----------------------------------------------------------------- THE COMIC BOOK NETWORK ELECTRONIC MAGAZINE Issue Number 546 10/21/2005 Edited by: David LeBlanc - ComicBkNet@aol.com Winner of the 2001 EAGLE AWARD as FAVORITE COMICS E-ZINE! FREE VIA EMAIL SINCE FEBRUARY 1995 _________________________________________________________________ C O N T E N T S ------------------------------------------------------------------ COMICS OBSCURA - (Various Places) ....... Mike Curtis [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] Thoughts From the Land of Frost ......... Alex Ness [6] Suspended Animation ..................... Michael Vance & Mark Allen [7] ComiX-FAN Reviews........................ Eric J. Moreels [8] Rich's Reviews .......................... Richard Vasseur [9] M.O.E. Reviews .......................... Paul Dale Roberts [10] New First Issues in November Previews ... Diamond Comics [11] New Comic Book Releases List ............ Charles LePage [12] HYPE! & LINKS Section ................... Various _________________________________________________________________ World Wide Web Home Page-->> http://members.aol.com/ComicBkNet Archived and mailed by Yahoo!: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ComicBookNetworkEmag ------------------------------------------------------------------ o \o/ _ o _| \ / |_ o_ \o/ o /|\ | /\ _\o \o | o/ O/_ /\ | /|\ / \ / \ |\ /) | ( \ /o\ / ) | (\ / | / \ / \ ------------------------------------------------------------------ The ComicBook Network started 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) and is used with permission. Except where elsewhere noted, The Comic Book Net Electronic Magazine is Copyright 2005 by David L. LeBlanc. 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. _________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------ [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. The weekly deadline is 7:00 PM Eastern Time on Thursday - NO EXCEPTIONS! Late submissions are held over for the following week. 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, non-comic derived media, role playing, collectible card games, Anime or other hobbies or collectibles other than comic books. That also includes plugs for web comics and web pages UNLESS they are concerned with print comic books. We do not promote web comics per se, only the printed media. 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 in the column MY VIEW. Send material to be reviewed to: David L. LeBlanc 84 Heather Circle Jefferson, MA 01522-1419 Material is generally reviewed in the order received and be advised that we work a few weeks in advance so your review may not be in the magazine immediately. Advanced copies are therefore encouraged so the review will occur prior to your product hitting the stores. THE Comic Book Net WEB PAGE http://members.aol.com/ComicBkNet ---------------- If you have access to the World Wide Web, please stop by and visit our web page! On our web page, you can find the latest issue of our E-Mag, in both a text and a zipped version for fast downloading as well as back issues and an annotated index. You'll also find important links to some of the comic companies and creators' web pages and many other Comic Book related links! _________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------ [1] On the Net David LeBlanc ComicBkNet@aol.com Another instance of comics in the media this week. It was on Bernie Mack tonight. His nephew convinced his aunt to drive him and two friends to the ComicCon International in San Diego. They go in costume, though in Star Wars rather than traditional comic characters. Still the Con was part of the plot and provides more public awareness. Well, this week I got further behind with very busy work days and entertaining at night. Plus this is the week all the solicitations are posted and the Previews page is updated. Lots of stuff to get into the Emag and not enough time for much else. Now it is getting late on Friday so here is my weekly list of new comics to check out. BOOM! STUDIOS Giant Monster #1, $6.99 DC COMICS Astro City The Dark Age #4 (Of 16), $2.99 Authority Revolution #12 (Of 12), $2.99 Justice #2 (Of 12), $3.50 <------------------Pick of the week! Seven Soldiers Klarion The Witch Boy #4 (Of 4), $2.99 Top Ten Beyond The Farthest Precinct #3 (Of 5), $2.99 DORK STORM PRESS Dork Tower #32, $3.49 MARVEL COMICS Runaways #9, $2.99 Supreme Power Hyperion #2 (Of 5), $2.99 Ultimate Fantastic Four #24, $2.50 Ultimate Spider-Man #84, $2.50 TOP SHELF PRODUCTIONS Surrogates #2 (Of 5), $2.95 Now for something completely different An old lady is on an elevator and a young lass gets on. The lady sniffs the strong perfume and the young lady whispers, " Ralph Lauren - $250 an ounce." They stop at the next floor and another younger women enters. The elder woman sniffs again and the new entrant says, "Chanel #5 - $300 an ounce." As they proceed down the old lady passes gas and the two young women are startled. She just grins and says, "broccoli - $2.45 a pound." David LeBlanc - ComicBkNet@aol.com Editor The Comic Book Net Electronic Magazine _________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------ COMICS OBSCURA Mike Curtis shandafa@cyberback.com [COMICS OBSCURA are facts Mike Curtis has dug out during his 30 years of collecting Superman and writing about comics. His website for his comic imprint is www.shandafantasyarts.net ] HE DESERVES HIS OWN COMIC BOOK Richard Reeves deserves his own DC comic book. He played several crooks on THE ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN in the 1950's, shot at SUPERBOY in the 1964 pilot film, and helped park the Batmobile in the opening episode in the 1966 BATMAN TV series. _________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------ [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. +++++ Date: Sat, 15 Oct 2005 From: paul howley pmca@together.net To: "ComicBknet@aol.com" Subject: to the editor David, Just a quick note to tell you how much I enjoy Mike Curtis' Comics Obscura! I look forward to reading the emag each week and these new "gems" are a great "plus!" Thanks for including them....Paul Howley +++++ From: "Mike Curtis" shandafa@cyberback.com To: pmca@together.net Cc: ComicBknet@aol.com Subject: Re: to the editor Thanks Paul! I did them for some years for CBG and never received one feedback, and just two weeks and I get a feedback with CBEM! Here's one that's coming up in a few weeks I think you'll enjoy: IS THIS WHERE KURT BUSIEK GOT THE IDEA FOR SECRET IDENTITY? In Connie Fletcher's book PURE COP, she interviews street veterans of police departments across the country, coming up with some interesting stories. In one chapter called THE STREET, one officer tells her about a setup they used to catch a subway mugger. An officer rented a Superman costume and secreted himself behind a steel door in the subway (with the frame loosened.) Another officer was dressed as a street person and was the decoy. He lay down on the pavement and eventually someone came up and began to pick his pocket. Suddenly "Superman" burst through the door and made the collar. When the case came to trial, the arresting officer identified himself to the judge as such. Then the suspect said "That's ain't the arresting officer. It was Superman that arrested me!" Take care Mike +++++ Subject: Comics Obscura... Date: 10/15/2005 4:48:57 P.M. Eastern Standard Time From: Silhouet98@cs.com To: ComicBknet David...just want to mention, I LOVE Comics Obscura that is now featured in your email ezine... that is some fun reading!! Paul Dale Roberts. +++++ Subject: UFC Convention and Peter David Date: 10/18/2005 2:02:44 A.M. Eastern Standard Time From: DRWHO211@aol.com To: ComicBknet Hi David, Sorry to bother you, My name is Brian Kelley and I am on the convention staff for UFC 2005. We have talked via email a few times and I even sent you my comic order by accident once. I think you might have mentioned this before in your EMAG but I was hoping you could mention the appearance of Peter David at the upcoming UFC show in the next couple of newsletters. UFC 2005 is November 11-13, 2005 at the Springfield Marriott, Springfield Massachusetts. Mr David will be signing over the entire weekend and should be speaking on both days Sat and Sun. UFC is a non-profit fan run convention that hold two auctions over the weekend where the proceeds go directly to various charities. Every year this convention loses money and over its 15 year history has never turned a profit, it truly is a labor of love. Even the staff pays admission! This is the first time we are pushing a Comic guest and if successful we have even bigger names planned for next year. I would also love to get the word out to the That's Enteratinment customers since the store is not that far from Springfield. So if you get a chance, please check out www.unitedfancon.com . Thank you again for your time and you have any questions please do not hestiate to call or email back, Brian Kelley +++++ Subject: A site of possible interest Date: 10/20/2005 4:27:24 A.M. Eastern Standard Time From: shandafa@cyberback.com To: ComicBknet@aol.com Zod for president http://www.zod2008.com/ Take care Mike [Check this out fans! It is "Super"! - D.L.] +++++ From: "Ken Gale" Subject: Adam Hughes on 'Nuff Said! radio this Tuesday night Date: Fri, 21 Oct 2005 Hi, folks, Please post and forward to appropriate chat rooms, web pages and e-lists! This will be live on the internet, too. And archived on the net for a week, as well. The next installment of 'Nuff Said!, the Brigadoon of comic book radio shows, will be early Wednesday morning October 26 (overnight on Tuesday the 25th) from 5:00 AM to 6:00 AM eastern time. I again substitute for Susan Brown's overnight show, "Punk and Hardcore," so I play hard rock music from 3:30 until 5:00 when the interview starts. I'm playing an interview I did with Adam Hughes at last year's "National" Big Apple Con. Adam is an excellent craftsman famous for his illustrations of women and overlooked as an excellent story-teller as well. Find out how he gets his models and how killing Ewoks helps his art. For those of you in the listening area who won't be up that late, you can tape the radio using a vcr by simply connecting the input of your vcr to the output of your stereo. There is a more detailed description of this on our web site: http://www.comicbookradioshow.com/vcr.html. There is also software that enables you do record the live stream off your computer. But, the WBAI web site (http://www.wbai.org) is now archiving ALL shows (www.archive.wbai.org) (note: the typoes have been corrected). So you'll be able to listen to this show at your convenience, but only for a week then it'll be gone. And I'm sure they'll keep track of the hits each show gets so spread the word. The last one might still be there as you read this. Check Oct 12 3:30 AM. I've been doing comic book-oriented radio shows since 1993, live- streamed over the internet for the past several years, usually interviewing a creator. I've covered all styles and all eras, pointing out the diversity of the art form to a radio audience who was often unaware of the versatility of sequential art. I used to be weekly, but since 2002 I have done frequent specials, fill-ins and guest stints, keeping the show alive (see http://www.comicbookradioshow.com/nsgl18.html for a recent list and links to the past Guest Lists). Many other WBAI producers, especially Susan Brown and Sidney Smith, have welcomed 'Nuff Said! segments on their shows and I can't thank them enough. Sidney will probably be playing something soon. I've been in many different time slots, especially on Tuesdays; check the web site. WBAI-FM, 99.5, is a 50,000 watt station broadcast from the Empire State Building. The signal usually gets out to New Haven, CT; Westhampton, L.I.; the Poconos of Pennsylvania, Orange County, NY and Trenton & Princeton, NJ, the recent signal or transmitter problems seem to have been fixed. But via the internet for an even greater distance, natch. WBAI-FM is a listener-supported Pacifica Network station. Bernard White, the program director, said on the air June of 2002, soon after the last regular episode, that 'Nuff Said! was not canceled, just put "on hiatus," but when he last brought out a new schedule 'Nuff Said! was absent from it. There are constant rumors that a new schedule is coming, but I'm not sure if anyone pays attention to them any more so perhaps that means they're more imminent. However, no new schedule has come out, so it can still be changed. Among his criticisms of comic books are that they are "narrow-focused" and only appeal to "middle-class white males." Even mainstream comics don't deserve those criticisms (except for "male") and nearly every African-American who works at the station is into comics and has told him so, sometimes on the air. It seems to fall on deaf ears. And yet, here I am still on the air talking to comic book creators and fans, just not with a predictable schedule and usually in the middle of the night and usually at the last minute. Check the web site often, especially on a Tuesday. One person e-mailed me to criticize this paragraph of my announcement. The situation has not changed, so this paragraph hasn't changed much, either. Please spread the word about the show! Even if you're not in the area, you can still listen in via the net, live or otherwise. Thanks. Fannishly, Ken Gale, producer, interviewer and host http://www.comicbookradioshow.com _________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------ COMICS OBSCURA Mike Curtis shandafa@cyberback.com [COMICS OBSCURA are facts Mike Curtis has dug out during his 30 years of collecting Superman and writing about comics. His website for his comic imprint is www.shandafantasyarts.net ] THE JOKER OF EARTH 2 1/2 MINUTES Contrary to popular belief, Cesar Romero was not the first JOKER on film....technically. In the opening scene of the first BATMAN Joker two-parter, the villain is shown playing baseball in a prison yard prior to making his escape. The unnamed actor playing the Joker is plainly not Cesar Romero in this scene. _________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------ [3] [TRIVIA CONTEST] Due to costs, customs regulations, and logistical difficulties: THIS CONTEST IS OPEN TO RESIDENTS OF THE CONTIGUOUS 48 U.S.STATES! IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A U.S. ADDRESS DO NOT ATTEMPT TO WIN THE PRIZE. 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: From Nameless Chuck Q: Where was Ensign James Gordon fighting German agents on Christmas Eve, 1944? A few people guessed Gotham, no surprise for Jim Gordon. No one got the place which was The Justice Society Canteen in a story in DCU Holiday Bash II (1998). Nameless Chuck stumped the fans. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION: With over 8 million copies distributed in 13 languages to 27 countries, what title is considered the world's most popular comic book? IMPORTANT RULES NOTICE Due to costs, customs regulations, and logistical difficulties: THIS CONTEST IS OPEN TO RESIDENTS OF THE CONTIGUOUS 48 U.S. STATES! IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A U.S. ADDRESS DO NOT ATTEMPT TO WIN THE PRIZE. 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! _________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------ COMICS OBSCURA Mike Curtis shandafa@cyberback.com [COMICS OBSCURA are facts Mike Curtis has dug out during his 30 years of collecting Superman and writing about comics. His website for his comic imprint is www.shandafantasyarts.net ] YOU'LL WONDER WHERE THE YELLOW HORSE WENT To make sure that make sure that equine star MISTER ED always looked good while talking before the cameras, his trainer brushed his teeth regularly with Pepsodent toothpaste. _________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------ [4] Network Buzz News, gossip and rumors from the industry Announcing Roswell, Texas Round Rock, Texas -- Imagine a world in which Texas never joined the United States, NAZI Germany conquered England but was held in check by a nuclear-armed Irish Republican Army, the Catholic Church has moved its headquarters to Brownsville, Texas, and Mexico is ruled by a neo-Aztec emperor in partnership with French colonial bureaucrats-in-exile. In this Texas-that-might-have-been, residents are required to have permits _not_ to carry firearms. The Federated States of Texas includes most of what we know as New Mexico and Colorado, as well as Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, parts of Wyoming, Nebraska, and Missouri. Not to mention Alaska, Cuba, Liberia, Venezuela, Yucatan, Chiapas, most of Central America, and the Phillippines. Its currency is based on petroleum, and its limited government is financed entirely by a monopoly on garbage collection. And in 1947, Texican President Charles A. Lindbergh was faced with a most amazing, and potentially world-changing, situation -- reports of a flying saucer crash in far west Texas, near the town of Roswell. Big Head Press announces plans to publish the first all-new novel-length story in nearly five years by award-winning sci-fi author L. Neil Smith, to be titled _Roswell, Texas_. Co-written by Wall Street Journal and National Review cartoonist "Baloo" (in his other identity as Rex F. May), and illustrated by Scott Bieser, the story concerns what happens when a special team of Texas Rangers races an array of spies, troops, and operatives of neighboring nations to the UFO crash site, and discover a truth even stranger than any of them could have imagined. "As a graphic novel, _Roswell, Texas_ will mark another first for Big Head Press: it will be the first BHP project serialized on the World Wide Web, with a printed version possibly to follow as market conditions permit," said publisher Frank W. Bieser. "Current plans call for the first chapter to be uploaded to a new, completely revamped BigHeadPress.com site around February 1, 2006," said Scott Bieser, who in addition to being the story's illustrator is also Director for Big Head Press. Access to the site will be free, at least for a limited time, and will be supported financially by banner advertising and merchandising, he explained. _Roswell, Texas_ will be illustrated in full color, and when completed "in late 2007 or so" will consist of 576 computer- monitor-formatted "pages," he added. Big Head Press, founded in 2003, is a publisher of graphic novels, including _A Drug War Carol_ and _The Probability Broach: The Graphic Novel_. --Scott Bieser General Director BigHead Press http://www.bigheadpress.com sbieser@bigheadpress.com +++++ FROM: aharlib@earthlink.net Dear David, Here's an article I think will be of great interest to newsletter readers. Vibes and hugs, Amy October 17, 2005 Restoring Slumberland By SARAH BOXER The book is so huge you have to crawl over it to read it. It's 21 inches long and 16 inches wide. And cartoonists from Matt Groening to Chris Ware are going nuts over it. Winsor McCay published his first Little Nemo cartoon a century ago, on Oct. 15, 1905, in The New York Herald. The first panel shows a little boy in a nightshirt sitting up in bed staring at a clownish figure before him. The narration says: "Little Nemo had just fallen asleep when an Oomp appeared, who said, 'You are requested to appear before his majesty, Morpheus of Slumberland.' " The Oomp then presents Nemo with Somnus, a gentle horse to ride into Slumberland. So began a fantastical comic about a sleeping boy. It was an instant critical success, but the public, especially children, were lukewarm. Since then, "Little Nemo in Slumberland" has found its public. In 1966, Little Nemo was featured in an exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Many books of Nemo reproductions followed. But Peter Maresca, a comics collector, wasn't happy, he said in a recent telephone interview. Even the best preserved pages of "Little Nemo in Slumberland" were fast deteriorating. Soon no one would be able to see them the way they originally looked. Mr. Maresca wanted, he said, to publish a selection of Little Nemo comics just the way they appeared in the Sunday funnies: in the same colors, on rough matte paper that looked like newsprint, and at the same size. He approached numerous presses, but none would take it on, he explained. Finally he went to Art Spiegelman, the founder of Raw and the author of the very large comic book "In the Shadow of No Towers," who suggested that Mr. Maresca publish it himself. So he did. It cost him, he said, something close to "the price of a three-bedroom house in Kansas." On the way to self-publishing "Little Nemo in Slumberland: So Many Splendid Sundays!" (Sunday Press, $120), Mr. Maresca learned how much size really does matter to Little Nemo. In the comic of Feb. 2, 1908, Little Nemo travels through Befuddle Hall, a place where everything is elongated. The panels are stretched and squeezed. The effect at full scale is disorienting, like a funhouse mirror. "You really have the stuff spinning around you when it's that big," Mr. Maresca said. In the comic of Oct. 29, 1905, Little Nemo walks on stilts among flamingos. The panels become longer and longer as Little Nemo's situation becomes more perilous. Finally, as he falls in slow motion, the panels become progressively shorter. You can see this in smaller reproductions, Mr. Maresca explained, but the effect at full scale is different, enveloping you much the way a movie screen does. "The idea of cinema was in McCay's mind," Mr. Maresca said. In the comic of May 22, 1910, Little Nemo walks in Martian air and it looks as if a movie camera were following him through space. As he moves forward, the background fades. (So do the speech balloons, as if the sound were growing dim.) It's not only the grand cinematic things that come through at full scale. It's the little things too, like the words. Not only can you actually read them, but you can also see how they were made. Consider the strip of July 17, 1910, in which two teams of hypnotists try to put a yellow blob, the Whang-Doodle, to sleep. If you look carefully, you will see that some of the letters in those speech bubbles are blue rather than black. "At first I thought it was a mistake," Mr. Maresca said. When he took a closer look, though, he noticed that when the characters were close up, they spoke in loud black words. When they were far away they spoke in blue. "A lot of people know more about Winsor McCay, the man, than I," Mr. Maresca said. "But few know Nemo better than I, panel for panel. I think McCay drew some of these pages in less time than it took me to restore them." Even after assembling the best set of original funny pages that he could find, Mr. Maresca had to spend between 5 and 20 hours restoring each one. Some pages were so damaged that panels had to be redrawn. Color accuracy was crucial. Usually, Mr. Maresca said, a printer will try to get maximum contrast by making the background sheets pure white. But since the background sheets of old newspapers are actually different yellows, thanks to variable fading, the colors in the artwork become distorted in the correction process. Mr. Maresca ignored the imperfections in the newsprint and corrected only the color within the drawings. Then he put each on a new newsprint background. It was, he said, "a little crazy." He was after "an imperfect ideal." He said he wanted the finished product to look just as inconsistent as the original newspaper pages did. Finally, he flew to Malaysia in order to watch the pages coming off the presses. It took 60 hours to print 5,000 books. And he stayed up through almost all of it. "There was one press check I slept through," he said, and when he awoke, "I freaked out." The page still rankles him. He wouldn't say which one it was. "You have to figure it out yourself." On the Web site for the new book, sundaypressbooks.com, Mr. Spiegelman tried to explain just how different the big Little Nemo is from all the little Little Nemos. "I mean, it's as if somebody showed you a tabletop model of the Chrysler Building and said, 'It's just like that, only bigger.' " Chris Ware, the author of "Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth" and the designer of some books of comic reprints, said in an e-mail message that he was rethinking the whole enterprise: "After this book, it just seems unacceptable and a disservice to the artist's memory to do it any other way." You can't get much more perfectly imperfect than that. +++++ ACTIVE IMAGES IS GOING TO GIVE YOU NIGHTMARES Artist Duncan Rouleau gets into your head in Dec. with The Nightmarist Los Angeles, CA -- October 17, 2005 -- Adding to its growing line of acclaimed graphic novels, Active Images brings readers The Nightmarist, an original graphic novel written and illustrated by Duncan Rouleau. The Nightmarist ($12.95, ISBN: 0-9766761-8-4, 140 pages, black and white interior, color cover) ships this December and is featured in this month's Previews catalog (p. 202, OCT052669F). Check out the cover at http://www.activeimages.com/ The Nightmarist, a dark horror fantasy of existential proportions, has already been optioned by Paramount; a screenplay has been completed and the film is currently in development. "I love stories that challenge the lines of reality," said Duncan Rouleau. "Plus, a strong character like Beth, tormented by dark and strange external forces feeding on her own internal struggles, made this a fun book to write and illustrate. Then there's working with Richard Starkings and the fine folk at Comicraft and Active Images. That's always a privilege." When a mysterious figure calling himself The Nightmarist appears in Beth Sorenson's dreams, claiming to protect her from forces plotting to twist her will, Beth's reality begins to crack. Paranoia and suspicion rise and the support of her friends, family and psychiatrist are called into question. Haunted by horrific visions, while both awake and asleep, Beth must decide-- -has she gone crazy or have her dreams beccome ground zero in a battle for the future of mankind? Can she trust The Nightmarist? Her choices may cost more than her soul. Duncan Rouleau has been a professional artist for many years. His comic book and graphic novel work has included his own M. Rex, Superman in Action Comics (#779 to present), X-Factor and Wolverine. Duncan is also known for storyboarding a number of feature films including Bram Stokers Dracula (Directed by Francis Ford Coppola). More information about Duncan can be found at http://www.manofaction.tv/home.html +++++ FLESH EATERS BEWARE! ZOMBIE-SAMA MOVES TO NARWAIN! Bayport, NY - October 17, 2005 - Shi creator Billy Tucci is bringing his horror/comedy "ZOMBIE-SAMA!" to Italian mega- publisher Narwain. Nineteen-year old Jim Okami's day couldn't get any worse. His girlfriend, Suzy, dumped him for Brad, a pretty boy, butt-hole surfer, then he almost lost his bicycle delivery job at Sanjuro Sushi due to a flat tire, and now the entire world is being eaten alive by biologically infected zombies. If it's not one thing, it's another, right? As chaos erupts and society breaks down, Jim witnesses his boss, the great sushi master Sanjuro - armed only with an array of filleting knives - heroically defending the strip mall. He grabs a lone katana from its showplace above the cash register and is reborn as great warrior for this new age... He is ZOMBIE-SAMA! Outfitted with the cash register katana, chain mail armor lifted from a local scuba shop, and an idealist's determination, Jim sets out on a quest to save Suzy and that butt-hole Brad from the monstrous multitudes of flesh-eating freaks. Originally solicited through Tucci's Crusade Fine Arts, the move to Narwain is just another step in the process of cementing the newly formed publisher/creator partnership. "Just as Dark Horse now publishing Shi," Tucci stated, "I have great respect for Narwain and feel this is an incredible opportunity for me, between art and family, to actually bring myself one step closer to being creative full-time and expand my horizons into the mainstream." In the tradition of "Dawn of the Dead", "The Seven Samurai", and "A Very Brady Sequel". "ZOMBIE-SAMA!" is written by Tucci and illustrated by cutting-edge animator John Broglia. The 48-page black and white graphic novel will be shipped with two covers (one from Tucci , one from Broglia) in a 50/50 split. For the collectors among us, Narwain is also offering a silk- screen cover Prestige-Format edition, limited to only 1500 copies and sporting an additional eight pages of art. Exclusively offered through Previews, "ZOMBIE-SAMA!" is listed in its December 2005 edition from Diamond Comic Distributors and will ship in February 2006. It's priced at $4.99 US. For more information please contact marketing@narwain.com +++++ We'd like to direct your attention to our FTP below for new X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse for PSP trailers. Go to the X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse folder, then trailers, then PSP trailers. Inside you will find gameplay clips for Cable, Cannonball and X-Man. As a bonus, we also have screenshots of each character in action available. Please let me know if you have any questions. -Wiebke Using an FTP client: Location: transfer.activision.com Login: step3public Password: wilfee3 Using a Web browser: ftp://step3public:wilfee3@transfer.activision.com/ Wiebke Hess wiebke@step-3.com +++++ Just Perfect for Halloween: The IFC presents "Students of the Unusual" (10/17/05--Melbourne, FL) "Students of the Unusual" the acclaimed horror comic published by 3 Boys Productions will be featured on the Independent Film Channel. The IFC and filmmaker Mike Pressman filmed a documentary at this year's San Diego Comic-Con International and they will be airing it on Nov. 15th called "The Comic-Con Chronicles". Along with two other creators, the special featured Terry Cronin and Pat Martin in all their adventures working the con and converting the fans to their brand of comics. A preview of the show is currently posted on their website at IFC.com. A tremendous amount of people were filmed as well as some of the great sights of this year's event. If you went to SDCC, you just might see yourself! Issue #6 of Students of the Unusual has shipped and should be in stores before Halloween! Terry Cronin 3 Boys Productions/Students of the Unusual 1399 S Harbor City Blvd Melbourne, FL 32901 321.726-1711 321.726-1715(Fax) +++++ JAKKS Pacific Signs Master Licensing Agreement to Produce Pet Products Based on Marvel Properties MALIBU, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)----JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (Nasdaq:JAKK) has signed a Master