________________________________________________________________________ Visit Our Web Page! http://www.cris.com/~Xenozoid/ComicBkNet.html ------------------------------------------------------------------------ / THE \ \C O M I C/ Issue #32 This publication is brought to you \B O O K/ by the active participants of \N E T/ Sunday the international center for \ / October 22nd, comic book discussion, the Comic *E-Mag* 1995 Book Net. !!! - Editor: Ryan Brewster [Xenozoid@cris.com] - CBN Network Administration Team: - Ed Dukeshire - - Mike Imboden - - William Hughes - - Ryan Brewster - - Jacob Greenberg - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Comic Book Net Founding Fathers: Ed Dukeshire and Mike Imboden ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ________________________________________________________________________ T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [1] The Bullpen ........................... Ryan Brewster [2] CSNsider #437.......................... W. Batty & C. Biggers [3] Rich's Revelations .................... Rich Johnston [4] Recent Reads & Random Thoughts ........ William Hughes [5] Comic Comments ........................ John Keady [6] New Comics 10/22/95 ................... Bobb Waller [7] The Late Comics Report 10/20/95 ....... Andrew S. Troth [8] Splash Page ........................... Various [9] CBN Conference Totals ................. Net Admin Team [10] Join in the Fun! [11] BBSes Linked into CBN [12] E-Mag Info ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [1] The Bullpen by Ryan Brewster First of all, a note that if you _haven't_ checked the WWW page recently (that's http://www.cris.com/~Xenozoid/ComicBkNet.html), you may want to visit again. I have added a few graphics and what-not, and the page is starting to look pretty nice. The web page will be in a constant state of construction, so be sure to check back regularly. Additionally, be sure to check out the Late Comics Report this week. Due to its large size, I had to change the feature to a _monthly_ feature rather than an _every week_ feature, to help cut down on the size of the e-mag. However, it's extremely helpful, particularly if you are on a tight budget or are _dying_ for a particular comic or something. Y'know? :) Okay. The big news this week is that CBN Sysop and comics professional Benny Powell has lined up some new gigs! Benny Powell will be writing for: * Cosmic Powers Unlimited #5: A 15-pg backup about Midnight Sun. * That New Marvel Fanzine: A monthly column. A pslychologist from the Spidey books, Dr. Kafka, gives a psycho-analysis and background on whichever villain is going to be "big" that month. * The Ultimate Super-Villain: A prose Abomination story, with chapter art by Angel Medina * The Ultimate X-Men: Prose Archangel/Psyloche love story. Some of these books are coming soon, some won't be out for awhile. We'll keep ya posted! Best, --Ry Editor The Comic Book Net E-Mag Xenozoid@cris.com ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [2] CSNsider #437 by W. Batty and C. Biggers This is the CSNsider from CSN #437, which will be in shops on 11/2/95. It is reproduced in its entirety with the expressed permission of COMIC SHOP NEWS! Kyle Baker's Cowboy Wally Show, a critically acclaimed graphic novel that's been out of print for years, is returning courtesy of Marlowe look for the new edition in early '96 (and yes indeed, Baker is working on a new project -- but no one's saying what it is yet)... Universal Pictures has acquired the motion picture rights to Malibu Comics' Prime for producer Charles Gordon... Looks like Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones will star in Men In Black, the film based on the former Malibu paranormal/X-Filesh-ish comic... Bucking the trend, Warp Graphics has announced that they will not go exclusive with any single distributor, in spite of rumors to the contrary... Keep an eye out for a Mission: Impossible comic book to tie in with the upcoming Tom Cruise film... And speaking of comic books based on films, don't be surprised if you see a Star Gate comic book in the near future, based on the 1994 hit film -- and don't be surprised if it's produced by a newcomer to the licensing game!... Everyone knows that the Marvel Vs. DC miniseries ends in early March, right? But don't be surprised if there aren't some intriguing plot twists that continue after that series is over... HBO's first Little Lulu animated special debuted on October 20th; keep an eye out for reruns -- and keep an eye out for the return of Little Lulu comics in the next few months... A Superboy/Robin miniseries is in the works for early '96... The CSNsider is just a small part of each issue of Comic Shop News. CSN #437 features Bloodshot: Last Stand by Mike Zecc from Acclaim Comics on the cover as well as more news and November Hot Picks. The CSNsider is now available via e-mail! In order to subscribe to CSNsider, send a message to majordomo@redweb.com, with a single line message saying: SUBSCRIBE csnsider Visit our WWW site! http://www.actwin.com/csn We post the new CSNsider there each Monday and it will go out via e-mail each Wednesday or Thursday. The WWW site is still the first place it will appear each week, but we wanted to offer it via e-mail as well. The only way to get Comic Shop News is to visit a shop that carries CSN. The publication costs the shops just a dime each and is generally free to customers. If your shop doesn't carry CSN, nag 'em until they do. After all, isn't your business and satisfaction worth a dime a week? Ward Batty wardo@netdepot.com Cliff Biggers cliffbig@netdepot.com (c)1995 CSN, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Transmitted by . . . úúúúÄÄÄÄÍÍÍÍ*David LeBlanc> ComicBkNet@AOL.COM david.leblanc@mailtrain.com RIME->15 FIDO 1:322/743.1 ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [3] Rich's Revelations, by Rich Johnston Lies, Damn Lies, and Rumors A monthly column looking at the current state of comics. Lies (News taken from news reports, creator interviews and primary sources. Any errors are theirs) Sales on Exit from Caliber have been very good indeed. The word has got round the