/\/\/\/\/\/\ HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!! /\/\/\/\/\/\ ________________________________________________________________________ Visit Our Web Page! http://www.cris.com/~Xenozoid/ComicBkNet.html ------------------------------------------------------------------------ / THE \ \C O M I C/ Issue #36 This publication is brought to you \B O O K/ by the active participants of \N E T/ Thursday the international center for \ / November 23rd, 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 #441.......................... W. Batty & C. Biggers [3] ComICunications Weekly Re-Cap ......... Ryan Brewster [4] Recent Reads & Random Thoughts ........ William Hughes [5] New Comics 11/20/95 ................... Bobb Waller [6] Splash Page ........................... Various [7] CBN Conference Totals ................. Net Admin Team [8] Join in the Fun! [9] BBSes Linked into CBN [10] E-Mag Info ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [1] The Bullpen by Ryan Brewster Wow. Sorry this issue is so late, but things have been _incredibly_ busy lately. The good news is that you only have to wait 4 days till the next issue! :) Among other things, there has been a LOT of activity in CBN this week. The DC/Marvel discussion is getting intense, and the rumor mill is churning out more and more interesing rumors. Some bad news, though; Ed Dukeshire, Net Administration Team member and former editor of this E-Mag, has closed down his ArKHaM AsYLuM BBS. He will still be around in CBN, but his great bulletin board will no longer be around. It will be sorely missed. In the GOOD news department, however, we have Mike Imboden making some drastic changes to his Daily Planet BBS! First off, it will no longer be known as the Daily Planet... it is now the CBN SuperHUB! The CBN SuperHUB will become the central BBS for the Comic Book Net, feeding a vast number of nodes and hubs. While the change won't make much of a difference to those who post to CBN through _other_ BBS's, the overall flow of e-mail should run smoother as a result. And that's all the news that's fit to print.... so you can skip the rest! >;) Best, --Ry Editor The Comic Book Net E-Mag Xenozoid@cris.com ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [2] CSNsider #441 by W. Batty and C. Biggers This is the CSNsider from CSN #441, which will be in shops on 11/30/95. It is reproduced in its entirety with the expressed permission of COMIC SHOP NEWS! Think Captain Kirk is gone forever? Think again: he returns next spring in a hardcover sequel to Star Trek: Generations -- and the mastermind behind Kirk's resurrection is William Shatner, the actor famous for playing that role on television and in movies. There'll also be an audio version read by Shatner... Alas, the WildStorm Christmas Special slated for December release has been removed from the schedule; but let's hope for next year!... Frank Miller has a new Sin City project, The Yellow Bastard, slated for February '96 release... Mark Waid has been tapped to take over the writing honors for The Avengers after the current storylines wrap up... Ron Marz is working on a Silver Surfer one-shot for '96 release... A nationally syndicated story from the New York Times erroneously said that Marvel Versus DC #1 was shipping on November 8th, creating confusion at comic shops across the country; actually, that was the date that the preview book was released. Nevertheless, the appearance of the story across the nation -- along with color art in many newspapers; seems to have spurred non-fan interest in the crossover event... Fox is working on plans for an X-Files movie... Recipients of 1995 Xeric Foundation Awards (the Xeric Foundation was founded by TMNT creator Peter Laird to offer financial assistance to self-published comic creators) include Art Baxter (SPUD), David Kelly (Steven's Comics), Clay Butler (Sidewalk Bubblegum), David Yurkovich (Death By Chocolate), Jessica Abel (Artbabe), and Matthew Smith (alec dear)... Lightning Comics' Hellina and High Impact Studios' Double Impact cross over in a two-issue series in January; Hellina/Double Impact is prepared by Lightning, while Double Impact/Hellina is prepared by High Impact... Image kicks off its $.99 comics line in February with Cyberforce #1 and Cyberforce Origins Special:Cyblade #1, featuring bargain-priced reprints of out-of-print Image titles... The CSNsider is just a small part of each issue of Comic Shop News. CSN #441 features DC vs. Marvel on the cover as well as more news and the December Hot Picks. The 1995 CSN Christmas Special will also be in shops on 11/30. It is our annual holiday supplement which covers hundreds of great gift-giving ideas to please any comics fan. 