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________________________________________________________________________
------------------------------------------------------------------------
" C O M I C B O O K E - M A G " Issue 21 - Aug 7, 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- Reviews [Sinnamon/What If?] ........... David Leblanc
-3- Comicunications ....................... Ryan Brewster
-4- Some Stuff ............................ Nathan Bredfeldt
-5- CSNsider .............................. W. Batty & C. Biggers
-6- Feedback .............................. Mail
-7- BBSes Linked into CBN ................. Net Admin Team
________________________________________________________________________
------------------------------------------------------------------------
-1- The Bullpen by Ed Dukeshire
This is the last issue of CBEM that I will be editing. I'm finding it
very difficult to gather the time needed to spend on this publication.
I have presented it to a few people in the network to see if anyone
there is interested in keeping it on a schedule. With a little luck,
someone there will step forward and keep the e-mag rolling out on a
weekly basis.
If anyone would like to keep in touch with me, feel free to drop me some
internet mail at e.dukeshire@genie.com, otherwise catch me participating
in the message echos in ComicBook Net. It's a great network to meet and
chat with others about your favorite comicbooks, films, hobbies, etc.
Yeah, there's even news in there, and anyone participating in the
network knows they see all the up-to-the-minute news about the industry
there first (that's where we pull most of the information from for this
e-mag). Comicunications and CSNsider is posted there days before it
sees print here in the e-mag.
Well, onto the e-mag, enjoy it! I had fun compiling this for you and
I'm sure the new editor will too.
-- ed
P.S. I want to mention that Ryan Brewster has set up a web page for the
ComicBook Net. All the back issues, fanfic, and CBN info stuff is
stored there. Check it out when you're surfing the net!
http://www.cris.com/~Xenozoid
Good job Ryan, I personally checked it out last night and liked what I
saw.
________________________________________________________________________
------------------------------------------------------------------------
-2- Reviews by David Leblanc
Sinnamon #3 - Catfish Comics (B & W) $2.75 [$3.40 Canadian]
- Mature Readers (partial nudity)
Writer - Angelo Furlan
Art (cover, main story, back up inks) M. Gerald Delaney
second story pencils - Pia Guerra
This is some of the best art you will see in a self published comic
anywhere. Delaney's cover had me looking again and again to be sure
it was not a picture. The photo-realistic style throughout the book
makes it a stand out product worth looking into. I had seen copies
of Guerra's pencils in a preview of a yet to be published issue of
_The Bruiser_ for Anthem Comics and was anxious to see more of her work.
Her style blends in well with Delaney's making the entire product
uniform in style. Delaney uses very little background art, especially
in the action sequences, but with a gal like Sinnamon in the foreground,
who needs it! Keep your eye out for both these artists, they will go
places in this business.
The fun of SINNAMON is the story of course. Angelo weaves many plot
threads interspersed with lots of humor and many dark moments as well.
You can usually expect a celebrity face or two in each issue and this
one has my favorite cop from NYPD and three not so bright cops that are
really stooges. Then there is the Wolverine-like Spine Ripper who is
this issues obligatory bad-guy-who gets-thrown-into-police-headquarters-
front-door. Another funny bit involves an oddly-garbed heavy toting a
BIG GUN (tm) the recoil of which sends him flying into an empty building
with disastrous results. This is all dressing for us to observe
Sinnamon in some new outfits which don't seem to last too long, giving
us plenty to look at after each fight. The first costume resembles a
very popular feline character and the similarity includes the detail of
the "inny" navel in the costume.
Lest you think this is all silly gags and skin there a some serious
plots as well. There is a serial rapist on the loose and a burnt to
crisp corpse both which the lovely Sergeant Roccia is investigating.
Then we have the secret Sisterhood making plans to make contact again
with Sinnamon, Pyre-Anna claims another victim, and we are left
wondering if any of this is connected to Orlanda the recently fired
astrologer. And just who is the mysterious disembodied voice leading
the Sisterhood? Turns out Scott, Sinn's neighbor, can bake but will he
come back for seconds?
There is certainly enough value for your money with even the text pages
of the Golden Valley Gazette giving clues and background to the plot.
There is even a World Wide Web page set up for those with access to
check out some art and contact Angelo directly. I enjoy this book a
lot, more than some of the color products out there. Each issue draws
me more into the characters and wondering how it all fits. I recommend
you give it a try. Even if you can't find #1 and #2 try this issue and
order the others direct from Catfish Comics. It's worth it.
····────════*David LeBlanc> ComicBkNet@AOL.COM
david.leblanc@gaquatic.iii.net RIME->5179 FIDO 1:322/743.1
-*-
What If . . . ? #77
Yes, this *is* a review of a Marvel book! This issue was written by
Benny Powell with dialogue by Warren Ellis. For those who don't know,
Benny is the SysOp of the X-Mansion BBS in Astoria, New York -
(718)-204-0159 and a member of the Comic Book Network.
This is the first Marvel book I have read since the end of the Age of
Apocalypse storyline, and will probably be the last for a while but I
decided to put aside my lack of interest in anything Marvel in support
of a fellow member of the premier network for comic enthusiasts.
Some spoilers follow!
The pencils in this issue are handled by Hector Gomez, inked by John
Liuesay and Mike Halblieb, and colored by Sam Parsons. I'll give these
guys credit, they are a lot better than some of the last artists I saw
in that mish mash in X-Men Prime. Well, that's not a fair comparison
but these guys are pretty good so that part of the book was worthwhile.
The story is based on the premise: What if Legion had killed Magneto?
This time he goes back even further in time and gets Erik as he and his
wife are escaping a concentration camp. After he dispatches Magneto the
consequences of the altered history result in his own demise, as Magneto
is no longer there to help Xavier save David's own mother in the future.
That is the setup and we flash forward to the present time.
In the "Age of Xavier" there are two mutant organizations. The largest
is the Hellfire Club International with the usual members of the inner
circle now including Warren Worthington as the Angel (no Archangel) and
Bobby Drake as Iceman and lover of Emma Frost. The other is of course
the X-Men with Beast, Dazzler, Storm, Colossus, and Shadowcat. The
team is run not by Xavier but Forge and is nothing more than a freak
show for entertainment. We start with them training for a mock battle
to be held against the Hellfire Club so they can later make up and show
the world they are friends. Jean and Scott have long since quit the
team and live in Alaska with their kids, Rachel and Nathan. After a
different resolution of the Phoenix Saga they have given up on that part
of being mutants, preferring to live as humans to their neighbors.
