
                   " C O M I C   B O O K   E - M A G "
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                   Issue 4 - Volume 1 - April 9, 1995

     "Brought to you from the fine folks at the COMIC BOOK Network!"

                   Editors: Ed Dukeshire & Mike Imboden
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                    T A B L E   O F   C O N T E N T S
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       [-1-] The Bullpen ........................ Ed Dukeshire
       [-2-] The 25th Hour ...................... Mike Imboden
       [-3-] Reviews
              Gen 13 #1 ......................... Ryan Brewster
              Power of Shazam! # 3 .............. Ryan Brewster
              Soulsearchers & Co. # 11 .......... Ryan Brewster
              Fantastic Four # 400 .............. Ryan Brewster
       [-4-] CSNsider ........................... David Leblanc
       [-5-] Comicunications .................... Ryan Brewster
       [-6-] Feedback ........................... Readers
       [-7-] BBSes Linked into CBN .............. CBN Staff

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/--[-1-]--/  THE BULLPEN  /----------------------------------------------/


 Ramblings
 by Ed Dukeshire

 Welcome to the 4th issue of "Comic Book E-Mag"....  hmmm, we gotta
 think up a much more fancier name.  Any suggestions?  If so, send
 them to one of the "FEEDBACK" addresses, we'd like to hear them.

--

 Starting with this issue, we're going to try and release an issue
 every week.  YES!  Weekly, folks!  ;)   So, log onto your favorite
 CBN-linked system and download the lastest issue.  It's pretty safe
 to say that all the CBN systems should have it online by Monday night.
 Look for it a few days after that on AOL, GEnie, CompuServe, and
 several Fidonet systems.

--

 Feedback?  Where's all the feedback folks?  We can't progress without
 some.  Let us know what you like or dislike about this e-mag.  Is
 there something you'd like to see covered in here?  If so, blast us
 a message, fill us in.

--

 Ok, it has been brought to my attention that many people traveling
 the networks aren't familiar with any of the local computer bulletin
 boards scattered all across the USA.  I need to ask...  how come?
 They're definately out there, and most are free!  Take a chance, pick
 one of the systems listed below in the "BBSes Linked into CBN".  Most
 of these offer all the message echos in the COMIC BOOK NETWORK.
 There are message bases devoted to DC, Marvel, Image, Toys, Sci-Fi,
 Fan fiction, Small Press, and even general conversation.  These
 message echos are shared between each system from coast to coast and
 offer excellent means of interacting between other fans.

 Long distance charges you say?  Not a problem...  Most systems also
 offer some sort of QWK door, which will pack the messages for you to
 download and read offline.  What's QWK?  The next time you're on your
 favorite pay service, check out their file areas and look for one of
 the many files called QWK readers.  There are several different ones
 out there for every type of computer system.  They all give you a
 better explaination in their documentation than I can.

 What else is available on free bbs systems?  There's 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!

 Check it out and get back to me.... I'd like to hear about it!

  -- ed

 Ed Dukeshire, sysop of Arkham Asylum
 GEnie address E.DUKESHIRE
 Internet address: ed.dukeshire@ecis.haverhill.ma.us

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/--[-2-]--/  THE 25TH HOUR  /--------------------------------------------/


  The 25th Hour - by Mike Imboden
  24:59:59 4/7/95

  I've held off saying anything on the subject of all things Marvel
  until I knew more. Well, Marvelution blew through the Nation's
  Capitol on April 7th and I guess I'm prepared to go on the record.

  First of all, let's set all rumors aside. They've no place in the
  here and now. I wanna deal with facts and just the facts.

  Secondly, I admit I had formed opinions on the issue early in the
  game. But over the past couple of weeks I've had time to sort my
  thoughts and think a little bit. Marvel didn't brainwash me, they
  didn't promise me some under the table incentives to hype their
  stuff. Nothing like that. What I've done is weigh the given
  information against personal feelings and rational thought and
  come up with a few conclusions....

  Fact Number One: Marvel is NOT out to ruin the comics industry.
  Let's all look at Marvelution with an unbiased eye. So they've
  decided to ship their own product. What's really so odd about that
  anyway? It actually makes sense. At least now when retailers have
  a problem with a Marvel order, they are calling Marvel to fix the
  problem - not a middle man. This can only benefit the retailer in
  the long run.