licensing agreement with Marvel Enterprises, Inc. to develop and market products based on Classic and Movie Marvel Characters for categories including dog accessories, cat accessories, pet food and pet tents. The agreement covers products marketed under JAKKS' new pet division, JPI(TM). The products are expected to ship to retailers nationwide in Spring 2006. JAKKS Pacific currently has rights to produce Plug It In & Play TV Games(TM) and other products based on Marvel properties. The new agreement includes classic and movie characters including, Spider-Man, X-Men, Hulk, Iron Man, Ghost Rider, Daredevil, Captain America and Fantastic Four. Jack Friedman, Chairman and CEO, JAKKS Pacific, Inc., states, "Blockbuster movies drive sales of licensed products, and Marvel has one of the best portfolios of top entertainment brands. Pet owners regard their pets as an integral part of the family, and this drives the sales of licensed pet products. We believe that pet owners will choose the Spider-Man squeak toy or Fantastic Four snacks for their pets as an alternative to generic commodity versions." Tim Rothwell, President of Marvel's Worldwide Consumer Media Group Division, adds, "We are excited to expand into this category with JAKKS Pacific and to be able to offer pet toys, accessories and more based on our Marvel classic and film properties. Our high-profile, globally-known characters are an ideal match for JAKKS' pet product line, and we are confident that their vision will result in yet another successful line of Marvel-licensed products." JAKKS Pacific expects to begin shipping the new Marvel pet products in 2006 to retail locations nationwide. +++++ ZOOM SUIT WINS BEST OF FESTIVAL - ANIMATION AT PUTNAM COUNTY FILM FESTIVAL Award-winning animated film and soon-to-be comic accepted into four more festivals in October October 18, 2005, Palm Beach, FL - The animated film Zoom Suit continues to take top honors at film festivals around the country. The latest accolade for Zoom Suit is Best of Festival - Animation from the Putnam County Film and Video Festival. The event marks the fortieth time the short has been an official selection of a major film festival and the sixth award for writer/director John Taddeo since winning Best Animation at the Palm Beach International Film Festival in April. "My hope now is that people reading about this award will head over to www.haydenfilms.com to check out Zoom Suit and if impressed, vote for it to win the Hayden Online Film Festival. Not only would winning that festival be an honor, but it would help a great cause, the Humane Society. As I've said previously, I have pledged to donate the grand prize of $10,000 to the Tri- County Humane Society, a no kill animal shelter in Boca Raton, Florida. Voting ends on October 31." Zoom Suit is scheduled to compete in three additional film festivals around the country in October. Since its first showing in April, Zoom Suit has been viewed by over 100,000 fans of comics and animation. More information on each festival, including the price of admission and location of viewing, can be found at each festival's web site. Miami Short Film Festival - Miami, FL - October 27, 8:00 pm Bethel Independent Film Festival - Bethel, PA - October 28, 5:00 pm The Berkeley Video and Film Festival - Berkeley, CA - Oct 30, 8:11 pm You can also screen John Taddeo's short film, The Inside Job, during the Alameda International Film Festival in Alameda, CA on October 15 at 8:30 pm. The 19 minute film is described as profane, vulgar, blasphemous and violent. "The Inside Job is a bit over the top," Taddeo commented. "I knew I had Zoom Suit scheduled after The Inside Job so I figured since I had Zoom, which is such a classic, sweet, Cinderella type story up next, I could get away with murder on The Inside Job. I think I have the record for using the word douchebag in it." Along with Zoom Suit the animated film, there are plans for the release of the comic version of the story as well. The series is written by John Taddeo with art by Billy Dallas Patton and features covers by some of the biggest names in comics: Gene Colan, Jim Starlin, Bob Layton and Bart Sears. Current plans call for the series to be released in early 2006. More details to come. About Zoom Suit: Zoom Suit has quickly become the darling of the film festival circuit appearing in over 40 festivals since the world premiere at the Palm Beach International Film Festival on April 18, 2005 where it won "Best Animation" from the Palm Beach Film Society. Since then Zoom Suit has been featured in film festivals across the country including New York City, Boston, Chicago, San Diego, Texas, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Michigan, San Francisco and Los Angeles. At the current rate, Zoom Suit will be accepted to over 100 festivals by mid-2006, and viewed by over 250,000 fans of comics and animation. Zoom Suit the comic is planned release in 2006. For more information or artwork, please visit the Zoom Suit web site at www.superverse.com +++++ X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse PSP launch trailer We have new updates for X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse for PSP today. Head over to the X-Men Legends II Mutant Vault and check out the PSP launch trailer. Or, you can download it from our FTP if you prefer. http://mutantvault.xmenlegends2.com/archives/2005/10/psp_launch_t rai.php Using an FTP client: Location: transfer.activision.com Login: step3public Password: wilfee3 Using a Web browser: ftp://step3public:wilfee3@transfer.activision.com/ Wiebke Hess wiebke@step-3.com +++++ Subject: Amelia Rules! Charity Art Auction Hello Amelia Rules! supporters We have just posted 5 pages of Amelia Rules! original art on Ebay, with more to come in the next few days. As promised in the last issue (#15), we are doing this art auction to raise money for Habitat For Humanity's hurricane relief efforts. (the auction is a couple days late, we apologize, as we were having computer problems) Bidding starts at only $30. All money raised will be donated. We hope you are able to open your hearts to this worthwhile cause, and pick up some great art in the process. As always, email me with any questions. Karen Gownley Subject: Amelia Rules! art auction - UPDATE We sincerely thank everyone who has already generously bid on this year's charity art auction. 100% of the money raised will be donated to Habitat for Humanity to help with the Hurricane relief efforts. Unfortunately, our art auction did not register properly on Ebay as a Charity Auction and several of our pages were pulled late Wednesday night. People who had bids on those pages were notified by Ebay. I have now re-listed all of those items. I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and hope you will go back to re-bid. Here is the link: http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?cgiurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi. ebay.com%2Fws%2F&fkr=1&from=R8&satitle=Amelia+Rules+original+art& category0= For some reason, three of the original pages were NOT pulled. I have contacted Ebay to try to resolve the problem with those pages. I will keep you updated on the status. Thank you very much for your attention in this matter, and for your continued generosity. Please contact me with any questions or concerns Karen Gownley Amelia Rules! P.O. Box 5060 Harrisburg, PA 17110 marketing/promotion +++++ the evolution of uberbabe is now sugarlab corp and north star media forge a mega-media alliance Los Angeles, CA and Vancouver, BC - sugarlab corporation and North Star Media are pleased to announce the birth of a sweeping alliance and joint media venture that makes North Star the exclusive representative of sugarlab's "uberbabe" character and mythology pantheon. North Star will provide business development services in all commercial media markets, including videogames, film, television, music, publishing, sponsorships and merchandising, as creatively and strategically directed by sugarlab. Says sugarlab chief and uberbabe creator Lisa Voldeng, "We've got the creative, North Star's got the development brawn - it's a media partnership of the lasting kind. President Ron Sobel is a longtime ally, and he and his team of stealthy ninjas are beautifully aligned with our uberbabe vision." Says Ron Sobel, President of North Star Media: "Lisa Voldeng and her sugarlab brain trust have lived and breathed beyond the cutting edges of technology and media for more than a decade. uberbabe is an ingenious creation that melds fact, fiction, and fantasy into a boundary-breaking and irresistible media personae. We are thrilled to bring uberbabe to the media markets." uberbabe is the mother of all superheroes: a 150,000 year old prophet and progressive icon. She has one mission: to unite a worldwide army of uberbabes and aid them in kicking humans up the ladder of consciousness. Assisted by her interdimensional army of rebel assassins, she fights the residual starlight forces of fear and paranoia with saucy wit and weapons, seductive positivity and ultra-love. Erased from "official" history by the forces of fear and bigotry, she represents an energy that receded from the world, and is now returning. Everyone is a potential uberbabe. The uberbabe mythology is best described as 'Lord of the Rings on acid in hot pants, over a longer span of time'. "An incredible creation... Jimi Hendrix meets Alice in Wonderland meets War and Peace..."-Paul Dale Roberts, Publisher, Jazma "...a printed Fantasia...[that takes] post-modern storytelling to the next level...."- David Weekly, Entrepreneur/Hacker "I am left quivering and speechless. uberbabe has overcome me." -Michael Musto, The Village Voice contacts: Lisa Voldeng, sugarlab corp CEO/Creator voldeng@sugar-lab.com Steven Rodrozen, CMO rodrozen@shaw.ca tel: 604.697.0301Ron Sobel, North Star Media President rsobel@northstarmedia.com Joyce Lapinsky, VP/Creative jlapinsky@northstarmedia.com tel: 818.766.2100 sugarlab 101: sugarlab corporation is a progressive entertainment studio that embraces both traditional entertainment and emerging media developments. uberbabe, sugarlab's flagship media brand, is an integrated media brand. It blends entertainment with virtual community and real events, where people can create their own uberbabe identities and experiment with them in the real world. Current product lines include publishing, music and high-end merchandise. sugarlab advisors include Marc Landsberg, President of Arc Worldwide and Andy Orgel, co-founder of MTV, A&E and The Box. Partners include Diamond Comics Distributors and Beatport. sugarlab was founded by entertainment futurist and uberbabe creator Lisa Voldeng. Voldeng was voted one of the "Women to Know in New Media" and one of the "Top 25 Women in Technology. She's been profiled in publications from Electronic Media, The Industry Standard and The Globe and Mail, to Japan's Nikkei Electronics, where she was lauded as a "next generation media thinker." She recently conceived and founded a related venture, ultra- future, with World Technology Network Chair Jim Clark. The first ultra-future "future of entertainment" expo will be presented with partner and Olympics staging company Pico Worldwide, in December 2006 in Hong Kong. sugarlab is a key sponsor of the event, which will feature an immersive uberbabe 'future of entertainment' world. north star media 101: North Star Media (NSM) is an innovative, broad-based media services company, providing music publishing, project development, and business solutions for the film, television, videogame and recording industries. Founded by nationally-recognized entertainment attorney Ron Sobel in 2001, NSM clients include Fox Sports Net, Leo Burnett USA, Hasbro/Parker Bros./Hersch & Co., Billy Preston, Al Jarreau, and Collective Soul. NSM has acquired a diverse catalogue of hit songs and Master recordings (including compositions recorded by Rod Stewart, Cher, Bruce Hornsby, Manhattan Transfer, Taj Mahal), and has recently placed music with Kellogg's, GAP, Lexus, Burger King, Desperate Housewives, and The O.C. +++++ Lone Ranger cartoonist Tom Gill dies at 92 Reuters News Service NEW YORK -- Tom Gill, who drew The Lone Ranger comic books, died on Monday of heart failure at his home in Croton-on-Hudson, N.Y., his wife said on Tuesday. He was 92. Between 1950 and 1970, Gill drew the masked rider of the Old West, the Lone Ranger, and his Indian sidekick Tonto for The Lone Ranger comic books. He also drew the Hi-Yo Silver and Bonanza comic books. He taught cartooning and children's book illustration in New York area colleges, including the School of Visual Arts, where he served as department chair in 1948 and alumni director in 1969. Gill grew up in Brooklyn and went to work for the New York Daily News, where he was credited with drawing the first map of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Later he worked for the New York Herald Tribune and the New York Times. He is survived by his wife, Patricia, daughter Nancy Zaglaluer, son Tom, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. A funeral Mass will be held in Croton-on-Hudson on Friday. +++++ SCRYPTIC STUDIOS JOIN WRITE BROTHERS, INC Comic Writer's Resource website officially endorsed by Screenplay.com October 21, 2005 - Popular comic book writer's resource website, SCRYPTIC STUDIOS (http://www.scrypticstudios.com), announced today a joint-endorsement deal with Hollywood screenwriting moguls, Write Brothers, Inc. (http://www.screenplay.com) - makers of many popular Hollywood screenwriting programs! This new agreement will combine the two sites - each a well-known giant in their respective industry - to broaden their content, resources, and expertise to better serve writers of all kinds. "Write Brothers is excited to be joining forces with the premiere writer's resource on the internet. This partnership will benefit writers of all industries. We especially look forward to working with Scryptic Studios to further develop tools for the comic book industry" said Jason M. Eng, Sales and Marketing Manager of Write Brothers. As part of the writers' agreement, Write Brothers, Inc. will endorse Scryptic Studios as their official resource for writing comics - referring some of Write Brothers' 40,000 monthly visitors and 80,000 newsletter subscribers to the popular comic book writing website. In addition, Scryptic and Write Brothers, Inc. have agreed to a shared content agreement, wherein Scryptic original feature stories can be displayed on Write Brothers' own popular screenwriting website, Screenplay.com - which is undergoing a total design makeover. Lastly, Write Brothers, Inc. will also be hosting their all-new message board on Scryptic Studios' existing forum, allowing the two communities to intermix and share ideas and discussions. Widely known for their popular screenwriting software, Movie Magic Screenwriter (the official scriptwriting software of HBO's Project Greenlight, WGA-East, and many Hollywood writers, actors, and directors), Write Brothers, Inc. will work alongside Scryptic writers to add a complete and comprehensive comic book writing feature into an upcoming release of their scriptwriting software. "This will be the first time there has ever been a comic book writing program on the market, and we're really excited to be a part of it," said Scryptic Studios co-founder and Chief Administrator, Ryan Scott Ottney. "There have been several substitutions for lacking such a resource, but never anything as complete as what we hope to assemble here. We're all comic book writers, and we know what we'd like to see, so you can bet it will be useful and specifically aimed at the needs of the growing comic book writing market!" Other software produced by Write Brothers, Inc. include StoryView, Word Menu, and Dramatica, which Writer's Digest calls, "the most versatile and dynamic program of its kind, Dramatica is a sophisticated and intuitive tool that can benefit both the novice and the professional." On Scryptic's side of this agreement, the comic book writing website will endorse Write Brothers, Inc. software as The Official Scriptwriting Software of Scryptic Studios, and help promote the company and their products to comic book writers. "They have a great product," said Ottney, "and we've been referring our visitors to their programs ever since we opened our doors, so this just feels right to us. We hope that this is just the start of a long and mutually-beneficial relationship!" For more information on Scryptic Studios and Write Brothers, Inc., or to order any of Write Brothers' award-winning writing software, visit them online at http://www.screenplay.com and http://www.scrypticstudios.com! ABOUT SCRYPTIC STUDIOS: SCRYPTIC STUDIOS is an online writer's studio and resource center, founded in June 2004 by Ryan Scott Ottney; enlisting the help of Kevin Melrose, Jeff Stevenson, Jim Keplinger, and Dan Taylor. Current members also include Drew Melbourne and Rob Levin, as well as a variety of writers, editors, and columnists. The purpose of SCRYPTIC STUDIOS is to provide writers of all types a place where they can easily access story references and resources, as well as discuss ideas and techniques with other comic book writers. SCRYPTIC STUDIOS gives writers a place to be themselves. Visit Scryptic Studios online at http://www.scrypticstudios.com ABOUT WRITE BROTHERS, INC: Since 1982, Write Brothers Inc. (formerly called Screenplay Systems) has been the world leader in film and television production software. Our software is sold worldwide and has been used in the development of most of your favorite films and television shows. Rather than stifle creativity, Write Brothers believes that the computer has given people unprecedented freedom to create, develop, and implement new ideas and inspirations. Since 1990, over 80% of the Academy Award nominations and 95% of the Emmy awards went to companies that used Write Brothers/ Screenplay Systems' software. Visit Write Brothers online at http://www.screenplay.com +++++ ANGEL GATE SENDS SUPERHEROES BACK TO SCHOOL! "Atlas: School for Superheroes" new series for pre-schoolers! October 15, 2005 (San Diego, CA) - Class is in session this November, as Angel Gate kicks off the first in a new series of funny and lighthearted educational superhero books, ATLAS: SCHOOL FOR SUPERHEROES, aimed at children ages six and under. ATLAS, created by Darren G. Davis, stars in this all-new children's educational series developed by Davis and Debbie Bishop. ATLAS' backstory: On Mt Olympus, ATLAS had a job holding the Earth on his shoulders. He was fascinated watching people on Earth flying around in capes fighting evil-doers. One day he decided to quit his job with the gods and become a SUPERHERO. When ATLAS came to Earth, all the superhero jobs were taken. So with the help of his dad, Zeus, he opened the ATLAS SCHOOL FOR SUPERHEROES. Following the Supreme Code, Atlas thought he was going to teach the kids how to be heroes, but he is learning more from them. "We find that kids really connect with Atlas' humorously-large proportions and colors. They're drawn in by the design of the character and we feel that we can use that attention to really make a difference in these kids education," said Davis. "They're treated a fun story, with interesting characters, and they may not even realize that they're learning something along the way too. Atlas works really well to make learning fun!" Atlas' endearing personality and superhero point-of-view brings delightful humor to his all-new children's series. First in the ATLAS: SCHOOL FOR SUPERHEROES series are the following three books: ATLAS: ABC'S FOR SUPERHEROES Written by Darren G. Davis, with artwork by Mark Brooks and Andrew Dalhouse. In ABC'S FOR SUPERHEROES Atlas follows the Supreme Code of Superheroes as he recites the ABC's with the sweet humor he is known for. (ISBN: 1-595591-10-9) ATLAS: 123'S FOR SUPERHEROES Written by Darren G. Davis, with artwork by Mark Brooks, Andy Park, Frank Mills, Ken Lashley, and Andrew Dalhouse. 123'S FOR SUPERHEROES Join the super-powered hero ATLAS, as he recites the Supreme Code of Superhero 123's in this funny and unique board book for super-kids. (ISBN: 1-595591-10-9) ATLAS: SUPERHEROES GUIDE TO THE PLANETS Written by Darren G. Davis, with artwork by Mark Brooks, Tom Daniels, and Andrew Dalhouse. In ATLAS: GUIDE TO THE PLANETS, Atlas takes us on a super-powered tour of our solar system. (ISBN: 1-595591-10-9) ATLAS: SCHOOL FOR SUPERHEROES are each 16 page, 5x5 color board books. Genre: educational-humor for children ages baby through 6, MSRP: $5.99 US ($8.00 CAN). Books will be available in November 2005, and offered in Diamond Comics' Previews Catalog and all major distributors. For more information about these books and more from Angel Gate, visit them online at http://www.angelgatepress.com ! +++++ ISIS BUSTED AT PROTO-HYPE STUDIOS Isis, Muse, and others reach toy shelves for 2006! October 21, 2005 - Starting in 2006, Blue Water Productions will offer fans and collectors alike an all-new series of action figures and statues by developer, Proto-Hype Studios, based on some of Blue Water's hottest titles! "Blue Water is excited to work on this project," said Blue Water Productions Managing Editor, Darren G. Davis. "We have seen what Scott can do and it's really exciting!" Among the titles being developed for figures and statues include THE LEGEND OF ISIS, JUDO GIRL, BLACKBEARD LEGACY, and a statue featuring actress/model Cindy Margolis as THE 10th MUSE! "I couldn't be happier with our new relationship with Blue Water," said Proto-Hype Creative Director, Scott Fensterer. "They have some of the coolest characters in print, and are a serious force to be reckoned with in comics and media - and they've been very supportive of our concept ideas so far." For additional information on these titles and more, visit the Blue Water Productions web site at http://www.bluewaterprod.com Also visit Proto-Hype Studios at http://www.protohypestudios.com +++++ From Jim McCann at Marvel Comics http://www.marvel.com New Excalibur #1 Brings Back Britain's Premiere Superhero Team Spinning out of the pages of House of M and Uncanny X-Men, England once again has a team of heroes to call its own. Captain Britain and Excalibur return in New Excalibur #1 with a new team ready to protect the shores of Great Britain from anything that may threaten it. Excalibur has been popular in several different variations and New Excalibur promises to combine the best of the previous series with exciting new action and tension. "This version's set in London and stars Captain Britain and while it deals very much with the repercussions of House of M, it is also very much involved in the fate of OtherWorld," says writer Chris Claremont. "It also has a similar mix of characters, and with any luck will radiate the same eclectic mix of Romance, High Adventure, occasional Comedy, Action & Character!" This is Excalibur as you have never seen it before. A mixture of old and new members are brought together by fate to write a new chapter in the history of England's greatest superhero team. Previous members like the longstanding leader Captain Britain along with Pete Wisdom are joined by first-timers Dazzler, Juggernaut, Nocturne, and Sage to form the New Excalibur. "Thus far, though, based on the art, this book rocks," says Claremont. "Great-looking cast, diabolical villains, evocative sense of time and place, and the odd, occasional giggle." The events of New Excalibur #1 pick up right after the events of Decimation: House of M - The Day After with Pete Wisdom investigating the death of one of the would-be members of New Excalibur. This issue also features a guest-appearance from a current X-Man who was also one of the original members of Excalibur. And what is a great X-title without great villains. "As for the first-arc villains, there are five and they represent the most dangerous adversaries any X-team has ever faced," says Claremont. And you will never guess the five Claremont has in my mind. "Like Uncanny X-Men, New Excalibur is the story of people thrown together by fate and wild circumstance who find their way to true and lasting friendship," explains Claremont. "They aren't out to save the world, merely to help folks cope with the mess it's in. They may act like grumps from time to time but when you come to their door, they'll almost always make you welcome." Witness a new beginning in both Excalibur and the X-Universe's history in New Excalibur #1. NEW EXCALIBUR #1 (SEP051961) Written by CHRIS CLAREMONT Pencils & Cover by MICHAEL RYAN 32 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$2.99 FOC - 10/20, On Sale - 11/9/2005 On sale 11/2/2005 EXCALIBUR CLASSIC VOL 1 THE SWORD IS DRAWN TP (SEP052002) 176 pages Collecting Excalibur (Vol. 1) 1-5 and The Sword is Drawn bookshelf edition $19.99 Still Available CAPTAIN BRITAIN TP (collects the Alan Moore Alan Davis Captain Britain stories from the 80's) JAN058082 $19.99 Ghost Rider #3: The Most Demonic, Gruesome Fight You Will Read This Year Ghost Rider finally gets his hands on some demon hide in Ghost Rider #3 and when he does, vengeance will undoubtedly be unleashed. This is the all-out, demon-pulverizing fight that fans have been clamoring for since Ghost Rider's return. Says Executive Editor Axel Alonso: "In issue #3, Garth and Clayton put the pedal to the metal. Ghost Rider chases down the redneck Demon Hoss for the first big fight scene of the series. And things go from bad to worse when Archangel Ruth crashes the party. Definitely not for the squeamish." Ennis's twisted ideas combined with the haunting art of Crain is sure to blow you away in this issue. Both creators finally get to cut loose and show the Spirit of Vengeance doing what he does best: trouncing evil demons with extreme prejudice. Ghost Rider is hot on the heels of the rogue demon Kazaan when he crosses paths with Hoss, a redneck bounty hunter. And when Ghost Rider is done with him, Hoss is going to wish he never got in his way. Find out why Ghost Rider is one of the best-reviewed books of the year: Kenneth Gallant of BrokenFrontier.com says, "[Clayton Crain's] work is breathtaking to look at, and his use of CGI has given this series a horrific look." Hillary Goldstein of IGN.com says, "Touches of humor and classic Ennis malice make for a very enjoyable read." Be sure to pick up Ghost Rider #3 for the most horrific and unholy fight of 2005. This haunting issue is guaranteed to leave you a little squeamish. Retailers, please note to check your orders since Ghost Rider #1 sold out quickly and #2 is going fast. GHOST RIDER #3 (of 6) (SEP051917) Written by GARTH ENNIS Art & Cover CLAYTON CRAIN 32 PGS./PARENTAL ADVISORY ...$2.99 FOC - 10/20, On Sale - 11/9/2005 Marvel & Neil Gaiman's 1602 Wins Quill Award! Marvel is proud to congratulate NEIL GAIMAN, ANDY KUBERT and RICHARD ISANOVE the winners of the first annual Quill Award for Best Graphic Novel. Written by Hugo award-winning author Neil Gaiman with art by acclaimed ORIGIN team ANDY KUBERT and RICHARD ISANOVE, Marvel 1602 is a time-bending mystery that looks at an age of super-heroes prematurely begun 400 years in the past. The hardcover and trade paperback graphic novels have been incredibly well received by both fans and critics alike. Marvel Editor-In- Chief Joe Quesada says on behalf of Marvel, "Congrats go off of to Neil, Andy, Richard, Scott and Todd for a brilliant piece of work and of course Nick Lowe, Nanci Quesada, Kelly Lamy and everyone else involved with the project. This is truly a first and an honor for all of us here at Marvel!" Look for the sequel, Marvel 1602: New World, written by Greg Pak (X-Men: Phoenix Endsong) with art by Greg Tocchini (Thor Son of Asgard) to hit the shelves in late 2005. To watch this awards show, be sure and check your local listings for Saturday, October 22 when it is scheduled to run on NBC. MARVEL 1602 HC (JUN041634D) Written by NEIL GAIMAN Art by ANDY KUBERT and RICHARD ISANOVE Cover by SCOTT McKOWEN 248 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP $24.99 MARVEL 1602 TP (APR051969D) 248 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ... $19.99 MARVEL 1602: NEW WORLD TPB (JUL058275) Written by GREG PAK Pencils by GREG TOCCHINI Cover by SERGIO TOPPI 120 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ... $14.99 FOC - 12/15/05, On Sale 1/4/06 TRUE BELIEVER ALERT 10-19-2005 Books of Doom #1, Incredible Hulk #88, Captain Universe/Daredevil Doom: Behind the Mask in Books of Doom #1 In one of the most unique and gripping stories in recent memory, writer Ed Brubaker delves into the mind, motivations, and past behind Marvel's greatest villain Dr. Doom in Books of Doom #1. For years, we have witnessed Doom attempt one world domination coup after another. He is arguably the most feared and dangerous villain in the Marvel Universe. He has fought the Fantastic Four and the Avengers to a standstill and has even been to Hell and back. But what we have never seen is what drives Victor Von Doom to be Dr. Doom, benevolent king of Latveria and would-be world conqueror. "This is one of the strangest comics I've ever done, and I think it's going to be much different than what people are expecting," says five-time Eisner-nominated writer Ed Brubaker. "This isn't a story of good guy versus bad guy, or bad guy versus good guy, even. It's an epic tragedy, a long and winding character piece that touches on every classic Von Doom moment that we all know, but shows them in a different light, fills in the blanks, and explains the motive behind the life of Dr. Doom." Touching on the classic Doom moments, Books of Doom will cause you to look at those classic stories in a whole new light. "I think there are going to be things here that shock some longtime fans, but they're all things that have been a part of Doom's story for decades, it's just no one's ever really spent much time examining them before," says Brubaker. Illustrated by the tremendous art team of Pablo Raimondi and Mark Farmer, Books of Doom #1 shows the early days of Victor Von Doom as an innocent gypsy child whose forays into the dark arts and science draws the ire of the rulers of Latveria. After reading Books of Doom #1, you will never think of Dr. Doom same way ever again. BOOKS OF DOOM #1 (of 6) (SEP051923) Written by ED BRUBAKER Penciled by PABLO RAIMONDI Cover by PAOLO RIVERA 32 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$2.99 FOC - 10/27, On Sale - 11/16/2005 DD Goes From City Protector to Galactic Defender in Captain Universe/Daredevil When the Guardian of Hell's Kitchen becomes imbued with the powers of Captain Universe, Daredevil becomes one of the most powerful heroes on the planet in Captain Universe/Daredevil. What powers you ask? How about the power of sight? That do anything for you. Well, the power of sight and enough raw energy to snuff out a sun. Continuing from the Captain Universe/Hulk one-shot, the Uni-power is still in the sights of a mysterious enemy bent on its destruction when it bonds with Matt Murdock in order to save itself. "One of the most exciting things about working in the Marvel Universe is the chance to pair up characters who, on the surface, appear to no reason to appear in the same story," says writer Jay Faerber. "Daredevil is usually portrayed as a street- level, almost noir character, so he's probably not the first character that pops into your head when you think "cosmic-level story" ... but that's exactly what made his role so appealing." Captain Universe/Daredevil is the second part of the Captain Universe event month which continues in Captain Universe/X-23, Captain Universe/Invisible Woman, and Captain Universe/Silver Surfer. "Daredevil's chapter in November's Captain Universe storyline is a crucial one, and both tie up some threads developed in the Hulk chapter, and also plants the seeds for developments in the X-23 chapter," says Faerber. This event is bringing together a lot of diverse characters, and that sort of diversity is best found in a playground as rich and varied as the Marvel Universe." When the Hero-That-Could-Be-You is actually a Captain Universe-powered Daredevil, you know its going to be all out cosmic action in Captain Universe/Daredevil. CAPTAIN UNIVERSE / DAREDEVIL (SEP051949) Written by JAY FAERBER Penciled by PAUL SIQUEIRA Cover by DANIEL ACUNA One man knows more about the Uni-Power than anyone on Earth-but he's currently facing jail time! Matt Murdock's going to have a hard time mounting a defense when he has to contend with one of Marvel's nastiest secret organizations. And then there's the small matter of the amplified senses the Uni-Power has given him -- including sight! 