________________________________________________________________________
Visit Our Web Page! http://www.cris.com/~Xenozoid/ComicBkNet.html
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    / THE \
  \C O M I C/   Issue #25          This publication is brought to you
   \B O O K/                       by the active participants of
    \N E T/                        the international center for
     \   /                         comic book discussion, the Comic 
    *E-Mag*                        Book Net.
      !!!                          

Editors: Ryan Brewster         Network Administration: Mike Imboden
         Mike Imboden                                  Ed Dukeshire
                                                       David Leblanc
                                                       Bobb Waller
Special thanks to our many contributors!               Walter Tietjen
________________________________________________________________________
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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 ........................... Ryan Brewster
    [2]  CSNsider #430.......................... W. Batty & C. Biggers
         (Contributed by alert CBN participant David LeBlanc!)
    [3]  Comicunications 2.6.................... Ryan Brewster
    [4]  The 25th Hour ......................... Mike Imboden
    [5]  Small Press Spotlight ................. Ryan Brewster
    [6]  Top Comics - July '95 ................. David LeBlanc
    [7]  New Comics Shipping 9/5/95 ............ Bobb Waller
    [8]  Late Comics Report 8/25/95 ............ Andrew S. Troth
         (Cross-posted with permission)
    [9]  Splash Page ........................... Various
    [10] Comics History Course! ................ David LeBlanc
    [11] CBN Growth Chart ...................... Jacob Greenberg
    [12] Letters to the Net .................... Various

    [13] Join in the Fun!
    [14] BBSes Linked into CBN 
    [15] E-Mag Info 
________________________________________________________________________
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[1]   The Bullpen by Ryan Brewster

First of all, apologies for the lateness (by one measly day!!) of this
issue... I had to make some changes I hadn't anticipated making. But
excuses are pathetic, right? :)

Our biggest change is our submissions policy... We no longer accept
submissions from outside the Comic Book Net, unless a member of the net
feels a piece is relevant enough to cross-post to the net. In other words,
a piece isn't eligible unless it's been posted in one of the message
bases of the Comic Book Net. :S

Another change is the debut of our Small Press Spotlight. This week, we
spotlight Explorer Press... upcoming spotlights include SpareTime Studios
and Astro Comics. If you want your self-publishing venture spotlighted,
send us some info! Either e-mail it to me at Xenozoid@cris.com, or
snail-mail an info packet to Ryan Brewster, 84 Bunker Hill St., Lancaster
NH, 03584.

And now for something completely different... :)

Conference Host (and sysop of The Daily Planet) Mike Imboden's starting
to pump up some action over in our Animation conference, which hasn't
been experiencing much traffic recently.

Mike has also introduced, exclusively to participants in the Comic Book
Net, a new Small Press mail-order service! Check out his catalog, posted
each month in the Small Press conference.  You can pick up all the
upcoming Small Press comics for the MAXIMUM 40% off!!  Mike's not making
a dime with this.

Long-time Comic Book Net member and conference host (of Small Press)
Chris Oarr has returned after a long absence from the net!  His computer
was (almost literally) fried by a bolt of lightning, which left him
AWOL indefinitely... Well, that's what you get when you say "Shazam!"
inside the house! ("If I've told you once, I've told you a thousand
times...") :)  Welcome back, Chris!

Ed Dukeshire, sysop of the ArKHaM AsYLuM and who recently landed a
pencilling gig at Wonder Comix, got his first taste of stardom this
week when he brought some of his work to a friend's variety store.
Some other folks began to notice and before he knew it, he had drawn
quite a crowd!  Ed is illustrating a story to appear in Wonder Comix'
FEVER (of which #1 has already been released) #2. The book will ship
in December.

Well, it has been a year since the young networks of 4ColorNet and The
Comic Book Net merged to become the ComicBook Net of today, and re-
elections for members of the Net Administration Team (5 members) are
being talked about.  The current team has done an amazing job bringing
the network into its own, and I would personally like to applaud their
efforts!

In an independently produced television show (which is broadcast, I
believe, around Baltimore, Maryland. Correct me if I'm wrong...) called
Comics News, I hear that our E-Mag got plugged!  I guess we're starting
to establish a presence for ourselves! :)

Mike Imboden's 25th Hour column makes its return this week, with a
piece on Jeff Nicholson's new comic Father and Son.  The latest issue
of Father and Son is available at maximum discount (that's 40%) from
our Small Press Catalog....

The hot thread in the Small Press conference is about Kabuki!  Caliber
Press' Kabuki is really starting to gain a following... grab up some back
issues before they get too expensive!!

The hot thread in the Movies/TV conference concerns the Nowhere Man
premiere. It would seem the United Paramount Network's recent television
drama is a hit, at least among the members of the Comic Book Net...

Things are going slowly but surely for the clean-up effort at Laughing
Coyote Press... if you missed the story last week, there was a fire at
publisher Melody White's house on the 24th of August. Nobody was hurt,
but some damage was sustained, and the company will be halting production
for a short while, so things can get cleaned up.

The copier was lost in the blaze, but their stock of minis and comics were
not harmed as they had just moved them to a storage building a few months
ago! (whew!)

Best,

--Ry
Editor
The Comic Book Net E-Mag
Xenozoid@cris.com
________________________________________________________________________
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[2] CSNsider #430 by W. Batty & C. Biggers

This is the CSNsider from CSN #430, which will be in shops on 9/14/95.
It is reproduced in its entirety with the expressed permission of
COMIC SHOP NEWS!

The title for the upcoming Dan Jurgens Spider-Man book is Sensational
Spider-Man; it's scheduled to replace Spectacular Spider-Man on the
monthly line-up once the current Scarlet Spider title change runs its course...

There are two villains and four star names being bandied about in
conjunction with the next Batman film; both Mr. Freeze (linked to Patrick
Stewart) and Poison Ivy (linked to Demi Moore, Julia Roberts, and
Sandra Bulloch) are being discussed, although we should point out that
there are no scripts as yet and no contracts for any of these stars to be
involved in such a film...

Shi alert: Bill Tucci reportedly has other Shi/Image crossovers in the
works, including a Shi/Grifter one-shot hardcover slated for late '95
release...

Malibu has announced plans for a Terminator 2 series for late '95; the
story will pick up shortly after the end of the T2 film, and will
feature the characters from that hit film (fans with good memories will
recall that Dark Horse originally published several Terminator comics
years ago, until Marvel secured the rights; this is the first new
Terminator series since that time)...

Frank Miller supplies the art for the alternate cover for the second
issue of Prophet, slated for late September release...

Marvel expands into the games-inspired comics field with The Comix Zone,
a four-issue miniseries based on the Sega videogame; look for it in November...

Internationally acclaimed comics writer/artist Hugo Pratt died in mid-August...

The Ron Marz-Darryl Banks-Terry Austin Green Lantern/Silver Surfer
crossover book, pitting the two heroes against the Cyborg (from Superman)
and Terrax, is slated for late November release -- and shortly after
the debut of that book, a major intercompany crossover is in the works...

And speaking of intercompany crossovers, the release of the Spider-Man/Batman
book has been delayed for two to three weeks; look for it in late September...

CSN #430 features The Last Avengers Story from Marvel Comics on the
cover as well as more news 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@mailtrain.com   RIME->5179   FIDO 1:322/518
________________________________________________________________________
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[3] Comicunications, by Ryan Brewster

               ____The Comic Book Net's Weekly News Journal____
            "News & Views From The World's Greatest Industry"
 --------- Volume 2, Issue #6 ----- Sunday, September 3, 1995 -----------
 
 COMIContents:

 1. Industry News:

    * Broadway Comics Exclusive with Diamond
    * Canadian Super-Heroes Featured On Stamps
    * Spidey-Serv!
    * Caliber Plans Some Cool Stuff
    * British Cartoonist Dies
    * Indy Magazine Joins the Web
    * Milestone Ends Titles
    * Leonard Nimoy Appears on MSN
    * Vado Presents Scarlet Thunder
    * Superman Toy Line Featured In DC Comic
    * Extreme-ly Bodacious
    * Top Cow Launches Anthology
    * Fantastic Four Travels to the Future
    * Spider-Man Begins New Adventures
    * The Phoenix Arises....in the Ultraverse
    * Marvel Reprints Malibu Crossovers
    * Rust Returns

 2. Editorial:

    * Miscellaney

 3. Reviews:

    * Primitives
    * Captain America
    * The Batman Adventures
    * Wizard #50

 4. Comicunications' Top 5 Rated Comics!

1. Industry News ---------------------------------------------------------

Broadway Comics Exclusive With Diamond

9/5/95 - CBN Sysop (FIAWOL) Bobb Waller announced in his most recent
New Comics posting that Jim Shooter's Broadway Comics has signed to be
distributed exclusively through Diamond Comics Distributors.

A report on Broadway Comics appeared in Comicunicatins volume 2, issue 3.