retailers, and sales have well exceeded the original self published issues. Trade paperbacks of the first 8 issues may soon be released. On that note, Strangehaven from Abiogenesis has also reached new self-publishing sales heights. The author, Gary Spencer Millidge is interested in any Americans who would be able to offer a "garage service", similar to one of Mike Meyer's roles for Twist and Shout Comics, storing comics in the USA to fill any USA orders, so that Gary doesn't have to the ship them back and forth across the Atlantic. He recently filled Cold Cut with 50 copies, that wiped off any profit he could make on the issues. And yes, for one month, Twist and Shout Comics become Britain's biggest self publisher. We didn't mean to, honest guv! Alan Moore will be recording "The Birth Caul: A Shamanism Of Childhood" in Newcastle in November. This new limited CD will be recorded at the Old County Court Building, Westgate Rd, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, not far from Forbidden Planet, 59 Grainger Street, Newcastle, who will be selling tickets. He will be playing with ex-Bauhaus bass guitarist David J and the classical musician Tim Perkins. Copies of the CD will be released by Charrm Records on December the 4th and can be obtained from Charrm Records, 15 Devonshire Place, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne NE2 2NB Dez Skinn (Comics International, Warrior) and Paul Hudson (Comics Showcase) are parachute jumping to raise money for Knockabout's legal expenses. After shipments of Crumb's My Troubles With Women, a book that has passed through customs many times, was seized, Knockabout are up against HM Customs. And someones got to foot the legal bill. Make cheques in sterling payable to Nash and Dowell, Knockabout's solicitors and send to: Knockabout Comics, 10 Acklam Road, London, W10 5QZ, ENGLAND Phone 0 (1144) 181 969 2945, fax 0 (1144) 181 968 7614 (USA/Canada add) Bob Wayne had an interesting idea to raise more money from Dez Skinn's parachute jump, but you'll have to ask him yourself (dcobobw@aol.com) or perhaps he'll post it here himself. I've got a job to keep 8-) (see sig.) And... with the abscence of Warren Ellis from Doctor Strange, can the art team be far behind? Chris Bachalo and Mark Buckingham dissed their work on Ghost Rider and Ghost Rider 2099 on stage at the UKCAC, due to... err... writing deficiencies, and Mark and Kev were heard to mention similar misgivings about their current Marvel project. However, DeMatteis is starting to please them more. Damn Lies (News taken from rumour columns, friends of friends and dealers with stories, hot comics etc. Take with as much a pinch of salt as you like.) Hot comics! Hot comics! Preacher is selling for over 7 quid (er... over ten dollars is that?), Egypt has also hit heights, the new Ellis and Deodato Thor has sold out everywhere, along with Waid's Cap America. Angela, selected Comics' Greatest World are up there too, thanks to movie interest. Just how hot can the Green Lantern/Silver Surfer crossover get? As a prequel to the big crossover next year, dealers have realised their underorders and some are taking orders for the title at many times cover price without any copies in their hands yet. My favourite scene from the UKCAC was when all the long time X-Men fans who had stopped buying the title found out about the latest Excalibur. Fans and creators alike swooped onto any of the "new comics" table is desperation as Kitty Pryde reached that... big moment. Dealers are trying to place reorders on the next issue. Keown leaves Image... but why? Reports are that there were general disagreements with Image which exacerbated when Keown found out that his work was being reprinted in Europe without his permission or contract. Statistics Capital City Figures 1 Uncanny X-Men 326 2 X-Men 46 3 Spawn 36 4 Wolverine 95 5 Generation X 9 6 Gen-13 5 7 Uncanny X-Men '95 8 Wolverine/Gambit 3 9 Spawn: Blood Feud 4 10 X-Man 9 11 X-Force 48 12 X-Factor 116 13 Cable 25 14 Professor Xavier and the X-Men 1 15 Generation X '95 16 Excalibur 91 17 Spider-man/Batman 18 Wizard 48 19 X-Files 8 20 Amazing Scarlet Spider 1 405 21 Dawn 2 22 Spec Scarlet Spider 1 23 Scarlet Spider 1 24 Wetworks 11 25 Web Scarlet Spider 1 26 Avengelyne/Glory 27 Glory/Avengelyne 28 Hulk 435 29 Spider-man: The Parker Years 1 30 Untold Tales of Spider-man 20 31 Green Goblin 2 32 Cyberforce 16 33 Starjammers 2 34 X-Men 2099 26 35 Zealot 2 36 Star Wars: Sith War 2 37 X-Files Comics Digest 1 38 Youngblood 1 39 Sandman 72 40 Star Wars: X-Wing 3 41 FF 405 42 Scarlet Spider Unlimited 1 43 Venom 3 44 Superman: Man of Steel 50 45 Spider-man Lost Years 2 46 Grifter 5 47 Ballistic 3 48 Chaos Quarterly 49 Velocity 1 50 What If 79 51 Superman 106 52 Riptide 1 53 Adventures of Superman 529 54 Avengers 392 55 Maxx 19 56 Action Comics 715 57 Batman 524 58 Glory and Friends Bikini Fest 59 Vengeance of Vampirella 18 60 Glory 6 61 Backlash 12 62 Detective Comics 691 63 Captain America 445 64 Stormwatch 28 65 Legends of the Dark Knight 77 66 Savage Dragon 23 67 Deathblow 20 68 Silver Surfer 110 69 Star Wars: River of Chaos 4 70 Captain Britain 1 (now cancelled) 71 Kurt Busiek's Astro City 2 72 Sovereign Seven 5 73 Azrael 10 74 Fantastic Four Unplugged 3 75 Ghost 3 76 Punisher 1 77 Wonder Woman 103 78 Batman: Shadow of the Bat 44 79 New Warriors 65 80 Cyberforce Origins: Impact 3 81 Thor 492 82 Batman: Man Bat 2 83 Shotgun Mary 1 84 Wildstorm 2 85 Spartan: Warrior Spirit 3 86 Robin 22 87 Green Lantern 68 89 Nightwing 3 90 Wildstar 1 91 Spider-man 2099 Special 92 Chapel 2 93 Underworld Unleashed 1 94 Iron Man 321 95 Ghost Rider 67 96 Bloodpool 2 ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [4] Recent Reads & Random Thoughts, by Bill Hughes Time for Recent Reads & Random Thoughts again already? Man, it feels like I just finished the last one! Some of these books, like NEGATIVE BURN #25 have been out a while and sitting in my to-be-read pile, just so ya know. DESERT PEACH: BEGINNINGS BACCHUS #4 & 5 PRIME #infinity SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #229 NIGHTMAN #infinity RUNE #infinity DAREDEVIL #346 X-MEN ARCHIVES #3 & 4 NIGHTWING #3 OF 4 BLOOD