32 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$2.99 FOC - 10/20, On Sale - 11/9/2005 Nick Fury's Comes a Calling for the Hulk in Incredible Hulk #88 After the events of House of M, Bruce Banner is more dejected than ever about being able to quell the beast that resides inside him. So Banner puts himself and the Hulk into self-imposed exile in Incredible Hulk #88. But you know that the "puny" humans will never leave the Hulk alone. Banner figures he has a fool-proof plan since no one would actually come looking for the Hulk. By moving to an isolated interior of Alaska, Banner can spare the world from the never-ending rampage of the Hulk. So who comes calling to visit the Hulk but Nick Fury and that can only mean a world of trouble. This meeting may set off a chain of reactions that has dire consequences for all of humanity, Be sure to jump onboard for the first part of the "Peace in Our Time" arc. The next chapter in the evolution of the Hulk starts here. INCREDIBLE HULK #88 (SEP051935) Written by DANIEL WAY Penciled by KEU CHA Cover by BRANDON PETERSON "PEACE IN OUR TIME" Part 1 (of 4) Bruce Banner has finally found a semblance of peace. Here, in the isolated interior of Alaska, he hopes to protect the rest of humanity from The Hulk's never-ending rampage by secluding himself in self-imposed exile. Banner is confident that his plan will work-after all, who would be foolish enough to actually come looking for The Hulk? But when Nick Fury comes calling, you know there's trouble for someone involved. This arc sets up next year's huge event involving a certain Jade Giant. 32 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$2.99 FOC - 10/20, On Sale - 11/9/2005 +++++ From THE PULSE by Heidi MacDonald and Jennifer Contino at: http://www.comicon.com/pulse/ Breaking: IDW to Diamond; FM to end? We've received a few tips in our mailbox stating that IDW is about to announce an exclusive deal with Diamond as its distributor, with the result that distributor FM International may have to close its doors. IDW is one of FM's biggest clients, and with just about every company of any size exclusive at Diamond, there just isn't much left to distribute. FM International was founded by Wayne Markley, formerly of Capital Distribution, and is, with Cold Cut, one of the very few remaining alternatives to Diamond. We've written here before of the fact that for a virtual monopoly, Diamond is pretty damned beneficial, but the reality is that any business that operates without competition is vulnerable -- to getting flabby if nothing else. We'rre not really sure what advantages come with being exclusive with Diamond these days -- with almost everyone exclusive, it's not like you're getting special treatment -- but since everyone is doing it, there must be some. CASTLE WAITING returns from Fantagraphics Also in PW Comics Week, an article on Fantagraphics Spring publishing plans including the exciting news that Linda Medley's CASTLE WAITING will finally be coming back into print. Linda Medley's Castle Waiting will be published in May. Originally published in periodical form in 1990s by Jeff Smith's Cartoon Books imprint, Castle Waiting is a 450-page fantasy fable about the restoration of a castle by an eccentric cast of fairytale characters. Generally cited for the quality of Medley's illustration, Castle Waiting will include a final chapter that was never published. Eric Reynolds, Fantagraphics publicity, says that Medley and Fantagraphics will restart the series as a bimonthly periodical comic in July. CASTLE WAITING actually started as a self-published book from Medley's own Olio Press, and won acclaim during the "hard won struggle" era of self-publishing for its beautiful art and all- ages, all-sexes story. Medley stopped drawing for a while -- the last we heard of her, she was teaching dawn at SCAD in Savannah - - and the return of Castle Waiting is welccome news indeed, and should find a more accepting audience in bookstores and even comics shops. +++++ From THE BEAT by Heidi McDonald at http://www.comicon.com/thebeat/ Indian astronaut comic a "smash" An India comic book biography of Columbia astronaut Kalpana Chawla has become a "huge" seller on the nation of 1 billion: A comic book biography of Kalpana Chawla, the Indian-born astronaut killed in the Columbia shuttle disaster, is flying off bookshelves in India. The 32-page comic is being snapped up by children and adults eager to read its portrayal of Chawla's life, from her childhood dreams of flying to her becoming an American citizen and an astronaut. The comic, in a reflection of Chawla's popularity, has become "a fast seller," said its publisher, Padmini Mirchandani of India Book House. "We printed 10,000 copies and it normally takes six months to sell," she said. Superman collection housed in new museum You have to go through all kinds of obnoxious registration ceremonies to get into the Arkansas Gazette, but here's a story about Jim Hambrick's massive Superman collection finding a home in the Americana Hollywood Museum in Metropolis, IL: While Hambrick's Superman collection is said to be the world's largest - even he isn't sure how many pieces - he's also been busy in other fields. Now 51, Hambrick has been collecting since he was 5, and has the goods to prove it. Most of the rest of his collection was put on display in June with the opening of the Americana Hollywood Museum in a former True Value hardware store, which now has Jake and Elwood dancing in a gazebo out front. Admission is $5. "The museum is a massive tribute, from a collector's perspective, to America's most beloved icons," Hambrick said. "You'll find John Wayne, Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, Clint Eastwood, Pamela Anderson, Bogart, Gable, Three Stooges, Laurel and Hardy, W.C. Fields, classic horror monsters." Platinum GN at NBC Platinum Studios, the comics publishers with lots of options but few published comics, has a new option, an NBC sitcom is in development based on MEET THE HAUNTEDS: A half-hour sitcom is in the works at NBC about a black family of ghosts who haunt a white family in what`s described as a 'supernatural culture clash.' NBC Universal Television Studio has optioned rights to the graphic novel 'Meet the Haunteds' from Platinum Studios, the Hollywood Reporter says. The story is about an upper-middle-class white family who move into a restored house that`s haunted by a black family from the early 1970s, the Reporter said. Platinum Chairman Scott Mitchell Rosenberg said the comedy will be 'supernatural culture clash' that shows how everyone can get 'along no matter how disparate and different (the two families`) beliefs are.' The graphic novel is by Chris Wichtendahl. Wolverine now a toonverine According to Variety, Marvel is outsourcing Wolverine to India: Marvel Entertainment has pacted with Indian animation company First Serve Toonz to produce an animated "X-Men" skein centered on the character of Wolverine. Marvel Studios chair-CEO Avi Arad and FST chief exec Ed Borgerding will announce the project today, during this year's Mipcom TV mart. Companies are set to produce 26 episodes, which will be available for distribution in 2007. October 20, 2005 QUEER EYE FOR THE STRAIGHT NERD YES! YESSSSSSSSSSSS! YES! QUEER EYE FOR THE STRAIGHT GUY, the popular cable TV show in which five gay style experts show straight men how to dress, cook and use product, is finally turning to comics -- and we can help! The show is coming to next February's New York Comic-con to find fans to makeover -- and they need us to tell them who! The show is looking for the following types: . A fan who needs help getting ready for a major event in his life (i.e. wedding, high school reunion, family reunion, adoption interview) . An artist who is making his debut at New York Comic-Con . A guy who has an extreme occupation (i.e. bounty hunter, stunt man, timber cutter, news anchor, weatherman, etc...) . A fan who is a widower and ready to date again . A fan who needs to get cleaned up for a job interview . A fan who is expecting a new baby but his memorabilia is taking up too much space in his home Come on gang, surely we know SOMEONE whose life would be improved by spending a little time with Carson Kressley! Full press release after the jump. New York Comic-Con Fans... Queer Eye is looking for STRAIGHT GUYS! If you or someone you know is a cute guy, a die-hard comic enthusiast, but needs some cleaning up... EMAIL US TODAY! We are currently looking for the following characters... . A fan who needs help getting ready for a major event in his life (i.e. wedding, high school reunion, family reunion, adoption interview) . An artist who is making his debut at New York Comic-Con . A guy who has an extreme occupation (i.e. bounty hunter, stunt man, timber cutter, news anchor, weatherman, etc...) . A fan who is a widower and ready to date again . A fan who needs to get cleaned up for a job interview . A fan who is expecting a new baby but his memorabilia is taking up too much space in his home . ANY FAN THAT DESPERATELY NEEDS TO MAKE A CHANGE!! When applying please keep in mind: . This is the chance of a lifetime. . You MUST live in the New York City Metropolitan area--not more than 30 miles away . You MUST be a straight male between the ages of 25-40. . You MUST have an outgoing and dynamic personality. If you or someone you know is great guy with charisma please send photos and reasons why we should choose you / him. Email: nford@thequeereye.com FM Distribution sticking around CBGXtra follows up an an item we posted the other day about IDW going exclusive with Diamond threatening the health of distributor FM International: Recently, Idea + Design Works (IDW) signed an exclusive distribution deal with Diamond Comic Distributors and, in doing so, offered other distributors, including FM International, new trade terms. According to FM President Wayne Markley, "The new terms weren't acceptable to us. When we choose not to accept them, IDW said they couldn't sell to us any more." Addressing online speculation about the health of the Madison, Wis.-based distributor, Markley said that while IDW was one of the company's bigger accounts and "it's a painful thing to happen, our business will go on. We'll continue to do everything we can to offer the best possible service just as we always have." +++++ From the Comics Continuum at http://www.comicscontinuum.com/: MOTOR CITY COMIC CON: RON GARNEY With his exclusive with DC Comics over, artist Ron Garney said that he's in advanced talks with Marvel Comics. "It looks like I'm going to Marvel," Garney said at his panel at the Motor City Comic Con on Saturday. "I'll possibly be doing Wolverine or possibly a Thor limited series. We are also talking about Iron Man." BRIEFLY Casey Jones, artist of the upcoming Fantastic Four Special, told The Continuum he will also be drawing an Exiles Special. DC Comics will launch a Batwoman title next year. Dynamite Entertainment has announced that Red Sonja #2 has sold out at Diamond. Teen Titans Go! #27 will be a Valentine's Day-themed issue. PAINKILLER JANE ON DEC. 10 Painkiller Jane, the pilot movie based on the Event Comics character created by Jimmy Palmiotti and Joe Quesada, will premiere on Sci Fi Channel on Saturday, Dec. 10 at 9 p.m., The Continuum has learned. Here's how the network describes the film: "Painkiller Jane is a super-heroine for the new millennium. When Jane Browning is exposed to a biochemical weapon that alters her genes, she becomes endowed with incredible self-healing powers and extraordinary physical and mental abilities. Now, on the run from a sinister organization determined to replicate her powers - or destroy them - Jane joins forces with some unlikely allies to become an ultra-covert crime-fighting agent." Emmanuelle Vaugier, who played Lex Luthor's wife in Smallville, stars in the title role. Tate Donvovan plays Graham Knight, a Ph.D. professor who tries to help Jane figure out her new abilities. Richard Roundtree co- stars as Colonel Watts, her commanding officer and mentor. Venus Terzo, who did the voice of Jean Grey in X-Men: Evolution, plays Carla Browning, Jane's sister. The cast also includes Eric Dane, who reportedly is playing Jamie Madrox in X3, and Walker Howard. The film was written and executive produced by John Harrison, Greg Gold and Don Opper and directed by Sanford Bookstaver. MARVEL COMICS IN MIDDLE EAST Teshkeel Media Group on Friday announced a comprehensive agreement with Marvel Entertainment to bring Arabic-language Marvel comics, trade paperbacks and magazines to the Middle East region. The agreement was announced by Naif Al-Mutawa, CEO of Teshkeel, and Bruno Maglione, President of Marvel International. Under terms of the agreement, Teshkeel will engage in a wide- ranging multi-year publishing program which for the first time will bring Marvel's comic books to the Middle East in local language. The Marvel comics will be distributed throughout the region, from the Arabian Gulf to North Africa. "We're extremely excited and proud to be working with Marvel," said Al-Mutawa. "Marvel's super heroes provide positive role models for children worldwide, and it's extremely gratifying to be able to bring them to an Arab audience." Maglione said, "The Arab world is emerging as one of the fastest growing markets in the world. Our character franchises each began as comic books, and introducing Marvel comics is a crucial first step to developing our full business model in new regions. We met with a variety of potential partners, and it was clear that Teshkeel was uniquely situated and best able to execute on bringing Marvel's comic book franchise to this region." Headquartered in Kuwait, Teshkeel is a publisher and developer of comics and other children's entertainment in the Arab world. Al-Mutawa added that Teshkeel will begin Arabic publication of several of Marvel's most well-known and successful titles early next year. The company may also release additional titles to tie in with the release of next year's X-Men 3 and Ghost Rider movies. BRIEFLY * Marvel Comics has announced Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #1 Second Printing Variant. Sporting a new cover by series artist Mike Weiringo, the variant edition will arrive in stores on Nov. 16. Due to an injury suffered by artist Brian Stelfreeze, Matador #6 will be resolicited. "I try to play a little volleyball a few times a week to keep myself in shape," Stelfreeze said. "When things like this happen you realize that sports aren't necessarily a good thing for comic book artists. I guess that's one of the reasons why we're not in as good a shape as the characters we draw. I'm knitting as quickly as I can and I've already started some physical therapy. I should be back at the drawing board in just a few weeks. Believe me, I'm just as excited about the ending of Matador as any reader." +++++ From Newsarama at http://www.Newsarama.com/ WATCHMEN IN TIME's 100 BEST NOVELS Time Magazine Book critics Lev Grossman and Richard Lacayo recently published their list of the 100 Best English-Language Novels from 1923 to the present, and the graphic novel didn't go unrepresented. Alan Moore and Dave Gibbon's landmark Watchman made it onto the list, joining such modern literary stalwarts as The Catcher in the Rye, The Grapes of Wrath, The Sun Also Rises, and 1984. Here is what Grossman wrote about Watchmen: "Watchmen is a graphic novel-a book-length comic book with ambitions above its station-starring a ragbag of bizarre, damaged, retired superheroes: the paunchy, melancholic Nite Owl; the raving doomsayer Rorschach; the blue, glowing, near-omnipotent, no-longer-human Doctor Manhattan. Though their heyday is past, these former crime-fighters are drawn back into action by the murder of a former teammate, The Comedian, which turns out to be the leading edge of a much wider, more disturbing conspiracy. Told with ruthless psychological realism, in fugal, overlapping plotlines and gorgeous, cinematic panels rich with repeating motifs, Watchmen is a heart-pounding, heartbreaking read and a watershed in the evolution of a young medium." Readers can rate each book (on their indvidual pages) on a scale of 1 to 5, and for a time Watchmen had the highest Reader Rating of any of the Top 100, with an average rating of 4.83 (of a possible 5). Though by Monday afternoon its rating had slipped somewhat to 4.69 (good for 4th highest rating). Comic book fans can submit their rating on the bottom of this page: http://www.time.com/time/2005/100bo...atchmen,00.html Time does not report the number of reader respondees. SAVAGE DRAGON RETURNS IN 2006 To kick off 2006, Image Comics is proud to announce the return of co-founder Erik Larsen's SAVAGE DRAGON. Back on to the shelves for the first time in eight months, January's SAVAGE DRAGON #122 marks the return of one of Image's longest running comics. The question on everyone's mind is the same - why was SAVAGE DRAGON so darned late? To answer that question, here's SAVAGE DRAGON creator and Image Comics Publisher Erik Larsen to explain it all. "The publisher gig has taken up a lot more time than I ever expected and starting off I was incredibly hands on. So much so that I ended up doing a lot of work on other books - most of it uncredited," Larsen explainedd. "Learning to delegate hasn't been easy, but I learned a LOT in the process and that knowledge will, ultimately, be put to good use on SAVAGE DRAGON." "That being said, SAVAGE DRAGON #122 is just wrapping up, #123 is well on its way and by the time January rolls around, I should be pretty far along. Well into #125, if I keep going as I have been. And there's no good reason that that shouldn't be the case, so the book will ship on time, every month." Beginning with issue #122, there are some major changes ahead in store for our beloved green-finned hero. SAVAGE DRAGON has always been an ever-evolving book and the coming months will see some radical changes in the Dragon's life. Resolutions to long-running arcs will lead in to some new, fresh stories, harkening back to the days when SAVAGE DRAGON hopped from one crazy adventure to another in a non- stop frenzy that made the book a favorite for fans & pros alike. "SAVAGE DRAGON has always been a sort of epic book. Things start small and build to a huge cataclysmic event and the issues coming up really kick things into high gear. There's a character in the book now, Mister Glum, that has appeared to be rather harmless and cute, but he takes on a vastly different role over the next few issues. Ultimately, the result will be a book which is vastly different from what it has been in the last few years and more like it was in the start," concluded Larsen. SAVAGE DRAGON #122 will be available for order in the November Previews. All previous orders for SAVAGE DRAGON are cancelled and each book will be re-solicited. There are currently 11 volumes of SAVAGE DRAGON trade paperbacks available for order - your local comic retailer can contact their Diamond Customer Service Representative for ordering. +++++ From the DC Comics Online Newsletter at http://www.dccomics.com IVAN REIS RENEWS DC EXCLUSIVE Ivan Reis, penciler of Rann/Thanagar War, Action Comics and more, has extended his exclusive agreement with DC Comics for three years. "I'm very happy with the new opportunity DC Comics has given me," Reis said. "This is a dream job for me. DC's characters are like gods, and working with them is beyond words. What more could I want?" "I started working with Ivan on Action Comics, when the book's goal was just that: show action - and lots of it, " DC editor Eddie Berganza said. "Not in my wildest dreams could I have predicted how adept Mr. Reis would become, and it didn't matter when we would increase the number of foes we threw at Superman or make the locales even busier. Ivan would draw them all, adding civilians, vehicles and even more chaos, giving it all a summer blockbuster feel. "When we asked him to do The Titans/Legion Special, he didn't even pause at the thought of pitting the two teams against the Fatal Five Hundred. What's even more amazing is that he gets better with each job! You can count on his next project to explode off the page!" ARTIST DALE EAGLESHAM SIGNS 2-YEAR EXCLUSIVE AGREEMENT WITH DC COMICS Dale Eaglesham, the dynamic illustrator of VILLAINS UNITED, has signed a 2-year exclusive agreement with DC Comics. "Signing an exclusive offer from DC Comics was such an easy decision to make," says Eaglesham. "It's truly an exhilarating time to be at DC and I'm thrilled to be here. There is a new boldness at DC, a willingness to take risks and a desire to make comics history. INFINITE CRISIS is drawing this entire company together, staff and creators alike, in a celebration of DC's incredible universe. I've been working for them for a decade now and they've given me the kind of opportunity and support that will allow me to be the best artist I can be." "Page after page, Dale makes us all look like geniuses for hiring him," says Editor Steve Wacker. "He brings an extremely strong visual sense to his stories and has been large part of the success of VILLAINS UNITED. He's one of those guys who makes an editor's job easy. We have some big plans for him on one of our biggest books, so he'll be busy here for a while. Your vacation is cancelled, Dale!" Some of Eaglesham's work may be found in these collected editions, all available for reorder: * BATMAN: NO MAN'S LAND VOLUME 4 TP (JUL058015) * BATMAN: NO MAN'S LAND VOLUME 5 TP (JUN058159) * GREEN LANTERN: NEW JOURNEY, OLD PATH TP (STAR13947) * GREEN LANTERN: BROTHER'S KEEPER TP (STAR18922) * GREEN LANTERN: PASSING THE TORCH TP (JUN040399) In addition, the VILLAINS UNITED TP (OCT050276), collecting the miniseries in its entirety, is solicited in the October Previews (Volume XV #10) and is scheduled to arrive in stores on December 14. ********** JSA ARTIST DON KRAMER SIGNS 2-YEAR EXCLUSIVE AGREEMENT WITH DC COMICS Don Kramer, penciller of the monthly JSA series, has signed a 2-year exclusive agreement with DC Comics. "It has been great working with DC for the past three years," says Kramer. "I've been fortunate to get to work with men like Geoff Johns, (Senior Editor) Pete Tomasi, (Editor) Steve Wacker, and (Assistant Editors) Harvey Richards and Michael Siglain. They have become good friends whom I have a great deal of respect for. I could not have been more fortunate as to have been given the opportunity to work with an editor as great as Pete and a writer as great as Geoff. It has been the ideal situation for me, and I look forward to my future with DC." "Don is not only a great artist who's been growing by leaps and bounds since his first issues of JSA, but he's a great guy to work with," says Tomasi. "I'm happy to have locked him up here at DC for the next two years. I've got plenty of work lined up for him that'll make his fingers bleed!" Upcoming issues of JSA are available as follows: * JSA #79 (SEP050248) is available for advance reorder and is scheduled to arrive in stores on November 2. * JSA #80 (OCT050259) is solicited in the October Previews (Volume XV #10) and is scheduled to arrive in stores on December 7. Kramer's work also may be found in these titles, available for Kramer reorder now: * HAWKMAN VOL. 2: ALLIES AND ENEMIES TP (DEC030273) * JSA VOL. 7: PRINCES OF DARKNESS TP (DEC040268) * JSA VOL. 8: BLACK REIGN TP (APR050341) * JSA VOL. 9: LOST TP (JUN050376) NEAL ADAMS TO PROVIDE VARIANT COVER FOR ALL STAR SUPERMAN #1! October 19th, 2005 - DC COMICS new ALL STAR SUPERMAN series gets started with a bang next month, as issue #1 will be available with a variant cover by legendary comics artist Neal Adams! This is the first of DC's new program of variant covers, available to qualifying retailers under separate item codes. Retailers may order one copy of the ALL STAR SUPERMAN #1 VARIANT EDITION for every ten copies of ALL STAR SUPERMAN #1 ordered. "This is something we've developed in consultation with our retailers, and we believe these new variant covers will be a success," says Bob Wayne, DC's VP - Sales. "We're also working on variant covers for upcoming issues of SUPERGIRL, WILDSIDERZ and ALL STAR BATMAN AND ROBIN, THE BOY WONDER." ALL STAR SUPERMAN #1, written by Grant Morrison and illustrated by Frank Quitely, is solicited in the September Previews and is scheduled to arrive in stores on November 16 with a cover price of $2.99 US. ALL STAR SUPERMAN #1 VARIANT EDITION, featuring a cover by Neal Adams, is available for order now and is scheduled to arrive in stores on November 16 with a cover price of $2.99 US. Please note that due to this change, retailers may reduce their orders on ALL STAR SUPERMAN #1 one time only from now through October 19. Qualification for the ALL STAR SUPERMAN #1 VARIANT EDITION will be based on final orders after any order reductions are made. For example, if, after any reductions, your final order on October 19 is 100 copies of ALL STAR SUPERMAN #1, you may order up to 10 copies of the ALL STAR SUPERMAN #1 VARIANT EDITION. +++++ From ICV2.com 'X-Men 3' Trailer to Debut With 'Kong' On December 14th October 19, 2005 According to Superherohype 20th Century Fox has announced that it will debut its trailer for X-Men 3 on December 14th at showings of Peter Jackson's King Kong. Since King Kong is a Universal film, which gives Universal the only guaranteed spot on the trailer reel, there is no certainty that theater owners will play the X-3 trailer; however, given the prominence of the X-Men franchise and the fact that most multiplex owners and managers will be showing X-3 when it debuts next Memorial Day weekend, it is highly likely that most theaters will run the trailer for the new X-Men film. Certainly there would appear to be a strong crossover from the King Kong audience to the potential X-Men audience that theater owners would find hard to ignore. CPM to Resume Publishing Non-Yaoi Manga And Manhwa in 2006 October 19, 2005 Central Park Media has confirmed to ICv2 that the company will resume publication of non-yaoi manga and manhwa titles in 2006. A check of the company's Website indicates that The World of Narue Volume #4, which was originally scheduled for publication in November of 2004 is now scheduled for January 2006 along with two previously solicited manhwa titles, Masca Vol. #1 and Zzim Vol. #1. A CPM spokesperson told ICv2 that the publisher is making the final arrangements on the details of distribution for its manga/manhwa re-launch and will shortly make an announcement clarifying its book distribution policies for both the bookstore and direct markets. New Asterix Title Takes on Bush, Walt Disney, and the Japanese October 21, 2005 After 46 years and 33 graphic novels Asterix, the pint-sized Gallic warrior and his porcine sidekick Obelix have finally taken a determined political slant in Asterix and the Falling Sky, the new Asterix adventure, which is filled with satirical flourishes aimed at cultural and political domination from the U.S. (and Japan). Over eight million copies of the new Asterix volume were released in 13 languages and 27 countries -- a clear indication that this Gallic creation is indeed the world's most popular comic book. After the writer of the classic Asterix adventures, Rene Goscinny, died in 1977, Albert Uderzo, who has illustrated the entire series, took over the writing chores. Uderzo explained what he was trying to do in Asterix and the Falling Sky in an interview with France-Soir: "Let us say that I had fun caricaturing certain things which have come from America. Even I am a bit surprised, because Goscinny and I never got Asterix involved in politics. But here there is a slight political side to it. What Americans are going through today with Bush got me into it." In the new Asterix adventure creatures from the planet Tadsylwine (an anagram of Walt Disney) invade Brittany with an army of dim- witted soldiers that are dressed like superheroes and announce that are seeking the Gaul's magic potion at the behest of their sage, Hubs (an anagram of Bush). These "Americans" aren't the only interlopers--another group of space invaders, the Nagmas (an anagram of manga -- the Japanese comics that are even more popular in France than they are in the U.S.), also want the potion. It quickly becomes clear that Asterix and the Falling Sky is really about "cultural imperialism" and that Gallic virtues are under attack from both Hollywood and Tokyo. Still with 310 million copies of Asterix graphic novels sold, it might be difficult to tell exactly which of the countries involved is the cultural behemoth -- at least in terms of comic books. +++++ From The SCOOP! at http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/ Maryland Governor Joins GEM Celebration Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. joined