The one thing that stands out as wrong in this story is Xavier. He is
nothing more than a figurehead and Forge is an overbearing bully with
his own agenda. Convenient for the story that is being told but way out
of character and unfamiliar. After a shakeup in the Inner circle, with
the usual few deaths that always occur in What If stories, the stage is
set for the confrontation at the White House lawn that becomes more than
the staged fight Forge had planned. As Apocalypse storms the scene and
the all too real carnage begins, Xavier realizes that these X-Men were
not really prepared for such a confrontation and only the intervention
of Scott and Jean, though a bit too late, stop the carnage - at least on
that day. The force required to end it takes it toll on the previous
good will the world had shown mutants. The distrust and growing
hate force the remaining "new" mutants behind the now closed to the
public Institute for Mutants. The Summers welcome the new class and
begin the task of rekindling the fire of Xavier's long forgotten dream.
The last panel shows a few not so friendly faces, and a couple familiar
ones, dedicated to their own cause watching with interest.
I must say I was entertained by the story. As an alternate reality it
was well plotted, if you accept Xavier as a wimp. Jean still has the
Phoenix power, or we never really know if she is still at the bottom of
the harbor in a cocoon. You just gotta accept that Jean is Phoenix and
came through that episode okay. I found most of these What If stories
require you to accept things will or will not happen not because of the
event that made the universe diverge (Magneto's death in this case) but
because the writer also wants other things to happen to move his plot
forward. If you go into it as if you know very little about what these
characters did in the "real" reality, and just accept the new, then this
story is just as likely as any other X-men tale. No, its better -
because it doesn't rely on years of past stories with convoluted plots
that make it almost impossible to jump into any new X-Men story. You
can read this one as a stand alone and enjoy it. Too many fight scenes
and not enough exploring of the characters, but with the plot needing to
cover so much ground it works.
A fine first effort and for a $1.50 a decent value at that. Those who
loved AofA will want to check it out. Just be aware it is basically the
X-Men so don't go looking for the Gen-X kids or X-Force.
*************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 #2 ----- Saturday, August 5th, 1995 --------
COMIContents:
1. Industry News:
*Acclaim, Kitchen Sink Choose Sides
*Peter David Recieves His Own Newsgroup
*Intercompany Crossover
*Groo Crosses Over!
*Hulk Toy Line To Debut In Time For Christmas
*X-Men And Doom Cross Over
*Reed Returns
*It's a GIRL!
*Sam (The Maxx) Kieth Interviewed in Previews
*Bart Simpson Terrifies
*Doomsday Rages In His First Year
*Hero Illustrated Ceases & Desists
2. Editorial: Miscellaney
3. Reviews:
-Milestone's "Static" (DC)
-Marvel's "Spider-Man Group" (Maximum Clonage 6-part)
-Dilemma's "Dilemma Presents"
-Bravura's "Norm Breyfogle's Metaphysique" (Malibu)
-Cartoon Books' "Bone"
4. Comicunications' Top 5 Rated Comics!
5. Feature: Eisner Awards '95!
1. Industry News -----------------------------------------------------
Acclaim, Kitchen Sink Choose Sides:
7/30/95 - Both Acclaim Comics and Kitchen Sink Publishing announced at
the San Diego Comic Convention that they would be going exclusive.
Acclaim will be distributing their products exclusively through
Diamond, most likely with the same type of agreement that DC, Image
and Dark Horse have with the distributor. Kitchen Sink will be going
exclusive with Capital City Comics Distributors, and the word on the
street is that Warp Graphics may be going exclusive with them too.
Peter David Recieves His Own Newsgroup:
7/29/95 - Fan-favorite comics/novels writer Peter David (Incredible
Hulk, Spider-Man 2099, Aquaman, Star Trek novels) now has his own
newsgroup on the Internet. Fans post questions to the
alt.fan.peter-david Usenet newsgroup which the author addresses. The
forum was created so that fans could interact with Peter David online.
Intercompany Crossover:
7/29/95 - A clandestine (though probably not involving the Marvel
comic ClanDestine) comics crossover has been in the planning stages
between the Marvel & DC Comics, and will likely come to fruition
this fall.
Groo Crosses Over!:
8/1/95 - Groo makes an interesting cameo appearance in a B&W issue
of Usaji Yojimbo (Fantagraphics) by Stan Sakai. Stan explained that
he hadn't drawn him in, but he had taken the story to Sergio Aragone's
place (Sergio draws the Groo comic for Image Comics), and Sergio
had probably drawn him in as a joke. The appearance is in book 5
on page 33, "A Kite Story".
Hulk Toy Line To Debut In Time For Christmas:
8/4/95 - Toy Biz will be doing a line of Hulk toys tentatively scheduled
to ship in time for the Christmas season. Figures mentioned for
inclusion are Green Hulk, Grey Hulk, Banner, Leader, Doc Samson and
the Abomination.
X-Men And Doom Cross Over:
8/3/95 - 2099 Apocalypse, a one-shot by Ellis & Buckingham, kicks off
a 4-month crossover between X-Men 2099 (26-30) and Doom 2099 (36-39).
The one-shot shipping in October has Herod defeating Doom and driving
him fron the White House. Doom must seek sanctuary from his former
Minister of Humanity, Morphine Somers, in the mutant haven known as
Halo City.
Reed Returns:
8/3/95 - Reed Richards, Mr. Fantastic, the late leader of the Fantastic
Four (who has been dead for nigh a year now, I believe), is slated to
make his return to the team in issue #407, to ship in October. It is
not mentioned whether the Human Torch will return or not.
It's a GIRL!
8/4/95 - During a dinner with Niel Gaiman (Sandman) and Kurt (Marvels,
Astro City) & Ann Busiek, Scott (Understanding Comics) McCloud's wife
Ivy went into labor. All are doing well, including big sister
Sky McCloud who was reported dancing around the room in delight at
the news.
Sam Kieth Interviewed in Previews:
7/26/95 - Sam Kieth, creator of the Image comic and MTV cartoon, The
Maxx, was interviewed recently in Diamond Comics' catalog/magazine
Previews. In the interview, he stated that the current storyline in
the comic book The Maxx would be wrapped up in #20. Alan Moore
will fill-in as writer on #21, and the book will take an entirely
new direction thereon, focusing on Sarah some 10 years after events
in #20. Also, Bill Loebs will write a Gen13/Maxx crossover and will
take over Thor after Warren Ellis's 4-issue revamp.