SYNDICATE #32 WILDC.A.T.s #23 DARK HORSE PRESENTS #101 EXIT #1 NEGATIVE BURN #25 SMALL PRESS: Bacchus #4 & 5 By Eddie Campbell $2.95 (b/w) I order my comics in advance, so I tend to get a few issues of a title even after I've decided I'm no longer interested. Well, after three issues of Bacchus, I had decided it just wasn't my cup of tea, and stopped ordering them. I hadn't read issue four yet, and by the time I got around to it, issue five had already found it's way to my house. Now, since I've stopped ordering the book, wouldn't you know I'm starting to really get into it? I think what started the change of opinion is the comical goings-on at the bar that's seceded from England. Bacchus is indisposed at the moment, running thru different paintings in the bar trying to get away from some lunatic intent on killing him. Meanwhile, the patrons at the bar are busy creating his successor. They hire a guy named Neil (Neil Gaiman?) to help with the character, that they've decided to do in a YEAR ONE fashion, and the new Bacchus looks straight outta an Image comic. I really appreciated the satire, and from that point I settled into the book much easier and found myself enjoying both BEER STREET and the reprinted material featuring Joe Theseus and The Eye-Ball Kid. Now, I've got to find the one or two issues I didn't order when I thought I was dropping the book... arrrgh! DESERT PEACH: Beginnings By Donna Barr #12.95 (b/w) The Desert Peach is the gay brother of The Desert Fox. If that doesn't tell you that this is one unusual book, I don't know what will. I mean, a comic whose main antagonist is a homosexual Nazi??? DESERT PEACH: BEGINNINGS is a trade paperback collecting the first three issues of the regular Peach series. This is an amusing book, without making fun of The Peach or homosexuals, and without seeming sympathetic to the Nazi's cause. The Peach is pretty much in the army to be close to his brother, Erwin Rommell, the Desert Fox. He doesn't agree with the politics of his country, he's not a violent man, and he's very loyal to his brother and very protective of his men. While alot of the humour in this book does stem from the main character's sexuality, it is in no way a stereotypical or hurtful depiction of homosexuality. For instance, although the character is effeminate, he easily wipes the floor with a Russian who crosses the line by punching one of his men. This goes against his own moral code (the nazi is a pacifist) and he immediately begins to apologize for kicking the Russians butt, even though he deserved it! I highly recommend this book to all open-minded comic lovers, excluding only the homophobic. The $12.95 is easily worth it just for the scene with the naked, surfing nazi's! INDEPENDENT COMICS: EXIT #1 by Nabiel Kanan $2.95 (b/w) This is a new title published by Caliber Comics, and is the second volume for Kanan. I'm not familiar with any previous works, this is the first issue that I've had a chance to check out. Exit is a compelling story about a young man who thru circumstance and coincidence, finds himself in the position of having too much knowledge about his girl-friend's father. This information leads him into further problems as the comic moves on, from accidentally becoming involved with a breaking and entering, to having the real thief trying to track him down. All the while he tries to think up a way to let his friend know about her father without blowing whatever chances he may have with her. This is a very promising first issue. I could easily see myself becoming attached to this series, if it continues along this path. My only complaint is that the type in the word balloons is on the small side, I had to squint to make them out. Other than that trivial concern, this was a great book. Highly recommended. NEGATIVE BURN #25 This issue has been in my read pile for some time, and I've only gotten to it this week. Had I known what a great issue it would turn out to be, I would have gotten into it the first day. This is one of the best anthology books I've read in a while, better than any of the DHP #100s that came out about the same time. BAKER STREET: THE EMPTY HOUSE by Guy Davis is a female-punk rocker version of Sherlock Holmes. It's got enough elements of Sherlock Holmes to satisfy fans of that type of work, while the punker twist makes it interesting to the finicky comic connoisseur. The first installment begins this issue, and will be continued in the following issues. Bernie Mireault offers a quick-take from THE JAM that's entertaining, about Gordie's attempt at getting a chair left in an alley before anyone else does. Another top notch contribution is David Mack's KABUKI in a story that would make a marvelous introduction to his work for newbies. Teri Wood supplies one of my favorite pieces in this issue, DARKLIGHT. I love her artwork, and these characters look very interesting. I can't wait to see more of them! THE APPARITION by James Pruett is the story about a drug addict who has his last fix. Mildly interesting. ALAN MOORE'S SONGBOOK, with illustrations by Dave Gibbons is also in this issue, (although not really top notch stuff from either one of them IMO) Neil Gaiman fans will probably want to get a look at his SKETCHBOOK, which shows a glimpse at how his mind works... interesting stuff. SUBURBAN NIGHTMARES by Larry Hancock and Michael Cherkas begins this issue, and is the story about a boy who sees mysterious neighbors move across the street at 3AM, but his parent don't believe him. They allude to the fact that they may be aliens. This was only part one, but it looks very promising, I like Cherkas artwork. THE PROTAGONIST VERSUS FRED by Bradley Walton and Mike Hoffman is a pretty funny story about two guys arguing about who's tougher in a bar. Another top notch contribution is Paul Pope's STRIP FOR 6.30.93, I'd love to get the entire piece on one page, poster style. Paul Pope rules. There is also a text piece called THE SAD CASE OF PROFESSOR WOODBURY that I haven't read yet, as well as the usual MR MAMOULIAN by Brian Bolland, and DOMINIQUE by Charles and Lisa Moore. Oh, and a one page strip by Greg DiGenti called CHARLIE SELDOM. This book carries a