________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ " C O M I C B O O K E - M A G " Issue 19 - July 24, 1995 "Brought to you by the fine folks at the COMIC BOOK Network!" Editors: Ed Dukeshire Network Administration: Mike Imboden Mike Imboden Ed Dukeshire David Leblanc Bobb Waller Special Thanks: Ryan Brewster Anthony Palacio Walter Tietjen Chris Oarr David Leblanc William Hughes Nathan Bredfeldt Jeff Watts John Keady Jim Murdoch ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -1- The Bullpen ........................... Ed Dukeshire -2- CSNsider .............................. W. Batty & C. Biggers -3- Comicunications ....................... Ryan Brewster -4- BBSes Linked into CBN ................. Net Admin Team ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -1- The Bullpen by Ed Dukeshire Here's another late issue (yeah, yeah). I know it's starting to seem like a regular thing, but I promise, it's not intentional. Honest! CBN News - Mike Imboden is holding "The 2nd Annual CBN Mid-Season Poll" which should really fill up the "Comic Issues" conference. This poll includes such catagories such as favorite writer, artist, editor, title, character, and things like favorite CBN conference, favorite threads, etc. Also on the poll are things like 'most overrated writer, artist, character, etc.'. Should be interesting to see how all the members vote. I'll post the winning entries in a future issue. Ryan Brewster is back from his little vacation with a new improved Comicunications. Check it out. Good job Ry! E-Mag News - I've eliminated the FEEDBACK section. We just didn't get enough of it. I had high hopes that people would be sending in their comments and suggestions, but that's not happening. If we ever do get some, that's when we'll stick it back in. ;) Onto the issue... -- ed ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -2- CSNsider contributed by David Leblanc This is the CSNsider from CSN #424, which will be in shops on 8/3/95. It is reproduced in its entirety with the expressed permission of COMIC SHOP NEWS! Malibu has announced that it has successfully negotiated a deal with Galoob Toys to offer UltraForce figures to comic specialty shops before they appear in mass-market stores -- and even better, the comic shop toy assortments will contain an exclusive limited edition action figure available nowhere else. The initial assortment will include Prime, Prototype, Night Man, Ghoul, Topaz, NM-E, and Hardcase; look for 'em this fall... Fantasy fans take note: Middle Earth becomes the home territory for a new collectible card game next year... Flashback Comics publisher Steve Busti has announced that his company is adding a new fantasy/sf title this fall, Fantastic Worlds; contributors to early issues include Al Williamson, Sam Glanzman, Joe Sinnott, and Rich Buckler... DC's next offering in their growing line of statues is a stunning Joker Statue, slated for release this fall in time for holiday gift-giving... Caliber has a Moebius miniseries on schedule for release in 1996... Following up on the surprise addition of Spawn PowerCardz to the Caliber Game Systems PowerCardz line, Caliber has announced that they'll be offering Youngblood PowerCardz, featuring art by Rob Liefeld and others; the cards will be available in $9.95 50-card starter decks and $2.99 15-card booster packs -- and like spawn, the game can be played as a stand-alone game, in conjunction with Spawn, or with the full PowerCardz system... Zoe Rochelle, formerly editor in chief of Dark Moon Productions, has announced that she is leaving that company and taking her comic Rare Breed to her new imprint, Chrysalis Studios... Coming up in the growing line of Marvel-DC crossovers is a Batman- Captain America WWII Elseworlds one-shot produced by John Byrne... Not only are they both equally unbelievable at times, but now comics and pro wrestling have something else in common: Big Bang Comics' Knight Watchman is not only a comic book title, but it's also the name of a pro wrestler based on that character, courtesy of Big Bang and Windy City Wrestling Promotions... Don't mis out on those Bernie Wrightson Aliens stories in Dark Horse Presents #s 101-102; they act as a prequel of sorts to the upcoming Batman-Aliens crossover, also illustrated by Wrightson... Look for a new Spider-Man costume, incorporating elements of Spidey- suits new and old, during the transition from Peter Parker to Ben Reilly... Jim Valentino's Silver-Age ShadowHawk guest-stars in Big Bang #5, making this the first official Image/Caliber crossover story. CSN #424 features a cover feature on Ultraforce/Avengers from Marvel and Malibu Comics plus more news and the August Hot Picks. This is the top two-dozen titles due out from ALL the publishers, so you can't get this from any catalog! 