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 or Tuesday 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] Comicunications, by Ryan Brewster ///// ComICunications \\\\\ Weekly Re-Cap 11/20/95 The Comic Book Net's link to late breaking industry news! Contents: 1- This Weeks' Headlines: * Agony Acres Signs Big Names * Doorman Moves to Caliber * Mojo Press in '96 * Excelsior is Not Dead! * Fantastic Four Movie Update * Rock Star Writes Comics * Stan Lee on Biography * Waid Takes Over Avengers * Death Returns * Plague Hits Gotham * Sandman Ends * Superman Teams Up * Big Bang Goes to Image * Image Nixes Titles * Dark Horse In Newsweek * Dream Corridor Cancelled * Miller Strikes Twice * Acclaim Looks to Rebound * Horseman Ships in Feb. 2- This Week's Reviews: [All DC reviews this week... finally getting to my Underworld Unleashed comics. :)] Comics for review may be sent to: Ryan Brewster ComICunications 84 Bunker Hill St. Lancaster, NH 03584 * Underworld Unleashed #1 * UU: Patterns of Fear #1 * Action Comics #716 * Superman #107 * Superman: The Man of Steel #51 1. Industry News ------------------------------------------------------ Agony Acres Signs Big Names: 10/30/95 - A Squared Entertainment has announced plans for a four-issue miniseries to be released in April '96, entitled Agony Acres. The small publisher has named Norm Breyfogle, Scott Beaderstadt & Paul Fricke, Len Strazewski, and Buzz as well-known comics professionals signed to provide material for the comics. Chuck Satterlee will write and Ronn Stern will draw the miniseries. Doorman Moves to Caliber 11/15/95 - Doorman, the comic originally published by Cult Press, will become a regular series to be published by Caliber. Some of what appeared in the first issue, from Cult Press, will be reprinted in the first Caliber issue, but the majority of the comic will contain new mateial. Mojo Press Announces Plans for '96: 11/13/95 - Mojo Press has announced plans to ship the following graphic novels in 1996: March/April 1996 THE WILD WEST SHOW (80pp b&w trade paper $5.95) A western graphic anthology with a cover by Tim Truman. Contributors include Joe R. Lansdale, Neal Barrett, Jr, John Garcia, Lewis Shiner, Doug Potter, Scott Cupp, Norman Partridge, Marc Erickson, Steve Utley, Don Webb, Paul O. Miles, Newt Manwich, Michael Washburn, Joe Preston, John Lucas, and Martin Thomas. Edited by Richard Klaw April 1996 BEHOLD THE MAN: 30TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION by Michael Moorcock (hb price:TBD) Mojo's first prose project is a reprinting of the Nebula-award winning novella by this SF master. Introduction by Jonathan Carroll and afterword by Moorcock. Book design and eight illustrations by John Picasio. Cover by Picasio. May 1996 DEAD HEAT by Del Stone, Jr. (hb price: TBD) The first novel by noted short horror writer Stone. A story about a zombie biker out to save himself and the world. Interior illustrations by Dave Dorman and Scott Hampton. Cover by Dorman. Summer 1996 SAGA OF BLUEBERRY: CONFEDERATE GOLD (300 pp b&w trade paperback price: TBD) by Charlier and Moebius The definitive American reprints of the classic French western. This volume will contain a history of Blueberry by Charlier and Jean-Marc Lofficier, reprints of BLUEBERRY (Epic) 1,2, and 1/2 of 3, and the first English language printing of "Three Black Birds", a Moebius written Blueberry adventure. Cover by Moebius. THE BIG BIGFOOT BOOK (80+ page b&w trade paperback price: TBD) A graphic collection of Bigfoot tales. Contributors include Neal Barrett, Jr., Bill D. Fountain, William Browning Spencer, Newt Manwich, Joe Pruett, Doug Potter, Paul O. Miles, Dan Burr, Mark London Williams, Phil Hester, Ande Parks, Norman Partridge, John Lucas, and Batton Lash. Front cover by Mark Nelson and back cover by Ted Naifeh. Edited by Richard Klaw. October 1996 BY BIZARRE HANDS: THE SHORT COMIC WORK OF JOE R. LANSDALE (120pp trade paperback price: TBD) This one is pretty self explanatory. Will contain two never before seen adaptations of "Pilots" and "The Job". Contributors include Ted Naifeh, John Garcia, Jerry Prosser, Richard Klaw, Neal Barrett, Jr., Phil Hester, Marc Erickson, Dean Rohrer, Tom Foxmarnick, Jon Lucas, and William Traxtle. Cover by Dave Dorman. Other forthcoming projects include a GORILLA GUNSLINGER graphic novel and OCCURENCES: THE STORIES OF AMBROSE BIERCE (with art by fan favorite Michael Lark). All previous published Mojo Press books are currently in print including CREATURE FEATURES (64pp $4.95 trade paperback of monster stories featuring an original story by Joe R. Lansdale and Ted Naifeh; edited by Richard Klaw), THE TELL-TALE HEART by Edgar Allan Poe Art by Bill D. Fountain (64pp $4.95 five graphic adaptations of classic Poe stories), and the critically acclaimed graphic anthology WEIRD BUSINESS (420pp hb $29.95 23 stories, 56 creators edited by Joe R. Lansdale & Richard Klaw). All books are available at finer speciality stores, Tower Records, or direct from Mojo Press. For direct orders send the price of the books