Bart Simpson Terrifies:
7/26/95 - Jeff Smith, James Robinson and Mike Allred will all contribute
a story to Bongo Comics' upcoming comic, Bart Simpson's Treehouse of
Horror #1, to ship in October.
Doomsday Rages In His First Year:
7/26/95 - An all-star cast of Super-creators (Jurgens/Ordway/Simonson/
Stern/Janke/Batista/Kane/etc) will write & draw the first Doomsday
Annual, as part of the Year One 1995 annual event from DC. The book
will feature the early mindless rampages of He Who Killed Superman,
as Doomsday takes on Darkseid, the Green Lantern Corps and the Khund
Empire.
Hero Illustrated Ceases & Desists:
8/1/95 - Hero Illustrated will cease printed publication in the near
future. The comic-book magazine will continue being published in
an on-line version (a la Omni Magazine...).
2. Editorial (miscellaney) ---------------------------------------------
* You may have noticed I changed some things in the reviews. This is
designed to make the reviews read a little easier. Give me your
feedback, I want what you want! :)
* With comics prices going up so much, it's so gratifying to see
companies trying alternative gimmicks like 99¢ comics! What publishers
see is the bottom line, though, so if you are in favor of gimmicks like
these, be sure to pick these 99¢ comics up! Marvel is publishing
a wide array of comics (from each of its "groups") for 99¢, and
Milestone (from DC) is also publishing selected issues of its comics
for 99¢, with NO DOWNGRADE IN QUALITY!! That's right, the same comic
that was $2.50 last month may be 99¢ this month! Not to mention
that Milestone is putting out some of the best books out there... the
99¢ issue is a painless way to get introduced to some great comics.
* Another company dropping their prices is Malibu. Starting in
September, their comics go from $2.50 to $1.50... The paper won't be
glossy any more, but who cares? I'm _definitely_ in favor of this
trend...
* What other trends can we talk about? BAD GIRLS! I can't think
of a more _stupid_ trend. Some bad girl comics are well-done, granted,
like Catwoman and Sinnaman. But I'm really tired of flipping through
Previews and seeing "Bad Girl!" in big red letters on every page...
* Another way the publishers are taking advantage on a hapless
collectorship is _variant covers_.... These really tick me off. I
would just as soon get the most common issue and wait until someone
prints the variants in a card set or something. What the variants _are_
doing is completely destroying the potential value of the issue. The
issue is invariably a first-issue or important issue in the series, and
if not shipped with a dozen variants, it could appreciate quite well.
But instead, nobody wants the "regular" issue, so it gains the label
of "worthless". And _everyone_ wants the _variants_, so they get waay
to rich for _my_ blood. Grrr....
* While we're talking about back issues, this current "depression" in
the comic market is a great opportunity for you to pick up some of the
"hot" items from a year or three ago... Some recommendations: Ultra-
verse #0, which was selling for like $30 or something last year, is
being sold by American Entertainment now for $3...! The Marvels mini
is likewise going for $3 or $4 an issue these days as opposed to its
$10-15 per issue value a few months back. There are others too... read
some old (1 or 2 years old) issues of Wizard or so for inspiration, and
look in some of the ads in your latest comic...
That does it for this week. Hopefully, I'll be on the ball next week
and will have the next issue done on schedule. Till then, Make Mine
CBN! :)
3. Reviews --------------(SPOILER WARNING)------------------------------
All Comics mailed to Comicunications for the purpose of being reviewed
WILL be reviewed.
Comics for review: Ryan Brewster
c/o Comicunications
84 Bunker Hill St.
Lancaster, NH 03584
(Just to make the reviews go by a bit faster, I've changed the format
slightly...)
---
STATIC
by Ivan Valez, Jr., Wilfred, John Stanisci, and Michilinie Hess, Burrell
& J. Scott J.
Milestone Media, (A DC Comics Imprint)119 West 23rd St., Suite 409,
New York, NY 10011 (Internet: DCOMilestn@aol.com)
Issues Reviewed: 23 - 26
Full Color, 32 pgs, Standard (#s' 23 & 24), Glossy (#'s 25 & 26)
OVERALL AVERAGE: 96.5% (Wow!!)
OVERALL STORY: 98/100 pts. (WOW!!)
Plot: 40/40 pts.
Dialogue: 18/20 pts.
Characterization: 20/20 pts.
Pacing: 10/10 pts.
Direction: 5/05 pts.
Subplots: 5/05 pts.
OVERALL ART: 95/100 pts. (Excellent)
Individuality: 40/40 pts.
Backgrounds: 15/20 pts.
Panel Layout: 10/10 pts.
Expression: 10/10 pts.
Inking: 10/10 pts.
Coloring: 10/10 pts. (Shading, if in B&W)
Static is very possibly one of the most underrated comic books
in the industry. If you are one of the lost souls who hasn't discovered
this gem yet, start picking it up! It should be relatively simple to
follow, even for new readers. And back-issues are still inexpensive, so
haunt some discount bins, you may find some pleasent surprises.
Probably not a good gift idea for kids under 12, though...
The plot is extremely well coordinated, and continues cleanly from
one issue to the next. All important plot devices are executed flaw-
lessly, and the continuity is still intact after 26 issues. Kudos to
Valez and editor Dwayne McDuffie for that...
Issue #23 wraps up a rather odd storyline about dogs with strange
powers... Issue #24 deals with some of the after-effects, and introduces
Static to Dusk, a super-heroine(?). Virgil (Static's real-life
identity) looses his virginity in #25... this comic deals with sex very
well. Not only does it deal with it realistically, it sneaks in some
sex education in a way that doesn't seem preachy at all. More Kudos to
writer Ivan Valez, Jr. Virgil sneaks into the opening of Utopia Park,
Dakota's new hot theme park in issue #26.
What I think I like best about the plot is that it doesn't seem
to be organized into specific storylines. Life is rarely organized into
such a pattern, and one would think that it would become even less
organized if you were a superhero... but so many comics rely on "Story
Arcs" to draw in readers. However, Static is one of the only titles
I've read (and I've read a good many) that is a _truly_ "Ongoing"
title, and not a "Series of Mini-Series & one-shots" title _disguised_
as an "Ongoing" title. Although I'm sure, if pressed, I could come up
with more.