price tag of $3.95 and it's worth every penny. I don't think I've ever bought an anthology title with this much high quality stuff in one issue. This is the Must-Buy of the Week! Sorry, it's been out for about a month now, but you should still be able to find it if you shop at a decent store. DC COMICS BLOOD SYNDICATE #32 ALL SOULS DAY Chichester/Cowan/Borderick $2.50 (color) Continued from last issue, the Syndicate battle Soul Breaker, who has taken control of Third Rail and plans to do the same with the rest of the Syndicate. I don't care for the character of Soul Breaker, so I'm glad this storyline is over. I did like how the Syndicate didn't try and stop Brickhouse from getting her due with Soul Breaker after all he'd put her and the team thru. I would have questioned anything less coming from a team like this. Anyway, Ivan Velez Jr. returns next issue, along with a new penciller, Jeff Moore. Hopefully, we can look forward to Velez issues for the rest of the limited time that the Syndicate will be with us. :( NIGHTWING #3 of 4 THE TRAITOR'S DEATH O'Neil/Land/Sellers $2.25 (color) Well, only one more issue to go in the Nightwing mini-series, so I guess it's time to say it. As much as I really want a Nightwing series, if this is any indication of what it would be like, I'll pass. This book just isn't exciting enough, and I don't really care for how Grayson is being portrayed. Personally, I don't think he's as careless or as bungling as he's painted in this series. And I think that if a character like Azrael can get such a great monthly book, we should expect no less for a character with the history of Dick Grayson. First thing I'd change, is get a new artist. Greg Land just isn't doing it for me. Secondly, can we get a new plot for Grayson, please? He's been trying to "find" himself and solve the mystery of his parent's murder for years. I think it's time for him to move on to new things. Let's see a little more personal stuff from him. Settle down in a new city, away from Batman and away from the Titans, and be his own man for a change. Get an apartment, a job and a girlfriend. In short, it's time for Nightwing to get a life! The character deserves one. DARK HORSE COMICS: DARK HORSE PRESENTS #101 $2.50 (color) This was a pretty good issue. I picked it up for the Paul Pope installment, called THE ONE TRICK RIP-OFF which is sure to please fans of his work, but the ALIENS: INCUBATION story by Ron Marz and Bernie Wrightson looks promising as well. ICED by Steve Niles and Paul Lee was okay, although it was pretty easy to see where it was going from the beginning. Since it's a short story I'll forgive that though, it would have been worse watching it drag out in a longer form. Paul Lee looks to have a bit of an Eddie Campbell influence in his illustrations. ALIENATOR by Scott Musgrove is one of those bizarre pieces that I lack the words to describe. I could have done without it, myself. Same with A ROSE FOR GREG SELKER by Harvey Pekar and Joe Sacco, proving once again that I just don't care for these guys work. MARVEL COMICS: DAREDEVIL #346 INFERNO part two DeMatteis/Wagner/Reinhold $1.95 (color) I haven't picked up Daredevil in some time. I tried a few issues when the character was revamped a while back and everyone as raving about the book, but didn't see anything that caught my fancy. Apparently DD's new fans were a fickle lot, because we're into another transitional phase already. Matt Murdoch, who has had his fair share of break downs, seems to be headed down that road again. Oh, excuse me, he isn't Matt anymore, he's Jack Batlin. Whatever. Anyway, It seems as though there's another Daredevil running around town in DD's original uniform, the red and yellow one that I'm sure none of the youngsters even remember. And since Matt- er, Jack has switched back to the Red costume, it's easy to see why people are thinking at least three or more DareDevils are in the city. Even though I'm jumping into the second part of a story in a book I haven't read in over a year, I didn't feel overly lost or confused by what was going on in the story, it was written well enough that I could jump right in. And, since I'm intrigued by the appearance of this other DareDevil, I may pick up a few more issues of this title in the coming months. I only hope that Matt isn't going to be the poster-boy for a straight jacket company, I'm tired of seeing my childhood heroes go thru the ringer all the time. NIGHTMAN #infinity THIS IS BLACK SEPTEMBER Englehart/Zachary/Hunt $1.50 (color) I've never really followed the NightMan title, so I'm going in with limited knowledge of the character. Somehow during the whole Marvel/Malibu mess, Nightman has been split in two, each half as real as the other, with exactly the same memories up until they split apart. Since the split however, they've had decidedly different points of view as to what the NightMan should be, and it's apparent that this universe is only big enough for one NightMan. So, one of them winds up in the Marvel Universe. I'm not all that impressed with the character of Nightman, but I may keep an eye on the goings on because I think it's interesting to have one character residing in both universes. I wouldn't go so far as to recommend this book to anyone, but at the price I figure I can pick it up once in a while. PRIME #infinity WHAT'S A HERO ANYWAY? Jones & Strazewski/Statema/Moy & Welch $1.50 (color) Kevin is trapped in the Marvel Universe, where his Prime-power isn't working the way it should. He meets up with Spider-Man and takes on The Lizard- who has been revamped into some half-dinosaur version. When are people going to learn to leave well enough alone with some characters? This ish was decent, nothing to get overly excited about though. At the price, it'll still remain on my pull list for a while. RUNE #infinity DAY FOR NIGHT Kaminski/Hotz/Moore $1.50 (color) Look, I'm going to be blunt. This book sucks. It was cool when Barry Windsor-Smith created the character, and it had potential, although it never lived up to it even under BWS. But now, this book is only good as something to get a fire going with on the cold winter nights that we'll be seeing