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? Visit our WWW site! http://www.actwin.com/csn Ward Batty wardo@netdepot.com Cliff Biggers cliffbig@netdepot.com (c)1995 CSN, Inc. All Rights Reserved. úúúúÄÄÄÄÍÍÍÍ*David LeBlanc> ComicBkNet@AOL.COM david.leblanc@gaquatic.iii.net RIME->5179 FIDO 1:322/743.1 ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -3- Comicunications by Ryan Brewster ____The Comic Book Net's Weekly News Journal____ "News & Views From The World's Greatest Industry" ------------- Volume 2, Issue #1 ----- Monday, July 24th, 1995 --------- COMIContents: 1. Industry News: *Comic Artist Commits Suicide *Indy Magazine Moves *Capital City Closes Dallas Warehouse *CFD Publications Goes On Tour *Christian Comics at San Diego *Delta Inflight Mag Features DC *Peter David Goes Image... Or Does He??? *Acclaim Debuts New Imprint In October *Irwin Toys Gets Wired *Sentry Comes In November *Plague To Strike Gotham City *Big Entertainment Takes A Loss *Perelman Buys Movie Mag 2. Editorial: "The New & Improved Comicunications!" 3. Reviews: -Slave Labor's "Hairbat"- -DC Comics' "Impulse"- -Fantagraphics' "Hate"- -Tekno-Comix's "Mike Danger"- -Calibur's "Big Bang Comics"- 4. Feature: *Ultraverse Starts Over In October 1. News ---------------------------------------------------------------- Artist Commits Suicide: 7/21/95 - George Carragonne, a graphic artist who friends say penned several of Marvel's "X-Men" comic books leaped from a 45th floor balcony in the atrium of a Times Square hotel to his death. George, according to one witness, calmly walked up to the railing, climbed up and jumped off. He plunged into the bottom of a glassed-in elevator shaft in the atrium. The New York Daily News reported that Carragone, an editor at Penthouse Comix, was depressed over a comic book idea allegedly stolen by associates. Lt. Wayne Baskin of the EMS said that a bellhop reported Carragone had inquired about the height of the hotel, and if it was one of the tallest structures in Times Square. George Carragonne was 31 years old. Indy Magazine Moves: 7/8/95 - Blackmore Publishing, publishers of Indy Magazine, has changed addresses. The publisher for Indy Magazine, may now be reached by writing to Indy Magazine, 611 NW 34th Drive, Gainesville, FL 32607-2429, (904-373-6336). Subscription and advertising inqueries should be sent to Blackmore Publishing, 641 Cypress Lake Blvd, Suite H, Pompano Beach, FL, 33064, (305-422-9636). Capital City Closes Dallas Warehouse: 7/10/95 - Bobb Waller of the Comic Book Net node FIAWOL reports that Capital City comics distribution is closing their Dallas Warehouse. Rumors persist that CC will be filing for bankruptcy very soon if they haven't already. CFD Publications Goes On Tour: 7/21/95 - Hart D. Fisher (Babylon Crush, Verotika) and Joseph M. Monks (NightCry, Cry For Dawn) have begun booking dates for a monthlong tour under the banner "Straight To Hell". The tour will last through October. The tour culminates in "one of the most outrageous parties ever thrown", as CFD & Boneyard take over an underground/alternative Los Angeles night club for a Halloween Party. Christian Comics At San Diego: 7/20/95 - The San Diego Comic Con will hold a panel entitled "The Christian Comics Explosion!" Friday, July 28th from 3:30 to 4:50pm in Room 10. Participants include Reggie Byers (Shuriken, Blade of Shuriken, various Robotech comics, Kidz of the King), Rick Law (Veil, Rage of Angels CD-ROM), Don Ensign (Valiant Efforts Comics, Alpha-Omega APA, Columnist/Reviewer for Christian Comics & Games Mag), Kathleen Webb (Bettie & Veronica, Little Archie, Barbie Fashion). The panel will be moderated by Nate Butler (Aida-Zee Comics, Christian Comics & Games Magazine, various Archie, DC, Marvel). Delta Inflight Mag Features DC: 7/21/95 - Alert Compuserve member Valeria E. Beasley reports that this month's Delta Inflight magazine contains a 4-pg article on DC "Wonder Woman" Jenette Kahn. The article talks about the drop in books being sold since the '60's and DC's ability to hold onto 30% of the direct market. The article announced plans for a Batman child abuse special along the lines of the pro-gun control book they did last year. Peter David Goes Image... Or Does He???: 7/12/95 - Peter David, longtime adversary of Image Comics, was approached recently by Wildstorm Studios to do a Gen13 one-shot with Arthur