------------------------------------------------------------------------
    THE COMIC BOOK NET ELECTRONIC MAGAZINE     -     ISSUE NUMBER 70
________________________________________________________________________
    World Wide Web Page------>>    http://members.aol.com/ComicBkNet
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   /|\    |     /\    _\o   \o     |     o/    O/_    /\     |    /|\
   / \   / \   |\    /) |   ( \   /o\   / )     | (\  / |   / \   / \

   This publication is brought to you by the members of the premiere
   BBS network for the discussion of comics books and the people who
   create them,
                       The ComicBook Network!!!

   Edited by: David LeBlanc [ComicBkNet@aol.com]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
   The ComicBook Network was founded by Ed Dukeshire and Mike Imboden
------------------------------------------------------------------------
   If you wish to receive each issue automatically through your Email
   account, please address a message to    ComicBkNet@aol.com   to be
   placed on the subscription list.
________________________________________________________________________
                   T A B L E   O F   C O N T E N T S
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
    [1]  On the Net ............................ David LeBlanc
    [2]  Letters to the Editor ................. Your Page!
         TRIVIA CONTEST......................... Guesses & Answers
    [3]  CBN Insider ........................... News, gossip, & rumors
    [4]  INTERVIEW: Terry Laban ................ Keith O'Brien
    [5]  Diamond/Capital Q & A ................. Diamond Comic Distribution
    [6]  Review: Moot Comics ................... David LeBlanc
    [7]  Dr. Wonder Top Ten .................... David Allikas
    [8]  Recommended Reading ................... Justin Steiner
    [9]  New Comics Shipping  8/6/96 ........... Bobb Waller

    [A]  E-Mag Info: Submissions, Subscriptions, Back Issues, Copyrights
    [B]  How to join ComicBook Network.......... BBS 101
    [C]  Bulletin Boards Linked into CBN........ CBN node list
________________________________________________________________________
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1]   On the Net                                        by David LeBlanc

First, a plea to all of you to EMPTY YOUR MAIL BOXES.  When the Emag
gets bounced back because it is full I have no way to notify you except
in the next issue.  I do not want to continually run notices of this type
in here but this one time I had two:

72623.776@CompuServe.COM (Roland Mann), and captvideo3@aol.com The latest
Emag, CBEM #69, was undeliverable because your mailbox is too full. If
anyone chats online or can otherwise contact these folks please advise
them I will resend it if they notify me via Email they have emptied
their mail box.

Next I want to once again draw your attention to our web page.  If you
don't get an issue in your mail for some reason (faulty service happens
to us all) you can always grab it off the web page.  I have made a number
of changes, mostly with new links.  I have added the Diamond Page, Bill
Cole Enterprises, and a few more for you to check out.  On the PHOTO page
I have added the cover to Kingdom Come #3 as well as the new JLA #1 and
the first two covers to FINAL NIGHT.  I am not trying to have an all
inclusive site, others are doing a much more intensive effort in that
area, and I need the space for the Emag archives.  What I am trying to
have is a little bit of everything, and then links to a lot of places to
find anything else you need.

You will also notice a new banner at the top of the page for Internet
Link Exchange. This is a free method of publicizing the web page, by
trading banners with other web sites.  I get no money for displaying the
banners, just free banner time to advertise our web page on other sites
and hopefully get more subscribers to the Emag.  Some of the banners are
for commercial sites, but not more than 50% of the time. Some folks who
read this may want to click the link on our main page to the Internet
Link Exchange and see if you could generate traffic for your web site as
well.

Dr. Wonder #2, Jack Split #1, and Tabou, three comics that have been
reviewed here already, are now out in the shops.  I neglected to mention
the Dr. Wonder because I had already talked about it before.  Now you
will see later in this issue that Old Town Publishing is making sure we
don't forget this delightful trip back to the Marvel style of the
sixties.  The other two are out on the stands and I suggest you look them
over as decent alternatives to the normal fare from the mainstream
companies.

I've included the Question and Answer text concerning the recent buy out
of Capital City Distribution by Diamond Comic Distributors.  This should
address major questions people may have, at least from the point of view
of Diamond.  The industry is still pondering the impact of this event.
The nets are all abuzz with speculation (didn't that start all this
stuff?) as to the impact on retailers down the road.  Aside from the
Marvel products, Diamond now handles 96.5% of the comics shipped to the
direct market (this statistic according to Matt High of Antarctic Press).
How soon and by how much will their policies change when they have no
effective competition? Is this the death knell for companies who may not
measure up to whatever standards Diamond decides to set to carry the
product, or will some new player rise to pick up the challenge and offer
an alternative to what many view is an effective monopoly?  It beats me.
I'm just waiting for Kingdom Come #4 and trying to keep this mag on
schedule.  Lucky for you, faithful readers, it is self published and self
distributed. *8^)

David LeBlanc [ComicBkNet@aol.com]
Editor
The Comic Book Net E-Mag
________________________________________________________________________
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[2] Letters to the Editor
If you want to comment on this or any previous issue, want to offer
something for us to publish, or just want to shamelessly suck up
to the editor to try and get your name in print send Email to:

ComicBkNet@aol.com

Note: letters of comment, complete with the sender's Email address, may be
used in future issues of the CBN E-Mag unless you specifically request us
NOT to use them.  Email address will be withheld upon request.
+++++

Subj:    A little more info about the Byrne Wonder Woman novel
Date:    96-07-27 06:44:42 EDT
From:    drew1019@mail.idt.net (drew101)
To:    comicbknet@aol.com

I am on AOL, and I have a little more info concerning the supposed WW
novel that John Byre is writing.  John Byrne frequently posts to the WW
bulletin boards on the DC Online AOL site.  Most of this info is gleaned
from that and also his online question and answer sessions during the AOL
WW Chat Hour.

Byrne has written or is in the middle of completing the Wonder Woman
novel.  The title will/was going to be WONDER WOMAN:  GODS AND GODDESSES.
It is/was about how American society (which is mostly Christian based)
deals with WW's belief and worship of pagan gods and goddesses.  The
reason for all the slashes(/) is because it looks like Byrne's novel may
never see the light of day.  According to Byrne he has been having
problems with the editor on the book.  He didn't elaborate on what those
problems where (but based on the subject matter of the book, it's
possible DC is having problems dealing with possibly dicey religious
subject matter-  I'm having flashbacks of the DC/Rick Veitch/Swamp Thing
debacle).  Anyway, I asked him about it around a week later during the
chat session, and his response was "Don't ask."  So things don't seem to
be getting any better.

Well that is about all I know.  Just wanted to let you guys know that the
novel isn't just a rumor, but that DC may never allow it to become fact.
:)  If you'd like me to keep you updated just let me know. Thanks.

-Robb Stilson (aka drew101)

                  {Thanks Robb, keep us posted}

[TRIVIA CONTEST]
Last week's question: In the comic BONE, what is Phoney Bone's actual
name?

From:    larryt@tcac.com (Jeff Brown)
To:    comicbknet@aol.com

Phoney Bone's real name in Phonicable P. Bone.
+++++

Hi Dave,
     I love CBEM and look forward to every issue! At last, a trivia
question I can answer.  Phoney Bones' actual name is Phoncible P. Bone.