Maryland Stadium Authority Chairman Carl A.J. Wright, MSA Director Alison Asti, Babe Ruth Museum Chairman of the Board Michael Hodes, Assistant Secretary, Tourism, Film and the Arts Dennis Castleman, Diamond International Galleries President John K. Snyder, Jr. and Diamond Comic Distributors President and Chief Executive Officer Stephen A. Geppi on Tuesday, October 18, 2005, at a press conference outside Baltimore's historic Camden Station for the ceremonial groundbreaking for Geppi's Entertainment Museum at Camden Yards (GEM). The 16,000 square foot museum, already under construction on the second and third floors of Camden Station next to Oriole Park at Camden Yards, is set to open July 4, 2006. "This facility represents a dream I've had for more than 30 years," Geppi said. After an introduction by Wright, Hodes spoke about the success enjoyed to date by the Babe Ruth Museum's new facility, Sports Legends at Camden Yards, which opened to the public in May 2005. In his speech, Geppi said GEM will allow visitors an opportunity to explore the history of popular culture and its impact on society as a whole through collectables, toys, music and other exhibits. The displays will follow a chronological sequence of major historical events and periods of social change and the resulting development of pop culture. He said the displays will reflect a changing society and the momentous impact that comic characters have had and continue to have on the children who connect with them. Following that, Governor Ehrlich spoke of Geppi's vision and desire to promote Baltimore, and his ability to get things done. He said that marketing Maryland to other states and countries for tourism was his favorite part of his job and the existence of Geppi's Entertainment Museum, along with Sports Legends at Camden Yards, would make those duties even easier. The two museums will offer locals and tourists two destinations in one, covering the history of Maryland sports from Babe Ruth to Brooks Robinson and from Johnny Unitas to Cal Ripken, Jr., and popular culture from the birth of the United States to the present. Each period in the chronological progression of U.S. history will be highlighted in the museum with an exhibit which represents historically significant characters and the era in which they came to fame. The earliest exhibit begins with the Brownies, the first illustrated characters successfully used in advertising and marketing. The second period is anchored by The Yellow Kid, the first highly successful regional comic character used in a newspaper and also Buster Brown, the first to be incorporated in newspapers on a national level. The exhibits run through such current box office hits as Spider-Man and Batman. Supplementing the permanent displays, changing exhibits will offer an in-depth look at various aspects of history seen through the lens of popular culture. GEM's Executive Director Wendy Kelman, Curator Dr. Arnold T. Blumberg, Associate Director of Sales Julie Stewart, and Auction/Retail Development Director Jeff Robison, Senior Sales Consultant Kathie Boozer, and Museum Project Consultant Mark Ward attended the ceremony along with Geppi. In addition to Wright and Asti, the Maryland Stadium Authority was represented by and Carol Salmon (Assistant Director) Andrea Harrison (Public Information Officer) and Karen Glenn (Public Information Officer) also attended on behalf of the state's Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED). Christine Meyer (Deputy Director), Meredith Schwartz (Group Sales Manager), Gregg Wilhelm (Director of Communications) and Lisa Salvatore (Communications Assistant) attended with Hodes for Sports Legends at Camden Yards. Paul Tiburzi (Managing Partner) represented the project's law firm DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary, and George Holback and Don Farmer attended on behalf of architects Cho Benn Holback + Associates. Geppi's Entertainment Museum will also be working to establish itself as an educational center, and is working with a number of Baltimore museums and other organizations along those lines. Additionally, the museum's store will offer visitors a unique opportunity to purchase pop culture items from the past and present, and it will also feature many publications in conjunction with the museum's educational efforts. +++++ From Blair Marnell in his ALL THE RAGE Gossip Column at: http://www.SilverBulletComicBooks.com Write to him at: blairm@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, on to the rumours . . . [NOTE: this column may be slightly edited for language. - D.L.] Byrneout By Blair Marnell Welcome back to another edition of ATR. For those of you who may have missed last Monday's update, here's the link to my feature length interview with Neil Gaiman, regarding The Eternals and his future Sandman plans. http://www.silverbulletcomicbooks.com/rage/112897468846116.htm Now, let's get on with the show... Byrne Baby, Byrne It doesn't appear to have been a good week for John Byrne. There are rumors that Grant Morrison is trying to get a new Doom Patrol project off the ground that would completely ignore Byrne's reboot, which itself ignored previous Doom Patrol incarnations. So there is a certain symmetry to it, if it goes through. But that's not all. Over the weekend, word broke that Byrne and Gail Simone will be leaving Action Comics with issue 835. When Byrne was asked why their run was so short, he replied "Apparently Gail and I were just 'filler'." Later on in the thread, he elaborated: The reason is no secret. Apparently it is now "policy" to rotate the creative teams (including the editor) on Superman titles. Gail and I were hired (tho I was not told this when I agreed to do the book, or I would have declined) to "fill the gap" between one team and the next. However, before that, he offered up this assessment: The next team -- and I have no idea who they are -- could be folks you all want to see, or, at least, more people want to see than wanted to see Gail and me. Or they could be the worst team ever put on any title, but WIZARD will declare them "HOT!" and the knuckle-draggers will lumber into their LCSs and buy multiples of multiples. So many variants! O, for the days when 1 sale ='ed 1 warm body! Byrne and Simone's final issue will feature Livewire, a villain from the Paul Dini/Bruce Timm Superman The Animated Series, in what will probably be her first appearance in the DCU. This Has A "Power of Negativity" Factor of Six Out of Ten Something Rotten This Way Comes Warren Ellis has posted a teaser for Blackgas, a three issue miniseries coming out from Avatar next year. It appears to be Ellis' stab at a zombie book... This Has A "Smog of The Dead" Factor of Seven Out of Ten Drop Dead, Rimmer! Across the Pond Studios has picked up the comic rights for Rob Grant and Doug Naylor's BBC sci-fi comedy, Red Dwarf. The print version should hit some time next year, but a web comic will be launched on October 28th at the official Red Dwarf website - http://www.reddwarf.co.uk, with daily updates until the DVD release of Red Dwarf Season VIII. The way I hear it, the story is supposed to take place in continuity and help pave the way for the Red Dwarf movie (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0276447/). However, there's no word on whether the comic will address the infamous season eight cliffhanger... This Has An "Only The Good Die Young" Factor of Eight Out of Ten An Arrow's Path Word out of this weekend's Motor City Comic Con is that Ron Garney may be the next Marvel Exclusive, following his guest stint on Green Arrow... This Has A "Throwing His Mighty Shield" Factor of Nine Out of Ten Bart 2 Bart *****SPOILER WARNING!***** If true, the following item may contain Infinite Crisis spoilers. Don't say I didn't warn you. As long time ATR readers should recall, we've been trying to determine the identity of the next Flash writer for a few months now. Back in June, the most prevalent rumor had Mark Waid making his return to the title following Geoff Johns. However, in the interim, that rumor has seemed less likely. From what I've heard, Waid was offered the book, but turned it down. However the Waid rumor resurfaced last Monday in LITG, with a new angle attached. This time the Flash in question would be Bart Allen, not Wally West. Though this isn't the first time DC has made that substitution and may be an example of their long term plans for the character. Case in point, last year I interviewed Alfred Gough about the fourth season of Smallville. When I asked him why they were bringing in The Flash and calling him Bart Allen, Gough replied: When we had this discussion with DC comics, they told us that was the version we could use... That is something that was mandated by DC Comics. This Has A "Speedfreak" Factor of Seven Out of Ten Multiball! Ah yes... More Infinite Crisis fun... This one isn't a huge spoiler if you've read the first issue of IC, but the quote at the end may be... So, spoiler text on. It's been rumored for a while that Michael Moorcock had written a "multiverse bible" for DC, and this week he confirmed it on his website. However, he also had an interesting comment as to the actual nature of the "bible." It's not so much a multiverse scenario as a Cosmic Balance scenario. A logic system, if you like, which allows, say, Superman and Captain Marvel to understand where the other's coming from... Does anyone else think that sounds like they're splitting up some of the characters back to their own separate parallel Earths? This Has A "Tilting Worlds" Factor of Six Out of Ten And that's all folks. See you in seven. Later, Blair PS If anyone has any rumors, stories or news to share, please email me at blairm@silverbulletcomicbooks.com. Thanks to everyone who has been sending stuff in. It's greatly appreciated. +++++ Items found in Rich Johnston's "Lying in the Gutters" column at http://www.comicbookresources.com/columns/ which are all rumors or gossip so take any of it with a BIG bucket of salt! Rich was chosen Best Comics Journalist in the 2003 Usenet Squiddy Awards, his fourth consecutive win. Write to Rich at: richjohnston@gmail.com Rich heard rumors . . . HOUSE OF M Told ya. The story arc, which wraps up Batman and the Red Hood, was supposed to be called "God Only Sees Us Kill." I understand that DC's legal department took issue with the title at the 11th Hour The whole "God" thing. So Winick proposed "the gods only see us kill" in nice small letters. Still no. Too reminiscent of the first. So Winick went with "They Only Watch Us Kill." He got a "no" again, this time the "shooting" aspect was the problem. Dan DiDio told legal to shut up and let the last one stand. He offered to go back to the second one, but Winick let it go. Marvel is exploring the publication of a line of Western comics. Not in the recent "Rawhide Kid" vein, but a mix of reboots of existing Marvel characters, and new concepts. Steve Englehart and Marshall Rogers are working on a "The Black Rider" proposal, reviving an Atlas character from the 1950s. This will replace the sequel to "Batman: Dark Detective" in their schedule that had been greenlit for them and Terry Austin to work on, but recently put on hold. Going against Mark Waid's (light side) recent statements about Batman reported by LITG, their more "upbeat" Batman from "Dark Detective" was declared not in keeping with the current incarnation, as seen in Judd Winick's (dark side) work, the darker, more brooding character. Bruce Wayne, post-Crisis, is completely the opposite of Englehart's version of the character. Mind you, when Grant Morrison (light side) gets his fingers on it, this should change. Animated series based on "Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse." To be written by Warren Ellis. Designed by James Jean. Frank Cho has extended his exclusive contract with Marvel until March 2008. As well as a number of covers for "X-Men: The End," "Fantastic Four Wedding" and 4-5 pages for "Young Avengers," Gene Ha is working on an unannounced Wildstorm project. May be a while. The 49ers took almost four years. For those of you scouring the shelves for adult entertainment, be warned of "The Fantastic Whores" brought out to coincide with Marvel's movie treatment of their own first family. The comic conection is very vague-- it consists of a comic fan leaving a comic shop with the big "4" logo, then reading a copy of "Identity Crisis" (the one with the Wonder Woman bondage/rope cover). Panels are then recreated by "actors" who then have sex. Reportedly. _________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------ COMICS OBSCURA Mike Curtis shandafa@cyberback.com [COMICS OBSCURA are facts Mike Curtis has dug out during his 30 years of collecting Superman and writing about comics. His website for his comic imprint is www.shandafantasyarts.net ] HEY MISTER SCARLET FLING MY SHIELD FOR ME In 1944, Republic Studios had made highly successful and dynamic serials of Fawcett superheroes CAPTAIN MARVEL and SPY SMASHER. There is some suspicion that they next planned to make a film adaptation of Fawcett's MR. SCARLET series. Instead, Timely offered Republic the use of CAPTAIN AMERICA for free. The serial that resulted starred Cap but without his shield or sidekick Bucky, and he was now a District Attorney, just as MR. SCARLET was. _________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------ [5] Thoughts From the Land of Frost Alex Ness Alexander@popthought.com http://www.Popthought.com [Alex has taught college level history and is a full time father. His interests include cats, comics and militaria. His writings have been featured on SlushFactory.com, UGO.com, and are currently on the Popthought.com web site. ] Artist Writer James Turner Interviewed A definition of NIHILISM: a revolutionary doctrine that advocates destruction of the social system for its own sake. When I reviewed NIL, by James Turner I was very impressed. That is to say the least, as I have still thought about the work, and I wanted to get into the creative talent's mind and was able to land this interview. Life is good, and societal Nihilism stinks. Here James Turner talks about the ideas behind NIL and that of his ongoing series from SLG REX LIBRIS. Alex Ness: So Nil is an allegory or morality tale for a world filled with Nihilistic world view. Why do you view, or do you, that Nihilism is a bad thing? James Turner: It's destructive and offers nothing. It can be seductive and appealing for those who have not yet reconciled themselves with the flawed nature of reality. It's easy to get pissed at the world: it can be absurd, ridiculous, stupid, brutal, corrupt, and mercilessly unfair. The impulse to uncompromisingly, absolutely reject what is for what one feels ought to be can be very alluring. But it's an infantile response. Insisting upon making real what cannot be is as pointless as destroying what does exist. We have to work with what is. Imposing an uncompromising ideological vision which is incompatible with reality onto it just leads to disaster. Tearing everything down to build something that cannot be built sends us backwards. It won't improve our lot in life. At least, that's my opinion. AN: Nihilism in itself is a poisonous view I'd say, but, would you not agree that it is nearly impossible to fight it as a society? Society adopting Nihilism as a world view is a scary thing, but societal views and changes come due to momentum. Do you see anything that can be done, or, should be done in response to society's taste for "artifice" and "intellectual nothingness"? JT: Yes and no. When a society falls into the grip of a nihilistic ideology they will impose the fight upon you. External utopian nihilists like the Nazis won't give you any choice in the matter. If you've built something, nihilists will want to destroy it because it doesn't fit their paradigm of what ought to be. Nihilism within a society is best fought, as far as I can see, with information and opportunity. Nihilism appeals most, I think, to the young, angry, bored, confused, and disaffected (the existential angst and ennui set?) who have a lot of energy and nowhere to direct it. It's important to show that nihilism is bankrupt, and to provide more constructive options. To offer choices. But I don't think choice should or can be imposed, just offered. In that sense I don't think a concerted internal 'fight' against nihilism can be waged. It'd be like a teacher waging war against his/her students. It wouldn't be constructive, unless, that is, they've already taken up violence. But I'm just talking from my armchair. AN: Your use of metaphor and mechanical or highly structured images in NIL allowed the message to be delivered quite clearly. Clearly the symbolism was important to your work. Or, was the style used more about experimentation and aesthetics over symbolism? JT: A bit of both I think. I had to figure out how to approach sequential art. My illustration work tends to evolve and morph from piece to piece, so I needed to establish a look that would carry through and be consistent from beginning to end. I also wanted to establish iconography for my Land of Nil, to create a consistent (if unbelievably outlandish) environment. Much of the look and feel are directly linked to the subject matter, although the flat and graphic nature of it is not. At this point in my career, all my work is flat and graphic. AN: This is not meant to criticize SLG, but could it not be argued that a book describing and bemoaning Nihilism is about at home at SLG as, I don't know, a book that is anti pornography coming out from Eros, or Avatar Press? Why SLG? JT: They were the only publishing company in North America that was willing to publish the book. It's true SLG has published some very dark stuff, but this, perhaps, is the very reason they were interested in Nil. I'm not sure. SLG puts out an extraordinarily wide variety of material, from kids oriented work to adult. They're quite open minded, and in my opinion one of the few publishers willing to entertain risky or unusual narrative projects. Particularly mine. AN: Can readers look forward to any similarly large themed tales from you? JT: I hope so. I'm trying to keep Rex on keel at the moment. I have a number of other ideas I want to do, among them a Nil spin- off, but if I don't keep focused, I'll get nothing done. My ambition exceeds my work ethic. AN: What comics do you read? What creative talents in the industry have been an influence upon your work? JT: These days I'm not reading many comics. I have some Essential FF, as well as some Moebius collections which I look at sometimes. I also have work by Herge and Uderzo (Tintin and Asterix). I bought Watchmen last year and I got a Johnny the Homicidal Maniac at a comic convention in the summer. I tend to buy graphic novels, like Maus or Kingdom Come, rather than individual comics. Uderzo, Herge, Moebius, Winsor McKay, Jack Kirby and Joe Sinnott are all influences. AN: Rex Libris has been received well, but it seems like an outrageous juxtaposition between the serene quiet world of a library and adventure. How do you make such a strange combination work? JT: Good question. Wild contrasts often figure in 'high concept' ideas that are the basis for entertainment franchises. The real trick is in getting them to work together. I am trying to mine the juxtaposition of the librarian with action hero for humour while also exploring and playing with the interesting possibilities that the combination opens up. And I want to wrap it in a self-referencing metacomic package. I think it's still too early to know if I'm going to succeed in getting all the elements to mesh effectively. Time will tell. It's an ongoing experiment. Hopefully it will be fun. AN: Rex Libris is another statement type of book, but I have heard a number of different versions of what people think the message is, would I be correct to say that the message is, among others of course, books are adventure, knowledge = unlimited access to other worlds? JT: Hmm. I'm not sure I want to state definitively what the message is. Better for people to take from it what they like and then argue endlessly about it. Builds buzz. But I agree with what you say about books. I'd even go further: the knowledge we find in books is not just access to other worlds but is the key to advancement in this one. The benefit reading and education can bring is immeasurable. It creates opportunity and can help provide a pathway out of poverty. It's a key ingredient in creating a prosperous modern society in the information age. Not always exciting in the swashbuckling, Horatio Hornblower sense, but there can be a thrill in discovering new things, even when plowing through otherwise dry textbooks. AN: I think it is always of interest when a talent in the field of entertainment is a Canadian or otherwise foreign but English speaking. How would you say that being from Canada has given you a different outlook than people from the USA. I am married to a Canadian, so I am not trying to "out" you or anything. JT: I think I've already been outed in another article. At least the IRS will get off my back now. I think Canadians have the luxury of being more detached about world affairs than Americans. I'm not sure I'm expressing that right though. We aren't at the centre of the global economy, whereas the USA is. All eyes are on the United States. Everyone is watching. They say even particles change their behaviour when watched. The world generally pays Canada little attention. Elections in Canada don't impact the world, while American ones do. Canada seems to produce a disproportionate number of comedians, and comedians tend to be people who look at what's going on at the centre and comment upon it. Comedy is essentially reactionary. It's possible that something along this line is a part of our national psyche. Or I could just be rambling. AN: What project is next for you? JT: The Nil spin off about Puk and Muck. At least, at this point it is. It's in competition with several other ideas which are all screaming out for attention. And all of them are up against the awesome power of my couch, which is very comfortable. FINAL THOUGHTS Thanks to: James Turner, Deb Moskyok and Joe Hilliard. All are responsible for this interview happening. Alex Ness The Land Of Frost Box 142 Rockford MN 55373-0142 ONLINE ARCHIVES: http://popthought.com/ http://robingoodfellow.com/ http://stlcomics.com http://slushfactory.com/columns/an/ http://hometown.aol.com/ComicBkNet/ http://landoffrost.blogspot.com/ _________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------ COMICS OBSCURA Mike Curtis shandafa@cyberback.com [COMICS OBSCURA are facts Mike Curtis has dug out during his 30 years of collecting Superman and writing about comics. His website for his comic imprint is www.shandafantasyarts.net ] THE GEORGE PEREZ OF HIS DAY ATOMIC MOUSE creator Vince Fago started his career at Fleischer Studios, eventually working on the SUPERMAN cartoons. Later on, he returned to NYC and replaced Stan Lee as editor of Timely Comics when Lee was drafted. _________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------ [6] Suspended Animation Michael Vance & Mark Allen MiklVance2@worldnet.att.net http://www.starland.com/sus [Michael Vance, a professional writer since 1977 and has been published in dozens of magazines including Starlog and Jack and Jill, and as a syndicated columnist and cartoonist in over 500 newspapers. His history book, Forbidden Adventure: The History of the American Comics Group, has been called a "benchmark in comics history". He ghosted an internationally syndicated comic strip, and his wrote own strip, Holiday Out, that was reprinted as a comic book. Vance also wrote the comic books Straw Men, Angel of Death, The Adventures of Captain Nemo, and Bloodtide. He is listed in the Who's Who of American Comic Books and Comic Book Superstars. His short stories have appeared in dozens of magazines and recorded by actor William (Murder She Wrote) Windom. Suspended Animation, has been published for more than sixteen years, and Vance worked in newspapers for 22 years as an editor, writer and advertising manager. Mark Allen lives in Western Oklahoma with his wife and daughter. He has been a Baptist minister for over 15 years, and has also written for the Oklahoma news industry. Having indulged in comics for nearly 30 years, Mark now enjoys using the written word to share with others what he believes is a true, and extremely under-acknowledged, art form.] "Every night as a child, Alex had visited Dreamland, gone on adventures with Nastajia the elf princess, Paddington the rock boy, and Kiwi the fairy. But on his twelfth birthday, his dreams stopped. Eight years later Alexander starts dreaming again and finds himself in a world filled with giants, dragons, mermaids and pirates." Thus is the premise promised by a news release for a new and visually amazing new comic book series, The Dreamland Chronicles. Hold on, Mr. Reviewer man! I thought your mission is to review comic books and strips that adults will enjoy! This sounds like a children's book! Well, duh, of course Dreamland is for children and adults who enjoy reading to children. Now be hush and read on. Dreamland is visually amazing because it is computer generated and the first "3-D" comic book that actually looks three- dimensional without needing those cheesy little glasses. That combined with the fact that the characters look like posed vinyl dolls against beautifully elaborate toy settings gives Dreamland an ambiance like no other comic book ever published. If that isn't enough to tweak your adult curiosity, this gentle, quite dream on paper is also well written. Its characters and dialogue are believable, its fantasy world is internally consistent, and its story and setting are guaranteed to fascinate children. Therefore, Mr. Adult, if you don't buy it for yourself, buy it for a young friend or family member and nudge them towards that wonderful world of imagination that has enriched your life. Just make sure you read it in a nice quiet, secret place where no one can see you doing so. The Dreamland Chronicles is recommended for young teens and preliterate children. MV The Dreamland Chronicles #s 1-3/#1-$3.50 & 48 pgs., #2-$4.50 & 46 pgs., #3-$4.50 & 59 pgs. from Astonish or Alias Comics/by Scott Christian Sava/available at comics shops and www.bluedreamstudios.com. Order you copy of the all-Michael Vance horror paperback Apocris 1 at http://www.lighthousemediaone.co.uk/FutureProjects.html For information on the exciting Oklahoma Cartoonists Collection go to www.actionfiguremuseum.com _________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------ COMICS OBSCURA Mike Curtis shandafa@cyberback.com [COMICS OBSCURA are facts Mike Curtis has dug out during his 30 years of collecting Superman and writing about comics. His website for his comic imprint is www.shandafantasyarts.net ] WHAT A DIFFERENCE 40 YEARS MAKES In the 1989 feature BATMAN, star Michael Keaton opens a steel safe to retrieve his Batman uniform. In the 1949 serial adventure BATMAN AND ROBIN, stars Robert Lowery and Johnny Duncan removes their uniforms from the drawer of a steel file cabinet. _________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------ [7] ComiX-Fan Reviews Eric J. Moreels x-fan@bigpond.net.au http://www.comixfan.com/xfan [Editor's note: Some of the following reviews have spoilers to plot details. This is a TEXT ONLY newsletter so those spoilers are not hidden by HTML code as they are on the ComiX-fan site.] INFINITE CRISIS #1 Reviewer: Omar A. Safi, osafi@ucok.edu Story Title: [untitled] The countdown is over! Writer: Geoff Johns Penciller: Phil Jimenez Inker: Andy Lanning Colorists: Jeremy Cox & Guy Major Letterer: Nick J. Napolitano Covers by: Jim Lee & Sandra Hope and George Perez Asst. Editor: Jeanine Schaefer Editor: Eddie Berganza Special thanks to: Greg Rucka Published by: DC Comics The second much anticipated and much hyped ?crisis?-sized event, DC Comics? Infinite Crisis, is here finally. This time feels a little more like it though. The events from approximately a year?s worth of DC titles, particularly Villains United, The OMAC Project, Day of Vengeance, and Rann-Thanagar War, all culminate here. The Society (of villains) are still at large, Brother Eye and its O.M.A.C.s are still on the loose, the death of the Wizard has unleashed evil over Gotham City, and the Rann-Thanagar War still goes on. That is not the end of the heroes? problems either. The DC trinity of Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman is at the point of breakdown since Batman is responsible for the O.M.A.C.s and Diana killed Maxwell Lord; not to mention, SPOILERS! Mongul returns to duke it out with the triumvirate. This is quite exciting because readers know what happened last time he was around. During this, Wonder Woman attempts another kill, seemingly displaying a fundamental change in her character. This schism of the heroes is possibly the most powerful element of the book, considering its future ramifications. The problems around the world do not have much hope to alleviate them currently. Connor Kent, a.k.a. Superboy, is not willing to help. Donna Troy and Supergirl are traveling into space to meet another threat. The Freedom Fighters, consisting of Uncle Sam, the Human Bomb, Damage, Phantom Lady, Ray, and Condor, are outnumbered by the Society. Writer Geoff Johns (Avengers, Green Lantern: Rebirth) has definitely made an ?infinite crisis? out of this. Despite making an impressive opener for the title, Johns does not bother making this accessible to new readers at all; admittedly, this would be quite a challenge. Like aforementioned, this series includes quite a bit of details over not only current DC history, but event years before. Readers have to be familiar with most of the characters, not just the major ones; it is probably necessary to read the most recent tie-ins also. Even then, some people not understand what is going on in certain scenes. A certain group of lost characters narrate the issue and their reveal might be quite puzzling to certain readers (see Infinite Crisis Week 1 Round-Up for help and more). Infinite Crisis is not as straight-forward as some might have though, as barriers are broken in the DC mythos. Johns crafts a quite intense and dramatic story and artist Phil Jimenez (The Invisibles, New X-Men) does an amazing job matching this. The character renditions are near perfect, in between the manner of artists Ethan Van Sciver and George Perez. The double- splash pages are meticulously detailed and imagined, like the O.M.A.C.s filling the sky and the Rann-Thanagar War like a space battle scene from Star Wars. Moreover, almost all of the pages are crammed with panels of detail. Johns? script is packed with hammering and brutal action and Jimenez illustrates this perfectly, especially in the Freedom Fighters versus the Society. This is probably Jimenez?s finest work yet and I could not have imagined it like this. For most readers, Infinite Crisis #1 should meet their expectations, and maybe more. The outstanding team of Johns and Jimenez is just getting started, setting the stage for DC?s future. ART: 5.0 STORY: 3.5 OVERALL: 4.0 FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN #1 Reviewer: Phil Hunn, philiphunn@hotmail.com Story Title: The Other - Evolve Or Die Part One: Shock "I'm your friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man. I laugh at bullets." Writer: Peter David Penciller: Mike Wieringo Inker: Karl Kesel Colours: Paul Mounts Letters: VC's Cory Petit Assistant Editors: Molly Lazer & Aubrey Sitterson Associate Editor: Andy Schmidt Editor: Tom Brevoort Consulting Editor: Axel Alonso Editor In Chief: Joe Quesada Publisher: Dan Buckley Published by: Marvel Comics Marvel? 