----------------------------------------------------------------- THE COMIC BOOK NETWORK ELECTRONIC MAGAZINE Issue Number 581 7/7/2006 >>FINAL ISSUE!<< Edited by: David LeBlanc - ComicBkNet@aol.com Winner of the 2001 EAGLE AWARD as FAVORITE COMICS E-ZINE! FREE VIA EMAIL SINCE FEBRUARY 1995 _________________________________________________________________ C O N T E N T S ----------------------------------------------------------------- COMICS OBSCURA - (Various Places) ....... Mike Curtis [A] ComicBkNet web page info [1] On the Net .............................. David LeBlanc [2] Letters to the Editor ................... Your Page! [3] TRIVIA CONTEST - FINAL CONTEST .......... Win *real* prizes! [4] Network Buzz ............................ News/gossip/rumors [5] The History of CBEM, this magazine ...... David LeBlanc [6] Interviews:Dawid, Ray Harryhausen, Robert Taylor, Mark Zinngrabe, Tyler Chin-Tanner Richard Vasseur [7] Interviews: Dr. Naif Al-Mutawa, Melissa Gardner ................................ Paul Dale Roberts [8] Comic Abstracts ......................... John Barker [9] Movie Review: SUPERMAN RETURNS .......... Mike Curtis [10] The Nitpicker's Column .................. Martin A. Perez [11] Suspended Animation ..................... Michael Vance & Mark Allen [12] ComiX-FAN Reviews........................ Eric J. Moreels [13] Rich's Reviews .......................... Richard Vasseur [14] M.O.E. Reviews .......................... Paul Dale Roberts [15] My View:GRAPHIC CLASSICS:EDGAR ALLAN POE, RUSHMORE ............................... David LeBlanc [16] New Comic Book Releases List ............ Charles LePage [17] HYPE! & LINKS Section ................... Various _________________________________________________________________ World Wide Web Home Page-->> http://members.aol.com/ComicBkNet Archived and mailed by Yahoo!: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ComicBookNetworkEmag ----------------------------------------------------------------- o \o/ _ o _| \ / |_ o_ \o/ o /|\ | /\ _\o \o | o/ O/_ /\ | /|\ / \ / \ |\ /) | ( \ /o\ / ) | (\ / | / \ / \ ----------------------------------------------------------------- The ComicBook Network started by Ed Dukeshire and Mike Imboden ----------------------------------------------------------------- _________________________________________________________________ All text contained within is copyrighted to the originating author(s) and is used with permission. Except where elsewhere noted, The Comic Book Net Electronic Magazine is Copyright 2006 by David L. LeBlanc. You may freely distribute or retransmit this file intact without alteration for noncommercial purposes only. Except for personal archiving, permission must be obtained from the individual authors to reproduce, retransmit, or publish any part of this magazine. Opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors And do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Editor. _________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------- [A] E-Mag Info: Back Issues, Web Page THE Comic Book Net 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, in both a text and a zipped version for fast downloading as well as back issues and an annotated index. You'll also find important links to some of the comic companies and creators' web pages and many other Comic Book related links! _________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------- [1] On the Net David LeBlanc ComicBkNet@aol.com This is our last issue! What a great way to go out. We have some extras this week from John Barker and Mike Curtis plus two weeks worth of columns from "the usual gang of idiots" to end our publication with a bang. Hope you all enjoy this one. My Email will still be active if you care to drop a line - anytime, not just about this issue. The AOL web site will also stay up. I plan to clean it up, delete bad links and obviously indicate the end of publication. It will remain an archive of our issues - though many are not online, the descriptions are there. I will gladly email any issue not online if requested. ***** One thought, before kicking it off. . . In SUPERMAN RETURNS Perry White asks his reporters to find out more about the Man of Steel after his five-year absence. "Does he still stand for truth, justice, all that stuff?" Says Hollywood Reporter: One of the writers of the screenplay, Dan Harris, says "the American way" doesn't mean the same thing anymore. "So, you play the movie in a foreign country, and you say, 'What does he stand for? -- truth, justice and the American way.' I think a lot of people's opinions of what the American way means outside of this country are different from what the line actually means (in Superman lore) because they are not the same anymore," Harris says. "And (using that line) would taint the meaning of what he is saying." Since there are multiple versions of the film made in many different languages, couldn't a version solely for Americans include the classic line? Harris insists that Superman belongs to no country. "The truth is he's an alien. He was sent from another planet. He has landed on the planet Earth, and he is here for everybody. He's an international superhero." "We were always hesitant to include the term 'American way' because the meaning of that today is somewhat uncertain," Ohio native (co-writer Mike) Dougherty explains. "The ideal hasn't changed. I think when people say 'American way,' they're actually talking about what the 'American way' meant back in the '40s and '50s, which was something more noble and idealistic." __ Okay, when I first heard about this I felt sad that Hollywood had once again messed with a beloved icon of my youth. Before I even read a comic I watched George Reeves fight for "Truth, Justice, and the American Way" every week on TV. I also saw Christopher Reeve say those words in what has been the best live action Superman created. So why do these twits have to mess with it? Superman is an American, or don't they believe that adopted citizens count? It is obvious that they feel that AMERICAN is a dirty word in the world and do not want to offend their liberal friends by staying true to existing history of the character. Had they left the phrase out no one would have even thought about it. No, they deliberately put it in altered to say to their comrades, "Look at us! We made one of the noticeable icons on the planet more PC!" When they talk about the American Way not meaning the same thing they mean, TO THEM. As long as the "wrong" people run the country, America is a dirty word. They have lost sight of the fact that Superman was created by Canadian Jews and was always a champion for the American Way no matter what decade. I found this text By Roy D. Follendore III [Copyright (c) 2003] that sums it up: "The conclusion of this famous introduction of Superman was the rational for Superman's existence. "...fight for truth, justice, and the American way." As a reporter, Clark Kent would seek out the truth. Then Superman would use his great powers to bring criminals to justice. While justice was served by bringing in the bad guys, it was always the courts that Superman always served. What made the story of Superman so enduring was that it was really an important metaphor, a fundamental philosophy about what we Americans want and need to be. The fictional character of Superman was created as an