  Fact Number Two: Marvel is NOT out to run the retailers out of
  hobby and take over the entire retail world. Lest we forget, it
  WAS Marvel that instituted a great many of the retailer co-op
  programs and incentives. Instead, what Marvel appears to want to
  do is entice the existing retailers into selling MORE Marvel
  product then they used to. Through the use of boutiques and
  specially designed racking systems, they'd like to see retailers
  make Marvel product more visable away from the rest of the
  material on the market. Again I ask; What's really so odd about
  that anyway? There =IS= a glut of material and if any one given
  publisher can make their product stand above the rest of the
  stuff being offered that's nothing more than good business.

  Fact Number Three: Retailers will NOT go out of business because
  they'll have to deal with more than one distributor thus splitting
  their order and getting a lower overall discount. Yeah, of course
  the discount WILL be lower from each distributor - that's obvious.
  But frankly, I think any store that can't overcome a five percent
  reduction in overall discount is doing something wrong. Make up
  for that lost 5% by getting new customers in the door. There are
  a gazillion clever marketing gimmicks to attract new readers - all
  it takes is a little imagination. What they need to realize is that
  they are in a tough business - while millions of kids might watch
  the Spider-Man or X-Men cartoons they obviously aren't all buying
  the comics. Think of a way to get 'em in your shop and doing so.

  Fact Number Four: Marvel does NOT need to improve the quality of
  their books. Ok, it would be NICE if they did, but they don't have
  to do so to make it easier for their books to sell. Marvel stuff
  is going to sell no matter how crappy it is. Bottom Line; Marvel
  knows their audience is kids. Yes, there are plenty of older
  readers who still buy their stuff, (I should know), and they'll
  probably continue to do so. This is the "iffiest" point to argue
  as I personally am still on the fence with this one. But again,
  there is a HUGE untapped audience of cartoon watchers out there
  that wouldn't know Marvels from Secret Wars II if it bit 'em on
  the ass. What might be crap to the demanding and well rounded
  collector might very well be a "gem" to one of these potential
  customers. A good retailer can always simply use Marvel as bait
  to lure these fish in and then hook them on something else down
  the line.

  Fact Number Five: Boycotting Marvel would be dumb. At the onset of
  this whole deal I was all for dropping Marvel from what I offered
  to my customers as well as my own personal reading list. Now I
  realize that this would be a pointless move. In all honesty, Marvel
  doesn't really NEED their comics. They have enough revenue coming
  in from other sources that the actual comics only bring in about
  10% of their total monies. If anything, a boycott would simply
  make Marvel stop making the comics altogether. (of course, that is
  an extreme worst case scenario). Instead of boycotting, which for
  the life of me I don't see how it would benefit the CUSTOMERS whom
  I've seen talking about it, continue buying Marvel product. If you
  were concerned for your local retailer and his business what with a
  lower discount from two seperate distributors then by buying Marvel
  product you'll be helping him at least nudge his Heroes World
  retail total up and maybe he'll get into the next discount bracket
  or even qualify for one of their incentive programs. This one's
  worth repeating; Boycotting Marvel is DUMB.

  Look folks, Marvel's just doing what it thinks it needs to do to
  survive. They've never tried to fool anyone into thinking they were
  producing the most well crafted stories on the market and they have
  certainly not driven a nail into the coffin of the industry.
  Maybe the industry is simply seeing "Darwinism" at work and only the
  "strong" will remain when the dust is clear, I'm not sure. All I DO
  know is that Marvel is NOT the enemy. Plus, there is still the matter
  of what Diamond and Cap. City plan to do and what their OFFICIAL
  reactions and reshaped plans will be.
  I'm not asking anyone to agree with me, I'm not asking anyone to go
  and START buying Marvel if you hadn't been. All I'm asking is that,
  like I have decided to do, you give them the benefit of the doubt and
  see where this leads. If you ever were a wide-eyed Marvel fan you owe
  it to them to give them a chance.
  ====================================================================
  I'm still waiting on Halloween Costume Ideas. And yes, there's still
  a ginchy prize awaitin' the best entry!
  You can reach me with comments or flames at
  mike.imboden@f748.n109.z1.fidonet.org
  hikeeba.comics@f748.n109.z1.fidonet.org
  COMICBKNET@AOL.COM  or on Comic Book Net @ 23:403/0
  /\/\!ke
  =====================================================================

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/--[-3-]--/  REVIEWS  /--------------------------------------------------/


   Title(s): GEN 13 #1
Reviewed by: Ryan Brewster
 
   This title was the phenomenon of 1993-1994 for no small reason...  Not
only was it later than all get-out, but it was WORTH the wait.  It was a
gamble Image took that panned out bigtime.  With a team of superheroes
believable in an emotional sense if not a proportional sense, this book
pandered to the readers & the fanboys alike.  These superheroes spent more
time out of their costumes (or sometimes out of their clothes entirely...)
than most teams, and there was less hard-hitting action than one finds in
a typical mainstream comic book.
 