1995 called, and it wants to know if you're giving back its mega-crossovers any time soon. Coming hot on the heels of the thoroughly underwhelming House of M, we have this: Spider-Man's big 12-part summer event, which has been much hyped and continues throughout all three Spider-titles (one more book, and we'd be one step away from confirming that, in fact, it really is 1995 all over again. Sigh.) throughout October, November, December and January. So unless you want to drop the Spider-Books until Valentines' Day, you're stuck with this plot, bucko. Whether or not that's a good thing will doubtlessly become quickly apparent -- as with most crossovers, you'll either love it, and want to cuddle it for ever, or you'll hate it, and want to poke it with sharp pointy things for the rest of eternity. Generally I go for the second option, but then again, I gamble with kittens, so you can draw your own conclusions about that. Anyway: to business. This issue not only marks the beginning of "The Other", it marks the beginning of a new Spider-title and the return to the red-and-blues for Mike Wieringo (who, long-term readers will remember, enjoyed a stint on the now-defunct Sensational Spider-Man back when Ben Reilly was something more than Hoover-bait). It's also Peter David's debut as a regular Spider-writer, and this can only be a good thing. I've long enjoyed PAD's writing style, since he almost always manages to blend off-the-wall humour with more serious concepts, without breaking the flow of the story and making the serious parts look silly by comparison -- his X-Factor, MadroX and Captain Marvel are prime examples of this (They were also criminally under-read -- but since we're dealing with Spider-Mann in this instance, who doesn't exactly top the "characters nobody cares about" list, I doubt that's going to happen here). PAD gets Spidey's kooky, somewhat dorky sense of humour down pat here, and it's a joy to read him firing off quips while fighting the new bad guy Tracer (who also apparently has a unique, and very twisted and sadistic, sense of humour). PAD also does well with Mary Jane and the visiting Captain America, managing to make their conversations with Peter light-hearted and serious at the same time, which is some feat. On the visual side of things, 'Ringo's art has become a little less cartoony and exaggerated than it was back when he was drawing Spidey the first time around, but there are still elements of that to be found here. However, that can be forgiven when you see that the storytelling is crisp, straightforward and clear, with the punch-ups receiving just as much detail as the character moments. It's a treat seeing his art again after such a long time (I don't read Fantastic Four, so I missed it while he was on that particular title), and I hope to be seeing it again for a while to come. It's fun art, with a sense of energy and vigour that comes through in both the light-hearted and more serious moments, and that's the main thing. Overall, then? A good start to a new book, since it shows an excellent grasp of all the characters involved, and it's a fun story in and of itself. I'm just not looking forward to what could potentially follow it, that's all. ART: 3.5 STORY: 4.0 OVERALL: 3.5 _________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------ COMICS OBSCURA Mike Curtis shandafa@cyberback.com [COMICS OBSCURA are facts Mike Curtis has dug out during his 30 years of collecting Superman and writing about comics. His website for his comic imprint is www.shandafantasyarts.net ] WE IS DISGUSTAPATED The original choices to star in the feature film POPEYE were Dustin Hoffman and Gilda Radner. _________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------ [8] Rich's Reviews Richard Vasseur richardv@sympatico.ca http://www.jazmaonline.com [Rich has been collecting comic books for about 25 years. He belongs to two comic book clubs Jazma and ORCA. He has been writing reviews for Jazma's paper newsletter for about 2 years and has his own review page at www.jazmaonline.com] SPOILER WARNING: Some plot details may be revealed in these reviews! Title: G.I. Joe: America's Elite # 0 Publisher: Devil's Due Writer: Joe Casey Penciler: Stephano Caselli Inker: Andrew Pepoy Price: $ 2.95 US Rating: 4 stars out of 5 stars Comments: The city is drawn splendidly. As fiery death reins down on it, it is a scene of total destruction. The expressions are an open book they let you know exactly how the Joes are feeling. The Joes as they go into action are tough. Storm Shadow moves with grace and brutality and Flint is just savage. We get to see all the rescue workers helping all those in need. When people are hurt army, fireman, paramedics they all work together to save lives. The art depicting these scenes has a realism to it that does impart the seriousness of the situation. VanceWingfield has a manical look to him. This guy may be in a wheelchair but he is anything but handicapped. The Joes are here to stay, so don't get in there way. Title: G.I.Joe: A Real American Hero # 43 Publisher: Devil's Due Writer: Brandon Jerwa Penciler: Tim Seeley Inker: Cory Hamscher Price: $ 4.50 US Rating: 4 stars out of 5 stars Comments: Flint and his wife Lady Jaye leave us feeling sorry for poor Flint. Dela Eden has struck a blow against the Joes that will leave them devastated. Scarlet's infiltration goes bad. But it gives her the opportunity to show off her physical prowess. Her double jump kick is a thing of beauty. And done in a business suit looks really great. The Red Shadows appear to be a group to rival the Joes. They plan to rule the world through a technocracy. They are as much religion as military in the way they are run. Duke, Scarlet, Flint and Snake Eyes all work great together. They do not work as individuals but as a team. Title: Megacity909 # 7 Publisher: Devil's Due Writer: Andrew Dabb Artist: Kano Kang, Zack Suh Price: $ 2.95 US Rating: 3 stars out of 5 stars Comments: The monsterous zombie like creatures are horrific looking. The females are sexy and beautiful. The army's vehicles are dark and menacing. The city scape is breathtaking. The story has a computer devil and his army of demons taking over a city and nothing seems to be able to stop them. But our heroes have a plan which may or may not work. The story could have used a recap of some kind. Unless you have been following this series you will have no idea how this started or why. The characters though are full of life. Title: Darkstalkers # 6 Publisher: Devil's Due Writer: Ken Siu-Chong Artists: Joe Vriens, Alvin Lee and Kevin Lau Price: $ 2.95 US Rating: 4 stars out of 5 stars Comments: The artwork and scenery are stunning. Something as simple as a candle is drawn exquistite. The invincible warrior has one evil wicked suit of armor. The suit influences its wearer to want to be in battle. The armor has a blood thirst which can never be quenched. This comic is done in short stories and some of them seem to have no connection at all. The werewolf and his entertainer friend are both drawn great. He is big and friendly looking. Felicia is a bubbly female entertainer. One daughter will prove her worth to her father or die trying. Madam Morrigan is beautifully drawn. The second story "The Silver Necklace" is written by Ken Siu- Chong and with art by Skottie Young. A girl looking like Little Red Riding Hood goes hunting the big bad wolf. Only she is armed to the teeth and ready for this werewolf. He looks really good mounted over her fireplace. Title: MU # 4 Publisher: Devil's Due Writer: Andrew Dabb Artist: Mark Lee Price: $ 2.95 US Rating: 3 stars out of 5 stars Comments: Wozards, elfs, a man with wings and an army this fantasy epic has everything it needs to be great. As the army approaches the city of the dead Kettuhotum they are met with an army of the dead. This army could turn anyone's blood to ice. The King of the approaching army has no fear. The battle is joined, as dead fight living. The demon hordes are a fearsome looking lot. There is no explaination as to why everyone is doing what they are. The young warrior does seem eager to do well and we can see he still enjoys life even though he has the burden of being part of a team to save the world. Mark Lee gives a nice informative talk in the back of the book about how he creates the art for this comic. Title: G.I.Joe: Master & Apprentice 2 # 4 Publisher: Devil's Due Writer: Brandon Jerwa Artists: Chris Stevens, Eric Vedder, Scott Hepburn Price: $ 2.95 US Rating: 1 star out of 5 stars Comments: Two lovers have been turned against one another. The story lacks the emotional turmoil that should go along with such a situation. Even having one of them make the ultimate sacrifice to protect the other is anti-climatic. The martial arts action is litless. Even the characters offer little of interest. The art is basic, simple and bland. It needed to be more eye catching. Title: Hack/Slash: The Final Revenge of Evil Ernie Publisher: Devil's Due Writer: Tim Seeley Artist: Aadi Salman Price: $ 4.95 US Rating: 3 stars out of 5 stars Comments: The serial killer hunters are after the worst serial killer of all time. Ernie just wants love but he is looking for it in all the wrong places. The art is to undefined. Its to pasty looking. Ernie's glowing green eyes and dirty white teeth look good peering out of the darkness. Cassie Hack wants to stop killers and Ernie wants to kill. A match made in Heaven? Well maybe in Hell. Ernie loves her so much he is willing to risk his own life to save her. Vlad is Cassie's sidekick and he is shown to be completely loyal. He may not be really intelligent but he loves her. And being built like a brick wall makes him handy to have around. His appearance is of a big hulking brute. It is great to have the Evil One back although he does seem lost without Lady Death to guide and focus him. Hopefully in the near future his kill ratio will pick up. Title: Stronghold # 1 Publisher: Devil's Due Writer: Phil Hester Artist: Tyler Walpole Price: $ 4.95 US Rating: 4 stars out of 5 stars Comments: The unlikely star of this comic is an insurance claims adjuster. Michael Grey seems like just an ordinary guy except something is strange about him. The Stronghold is a secret organization its also a religious order and military operation. The Primacy (Michael Grey) is apparently the equivalent of Jesus. Now the Teacher is a demonic creature. Apparently this creature looks after creating evil in the world. He is behind everything from wars, rapes, arson he oversees them all. He is also called the Adversary. Michael Grey is just a man who may end up causing the end of the world if he helps others in need. His personality is likable. You will be able to identify with him. Title: Snake Eyes:Declassified # 2 Publisher: Devil's Due Writer: Brandon Jerwa Artists: Emiliano Santalucia & Robert Atkins Price: $ 2.95 US Rating: 4 stars out of 5 stars Comments: Snake Eyes is wallowing in self pity. Gettingdrunk in some sleazy bar. He is even self destructive. It seems he has sunk as low as possible. Than he meets a guy some complete stranger. He helps him get his sense of self worth back. The stranger helps him get a purpose in life again. Next this guy decides to push Snake Eyes into something he doesn't want to do. Snake Eyes is strong enough to resist. He remembers where he came from. The ending is emotional as Snake Eyes puts his life in order. Title: G.I.Joe: America's Elite ! # 3 Publisher: Devil's Due Writer: Joe Casey Artist: Stephano Caselli Price: $ 2.99 US Rating: 3 stars out of 5 stars Comments: Snake Eyes takes on Firefly. These two opponents have a nice rough and tumble fight. These two men exemplify the tough guy persona. Shipwreck is drawn as a scruffy old sea dog. He acts like one to. It would be nice to see a story featuring him. The Iron Grenadiers look like Samurai robots. Other than the one martial arts fight the rest of the comic doesn't have that much happening. General Colton is not very impressive for being in charge of the Joes. He doesn't have much of va presence. But Snake Eyes and Firefly sure put on an exciting show. Title: G.I.Joe: America;s Elite ! # 2 Publisher: Devil's Due Writer: Joe Casey Penciler: Stephano Caselli Inker: Andrew Pepoy Price: $ 2.95 US Rating: 3 stars out of 5 stars Comments:The Baroness is one forceful character. While imprisoned she still maintains her indominable will. She may be locked up but she still looks deadly. Storm Shadow, Road Block, Shipwreck and Flint when they hit the ground they really explode into action. Flint is the personification of tough guy. These four work great together as a strike team. Although the former Cobra member you can see is still not trusted. He is well illustrated and his confidence in himself stands out. Some of the scenes are a bit slow. The Baroness's appearance may be short but her presence lingers and stays with you throughout the comic. Title: Dragonlance: Chronicles # 2 Publisher: Devil's Due Writer: Andrew Dabb Artist: Steve Kurth Price: $ 2.95 US Rating: 3 stars out of 5 stars Comments: The band of travelers is carrying a magical staff and others want it. The snake or lizard men that attack them are beautifully drawn. These beings have an evil presence to them. This land you can tell is filled with magic. A white ghostly stag leads the group to a unicorn. It is a majestic looking creature. And so are the winged horses. The backgrounds are done to dark, at night they are ok but even during the day time they are so dark. The story is kind of slow. It needed to have some more excitement and more happening in it. The characters themselves should have been gotten into more. By having the reader learn more about them they will care more about what happens to them. The magical beasts are wonderful to behold. _________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------ COMICS OBSCURA Mike Curtis shandafa@cyberback.com [COMICS OBSCURA are facts Mike Curtis has dug out during his 30 years of collecting Superman and writing about comics. His website for his comic imprint is www.shandafantasyarts.net ] ONLY ON THE BIZARRO WORLD In the 1980's one of the films longest running cartoon series was considered for a big budget live action movie. The stars were to be Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman. Announcements were made regularly in trace magazines such as BOXOFFICE and THE FILM JOURNAL. After two years, the decision was made that if the stars were made up and costumed or masked as the characters, they would be unrecognizable and therefore the film was unbankable. What was the cartoon series? MGM's TOM AND JERRY. _________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------ [9] Multiverse Observer and Explorer Reviews Paul Dale Roberts Silhouet98@cs.com http://www.jazmaonline.com [Paul promotes amateur and professional comic book artwork, scripts, storylines, and unpublished comic books with a newsletter called the Peoples' Comic Book Newsletter. Its website is at Jazma Comic Book Newsletter Productions at http://www.jazmaonline.com/ He is also a prominent letter hack, as anyone who reads comic letter pages would know. He is in production of his own self-published comic book called The Legendary Dark Silhouette and has copyrighted over 600 characters for his Jazma Universe.] SPOILER WARNING: THE FOLLOWING COLUMN MAY REVEAL SIGNIFICANT PORTIONS OF THE PLOTS OF SOME COMIC BOOKS, OR THE ENTIRE STORY. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED. Name: Hunter x Hunter Vol. 1 Publisher: Shonen Jump Written and Drawn by: Yoshihiro Togashi Price: $7.99 Comments: It requires a license to be a 'hunter'. Hunters are a special breed, you have to be able to track down treasures, magical beasts and even dangerous men. It's like being a bounty hunter, but you have to go over the edge in your hunting skills. There is a special test that a person has to take to become a 'hunter' and only 1 in 100,000 people pass this test. A test that deals with mental strength and physical strength. You will live out the life of Gon, who wants to be a 'hunter' because his dad was a 'hunter'. He is inspired by his dad and wants to become legendary like his dad. In the test, there is even high sea action and can our candidates survive the test on the high seas? This test is 10 times worse than the Navy Seals test. You will also follow two other candidates Leorio and Kurapika as they take their own tests to become 'hunters' and see the drama, action unfold before your very eyes! This is a very exciting story. The artwork is captivating too! Name: Hisakata No Vol. 5 Publisher: Shonen Jump Written: Yumi Hotta and Art by: Take Shi Obata Price: $7.95 Comments: If you like competition games, then Hisakata No is the book to read. Hikaru Shindo is a Go Player and stumbles across a haunted Go Board. The spirit of a master players haunts the board and assists Hikaru in his games. The master player takes residence in Hikaru's consciousness. Now Hikaru is in pursuit of the divine move. There is a lot of battle of wills as Go Players compete against each other with this game that even hits the Internet. You will not only follow Hikaru in his game against others, but you will meet a go prodigy with potential named Akira Toya. This is like no game ever seen and you will get an adrenalyn charge as you put your feet in the shoes of Hikaru! Hikaru has a word for Gon of Hunter x Hunter: "It takes a lot to be a hunter, but it also takes a lot to be a Go Player!" Name: Alita - Battle Angel Vol. 4 - Last Order - Angel of Protest Publisher: Viz Graphic Novel Written and Drawn by: Yukito Kishiro Price: $9.95 Comments: This is sophisticated sci-fi! Alita raises her nose to Hisakata and Hunter x Hunter, because this is one angel you don't want to mess with! The costumes in this story are incredible, the artwork is top-notch! There is plenty of action, plenty of black humor and even some philosophical, historical and cutural references that keep the story exciting! In this story Alita stages a protest, a protest that will save some children. When the protest comes to a head, Alita must face a sports event that can lead to death! There are many unique characters in this story! This is truly manga comic book fun! Yukito Kishiro does a wonderful job, no wonder Alita is so popular! Name: Hatter M. The Looking Glass Wars Publisher: Desperado Publishing Story: Frank Beddor & Liz Cavalier Art: Ben Templesmith Website: www.lookingglasswars.com Email: ian@813sands.com Comments: Even though this story is part of the Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland story, if you think it will be sweet and wonderful, maybe you better stop here. This is a new take on an old tale, it may frighten you, it may give you nightmares. Let me give you the run down. First off the artwork is very gothic like and fits well with the story perfectly. In fact the cover is pretty spooky to look at, I thought I was looking at Jack the Ripper, but I was actually looking at Hatter Madigan with his tall hat, evil stare and blade positioned out and ready to strike. Hatter Madigan is on an odyssey, he is searching for Alyss - Wonderland's lost princess. Alice in Wonderland told by Lewis Carroll you will learn was a big lie. In fact it was Alyss/Alice that told the tale to Lewis Carroll and Lewis made it into the fantasy story for children. The true story is much more darker. This is a mini-series that will take you down an unknown road into something that is mysterious and forbidden. Let me tell you what you will find in the first issue. You will get a kick out Hatter's hat. Remember the big fat Japanese guy in one of those James Bond movies, that was able to toss his derby black hat and it was used as a weapon? In fact the Japanese guy tossed the hat and decapitated a statue instead of James Bond. Well, Hatter's hat is somewhat (I said somewhat) the same way, it has rotating blades and it comes back to Hatter like a boomerang. In this story, the setting is Paris 1859. Hatter has his moments, during the story he is missing his hat and he thinks to himself..."a hatter without his hat, a royal bodyguard without his princess". Yes, Hatter has a moment of down time. Alyss Heart is the princess of this story and it is real interesting as the secret catacombs of Paris are searched for the lost princess. There is a dance with the dead, that leads to the dead attacking living people. There will be some chills in this story, believe me! Hatter is a fighting machine, blades extend out from his back, blades pop out from his wrists and of course, we have that dangerous hat of his. While the man that took Hatter's hat is now in pursuit of Hatter to retrieve that hat, Hatter exits down a mysterious portal to a destination unknown to him. Frank Beddor and Liz Cavalier make literary magic with the precocious debut of Hatter M - The Looking Glass Wars! Hatter M. - The Looking Glass Wars is absolutely spellbinding and will appeal to the legions of readers who have been captivated by Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland! Hatter M. The Looking Glass Wars is unusual, powerful, fresh and fluid! _________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------ COMICS OBSCURA Mike Curtis shandafa@cyberback.com [COMICS OBSCURA are facts Mike Curtis has dug out during his 30 years of collecting Superman and writing about comics. His website for his comic imprint is www.shandafantasyarts.net ] ONLY ON THE BIZARRO WORLD In the 1980's one of the films longest running cartoon series was considered for a big budget live action movie. The stars were to be Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman. Announcements were made regularly in trace magazines such as BOXOFFICE and THE FILM JOURNAL. After two years, the decision was made that if the stars were made up and costumed or masked as the characters, they would be unrecognizable and therefore the film was unbankable. What was the cartoon series? MGM's TOM AND JERRY. _________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------ [10] New Series Diamond Comics Distributors This list contains every comic or magazine with a #1 or #0 issue in Previews this month, allowing you to find new series quickly and easily! The list is arranged by publisher, and offers you the item code, title, and Previews page number for each item in question. Please note that the items on this product page may not be available at every store. Ask your retailer for more information when you order. Directions: 1) Print out this product page 2) Take this product page to your local comic book specialty store near you, and ask them to order the item(s) you want. 3) If you cannot find a store near you, check the Comic Shop Locator Service at 1-888-COMIC-BOOK or at http://csls.diamondcomics.com Publisher Item Code Page# Title DARK HORSE COMICS NOV050011 19 STAR WARS KNIGHTS OF THE OLD REPUBLIC #1 (C: 3) NOV050019 26 EMILY THE STRANGE #1 NOV050059 40 SCARY BOOK VOL 1 SHADOWS TP (C: 4) NOV050108 49 GOON VOL 0 ROUGH STUFF TP (NOV030024) DC COMICS NOV050250 69 SUPERMAN CHRONICLES VOL 1 TP NOV050267 77 SHOWCASE PRESENTS GREEN ARROW VOL 1 TP NOV050281 86 SEVEN SOLDIERS OF VICTORY VOL 1 TP NOV050284 88 SGT ROCK THE PROPHECY #1 (Of 6) NOV050300 97 ELFQUEST THE DISCOVERY #1 (Of 4) NOV050320 114 EXTERMINATORS #1 (MR) IMAGE COMICS NOV051707 134 GODLAND VOL 1 HELLO COSMIC TP NOV051711 137 ORIGINAL ADVENTURES OF CHOLLY AND FLYTRAP #1(Of 2) NOV051714 139 ANT VOL 1 REALITY BITES TP NOV051717 140 INVINCIBLE SCRIPT BOOK #1 MARVEL COMICS NOV051935 4 ULTIMATE EXTINCTION #1 (Of 5) NOV051947 17 ARES #1 (Of 5) NOV051955 23 X-STATIX PRESENTS DEAD GIRL #1 (Of 5) NOV051958 25 DAUGHTERS OF THE DRAGON #1 (Of 6) NOV051959 27 DOC SAMSON #1 (Of 5) NOV051966 32 ALL NEW OFF HANDBOOK MARVEL UNIVERSE A TO Z #1 NOV051972 36 NEW MANGAVERSE #1 (Of 5) NOV051973 37 NEXT WAVE #1 (Of 12) NOV051983 46 SABLE & FORTUNE #1 (Of 6) NOV051984 47 ASTONISHING X-MEN SAGA #1 NOV051993 54 SENTINEL SQUAD ONE #1 (Of 5) NOV051997 61 X-MEN THE 198 #1 (Of 5) NOV052001 64 X-MEN THE END MEN AND X-MEN #1 (Of 6) AC COMICS NOV052672 200 MEN OF MYSTERY VOL 1 HEROES FOR THE AGES TP AIRWAVE COMICS NOV052688 206 FAITH WARRIOR PRINCESS #1 (Of 3) ALIAS ENTERPRISES LLC NOV052699 207 SUPER TEEN TOPIA #0 (Note Price) NOV052701 210 TWINBLADES KILLING WORDS ODAGAWA CVR A #1 NOV052702 210 TWINBLADES KILLING WORDS MILLER CVR B #1 NOV052703 210 10TH MUSE MANGA SIZED VOL 1 TP AMAZE INK (SLAVE LABOR GRAPHICS) NOV052718 212 MARLENE #1 (MR) ANTARCTIC PRESS NOV052743 216 GOLD DIGGER COLOR REMIX #1 (Of 4) AVATAR PRESS INC NOV052780 226 WARREN ELLIS BLACK GAS #1 NOV052781 226 WARREN ELLIS BLACK GAS WRAPAROUND #1 NOV052782 226 WARREN ELLIS BLACK GAS TERROR #1 NOV052783 226 WARREN ELLIS BLACK GAS GORE #1 NOV052785 226 ESCAPE OF THE LIVING DEAD AMERICAN BADASS CVR #1 NOV052787 226 LADY DEATH LOST SOULS #1 (Of 3) NOV052788 226 LADY DEATH LOST SOULS WRAPAROUND #1 (Of 3) NOV052789 226 LADY DEATH LOST SOULS CALL TO ARMS CVR #1 (Of 3) NOV052790 226 LADY DEATH LOST SOULS BATTLE READY CVR #1 (Of 3) NOV052791 226 LADY DEATH LOST SOULS GODDESSES CVR #1 (Of 3) NOV052792 226 LADY DEATH LOST SOULS PREMIUM CVR #1 (Of 3) NOV052796 227 LADY DEATH ABANDON ALL HOPE ROYAL BLUE CVR #1(Of 4) NOV052802 227 LADY DEATH WICKED PRISM CVR #1 NOV052807 227 STARGATE SG1 DANIELS SONG CREATION ED #1 BABOON BOOKS NOV052811 228 ACTION FIGURE JOURNALS OF RICHARD MARZELAK #1 BEYOND STARLIGHT NOV052817 230 TALES OF MIDNIGHT VOL 1 GN BOOM! STUDIOS NOV052824 232 PLANETARY BRIGADE #1 COMIC CAVALCADE NOV052846 239 LADY DEATH WICKED COMMEMORATIVE CVR #1 NOV052847 239 ESCAPE OF THE LIVING DEAD GOLD FOIL CVR #1 (Of 5) NOV052848 239 JASON X SP GOLD FOIL CVR #1 (MR) NOV052849 239 SPECIES SP GOLD FOIL CVR #1 (MR) CREATIVE TALENT COMMUNICATIONS NOV052852 239 WHEN ZOMBIES ATTACK #1 (Of 4) (MR) DEAD DOG COMICS & ENT NOV052868 247 NOLD BARBARAS ZOMBIE CHRONICLES PX GOLD FOIL #1 NOV052871 247 DAY OF THE DEAD THE RISING OF BUB #1 (Of 3) (MR) DR MASTERS PUBLICATIONS INC NOV052884 248 JOURNAL OF VAMPIRE HUNTER 1 CLAWS OF DARKNESS #1 FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS NOV052930 266 CHIMERA #1 NOV052934 266 GANGES #1 NOV052935 266 INTERIORAE #1 FENICKX PRODUCTIONS LLC NOV052945 268 ARCHAIC #1 FULL CIRCLE PUBLICATIONS NOV052948 269 FULL CIRKLE 2ND PTG #1 (Of 3) (MR) (C: 4) HEROIC PUBLISHING INC NOV052972 274 ROY THOMAS ANTHEM #1 IDW PUBLISHING NOV052982 281 TRANSFORMERS INFILTRATION #1 NOV052992 282 30 DAYS OF NIGHT DEAD SPACE #1 (Of 3) JETPACK PRESS NOV053022 286 SQUARECAT COMICS VOL 1 GN (MR) LUCKY BAMBOO PRODUCTIONS NOV053029 287 LUCKY BAMBOO PRESENTS #0 NARWAIN PUBLISHING NOV053047 297 MODERN MAN #1 (Of 4) NOV053049 297 NJPW THE RISE OF THE TIGER #1 (Of 5) NOV053051 297 TALES FROM A FORGOTTEN PLANET VOL 1 GN NBM NOV053052 297 BLUESMAN VOL 1 GN NEW PTG PURE IMAGINATION PUBLISHING NOV053071 301 STEVE DITKO THE THING VOL 1 TP (C: 4) RADIO COMIX NOV053074 301 ICE QUEENS #1 (A) (C: 3) SIRIUS ENTERTAINMENT NOV053099 304 POISON ELVES LOST TALES #1 SPEAKEASY COMICS NOV053110 312 ATHENA VOLTAIRE FLIGHT OF THE FALCON #1 (C: 3) NOV053113 312 KILLERS WARS END #1 (Of 6) (C: 3) NOV053118 313 PHANTOM JACK NO WHERE MAN AGENDA #1 (Of 3) STARLINE MULTIMEDIA INC NOV053123 314 PURE DUCKY GOODNESS VOL 1 THE FIRST SHELDON COLLECTION GN TOKYOPOP NOV053132 317 SORCERERS AND SECRETARIES VOL 1 GN NOV053134 319 BROKEN ANGELS VOL 1 GN (OF 5) NOV053136 321 KAMI KAZE VOL 1 GN (OF 7) NOV053137 322 LOVELESS VOL 1 GN (OF 5) NOV053159 333 AVATAR CINEMANGA VOL 1 GN NOV053161 334 GORGEOUS CARAT VOL 1 GN (OF 4) (MR) VEROTIK NOV053244 344 DARKEST HORROR OF MORELLA #1 (MR) (C: 3) VIPER COMICS NOV053248 345 MIDDLEMAN VOL 1 TP NOV053249 345 MIDDLEMAN VOL 2 #1 THE ENTERING DRAGON CONUNDRUM VIZ MEDIA LLC NOV053261 349 GOLGO 13 VOL 1 GN (MR) (C: 3) NOV053267 349 READ OR DIE VOL 1 GN (C: 3) NOV053278 353 ABSOLUTE BOYFRIEND VOL 1 GN (C: 3) NOV053279 353 BABY & ME VOL 1 GN (C: 3) NOV053280 353 KAMIKAZE GIRLS VOL 1 GN (C: 3) _________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------ COMICS OBSCURA Mike Curtis shandafa@cyberback.com [COMICS OBSCURA are facts Mike Curtis has dug out during his 30 years of collecting Superman and writing about comics. His website for his comic imprint is www.shandafantasyarts.net ] NO RELATION TO THE MARX BROTHERS Although they were optioned for film several times, the only experience THE FABULOUS FURRY FREAK BROTHERS had off their underground comic pages was when they were portrayed by live actors during THE ZAP SHOW live performances in the late 1960's. _________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------ [11] New Comic Book Releases List [NCRL] by Charles LePage chuck@comiclist.com http://www.comiclist.com New Comic Book Releases List for Wednesday, 10/26/2005, compiled by Charles LePage with information from Suncoast Comics. This is the *preliminary* list and is not complete. The completed list is posted weekly, usually Tuesday evening, at http://www.comiclist.com and other places. You can receive this list each Tuesday via email by following the instructions at the web site, or you can email NCRL-subscribe@egroups.com PLEASE NOTE- Not all of these titles will actually arrive in all stores. Let CHARLES know if any of the names or numbers are wrong. chuck@comiclist.com (Charles LePage) PUBLISHERS: If you know when your comics are going to be available through Diamond, please email chuck@comiclist.com so that he can place your comics on the appropriately dated list. Thanks! "TPB" = "trade paperback". "GN" = "graphic novel". "AA" = "available again". "SC" = "softcover". "HC" = "hardcover". "S/N" = "signed/numbered". "AR" = "ask retailer about price". PUBLISHER TITLE, ISSUE NUMBER, PRICE IN U.S. DOLLARS