Canadian Superheroes Featured On Stamps:

8/31/95 - The Canadian government announced that they will be issuing
federal stamps with the images of Canadian-created superheroes on them.
The flagship of the five stamp set is a Superman stamp [Editorial Comment:
"Truth, Justice, and the Canadian Way!"??].  The government considers
Superman applicable because Joe Shuster, the super-heroe's co-creator,
was a Canadian.  


Spidey-Serv!:

8/31/95 - Spider-Man now has his own mailing list on the Internet. To
subscribe to the list, send a message to majordomo@listserv.intellinet.com,
leave the subject blank and write "subscribe spider-man your@e-mail.addrs",
(without the quotes, of course) in the body of the message.


Caliber Plans Some Cool Stuff:

8/31/95 - Caliber Comics has lined up a number of high-profile projects
for the near future.

Moebius Comics will feature material from Moebius and guest artists which
will be edited by Joe Pruett.

James Hudnall's ESPers (some of the original issues) will be reprinted
in a full-color trade paperback collection.  James Hudnall will be bringing
the team back in his upcoming self-publishing venture.

Wayne Van Sant will compile his entire Days of Darkness saga, first
published in serialized form by Apple comics, into a trade paperback
collection in October.

Baker Street is slated for a return to Caliber in '96.


British Cartoonist Dies:

8/30/95 - The British cartoonist Giles died very recently.  The artist
was famous for his Giles Family cartoons.


Indy Magazine Joins the Web:

9/1/95 - Indy Magazine, the bi-monthly national print magazine that covers
alternative comic books, has portions of its contents online on the World
Wide Web as an E-Mag.

Indy's Web site can be found at http://grove.ufl.edu/~jrm/indy.html.



Milestone Ends Titles:

8/28/95 - Blood Syndicate #35 will be the final issue of the superhero
team comic book, and Xombi #21 will be the final issue of that comic
as well.  Milestone is an imprint of DC Comics.


Malibu Adapts Sega Video Game:

9/1/95 - Sega's Comix Zone video game will become a four-issue miniseries
based on the popular video game. The miniseries will include hidden tips
and tricks to help readers conquer the video game.  Joyce Chin will be
illustrating Dan Shaheen's story.
   

Leonard Nimoy Appears On MSN:

9/1/95 - Leonard Nimoy answered questions for one hour today from 6-7pm
on MicroSoft's new online service.


Vado Presents Scarlet Thunder:

9/2/95 - Scarlet Thunder #1, a 16-page comic to be published in November
by Amaze Ink, will feature two super-speedsters in the 1940's who begin
a rivalry that will last thirty years. Red Bolt and Blue Streak's
adventures will be written by Dan Vado, former scribe of DC Comics'
Extreme Justice.


Superman Toy Line Featured In DC Comic:

9/2/95 - A one-shot entitled Superman/Toyman #1 will be released in
November from DC Comics, and will feature the first line of Superman
action figures.  Karl Kessel writes and Stuart Immonen illustrates.


Extreme-ly Bodacious:

9/1/95 - An enemy of Extreme Comics' Glory, Diabolique casts a spell
that turns all the male superheroes in the Extreme universe into
women.  Eric Stephenson stresses that the crossover, entitled "Extreme
Babewatch", is NOT a parody. At least one major character will remain
a woman forever.


Top Cow Launches Anthology:

9/2/95 - Top Cow will begin a new anthology of comics entitled Ballistic
Imagery.  Like WildStorm's anthology, appropriately entitle WildStorms,
the comic will collect short stories. Some strips included will be Heavy
Space, Hell Cop and True Tales of CyberForce.


Fantastic Four Travels To The Future:

9/2/95 - November sees the debut of Fantastic Four 2099.  The ongoing
series will be written by Karl Kesel and drawn by Rick Leonardi.


Spider-Man Begins New Adventures:

9/2/95 - Beginning with November's Spider-Man Adventures #14, the comic
will cease printing adaptations and instead will publish new adventures
about FOX's version of Spider-Man.  Very similar to Batman Adventures.


The Phoenix Arises... In the Ultraverse:

9/2/95 - All Ultraverse titles shipping in November will be flip books,
containing a chapter in the company's latest crossover event.  Various
female ultras will be encountering the latest incarnation of Marvel's
Phoenix along the course of the month.


Marvel Reprints Malibu Crossovers:

9/2/95 - Marvel reprints Hulk/Prime, Wolverine/Night Man and X-Men/Exiles
in an 80-page giant entitled First Encounters.  The three crossover
titles were formerly only available for $15 a pop from American
Entertainment/Entertainment This Month.


Rust Returns:

8/31/95 - Rust, the series featuring the man made of liquid metal, will
return to comics in 1996.  Caliber Press and the creator of Rust, Steve
Miller, have worked out some of the prelimenary details.  Rust will
appear in a one-shot in the first quarter of next year, to be written
by Miller, drawn by Phillip Hester, and inked by Ande Parks.

Rust has been previously published by Malibu and Now.

2. Editorial -----------------------------------------------------------

                         Yet another Miscellaney

* BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! Didja all catch that bit about Marvel reprinting
the Ultraverse crossover books!!!???  Shall we blame Marvel, Malibu or
American Entertainment/ETM for this farce? >:)

If I had blown $45 to get three piddly comics, I'd demand my money back.

* Exciting to see a small company like Caliber lining up such high-
profile projects!  Probably only a matter of time, of course, until
they sign an exclusive deal with one of the distributors....

* Broadway Comics is coming in a bit late aren't they???  The glut was
way back in '93....  >:)

Of course, Shooter had his hands full then with a company called Defiant.
I thought that was a _great_ name for a comic company... but their
material was just, I guess, too _alternative_ for the time.

* Many would readily offer the explaination that the glut of '93 was
caused by Superman's death and subsequent resurrection...  I would tend
to think Image's success really had more to do with it than that.
Superman's death certainly attracted a lot of attention, but Image and
their dozens of wannabes (remember "Dagger"?  I'm still kinda frustrated
that Len Strazewski's Drone series never got off the ground...) are what
kept the speculators around.

And you can't blame the publishers... well, some you can.  Marvel over-
expanded waaaaay too much.  And Malibu just came out of the gate way too
fast with too many Ultraverse titles.  I miss Dinosaurs for Hire.

But the overeager speculators who bought thousands of copies of one title
were the ones who placed the orders... and what are the companies supposed
to do? Say "No, no, we can't print that many or the book won't be
collectible!"?? Of _course_ not!  Marvel doesn't make ANY money when the
local dealer sells Generation X #1 for ten bucks!  They made money when the
guy bought the book from _them_ for _three_ bucks!!

Well, I guess what it comes down to, is that the glut was somewhat
exciting... but it's also _over_.  So NOW, you can go through those old
'93 Previews and Advance Comics mags and look for some projects that look
interesting, and then go and pick 'em up at a flea market (or a comic book
store, or a yard sale, or in a comics buy/sell bulletin board/Internet
conference, or...) for a quarter each!! 

* We the fans of the comic book industry are now in possibly the most
powerful position that we could be in!  That's right... even during this
"recession" in the industry, we have the _power_!

We can dictate which comics we want to see print... if you sense garbage,
DON'T BUY IT!!  The publisher will eventually cancel it, if it's _that_
bad!  Like they say, "ignore it and it'll go away...".

If you see a comic you _like_, tell your friends!  Since we're in such a
decline, one exhuberant fan could actually make a big difference!

The _problem_ with a decline such as we are in right now, is that there
is a lot of great stuff that _isn't_ being supported... and there's a lot
of garbage that _is_.  Don't let your purchases be dictated by marketing
hype!  Talk to your friends, see what _they_ like.  Chances are, you might
too.  Try a few different comics out!  If you are into superheroes, try
an alternative, small press comic... Into Vertigo and other "alternative"
comics? Try out a good, fun superhero! You could like it!

Take some chances, and don't be afraid to cut off some of the "drivel".
You'll probably be able to pick up the "drivel" later for pennies on the
dollar!

* You know what's really starting to tick me off now?  Those blasted
"card inserts"!!  I mean, _sure_, they're better than _polybags_... but
they take it to the completely opposite extreme!  They inevitably create
small, annoying creases in the binding of the comic, decreasing its
collectibility in the process.  Why do publishers feel that they must
include free cards anyway?  I paid for the _comic_, not some damned
promotional card insert...

* It is true that Marvel has some of the best comics characters in the
industry (the majority created by the late, great (emphasis on "great")
Jack "King of Comics" Kirby).  And it is a shame that the characters
have been treated so poorly... but I do believe that in some cases, the
changes are for the best.  And I do believe that the overall quality
in the House of Idea (oops that should be pluralized, shouldn't it?
Er... _shouldn't_ it?) has come a long way since the glut.

I also believe that Marvel's got a ways to go...

* Well that wraps up yet another exciting miscellaney. See ya next week!