   This first issue of the ongoing series pretty much starts off where
Gen13 #0 left off, with the group relaxing in their 'headquarters'.
Considering what it is following, this is a decent comic.  The proportions
haven't gotten much more realistic, though they were a good part of the
book's initial success.
 
   What bothered me about the art was the lack of _background_.  I have
_very_ little concept of the geography of their 'home base'.  Perhaps an
'external shot', establishing the area and view of the house, and some
attention to detail at least in the first few pages to establish some idea
of where everything is, would be helpful, particularly for newcomers
(which I'd imagine there are many of in this #1 issue...).  For some
reason, I find it harder to enjoy a book when the characters appear
suspended in space with perhaps a table next to them or something.  A good
way to help readers to stay on a book is to make them feel 'at home' in it
(i.e.  - if they were like, _in_ the team's headquarters, they could find
their way around from their previous knowlege gained by reading the
comic...).
 
   One of the things I enjoye(d) so much about the Fantastic Four, was
that I felt that I knew every nook and cranny of the Baxter Building.
This has changed in recent years, of course...
 
   The  story  was  quite  decent.   It  manages to keep things _cleverly_
lighthearted  and fun during the action scenes, reminiscent of some of the
older Spider-Man fight scenes, while not being _overly_ lighthearted, like
some books that just try too hard.
 
   One bit that bothered me was when Rainmaker went skinny-dipping.  I'm
not saying the art wasn't done well <grin>, but it just seemed out of
character for Sarah.  It made me feel as though, perhaps, I didn't know
her as well as I thought.  I generally tend to read books about characters
I 'know well', because I 'care' more about them.  I could see Freefall the
Mall Rat & social butterfly skinny-dipping...  but it just seemed a bit
beneath Rainmaker, at least in front of the guys.  Rainmaker never struck
me as a 'flaunting' sort of girl, although this could be some aspect of
her personality we are just discovering.  Then again, this sort of
'flaunting' seems to be a trait the females of the group share as a whole.
 
   Also some interesting dialogue in here...  "This day is yours,
children, but be rest assured...  the battle is FAR from over!"
 
   "Be rest assured"??  "BE rest assured"?!?  I'm no grammer whiz, but
even _I_ know that don't sound right...
 
   A very decent read, even worth the high $2.95 price tag.  Strong both
visually and story-wise, this book is worth picking up.
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------/


   Title(s): POWER OF SHAZAM! #3
Reviewed by: Ryan Brewster

   The first word that comes to my mind as I read this book is "Classic".
 
   This book incorporates many of the aspects of the original SHAZAM!
series (seen in the SHAZAM!  archives) with aspects of other classic comic
books to bring a REFRESHING (and classic) feel to the book.  It is great
to see such quality in today's market.
 
   I particularly like how the issue of Billy Batson's "going it alone" is
handled, without him ending up in an orphanage or something.  Billy often
ends up going to school late, and makes frequent visits to the Principal's
office.
 
   And I _LOVE_ the homage Ordway pays to, ITRO(In This Reporter's
Opinion), the best current running comic strip, Bill Watterson's 'Calvin &
Hobbes'.  The principal of the school, a Miss Wormwood, is named after
(I'm sure, since one would be hard-pressed to find another example...),
and looks quite similar to, Calvin's grade-school teacher Mrs.  Wormwood.
 
   Finally, of all the fictional cities in the DC Universe, I love Fawcett
City the most, if only because of its stylish early-mid 1900's look.
 
   The solution to Billy's financial problems seemed a bit simplistic,
with this radio guy popping in out of the blue, but it was hinted that
Billy perhaps had a background in radio before....  Something that I was
not aware of, nor, I'm sure, were many of the new readers that came on
board when the new series started.
 
   A well spent buck-fifty, I think.  If you like comics in the superhero
genre (yes, there _are_ other genres...), this is the book to pick up.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------/
 

   Title(s): SOULSEARCHERS & CO. #11
Reviewed by: Ryan Brewster

   This title really puts the 'comic' back into 'comic book'.  Its
stinging humor, outrageous parodies and clever puns make this one of the
most entertaining books today, and keep me laughing non-stop.
 
   You are not going to find deep, philosophical commentaries on the human
condition in this comic magazine, nor will you find any 'Soulsearching' in
the traditional sense.  Rather, you'll find yourself guffawing and gasping
for air as you're pounded with joke after pun after joke.
 
   The art is appropriately cartoonish while maintaining its 'superhero'
style.
 
