---------------------------------------------------------------------- Ed Dukeshire and Mike Imboden Present: THE COMIC BOOK NET ELECTRONIC MAGAZINE ISSUE NUMBER 362 4/05/2002 Edited by: David LeBlanc - ComicBkNet@aol.com Winner of the 2000 EAGLE AWARD as FAVORITE COMICS E-ZINE! FREE VIA EMAIL SINCE FEBRUARY 1995 ______________________________________________________________________ C O N T E N T S ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [A] Submissions, mailing address, web page [1] On the Net ............................ David LeBlanc [2] Letters to the Editor ................. Your Page! [3] TRIVIA CONTEST ........................ Win *real* prizes! [4] Network Buzz .......................... News, gossip & rumors [5] Interview: Marten Jallad .............. Tim O'Shea [6] A View From the Cheap Seats - Interview:Renee French .............. Rich Watson [7] Linnen's Look At Comics ............... Brian Linnen [8] Stream of Babbling .................... Tim O'Shea [9] Graphic Novel Reviews ................. Amy Harlib [10] Small Press Article ................... Ryan Crouse [11] O'Shea's Offhand Opinions ............. Tim O'Shea [12] M.O.E. Reviews ........................ Paul Dale Roberts [13] My View:PHOENIX A TALE OF THE FUTURE THE ALL NEW TENCHI MUYO! THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS ....... David LeBlanc [14] Top 100 Comics for April .............. Diamond Comics Distr. [15] New Comic Book Releases List .......... Charles LePage [16] HYPE! Section ......................... Various ______________________________________________________________________ World Wide Web Home Page-->> http://members.aol.com/ComicBkNet Mailed by Yahoo!: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ComicBookNetworkEmag AOL text copies in Sci-Fi Library II - Keyword aol://4400:3990 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@yahoogroups.com To UNSUBSCRIBE send a message FROM the account to be dropped to: ComicBookNetworkEmag-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.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 2002 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 any comic book 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 also includes 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 any comic books 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 PLEASE include a one page detail of publisher, on sale date, price, size, page count and other important facts not evident in the publication itself. 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 of our 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. AOL search/keyword: aol://4400:3990 ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [1] On the Net David LeBlanc ComicBkNet@aol.com A couple weeks ago I mentioned something about the lack of letters to the editor lately. I should have known the best way to get people talking is to mention sex, politics or religion. See the letter section for a response to last week's ON THE NET. And on the subject of the lack of letters, I think the online forum has become the way most people choose to communicate as they get daily feedback after posting and can carry on a conversation whereas ours is more a one shot opinion in most cases. Brian Linnen joins the lineup this month with another perspective on some current issues. Some may find his style a bit unusual but the criteria we use is the ability to express yourself in a coherent fashion. We also have some insight into Small Press publishing by Ryan Crouse. See what you think. This item was posted on the Splash page of Comicon.con on Monday. It had me going at first until I clicked the link to the full story without first reading the few lines fully. Pretty funny! ROSS TO PAINT PRESIDENTIAL PORTRAIT! ALEX DOES 'DUBYA'!! April 1: Comic book superstar Alex Ross has been selected to paint the official White House portrait of President George W. Bush. The announcement was made last night in an Oval Office ceremony with President Bush, his parents, and Ross attending. The President said he was impressed by Ross' work on the official Academy Awards poster and that he hoped the painting would reflect "the true spirit of America". Ross told reporters that he was planning a realistically painted variation of the cover to THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS #3, which was created in 1987 by Frank Miller, with Bush as the BATMAN figure. Ross said he would be posing and photographing the President while he was in Washington DC, to prepare the first preliminary sketches. According to the White House Press Secretary, Ross was selected after the President's mother, Barbara Bush, saw his work in the KINGDOM COME graphic novel. **** Well maybe Barb is a DC fan but there's no fool like an April Fool! But these comics are worth checking out, no foolin'! AVATAR PRESS Warren Ellis Strange Killings #2 (Of 3), $3.50 \ Pick of the Week! CROSSGEN COMICS First #18, $2.95 Mystic #23, $2.95 DC COMICS Doom Patrol #7, $2.50 Hawkman #2, $2.50 Superman & Savage Dragon Chicago, $5.95 DREAMWAVE Transformers Generation One #1, $2.95 MARVEL COMICS Alias #8, $2.99 Exiles #12, $2.25 Ultimate Spider-Man #21, $2.25 X-Force #126, $2.25 SPRING AHEAD THIS WEEKEND! Just a Public Service Announcement that when you change your clocks Saturday night/Sunday Morning, if you do, take the time to change the batteries in all battery operated smoke, gas and fire detectors. It could save a life someday 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, including those sent to the columnists, may be used in future issues of CBEM unless you specifically request us NOT to use them. Your Email address and/or name will be withheld upon request. +++++ Subj:Re: [ComicBooknet E-Mag] CBEM 361.1 Date:3/29/02 10:40:12 PM Eastern Standard Time From:kerzner@idirect.com Please save the praise for LEFT BEHIND for your private conversations. I can accept reading about "flying aliens, metallic laced skeletons and claws, trans-dimensional invasions, people who get killed but make a deal with the devil to come back" because those stories don't postulate that I am going an unworthy wretch that is going to be left to endure torturous horrors because I don't believe one interpretation of a "loving God." And those stories are set in a fictional universe, whereas Christian fiction, with it's underlying hate-filled message, is set in this world. LEFT BEHIND is offensive to me as a Jew, and should be offensive to any thinking person. I have enjoyed your e-mag for a few years now. Please don't spoil it again with your messages of religious expression. ..unsigned.. [ First, thanks for validating my premise, which BTW was not specifically directed at JEWS. In fact it had not even occurred to me that people of any particular faith would not consider reading LEFT BEHIND - but more often it would be people of no faith at all. It has been my experience that those who proclaim no religious beliefs at all are skeptical about all religions and therefore do not care for anything that takes one of them seriously. I usually find religious people more tolerant of other beliefs, but not always. Second - the Emag is about comics, ALL comics, not just those NOT offense to Jews, or Blacks or Liberals or Lithuanians or any other segment of the population. Accordingly, I will not save my praise for private conversation - wouldn't be much of an Emag now would it? I endorsed a comic I enjoyed, like I have for the last 7 years. It is up to you to make a decision based on that OPINION. What you decide is of no consequence to me, but I resent the implications that mine was anything more than an endorsement of what I consider well-done literature or that it does not belong in an Emag about comic books. In fact, I was making an effort to point out why people might like it despite the source material and obvious religious bias of the authors. If you are offended by a comic book, by all means don't buy it. I have run reviews of lots of comics by other people, many of which I thought were worthless wastes of paper. BUT that did not stop me from allowing the reviewer to have his opinion heard. I also find it rather ironic someone of your persuasion would presume that YOUR view is superior to mine or anyone else's. Many "thinking" people believe very strongly in the Christian faith and believe they have a duty to testify. Narrow-minded people are those who cannot allow such free speech when it conflicts with their own views, or when they misinterpret what is written by others. More often they are driven by a group opinion, not having actually sampled the work in question. They seek to stifle any other view about the work in any manner they can - such as with mail like yours. An "underlying hate- filled message" is exactly the opposite of what Christians preach. If you are not a believer, than the premise of the Rapture should not worry you. Some religions put a great deal of emphasis on reincarnation or animal sacrifice. I find those concepts contrary to my own beliefs, but I wouldn't demand other people not voice them in public. The underlying theme, by the way, is not about how unworthy non-Christians are but how they believe all people can find salvation. Other religions teach their own path to salvation. Do you attack them as well because it is not lined up with the Jewish belief? So, if I occasionally recommend a comic book that touches a little or a lot on religious dogma, and it offends you that much, just stop reading the Emag. And save your demands for "thinking people" who might be intimidated by them. - D.L.] +++++ Subj:cbem Date:3/31/02 11:59:39 AM Eastern Standard Time From:pjhay@clara.net To:Silhouet98@cs.com Sent from the Internet (Details) cbem 361.6 [Paul Dale Robert's MOE Reviews to be exact. - D.L.] } it reminds me of the dreaded sickle cell anemia that only affects African Americans. Gosh, I bet black people outside America will be pleased to hear that. A disease which respects national boundaries- there's a first. Hello- rest of the world calling America, over. [Heh, heh! No offense people, but there are times when calling people Black is more appropriate. D.L.] +++++ Forwarded Message: Subj:hi dude Date:4/3/02 3:02:29 AM Eastern Standard Time From:Palmio To:Silhouet98@cs.com thanks sooooo much for the nice review of superboy...its the first time in 5 issues the book has been reviewed. i hope you get to review issue 100..its the last issue and we went nuts with it. all best, jimmy palmiotti +++++ Subj:'zines and self-published comics Date:4/3/02 9:36:28 PM Eastern Standard Time From:PRoberts@ss.ca.gov To:ComicBkNet@aol.com, To: 'Comics@Quality.win-UK.net' The reason why I am writing this letter is I heard some debate about a self-published photocopied comic book being considered a 'zine. There are many differences between self published comics and true 'zines. Here's what I have to say on the matter: Some people consider self-published independent comic books to be 'zines. This is not true, I will explain later. Some 'zines gain lots of exposure. People get hooked on these 'zines and invest money in making their favorite 'zines into magazines. That's just another way some 'zines have become magazines. Another way 'zines become magazines, is that the staff members will invest their money in making their 'zine into a high quality magazine. Many major magazines were once 'zines. I was shocked to find out some of those magazines are your Saturday Evening Post, Rolling Stone Magazine, National Geographic and a whole lot more! Are photocopied comic books 'zines? No. Should self published comic books that are professionally produced be considered 'zines? Absolutely not. They should be known for what they truly are....independent self-published comic books! The word 'zine is the derivation of the word "magazine". A magazine is a periodical that contains miscellaneous pieces (as articles, stories, poems, etc.) Comic books are not truly known to carry articles, poems and whatnot. Comic books are usually 'illustrated stories'. I hate to even call them comic books, because 'comic' is the derivative of 'comical'. As you know, many so-called comic books have a variety of genres from science fiction to horror to fantasy to real-life drama and so on. There are a handful of comic books here and there that are considered comical or funny. I wish the comic book industry would start calling themselves the "illustrated books industry" and call comic books "illustrated books". Because that is what they truly are. In fact if comic books were called 'illustrated books', perhaps they would get more respect from people outside of the comic book subculture. Every time I talk with someone, who doesn't read comic books, they automatically think of "Archie" or "Richie Rich". I explain to them that comic books are more than Archie or Richie Rich and that many movies from the acclaimed "Ghostworld" to "Blade II" to "From Hell" have their origins from comic books. They are usually pretty shocked to learn this. No matter if comic books are photocopied from Kinkos or created out of some professional manufacturer in Canada, they are still comic books plain and same. I salute self-publishers of 'zines and comic books. It's hard work and they spend a lot of money out of their pocket for something they truly believe in. Something they truly love. Self-publishers know the definition of 'labor of love'. Sincerely yours, Paul Dale Roberts, Publisher Peoples' Comic Book Newsletter Jazma Universe Online! http://www.jazmaonline.com/ 5606 Moonlight Way Elk Grove, CA 95758 Silhouet98@cs.com Subj:I stand corrected. Information on 'zines from Comic International. From: Comics International Editorial[SMTP:editorial@comicsinternational.com] Sent: Thursday, April 04, 2002 12:24 AM To: Roberts, Paul Dale Subject: RE: Letter to the Editor I fear your following letter has a giant flaw in its argument... Since the 1940s, the word 'zine has been used as an abbreviation for fanzine, as in Zine Scene (an old fanzine review column). Fanzines (breaking down into the now little used categories of adzines, stripzines, newszines, etc) are of course so named because they are produced by fans and invariably are non-profit making. Fanzines, while originally an SF fandom concept I believe, now cover everything from pop to film to football. Photocopied or small print run self-published comic books are not 'zines (outside of being stripzines). For the last few decades they've simply been known as small press. Hence our monthly small press reviews section of such comics. "Independent titles" is the worst banner. Independent of what? Afraid you've no hope of having comicbooks (a purely US name) called "illustrated books". At 32 pages, they're more like pamphlets. "Illustrated"? They're nothing but illustrations (with lettering). Europe has albums, the US has graphic novels and the bizarrely named trade paperbacks (presumably paperbacks you swap with friends). Before you ask for the name of the periodicals to be changed from comicbooks, even calling them such would be better than simple comics, which Marvel, DC, Image etc include in their trade names. Not Marvel Comicbooks, but Marvel