But I digress... (ewps... sorry PAD... <G>)
The characters seem very realistic. I often feel like I'm back
in the hall at my High School.
Static has some of the best characterization in comics. I feel at
home with these guys... I feel like they're my friends.
The pacing in this book is just about perfect. It sometimes goes
at breakneck speed... generally when someone is breaking their neck.
At other times, it is very slow & deliberate. The pacing in Static
makes it very easy to read, and can make a half-hour feel like 5
minutes.
Virgil's social life doesn't take a back seat to Static's
adventures, something I'd like to see in more comic books. Also, the
book deals with Frieda's social life as well, and her (questionable?)
boyfriend supplies some excellent intrigue. Static is rich with sub-
plots.
In the art department, I doubt I would ever be able to mistake
Wilfred's art for someone else's. His own stuff, and certainly pleasing
to the eye at that.
Static sometimes suffers from the attack of The Void. When Wilfred
feels like adding in a background, he does it very well. I would like
to see some more detail to the artwork.
I love some of the expression in Wilfred's art. It's not often
that I find myself laughing at _art_ (with the happy exception of some
Calvin & Hobbes and Garfield strips...).
The inking seems _kind_ of lazy at times, but serves only to
enhance the relaxed nature of Wilfred's art.
The coloring in Static enhances its individuality, and transfers
very gracefully from the standard format to the new glossy format. Good
textures, and adds some dimension to the art.
---
SPIDER-MAN GROUP
Maximum Clonage 6-part
by Various
Marvel Comics, 387 Park Ave. SO, New York, NY, 10016
Issues Reviewed: Maximum Clonage Alpha, Omega; Web of Spider-Man 127;
Spider-Man 61; Spectacular Spider-Man 227; Amazing
Spider-Man 404;
Full Color, various lengths, various formats
OVERALL AVERAGE: 84% (Not Bad)
OVERALL STORY: 82/100 pts. (Not Bad)
Plot: 35/40 pts.
Dialogue: 20/20 pts.
Characterization: 12/20 pts.
Pacing: 8/10 pts.
Direction: 2/05 pts.
Subplots: 5/05 pts.
OVERALL ART: 86/100 pts. (Good)
Individuality: 30/40 pts.
Backgrounds: 19/20 pts.
Expression: 7/10 pts.
Inking: 10/10 pts.
Coloring: 10/10 pts. (Shading, if in B&W)
Panel Layout: 10/10 pts.
I don't know about this. The whole clone mess still hasn't been
wrapped up yet. I don't think that I'd try to introduce this title to
any new readers quite yet. The Spider-Man group is usually very good,
their latest offering just isn't up to snuff.
The plot is very rich, but we take some points off for being TOO
rich... It is very difficult to follow at times, and there are so many
subplots and plot twists & turns it is often confusing.
Generally, a nice complex plot is good enough to score a perfect
40 in this category, and it very well _would_ have... but for such an
involved plot, I think they were being unfair to their readers by
crossing over into every one of the different comics. Missing a single
one of the parts could make the story that much more confusing, and I
shudder to think how many loyal Spider-fans have only 2 or 3 of the
titles on their pull-list and have found to their dismay that the one
title that isn't on their list for whatever reason (maybe they don't
like the artist, maybe the writer ticks them off) is sold out.
For a plot as involved as this, Marvel could have done better
for themselves by putting the Spider-Man Group on hold for a month and
simply publish a Maximum Clonage miniseries or something to that
effect. (Like what they did for the X-Men awhile ago...) While the
book-end titles were certainly _flashy_ looking, there was no indication
on their covers what part they came into the storyline. If you are a
newcomer to the comics field, how long would you spend searching through
the Spider-Man racks looking for Maximum Clonage part 1? How about part
6? "Alpha" and "Omega" sound nifty, but they are as over-done as #0
comics.
A simple blurb on the top of the bookend titles explaining which
part of the storyline is held between the gimmick covers could solve a
lot of confusion.
Perhaps it is time for the Spider-Man Group and DC's Superman Group
to consider cancelling their various titles and simply begin anew with
a weekly comic with rotating creative teams. (In fact, they could
probably get by with just rotating _artists_, as it is relatively common
for writers to be writing 4 or 5 titles a month..)
I really enjoyed the dialogue on the Jackal. His tongue-in-cheek
comments really made him a very memorable villain, one which I will
miss. While somewhat Joker-esque, the dialogue lightened up the rather
grim tale somewhat, and emphasized the Jackal's insanity. Which is
important. A great supervillain can't have more than a few toes on
the ground, you know.
I'm going to take some points off for characterization, just
because the book has had such great characterization in the past; it
seems to me that Spider-Man (the clone that we've been reading about
for the past kajillion years) did some things in his unique situation
that I wouldn't have thought he would. I guess I would call it
_retroactive_ characterization ("retchar"?), as the storyline seemed
to take someone who I thought I knew rather well, and changed him into
almost a stranger...
Some points are added, however, for some good Mary Jane character-
ization.
A few points off in pacing for making me feel somewhat rushed as I
read the story, but I think if the story was any longer it would have
been over-kill. If anything, I would have simplified the plot a little
so that I could be a little more creative with the pacing.
When a friend of mine dropped all but one of the Spider-books she
was collecting (yes, a SHE!!<G>), I asked her why. Her main complaint
was that she felt it just "wasn't going anywhere!". I gave her a call
the other day to see if she was buying all the books again, and she
said that she had, in fact, DROPPED the one Spider-Man book that she was
still collecting; she had heard about all the changes in store for her
ol' pal Parker, and bailed. I think that sort of reflects a lot of what
I've been seeing/hearing from the fans.
I am glad that the book is _going_ somewhere, but I think that
this story, as ingeniously as it has been done, could have been
accomplished just as effectively without alienating so many of Spider-
Man's fans.
As for the art, it is difficult to grade the art in this way, since
each of the books has its own creative team.
Mark Bagley and Sal Buscema both have distinct and pleasing styles,
without sacrificing artistic continuity. That is, they both manage to
maintain their own style, without taking too much license.
The rest of the artists did well in maintaining continuity, but
did nothing to distinguish themselves from the rest of the crop. I
hesitate to call them "clones" for obvious reasons...
The artists _do_, however, have some of the best use of background,
all around, that I've seen yet.