   This issue has "What if...  Soulsearchers & Company Talked Like '60's
Hanna-Barbera Heroes?"...  A pointless but hilarious parody of the old
cartoons.  After that caper is a tale in which the group goes to the lake.
Janocz is grabbed by a giant tentacle and pulled into the lake.
Eventually, he begins to morph into Bart Simpson...  The trail of
radiation leads to a giant radioactive city led by a guy who looks like
Dr.  Doom & a bunch of the Simpsons characters.
 
   A little weak on plot, but a laugh-fest nonetheless.
 
   Definitely a book I would recommend to people looking for an
alternative comic to 'get into'.  And I hold that Claypool (the publisher)
is a publisher deserving of support.  More bang for your buck than Gen13,
even though it is Black & White.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------/
 

   Title(s): FANTASTIC FOUR #400
Reviewed by: Ryan Brewster

   >sigh<.  What can I say about this book?
 
   The paper, in its glossy format, is far too flashy for the artwork.
The coloring job doesn't do the format justice.  The cover gimmick is
colorless except for a kind of cool effect with the light reflecting off
it...
 
   And the story. >HEAVY sigh<. 
 
   This book used to be _so_ good.  And I don't know if it's the writer,
the editor or what...  I DO know that one of my favorite comics in 1993
was a Fantastic Four comic, I believe #178 or so, mainly because of its
shock ending.  And that was written by Tom DeFalco, I think.  Same man who
scribbled this book together.
 
   I know none of us buy the death of Reed Richards.  However, I think
they're taking far too long in resurrecting the character.  The Fantastic
Four is Invisible Woman, The Human Torch, The Thing and Mr.  Fantastic.
Not IW, HT, Thing and Ant-Man.  Not IW, HT, Thing and a rotating spot.
The Invisible Woman, the Human Torch, The Thing, and Mr.  Fantastic.
Period.  The book would be just as abysmal if it were only missing the
Thing, or just lacking the Human Torch.
 
   The characters are some of the best characters created.  I am very
sorry to see them festering in mediocrity.
 
   Tom DeFalco is another writer who loves his exclaimation points (see
the UltraViews for 4/2/95...).  These punctuations, when used in excess,
bother me because they give me the impression that I'm listening to some
little kid who is so excited they've thought of something mildly witty to
say that they BLURT (meaning YELL) it out, anxious for everyone to hear
them and eager to reap the 'credit', or laughter.  Instead, one tends to
shush the boy and say 'Johnny, go read a comic book or something'....  or
something.  :)
 
   Peter David, Mark Waid, Jeff Smith and Dave Sim's (there are others...)
humor is far more effective.  Through intelligent pacing, mumbled comments
and subtle gestures, they manage to take a similar situation and make it
into a laugh riot.
 
   I do not feel like summarizing the story; its plot was weak, its
dialogue weaker and the inevitable onslaught of guest stars was even
implausibly incorporated.
 
   This 400th SPECIAL 64-PAGE ISSUE is certainly a _milestone_ when you
talk about pure numbers.  But if you want great Fantastic Four reading,
try John Byrne's run on the title, or pick up some Stan Lee/Jack Kirby
reprints.

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/--[-4-]--/  CSNsider  /-------------------------------------------------/

 CSNsider
 by David Leblanc


This is the CSNsider from CSN #409, which will be in shops on 4/19/95.
It is reproduced in its entirety with the expressed permission of
COMIC SHOP NEWS!
 
Tristar Productions has optioned Rob Liefeld's Prophet for film
production...
 
Marvel plans to offer $.99 loss-leader titles within each of its
families of books (Spider-Man, X-Men, Marvel Edge, 2099, etc.)...
 
The Shadow and Doc Savage cross paths in a new miniseries from Dark Horse;
look for it in mid-summer...
 
Superman action figures from Kenner this year?  Could be!...
 
Look for more changes in the Marvel-Ultraverse relationship in the
aftermath of the upcoming Avengers-Ultraforce crossover...
 
Due to production problems, Paul Jenkins & Leo Duranona's Construct has
been delayed by Mirage Press; look for the book to be rescheduled later
this summer...
 
Those of you who missed out don't fret:  Image will offer special sets of
all thirteen Gen 13 #1 cover variations in June...
 
Over the next few months, the Ultraverse family of books will be
tightened, with a few series being recast as miniseries instead...
 
Wildstorm Studios is offering an ultra-limited-edition hardcover version
of the Gen 13 monthly series; each of the 1000 copies will be signed by
creator J.  Scott Campbell...
 