Gail Nacios
+++++
From: nexus1@soho.ios.com
Date: Sat, 27 Jul 1996 11:20:28 -0400

TRIVIA QUESTION: In the comic BONE, what is Phoney Bone's actual name?

Answer: Bill Clinton?

[Heh, heh!]
+++++
From: "Jim, Master of Comics" <smiv@primenet.com>
Subject: Re: CBEM #69

Phoncible P. Bone, IIRC.

Aside to the guy who complained because he wasn't winning the contest:
I know more comics trivia than you, that's why I've won twice.

Jim, Master of Comics
smiv@primenet.com
+++++
From: FINEST1@aol.com
Date: Sat, 27 Jul 1996 22:09:02 -0400
Subject: Re: CBEM #69

the answer to Trivia?

I think the answer is
Phonicible T. Bone

correct?       [Yes]

Finest?        [No]
+++++
From:    Ward007
To:    ComicBknet

Answer:
Phoney Bone's real name is "Phoncible P. Bone."  O.K. what's my cheesy
prize?

Theo Ward
+++++
From:    DKirkby@sierrasys.com (Don Kirkby)
To:    comicbknet@aol.com ('comicbknet@aol.com')


>In the comic BONE, what is Phoney Bone's actual name?

Phoncible P. Bone is my official guess. If you let me weasel a back up
guess, it's Phonciple P. Bone. What's the P stand for? Ph*ck if I know!
:-)

[I really had to think about running this one.]
+++++
And for the first time, the BIG cheese, gets the CHEEZY PRIZE(tm)

From: "Mike Imboden" <cambot@ix.netcom.com>
Subject: Re: CBEM #69
Date: Sat, 27 Jul 1996 00:38:29 -0400

> THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION:
> In the comic BONE, what is Phoney Bone's actual name?

I dunno if I'm eligible for the Cheesy Prize (tm), but here's your
answer;

Phoncible P. Bone

And if anyone reading this ISN'T reading BONE, SHAME ON YOU.

-M!ke (cambot@ix.netcom.com)
"Come Get Some!" - Duke Nukem
http://www.netcom.com/~cambot

[Mike's name appears in every issue of this Emag as the co-founder of the
Comic Book Network.  The only people not eligible are my family. The've
got enough cheezy stuff!  Why do you think we are trying to get rid of
it?]
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION: Crossovers are the norm these days so;
         Name the main characters in the first Marvel/DC crossover!

IMPORTANT RULES NOTICE:
The first correct answer to reach the editor wins the CHEEZY PRIZE(tm).
The editor will be the sole judge as to which guess arrived first!
Please be sporting and send only one guess at a time.

LIMIT: ONE PRIZE PER MONTH PER PERSON!
Submit your own trivia and win the CHEEZY PRIZE(tm) if you stump the
subscribers! You MUST submit the correct answer with the question.
________________________________________________________________________
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[3] CBN Insider - News, gossip and rumors from around the industry

The following was confirmed by ABC Amy, the producer of the ABC TV area
of America Online earlier this week:

L&C METROPOLIS CLUB
The Online Electronic "Lois & Clark" Fan Club
_________________________________
WEDDING BELLS TO RING FOR CLARK AND LOIS!!
by Leigh Raglan

On Friday, July 26, a group of FoLC visiting the Warner Bros. lot were
told during a brief "producer chat" that the *real wedding* between Clark
and Lois *will* take place in episode #3 of the fourth season!
    *Confirming* this, L&C Executive Producers Brad Buckner and Eugenie
Ross-Leming state, "Leigh, all true!" and added, "Brad Kern writes episode
#4."
    ABCAmy, ABC's Online Producer on America Online [see AN INTERVIEW
WITH ABCAmy in JULY 1996 NEWS UPDATE to be released early next week] told
me, "The (real!!) wedding will take place in episode #3 and episode #4
will concentrate on the honeymoon." She also confirmed that Delta Burke
("Designing Women") will be in episode #3. The exact story line has not
yet been revealed.
    Amy continued that "it would have been the **2nd** episode had they
been able to produce the opener as a 2-hour movie." Therefore, episode #1
and #2 will wrap up the current story arc begun in the last two episodes
in the third season, bringing Clark back to earth to Lois.
    Buckner and Ross-Leming will be writing the first two episodes, parts
three and four, concluding the current New Krypton story arc which began
the end of last season with #21 "Through The Glass, Darkly" and #22 "Big
Girls Don't Fly." Plans to have a two-hour premiere were canceled. (For
more information, please see our JULY 1996 NEWS UPDATE next week.)
    John McNamara is writing episode #3, the wedding episode, which would
have been the second episode had the premiere been two-hours as
originally planned.
    For regular updated information about L&C, please check under
Announcements, Star Appearances & Activities, and U.S. Airing Dates on
our Web page.

http://users.aol.com/lcmetclub.lcmc.html

SUPERBest,

Leigh Raglan
President L&C Metropolis Club;  (leigh4ck@aol.com)

+++++

In another bit of related news, ABC Amy also revealed that Terry Hatcher
will be appearing on OPRAH on August 7th to be celebrated as the sexiest
actress on television as voted by the readers of TV Guide!
+++++
DC and Wildstorm have formally announced two crossovers for this fall.
Brandon Choi, J. Scott Campbell and Alex Garner will be doing a
GEN-13/Batman with the kids travelling to Gotham and featuring Joker and
Ivana. Justice League/ WildC.A.T.s will be published by DC in 1997 from
the creative team on the new monthly JLA book Grant Morrison, Howard
Porter and John Dell.

+++++
The Hype Cafe says the first Marvel Mania theme restaurant will be in a
20,000 square foot location in Piccadilly Circus in London. . . the
Grifter/Badrock #3 is cancelled and will be resolicited as a Badrock
Super Special. . . beginning in October the old FLASH TV show will be
rerun on the SCI-FI channel. . . The Lost Boyz are featured in Static
#40

+++++
A second Gen-13 series will debut in November called GEN-13 BOOTLEG. It
will be a series of story arcs by various creators, the first by Alan
Davis and Mark Farmer.  The second team will be Terry Moore of STRANGERS
IN PARADISE and penciller Tomm Coker.

+++++
The first 3 issues of the new Nightwing series are being serialized by
DC on it's website at  http://www.dccomics.com.  It began on August 1 at
a new page a day and then removed after two weekdays so if you want it
start visiting NOW!

+++++
SPOILER WARNING __THE FATE OF HAL JORDON!!!