Adams. He was so excited to work with Adams that he accepted, but Adams has pulled out of the project. David says he would like to see who is drawing the book now, before he makes any sort of permanent arrangement. Acclaim Debuts New Imprint In October: 7/12/95 - Acclaim will produce a number of crime/mystery and humor comics in the vein of the 1950s comics under the imprint Dime Comics. They will, obviously, be more expensive than 10›, but the new imprint will launch in October with a new full-color humor miniseries entitled Tooth & Nail, by Bob Layton. Irwin Toys Gets Wired: 7/19/95 - Hype! Magazine announced today that Irwin Toys, toymaker & manufacturer of the Spawn action figure line for McFarlane Toys and of the ReBoot toy line, have debuted their new Irwin Toys World Wide Web Site. Pointing your web browser to http://www.irwin-toy.com will bring up the official Spawn toys web site, including pictures of the figures, links to other Spawn WWW sites, a trivia game, new announcements and product info. You can also browse the Official ReBoot toys web site, including similar features to the Spawn site, as well as a ReBoot trivia challange. Sentry Comes In November: 7/19/95 - Sentry, a series created by Dan Jurgens, based on the Brave New World storyline in recent Solar comics, will be solicited for a November release. Plague To Strike Gotham City: 7/12/95 - In a recent chat session with comics fans on America Online, Batman editor Dennis O'Neil revealed that the next major event in the Bat-books will feature a plague striking Gotham City. The story has already started in Azrael and will crossover to the regular Bat-books in around 6 months. Big Entertainment Takes a Loss: 6/95 - Big Entertainment, Inc. expects a loss in the latest first quarter ended March 31 of $1,996,745, or 49› a share, on revenues of $1,633,579. A spokesman said the loss is still an improvement, which is partly due to an increase in the number of monthly titles it published to four in the early 1995 from three at the end of 1994. More recently, the company has increased the number of titles to seven. Big Entertainment expects the additional titles to increase revenues beginning in the second quarter, a spokesman said. The company expects a "significant" increase in revenues for the remainder of 1995. Big Entertainment also said it raised its stake in Fedora Inc. to a controlling 50.1% from 25.1%. Fedora, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is the owner and publisher of Mystery Scene Magazine. Perelman Buys Movie Mag: 6/95 - The movie magazine Premiere has been sold to a joint venture of New World Communications (controlled by billionaire Ronald Perelman, who owns 80% of Marvel Stock) and Hachette Filipacchi Magazines. New World will use the Premiere trademark and editorial content in the development of television programming. 2. Editorial ----------------------------------------------------------- "The New And Improved Comicunications" by Ryan Brewster By now I'm sure you've noticed that Comicunications looks much different. That is probably due to the fact that it _is_ much different. While still dedicated to bringing you the latest in hot, breaking industry news, Comicunications has been expanded to include reviews, features and an editorial. Why the change, you ask? Well, remember the poll I conducted way back when? A few of you mentioned that you'd like to hear a bit more of _my_ opinion of things. As a result of that poll, I've reworked things around to fit my needs and yours. Each issue of Comicunications, Volume 2 will include reviews of 5 different comic titles, and an editorial by myself. Feedback is extremely encouraged. Will this change the news? Absolutely not. I will devote the same energy to tracking down the latest inside information from within the comics industry as I did with Volume 1. What this _may_ change is deadlines... I may end up switching to a bi-weekly schedule if the workload seems to be too much. I will say that I will do my best to keep Comicunications weekly, but because of other commitments and the expansion of Comicunications, weekly may not be as easy as it was before. Suffice it to say, it will come out as often as I can put it out! Thanks for your patience as this small, electronic news journal goes through its growing pains! Best, --Ry Editor & sole reporter, Comicunications 3. Reviews ------------------------------------------------------------- All Comics mailed to Comicunications for the purpose of being reviewed WILL be, within reason. (i.e.