Tekno-Comix has created a new company, Tekno-Toys, to produce toys based
on various Tekno-Comix characters...
 
David Lynch is producing a documentary on acclaimed cartoonist Robert
Crumb...
 
This summer, FPG is producing a collectible card game, Guardians, designed
by Keith Parkinson and Luke Peterschmidt, and featuring art by Parkinson,
Mike Ploog, Brom, Don Maitz, and James Warhola...
 
The release date for Decipher's Star Wars Collectible Card Game has been
set for August...
 
And Cardz is producing its own collectible card game, Hyborian Gates, with
art by Boris Vallejo and Julie Bell...
 
In addition to its $3.95 bargain-priced collection reprinting X-Files #s
1-3, Topps is also producing an X-Files Annual later this summer; and yes
indeed, X-Files Trading Cards are on the way!
 
CSN #409 features a cover feature on the Comics in the Movies, as well as
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 $.10 each and is generally free to
customers.
 
If you 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@jupiter.netdepot.com
Cliff Biggers   cliffbig@jupiter.netdepot.com
 
(c)1995 CSN, Inc.
 
 *David LeBlanc>             ComicBkNet@AOL.COM
 david.leblanc@gaquatic.iii.net  RIME->5179  FIDO 1:322/518

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/--[-5-]--/  COMICUNICATIONS  /------------------------------------------/

 Comicunications
 by Ryan Brewster

                                               
                    
                        
                                           
                               
  ---The Comic Book Net's Kinda Weekly Comics Journal---------- 
                       
 
Vol. 1, Issue 11                                   Monday, April 3rd, 1995
 
 
Slave Labor Graphics to Start Distribution Company: 
[Source: Dan Vado]
 
3/23/95 - Slave Labor Graphics is looking into the viability of starting
up a small press distribution company.  They are looking for input from
retailers and publishers.  The company intends to begin distribution some
time this fall.
 
Interested parties can contact them at (408) 971-8929.
 
 
Steve Gerber Update:
[Source: Steve Gerber]
 
4/2/95 - I asked Steve Gerber, creator of Howard the Duck, what he was up
to these days and came up with the following projects:
 
The only book coming out on a regular basis from Steve right now is
CODENAME:  Stryke Force from Image's Top Cow Productions.  His first issue
of that book was #10.
 
Later this year (late summer/early fall), there will be a Cybernary
miniseries from him for Image's WildStorm Productions.
 
He will be taking over the writing of PITT for Dale Keown as of issue #9
or 10, not sure which yet.  Should be out in early summer.
 
He is also finishing up the script for Sludge: Swamp of Souls. This is 
probably his last Sludge story...
 
And finally, he will be writing a Static Annual for Milestone.
 
 
 
Jim Lee Returns to Comics, Larson Rewrites Dragon #13:
[Source: Toronto Hype! Comic Cafe]
 
3/7/95 - Jim Lee will be making his return to comics with his pencilling
job on the upcoming X-Men/WildCATS crossover.  Meanwhile, Erik Larson will
be rewriting and pencilling a new version of Savage Dragon #13.
Apparantly, he wasn't too happy with Jim Lee's version of the comic for
Image's X-Month.  Personally, _I_ wasn't too happy with _his_ version of
_Jim Lee's_ comic...
 
 
Jurgens Writes Solar:
[Source: Toronto Hype! Comic Cafe]
 
3/7/95 - Dan Jurgens will only draw Solar until issue #50, but will write
the title thereafter.  He is developing some new superheroes for Valiant
that will debut in a series of miniseries later this year.
 
In related news, HARDCorps will return in an upcoming miniseries...
 
 
Marvel Comments on 1995 Earnings per Share Growth:
[Source: PRNewswire]
 
3/29/95 - Marvel advised analysts that they should revise their growth
estimates for the comic publisher's '95 earnings per share.  They said
that they expects EPS this year to increase 15-20% over last year, a rate
below the current consensus of analysts' estimates.  This is due to the
continuing negative impact of the baseball strike on Marvel's baseball
trading-card business.
 
Marvel earned 60 per share in 1994.
 
 
Maxx Premiere FINALLY Set:
[Source: Edward Hillel]
 
4/1/95 - MTV will begin airing THE MAXX at 10:00 PM, on Monday, April
10th.  It will continue mondays at 10pm for 7 weeks.
 
 
Valiant News:
[Source: Edward Douglas]
 
3/29/95 - Kieth Giffen will be taking over the writing chores on Magnus in
June, Paul Gulacy will be drawing Turok for an undefinite number of
issues, Mike Grell will write a few issues of Bloodshot, pencilled by
Astro City's Brent Anderson, and #50 issues of both Solar and X-O Manowar
come out in June.  *whew*.  Did I miss anything?
 