DARK HORSE COMICS 13th Son Worse Thing Waiting #1 (Of 4), $2.99 BPRD The Black Flame #3 (Of 6), $2.99 Revelations #3 (Of 6), $2.99 Usagi Yojimbo #88, $2.99 DC COMICS Authority The Magnificent Kevin #5 (Of 5), $2.99 Batman Under The Hood TPB, $9.99 Cartoon Network Block Party #14, $2.25 Catwoman #48, $2.50 Crisis On Infinite Earths TPB, $29.99 Doom Patrol #17, $2.50 Elfquest The Grand Quest Vol 11 TPB, $9.99 Flash #227, $2.50 Jack Cross #3, $2.50 JLA #121, $2.50 JLA Classified #13, $2.99 Legion Of Super Heroes #11, $2.99 Losers #29, $2.99 Loveless #1, $2.99 Quitter HC, $19.99 Silent Dragon #4 (Of 6), $2.99 Solo #7, $4.99 Teen Titans Go #24, $2.25 Wraithborn #2 (Of 6), $2.99 IMAGE COMICS Age Of Bronze #21, $3.50 Burglar Bill #4 (Of 6), $2.95 Ferro City #3, $2.99 Sea Of Red #5, $2.99 Shadowhawk #6, $3.50 MARVEL COMICS Amazing Fantasy #14, $2.99 Amazing Spider-Man #525, $2.50 Arana Heart Of The Spider #10, $2.99 Black Panther #9, $2.99 Black Panther Second Ptg Variant #8, $2.99 Black Widow 2 #2 (Of 6), $2.99 Book Of Lost Souls #1, $2.99 Captain America #11, $2.99 Daredevil #78, $2.99 Defenders #4 (Of 5), $2.99 Drax The Destroyer #2 (Of 4), $2.99 Essential Iron Fist Vol 1 TPB (Jun041647), $16.99 Hercules New Labors Of Hercules TPB, $13.99 Hulk Destruction #4 (Of 4), $2.99 Kabuki #5, $2.99 Marvel Adventures Flip Magazine #5, $3.99 Marvel Heroes Flip Magazine #5, $3.99 Marvel Masterworks Golden Age Human Torch V1 HC Var Ed,$54.99 Marvel Masterworks Golden Age Human Torch V1 New Ed HC,$49.99 Marvel Masterworks Mighty Thor Vol 4 HC Variant Ed HC, $54.99 Marvel Masterworks Mighty Thor Vol 4 New Ed HC, $49.99 Marvel Monsters Monsters On The Prowl, $3.99 New Avengers #12, $2.50 New Thunderbolts #14, $2.99 New X-Men #19, $2.99 New X-Men Academy X Yearbook Special, $3.99 Sentry #2 (Of 8), $2.99 Sentry Rough Cut #1, $3.99 Ultimate Fantastic Four Vol 4 Inhuman TPB, $12.99 Ultimate Secret #4 (Of 4), $2.99 Wolverine #35, $2.50 X-Men The End Vol 2 Heroes And Martyrs TPB, $14.99 Young Avengers #8, $2.99 WIZARD ENTERTAINMENT Wizard Comics Magazine Video Games Cvr #170, $5.99 Wizard Comics Magazine Witchblade Cvr #170, $5.99 Wizard Comics Magazine Wolverine & Cap Cvr #170, $5.99 assorted 24 Hour Comics Day Highlights 2005 TPB, $24.95 Advent Rising Rock The Planet #1, $2.25 Archie Double Digest #165, $3.59 Bart Simpson Comics #26, $2.99 Blackpool #3, $2.95 Cannon Hawke #2, $2.99 Comic Shop News #958, AR Dorothy Vol 1 TPB, $14.95 Game Trade Magazine #69, AR Haunted Mansion #1, $2.95 Kolchak The Night Stalker Chronicles, $18.95 Liberality For All #1 (Of 8), $2.99 Little Star #5 (Of 6), $2.99 Marvel Previews November 2005 Extras, AR Mocca Will Eisner A Retrospective Ltd HC, $49.95 Newtype Eng Ed W/ DVD Nov 2005, $12.98 Nothing Better #1, $2.95 Paris #1 (Of 4), $2.95 Previews Vol XV #11, AR Rurouni Kenshin Profiles, $14.99 Six From Sirius Vol 1 HC Sgn, $39.99 Six From Sirius Vol 1 Mass Mkt Cvr TPB, $19.99 Six From Sirius Vol 1 Px Cvr Ed TPB, $19.99 Soulsearchers #74, $2.50 Sunset City GN, $9.95 Super F$$$$$S #2, $5.00 Top Shelf Conversations #2, $4.95 Trailer Park Of Terror Halloween Sp Nauck Cvr #2, $3.99 Trailer Park Of Terror Halloween Sp Nelson Cvr #2, $3.99 Uncle Scrooge #347, $6.95 Veronica #165, $2.25 Walt Disneys Comics & Stories #662, $6.95 ComicList for the foreseeable future... TITLE OLD NEW DARK HORSE COMICS WETA Narnia White Witch Statue 11/02 12/14 WETA Narnia Orieus Statue 11/02 12/14 DC COMICS Batman Marionette 09/14 11/16 Cipher Vol. 1 10/05 11/16 Green Lantern #6 10/26 11/16 Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy Statue 10/19 TBD Megas XLR Statue 09/28 11/16 Seven Soldiers: Zatanna #4 10/05 11/02 Superman/Batman #23 09/28 11/23 Teen Titans #29 10/19 11/09 Tom Strong #35 10/12 11/02 GREY CLOUD ENTERTAINMENT Rawni #1 10/19 MARVEL COMICS Astonishing X-Men Vol. 2: Dangerous TP 10/26 11/16 Captain America #12 10/26 11/23 Captain America #13 09/28 12/21 Daredevil: Father #4 11/02 11/09 Decimation: House of M -- The Day After 11/02 11/09 Exiles #72 11/02 11/09 Fantastic Four #532 10/26 11/02 House of M #8 Reg./Bachalo Var. Cvrs. 10/26 11/02 Iron Man #5 11/02 01/04 New Excalibur #1 11/02 11/09 Nightcrawler #11 10/26 11/02 Powers #14 10/26 11/02 Powers #15 (MR) 11/09 12/07 Powers #16 (MR) 11/30 01/04 Secret War: Book Five 10/12 12/14 Spider-Man: House of M #5 10/26 11/02 X-Factor #1 11/23 12/07 X-Men: Kitty Pryde - Shadow & Flame #5 10/26 11/02 Young Avengers #10 11/09 12/21 Young Avengers #9 10/26 11/23 _________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------ COMICS OBSCURA Mike Curtis shandafa@cyberback.com [COMICS OBSCURA are facts Mike Curtis has dug out during his 30 years of collecting Superman and writing about comics. His website for his comic imprint is www.shandafantasyarts.net ] EITHER PART WAS FINE WITH HIM The actor William Tracy is primarily known for two film roles. In 1940 he played the title role in the serial version of TERRY AND THE PIRATES, when Terry was a young lad with mentor Pat Ryan. Later on, when the comic strip was adapted to a TV series in 1953, the series focused on the adult Terry who was a freelance pilot. Tracy returned, now playing Terry's sidekick Hotshot Charlie. _________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------ [12] HYPE! & LINKS Section Various THIS WEEK'S LINKS These are the website URLS to the regular items that are usually here every week or two: World Wide Web Home Page http://members.aol.com/ComicBkNet Yahoo Group CBEM http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ComicBookNetworkEmag Trivia sponsors: Discount Comic Book Service http://www.dcbservice.com That's Entertainment http://www.thatse.com News: Diamond Comics http://www.diamondcomics.com Marvel http://www.Marvel.com DC Comics http://www.dccomics.com The PULSE http://www.comicon.com/pulse/ Comics Continuum http://www.comicscontinuum.com/ Newsarama http://www.Newsarama.com/ X-Fan http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/ The Comic Wire http://www.comicbookresources.com/ ICV2 http://www.ICV2.com The SCOOP! http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/ Alternative Comics http://www.indyworld.com/altcomics All The Rage http://www.SilverBulletComicBooks.com Lying in the Gutters http://www.comicbookresources.com/columns/ Columns: New Comics Releases http://www.comiclist.com X-Fan Reviews http://www.comixfan.com/xfan Paul Dale Roberts http://www.jazmaonline.com/ Richard Vasseur http://www.jazmaonline.com/ Michael Vance http://www.starland.com/sus Mark Allen Jonathan A. Gilbert http://www.twmgrafix.com Sarah Haslett http://www.HeroRealm.com http://www.geocities.com/silva_shado Alex Ness http://www.Popthought.com Mike Curtis http://www.shandafantasyarts.net +++++ PREVIEW OF PREVIEWS Diamond has updated their web site for the new PREVIEWS out next week. Writer/Ad Coordinator Vince Brusio is the designated editorial writer for Previews' "The Splash Page" which is our source material Daddy and Daughter's Death Spree "Keeping it in the family" has several connotations, but who would have thought the phrase would apply to a father/daughter team that dishes out death like fast food happy meals? Clown Face and Panda have such a relationship. Clown Face is an assassin, so his credentials for being a caring, giving father would not hold much water for government social workers. He's not the type who makes time for parent/teacher conferences. Consequently, this figures into another popular expression, which says that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. If you pick up Body Bags: One Shot, you'll find that the apple has never dropped off the tree - and this is a good thing, because it's full of worms, and has no promise of providing any nutritional sustenance. The apple, of course, is Panda, the saccharine teenage daughter who doesn't mind that Daddy's forte is stopping heartbeats. She aspires to be like Daddy, even though Daddy disapproves, and would rather see his daughter as a cel phone savvy cheerleader. But those of us who have kids know that what we want for our rug rats matters little when they're at the age where they think they know everything. In Panda's case, she's a natural at the snuff game, and she thinks that's enough to warrant her place in the art of carnage. She's good, true, but that doesn't mean she's polished. She's rough around the edges, more prone to risk, not as thorough, and this means that Daddy Dearest always has his hands full. However, in Body Bags: One Shot, Clown Face not only has his hands full, but tied as well. Much like the teaser tag line that's given to this book, everything comes down to one bullet, and one chance. There's no points for effort. It's time for truth or dare. Long time admirers of Body Bags who have followed the characters since 1996 can rest easy, as there's just as much action and viscera in store for us as there was in the old days. The action in Jason Pearson's new story is swift, brutal, and bloody. So expect more of the same disfigurements in the Body Bags: One Shot! Look for it from Image Comics in the Premiere section of Previews! Cool Clamshells Keep Coming! Welcome the holiday season with tidings of comfort and joy that includes new T-shirts in our Apparel sections! The cool days and warm colors of Fall may be fading fast, but the new T-shirts we have for you sealed in clam shell packaging, are still hot, hot, hot! If it's an escape you seek from the trenches of the real world, allow us to divert your attention to the "Classic Superhero" T- shirts that hail from the world of comics. First up for your viewing pleasure is the Punisher: Kanji with an awesome suede Punisher logo. Hey, for many hardliners, Frank Castle is a superhero! Who can deny the man doesn't get the job done? Then of course you have guys who play by the book, and still get the job done. To see they guy we're talking about, we urge you to check out the Superman Distressed Tilted Shield T-Shirt, featuring the Man of Steel's famous "S" shield. In addition to these powerhouses, we keep you up to speed on what's hot in the world of anime and manga with apparel like the new Inu-Yasha: "Sesshomaru Running" Previews Exclusive T-Shirt. Plus, The Nightmare Before Christmas is still going strong with the arrival of the Bone Daddy T-shirt! And finally, Invader Zim strikes again at unsuspecting humanity with the Invader Zim and Grrr: "Shadows" Preview Exclusive T-Shirt! Be sure to check out all of these shirts in the Apparel section of Previews! New Art Template For Marvel Fans Old school fans may remember the classic How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way as the official word on how to render illustrations of everyone from The Vision to Mister Fantastic. John Buscema rendered illustrations on how to flesh out your drawings, and Stan Lee guided readers along the trail that helped shape their skills for more involved drawings. Now that sage advice has been updated by comics veteran Dan Jurgens with the release of his You Can Draw Marvel Characters HC from DK Publishing. Eager apprentices who want straight talk and instructions that assist them in their craft will be happy with the book's approach, which cuts to the chase, and helps the novice see the assignment clearly. Jurgens has an impressive resume with comics publishers, and readers have much to gain from his years of experience in the field, as well as his techniques that have made him respected and admired throughout the comics community. If you're an aspiring artist who wants to be setting goals that go beyond having your art featured in a trade publication, we think you'll want to start leafing through the pages of You Can Draw Marvel Characters HC so that you can start plotting out your storyboards that take Marvel characters in directions we never imagined! Look for the You Can Draw Marvel Characters HC in the Books section of Previews! Decimation 198 Begins! The House of M has crumbled! The carnage barely qualifies for a PG-13 rating. We're talking earthquake-scale catastrophe. Decimation has laid waste to the Marvel Universe, and the X-Men are all that stand between a vengeful humanity and all of mutant kind! Fans who poured over their monthly Marvel titles discovered the world's mutants have been decimated as a result of The House of M. The mutants are scared, alone, and vulnerable. The situation is grim: humanity is out for blood, and their attention has returned to the mutant population. With no where left to turn, The Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters has once again become a safe haven for those that are persecuted because they are different. But has this former sanctuary become the one place that is most dangerous for mutants? Marvel's big event of 2005, "Avengers Disassembled," shook the foundation of the Marvel Universe as Magneto and Wanda Maximoff, the Scarlet Witch, remade the world to their liking. The ripples of this earth-shattering event will be felt for years to come, and repercussions will be felt as early as January's X-Men: The 198 #1. As citizens continue to pick up the pieces and rebuild their lives, where does this leave the future of the X-Men? The truth is, they're just trying to survive day by day. But will Charles Xavier's children of the atom ever again be a force for good? These questions and more will be answered in the pages of X-Men: The 198. Be sure to check it out in the Marvel Previews supplement. Kids Who Kick It! Capcom has long been in the business of sidekick entertainment for gamers. But now the time has come to bring their brand of kinetic kung fu action to comic books. Udon Entertainment is more than happy to oblige us with new stories featuring Capcom's familiar megastars, and they've decided to get things started with characters we first saw when Street Fighter took the world by surprise. But while fans celebrate the comic debut of their favorite butt- stompers Sakura and Hinata from the popular Street Fighter mythos, they're going to be equally pleased with the prize that comes in the bottom of the cereal box, namely the appearance of high school brawlers from Rival Schools. Cooperation between the camps is needed given the eerie that has high school students disappearing into thin air. When human beings go missing for no apparent reason, it's usually a good idea to pull your resources together in order to find out what strange phenomenon is responsible for the unexplained circumstances. Sakura, Hinata and the entire RS cast get together to form such a coalition in Udon Entertainment's Rival Schools #1, a bombastic, action-packed, comedic free-for-all that includes special guest covers by Capcom Japan's Edayan (the creator of Rival Schools). Look for it in the Comics section of Previews! The Pain of Alliance It begins again - here and now - the saga of the war-torn robots in disguise, the Transformers! In the year 2006, the fate of the planet Earth is already sealed, its destiny decided by the marauding mechanical beings known as Decepticons. Bent on destruction and the absolute domination of human kind, the Decepticons, under the leadership of Megatron, will stop at nothing to achieve their goal. In their way stand an embattled crew of seven hardy, veteran Autobot warriors, sworn to prevent the impending Robotic Armageddon at any cost. At their side are an unlikely trio of human misfits, who were pulled kicking and screaming into a hitherto hidden world of pain and hurt. Infiltration follows this unlikely band of heroes as they fight to defend Earth from the menace of the Decepticons. Legendary Transformers writer Simon Furman and artist EJ Su pick up where they left off in Transformers: Prelude to Infiltration, with the first official issue of Transformers: Infiltration. Be sure to check out this book under the IDW banner in the Comics section of Previews! Dark Horse Takes Star Wars Back To Square One The publisher who always favored the darker side of the comics community, Dark Horse Comics celebrates 20 years of putting books on the shelves that ventured beyond the super-hero genre. The Horse was a champion for diversity, and always ventured into territories less traveled, or uncharted. That commitment to pioneering in new directions was rewarded in one instance by Dark Horse acquiring the Star Wars license, which led to a plethora of ongoing series, specials, and trade paperback collections. Now, with 20 years of publishing under its belt, Dark Horse focuses on the license that helped bring it to greatness when it released 1991's Dark Empire. George Lucas' Star Wars saga took on new life at Dark Horse, and countless publications after Dark Empire showed that fans were always eager to see what new and inventive minds could conjure with characters created for Lucas' universe. The challenge to get your head around something new was what drew readers to new Star Wars storylines. With a history of reader's tastes taken into account, Dark Horse has now decided to make things "fresh" again with Star Wars. Things that worked in the past are now going to get a blood transfusion. So Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic #1 is not only a new title to read this month, it marks the first title to kick off a new Dark Horse continuity that will set the stage for future Star Wars stories. This means its time to re-arrange your bookshelf, fan guys and gals. The titles you've enjoyed for the past 14 years can now be labeled as "old school." The new vein of Star Wars continuity kicks off with the story of Zayne, a man who's been framed for a heinous crime against the Jedi order. The pressure to just stay alive occupies 99% of Zayne's time, as the Jedi are not easy to fool, or lose in a back alley pursuit. The kicker is that Zayne must enlist the aid of city criminals, con artists, and petty thieves to stay ahead of the Jedi's lightsabers. These are people he previously swore to prosecute. Now they're the ones who are his only hope to stay ahead of a Jedi order that pre-dates the rise of the Empire ... by eight thousand years! Written by John Jackson Miller (Iron Man) and illustrated by Brian Ching (Star Wars Obsession), Dark Horse's Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic #1 can be found in the Premiere section of Previews. Reaching Out For New Orleans When tragedy strikes, people pull together and develop numerous projects to help those in need, and the folks at Narwain Publishing are no exception to the rule. Hurricane Katrina has pulled many heartstrings around the world, and the folks at Narwain have responded in kind. With the release of New Orleans & Jazz, they will use the proceeds from this book to help the thousands of people who have been displaced by the natural disaster. Don't expect stories about Narwain characters juxtaposed against New Orleans jazz background and spicy Cajun goodies. With the assistance of various creators, the book will focus entirely on the culture of New Orleans and its diverse inhabitants. Simply put, the goal of New Orleans & Jazz is to pay fond tribute to the city of yesteryear with poetic, musical stories. Taking on the publishing cost at its own expense, Narwain will donate all revenues to relief organizations like the American Red Cross. So do a good deed today, and check out New Orleans & Jazz in the Comics section of Previews! The World of Christopher Paolini He developed the amalgam names of his characters and places with the use of Old Norse, German, Old English, and Russian languages. And then, when they didn't suit his needs, he invented his own languages. Impressive, yes? Gifted writer Christopher Paolini was only 15 when he started writing his first novel. The young talented writer had just graduated from high school, and he already knew what he wanted to do for a living. The result of his hard work was a labor of love which gives us the Eragon TP (now optioned for a major motion picture). Combining elements of both fantasy and science fiction, the story follows the life of a poor farm boy, whose life circumstance are changed drastically when he finds a polished stone in the forest. Four years later, Paolini follows up with a sequel to his first book, now available as the Eldest HC. Eragon, the main character, has saved the rebel state with the aid of his dragon, Saphira. The pressure on him from King Galbatorix, however, has not made life easy for him. And things will become even more difficult as Eragon has the task of traveling to the land of the elves for training in magic and swordsmanship. Look for both of these fantasy masterpieces in the Books section of Previews! Manga Without Allegiance The beauty of online communication is that it revolutionized international relations. Instant messaging, the Internet, and email have completely changed the way we look at each other, and our respective cultures. It has shattered barriers that were in place up until the late 20th century. And the impact of online communication has given us ideas, insights, and an appreciation for our diverse natures that have made our national identities secondary to our international handshakes. As we travel down our new electronic frontiers, we see signposts along our journey like the Manga Without Borders TP. This venture into publishing is indicative of how electronic international communication can unite creators across the globe that share a common passion. In this case, manga is shown to be an art form that is no longer restricted to eastern shores. The folks at Manga University have compiled artwork from their contest archives to show that manga is an art form that has not only taken root in countries throughout the world, but it has influenced artists to the point where they bring their own perspective to the form in order to create new hybrids. With an introduction by Golgo 13 creator, Takao Saito, Manga Without Borders is an exceptional collection of illustrations that you can find in the International section of Previews! The King Is Not Forgotten! Jack "King" Kirby is compared to no one. But the Godland Volume 1: Hello, Cosmic! TP is certainly compared to the King's legacy, and to comics that were done in the old Marvel vein. Writer Joe Casey and artist Tom Scioli set out to create an epic space saga reminiscent of the 'old Marvel way,' and they've succeeded. One looks at the artwork, and sees the same perspective and form that made Kirby's name synonymous with the Fantastic Four. Then there's the over-the-top dialogue that delivers a "microwave death strike," and "supernova affirmation attack!" Combat rock at its finest. This is what made super-hero comics the bomb back in the 60s and 70s. Godland is a fun read, and fans new to comics these days are getting a good lesson on what was working for the old timers back in the day. Outrageous imagination doesn't need editorial permission slips! Collecting all six issues of the series, the Godland Volume 1: Hello, Cosmic! TP from Image Comics can be found in the Premiere section of Previews! Adam Hughes Does the Black Cat Adam Hughes, who is most commonly known for his stylized renderings of women; super heroines, damsels in distress, and figures in fantasy, is considered by many to be one of a new generation of "Good Girl" cover artists. Featuring beautiful, lush rendering and color choices, coupled with a naturalistic take on a great comic character, the Black Cat By Adam Hughes Signed Prints demonstrate all the very best elements of Hughes' art. Available as both a Giclee and a Litho, in framed and unframed versions, look for them in Prints & Posters! Ellis Takes on Zombies Warren Ellis has a knack for storytelling that's pungent. Hailed by his fans for character-driven stories that are mean as a fist with a set of brass knuckles, Ellis dips into the horror genre once again with artist Max Fiumara. In Warren Ellis' Black Gas, fans of flesh-eating movie fare will feel a familiar chill down their spine when they see this story involves a gas billowed up from the earth's guts which chokes the town people of Smoky Island. The result will be familiar to some, but it doesn't deter us from wanting to see the car wreck that results in hungry zombies. Look for it from Avatar Press in the Comics section! Eastern Opposites A-Go-Go Momoko lives a Pulp Fiction movie with an Emo soundtrack. She dresses in 18th century haute couture from an expensive Tokyo specialty store, and makes her way through the world fantasizing about how she could live instead of thinking about the world in front of her. When she hooks up with tough-talking motorcycle- chick Yanki, they embark on escapades that take them through back-alley pachinko parlors, chic boutiques, and epic bike-punk battles. Look for Kamikaze Girls Novel from Viz in the Comics section! Super-Heroes Redux Confound it, we will no longer be tied down by conventional standards when we seek out new comic book entertainment! The Comics Code Authority is no longer present as the thought-police, and that allows us to enjoy fevered-brain mayhem like Planetary Brigade #1. Created by former Justice League spin masters Keith Giffen and John DeMatteis, this book takes superhero stereotypes and puts them in a blender. The fruity milkshake produced gives us off-beat characters not seen since Bob Burden's Mystery Men! Look for Planetary Brigade #1 from Boom! Studios in the Comics section! When Quarters Bought Comics and Candy Who doesn't yearn for a chance to travel back in time to when comic books could be obtained with the same meager allowance that you also used to catch movies on a Saturday? That same handful of change wouldn't even rent you a movie in today's world. But in the Standard Guide To Golden Age Comics TP, you'll browse through a collection of 1,000 comic book covers of Golden Age comics that were easily attainable back in the day. A great portable resource for use at conventions, look for this TP in the Books section! Old Grudge, Blood River Ahhh. There's a lot to be said about the freedom one has when he's not running with the big dogs. You can move at your own pace. You can also run with your own ideas, and ignore the crowd's attention to the flavor of the day. Jams S. Abrams and Brett C. Marting do this with Archaic #1. With this comic, we get a story that's rich in both dark magic and technology. This new visual feed tube lets us monitor the ancient world of Tzenebraum, where even though man has advanced in science, his prejudice towards his own kind never changes. Blood runs freely in this comic from Fenickx Productions. Look for it in the Comics section of Previews! Convention Calendar As a service to you, the dedicated Previews reader, we offer this rundown of upcoming events and conventions. * Wizard World Texas - Arlington, TX, November 4-6 * Comic Expo Brighton - Brighton, UK, November 19-20 * Mid-Ohio Con - Columbus, OH, November 26-27 +++++ DC COMICS JANUARY 2006 SOLICITATIONS BATMAN ALL STAR BATMAN AND ROBIN, THE BOY WONDER #4 Written by Frank Miller Art and cover by Jim Lee & Scott Williams Variant cover by Frank Miller ALL STAR excitement abounds as Frank Miller, Jim Lee & Scott Williams continue their adventurous retelling of the partnership between the Dark Knight and the Boy Wonder! And when some Black Canary gets added to the mix, you can be sure something's going to explode! Retailers note: This issue is resolicited. All previous orders are cancelled. Please see this month's order form for information on the variant cover. Resolicited; on sale January 4  32 pg, FC, $2.99 US  RESOLICIT DETECTIVE COMICS #815 Written by Shane McCarthy Art and cover by Cliff Chiang Part 1 of the 2-part "Victims" by Shane McCarthy (Batman: Legends Of The Dark Knight) and Cliff Chiang (The Creeper, Human Target)! Mr. Zsasz bears a memento for each of his victims.one scar for each. And now he's out to add Alfred Pennyworth to his sadistic tally! Crime once again strikes at the heart of Bruce Wayne's family, and once again the Batman is out for vengeance! On sale January 4  32 pg, FC, $2.50 US BATMAN #649 Written by Judd Winick Art by Doug Mahnke & Tom Nguyen Cover by Jock The unpredictable Black Mask forms an uneasy alliance with the Red Hood! But can these two uncompromising masked men truly cooperate? Or will this team-up make the streets of Gotham run red with bad blood? Either way, it's sure to spell trouble for the Batman. On sale Jan 25  32 pg, FC, $2.50 US BATMAN: LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT #199 Written by Will Pfeifer Art and cover by Chris Weston The unforgettable conclusion of the 3-part tale by Will Pfeifer (Catwoman) and Chris Weston (The Filth)! A dying career criminal waging a one-man war against Gotham City and Batman gets his final opportunity to go out in a "Blaze of Glory!" On sale Jan 11  32 pg, FC, $2.50 US BATMAN: GOTHAM KNIGHTS #73 Written by A.J. Lieberman Art by Diego Olmos & Bit Cover by Claudio Castellini Featuring guest art by Diego Olmos (Catwoman)! Hush had better watch his back, because the Joker has returned looking for revenge! When last we saw him, the Clown Prince of Crime had been beaten by Hush, barely escaping with his life. Now he's back, and he has the upper hand! On sale Jan 18  32 pg, FC, $2.50 US BATMAN: JOURNEY INTO KNIGHT #6 Written by Andrew Helfer Art by Tan Eng Huat Cover by Pat Lee It's a double-cross for the Dark Knight as this year-long series heats up! Batman is caught in the middle of a battle between international terrorists and the FBI, and everyone wants the same thing: a piece of the Carrier! On sale Jan 25  6 of 12  32 pg, FC, $2.50 US BATMAN AND THE MONSTER MEN #3 Written by Matt Wagner Art and cover by Wagner The Dark Knight's first confrontation with super-villains is getting deadlier by the minute! A mad scientist has created a race of giant monster men to do his bidding. As they rampage through Gotham, a young Dark Knight is forced to learn that there are evils in the city far stranger than mobsters and street criminals. Batman comes face-to-face with the twisted Professor Hugo Strange as their conflict reaches a boiling point! On sale January 4  3 of 6  32 pg, FC, $2.99 US BATGIRL #72 Written by Andersen Gabrych Art by Pop Mhan & Jesse Delperdang Cover by Tim Sale A mystery in Batgirl's past that has been building for years is about to be revealed! Who is Batgirl's mother? Batgirl is about to find out, but her mind will be on other things, as she's trapped in a life-and-death struggle with her animalistic "brother" Mad Dog! And when we say "life-and-death," we mean it! No tricks. No jokes. One of these characters will die at the hands of the other! On sale January 18  32 pg, FC, $2.50 US BATMAN CHRONICLES VOL. 1 TP Written by Bill Finger and Gardner Fox Art by Bob Kane, Jerry Robinson and Sheldon Moldoff Cover by Kane Reoffered to coincide with Superman Chronicles Vol. 1, this volume