Ok if you have been following the discussion around about big goings on
in the mini-series FINAL NIGHT coming out in September you know there is
a tie-in special featuring Parallax.  The solicitations for the books
say someone will die and are coy that it could be Hal, or Ferro from the
Legion of Super Heroes who died first time around in a similar situation,
or even some other hero.  The October solicitations for Green Lantern
#81, seem to make it clear that it will be about Hal Jordon's funeral.
However, there is one persistent poster on rec.arts.comics.dc.universe
that says he *KNOWS* there will be a new series featuring Hal later this
year and he insists he is not going to die.  (personally. I want Ollie to
show up somewhere during this whole business)

+++++
From this week's CSNsider in the Comic Shop News #476, a lot of stuff we
already told you about, plus . . .Superman #116, just out this week, has
a free preview of the new TEEN TITANS book.  {This seems to be an
tradition as I believe the NEW TEEN TITANS first appeared in a Superman
book as well.} . . . Former Image publisher, Tony Lobito, is launching
his own comic imprint, by the end of this year. . . Melony Crawford
Chadwick is the new Editor in Chief of Dark Horse Comics . . . I*BOTS 7-9
features the New I*Bots and Bot-1 and a triptych cover by Pat Broderick.
. . Ranma 1/2 is the latest to be rumored getting a film version . . .
Caliber is putting Boston Bombers #1-4 on the flip side of selected
Caliber titles in October to promote the release of #5. . . talk is going
on about Spawn/Spiderman crossover. . . Roger Avery (co-writer of Pulp
Fiction) will be directing the SANDMAN film and Warner Brothers is
looking at DEATH: The High Cost of Living for a movie as well . . . Usagi
Yojimbo is slated to become a role playing game. . . STARLORD is
returning to Marvel this fall in a limited series. . . a special 4-in-1
anthology of CEREBUS 201-204 will be released due to the unprecedented
demand for those sold out issues. . . Silver Surfer, Daredevil, and
Captain America are the likely candidates for animation series from the
Marvel/Fox deal just made.
________________________________________________________________________
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[4] INTERVIEW: Terry Laban                              by Keith O'Brien

{Keith O'Brien (The Keith) is the publisher of Zine called Kluttered
Visions, distributed in the Phoenix area.  It explores the world of
visual fringe pop culture thus dealing with visual medium like comics,
cards, films (but not just audio, like music recordings)  in the fringe
i.e. not mainstream, and pop which means this stuff is available in
quantities for people to own. (Videos, laser disks, comics, cards, etc).
It is digest sized and packed with reviews, interviews, and information
about all this stuff and is supported by paid advertising.  If you have
a product that falls into this category, we urge you to support his
effort to promote it with a reasonably priced advertisement in his
publication.  He can be reached at: gerbil@aztec.asu.edu}
+++++

INTERVIEW: Terry Laban

[Reprinted with permission from Kluttered Visions Vol. 2 #3 August 1996]

Just in time for the 1996 San Diego Comic Con (this year called Comic Con
International) is my interview with Terry Laban from LAST year's San
Diego Comic Con (last year called San Diego Comic Con . . .)

Keith O'Brien: Terry Laban, famous writer and artist of Cud . . .

Terry Laban: Say it again, "Famous."

K: . . . now working for Dark Horse.  How long have you been doing
comics?

T: Six years now.  This is the end of my sixth year as an industry
professional, so to speak.

K: Were you doing it before you became a professional?

T: Well, I've been a professional cartoonist now since 1986.  I started
out as a political cartoonist in Ann Arbor Michigan.  I used to draw for
the Ann Arbor News.  Political cartoons on state political issues.  So I
was doing that before I got into comic books, per se.

K: But you started out with satire, satirizing politicians rather
than...

T: Well, yeah, I was a political cartoonist.  I mean, I was one of those
guys that, you know, the city council would be, like, a mushroom, the
mayor would be a caterpillar, and the taxpayer would be Alice.  That
would be a comment on local bond issues.  That's what I did.  So, at the
end of 1987 I came out with my personal mini, "Unsupervised Existence."
I did two of those and then Fantagraphics offered to publish me.  So
"Unsupervised Existence"  started in the summer of 1989, six years ago.
And I did "Unsupervised Existence" `till1992.  That wasn't exactly a
humor comic, it's kind of a slice of life realistic comic, I guess.  Then
I started to do CUD in 1992.  And then CUD ended last summer.  No, sorry,
last winter.  Now I'm at Dark Horse doing this.

K: What kind of training did you have in art or writing?

T: Ah, well I went to the University of Michigan Art School, but I had
some training in writing as well.  I didn't study cartooning there, I
studied graphic arts.  And I did some writing.  I took, like a play
writing class and stuff, but I'm basically self taught as a writer.  And
self taught as a cartoonist that I didn't study cartooning, but I did
study art.  I studied drawing.  I studied graphics.

K: Which helps.

T: Yeah, yeah.  Well it helped me because my graphic sense is not the
best so I needed training. <laugh> Yeah it helped a lot.

K: What do think is necessary for writing humor?

T: A sense of humor, first of all.  Well, you know humor's not that
different from anything else.  I mean it's not a big jump from doing a
humor comic to doing a dramatic comic.  You have to have a sense of what
a story is.  You have to have a sense of humor.  You have to have a sense
of how gags are constructed, and you have to have a sense of timing.  You
have to have a sense of what's funny and how it works. Humor is a hard
thing because the line where you make people laugh is so easy to cross
into being really obvious, or trying too hard, or just not being funny.
I think you have to have a sense of how things happen in life, I guess,
to a certain extent.  'Cause for something to be funny, for a character
to be funny it has to have the sympathy of the audience. SO you have to
sort of understand how to make the character sympathetic or how to make
the characters work that way.  I mean, there's a lot involved.  Humor's a
hard thing.

K: Then why do the humor instead of drama?

T: It's my inclination, you know?  I think if you're the kind of person
that's oriented that way then it's hard not to do it.  That's one of the
reasons I was really unsatisfied with what I was doing in "Unsupervised
Existence", because I couldn't just be as funny as I wanted to be.  My
mind just thinks in certain patterns, and it's actually easier for me to
do humor than it is for me to do other things.  That's why I think humor
is easy to do.  I sweat over my stories a lot though.  For me to do a
funny story is what I'll do.  We're not always inclined towards the
easiest things. <laugh>

K: Is Dark Horse pretty much leaving you alone?

T: Oh yeah.  They've given me no creative direction at all.  They've
completely left me alone.  I'm not edited that way.  I'm edited in terms
of punctuation and things like that.

K: You need proofreading.

T: Yeah, well, everybody does.  I mean, you really need somebody that
really knows what they're doing to just sit down and, you know.  My
editor's Anina Bennet.  SHe's real good, and she's real thorough, and she
gets all the little dashes and commas, but I think she's really good.  I
mean, I'm not like the worst speller in the world and I try to do
everything right.  It's a hassle to change things.

K: But everyone needs to be double-checked.

T: Yeah.  You know, that's a good thing.  But in terms of Creativity,
it's, for better or for worse, it's not compromised because I'm I'm
working for the corporation or anything.  It's all my stuff.

K: What're the humor comics that are out there that you're enjoying now?
Besides yours.

T: Well, I really like HATE, that's a great comic.  And there's not a lot
of comics that I's call . . . I mean, when you say "humor comic" I always
think of something really dumb.  I don't like anything that doesn't have
humor in it.  There's a lot of things out there that have humor in them
that aren't necessarily humor comics.  I mean a comic like NAUGHTY BITS.
I wouldn't call NAUGHTY BITS a humor comic, yet Roberta's stories have a
lot of humor in them.  The characters find themselves, because of who
they are, find themselves in ironic situations.  They get themselves in
trouble because of their own foibles, which is a funny thing, and is a
sort of central aspect of my humor.  So there's a lot of things like that
in there, but I don't think of NAUGHTY BITS as a humor comic.  I don't
really break down comics into humor and non-humor.  I mean, EIGHTBALL, is
that a humor comic?  I don't know.  I don't think of it that way.  But,
hey, it's been nominated for best humor, best humor writer and artist or
something.  Somebody thinks of it like that.  I like PEEPSHOW, that's a
funny comic.  I like STEVEN.  Like I said, all the good stuff has humor
in it.  I don't like things that take themselves really seriously.