plus $3 for the first book and $1 extra dollar for each additional book to Mojo Press, PO Box 140005, Austin, TX 78714. TX residents please add 8.25% sales tax. Contact mojo@eden.com for more details. Dealer inquiries wlecome. Excelsior is Not Dead: 11/18/95 - Stan Lee's proposed Marvel imprint Excelsior Comics has been delayed by some licensing negotiations and the current recession in the comics market, but is still in the works. Writer Kur Busiek has stated that he is in the middle of plotting an issue of one of the books. Fantastic Four Movie Update: 11/16/95 - Michael France, writer of Goldeneye and Cliffhanger, is "working on the big-screen adaptation of the popular comic book THE FANTASTIC FOUR for producer Chris Columbus", according to the press notes for Goldeneye. Rock Star Rod Zombie Writes Comics: 11/16/95 - From the Genie information service's Comics Roundtable comes the following report: * * * Rob Zombie of the hot metal group White Zombie will be writing and drawing part of the WHITE ZOMBIE one-shot from Marvel this December. Other contributors include Gene Colan, Tom Palmer, Mort Todd, and Basil Wolverton. * * * Biography Spotlights Stan Lee: 11/10/95 - Stan Lee will get his own episode on December 26th of Arts & Entertainment's Biography. A&E is available through most cable operators. Mark Waid to Take Over Avengers: Mark Waid, writer of DC's Flash and Impulse, and Marvel's X-Men and Captain America, will become the regular writer of Marvel's Avengers title beginning with issue #400. Death Returns: 11/15/95 - Death, the older sister of the main character of Neil Gaiman's award-winning Sandman series, will return in February. A new four-issue series, Death: The Time of Your Life, will be written by Neil Gaiman and drawn by Chris Bachalo and Mark Buckingham. The miniseries is the sequel to the Death: The High Cost of Living miniseries by the same creative team. Plague Strikes Batman Comics 11/8/95 - This January, each title in the Batman family of comics (published, of course, by DC Comics) will become involved in a storyline intitled Contagion. Rogue members of the Order of St. Dumas - creators of Azrael - will steal a biological weapon and test it on an isolated village in Greenland. An agent of the Order unwittingly brings the virus back to Gotham with him, striking Gotham with a fatal plague. Sandman Ends: 11/15/95 - Neil Gaiman's award-winning Sandman series, from DC Comics' Vertigo imprint, will draw to an end in January. Issue #75 will be entitled "The Tempest", and will be written by Gaiman and drawn by Charles Vess. The story will feature the conclusion of the deal between Dream and William Shakespeare. Gaiman will return with Death: The Time of Your Life in February (see accompanying story). Superman Teams Up: 11/15/95 - January is "Guest Star Month" in the Superman titles. Superman will travel to Gotham City to cure the toxin that's slowly killing his love, Lois Lane, in Action Comics #719. Batman will guest-star in the issue written by Michelinie, Dwyer and Rodier. Superman: The Man of Steel #54 by Louise Simonson and Denys Cowan will guest star Spectre; Superman #110 by Jurgens, Frenz and Rubinstein, will guest star Plastic Man; Adventures of Superman #533 by Karl Kessel and Stuart Immonen will feature a race between Superman and Impulse; and Superman: The Man of Tomorrow #4 by Stern, Grummett and Breeding, will pair Superman with Captain Marvel. Big Bang Moves to Image: 11/11/95 - Big Bang Comics, formerly published by Caliber Comics, will now be published under the "Image" banner. The new series will begin in May of 1996 as an ongoing bimonthly title. The first issue will feature: - A Golden Age Mighty Man story by Gary Carlson and Bill Fugate. - The Zombie Mob of Dr. Cadaver, by Carlson and Mark Lewis. - The Sinister Quiz-Master (Starring Knight Watchman), written and drawn by Tom King A Watchman/Golden Age ShadowHawk team-up will appear in issue #2. Image Nixes Titles: 11/15/95 - Brigade #'s 23-26, Knightmare #6, Bloodsrike Assassin #4, Allies #1 and Glory #0 have been cancelled due to low sales. Newsweek Features Dark Horse: 10/30/95 - In the October 30th issue of Newsweek, there was a full-page article on Dark Horse Comics, publisher of such comics as The Mask, The Tale of One Bad Rat, Madman, and many others. Harlan Ellison's Dream Corridor Cancelled: 11/14/95 - Harlan Ellison's Dream Corridor #6 has been cancelled due to Harlan's recent health problems. Dark Horse Comics hopes to offer the material in a new format sometime in the future. Frank Miller Strikes Twice 11/15/95 - Frank Miller writes two comics, and draws one, this month in two books from Dark Horse Comics. Silent Night is an all-new 32-page one-shot to ship in November, featuring a tale of Christmas Eve in Sin City, in which Miller will "try a new style and storytelling approach with the book". Martha Washington