- don't send me 20 comics and expect me to review them all right away, as my reviews are fairly in-depth) Comics for review: Ryan Brewster c/o Comicunications 84 Bunker Hill St. Lancaster, NH 03584 --- HAIRBAT by David Zapanta Slave Labor Graphics, 1-800-866-8929 (Call for a Free Catalog or to make Credit Card Orders) Issues Reviewed: Vol. 2 #1 32 pgs, B&W OVERALL STORY: 83/100 pts. (Good) Plot: 35/40 pts. Hairbat gets _extra_ points for the handy recap of the events in the first "volume" of the title (self-published under the Screaming Rice Press banner), cleverly done as a short comic version of a puppet show: "Zuby & Friends in: Exposition Theater! Issues 1-6 Today Only!". The plot is a good one, centering around an asylum/hospital of some sort, where the main character Larry Powell is being held by a zealous doctor obsessed with his reputation. The doctor is attempting to remove the bat stuck in Powell's wild hairdo. We take off a few points for a bit of simplicity, but altogether a well-done plot. Dialogue: 20/20 pts. The dialogue in this book is excellent. The different characters have individual and distinct ways of talking, and at times the dialogue has sent me into spastic fits of laughter. I am speaking, of course, of the last three panels of the book. :) That's good stuff, Dave. Characterization: 12/20 pts. We don't see as much characterization as I'd like in this issue. I don't feel I know any more about Larry as I did when I started, and Oscar the Bat seems to be more like Oscar the Grouch. Hairbat _does_ get points for the diversity. Much of the characterization in this book is done in the dialogue, which as I stated earlier, is very good. But the characters in this book are very diverse, some straight, some smart, some dumb, etc... Pacing: 9/10 pts. _Kind_ of slow at some times, but that's my only gripe. The pacing in Hairbat is excellent, and makes for some hilarious moments. Direction: 5/05 pts. An easy category to get points in... The book _does_ seem to be going somewhere. I can't really judge very well on one issue, however. Subplots: 2/05 pts. Not many subplots that I could notice. Points for the guy with the snake in his beard, and the "fellow inmates". Other than that, not much more meat to it. OVERALL ART: 87/100 pts. (Very Good) Individuality: 38/40 pts. This book certainly doesn't _look_ like many others I've seen! The art in Hairbat is very creative, though somewhat... I dunno... messy at times. I can't really complain. I would know David's art if I saw it somewhere. Backgrounds: 15/20 pts. Average backgrounds. Nothing hugely great about them, but nothing that I can really gripe about. I don't feel like I'm in outer-space as I read the book... which can happen if there is no background. :) Panel Layout: 7/10 pts. Mr. Zapanta uses a very standard panel layout. It works effectively, and not all pages look the same... but it is very structured and blocky. Nothing creative about the panel layout, but it doesn't detract much from the look of the art. Expression: 9/10 pts. Good, expressive artwork. I could usually tell what sort of emotions the author was trying to get across. Sometimes I feel the art's expression conflicts with what is going on in the story, but not often. Inking: 10/10 pts. An easy category to get points on... The lines are solid & straight where they should be. No real noticably messy parts. Coloring: 8/10 pts. (Shading, if in B&W) The shading in the art was okay. Sometimes it was hard to tell where the light was coming from. Rather good use of lines, no cross-hatching. OVERALL AVERAGE: 85% (Good) Overall, Hairbat is a fun comic. Enough substance to keep you interested, and very good pacing and dialogue. I would recommend this title to fans of _somewhat_ alternative comics, and folks who are interested in trying out some alternative comics. Wouldn't hold a whole lot of interest to the super-hero crowd. --- IMPULSE by Mark Waid, Humberto Ramos, Wayne Faucher and Tom McCraw DC Comics, 1325 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10019 (Subscriptions: PO Box 0528, Baldwin, NY 11510) Issues Reviewed: #'s 1-5 32 pgs., Full Color, Standard Format OVERALL STORY: 92/100 pts. (Excellent) Plot: 40/40 pts. This book has some excellent plots. Each issue is readable in itself, but you can really find some meat in the plots when you read a few issues back to back. The first storyline was very good, spanning the first two issues. There was a good cliffhanger ending to the first issue, and the second issue brought the story to a conclusion very well. The third issue of the title had one of the best plots I've seen in a mainstream