Comics. This argument over the use of the word comics has rage for decades, but I don't recall anybody coming up with anything better in English. The French say bande desinee (strip art), the Italians fumetti. When we had any, the British used to call them boys' papers, once you got beyond the preschool titles and the humour comics. The comicbook concept, with a single story devoted to the title (invariably a character/group) really is a US invention. Even Tin Tin and Asterix came out of anthologies for album collections. Dez Skinn Editor with time on his hands this morning. +++++ Subj:(Letter to CBEM Editor) Fw: TOP SHELF IN TROUBLE--WE NEED YOUR HELP Date:4/3/02 10:08:09 PM Eastern Standard Time From:tim_jen@mindspring.com David: I'm sure you got this or will be pulling info from Newsarama for this week's issue, but I want to add my voice to the long list of people supporting Top Shelf. So, if nothing else, please run this part as a letter to the editor from me. Any CBEM reader knows I'm a meat and potatoes/superhero comic book reader. I'm not Top Shelf's target audience. But even though I don't normally partake of their product, I know that Top Shelf puts out an incredibly high quality array of publications. And because they've made this plea, I'm stepping out of my normal buying habits. The industry needs great companies like Top Shelf. So in the next week or two, I'll be calling up Chris and ordering myself a copy of BOX OFFICE POISON and 9-11 EMERGENCY RELIEF And I hope a few more folks like me (who lean toward the "folks in tights") might see their way clear to check out the Top Shelf line. Do you like Batman writer Ed Brubaker? Check out his earlier work, A COMPLETE LOWLIFE or maybe if you've loved Alan Moore's Tom Strong from America's Best Comics, now's the time to check out some of his non superhero work like FROM HELL. They've got a wide selection, and they need our support. Think about it, please. Take care and David, thanks as always for the forum, Tim O'Shea CBEM and ORCA contributor [Read the beginning of this week's ON THE NET for full details of the problem involving Top Shelf and other companies selling product to the mass market through one distributor. Fortunately there is a happy ending for Top Shelf, thanks to fans like Tim. - D.L.] +++++ Subj:hi Date:4/5/02 12:47:44 PM Eastern Standard Time From:Jencomx3 Hi, I wanted to make sure you saw this new column for Sequential Tart, Tart Teasers http://www.sequentialtart.com/tt_0402.php I think that this can really be a big boost to independent creators and wanted your thoughts on the idea/feature. Thanks! Jen [ Our distinguished colleagues do a decent job of highlighting new work that deserves a second look. Follow the link and see! - D.L.] +++++ Subj:RE: Comic book radio show info: April, 2002 Date:4/4/02 6:56:34 PM Eastern Standard Time From:nuffsaid@escape.com Hi, folks, 'Nuff Said!, the comic book interview/talk show, is still on the air and over the internet for a full hour every Tuesday at 10 PM (eastern North American time) on WBAI-FM, 99.5 in the New York City metropolitan area. There are TWO live streams (via 2600.com and escape.com) that you can get from our web site, http://www.nuffsaid.net. If one access is unavailable, try the other. Everyone with the right software (and there's a free download link from our site) should be able to get through now. In fact, I was told by one of the techies that only one show fills every slot and it ain't 'Nuff Said! (It's Gary Null.) Upcoming shows are: Tuesday, April 9, 2002 - A Charlton reunion panel taped at a recent Big Apple Con with George Wildman, editor and artist in the '70s and '80s; Joe Staton, whose first professional art assignment was for Charlton in the early '70s; Sergius O'Shaughnessie (aka Denny O'Neil), who started his writing career with Charlton in the mid-'60s and Jon Cooke, editor of Comic Book Artist. Moderated by Allan Rosenberg. Tuesday, April 16, 2002 - Jeff Lindenblatt sits in for Mercy and I, interviewing Brian M. Kane, author of "Hal Foster: Prince of Illustrators, Father of the Adventure Strip" and David Spurlock, Brian's editor. Hal Foster created Prince Valiant and is one of the most influential comics artists of all time. Tuesday, April 23, 2002 - This show is turned over to the listeners. Mercy and I will do a couple of reviews then take phone calls. Tuesday, April 30, 2002 - To be announced. Tuesday, May 7, 2002 - Ted Rall, whose controversial "Afghanistan and Back" graphic novel is due out later in May. Ted went there after 9-11 and did quite a few cartoons on what was happening, eventually filling a graphic novel, which will be available as part of WBAI's Membership Drive. Never boring, he'll be with us live. Your phone calls, too. WBAI-FM, 99.5, is a 50,000 watt station broadcast from the Empire State Building. Our signal usually gets out to New Haven, CT; Westhampton, L.I.; the Poconos of Pennsylvania, Orange County, NY and Trenton & Princeton, NJ. But via the internet for an even greater distance, natch. We cover the entire world of comics: golden age, silver age, contemporary, mainstream, independent, underground, foreign, strips and fandom. Hosted by Ken Gale (interviewer) with Mercy E. Van Vlack. WBAI is a Pacifica Network station (if your local station carries any Pacifica programming (such as "Explorations," "Democracy Now" or Gary Null), they might be able to get 'Nuff Said! as well). For more information on the WBAI "situation" (a lot of you have asked me about it at conventions), I highly recommend checking http://www.glib.com. It's full of information, history and links covering several different points of view and is updated frequently (sometimes several times per day). WBAI-FM, 120 Wall St., 10th flr, New York, NY 10005. --Ken Gale, producer, interviewer and co-host ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [3] [TRIVIA CONTEST] **THE FIRST PLACE TO FIND THE EMAG EACH WEEK IS ON OUR HOME PAGE!** IF YOU ARE DESPERATE TO WIN THE TRIVIA, GO THERE FIRST ON FRIDAY NIGHT http://members.aol.com/ComicBkNet QUESTION OF THE WEEK Prizes donated by Discount Comic Book Service at www.dcbservice.com where you can order most DC, Marvel, Image, and Dark Horse comics, statues and retail products for 35% off. +Submit your own trivia and win the CHEEZY PRIZE(tm) if you can stump+ +the readers! You MUST submit the correct answer with your question.+ LAST ISSUE'S QUESTION OF THE WEEK: What was the full title of Neil Gaiman's first series for TEKNO COMIX? Henry Clemente got it first, it was Neil Gaiman's Mr. Hero The Newmatic Man. He wins Ultimate Spiderman: Power and Responsibility Vol 1 TPBK from our sponsor. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION: What was the back-up feature for the first SUPERGIRL comic book series? 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! You MUST allow mail from ComicBkNet@aol.com to be notified if you win. 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. Winners will forfeit their prize if the Email notification is not accepted from ComicBkNet@aol.com LIMIT: ONLY ONE PRIZE every 4 weeks 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/ 'WRONGFUL' BANK SEIZURE LEAVES INDY DISTRIBUTOR LPC BANKRUPT! LPC FILES CHAPTER 11! TOP SHELF APPEALS FOR FAN SUPPORT! April 3: The SPLASH has confirmed that LPC Group, the biggest distributor of Independent comics publishers into mainstream bookstores, filed for Chapter 11 Tuesday. David Wilk, the company's president, announced the bankruptcy in a letter to publishers late Tuesday night. LPC was the exclusive distributor trade paperbacks and graphic novels for IMAGE, TOP SHELF, DARK HORSE, TOKYO POP, DRAWN AND QUARTERLY, ONI, HIGHWATER BOOKS, ALTERNATIVE COMICS, HUMANOIDS, CROSS-GEN, AIT-PLANET LAR and the GRAPHIC INTERFACE self-publishing group into bookstores. In the letter, Wilk blamed the collapse on a 'wrongful' seizure of funds in the LPC account. Wilk said: "On Thursday, CDS wired to our account its payment for December sales, less returns and fees, and we in turn prepared wiring instructions and checks to send out our current payments to you and other publishers. That money is in great part, the payment for receivables that belong to the publishers. The bank, however, in spite of their explicit promises, seized that payment and all other funds in our account. As a result, LPC had no recourse but to file for Chapter 11Bankruptcy protection, which we have done today, April 2, 2002." Wilk said: "As you may know, Chapter 11 Bankruptcy affords protection for the Company and permits it to continue operating while it seeks to reorganize its finances. We are continuing to ship books through CDS, and it is important for you to know that all sales generated after our Bankruptcy petition is filed are protected against claims of any creditors; thus you can be assured of receiving payment due to you for those sales. LPC is operating on a cash positive basis in the present, and we are confident that we will acquire immediate Debtor in Possession financing to meet current obligations." While it is still too early to assess the damage to the market for Independent books, the early picture looks grim. Insiders tell the SPLASH that LPC worked on a 180 day payment plan which means as much as six months worth of outstanding invoices and inventories are suddenly in caught in the bankruptcy courts. TOP SHELF was in the unfortunate role of being first to be hit after LPC bounced an $18 thousand check last week. Chris Staros tells the SPLASH that TOP SHELF plans to stay with LPC for the immediate future, to help them rebuild the company. Staros released an open letter, appealing to fans for their support. Saying the LPC bankruptcy "has happened at a time when they owed us an enormous sum of money (over $80,000.00 minus returns). And to make matters worse, the most recent check they cut us, for almost $20,000.00, bounced this week, in turn causing the last 30 checks we wrote to printers, conventions, cartoonists – practically every aspect of the business – to bounce (or be held) in turn. To put it bluntly, even with all the hard work we've put in over the years, if we don't raise $20,000 this month, it could realistically force us to suspend publishing operations for the foreseeable future." Staros is asking fans to purchase books directly from the TOP SHELF website to help them through the cash crunch. Jeff Mason of ALTERNATIVE COMICS had not yet been informed of the situation by LPC. He told the SPLASH: "After returns so far from LPC Group's distribution of 9-11: Emergency Relief, Alternative Comics is scheduled to receive just over $30,000 minus any more returns from the companies that LPC had distributed to. I am hopeful that we'll be able to collect the final amount to be able to turn it over to the American Red Cross. I would be devastated if we weren't ultimately paid for those 9-11: Emergency Relief books." Mason said: "Alternative Comics had entered into the book trade contract with LPC Group to test the waters with them as a company, and basically we were putting our toe into the water to test the temperature. Personally I went with LPC because of my great interactions in the past with Robert Boyd and because a number of my comics publishing friends were also dealing with them. Other than the 9-11: Emergency Relief money that would go to the Red Cross, Alternative Comics wouldn't take a huge hit if LPC never pays the money owed, maybe a few thousand dollars -- we entered into the book trade with them slowly as an experiment to see how it would pan out. "We do have quite a substantial number of our books in inventory in their distribution center, and honestly I'd like to believe that LPC will be able to survive and perhaps thrive." Jim Valentino at IMAGE released a short statement Wednesday afternoon: "Right now Top Shelf is in the deepest amount of trouble. We here at Image urge everyone to focus their attention on this excellent publisher and support Top Shelf in any way you possibly can." +++++ Subj:TOP SHELF IN TROUBLE--WE NEED YOUR HELP Date:4/3/02 8:50:07 AM Eastern Standard Time From:staros@bellsouth.net Dear Comics Fans, We have just been informed this week that our book trade distributor has filed for bankruptcy (Chapter 11). They will continue to operate and hopefully recover – and we will support this all we can (as our industry needs them, and they are good people) – but unfortunately, this has happened at a time when they owed us an enormous sum of money (over $80,000.00 minus returns). And to make matters worse, the most recent check they cut us, for almost $20,000.00, bounced this week, in turn causing the last 30 checks we wrote to printers, conventions, cartoonists – practically every aspect of the business – to bounce (or be held) in turn. To put it bluntly, even with all the hard work we've put in over the years, if we don't raise $20,000 this month, it could realistically force us to suspend publishing operations for the foreseeable future. It's hard to believe but a big domino has fallen right on top of us at the worst time possible. So, that leaves us no choice but to be honest and ask for your help. If 400-500 of you can find it in your hearts to each spend around fifty bucks on our core list of books below, this would literally pull us through – We mean that. We've got such a strong future schedule, and so many cool things to announce soon (including two more Alan Moore projects and two Film & TV projects), that I'd hate to think that we'd have to pull the plug right before we just were about to arrive. In any event, if you can find it in your hearts to help us out, we will be eternally grateful. We'll be manning the phones personally on this "drive," and we'll also be sure to keep you informed -- hopefully letting all of you know in three-to-four weeks that everything's okay (with your help, that is_). On behalf of Brett Warnock and myself. Truly, your friend thru comics, Chris Staros Top Shelf Productions PO Box 1282 Marietta, GA 30061-1282 USA (770) 425-0551 staros@bellsouth.net http://www.topshelfcomix.com http://www.topshelfcomix.com ORDERS OVER $100 GET AN EXTRA $25 WORTH OF BOOKS FREE! FREE SHIPPING FOR US ORDERS ($10.00 FOR INTERNATIONAL SURFACE – Airmail could be a tad more depending on weight) PHONE IN CREDIT CARD ORDERS TO: CHRIS STAROS (770) 425-0551 OR E-MAIL CREDIT CARD ORDERS TO: STAROS@BELLSOUTH.NET OR MAIL CHECKS TO: TOP SHELF PRODUCTIONS, INC. PO BOX 1282 MARIETTA, GA 30061-1282 USA OR ORDER ON-LINE AT: HTTP://WWW.TOPSHELFCOMIX.COM (for our widest selection of books) THE TOP SHELF BOOKS (the short list): ALAN MOORE & EDDIE CAMPBELL: FROM HELL (GN, MOVIE COVER): $35.00 FROM HELL (GN, ORIGINAL COVER): $35.00 SNAKES & LADDERS (CB): $5.95 THE BIRTH CAUL (CB): $5.95 THE HIGHBURY WORKING CD (ALAN MOORE LIVE): $20.00 ANGEL PASSAGE CD (ALAN MOORE LIVE): $20.00 HIGHBURY & ANGEL PASSAGE POSTERS: $10.00 ea. EDDIE CAMPBELL: ALEC: HOW TO BE AN ARTIST (TP): $13.95 ALEC: THREE PIECE SUIT (TP): $14.95 ALEC: THE KING CANUTE CROWD (TP): $14.50 BACCHUS COLOR SPECIAL (CB): $2.95 BACCHUS-VOL1: IMMORTALITY ISN’T FOREVER (TP): $10.95 BACCHUS-VOL2: THE GODS OF BUSINESS (TP): $9.95 BACCHUS-VOL3: DOING THE ISLANDS