American ideal." Get that? SUPERMAN is an American ideal we as Americans can look up to. Don't try to paint him with your political philosophy to advance your agenda. Sorry fans, this is my soapbox and since it was the last time I had to use it. For those who disagree, and there are always a few, about my doing this - well it is opinion about a comic book movie so it IS on topic this time. ***** And now, to the real reason for this last column . . . I've used some of these words in the past, at the end of the year and looking forward to the next. Now it is the end of the run and I am looking forward to new adventures. It is impossible to say all that needs to be said. I hope this is enough. I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone who took the time to read this humble bit of rambling, the very best of health and good fortune in the years ahead. Personally, I always look forward to things I never could imagine whenever I pick up a comic book. That thrill of anticipation is with me still. I hope you look forward to your future with eagerness as well. Looking back through the years, there is much to be thankful for and some personal recognition is in order. There are far too many people to thank. I mean no disrespect for those not mentioned, you have all made the Emag a success for a long time. Here are the latest heroes on our hit parade. Ed Dukeshire - who was with the mag on day one; first as the original editor and then as our resident Online Web Page expert. In 1998 he introduced the world to the user-friendly Web Edition of CBEM on his world-famous, award-winning DIGITAL WEBBING web site. The mag was Ed's inspiration and he remained an active force taking us to greater heights each year. He is our Stan the Man. In like fashion, ED has his own comic publishing empire, DIGITAL WEBBING PRESS. Charles LePage - who again deserves special recognition as the longest continuing contributor to the Emag, with the exception of yours truly. His weekly New Comic Releases List is a key element to our mission of providing the latest information to fans of all types of comics. Thanks again, as always, for holding down the anchor position Charles! Rich Vasseur has been a steady contributor of interviewers and reviews week after week. It takes the pressure of me if I can't manage to get to the books submitted for review, knowing Rich will always be there. Paul Dale Roberts remains the other resident interviewer. How he manages to get so many interviews, produce all those reviews, get several letters of comment published in a variety of comics and magazines, work on his own JAZMA newsletter, and hold down a day job must be due to powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men. Special thanks as well go to Kris Naudus, who designed the look to our main web site on AOL, and Tim O'Shea for his untiring efforts for a long time. Mike Curtis of SHANDA FANTASY ARTS has stepped up with several wonderful columns, and provides the COMICS OBSCURA peppered about each issue we have all come to look forward to reading. My long time friend, dealer (of comics that is), and employer on Saturdays, Paul Howley has been supportive of this publication as have Ken Carson and the guys at the store. They have supplied prizes for the trivia from time to time. Paul stepped up to help run a fund raiser for a local boy with a deadly disease in the early days of the Emag and got some major publishers to send us premium stuff to auction. He also shared his experiences as a retailer and comic fan with our readers in his own column here. I have learned a lot from Paul and am glad he was in Worcester when I got here. A favorite at THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT, the store I work part time in, has been The Nitpicker column from Martin Perez, aka Magnus. One thing the Emag has always been about is diversity - not only in the types of comics we promote but in the types of columns we run. Fans always like to pick apart the mistakes the pros make and Magnus made a whole column doing it. Michael Vance was one of the earliest regular columnists here with his Suspended Animation. After a break he came back and Mark Allen joined him to gives us their thoughts on comics new and old. Thanks for being with us to the end guys. Every week you could count on us having reviews of all the X-Men related comics out that week. That is because we got those reviews from ComiX-Fan with the help of Editor Eric Moreels. It has been another feature we did not have to worry about. Other people have contributed recently and over the years, from Mike Imboden our co-founder to Bruce Canwell and Tony Isabella, to Angelo Furlan, Marlan Harris, Sarah Hastlett, Jonathan Gilbert and Jon Barker. We thank as well as those readers who found articles online and passed them on to us like Mitch Senft and Amy Harlib did. Again, it would take too long to look up every single old columnist or contributor but I cherish every contribution from the first to the last. I also want to mention the sources for most of the news we ran since we don't do the leg work but merely serve as a compiler and conduit to get the information to our readers. Thanks to the hard working folks at The Pulse, Newsarama, The Comic Book Continuum, ComiX-Fan, The Beat, ICV2.com, DC Comics Online Newsletter, The Diamond Comics Distributors Web Page, The SCOOP! at diamondgalleries.com, Comic Buyer's Guide, The Comic Wire and Comic Briefs at ComicBookResources.com, ALL THE RAGE column at Silverbulletcomicbooks.com, Rich Johnston's Lying in the Gutters on comicbookresources.com and all the companies who sent their press releases to keep the fans informed. Please visit their sites and help them by patronizing their sponsors or buying their products. You can find a list of links in the HYPE AND LINKS section at the end of the mag. SPECIAL THANKS: Thanks to all of you who took the time to correspond to the Emag, either to lend a few words of encouragement or to comment on articles, comic books or the industry in general, or to try your luck on the trivia. You, the loyal readers, gave us the best recognition possible when you voted the Comic Book Network Electronic Magazine you Favorite Emag in the Eagle Awards for 2001. It is that gift I will remember all of you by, and be always grateful you chose CBEM. Thanks to our sponsor of the weekly trivia contest, Discount Comic Book Service at www.dcbservice.com - We welcome the great prizes you have added to a favorite feature of the Emag. Thanks to Bill Cole Enterprises for also providing prizes. Special thanks to THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT of Worcester, MA for providing special prizes from time to time and for being there for us when we first started. The Eisner Award is richly deserved guys! And finally to all the creators and publishers who submitted their work for review. Your contribution is most cherished because even though you are promoting your work for your own success, you provide the means for me to broaden my tastes and become exposed to many things I had not even tried before now. I hope, through my reviews, which I try to keep honest and objective, you gain more readers and thereby get your money's worth for sending your material at your own expense. Free comics, so many of which are now on my regular reading list, were the BEST part of this job! My life is so much richer - as