shortly. I'll save this issue for December. Oh, and for those of you keeping score at home, another Marvel character is now residing in the Ultraverse, Adam Warlock. And boy, does he look like crap! Since when has Warlock had this penchant for skulls? I'll sleep well at night knowing I'm not missing anything with this title... SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #2 THE GREATEST RESPONSIBILITY part 3 of 3: NO MORE HERO DeFalco/Buscema & Sienkiewicz/Robins $2.50 (color) I'm sure I'm not spoiling anything when I reveal that the clone is turning in his union suit to the "real" Parker, now going by the name of Ben Reilly. Pete's reasoning for giving up the suit are sound, and for once he's rationalizing like the character we've known for years. Responsibility has always been important to him, what bigger responsibility can their be than taking care of your wife and newborn? Even though this whole clone storyline has been dragged out way too long, and I have a list of complaints about a mile long about how it was handled, I respect the fact that the powers that be had the balls to do a storyline like this. Every issue I read I'm waiting for the old DALLAS episode, y'know, the shower scene, where everyone finds out that the entire previous season was just a dream? And, while I'm sure somewhere down the pike it'll be revealed that MJ's husband is the real Peter Parker, it looks like DeFalco and company are settling in for a long time before that day comes. X-MEN ARCHIVES: CAPTAIN B Alan Moore/Alan Davis $2.95 (color) I've forgotten to hype this book since the first issue, mainly since I somehow missed the second, and issues three and four have been sitting in my to-be-read pile for some time. Anyway, this series, although a bit pricey, is great stuff, especially for fans of the early Excalibur. It reprints the British comic series that Captain Britain was a regular in, called DAREDEVILS. Not only is it a fun comic, but it also has first appearances of characters like Betsy Braddock, the Captain's sister who is better known as the X-Men's Psylocke. Also, fans of Alan Moore and Alan Davis should get a kick out of this early work by two very talented creators. IMAGE COMICS: WILDC.A.T.S #23 Moore/Benjamin/Thibert/Johnson/Austin $2.50 (color) I had never read WildC.A.T.s until Chris Claremont did a few issues, and I wasn't terribly impressed. I tried a couple Robinson issues with the same result. Now it's time to give the talented Alan Moore a shot at these characters. First of all, I think that the characters in this book already have too much history for new readers to easily jump into the series. You need a whole history course in who's who and their relationships to follow what's going on. I'm still unclear on who the WildC.A.T.s are, and I've read a few issues. Now apparently a new team is in place on Earth while the originals have returned to their native planet. All this just makes it more confusing to me. Now, I would normally take the time to learn the history for characters, if I found them interesting enough to warrant the research. But, none of these characters interest me enough to track down back issues to find out about them. In the past I've decided that perhaps I've jumped on at bad periods, and that's why I didn't care for them, but the bottom line is, I've tried the book on three occasions with three different writers with the same result. I just don't care for this book. Oh, and what's up with that cover? I'm sure I've seen it before, only with Wolverine or Storm, turning in a Brood? Anyone else remember the cover I'm talking about? Bill! ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [5] Keady's Comic Comments, by John Keady Detective Comics #691 An UNDERWORLD UNLEASHED tiein. Not too often does an issue suprise me like this one did with what happened to the Spellbinder. I thought this issue to be one of the better UU titles I've read and recommend it heartily. The art work was good and the story itself was what made this one good! B Fate #13 Funny how this title has survived along with Starman as the only books to make it after Zero Hour. While this story had a better feel to it than the #0 issue I read so long ago, I still can't seem to get into it. Alan Scott's appearance was refreshing as he's the only former GL I don't really know that much about but all in all this book was a snoozer! C Impulse #8 I don't normally pick this one up but I've heard alot of good things about the book and it being an Underworld tiein gave me the opprotunity to check it out again! :) It did not dissapoint! Of all the charged up baddies, Blockbuster is one of the more interesting ones in my book! It also made me consider picking this book up more often! B JLA #105 THe one complaint that I have with this title is the excess of story in the time you have to tell it! I prefer a more focused storyline but we have at least 2 seperate stories trying to vie for the 23 or so pages and it seems a bit crammed! I'm not saying the story is bad but it could be better if focused on properly! C+ Legionnaires #31 The final part of Future Tense was one of the better books I've read in a while as is the whole story arc. The humor in this title had me chuckling the entire book and makes me hope that we have another cross between the 30th century and the kid of Steel! A New Gods #2 Orion Vs Darseid and one of em doesn't make it! :) a pretty good issue though I it's not one of those that generate much thought or conversation for something that should do so..... B- Power of Shazam #9 OK! I'm the first to admit that I am not a Shazam fan. However this story has made me a little less antigonistic toward the characters as you can't help but care for Billy & co. While the sugar level in this book could keep me up all night, I recommend this title for it's excellent storyline. B Shadow of the Bat #44 While I like this title normally, I am not a fan of Barry Kitson. I have the feeling that this story has a lead in to the upcoming Detective #700 so I'd get it only for the story value. C- The Ray #18 Once again this is one of those books that you need to read much of the series to understand what's going on! I