 
TriStar Buys Prophet:
[Source: Paul J. Grant]
 
 
4/2/95 - TriStar Picture has bought the film rights to Image Comics'
Extreme Studios' 'Prophet' comic book action hero, after buying a pitch
and treatment from creator/illustrator Rob Liefeld.  They reportedly paid
a high six-digit amount for the rights.  The studio is still looking for a
scripter.
 
 
Maximum CLONAGE??!!!
[Source: Various, on CompuServe's Comics/Animation forum]
 
4/2/95 - I kid you not.  June kicks off a storyline in the spidey-books
entitled 'Maximum Clonage".  According to Peter David, it took a half-hour
to convince him that it wasn't a practical joke, when he heard about it.
 
 
John Romita, Jr. to Appear Saturday:
[Source: PRNewswire]
 
3/31/95 - John Romita, Jr., one of the family dynasty at Marvel Comics
(His Father is head art director and his mother is the production
manager), will be signing autographs and selling photos Saturday, April
8th from 10am - 2pm at 4523 Beeridge Road, Exit 38, Sarasota, FL.  All
funds will be donated to the John and Mable Ribgling Museum of Art.  An
original art piece will be auctioned off.
 
He is currently the illustrator of Spider-Man "The Lost Years".
 
 
Colossus Switches Teams... Again:
[Source: Toronto Hype! Comic Cafe]
 
3/14/95 - Former X-Man-gone-Magneto-acolyte Colossus will be joining
Marvel's mutant team Excalibur.  It's rumored that more new members will
be joining after issue #87.
 
 
Marvel Gets Wired:  
[Source: Toronto Hype! Comic Cafe]
 
3/28/95 - Marvel has FINALLY joined the Internet.  You can e-mail Marvel
at marvelcomics@genie.geis.com!
 
 
Marvel Introduces Low-Cost Comix:
[Source: Toronto Hype! Comic Cafe]
 
3/28/95 - Marvel plans to re-introduce one 99 comic in each of their
families by beginning of this fall.  They will not be the funny animal
comics, but the superhero kinda stuff.  :)
 
 
Lois & Clark leads Science-Fiction Shows:
[Source: Troy Heagy]
 
March 20-26 Sci-Fi PRIME-TIME Ratings
SHOW                   Net/Rating/Share/Viewers in millions
01 Seinfeld (R)        NBC/20.2/32/29.0
24 Lois & Clark        ABC/12.0/19/21.3
51 Sliders (new)       FOX/ 9.5/15/14.1
57 The X-Files         FOX/ 8.6/15/13.7
68 Star Trek: Voyager  UPN/ 7.3/11/10.7 (no syndicated markets)
76 Earth 2             NBC/ 6.7/12/11.0
88 V.R.5               FOX/ 5.8/10/ 8.2
99 Muscle (R)           WB/ 1.3/ 2/ 1.8
-- SeaQuest DSV        NBC/ pre-empted
 
SHOW                   Net/Rating        /Share
01 Seinfeld            NBC/20.2% TV homes/32% TVs turned on
24 Lois & Clark        ABC/12.0% TV homes/19% TVs turned on
51 Sliders (new)       FOX/ 9.5% TV homes/15% TVs turned on
57 The X-Files         FOX/ 8.6% TV homes/15% TVs turned on
68 Star Trek: Voyager  UPN/ 7.3% TV homes/11% TVs turned on
76 Earth 2             NBC/ 6.7% TV homes/12% TVs turned on
88 V.R.5               FOX/ 5.8% TV homes/10% TVs turned on
99 Muscle               WB/ 1.3% TV homes/ 2% TVs turned on
 
SYNDICATED Ratings for week ending March 5/95
SHOW                   Rank/Rating
Deep Space Nine        6   /7.5
Babylon 5        below 15  /<???
 
Notes:
- (R) means rerun
- The first and last shows are listed for comparisons.
- Ranking is based on the rating: highest to lowest.
- 1 Rating point equals 954,000 homes/95.4 million homes have TVs
- Share is a percentage of sets in use tuned to a show.
- Viewers stats based on log/diary entries of individual Nielson
viewers
- Compiled from Philadelphia Inquirer/USA Today
 
 
George Perez to draw Silver Surfer:
[Source: Toronto Hype! Comic Cafe]
 
3/28/95 - George Perez' first Silver Surfer issue has been pushed back to
at least #110.  He has been working on a Silver Surfer/Superman crossover,
to be drawn by Ron Lim and Terry Austin.
 