comic. It was completely self-contained in one issue, and, entitled "Mr. Popularity", involved young Bart Allen's school life. The fourth & fifth issues were another two-parter, though not quite as good as the first two storylines. Still above an average superhero comic. Suffice it to say, the plots are very well done. Dialogue: 19/20 pts. Excellent dialogue as well. Smart and witty, sometimes a bit sitcom- ish, but it moves the book along at an enjoyable rate and makes for light, enjoyable reading. Characterization: 15/20 pts. After 5 issues, I still feel like Max Mercury is a complete mystery to me. Though that may be the feeling that Mr. Waid is trying to project, it can sometimes be frustrating. Characterization on Impulse is also good... but could be better. The characters feel _somewhat_ two-dimensional. I'd like to see Waid concentrate a bit more on Bart Allen than Impulse... I'd like to see more issues like #3. Also, an issue put aside to concentrate a bit more on Max Mercury would be appropriate. The Max Mercury/Impulse pairing feels very similar to the Dubbilex/Superboy pairing in the Superboy monthly. Pacing: 10/10 pts. The pacing is very good, the book moves along quickly without feeling rushed. It is a rather quick read, but with plenty of substance. Direction: 3/05 pts. I'm not sure I see the book really going in a direction I care for. It _IS_ going _somewhere_... It seems to be more and more like a superhero _sitcom_ than a superhero _comic_. Though I love a fun romp (and something called a "comic" _should_ be funny!), I felt the more recent issues were a bit implausible. When the humor interferes with the plot, there's too much. Subplots: 5/05 pts. We find subplots galore in this comic book. Impulse's ongoing school life, the Mystery of Max Mercury, and perhaps a romantic interest for Uncle Max. Plenty of gems in there, if you dig a little. OVERALL ART: 93/100 pts. (Excellent) Individuality: 40/40 pts. Humberto Ramos has a very distinctive art style that seems to combine some rather cartoony elements with some of the more traditional superhero fare and a little bit of Japanese Manga/Anime style tossed into the mix. The style fits the feel of the book extremely well. Backgrounds: 15/20 pts. There are times when the background is either nonexistant, or quite simplistic. Lack of background can sometimes give a lack of understanding of really what's going on... In contrast, some of the backgrounds are very detailed, and when there _is_ a background it is well done. Panel Layout: 8/10 pts. He occasionally strays from traditional "box" panels... though when there is no box enclosing the panel, there is no background. Good layout, I'd just like to see some background when there aren't any boxes. Expression: 10/10 pts. Excellent expression. The facial expressions are very good and more often than not, they serve to only enhance the pace & mood of the dialogue. Ramos is a very expressive artist. Inking: 10/10 pts. Again, pretty easy to get points in this category. The lines are bold, and I don't notice any areas where the lines aren't smooth & deliberate. Coloring: 10/10 pts. (Shading, if in B&W) Another easy points category. I didn't notice Impulse wearing any clashing clothes to school. :) OVERALL AVERAGE: 92.5% (Excellent) Impulse is a really fun comic, one of the best superhero comic books on the market. Also a good book to pass around to friends, as it could appeal to both the superhero crowd and the sitcom/couch potato crowd. Definitely one to look into if you aren't reading it already. --- MIKE DANGER by Max Allin Collins, Eduardo Barreto and Steve Leialoha Tekno-Comix, 1-800-HI-TEKNO (Tekno-Comix Hotline) Issues Reviewed: #'s 1 & 2 32 pgs, Full Color, Glossy Format OVERALL STORY: 75/100 pts. (Mediocre) Plot: 38/40 pts. The plot in this book is very straightforward. It seems to have a definite direction. Mike Danger feels like an old detective comic. It has a good plot, and there is a mystery to solve. A bit of intrigue and adventure mixes into the story to make it all that much more enticing. An easy book to get... caught up in. Dialogue: 12/20 pts. The dialogue in Mike Danger is weak. None of the characters come across as particularly bright... The weak dialogue makes the book feel more like a long, slow chase scene than a brilliant detective following a trail. Characterization: 10/20 pts. Characterization also hurts the title. The attempts to expose character traits often come across as akward. Though only two issues into the series, I still feel I should know the characters much better. They are very