are those of the people to whom I have recommended the works of Gary Sassaman, John Kovalic, Aaron Williams, Myatt Murphy & Scott Dalrymple, Bill Knapp, Rich Henn, the CrossGen, iBooks, Top Shelf, and NBM lines in particular, and many others. You can find those many reviews in our back issues and the comics from many distributors or the creators themselves. This week on the racks are a few new products I get to recommend for one last time: DC COMICS 52 Week #9, $2.50 All New Atom #1, $2.99 <------------------------Pick of the Week! JSA #87, $2.99 Omac #1 (Of 8), $2.99 Outsiders #38, $2.99 Supergirl #7 (resolicited), $2.99 Teen Titans #37, $2.99 MARVEL COMICS Beyond #1 (Of 6), $2.99 I began a tradition of quoting Ann Landers at the end of each year because I thought the quote was sound advice for everyone. I still think it is and so . . . "Walk tall, and smile more. You'll look ten years younger. Don't be afraid to say, 'I love you.' Say it again. They are the sweetest words in the world. If you have love in your life, it can be the best year ever." And here are a few more, from various pop culture sources, just for the heck of it. [can anyone name every source?] Live long and prosper. Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars. See ya on the funway; Yippee tie one on! So long and thanks for all the fish. Vaya con Dios! David LeBlanc - ComicBkNet@aol.com Editor The Comic Book Net Electronic Magazine _________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------- [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 Your too late! But if you want to let me know about anything on your mind send Email to: ComicBkNet@aol.com +++++ From: Ed Dukeshire - eduke@digitalwebbing.com Subject: Re: What's new! Date: Wed, 28 Jun 2006 10:38:40 -0400 To: ComicBknet@aol.com Hey, David -- man, it was a GREAT run! Best of luck! And enjoy your new found freedom! :-) -- Ed Dukeshire / Digital Webbing, LLC Letterer, Publisher, Webmaster, Owner http://www.digitalwebbing.com [Thanks Ed, it would not have gotten this far without you! - D.L.] +++++ In a message dated 6/23/2006 10:03:19 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, JeffSampogna@thecomicsreview.com writes: Hey, With the Newsletter ending if you would like to do some reviews still you are more than welcome to submit them at www.thecomicsreview.com If anyone was helping with the newsletter they are welcome there too. Jeff Jeffrey Sampogna The Comics Review 2957 Canyon Falls Drive East Jacksonville, FL 32224 +++++ Subject: Lament for the CBEM Date: 7/7/2006 3:43:05 P.M. Eastern Standard Time From: MAR93@aol.com To: ComicBknet It's a sad day. The CBEM is going away. I don't even remember how I came across the CBEM but it was a while ago. I made reading it a part of my online information routine and there was always good stuff in it. I originally read it as a supplement to going to all the news sites -- Newsarama, the Pulse, All the Rage, Lying in the Gutters -- all fine sites but there was always an information overload and it was hard to sort through all that just to get the important news and a few decent reviews. Especially of late I've had less time to sift through these sites so having all the important stuff in one place, in the CBEM -- as compiled by Mr. David LeBlanc -- has been invaluable. And read the CBEM all the way through is what I do, even down to the tag-quote at the very end of the issue. Sure, there are columns, past and present, that are irritating to no end but this mish-mash of different writers and different views and different approaches to fandom is what makes it interesting, isn't it? Of late I've even taken a shot at the trivia question. I'll tell you a secret: all I did to win was make sure to get the CBEM as soon as it goes up -- at the site -- and Google the key words from the trivia question. That I actually won a few times was a surprise. But I've gotten a few books out of it so, hey, reading the CBEM pays off! I wrote a column in the CBEM for a while. I wrote mostly about back issues and trade paperbacks, just whatever I had read recently and since the books I reviewed weren't always super-new I felt I had a niche. I didn't get too many e-mails from people that read it, though one I did about selling comics on eBay got some response. It was during this period that the CBEM won the Eagle Award, which was a big deal to me and which I list on my writing resume. I wrote the column for fun and also to get my name out there (as any shameless self-promoter will do) and I made a number of contacts, convention-buddies, and even friends, with relationships that continue to this day. I did the column on and off for several years before a potential conflict of interest (the fact that I began writing the comics themselves) came up and I left. Well, more time to read comics, then. For as long as it lasted, it was an honor and a pleasure to be in the company of such a fine magazine and to have been a part of its history. I won't deny that David and I went round and round about a few things, particularly some comments I made about his beloved Legion of Superheroes way back when. And even though I disagreed with some of his policies, it was his mag and, on the whole, it was a good thing and it was a lot more than I could have done. How anybody could put together such a project, week after week, in addition to having a family and a full-time job that requires travel, and do it well, is beyond me. He didn't have to do all this, or continue it for this long, and we could have found the same stuff somewhere else, but he did it, he gave it to us, it was great, and now he's taking it away. It had to happen eventually, though I'd hoped somehow that it could keep going, perhaps being passed from generation to generation. But I suppose it's time. I'm not sure David knows what he's giving up here. People read the thing. Maybe not every single 1400 of them but even if you got a fraction of those to read it, that could be a pretty impressive number. And considering the mag rarely has any promotion or exposure beyond word-of-mouth or the occasional blurb from a review, it's not too shabby. But if he says it's time to end then it's time. Frankly, I'm surprised he lasted this long with it and for that I commend him. I wish him, and all the contributors and fans, past and present, of the CBEM the best of luck - especially in finding somewhere else to get all your comics info in one place. It'll be weird not having the newest issue in my inbox every Friday night. I'll have to get used to actually reading comics instead of reading ABOUT comics. Once again, Mr. LeBlanc, thank you for all your hard work. It was a great run. Marlan Harris www.marlanharris.com www.myspace.com/marlan [I am speechless. Thanks for all the kind words. - D.L.] +++++ Subject: Newsflash! The Silhouette meets Sinnamon! Talk of Silhouette Movie! Date: 7/6/2006 12:31:28 A.M. Eastern Standard Time From: JazmaPika@cs.com Click on the first drawing - in which it says "He's Legendary", it talks about how my character The Legendary Dark Silhouette met Sinnamon and the upcoming Silhouette movie! ----------------- Forwarded Message: Subj: Re: Newsflash! The Legendary Dark Silhouette meets Sinnamon! - POSTED!! Date: 7/5/2006 7:47:19 P.M. Eastern Standard Time From: catfish-comics@rogers.com To: JazmaPika@cs.com I think you'll figure out whish image you need to click