Best,

--Ry
Editor & Sole Reporter
Comicunications Newsletter

3. Reviews --------------(SPOILER WARNING)------------------------------

All Comics mailed to Comicunications for the purpose of being reviewed
WILL be reviewed. Reviews are the sole opinion of Ryan Brewster and, in
fact, DO reflect the opinion of this newsletter!!  >;)

Comics for review: Ryan Brewster
                   c/o Comicunications
                   84 Bunker Hill St.
                   Lancaster, NH 03584

---
Primitives
by Steve Campbell and Larry Merrill
SpareTime Studios, PO Box 2347, Poquoson, VA, 23663

Issues Reviewed: 1 & 2
32 B&W pgs.

OVERALL AVERAGE: 89% (Very Good)
                         
OVERALL STORY:  90/100 pts. (Very Good/Excellent)

     Plot:              36/40 pts.
     Dialogue:          17/20 pts.
     Characterization:  18/20 pts.
     Pacing:             9/10 pts.
     Direction:          5/05 pts.
     Subplots:           5/05 pts.

OVERALL ART:  88/100 pts. (Very Good)

     Individuality:   33/40 pts.
     Backgrounds:     18/20 pts.
     Panel Layout:     9/10 pts.
     Expression:       8/10 pts.
     Inking:          10/10 pts.
     Coloring:        10/10 pts.  (Shading, if in B&W)

     The premise of Primitives is extremely intriguing, and one that
is well-suited to the comics medium.

     There are certain parallels one can draw between Primitives and
Tekno-Comix's PriMortals.... but these are purely on the surface.  Let
me say here and now, for all of Tekno-Comix' flash and pizazz...
Primitives from SpareTime Studios is a better comic for your money.

     And it's 55 cents more expensive.

     The synopsis reads: "20,000 years ago, they were taken from Earth
and transformed into the ultimate warriors to fight for a world not their
own.  After the war, they try to return to the world they belonged to.
They find present-day Earth... a world that has been despoiled and abused
by its modern inhabitants.  They do not like what has happened to their
home. They are going to do something about it.  Join them."

     The synopsis doesn't do the book justice!

     Certainly it's not a work of literary genious, and chances are,
when the "best story on the planet earth" award comes up, Primitives
will not be among the first few comics mentioned... But it's a damn
fine read.

     Primitives manages to maintain a small-press, "alternative" feel
about the book without losing the mainstream audience. As such, the title
could be a great way to introduce a superhero nut to other venues of
entertainment (ie-small press...).  Additionally, the book manages to
tell a story about a group of superheroes (though I hesitate to call them
that) fighting for the environment without "feeling" like Captain Planet
and the Planeteers on steroids, and without sounding "preachy". (thank
God. <G>)

     The artwork is quite appropriate.  Again, it gives us the best of
both worlds, staying relatively mainstream without losing its own
independence.  And the computer-shading is gorgeous.

     Suffice it to say that this book is certainly one worth looking into.

     It is published quarterly, incidentally...
---
Captain America
by Mark Waid and Ron Garney
Marvel Comics, 387 Park Avenue South, New York, NY, 10016

Issue Reviewed: #444

OVERALL AVERAGE: 91.5% (Excellent)
                         
OVERALL STORY:  95/100 pts. (Wow!)

     Plot:              36/40 pts.
     Dialogue:          19/20 pts.
     Characterization:  20/20 pts.
     Pacing:            10/10 pts.
     Direction:          5/05 pts.
     Subplots:           5/05 pts.

OVERALL ART:  88/100 pts. (Very Good)

     Individuality:   34/40 pts.
     Backgrounds:     15/20 pts.
     Panel Layout:    10/10 pts.
     Expression:       9/10 pts.
     Inking:          10/10 pts.
     Coloring:        10/10 pts.  (Shading, if in B&W)

     Mark Waid never ceases to amaze me.

     With the heart-rending announcement of a 12-issue storyline that
would see the downfall of one of my favorite _characters_ (Cap'n America
has never been one of my favorite _books_, but I've always loved the
concept... His cameo in Skrull Kill Krew, incidentally, was another
example of the character's pure greatness), I sadly removed the book
from my pull list.

     Of course, I picked up the "last" issue (which was not half bad,
incidentally.  But I'm not reviewing that one.), in order to "lead in"
to this one.

     And if I had any doubts, they were no longer in my mind after reading
_this_ puppy.

     Mark Waid brings the red-white-and-blue Avenger into greatness...
and with classic Mark Waid finnesse, he manages to do this without even
introducing the character until the last page.

     More characterization was made in this issue, in the character's
_absence_, than in all the previous Captain America comics I had read
(heh. A good dozen or so before I dropped it for aforementioned reasons.)
combined.

     And the plot, though this was just one issue, is already taking
interesting twists and turns, in the inimitable Mark Waid style.

     Garney is a competent artist.  I would have looked for a little
less cross-hatching and rendering, perhaps going for a bit more of a bold
style.  But his work is quite good and, though nothing particularly
exciting, doesn't always stick to the status quo.

     I've enjoyed seeing Malibu's computer coloring capabilities (say
that three times fast...) being taken advantage of by Marvel.

     I would recommend this comic to any superhero comic fan.  Antihero
and Grim & Gritty fans (are there any of these left?) would probably
not find it entirely interesting.  Nor would Chris Oarr. >;)

---
The Batman Adventures
by Ty Templeton, Mike Parobeck and Rick Burchett
DC Comics, 1700 Broadway, New York, NY, 10019

Issue Reviewed: #36
32 Full Color pgs

OVERALL AVERAGE: 95% (Excellent)

OVERALL STORY: 96/100 pts. (Wow!!!)

     Plot:              38/40 pts.
     Dialogue:          19/20 pts.
     Characterization:  20/20 pts.
     Pacing:            10/10 pts.
     Direction:          5/05 pts.
     Subplots:           4/05 pts.

OVERALL ART:  94/100 pts. (Excellent)

     Individuality:   39/40 pts.
     Backgrounds:     16/20 pts.
     Panel Layout:    10/10 pts.
     Expression:       9/10 pts.
     Inking:          10/10 pts.
     Coloring:        10/10 pts.  (Shading, if in B&W)

     This book is unquestionably the best of the Batman comics. The other
Bat Books are picking up, of course, but I'm not reviewing them, now am
I?

     Using a bit of Krypto-Revision, (er... see Mark Evanier's Point of
View column a few months back...?) I have decided that, for me anyhow,
this is the "real" Batman.  The Batman in the movies is neat. The Batman
in the "regular" comics is pretty dark. The Batman in the cartoon is
awesome.  The Batman in this comic has the awesome-ness of the cartoon
with the ultimate kewl-ness of being presented in the comics medium.
Therefore, he is the "best", thus, he is "my" Batman.

     The plots are complex enough to be intriguing, but very easy to
follow. The book is dark enough to be, y'know, _Batman_, but it's light
reading, which is part of what makes this book so great.

     The art is gorgeous.  Parobeck has been a fave of mine since his
and Len Strazewski's ill-fated Justice Society of America series (don't
get me started...).  His is a distinct style that is easy to spot, and
is highly suited to this particular book.

     This book is recommended to fans of the FOX TV series (which is
no longer making new episodes, I believe, so fans can continue to follow
"their" Batman with this comic), the superhero crowd, and perhaps even
some of the lighter alternative interests out there.  It has a wide appeal.

---
Wizard #50
by Various
Wizard Press, 151 Wells Ave., Congers, NY, 10920, WizardTGTC@aol.com

Issue Reviewed: Uh, #50...
About a zillion Full Collor, flashy, glossy pages.

     We will forego the traditional grading system for this puppy, seeing
as how it isn't even really a comic book.

     What I _will_ say is that this is the best issue of Wizard yet.  Not
only does it cover its own history quite nicely (although it does blow its
own horn quite a bit..), it also covers a sketchy but very interesting
recap of the past couple of years in the comics industry.  Wow, this
industry, it is a-CHANGIN'!!!

     Wizard gives us a very good look at what the comics industry could
be.  To some, this is a good thing. To others, bad.  But Wizard deserves
a good solid pat on the back for promoting the industry as it does.

     Wizard manages to present the often unorganized, uncivilized business
of comic books in an exciting, jazzy format.  While so many news magazines
and newsletters are targeted towards the _serious_, down'n'dirty comic
collector/retailer, Wizard aims at the browsing magazine shopper, who's
looking for eye candy. And it gives you that, wholesale! And it aims
at the comic _fan_.  The one who's in it for the _fun_ of it. Which is
what comics are all about!

     But they've also tried something interesting by putting some
_content_ in there... They have improved their price guide (although the
prices may be somewhat bloated), and have enhanced the overall format
of their publication for this fiftieth issue.  Their articles are
informative and well-presented.

     Despite their 1/2 issue shams and their "free" offers, Wizard fills
its niche quite nicely, and I recommend that anyone who is looking for
a fun read, and a lot of hype-eractive entertainment, give Wizard a try.