 
George Perez to go Tekno:
[Source: Toronto Hype! Comic Cafe]
 
3/28/95 - George Perez will be illustrating Isaac Asimov's I-Bots for
Tekno-Comix, with Howard Chaykin handling concept development and Steven
Grant writing the series.  His creator-owned Gladiator 12-issue mini for
Image has been put on hold indefinitely due to his workload at Marvel,
Malibu and Tekno-Comix.
 
 
Superman: TAS Official!
[Source: David C. Morefield]
 
3/31/95 - Batman:  TAS writer Paul Dini has confirmed that he and Bruce
Timm are doing preliminary work on a Superman animated show that will
incorporate the best characters & story elements from each period in
Supes' history, similar to how they mixed and matched elements of Batman's
history with no regard to current continuity.
 
 
Superman is Reborn in New Movie:
[Source: Various posters to alt.comics.superman]
 
3/30/95 - Though the cast has not been chosen for the latest silver-screen
incarnation of Superman, the first draft of _Superman Reborn_ has just
been completed.  Neither Dean Cain or Christopher Reeve will be cast in
the title role.  Jon Peters has been named as being the one behind the
upcoming movie.
 
__________________________________________________________________________
Legal Stuff: Copyright (c) 1995 Ryan Brewster. Distribute in ENTIRETY.
***
  RM 1.3 02322  I have no idea what I'm doing, but I'm doing it well.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------/

                                               
                    
                        
                                           
                               
 -----------The Comic Book Net's Weekly Comics Journal--------- 
                       
 
Vol. 1, Issue 12                                   Sunday, April 9th, 1995
 
 
ACTIVISTS! Attack Cyberspace:
[Source: Joyce Brabner, 73727,3275 on CompuServe]
 
4/1/95 - In an on-line attempt to dodge PC censors, Comic writer Joyce
Brabner (Our Cancer Year, Real War Stories) and artists Mark Badger
(Batman:  Jazz, Instant Piano) and Wayne Van Sant (The 'Nam, the Red Badge
of Courage) are releasing Activists!, the 'PG-13' nonfiction comic book.
 
A peace organization has quietly spent over twenty-thousand bucks to buy
out an entire print run of 20 000 copies in order to halt the book's
further distrobution to stores, schools, other organizations and even the
young activists who appear in the comic book.
 
The Activists!  team is responding by giving their controversial book away
to any & all who have the means to download copies or read disks.
 
Activists!  was funded in part with money from the US Fellowship of
Reconciliation, a 75-year old pacifist organization historically linked
with Mahatma Gandhi and Dr.  Martin Luther King, Jr.  The group exercised
script approval, art style approval, reviewed work in progress and saw all
finished art before Stabur Press matched the rest of the project's costs
by printing 7500 free copies for their immediate use and 12,500 copies to
hold in reserve or distribute to comic stores.
 
They now claim the comics are 'unsuitable'.  The stories "are not
uplifting".  African-American skin was colored "too dark" in one story,
while computer tweaked graphics in a second story are said to be "racist
charicatures" and "unacceptable from an organization which holds itself to
such high ideals as Fellowship of Reconciliation."
 
The comic is about youth who have through nonviolent action successfully
fought for democracy, human rights, peace on the streets and quality
schools and against racism, gay-bashing, rock and rap censorship and other
tough issues.
 
The average FOR member is 51 years old; the comic was intended as the
organizations invitation to young people to step forward and work for
social change.
 
The comic is available for download from CompuServe (in the
Comics/Animation+ forum, in the Activists!  library), on the World Wide
Web (http://www.digimark.net/wraith/Activists/), FTP
(digimark.net/wraith/Activists/), or you can get an actual copy of the
comic book by sending e-mail to getcomics@aol.com.
 
 
Kick-Butt Conan Debuts??:
[Source: Toronto Hype! Comic Cafe]
 
4/4/95 - June sees the debut of 2 new Conan series, "Conan", and "Conan,
the Savage".  "Conan" is full color, written by Larry Hama and pencilled
by Barry Crain.  Advertisement reads:  "Out with that nappy ol' loin
cloth, IN with kick-butt armor...  OUT with overly verbose villains, IN
with bodacious barbarian babes...  OUT with super serious Cimmerians, IN
with gut-bustin' black humor...  OUT with monsters named Groggo, IN with
Malibu's Rune?!?!".  Uh...  How 'bout "OUT with classic conan action...
IN with fanboy prattle incorporating all the gimmicks you're all sick
of!"?
 
