21 05/16 Tom Strong #14 05/30 06/13 Tomorrow Stories #10 02/14 04/18 IMAGE Goldfish: The Definitive Collection 04/11 04/18 Mage: The Hero Defined Vol. 4 04/18 Powers #11 05/02 Powers TP Vol. I 2nd Prtg. 04/18 Rising Star Vol. I TP 2nd Prtg. 04/18 Rising Stars #14 04/11 04/18 Spawn #107 04/04 04/25 Spawn: The Dark Ages #25 04/25 Spawn: Vol. 12: Immortality 04/04 04/18 ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [14] HYPE! Section Various As reported in Newsarama . . . DC COMICS PREVIEWS THEIR 2001-'02 OFFERINGS Earlier this afternoon in Dallas, Texas, as part of its weekend-long `Retailer Roundup' focus group with members of the comic book retail community, DC Comics held a slide show program highlighting some of the publishers most high-profile upcoming projects, including brand new ongoing and limited series, a host of new original graphic novels, and updating the status of current and previously announced new projects. DCU GREEN ARROW As Kevin Smith`s first year nears its conclusion, Oliver Queen learns the secret behind his return and discovers how much the world has changed while he`s been away. Green Arrow solves a Star City murder case that has baffled him since his return and faces threats from every corner of the DCU. GREEN LANTERN: THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF HAL JORDAN Hardcover, Fourth Quarter 2001 Writer Joe Kelly, penciler Brent (Astro City) Anderson and inker Bill Sienkiewicz team-up for a hardcover graphic novel focusing on the life and times of Hal Jordan, legendary Green Lantern in life and now the Wrath of Vengeance the Spectre in death! Starting at Hal`s funeral, Last Will and Testament follows Hal`s friend Tom (Pieface) Kalmaku, and portrays the betrayal Tom felt after Hal`s fall from grace. Interweaving action and drama from Hal`s heroic career with the reactions of loved ones, Last Will - like The Life Story Of The Flash - follows the life and times of a tragic herro, through his times of heroic bravery to his final attempt at redemption. THE POWER COMPANY Some new and powerful players are about to make a big splash in the DC Universe, but they`re not your everyday superhero team. Get ready for The Power Company - a superpowered law firm composed of hard-hitting members with extraordinary abilities, combining all-new creations with established DCU characters. Created by Kurt Busiek and Tom (Superboy) Grummett, the Power Company takes on high profile cases as well as pro-bono work, often while getting right in the middle of the action of their cases. The Power Company debuts in a 16-page preview story in this December`s JLA, and then takes part in a special weekly event In January 2002. Then in February, The Power Company ongoing series makes its debut, as Busiek, Grummett, and inker Wade (Starman) Von Grawbadger offer a unique approach to superbeings in the DCU. [In a conversation with Newsarama Saturday afternoon, Busiek offered this amendment to DC's announcement. Said the writer, "One minor correction to DC`s announcement of The Power Company - they`re not a `super-powered law firm'. They`re a professional super-team organized like a law firm, with partners, associates, billable hours, pro bono work and such, but only one of them is a lawyer and they`re not a law firm. You`re not going to see them in court (at least not arguing cases!), not going to see them taking depositions, stuff like that. They will have clients, ranging from corporations to the government to folks that need the Company`s help even if they can`t pay for it, and more. But this isn`t `Ally McHulk, I promise you that...!"] JLA/AVENGERS Four Issues, Fourth Quarter 2002, DCU/Marvel It`s the crossover event most requested by comics fans! The World`s Greatest Heroes of the DC Universe meet Earth`s Mightiest Heroes of the Marvel Universe in the crossover event of the new millennium. JLA/Avengers is a four-issue prestige format series (two published by DC, two by Marvel) written by Kurt Busiek and illustrated by George Perez. JLA/HAVEN: ARRIVAL One issue, Prestige Format, Fourth Quarter 2001 When an entire alien city crash lands on Earth, the JLA is there to make sure things are all right. The city - whose name translates to `Haven' in English - is actually a prison city inhabited by diverse races of aliens with extraordinary abilities. How will they assimilate into a USA presided over by the likes of President Lex Luthor? Written by newcomers Ashley-Jayne Nicolaus and Matthew Schuster and illustrated by Ariel Olivetti (X-Man, JLA: Paradise Lost), the prestige one-shot leads into the nine-issue Haven: The Broken City miniseries, which follows the aliens` plight and the sinister threat that has followed them to Earth. Then, another prestige one-shot, JLA/Haven: Anathema, wraps up the Haven story. JLA/Haven: Arrival introduces a colorful cast of new alien races and powerful beings, as Haven becomes a permanent location within the DCU. JLA Mark Waid, Bryan Hitch and Paul Neary end their run on JLA by pitting the team against the return of the White Martians from `New World Order'. But the Martians now are resistant to the fire-weakness that was able to stop them the first time. The Atom also joins the team, replacing a founding JLA'er, to help confront the villains who almost killed them once before but who are now stronger and more organized than ever. Issue #60, Waid`s final issue, ties up all the loose ends from his run. Then in JLA #61, the creative team of writer Joe Kelly and Superman: The Man Of Steel artists Doug Mahnke and Tom Nguyen jump on board. JSA The JSA faces even bigger threats, more roster changes, and dramatic new surprises this year. Following the events of the `Return of Hawkman' storyline that culminates in the extra-sized JSA #25, Geoff Johns takes solo writing reins. Hawkman then spins-off into a brand- new MONTHLY SERIES written by Johns and James Robinson, with art by Rags (Hourman) Morales and Michael (JSA) Bair. Meanwhile, back in JSA, SHAZAM to challenge Black Adam`s claims of being a hero rather than a villain, and a seductive new villain named Roulette tries to force JSA'ers to take part in her gladiator-style matches. Look for the return of Solomon Grundy, plus a guest-appearance by Batman, in December. THE SPECTRE Written by JM DeMatteis, art by Ryan Sook Hal Jordan moves to complete his transformation into the Spirit of Redemption and creates an extra-dimensional headquarters. With the Spectre`s mission now defined, it`s time for Hal to start attending to his life and some of the loose ends left hanging after his death. His friends and family are aware of his return, but Hal is a ghost and that causes different reactions in everyone. Can they look beyond his past actions? Plus, the final fate of Abin Sur! Will he stay by his friend`s side or choose to move on to his final rest? DEADMAN: DEAD AGAIN A special five-part weekly event this August follows everyone`s favorite dead acrobat, Boston Brand, as he plays a pivotal role in the deaths of four major DCU heroes. Dead Again revisits the deaths of the Flash (Barry Allen), Robin (Jason Todd), Superman, and Parallax (Hal Jordan) (illustrated by Leonard Kirk, Jim Aparo, MD Bright and Rick Burchett), and shows how Deadman was right there for each of them. Dead Again follows Deadman as he attempts to save the fallen heroes` souls, leading into an all-new Deadman ONGOING SERIES this September by writer Steve Vance and new artist Josep Beroy. DOOM PATROL Fourth Quarter 2001, DCU The weirdest super-hero team ever gets a brand new look when four new members join Doom Patrol mainstay Cliff `Don`t Call Him Robotman' Steele. Written by John (Gen13) Arcudi and illustrated by newcomer Tan Eng Huat, this new Doom Patrol brings out the bizarreness of the original team while blending Arcudi`s trademark humor with pulsating action and Eng Huat`s detailed and frenetic artwork. The new Doom Patrol will face a host of strange new adversaries that will put the original DP`s rogues gallery to shame. THE LEGION Fourth Quarter 2001 Following the events of Legion Lost and Legion Worlds, the 31st- Century superheroes face all new threats and a fragile United Planets in a new ongoing series this fall. Written by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning and illustrated by Olivier Coipel (the creative team behind Legion Lost), with occasional arcs illustrated by Mike McKone, The Legion finds the young heroes struggling to rebuild their team to its former glory. With Leland McCauley now President of the United Planets, and the interstellar Stargates out of commission, the Legion has its work cut out for them. And when a familiar threat to the DCU emerges to face the Legion for the first time, the team may not have a chance to rebuild fully before they are torn asunder. WONDER WOMAN: TRUTH Fourth Quarter 2001 The fourth tabloid-sized book by the team of writer Paul Dini and painter Alex Ross is a tribute to the amazing Amazon Princess. Throughout her career, Wonder Woman has been an inspiration and a heroine to those in need. Crimefighter, peacemaker, and, when she has to be, warrior - there is no doubt the world is a better place for Diana`s heroism. But in Truth, readers discover that Diana is not always comfortable in her role as Wonder Woman. Adopting a plainclothes identity, Diana embarks on a worldwide odyssey to see if she can make an effect on the world. In the end, she proves to herself and others that the truest strength comes from within. WONDER WOMAN: THE HIKKETEIA HC Hardcover, First Quarter 2002 Wonder Woman is caught among three perilous options when a young woman takes an Amazon precept to a dangerous extreme. Wonder Woman: The Hikketeia is a hardcover graphic novel written by Greg Rucka. Guest- starring Batman, The Hikketeia is illustrated by J.G. (Marvel Boy) Jones and inker Wade Von Grawbadger. WONDER WOMAN Writer/artist Phil Jimenez extends his run beyond his initial one-year commitment, delivering heart-stopping action and dramatic new developments in Wonder Woman`s life. Diana is hit hard by this summer`s `Our Worlds at War' event, and at the same time must face the deadly double threat of a new Silver Swan and the Cheetah. If that weren`t enough, Circe returns seeking revenge, turning the male superheroes of the DCU