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.  Comics become ineligible after 2 months
from the review date]

Rank  Title/Issues                                     Score   Formerly
------------------------------------------------------------------------
#1    Collected Sam & Max: Surfin' the Highway         98        1
#2.   Static #'s 23-26 (Milestone Comics)              96.5      2
#3.   Bone #'s 18-20 (Cartoon Books)                   95.5      3
#4.   The Batman Adventures #36                        95        -
#5.   Norm Breyfogle's Metaphysique #'s 1-3 (Bravura)  93.5      4
________________________________________________________________________
Comicunications is TM and Copyright (c) 1995 Ryan Brewster. Distribute
only in entirety.


________________________________________________________________________
Comicunications is TM and Copyright (c) 1995 Ryan Brewster. Distribute
only in entirety.

________________________________________________________________________
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[4] The 25th Hour by Mike Imboden

  Ahhhhhhhhh, FINALLY! Finally a new Jeff Nicholson comic!

  If you didn't order this after I hyped it up a few months ago, shame
  on you. You missed a pretty funny book.

  The book itself contains a few short "episodes" of Father and Son, who
  are Richard and Christopher Schultz respectively. (that means Father
  is Richard and Son is Christopher for those of you keeping score at
  home). Father is a workaholic product of the 80's Reagan years while
  Son is your stereotypical 90's, Generation X slacker. (Don't let that
  "X" confuse you - there are NO mutants in this title. Not really).
  This first issue has five, "The Seventies", "Great Jobs", "False",
  "A Day in the life of..." and "Richard Schultz's Complaint of the
  Month".

  "The Seventies" has Father and Son debating the merits of the 70s.
  Dick hates them while Chris drools at the thought of living back then.
  I especially liked the references to 'Scooby Doo' - Son pegs Shaggy as
  the first slacker; "Remember Shaggy on Scooby Doo?""He had a goatee
  and slacker gear even then." and there's more. It's short, but it's
  funny.

  "Great Jobs" has Father telling Son that unless he (Son) has a job by
  that evening he'll find his "...butt out on the front lawn!". So find
  a job Son does. Much to Father's dismay. The story moves along like an
  old Warner cartoon with Father getting more and more frustrated at
  what keeps happening (which I won't spoil here). Needless to say Son
  comes out on top in this one.

  "False" has Father bemoaning the state of cinematography when he sees
  Son watching a music video and winds up giving Son a new name for his
  band.

  "A Day in the Life of..." parallels a typical day in the life of both
  characters. This is quite funny and it's done with about 6 words in
  one word balloon.

  The "Complaint of the Month" is hilarious and had me laughing out
  loud. Nicholson is right on the money with Dick Schultz's dialogue in
  this one. Over the course of six panels Jeff via Father Dick examines
  "...how [here] in the 90's all products and concepts have to be taken
  to maximum saturation." If you've ever been befuddled by the various
  off-shoots of by ONE product you'll find yourself agreeing with ol'
  Dick Schultz.

  If you missed it you still might be able to find a copy on the racks.
  But in my experience Jeff's work is always under-ordered so finding a
  copy might be hard.

  Father and Son is done 100% by Jeff Nicholson except for the
  publishing part which is done by Kitchen Sink Press. It carries a
  cover price of $2.75 which is a great deal considering the fun-value
  per dollar you're getting.

  If you can't find it locally you might try;

  Jeff Nicholson, PO BOX 552, Carmichael, CA 95609    >>>OR<<<<
  call 1-800-365-SINK(7465) which is Kitchen Sink's number to get a
  catalog. Hell, I guess you could WRITE KSP if you wanted to;
  Kitchen Sink Press, 320 Riverside Drive, Northampton, MA 01060.

  I might even have some copies left as I bought a few extra "just in
  case". E-mail me as a last resort as my quantities are limited.

  BUT BUY IT AND READ IT. YOU WILL LAUGH AND WILL NEVER DOUBT MY WORD
  AGAIN. OF THIS I ASSURE YOU.


M!ke
(mike.imboden@f748.n109.z1.fidonet.org)

________________________________________________________________________
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[5] Small Press Spotlight

Spotlight On... EXPLORER PRESS!!

Company Name:Explorer Press

Address: P.O. Box 1907
Mount Airy NC 27030

Phone Number:(910)-789-3099

FAX Number:(910)-789-6005

Brief History of Our Company:

Explorer Press published its first book in June, 1995 and has been
quietly picking up critical acclaim and a devoted fan following ever
since.  Keeping its goals defined (and its expectations modest),
Explorer Press believes in presenting well-written and well-drawn
stories for readers of all ages and sexes who want to enjoy comics.
Operated by a core group of professionals with years of experience
in newspapers, advertising and yes, comic book freelancing, Explorer
Press hopes to reintroduce a sense of fun to comics.

Current Title:

Explorers, a bi-monthly adventure series featuring the exploits of
the world's foremost privately funded scientific investigation team,
Xenology, Inc.

Upcoming Projects:

For the moment, Explorers will finish up 1995, but future plans
include two other titles:  Avatarr, the adventures of a former
astronaut who serves as a interplanetary policeman with no memory of
his past...until now; and Thacker's Revenge, a one-shot special
collecting the best of the infamous exploits of Thacker Kirk, a
17-year-old boy genius trapped in a most bizarre southern town.

Other Products besides comics your company is involved in:

In addition to comics for the direct market, Explorer Press also
publishes non- fiction books for mass market bookstore chains such
as Waldenbooks and B.  Dalton.  The Andy Griffith Story:  An
Illustrated Biography was released in the summer of 1995 to a wide
and receptive audience.  Upcoming non-fiction books are planned and
will focus on pop culture collectibles and television.

Hot Writers and Illustrators working on current projects:

Terry Collins and Bill Neville, but only if your definition of hot
includes creators with credits such as Doc Savage, Elfquest:  New
Blood, The Ren and Stimpy Show, Lost In Space, Quantum Leap, The
Tick:  Karma Tornado, H.P.  Lovecraft's Cthulhu, Anne Rice's The
Witching Hour, Elfquest:  Blood Of Ten Chiefs, Tiny Toon Adventures,
The Man From U.N.C.L.E.  and numerous others.

________________________________________________________________________
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[6] Top 50 Comics - July '95

This list was reported by Comic Shop News based on figures from Diamond,
and Capital and a cross section of comic shops.  It is a combination of
retailers orders and actual sales to the public.

Volume Rank                                    $ Rank

1  X-Men 44                                         4
2  Uncanny X-Men #324                               5
3  Wolverine 92                                     7
4  Wolverine/Gambit: Victims #1                     1
5  Spawn 33                                        10
6  Sovereign 7 #3                                  11
7  X-Force 45                                      12
8  Generation X 7                                  14
9  X-Man 6                                         15
10 Cable 23                                        18
11 Spawn:Blood Fued 2                               9
12 Superman vs Aliens 3                             2
13 X-Factor 114                                    21
14 Gen 13 #3                                        6
15 Spider-Man: Maximum Coinage Omega                3
16 Excalibur 89                                    25
17 Amazing Spider-Man 405                           -
18 Superman 104                                    29
19 Adventures of Superman 527                      31
20 Spectacular Spider-Man 227                       -
21 Action Comics 713                               33
22 Superman: The Man of Steel 48                   34
23 X-Man 7                                         39
24 Nightwing 1                                     22
25 Wonder Woman 101                                42
26 Untold Tales of Spider-Man                       -
27 Batman 522                                      45
28 Spider-man 62                                   47
29 Detective Comics 689                            48
30 Web of Spider-Man 128                            -
31 X-Files 7                                       17
32 WildC.A.T.s 21                                  27
33 Dawn 1                                          19
34 Incredible Hulk 433                             50
35 Batman: Shadow of the Bat 42                     -
36 Green lantern 66                                 -
37 Batman Annual 19                                16
38 Lady Death:Between Heaven and Hell 4            30
39 Robin 20                                         -
40 Spider-Man:The lost years 2                     28
41 X-men 2099 AD 24                                 -
42 Avengers:The Crossing                            8
43 Violator/Badrock 2                              37
44 Team 1:WildC.A.T.s 1                            38
45 Cyberforce 15                                   40
46 Azreal 8                                         -
47 Team 7 Objective Hell 3                         43
48 Venom Super Size Special 1                      24
49 Spider-Man Unlimited 10                         26
50 Batman:Legends of the Dark Knight 74             -
   Sandman Midnight Theater                        13
   Ruins                                           23
   Adventures of Superman Annual 7                 32
   Venom: Sinner Take All 1                        35
   Batman/Judge Dredd: Ultimate Riddle             36
   Double Edge Alpha                               41
   Big Guy and Rusty the Robot Boy  1              44
   Star Wars:X-Wing Fighter Rogue Squadron 1       46
   Team 1: Stormwatch 1                            49


 *David LeBlanc>             ComicBkNet@AOL.COM
 david.leblanc@mailtrain.com   RIME->5179  FIDO 1:322/743.1

________________________________________________________________________
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[7] New Comics Shipping 9/5/95

Well Broadway Comics have gone exclusive with Diamond, Who's Broadway comics?
(Jim Shooters' New Company.) Here is the list for books scheduled to ship the
week of 9/5/95. Remember you reading mileage may vary.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Acclaim Comics:
Bar Sinister #4                      Convocations- Magic the Gathering Gallery
Eternal Warrior #46                  Ice Age- Magic the Gathering TP #1
Starslayer: The Directors Cut #8     Turok Dinosaur Hunter #37

Archie Comics:
Betty #31                            Hanna Barbera Presents #1
Jughead Jones Digest #98

Bantam/Doubleday/Dell Books:
Blade Runner 2: The Edge of Human. . .