WITH BACCHUS (TP): $17.95 BACCHUS-VOL4: THE EYEBALL KID (TP): $8.50 BACCHUS-VOL5: EARTH, FIRE, AIR, WATER (TP): $9.95 BACCHUS-VOL6: 1001 NIGHTS OF BACCHUS (TP): $13.50 BACCHUS-VOL9: KING BACCHUS (TP): $12.95 BACCHUS-VOL10: BANGED UP (TP): $13.95 BACCHUS #1, #5-#8, #10, #12-#39, #41-#60 (CB): $2.95 EA. FROM HELL / BACCHUS / ALEC ORIGINAL ART (EMAIL INQUIRIES) GARY SPENCER MILLIDGE: STRANGEHAVEN: ARCADIA (TP, VOL-1); $14.95 STRANGEHAVEN: BROTHERHOOD (TP, VOL-2): $14.95 STRANGEHAVEN #13: $2.95 EA. STRANGEHAVEN #1-#3, #5-#12: $2.95 EA. (REPRINTED IN TPs) CRAIG THOMPSON: GOOD-BYE, CHUNKY RICE (GN): $14.95 DOOT DOOT GARDEN (SMALL BATCH): $7.00 BIBLE DOODLES (SMALL BATCH): $7.00 ALEX ROBINSON: BOX OFFICE POISON (GN): $29.95 ED BRUBAKER: A COMPLETE LOWLIFE (GN): $12.95 GLENN DAKIN: ABE (GN): $14.95 MATT KINDT & JASON HALL: PISTOLWHIP (GN): $14.95 MEPHISTO (CB): $3.95 JAMES KOCHALKA: KOCHALKA'S SKETCHBOOK DIARY VOLS #1 & #2 (CB): $7.95 ea THE PERFECT PLANET (GN): $14.95 PARADISE SUCKS (GN): $5.95 MAGIC BOY & THE WORD OF GOD (CB): $3.95 PEANUTBUTTER & JEREMY #1 (CB): $2.95 PEANUTBUTTER & JEREMY #2: THE FLIBBLEDIBBLE FILE (CB): $2.95 MERMAIDS (CB): $2.95 SUNBURN (CB): $2.95 PETE SICKMAN-GARNER: HEY, MISTER: AFTER SCHOOL SPECIAL (TP, VOL-1): $7.95 HEY, MISTER: CELEBRITY ROAST (TP, VOL-2): $9.95 HEY, MISTER: THE FALL COLLECTION (TP, VOL-3): $12.95 HEY, MISTER #3 - #4 (CB): $2.95 HEY, MISTER: BEHIND THE GREEN DOOR (CB, #5): $2.95 HEY, MISTER: THE TROUBLE WITH JESUS (CB, #6): $2.95 HEY, MISTER: EYES ON THE PRIZE (CB, #7): $2.95 HEY, MISTER: DIAL 'M' FOR MISTER (CB, #8): $3.50 TOM HART: THE COLLECTED HUTCH OWEN (TP): $14.95 NEW HAT STORIES: BANKS/EUBANKS (GN): $9.95 THE SANDS (GN): $14.95 PETER KUPER: SPEECHLESS (FULL-COLOR HC): $19.95 TOPSY TURVY (TP): $9.95 RENÉE FRENCH: THE SOAP LADY (HC): $19.95 SCOTT MILLS: BIG CLAY POT (GN): $12.95 JOSUÉ MENJIVAR: CICADA (GN): $12.95 BROKEN FENDER #1, #2 (CB): $2.95 EA. JOSH SIMMONS: HAPPY (CB): $3.50 CIRKUS NEW ORLEANS (SMALL BATCH): $7.00 STEVE LAFLER: BUGHOUSE (GN): $14.95 BAJA (GN): $9.95 BRIAN BIGGS: DEAR JULIA, (GN): $12.95 DEAR JULIA, SHORT FILM (VIDEO): $15.00 DEAN HASPIEL: A BOY IN MY POCKET (CB): $2.95 DAYDREAM LULLABIES: A BILLY DOGMA EXPERIENCE (TP): $7.95 OPPOSABLE THUMBS (CB): $4.95 KEYHOLE #5, #6 (CB): $2.95 EA. BRETT WARNOCK -- TOP SHELF (THE ANTHOLOGY): UNDER THE BIG TOP (#8, AN): $14.95 ON PARADE (#7, AN): $6.95 TOP SHELF #5-#6 (AN): $6.95 EA. TOP SHELF #1-#2 (AN): $5.00 EA. CHRIS STAROS: EXPO 2001 (INCLUDES A 23-PAGER BY CHRIS): $7.95 THE STAROS REPORT – 1996 & 1997 (ZINE): $4.95 EA. SMALL BATCH: BETTER LUCK NEXT CENTURY (DYLAN HORROCKS): $7.00 SMUDGES (P. SHAW): $7.00 BERN & EDWINA (PAT MORIARITY & DAVID GREENBERGER): $7.00 ACTUS: HAPPY END (FULL-COLOR HC): $21.95 ACTUS BOX (BOXED SET OF 5 COLOR GRAPHIC NOVELLAS): $31.95 FLIPPER #1 & #2 (AN): $11.95 EA. JETLAG (AN): $14.50 STRIPBURGER: STRIPBUREK (AN): $17.95 MINIBURGER (BOXED SET OF 12 MINICOMICS): $19.95 XXX STRIPBURGER (AN, ADULTS ONLY): $13.95 STRIPBURGER #25, #26, #27, #29 (AN): $7.00 EA. DEE VEE: DEE VEE #2-#14, LIC SPEC, #2001 (CB): $3.00 EA. ALTERNATIVE COMICS: 9-11 EMERGENCY RELIEF (AN, VARIOUS): $14.95 JORDAN CRANE: THE LAST LONELY SATURDAY (GN): $8.00 DAVID CHOE: BRUISED FRUIT (FULL-COLOR TP): $20.00 KURT WOLFGANG: WHERE HATS GO (GN): $8.00 JEFF NICHOLSON: THROUGH THE HABITRAILS: $14.95 MISC. COMIX: TALES OF THE GREAT UNSPOKEN (AARON AUGENBLICK): $3.50 JACK'S LUCK RUNS OUT (JASON LITTLE): $3.50 EYE SPY (CHARISE MERICLE): $5.00 CLOCK #1, #2, #3 (PAUL SHARAR): $3.00 EA. RED CALLOWAY'S BIG BANG (SET OF #1-#4) (PAUL SHARAR): $10.00 SILK-SCREENED POSTERS: NEIL GAIMAN’S THE LAST ANGEL (BY CRAIG THOMPSON): $20.00 TOP SHELF: THREE ROBOTS (BY MARTIN ONTIVEROS): $20.00 TOP SHELF: MAN WITH MARTINI (BY BRETT WARNOCK): $10.00 TOP SHELF: THE BOXER (BY FRANKIE SIRK): $10.00 [ The very next day . . . ] Subj:TOP SHELF SAVED BY COMICS COMMUNITY IN RECORD 12 HOURS Date:4/5/02 12:21:41 AM Eastern Standard Time From:staros@bellsouth.net Dear Comics Fans, What a difference a day makes. On Tuesday morning at 8:00AM, April 3rd, Top Shelf was effectively put out of business, and on Tuesday evening by 8:00PM, April 3rd, Top Shelf was remarkably back in business. There are not words suitable to express how honored and thankful we are that within 12 hours this amazing comics community took it upon itself to bring us back to life. And in this case, it might also be said that the power of the internet was fully realized. On Tuesday, after we made the announcement of our book trade distributor filing for Chapter 11 (and the subsequent fatal impact that this had on our own operation), we received over 200 phone orders and 850 on-line and email orders to boot. This staggering 1000 orders has not only made us operational again (and put several thousand copies of our graphic novels into circulation), but has also reaffirmed to us that the comics industry is back, revitalized, and ready to take on the world. We're even estimating that over 100,000 people received the news or were personally involved in the discussion of this on-line event on that day. With this overwhelming support, combined with the (now contradictory) fact that Top Shelf has always prided itself that every order would ship out the very next day, we ask for your patience in letting us get all of these graphic novels, comics, and CDs to you. We hope to have everything shipped out within the next few weeks. In the meantime, if all this activity has made you curious about our books, we would encourage you to ask for them at your local retailer, so that everyone along the chain, retailers and distributors alike, can also benefit from this spur of interest. And while this interest in diversity is at the forefront of everyone's mind, we encourage you to continue in the exploration and discussion of comics from all the publishers doing quality work these days: DC Comics, Marvel, Dark Horse, Image, CrossGen, Viz, Fantagraphics, Slave Labor, Oni Press, NBM, Drawn & Quarterly, Cartoon Books, Alternative Comics, Highwater Books, the publishers we represent (like Eddie Campbell Comics, etc.), and all the rest (that we apologize for not having the space to mention by name today). If we've learned anything over these last seven years – and witnessed it absolutely this week – we're all in this together. And the growth and development of this amazing medium is in the most capable hands possible: the fans of this industry. We'd also like to take a moment to give a special thank you to a few extraordinary people and organizations: -- Warren Ellis and the Warren Ellis Forumm. We've always known that the Warren Ellis Forum was a formidable entity, dedicated to the discussion and support of quality comics all over the industry, but their mobilization in this instance was unprecedented. We can't absolutely determine what percentage of all the orders were from this distinguished group, but our estimation is that it was significant. We cannot thank Warren or the supporters of his forum enough (http://www.warrenellis.com & http://forums.delphiforums.com/ellis & http://www.artbomb.net). -- CrossGen Comics. Mark Alessi and the CrrossGen staff collectively bought $5,000.00 worth of graphic novels and will donate them to the public library system. This completely novel and generous gesture not only helped to keep us going (in a big way), but also promises to expose hundreds of people and libraries to what comics can bring to the world of art and literature. This stunned us, and is a testament to CrossGen's contribution to our industry (http://www.crossgen.com). -- Rick Veitch and Matt Brady of comiccon..com's Spash and Newsarama pages. Their amazing coverage, on-line discussions, and links for this event spurred on an uncountable array of support from the industry (http://www.comiccon.com). -- Neil Gaiman. Neil took it upon himself to discuss our situation within his daily on-line journal, which just happens to be the most visited daily journal on the web. And since he's been known to have a fan or two (including us), we've been getting a nice bit of support from there as well (http://www.neilgaiman.com/journal/journal.asp). -- And no less amazing than that of the abbove, the collective efforts of the crews at http://www.artbomb.net, http://www.sequentialtart.com, http://www.comicbookresources.com,http://www.comicbookgalaxy.com, http://www.icv2.com, http://www.grayhavenmagazine.com, http://www.popimage.com, http://www.shotgunreviews.com, the members of the Brian Michael Bendis message board (http://www.comicscommunity.com/boards/bendis/), etc., who all rallied their subscribers, who in turn proudly stated that they had come from one of these very active sites. -- And lastly, but never least, the comicss retailing and distributing community. They are the front line of our industry, and behind the scenes they have always been the ones that have kept the independent publisher alive. The show of support from this community has not only been amazing on this particular day, but has ALWAYS been there from the first moment we entered the business. They have been the group that has supported us the most. Again, we want to thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts -- we could not have done it without you. Top Shelp will continue to try and put out the best books possible, and we look forward to not only thanking each an every one of you personally at the Cons this summer, but also being able to now make some rather cool announcements in the coming weeks that should be fun and beneficial for the entire industry as well. On behalf of Brett Warnock and myself_ Truly, your friend thru comics, Chris Staros Top Shelf Productions PO Box 1282 Marietta, GA 30061-1282 USA (770) 425-0551 staros@bellsouth.net http://www.topshelfcomix.com http://www.topshelfcomix.com +++++ From the SPLASH PAGE of Comicon.com at: http://www.comicon.com/splash/ LPC BUST: HOW BAD IS IT REALLY? REPORT: DARK HORSE OWED $661K IN LPC BANKRUPTCY! April 4: Some wags are already calling Tuesday's bankruptcy of LPC GROUP the 'Heroe's World of Independent Comics'. The implication is that the impact of the bankruptcy could lead to a number of currently successful Indy publishers being severely squeezed, possibly to the point of collapse. While small outfits like TOP SHELF and creators such as Colleen Doran have openly spoken of their losses, statements from the larger publishers who have exclusive contracts with the LPC show no sign of panic. In fact public solidarity with LPC in its time of trouble seems to be the order of the day. One of the biggest question marks on the industry radar is Dark Horse Comics, who are ramping up a wide range of licensed STAR WARS titles ahead of the new film. ICV2 is reporting that Dark Horse Publisher Mike Richardson issued a statement saying the company will be taking a 'business as usual' stance with LPC for the foreseeable future. Michael Martens, Dark Horse's Vice President of Sales and Marketing, told ICv2 that sales through LPC were a growing part of the publisher's business. "Direct market orders on the Star Wars Episode II trade paperback were only 12% of what LPC sold (though the Direct Market also sells the comic book adaptation). We still sell the majority of our books in the Direct Market but on these media titles, we really see much better orders coming from the book trade. We are real pleased with what LPC has done over our previous distributor." An unconfirmed report circulating on the Internet this morning, purported to be from the PUBLISHERS WEEKLY Daily Newsletter, indicates the sums of money involved in situation. The report said: "Over the last year LPC has been aggressively pursuing graphic novel publishers eager to sell their books in general bookstores. The three largest unsecured creditors are all graphic novel publishers: Mixx Entertainment ($767,000), Dark Horse Comics ($661,000) and MarvelEntertainment ($618,000)." The other question mark on insider's radar is the perennially tumultuous IMAGE. Publisher Jim Valentino has been close-mouthed about where IMAGE stands in the wake of the bankruptcy, releasing only a short statement of support for TOP SHELF last night. But ICV2 got him to open up a little and remark that it "...is really hard to assess the situation at this time. We don't have all the information and I don't believe in moving in panic. I want information before I make a decision one way or the other and we really don't have enough at this point. We're sitting tight with cautious optimism." While publishers publicly profess satisfaction with LPC's performance, industry insiders point to the company's severe downsizing last fall as a turning point. LPC closed its Chicago office and dismissed its sales force at the time, while continuing to actively court and sign up new publishers. The suspicion building among the comics community is that the company might have been keeping itself afloat on the flush of fresh inventory from new accounts. One of the largest questions raised by the sudden turn of events is what it reflects about the true size and shape of the graphic novel category. Publishers have been optimistic over the apparent penetration of graphic novels into the book trade in the last year, most of which was accomplished by LPC. Was that market real or an illusion created by a company living off fresh inventory from new accounts? Is the failure of LPC a failure of that market, or is it a case of company mismanagement? Meanwhile, in another development, SEVEN HILLS DISTRIBUTION is moving quickly to lure LPC publishers away. In a letter to LPC accounts yesterday SEVEN HILLS said: "If it's time for you to make a decision, we'll be here to listen, to offer suggestions, and give you an alternative to your current situation, completely confidential." DARK HORSE SAYS $661K FIGURE WRONG! April 5: DARK HORSE COMICS says a figure quoted in PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY NEWS, which the SPLASH ran yesterday, concerning LPC owing the company $661,000, is wrong. NEWSARAMA is reporting: "Martens also refuted the claim by Publisher's Weekly that LPC owed Dark Horse well over $600,000. "It's not that much," Martens said. "We are owed money, but there are a couple of extenuating circumstances here – generally, this is a ninety day business. You're paid at net ninety days. What someone must have done is figured an average month and multiplied by three. At least that's my guess where they got that figure." NEWSARAMA said DARK HORSE is also helped by "stipulations in Dark Horse's contract with LPC that require the distributor to make payments to the publisher if the total owed by LPC exceeded a set amount, as well as credit insurance. Additionally, the relationship between LPC and Dark Horse is a brokerage deal, meaning that at no time does LPC own any of Dark Horse's stock. Simply, LPC acts as an agent for Dark Horse, and arranges for their product to be distributed via CDS, facilitating the transaction. Image and Mixx/Tokyopop have brokerage deals with LPC as well." Meanwhile, another small Indy publisher hit hard by the bankruptcy, DRAWN&QUARTERLY is also appealing to fans to purchase books to keep the company afloat. The