Many of the artists, particularly Bags, are fond of sacrificing
backgrounds for a mess of speed lines, but even speed lines are better
than the Infamous Void.
Very creative use of panel layout; rarely do we see a "standard"
comic page, and we don't see a whole lot of white spaces. These artists
make use of the entire page.
Sometimes the expressions seem exhaggerated... but there is some
excellent expression on the Jackal.
Excellent coloring, it's nice to see Marvel taking advantage of
newly-acquired-Malibu's coloring facilities.
---
DILEMMA PRESENTS
by Len Mihalovich, Michael Kelleher & Dan Langan
Dilemma Productions, PO Box 803, Easthampton, MA. 01027
(Back Issues Available $2.50 ea. From Dilemma)
Issues Reviewed: #'s 1-3
28 pgs, Black & White, standard format (not newsprint)
OVERALL AVERAGE: 84% (Not Bad)
OVERALL STORY: 91/100 pts. (Very Good)
Plot: 40/40 pts.
Dialogue: 15/20 pts.
Characterization: 16/20 pts.
Pacing: 10/10 pts.
Direction: 5/05 pts.
Subplots: 5/05 pts.
OVERALL ART: 77/100 pts. (Average)
Individuality: 20/40 pts.
Backgrounds: 20/20 pts.
Panel Layout: 9/10 pts.
Expression: 8/10 pts.
Inking: 10/10 pts.
Coloring: 10/10 pts. (Shading, if in B&W)
Dilemma Productions puts together a good package with Dilemma
Presents. Dilemma Presents is a flip-book, with Section 12 (written
by Len Mihalovich) on one side and Legend Killer (written by Michael
Kelleher) on the other. Michael Kelleher illustrates both, with Dan
Langan helping out at times.
Section 12 in particular will appeal to superhero fans, providing
an excellent alternative to comics from the Big Two (DC & Marvel).
Legend Killer feels more like Quantum Leap than a superhero comic. All
in all, Dilemma Presents is a great way to expand your comic reading
horizons.
The plot in Section 12 is well sculpted, as is the one in Legend
Killer. For such short installments every other month, it is surprising
how much happens in those few pages. The story moves along at a nice
pace.
It is also quite surprising how much science Len Mihalovich uses
in his story. So many superhero origins are wrapped up by the simple
explaination of "An accident in the lab", or "a government experiment
gone awry!". But Section 12 goes above & beyond, in fact making the
story more believable.
The characterization in Section 12 is okay, but the
characterization in Legend Killer is excellent. I feel I know the main
character, yet there's still enough mystery to keep me interested.
Legend Killer is also rich with subplots, as is Section 12. What
is the motivation behind Whitney Thorne's aggressive attitude? What
is it with Dr. Tyler, that he could appear _dead_ one minute, and not
have a scar the next? Not to mention the midevil knight who crossed
over into the universe during a scientific demonstration.
As for Legend Killer, the subplots range from the mysterious indian
to how & why the Legend Killer is (quantum) leaping to & fro in the
time/space continuum.
The art is average, but good for a small press title. The
backgrounds are excellent, and the inking is quite good. The panel
layout is also quite creative. The art also has depth that is
difficult to attain in black & white.
---
NORM BREYFOGLE'S METAPHYSIQUE
By Norm Breyfogle (duh)
Bravura (An imprint of Malibu Comics (which is itself an imprint of
Marvel Comics)) 26707 Agoura Rd., Calabasas, CA 91302-1960
818.878.7400
Issues Reviewed: 1-3
32 pgs, full-color, glossy format.
OVERALL AVERAGE: 93.5% (Excellent)
OVERALL STORY: 94/100 pts. (Excellent)
Plot: 40/40 pts.
Dialogue: 12/20 pts.
Characterization:17/20 pts.
Pacing: 15/10 pts.
Direction: 5/05 pts.
Subplots: 5/05 pts.
OVERALL ART: 93/100 pts. (Very Good)
Individuality: 40/40 pts.
Backgrounds: 17/20 pts.
Panel Layout: 10/10 pts.
Expression: 7/10 pts.
Inking: 9/10 pts.
Coloring: 10/10 pts. (Shading, if in B&W)
Metaphysique is a fascinating, thought-provoking comic book. What
particularly attracts me to it, I believe, is the way it deals with the
concept of lucid dreaming. Lucid dreaming is itself an intriguing
topic, but all I have read on the subject has been bland and
relentlessly scientific.
Metaphysique is an exciting superhero adventure as well as a
theoretical scientific exploration. Most of the "science" within it, of
course, is purely science-FICTION. But enough of it is explained
plausibly that one finds one's self believing that you could become a
superhero if you just lay down for a nap.
Norm Breyfogle's Metaphysique could, I belive, appeal to a good
many various interests. Those interested in spirituality and dreams,
and those interested in scientific exploration & discovery could both
find it fascinating. It contains plenty of superhero action as well,
and includes the characterization and interplay between characters that
one would expect from a well-sculpted soap opera. Fans of Topps'
X-Files comic would like Metaphysique. (And fans of the TV show for
that matter...)
The plot is intricate and well thought-out. It centers around the
concept of lucid dreaming. Lucid dreaming is the ability (art? power?)
to realize that you are dreaming when you are dreaming, and not waking
up. When you realize that you are dreaming, and you continue to dream,
you have become "lucid". When you have become lucid, you can do pretty
much whatever you feel like. If you can concieve doing it, you can do
it, if you are lucid.
A scientist (Dr. Mater), who runs a clinic (school? therapy group?)
called Dreamright Labs, monitors his patients' (guinae pigs'?) dreams
with his equipment. His patients lie in beds (which look like cryogenic
chambers of some sort), and are connected together by an intelligent
computer named Mandelbrot. When the patients fall asleep, the computer
uses their various thought patterns to create a dreamscape, a virtual
reality which the doctor can monitor and participate in from his control
center, and within which all the patients can interact. So really,
they're all dreaming. When they've all become lucid, they can become
their superhero identities and use their powers to destroy/confront
their nightmares.
Now, the patients came to Dreamright Labs because of strange night-
mares they've been having. (Their advertisement reads: "Nightmares?
Call Dreamright!" or something to that effect) So the purpose of the
lab is to teach them to become lucid in their dreams and control them
to their own desires. However, the doctor does seem to have his own
(as of yet, unrevealed) agenda.