into animals for the female villains to hunt and kill. Wonder Woman gathers Black Canary, Power Girl, Zatanna, and other female heroes to save the male heroes before they become `game'. Also, Donna Troy backups are promised at the end of the year. For more with Phil Jimenez on his extended Wonder Woman run, click on the link. THE FLASH: IRON HEIGHTS Third Quarter 2001 A deadly virus is loose in Iron Heights Penitentiary, Keystone`s maximum security prison, and the Flash find a cure before the virus consumes every inmate. Written by The Flash`s Geoff Johns and illustrated by Ethan (Impulse)Van Sciver, this prestige one-shot introduces a brand-new Rogues Gallery for the Scarlet Speedster. The impact of this one-shot will heat up The Flash ongoing series for months to come, complicating Wally`s life with new adversaries. SUPERMAN The Our Worlds at War storyline has tremendous fallout in the Superman titles, as the War causes unexpected changes in the Man of Steel, while those around him look on helplessly. Some of them, especially Lois Lane, face tremendous war-related challenges all their own. Adventures Of Superman sees the new creative team of Joe Casey and artist Mike Wieringo take over with issue #592, taking the 21st- century approach to Superman to new heights. JLA: OUR WORLDS AT WAR #1 This summer`s Our Worlds at War event brings devastation, destruction and death upon the DCU - chronicled in all four Superman titles, ten DCU specials (all with covers by Jae Lee), a Secret Files issue, and tie-ins to several DCU books. The JLA are hit hard as one of their long-time members falls in battle. Written by Jeph Loeb with art by Ron Garney (in his first work for DC), this extra-sized one-shot shows the JLA going full throttle against the intergalactic threat of Imperiex and his destructive probes. But what happens when the JLA is not enough? The events in JLA: Our Worlds At War #1 have lasting repercussions in the JLA title for months to come, meaning this extra- sized special is not to be missed! BIZARRO COMICS HC The DC Universe is seen through the eyes of Superman`s `imperfect duplicate' this June when the best and brightest of the independent and small press comics scene contribute their twisted versions of classic DC super-heroes! Bizarro Comics is a 240-page hardcover that includes the Eisner-winning short story Letitia Lerner - Superman`s Babysitter by Kyle Baker and Liz Glass! Bizarro Comics also features a framing sequence by Chris Duffy and Stephen DeStefano, and the talents of James Kolchalka, Brian Ralph, Dylan Horrocks, Dean Haspiel, Jason Little, Jessica Abel, Craig Thompson, Dave Cooper, Ivan Brunetti, Paul Pope, Jay Stephens, the Hernandez Bros., Evan Dorkin, Bob Fingerman, Tony Millionaire and many, many more. With a cover by The Simpsons creator Matt Groening, Bizarro Comics is destined to be one of the most important projects of 2001, as it brings many vital and important comics creators to the mainstream of the medium in a big - and bizarro - way. BATMAN/DEATHBLOW: AFTER THE FIRE Fourth Quarter 2001, Wildstorm/DCU Batman crosses paths with Wildstorm renegade Deathblow in a completely unexpected manner this fall, in a three-issue prestige miniseries by writer Brian Azzarello and the art team of Lee (Superman/Gen13) Bermejo and Tim Bradstreet. Batman discovers a mission the deceased Wildstorm hero began but never finished. With repercussions that threaten the safety of the entire world, Batman`s compelled to follow Deathblow`s trail. BATMAN: THE 10-CENT ADVENTURE Written by Greg Rucka, Art by Rick Burchett, One issue, Third Quarter 2001 This one-shot lives up to its name with a full-length issue for a mere dime! That`s right! For only $.10, there`s no reader who can pass up this fast-paced tale. Featuring Batman`s Gotham City supporting cast, Batman: The 10-Cent Adventure finds Bruce Wayne accused of murder, and ends on a riveting cliffhanger that leads into the pivotal story titled Bruce Wayne: Fugitive. THE JOKER: LAST LAUGH Written by Chuck Dixon and Scott Beatty, Art by Various, Covers by Brian Bolland, Six issues, Fourth Quarter 2001 The madcap madness of the Joker - one of the most heinous criminals in DCU history - is about to be multiplied a dozenfold this fall. When the Joker believes his days are numbered after a medical exam reveals a spot on his brain, he decides to go out with a bang - developing a way to `Jokerize' the other villains of the DC Universe and have them do his bidding. Beginning in Last Laugh, a six-part weekly series in the month of October and first week of November, the `Joker madness' then spreads into nearly all the DCU titles that month, as the world`s superheroes must face their already deadly enemies who now have unpredictable, murderous `Joker personalities'. HARLEY QUINN The new Harley Quinn series races towards a shocking extra-sized issue #12, which will take everything you`ve come to know and love about this book and turn it on its ear! But first, get prepared for the reintroduction of the original, accept no substitutes Batgirl! But how can that be possible when Barbara Gordon, the original Batgirl, is in a wheelchair? Meanwhile, Harley`s still in the clutches of Killer Croc, Bo and Surely of the Stooges have a tender, defining moment, and the Quinntets get a new member - Matches Malone! Writer Karl Kesel and artists Terry Dodson and Rachel Dodson then build towards the very shocking climax in issue #12, featuring the final fate of the Stooges, the end of Jack Happi`s quest, and the Quinntets destroyed from within(?). Then, in issue #13 - the issue that ties in to The Joker: Last Laugh event - the heroes and villains of the DCU are after Harley for the secret of the Joker`s serum! And she thought having a price on her head was bad. CATWOMAN Volume 2 Fourth Quarter 2001 Following a four-part backup serial in Detective Comics that has detective Slam Bradley searching for the missing Catwoman (after the events in the final issue of Catwoman Vol. 1), Catwoman returns in a stylish, all-new ongoing series by writer Ed Brubaker and artists Darwyn (Batman: Ego) Cooke and Cameron Stewart. But this time, Selina Kyle finds herself even more of an outlaw than before. Plus, look for things to heat up between Catwoman and a certain Dark Knight. JUST IMAGINE. Written by Stan Lee, Art by Joe Kubert, Cover by Adam Hughes, One Issue, Prestige Format, Third Quarter 2001 One of the most eagerly awaited projects of the year begins as the very first of Stan Lee`s Just Imagine. series of one-shots arrives in July with Just Imagine Stan Lee With Joe Kubert Creating Batman! Living legends Lee and Kubert present a Batman unlike any seen in comics before! This stand-alone one-shot introduces Wayne Washington, a black man framed for armed robbery. Consumed with thoughts of revenge against those who framed him, Wayne is freed from prison with a powerful physique and a bold new purpose...a purpose he acts out as a masked wrestler called `Batman'. Plus, a backup story (written by Lee and movie producer Michael Uslan with art by Michael Wm. Kaluta) focuses on the lives of the everyday people in the Just Imagine... universe. The Just Imagine. one-shots continue throughout 2001, focusing on Lee`s interpretations of Superman (John Buscema), Wonder Woman (Jim Lee), the Flash (Kevin Maguire), Green Lantern (Dave Gibbons), and the JLA (Jerry Ordway)! The remaining six one-shots are planned for 2002. THE DARK KNIGHT STRIKES AGAIN! STATUE DC DIRECT. A striking image from comics` most anticipated sequel will be immortalized by DC Direct. Sculpted by William Paquet and based on designs by Frank Miller, this statue features a leaner, more heroic Dark Knight, together with the new Catgirl! THE DARK KNIGHT STRIKES AGAIN! Three-issues, Prestige Format, Fourth Quarter 2001 15 years after Frank Miller`s comics masterpiece, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Miller himself returns with the eagerly-awaited sequel The Dark Knight Strikes Again! Set a few years after the original, Batman reemerges with a new sense of purpose, joined by the mutant gang members he took to his cave who have now become his troops, and Carrie Kelly - having graduated from being Robin to becoming the new Catgirl. In this new America, the other heroes of the world have vanished, and no one knows where they have gone. It`s up to the world`s greatest detective to find out - and to get them back into action. The Dark Knight Strikes Again! features return appearances by Superman and Oliver Queen, as well as the appearances of other classic DC superheroes such as Wonder Woman, Captain Marvel, the Flash, Martian Manhunter, the Question, and the Atom! BLACKHAWK ARCHIVES VOL. 1 HC Third Quarter 2001 Blackhawk was one of the most enduring comics features, starring an unforgettable, multi-ethnic cast of aviators. Now these Golden Age tales of war are collected in the Blackhawk Archives Vol. 1 HC - reprinting material from Military Comics #1-17, and featuring the talents of such luminaries as Will Eisner, Chuck Cuidera, Reed Crandall, Dick French, and others. DEADMAN COLLECTION HC/SLIPCASE Fourth Quarter 2001 In the tradition of last year`s Green Lantern/Green Arrow Collection HC comes the Deadman Collection HC, reprinting the classic supernatural superhero`s Silver Age adventures in one massive volume! This deluxe slipcased edition contains material from Strange Adventures, The Brave And The Bold (co-starring Batman), the rarely- seen backups from Aquaman, guest appearances in other titles - as well as a few surprises! Most of these tales were illustrated by the legendary Neal Adams, with contributions by writers Dennis O`Neil, Jack Miller, Robert Kanigher, Arnold Drake, Jack Harris, and Bob Haney, and artists Carmine Infantino, George Tuska, Dick Dillin, and more! SGT. ROCK ARCHIVES VOL. 1 HC 2002 Nothing`s ever easy for Easy Company, as this new collection proves time and time again. One of the greatest war heroes ever has made a big comeback in the DC Universe recently. As General Frank Rock, he`s appeared in the Superman books as a member of President Lex Luthor`s cabinet - and soon, he will be heading an all-new Suicide Squad. Now follow the combat-happy `Joes of Easy Company through the battlefields of World War II, with the introductions