Chaos! Comics:
Lady Death in Lingerie #1            Lady Death The Reckoning TP

Comic Shop News:
CSN #429

Cosmic Comics:
Death Race 2020 #5

Dark Horse Comics:
Agents of Law #6                     Ghost in the Shell #7
Predator Race War TP                 Star Wars: Dark Empire II TP
X #18

DC Comics:
Action Comics #715                   Aquaman #14
Azrael #10                           Babylon 5 #10
Books of Magic #18                   Catwoman #26
Damage #18                           Deathstroke #53
Green Arrow #102                     Guy Gardner Warrior #36
Hardware #33                         Invisibles #14
Lobo #21                             Manhunter #12-Final Issue
Millennium Fever #2                  Robin #22
Sandman #72- 3 More to Go!           Showcase '95 #10
Superboy Annual #2                   Tank girl: The Odyssey #4
Underworld Unleashed #1

Fantagraphics Books:
Little Orphan Annie 1935

Gemstone Publishin/Russ Cochran:
Crime Suspenstories #13              Frontline Combat #2
Haunt of Fear #13

Hamilton Comics:
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers 2nd Series #2
Uncle Scrooge Adventures #35         Walt Disney Giant #2

Harris Comics:
Vengeance of Vampirella #18

Image Comics:
Backlash #11                         Berzerkers #1
Blood Pool #1                        Bone Sourcebook #1
Deathblow #19                        Glory #5
Grifter #4                           Groo #10
Operation Knightstrike #3            Prophet Annual #1
Regulators #3                        Spartan Warrior Spirit #2
Supreme #29

Krause Publications:
Sports Cards November 1995

Marvel Comics:
Spider-Man 2099 A.D. #37             Daredevil #346
Captain America #445                 Force Works #17
Fantastic Four Unplugged #2          Web of Scarlet Spider #1
Spider-Man/Batman                    Spider-Man Adventures TPB #1
Cable #25                            Uncanny X-Men #326
Generation X '95                     Wolverine/Gambit: Victims #3
Ren & Stimpy #36                     Conan #4
Saban's Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #1
Bizarre #2                           Doctor Who #230
Hammer Horror #8

Maximum Comics:
Avengelyne Swimsuit Book             Battlestar Galactica #2
Law & Order #1

Motion Comics:
Walt the Wildcat

Slave Labor Graphics:
Camping with Bigfoot #1              Slacker Comics #5

SQ Productions:
Crimson Embrace-Regular

Sumitek Comics:
Taoland #3

Viz Communications:
Maison Ikkoku Part IV #9             Manga Vizion Vol. 1 #7
Nausicaa of the Valley og the Wind Part. . .
Ranma 1/2 Vol5 GN
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||Whew|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Are you as tired reading all that as I was after typing that in????
Shoul I go back to lumping the small companies together under "Miscellaneous
Comic Companies" to save the bandwidth?
And is it just me or does Marvel have no idea what shipped already?
See ya in 7. . . On the Spinners!
bbwaller@iadfw.net  is Bobb Waller Sysop of FIAWOL-BBS
Dedicated to both Fandom and empowering the disABLED
________________________________________________________________________
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[8] The Late Comics Report by Andrew S. Troth

This is the Late Comics Report for the week of August 31, 1995.

The three latest items on the list are enclosed in asterisks (*): three
for the latest, two for the runner-up, one for third place. Ties apply the
same rank to all tied items.

New additions to the list are enclosed in these: < >.

See below for items that have been removed since last week's list, other
cancellations, and the top three late publishers.

These comics are LATE:

Academy Comics:
	Altered Realities (Jul)
	<Robotech Clone #5 (Aug)>
Acclaim Comics:
	Bar Sinister #4 (May)
	<Eternal Warrior #46 (Aug)>
	<Samuree #3 (Aug)>
	Starslayer: The Director's Cut #8 (May)
	Turok, Dinosaur Hunter/Shaman's Tears #1 (Apr)
	Turok, Dinosaur Hunter/Shaman's Tears #2 (May)
	Turok, Dinosaur Hunter/Shaman's Tears #3 (Jun)
	<X-O Manowar #54 (Aug)>
Alaffinity:
	**Greymatter #9 (Dec '94)**
Antarctic Press:
	<Collected Silbuster! Vol. 1 (Aug)>
	<Gojin #3 (Aug)>
	<Gold Digger #24 (Aug)>
	<Katmandu #6 (Aug)>
	<Silbuster #10 (Aug)>
	<Small-Bodied Ninja High School #6 (Aug)>
	<Tales of the Fehnnik #1 (Aug)>
	<Tigers of Terra #14 (Aug)>
	<Tigers of Terra Book One TPB (Aug)>
Aria Press:
	<A Distant Soil #11 (Aug)>
Caliber Press:
	<Apparition: Visitations (Aug)>
	<Inferno #1 (Aug)>
	<Kabuki Color Gallery (Aug)>
	<Kilroy Is Here #3 (Aug)>
	<Negative Burn #26 (Aug)>
	<Oz #0 (Aug)>
	<Raven Chronicles #2 (Aug)>
Comico:
	<Elementals #1 (Aug)>
	Elementals: Ghost of a Chance GN (Jul)
	<Oblivion #2 (Aug)>
Cosmic Comics:
	<Death Race 2020 #5 (Aug)>
Crusade Comics:
	<Shi/Cyblade Special #1 (Aug)>
Dancing Elephant Press:
	Kane #10 (Jul)
Dark Horse Comics:
	Agents of Law #6 (Aug 8)
	Edgar Rice Burroughs' Tarzan vs. Predator #1 (Jul 4)
	Edgar Rice Burroughs' Tarzan vs. Predator #2 (Aug 15)
	<Predator: Race War TPB (Aug 29)>
	Star Wars: River of Chaos #3 (Aug 1)
DC Comics:
	Star Trek: The Next Generation Special #3 (Aug 22)
	Tank Girl: The Odyssey #4 (Jul 18)
Double Diamond Press:
	<Hepcats #13 (Aug)>
	<Hepcats #14 (Aug)>
Dramenon Studios:
	<Raw City #1 (Aug)>
Drawn & Quarterly:
	<Underwater #4 (Aug)>
Event Comics:
	<Ash #5 (Aug)>
Exhibit A Press:
	<Wolff & Byrd #8 (Aug)>
Fantagraphics Books:
	Big Mouth #5 (Jun)
	Crap #8 (Jul)
	<Erotic Art of Reed Waller Expanded Edition (Aug)>
	Human Diastrophism UK Edition (Jan)
	<Jim One-Shot Spectacular: Frank's Real Pa (Aug)>
	Little Nemo Volume 2 SC (Apr)
	Little Orphan Annie 1935 (Jul)
	Most Important Thing and Other Stories (May)
	<Naughty Bits #17 (Aug)>
	<Omaha Vol. I #5 (Aug)>
	Savage Love #2 (Mar)
	Wit and Wisdom of Mr. Natural TPB (Jun)
	<Young Hoods in Love (Aug)>
	<Zero Zero Sep/Oct (Aug)>
	<Zippy Quarterly #11 (Aug)>
Genesis West Publications:
	Last of the Viking Heroes: Nidhogger Lives HC (Jun)
	<Professor Om #1 (Aug)>
Gladstone/Disney:
	<Carl Barks Library of Donald Duck Adventures #20 (Aug)>
	<Carl Barks Library Album #44 (Aug)>
	Donald Duck Adventures #34 (Jul)
	<Uncle Scrooge Adventures #35 (Aug)>
	<Walt Disney Giant #2 (Aug)>
Harris Comics:
	<Vengeance of Vampirella #17 (Aug)>
Horse Press:
	Buzz Buzz Comics Magazine #1 (Jun)
Image Comics:
	<Backlash #11 (Aug)>
	Badrock! #3 (May)
	<Ballistic #2 (Aug)>
	<Berzerkers #1 (Aug)>
	<Bloodpool #1 (Aug)>
	<Bloodstrike: Assassin #3 (Aug)>
	Brigade #22 (Jul)
	<Brigade #23 (Aug)>
	<Crypt #1 (Aug)>
	<CyberForce/Codename: StrykeForce #2 (Aug)>
	<Deadly Duo #3 (Aug)>
	<Deathblow #19 (Aug)>
	<Extreme 3000 Prelude (Aug)>
	<Glory #0 (Aug)>
	Glory #5 (Jul)
	Glory TPB (Jul)
	<Grifter #4 (Aug)>
	<Knightmare #0 (Aug)>
	Knightmare #5 (Jun)
	Knightmare #6 (Jul)
	<Newmen #17 (Aug)>
	Operation Knightstrike #3 (Jul)
	<Pitt #1/2 (Aug)>
	Pitt #10 (Jun)
	Prophet Annual #1 (Jul)
	<Regulators #3 (Aug)>
	<Ripclaw Special (Aug)>
	<Savage Dragon #22 (Aug)>
	<Spartan: Warrior Spirit #2 (Aug)>
	<Spawn #35 (Aug)>
	<Stormwatch #27 (Aug)>
	<SuperPatriot: Liberty & Justice #3 (Aug)>
	<Supreme #0 (Aug)>
	Supreme #29 (Jun)
	Supreme #30 (Jul)
	<Team 1: WildCATs #2 (Aug)>
	Team Youngblood #20 (Jul)
	<Team Youngblood #21 (Aug)>
	<Violator/Badrock #4 (Aug)>
	<Weapon Zero #T-1 (Aug)>
	<Wetworks #10 (Aug)>
	<WildCATs #23 (Aug)>
King Hell Press:
	<Rare Bit Fiends #13 (Aug)>
Lady Luck Ltd.:
	<Shades of Gray #9 (Aug)>
Malibu Comics:
	***Edge #4 (Nov '94)***
	<Metaphysique #4 (Aug)>
	Mortal Kombat Kollection TPB (Jul)
	<Nocturnals #6 (Jul; I don't know why I didn't already have this
listed)>
	<Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Celebrity Series: Rules of Diplomacy
#1 (Aug)>
	<Ultraverse Year Two (Aug)>
Marvel Comics:
	Aladdin #12 (Jul 25)
	<Avengers #391 (Aug 29)>
	Bizarre #1 (Aug 1)
	ClanDestine #13 (Aug 22)
	Doctor Who Poster Magazine #2 (Jan 31)
	Doctor Who Poster Magazine #3 (Mar 28)
	Doctor Who Poster Magazine #4 (May 30)
	Doctor Who Special (Aug 1)
	<Dr. Strange #82 (Aug 29)>
	Greatest Villains of the Fantastic Four TPB (Apr 25)
	<Iron Man #321 (Aug 29)>
	Little Mermaid #13 (Jul 18)
	<Marvel Swimsuit 1995 (Aug 29)>
	<New Warriors #64 (Aug 29)>
	<Nocturne #4 (Aug 29)>
	Playback #1 (Jul 4)
	Playback #2 (Jul 25)
	Ren & Stimpy Special #6 (Aug 22)
	Ruins #2 (Jul 18)
	<Spectacular Spider-Man #229 (Aug 29)>
	*Spider-Man Magazine #12 (Jan 17)*
	Spider-Man: The Lost Years #3 (Aug 22)
	Tales of the Marvels: Wonder Years #1 (Aug 15)
	Thunderstrike #24 (Jul 25)
	Venom-Deathrap: The Vault (May 9)
	<Venom: Sinner Takes All #3 (Aug 29)>
	Web of Spider-Man Super-Size Special #1 (Aug 15)
	<X-Man '95 (Aug 29)>
	X-Men Archives: Captain Britain #4 (Aug 22)
	X-Men: Magneto Returns TPB (Aug 22)
Maximum Comics Press:
	<Avengelyne Swimsuit Book (Aug)>
	<Battlestar Galactica #2 (Aug)>
	<Law & Order #1 (Aug)>
	Warchild #0 (Jul)
Nightwolf Graphics:
	<Troubleshooters Inc. #3 (Aug)>
Pen & Ink Comics:
	<Wandering Star #9 (Aug)>
RetroGrafix:
	<Strange Attractors #11 (Aug)>
Slave Labor Graphics:
	<Camping With Bigfoot #1 (Aug)>
	<Johnny the Homicidal Maniac #1 (Aug)>
	<Slacker Comics #5 (Aug)>
Spiderbaby Grafix:
	Stephen R. Bissette's Tyrant #4 (Apr)
	Stephen R. Bissette's Tyrant #5 (Jun)
WaRP Graphics:
	<Elfquest: Shards #10 (Aug)>
Watermark:
	<Billi 99 TPB (Aug)>
	Solstice #2 (Jun)
	Solstice #3 (Jul)