The dialogue in Metaphysique is very mediocre. The characters
talk the same. It isn't distracting, but it does make the book seem
somewhat... uh... stiff?
Metaphysique has some good characterization. I'm beginning to see
some relationships developing betweek some of the characters, and more
and more background about the mysterious Dr. Mater is being revealed.
The pacing is okay. There is a lot of text, so it might be nice if
the pacing was a little faster (i.e.-less text per panel), but each
issue goes by quickly enough as you get wrapped into the plot.
Metaphysique is rich with plot twists and subplots. One of which
is Metaphysique himself. Although his name is the title of the book,
we know little about him, and he is really at this point no more than
a subplot. Dr. Mater's son Adam (one of the patients as well) has been
having odd dreams about a superhero named Metaphysique. Also, there
seems to be some underlying motivation behind Dr. Mater's efforts, and
his patients are slowly beginning to find that their lucid dreams aren't
quite as fictitious as they'd believe.
Mr. Breyfogle has a very distinct and pleasing art style. His
work is generally detailed and the backgrounds are consistant. He is
very creative with his panel layout. His characters are maybe a bit
_too_ expressive. The inking is bold and the coloring is excellent, as
one would expect from such an outfit as Digital Chameleon.
---
BONE
by Jeff Smith
Cartoon Books (Soon to become an imprint of Image Comics), PO Box
16973, Columbus, OH 43216. All back issues are available,
for $2.95 (current printings), but hurry. They won't be
when Image takes over (in two months).
Issues reviewed: #'s 18-20
24 pgs, B&W, Standard format (not newsprint, though).
OVERALL AVERAGE: 95.5% (Wow!)
OVERALL STORY: 98/100 pts. (Wow!)
Plot: 40/40 pts.
Dialogue: 20/20 pts.
Characterization:18/20 pts.
Pacing: 10/10 pts.
Direction: 5/05 pts.
Subplots: 5/05 pts.
OVERALL ART: 93/100 pts. (Excellent)
Individuality: 38/40 pts.
Backgrounds: 18/20 pts.
Panel Layout: 7/10 pts.
Expression: 10/10 pts.
Inking: 10/10 pts.
Coloring: 10/10 pts. (Shading, if in B&W)
Bone is without a doubt one of the most popular B&W comics _in_
comics, and for good reason! The cartoonish, cute (but very well done)
artwork and witty dialogue in themselves make for an interesting read,
but underneath lies an exciting plot full of intrigue, deception and
politics.
It can appeal to children and adults alike, even teenagers.
The plot for the past three issues concentrates on Smiley and
Phoney bone and their bet with Lucious that they could sell more beers
than he could. There is also a larger, deeper plot involving Bone,
Thorn and Gran'ma Ben. Thorn's been having bad dreams, but it seems
that the dreams weren't completely untrue.
What I like best about Bone is Jeff Smith's ability to maintain
a sense of mystery & intrigue, while still moving the book along in
a definite direction. He also demonstrates that you don't have to
sacrifice humor for a good story.
The dialogue is some of the best dialogue since Walt Kelly's
Pogo comic strip. In fact, it's often quite similar. Jeff Smith
makes no secret of Walt Kelly's influence on his style.
The characterization in Bone is above average. We are constantly
learning new things about each character in every issue, but there's
always that feeling that you don't _really_ know them.
The pacing is some of the best in comics. The book goes by
extremely quickly, but is entertaining from cover to cover.
The art also seems to have been influenced by Walt Kelly's... But
it is still easily discerned from other artists. The backgrounds are
constistant and the panels are normal. But the expressions are
EXCELLENT! You can tell just what the various characters are thinking
just by looking at the cover.
The art also has a lot of depth, something not many B&W comics can
boast.
4. Comicunications' Top 5 Rated Comics ---------------------------------
[This will eventually become a top-10 list, but I have not yet reviewed
enough titles for a top-10 list to be very practical. Rankings are
determined by scores I gave the comics when I reviewed them in recent
issues of Comicunications]
Rank Title/Issues Score
#1. Static #'s 23-26 (Milestone Comics) 96.5
#2. Bone #'s 18-20 (Cartoon Books) 95.5
#3. Norm Breyfogle's Metaphysique #'s 1-3 (Bravura) 93.5
#4. Impulse #'s 1-5 (DC Comics) 92.5
#5. Peter Bagge's Hate #18 (Fantagraphics) 89.5
5. Feature -------------------------------------------------------------
The following is a listing of the winners of this year's Eisner Awards,
presented during the recent San Diego Comic Convention. It was
originally posted by Paul J. Grant in the Compuserve Comics/Animation
forum.
Inkpot Awards:
Roger Corman
Ramona Fradon
Greg and Tim Hildebrandt
Ryoichi Ikegami
Irv Novick
Joe Sinnott
Russ Manning Award for New Talent:
Edvin Biukovic
Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award:
Maggie Thompson
Eisner Awards:
New Series/Too Much Coffee Man by Shannon Wheeler (Adhesive)
Continuing Series/Bone by Jeff Smith (Cartoon Books)
Limited Series/Sin City: A Dame to Kill For by Frank Miller (Dark
Horse/Legend)
Coloring/Angus McKie, Martha Washington Goes to War (Dark Horse/Legend)
Lettering/Todd Klein, Batman vs. Predator II (DC/Dark Horse); The Demon
(DC); Sandman (DC/Vertigo); Uncle Scrooge (Gladstone)
Cover Artist/Glenn Fabry, Hellblazer (DC/Vertigo)
Anthology/Big Book of Urban Legends, Bronwyn Taggart, ed. (Paradox Press)
Graphic Album - Reprint/Hellboy: Seeds of Destruction by Mike Mignola
(Dark Horse/Legend)
Graphic Album - New/Fairy Tales of Oscar Wilde, vol. 2, by P. Craig Russell
(NBM)
Editor/Karen Berger, Sandman, Sandman Mystery Theatre (DC/Vertigo)
Comics Related Publication/Hero Illsutrated (Warrior Publications)
Comics Related Item/Sandman Arabian Night statue, designed by P. Craig
Russell, scuplted by Randy Bowen (DC/Graphitti Designs)
Painter/Jon J Muth, Mystery Play (DC/Vertigo)
Penciller/Inker or Team/Dave Gibbons, Martha Wasdhington Goes to War
(Dark Horse/Legend)
Talent Deserving of Wider Recognition/Evan Dorkin, Milk & Cheese, Instant
Piano, etc.
Archival Collection/The Christmas Spirit by Will Eisner (Kitchen Sink)
Humor Publication/Bone by Jeff Smith (Cartoon Books)
Publication Design/Acme Novelty Library by Chris Ware (Fantagraphics)
Writer/Alan Moore, From Hell (Kitchen Sink)
Writer/Artist/Mike Mignola, Hellboy, Seeds of Destruction (Dark
Horse/Legend)
Writer/Artist - Humor/Jeff Smith, Bone (Cartoon Books)
Short Story/"The Babe Wore Red" by Frank Miller, in Sin City: The Babe Wore
Red and Other Stories (Dark Horse/Legend)
Serialized Story/"The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck" by Don Rosa, in
Uncle Scrooge (Gladstone)
Single Issue/Batman Adventures Holiday Special, by Paul Dini, Bruce Timm
et al (DC)
Hall of Fame: Frank Frazetta and Walt Kelly
________________________________________________________________________
Comicunications is TM and Copyright (c) 1995 Ryan Brewster. Distribute
only in entirety.
________________________________________________________________________
------------------------------------------------------------------------
-4- Some Stuff by Nathan Bredfeldt
SOME STUFF
By Nathan Bredfeldt
I promise not to turn this into a review column, with week after
week of nothing but my opinion on comics that you may or may not read.
Leave that stuff to those other guys, who have bigger vocabularies, and
can sum up their thoughts in a few short lines.
That being said, I want to talk about WONDER WOMAN (henceforth
WW) number 101: the issue with which Byrne takes over.
(But you said no reviews! "Well, just this once. Maybe for
Golden Age, too.")
I was never much of a Byrne fan, at least not that I would have
known. Back in the good old days, before I had the industry all figured
out, I just bought comics that looked cool, or had an interesting
looking premise. I didn't care about creators then, but for some
reason, Byrne's stints on NAMOR and WEST COAST AVENGERS really impressed
the heck out of me. Later on, when I figured out that knowing the
creative team of a title was a good thing (tm), I looked back over my
collection, and sure enough, a few names seemed to appear a lot:
Claremont (X-Men), Alan Davis (Excalibur), and Byrne.
That look back eventually led me to NEXT MEN (it was about 8 at
the time), of which I quickly became a Drooling Fan (tm). Then, NEXT
MEN came to an abrupt halt. It was gone, just like that. So was DANGER
UNLIMITED, and all Byrne had to offer for both cancellations were cheap
excuses, and hollow promises. (and BABE, but I really don't care for
that book)
And I was, needless to say, upset.
Along comes Wonder Woman, a title destined to sell well, meaning
Byrne's poor little ego won't have to suffer from any more low sales.
My first exposure to Byrne's WW was on the cover of PREVIEWS. One look
and I knew: Byrne art. How did I know? Simple: the appearance of a
Byrne Generic Face (pat. pending)! I looked over the promotional
material with rapidly decreasing interest (Darkseid, massacre, generic
imaginary DC town. Yawn), and finally gave up on it...
...Until that fateful evening. I was at Kroger buying some
foodstuffs, and happened across a copy of WW #101. Diana was still on
my mind, because I had watched her show on FX at work that afternoon.
So, my willpower being less sturdy than a wet kleenex, I bought a copy.
And here's what I thought:
The art was standard Byrne, like art from Next Men. Use of
Generic Byrne Faces (pat. pending) was out of control here, the most
rampant use being on page 10, panel 4. Why does he do this? Is he
trying to satisfy Next Men fans by putting characters we know and love
in the book, with new names and occupations?
After reading this issue, the first words out of my mouth:
"That's it?" This comic was far too short. I know it was the standard
22 pages, but it just seemed like nothing has happened. To me, nothing
happening means no satisfaction. Byrne just seems to like to drag a
plot out as long as he can, I guess. It was apparent in NEXT MEN that
things were going slowly, but never this slowly.
As for the next issue, PREVIEWS puts it on the same week as
Darkseid/Galactus which is too expensive (On my minimum wage/part time
salary) for me to randomly try out comics that have been ho-hum in the
past, plus, Chronicles might be out!
Thanks but no thanks. I'll just keep holding my breath for
Byrne to get his butt back to Legend. (keep holding that breath, Nate!)
Nathan Bredfeldt, of CBN fame, lost his pants last Tuesday. If you find
them, or would like to comment on this or any other SOME STUFF column,
write him at ComicBkNet@aol.com.
________________________________________________________________________
------------------------------------------------------------------------
-5- CSNsider contributed by David Leblanc
This is the CSNsider from CSN #426, which will be in shops on 8/17/95.
It is reproduced in its entirety with the expressed permission of
The COMIC SHOP NEWS!
Katsuhiro Otomo, Liberatore, and Jose Munoz are the latest creators to
sign on for the Mark Chiarello-edited Batman: Black and White limited
series...
Neil Gaiman and Charles Vess are working on an illustrated fantasy
novel for Vertigo; it'll be published in installments first, then
collected into a hardcover edition...
Fabian Nicieza is writing a Captain Marvel ongoing series for Marvel...
Chuck Dixon and Graham Nolan are working on a Joker hardcover slated
for holiday season release...
Kitchen Sink has revealed very ambitious plans for The Crow in '96;
James O'Barr will be writing at least nine Crow books during the year,
tentatively slated for release as three three issue miniseries; plans
are for Kitchen Sink to release a Crow comic a month for the first six
months of the year, and three more comics (plus a film adaptation of the
second Crow film) in the last half of the year...
Kurt Russell and John Carpenter are reuniting for Escape from LA, a
sequel to the cult-favorite Escape From New York...
Hero Illustrated is moving from the print medium to the World Wide Web;
they'll discontinue the printed form of their magazine in the near
future, moving to an electronic magazine only...
Chaos! Comics is producing Lady Death & Evil Ernie Christmas ornaments
this fall...
A third book in the Batman/Dracula: Red Rain Elseworlds graphic novel
series is in the works, but don't look for it for a while yet...
The exclusive distribution announcements keep on coming: Acclaim Comics
will be exclusively distributed by Diamond Distributors, while Kitchen
Sink Comics will be exclusively distributed by Capital; this change
should have no effect on the availability of these comics to fans...
Grant Morrison is doing a Flex Mentallo miniseries...