becomes stranded in space in an 18-page story featuring a guest-appearance by the Big Guy. Stranded will also reprint "Martha Washington and the Flesh-eating Monsters", originally in Black & White, in Dark Horse Presents #100 (pt 4). Acclaim Comics Looks to Rebound 11/12/95 - According to Acclaim Comics Archivist, Acclaim is continuing to gauge the current market. If the market does not rebound as quickly as suspected, the publisher of the Magic: The Gathering and Valiant Comics series may take a few months off to get ahead of the solicitations. One plan Acclaim mentioned was to provide color photostats of the comic upon solicition. This would prevent late-shipping comics, and give retailers/customers a chance to preview the comic before they buy it. Horseman Rides in Feb: 11/16/95 - William Tucci, creator of Crusade Comics' Shi, has announced the launch of Horseman, a new independent title shipping in February '96. The one-shot will be written by Hank Kwon and Shi writer Peter Gutierrez, and will feature artwork by Mshindo. The press release described the series as follows: The Korean legend of Ah Mung Au Sa, The Horseman, began in the 14th Century, when the King of Korea created the loyal corps of Horsemen in response to the treachery characteristic of the times. Chosen for their uncommon martial skill and spiritual discipline, each of these agents of the King swore allegiance to a royal seal depicting five sacred horses. This is the story of Jung, a warrior who became a Horseman to help him on a spiritual path...only to discover that he is haunted by an all-too-human passion for the woman Yung Un, the leader of his Porull. This premier issue is set in present day Japan, where Jung has infiltrated a research complex in an effort to regain his famous seal of the five horses. Unbeknownst to Jung - and for different reasons - Shi is trying to inflitrate the same complex. It appears that the villain featured in Grifter/Shi: Final Rites, may have resurfaced! 2. Reviews ------------------------------------------------------------- Underworld Unleashed #1 by Mark Waid and Howard Porter DC Comics - $2.95 This issue marks the beginning of the Underworld Unleashed crossover that invades the entire DC universe, and introduces Neron, "the ultimate evil" who offers mediocre supervillains incredible powers. Neron is assisted by such "penultimate evils" as Dr. Polaris, Lex Luthor (who Neron rescued in Superman: The Man of Tomorrow #1, although we readers were unaware of Neron at the time), the Joker, Circe and Kadabra. Waid and Porter take a cinematic approach, and the issue is a great read. There are some genuinely _chilly_ moments, and the plots and subplots converge seamlessly. This was an excellent comic which serves more than one purpose: to tie together a universe-wide crossover intelligently, to breathe new life into forgotten supervillains, and to entertain. And it accomplished all three. ***SPOILER WARNING*** Underworld Unleashed: Patterns of Fear #1 "The Ultimate Temptation of Oracle" by Roger Stern, Anthony Williams and Andy Lanning DC Comics - $2.95 Neron, "The Ultimate Evil", invades upon Oracle's (Barbara Gordon, formerly Batgirl) databases and files, and offers her complete mobility and additional powers if she will provide librarian services to him. The comic is really a guidebook to the Underworld Unleashed crossover, with little database entries on the new, trasformed versions of the supervillains who accepted Neron's offer. It's very handy to have if you are planning to follow the crossover at all. Otherwise, it's not worth the $2.95, as it's really an extremely short story, and the touted "Ultimate Temptation of Oracle" is disappointing. [Here's the spoiler...] She barely hesitates a moment before refusing Neron's offer. If I were tempted like that, I'd certainly struggle a bit with the decision before answering. Superman in Action Comics #716 (1995 Triangle #46) by David Michelinie and Kieron Dwyer & Denis Rodier. DC Comics - $1.95 This issue follows the escape of Superman and his four cellmates, Leeya, Smitty and Mope from the Tribunal's prison. Smitty directs them towards a place called Haven, where fugitives can safely exist one nanosecond out of reality. I've really liked the direction the writing's been taking; they manage to tell a complete story each month, but they also move along a larger storyline, keeping with the continuity of both the Superman book and other DC comics. I'm not sure I like the direction the artwork's getting. In keeping with the clear-cut theme of the comic, good vs. evil, the artwork has generally been clean and easy to look at. But in the last three or four years, it just seems to me that it's been getting more and more dark and cluttered, which is in direct conflict with the general theme of the comic. People buy Superman to read a good vs. evil story. Changing