REMOVED since the last list:

Alaffinity:
	Greymatter #10 (Jun; cancelled; to be resolicited)
Black Eye Productions:
	Atomic City Special #1 (Jul; came out Aug 29)
Caliber Press:
	Gabriel #1 (Jul; came out Aug 29)
	Kabuki: Circle of Blood #4 (Jul; came out Aug 22)
	Negative Burn #25 (Jul; came out Aug 22)
	Oz #10 (Jul; came out Aug 29)
	Raven Chronicles #1 (Jul; came out Aug 29)
	Slaughterhouse #1 (May; cancelled; will be released in a TPB)
	Slaughterhouse #2 (Jun; cancelled; will be released in a TPB)
	Slaughterhouse #3 (Jul; cancelled; will be released in a TPB)
	Unleashed #1 (Jun; cancelled; will be released in a TPB)
DC Comics:
	Batman: Knightgallery (Aug 8; came out Aug 29)
	Egypt #3 (Aug 22; came out Aug 29)
	Judge Dredd: Legends of the Law #11 (Aug 22; came out Aug 29)
	Stuck Rubber Baby HC (Aug 22; came out Aug 29)
Horse Press:
	THB #6 (Feb; resolicited for Nov)
Image Comics:
	Art of Erik Larsen (Feb; cancelled)
	Badrock! #2 (Apr; resolicited for Nov)
	Bloodstrike: Assassin #2 (Jul; came out Aug 29)
	Brigade #21 (Jun; came out Aug 29)
	CyberForce/Codename StrykeForce: Opposing Forces #1 (Jul; came out
Aug 29)
	Cyblade/Shi Special (Jul; came out Aug 29)
	Gen13 #4 (Jul; came out Aug 29)
	Newmen #16 (Jul; came out Aug 29)
	Savage Dragon #21 (Jul; came out Aug 29)
	Shaman's Tears #11 (Jul; came out Aug 29)
	Stormwatch #26 (Jul; came out Aug 29)
	Violator/Badrock #3 (Jul; came out Aug 29)
	Voodoo/Zealot: Skin Trade (Jul; came out Aug 29)
	Weapon Zero #T-2 (Jul; came out Aug 29)
	WildCATs #22 (Jul; came out Aug 29)
Marvel Comics:
	Akira #34 (Aug 15; came out Aug 29)
	Dr. Dre: Man With a Cold, Cold Heart (Feb 28; cancelled)
	Green Goblin #1 (Aug 22; came out Aug 29)
	Hammer Horror #6 (Jul 11; came out I know not when)
	Hammer Horror #7 (Aug 8; came out Aug 29)
	Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Magazine (Jul 4; came out I know not
when)
	Snoop Doggy Dogg: Unleashed (Feb 28; cancelled)
	Spider-Man #63 (Aug 22; came out Aug 29)
Maximum Comics Press:
	Black Flag #5 (May; cancelled)
Slave Labor Graphics:
	Destroy All Comics #3 (Jul; came out Aug 29)
	Dork #3 (Jul; came out Aug 29)
Taliesin Press:
	Starchild #13 (Apr 4; cancelled and resolicited under a new title
for Nov)
	Starchild #14 (Apr 18; ditto)
Topps Comics:
	X-Files #8 (Aug 22; came out Aug 29)

CANCELLED but never appeared on the list before:

Acclaim Comics:
	City Knights #1 (Jun; to be resolicited)
	City Knights #2 (Jul)
	City Knights #1 (Aug)
	Ninjak #27 (Aug; to be resolicited)
	Ninjak #28 (Aug)
Alaffinity:
	Greymatter #11 (Aug)
Caliber Press:
	Slaughterhouse #4 (Aug; will be released in a TPB)
	Unleashed #2 (Aug; will be released in a TPB)
Harris Comics:
	Hyde-25 #1 (Aug)
Image Comics:
	Others #4 (Aug)

TOP THREE late publishers, by number of late items:
	1. Image Comics:				42 items
	2. Marvel Comics:				30
	3. Fantagraphics Books:				15

PUBLISHERS covered at present: Aardvark-Vanaheim, Abiogenesis Press,
Abstract Studio, Academy Comics Ltd., Acclaim Comics, Alaffinity, Amaze
Ink, Animus, Antarctic Press (not including Venus Comics), Argo Press,
Aria Press, Astro Comics, Black Eye Productions, Bongo Comics, Caliber
Press, Cartoon Books, Claypool Comics, Comico, Coppervale Press (formerly
Taliesin Press), Cosmic Comics, CPM Comics, Crusade Comics, Dancing
Elephant Press, Dark Horse Comics, DC Comics, Double Diamond Press,
Dramenon Studios, Drawn & Quarterly, Dreamwalker, Eddie Campbell Comics,
El Capitan, Event Comics, Exhibit A Press, Fantagraphics Books (not
including Eros Comix), Fiasco Comics, Fireman Press, Genesis West
Publications, Gladstone/Disney, Hanthercraft, Harris Publications, Horse
Press, I Box, Image Comics, King Hell Press, Lady Luck Ltd., Malibu
Comics, Mark's Giant Economy Size Comics, Marvel Comics, Maximum Comics
Press, Meet Danny Ocean, Milestone Media, New England Comics Press,
Nightwolf Graphics, Palliard Press, Patchwork Press, Pen & Ink Comics,
Planet Lucy Press, Promethean Studios, Retro Graphix, Slave Labor
Graphics, Spiderbaby Grafix, Tekno-Comix, Thinkblots Publications, Topps
Comics, Viz Communications, WaRP Graphics, and Watermark.