following press release was posted this morning on various Internet message boards: "Drawn & Quarterly online sale - for every order of $150.00 or more you'll receive Chris Ware's new 200 page hardcover sketchbook. That's right, folks, D&Q is getting into the racket of raising cash to fill in the gaps left by one of our now-bankrupt distributors by having a one-time sale that ends in 12 days! Order anything from our website that totals at least $150.00 USD before shipping costs (or $235.00 Canadian dollars) and you'll receive for free Chris Ware's new hardcover sketchbook when it is published this September. The retail price of the sketchbook will likely be in the $40.00 USD range (200 full color pages, cloth, 7" x 9 3/4"). The sketchbook will be a special co-publication between esteemed Dutch publisher Oog & Blik and Drawn & Quarterly. Oog & Blik has just posted this preview on their site: http://www.oogenblik.nl/waresketch.htm The sale ends by midnight, April 17th. D&Q's secure online ordering catalogue can be accessed by going to our home page and clicking on the "order" icon at the bottom. Mail orders can be made (checks or money orders are OK too) if the envelope is post-marked by April 17th. Telephone orders can be made by calling 514.279.2221 between 9:00 - 5:00 EST Monday through Friday. Note: The Chris Ware sketchbook offer is only available in North America (Oog & Blik has the rights for European distribution, so we cannot offer the book in their territory)." While publishers publicly profess satisfaction with LPC's performance, industry insiders point to the company's severe downsizing last fall as a turning point. LPC closed its Chicago office and dismissed its sales force at the time, while continuing to actively court and sign up new publishers. The suspicion building among the comics community is that the company might have been keeping itself afloat on the flush of fresh inventory from new accounts. One of the largest questions raised by the sudden turn of events is what it reflects about the true size and shape of the graphic novel category. Publishers have been optimistic over the apparent penetration of graphic novels into the book trade in the last year, most of which was accomplished by LPC. Was that market real or an illusion created by a company living off fresh inventory from new accounts? Is the failure of LPC a failure of that market, or is it a case of company mismanagement? +++++ Aid Given to Comic Book Artists ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Work dried up for artist Bill Messner-Loebs when the comic books' speculative bubble burst in the mid-1990s. His savings gone, Messner-Loebs was destitute and about to lose his home in Ann Arbor, Mich. ``I was not able to get any employment,'' said Messner-Loebs, a writer/artist who had worked on the Wonder Woman series. ``My wife and I were behind on all of our bills.'' But a Los Angeles-based nonprofit charity established by the comics industry came through with $11,000, saving his home. Even more, the organization known as ACTOR used its industry contacts to get work for the 53-year-old cartoonist. ACTOR (A Commitment to Our Roots) has raised more than $145,000 in a little more than a year to benefit elderly comic book artists and writers who live in poverty. Some are unable to afford food, medical care or phone service. Messner-Loebs is working today because of the organization. In one of his jobs, he's writing for Moonstone Books' Bulldog Drummond title. ``I'm hoping when I'm back on my feet, I can contribute to ACTOR myself,'' Messner-Loebs said. The organization recently sponsored an auction that raised $45,000 to benefit elderly comic book artists and writers. These cartoonists toiled in low-wage obscurity during the comic book industry's so-called Golden Age in the 1950s. As free-lancers, they were paid a penny a word or $5 a page, with no pensions or health benefits, while the publishers made millions. ``Generally speaking, it takes comic artists a full day to draw a page, so that's working for $5 a day,'' said Jim McLauchlin, senior editor for the comics industry magazine Wizard. Younger comics fans helped their predecessors at the auction at Orlando MegaCon, one of the Southeast's largest comic books conventions. ``The most important people in our field are not doing very well today,'' said Maggie Thompson, editor of the Comics Buyer's Guide. ``To honor our pioneers in a way that's more than 'Gee, you're a great guy. Would you sign an autograph for me?' is a great thing.'' Of the money ACTOR has raised in the last year, about $20,000 has been distributed to six artists who have accepted help, including $9,500 this year. ``Pretty much every other professional organization has something like this,'' said McLauchlin, ACTOR's president. ``Nothing like this has ever existed in the comic books business.'' Assistance has ranged from helping one man with his mortgage payments to arranging the funeral for an artist whose family couldn't afford to properly bury him. ACTOR also tries to arrange work for the older artists, so they will have a steady source of income. The auction consisted of more than 100 items, including original art and signed manuscripts from artists and writers. Serving as guest auctioneer was Kevin Smith, writer and director of such films as ``Clerks'' and ``Chasing Amy.'' Smith is known for sprinkling his movies with comics references, and even cast famed artist Stan Lee - creator of Spiderman, the Incredible Hulk and the Fantastic Four - in his movie ``Mallrats.'' Japanese artist Yoshitaka Amano, creator of the Final Fantasy series, donated the auction's top draw: the very first Elektra painting Amano ever did. The piece, which sold for $5,000, has been seen only as a promotional item for the Elektra & Wolverine: The Redeemer series. Tampa-based CrossGen Comics sent a pair of massive art prints to the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt. The ship's crew - numbering about 5,500 - autographed the prints and sent them back for the auction. The $1,100 fetched by the two prints will be split between ACTOR and the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, the charity of choice of the Theodore Roosevelt. On the Net: ACTOR: http://www.ACTORComicFund.org/ MegaCon 2002: http://www.megaconvention.com/ +++++ Enthusiasm Builds for Free Comic Book Day Publisher Titles Sell in Hundreds of Thousands In 29 countries around the world and in all 50 states, over 2,000 retailers are preparing for Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) and the two million free comics they will give away on May 4. Of those comics, an astonishing 1.46 million are published by Dark Horse Comics, DC Comics, Image Comics, and Marvel Comics. All of the FCBD comic books provided by these four publishers sold in the hundreds of thousands of copies, in quantities that exceeded that of any non-giveaway title offered in February. With the heat of the Spider-Man movie (opening the day before FCBD) behind it, Marvel's Ultimate Spider-Man FCBD Edition topped sales for the FCBD editions. Please note: As they are intended for giveaway and feature no cover price, the FCBD editions have been categorized as promotional items and thus will not appear on Diamond's monthly Top 100 Comics chart to be published in the April edition of Dialogue, which reaches retailers on April 3. Had these editions been categorized as comic books, they would have taken the top 4 positions, with Ultimate Spider- Man FCBD Edition ranking as the #1 comic of the month in terms of units sold, and with Dark Horse's Star Wars: Episode II: Attack of the Clones: A Jedi's Weapon FCBD Edition, DC's Justice League Adventures #1 FCBD Edition, and Image's Tomb Raider #1/2 FCBD Edition placing second, third, and fourth respectively. Other evidence that the word is spreading about Free Comic Book Day: The hit count on www.FreeComicBookDay.com is steadily rising as more and more information is released. More than 2,000 stores in 29 countries (and all 50 states in the U.S.) have signed up to participate. Diamond's "Pulse of the Marketplace" feature article in the April 2002 Dialogue asked retailers how they were promoting FCBD, and received the biggest response in the history of the publication. The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) has come on board to promote Free Comic Book Day through its member libraries. The organization is encouraging libraries to contact local comic book stores in order to arrange for cross-promotion on May 4. Diamond is also helping to match retailers who have expressed an interest in coordinating with a local library to do so. Furthermore, Dark Horse Comics has donated 10,000 copies of its Star Wars: Episode II-Attack of the Clones Free Comic Book Day Edition for YALSA to distribute to interested libraries for use on May 4. With the help of El Capitán, the website WhatIsTheMatrix.com_the official website of the The Matrix series of movies-now links to FreeComicBookDay.com. As anticipation over the movie sequels (currently being shot in Australia) continues to build, traffic to this website grows, exposing more and more people to Free Comic Book Day. Furthermore, El Capitán's contribution to FCBD-a flip book containing a Stray Bullets story and David Lapham's never-before-printed Matrix story from the website-will serve to draw in Matrix fans who may not be comic book readers. (Participating retailers will receive quantities of this comic in proportion to their orders for the Premier Publishers' FCBD editions.) IDG Games Media Group, publishers of GamePro Magazine and the GamePro.com website, is providing the event with editorial coverage in the May issue of GamePro in exchange for free advertising in Previews. The coverage in GamePro will reach an estimated monthly audience of 3.4 million readers. In conjunction with the New York chapter of the Friends of Lulu, Diamond will be promoting Free Comic Book Day at I-CON, a major science- fiction and fantasy convention on Long Island that boasts a large number of female attendees – the major potential growth market for comics. Friends of Lulu volunteers will hand out FCBD stickers and fliers that list participating stores in the Long Island/New York City area. A story about Free Comic Book Day is slated for publication in an April edition of the New York Daily News, reaching New Yorkers and the millions who read the paper online. Diamond's Comic Shop Locator Service is also promoting Free Comic Book Day with a special message that tells consumers who call the Service at (888) COMIC-BOOK about the event, and encourages them to visit the Free Comic Book Day website to find the participating retailer near them. As a result, all past and present promotion for the CSLS now promotes Free Comic Book Day as well. Publications such as the New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, TV Guide, and U.S. News & World Report have expressed an interest in Free Comic Book Day as well. Please note: By its very nature, the mainstream media tend to add and subtract stories and ideas up until the last minute. As a result, stories may show up in venues with no notice, or may need to be cancelled without notice due to breaking news in another field. Please bear this in mind when mainstream media are mentioned with regards to Free Comic Book Day. ***** THE STORES ARE HERE! One of the most frequently asked questions we get about Free Comic Book Day is: "Where the heck do I get my free comic?" Well, we're glad to answer that question! Check out the Free Comic Book Day site at www.FreeComicBookDay.com, and be sure to click on the new Free Comic Book Locator link. (Or, just go straight here: http://www.freecomicbookday.com/fcbd_locator.asp.) If you're in the U.S. or Canada, enter your ZIP or postal code to find a store near you. If you're outside the U.S. or Canada, click on the link below the text box for a menu system that will help you find a comic book store in the more than two dozen other countries that are participating! ***** TELL YOUR FRIENDS! As always, be sure to tell your friends about Free Comic Book Day! There are going to be 2 million comics handed out for free on May 4, so get them into your local comic book store, get a comic in their hands, and watch a new fan being born! (Plus, this means you'll now have another friend to talk comics with, another pal to accompany you to the store, etc.) Don't forget: May 4 is the magic day. Mark it on your calendar, tell your friends, and we'll see you in our next update! Another announcement regarding promotion for Free Comic Book Day will be released in the second week of April. For updates on the event, please point your browser to www.FreeComicBookDay.com. +++++ The Comics Interpreter is now seeking submissions for issue #7. Reviewers, essayists, and potential interviewers are sought. We also welcome artists who can do cartoons relevant to the industry and/or spot illustrations for text pieces. TCI has been called the "leading print alternative to The Comics Journal" by Joe Zabel of Amazing Montage/Indy Magazine. TCI is distributed nationwide and internationally by Tower Records, Desert Moon Periodicals, Bernhard DeBoer, Shenton Sales, and Last Gasp. email inquiries to: comicsinterpreter@hotmail.com or visit out website http://tci.homestead.com +++++ All-Smash Funnies #1 near completion. Blue Moon Comics Group is pleased to announce that the premiere issue of All-Smash Funnies is near completion. Produced in collaboration with Jonathan A. Gilbert's SeajayVentures Studios the first issue of this quarterly retro-1940s anthology will present the work of Jonathan A. Gilbert, Lloyd Smith, Seppo Makinen, David Owens, Susan Dorne, Ed Quinby, William E. Holloway, Stan Wong, David A. Vance and Vache Mavilian. A 32 page comics digest with black & white interior art, a full color cover by Ed Quinby and a cover price of $1.75 All-Smash Funnies #1 will feature the origins of Captain Sentinel and the Lads of Liberty, Mister Chameleon and The Meteor plus a Black Rose fiction text and a 1940s superhero satire. Release date and additional information will be announced soon. Blue Moon Comics Group publisher Lloyd Smith can be emailed at blue_moon_99@hotmail.com Jonathan A. Gilbert can be emailed at allsmash@hotmail.com The Blue Moon Comics Group Supersite can be found at www.bluemooncomics.tsx.org +++++ CROSSGEN COMICS NOW AVAILABLE IN SCANDANAVIA Comic Publisher Expands Into Four New Countries TAMPA, FL., April 1, 2002 - Continuing its worldwide expansion, CrossGen Comics has signed a publishing deal with Egmont Serieforlaget to publish CrossGen's comics for the newsstand, comic shop and bookstore market in the countries of Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Denmark. Each edition will be translated into that area's native language of Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish, and Danish. This new publishing agreement means CrossGen Comics are now available in at least 30 foreign countries and in nine foreign languages. The first issue will be released under the title of Magic Fantasy #1 and will contain the first issues of CrossGen's four monthly titles, Sojourn, Mystic, Scion