Superman's image (long hair? what the #%*&^??) is not going to bode well with comic readers, and I think the titles are already feeling the effects. The one comic that I've seen the type of art in it which I think should exemplify Superman art is Tom Grummett's in Man of Tomorrow... and that only comes out four times a year... But I digress... (Sorry, PAD..) **SPOILER WARNING** Superman #107 (1995 Triangle #48) by Dan Jurgens and Ron Frenz w/Joe Rubinstein DC Comics - $1.95 Superman brings the injured Mope (from Man of Steel #51) to the evil Tolos and agrees to pay any price to have Mope returned to health. Tolos then attempts to take over Superman's body, failing of course. The Alpha Centurion is also revealed to in fact be the Cyborg, and defeats Superboy, Supergirl, Steel and the Eradicator handily. Wouldn't you know it? Right after I'm done complaining about the artwork in the Superman comics, I was really impressed with Frenz and Rubinstein's art in this issue. It was rather clean, and the coloring by Glenn Whitmore made the work look beautiful in the glossy stock. The glossy paper stock many comic companies have adopted recently really demands excellent coloring. Still, there's one thing that bugs me. Superman's 5 o'clock shadow. Yeah, yeah, it's an interesting effect... Superman away from any type of razor in the vastness of space for days on end. Still, last I knew, he simply used his heat vision to shave away the stubble. It can hardly take much effort to whip up a super-shave when you have some down time. And despite the frantic pace of this series (and comics in general), there's ALWAYS down-time. The 5-o'clock shadow makes Superman look grimer and grittier, but that's not what defines Superman, in my book. The opposite of Grim and Gritty is Superman. Another thing that bothered me was Superboy's conclusion in a recent issue (Man of Steel 51) that Alpha Centurion was the Cyborg. His conclusion was based on something the Centurion said that the Cyborg had once said to him. For one thing, it completely ruined the suspense. When Superboy turned out to be right, it was hardly a shocking revelation. Shocking revelations are what make comics FUN, darnit! :) Aside from that, I really doubt one could logically conclude that, because someone uses the same lingo as another person, then they are in fact the same person. Superman: The Man of Steel #51 (1995 Triangle #47) by Louise Simonson and Jon Bogdanove w/Gil Kane DC Comics - $1.95 This comic introduces us to Freelance, an interesting character who floats about space in a spaceship resembling that of an old pirate ship. He talks very much like the stereotypical pirate, and is apparantly a bounty hunter of sorts. He begins by tracking down Superman and his cohorts Leeya, Smitty and Mope, but after being defeated by Superman in man-to-man combat, is more than willing to leave them be. The whole affair seems little more than a game to him. Supergirl, Superboy, the Eradicator and Steel are also in space, along with Alpha Centurion, to track down Superman. All in all, not a bad story. It furthers the Trial of Superman storyline, but tells an interesting story. However, the strong point of this comic is the artwork. Bogdanove's art has seemed quite messy, rather lazy, perhaps, in recent issues inked by Denis Janke. But Gil Kane's inking seems to really compliment Bogdanove's pencils. I hope they keep the team together. ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [4] Recent Reads & Random Thoughts by Bill Hughes For those of you who are interested, my computer has never looked better... I hit the SIRIUS HOMEPAGE and picked up some killer images of DAWN for wallpaper. Check out the site at: http://insv.com/sirius Lately on CBN, the upcoming MARVEL VERSUS DC project has sparked alot of debate, on one match-up in particular: Captain America versus Batman. I'm curious as to what people are thinking. Send me your thoughts on this historic confrontation at: BHughes@riskguard.com Feedback on RECENT READS/RANDOM THOUGHTS would also be appreciated! Okay, on to the books! This week: DAREDEVIL #347 SPIDER-MAN TEAM-UP #1 PRIME #1 & 2 AVENGERS #393 ALL-NEW EXILES #1 CABLE #27 X-MEN UNLIMITED #9 UNCANNY X-MEN #328 IMPULSE #9 GREEN ARROW #104 AZRAEL #12 UNDERWORLD UNLEASHED #3 GEN 13 #5 POWERS THAT BE #1 DC Comics: AZRAEL #12 ANGEL RISING (part two) O'Neil/Kitson/Marcos & Pascoe $1.95 (color) ANGEL RISING hasn't been my favorite tale in this book so far. I'm happy to report that Jean-Paul finally speaks again in this issue, so hopefully he's finally coming out of it. Two-bit thugs kidnap Sandra Kinsolving, and Jean-Paul, who has decided he is her guardian angel, comes to her rescue. I hardly think two punks of this calibre are worth two issues of space, but that's what it has taken. Azrael does take care of business in the end though. Next issue sees the return of