DISCLAIMERS:

This is a list of comic books that have *not* arrived in stores as of the
date above. When they *will* come out is anyone's guess.

Only comics, hardcover and softcover graphic novels, hardcover reprint
collections, and trade paperbacks are covered. I will include an
additional list of newly cancelled or resolicited items when possible.

If you have any information regarding any item on the list, or if you
think an item on the list has come out, please contact me.

Not all distributors deliver items at the same time. Depending on your
retailer and your retailer's distributor, actual on-sale dates may vary.
________________________________________________________________________
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[9] Splash Page!

  ----- ------
  |-  -||-  -|
   |  |  |  | 
   |  ----  | 
   |  ----  | I K E E B A
   |  |  |  |------|
  -|  |- |  ------ |
  |----| |  |    |-| O M I C S 
         |  |       
         |  |    ---
         |  -----| |    Advance Order Comic Service
         |---------|

  * Competitive discounts on all new comics as well as related
    merchandise like posters, videos, t-shirts and so forth.
  * No hidden costs or fees.
  * Weekly, bi-weekly and monthly shipping available.
  * Everyone gets something nifty FREE each month.
  * Conveniant text (ASCII) order form.
  * Free PREVIEWS and MEGA MARVEL.

  Log on to The Daily Planet BBS (301-831-8057) for more information

M!ke
(mike.imboden@f748.n109.z1.fidonet.org)

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The Collected Sam & Max -- Surfin' the Highway

"Holy S#!+!!! ... a MUST read."  
-Comic Book Net

"I don't get it."
-Johanna

The Collected Sam & Max--Surfin' the Highway is replete with the wry
humor, witty repartee, unabashedly antisocial behavior, and first class
graphics that have earned this quirky pair of furry flatfoots a rabidly
devoted following.

From the pair's undercover stint as "terrifying hairy bikers" who visit a
tattoo parlor to experience the timeless "ritual of primitive
disfigurement," to their trigger-happy and danger-riddled quest to rid
the Moon of giant cockroaches, this is a hilariously twisted, distinctively
rendered, and action packed adventure with America's favorite Freelance
Police.

-The first time *all* the Sam & Max material has been collected into one
volume.  Yep we got them *all*  -- all the Fishwrap, Critters, First,
Comico, Epic and LucasArts stories.
-One page strips for short attention spans and a cover gallery for those
who can't read at all!
-162 pages of Sam & Max stories and artwork--more than you can shake a
delusional, psychotic white rabbit at!  Includes a 32-page gallery of
hypnotically dazzling color artwork!
-Plus pinheaded games and activity pages to keep you busy and off the
streets.

The Collected Sam & Max--Surfin' the Highway, truly the only book you'll
ever need.

Coming this September, from your pals at Marlowe & Company.

Trade Paperback - $12.95
Cloth Hardbound - $22.50
Signed, Limited Edition - $50.00

Lawrence Deneault                                                        
Managing Editor,                                                          
               
Marlowe & Company/Thunder's Mouth Press

Sith Dragon
  =(UDIC)=          
________________________________________________________________________
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[10] Comics History Course!

I thought this might be of interest so i asked for more details.
Got a quick response on Email;

Subj   Re: Comic Book Art History at NYC's SVA
Date   95-08-26 01:14:41 EDT
From   ASchumer
To     ComicBknet

Here's my course description as  it  appears in the current SVA catalogue:

20th CENTURY COMIC BOOK ART
M1348A
Fri., Sept. 22-Dec.15
Class hours: 6:30pm to 9:10pm
12 sessions--2 credits--$320.00

An idiosyncratic history of comic book art will be presented in the SVA
Amphitheater as a series of slide lectures that will display the art form like
never before.  By utilizing multiple projectors, not only will the history of
the medium be conveyed, but also the sequential design of comic book art as
well.  Each session will be divided into two separate slide shows that relate
to each other, beginning with  "The Golden Age of the Superhero: Superman and
Batman," and then examining the development of mainstream comic book art
through the 90's.  In-depth career retrospectives include: Will Eisner, Wally
Wood, Harvey Kurtzman, Carmine Infantino, Joe Kubert, Jack Kirby, Steve
Ditko, Jim Steranko, Neal Adams and Robert Crumb.  There will be guest artist
and speakers and intermittent video clips.  Call (212)592-2050 for
registration and further information.

ARLEN SCHUMER, graphic designer; illustrator; partner, THE DYNAMIC DUO, INC.
B.F.A., Rhode Island School of Design.  The Dynamic Duo, creators of comic
art for the advertising and editorial markets, with clients which include:
Burger King, Coca-Cola, Entertainment Weekly, IBM< Kellogg's, MTV,
Nickelodeon, People Magazine, Showtime, Yamaha.
---------------------------------------------
Well, that's it, David...you can also refer people to that COMICS JOURNAL
article as well, along with my e-mail address--and feel free to call me if
you'd like @(203) 454-4518, or fax me @(203)454-3376...and thanks again for
all your help!


 *David LeBlanc>             ComicBkNet@AOL.COM
 david.leblanc@mailtrain.com   RIME->5179    FIDO 1:322/518

________________________________________________________________________
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[11] CBN Growth Chart, by Jacob Greenberg

E-Mag #     Date of E-Mag    # of Nodes
/~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~\
| 001         February 28      47 |
| 002         March 14         47 |
| 003         March 30         50 |
| 004         April 9          50 |
| 005         April 16         55 |
| 006         April 25         60 |
| 007         April 30         62 |
| 008         May 8            61 |
| 009         May 14           63 |
| 010         May 22           65 |
| 011         May 28           69 |
| 012         June 4           74 |
| 013         June 11          73 |
| 014         June 18          73 |
| 015         June 25          73 |
| 016         July 2           73 |
| 017         July 8           74 |
| 018         July 18          77 |
| 019         July 24          77 |
| 020         July 30          76 |
| 021         August 7         77 |
| 022         August 13        77 |
| 023         August 22        79 |
\ 024         August 28        79 /
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That's it!  Go home!

Jacob

________________________________________________________________________
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[12] Letters To the Net

From: e.dukeshire@genie.geis.com
To: xenozoid@cris.com

Hi Ryan!
 
I gotta say, I'm really impressed with what you're accomplishing with
the e-mag.  It's really neat to sit there and read it when it comes
in.  ;)
 
Keep up the good work!
 
-- ed
----------

  Wow, thanks, Ed! That means a lot coming from you! :)

  For those of you who don't know, Ed was the editor of this e-mag who
  got it off the ground and, really, did all the hard work. :)

  Best,

  --Ry

From:	72267.3332@compuserve.com
To:	ComicBkNet@aol.com

I've spoken or communicated electronically with most of the UV founders,
and they feel the same way you do -- as do I.  We're heartbroken about
what happened to the Ultraverse, its characters, and, of course, its
editorial and creative personnel.  

Most of us have gone on to other things, though.  James Hudnall is about
to launch a self-publishing venture.  Len Strazewski is continuing his career
in business journalism.  Mike Barr will be writing for Dark Horse.  James 
Robinson is about as hot as a writer can get these days.  

Me, I'm working on the OPPOSING FORCES crossover for Top Cow, a
CYBERNARY miniseries for Wildstorm, and writing PITT for Dale Keown.
I can't speak for the others, but I'm happier doing these books than I ever
was working on SLUDGE or EXILES.  (I'd rather not go into all of the 
reasons for that, but it is true.)

If the Ultraverse is gone, or nearly so, feel free to mourn it.  It could
have been a great deal more than it became.  But may I humby suggest that
it might be more enjoyable to follow the new work by the people who created
the UV than to grieve over a good idea gone sour.

--Steve Gerber
---------------

  Thanks for the letter, Steve. Personally, I have two hearts about the
  matter.

  First, I feel loyal to the creators, because it was their work that got
  me so pumped up!  But, then, I feel loyal to the Ultraverse because
  it was those _characters_ that got me so pumped up! :S

  And it would appear that some of the more basic foundations of the
  Ultraverse (i.e.- Ultras, Aladdin, the main characters) have gone un-
  changed. So I'll continue to read & maybe even enjoy the Ultraverse
  comics... but I will also follow the various original Founding Fathers
  to their new ventures.