two-dimensional at the moment. Holly seems like the stereotypical, fluffy secretary, while Mike comes across as a stereotypical, gritty detective. Nothing special or unique about the pair that I have discovered yet. Pacing: 9/10 pts. The book moves along at a good pace. The dialogue makes it move along a bit slower than it would otherwise. Direction: 5/05 pts. Mike Danger has a definite set destination, it seems. A good di- rection to take. Subplots: 1/05 pts. Very few subplots. The plot is very straightforward, and doesn't seem to allow for many subplots. I'd like to see more subplots involving the futuristic business structure. OVERALL ART: 90/100 pts. (Very Good/Excellent) Individuality: 32/40 pts. I'm not sure I'd be able to tell Eduardo Barreto's artwork (though he's one of my fave artists) from a couple dozen other comic artists. It is very traditional, which makes up a certain amount of its appeal. Backgrounds: 20/20 pts. Eduardo Barreto doesn't get lazy when it comes to backgrounds. When there aren't any backgrounds, I really don't notice. Panel Layout: 10/10 pts. The panel layout is creative _and_ effective. Not arranged too hectically or messily, but it doesn't follow the structured, straight "traditional" panel format. Expression: 8/10 pts. His characters are _somewhat_ rigid. It is sometimes difficult to read emotions. But the art is rather expressive nonetheless. Inking: 10/10 pts. Good, solid inking. Not much more to say about it. Coloring: 10/10 pts. (Shading, if in B&W) GORGEOUS computer coloring, by Tony Kelly & Kell-O-Graphics, Inc.!! The coloring really enhances the artwork and gives it more dimension. OVERALL AVERAGE: 82.5% (Not Bad) If you enjoy detective stories, you may like this book. Otherwise, it's a good book to pass over in the comic store. --- HATE By Peter Bagge Fantagraphics Books, 7563 Lake City Way NE, Seattle, WA, 98117 (Write for Free Catalog) Issues Reviewed: #1 24 Issues, Full Color OVERALL STORY: 85/100 pts. (Good) Plot: 30/40 pts. Not a real _meaty_ plot, but there is a plot there... there is a lot going on, but not a lot, y'know? Things happen in this book, but they are somewhat difficult to follow at times. Dialogue: 20/20 pts. Really excellent dialogue in Hate. A bit profane at times, but not in an offensive way. Dialogue is done well and, although there is a lot of it, goes by quickly and makes for an easy read. Characterization: 20/20 pts. Hate is also strong in the characterization department. I have never read an issue before this one, and already I feel a part of the (dysfunctional) family. What Hate lacks in plot & direction, it makes up for in characterization. Pacing: 9/10 pts. Sometimes feels a bit hectic, but other than that the book is paced eloquently. A quick, easy, light read. Occasionally the pacing itself is enough to make some of the funny bits funnier. Direction: 2/05 pts. I'm not sure Hate _has_ a direction... I'll give it two points, since things _did_ change slightly through the book. I just felt like I was back where I started from somewhat, at the end. Subplots: 4/05 pts. A few subplots with the collectibles store, and Dad's birthday. OVERALL ART: 94/100 pts. (Excellent) Individuality: 40/40 pts. Peter Bagge's art is his own, I'll tell you that much. I would not be able to mistake it for someone else's that much is for sure. The individuality of the art alone makes the comic one of the best alternative comics on the market. Backgrounds: 20/20 pts. One of the only books I have read in which I actually have a sense of where things are. The backgrounds in the collector's emporium are quite good. The backgrounds manage to seem _somewhat_ structured without clashing with Bagge's distinctly individual style. Panel Layout: 6/10 pts. The panels seem a bit small, and uncreative. They do not detract from the art, but they do not enhance it either. Expression: 8/10 pts. All of the characters seem to have a similar expression throughout the comic. When they break the mold, however, their expressions are VERY expressive! :) Inking: 10/10 pts. Very solid & smooth. Good inking. Coloring: 10/10 pts. (Shading, if in B&W) The two-dimensional coloring job seems to only enhance the comic for some reason. Good coloring. OVERALL AVERAGE: 89.5% (Very Good/Excellent) Hate is definitely a top-of-the-line comic, and certainly among the best alternative comics available. Pick this one up for a good read. DEFINITELY not for the kiddies. --- BIG BANG COMICS by Various Big Bang Comics, PO Box 7137, Elgin, IL 60121-7137 Issues Reviewed: #0 32 pgs, Partial Color, Standard OVERALL STORY: 