LeHah, that should prove to be more interesting. GREEN ARROW #104 BAD BLOOD by Dixon/Damaccio/Campanella $2.25 (color) The new Arrow and Lantern team up for the first time. While they don't have the history or charisma of the Ollie/Hal team-up, they worked well together. This new Arrow is nothing like his predecessor, he seems a bit naive and inexperienced. Still, I tend to like him. I hate to say it, but I like the fact that we have a new Green Arrow, as opposed to endlessly revamping the character or searching for new storylines that work. I think Ollie went out a hero, and his memory will live on thru Conner. Unlike Hal Jordan, who was not given the dignity of going out a hero. Next issue has Conner meeting Robin, and also crosses over with Robin's book, so I'll probably pick that one up as well. IMPULSE #9 RUNNING IN THE FAMILY by Waid/Ramos/Faucher $1.75 (color) I've heard favorable reviews of this title on CBN, so I figured I'd take a look at this issue since it also featured XS from the Legion Of Super-Heroes. I've never been very fond of Impulse, or the Flash title since his arrival. I dropped Flash right after the Terminal Velocity storyline. First, I wasn't all that crazy about Humberto Ramos' artwork, it's a little too much on the cartoony side for my tastes, but not so much as to be annoying. It was a fun story, and I enjoyed it. But I suspect that's due more to the character of XS than that of Bart. This story is continued in FLASH, but although I enjoyed it, this book didn't show me enough to warrant picking up another book. UNDERWORLD UNLEASHED #3 SEDUCTION OF THE INNOCENT by Waid/Porter/Janke $2.95 (color) This mini-series started out really well, but ended with a whimper in my opinion. I think the problem lies in the fact that there are no serious repercussions with the world's heroes, at least not as dramatic as it should be. I think that a being like Neron would have a profound effect on all of them, one that wouldn't be shaken off quite so easily. I mean, we're talking about the Devil here, right? Sure, Blue Devil and a few others are never going to get past the shadow of Neron, but I think the entire DC universe would never be the same after an event like this. Of course we did end with alot of villains that are more powerful than ever, and a never before seen side to the Trickster, so it wasn't a complete waste of time. It just didn't live up to the build-up of the previous issues, which is to be expected. Image Comics: GEN 13 #5 FAMILY FEUD by Choi/Campbell/Garner $2.50 (color) It's pirates versus Amazons, with Gen13 caught in the middle! This has been a really fun adventure for the team, I enjoyed it thoroughly. No complaints on this one, this is consistently enjoyable. Marvel/Malibu: ALL-NEW EXILES #1 OUT OF THE FRYING PAN... Kavanagh/Lashley & Wyman $1.50 (color) This issue features 64 pages(47 story-pages) for only a buck fifty. Not only is this the first issue of the All-New Exiles, but it also features ULTRAFORCE #1 at no additional cost. Apparently not happy with how the first issue of that title turned out, Marvelbu decided to reprint it here. The Exiles find themselves on Earth, although some of them haven't quite figured out _what_ Earth just yet. They don't arrive without fanfare, as half of New York has been leveled, and they are immediately blamed by the military. Is there arrival merely coincidence, or are they somehow responsible? I wondered how the creative team would justify having Juggernaut hang out with a group, since he's been a loner for his entire history, except for his partnership with Black Tom. The answer is two-fold: by decreasing his previous power-level in the new universe, and by giving him a crush on Amber Hunt. It works for me. The combination of Marvel and Malibu characters has an interesting dynamic, and the low cover price make this one a title to follow. AVENGERS #393 THE CROSSING: DARK DAYS DAWN by Harras & Kavanagh/Deodato & Palmer $1.50 (color) I just noticed something. This book actually lists the creative personnel on the cover. That's something that I don't think Marvel does alot of, at least not on the mutant titles, which are the ones I read the most. In fact, they don't ever list them on the mutant books. Anywho, this issue has the Avengers going up against Tony Stark, and reveals who Mantis' husband is these days. I was caught completely by surprise by who it was, although knowing the history of Mantis, I guess I should have seen it coming. It was none other than... Kang! Yep, the guy who's done more time-hopping than all the X-Men combined is back. Also, Wasp gets seriously (perhaps mortally) injured. I'm still not thrilled with the way this title is going. Deodato's artwork in THOR completely rocks, but in this title it seems drab and boring, almost unfinished. Is this the collaboration with Tom Palmer, or is Deodato rushing? I dunno. I also