on this page: http://www.nyxcomics.com/catfish_comics/hero_channel/html/news.html Who says this isn't the Catfish Era of Fun and Frivolity? +++++ From: "bcrog@juno.com" Date: Thu, 6 Jul 2006 22:36:49 GMT To: ComicBookNetworkEmag-owner@yahoogroups.com Subject: Fare thee well! Wow, It's hard to believe it's the end of an era. I've been a reader for nine years and an infrequent contributor from almost the beginning. David has been one of the biggest supporters of by book since the 2nd edition came out in 1997. I deeply understand his not wanting to turn over the reigns to someone else. I've been asked many times what will happen after I'm gone with my Guide to the DC Universe. I hope I've got a few decades yet to decide. I hope that some of you will keep in touch, if not with all of us, at least some of us. I've made quite a few aquaintences over the past 9 years. Some I've even met in person at cons. Take care David! Enjoy life & stay happy! Sincerely, Brent Clark Rogers BCROG@juno.com +++++ Date: Tue, 27 Jun 2006 15:02:41 -0500 (CDT) From: Alfredo Lopez Subject: A sad goodbye To: ComicBkNet@aol.com I was one of your many readers that enjoy your mails. I was shocked with the news, but I think you need time to enjoy your family. I know that everything you want to do, you'll do with a lot of success Regards Your fan from Mexico Alfredo Lopez Lujan +++++ Subject: Re: [ComicBookNetwork E-Mag] Date: 6/28/2006 3:50:58 A.M. Eastern Standard Time From: davewomack@btinternet.com To: ComicBookNetworkEmag-owner@yahoogroups.com Will miss you, and the emag David. Many thanks for many years entertainment and reading. Best wishes for the future David Womack The East Anglian Scimitar Centre. www.eascimitar.co.uk David Womack Restorations www.dwrestorations.co.uk +++++ From: Kurt Lerschmacher To: ComicBkNet@aol.com Subject: Best Wishes Dear David, as a longtime reader of Your E-Mag, I?m of course sad to hear You stopping publication but can understand Your reasons. So the only thing to say is thank You for all the years of Your time and effort You put into giving us, the readers, something interesting to read about the hobby we love. I wish You all the best for Yourself and Your family in the future and thanks again. Sincerely Kurt Lerschmacher Duesseldorf Germany +++++ From: "Mike Curtis" shandafa@cyberback.com To: ComicBknet@aol.com Subject: COMICS OBSCURA week of July 7 Date: Tue, 27 Jun 2006 17:06:51 -0500 Hi David It has been nice working with you, and a wonderful association. I hate to see CBEM go.....this week's was tough to come up with all on the same subject, but I tried to make it a good one to go out on. Take care Mike _________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------- COMICS OBSCURA Mike Curtis shandafa@cyberback.com [COMICS OBSCURA are facts Mike Curtis has dug out during his 30 years of collecting Superman and writing about comics. His website for his comic imprint is www.shandafantasyarts.net ] ---------------------- Since this is the last installment of COMIC BOOK ELECTRONIC MAGAZINE, this week's items are all about THE END. ------------------------ LAST WORDS No show was more successful or sold more televisions than HOWDY DOODY. But all good things must end. The long running show expanded to an hour for the September 24 1960 finale, in which all the residents of Doodyville packed their bags and prepared to leave. The mute clown Clarabell tried to tell several people he had a secret, and finally managed to reveal it in the last seconds of the show. He revealed that he could talk and the camera zoomed in on a close-up of his face, as he tearfully said "Goodbye Kids." _________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------- [3] [TRIVIA CONTEST] Due to costs, customs regulations, and logistical difficulties: THIS CONTEST IS OPEN TO RESIDENTS OF THE CONTIGUOUS 48 U.S. STATES! IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A U.S. ADDRESS DO NOT ATTEMPT TO WIN THE PRIZE. QUESTION OF THE WEEK Last week's Prize donated by Discount Comic Book Service at www.dcbservice.com where you can order most DC, Marvel, Image, and Dark Horse comics, statues and retail products for 35% off. This week THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT of Worcester, MA - New England's largest pop culture and collectibles store; winner of the Eisner Award! www.thatse.com LAST ISSUE'S QUESTION OF THE WEEK: An eye test, a spin-off of an ABC-TV news show, or a Vertigo title? 2020 VISIONS was the Vertigo title. Jeff Sampogna got it first and wins BATMAN THE CHALICE TP from Discount Comic Book Service. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION: Our final contest is sponsored by THAT's ENTERTAINMENT of Worcester, Massachusetts - The SUPERMAN/BATMAN trade paperback collection PUBLIC ENEMIES is the final prize. The question was submitted by Brent Clark Rogers - DC fan and historian: In DC "comic book" continuity, name one of two characters that played Superman in movies or TV. [NOTE: not REAL TV or Movies but those portrayed in the comics!] IMPORTANT RULES NOTICE Due to costs, customs regulations, and logistical difficulties: THIS CONTEST IS OPEN TO RESIDENTS OF THE CONTIGUOUS 48 U.S. STATES! IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A U.S. ADDRESS DO NOT ATTEMPT TO WIN THE PRIZE. Email your guess to ComicBkNet@aol.com or just REPLY to the message if you read the Emag in your mail. DO NOT quote the entire message! You MUST allow mail from ComicBkNet@aol.com to be notified if you win. 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! Messages with more than one guess will be disqualified. Winners will forfeit their prize if the Email notification is not accepted from ComicBkNet@aol.com LIMIT: ONLY ONE PRIZE every 4 weeks PER PERSON! _________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------- COMICS OBSCURA Mike Curtis shandafa@cyberback.com [COMICS OBSCURA are facts Mike Curtis has dug out during his 30 years of collecting Superman and writing about comics. His website for his comic imprint is www.shandafantasyarts.net ] END OF THE GOLDEN AGE '"Age" purists often point to THE SUPER KEY TO FORT SUPERMAN (Action #241 June 1958) as the first chronicled exploit of the Silver Age Superman. Less well known or specified is the LAST adventure of the Golden Age Man of Steel. Perhaps it's the story THE MAN WHO MARRIED LOIS LANE in SUPERMAN 136 April 1960. Although perennial foe MR MXYZPTLK had already been redesigned with his orange and purple jump suit, Lois has a flashback in this tale and remembers the imp in his older street clothes appearance. BIZARRO is also shown, but with a B on his chest, as he appeared in the newspaper strip origin that predated his comic book debut. _________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------- [4] Network Buzz News, gossip and rumors from the industry It's convention season and the Archie Comics creators are on the road and coming to see you! G-FEST. CHICAGO July 7 - 8 Rich Koslowski Andrew Pepoy COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL, SAN DIEGO July 20 - 23 Craig Boldman Tania del Rio George Gladir Rich Koslowski Andrew Pepoy ORLANDO CON, ORLANDO August 19 - 20 Ben Hunzeker DRAGON CON, ATLANTA September 1-4 Ben Hunzeker For more about Archie and his friends go to www.archiecomic.com Rik Offenberger Public Relations Coordinator Archie Comic Publications, Inc. riko@archiecomics.com +++++ Actionopolis - The Books Kids WANT To Read (June 26, 2006) - Komikwerks announced today that two more titles in their much-anticipated Actionopolis book line - BLACKFOOT BRAVES SOCIETY and THE ANUBIS TAPESTRY -- are now available in the July Diamond Previews Catalog. The books feature work by both up-and-coming and veteran comics creators -- creators like Bruce Zick ("The Mighty Thor" and various Disney and Pixar films), Christopher E. Long ("Easy Way", "X-Men Unlimited") and Michael Geiger (artist for such video game shops as EIDOS, Ubisoft and Sony). "Producing the Actionopolis line has been an amazing experience," said publisher Shannon Denton. "But the most gratifying thing so far is the reactions we've been getting from the kids who have read early copies of the books. "For example 'Blackfoot Braves Society' was previewed by eighth graders at North Cache Middle School and they all been crazy for it. We've gotten similar reactions on our other books." Kids aren't the only ones excited about the beautiful, hardbound illustrated prose chapter books. Industry professionals have had good things to say as well. "Bruce Zick lives in a rich world of fantasy. Fortunately there is a portal into it - his effortless drawing style and his thoughtful, descriptive prose. Indeed, although THE ANUBIS TAPESTRY is his world entirely, he is a generous host," said Chris Wedge, director of the animated hits ICE AGE and ROBOTS. "I love the idea of the Actionopolis line of books in general," said Chris Ryall, Editor-in-Chief, IDW PUBLISHING, "but based on Long & Geiger's fanciful appealing work on BLACKFOOT BRAVES SOCIETY, it's even better in practice than it is in theory. As a new parent, I can't wait until my kid's old enough to read this kind of book." Look for Actionopolis books on page 300 of the July Diamond Previews catalog, listed under Komikwerks. The ordering codes are JUL06 3280 (for THE ANUBIS TAPESTRY) and JUL06 3281 (for BLACKFOOT BRAVES SOCIETY). Stop by http://www.actionopolis.com for downloadable preview chapters of both books and a look at our upcoming titles. ABOUT ACTIONOPOLIS Actionopolis, founded by Komikwerks' publishers Shannon Denton and Patrick Coyle, is a new line of illustrated novels for young adults published by Komikwerks, LLC. The Actionopolis line abides by the philosophy that action and adventure should be driven by strong concepts, fully developed characters, and of course, good stories. Actionopolis is dedicated to delivering exciting, and above all, FUN books for all ages. The first in a line of more than 15 new series of books will begin shipping in July of 2006. For more information please visit http://www.actionopolis.com ABOUT KOMIKWERKS Komikwerks is a leader in digital publishing of comics online. Komikwerks is partnered with Stan Lee's POW! Entertainment to publish a line of premiere Internet comics called Stan Lee's Sunday Comics on Komikwerks.com and provides exclusive content to the AOL: RED website. Komikwerks also publishes ebook versions of creator owned graphic novels and has published a variety of projects in print and digital formats featuring Joe Kubert, Ray Bradbury, Bernie Wrightson, Keith Giffen, Raymond Chandler, Dave Gibbons, Mike Mignola, Michael Lark, P. Craig Russel, and many more. Komikwerks has been featured in many news and entertainment periodicals including Variety, USA Today, and Wizard Magazine. Komikwerks recently signed an exclusive worldwide distribution agreement with Publishers Group West, one of the top ten vendors of books in the country. Publishers Group West represents over 150 independent publishers, who together are publishing some of the most topical, innovative, literary, and award-winning books available today. Visit Komikwerks at http://www.komikwerks.com +++++ POWER OF THE VALKYRIE TAKES FLIGHT IN AT ARCANA June 26, 2006 (BELLINGHAM, WA) -- This September, THE POWER OF THE VALKYRIE will begin a four-issue miniseries, from the creators of "10th Muse" and "The Legend of Isis"; writers Darren G. Davis and Chad Rebmann, and art by Marvel's "Runaways" inker, Craig Yeung. "This book has a deeper edge than the other books we create. It was the perfect vehicle for Arcana to publish," said writer, Davis. "I have created a bunch of characters from world legends and mythology, and I really wanted to do something with the Norse myths this time". Here's how the studio describes the issue: THE POWER OF THE VALKYRIE #1 Written by Darren G. Davis & Chad Rebmann, pencils by Craig Yeung, and special incentive cover by artist, Nadir Balan As an Elysian war rages onward and spills upon the Earth, an ethereal gift, bequeathed to a mortal none the less, is all that stands between the dark minions of Hell and their malignant conquest of the Heavens. Suzanne Bancroft is a single nurse at a small Colorado hospital, her life is tight knit, friends are few and her craving for adventure is all but nonexistent. However she will soon hold the key to both heaven and hell in the palm of her trembling unsure hands...yet will she accept it. -- 22-pages, full-color, four-part limited bi-monthly series -- $2.95 *SPECIAL RETAILER INCENTIVE OFFER: Order 15 or more copies of THE POWER OF THE VALKYRIE #1, and receive the rare special variant cover by "Judo Girl" artist, Nadir Balan! While supplies last! "Valkyrie has been a project I've been looking forward to for a long time," said Arcana Managing Editor Sean O'Reilly. "Blue Water has always put out great looking, and great selling, books and it's great to be working with Darren. He really understands the comic industry." THE POWER OF THE VALKYRIE #1 is 22-pages of full-color excitement for only $2.95, and is available now through Diamond Comics' Previews catalog at your local comic book shop, for release in September. For more information on THE POWER OF THE VALKYRIE, visit Blue Water Productions online at http://www.bluewaterprod.com, and Arcana Studios online at http://www.arcanastudios.com +++++ COMIC-CON HONORS CLAYPOOL CONTRIBUTORS San Diego Convention Selects Busiek, Conner, and Mooney as Special Guests Thousands of comic-book creators attend Comic-Con International: San Diego every year, but the convention chooses to honor only a few dozen as Special Guests. This year, the convention - North America's largest comics and pop-culture gathering - will shine its lights on Claypool Comics contributors Kurt Busiek, Amanda Conner, and Jim Mooney. Kurt Busiek has written for Claypool's ELVIRA, MISTRESS OF THE DARK comic book, and Claypool has reprinted his stories in ELVIRA trade paperbacks. Some of his most famous works include Marvels with Alex Ross, Astro City with Ross and Brent Anderson, and JLA/Avengers with fellow Claypool contributor George Perez. Currently, he writes Superman and Aquaman for DC Comics, but he remains a Claypool favorite - his most recent work for Claypool is ELVIRA #145's "You Can Take the Boy out of the Jungle" - and he has indicated that he'd like to return to Claypool when he satisfies his many other commitments. Amanda Conner is the cover artist for every issue of Claypool's SOULSEARCHERS AND COMPANY, written by Peter David; she also draw the book's first several issues and in so doing helped to set the tone that the book has enjoyed ever since. Her work on DC Comics' recent hit JSA: Classified - Power Girl has helped to make her a big star, but SOULSEARCHERS was her first