of Rock, the Ice Cream Soldier, Bulldozer and the rest, in Sgt. Rock Archives Vol. 1 HC, reprinting classic war stories from Our Army At War by Robert Kanigher, Joe Kubert (beginning with Our Army At War #83) and others. SUGAR and SPIKE #1 (Facsimile Edition) In 1956, after a successful career as a comics editor (All Star Comics) and writer/cartoonist (Scribbly), Sheldon Mayer introduced his most beloved and unforgettable creations in the classic comic Sugar and Spike #1. These adorable but mischievous tots, who were inspired by the antics of Mayer`s own children, enjoyed a run of nearly 100 issues. Now in 2002, DC re-presents the hard-to-find first issue of Sugar and Spike in a special facsimile edition, just in time for. SUGAR and SPIKE SOFT TOYS DC DIRECT, 2002 Because it was too perfect and too irresistible an idea not to do, DC Direct is proud to present the Sugar and Spike Soft Toys - adorable plush representations of these two lovable and mischievous tots. WILDSTORM/ABC/CLIFFHANGER/HOMAGE NINJA BOY Written by Allen Warner/Ale' Garza, art by Garza/Dan Norton, Third Quarter 2001 Artist Al, Garza (E.V.E. Protomecha) launches a wild new ongoing series filled with action and adventure. Set in feudal Japan, Ninja Boy follows Nakio, a ninja youth, and his two older brothers who are members of the Mugen Ninja Clan being trained by their grandfather in the secret arts. But Ninja Boy`s first solo mission goes terribly wrong, resulting in the capture of his grandfather and the rest of the clan by an evil lord. Ninja Boy must gather together heroes to help him battle the evil lord and save his clan. Ninja Boy is the first of several Wildstorm Universe titles reflecting a `Pacific' style and themes. GEN13 (W) Warren (A) Benes/Russell/various Adam Warren continues to take the Gen13 gang to new heights of odd, post-postmodern irony and hilarity. The all-subplot issue (#66) features an array of artists including J. Scott Campbell (his first Gen13 art in years), Jim Lee, Whilce Portacio, Lee Bermejo, Kaare Andrews, Brian Stelfreeze, Rick Mays, and Terry Dodson! A thread left hanging since issue #56 is explored, when Fairchild promised to do an unspecified favor for the evil Ivana, no questions asked. THE AUTHORITY The old Authority is gone. A new Authority has taken its place. Welcome to a new era for the Wildstorm Universe. Transfer of Power begins a four-issue story arc in June`s The Authority #23, interrupting the Brave New World story that began in The Authority #22 because, well, the new Authority felt like it. Written by Tom Peyer and illustrated by Dustin Nguyen and Richard Friend, Transfer of Power follows the new team composed of members with very familiar looks but sporting all-new codenames. Brave New World resumes with The Authority #27-29 written by Mark Millar and illustrated by Arthur Adams. Then readers will be treated to a special two-part story writer Garth Ennis and artist Bryan Hitch - who returns to the title that made him a superstar. Then, in 2002, The Authority returns with an all-new #1 issue and Mature Readers label featuring the new creative team of Brian Azzarello and Steve Dillon. THE MONARCHY The spin-off from The Authority continues in each issue written by Doselle Young with art by John McCrea, Garry Leach and others, as more is revealed and the destiny of the Monarchy is realized. Over the second half of this year, Jackson King and Christine Trelane act as weather watchers - correcting imbalances in the super-system before they happen - while restoring the already upset balance any way they can. The Monarchy continues to explore its roots within the WSU and encounter more local heroes and a few old villains. In the background, a gathering storm known as Chimera is prepared to strike. And neither King nor Trelane sees it - or perhaps it`s that they don`t want to see it. Eventually, the Monarchy and all its agents are forced to confront Chimera. THE ESTABLISHMENT Fourth Quarter 2001 It`s superhero action with a British attitude! After a preview story in The Authority #24, writer Ian (X-Force) Edginton teams with Charles (Batman: Scarface - A Psychodrama) Adlard to bring the adventures of The Establishment - Wildstorm`s newest super-team, and England`s answer to the Authority. Join Charlie Arrows, Paul Frost, Ian Hotspur, and others from the Establishment as they explore the twin unseen worlds of British pop culture and the Empire`s version of the Wildstorm Universe. PLANETARY ACTION FIGURES DC DIRECT, Fourth Quarter 2001 Now the characters from Warren Ellis and John Cassaday`s Wildstorm series form an exciting new trio of action figures from DC Direct. All three Planetary Action Figures come with pegged stands emblazoned with the Planetary logo upon which the figures may be posed, and are individually packaged in four-color blister packs. OUT THERE CLIFFHANGER. Four adventurous high school students are about to discover that their idyllic hometown of El Dorado has been taken over by demons - but they`re the only ones that seem to notice or care! Superstar Humberto Ramos returns to the Cliffhanger imprint with an all-new ongoing series Out There - reuniting with his Crimson collaborators, writer Brian Augustyn and inker Sandra Hope. Out There is a fun, sexy comics adventure that returns Ramos to the more lighthearted action genre that first garnered him so much attention on books such as Impulse, yet retains the suspenseful elements of the popular Crimson series. STEAMPUNK (W) J. Kelly (A) Bachalo/Friend The industrial gothic adventure love story continues from Cliffhanger! July`s issue #9 begins a new four-part story taking Cole Blaquesmith on a trip across Europe, in the company of new allies - including a strange, living computer. Stonehenge has disappeared, and in its place is a mysterious city within a pit. Blaquesmith then travels to France, where he meets an 80-year old mechanical Napoleon, and then visits `The Land of Seven Veils', a unique, German version of Las Vegas. FOUR WOMEN Four issues, Fourth Quarter 2001, HOMAGE, Mature Readers Sam Kieth, writer/artist of The Maxx and Zero Girl, returns to Homage Comics with an all-new miniseries: Four Women. In this powerful tale, four women find themselves in a life-threatening, traumatic situation - only to come through it stronger than any one of them could have imagined. The story takes an unflinching look at the real-life consequences of a truly brutal, yet believable, action. DESPERADOES: QUIET OF THE GRAVE Second Quarter 2001, HOMAGE Desperadoes, the critically-acclaimed horror Western returns this summer in a new five-issue miniseries from Homage Comics. Writer Jeff Mariotte is joined by legendary artist John Severin. "If John Severin didn`t invent comic-book Westerns," says Mariotte, "they were invented with him in mind." Gideon Brood and his fellow band of adventurers face down a family who wants revenge and a lynch mob that`s closing in. But the twists in this story will throw you for a loop when what seems like a straightforward adventure turns suddenly grim, as odd disappearances point toward something more sinister than initially meets the eye. STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION - FORGIVENESS Third Quarter 2001 Bestselling science fiction author David Brin (Startide Rising, Sundiver, The Postman) tackles his first-ever comics project and his first-ever Star Trek project at the same time - with a fully-painted Next Generation hardcover featuring art by Scott (The Sandman Presents: Lucifer) Hampton! In Brin`s story, the inventor of transporter technology is himself transported by an early device - with no retrieval station. 300 years later, the Enterprise-E spots a stray transporter beam rushing through space and brings it aboard...but no one can predict what the consequences will be. Hard science fiction meets Star Trek in this history-making book! FARSCAPE Third Quarter 2001 Based on the Sci-Fi Channel series, this two-issue prestige format mini-series features is written by Marv Wolfman and illustrated by Robert (Star Trek: Voyager - Planet Killer) Teranishi. Farscape follows John Crichton, the near-future astronaut whose experimental ship is flung across the galaxy where he has hooked up with a rogue crew of cutthroats. The Farscape cast finds itself caught between two worlds warring over possession of a third planet. EVERQUEST The online role-playing game from Verant Interactive becomes a series of comics projects from Wildstorm, with the first prestige one-shot coming out this fall, co-written and penciled by Jim Lee. Joining Lee is co-writer Brad McQuaid (producer of the Everquest game) and inker Scott Williams. This one-shot introduces brand-new characters into the Everquest environment, while exploring the Everquest world in new depths. More Everquest one-shots and miniseries will follow from Wildstorm in the future. TOM STRONG`S TERRIFIC TALES Fourth Quarter 2001, ABC America`s Best Comics A bi-monthly anthology book with three stories in every issue. The Tom Strong feature is written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Paul (Mister X) Rivoche, and will be a tad more gritty than the solo Tom Strong book. The Jonni Future feature is written by Steve (America`s Best Comics Special #1) Moore - the man whom Alan Moore credits with teaching him how to write comics - and is illustrated by Arthur Adams. In Jonni Future, which takes place four billion years in the future, almost anything can happen! Finally, Young Tom Strong, which is also written by Steve Moore and illustrated by Alan Weiss, we take a look back at Tom`s formative years on the island of Attabar Teru - learning how he developed into Millennium City`s greatest hero! The extra-sized first issue (with a cover by Alex Ross) also features a bonus story: a Tesla tale by Alan Moore and Jaime (Love And Rockets) Hernandez! GREYSHIRT: INDIGO SUNSET Fourth Quarter 2001ABC Spinning from the pages of ABC`s anthology title Tomorrow Stories, Greyshirt, the Indigo City detective, stars in his own six-issue miniseries. Writer/artist Rick Veitch, co-creator of Greyshirt with Alan Moore, shares the spotlight with guest creators that include Dave Gibbons, Al Williamson, John Severin, David (V For Vendetta) Lloyd, Frank (Liberty Meadows) Cho, and Russ Heath! The last eight pages of each issue feature stories from the Indigo Sunset newspaper that comment on and add depth to the comics stories that precede them. For much more information, click on the Greyshirt: Indigo Sunset link (scroll down to the Newsarama Digest section). PROMETHEA ABC. Writer Alan Moore and artists J.H. Williams III and Mick Gray continue their award-winning run. Promethea continues her strange journey through the realm of Immateria accompanied by Sophie Bangs. Meanwhile, Sophie`s cynical friend Stacia remains in New York and becomes her own version of Promethea - and New York`s champion - while Sophie is away. And keep your eyes open for more unexpected appearances by everyone`s favorite simpering simian, Weeping Gorilla! BEYOND THE DCU THE POWERPUFF GIRLS (W/A) Various Some of the most popular villains from the Cartoon Network series join Mojo Jojo and the Amoeba Boys in the pages of Powerpuff Girls later this year, as Princess and Sedusa make their comic-book debuts! Look for a collection of some of the regular issues this winter, and, when details are final for its release, an adaptation of the eagerly- awaited Powerpuff Girls movie! JUST-US-LEAGUE OF STUPID HEROES ACTION FIGURES DC DIRECT, Fourth Quarter 2001 That idiotic moron that you can`t help but love is starting his very own superhero group, and all the members consist of himself! That`s right, Mad Magazine`s resident buffoon Alfred E. Neuman has formed the Just-Us-League Of Stupid Heroes - a brand new line of DC Direct action figures that show Alfred dressed up as DC Comics` classic superheroes! First up are the Man of Steel and the Dark Knight. The Alfred E. Neuman As Batman figure features two sets of hands, a removable utility belt with removable Bat/Banana-rang, a yo-yo and a cloth cape. Alfred E. Neuman As Superman features two sets of hands and a piece of translucent green Kryptonite, plus a chain and a ridiculously short cloth cape. More Just-Us-League Of Stupid Heroes will follow, so watch out! MAD ABOUT SUPER-HEROES TP Fourth Quarter 2001 Mad Magazine has spoofed just about everything in history, and super- heroes are no exception. The best of MAD`s superhero parodies are collected in this 176-page trade paperback, featuring a 16-page color section and a cover painting by newly-minted MAD-man Alex Ross. TOR BY JOE KUBERT VOL. 1 HC Second Quarter 2001 JOE KUBERT LIBRARY. For over 60 years, Joe Kubert has been one of comics` finest artists, with his work on Hawkman, Sgt. Rock, Enemy Ace, Tarzan, and the more recent, award-winning Fax from Sarajevo earning him accolades around the world from both comics fans and professionals alike. Now DC Comics presents the first book in the Joe Kubert Library: TOR Volume 1, an oversized (8 1/2" x 11") hardcover showcasing one of Kubert`s most legendary creations - TOR. Featuring the same high-quality standards of the DC`s Archive program, TOR Volume 1 is the saga of a noble, yet uncompromising primitive man attempting to survive alone (except for his loyal simian friend Chee- Chee) in a savage world of dinosaurs, disasters and devious men. Some of TOR`s adventures are presented here for the first time in color. THE NAME OF THE GAME Hardcover/Softcover Graphic Novel, Third Quarter 2001 WILL EISNER LIBRARY. Following last year`s Minor Miracles, legendary comics creator Will Eisner returns with an all-new graphic novel. This tumultuous generational saga portrays two families - the wealthy Arnheims and the impoverished Kayns - as they struggle to maintain and improve their social status. Along the way, the function of marriage and family as social institutions is explored as a typically colorful cast struggles with their own inner and outer conflicts, painting a compelling picture of life, family and religion in the first half of the 1900s. VERTIGO CODENAME: KNOCKOUT Covers by Chiodo/J.G. Jones The new ongoing series from Vertigo continues from writer Robert Rodi and the art team of Louis Small, Jr. and Mark Farmer, delivering the action-packed exploits of bombshell super-spy Angela St. Grace and her loyal boy sidekick, Go-Go Fiasco. Angela continues to straddle the fence between the forces of G.O.O.D. and E.V.I.L. while destroying empires of dictators and continuing to look absolutely fabulous. Also, some startling `fleshbacks' reveal how Angela`s mother Celeste fell in love with her arch-nemesis Damon Devlin, and how Angela and Go-Go first met way, waaaay back in 1997 when Angela was enrolled at Signora Carichana`s Swiss finishing school for girls. Hey! What exactly was Go-Go doing there? 100 BULLETS Written by Brian Azzarello`s, Art by Eduardo Risso, Covers by Johnson Following the Red Prince Blues storyline, in which Agent Graves makes a major move against the Trust, July`s 100 Bullets #26 offers a special `starting point' issue for new readers, while delivering juicy new tidbits for fans who have been with the series from the start. Featuring a framing sequence by Risso, #26 has a host of comics biggest names contributing pages, including Frank Miller, Jim Lee, Dave Gibbons, J.G. Jones, Paul Pope, Lee Bermejo, Tim Bradstreet, Mark Chiarello, and more. The rest of the year features a three-part spotlight on Dizzy Cordova as she gets a new mission from Sheperd. Then, a brand-new Minuteman is introduced, and Cole Burns returns to turn up the heat on the Trust. TRANSMETROPOLITAN Covers by J.G. Jones/Moebius Warren Ellis` and Darick Robertson`s Transmetropolitan series races toward its explosive conclusion, with a little more than a year to go. The City has been declared a Federal emergency disaster zone following the Ruinstorm that hits at the end of the Dirge storyline. This leads directly to the President visiting the City to personally survey the damage, and what will be Spider`s next-to-last face-to-face encounter with the man. There`s a massive story hanging here, whose roots began with the assassination of Vita Severn, that, if properly investigated and told, could unseat the President. And only Spider and his team of filthy assistants could do it. He just has to live long enough to write it. It`s very simple.Either Spider wins or he dies. And if he wins, he may still die anyway. THE CRUSADES (W) Seagle (A) K. Jones/J. Moore When the first Crusade concludes in issue #5, there is irrefutable proof of the existence of `the Knight'. Anton Marx, San Francisco`s loudest and most controversial radio personality, would do anything to break the story, but his girlfriend/fact checker Venus is going to make it very difficult for him. When the second story arc of The Crusades begins, we learn that the Knight has taken a terrifying turn, as he`s gotten reckless in his attempts to protect innocent bystanders. With civilians dying side-by-side with criminals, the SFPD steps up its hunt for the man wrapped in metal. AMERICAN CENTURY Covers by Chaykin Howard Chaykin`s new Vertigo series continues to reveal the dark underbelly of 1950s America in Los Angeles Without a Map. Joined by co-writer David Tischman and artists Marc Laming and John Stokes, Chaykin chronicles the story of Harry Kraft as he returns to the U.S., taking an eye-opening look at the Boulevard of Broken Dreams. As Harry gets caught in the middle of a nasty kidnapping case involving a Hollywood starlet, the government uses its muscle to `out' suspected communists, and the mob muscles its way into the movie business. In Southern Comfort, Harry`s finally found happiness.in the bed of a moonshiner`s daughter in North Carolina. But with Harry, trouble`s never far behind. A Yankee ATF agent`s teamed with the local sheriff to stop the illegal distribution of White Lightning; the Ku Klux Klan`s on the warpath; his girlfriend thinks she`s pregnant; and a rival`s ready to push the pedal to the metal to see him dead. What`s a nice boy like Harry supposed to do? BARNUM! Hardcover, Second Quarter 2002 Chaykin and Tischman team up again to bringreaders the greatest show on earth! Set in the late 1800s, Barnum! chronicles mythical exploits of the famous showman and his sensational band of circus performers as they travel cross-country from NYC to San Francisco - as undercover agents for the government! Featuring art by newcomer Niko Henrichon, Barnum! is at once a compelling portrait of the legendary showman and a hilarious action-packed farce - putting a new spin on circus freaks, all in the name of justice for the great nation of America! For an in-depth interview with the Chaykin/Tischman team, with more information on both these projects, click on the link. BIGG TIME Graphic Novel, First Quarter 2002 What do you do when your `guardian angel' just happens to hate you and is determined to ruin your life? That`s what happens to Lester Bigg in Bigg Time, a dark comedy from the twisted mind of writer/illustrator Ty (Plastic Man Special) Templeton. Lester is a street bum who`s determined to be famous at all costs, but after an accident renders Stavros, his guardian angel, visible, the mean-spirited sprite is forced to help him. Along the way, Lester and Stavros discover that even in a world obsessed with media, becoming a celebrity isn`t easy. 100% Five issues, Third Quarter 2001 Following his acclaimed Vertigo miniseries Heavy Liquid, indy writer/artist Paul Pope returns with a new project in the same format. Set in a moody, urban twilight of nightclubs, cafes and city streets, 100% follows the romantic exploits of three couples in a futuristic Manhattan. Ensconced in the underbelly of boxing, hardcore performance art and underworld crime, the passionate 20-something characters experience sex, love and entertainment - and their unsettling repercussions - at 100% impact. I, PAPARAZZI Hardcover, Third Quarter 2001 Writer Pat McGreal and photographer Stephen John Phillips brought a new level of sophistication to the comics medium with Veils. Now they`ve teamed up again to bring I, Paparazzi - a psychological thriller that follows an edgy, relentless paparazzo who stumbles onto something greater than his usual scandalous shots of inscrutable young movie stars. Set against the blistering backdrop of nighttime New York, our protagonist uncovers an unusual network of stars, models and political backroom dealers who are secretly gathering to affect the world order under