K: Well then, what more general comics do you like?

T: Well, like I said, I like good story and I like good characters.  And
I like things that are well observed.  Something that tells me about
life, or about the world, or something that when I read I feel that I'm
being taken to a place that's interesting.  I mean, that's what I like.
I don't tend to like things that either don't take me to places that I
find very interesting or places that I believe exist in some way.  Which
doesn't mean they have to be realistic.  You know a science fiction world
could be believable or not depending on how it's being handled by the
person that's writing it.  So I'm not saying I like only realistic comics
'cause they tend to sort of take themselves too seriously and be sort of
whiny and self indulgent.  I like LOVE & ROCKETS though.  I'm not putting
LOVE & ROCKETS in that category.  I think LOVE & ROCKETS is a great
comic.  Their stories have a lot of humor in them.  Gilbert Hernandez's
stories are hilarious a lot of times.  But again, I wouldn't call it a
humor comic.  I mean, there is a tendency in comics, I think, to just
sort of appeal to this kind of adolescent sense of self importance and
pseudo profundity.  I think that appeals to a lot of people.  It doesn't
appeal to me, but it does appeal to a lot of people. It's kind of like
heavy metal rock and roll or something, you know? Although there's a lot
of heavy metal that doesn't take itself too seriously.

K: Where do you think your next direction is?

T: This is it, man.  THE CUD, that's my next direction, man.

K: Where are you going to go with it?

T: Well, it's my ambition to create kind of RICHIE RICH on acid.  I want
to create the kind of comic that I read in the barber shop as a kid.  I
used to read a lot of Dell comics, and Walt Disney's, and Archies, and
Richie Rich's and stuff like that.

K: I used to always read BATMAN and SUPERMAN at my barbershop.

T: You see, they didn't have those at my barbershop.  But I didn't like
them anyway.  That kind of superhero stuff didn't appeal to me.  It just
never has.  I don't have a problem with it existing or anything, but it's
never really been my thing.  But I'm sort of fascinated by the kind of
static cartoon scenarios where the characters are always the same and
always will return to their same place at the end of the story. It's kind
of this really simply constructed world, but has some social resonance,
so I've always been fascinated by that kind of thing. I guess I've always
wanted to do a cartoon strip, so that's kind of what I'm trying to do.

K:  Well, good luck and thank you very much.

T: Alright.

________________________________________________________________________
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[5]  Diamond / Capital Q&A

 The following Questions & Answers have been prepared by Steve Geppi and
 Diamond's Executive Management Team, and by Capital City cofounders John
 Davis and Milton Griepp, to address questions we anticipate from retailers
 and suppliers about Diamond's purchase of Capital City.

 ---------------------------------------------------------
 WHAT MOTIVATED DIAMOND AND CAPITAL TO REACH THIS
 AGREEMENT?

 Diamond and Capital view this as a deal which is not
 only good for both parties, but good for the industry as
 a whole.

 John and Milton are acting responsibly to satisfy their
 obligations to their creditors, and to provide
 uninterrupted service to their customers, while also
 experiencing a fair return on the company they've worked
 so hard to build over the years. From a personal point
 of view, they also look forward to pursuing new
 opportunities and challenges.

 Recognizing the potential industry-wide ill-effects of a
 Capital business failure, Steve, in turn, chose to
 reinvest in the long-term health of the industry by
 making this acquisition.

 What's more, increasing volume should allow Diamond to
 maintain and improve its services to retailers, who will
 also benefit from cost savings as a result of
 consolidated orders and shipments.

 Suppliers, in turn, will experience no interruption in
 service, will have their obligations from Capital
 satisfied, and will be able to plan for the future
 knowing that a sound, economically viable system of
 distribution is in place.
 ---------------------------------------------------------
 WHEN DOES DIAMOND'S ACQUISITION OF CAPITAL TAKE EFFECT?

 Contractually, the acquisition takes effect on July 26,
 1996.

 From there, it will take some time to merge the two
 operations, with both sides working their hardest, and
 doing their best, to make the transition as smooth as
 possible for retailers.

 We anticipate operating "dual systems" for approximately
 one month, with orders shipping from both the former
 Capital facility in Sparta and the Diamond Distribution
 Centers. Then, starting in late-August, all orders will
 be filled out of the Diamond Centers. By the same token,
 for the next month, there will be dual customer service
 systems for things like shortage and damage
 replacements, and dual reorder service out of both
 Hyperlink and TRU. Then, in late-August, [RF1]all these
 functions will be consolidated into a single operation.
 ---------------------------------------------------------
 HOW SHOULD RETAILERS PLACE JULY ORDERS FOR
 SEPTEMBER-SHIPPING PRODUCTS?

 Under the "dual systems" scenario described above,
 retailers should place their July Diamond and/or Capital
 orders for September-shipping products the same way(s)
 they have in the past. These orders should be turned in
 by their normal due dates, or as soon as possible, if
 they are late.
 ---------------------------------------------------------
 HOW SHOULD RETAILERS PLACE AUGUST ORDERS FOR OCTOBER
 SHIPPING PRODUCT?

 Retailers should use Diamond's Previews Order Form to
 order products which are offered by both Diamond and
 Capital in August, for October-shipping. (If you are not
 already receiving Previews, please contact Diamond's
 Home Office Customer Service Department ASAP.)

 In addition, Diamond will be preparing a special
 Previews Advance Comics Order Form Supplement listing
 all the products offered by Capital in August, but not
 by Diamond.

 Both the Previews Order Form & its special Advance
 Comics Supplement should be returned to Diamond's Order
 Processing Center in Dallas by the due dates indicated
 on the forms.

 Since the Supplement will contain all of the necessary
 listings, Capital will not be sending out an October
 Orderpak.
 ---------------------------------------------------------
 WHAT DISCOUNT WILL RETAILERS RECEIVE ON PRODUCTS ORDERED
 FROM CAPITAL, BUT RECEIVED FROM DIAMOND?

 Retailers will be invoiced for these "carry-over"
 products at whatever discount they qualified for with
 Capital. This includes orders from Capital's September
 Orderpak, plus everything else ordered from Capital
 before July 26.

 In addition, during the "dual systems" transition
 period, reorders from Capital's Hyperlink will be
 discounted and shipped as they have been in the past.
 ---------------------------------------------------------
 WHAT IMPACT WILL THIS ACQUISITION HAVE ON CUSTOMER
 SERVICE?

 It's our sincere hope that this acquisition will result
 in the "best of both worlds" for retailers. While it
 will take some time, we'll be comparing specific Capital
 services with their Diamond counterparts and combining
 the best of both whenever possible.

 Rest assured that Diamond will never become complacent
 about quality control or customer service. We will
 always be receptive and responsive to retailer feedback.
 We will continue to reinvest in the industry. In short,
 we will always strive for perfection.

 Why? Because good customer service - doing things right
 the first time, fixing mistakes quickly and preventing
 them from happening again - isn't just good for
 retailers, it's good for Diamond too. Mistakes cost
 everyone time and money, so it makes sense for Diamond
 to continue to provide first rate customer service. In
 addition, good customer service helps the industry grow,
 and that benefits everyone.