and Meridian. Starting with issue #2, Magic Fantasy will contain subsequent issues of these four titles in sequence. Following the release of Magic Fantasy, Egmont Serieforlaget will publish a trade paperback containing the first six issues of Sigil. Publication of Magic Fantasy by Egmont Serieforlaget will begin in May 2002 and each issue will ship bi-monthly. The contract also provides for the translations of CrossGen's titles to be used in its Comics on the Web offering, as well. Ulf Granberg, Editor-in-Chief of Egmont Serieforlaget is eager to get started. "We at Egmont Serieforlaget in Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland are excited about this opportunity to bring the CrossGen line of products to a Scandinavian audience," said Granberg. "We really believe in this material." According to James Breitbeil, CrossGen's Director of Marketing and Distribution, the signing of this agreement is further proof of CrossGen worldwide acceptance. "Having our comics published in 30 foreign countries and in at least nine foreign languages adds fuel to an already blazing-hot fire," said Breitbeil. "With the worldwide initiatives we have been announcing the past 60 days or so, we're ecstatic that readers in these four countries will now be able to participate." ZOOMGO SIGNS TO DISTRIBUTE CROSSGEN'S COMICS ON THE WEB Internet Game Provider to Add Comics on the Web to its Member Sites TAMPA, FL., April 2, 2002 - As one of the primary goals of CrossGen's Comics on the Web is to expose more new readers to comics, CrossGen has signed on ZoomGo, one of the Web's leading providers of Flash games and puzzles, to distribute Comics on the Web to consumer Web sites. ZoomGo, with more than 100 Web site clients who use their Flash gaming content, will expand their product offering and act as an outsourced sales team to bring Comics on the Web to some of their existing mainstream clientele as well as new Web site partners. "The only way Comics on the Web is going to benefit the comic book marketplace is if we distribute it to as many Web sites as possible, said Tony Panaccio, CrossGen's VP of Product Development. "ZoomGo makes fun games, they have a solid reputation and they have great relationships with their clientele. What's more, they understand the shifting Web paradigm which demands that fee-based content flourish in order to make up for lost advertising revenues after the ad market crash of post 9-11. Comics on the Web is a perfect fit for the emergence of this business model, and consumers new to comics seem to like them a lot." According to Matt Sager, VP of Business Development at ZoomGo, Comics on the Web will be an easy sell for his outfit. "CrossGen's Comics on the Web is some of the most compelling entertainment content on the Web today," Sager said. "We cannot wait to get started with this project. At ZoomGo, we are believers in comics and we think that CrossGen has the right idea in bringing this affordable comic book content to new readers in this fashion. It's a perfect complement to our other Flash content, and it's all upside for us and for our Web partners. This is going to be a lot of fun!" About ZoomGo ZoomGo creates interactive, custom-made games and content that provide Web site managers the ability to offer a unique form of entertainment to their subscribers. ZoomGo develops and distributes content that create unparalleled interactive advertising and sponsorship opportunities for increased revenue generation. Companies who license these games have the ability to sell sponsorship units to display ads and products. With the addition of leader boards, companies can create tournaments that bring a wide range of users to compete and stay for prolonged periods of time. ZoomGo's core philosophy is to develop games that are not just entertaining to the user, but also informative and readily adaptable as a branding tool for our client's customized needs and preferences. ZoomGo's games have an average time of 22 minutes per session, with features that include high score leader boards to create competition and weekly tournaments, the ability to offer the games as greeting cards to users, sponsorship opportunities that can be re-sold to advertisers, low bandwidth utilization and a wide variety of content that can be mixed and matched to suit any type of user group. To learn more please visit us at www.zoomgo.com for more information and to view our full inventory of games. About CrossGen's Comics on the Web CrossGen's Comics on the Web is the first inexpensive subscription- based distributed library of Internet-based comic books usable on PC and Mac platforms with a potential audience well into the millions. For the subscription price on only $1 per month to start, users are presented with Web comics in an easy to read format accessible in seconds from even the slowest dial-up connection. They read just like a printed comic, but with a rich set of features developed in Flash by one of the medium's most renowned programmers, Gabo Mendoza of Gabocorp Studios. Initially launched with more than 50 CrossGen issues available, accounting for more than 1,100 pages, the library will grow to more than 160 issues and 4,400 pages by the end of 2002, rising at a steady pace to nearly 20,000 pages in more than 800 issues by 2005. The number of issues available, when calculated against the $1 per month base, brings the cost per comic down to about 3 cents at launch time, and reduces it to about half a penny by the end of 2002. CROSSGEN ARTISTS HONORED WITH APPEARANCE IN PRESTIGIOUS ART BOOK Two Pieces To Appear In Spectrum 9: The Best In Contemporary Fantastic Art TAMPA, FL., April 4, 2002 - The Spectrum jury has selected two pieces submitted by CrossGen Comics for inclusion in Spectrum 9: The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art being published in October 2002 by Underwood Books. Spectrum is the internationally distributed, annual collection of the best in science fiction, fantasy, and comic illustration selected from book covers, comics, art galleries, and more. The chosen pieces are the cover of Meridian #14 by Steven McNiven, Tom Simmons, and Morry Hollowell, and Sojourn #4, page 14 by Greg Land, Drew Geraci, and Caesar Rodriguez. A panel of judges consisting of Rick Berry, Tim Bruckner, Terese Nielsen, Phil Hale, David DeVries, and Bob Haas reviewed the submitted CrossGen pieces. A letter was then sent to CrossGen Art Director Bart Sears with the news. "We're honored to be included in this prestigious book," said Sears. "We're very proud of all the work the teams are doing here at CrossGen and it's nice to see that such a prominent outside source has confirmed it for us. Having our art placed alongside the quality talent that Spectrum annually features is a great pat on the back for a job well done." +++++ Influential Series METAL HURLANT Returns With Direct Market Comic Los Angeles - April 1st, 2002 - This July Humanoids Publishing proudly reintroduces the comic book that influenced and inspired Heavy Metal Magazine, and a generation of fans and comic professionals. Metal Hurlant is the realization of Humanoids vision to bring together the best storytellers from around the world to create a universal comic experience. This bi-monthly anthology will feature stories that will become instant classics, all produced with the same care and quality for which Humanoids is known. Every issue of Metal Hurlant will be an event, and things get started with a bang as Avengers writer, Kurt Busiek, teams with artist extraordinaire, Gerald Parel on the new story, "Hunter¹s Moon." The cover feature is the beginning of the serialized "Megalex" story by the TechnoPriests team of Jodorowsky and Fred Beltran. Readers can expect several surprises as well. "Metal Hurlant is really a labor of love for us. We want to do everything right and give the fans a comic that will really be something different, something that lives up to the legacy this title has." said Ian Sattler, Marketing Manager for Humanoids. "Metal Hurlant is more than just a comic, it¹s a way of thinking. The stories push the creative limits; and out of the stories in Metal Hurlant we are generating projects like the Pin-Up Girls From Around The World book from Fred Beltran, and the Miss Trade Paperback from Marc Riou and Mark Vigouroux who drew a Jodorowsky story in the first issue. Metal Hurlant is a graphic depiction of the Humanoids philosophy. I can¹t wait for people to see what we have going on." Metal Hurlant #1 is 48 pages (32 color / 16 black and white), comic book size and retails for $3.95. Humanoids will support this issue with an in-store poster, and ordering incentives for retailers. Humanoids plans to simultaneously release Metal Hurlant #1 in several countries besides the U.S. including France as part of a comprehensive and aggressive publishing plan. For more information go to: http://www.humanoids-publishing.com Humanoids Publishing is a division of The Humanoids Group, with offices in Paris, Brussels, Saigon, Geneva and Los Angeles. The Humanoids Group is a multi-faceted conglomerate headed by Chairman Fabrice Giger. Humanoids features subsidiaries that include an internationally renowned graphic novel/comic book publishing house, a 3-D animation and visual effects studio, an animation software development company and an entity currently developing interactive, role-playing computer games. # # # You can download the cover art from METAL HURLANT #1 at: http://www.humanoids-publishing.com/pr/C.MetalHurlant01.jpg * * * * * For more information or a complete product list: E-mail: cs@humanoids-publishing.com If you would like to read reviews of other Humanoids titles, please visit the following links: www.marsimport.com www.icomics.com +++++ The April edition of Sequential Tart is out! www.sequentialtart.com COVERS Rachel Hartman (Amy Unbounded) Dan Warner (Cocopiazo) INTERVIEWS Aman Chaudhary (Frightening Curves and Whisper) Cliff Richards (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel Heat, various DHC projects) Joe Gentile (Moonstone Books) Jamie S. Rich (Oni Press) Matt Haley (The Order, Defenders, Elseworld's Finest) ARTICLES Spotlight On ... The Comicless Gazelle of Ignorance by Sarah Steadman Hopelessly Lost, But Making Good Time Part # 13 by Pam Bliss Web-Swingin' Around - An Essay on Why I like Marvel's Spider-Girl by Rebecca Henely Queer Characters - Hook 'Em Up, Then Shoot 'Em Down by Denise Sudell Bruce Wayne: Murderer - Exactly Who is Being Murdered Here? by Corrina Lawson Getting It Together - TPBs for the Terminally Disorganized by Rachel Hartman The Sequential Tart Booth at MegaCon by Lee Atchison CON REPORTS Monkeybutt Coffee - My MegaCon 2002 Report by Carrie Landers MegaCon 2002 by Rita Fennelly It Lives! In Which the ST Booth at MegaCon Takes On A Life Of Its Own by Lee Atchison ATSUKAMASHII ONNA AO INTERVIEWS Steve Bennett IV - Studio Ironcat Sonny Strait - Voice actor Dragon Ball, artist Elfquest AO ARTICLES Guys Playing Games - Shounen Anime and Manga by Dani Fletcher Shounen Roundup by Dani Fletcher Under a Microscope - X/1999 Duet by Sheena McNeil For Love of the Game - Sports and Game Manga by Jen Bomford Dragon Ball GT - The Next Generation by Alysson Wyatt The Eva Marathon Part Three by Trisha Sebastian Reviews: Anime, Manga, Anime Soundtrack CULTURE VULTURES Rant of the Month - Salt Lake 2002: Reflections on Ice (and Snow) by Dani Fletcher Buffy Bites by Wolfen Moondaughter Wing Tips by Tori Morris Cinema Psychotronica by Denise Sudell Geek Squad - Computer GaGa by Dolly Gasper Reviews: Books & Magazines, Comics, DVDs & Videos, Events, Graphic Novels, Movies, Music, Web Comics COLUMNS 13 Questions - Rachel Hartman (Amy Unbounded) Bizarre Breasts - See Our Breasts! Declaration of Independents - Dan Warner (Cocopiazo) Read This Or Die - Patrick the Wolf Boy Redirected Male - Matt Nute Retailer's Corner - Galactic Quest Buford GA Tart To Heart - Scooby Snacks Dear Kady Mae Going Postal AND introducing a new column: Tart Teasers, where we don't just say a series is cool, we have sequential pages from said series, so you can judge for yourself if it's a keeper! This month we offer a preview of Amy Unbounded: Belondweg Blossoming and Pinky & Stinky CHATS Buffy Bites: The Chat with host Wolfen Moondaughter every Thursday AO Official Anime and Manga Chat with host Dani Fletcher Wednesday, April 3, SPECIAL GUESTS ** CPM MANGA *** and Wednesday, April 17th Hopelessly Lost: The Chat with host Pam Bliss Tuesday, April 9 AND ... a very special chat with Rachel Hartman about Xeric, creating a TPB, and Amy Unbounded April 16th ALL chats are 9 PM EST and are located at http://www.sequentialtart.com/chat.shtml STORE As always Sequential Tart has a wide variety of Tart gear available at our stores: http://www.sequentialtart.com/store.php COMMUNITY We welcome discussion about all topics comics related or not at our message boards: http://www.sequentialtart.com/cgi-bin/community/Ultimate.cgi RECOMMENDED READING LISTS Many of you have heard about our special Recommended Reading lists that we gave away at Mega Con and lots have asked, "How can I get my very own copy of these lists?" Well, wonder no more, because we've collected the lists at: http://read.sequentialtart.com EVENTS Representatives from Sequential Tart will be at Wonder Con and the Pittsburgh ComiCon, hope to see lots of you there! +++++ Dynamic Forces presents "The Greatest Show on Earth" with special Ringmaster Stan "The Man" Lee! April 15th at 7:00 p.m. EST (4:00 p.m. PST): Make plans to leave work early if want to be a part of this show! Dynamic Forces will premiere one of the coolest comic collectible shows of all time, featuring a mound of Marvel items, including signed comics, lithographs and more! The "Greatest Show on Earth" will features ultra-limited and collectible items such as: a commemorative edition of Amazing Fantasy #15 (the very fist appearance of Hollywood's newest star, The Amazing Spider-Man), and the Marvel 40th Anniversary Origins Litho -- all signed by "The Man" himself! DF will also present signed items by definitive Spider-Man artist John Romita, Sr.! Look for Amazing Spider-Man Authentics #1 and the Spider-Man Vs. the Green Goblin Giclee Framed Edition that Romita penciled and master-artist Alex Ross painted (and signed this special edition)! But wait, there's more! Joe Quesada -- the Editor-in-Chief of Marvel Comics and cover artist of Ultimate Spider-Man #1 -- is signing an Ultimate Spider-Man Acetate Lithograph featuring a special Anniversary price! Also from the Ultimate end of the Marvel Universe, DF is premiering the Ultimate Marvel Lithograph featuring every Ultimate hero and signed by artist Art Thibert and Ultimate creators Mark Millar, Bryan Hitch, Richard Isanove and Mark Bagley! More special items for the show include: Amazing Spider-Man Lithograph signed and Re-Marked Lithograph by David Michael Beck premiering on this show, the Marvel 40th Anniversary Marquee Master Series Signature Set with the Amazing Fantasy #15 commemorative edition signed by Stan Lee, Amazing Spider-Man #1 signed by John Romita Jr., Wolverine #49 signed by original Wolverine artist Herb Trimpe, Spectacular Spider-Man #200 signed by definitive Spider-Man artist John Romita Sr., Marvel's 100 Greatest Comics: X-Men Giant Size #1 signed by Original X-Men co-creator/writer Len Wein, and the Ultimate Spider-Man Hardcover signed by Mark Bagley and Art Thibert! Don't miss out on Stan Lee and the "Greatest Show On Earth," April 15th at 7:00 p.m. EST (check your local cable channel for listings) and be sure to check out www.dynamicforces.com for more information and more great product! 