some very strange and bizarre circumstances. GODDESS TP Third Quarter 2001 Jesse Custer was just starting to look for the Lord when Garth Ennis introduced readers to Rosie Nolan, an ordinary young woman whose violent paranormal powers elevate her to the status of a god.well, actually, a Goddess. But as Rosie dodges CIA operatives and attempts to keep her priorities straight, she begins to learn the extent of her powers and what they might mean to the world. This fast-paced, darkly- humorous miniseries, densely illustrated by Phil Winslade (Wonder Woman: Amazonia, Daredevil/Spider-Man), is collected for the first time. WAR STORY: SCREAMING EAGLES One issue, Prestige Format, Fourth Quarter 2001 In this World War II tale, written by Garth Ennis and illustrated by Dave Gibbons, the burned-out, half-starved paratroopers of the 101st Airborne Division stumble upon a huge cache of Nazi treasure. Quickly forgetting that there`s a war on, the men revel in their newfound riches, only to face the consequences when an American general arrives upon the scene. Screaming Eagles is the first of four WW II-inspired Vertigo one-shots by Ennis to be released this year. Future one-shots include War Story: D-Day Dodgers, about an unjustly maligned British infantry unit, illustrated by John (Pride and Joy) Higgins, War Story: Nightingale, set on a Royal Navy Destroyer, illustrated by David Lloyd, and War Story: Johann`s Tiger, about a German tank crew, illustrated by Chris (Enemy Ace: War In Heaven) Weston. THE SANDMAN PRESENTS: DEAD BOY DETECTIVES Four issues, Second Quarter 2001 The latest miniseries in The Sandman Presents line stars Edwin and Charles, the British schoolboys who cheated Death of The Endless in The Sandman: Seasons Of Mists and now live afterlives of eternal fun and adventure. The mini-series is written by Ed Brubaker, with art Bryan (The Tale of One Bad Rat) Talbot and Steve (The Sandman Presents: Petrefax) Leialoha, and featuring covers by Dave McKean. The boys set up shop as detectives-for-hire out of their treehouse in back of a haunted mansion in central London, getting involved in a series of misadventures in which they learn that eternal youth isn`t necessarily all it`s cracked up to be. Look for upcoming The Sandman Presents projects: The Corinthian: Death In Venice (a three-issue mini-series by Darko Macan and Danijel Zezelj), The Thessaliad (a three-issue mini-series by Bill Willingham and Shawn McManus), and The Furies (a 96-page hardcover written by Mike Carey and painted by John Bolton). LUCIFER (W) Carey (A) Gross (C) Fegredo Lucifer has moved into the god business, creating his own cosmos in the void beyond the gate and populating it with his own beings. But now he has to deal with the slow-ripening plots of Izanami and an unexpected threat from the sentient deck of cards called the Basanos. Meanwhile, Mazikeen has become a power in her own right, a fact that makes her relationship with Lucifer suddenly a lot more complicated. And English schoolgirl Elaine Belloc continues to be drawn deeper and deeper into these events as she struggles to cope with her celestial heritage. The stage for this title just goes on getting bigger, with the spotlight in the second year falling as much on Hell as on Earth and Heaven. HUNTER: THE AGE OF MAGIC Third Quarter 2001 With the conclusion of The Names Of Magic miniseries, Timothy Hunter finally has discovered his true name and destiny. Now, The Names Of Magic creative team of writer Dylan Horrocks, artist Richard Case and cover painter John Bolton show us Tim as a young man of 18, confident and powerful in his new role. The new ongoing series Hunter: The Age Of Magic will bring Tim Hunter`s life full-circle to resemble more closely the original The Books Of Magic miniseries by Neil Gaiman - as Tim embarks on adventures that will fully explore all of his magical capabilities, while traveling to far and distant lands and familiar DC landmarks. THE LITTLE ENDLESS STORYBOOK One Issue, Prestige Format, Second Quarter 2001 Jill Thompson`s L'il versions of the Endless characters from The Sandman have been much in demand ever since their first appearance, and now they star in their very own storybook, combining text and full-page paintings by Thompson (Scary Godmother). The story follows Barnabus, Little Delirium`s puppy, in his quest to find Little Delirium (when the two get separated during a walk) through the waking world and then the realms of the seven Endless. Designed to be accessible to any reader, The Little Endless Storybook is suggested for "Mature Readers of All Ages." LOVECRAFT Hardcover, First Quarter 2002 What if legendary horror writer H.P. Lovecraft`s tales of slithering terrors and otherworldly beasts were not fiction, as we`ve always assumed, but were in fact real? That`s the question this graphic novel poses as it traces the convergences - and conflicts - between Lovecraft`s life and the writhing monsters he portrayed so believably in his writing. Keith Giffen adapts Lovecraft from a screenplay currently in development by horror director John Carpenter, with European artist Enrique Breccia providing fully painted, and truly disturbing, artwork. KING DAVID Fourth Quarter 2001 Eisner Award-winning cartoonist Kyle Baker produces his latest work, King David - a new Vertigo graphic novel that`s a comic and epic retelling of the tales of King Saul and li`l David. King Saul`s life was just fine and dandy until this little David kid came into the picture and soured everything. It`s now "David this" and "David that" - it`s all about David, apparently. Saul is determined to get rid of the kid, at any cost, but his hopeless missions backfire in his own death. Now, will David, adored by the people of Israel, be able to rise to the challenges of being king, or will he be doomed to repeat Saul`s mistakes? Only Kyle Baker could poke fun of this biblical tale and get away with it. +++++ UNCLE FRANK'S LIBERTY MEADOWS NEWSLETTER APRIL 2001 GREETINGS, MONKEY BOYS AND MONKEY GIRLS! It's been a tremendous couple of months, But I have some good news and some bad news. Despite LIBERTY MEADOWS being nominated by the Harvey Awards AND THE NATIONAL CARTOONIST SOCIETY for best comic strip of the YEAR, my hometown newspaper, the WASHINGTON POST has dropped LIBERTY MEADOWS and replaced it with a PC family strip called "Agnes". Don't take my word for it, hear it from the WASHINGTON POST. Here's the notice on the WASHINGTON POST comics page: "Beginning today, we are testing a new comic strip, "Agnes", about a witty young girl who is poor but wise beyond her years. "Agnes" will appear in the place of "Liberty Meadows" for the next four weeks on a trial basis...We'd like to know what you think of this change. Give the new strip a few weeks, then tell us: Should it stay or go? You can write to the Comics Feedback, 1150 15th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20071; call our Comics Hotline at 202-334-4775; or Email us at comics@washpost.com". If you're having trouble getting through, here are other numbers to the WASHINGTON POST: General Number (Ask for the Features Editor or the Style section Editor): 202-334-6000 WASHINGTON POST fax number: 202-334-6467 Contact the WASHINGTON POST and voice your opinion. (Please be polite, I don't want to add fuel to the fire.) Some self-starting fans of my strip have already started writing to the POST and I thought I'd include a few of those letters here, as examples: Good afternoon, I am a devoted Washington Post reader and fan of the "Liberty Meadows" strip. To my dismay, I just learned that you have replaced "Liberty Meadows" with another strip, "Agnes." Even if "Agnes" is a wonderful strip, I submit that nothing can take the place of "Liberty Meadows." I voiced my concern a few years ago when the Post proposed to replace "Liberty Meadows" with another strip, and now wish to call this concern to your attention again. "Liberty Meadows" is my favorite strip -- in fact, it was one of the major reasons I started subscribing to the Post. It demonstrated that the Post was willing to take a bit of a risk on a strip that appeals to those looking for something more creative, funny, and inspired than the "Family Circus." Mr. Cho's artwork is exceptional, and his wit is sharp. I will be extremely disappointed if you do not continue to run "Liberty Meadows." Please reconsider your decision. Thank you for your attention. Sincerely, Jennifer Dean And another one: Dear Sir or Madam: I appreciate your wanting to introduce new comic strips. I don't, however, understand why the Post has once again targeted "Liberty Meadows" for replacement. It is both well drawn and funny, unlike many of the strips that have run untouched for years in your paper. It is also drawn by a local talent who is still alive, which should account for something. Please reconsider your decision and return "Liberty Meadows" to the comics page soon (tomorrow!). Thank you. Jim Villani (a Post subscriber) <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Okay, now that's out of the way. IS ART: the Art of Insight Studios, our fancy new art book, will be out this month in conjunction with a grand art gallery show in Georgetown, Maryland. This will showcase all the beautiful artwork that all the monkeys at Insight Studios have been churning out these past years. So you're a fan of smut...er... my stuff, or Marc Hempel or Mark Wheatley, swing on down to Georgetown and see all beautiful originals that the wall can hold. The Hippie has a news release attached to this newsletter with all the information! Syndication Front: Nothing new, someone in the newspaper hates LIBERTY MEADOWS for being funny, well drawn and not politically correct so they want to drop it (see above). Oh, I have a brand new syndicate editor (# 7) who has a great sense of humor and is doing her best to get all the jokes approved. Great job, Karen! Censored Strips: The new LIBERTY MEADOWS website will be up and running within the month. There will be tons of new pages devoted to censored LM strips, including the infamous "Donkey Punch" comic strip. (You don't want to know.) This censored section on the web will be updated on a regular basis, so keep your eyes peeled, my space cadets! Questions of the Month: * How did your German