 Furthermore, we know that retailers continue to have
 many choices about where to spend their money and which
 products to emphasize. In order to make this acquisition
 successful, we need to grow from the combined base of
 sales that Capital adds to Diamond, and we can only do
 that if we give a high level of service.

 Bottom line: We know that Diamond is dependent on you
 for our success.
 ---------------------------------------------------------
 WHAT ABOUT PAYMENTS FOR MERCHANDISE RECEIVED FROM
 CAPITAL? WHO SHOULD THEY BE MADE OUT TO AND WHERE SHOULD
 THEY BE SENT?

 Effective immediately, retailers should send all
 payments to the Diamond Distribution Center servicing
 your account. (Accounts not already serviced by a
 Diamond Distribution Center should send their payments
 to Diamond's Home Office.) Capital will continue to
 accept payments only through August 9th. Checks for
 Capital balances should be made out to whomever you
 remit the amount. (I.E.: If you've mailed the check to
 Capital, it should be made out to Capital. Checks mailed
 to Diamond should be made out to Diamond.)

 The only exception to the above is for customers
 currently paying Capital via wire transfer. These
 accounts may begin forwarding funds to Diamond at any
 time, but may continue to wire funds to Capital through
 August 16. (Instructions for wiring funds to Diamond
 will be distributed by August 2.)

 To ensure proper crediting of accounts, retailers are
 advised to include copies of all invoices which they are
 paying, the remittance portion of the invoices, or, at
 the very least, to include their account and invoice
 numbers on all checks.

 Diamond's release of shipments, whether from Capital's
 Sparta Distribution Center or from a Diamond
 Distribution Center, will depend on prompt payment under
 your established terms.
 ---------------------------------------------------------
 WHAT IF SOME RETAILERS ARE BEHIND IN THEIR PAYMENTS TO
 CAPITAL? WILL THIS DEBT TRANSFER TO DIAMOND?

 While Diamond is not acquiring Capital's Accounts
 Receivable, we will be taking over collection of these
 amounts on Capital's behalf, and will be contacting
 retailers to confirm amounts due and, if necessary, to
 establish a payment schedule.
 ---------------------------------------------------------
 WHAT IF I HAVE AN ACCOUNT WITH CAPITAL BUT NOT WITH
 DIAMOND?

 Any Capital customers who do not have an active account
 with Diamond should contact - or will be contacted by -
 Diamond's New Accounts Department as soon as possible.
 In the interim, service will continue on an
 uninterrupted basis.
 ---------------------------------------------------------
 WHAT IF I NEED TO SET UP AN ACCOUNT WITH DIAMOND, BUT
 HAVE AN OUTSTANDING BALANCE FROM PREVIOUS DEALINGS WITH
 DIAMOND?

 If a settlement was reached and carried out on
 outstanding amounts, the matter will be considered
 closed. If not, Diamond's Credit Department will work
 with retailers to set up a reasonable repayment plan.
 ---------------------------------------------------------
 WHAT IF MY PAYMENT TERMS WITH CAPITAL ARE BETTER THAN MY
 TERMS WITH DIAMOND?

 Diamond will consider requests for change of terms on a
 case by case basis, and will certainly take each
 retailer's credit standing with Capital into account.

 WILL DIAMOND CONTINUE TO PUBLISH ADVANCE COMICS?

 No. In all likelihood, the August issue of Advance
 Comics - for October-shipping product - will be the
 last. However, Diamond does plan to release more
 Capital-style themed catalogs such as Anime Archives and
 StarWares in the future.
 ---------------------------------------------------------
 CAPITAL HAS OFTEN OFFERED A GREATER SELECTION OF CERTAIN
 PRODUCT LINES THAN DIAMOND. DOES DIAMOND INTEND TO
 INCREASE ITS OFFERINGS IN THESE AREAS?

 Yes, our plan is to match the selection offered by
 Capital so that we can evaluate the viability of these
 additional products.
 ---------------------------------------------------------
 WILL DIAMOND BE TOUGHENING THE CRITERIA IT USES TO
 DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO CARRY TITLES FROM NEW AND
 EXISTING COMIC PUBLISHERS?

 No. As we've pledged before, we are committed to open
 access to the marketplace for all quality titles from
 all quality publishers. The way we evaluate titles and
 publishers will not change. We will not make it more
 difficult for suppliers to gain access to the market.
 ---------------------------------------------------------
 WILL PRODUCTS PREVIOUSLY AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY THROUGH
 CAPITAL NOW BE AVAILABLE FROM DIAMOND?

 While Diamond has not yet confirmed this with the
 suppliers in question, it is our hope and expectation
 that all of these products will be available from
 Diamond.
 ---------------------------------------------------------
 ASSUMING RETAILERS CAN ORDER PRODUCTS PREVIOUSLY
 EXCLUSIVE TO CAPITAL FROM DIAMOND, DOES DIAMOND INTEND
 TO RAISE ITS DISCOUNT PLATEAUS?

 No, Diamond has no plans to raise its discount plateaus.
 Any products previously available only from Capital will
 simply make it easier for retailers to reach the Diamond
 discount plateaus. (I.E.: If a retailer currently
 receives a 50% discount, but orders close to the 52.5%
 plateau, they will have more products to choose from to
 help them achieve the higher discount.)
 ---------------------------------------------------------
 HOW WILL DIAMOND'S ACQUISITION OF CAPITAL AFFECT
 RETAILERS ECONOMICALLY?

 Retailers should save both time and money by
 consolidating more of their purchases through Diamond -
 especially UPS and other shipping charges. What's more,
 adding Capital's volume should allow Diamond to preserve
 and improve the services we offer retailers. In fact,
 after already improving our discounts on many comic and
 non-comic lines over the last 18 months - despite
 dramatic changes and slumping sales in our industry - we
 are currently evaluating a number of options to help
 retailers increase profits.
 ---------------------------------------------------------
 DOES DIAMOND INTEND TO EXPAND ITS BACKLIST TO INCLUDE
 PRODUCTS THAT CAPITAL HAS OFFERED ON A BACKLIST BASIS
 THAT DIAMOND HAS NOT?

 As part of the acquisition, Diamond will be buying
 Capital's inventory and continuing to make it available.
 Diamond will have every incentive to continue to stock
 those titles that have been profitably stocked by
 Capital, and intends to do so.
 ---------------------------------------------------------
 WILL DIAMOND RETAIN CURRENT CAPITAL CITY EMPLOYEES?

 In general, most Capital employees will remain on the
 job for at least the next month. During that time,
 Diamond will evaluate its needs and the available
 personnel. It is our expectation that opportunities will
 be available with Diamond, and we hope that current
 Capital employees will consider and pursue those
 openings.
 ---------------------------------------------------------
 WHAT ARE JOHN AND MILTON'S PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?

 Both John & Milton will stay on for 90 days to help with
 the transition as needed. After that, Milton plans to
 take a period of time to relax, spend time with his
 family, and evaluate a variety of alternatives with
 regard to his future options. John also plans to take
 some time for "R&R" while evaluating his future options.
 ---------------------------------------------------------
 We welcome your questions, feedback and suggestions! Contact Diamond's
 Home Office Customer Service Department!
             -----------------------------------
 Phone: (800) 783-2981 or
        (410) 560-7100
        from outside the U.S. and
        Canada.
  Fax:  (410) 560-7100
 email: cussrv@diamdcom.com
 Mail:  Diamond Comic
        Distributors, Inc.
        1966 Greenspring Drive
        Timonium, MD 21093
________________________________________________________________________
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[6] Reviews: Ubiquitous Funnies / The Man With the Cape    David LeBlanc

MOOT COMICS   93 Sunapee,  Springfield, MA  01108
Send a stamp or email to:
Brian Kirk  (mootcomics@aol.com)
for a free catalog.