ongoing, regular super-hero assignment. Her talent for mixing action and comedy (she also draws for Mad magazine) has made her perfect for SOULSEARCHERS' wacky group of supernatural investigators. Jim Mooney, an artist who has contributed to all of Claypool's titles - ELVIRA, SOULSEARCHERS, and the vampire saga DEADBEATS - has drawn comics since the 1940s. He became famous among fans for his art on DC Comics' Supergirl and Marvel Comics' Spider-Man. His work "combined a slick, polished line with a down-to-earth, Everyman feel" (according to Wikipedia.com), and he brought those qualities to Claypool. Like Busiek and Conner, Mooney has worked for Claypool since the company's earliest days; he was Conner's original inker on SOULSEARCHERS and contributed to the book's visual style. Today, he draws comics almost exclusively for Claypool. To meet Busiek, Conner, or Mooney - or other Claypool creators such as writer Peter David and artists Eduardo Barreto, Steve Leialoha, and Joe Rubinstein - Claypool encourages fans to drop by its booth in the convention's exhibit hall. The Claypool booth, #2102, is in the Independent Publishers Pavilion at the front of Hall C. Comic-Con International: San Diego (www.comic-con.org) attracts more than 100,000 fans, comics creators, publishers, retailers, filmmakers, and other pop-culture enthusiasts. It celebrates its special guests with question-and-answer sessions and other events. The convention will take place this year on July 19 through 23 at the San Diego Convention Center, 111 West Harbor Drive near downtown. Claypool Comics (www.claypoolcomics.com), a leading independent publisher of humor and horror, is known as "the publisher of hidden treasures." +++++ LEGEND OF ISIS SCREENWRITER SCRIBES COMICS June 24, 2006 (BELLINGHAM, WA) -- Hollywood screenwriter Ali Russell will be writing issue #15 of Blue Water Productions' THE LEGEND OF ISIS series, published by Alias Comics, as well as writing a VICTORIA'S SECRET SERVICE one-shot issue as well. Ali Russell is best known as the screenwriter for the comic book adaptation of Blue Water's optioned film rights to THE LEGEND OF ISIS, which is presently held by Paramount Productions, and just as in-print, Russell is also writing a screenplay based on Blue Water's VICTORIA'S SECRET SERVICE. "I'm really excited to get into the realm of comic book writing," said Russell. "Being able to be a part of the whole artistic process is a rarity in film, but with comics, it's a new world. It's really wonderful to be so included, and I look forward to writing many more issues!" THE LEGEND OF ISIS film script was recently approved, and has been optioned by Kelsey Grammer's production studio, Grammnet Productions, through Paramount Productions. For more information on Russell, ISIS, or VICTORIA'S SECRET SERVICE, visit Blue Water Productions on the web at http://www.bluewaterprod.com ! +++++ Marvel: Ultimate Alliance Voiceover Promotion update In a surprise addition to the Marvel: Ultimate Alliance Voiceover Promotion, Activision announced today that enthusiasts/fans can now audition to be the voice of Namor (aka Sub-Mariner.) - the King of Atlantis himself! Activision has already received so many great entries for Bruce Banner so they have decided to close that casting call and add a new character. Auditions for Namor and Jean Grey are going on now, so please keep those entries coming! See the official contest page for full entry details and rules: http://www.marvelultimatealliance.com/index.php As a reminder, our Grand Prize winners will get an Xbox 360, a copy of the Marvel: Ultimate Alliance game, a poster signed by Stan Lee, a pack of Marvel: Ultimate Alliance playing cards and a trip to Los Angeles to record their lines and meet the producers. The audition period will end on July 23, 2006. Be sure to get your entries in before then! For more information about the game, go to www.marvelultimatealliance.com Please let me know if you have any questions. -W Wiebke Hesse wiebke@step-3.com +++++ Actionopolis Tour Kicks into Overdrive (June 27, 2006) - From Los Angeles to Boston, from Phoenix to Detroit, and Seattle back to Washington D.C., Actionopolis has been crisscrossing the country, spreading the word about our new line of illustrated prose chapter books for young readers created by some of the top professionals from comics, film, animation and lit. Starting this week the national tour shifts into overdrive with Actionistas making a stop in the first major comics convention of the Summer: HeroesCon in Charlotte, North Carolina. Dan Mishkin will be a guest at the con, preaching to the unconverted about his Actionopolis title "The Forest King", a spooky ghost story with stunning visuals provided by Tom Mandrake. Dan will have advanced preview copies of the first four titles from the line as well as free giveaways and ready wit (also free). From there Mishkin will sound the trumpet and lead the wagon train west for Comic-Con International in San Diego, where Actionistas will be gathering in their largest numbers to date and unveiling the first ever production copies of this exciting new line of books. The convention runs from July 20th to July 23rd, with a special preview night on the 19th. The rallying point for Actionopolis will be booth #2302 on the floor of the cavernous convention center. Look for signings at the booth with the following creators: * Dan Mishkin - Illustrator of "The Forest King" * Tom Mandrake - Illustrator of "The Forest King" * Adam Beechen - Author of "What I did on my Hypergalactic Interstellar Summer Vacation" * Dan Hipp - Illustrator of "What I did on my Hypergalactic Interstellar Summer Vacation" * Rob M. Worley - Author of "Heir to Fire" * Mike Dubisch - Illustrator of "Heir to Fire" * Rick Hoberg - Illustrator of "Spirit of the Samurai" * Bruce Zick - Author and Illustrator of "The Anubis Tapestry" * Christopher E. Long - Author of "Blackfoot Braves Society" * Michael Geiger - Illustrator of "Blackfoot Braves Society" * JJ Hart - Adventurer and Author of "Zombie Monkey Monster Jamboree" (and pseudonym for an Eisner nominated comics writer) * Will Meugniot - Illustrator of "Zombie Monkey Monster Jamboree" * Shannon Denton - Publisher * Patrick Coyle - Publisher Actionopolis creators will also play host to a panel discussion and Q&A session scheduled for 6:00-7:00pm the evening of Thursday the 20th in Room 1A. Youngsters are invited to attend for antics and tomfoolery. To date Actionopolis has announced summer and fall release dates for seven illustrated prose chapter books written and illustrated by some of the most well-known and exciting creators from comics, animation, film and other media. Ask your Diamond Distributor for details. Information and previews of the current slate of titles, as well as upcoming stops on the Actionopolis tour, can be seen at http://www.actionopolis.com. ABOUT ACTIONOPOLIS Actionopolis, founded by Komikwerks' publishers Shannon Denton and Patrick Coyle, is a new line of illustrated novels for young adults published by Komikwerks, LLC. The Actionopolis line abides by the philosophy that action and adventure should be driven by strong concepts, fully developed characters, and of course, good stories. Actionopolis is dedicated to delivering exciting, and above all, FUN books for all ages. The first in a line of more than 15 new series of books will begin shipping in July of 