trip go? Great. Germans love smut...er...LIBERTY MEADOWS (and they continue to love David Hasselhoff). * I don't know if this is something that you want to let people on your mailing list know about, but the WASHINGTON POST just removed LIBERTY MEADOWS for a "trial" run of a new strip. They actually stopped in the middle of a storyline, which I think is an insult to fans of the strip. There is a number and e-mail to call/write and I'd like to spread the word to other fans to mobilize them. Can you offer any suggestions? Call and write to the WASHINGTON POST, repeatedly. Also start a writing campaign and collect signatures and send it to the WASHINGTON POST editors. * Hey, dude. I heard that you made a bet with John Staton (super manga artist)on whether or not you'll finish the CAVEWOMAN comic book before John finishes his new DMV webstrips. What was the bet and who's winning? You are correct, sir. The bet is for a steak dinner in a fancy restaurant, loser to pay. The deadline for our projects is December 25, 2001. So far, I'm winning. Mmmmm. Steak... Well, gentlemen (and I use that word loosely) and ladies, Happy Hour...er...Deadlines beckon and gotta hit the drawing board. XXOO Uncle Frank CONVENTIONS AND STORE SIGNINGS (Stalkers read and memorize these dates): April 4, 2001, Tuesday morning. Martin Luther King Middle School Lecture on cartooning and art career. (Students and teachers only) April 14, 2001. Saturday, Noon - 3pm. BEYOND COMICS 3060 M Street NW (Georgetown) Washington, DC 20007 (202) 333-8651 with Playboy Playmate Tiffany Taylor April 20 - 22, 2001. Friday, Saturday, Sunday. WONDERCON Oakland, California April 27 - 29, 2001. Friday, Saturday, Sunday. PITTSBURGH CON Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania May 19, 2001. (TBA) WESTFIELD COMIC SHOP Wisconsin July 19 - 22, 2001. Thursday - Sunday SAN DIEGO COMIC CON San Diego, California Whew. I need a nap. And now, here's Mark "The Hippie" Wheatley with more news from the monkeyhouse, INSIGHT STUDIOS: INSIGHT STUDIOS NEWS insight@insightstudiosgroup.com ILLUMINATION ARTS GALLERY GAINS INSIGHT Exhibition celebrates achievements, release of IS ART! Baltimore, MD – A showing of original art by Frank Cho (Liberty Meadows, Frank Cho Illustrator), Marc Hempel (Breathaker, Sandman) and Mark Wheatley (Radical Dreamer, Titanic Tales) will take place at the Illumination Arts Gallery, on M Street, in Georgetown. The exhibit opens May 12 with an invitation-only showing and runs through June 2001. "Illumination Arts Gallery offers us a large showcase for sizable selection of work," says Insight's Mark Wheatley. "It's located in the heart of the shopping and gallery district of the Georgetown area." Local and national artists, authors, industry professionals and fans are expected to be in attendance for the formal opening. Noted colorist José Villarrubia will serve as curator of the exhibit. Illumination Arts Gallery is managed by Devon Sanders. The show is co-sponsored by Jon Cohen and Beyond Comics. "We're extremely proud here at Beyond Comics to be sponsors of the IS ART show. Our attitude has always been to take the comics retail store in new and innovative directions by creating an exciting and diverse atmosphere for the comics shopper. With our new Georgetown location, we feel we can take this attitude to the next level by offering such high end experiences as this show, continuing to bring the comics world into the respectable mainstream," Cohen says. "We hope that this will serve to kick off more events along these lines in the future, emphasizing comics not just as an exceptional entertainment medium but as a unique art form as well." Located at 3060 M Street NW 3rd Floor, Washington, DC 20007 in Washington, D.C.'s artistic Georgetown section, Illumination Arts Gallery can be reached by phone at (202) 333-8651 "This recognition for the art behind the stories at Insight Studios is long overdue," says Villarubia. "The launch of IS ART: The Art of Insight Studios and their numerous other projects makes this a great time to celebrate the work of Frank Cho, Marc Hempel and Mark Wheatley. I hope everyone who can will join us for this exhibit." Insight Studios Group, 7844 St. Thomas Drive, Baltimore, MD 21236, publishes books, comic books, and on-line daily and weekly comic strips. Insight Studios print titles are available through Diamond Comic Distributors, FM International, and Cold Cut Comics Distribution. Recent publications include the comic books Hammer of the Gods and Liberty Meadows, the on-line strips Doctor Cyborg and The Body, and the books Jimgrim and the Devil at Ludd, Titanic Tales, Frank Cho Illustrator and IS ART: The Art of Insight Studios. Insight Studios can be found on the Internet at www.insightstudiosgroup.com and www.sunnyfundays.com. Insight Studios Group supports the efforts of the toll-free Comic Shop Locator Service. Can't find a comic shop? Call (888)COMIC BOOK for the store nearest you! Have Fun! Mark Wheatley http://www.InsightStudiosGroup.com http://www.SunnyFundays.com http://www.LibertyMeadows.com http://www.DoctorCyborg.com +++++ From Diamond's April Press Releases: CONTACT: Andrew Smith, Marketing Manager (410) 560-7100 sandrew@diamondcomics.com March 30, 2001 April Exclusives: Products to Shower You with Sales! This month, Diamond Comic Distributors' Previews catalog provides retailers with products that will "reign" with their customers - including Dynamic Forces' Darkchylde Miniature Busts, Linsner.com's Dawn: Back in Black Print #1, and much more! Previews Exclusives These items are available only through the Previews catalog. Darkchylde: Ariel 1:8 Scale Bust (APR012133-4I) and Darkchylde: War 'n Peace 8-inch Bust (APR012135-6I): Available in both a Regular Edition and a Special Edition, each statue is sculpted by Howard Kalish (from a design by Darkchylde creator Randy Queen) and comes with a base. Both editions of the Darkchylde: Ariel 1:8 Scale Bust depict Ariel transforming into the Darkchylde, and measure approximately 5 ®" tall, while both editions of the Darkchylde: War 'n Peace 8-inch Bust measure approximately 8" tall. Dawn: Back in Black Print #1 (APR012262F): The debut offering from Linsner.com, this full-color, approximately 16" x 20" print features Dawn in her original black corset outfit from Cry for Dawn. Demonslayer: Vengeance Previews Exclusive Prism Foil #1 (APR011988I): Limited to 500 Copies, this 32-page variant comic ships bagged and boarded, and features a Certificate of Authenticity. Tomb Raider Magazine #4 Previews Exclusive Edition (APR012500H): This issue of the popular 52-page magazine features articles, contests, and news - as well as action-packed Tomb Raider and Witchblade comics strips. Featuring a Previews Exclusive variant cover with Lara brandishing two pistols, it also contains a free poster. Diamond Select Toys & Collectibles These items are specially created by Diamond's sister company, which works with toy suppliers to develop, manufacture, and market toy products for both specialty and mass-market retailers. Chaos! Chastity Orb (APR013169H): Intricately hand-painted (on the inside of the glass) and ready to display, the collectible stands approximately 4" tall (6" tall with free-spinning mahogany wood stand featuring 360-degree articulation) and showcases the cover to Chaos! Comics' Chastity: Theatre of Pain #1. Featuring a Certificate of Authenticity, this must-have collectible is scheduled to ship to stores on May 30, 2001. Dark Alliance Series I "Hellfire" Lucifer Figure (APR013078H): This variant figure comes cast in fiery, clear red plastic - and features a rooted beard, three heads on chains, and a bone staff. Packaged in a Dark Alliance Series 1 blister card, this collectible figure is scheduled to ship to stores by June 21, 2001. Lady Death Standard Edition and Special Edition Busts (APR013174-5H): Fully painted in cold-cast resin, this approximately 6"-tall sculpt comes packaged in a custom box with a Certificate of Authenticity. Sculpted by Tim Bruckner, the Standard Edition is limited to 3,000 sets, while the Special Edition (which includes foil-enhanced Certificate of Authenticity hand-signed by Bruckner and creator Brian Pulido) is limited to 300 sets. The Standard Edition is guaranteed to ship to stores by July 25, 2001, and the Special Edition is guaranteed to ship to stores by August 18, 2001. Shared Exclusives These items are exclusively available to Diamond customers through Previews, and to retailers in non-competing markets. Batman: Arkham Asylum Escape Boxed Set (APR013080J): Featuring window box packaging - and scheduled to ship in June 2001 - this Shared Exclusive with Toys 'R Us includes animated-style figures of Batman, Two-Face, Poison Ivy, and Harley Quinn. 7th Sea #3 (APR012343F): Based on Alderac Entertainment's 7th Sea Collectible Card Game - and a Shared Exclusive with Alliance Game Distributors - this collector's item comic comes with an exclusive 7th Sea playing card. Specialty Market Exclusives These items will be exclusive to comics shops and other specialty markets. This month's Previews catalog also offers again the Famous Covers Bring on the Bad Guys Figures (APR013083H), the Marvel History Greatest Moments Series 2 Figures (APR013082H), the The Matrix: Agent Smith as Matrix Action Figure (APR013117H), the Chaos! Reaper Busts (APR013170- 1H), the Frazetta Special Edition Figures (APR013095J-6H), and the Special Edition Bisley "End of Eden" Figure (APR013097H) - offering retailers another opportunity to bring these best-selling exclusives into their stores, and another chance to sell them to consumers who are looking high and low for them! Art for all of these products is available upon request. First Retailer Focus Group Dates Announced In March, Diamond Comic Distributors announced plans for its Retailer Focus Groups - a new program designed to solicit and respond to customer feedback on key topics and issues facing today's comics specialty market. This month, Diamond is pleased to announce that the first of these will be held on April 29 and 30, at Diamond's Home Office in Timonium, MD. The topic for the inaugural Focus Group is "How to Grow Graphic Novel and Trade Paperback Sales." As reported last month by Diamond Vice President of Marketing Roger Fletcher, "[Diamond's Upper Management Team] pinpointed our industry's growing sales of Graphic Novels as an area of further opportunity. We asked ourselves what's fueling this trend, and how we can help our customers make the most of it, and came to the conclusion that we should get a cross-section of retailers together to give us their feedback and suggestions on the subject." Attendees to the Retailer Focus Group will arrive in Baltimore on Sunday, April 29 for dinner and check-in. The main meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 30 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with a break for lunch. A number of exciting extracurricular activities are planned as well, ensuring that the event will be as fun as it is informative. A second Retailer Focus Group will be held during the summer, in order to discuss possibilities for helping retailers to expand their businesses. While the first Focus Group is full, Diamond customers who wish to express an interest in participating in the second session can contact Diamond Director of Special Projects John Davis (djohn@diamondcomics.com) or Retail Promotions Coordinator Allan Greenberg (gallan@diamondcomics.com). Retailers should continue to refer to future issues of Diamond Dialogue and Diamond Dateline for Focus Group updates as they become available. 