Since I got turned on to mini comics I have always looked forward to the
next batch from MOOT.  This week it I got 2 in the mail.  If you haven't
checked these out yet, send a buck to Brian and get with the program!

UBIQUITOUS FUNNIES #20 - 8 pages - $.25
This adventure is the effort of the character Asinine Head to take a bath.
When it becomes evident his B.O. is making people sick and even causing
structural damage to buildings.  Once home he realizes he has no soap and
the quest begins.  The unexpected twists to the story at every page will
bring a chuckle, and the ending caps it off.

THE MAN WITH THE CAPE #2 - 16 PAGES - $.50 "When Sculpts the Sculptress"
Our hero is Mic Talbot who in the approved super hero manner becomes The
Man With the Cape!  While on patrol he spies a statue unveiling ceremony
where he last tangled with the Sewer Sorcerer (issue #1).  It turns out
this latest one is a statue of himself.  The work is unveiled by the
Sculptress, who does all the city statues.  Well our hero proves he is a
real pain as he manages to destroy his own likeness, which she had just
declared as her masterpiece.  This leads to The Man With the Cape
(love that name) "volunteering" to model for a new one and we begin to
see the Sculptress has a scheme of more devious proportions.  What
happens next will cost you a half a buck to find out.

Brian is a delightful cartoonist.  The characters are cute and well defined
with more detail on the main foreground people and often a crowd scene or
two of these strange little moot clones, for lack of a better term.  The
art of storytelling is strong and the sense of humor is sometimes slapstick,
sometimes ironic, and always brings a smile.

Once again, I urge you to give Moot a try.
________________________________________________________________________
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[7] The Top 10 Reasons to Review Dr. Wonder             by David Allikas

You never know what you will find in the mail.  :)

From:  Oldtownpub
To:    ComicBknet

July 30, 1996

THE TOP 10 REASONS TO REVIEW DR. WONDER

1. The real reason Diamond purchased Capital City was to gain control of
all copies of Dr. Wonder sold. (Well, duh; of *course* they didn't say so
in their press release. It sounds like a pretty foolish move without knowing
what *they* know, doesn't it?)

2. If you pass us up to run yet another review of Spawn, Todd McFarlane is
liable to get a swelled head.

3. Irwin Hasen is the unsung father of Japanese manga (which, as you know,
is defined as comic art featuring kids with enormous black eyeballs).

4. There's no time to lose! Even now, the heads of Marvel, DC, Image, and
Dark Horse are meeting in a board room on the 87th floor of some skyscraper.
A guy in a suit is pounding his fist on a 30-foot-long conference table and
booming: "We must *destroy* Old Town!"

5. If you wait until we're outselling X-Men and Wolverine combined, we're
liable to get snotty and refuse to send you visuals.

6. You can cheese Stan the Man off by writing that Dr. Wonder is even
*better* than the Marvel Comics of the 1960s which it emulates. Who cares if
it isn't true? Isn't picturing the look on Stan's face worth it?

7. If you wait very much longer, all your readers who loved the Marvels of
the '60s as kids will be dead.

8. If we run into you at a convention sometime, we'll grease your palm. (We
won't give you any money. But we will grease your palm.)

9. In response to our recent mailing to the nation's 3000 largest newspapers,
stories about Dr. Wonder have already appeared in or been scheduled by the
following periodicals (and possibly many more; these are just the ones
who've contacted us):

        Beaumont Enterprise (Beaumont, TX)
        Corbin Times Tribune (Corbin, KY)
        Jewish Journal (Salem, MA)
        Hartford Advocate (Portland, CT)
        The Herald  (Bourbonnais, IL)
        Progress Index (Petersburg, VA)
        Summerville News (Summerville, GA)
        Waterbury Republican (Waterbury, CT)

with more being added every day. If general interest papers like these find
Dr. Wonder newsworthy, doesn't it stand to reason that your fine publication
should?

10. A copy of issue #3 will be arriving at your office next week. What *else*
are you gonna do with it?

For more information, please contact:

    David Allikas, Publisher
    Old Town Publishing
    33 Harrison Avenue
    Franklin Square, NY 11010-3614
        Phone:  516-327-0577
        Fax: 516-327-2482
America Online: oldtownpub        CompuServe: 102635.2723
Prodigy: ZPWS73B            Internet: oldtownpub@aol.com

[You can be sure to see a review of Dr. Wonder #3 in this very mag soon!]
________________________________________________________________________
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[8] Recommended Reading                                By Justin Steiner

I'd like to take care of some administrative business before getting to this
week's reviews. It was brought to my attention by J Torres that THE JAM
(which I reviewed last time) was first published by Slave Labor, then by
all the publishers I listed last time. I apologize for having my information
incorrect. Also, the INTERFACE graphic novel was never published by Caliber
(James Hudnall told me this at the Chicago convention), although Hudnall
does hope to publish it through his Halloween Comics. So, if you've tried
searching out these titles without luck, my sincerest apologies.

And now I'd like to give you all a special treat and actually cover two
small press books this time around....


THE LOGBOOKS OF THE TRAVELLING TRAVELALL, VOLUME ONE
(Paradise Valley Comics) 32 pgs. $1.50. Written and illustrated by Pam Bliss.
P.O. Box 304, Valparaiso, IN 46383.


Tony Isabella (CBG columnist and comics writer) has referred to Pam Bliss
as the "Queen of Mini-Comics" and with THE LOGBOOKS... Pam lives up to the
promise of that statement.

This comic is an anthology of time travel stories involving Alexei Petrov
(a Russian mad scientist), Miss Katy Davis (keeper of the logbooks),
Nakht-Min (loyal Egyptian majordomo), and Rose (inquisitive dog). Some of
the stories appeared previously in OH, COMICS!, a small press anthology
published by Bob Corby (you can e-mail me for more information on his Back
Porch Comics if you're interested).

One of my favorite genres of science fiction is time travel. Not only is it
an opportunity for science but also a chance to play around with history (a
favorite subject of mine). And while these stories are not hard science by
any means, they do deliver on the overall concept.

The volume leads of with "The Whistler," a tale of a Sasquatch who cannot
find a female of his species. Other stories include "Letters," in which the
gang finds long lost mail and makes sure it gets delivered when it was
supposed to have been; "The Luck of Eden Hall," where a mistake puts them in
England in the Middle Ages and the situation takes an odd turn; "A Curious
Tea Party," about a tea party in the Jurassic era; and "The Garage Becomes
Unbearable, Etc.," in which Katy and Nakht-Min clean out the garage.

Bliss seeds these stories with a lot of fun touches, such as coming back from
a trip through time to find their address had been changed. Katy wonders if
"the convergent time stream has corrected the address books of our
acquaintances."