2006. For more information please visit http://www.actionopolis.com ABOUT KOMIKWERKS Komikwerks is a leader in digital publishing of comics online. Komikwerks is partnered with Stan Lee's POW! Entertainment to publish a line of premiere Internet comics called Stan Lee's Sunday Comics on Komikwerks.com and provides exclusive content to the AOL: RED website. Komikwerks also publishes ebook versions of creator owned graphic novels and has published a variety of projects in print and digital formats featuring Joe Kubert, Ray Bradbury, Bernie Wrightson, Keith Giffen, Raymond Chandler, Dave Gibbons, Mike Mignola, Michael Lark, P. Craig Russel, and many more. Komikwerks has been featured in many news and entertainment periodicals including Variety, USA Today, and Wizard Magazine. Komikwerks recently signed an exclusive worldwide distribution agreement with Publishers Group West, one of the top ten vendors of books in the country. Publishers Group West represents over 150 independent publishers, who together are publishing some of the most topical, innovative, literary, and award-winning books available today. Visit Komikwerks at http://www.komikwerks.com +++++ Freshmen Back in School in November Seth Green and Hugh Sterbakov reunite with Top Cow Productions for "Freshmen II: Fundamentals of Fear" A new semester will bring all-new experiences for freshmen everywhere-and all-new adventures for Freese College's The Freshmen. Top Cow Productions is reuniting with co-creators Seth Green and Hugh Sterbakov for a new Freshmen comic series in November, 2006. The six-issue series will hit stores as the highly anticipated sequel to Freshmen, Top Cow's 2005 smash hit about a group of incoming college freshmen who acquire amazing-and sometimes hilarious-superpowers. Art chores on the new series will be handled by Will Conrad (Buffy, The Vampire Slayer). Uproarious humor will still be the order of the day in Freshmen II: Fundamentals of Fear, but new elements will be introduced as well. "Freshmen II is going to be darker and scarier than our first series. We have a great new villain in Mr. Fiddlesticks, a character from a series of children's books, who is haunting our heroes, and a couple new romances to stir things up," said series writer Hugh Sterbakov. "There's a great twisting mystery at the heart of this series, which will further explore some of the threads we set-up in the original, like Annalee's father's interest in the Ax-Cell-Erator, the device that created our team. Also, some characters who were in the background of the original series come to the fore, like the Green Thumb and the Drama Twins. I looked to one of my favorite sequels of all time, The Empire Strikes Back, for inspiration, and Rodolfo Migliari's fantastic cover reflects the direction of the next series perfectly. I can't wait for November!" Co-creator and Buffy and Austin Powers actor Seth Green is similarly jazzed. "In the midst of trying to absorb the overwhelming response to the first series, Hugh pitched me the plot and secrets for Freshmen II," Green said. "After I collected myself from the knockout punches, I called Top Cow and begged and screamed until they promised to let you guys read it. They said I could stop calling, because they already agreed to do it. And here it is: Fundamentals of Fear! Stuff blowing up! Hearts getting broken! Abuse of powers! And a talking Beaver! Are you seriously not reading this book yet? The Freshmen vol. 1 paperback is currently on-sale, and available with Diamond order code: FEB061821 D* +++++ Guardian Line to Launch this September Prepare to Witness the Dawn of a Comic Book Revolution! The joining of two publishing superpowers promises to create a new concept in comic book development that appeals to more young readers than ever before. Dallas/Fort Worth, TX-UMI (Urban Ministries, Inc), the largest independent African American media firm and the leader in independent (non-denominationally affiliated) urban Christian and positive media content for over 35 years, announces the biggest launch in comics' history for African American content-The Guardian Line. This series is the superbly styled, positive- themed result of the combined resources of UMI and creator of The Guardian Line Michael Davis. "We have been developing this concept for two years, committing all the necessary time and resources to perfecting it. We are releasing a product that is just right for the African American audience," states president of UMI, Carl Jeffrey Wright. "This series of comics will invite young urban readers to become part of a universe filled with memorable and inspiring characters who look just like them. Teenagers and kids in America face daily choices between good and evil. As The Guardian Line keeps them highly entertained and coming back for more, it will nudge them toward the good." Michael Davis is the co-creator of the Emmy-winning animated show Static Shock! and one of the founders of the Black comic publishing phenomenon Milestone Media. Davis has been looking for the perfect opportunity to produce a faith-based, positive comics series for ten years. He first conceived the idea in 1996 while serving as president and CEO of Motown Animation and Filmworks. After Milestone Media shattered all records in Black comic book publishing, Michael recognized the way to reach an even greater audience. "The Black church is the most powerful entity in Black America," he states. "If you can create something that resonates in the Black church, you can reach the majority of African Americans." For over 35 years UMI has been the trusted source for teaching materials and inspirational book titles in the African American church market and is the exclusive or semi-exclusive publisher for several church denominations. They are poised to reach a network of 40,000 churches and 1,500 bookstores with The Guardian Line-a larger audience than that of even Michael's own Milestone Media. As a child, Michael witnessed the ability of comics to teach and provide an escape from the trials of inner-city life. He states, "Comics kept me off the streets. After one summer of reading comics, my reading scores jumped by seven grade levels." His partnership with UMI has afforded him the opportunity to utilize the power of comics to touch the Christian market. "You can't overstate the importance of literacy in America. A kid who doesn't read well will struggle to compete for acceptance to a good college or will often simply drop out of school. How will that child advance in life?" Carl Jeffrey Wright muses. "Well-written comics series like The Guardian Line will offer at- risk students a chance to practice reading skills while thoroughly enjoying themselves. They create a chance to level the playing field." The Guardian Line includes four separate series (Joe and Max, The Seekers, Genesis 5 and Code) targeting specific age groups. All the stories take place in the fictional New Hope City and feature the three essentials fans have come to expect in a Michael Davis universe: strong African American characters, a multicultural cast (some with extraordinary powers) and a guy named Larry. The focus of each series is the battle between characters chosen by God to fight evil, in the form of New Hope City's nefarious nemesis, Steven Dark. While UMI wields its considerable experience to tailor the positive content to fit the needs of its market, Michael