A new Batwoman is under consideration; Denny O'Neil said, that, if a
new Batwoman is introduced into the Batman mythos, she'll be just as
motivated in her crimefighting as Batman is...
Steven Seagle is the writer on the new Vertigo House of Secrets
series...
The 1995 Will Eisner Awards were announced in San Diego; winners
include -
New Series -- Too Much Coffee Man by Shannon Wheeler (Adhesive);
Continuing Series -- Bone by Jeff Smith (Cartoon Books);
Limited Series -- Sin City: A Dame to Kill For by Frank Miller
(Dark Horse/Legend);
Coloring -- Angus McKie, Martha Washington Goes to War
(Dark Horse/Legend);
Lettering -- Todd Klein, Batman vs. Predator II (DC/Dark Horse);
The Demon (DC);
Sandman (Vertigo); Uncle Scrooge (Gladstone);
Cover Artist -- Glenn Fabry, Hellblazer (DC/Vertigo);
Anthology -- Big Book of Urban Legends, Bronwyn Taggart, ed. (Paradox
Press);
Graphic Album (Reprint) -- Hellboy: Seeds of Destruction by Mike Mignola
(Dark Horse/Legend);
Graphic Album (New) -- Fairy Tales of Oscar Wilde, vol. 2, by P. Craig
Russell
(NBM);
Editor -- Karen Berger, (Vertigo);
Comics Related Publication -- Hero Illustrated (Warrior Publications);
Comics Related Item -- Sandman Arabian Night Statue, designed by
P. Craig Russell, sculpted by Randy Bowen
(DC/Graphitti Designs);
Artist -- Jon J Muth, Mystery Play (DC/Vertigo);
Penciller/Inker or Team -- Dave Gibbons, Martha Washington Goes to War
(Dark Horse/Legend);
Talent Deserving of Wider Recognition -- Evan Dorkin, Milk & Cheese,
Instant Piano, etc.;
Archival Collection -- The Christmas Spirit by Will Eisner
(Kitchen Sink);
Humor Publication -- Bone by Jeff Smith (Cartoon Books);
Publication Design -- Acme Novelty Library by Chris Ware
(Fantagraphics);
Writer -- Alan Moore, From Hell (Kitchen Sink);
Writer/Artist -- Mike Mignola, Hellboy: Seeds of Destruction
(Dark Horse/Legend);
Writer/Artist (Humor) -- Jeff Smith, Bone (Cartoon Books);
Short Story -- The Babe Wore Red by Frank Miller, in Sin City:The Babe
Wore Red and Other Stories (Dark Horse/Legend);
Serialized Story -- The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck, by Don Rosa,
in Uncle Scrooge (Gladstone);
Single Issue -- Batman Adventures Holiday Special, by Paul Dini,
Bruce Timm, et al (DC);
Hall of Fame: Frank Frazetta and Walt Kelly.
CSN #426 features a cover feature on Stuck Rubber Baby from Paradox
Press, plus more news, the CSN Charts, and reviews.
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.
Transmitted by. . .
····────════*David LeBlanc> ComicBkNet@AOL.COM
david.leblanc@gaquatic.iii.net RIME->5179 FIDO 1:322/743.1
________________________________________________________________________
------------------------------------------------------------------------
-6- Feedback
Here's some feedback Ryan got from Buzz Dixon over on RIME regarding the
news about George Caragonne, the artist/publisher who committed suicide
recently.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
RB> Artist Commits Suicide:
RB> 7/21/95 - George Carragonne, a graphic artist who friends say penned
RB> several of Marvel's "X-Men" comic books leaped from a 45th floor
RB> balcony in the atrium of a Times Square hotel to his death.
The AP press release misspelled George's last name, it was Caragonne.
George was the founder and editor in chief of Penthouse Comix, a
magazine size book published by Penthouse magazine. The magazine was a
huge success, with Omni Comix and Penthouse Men's Adventure Comix added
to the line within a year of its start. In fact, all three magazines
were scheduled to go monthly in January [the Penthouse titles were
bi-monthly, Omni was quarterly]. They had a circulation around 500,000
per title.
Unfortunately, for all his success with his magazines, George was unable
to control his drug consumption. As his problem became worse and worse,
his friends and co-workers insisted he get help. When George refused,
the alternative left his staff was either quit or stay and help him
destroy himself. Almost without exception the staff had left Penthouse
Comix by July 14, which was going to be the day of a planned
intervention. Unfortunately, that intervention was thwarted before it
could be put into motion.
George's behavior became increasingly erratic and, on the following
Thursday, George Caragonne killed himself.
The George Caragonne I knew years ago before I began working for
Penthouse Comix was as wonderful, generous, and lovable a person as I've
ever known. I was proud to count him among my friends and to be
working with him on Penthouse Comix. He was a hard working, funny,
imaginative guy who understood the industry and his readership better
than anyone else in comics. The George Caragonne who killed himself was
not the same George Caragonne whom so many people loved.
Drugs do that to people.
Buzz
---
Send feedback to:
Internet .......... ComicBkNet@aol.com
Fidonet ........... ComicBkNet at 1:324/134.0
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PLEASE NOTE: Your comments may be included in future issues, unless
you specifically request to the contrary.
________________________________________________________________________
------------------------------------------------------------------------
-7- Bulletin Boards linked into the ComicBook Network!
+----------------------------+
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+----------------------------+ Fans, Collectors, and Professionals!
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Odessa TX 915-530-2712 Waxahachie TX 214-938-7115
Arlington VA 703-415-0134 Burlington VT 802-860-2948
Burlington VT 802-863-1591 Williston VT 802-864-7021
Longview WA 206-577-7358 Gananoque ONT 613-382-1788
Niagara Fall ONT 905-371-0736 St.Catharine ONT 905-938-1670
St.Catharine ONT 905-988-9698 Tecumseh ONT 519-979-4251
Mexico City MEX 525-264-2994
- 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
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Comic Book E-Mag is published weekly by the members 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.
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.
SUBMISSIONS
-----------
Submissions are encouraged. Please address submissions to the internet
address: ComicBkNet@aol.com or send directly to one of the Network
Administration Team members: Mike Imboden, Ed Dukeshire, David Leblanc,
Walter Tietjen, Bobb Waller.
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.
WEB PAGE
--------
Ryan Brewster has set up a Web Page for those that wish to access it.
The URL is http://www.cris.com/~Xenozoid
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- End of Issue .. see ya next week!