Her art is quite good as well. I think of her style as cartoony realism or
realistic cartoons. What I mean is that she draws in more of a cartoony
style than most artists these days, yet she does a good job paying attention
to detail. Her lines are nice and clean and you can see her artistic
progress as the stories go along.

I fear I haven't done justice to how fun and rewarding this little book is.
Do yourself a favor and write to Pam to get her catalog. I know I'm going
to delve into more of her creations.

NEGATIVE BURN #36
(Caliber Comics) 64 pgs. $3.95. Written and drawn by Various.
11904 Farmington Rd, Livonia, MI 48150

One of comics premiere anthologies concludes its third year of existence
with this issue. And like most issues of this comic the quality is of varying
levels, which is just the nature of the beast. I don't expect Editor Joe
Pruett's tastes to be exactly mine. However, I still find NB worth the money
month after month.

The issue leads of with "Volt 2000," which is written and illustrated by Jeff
Parker. The gist of the story is that time is converging at the end of the
20th century. For example, geologists in the Alps find themselves in the
path of Hannibal on his way to Rome. Only one person knows what is happening
and she is Vanessa Volt. However, she and Algernon Fabel, doctor of
psychology, are out hiking while this is going on. And the sinister CORE has
sent agents out to retrieve them. Though only twelve pages long, this story
has a lot going for it. Writing and art combine for a pleasant whole that I
wouldn't mind seeing continued.

Next up is "Mr. Mamoulian," written and illustrated by the incomparable
Brian Bolland. Always one page long, this strip is full of humor and satire
as the odd-looking Mamoulian makes his way in the world. Some readers of the
book have complained of the strip's obtuseness but I always find it one of
the highlights of the book.

Steve Stegelin's "Boondoggle" is the next story, a preview of sorts of the
self-published comic that is soon to become part of Caliber's new imprint
Tapestry, which is to appeal to all ages. This is an interesting (and
cleanly drawn) little tale about several obnoxious kids (and some not-so-
obnoxious kids). While not the best story, it does make me interested in
checking out the series.

The concluding chapter of Jeff Nicholson's "No Regrets" finishes off the
story quite nicely. Since this is the seventh part, it makes more sense if
you've been reading it (all parts have been serialized in NB and I think
Nicholson has plans to collect it). It is the story of an 80s band known
as No Regrets and how the members come back into each other lives through
the dreaming world. Check it out.

"Mr. Drawing Board Belly" is from Paul Fricke (story and art) and Don
Simpson. It follows the life of a comics artist who works in relative
obscurity. Knowing the two creators, I read it as a satire on the state of
the industry and the creative process. Then again, I might have missed the
point completely. Still, it's an enjoyable two pages.

Brian Clopper checks in with a preview of his forthcoming self-published
series "Fever Pitch," which is scheduled to ship in November. This story
focuses on a school in Cascade, a multimystical society in another dimension.
Barry is a basilisk who is mercilessly tortured by his classmates because
he's different (and he can seriously harm them). However, he ends up meeting
someone who accepts him for who he is. It's a cute little tale that serves
as a good introduction to Clopper's world. The art is quite good, filled
with fantastical creatures. I am definitely going to give "Fever Pitch" a
look based on what I see here.

Mike Leonard (writer) and James Lyle (artist) give us a Doorman short story,
"Stolen Years." A woman is haunted by one of her secrets, manifested in the
form of a nasty little girl. Doorman arrives to take Aggie back in time to
face her secret and free herself of the Arcanum forever. Doorman is a truly
unique concept and that is on display here. Leonard demonstrates a deft
writing touch and Lyle's art is simply gorgeous. Caliber recently published
a four issue DOORMAN series as well. Give it a try.

Jim Mahfood offers a strip that seems even more timely with the recent
bombings titled "What's Wrong With the World Today?!" He hits the nail dead
on.

Other stories include "Life Imitates Art," by Jeff DeMos and Scott Gillis;
"Wolf," by Jim Alexander, Storn Cook, and Dan Berger; "This is a Recurring
Dream," by Ken Meyer Jr.; and "Narrative in Reverse," by Mark Laliberte.
That's not to say they aren't good - I'm just running quite long with this
review by now.

Upon doing this review, I realized how good this particular issue is and how
consistent the quality is, which makes it perfect to try. There's a wide
variety of stories and styles here to enjoy.
________________________________________________________________________
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[9] New Comics Shipping  8/6/96                           by Bobb Waller

Well now that Capital Cities Is Diamond, no more shipping next week as
complete as the past few months.  *Sigh* maybe I should take up
collecting lint! Oh well onto the list:
===========================================================================
Acclaim Comics: Sliders Special #1

Archie Comics:
Archies Double Digest #88            Betty #42
Hanna Barbera Presents #8            Laugh Digest #130

Black Out Comics:
Hari Kari The Beginning #1

Comic Shop News Inc.:
CSN #477

Dark Horse Comics:
Age Of Reptiles The Hunt #4          King Tiger/Motorhead #1
Madwoman of the Sacred Heart TP      Oh My Goddess Terrible Master Urd #5

DC Comics:
Action Comics Annual #8              Batman:SOTB #55
Cyberella #2                         Green Lantern #79
Hardware #43                         Hitman #6
Icon #38                             Justice League:Midsummers Nightmare #2
Lobo:Death & Taxes #1                Nightwing #1
Pinky & The Brain #4                 Power of Shazam #19
Preacher #18                         Seekers into the Mystery #9
Showcase 96 #9                       Sovereign Seven #15
Starman #23                          Steel #31
Superman:TMOT #6                     Terminal City #4

Diversity Comics:
Alpha Korps #1

Drawn & Quarterly:
Optic Nerve #3

Image Comics:
Backlash/Spider-Man #1               Brass #1
Deathblow #29                        Gen 13 #12
Glory/Avengelyne II The Goddesy #?   Lady Supreme #2
Prophet/Avengylene #2                Shattered Image #1
Union #10                            Youngblood #10

Marvel Comics:
Cable #36                            Daredevil #357
Onslaught: Marvel Universe           Prime #11
Sensational Spider-Man #9            Uncanny Origins #2
Uncanny X-Men #337

Maximum Press Comics:
Avengeblade #1

Slave Labor Graphics:
Bluebeard Trade paperback 2nd prntg.  Caffeine #3
Skelton Key #13

Topps Comics:
X-Files #20
=======================================================================
Told Ya it was short!
Origin: FIAWOL/MSConnections * PP288MT II V.34 * 214-790-6472 * (23:203/4)
________________________________________________________________________
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[A] E-Mag Info: Submissions, Subscriptions, Back Issues, Copyrights

The Comic Book Net E-Mag is published 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.  Some articles are
independent of any connection with CBN and are used with permission.

All text contained within is copyrighted to the originating author(s).
Opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and
do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Editor, the
Network Administration Team or the members and users of The Comic Book
Network.

Except where elsewhere noted, The Comic Book Network Electronic
Magazine is Copyright 1996 by the Comic Book Network.
You may freely distribute or duplicate this file intact without alteration
for noncommercial purposes only.  Please do not distribute except as the
complete file as originally transmitted by The Comic Book Network.

THE CBN WEB PAGE        http://members.aol.com/ComicBkNet
----------------
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 and all back issues.  You'll also find
important information on how to join the conversation in the Comic Book
Net, and other neat features like newly released comic book graphics,
links to lists of Comic Book Company addresses, Comic Professionals Email
addresses, and other Comic Book related Web pages!