'Nuff Said! Bill Rosemann Marketing Communications Manager Marvel Comics +++++ Spider-Man Collector's Program Offers Product and Artwork for Fans of Marvel Comics' Web-Slinging Superhero; Program to Kick-Off with Online Voting Contest TIMONIUM, Md.--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--April 4, 2002--"With great power comes great responsibility." Words Spider-Man, a.k.a. Peter Parker, has come to live by. Now, generations of loyal fans of the web-slinging Marvel Comics' superhero will have an opportunity to purchase unique memorabilia and merchandise through the Spider-Man Collector's Program. Available exclusively at select specialty and comic book outlets and on the web at www.sony.com/Spider-Man and www.diamondcomics.com starting in March, avid Spider-Man fans will be able to purchase a variety of collectibles, including individual images of artwork that helped inspire the highly-anticipated Spider-Man feature film. Merchandise from the Collector's Program, which features pencil sketches from legendary artist Bernie Wrightson that helped inspire the feature film, will include apparel (t-shirts from Changes), art (two lithographs from Dynamic Forces) with a limited number of each design autographed by Bernie Wrightson, shot glasses (from National Entertainment Collectibles Association) and a poster (from Funky Posters). The Collector's Program will kick-off with a special online voting contest and feature four original sketches that were created by Mr. Wrightson as "inspiration" for the feature film. Starting April 5th and running through April 12th, fans can log onto the official Spider-Man website, www.sony.com/Spider-Man, and vote for their favorite Bernie Wrightson design. Final results will be announced on the Spider-Man website on April 19th. The two winning designs will then be used to create two collectors edition t-shirts. Limited quantities of the exclusive t-shirts will be available only at www.sony.com/Spider-Man. "Spider-Man has been a worldwide icon for nearly forty years," stated Bernie Wrightson. "And it is extremely exciting for me to have created some of the artwork that helped inspire the feature film and that will be used in this special program." To further enhance the Spider-Man Collector's Program experience, Diamond Comics, the worldwide leader in comic book distribution, will sponsor a Spider-Man Collector's Program Contest in their April Preview Catalog. The contest will consist of four to six questions from the Spider-Man movie storyline that are sure to be known by avid Spider-Man fans. Participants will place their answers on a post card and either enter at their local Diamond Comic supported comic book store or mail their answers directly to Diamond Comics. Winners will be chosen randomly from the entrants who answered all the questions correctly. Prizes will include Spider-Man the movie video games, movie posters, a "Making Of" book by Ballentine Del Ray Publishing and a trade paperback by Marvel Comics. To help find the Spider-Man Collector's Program merchandise, Diamond Comics has also set up a Comic Shop Locator Service in which collectors and fans can call 1-888-COMICBOOK or visit www.diamondcomics.com to find a retailer nearest them. Spider-Man will be released nationwide by Columbia Pictures on May 3, 2002. The highly-anticipated action adventure film centers on student Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) who, after being bitten by a genetically altered spider, gains superhuman strength and the spider-like ability to cling to any surface. He vows to use his abilities to fight crime, coming to understand the words of his beloved Uncle Ben, "With great power comes great responsibility." Directed by Sam Raimi, the film also stars Willem Dafoe as Spider-Man's nemesis the Green Goblin, Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane Watson, James Franco as Peter's pal Harry Osborn, Cliff Robertson as Uncle Ben, Rosemary Harris as Aunt May and J.K. Simmons as Jonah Jameson, Peter's boss at The Daily Bugle. Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc. was established in 1982 to provide comic book specialty retailers with wholesale, non-returnable comic books and related merchandise. After 20 years of service, Diamond has emerged as the world's largest distributor of English-language comics and related merchandise, with a network of strategically located Distribution Centers throughout the world. Photography Available Upon Request CONTACT: Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc. Bill Schanes, 410/560-7100 or Freeman Public Relations Amy Friedland/Brian Murphy 973/470-0400 +++++ 'Spider-Man' Players Caught in Sequel Web By Claude Brodesser HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - It's not just spin. With "Spider-Man" ready to swing into theaters next month, Columbia Pictures has cast its web around the bulk of the film's creative team for a sequel to the superhero adventure. As expected, the studio has inked deals with above-the-line stars Tobey Maguire, Kirstin Dunst and director Sam Raimi, as well as producers Laura Ziskin, Avi Arad and Ian Bryce, for a second installment to the Marvel Comics franchise that will begin shooting early next year. "All of this because of our complete belief in the movie," said Columbia executive vice president Matt Tolmach, in a sentiment reflected by Columbia production chief Peter Schlessel, who called director Raimi "a responsive partner" with the studio. Columbia chairman Amy Pascal has made the franchise one of her top priorities, and she and other executives were impressed with the approach of writing team of Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, who will pen the sequel. Having first achieved success with the creation of the "Shanghai Noon" franchise for Disney, Gough and Millar are currently busy with their own successful take on another young, superhero icon, having created and executive produced the WB television series "Smallville." That show follows a young Clark Kent as he discovers his super powers in a rural town. The duo also penned the recent Eddie Murphy-Robert De Niro comedy "Showtime." Marvel is luxuriating in Hollywood's loving gaze. New Line Cinema's "Blade II" just opened, Fox and New Regency will release "Daredevil," and both "X-Men II" and "The Incredible Hulk" are due out in 2003. The first "Spider-Man" is unencumbered by gross participants of any kind, making it extremely attractive; the sequel gives Maguire an eight-figure salary and gross participation. Even still, "Spider-Man 2" looks free of the obstreperous infighting that has occurred between producers, directors and stars over gross participation. That battle long-stymied the development of Columbia's "Men in Black 2," due out this summer. Insiders familiar with the "Spider-Man 2" deals said the gross participation barely reaches 15 percent, compared with 30 percent on "MiB2." +++++ From Newsarama at http://www.comicon.com/Newsarama/ Journey Into Comics: NOW IT's JEMAS vs. PAD Michael Sangiacomo reports that Marvel Comics President Bill Jemas will write six months worth of THE MARVEL which will go on sale beginning in September. That month Peter David, with some assistance from Marvel Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada, will release the first of the best half-dozen issues of Captain Marvel that he can write. After six months, the comic that sold the most copies wins. The losing comic gets cancelled. Jemas has some strong ideas about what makes a comic successful and he said that David is not following those suggestions. Jemas' response is to do it himself. He believes if an untried writer like himself can score bigger numbers by following his suggestions, than David will have to admit there must be something to that approach. "I have helped springboard some comics into being, like X-Force and Ultimate Spider-Man, but someone else did the writing and the scripting," Jemas said. "This will be the first time I have conceived of a series and did all the writing myself." Jemas declined to give much detail about his creation, The Marvel, a superhero whose exploits could be torn from today's New York Post. "I don't want to say anything about the character except that the adventures will be set in modern-day Marvel Manhattan," Jemas said. "The stories will be tied to news events. No other Marvel superheroes will appear, at least not in the first two issues. We're not ready to announce the artist. On a related matter, Jemas reiterated both Spider-Girl and Black Panther will also stay at their normal prices of $2.25 and $2.50 respectively while the writers retool. (next day) Following-up on the Journey Into Comics story, and a new interview Jemas and Joe Quesada gave to Comic Book Resources Monday in which Quesada implies the pair are not getting along so well these days, Newsarama asked the Marvel Editor-in-Chief Tuesday for a more detailed response to the Jemas Captain Marvel/The Marvel challenge. First off though, Quesada stated unequivocally and for the record that neither the new Jemas-written The Marvel series that will debut in September nor the challenge are April Fool's Day jokes. "Well, after reading Bill's ridiculous interview with Mike Sangiacomo, all I can do is apologize to both Peter David and the comicbook community as a whole," Quesada responded. "As most of you have seen in Bill's Q&A column that he writes for Ain't it Cool.com, there is a disclaimer that reads, 'Joe Quesada would like to remind readers that the opinions stated by Mr. Jemas do not necessarily reflect those of the staff of Marvel Comics'. It was originally written in jest, but never has it seemed more relevant. "I also want to apologize to fandom for having this thing take a turn for the worse, and, even worse, having it unfold in public. All I wanted to do was keep a book alive, and then later try to do right by its creator by coming to a decent compromise that could help a book that was in need of a sales spike. I really don't know what else to say ... I'm at a loss. "However, there is a little something that I can do to provide a bit of fairness. I don't get this whole macho attitude that, 'whomever sells the least amount of copies gets canceled'. It's incredibly foolish especially if both books sell incredibly high, yet one has to close shop. It's also not a level playing field. So in the spirit of fairness, Captain Marvel will launch with a new #1. [editor's note: Quesada did not specify when the relauch will occur]. This will at least create a favorable enough atmosphere in which Peter can soundly kick Bill's ass. "Now, here's another thing for everyone to consider … If Bill's book gets canceled,big deal! He still gets his fat COO check every week. If Peter's book gets canceled, that's part of the man's livelihood. It's just not a fair deal. Bill has nothing to lose. "At work, I've been busting Bill's chops about this whole cancellation thing to no avail, so now I'm going to air it all out in public and perhaps he'll listen, since he's becoming more and more the message board lurker, these days. "Put something else on the table Bill, the cancellation thing is lame. "And Read Captain Marvel!" +++++ From Comics2Film at http://www.comics2film.com ASTRONAUTS IN TROUBLE, R.I.P.D., SPYBOY --------------------------------------- Producer/screenwriter/comic creator Peter Lenkov (Tracker) told Comics2Film that he's got several projects in the realm of comics and movies in the works. First up Lenkov tells us that Larry Young's indie graphic novel Astronauts In Trouble was recently optioned and is currently in development as feature film. Lenkov is developing the screenplay. Ian Unterreiner of Arsenal Entertainment is attached to develop/produce the project in association with Larry Young, the creator of AiT and publisher of AiT/Planet Lar, and attorney Kenneth F. Levin. Lenkov has also finished the latest rewrite on the screenplay based on his R.I.P.D. comic. The comic tells the story of afterworld cops who keep the earth safe from supernatural threats. "[Producers] Larry Gordon and Lloyd Levin have given the script to an actor we all think would be great for the part," Lenkov told C2F, "so we're keeping our fingers crossed." Also in development is an animated series based on Dark Horse's Spy Boy for Nelvana. JUSTICE LEAGUE -------------- Super friends who make their way into Subway Restaurants this summer will be able to grab up Kids' Paks featuring Cartoon Network's Justice League. The toy premium promotion, put together by the Subway, Cartoon Network and DC Comics features Superman, Batman, the Flash, Wonder Woman, Hawkgirl, Green Lantern and Martian Manhunter. The collectible toys will be available at participating restaurants May 20 through July 7, 2002. +++++ From the DC Comics Online Newsletter at http://www.dccomics.com TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES BRINGS MAD MAGAZINE'S "SPY VS. SPY" TO NEWSPAPERS "Spy vs. Spy," one of MAD Magazine's longest-running and best-loved features, is now available to newspapers through Tribune Media Services (TMS) as part of MAD's year-long 50th anniversary celebration. TMS is syndicating weekly original full-color installments of "Spy vs. Spy," created by the late, legendary cartoonist Antonio Prohias, for use in the Sunday comics, as well as in other sections of the paper. Charter subscribers include the Los Angeles Times, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Denver Post and Atlanta Journal Constitution. For over four decades, the black Spy and white Spy have been building their bizarre, elaborate contraptions — like the board game Mousetrap — in an endless parry of "Joke and Dagger." Political climates have changed, presidents have come and gone, yet the never-ending scheming of the Spies is as relevant as ever. "Millions of readers have grown up smiling at the Spies' antics, and we're confident they'll enjoy seeing their old friends in their newspapers," said Paul Levitz, MAD Magazine's publisher. "Prohias won his reputation as a newspaper cartoonist, and he'd be smiling to see his greatest creation reaching readers in an exciting new way." "We see the feature as a thinly veiled commentary on the current scene," say MAD co-editors Nick Meglin and John Ficarra. "The mischievous Spies can be anyone, from Dave Letterman and CBS to Dick Cheney and Congress!" TMS Director of Creative Services Fred Schecker commented, "We're excited to represent a comic that so many newspaper readers already know and love. It is still as fresh and appealing as ever. In fact, it's aged a whole lot better than I have." The syndicated newspaper feature will offer original strips, done in the classic Prohias style, written by veteran MAD writer Duck Edwing and illustrated by Dave Manak, both of whom have worked on the strip for MAD Magazine for many years. THIRTEEN CENTS IS A SMALL PRICE TO PAY FOR GEN13 #0 For months now, the relaunch of Gen13 has been the talk of comics fans everywhere. This July, DC/WildStorm puts its money where its mouth is introducing the new team in the one-shot GEN13 #0 - for just 13 cents! This 32-page preview issue includes a new 12-page story that lays the foundation for Gen13's dramatic rebirth, courtesy of the creative team of the upcoming series: longtime fan-favorite writer Chris Claremont and hot artist Ale Garza! This special issue introduces a new threat to the WildStorm Universe, one that will change the concept of Gen13 forever! Featuring brand new characters, locales and villains, no one can afford to miss this preview special - and, at 13 cents, no one has to! "Chris and Ale have really put their all into the all-new, all-different GEN13 , and I've been blown away by the results," says Jim Lee, WildStorm's Editorial Director and original GEN13 artist. "Now that the price will be a mere 13 cents, everyone will have a chance to check it out and weigh in with their vote on this summer's hottest launch!" As if all this weren't enough, GEN13 #0 contains two 4-page vignettes from two other upcoming WildStorm series, 21 DOWN and THE RESISTANCE. 