57/100 pts. (Poor) Plot: 35/40 pts. Taking into account the length of the stories (there are three stories in the 32-pg. comic), the plots are actually quite good. Each story has a beginning, middle and end, and some have a clever twist to them. Certainly simplistic plots, however. Dialogue: 5/20 pts. The dialogue is bland and stiff. So many comics like this one and the 1963 miniseries from Image, that attempt to reproduce the feel of the golden age of comics, have bland dialogue. Bland dialogue does NOT a golden age comic make! Characterization: 7/20 pts. Practically no characterization at all. Some extra points for the Thunder Girl story, as that contained some characterization... Pacing: 8/10 pts. The stories went along at an only slightly hurried rate, which makes for quick but slightly uncomfortable reading. Direction: 2/05 pts. All of the stories seemed to end pretty much where it started, save for the villain of the tale, who is always vanquished. Subplots: 0/05 pts. A big, fat goose-egg. No subplots at all in any of the stories. OVERALL ART: 67/100 pts. (Poor) Individuality: 20/40 pts. Very traditional comic art. Though suitable for the feel of the book, it is somewhat stale. Backgrounds: 11/20 pts. There are a few backgrounds in this book, I guess. The backgrounds are just as simplistic as the foregrounds, however. There are many panels in which there _is_ no background, and the characters appear to be interacting in a mysterious pink (or blue or white or...) void. Panel Layout: 7/10 pts. Very traditional panel layout. No cropping at all, nor any art leaking from the panels. In some cases, there is no panel surrounding the art. In those cases there is rarely any background. Expression: 9/10 pts. The characters' faces are surprisingly expressive. They serve to make the dialogue a little bit easier to bear. Inking: 10/10 pts. Coloring: 10/10 pts. (Shading, if in B&W) Not gorgeous computer colors, but suitable for the feel of the comic. OVERALL AVERAGE: 62% (Poor) Big Bang Comics is not a work of literary genious. I would recommend it only to small kids with short attention spans. Only reason I would buy this comic is for the gorgeous Alex Ross painted cover. 4. Features ------------------------------------------------------------ ULTRAVERSE STARTS OVER IN OCTOBER Following Malibu's Black September event in... uh... September (duh), all Ultraverse comics will be RE-LAUNCHED, effectively beginning the Ultraverse anew. Additionally, all Ultraverse titles coming out in October will ship with variant coverse. The All New Exiles continues from the Exiles: Infinity title from Black September. Professor Xavier's (of the X-Men) brother, the Juggernaut, leads a band of exiled Marvel mutants and ultras in the Ultraverse on a "quest for truth with only the entire world against them". There will also be a special American Entertainment edition of Exiles #1, with a 40,000 copy print run, that will only be available from American Entertainment. The October Mantra #1 begins the story anew as a female warrior's spirit is trapped in a teenage girl's body. The old Mantra, Eden Blake, will not be completely forgotten, however. The most frequent used in Malibu's solicitation for Mantra #1 was "sexy". Hm.... The Night Man #1 debuts new artist M.C. Wyman, as the Night Man discovers his new powers in the Ultraverse while a duplicate Night Man struggles to return from the Marvel Universe. Prime #1 features Spider-Prime battling the Lizard of the Spider-Man mythos. After the Black September Spidey/Prime team-up, Kevin returns to his alternate Spider-Prime form, while someone else dons the Prime costume in his absence... Rune will become the new home for Adam Warlock, as he remains in the Ultraverse, fighting to save the vampire Gemini from himself. Rune will battle with Annihilus in the Negative Zone in Rune #1. Siren, "Black September's bad girl", makes her new home in the Marvel universe. In Siren #1, Siren acquires new powers, teams up with Diamondback (of Captain America lore), and attempts to assassinate War Machine. Ultraforce begins a new direction in the aftermath of Black September, with a new creative team of Warren Ellis (Excalibur, Marvels: Ruins) and Steven Butler (Web of Spider-Man). All in all, the new Ultraverse bears little resemblance to the UV of old. Whether or not any continuity from the old UV remains intact will remain to be seen. ________________________________________________________________________ Comicunications is TM and Copyright (c) 1995 Ryan Brewster. 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