2001 Retailer Summits on the Horizon This fall, Diamond Comic Distributors and Alliance Game Distributors will invite comics, gaming, and other specialty shop owners from across the country to meet and interact with hundreds of their fellow retailers, dozens of top industry suppliers, and Diamond and Alliance personnel at the 2001 Retailer Summits, three two-day events which will be held in Ft. Wayne, IN; Baltimore, MD; and Las Vegas, NV. The 2001 Retailer Summits will offer retailers a host of unique opportunities, which include: An Exhibit Hall, where top industry vendors will showcase upcoming comic books,graphic novels, games, miniatures, toys, videos, trading cards, and more. Multi-Track Retailing Workshops, in which retailers can gain valuable information and guidance on a variety of industry-specific and general business topics. Table Topics Luncheons, where guests will be encouraged to exchange ideas and discuss issues that impact their business and the industry with representatives from Diamond, Alliance, and suppliers.Opening Night Reception, entertainment events, and open gaming. Summit Sale Pricing on hundreds of in-stock items. Freebies, prizes, and exclusive items available only to Summit attendees. "With the Retailer Summits, we wanted to encourage interaction amongst retailers, vendors, and key Diamond and Alliance personnel," explained Diamond Vice President of Marketing Roger Fletcher. "The large scope of the Summits allow us to bring together a wide cross-section of the industry at each one, which can only lead to a more open exchange of ideas." The first Retailer Summit, to be held in Ft. Wayne, IN, on September 8 and 9, will feature Alliance's annual Open House Shopping Day at the Ft. Wayne warehouse. The second one will be held in Baltimore, MD, on September 22 and 23, while the third will be held in Las Vegas, NV, in October. Watch future issues of Diamond Dateline, Diamond Dialogue, Alliance Your Turn, and daily e-mails for more information on the 2001 Retailer Summits - including Registration details - as it becomes available. Summer Heats Up with New Catalogs Summer is just around the corner, and retailers looking to stock up for the busy retail season can do so in style - thanks to Diamond Comic Distributors' Star System Summer 2001 Catalog and Mega Manga and More! Catalog 2001. The Star System Summer 2001 Catalog (APR010005J) contains more than 3,000 sought-after items currently in stock at Diamond's Star System, making it a great way for comics specialty shops to replenish their backlist bestsellers before the busy summer sales season begins. As an added bonus - and as a direct result of customer feedback - the 2001 edition of the catalog marks the first time that manga graphic novels will be listed in their own category, making it easier than ever for retailers and their customers to track down these top-selling items. The catalog is free to retailers in quantities equal to the number of Previews that they order, with Extras (APR010006J) available at a Net Cost of 50> each. The Mega Manga and More! Catalog 2001 (APR010007J) showcases an incredible selection of profitable manga merchandise, including comics, books, toys, posters, clothing, and more, ensuring that your customers won't have to go anywhere else to satisfy their J-Pop cravings. As with the Star System Summer 2001 Catalog, Mega Manga and More! is free to retailers in quantities equal to the amount of Previews they order, with Extras (APR010008J) available at a Net Cost of 35> each. The Star System Summer 2001 Catalog and Mega Manga and More! Catalog 2001 are both available in the April Previews Order Form for shipping in June. Diamond Cuts Prices on Legends in 3D Diamond Comic Distributors and Legends in 3D are joining forces to bring comics specialty shops top-quality busts at greatly reduced prices, ensuring that these beautifully sculpted collectibles will be even more attractive to retailers as they are to consumers. Legends in 3D is known for their incredible selection of high quality busts, statues, snow globes, and models based on today's hottest properties and characters, and their busts - which predominately feature the sculpting talents of master artisan Greg Aronowitz - have never been more popular. (Beginning in April, Diamond will offer a collection of best-selling Legends busts at prices previously unheard of, with many being sold to retailers at as much as 60% off the original wholesale price - meaning that there's no better time than now to capitalize on this growing trend.) This month, the selection includes the Tick 8®" Cold-Cast Bust (APR013196H, $29.95), Star Wars: Boba Fett Bust (APR013197H, $89.95), Star Wars: Cantina Band Member Bust (APR013198H, $69.95), Star Wars: Emperor Palpatine Bust (APR013199H, $59.95), Star Wars: Greedo Bust (APR013200H, $59.95), and the Star Wars: Tusken Raider Bust (APR013201H, $69.95). As an added bonus, each bust ships in a collector's box illustrated by some of the top talents in the industry, including Tim Flattery, Drew Struzan, and others. Future issues of Previews will offer busts based on characters from Battlestar Galactica, Terminator 2, Betty Boop, The X-Files, Star Trek, and more at similarly discounted prices. Star System Order Form Evolves In the February issue of Dialogue, Diamond announced changes to the Star System Order Form, including the following: removing the Star System Order Form from the Previews Retailer Order Form and including it in Dateline instead as a separate publication (a change which took place in March), and consolidating manga titles into a separate section, following the regular Trade Paperbacks and Graphic Novels section (a change which takes place beginning with the April version of the Star System Order Form). Since instituting these changes, Diamond has also begun to develop other improvements to the Star System Order Form, which will be implemented as they are ready. In April, the Star System Order Form will include the first of a series of full-color visual reference guides. This month's guide will feature Prints & Posters from the Star System. "The reference guides are an aide to retailers who may not be familiar with every product, or who may not have product graphics readily at hand," explained Diamond Executive Director of Marketing Communications Shelley Myers. Printed in full-color, the guides picture every item in a particular category or subcategory of the Star System, along with item codes, in order to make ordering as easy as possible. "We hope that retailers will use these guides to re-familiarize themselves with the products in question, and also to promote the items to consumers as well as keep them as a reference," added Myers. The first edition of the Star System Order Form with a visual reference guide will appear in the April 11, 2001 issue of Diamond Dateline. +++++ DORK STORM PRESS June '01 Solicitation DSP 207 DORK SHADOWS: The Collected Dork Tower Volume 2 TPB 160 Pages $15.95 ISBN 1-1-930964-41-2 Written, pencilled and inked by John Kovalic Shipping June 5, 2001 DORK SHADOWS collects every Dork Tower comic strip from issues 7 through 12 of the worldwide fan-favorite series, and this first printing is a must-have for all the followers who helped make Vol. I a sell-out! Relive some of the greatest, dorkiest moments ever of this critically acclaimed series with Matt, Igor, Ken, Carson the Muskrat and Gilly the Perky Goth. Savor stories like "A Very Dorky Christmas," "PokeMon Bonfire," "The Road to Big Con" and Matt and Gilly's now-infamous date, "World of Dorkness." SPECIAL: Includes 15-page quickstart rules for WARHAMSTER Fantasy Roleplay by Games Dorkshop! DSP 103 Nodwick #9: "A World Without Piffany." 