21 DOWN, a series that's linked to events in GEN13, is written by Jimmy Palmiotti (SUPERBOY) & Justin Gray, with art by Jesus Saiz (JLA:BLACK BAPTISM) & Palmiotti. THE RESISTANCE is also by writers Palmiotti & Gray, with art by Juan Romano Cano. GEN13 #0 hits comic book stores on July 3 with a cover price of only $0.13 U.S. Retailers please note: Copies of this issue will be given away to attendees at the DC booth at the Wizard World: Chicago and Comic-Con International: San Diego conventions. BACK TO PRESS! As part of DC's commitment to retailers and readers alike, selected items go back to press when quantities become low. The following title has been reprinted and is available for order: THE SANDMAN: THE DREAM HUNTERS SC (STAR11659) (2nd printing) NEWS FROM THE MAINSTREAM PRESS The March 11 edition of Publisher's Weekly includes an item on the exhibition of art from SEPTEMBER 11TH Volumes 1 and 2 at the Exit Art Gallery. The March 10 edition of the Memphis Commercial Appeal includes the article "Nazi-Battling Blackhawks Earned Enduring Fame," in which Andrew Smith looks at BLACKHAWK ARCHIVES Volume 1, calling it "a beautiful hardback reprinting their earliest adventures." The March 10 edition of the Syracuse Post-Standard includes a review of TOM STRONG #16, with Jeff Kapalka writing, "It's all been done before, of course_but writer [Alan] Moore makes it all seem new and exciting." The March 3 edition of the Toronto Sunday Sun includes the article "A Long, Twisted Ride," about PREACHER, writing, "Not only does [Garth] Ennis aim to spin a good yarn, he also wants to have fun_[Steve] Dillon's clean art looks deceptively simply, but his style perfectly suits the books dangerous, off-kilter mood." The March 10 edition of the Poughkeepsie, NY, Journal includes the article "In the World of Comics, Secret Identities Can Cut Both Ways," about Lex Luthor's recent discovery of Superman's secret identity. The article includes quotes from Eddie Berganza, Senior Editor — DC Universe. The March 4 edition of the Peoria, IL, Journal Star includes an item on the debut of THE POWER COMPANY. The March 4 edition of the Manchester, NH, Union Leader includes the article "Hawkman Swoops Again," in which Andrew Smith looks at HAWKMAN #1, writing, on JSA #22-25, "_Not only did [HAWKMAN writers David Goyer and Geoff Johns] puzzle out a way to make all the various Hawkmen and Hawk- histories make sense, they did so in a rousing story." NEWS FROM THE TRADE PRESS The May issue of Wizard features the article "Hot Flash," in which Andy Serwin provides readers with 10 reasons to read THE FLASH along with a sidebar listing "Flash Favorites," which recommends the 10 best FLASH stories written by Geoff Johns. The "News & Notes" section includes the article "Wearing of the Green," in which Casey Seijas speaks to Brad Meltzer about taking over as writer of GREEN ARROW; the section also includes looks at the DC FIRSTS Specials. BATGIRL #25 is cited as rising in the "Heat Index," while "Last Team Standing" pits the Avengers against Dexter's Laboratory super-team the Justice Friends. "Drawing Power!" looks at the 10 most influential comics artists of all time, including Bill Sienkiewicz (GREEN LANTERN: LEGACY — THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF HAL JORDAN, DC FIRST: BATGIRL/JOKER; at #10), Joe Madureira (BATTLE CHASERS; #9), Alex Toth (the SUPER FRIENDS TP, BATMAN BLACK & WHITE; #7), George Perez (WONDER WOMAN, JLA/AVENGERS; #6), Neal Adams (BATMAN, GREEN LANTERN/GREEN ARROW, THE DEADMAN COLLECTION; #4), Jack Kirby (THE NEW GODS, MISTER MIRACLE, GREEN ARROW; #2), and Will Eisner (THE SPIRIT ARCHIVES, The Will Eisner Library; #1). Robert Rodi imagines the film version of CODENAME: KNOCKOUT: in this issue's "Casting Call." "Coming Attractions" includes an article on the cast of the Birds of Prey pilot. The "Stuff" section includes Toy Fair highlights such as the SMALLVILLE ACTION FIGURES and the JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA FIRST APPEARANCE COLLECTOR'S SET. This issue's "Picks" include BATGIRL, DETECTIVE COMICS, GREEN LANTERN: LEGACY — THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF HAL JORDAN, HAWKMAN, JLA, JSA, THE LEGION, SUPERMAN, and WONDER WOMAN. The sidebar "Adults Only" focuses on mature readers titles, recommending AMERICAN CENTURY, CODENAME: KNOCKOUT, HELLBLAZER, 100 BULLETS, and TRANSMETROPOLITAN. "The Trading Post" looks at upcoming collected editions including AMERICAN CENTURY: HOLLYWOOD BABYLON, BATMAN IN THE FIFTIES, ROBIN: YEAR ONE, and THE SPIRIT ARCHIVES Volume 7. CATWOMAN #1 hits the #7 spot on this month's "Hot 10 Comics," while SEPTEMBER 11TH Volume 2 is #9. "Net Gains" looks at new interpretations of familiar characters, including Catwoman. This issue's "Comic Book Price Guide" includes a special "Petting Zoo," which spotlights Krypto (SUPERMAN: THE MAN OF STEEL #112), CAPTAIN CARROT AND HIS AMAZING ZOO CREW, Titano (SUPERMAN ANNUAL #1 [1987]), the Bat-Hound (DETECTIVE COMICS #623), Beppo the Super-Monkey (SUPERBOY #76), Wonder Dog (SUPER FRIENDS #3), Magilla's Guerillas (CARTOON NETWORK PRESENTS #8), and Gleek (SUPER FRIENDS #14). HELLBLAZER is examined in "In & Out," which looks at John Constantine's career. Grant Morrison is the subject of this month's "Creator Checklist," with a sidebar on "Must Haves" such as ANIMAL MAN, DOOM PATROL and JLA. Comic Shop News #771 opens with the cover art from YOUNG JUSTICE #44, accompanying the article "No Justice, No Peace," about the upcoming "World Without Young Justice" storyline. Inside, the article "Hawkman Flying High" covers the second printing of HAWKMAN #1, while "VERTIGO Gets Vocal about SKREEMER," about the upcoming collected edition of the acclaimed miniseries. CSN's "April Hot Picks" lists DETECTIVE COMICS #769, BATGIRL #27, NIGHTWING #68, BATMAN GOTHAM KNIGHTS #28, BATMAN: LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT #154, GREEN LANTERN: LEGACY — THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF HAL JORDAN, HIGH ROADS #1, JUST IMAGINE STAN LEE WITH SCOTT McDANIEL CREATING AQUAMAN, LAB RATS #1, MIDNIGHT, MASS #1, SUPERMAN/SAVAGE DRAGON: CHICAGO, and the "World Without Young Justice" storyline. "Molten Merchandise" includes the JLA WALL SCROLL, JSA PVC SET III, the JUSTICE LEAGUE ANIMATED MARTIAN MANHUNTER MAQUETTE, the KRYPTO THE SUPERDOG STATUE, and the SGT. ROCK ACTION FIGURE. "Cool Collections" for April include AMERICAN CENTURY: HOLLYWOOD BABYLON, BATMAN IN THE FIFTIES, ROBIN: YEAR ONE, SGT. ROCK ARCHIVES Volume 1, and THE SPIRIT ARCHIVES Volume 7. NEWS FROM THE INTERNET Comicon.com's Newsarama now features an interview with CATWOMAN artist Darwyn Cooke on CATWOMAN: SELINA'S BIG SCORE, an article about an upcoming TEEN TITANS one-shot by Bob Haney and Jay Stephens, a comprehensive interview with WildStorm Editorial Director Jim Lee and Group Editor Scott Dunbier, and an article about the upcoming release of the ANIMAL MAN: ORIGIN OF THE SPECIES TP. Comic World News #4 includes reviews of the BATGIRL: SILENT RUNNING and A KNIGHT ALONE TPs, as well as THE MONARCHY, THE AUTHORITY, HELLBLAZER, IMPULSE, and PLANETARY. The Slush Factory features an interview with writer Greg Rucka, as well a review of the TRANSMETROPOLITAN: GOUGE AWAY TP. An interview with FLASH penciller Scott Kolins is currently up at Comic Book Resources. In another feature, Stan Lee talks about the JUST IMAGINE… SPECIALS. This week's reviews on The Fourth Rail include HAWKMAN #2, SUPERMAN #181, DETECTIVE COMICS #769, and HIGH ROADS #1. Troy Brownfield reviews THE FLASH: BLOOD WILL RUN TP at Shotgun Reviews, calling the series "the strongest solo super-hero book on the market." The new edition of Sequential Tart features reviews of BATGIRL #26, the BATGIRL: A KNIGHT ALONE TP, BATMAN #600, the BIRDS OF PREY TP, CATWOMAN #1, CATWOMAN #4, A DC UNIVERSE CHRISTMAS TP, JLA #63, JLA: EARTH 2, the SUPERMAN IN THE SIXTIES TP, THE LEGION #5, THE TITANS #38, PROMETHEA #19, CODENAME: KNOCKOUT #9, SUPERBOY #96, HUNTER: THE AGE OF MAGIC #6, JSA #33, JUSTICE LEAGUE ADVENTURES #4, THE SANDMAN PRESENTS: THE THESSALIAD #1, and WONDER WOMAN #177. Silver Bullet Comics has posted reviews of CATWOMAN #5, SUPERBOY #98, BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES #48, ROBIN #100, the BATMAN/HUNTRESS: CRY FOR BLOOD TP, JSA #34, and BIRDS OF PREY #41. SMALLVILLE, JUSTICE LEAGUE, STATIC SHOCK AND THE ZETA PROJECT EPISODE SCHEDULES DC has been supplied with the following episode schedule for Smallville, Static Shock and The Zeta Project on the WB and the animated Justice League on the Cartoon Network. All times are Eastern and Pacific: 4/6 (8:30 am) "Attack Of The Living Brain Puppets" (Static Shock – New) 4/6 (9:30 am) "Wired, Pt. 2" (The Zeta Project – New) 4/6 (12:30 pm) "Paradise Lost, Pt. 2" (Justice League) 4/6 (10:00 pm) "Paradise Lost, Pt. 2" (Justice League – Widescreen) 4/7 (7:00 pm) "Fury, Pt. 1" (Justice League – New) 4/9 (9:00 pm) "Leech" (Smallville) 4/13 (8:30 am) "Junior" (Static Shock) 4/13 (9:30 am) "Resume Mission" (The Zeta Project – New) 4/13 (12:30 pm) "Fury, Pt. 1" (Justice League) 4/13 (10:00 pm) "Fury, Pt. 1" (Justice League – Widescreen) 4/14 (7:00 pm) "Fury, Pt. 2" (Justice League – New) 4/15 (8:30 pm) "Paradise Lost, Pt. 1" (Justice League) Be advised that this schedule is subject to change. +++++ From Rich Johnston, THE 2000 SQUIDDY JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR, in his ALL THE RAGE Gossip Column at: http://www.SilverBulletComicBooks.com RUMOUR BARRIER "I accept that the following material is rumour and gossip, intended to entertain only. "I won't repeat the information inside as fact. I understand if I want the truth, I will go to Silver Bulletins. "I enter freely with my mind open and my blinkers off." Now, onto the rumours. Pretender To The Throne... By Ian Ungstad New Cliffhanger Superman artist Ed McGuinness and writer Jim Krueger may make the move to the Cliffhanger imprint at Wildstorm sometime in 2003_check back for updates as more information becomes available. Hellboy the Manga Look for Japanese publisher Shogakukan to develop a manga Hellboy comic to be sold in Japan in the next year or so. Wedding Photos Last weekend comic book editor John Layman (Authority/Planetary) married his long time girlfriend Kim Peterson at Cabrillo National Monument in San Diego, California. They are currently honeymooning in Spain and probably doing lots of fun and filthy things. ATR would like to wish John and Kim the best and hope that they spend many happy years together. Red Metal Look for Geoff Johns and Team Red Star to contribute an 8 page short 'Red Light' for a future issue of Metal Hurlant. The strip is in the same vein of classic EC and Twilight Zone stories. It will be illustrated by Red Star members Christian Gossett and Snakebite. The re-launch of Metal Hurlant hits comic shops in July; the debut issue features a strip written by Kurt Busiek. Humanoids will also run exclusive promotions on their new website over the summer that promise to be fan interactive. Ultimate Fantastic Grant Look for Keron Grant to lend his pencils to Ultimate Spider-Man and Fantastic Four. He will be doing at least one guest issue on Ultimate Spider-Man, as well as illustrating a three-issue arc on Fantastic Four. The FF arc is to be written by Adam Warren, and will lead into Mark Waid and Mike Wierego's run on the book. Oy, Moore, Where Do You Think You're Going? Artist Jose Villarubia will be doing two projects with Alan Moore. He will be using computer manipulated photography, much like his last collaboration with Moore in Promethea #7. What makes this interesting is that this project will not be published at Wildstorm/ABC.... so the question is who out there is publishing a Moore/Villarubia book? Expect a press release in the next month. One Bad Rat, One Cool Movie When asked about how he was going to adapt Brian Talbot's The Tale of One Bad Rat to a feature film... director/scriptwriter Tom Lyle replied: "I contacted Bryan by email after reading a copy of BAD RAT given to me by fellow artist and writer, Charles Vess. Bryan was quite open to having a fellow creator do something, saying that maybe my interest would push it further. He had been optioned before on BR, but they never proceeded forward on anything beyond the option agreement. "He has been quite gracious and I appreciate the trust that he has given me by letting me take on this project. "So, as for the script ... I have made minimal changes (the bad rat appears more often and more consistently with more interaction with Helen - the transitions between scenes have been altered in some cases -- I had to add to the transformation/inneer growth part of the story to make it work for a film -- I've taken out only one scene, a very brief one), but they stay true to the intent of the work, I believe. "As for the script, I'm letting it be looked at by people I respect right now and ones that aren't familiar with the graphic novel, to see if it works for them as well as it works for me. Audience testing, I suppose. Then on to a second draft and trying to shop the script to studios (with me attached as director.)" What Are Glenn Fabry And John McCrea Up To? Glenn is currently finishing up the second of two painted covers for Wildstorm and should be starting to illustrate Global Frequency #3 anyday now. He also has a top secret pitch at Vertigo.... John McCrea is currently working on 10 pages of new artwork for Dicks #3, which will lead into a brand new 4 part serial to be published by Avatar sometime this spring/summer. He is also working on a one-shot with Dave Gibbons and Hunt Emerson... Cheers, Ian Ungstad ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [5] Interview Tim O'Shea tim_jen@mindspring.com Originally run at www.orcafresh.net This interview