reprints Batman stories from Detective Comics #27-37 and Batman #1. Future volumes in this series will present Batman tales in chronological order based on publication date. On sale Jan 11  192 pg, FC, $14.99 US  RELIST BATGIRL: A KNIGHT ALONE TP Written by Kelley Puckett Art and cover by Damion Scott, Coy Turnbull and others Reoffered to coincide with Batgirl #72, this volume collects issues #7-11 and #13-14 of the acclaimed series. Stripped of her ability to sense an opponent's next move, Batgirl continues her quest to regain her former battle prowess and her confidence. She turns to Lady Shiva for heip, but at what cost? On sale Jan 11  156 pg, FC, $12.95 US  RELIST CATWOMAN #51 Written by Will Pfeifer Art by Pete Woods Cover by Adam Hughes Fresh off the soul-rattling revelation from last issue, Selina is livid and looking for answers - starting with none other than Batman! Her quest will bring her into conflict with the police, and at least two vehicles will be stolen in the process! Slam Bradley makes a fateful decision, while the Black Mask makes his big move against Catwoman, striking at the very heart of Selina's world in a way too terrible for words! On sale January 25  32 pg, FC, $2.50 US GOTHAM CENTRAL #39 Written by Greg Rucka Art by Kano & Stefano Gaudiano Cover by Sean Phillips A hero has fallen in the line of duty, and the perpetrator wears blue! Corrupt cop Jim Corrigan has committed the ultimate crime to escape justice. Now an outraged GCPD is coming after him! Meanwhile, Montoya's world continues to unravel, Maggie Sawyer must make the call that every police captain fears, and Gotham grows just a little bit darker. On sale Jan 4  32 pg, FC, $2.50 US NIGHTWING #116 Written by Devin Grayson Art and cover by Phil Hester & Ande Parks The full scope of Deathstroke's fury is revealed! Dick Grayson has been "on the inside" for a long time, but to what end? Who's watching whom? And who will pay the price when lives are on the line? You simply can't miss the explosive secrets revealed in this issue! On sale Jan 11  32 pg, FC, $2.50 US ROBIN #146 Written by Bill Willingham and Bill Williams Art and cover by Scott McDaniel & Andy Owens Guest-starring the Teen Titans! Summoned back to Titans Tower, Robin discovers one of the Titans is in trouble. Now, with the help of Beast Boy, Speedy and others, Robin must lead the team into the depths of top secret facility where a secret to salvation lies. On sale January 18  32 pg, FC, $2.50 US YEAR ONE: BATMAN/RA'S AL GHUL TP Written by Devin Grayson Art and cover by Paul Gulacy & Jimmy Palmiotti Prepare yourself for an exploration into the past of one of Batman's greatest foes! In this tale collecting the 2-part Prestige Format miniseries, Ra's al Ghul has left a world filled with reanimated corpses. To save Gotham, Batman must uncover al Ghul's centuries of secret world travels! On sale Jan 25  104 pg, FC, $9.99 US BATMAN: YEAR ONE DELUXE EDITION HC Written by Frank Miller Art and cover by David Mazzucchelli Reoffered to coincide with Year One: Batman/Ra's Al Ghul TP, this volume features the entire dramatic story of Batman's first year fighting crime, plus introductions by Miller and Mazzucchelli, reproductions of original pencils, promotional art, unseen Mazzucchelli Batman art, Richmond Lewis's color samples, script pages and much more! On sale Jan 25  144 pg, FC, $19.99 US  RELIST BATMAN: HUSH RETURNS TP Written by A.J. Lieberman Art by Al Barrionuevo, Javier Pina, Francis Portela, Jimmy Palmiotti and Bit Cover by Lee Bermejo Witness the return of Batman's deadliest new enemy in this volume collecting Batman: Gotham Knights #50-55 and #66! Hush's unexpected reappearance raises more questions about his true identity, origins and motivations. On sale Jan 11  208 pg, FC, $12.99 US ABSOLUTE BATMAN: HUSH HC Written by Jeph Loeb Art and cover by Jim Lee & Scott Williams Reoffered to coincide with Batman: Hush Returns, this amazing slipcased hardcover collects the complete 12-part saga for the first time in the oversized Absolute format! Featuring an all-new cover by Lee and Williams, a Jim Lee Sketchbook, and issue-by- issue commentary by the creative team. On sale Jan 11  372 pg, FC, $49.99 US  RELIST BATMAN: HUSH VOL. 1 TP Written by Jeph Loeb Art and cover by Jim Lee & Scott Williams Reoffered to coincide with Batman: Hush Returns, this volume reprints Batman #608-612, featuring the introduction of Hush! This best-selling tale includes guest appearances by Superman, Catwoman, Poison Ivy, Killer Croc, Huntress, and more! On sale Jan 11  128 pg, FC, $12.99 US  RELIST BATMAN: HUSH VOL. 2 TP Written by Jeph Loeb Art and cover by Jim Lee & Scott Williams Reoffered to coincide with Batman: Hush Returns, this volume reprints Batman #613-619, concluding the story arc that introduced Hush! This volume features the Dark Knight's shocking showdown with the Joker, the debut of a brand-new Batmobile, a catfight among Catwoman, Talia and Lady Shiva, and more! On sale Jan 11  192 pg, FC, $12.99 US  RELIST SUPERMAN ACTION COMICS #835 Written by Gail Simone Art by John Byrne & Nelson Cover by Kalman Andrasofszky Livewire, the shocking villain from Superman: The Animated Series, jumps into the DCU with deadly results as she gets amped up to take out the Man of Steel! On sale January 11  32 pg, FC, $2.50 US ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #648 Written by Greg Rucka, Nunzio DeFilippis and Christina Weir Art by Karl Kerschl & Wayne Faucher Cover by Kerschl An Infinite Crisis tie-in! In the eye of the storm that is Crisis, Lois and Superman find some time together to discuss their uncertain future. Featuring numerous cameos from around the DCU! On sale January 25  32 pg, FC, $2.50 US SUPERMAN #225 Written by Mark Verheiden Art and cover by Ed Benes An Infinite Crisis tie-in! With the full weight of the Crisis events on his shoulders, the Man of Steel undergoes a drastic change as he wages an all-out war in Metropolis! On sale January 4  32 pg, FC, $2.50 US SUPERGIRL #5 Written by Jeph Loeb Art and cover by Ian Churchill & Norm Rapmund With Supergirl on a rampage, there's no one left to stop her except.Supergirl?! The story that will have all of fandom talking explodes as The Girl of Steel takes on the Mistress of Might! On sale January 11  32 pg, FC, $2.99 US SUPERMAN: SACRIFICE TP Written by Greg Rucka, Mark Verheiden and Gail Simone Art by Ed Benes, John Byrne, Karl Kerschl, Rags Morales, Tony Daniel, David Lopez, Ron Randall and others Cover by J.G. Jones The pivotal, sold-out story that forever altered the relationship between Superman and Wonder Woman is collected here for the first time! This volume collects Superman #218-220, Adventures of Superman #642-643, Action Comics #829 and Wonder Woman #219-220. Max Lord has taken over Superman's mind and has him in total thrall. With his peers and loved ones threatened, Superman is helpless. But not Wonder Woman - who must battle past the Man of Steel and decisively end the threat. Her actions, and their repercussions, are explored in this controversial saga that sets up Infinite Crisis. On sale January 4  192 pg, FC, $14.99 US SUPERMAN CHRONICLES VOL. 1 TP Written by Jerry Siegel Art and cover by Joe Shuster Presenting an exciting new way to experience the rich history of the Man of Steel in an affordable trade paperback collection of every Superman adventure, in color, in chronological order! Superman Chronicles Vol. 1 reprints the earliest stories of the world's first super-hero, originally published in Action Comics #1-13, New York World's Fair #1 and Superman #1 (1938-1939)! These historic tales feature the first adventures of the Man of Steel by Superman creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. Future volumes in this series will reprint stories from Action, Superman, World's Finest and other titles throughout the character's history, all presented chronologically based on publication date! On sale January 18  208 pg, FC, $14.99 US DC UNIVERSE INFINITE CRISIS #4 Written by Geoff Johns Art by Phil Jimenez & Andy Lanning, George P‚rez & Jerry Ordway Covers by Jim Lee & Sandra Hope and George P‚rez The Crisis continues to explode across the DCU as a great power is unleashed. But whose side is it on? Witness a shocking confrontation between Batman and Nightwing, a vicious battle that threatens to tear the heroes of the DCU further apart, and a startling change to the recently deceased. Plus, guest appearances by more characters than we can list! Retailers please note: This issue will ship with covers by Lee & Hope (approximately 50%) and P‚rez (approximately 50%). On sale January 11  4 of 7  40 pg, FC, $3.99 US AQUAMAN #38 Written by John Arcudi Art by Leonard Kirk & Andy Clarke Cover by Don Kramer & Keith Champagne After Spectre's horrific attack against Atlantis, Aquaman must return to the remains of his old kingdom in an attempt to rescue any survivors. But will the grieving and wounded Atlanteans accept their new home in Sub Diego? On sale Jan 4  32 pg, FC, $2.50 US BLOOD OF THE DEMON #11 Written by John Byrne & Will Pfeifer Art by Byrne & Dan Green Cover by Byrne Who is the man called Joshua? Why does he believe Jason Blood is the devil himself? All of Gotham City explodes in a whirlwind of fire and fury as Etrigan fights for the life of his human half, and the secret of Joshua begins to be revealed! On sale Jan 4  32 pg, FC, $2.50 US BIRDS OF PREY #90 Written by Gail Simone Art by Paulo Siqueira & Robin Riggs Cover by Adriana Melo & Will Conrad Calculator's quest to unmask Oracle turns super-deadly as Deathstroke joins the hunt! On sale January 18  32 pg, FC, $2.50 US DAY OF VENGEANCE: INFINITE CRISIS SPECIAL Written by Bill Willingham Art by Justiniano & Walden Wong Cover by Walter Simonson The adventures of the Shadowpact continue in this 48-page Special by the Day of Vengeance creative team: writer Bill Willingham, artists Justiniano & Walden Wong and cover artist Walter Simonson! The Shadowpact returns - joined by Zatanna, Captain Marvel, the Phantom Stranger, Madame Xanadu and others - to stop the Spectre's deadly rampage! On sale January 4  48 pg, FC, $3.99 US FIRESTORM #21 Written by Stuart Moore Art by Jamal Igle, Eddy Barrows & Rob Stull Cover by Igle & Keith Champagne Beginning the epic that will redefine the Nuclear Man: "Building a Better Firestorm!" Following the catastrophic events of Infinite Crisis #4, a stunned Jason Rusch takes a fateful journey through Firestorm's past, present - and future! On sale January 4  32 pg, FC, $2.50 US THE FLASH #230 Written by Joey Cavalieri Art by Val Semeiks & Livesay Cover by Art Thibert Vandal Savage may be successful in his ambition to bring about the end of mankind's days on planet Earth. Can Wally West save him, or are these his final days as well? On sale January 4  32 pg, FC, $2.50 US THE FLASH: ROGUE WAR TP Written by Geoff Johns Art by Howard Porter, Justiano, Kevin Cummings and Peter Snejbjerg Cover by Porter A new volume collecting The Flash #1/2, 212 and 218-225! The brewing contest between the original rogues gallery and the newest rogues ignites into a conflagration that may result in the destruction of Keystone City and the death of the Scarlet Speedster! On sale Jan 18  208 pg, FC, $17.99 US THE FLASH: THE SECRET OF BARRY ALLEN TP Written by Geoff Johns Art by Howard Porter & Livesay Cover by Michael Turner Reoffered to coincide with The Flash: Rogue War TP, this volume collects The Flash #207-211 and #213-217. The Flash teams with Nightwing to face Gorilla Grodd! And a dark decision from Barry Allen's past is revealed, leading Wally to make some difficult choices of his own. On sale Jan 18  240 pg, FC, $19.99 US  RELIST GOLDEN AGE FLASH ARCHIVES VOL. 2 HC Written by Gardner Fox Art by E.E. Hibbard and Hal Sharp Cover by Hibbard The original Super-Speedster returns in this long awaited second collection of his Golden Age adventures! In this volume collecting Flash Comics #18-24 and All Flash Comics #1-2 (1941), thrill to the electrifying adventures of the Flash as he faces Chinatown Tongs, Spider-men from Mars, the mystery of "The Threat," and more! On sale Jan 25  224 pg, FC, $49.99 US GOLDEN AGE FLASH ARCHIVES VOL. 1 HC Written by Gardner Fox Art by Harry Lampert, E.E. Hibbard and Dennis Neville Cover by Hibbard Reoffered to coincide with Golden Age Flash Archives Vol. 2, this volume collects Flash Comics #1-17. Jay Garrick was the original physics-defying Flash. In these classic tales, learn how the hard water fumes results in his ability to move faster than the speed of sound! On sale Jan 25  224 pg, FC, $49.95 US  RELIST GREEN LANTERN #8 Written by Geoff Johns Art by Carlos Pacheco & Jesus Merino Cover by Simone Bianchi Concluding the 2-part "A Perfect Life," guest-starring Green Arrow! Hal Jordan's father is alive, Green Arrow is happily married and the Green Lantern Corps has achieved peace throughout the galaxy. But as Hal and Ollie's greatest desires continue to manifest, their warring dreams will twist into nightmares. Plus, Mongul comes face-to-face with a new enemy that has his sights on Green Lantern! On sale January 25  32 pg, FC, $2.99 US GREEN LANTERN CORPS: RECHARGE #5 Written by Dave Gibbons & Geoff Johns Art and cover by Patrick Gleason & Prentis Rollins In the exciting conclusion of Green Lantern Corps: Recharge - which leads directly into the new monthly ongoing series Green Lantern Corps - veteran Lanterns and raw recruits stand shoulder to shoulder in a last-ditch battle to save Oa from the clutches of the evil Spider Guild of Vega! On sale Jan 18  5 of 5  32 pg, FC, $2.99 US GREEN LANTERN/GREEN ARROW VOL. 1 TP Written by Dennis O'Neil Art by Neal Adams, Bernie Wrightson, Dick Giordano and others Cover by Adams Reoffered to coincide with Green Lantern #8, this volume collects Green Lantern #76-82 from the early 1970s. In these stories, Green Lantern Hal Jordan and Oliver Queen, the archer known as Green Arrow, came together in stories that confronted societal ills for the first time. On sale Jan 25  176 pg, FC, $12.95 US  RELIST GREEN ARROW #58 Written by Judd Winick Art by Ron Garney & Bill Reinhold Cover by James Jean Having viciously attacked his family and destroyed his home, the enemies of Green Arrow wage war against the whole of Star City! The Emerald Archer must defend his hometown from catastrophe while his allies lie beneath the tons of rubble that was once his headquarters. On sale January 11  32 pg, FC, $2.50 US SHOWCASE PRESENTS GREEN LANTERN VOL. 1 TP Written by John Broome and Gardner Fox Art by Gil Kane, Joe Giella and Murphy Anderson Cover by Kane & Giella Reoffered to coincide with Green Lantern #8, this thick black- and-white volume collects Silver Age classics Showcase #22-24 and Green Lantern #1-17, featuring Hal Jordan's earliest adventures as Earth's Green Lantern! On sale Jan 25  528 pg, FC, $9.99 US  RELIST SHOWCASE PRESENTS: GREEN ARROW VOL. 1 TP Written by Jack Miller, Ed Herron, Gardner Fox and Bob Haney Art by Jack Kirby, George Papp, Mike Sekowsky and Neal Adams Cover by Lee Elias & Jerry Ordway The Emerald Archer's Silver Age adventures get the spotlight! This volume reprints stories from Adventure Comics #250-266, 268- 269, The Brave & The Bold #50, 71 and 85, Justice League of America #4, and World's Finest #95-140. Along with his sidekick Speedy, see Green Arrow take on all manner of crime in Star City! On sale Jan 18  528 pg, B&W, $16.99 US DC UNIVERSE: THE STORIES OF ALAN MOORE TP Written by Alan Moore Art by Jim Aparo, Jim Baikie, Brian Bolland, Paris Cullins, George Freeman, Dave Gibbons, Klaus Janson, Kevin O'Neill, Joe Orlando, George P‚rez, Kurt Schaffenberger, Curt Swan, Rick Veitch, Al Williamson and Bill Willingham Cover by Brian Bolland Don't miss this exhaustive collection featuring the World's Greatest Super-Heroes as interpreted by one of the most acclaimed authors in comics! The work of Alan Moore (Watchmen, V for Vendetta, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen) in the DCU during the 1980s is considered a benchmark for great stories with fresh approaches to iconic characters. Collected in this volume are all of Moore's Superman and Batman stories, including the long out-of-print "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?" as well as, for the first time in trade paperback, Batman: The Killing Joke (illustrated by Brian Bolland, who provides a new cover). This volume - which no comics fan should be without - collects stories from Action Comics #584, Batman Annual #11, Batman: The Killing Joke, DC Comics Presents #85, Detective Comics #549-550, Green Lantern #188, The Omega Men #26-27, Secret Origins #10, Superman #423, Tales of the Green Lantern Corps Annual #2 & 3, Superman Annual #11, and Vigilante #17-18. On sale January 11  304 pg, FC, $19.99 US  Mature Readers HAWKMAN #48 Written by Jimmy Palmiotti & Justin Gray Art by Chris Batista & Cam Smith Cover by Adam Kubert Part 2 of the 3-part "Coalition in Crisis," continuing in the aftermath of The Rann/Thanagar War! Alliances shatter and friendships crumble as Hawkman and Hawkgirl witness the all too human tragedy of a war that may not end. On sale January 11  32 pg, FC, $2.50 US HARD TIME SEASON TWO #2 Written by Steve Gerber & Mary Skrenes Art by Brian Hurtt & Steve Bird Cover by Hurtt The second season of the acclaimed real-world prison drama created by Steve Gerber (Howard the Duck, Nevada) continues! Even mysterious super-powers can't keep Ethan Harrow from becoming a target at State Penitentiary. It's up to him to learn the rules of the prison's vast underground economy.and buy his way in! On sale January 4  32 pg, FC, $2.50 US JLA #124 Written by Bob Harras Art by Tom Derenick & Dan Green Cover by Daniel Acu¤a "World Without a Justice League" Part 5 of 6! In the wake of Day of Vengeance, the Seven Deadly Sins have been unleashed upon the world and Envy has found his way to Gotham City - just in time to influence Green Arrow! But when jealousy and rage infect Oliver Queen's mind, he loses focus on stopping The Key and saving Dawn, and turns his energies on an even deadlier foe: Batman! On sale January 11  32 pg, FC, $2.50 US JLA: CRISIS OF CONSCIENCE TP Written by Geoff Johns & Allan Heinberg Art by Chris Batista & Mark Farmer Cover by Rags Morales A new volume collecting the amazing sequel to Identity Crisis from JLA #115-119, written by Geoff Johns (Infinite Crisis, JSA, The Flash) and Allan Heinberg (The O.C., Young Avengers) with stunning art by Chris Batista (Legion) and Mark Farmer (Justice League: The Nail)! In the wake of Identity Crisis, the JLA decides the time has come to tell Batman that they stole part of his memory. But, the League is attacked by the Secret Society of Super-Villains - out for vengeance now that their own memories are restored. As the JLA battles, the Martian Manhunter confronts Despero - the alien conqueror and the one behind the villains' memory-restoration. By the time the dust settles, the JLA may have won the battle but lost the war! On sale January 25  128 pg, FC, $12.99 US JSA #81 Written by Geoff Johns Art by Dale Eaglesham & Art Thibert Cover by Alex Ross During the Infinite Crisis, Stargirl's past catches up with her! Now she's at an emotional crossroads that will require the help of the entire JSA! On sale January 4  32 pg, FC, $2.50 US JLA CLASSIFIED: COLD STEEL #2 Written by Christopher Moeller Art and cover by Moeller Concluding the 2-issue painted Prestige Format miniseries! The new, fully augmented JLA is deployed to stem the intergalactic battle raging between two long-feuding worlds. But the heroes find that it's potentially fatal to judge a book by its cover when choosing sides in any war! On sale Jan 11  2 of 2  48 pg, FC, $5.99 US JSA CLASSIFIED #7 Written by Jen Van Meter Art by Patrick Oliffe & Ruy Jose Cover by Joe Bennett & Jose Concluding the 3-part "Honor Among Thieves!" A flurry of betrayals, an overwhelming show of force, and the loss of a teammate threaten all hope the Injustice Society might have of saving their friend and their own skins! On sale Jan 18  32 pg, FC, $2.50 US JLA CLASSIFIED #16 Written by Gail Simone Art by Jos‚ Luis Garcˇa-L˘pez & Klaus Janson Cover by Garcˇa-L˘pez A harrowing new story arc begins when Wizard Top Ten Writer Gail Simone (Birds of Prey), Jos‚ Luis Garcˇa-L˘pez (DC Special: Return of Donna Troy) and Klaus Janson (Batman: Death and the Maidens) team up to send the World's Greatest Super Heroes to an emerging nation torn by revolution! The dictatorial reign of the warlord General Tuzik is brought to a halt when the JLA, acting at the request of the United Nations Security Council, storms the General's stronghold. Unfortunately, Tuzik bends the rules of international law - and escapes the free world's grasp - to initiate his greatest act of terror: creating a Justice League for his own country to help bring the world and its heroes to their knees! Who - or what - is the Hypothetical Woman that enables Tuzik to create his own twisted League Against Justice? On sale January 25  32 pg, FC, $2.99 US JONAH HEX #3 Written by Justin Gray & Jimmy Palmiotti Art by Luke Ross Cover by Phil Noto The saga of Jonah Hex continues in this issue featuring a cover by Phil Noto (Birds of Prey, Danger Girl: Viva Las Danger)! Stumbling across the remains of a wagon train massacre, Jonah Hex finds himself at odds with deadly highwaymen and a corrupt sheriff willing to kill to keep a secret. Hex must join forces with the West's only gun-slinging pacifist, the enigmatic and charming Bat Lash! On sale January 4  32 pg, FC, $2.99 US LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #14 Written by Mark Waid Art by Barry Kitson & Mick Gray Cover by Kitson For months, most of the team believed her existence to be a myth, a rumor, a prank. Now, get ready to meet Atom Girl, a.k.a. "Shrinking Violet," the Legion's newest member and Brainiac 5's secret weapon! But will her presence be enough to buy Invisible Kid some much-needed trust and credibility? On sale January 25  40 pg, FC, $2.99 US MANHUNTER #18 Written by Marc Andreyko Art by Javier Pina & Fernando Blanco Cover by Jesus Saiz An old foe returns to settle the score with Manhunter - and this time Phobia's got love on her side. The doctor is in. On sale January 18  32 pg, FC, $2.50 US OUTSIDERS #32 Written by Judd Winick Art by Matthew Clark & Art Thibert Cover by Daniel Acu¤a An Infinite Crisis tie-in! The DCU's deadliest sibling rivalry reignites between Starfire and Blackfire in deep space - while the rest of the team goes after the villainous Society on Earth! On sale January 4  32 pg, FC, $2.50 US SEVEN SOLDIERS OF VICTORY VOL. 1 TP Written by Grant Morrison Art by J.H. Williams III, Simone Bianchi, Cameron Stewart, Ryan Sook & Mick Gray and Frazer Irving Cover by Bianchi One of the most creative minds in comics, Grant Morrison (All Star Superman, The Invisibles, JLA, Animal Man) delivers his most groundbreaking and ambitious project yet: Seven Soldiers! Comprising seven different 4-issue miniseries and two bookend Specials, this colossal 30-part tale of death, betrayal, failure, joy, loss, romance, triumph and redemption is now collected in a 4-volume series of trade paperbacks! This first volume reprints (in original release order): Seven Soldiers of Victory #0, Seven Soldiers: Shining Knight #1-2, Seven Soldiers: Guardian #1-2, Seven Soldiers: Zatanna #1-2 and Seven Soldiers: Klarion, the Witch Boy #1. Independently, each of these characters are featured in a story arc of their own that redefines their purpose in the DCU. But their stories also interweave with the other Soldiers' tales, forming a grander story of a devastating global threat to mankind - with the ties between them becoming more evident in each new volume. Together these reluctant champions must arise and somehow work together to save the world...without ever meeting one another! On sale January 11  224 pg, FC, $14.99 US SEVEN SOLDIERS: FRANKENSTEIN #2 Written by Grant Morrison Art and cover by Doug Mahnke The Monster's on Mars, following a trail of death and human misery to the demon-haunted Tombs of B'aal B'zaar and the largest seam of gold in the solar system! Carnivorous horses, a new kind of slave trade, the secret origin of Melmoth the Wanderer and the unstoppable menace of Red Zombies await! On sale January 4  2 of 4  32 pg, FC, $2.99 US SEVEN SOLDIERS: MISTER MIRACLE #3 Written by Grant Morrison Art and cover by Billy Dallas Patton & Michael Bair There's a new Super Escape Artist in town! Baron Bedlam is here to steal Mister Miracle's thunder with a death-defying act that must be seen to be believed! What is the secret of the Living Waveform? Who are the Plastic People? Shilo Norman faces the dark night of the soul when he finally confronts Dark Side! With the most shocking conclusion you will see in a comic this year, you must not miss Mister Miracle #3! On sale January 18  3 of 4  32 pg, FC, $2.99 US SGT. ROCK: THE PROPHECY #1 Written by Joe Kubert Art by Kubert Covers by Joe Kubert, Adam Kubert and Andy Kubert Comics legend Joe Kubert returns to DC's legendary unit in the all-new 6-issue miniseries Sgt. Rock: The Prophecy, based on a true story! From North Africa to the Rhine, Sgt. Rock and the combat-happy Joes of Easy Company have faced insurmountable odds thrown at them by the Axis powers and lived to tell the tale. But when they find themselves caught in the No Man's Land of the Balkans searching for a religious prize that could ultimately decide the outcome of WWII, have our heroes finally been given a mission that will stop them in their tracks? It's 1943, and World War II has reached fever pitch. Somewhere deep within a smoldering, war-torn village in Nazi-occupied Lithuania hides a secret treasure that must be found and returned to the U.S. - unharmed - by any means necessary. It's up to the trusted G.I.s of Easy to save the day. But once they discover what the "prize" really is, will they be able to follow through with the mission? More important, will they want to? Join Rock, Ice Cream Soldier, Bulldozer, Little Sure Shot and the rest of Easy this month for this hard-hitting and provocative tale told as only Joe Kubert could deliver it! Retailers: Please check this month's Order Form for more details on the covers. On sale January 18  1 of 6  32 pg, FC, $2.99 US Edited by Will Dennis TEEN TITANS #32 Written by Geoff Johns Art and cover by Tony S. Daniel & Marlo Alquiza An Infinite Crisis tie-in! Superboy-Prime meets Superboy as the Boys of Steel confront one another about their roles in this universe. On sale January 11  32 pg, FC, $2.50 US TEEN TITANS/OUTSIDERS: INSIDERS TP Written by Geoff Johns and Judd Winick Art by Matthew Clark, Carlos D'Anda, Tony Daniel, Art Thibert and Marlo Alquiza Cover by Daniel Acu¤a An amazing new volume collecting Teen Titans #24-26 and Outsiders #24, 25 and 28! When Nightwing and Speedy figure out there's a traitor in their midst, secrets come to the fore, including Superboy's ultimate corruption by his genetic father, Lex Luthor! On sale Jan 18  144 pg, FC, $9.99 US TEEN TITANS: THE FUTURE IS NOW TP Written by Geoff Johns and Mark Waid Art by Mike McKone, Ivan Reis and Tom Grummett Cover by McKone Reoffered to coincide with Teen Titans/Outsiders: Insiders, this volume collects Teen Titans #16-23 and Titans/Legion Special #1! The Titans' weekends are usually a chance to get away from it all. But this time, they're really gone.to the 31st century! On sale Jan 18  224 pg, FC, $9.99 US  RELIST PLASTIC MAN #20 Written by Kyle Baker Art and cover by Baker Gruff, by-the-book writer Kyle Baker is partnered with rule- bending rookie artist Kyle Baker to bring you a new issue of the most talked-about comic of the century! Okay, we know we mentioned Kyle Baker two - three times, but why else would you buy this? Final issue. On sale Jan 25  32 pg, FC, $2.99 US VIGILANTE #5 Written by Bruce Jones Art by Ben Oliver Cover by Michael Golden The exciting miniseries rockets closer to its explosive finale! Vigilante confronts Dr. Powell about information he withheld. Then Powell hypnotizes Vigilante and regresses him to his boyhood...to find out how the Vigilante came to be! On sale Jan 25  5 of 6  32 pg, FC, $2.99 US WONDER WOMAN #225 Written by Greg Rucka Art by Cliff Richards Cover by J.G. Jones Her mission a failure, the life she's known in ruins, and the universe literally being torn apart, Wonder Woman faces an uncertain future. Can she wrest victory from crushing defeat? On sale Jan 25  32 pg, FC, $2.50 US JOHNNY DC TEEN TITANS GO! #27 Written by J. Torres Art by Todd Nauck & Lary Stucker Cover by Sean Galloway It's Valentine's Day, and love is a battlefield in Jump City! When Jinx discovers Starfire playing Cupid for Cyborg and his girlfriend Sarah, it's a romantic comedy - Teen Titans style! On sale January 25  32 pg, FC, $2.25 US THE BATMAN STRIKES! #17 Written by Bill Matheny Art by Christopher Jones & Terry Beatty Cover by Dave McCaig The Riddler's come back to Gotham City with a plan to unmask Batman once and for all! It's a power struggle and a race against time before all of Gotham is shown the true face of the Batman! On sale Jan 11  32 pg, FC, $2.25 US JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED #17 Written by Adam Beechen Art by Carlo Barberi Cover by Barberi The Justice League versus the Freedom Fighters! When the League becomes a threat to public safety, the U.S. government calls in America's real heroes to take them down. On sale Jan 4  32 pg, FC, $2.25 US SCOOBY-DOO #104 Written by John Rozum Art by Joe Staton, Robert Pope and Horacio Ottolini Cover by Staton The Mystery, Inc. gang finds itself face-to-face with a real live Snowman-and he's anything but holly and jolly! Plus, a Ghastly Ghoul haunts the residents of an apartment building and a pirate ship is discovered in the remains of a swamp-along with some nasty pirates! Zoinks! On sale Jan 11  32 pg, FC, $2.25 US HI HI PUFFY AMIYUMI SPECIAL Written by Jennifer Moore, Sean Carolan and Janet Harvey Art by Phil Moy Photo cover Turn two real-life Japanese pop stars into hypercool cartoon characters, and you've got pure rock 'n' roll adventure! The hilarious comics debut of the hit Cartoon Network show features bandmates and best friends Ami and Yumi as they cope with magic guitars, space aliens and their greedy manager Kaz in this fun- packed one-shot! On sale January 18  32 pg, FC, $2.25 US Edited by Joan Hilty CARTOON NETWORK BLOCK PARTY #17 Written by Jesse Leon McCann, Sholly Fisch, John Rozum and Robbie Busch Art by Gary Fields, Robert Pope, Scott Neely, Scott Underwood, Dan Davis and Angus Bungay; Cover by Pope See if you can spot what got Billy in trouble with Grim and Mandy this time! Also, Eddy has had it with scams. Find out what he plans to do now! On sale Jan 25  32 pg, FC, $2.25 US