160 Pages $2.95 ISBN 1-930964-25-0 Written, pencilled and inked by Aaron Williams Shipping June 12, 2001 What would the world of Nodwick be like without our favorite font of goodness, purity and virtue? Nodwick finds out when he falls into the Cleft of the Cosmos and finds himself in a most UGLY reality; Henchmen are extinct, evil rules the land, and the person who duct-tapes him back from the grave has never existed! Meanwhile, back in Nodwick's home universe, things aren't much better because Piffany's superiors think it's time for her to retire from adventuring and take up more academic pursuits! Pick up Nodwick #9 for part one of this two-part epic! PLUS brand-new back-up strips: Dork Tower by John Kovalic and PvP by Scott Kurtz! DSP 0103 Gilly's Perky Ankh Sterling silver Pendant $29.95 Designed by Aaron Williams, Georgia Panaritis and John Kovalic. Shipping June 5, 2001 To celebrate Dork Tower's fifth birthday and Gilly the Perky Goth's appearance on the cover of DORK SHADOWS: The Collected Dork Tower Vol. 2, Dork Storm Press has teamed up with Java's Crypt to bring you a very special limited edition sterling silver PERKY GOTH PENDANT. Only 1,000 of these will be released, with the packages signed by John Kovaic and numbered. This is the first Dork Tower special item ever offered. This high-quality piece of jewelry is perfect for Perky Goths everywhere, even if they DON'T read Dork Tower! DSP 502 Warhamster 48 Pages $7.95 Comic/Roleplaying Game ISBN 1-930964-67-6 By Chris O'Neill, John Wick, John Kovalic and Kenneth Hite Art by John Kovalic, Aaron Williams and Raven Mimura. Shipping June 22, 2001 Dork Storm Press, in association with Good John/Bad John Productions and 9th Level Games, is pleased to bring together some of the greatest (and sickest) minds in gaming to license WARHAMSTER FANTASY ROLEPLAY away from Games Dorkshop. O'Neill; Wick; Kovalic; Hite - yes, the legendary game system made famous in the pages of Dork Tower is now available for everyone to argue over! As well as full rules, backgrounds, maps and adventures, this book also contains brand-new, never-before seen Dork Tower comic strips. And did we mention the Auroran Battle Budgies? HUZZAH! IT MUST BE MINE! DORK STORM PRESS July '01 Solicitation _______________________________ DSP 016 DORK TOWER 16 - "Sheep on the Borderland" 48 Pages $2.95 ISBN 1-930964-07-2 Written, pencilled and inked by John Kovalic Shipping July 10, 2001 Hell is other people...or other people's convention booths! Has Igor bitten off more than even his fanboy mouth can chew as he volunteers to help Pegasaurus Games at Big Con? With Matt in Artist's Alley trying to get "THAT GRRRL" off the ground, this is not your average con! Now, what's Gilly doing at Matt's booth..? A special fifth birthday issue, celebrating the first-ever Dork Tower comic strip! Join the celebration! Plus, PvP, Nodwick, Wild Life and Murphy's Rules! PLUS: Think there are a lot of bad D20 Modules out there? You ain't seen nothing yet: "SHEEP ON THE BORDERLAND," the latest Penumbra release guaranteed to be the World's Worst D20 Module (and Volume I in the now legendary Adventure Sheep Series (ASS 01)), from those fine folks at Atlas Games (as well as John Kovalic)! FREE IN ISSUE 16 of Dork Tower! DSP 0901 DORK TOWER POSTER: "So you run a GAMING store?" 36" x 24", full color, folded $3.95 ISBN 1-930964-36-6 By John Kovalic Shipping July 03 15, 2001 "So you run a GAMING store? Beats working, I guess..." A huge full-color poster featuring one of the most-requested Dork Tower reprints of all time: the first Pegasaurus Games strip from Dragon Magazine and Dork Tower #9! Whether shop keeps everywhere want these for themselves, their store walls, their customers or for prizes and give-aways, these eye-catching posters will be a sure-fire fan pleaser! DSP 6003 PvP #3 - "Anime Spectacular" 32 Pages $2.95 Written, pencilled and inked by Scott Kurtz ISBN 1-930964-89-7 Shipping July 17, 2001 Rampaging Robots, Magic wielding school girls, and adorable Skull-chan? Take a look at the PvP offices through anime colored glasses as we contemplate what PvP would be like as a Japanese manga. And see the staff of PvP magazine as you never have before and then stick around for another month's worth of hilarious comic strips from the popular website. Plus backups of Dork Tower and Nodwick. Arigato, reader-san! The Full Dork Storm Press Product List ------------------------------------------ Comic books ------------------------------------------ DSP 003 Dork Tower #3 (second printing) - $2.95 - VERY LOW STOCK DSP 005 Dork Tower #5 - $2.95 - VERY LOW STOCK DSP 006 Dork Tower #6 - $2.95 - VERY LOW STOCK DSP 007 Dork Tower #7 (including FREE Micro game) $2.95 VERY LOW STOCK DSP 008 Dork Tower #8 - $2.95 - VERY LOW STOCK DSP 009 Dork Tower #9 - $2.95 - LOW STOCK DSP 010 Dork Tower #10 - $2.95 - LOW STOCK DSP 011 Dork Tower #11 (including FREE Micro game) -$2.95 DSP 012 Dork Tower #12 (including FREE Micro game) -$2.95 DSP 013 Dork Tower #13 (including FREE Micro game) -$2.95 ****PRINTING NOW**** DSP 014 Dork Tower #14 (including FREE Micro game) -$2.95 (May) DSP 015 Dork Tower #15 (including FREE Micro game) -$2.95 (June) DSP 201 The Dork Tower Swimsuit Special $2.95 - LOW STOCK DSP 102 Nodwick #2 by Aaron Williams- $2.95 DSP 103 Nodwick #3 by Aaron Williams- $2.95 DSP 104 Nodwick #4 by Aaron Williams- $2.95 DSP 105 Nodwick #5 by Aaron Williams- $2.95 DSP 106 Nodwick #6 by Aaron Williams- $2.95 DSP 107 Nodwick #7 by Aaron Williams- $2.95 DSP 107 Nodwick #8 by Aaron Williams- $2.95 (April 2001) DSP 108 Nodwick #8 by Aaron Williams- $2.95 (June 2001) DSP 6001 PvP #1 by Scott Kurtz DSP 6002 PvP #2 by Scott Kurtz (May 2001) (All comics not listed are sold out) ------------------------------------------ Cartoon Compilations and Collections ------------------------------------------ DSP 203 DORK COVENANT: The Collected DORK TOWER, Vol. 1 TPB - $15.95 DSP 2031 DORK COVENANT: The Collected DORK TOWER, Vol. 1 Limited Edition Hardcover - $29.95 (May 2001) DSP 207 DORK SHADOWS: The Collected DORK TOWER, Vol. 2 TPB - $15.95 (June 2001) DSP 202 Wild Life: the Cardinal Collection - $7 DSP 205 The Wild Life Journals - SOLD OUT DSP 206 The Wild Life Files - $7 DSP 1011 THE NODWICK CHRONICLES: The Collected Nodwick Vol. I TPB - $15.95 (May 2001) Games DSP 501 PokeTHULHU: The Roleplaying game - $5.95 **** SHIPPING NOW **** DSP 502 WARHAMSTER: The Roleplaying Game - $7.95 (June 2001) ------------------------------------------ Apparel ------------------------------------------ DSP 301 "PokeGONE Rat Trap" T-shirt (M, L, XL) - $19.95 DSP 302 "PokeGONE Company" T-shirt (M, L, XL) - $19.95 DSP 303 "PokeTHULHU" T-shirt (M, L, XL) - $19.95 304 "Perky Goth" T-shirt (M, L, XL) - $19.95 DSP 305 "Warhamster" T-shirt (M, L, XL) - $19.95 DSP 306 "Will Game For Food" Dork Tower T-shirt (L, XL) - $19.95 DSP 307 "Sith Park" T-shirt (L, XL) - $19.95 DSP 308 "Collect Call of Cthulhu" T-shirt (L, XL) - $19.95 DSP 309 Dork Tower Embroidered Golf Shirt (L, XL) - $29.95 DSP 310 Dork Tower Embroidered Baseball Cap (one size fits all - $19.95 DSP 311 "Gaming is Life" Dork Tower T-shirt (L, XL) - $19.95 DSP 401 "Up Thine" T-shirt (M, L, XL) - $19.95 DSP 403 "Henchman Local 246" Nodwick T-shirt - $19.95 DSP 305 "Gaming is Life" Dork Tower T-shirt (L, XL) - $19.95 Other T-Shirt Prices - XXL - $21.95, XXXL - $23.95, XXXXL (Gamer Size) $25.95 Other Golf Shirt Prices - XXL - $31.95, XXXL - $33.95, XXXXL (Gamer Size) $35.95 ------------------------------------------ Dork Tower Jewelry Available at 50% discount only ------------------------------------------ ______ DSP 0101 Perky Goth Ankh (Sterling Silver) - $24.95 **** SHIPPING SOON **** ______ DSP 0102 Perky Goth Ankh (Sterling Silver, Antique Finish) - $29.95 **** SHIPPING SOON **** ______ DSP 0103 Perky Goth Ankh (Sterling Silver, Signed, Numbered Limited Edition) - $24.95 (June 2001) +++++ HUMANOIDS PUBLISHING JULY 2001 Solicitations The Metabarons(TM) #14 By Alexandro Jodorowsky & Juan Gimenez The Metabaron Steelhead returns as a war is erupting on the planet Philodendra, but what sacrifice has he made in order to join the fray? Steelhead's plot to achieve victory brings armies from across the galaxy down on him and his wife's people. If the gambit pays off, will Steelhead be able to overcome the tragedy that is the fate of the Metabaron Clan? Is this finally where the warrior's bloodline comes to an end? Find out why Fandom.Com calls Metabarons "comics growing cult hit". Full Color Comic, 32 pages, $2.95 ISBN # 1-930652-44-5 The Town That Didn't Exist(TM) By Pierre Christin & Enki Bilal A new album from the creator of The Nikopol Trilogy, Enki Bilal, and his collaborator on The Hunting Party and The Black Order Brigade, Pierre Christin. The town of Jadencourt has fallen on hard times. The people are poor, the workers at the factory are on strike, and the aristocrat who was keeping the factory open has passed away. Just when things seem like they can't get any worse, it is revealed that the factory has been left in the care of the aristocrat's estranged granddaughter. When the granddaughter tells the townspeople of her vision for their future, it is something that they never would have thought possible Full Color Hardcover Album, 56 pages, $14.95 ISBN # 1-930652-37-2 The Incal(TM) Art Print Set Art by Moebius, Janjetov & Ladronn This beautiful set of four prints is comprised of work by the incredible artists that have made The Incal one of the best-selling science fiction epics of all time. There are two pieces by the legendary Moebius, one by Incal penciller Zoran Janjetov, and one by current Incal cover artist Ladronn. Each of these prints measures approximately 11 x 17 inches and comes suitable for framing. The series is sequentially numbered and limited to 500 sets. Full Color Portfolio Set, Four Large Prints, $16.95 ISBN # 1-930652-23-2 BACKLIST HIGHLIGHT From Cloud 99(TM) - Memories Part 1 Story, art and cover by Yslaire The first volume of this three-part series tells the story of Eva Stern, a 98-year-old psychoanalyst, who receives strange anonymous e-mail. It features a series of altered photographs that seem to have no apparent link except for the fact that they depict tragic events of the 20th century and the almost obsessive representation of flying beings. As the months pass, the messages begin to have more and more to do with Eva's own past ... a past that symbolizes the complex aspirations of a humanity ever more in search of itself. A spellbinding journey through the 20th century by one of the best-selling authors in Europe. Full Color Hardcover Album, 64 pages, $14.95 ISBN # 1-930652-00-3 =========================== Artwork can be downloaded from the following website locations. Cover art for METABARONS #14 http://www.humanoids.vjungle.com/2001.july/metab014.jpg Cover art for TOWN THAT DIDN'T EXIST http://www.humanoids.vjungle.com/2001.july/townalbm.jpg Sample art by Moebius from the INCAL ART PRINT SET http://www.humanoids.vjungle.com/2001.july/IncalAP1.jpg Sample art by Ladronn from the INCAL ART PRINT SET http://www.humanoids.vjungle.com/2001.july/IncalAP2.jpg Sample art by Moebius from the INCAL ART PRINT SET http://www.humanoids.vjungle.com/2001.july/IncalAP3.jpg Sample art by Janjetov & Beltran from the INCAL ART PRINT SET http://www.humanoids.vjungle.com/2001.july/IncalAP4.jpg ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- - End of another Issue .. GIVE A KID A COMICC TODAY! Is there another word for synonym?