  For those of you who missed it, Steve Gerber (a founding father of the
  Ultraverse) is replying to a "rant" I wrote in my newsletter
  Comicunications, called "Promises, Promises".  The Ultraverse was the
  superhero universe that really dragged me into the world of comics.

  Thanks again for the letter, Steve.

  Best,

  --Ry

________________________________________________________________________
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[13] Join in the fun!

You too can enjoy the intelligent conversations and informative threads
that occupy the conferences of the Comic Book Net every day! However,
many people who read this e-mag aren't familiar with the Local BBS
echo-mail system....

Bulletin Board Systems are scattered everywhere across the USofA, and
many of them are free!  Chances are, if you have a modem you have
the accompanying communications software.  Using the Terminal Emulation
software that came with your modem, you can dial up one of the many
systems linked into CBN (see the listings down a few paragraphs). Most
of the boards offer all the message echoes in the Comic Book Network...
there are message bases devoted to all the bigger comics publishers, as
well as big Small Press and Independent message bases, not to mention
sections for general (doesn't even have to be about comics!)
conversation. 

If you are worried about long distance charges, worry no longer! Most
if not all the BBS's offer a mail service from which you can download
a .QWK packet of recent e-mail to read offline with a program called
an offline mail reader.  You can read & write messages at your leisure,
and then upload your own messages & replies the next time you call your
local BBS.  There are many .QWK packet readers out there, for every
type of computer system.  They all give you a better explaination in
their documentation than I can.   These programs are available all over
the Internet and are downloadable from most BBS's.

These "mail runs" (dialing up, downloading the mail packet and uploading
replies) generally take less than 5 minutes to accomplish, and at the
average after-5pm/weekends/holidays long distance phone rates, that is
LESS THAN 75!  See? Even less expensive than many of the commercial
information services available! :)

So what else can you find on free BBS systems?  Theres plenty of files
for specific types of computers.  Some systems also offer other types
of message networks ranging from general topics to specific themes
like sci-fi, role playing, games, music, etc.  And, let's not forget
online games.  Join into the many different multiplayer games, each
system sports different challenges.  There's nothing like becoming
the most powerful being in a online adventure!

And when you _do_ log on, leave a message in The Bullpen conference to
ALL, and introduce yourself to us!  You're guaranteed to get plenty of
replies and all the help you need to join in the fun!

Best,

--Ry, the editor, with assists from Ed Dukeshire.

________________________________________________________________________
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[14] BBSes Linked into CBN

BBSes Linked into CBN

* Last posted 25-Aug-95 16:31:48
* Posted with permission - Thanks Wayne!

 +----------------------------+
 |  The ComicBook Network !!  |  A message network devoted to Comic
 +----------------------------+  Fans, Collectors, and Professionals!
                                 ----  ----------      -------------
  - Over 20 message echoes for your reading enjoyment!

  - Marvel Comics        - DC Comics               - Image Comics
  - Acclaim Comics       - Dark Horse Comics       - Small Press
  - Independents         - Manga Comics            - Comic Issues
  - Writers/Artists      - Toys and Collectables   - Cards
  - Back Issue Bin       - Video Games             - Bullpen
  - Fanboy               - Animation               - TV/Movies
  - Role Playing Games   - Splash Page             - SciFi

  - News, info, reviews, and general conversation with other comic
    book fans and professionals.

  - Log onto the systems, check it out and participate.  We'd love to
    have you aboard!

  - Here's a quick rundown of free access BBSes already linked in!
    Most offer a QWK/Bluewave door to pack mail and read offline.
    * = New systems linked in.

    City          St  BBS Number       City          St  BBS Number
    ------------- --  ------------     ------------- --  ------------
    Russelville   AR  501-968-3910   * Hector        AR  501-284-5503
    Lakeside      CA  619-561-2961     Victorville   CA  619-955-6445
    Destin        FL  904-654-9385     Ft. Walton    FL  904-244-7434
    Eustis        FL  904-357-0355     Jacksonville  FL  904-363-6347
    Melbourne     FL  407-253-0782     Melbourne     FL  407-253-8754
    Tavares       FL  904-343-7272     Davenport     IA  319-359-4449
    Davenport     IA  319-381-2906     Palatine      IL  708-776-2395
    Indianapolis  IN  317-856-9020     La Porte      IN  219-325-3655
    Acushnet      MA  508-995-0085     Agawam        MA  413-789-6533
    Freetown      MA  508-763-2027     Haverhill     MA  508-372-2258
    New Bedford   MA  508-984-1212     New Bedford   MA  508-984-5321
    New Bedford   MA  508-994-4687     Rochester     MA  508-763-5579
    Shrewsbury    MA  508-753-3767     S. Dartmouth  MA  508-979-8930
    Worcester     MA  508-791-1281     Worcester     MA  508-798-5647
    Bishopville   MD  410-352-5754     Frederick     MD  301-831-8057
    Frederick     MD  301-698-5194     Gaithersburg  MD  301-601-9731
    Gaithersburg  MD  301-977-0791     Mount Rainier MD  301-779-9381
  * Walkersville  MD  301-898-4088     Dearborn Hgts MI  313-565-8464
    Kalamazoo     MI  616-349-9438     Durham        NC  919-286-4542
    Durham        NC  919-286-7738     Raliegh       NC  919-833-3412
    Raliegh       NC  919-790-3599   * Newton        NH  603-382-0338
  * Hillsdale     NJ  201-722-1495   * Park Ridge    NJ  201-307-9225
  * Saddle Brook  NJ  201-368-1866     Astoria       NY  718-204-0159
    Poughkeepsie  NY  914-485-5463     Saugerties    NY  914-247-9601
    Spring Valley NY  914-426-3029     West Islip    NY  516-422-4225
    Collinsville  OK  918-371-0980     Oklahoma City OK  405-672-0615
    Oklahoma City OK  405-728-7960     Cottage Grove OR  503-942-4561
    Brookhaven    PA  610-872-0916   * Eddystone     PA  610-872-2830
    Philadelphia  PA  215-535-3055   * Old San Juan  PR  809-721-6512
    Union City    TN  901-885-9647     Dallas        TX  214-680-2755
    Garland       TX  214-494-3702     Grand Prairie TX  214-641-1136
    Houston       TX  713-568-0825     Irving        TX  214-790-6472
    Killeen       TX  817-699-2254   * Missouri City TX  713-835-0965
    Odessa        TX  915-530-2712     Waxahachie    TX  214-938-7115
    Arlington     VA  703-415-0134     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  52-5-264-2994

  - If you have access to internet mail, you can receive a complete
    listing of bbs systems linked in.  Address your message to
    ComicBkNet@AOL.COM

  - Weekly "Comic Book Electronic Magazine" available on all above
    systems.  Also available on AOL - GOTO: SCIENCE FICTION and select
    Science Fiction Libraries from the main menu.  The files are in:
    ANIME, COMICS, OTHER.  If you don't have an account on AOL, check
    the CompuServe and GEnie libraries, they're uploaded there as well.

  - Sysops: FREQ the latest information packet using the Magic Filename
    COMICS from these Fidonet systems; 1:19/37 in AR, 1:324/134 in MA,
                                       1:109/748 in MD, 1:2201/66 in MI


________________________________________________________________________
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[15] E-Mag Info

The Comic Book Net E-Mag is published weekly by the many participants of
The Comic Book Network. This is a compilation of articles and columns
which were originally posted in the network's conferences or written
specifically for this electronic magazine.

All text contained within are copyrighted to the originating author(s).

Freely distributable for noncommerical purposes only.

THE CBN WEB PAGE
----------------
If you have access to the World Wide Web, please stop by and visit our
web page! On our web page, you can find the latest issue of our E-Mag,
as well as an annotated index of back issues.  You'll also find
important information on how to join the conversation in the Comic
Book Net, an archive of Comic Book Net fanfic, and other neat features!
The URL address is: http://www.cris.com/~Xenozoid/ComicBkNet.html

LOCATING THE ISSUES
-------------------
The latest issue is always available from all the systems linked into
The Comic Book Network.  Issues may be obtained through several online
pay services as well (ie; AOL, CompuServe, GEnie).  All back issues
should be available at the above sites, as well as our World Wide Web
page.

SUBMISSIONS
-----------
To submit an article, review, column, etc to our e-mag, simply post it
in any Comic Book Net conference and leave me a message in the
CBN: E-Mag conference giving me permission to use the article.  If you
cannot access the Comic Book Net, submit your news articles (no reviews
accepted at this time...) to the editor: Xenozoid@cris.com.

SUBSCRIPTIONS
-------------
If you wish to receive these issues automatically through your internet
account, please address a message to Xenozoid@cris.com to be placed on
the subscription list.

________________________________________________________________________
------------------------------------------------------------------------
- End of Issue #.. see ya next week!