LOCATING THE ISSUES
-------------------
The latest issue is always available from all the systems linked into The
Comic Book Network.  You can also find the back issues at America Online,
by going to Keyword: Science Fiction, scrolling to the menu item _Comic
Book Forum_ and then going to the _Comics Library_ from there. Most issues
should also be available on Compuserve, Genie, Channel1 BBS and Software
Creations BBS as well as other non CBN affiliated Bulletin Board Systems.
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 articles for consideration
to the editor at:   ComicBkNet@aol.com

Reviews of mainstream books are least likely to get included when
submitted from sources outside of CBN, but are not excluded off hand.  We
give more consideration to reviews of indies and self published material
as we feel that material deserves more exposure to the general public.  If
You write intelligent, coherent, and timely reviews of anything it will
almost always be printed so give us a shot.

Commentary on the state of the industry, and personal observations
and reflections related to comics are *most* likely to be included
in our publication.

We also accept product for review purposes.  Advanced copies of comic
books will not be returned but anything sent to us will be reviewed in
the ComicBook Net Emag.  Send all material to:

David L. LeBlanc
84 Heather Circle
Jefferson, MA  01522-1419

SUBSCRIPTIONS
-------------
   If you wish to receive each issue automatically through your Email
   account, please address a message to   ComicBkNet@aol.com    to be
   placed on the subscription list.
________________________________________________________________________
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[B] How to join the COMIC BOOK NETWORK (CBN)

You too can enjoy the intelligent conversations and informative threads
that occur in 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 continent and
the world, 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 conversation, collecting, gaming and other forms
of entertainment.

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 explanation in their documentation
than I can.   These programs are available all over the Internet and are
free to download from most BBS's.  I recommend SLMR or OLX-TD for DOS to
get started.

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?  There are 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!
________________________________________________________________________
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[C] BBSes Linked into CBN
  Here's the most up-to-date node listing for the COMIC BOOK NETWORK

           F=FIDO    Q=QWK    B=Both     *=Major HUB

-- ARKANSAS ------------------------------------------------------------
 F* Karate & Comics & ...   Russelville   AR  501-968-3910  Robert Wood
    Conway PC Users         Conway        AR  501-329-7227  Tim Stone
-- CALIFORNIA ----------------------------------------------------------
 Q  Freedom Flight          Victorville   CA  619-955-6445  Ronald Siodla
-- FLORIDA -------------------------------------------------------------
 F  Never Never Land        Melbourne     FL  407-253-8754  Wayne Bell
 F  Steel Dog Cafe          Destin        FL  904-654-1631  Keith Schultz
    Ghost's Realm           Crestview     FL  904-689-6664  Kie Dorton
 Q  Oak Street BBS         Ft.Wayne Beach FL  904-244-7434  Michael Fischer
-- ILLINOIS ------------------------------------------------------------
-- INDIANA -------------------------------------------------------------
 F  The CyberSpace BBS      Indianapolis  IN  317-856-9020  Charlie Smith
-- KENTUCKY ------------------------------------------------------------
    Lex Corp                Georgetown    KY  502-867-0992
-- MARYLAND ------------------------------------------------------------
 F  The Vampyre Bar!        Frederick     MD  301-698-5194  Darryl Pierce
 F  DataStorm               Kettering     MD  301-390-5243  Tarek Gordan
 F  Bifrost                 Mount Rainier MD  301-779-9381  Kevin Carlin
 F  Womens World East BBS   Silver Spring MD  301-431-0647  Wendy Dumser
 F  Sherata's Realm        Mechanicsville MD  301-884-9732  Linda Peek
-- MASSACHUSETTS -------------------------------------------------------
 F  Archives BBS            Acushnet      MA  508-995-0085  John Viera
 F  Muskrat & Heatwave      New Bedford   MA  508-984-5321  Dennis Racine
 B* Keystone BBS            Shrewsbury    MA  508-753-3767  John Harris
 F  HellFire BBS            S. Dartmouth  MA  508-979-8930  Brock Cordeiro
 B  Call Again Soon         Worcester     MA  508-791-1281  Joe Johnson
-- MICHIGAN ------------------------------------------------------------
 F  Intl. Comic Network     Dearborn Hgts MI  313-565-8464  Anthony Palacio
-- MISSOURI ------------------------------------------------------------
 F  The Oan Citadel         Grandview     MO  816-767-1488  Brian J. Stewart
-- NEW HAMPSHIRE -------------------------------------------------------
 F  Venom's World           Rollinsford   NH  603-743-4188  Ira Locke
-- NEW JERSEY ----------------------------------------------------------
    Phoenix Modernz Systems Seaside Hts.  NJ  908-830-8265  Tal Meta
-- NEW YORK ------------------------------------------------------------
 B  Asgard TW BBS           West Islip    NY  516-422-4225  Tom Pemberton
    Interzone BBS           Long Is. City NY  718-786-5557  Jim Garvin
 F  Starbase : Red Dwarf    Saugerties    NY  914-247-9601  John Dragun
-- NORTH CAROLINA ------------------------------------------------------
 F  Electronic Hangover     Durham        NC  919-286-4542  Richard Lee
 F  Psychotronic            Durham        NC  919-286-7738  Richard Lee
 F* TI-Raliegh Maximus      Raliegh       NC  919-833-3412  Walter Tietjen
 F  Federal Post            Spring Lake   NC  910-436-2055  Frank Koza
-- OKLAHOMA ------------------------------------------------------------
 F  Beggar's Forum          Oklahoma City OK  405-787-2540  Lonnie Johnson
    Compumate               Tulsa         OK  918-628-0887  Danny Pelletier
 F  Snart's Dreamland       Collinsville  OK  918-371-0980  Jeff Bennett
 F  The Dreaming World      Broken Arrow  OK  918-451-3056  Greg Adkins
-- PENNSYLVANIA --------------------------------------------------------
 F  Comic Book Board        Philadelphia  PA  215-365-5225  William Horton
-- TENNESSEE -----------------------------------------------------------
 F  The Factory BBS         Union City    TN  901-885-9647
-- TEXAS ---------------------------------------------------------------
 B* FIAWOL/MSConnections    Irving        TX  214-790-6472  Bobb Waller
 F  Star Streams            Waxahachie    TX  214-938-7115  Michael Rudolf
 F  Orion BBS               Odessa        TX  915-530-2712  Dennis Brown
-- VIRGINIA ------------------------------------------------------------
 B  Crystal Aerie           Arlington     VA  703-415-0134  Spencer Greenwald
-- WASHINGTON ----------------------------------------------------------
 F  Longview On-Line!       Longview      WA  360-577-7358  Jeanne Lejon
-- ONTARIO, CANADA -----------------------------------------------------
 F  Dark Knight BBS         London       ONT  519-850-9929  Michael Cross
 F  MACH 1 BBS              London       ONT  519-457-6771  Tomasz Heiber
    Stargate:Above & Beyond London       ONT  519-472-4938  Paul Nicholas
-- MEXICO --------------------------------------------------------------
 B* The Gate BBS            Mexico City      52-5-264-2994  Emilio Karam
           - From USA, dial international-access 011 then 52-5-264-2994#
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- End of another Issue .. see ya in the funny papers!!

  "So that's what that feels like..." - BATMAN