don't care for the vilification of Tony Stark. It just plain sucks when the current creators feel as though they need to tear a character apart in order to make him interesting. Same thread, different character department: If The Wasp comes out of that cocoon as some monstrous nineties version instead of the Winsome Janet Van Dyne we've loved for years, that'll be the last straw for me and this book. CABLE #27 REBELS by Loeb/Churchill/Hanna $1.95 (color) The artwork makes a great improvement over last issue with the return of Ian Churchill to the job. His pencils make the difference on this title, taking it from the chopping block to the pull list. That is, until the last six pages, where another artist suddenly takes over again, ruining the feel of the story that had been pretty good thus far. I don't know what the internal machinations on this title are all about, but something needs to be done to get Churchill producing on a consistent, regular basis. Cable helps the rebels of Genosha fight off a Magistrate attack, and help them get ever closer to finding out about The Sugar Man. Cable even uses his telepathic abilities to gain control of one of the Magistrates in a very un-Xavier like method. Charles certainly wouldn't approve, but I do! I think this character wouldn't have any qualms about using his abilities to get the job done, regardless of the questionable ethics. NEXT ISSUE: Cable versus Sugar Man. DAREDEVIL #347 INFERNO (part three) by DeMatteis/Wagner/Reinhold & McCain $1.95 (color) No big surprises here, the new Daredevil is exactly who I expected. Although the secret of Sir was a bit shocking. I haven't followed this book in some time, but it looks as thought the supporting cast of Foggy, Karen and even Stick are coming back, so I think I will too. Hopefully this will be the beginning of the return of Matt Murdock. He's had a history of mental illness for some time, and things seem to be coming to a head right now. I hope his friends can help him get it together. In any case, it should be interesting reading for a while to watch them try. PRIME #1 & 2 A MATTER OF SOUL by Jones & Strazewski/West/Statema & Moy $1.50 (color) Kevin returns to his own universe and brings The Lizard (from the Spidey books) with him. After his brief exposure to Marvel's Web-slinger, Kevin has a new fixation and becomes Spider-Prime. Meanwhile, another Prime is running around making Kevin's friends very nervous about the new personality. I don't mind the Spider-Man influence on Kevin, but it seems to be dramatically effecting the book, and that I don't like. Spider-Prime is overstaying his welcome, because he also pops up in... PRIME #2 ...AND YOU MAKE YOUR CHOICE by Strazewski & Jones/ West & Moy/Williams Counting the PRIME #infinity title, this is three issues in a row with the Spider-Prime. A quick guest shot of Spider-Man is one thing, but the meeting certainly shouldn't have altered Prime's book for this long. Let's get Kevin back to his own life, and find out what the deal is with this other Prime. No more Spider-totems and baggage from the Marvel Universe! This book also has the first chapter of the flip-books, PHOENIX RESURRECTION. It lasts exactly three pages, not even enough to whet your appetite. Obviously the company wants you to buy every title that features the story to increase sales, but I'm certainly not picking up any extra books based on a paltry three pages. If this is your incentive, wait for the inevitable collected version. SPIDER-MAN TEAM-UP #1 DOUBLE OR NOTHING (featuring The X-Men) by Waid & Peyer/Lashley/Russell & Milgrom $2.95 (color) SPIDER-MAN TEAM-UP is a revamped MARVEL TEAM-UP which was a monthly title that ran from 1972 to the mid-eighties that showcased the webslinger teamed up with other Marvel heroes. This time around it's a quarterly title instead, and runs 38 pages (plus ten ad-pages.) This first issue teams Spidey up with The X-Men in an attempt to save J. Jonah Jameson from the attentions of the Hellfire Club. Nothing earth-shattering, but an enjoyable romp. This issue is very reminiscent of the old MTU, which was a pretty good title, aside from the last year or two before it was finally cancelled. It has a complete story in one issue that doesn't need alot of prior knowledge of the characters to enjoy the book. Based on the type of stories that will be printed in this type of book, I don't think the $2.95 price is justified, even by the 38 page count. I think this book would be better suited as a monthly $1.50 title instead, or $2.50 with the same page count. The fact that it's quarterly does help a bit though. NEXT ISSUE: The Silver Surfer. UNCANNY X-MEN #328 PRECIPICE by Lobdell/Madureira/Townsend $1.95 (color) Madureira is back, and I hate it. Hate the cover, hate the interior. Only thing I like artistically is Bishop's new haircut. Storywise, Sabretooth shows his true colors