have been trying to catch up here and the more I read, the more I begin to like this title! The only thing that bugs me is the fact that Ray is about the most dense individual I have ever seen! :) C+ UU: Apokolips Drk. Up. This one shot was pretty forgetable in my book. I am just now getting used to all the characters involved with New Gods and frankly I'll need to read some more before I even begin to care about anyone in this book. Yeah they're all baddies but even bad guys should be interesting! C ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [6] New Comics Shipping 10/22/95, by Bobb Waller Faboo, we finally have new B5 episodes, and the wicked Witch of the Wests side of the story finally gets told! I'm in puppy heaven! Onto the list: ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Acclaim Comics: Bloodshot #44 Eternal Warrior #49 Fallen Empires: Magic the Gathering Solar, Man of the Atom #58 Turok, Dinosaur Hunter #39 Archie Comics: Archie #443 Betty & Veronica Double Digest #55 Jetsons #5 Jughead with Archie Digest #126 Bongo Comics: Simpsons Comics #13 Bongo\\Zongo and Trade Titles: Bartman: Best of the Best TP Century Publishing: Combo #11 Chaos! Comics: Evil Ernie: Straight to Hell #1 Claypool Comics: Deadbeats #14 Elvira #30 Comic Shop News: Comic Shop News #436 Cosmic Comics: Death Race 2020 #7 Rock N Roll High School #1 Dark Horse Comics: Doc Savage: Curse of the Fire God #2 Legend of Mother Sarah #7 DC Comics: Adventures of Superman #530 Batman & Robin Adventures #2 Batman: The Ultimate Evil #1 Detective Comics #692 Doomsday Annual #1 Egypt #5 Goddess #7 Horrorist #1 Impulse #9 Judge Dredd:LOTL #13 (Final issue) Justice League:Task Force #30 Lobo Annual #3 Nightwing #4 Preacher #9 Showcase 95 #12 Star Trek #78 Star Trek Revisitations TP Star Trek Special #3 Star Trek:TNG Annual #6 Star Trek:TNG Ill Wind #2 Static #30 Steel #22 Superman:The Man/Steel Gallery #1 Tank Girl: Apocalypse #2 Underworld Unleashed: Patterns of Fear #1 Vertigo Voices: The Eaters #1 Dimensions Publishing: Missions in Tibet #4 Four Cats Funny Books: Supersonic Soul Puddin Comics & Stories Gemstone Publishing-Overstreet: Overstreets Fan #6 Green Man Press: Book of Ballads & Sagas #1 Hamilton Comics: Donald Duck #294 Hypno Magazine: Hypno Magazine Vol. 4 #8 Image Comics: Ballistic #3 Blood Pool #2 Crypt #2 Cyberforce Orgins #3-Impact Gen 13 #5 Glory & Friends Bikini Fest #1 Grifter #5 Newmen #18 Riptide #1 Savage Dragon #23 Super Patriot: Liberty & Justice #4 Vogue #1 Wetworks #11 Wildstorms Chanber of Horrors Witchblade #1 Zealot #2 Kitchen Sink Press: From Hell Vol. 4 Malibu/Marvel Comics: Curse of Rune #1-Covers A & B Metaphysique #5 The Night Man #1 Ultraforce #1 2099 Megahits X-Men 2099 #27 Fantastic Four #407 Thor #493 Over The Edge #2 Lunatik #1 Punisher #2 Typhoid #2 Amazing Fantasy #16 Green Goblin #3 Spectacular Scarlet Spider #2 Wolverine #96 X-Force #49 Disney Comic hits #3 Earthworm Jim #1 Maximum Comic Press: Law & Order #2 Mind Walker: Spirits #3 Pocket Change Comics: Assassinette #7 Assassinette Hardcore #2 Shadow Slasher #6 Sirius Entertainment: Dawn #2 Tekno Comix: Lady Justice #6 Topps Comics: Jason Vs. Leatherface #1 Mars Attacks #3 Star Wars Galaxy Magazine #5 X-Files #10 Viz Communications: Animerica Vol 3 #10 Battle Angel Alita Part V #4 Ogre Slayer Video Return of Lum Part 2 #3 Viz-In Magazine Vol. 7 #11 Warrior Publications: Cards Illustrated #24 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Next week is going to be a pain for those of us in the comic biz! Hell, not even Mcdonalds have served this many! See ya on the spinners! ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [7] The Late Comics Report 10/20/95, by Andrew S. Troth This is the Late Comics Report for the week of October 20, 1995. The three latest items on the list are enclosed in asterisks (*): three for the latest, two for the runner-up, one for third place. Ties apply the same rank to all tied items. New additions to the list are enclosed in these: < >. See below for items that have been removed since last week's list, other cancellations, and the top three late publishers. These comics are LATE: Acclaim Comics: Magnus Robot Fighter #62 (Sep) Samuree #3 (Aug) Turok, Dinosaur Hunter/Shaman's Tears #1 (Apr) Turok, Dinosaur Hunter/Shaman's Tears #2 (May) Turok, Dinosaur Hunter/Shaman's Tears #3 (Jun) Antarctic Press: Hitomi: Geohammer #10 (Sep) Ninja High School #48 (Sep) Shotgun Mary #1 (Sep) Tigers of Terra #14 (Aug) Tigers of Terra #15 (Sep) Archie Comics: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures #71 (Sep) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures #72 (Sep) Aria Press: A Distant Soil #12 (Sep) Caliber Press: Inferno #2 (Sep) Negative Burn #27 (Sep) Oz Special: Lion #1 (Sep) Oz Special: Scarecrow #1 (Sep) Raven Chronicles #3 (Sep) Renfield GN (Sep) Comico: Elementals #1 (Aug) Elementals #2 (Sep) Elementals: Ghost of a Chance GN (Jul) Oblivion #2 (Aug) Oblivion #3 (Sep) Strike Force America #1 (Sep) Dancing Elephant Press: Kane #10 (Jul) Dark Horse Comics: Harlan Ellison's Dream Corridor #6 (Sep 5) Star Wars: River of Chaos #4 (Sep 5) Star Wars: X-Wing - Rogue Squadron #4 (Oct 10) DC Comics: Goddess #7 (Oct 10) Millennium Fever #3 (Oct 3) Star Trek #78 (Oct 3) Star Trek Annual #6 (Oct 10) Tank Girl: Apocalypse #2 (Oct 10) Vertigo Voices: The Eaters #1 (Sep 26) Double Diamond Press: Hepcats #13 (Aug; mistakenly removed last week) Dramenon Studios: Dream Wolves #8 (Sep) Raw City #2 (Sep) Fantagraphics Books: Big Mouth #5 (Jun) Crap #8 (Jul) Erotic Art of Reed Waller Expanded Edition (Aug) **Human Diastrophism UK Edition (Jan)** Little Nemo Volume 2 SC (Apr) Little Orphan Annie 1935 (Jul) Omaha Vol. I #5 (Aug) Palestine #9 (Sep) Prince Valiant Vol. 25 (Sep) Wit and Wisdom of Mr. Natural TPB (Jun) Zippy Quarterly #11 (Aug) Genesis West Publications: Last of the Viking Heroes: Nidhogger Lives HC (Jun) Gladstone/Disney: Carl Barks Library of Donald Duck Adventures #21 (Sep) Horse Press: Buzz Buzz Comics Magazine #1 (Jun) Image Comics (by studio): Extreme/Shadowline Studios: Badrock! #3 (May) Berzerkers #2 (Sep) Blood Pool #2 (Sep) Bloodstrike: Assassin #4 (Sep) Crypt #2 (Sep) Glory #0 (Aug) Glory #6 (Sep) Glory & Friends Bikini Fest #1 (Sep) Glory/Avengelyne (Sep) Knightmare #6 (Jul) Newmen #18 (Sep) Riptide #1 (Sep) Supreme #0 (Aug) Supreme #31 (Sep) Team Youngblood #21 (Aug) Youngblood Vol. 2 #1 (Sep) Highbrow Studios: Deadly Duo II #4 (Sep) Savage Dragon #23 (Sep) SuperPatriot: Liberty & Justice #4 (Sep) Insight Studios: Shaman's Tears #12 (Sep) Top Cow Studios: Ballistic #3 (Sep) CyberForce Origins #3 (Sep) WildStorm Studios: Gen13 #5 (Sep) Grifter #5 (Sep) Wetworks #11 (Sep) Zealot #2 (Sep) Malibu Comics: ***Edge #4 (Nov '94)*** Metaphysique #5 (Sep) Mortal Kombat Kollection TPB (Jul) Marvel Comics: Amazing Fantasy #16 (Oct 3) Amazing Scarlet Spider #2 (Oct 10) Avengers #392 (Sep 26) Barbie #60 (Oct 10) Bizarre #1 (Aug 1) Bizarre #2 (Sep 5) Cosmic Powers Unlimited #3 (Sep 12) Doctor Who #230 (Sep 5) Doctor Who #231 (Oct 3) **Doctor Who Poster Magazine #2 (Jan 31)** *Doctor Who Poster Magazine #3 (Mar 28)* Doctor Who Poster Magazine #4 (May 30) Doctor Who Poster Magazine #5 (Jul) Doctor Who Poster Magazine #6 (Sep 26) Gargoyles #10 (Sep 26) Hammer Horror #8 (Sep 5) Hammer Horror #9 (Oct 3) Lunatik #1 (Oct 10) Playback #1 (Jul 4) Playback #2 (Jul 25) Saban's Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #2 (Oct 3) Saban's Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Ninja Troopers/VR Troopers #1 (Oct 3) Spider-Man Adventures TPB (Sep 5) Spider-Man Magazine Fall Edition (Sep 12) Spider-Man: The Final Adventure #1 (Oct 10) Thor #493 (Oct 10) Untold Tales of Spider-Man #4 (Oct 10) Venom: Sinner Takes All #4 (Sep 26) Wolverine: Triumphs & Tragedies TPB (Oct 3) Maximum Comics Press: Law & Order #2 (Sep) Warchild #0 (Jul) New England Comics Press: Tick Karma Tornado TPB (Sep) Pen & Ink Comics: Wandering Star #10 (Sep) Sirius Entertainment: Dawn #2 (Sep) Slave Labor Graphics: Hairbat Vol. 2 #2 (Sep) Spiderbaby Grafix: Stephen R. Bissette's Tyrant #4 (Apr) Stephen R. Bissette's Tyrant #5 (Jun) Topps Comics: Jason vs. Leatherface #1 (Oct 3) Mars Attacks #3 (Oct 3) X-Files #10 (Oct 3) WaRP Graphics: Elfquest: Shards #11 (Sep; came out Oct 17) Watermark: Billi 99 TPB (Aug) Finnegan's Brink #1 (Sep) Solstice #3 (Jul) ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [8] Splash Page! /------------------ The Comic Book Board -------------------\ |------------------ Bulletin Board System -------------------| |------------------ 28,800 Baud 24 hours -------------------| |---------------------------------------------------------------| |------------------ Buy, Sell and trade -------------------| |------------------ Non-sports cards -------------------| |------------------ and other Collectibles -------------------| |------------------ See what your missing -------------------| |------------------ 1000+ Anime & Comic Gifs -------------------| |------------------ Large comic Message Base -------------------| |------------------ Comic Book Net 23:406/0 -------------------| |---------------------------------------------------------------| |------------------ Retailers Conference's -------------------| |------------------Buy & Sell W'Sale & Retail-------------------| |---------------------------------------------------------------| |------------------ The Comic Book Board -------------------| |-----------| Modem: 215-365-5225 |-----------| \---------------------------------------------------------------/ ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [9] CBN Conference Totals >> CBN Conference Traffic week of 10/14/95 - 10/20/95 Conference Tot Conference Tot ---------------------------- --- ---------------------------- --- CBN: Movies/TV 71 CBN: Gold/Silver Age 20 CBN: Bullpen 64 CBN: Back Issue Bin 19 CBN: Writers/Artists 63 CBN: Splash Page 16 CBN: Marvel Comics 56 CBN: Toys/Collectibles 12 CBN: Small Press 49 CBN: Video Games 12 CBN: Editors Office 47 CBN: Cards 10 CBN: Image Comics 46 CBN: Animation 6 CBN: Dark Horse Comics 39 CBN: Fanboy 4 CBN: Comic Issues 33 CBN: SciFi 4 CBN: DC Comics 32 CBN: Fan Fiction 3 CBN: Independents 26 CBN: Role Playing 3 CBN: Electronic Mag 24 CBN: Manga - >> Total Combined: 659 ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [10] Join in the fun! You too can enjoy the intelligent conversations and informative threads that occupy the conferences of the Comic Book Net every day! However, many people who read this e-mag aren't familiar with the Local BBS echo-mail system.... Bulletin Board Systems are scattered everywhere across the USofA, and many of them are free! Chances are, if you have a modem you have the accompanying communications software. Using the Terminal Emulation software that came with your modem, you can dial up one of the many systems linked into CBN (see the listings down a few paragraphs). Most of the boards offer all the message echoes in the Comic Book Network... there are message bases devoted to all the bigger comics publishers, as well as big Small Press and Independent message bases, not to mention sections for general (doesn't even have to be about comics!) conversation. If you are worried about long distance charges, worry no longer! Most if not all the BBS's offer a mail service from which you can download a .QWK packet of recent e-mail to read offline with a program called an offline mail reader. You can read & write messages at your leisure, and then upload your own messages & replies the next time you call your local BBS. There are many .QWK packet readers out there, for every type of computer system. They all give you a better explaination in their documentation than I can. These programs are available all over the Internet and are downloadable from most BBS's. These "mail runs" (dialing up, downloading the mail packet and uploading replies) generally take less than 5 minutes to accomplish, and at the average after-5pm/weekends/holidays long distance phone rates, that is LESS THAN 75›! See? Even less expensive than many of the commercial information services available! :) So what else can you find on free BBS systems? Theres plenty of files for specific types of computers. Some systems also offer other types of message networks ranging from general topics to specific themes like sci-fi, role playing, games, music, etc. And, let's not forget online games. Join into the many different multiplayer games, each system sports different challenges. There's nothing like becoming the most powerful being in a online adventure! And when you _do_ log on, leave a message in The Bullpen conference to ALL, and introduce yourself to us! You're guaranteed to get plenty of replies and all the help you need to join in the fun! Best, --Ry, the editor, with assists from Ed Dukeshire. ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [11] BBSes Linked into CBN +----------------------------+ | The ComicBook Network !! | A message network devoted to Comic +----------------------------+ Fans, Collectors, and Professionals! ---- ---------- ------------- - Over 20 message echoes for your reading enjoyment! - Marvel Comics - DC Comics - Image Comics - Independents - Dark Horse Comics - Small Press - Comic Issues - Fanfic - E-Mag - Writers/Artists - Toys and Collectables - Cards - Back Issue Bin - Video Games - Bullpen - Fanboy - Animation - TV/Movies - Role Playing - Splash Page - SciFi - News, info, reviews, and general conversation with other comic book fans and professionals. - Log onto the systems, check it out and participate. We'd love to have you aboard! - Here's a quick rundown of free access BBSes already linked in! Most offer a QWK/Bluewave door to pack mail and read offline. * = New systems linked in. City St BBS Number City St BBS Number ------------- -- ------------ ------------- -- ------------ Russelville AR 501-968-3910 Hector AR 501-284-5503 Lakeside CA 619-561-2961 Victorville CA 619-955-6445 Destin FL 904-654-9385 Ft. Walton FL 904-244-7434 Jacksonville FL 904-363-6347 Melbourne FL 407-253-0782 Melbourne FL 407-253-8754 Tavares FL 904-343-7272 Palatine IL 708-776-2395 Indianapolis IN 317-856-9020 La Porte IN 219-325-3655 Acushnet MA 508-995-0085 Agawam MA 413-789-6533 Haverhill MA 508-372-2258 * Haverhill MA 508-521-6941 New Bedford MA 508-984-1212 New Bedford MA 508-984-5321 * North Andover MA 508-686-8010 Rochester MA 508-763-5579 Shrewsbury MA 508-753-3767 S. Dartmouth MA 508-979-8930 Worcester MA 508-791-1281 Bishopville MD 410-352-5754 Frederick MD 301-831-8057 Frederick MD 301-698-5194 Gaithersburg MD 301-601-9731 * Kettering MD 301-390-5243 Mount Rainier MD 301-779-9381 Walkersville MD 301-898-4088 * Silver Spring MD 301-431-0647 Dearborn Hgts MI 313-565-8464 Durham NC 919-286-4542 Durham NC 919-286-7738 Raliegh NC 919-833-3412 Raliegh NC 919-790-3599 * Atkinson NH 603-362-4125 * Exeter NH 603-778-4662 * Hampstead NH 603-329-5643 * Kingston NH 603-642-5949 * Newton NH 603-382-0567 * Raymond NH 603-895-2393 * Rye Beach NH 603-964-4760 * South Hampton NH 603-394-7534 * Fair Lawn NJ 201-796-7202 Hillsdale NJ 201-722-1495 * Little Ferry NJ 201-440-5499 Park Ridge NJ 201-307-9225 Saddle Brook NJ 201-368-1866 Astoria NY 718-204-0159 Poughkeepsie NY 914-485-5463 * Rochester NY 716-647-6960 Saugerties NY 914-247-9601 Spring Valley NY 914-426-3029 West Islip NY 516-422-4225 Collinsville OK 918-371-0980 Oklahoma City OK 405-672-0615 Oklahoma City OK 405-728-7960 Eddystone PA 610-872-2830 * Philadelphia PA 215-365-5225 * Philadelphia PA 215-342-5384 * Philadelphia PA 215-487-7315 Union City TN 901-885-9647 Dallas TX 214-680-2755 Garland TX 214-494-3702 Grand Prairie TX 214-641-1136 Houston TX 713-568-0825 Irving TX 214-790-6472 Killeen TX 817-699-2254 Missouri City TX 713-835-0965 Odessa TX 915-530-2712 Waxahachie TX 214-938-7115 Arlington VA 703-415-0134 Longview WA 206-577-7358 Gananoque ONT 613-382-1788 * London ONT 519-850-9929 * St. Mary ONT 519-284-0223 Tecumseh ONT 519-979-4251 Mexico City MEX 52-5-264-2994 - If you have access to internet mail, you can receive a complete listing of bbs systems linked in. Address your message to ComicBkNet@AOL.COM - Weekly "Comic Book Electronic Magazine" available on all above systems. Also available on AOL - GOTO: SCIENCE FICTION and select Science Fiction Libraries from the main menu. The files are in: ANIME, COMICS, OTHER. If you don't have an account on AOL, check the CompuServe and GEnie libraries, they're uploaded there as well. - Sysops: FREQ the latest information packet using the Magic Filename COMICS from these Fidonet systems; 1:19/37 in AR, 1:324/134 in MA, 1:109/748 in MD, 1:2201/66 in MI ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [12] E-Mag Info The Comic Book Net E-Mag is published weekly by the many participants of The Comic Book Network. This is a compilation of articles and columns which were originally posted in the network's conferences or written specifically for this electronic magazine. All text contained within are copyrighted to the originating author(s). Freely distributable for noncommerical purposes only. THE CBN WEB PAGE ---------------- If you have access to the World Wide Web, please stop by and visit our web page! On our web page, you can find the latest issue of our E-Mag, as well as an annotated index of back issues. You'll also find important information on how to join the conversation in the Comic Book Net, an archive of Comic Book Net fanfic, and other neat features! The URL address is: http://www.cris.com/~Xenozoid/ComicBkNet.html LOCATING THE ISSUES ------------------- The latest issue is always available from all the systems linked into The Comic Book Network. Issues may be obtained through several online pay services as well (ie; AOL, CompuServe, GEnie). All back issues should be available at the above sites, as well as our World Wide Web page. SUBMISSIONS ----------- To submit an article, review, column, etc to our e-mag, simply post it in any Comic Book Net conference and leave me a message in the CBN: E-Mag conference giving me permission to use the article. If you cannot access the Comic Book Net, submit your news articles (no reviews accepted at this time...) to the editor: Xenozoid@cris.com. SUBSCRIPTIONS ------------- If you wish to receive these issues automatically through your internet account, please address a message to Xenozoid@cris.com to be placed on the subscription list. ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ - End of Issue #32.. see ya next week!