LOONEY TUNES #134 Written by Sholly Fisch, Sam Agro and Bill Matheny Art by Dave Alvarez, Walter Carzon, Omar Aranda, Mike DeCarlo, Alberto Siachann and Ruben Torreiro Cover by Alvarez & DeCarlo It's a race to see who will catch Tweety first-Sylvester or his cold! Plus, all hail Pharaoh Yosemite Sam! On sale Jan 4  32 pg, FC, $2.25 US MAD #462 Written and illustrated by The Usual Gang of Idiots New Year's resolution #1: Buy more MAD! New Year's resolution #2: Get your friends to read MAD! Leave the weight loss for 2007. On sale Jan 4  48 pg FC/B&W, $3.99 US MAD CLASSICS #5 Written and illustrated by The Usual Gang of Idiots A jam-packed new issue of MAD Classics, featuring the Best of the Web, MAD Marginals, Reader's Choice picks, and much more! On sale Jan 11  96 pg, FC/B&W, $4.99 US ELFQUEST: THE DISCOVERY #1 Written by Wendy & Richard Pini Art and cover by Wendy Pini The next thrilling chapter in the ElfQuest saga begins in this all-new bimonthly miniseries by Wendy and Richard Pini! Cutter's son Sunbeam has been hibernating, but his soul self has been exploring the world of Two Moons. He has made contact with an underwater tribe, one that fears all life on the surface. When Sunbeam experiences Recognition with one of the sea denizens, he leads his fellow Wolfriders on the beginning of a new journey, one promising discovery, danger and romance! On sale January 11  1 of 4  40 pg, FC, $3.99 US Edited by Robert Greenberger CMX CIPHER VOL. 2 Written and illustrated by Minako Narita CMX. Anise is the only one who has discovered that the twin brothers Siva and Cipher are sharing one life, taking turns going to school and working as an actor. But they have yet to reveal to her the reason for this bizarre lifestyle. How far will she go to uncover their secret? On sale January 4  5" x 7.375"  192 pg, B&W, $9.99 US TEEN KIKAIDER CODE 02 VOL. 2 Story by Shotaro Ishinomori Art by MEIMU CMX. Japan is plagued by a series of mysterious plane crashes, building explosions, and assassinations - all acts of terrorism committed by D.A.R.K.'s unleashed robots! Meanwhile, Komyoji Mitsuko has returned to her relatively peaceful life, but soon becomes a pawn in D.A.R.K.'s plan to draw Jiro out of hiding! Mitsuko is about to learn the truth about the Gemini circuit that her father built - but will she be able to handle it? On sale January 18  5" x 7.375"  192 pg, B&W, $9.99 US MATURE READERS KAMIKAZE KAITO JEANNE VOL. 2 Written and illustrated by Arina Tanemura CMX. The battle against demon-possessed paintings continues as Kaito Jeanne and Sinbad's competition heats up! As life at school grows complicated for Maron, she must deal with her growing feelings for Chiaki and her guilt over being kissed by Sinbad - not realizing they're one and the same! And Chiaki hides a dark secret that could shatter everything. On sale January 25  5" x 7.375"  176 pg, B&W, $9.99 US  ALL AGES LAND OF THE BLINDFOLDED VOL. 6 Written and illustrated by Sakura Tsukuba CMX. Don't miss out on CMX's top-selling launch title! After a vision is revealed to Namiki that his brother Junya will suffer a serious injury on the basketball court, he is prepared to do anything to prevent the accident. But Junya would rather put himself at risk than allow his brother's precognitive powers to protect him. On sale January 18  5" x 7.375"  208 pg, B&W, $9.99 US ALL AGES TENRYU: THE DRAGON CYCLE VOL. 4 Written and illustrated by Sanami Matoh CMX. The power-hungry Warlord Torao wants every dragon exterminated.except the Black Dragon, which slaughters entire villages and eats its victims' hearts. What is the legendary beast's connection to the Dragon Clan, and what does Torao have to gain from this alliance? Meanwhile, Hiryu continues to master his dragon powers. He builds his confidence in battle, but will he ever confess his love to the Princess? On sale January 25  5" x 7.375"  224 pg, B&W, $9.99 US TEEN WILDSTORM ALBION #6 Plotted by Alan Moore Written by Leah Moore & John Reppion Art by Shane Oakley & George Freeman Cover by Dave Gibbons This is it - the final thrilling chapter of Albion, as only Alan Moore could conceive it! Robot Archie, Penny, Danny, and Charlie release most of the inmates in the armory. But all Hell breaks loose when the prison guards must release their horrible secret weapon: Captain Hurricane! On sale Jan 25  6 of 6  32 pg, FC, $2.99 US THE AUTHORITY: HUMAN ON THE INSIDE SC Written by John Ridley Art and cover by Ben Oliver Reoffered to coincide with The American Way #1, also written by screenwriter John Ridley! The U.S. President sets a plan in motion that could destroy the Authority from the inside.a plan so cunning and unexpected, it'll shake the Authority to its very core! On sale Jan 25  96 pg, FC, $17.99 US  RELIST CAPTAIN ATOM: ARMAGEDDON #4 Written by Will Pfeifer Art by Giuseppe Camuncoli & Sandra Hope Cover by Dale Keown The Wildcats confront Captain Atom in Washington, DC after his dealings with the President.and fists will fly! But this is one fight Atom can ill afford to lose, since he doesn't know what will set off the time bomb that is his own body! And Grifter is hunting for Nikola Hanssen - who may be the new Void. But is Nikola ready to inherit this mantle? On sale January 11  4 of 9  32 pg, FC, $2.99 US DANGER GIRL: BACK IN BLACK #3 Written by Andy Hartnell Art and cover by Nick Bradshaw The Danger Girls better roll up their sleeves and flaunt those tattoos, because they're about to find themselves in the middle of the biker brawl of the century! While Abbey and Sydney fight for control of a mysterious and powerful Native American artifact, rogue super-spy Secret Agent Zero risks everything to keep a deadly secret from the girls. Traveling alongside a sexy new ally known as Ruby, the Danger Girls' full-throttle adventure picks up speed as they join Deuce, Valerie and Johnny Barracuda in Daytona Beach - only to discover that things aren't as sunny as they seem! On sale January 11  3 of 4  32 pg, FC, $2.99 US DESOLATION JONES #5 Written by Warren Ellis Art and cover by J.H. Williams III The amazing bimonthly series by Warren Ellis and J.H. Williams continues! Michael Jones was hired to deal with three men who stole a rich ex-spook's collection of exotic pornography. But that wasn't the whole story. Jones has fallen into history: an unsolved massacre, spooks and scandals and a family held together by hate! On sale January 11  32 pg, FC, $2.99 US  MATURE READERS MAJESTIC #13 Written by Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning Art and cover by Neil Googe Guest-starring Zealot, Spartan and Savant! Majestic and his allies are caught up in an internecine struggle between Kherubim factions fighting for control of the homeworld. Will they able to tell friend from foe now that Helspont and the Daemonites are involved in the battle? On sale Jan 11  32 pg, FC, $2.99 US ROBOTECH: PRELUDE TO THE SHADOW CHRONICLES #5 Written by Tommy Yune, John Waltrip & Jason Waltrip Art and cover by Omar Dogan The epic tale reaches its shocking conclusion as Rick and company battle a horribly mutated General Edwards! Can the heroes succeed against this final, devastating threat? Plus, the final installment of the "behind-the-scenes" look at the making of January's Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles DVD release! On sale Jan 18  5 of 5  32 pg, FC, $3.50 US TEAM ZERO #2 Written by Chuck Dixon Art and cover by Doug Mahnke & Sandra Hope The 6-part tale of heroism and bloodshed during World War II by acclaimed writer Chuck Dixon (Nightwing, Robin) and superstar artists Doug Mahnke (Batman, JLA) & Sandra Hope (Infinite Crisis covers, Danger Girl) continues! Deathblow gathers his team of seven for their deadly mission into Germany. Meet Backlash, Grifter, and the whole unit as they prepare for what could be a suicide mission! It's hardcore World War II action in the vein of Band of Brothers! On sale January 4  2 of 6  32 pg, FC, $2.99 US PLANETARY #24 Written by Warren Ellis Art and cover by John Cassaday For months Elijah Snow has been pulling back from his fellow Planetary agents, following a personal road map to his own mysterious agenda. Now the curtain will begin to be drawn back and the some of the deepest secrets will at last be revealed.like patterns in a snowflake. And if the last pages of this story don't leave you gasping for breath and begging for more, nothing will! On sale January 18  32 pg, FC, $2.99 US WILDCATS: NEMESIS #5 Written by Robbie Morrison Art by Talent Caldwell, Horacio Domingues and Matt Banning Cover by Caldwell & Banning Terrifying hybrid monsters assault the New York headquarters of HALO, pushing our heroes to the brink of doom! And a stark possibility creeps into the minds of the Wildcats: Could they have been wrong about Nemesis? Plus, this deadly femme fatale puts her personal stamp of "wild" on the old West and the small town of Snakeskin, Arizona! On sale January 11  5 of 9  32 pg, FC, $2.99 US WRAITHBORN #5 Written by Marcia Chen Art and cover by Joe Benitez & Joe Weems Secrets are revealed as Melanie continues her quest to understand the Wraithborn and what role she plays with them! Despite all the hidden agendas and challenges she must face, one thing appears certain: She will be in constant danger as long as she wields the Wraithborn power! On sale January 18  5 of 6  32 pg, FC, $2.99 US ABC A-Z: TERRA OBSCURA AND SPLASH BRANNIGAN Written by Peter Hogan Art by Yanick Paquette and Hilary Barta Cover by Terry Dodson & Rachel Dodson Everything you always wanted to know about your favorite alternate-earth super team but were afraid to ask! Peter Hogan and Yanick Paquette present a guided tour of all the ins and outs of Terra Obscura, revealing all manner of information on Tom Strong's buddy Tom Strange and his comrades. Plus, more background info on the ink that stirs the drink, Splash Brannigan! Sit back and enjoy Hilary Barta's delightfully inky interpretation of the liquid sensation! On sale January 25  3 of 6  32 pg, FC, $3.99 US TERRA OBSCURA VOL. 1 TP Written by Alan Moore and Peter Hogan Art and cover by Yanick Paquette & Karl Story Reoffered to coincide with ABC A-Z: Terra Obscura and Splash Brannigan, this volume collects the first miniseries starring the science heroes of Terra Obscura, who are having a difficult time adjusting after 30 years away! On sale Jan 25  160 pg, FC, $14.95 US  RELIST TERRA OBSCURA VOL. 2 TP Written by Alan Moore and Peter Hogan Art and cover by Yanick Paquette & Karl Story Reoffered to coincide with ABC A-Z: Terra Obscura and Splash Brannigan. This volume collects the second smash-hit miniseries! Thirty years have passed for Tom Strong and the heroes of Terra Obscura - do they have what it takes to stop a mysterious object on a collision course for their planet? On sale Jan 25  144 pg, FC, $14.99 US  RELIST VERTIGO THE EXTERMINATORS #1 Written by Simon Oliver Art by Tony Moore Cover by Philip Bond Imagine Six Feet Under with cockroaches and you've got Vertigo's twisted new monthly series The Exterminators, written by breakout debut writer Simon Oliver with spine-tingling visuals by Eisner- nominated artist Tony Moore (The Walking Dead), a smart, scary, darkly comic tale of roaches, rats, raccoons and the men who kill them for a living. The Exterminators centers on a dysfunctional group of bug killers prowling the barrios and bungalows of Los Angeles - the thinnest point on the shaky borderline between civilization and the violent chaos of nature. Henry James, the newest exterminator, sees the job as a means to cleanse the sins of his dark past. He has a hard time getting his view across to his careerist girlfriend, sociopathic partner, and the general bunch of freaks he calls co-workers. But what the "bug brothers" of Bug-Bee-Gone Co. don't understand is that human beings may be the true pests - and bugs could be the real exterminators. Featuring creepy-crawly covers by Philip Bond (Vimanarama), The Exterminators mixes disturbing characters, killer cockroaches and sinister secrets into a unique and unsettling series that branches out from the underbelly of L.A. into the heart of an ancient mystery, a sacred scarab beetle and a weirdly ominous locked box. It's a bug's world. We just live in it. On sale January 4  32 pg, FC, $2.99 US  MATURE READERS 100 BULLETS #68 Written by Brian Azzarello Art by Eduardo Risso Cover by Dave Johnson As more and more members of The Trust continue to be killed off - in even more brutal ways - the remaining members hold an emergency meeting to discuss the future of the secret organization. Can they put their differences aside in order to survive the onslaught of Agent Graves and the Minutemen? On sale Jan 11  32 pg, FC, $2.75 US  MATURE READERS FABLES #45 Written by Bill Willingham Art by Mark Buckingham & Steve Leialoha Cover by James Jean The 4-part "Arabian Nights (and Days)" story concludes. Both the Fabletown and Baghdad Fable communities are still reeling from the actions of the deadly D'jinn. And the Arabian Fable refugees make a fateful decision on their future place in the Mundy world. On sale Jan 11  32 pg, FC, $2.75 US  MATURE READERS DMZ #3 Written by Brian Wood Art by Wood & Riccardo Burchielli Cover by Wood During a surprise attack on Manhattan's Lower East Side, Matty is captured by the government army who plan on taking him out of the DMZ. However, when he inadvertently winds up on the wrong side of a shoot-out, he once again finds himself alone in a warzone, only this time without his trusty "tour guide," Zee. On sale January 11  32 pg, FC, $2.99 US  MATURE READERS HELLBLAZER #216 Written by Denise Mina Art by Leonardo Manco Cover by Greg Lauren "A writer of stunning talent and accomplishment." - Publishers Weekly "Fearless." - GQ "Intense." - The New York Times Now, award-winning novelist Denise Mina (Garnethill, Deception, Field of Blood), one of the hottest rising talents in 21st- century fiction, takes over Vertigo's longest-running title with the 7-part story "Empathy is the Enemy." Mina and ongoing artist Leonardo Manco open one of the most haunting chapters yet in John Constantine's macabre career. Constantine, still brooding over his recent ordeal, meets Chris Cole, an ordinary bloke who made the mistake of messing with a "harmless" bit of magic. He looks to Constantine to pull him out from the nightmare. But when Cole drops the name of an infamous Scottish occultist, Constantine realizes the nightmare is just getting under way - and he's about to plunge in. Wrapped in the unique look of acclaimed painter Greg Lauren's eerie covers, the new era of Hellblazer is sure to become an overnight legend. On sale January 18  32 pg, FC, $2.75 US  MATURE READERS HELLBLAZER: STARING AT THE WALL TP Written by Mike Carey Art by Marcelo Frusin and Doug Alexander Gregory Cover by Tim Bradstreet The looming apocalypse arrives in the third collection of writer Mike Carey's acclaimed run on Hellblazer, reprinting the 2-part "Bred in the Bone" (illustrated by Doug Alexander Gregory) and the 5-part "Staring at the Wall" (illustrated by Marcelo Frusin) from issues #187-193. On sale Jan 4  168 pg, FC, $14.99 US  MATURE READERS NEIL GAIMAN'S NEVERWHERE #6 Written by Mike Carey Art and cover by Glenn Fabry The hit comics adaptation of Neil Gaiman's classic urban fantasy novel reaches a crucial turning point. Door and Richard come face-to-face with the awe-inspiring Angel Islington while the Marquis de Carabas plays a deadly game with the merchants of violence Croup and Vandemar - and the odds are heavily against him. Retailers please note: This series now ships on a bimonthly schedule. On sale Jan 25  6 of 10  32 pg, FC, $2.99 US  MATURE READERS THE LOSERS #32 Written by Andy Diggle Art and cover by Jock Clay. Aisha. Cougar. Pooch. Jensen. Max. It's their final battle as the Eisner-nominated series ends with a bang, bloodshed, and a whole lot of bodies...but how many of them belong to the Losers? Final issue. On sale January 25  32 pg, FC, $2.99 US  MATURE READERS LUCIFER #70 Written by Mike Carey Art by Zander Cannon and Big Time Attic Cover by Michael Wm. Kaluta Featuring guest artist Zander Cannon (Top 10). At a storytelling competition in the lands of the centaurs, Elaine confronts the myths that have arisen from Lucifer's actions - and reunites with a mysterious boy from her past. On sale Jan 18  32 pg, FC, $2.75 US  MATURE READERS LUCIFER VOL. 9: CRUX TP Written by Mike Carey Art by Peter Gross, Ryan Kelly, Marc Hempel and Ronald Wimberly Cover by Michael Wm. Kaluta Forces in Hell and on Earth prepare for a final struggle for supremacy in Crux. Reprinting stories from issues #55-61, this volume ventures through space and time and the places outside both, weaving a sweeping saga out of multiple character threads mortal and immortal alike. On sale Jan 25  168 pg, FC, $14.99 US  MATURE READERS LOVELESS #4 Written by Brian Azzarello Art and cover by Marcelo Frusin Tempers flare as the town of Blackwater gets dangerously close to getting what it deserves at the hands of Wes Cutter and his mysterious companion. After living for years like a powder keg ready to go off, Wes discovers that one man's justice is another man's injustice. On sale January 25  32 pg, FC, $2.99 US  MATURE READERS SWAMP THING #23 Written by Joshua Dysart Art by Enrique Breccia Cover by Eric Powell Part 3 of the 4-part "The Bleeding Raconteur," featuring a stunning cover by Eisner Award-winner Eric Powell (The Goon, Arkham Asylum: Living Hell). It's the most important turning point in Swamp Thing's recent life, as his godlike elemental powers come rushing back. But whether he uses them to heal the wounded swamp or destroy it remains to be seen. On sale January 4  32 pg, FC, $2.99 US  MATURE READERS TESTAMENT #2 Written by Douglas Rushkoff Art and cover by Liam Sharp The explosive new series by best-selling author Douglas Rushkoff (Coercion, Club Zero-G) and acclaimed artist Liam Sharp (The Possessed) continues. The authorities strike down anti-war protesters with a wrath echoing that of the angry God who rained fire on Sodom and Gomorrah. Just as Lot couldn't save his wife from turning into a pillar of salt, Jake is too distracted by his lust for Dinah to rescue his true love, Miriam, from an even more horrifying verdict. On sale January 18  32 pg, FC, $2.99 US  MATURE READERS Y: THE LAST MAN #41 Written by Brian K. Vaughan Art by Goran Sudzuka & Jos‚ Marzan Jr. Cover by Massimo Carnevale At last, the long-awaited origin of Agent 355, loyal protector of the Last Man on Earth! In this special stand-alone issue, the secrets of the mysterious Culper Ring and its most famous female agent are finally revealed. On sale January 4  32 pg, FC, $2.99 US  MATURE READERS DC DIRECT SUPERMAN MINI-STATUE Designed by Jim Lee Sculpted by Tim Bruckner Based on the original statue designed by superstar artist Jim Lee and sculpted by Tim Bruckner! This hand-painted, cold-cast porcelain mini-statue measures approximately 6" high x 4" wide x 6 " deep and is packaged in a 4-color box. Advance-solicited; on sale June 7  Mini-Statue  $49.99 US ARRIVAL IN SMALLVILLE MINI-STATUE Based on the original statue sculpted by William Paquet His homeworld doomed, the infant Kal-El was rocketed to Earth by his parents on Krypton, an event commemorated in the ARRIVAL IN SMALLVILLE mini-statue! This full-color, cold-cast porcelain mini-statue stands approximately 6" high x 7.75" wide x 6" deep and comes packaged in a 4-color box. Advance-solicited; on sale June 14  Mini-Statue  $49.99 US SUPERMAN/BATMAN SERIES 2: THE RETURN OF SUPERGIRL: SUPERGIRL ACTION FIGURE Kara Zor-El was sent from the doomed planet Krypton to Earth. Reunited with her cousin Kal-El, she has begun adapting to her new home, powers and responsibilities. This action figure features multiple points of articulation and a display base. Packaged in a four-color blister. Advance-solicited; on sale June 21  Action Figure  6.75" H  PI SUPERMAN/BATMAN SERIES 2: THE RETURN OF SUPERGIRL: SUPERMAN ACTION FIGURE When Supergirl falls under the control of Darkseid, Superman must rely on a Kryptonite ring to subdue her! This action figure features multiple points of articulation and a display base. Packaged in a four-color blister. Advance-solicited; on sale June 21  Action Figure  7" H  PI SUPERMAN/BATMAN SERIES 2: THE RETURN OF SUPERGIRL: BATMAN ACTION FIGURE Batman accompanies Superman on a mission to Apokolips and battles Darkseid for the life of the new Supergirl. This action figure features multiple points of articulation, character-specific accessories and a display base. Packaged in a four-color blister. Advance-solicited; on sale June 21  Action Figure  7" H  PI SUPERMAN/BATMAN SERIES 2: THE RETURN OF SUPERGIRL: DARKSEID ACTION FIGURE The powerful lord of Apokolips hopes to turn Supergirl into his most powerful agent, he twists her mind and then sends her to battle to kill the Man of Steel. This action figure features multiple points of articulation and a display base. Packaged in a four-color blister. Advance-solicited; on sale June 21  Action Figure  7.5" H  PI SUPERMAN/BATMAN SERIES 2: THE RETURN OF SUPERGIRL: CORRUPTED SUPERGIRL ACTION FIGURE Darkseid warped Kara's mind, convincing her she belonged at his side, the latest addition to his Female Furies! This action figure features multiple points of articulation and a display base. Packaged in a four-color blister. Advance-solicited; on sale June 21  Action Figure  6.75" H  PI SAMURAI JACK AND SCOTSMAN STATUE Sculpted by Gentle Giant Studios Samurai Jack is back! The well-loved, wildly popular, and critically acclaimed Samurai Jack, running for three seasons on Cartoon Network, gave fans some of the best animation seen to date. Jack met his match in The Scotsman in their first encounter in "Episode 11: Jack and The Scotsman." While traveling along a very long and narrow bridge, Jack meets a large Scotsman crossing in the opposite direction.and neither is willing to back up to let the other pass. The resulting battle ends when they are handcuffed together by bounty hunters. Eventually freeing themselves from the shackles, they take down their enemies together! This hand-painted cold-cast porcelain statue measures approximately 7 1 /2 " tall x 8" wide x 6 3/4" deep (10 1/2" tall including sword). It includes a full color Certificate of Authenticity and is packaged in a 4-color box. Limited up to 1,000 pieces. Advance-solicited; on sale June 28  Statue  $125.00 US SHAZAM! DELUXE STATUE Designed by Jerry Ordway Sculpted by Ruben Procopio Fan-favorite artist Jerry Ordway (The Power of Shazam!, Adventures of Superman) designs a classic statue displaying the transformation of young Billy Batson into the World's Mightiest Mortal! The Shazam! Deluxe Statue includes a "light-up" lightning bolt, and at the touch of a button thunder will sound! This deluxe hand-painted, cold-cast porcelain statue includes a certificate of authenticity and measures approximately 16.5" high x 7.5" wide x 7.5 " deep. Packaged in a black gift box with gold foil stamping.. Advance-solicited; on sale June 28  Statue  $295.00 US CHECKLIST January 4: All Star Batman and Robin: The Boy Wonder #4 Aquaman #38 Batman and the Monster Men #3 Blood of the Demon #11 Cipher Vol. 2 Day of Vengence: Infinite Crisis Special Detective Comics #815 The Exterminators #1 Firestorm #21 The Flash #230 Gotham Central #39 Hard Time: Season Two #2 Hellblazer: Staring at the Wall TP Jonah Hex #3 JSA #81 Justice League Unlimited #17 Looney Tunes #134 Mad #462 Outsiders #32 Seven Soldiers: Frankenstein #2 Superman #225 Superman: Sacrifice TP Swamp Thing #23 Team Zero #2 Y: The Last Man #41 January 11: 100 Bullets #68 Absolute Batman: Hush HC Action Comics #835 Batgirl: A Knight Alone TP Batman Chronicles Vol. 1 TP Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #199 Batman: Hush Vol. 1 TP Batman: Hush Vol. 2 TP Batman: Hush Returns TP The Batman Strikes! #17 Captain Atom: Armageddon #4 Danger Girl: Back in Black #3 DC Universe: The Stories of Alan Moore TP Desolation Jones #5 DMZ #3 Elfquest: The Discovery #1 Fables #45 Green Arrow #58 Hawkman #48 Infinite Crisis #4 JLA #124 JLA Classified: Cold Steel #2 Mad Classics #11 Majestic #13 Nightwing #116 Seven Soldiers of Victory Vol. 1 TP Scooby Doo #104 Supergirl #5 Teen Titans #32 Wildcats: Nemesis #5 January 18: Batgirl #72 Batman: Gotham Knights #73 Birds of Prey #90 The Flash: Rogue War TP The Flash: The Secret of Barry Allen TP Green Lantern Corps: Recharge #5 Hellblazer #216 Hi Hi Puffy Amiyumi Special JSA Classified #7 Kikaider Code 02 Vol. 2 Land of the Blindfolded Vol. 6 Lucifer #70 Manhunter #18 Planetary #24 Robin #146 Robotech: Prelude to the Shadow Chronicles #5 Seven Soldiers: Mister Miracle #3 Sgt. Rock: The Prophecy #1 Showcase Presents: Green Arrow Vol. 1 TP Superman Chronicles Vol. 1 TP Teen Titans/Outsiders: Insiders TP Teen Titans: The Future is Now TP Testament #2 Wraithborn #5 January 25: ABC A-Z: Terra Obscura and Splash Brannigan Adventures of Superman #648 Albion #6 The Authority: Human on the Inside SC Batman #649 Batman: Journey into Knight #6 Batman: Year One Deluxe Edition HC Cartoon Network Block Party #17 Catwoman #51 Golden Age Flash Archives Vol. 1 HC Golden Age Flash Archives Vol. 2 HC Green Lantern #8 Green Lantern/Green Arrow Vol. 1 TP JLA Classified #16 JLA: Crisis of Conscience TP Kamikaze Kaito Jeanne Vol. 2 Legion of Superheroes #14 The Losers #32 Loveless #4 Lucifer Vol. 9: Crux TP Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere #6 Plastic Man #20 Showcase Presents: Green Lantern Vol. 1 TP Teen Titans Go! #27 Tenryu: The Dragon Cycle Vol. 4 Terra Obscura Vol 1 TP Terra Obscura Vol 2 TP Vigilante #5 Wonder Woman #225 Year One: Batman/Ra's Al Ghul TP June 7: Superman Mini-Statue June 14: Arrival in Smallville Mini-Statue June 21: Superman/Batman Series 2: The Return of Supergirl: Batman Action Figure Superman/Batman Series 2: The Return of Supergirl: Corrupted Supergirl Action Figure Superman/Batman Series 2: The Return of Supergirl: Darkseid Action Figure Superman/Batman Series 2: The Return of Supergirl: Supergirl Action Figure Superman/Batman Series 2: The Return of Supergirl: Superman Action Figure June 28: Samuarai Jack and Scotsman Statue Shazam Deluxe Statue +++++ Desperado Publishing - January 2006 Solicitations FLAMING CARROT SPECIAL Written by BOB BURDEN Cover by BOB BURDEN Finally: proof that the Flaming Carrot is REAL!!! With comics on the fast track to the movie screen, isn't it time that the movie screen came to comics? Flaming Carrot's great detective-ness gets to the bottom of a mysterious series of events at a comic convention! Everyone's pockets are disappearing! Will Flaming Carrot discover the mystery in time or get side-tracked by the convention sirens? Fun, action and numerous cameos by comic book celebrities! January 5 . 32 pg . FC . $3.50 THE STARDUST KID #4 (of 5) Written by J.M. DeMATTEIS Art & cover by MIKE PLOOG With K.M. and Nathaniel kidnapped by The Woman, Cody and Alana continue their search for the mysterious Stardust Kid: Before they're done, they'll encounter murderous insects, inscrutable plant spirits and a Living Fire that will burn away everything Cody knows - finally revealing the astonishing truth about the Stardust Kid. But will the Kid's magical emergence come too late to save the world Cody knows...and the family he loves? January 5 . 32 pg . FC . $3.50 BEYOND AVALON #3 (RES) Written by JOE PRUETT Art by RICHARD CASE Cover by GORAN SUDZUKA As Megan and Jerome fight off the reptilian guardians of the Tower of the Two Dragons, they discover that they are not the only wanderers on the island of Lamiam who have an interest in the secrets within the Tower. And what clues does Megan find in the pursuit of her lost father, the legendary King Arthur? January 11 . 32 pg . FC . $3.50 COMMON FOE #4 (of 5) Written by KEITH GIFFEN & SHANNON DENTON Art & cover by JEAN-JACQUES DZIALOWSKI War is Hell, but what lies beneath the blood-soaked battlefield of an isolated French village caught between two opposing forces is much worse than either side has ever imaged. Confusion sets in amidst the carnage and both sides are forced into a reluctant partnership to survive the night. January 18 . 32 pg . FC . $3.50 OVERSIGHT: COLLECTED SHORT STORIES 1990-2005 TP Written by PHIL HESTER Art & cover by PHIL HESTER From the creator of THE ATHEIST, THE COFFIN, DEEP SLEEPER and the artist of Green Arrow and Nightwing comes a complete -and long overdue - collection of this amazing talent's short story work from the last decade and a half! See why this hardworking and prolific writer/artist is considered by his peers as one of the top talents in the industry today and why he's Hollywood's new Golden Boy! January 18 . 200 pg . BW . $19.99 THE ATHEIST #4 (RES) Written by PHIL HESTER Art & cover by JOHN McCREA Sharpe and Nguyen face the horrifying reality that our world is being invaded by the restless spirits of the dead. The only thing capable of stopping this ghostly army is a doomsday device so terrible that even the defense department has tried to destroy it. Sharpe does not share their compunctions, but will he be able to use it if it means the death of those closest to him? January 25 . 32 pg . BW . $3.50 +++++ ONI PRESS FOR JANUARY PAST LIES GN By Nunzio DeFilippis, Christina Weir and Christopher Mitten. A suspense thriller! Trevor Schalk was an eccentric millionaire obsessed with reincarnation right up to his murder in 1980. Now Tim Gilbraight is having weird dreams in which he's a bitter, rich man despised by everyone around him. It's up to PI Amy Devlin to determine if Schalk is a past life or a past lie. 168 pages, black and white, $14.95 POLLY & THE PIRATES #4 By Ted Naifeh. Polly's struggle between the prim and proper life she was raised for and the pirate existence that is her destiny continues... But will a peck from the pirate prince tip the scales? 32 pages, black and white, $2.99 LOCAL #3 By Brian Wood and Ryan Kelly After more than 15 years of recording and touring, Richmond, Virginia's favorite indie rock supergroup returns home to call it quits. But after so much time away, re-integrating themselves back into the city that formed and defined them isn't quite the joyous experience they hoped it would be. 32 pages, black and white, $2.99 +++++ MARVEL COMICS FOR JANUARY ULTIMATE TITLES ULTIMATE EXTINCTION #1 Written by WARREN ELLIS Pencils & Cover by BRANDON PETERSON It's time for the coming of Gah Lak Tus! And his arrival could mean the end of all life on this planet! Not even the power of S.H.I.E.L.D or the brilliance of Fantastic Four leader Reed Richards seems able to stop its inexorable march to Earth. What role do the Ultimate X-Men have in this drama? And who on Earth is Misty Knight and how does she know the fate of our world may rest with