finally, and makes a break. An X-Man gets seriously injured! Continued in SABRETOOTH SPECIAL. NEXT ISSUE: Wolverine and Archangel go up against supernatural ninjas in an attempt to save Psylocke's life. Guest-starring Doctor Strange. X-MEN UNLIMITED #9 THE HEART OF DARKNESS or HORSE LATITUDES by Hama/Semeiks/McLeod $3.95 (color) Wolverine, Psylocke and The Beast go to the aid of Lee Forrester after Bloodscream is sighted near the gulf coast of Florida in this fifty-two paged comic. They also run into Belasco along the way. Decent issue, nothing earth-shattering, but fun nonetheless. NEXT ISSUE: It's BEAST VERSUS DARK BEAST!!! Yowza! Bill Hughes!! E-Mail Address: BHughes@riskguard.com ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [5] New Comics 11/20/95, by Bobb Waller Well it's Thursday, and the comics came out a day late. (Well the Ronalds books anyway.) Onto the list! ============================================================================= AC Comics: Femforce Bad Girl Backlash #1 Acclaim Comics: Turok the Hunted #2 Archie Comics: Archie Double Digest #83 Jughead #77 Jughead Jones Digest #99 Scooby Doo #5 Street Sharks #2 Century Publishing: Combo #12 Comic Shop News: CSN #440 Dark Horse Comics: Bettie Page: Queen of Hearts SC Doc Savage:Curse of the Fire God #3\ Grendel Devil Quest Legend of Mother Sarah #8 Oktane #4 Rascals in Paradise TP DC Comics: Black Lightning #12 Legion of Super-Heroes #76 Lobo/Judge Dredd Sandman #73 Sandman Mystery Theatre #34 Shade the Changing Man #67 Spectre #37 Star Trek #78 Star Trek Annual #6 Superman: Eradication TP Tank Girl: Apocalypse #3 Vertigo Voices: The Eaters #1 Vigilante: City Lights Prairie Justice #3 Xombi #20 Hamilton Comics: Donald Duck Adventures #36 Harris Comics: Vengeance of Vampirella: Mystery Walk Image Comics: Deathblow #21 Dragon Blood & Guts TP Newmen #19 Marvel Comics: Doom 2099 #37 Best of Marvel: The 1995 Edition TPB Iron Man #324 Lunatik #2 Thor #494 Star Masters #2 Doc Samson #1 Incredible Hulk #437 Skrull Kill Krew #5 Green Goblin #4 Hot Shots: Spider-Man #1 Spider-Man #64 Spider-Man: the Lost Years #0 Excalibur #93 Starjammers #4 What If #81 X-Man #11 X-Men #48 X-Men Archives: Captain Britain #7 Disney Comic Hits #4 Disney's Toy Story Adaption Beavis & Butt-Head #23 Ren & Stimpy Special: Around the World in a Daze Conan the Savage #6 Saban's MMPR:Ninja Rangers/VR Troopers #2 Akira #37 Maximum Comic Press: Battlestar Galactica #4 Slave Labor Graphics: Fun with Milk & Cheese TP (New Printing) Topps Comics: Return to Jurassic Park #7 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Did you get your, "Make mine Anything But..." T-Shirt this Week? I Did. See ya on the spinners... bbwaller@iadfw.net is Bobb Waller Sysop of FIAWOL-BBS Dedicated to both Fandom and empowering the disABLED ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [6] 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 ---|---|+++++++++++| |++++++++++|---|---ÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ---|---|+++++++++++| |++++++++++|---|--- Retailers Conference's ---|---|+++++++++++| |++++++++++|---|---Buy & Sell W'Sale & Retail---|---|+++++++++++| |++++++++++||||||||--------------------------||||||||+++++++++++| |++++++++++|||||||| The Comic Book Board ||||||||+++++++++++| |++++++++++|| Modem: 215-365-5225 |+++++++++++| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [7] CBN Conference Totals >> CBN Conference Traffic week of 11/11/95 - 11/17/95 Conference Tot Conference Tot ---------------------------- --- ---------------------------- --- CBN: Marvel Comics 138 CBN: Gold/Silver Age 11 CBN: Bullpen 68 CBN: Electronic Mag 8 CBN: DC Comics 65 CBN: Dark Horse Comics 5 CBN: Image Comics 57 CBN: Editors Office 5 CBN: Independents 39 CBN: Video Games 5 CBN: Small Press 29 CBN: Role Playing 4 CBN: Writers/Artists 28 CBN: Animation 3 CBN: SciFi 24 CBN: Cards 2 CBN: Back Issue Bin 23 CBN: Toys/Collectibles 1 CBN: Movies/TV 19 CBN: Fanboy - CBN: Comic Issues 13 CBN: Manga - CBN: Fan Fiction 11 CBN: Splash Page - >> Total Combined: 558 ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [8] 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. ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [9] 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 - Gold/Silver Age - 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 * Tampa FL 813-977-6712 Tavares FL 904-343-7272 Palatine IL 708-776-2395 Indianapolis IN 317-856-9020 La Porte IN 219-325-3655 * Lexington KY 606-273-6611 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 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 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 * London ONT 519-457-6771 * 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 ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [10] 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 #36.. see ya next week!