 
Marvel Debuts Alterniverse:
[Source: Diamond Distributors' Previews - April, 1995]
 
4/6/95 - June will also debut Marvel's new Alterniverse imprint.
Alterniverse appears to be a What If...?  sort of imprint, and will begin
in What If..?  #76.  The first Alterniverse miniseries will feature Ruins,
a two issue story featuring photojournalist Phil Sheldon from the Marvels
miniseries.
 
 
Smut Becomes Mascot:
[Source: Comic Buyers' Guide #1117]
 
4/4/95 - The small hellish creature Smut, created by Neil Gaiman & Greg
Capullo, who first appeared in Image's Angela #3, has been donated to the
Comic Book Legal Defense Fund as a mascot and fundraising device.  Todd
McFarlane is considering manufacturing a Smut PVC figure with proceeds to
go to CBLDF.
 
 
Entity Goes Gimmick Crazy:
[Source: Entity Comics]
 
4/7/95 - Entity becomes the first single company ever to release 3
chromium covers in the same month, according to publisher Don Chin.
Aster:  The Last Celestial Knight #1, Nira X:  Cyberangel #1 and Shiana #1
will all feature expensive, flashy gimmick covers done in the chromium
process that has been used to lure fanboys and widen profit margins on
such books as Marvel's Generation X #1, X-Men Alpha and Chaos's Lady Death
#1.
 
 
Sharpe off Hulk:
[Source: Various posters on rec.arts.comics.misc]
 
4/2/95 - Current Incredible Hulk artist is reportedly being booted from
the title as of issue 331 or 332...
 
 
THUNDER Agents Appear in Omni:
[Source: Walt Stone]
 
4/4/95 - The T.H.U.N.D.E.R.  Agents comic will be serialized in upcoming
issues of OMNI magazine beginning in late spring/early summer.
 
 
CyberPeanuts...!?:
[Source: Reuters/Variety]
 
4/3/95 - Virgin Sound and Vision and United Media have made a deal which
will bring Charles Schultz' famous Peanuts gang onto interactive titles.
The first Peanuts interactive title will be released in October.
 
   
Doonesbury on Disk:
[Source: PRNewswire]
 
4/5/95 - Garry Trudeau, political/social cartoonist of the popular
newspaper comic strip Doonesbury, will team with Mindscape, Inc.  to
develope a line of software products based on the comic strip.  The line
will be entitled Doonesbury Toonscapes and will include Doonesbury Screen
Saver, Flashbacks:  25 years of Doonesbury and FrontRunner '96:  the
Doonesbury Election Game.  The Screen Saver will be released this spring
with the other titles following later in the year.
 
 
Fiasco Comics Back With Distributors:
[Source: Don Simpson]
 
4/5/95 - Fiasco Comics has resumed shipping to Friendly Frank's, Andromeda
and Styx after a brief suspension.  Bizarre Heroes:  The Apocalypse
Affiliation will ship in a few weeks and will contain an intro by Image
executive director Larry Marder.
 
 
Tank Girl Bombs:
 
4/2/95 - Tank Girl: The Movie opened to a lousy $2.1 million on 1341
screens.  The #1 movie was Tommy Boy with $8.5 million on 2165 screens.
 
 
NightCry #2 Sells Out:
[Source: Joe Monks]
 
4/6/95 - Though it was recently relisted for April, CFD Productions'
NightCry #2 has sold out.
 
 
Raw City Returns:
[Source: Daniel Presedo]
 
4/3/95 - Greg Nichol's Raw City (London Night, May '94) makes its return
this August in an issue drawn by Greg Nichol & painted by Daniel Presedo.
Issues 1-3 will be monthly, the following issues will be bimonthly.
 
 
Power of Prime Debuts in July:
[Source: Malibu Comics]
 
3/29/95 - Artist Mark Pacella will pencil Malibu Ultraverse's upcoming
Power of Prime miniseries, to ship in July, in his first mini-series since
Image's Doom's IV.  Power of Prime, written by Gerard Jones and Len
Strazewski, will highlight the unpublished origin of Prime's powers in a
story that begins and ends on the Godwheel.  Chris Ivy will ink the
series.
 
Says Vice President of Editorial Chris Ulm, "The evil son of Doctor Gross
searches for other mutant teenagers that Gross genetically altered like
Prime's alter ego, 13-year-old Kevin Green.  His search puts him on a
collicion course with Prime, Phade and TurboCharge!"
 
 
__________________________________________________________________________
Legal Stuff: Copyright (c) 1995, Ryan Brewster. Distribute in ENTIRETY.
***
  RM 1.3 02322  Memory is a thing we forget with.

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-EOF- See ya NEXT WEEK!