appears here with permission. Comic Art on the Edge: An ORCA Q&A with THWAK's Marten Jallad By Tim O'Shea Comedy is hard, and in a post-9/11 world it's been made a little harder to know what's funny and what's too freshly sensitive to try to make funny. Comedy is a medium that can be used to challenge the masses, as some folks have proven in recent months. Some comical artists worry too much about offending someone, others ambitiously take on current, topical subjects while still trying to be sensitive. I would put the folks behind THWAK and namely Marten Jallad, one of the creative forces behind the humorous comic mag, in the latter category. I met Marten last year at the Atlanta Comic Con and recently had a chance to catch up with him and get his take on comedy and his approach toward THWAK. ORCA: While I know you didn't realize who Carmine Infantino was when you first met him (at last year's Atlanta Comic Con), after catching up on his status at DC (and role in PLOP), how much fun was it to get to meet him? Jallad: Carmine was a blast to talk to! He was down to earth and when he got going about his memories of PLOP he really let go. We (Carmine, Buddy [co-publisher Buddy Finethy] and myself) started cutting up and I can only imagine how much fun he must have had with Sergio and Joe putting PLOP together. For more on our Carmine meeting check out page #2 of THWAK #1. ORCA: What made you decide to pursue your own magazine versus trying to contribute to MAD or contribute to one of the online comedy forums (such as THE ONION)? Jallad: I had previously submitted a number of premises to both MAD & CRACKED with only a growing collection of rejection letters to show for it. I realized that there must be more talented humorists out there that were trying to find an outlook for their work and therefore decided to pursue a dream of mine and create a humor magazine. THWAK (a Don Martin sound effect) magazine was actually an incarnation of THWAK the comic book that was published in 2000. This was originally Buddy Finethy's idea to put together an anthology comic book of some local Atlanta cartoonists. I had met Buddy a few months prior and was asked if I'd like to contribute. Naturally I did, wanting to see my cartoons in print. We decided to change format to magazine size realizing that comic book anthologies don't have that broad of a market and have been at it for close to a year with issue #2 hitting the stores next week (Editor's Note: this was said in a March 14, 2002 e-mail, it can be assumed "next week" would have meant on or around March 20) and issue #3-the all monster issue-out in a couple of months. ORCA: Was there much of a debate between you and co-publisher Buddy Finethy about allowing 9/11 related humor/commentary in this first quarterly edition? Are you afraid of any kind of backlash? On a related note, am I right in assuming that contributor Billy Genius is heavily influenced by R. Crumb? Jallad: We felt that the 9/11 material was presented as a commentary on how the public was and still is feeling. It was in no way meant to make light of the terrible tragedy that had occurred but more to say that we were speaking for what some people may be feeling/thinking. Besides, by the time THWAK #1 was published there were plenty of political cartoonists using their craft to make a statement on the whole issue. We feel that people understand what we are doing. Billy Genius' style is definitely heavily influenced by Robert Crumb. For a related piece by Billy on "War Propaganda-Then and Now" check out issue #2. ORCA: Is there ever any comedy that you attempt that after looking it over for awhile you reject because it "may have gone too far?" Or to a certain extent, do you believe comedy should push the boundaries (particularly in times like these), much like Lenny Bruce or Richard Pryor did for stand up comedy many decades before? Jallad: I believe that comedy can sometimes push the boundaries although THWAK is not necessarily a forum created for that purpose. If material is interesting then I'll definitely take it under consideration. I am not interested in any racial, overtly sexual or graphically violent material. Unfortunately there is too much of that out there already. ORCA: Artistically would you say most of your influences stem from MAD, or do they stem from elsewhere? Jallad: Personally my artistic influences are from MAD magazine most notably Don Martin whose work I am enamored with continuously. I am also influenced by Gary Larson's The Far Side, Asterix The Gaul by Uderzo and most recently Frank Cho's Liberty Meadows. Most of my ideas are more slapstick and taken from experience than from watching the news. Having grown up in Britain I love Monty Python, Black Adder, The Carry On series and Peter Sellers in the Pink Panther movies. Wow what a twisted mess of crazy influences. ORCA: What's been the hardest part about publishing your own magazine. What's been the best part? Jallad: The hardest part about self-publishing would have to be the financial side as well as trying to get as much exposure for your product. While the best would surely be meeting plenty of interesting contributors and hearing someone say how much they enjoyed the magazine or a specific page I drew. After all that is why I'm publishing so people can have a good old laugh at no one's expense. That's a good feeling! ORCA: Is there anything you'd like to discuss that I may have not asked about? Jallad: THWAK is always looking for new artists and writers so if you'd like to be a part of this new humor magazine then please send submissions to: Marten Jallad 2837 Hickory Lane, Snellville, GA 30078. Single copies are $4.00 postage paid and subscriptions are $20 for 5 issues. ______________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [6] A View From the Cheap Seats Rich Watson cptsisko318@aol.com [A graduate of New York's School of Visual Arts, Rich Watson has been a self-published cartoonist since 1993, and whose output includes the superhero drama Celebrity and the romantic fable Rat: A Love Story. He currently resides in New York and gets his comics weekly from Jim Hanley's Universe and Midtown Comics. Rich can be contacted on his board http://www.revampscripts.com/board/Rich_Watson.shtml and is is featured on the website http://www.smallpresscomics.com/] Mind moving: the Renee French Q-and-A For years, Renee French's macabre, compellingly bizarre cartoons won her a cult following , first with her series GRIT BATH, and later with THE NINTH GLAND, CORNY'S FETISH, and THE ADVENTURES OF RHEUMY PEEPERS AND CHUNKY HIGHLIGHTS (with magician/performance artist Penn Jillette). Last year she broke through in a big way with her critically acclaimed children's storybook THE SOAP LADY, which has been nominated for a Harvey Award for Best Graphic Album of Original Work. She took time out from her schedule recently to talk about the book's success and the road that led her to it. RICH WATSON: Well, first of all, congratulations for the Harvey nomination for THE SOAP LADY. It's a timeless fairy-tale story but it's got this Tim Burton-like edge to it. How have children reacted to it? RENEE FRENCH: Kids seem to love it. I've gotten more e-mails from kids than I have from adults at this point. They really love the idea of a person made entirely of soap and what fun that might be. Also, the only accurate bunny counts came from a nine-year-old and a ten-year-old. [On the dedication page, there's an invitation to count the number of bunnies within the story.] RW: THE SOAP LADY is inspired by a true story involving a 19th century corpse that had turned into a soap-like substance. Did the article inspire the storybook format, or was that a direction you already wanted to go in? RF: It started as a joke actually. I spent lots of time at the Mutter Museum when I lived in Philadelphia (a great place that everyone should check out when they're in the area) and one of my favorite exhibits was The Soap Lady. Her body was found in the late 1800s and, yes, she'd turned to adipocere when the fat in her body reacted with the chemicals produced during her decay. Her body is in a glass case and she's way cool. I was working for Fantagraphics at the time and as a joke I made up a proposal for a kids book called, "The Legend of The Soap Lady," and I drew a scary picture of the lady looking very much like she really does look, black in color, mummy-like and [with a] broken jaw hanging from her skull. I wrote up a paragraph about the story which involved The Soap Lady walking the streets at night, lopping off pieces of her body to give the little children to wash with, and washing out the mouths of the bad little children with her fist. I faxed it to Eric Reynolds at Fantagraphics and then put it in my drawer and forgot about it until just a few years ago when I was looking for a new project to work on. I re-wrote the story a bit, changed her look and pitched it to Jochen Enterprises in Germany, and Top Shelf and they said yes. RW: Now in addition, you recently did two September 11th-inspired pieces, one for Alternative Press' 9-11: EMERGENCY RELIEF and the other for the Dark Horse-published 9-11: ARTISTS RESPOND. How long did it take for you to get back to the drawing board after the terrorist attacks? RF: I think I started drawing a couple days after the attack but I couldn't work on my normal stuff. I couldn't even look at it. So I started making a drawing just try to feel a little better and more like a person again. That's the drawing that ended up in the Dark Horse 9/11 book on the last page. I don't really remember making that drawing. It's all sort of a fuzz. RW: Which piece means more to you in terms of how they express your thoughts on that day? RF: I'd have to say that the Dark Horse piece does, only because it was a direct reaction to what was going on, before I could really think straight. The one pager I did for the Alternative book is about the night before the attack, when my husband and I were flying back to Newark Airport from Copenhagen. We had an incredibly rough flight, and then when we got through the bad air it was crystal clear, and the city looked beautiful. My husband and I and the little boy in the seat in front of us were all looking out the window amazed at how gorgeous the city looked. It really was the most beautiful view of NYC I'd ever seen. Then the next morning my brother called with the "Turn on the TV" call. RW: What drew you to making comics to begin with? RF: I wanted to get my work out to a larger audience than I had just showing drawings in small galleries. I saw the work of Charles Burns and Chester Brown and decided to try comics. RW: You went to school with Jim Woodring, right? I get the impression he was influential to you. RF: Jim has been a big influence on me for sure. He's a genius. But we didn't actually go to school together. I think you're probably getting that information from an introduction Jim wrote for my Oni collection MARBLES IN MY UNDERPANTS. He wrote this brilliant intro that was a piece of art itself and it's all metaphor. I have one of the coveted Japanese toys he designed to be sold in vending machines in Japan and just bought his Queen Bean charcoal drawing. RW: Do you feel like you've turned a corner in terms of your popularity? You were around for quite awhile before your star began to rise in the industry, though you had been getting good press from places like THE VILLAGE VOICE and WORLD ART Magazine. RF: I don't know. I can't tell. I've been making comics since 1992, I think, and I've always gotten pretty good press. I think my work may be tricky to market though. RW: Looking at the course of your career, you've taken on several different styles, from the simplest to the most complex. Is this dependent on the project, or are you following your muse? RF: I think the only time I really changed my style to fit a project was for the Rheumy Peepers book for Oni Press. The other changes in my style were just whatever made me happy at the time. When I was using pen & ink to do crosshatching and stippling, I was trying to achieve a kind of softness by creating a texture that looked like it might feel really cool to the touch (at least that what it looked like to me). Now that I'm using the black pencil, I can get the softness I was looking for with the pen & ink, and I love the way the pencil on the paper feels when I'm drawing. So soothing. The quality of line you can get with pencil is more spontaneous and more lively I think, so the finished drawings have more movement and life in them. I like the way it looks a lot. RW: Is reproduction quality ever a consideration? RF: Definitely. It's incredibly tricky. Black ink is black. The printer can oversaturate the blacks causing the lines to be a little heavier than the artist might want, but that's not likely to ruin the look of the drawing completely. Pencil (even my black pencil) is gray and there are lighter and darker grays within the drawing. It's hard for the printer to match what the original looks like exactly, and sometimes the final books vary from book to book (I've seen evidence of this recently), and just a little change in the lightness/darkness can make a huge difference in the look of the drawing. Right now I'm getting about one out of four of my pieces coming out correctly and the other three are either too dark or too light. RW: What do you think entices people to your work? Personally, I think your images have this dream-like hyper-reality to them, like they're expressions of the unconscious mind. RF: I try to not think too much about my audience so I don't start reacting to what they want. Does that make sense? Many of the images in my stories come from my dreams, just the images, not the storylines. Then I try to bring those images into a real world setting (well, not quite real) and make them convincing within that world. RW: Are your influences more in the realm of fine art and classical illustration than in comics? RF: Yes. Actually, fine art and film more than anything. Ivan Albright, David Lynch, Balthus, Sergio Leone, Charles Laughton (NIGHT OF THE HUNTER) and Maurice Sendak. RW: Okay, talk about your characters Cornelia and Steelhead a little bit. What part of your mind did they come from? RF: Well, Cornelia came about before I got into comics, during a time in my life when I was pretty unhappy and felt trapped in [a] bad living situation. She's this little girl, in little girl clothes, a pretty bow in her hair and a oversized deformed head and a mask of a face. Everything she does is just a bit over some edge that she's not aware of. And I mostly use her in my short comics stories with abstract storylines because that's her world. Steelhead is sort of the grownup, male version of Cornelia, and he's the main character in an upcoming graphic novella I'm doing for Top Shelf called THE TICKING. Again with the deformed head but in his case, he's very aware of how different he is. RW: Children in general seem to be one of your recurring themes, especially lonely, alienated ones. RF: I like to tell stories about kids because they're a cleaner slate to work with than with adult characters. They're r