and a team of experienced A-list comic creators have crafted a comic universe that will surpass the expectations of mainstream comic readers who may be skeptical of a faith-based series. UMI's recruiting of the best talent in the comic industry infuses The Guardian Line with the hip legitimacy necessary to connect with young urban readers and is in character with the company's reputation for producing graphically superior, relevant content for the African American church market. The unveiling of The Guardian Line is scheduled for September 2006. The first series released, targeting the tween segment, will be Joe and Max, based on Michael's experiences in elementary school. Additional titles will release weekly. The comics will then be released bi-monthly for a total of six issues of each series per year. +++++ Novelist and comic book writer Bobby Nash has set up a MySpace page [http://www.myspace.com/bobbynash] to post updates on current and upcoming projects as well as at his site [www.bobbynash.com]. Thanks. http://www.myspace.com/bobbynash +++++ LOST RAVEN FEATURES HIV-POSITIVE HERO June 27, 2006 BELLINGHAM, WA This October, Blue Water Productions and Alias Comics will release LOST RAVEN. By writer/creator Darren G. Davis (10th Muse, Legend of Isis), and artists Keu Cha, Renato Arlem & Mike Miller, LOST RAVEN focuses on a man who finds out he has the HIV virus and is forced to make changes in his life. Following a strong role-model, Zak Raven, whose recent diagnoses fails to slow him down one bit, LOST RAVEN treats the issue with respect and sincerity, while leading readers on an exciting adventure of man versus nature; and the UN-natural! After learning that he has contracted the HIV virus, attorney Zak Raven leaves his practice behind to set forth on a mission of relaxation; until his peaceful trip goes wildly astray, leaving Zak shipwrecked on what he thinks is a deserted island with only the words in his own journal to keep him company. Unknown to Zak, however, four-miles below the surface of this quiet island secretly hides a government experimentation center where scientists play God by trying to artificially evolve a human-based species to combat a coming Armageddon. Unfortunately, all they've created so far are deadly monsters; and they're about to meet their new neighbor, Zak Raven! "This book is not about sexual relations, but about what it is like to live with this disease day to day" said creator, Darren G. Davis. "It is based on the journal of a friend of mine who passed away. Before he died I asked him if this would be okay to do; to let people know what it is like to live with HIV on a daily basis. It touches on stigma, the pain of the drugs, and the mental strain caused from this disease." Part of the proceeds from the sale of this book will go to the Evergreen AIDS Foundation. LOST RAVEN is a 96-page graphic novel published by Alias Comics for release in October 2006, and will be available for readers to order in Diamond Comics Previews catalog in August. For more information on LOST RAVEN, visit Blue Water Productions on the web at http://www.bluewaterprod, or visit your local comic book shop! # # # # ABOUT BLUE WATER PRODUCTIONS: Blue Water Productions is a creative studio founded in 2004 by Darren G. Davis; creator of such popular characters as THE TENTH MUSE, LEGEND OF ISIS, and JUDO GIRL! Blue Water Productions currently publishes through Alias Enterprises, Arcana and Angelgate. Visit Blue Water Productions online at http://www.bluewaterprod.com +++++ FIENDISH FABLES, THE NEW HORROR ANTHOLOGY RELEASED FROM NARWAIN Fans of the classic horror and suspense comics of yesteryear will be happy to hear about the upcoming publication of FIENDISH FABLES, a new anthology releasing from Narwain in late August. Diamond Comic Distributors has highlighted the book with a "Certified Cool" ranking in their June Previews catalog. FIENDISH FABLES is the brainchild of writer John Schlim Jr., who set out to create a collection of creepy tales inspired by the classic horror comics that defined the genre. Anybody who's familiar with the timeless works of EC and Warren will recognize Schlim's use of storytelling techniques made famous by those pioneering publishers: twist endings, cruel revenge, horrific irony, and tragic moral lessons. "John Schlim Jr's Fiendish Fables hearken back to those glorious days. They're short and often grisly; they're fun and entertaining, fast-paced, well told, illustrated by a variety of styles," says Jeff Mariotte, who wrote an introduction for this anthology. "So much of today's horror seems focused on nothing more than sadistic voyeurism," adds Schlim. "I wanted to revisit some of the classic traits and story elements of other eras to put some fun back into horror. The resulting tales of terror might not be works of literary merit, but hopefully these twisted vignettes provide some hair-raising reading pleasure for Halloween." The book includes nine black and white stories illustrated in a wide range of artistic styles, but they don't all take the same nostalgic approach. Some are told in a more contemporary style, and one even uses a humorous tone. "I was thrilled and honored to have Jeff Mariotte writing the introduction to this anthology and Billy Tucci providing the cover," says Schlim, "as well as to collaborate with such an amazing group of artists. Thanks to their incredible talents in visual storytelling, you'll be able to witness marauding zombie kids, a bloodthirsty vampire horse, vengeance-seeking storybook creatures, a wild west monster, the debut of Goth Ghost Girl, and much more!" FIENDISH FABLES is suggested for mature readers, and features 48 pages of beautifully grayscaled black & white artwork for only $3.49. It includes an introduction by Jeff Mariotte (Angel/Desperadoes) and a cover by Billy Tucci (Shi/Zombie-Sama). Previews order code JUN06 3277. +++++ FLORIDA SUPERCON SOUTH FLORIDA'S ONLY COMIC BOOK, ANIME & SCI-FI CONVENTION Ft. Lauderdale, FL. - June 28, 2006 - Florida Supercon is coming to Ft. Lauderdale. Florida Supercon is a multi-format convention for comic book, anime & sci-fi/fantasy fans taking place November 3, 4 & 5 in Ft. Lauderdale. FL. The show will include a Superman tribute, with several Superman related celebrity guests, as well as other celebrity guests, writers, artists and filmmakers. The three day show, starting Friday night and ending Sunday, will be a traditional convention including vendors, guests, Q&A's, film festival, parties, costume contest, giveaways, anime programming, celebrity banquet, workshops, panels and more. Guest for the show will be added on a weekly basis. The initial guest list includes Margot Kidder (star of Superman & Smallville), Terry Cronin (creator of indie comic Students of the Unusual and Recalcitrant Jones & the Deadbeats), John Taddeo (creator of indie comic Zoom Suit), Mitch Hyman (creator of indie comic Bubba the Redneck Werewolf), Joe Fauvel (creator of indie comic Cry), Shannon Chenoweth (creator of indie comic The Line), Glenda Finkelstein (Science Fiction author of Nemesis Rising, The Edge of the Universe and Battle Cry) Updates on guests may be found at www.floridasupercon.com The Florida Supercon Independent Film Festival, showcasing independent genre films (short and full length), as well as the latest and best fan films will be hosted by Terry Cronin (Students of the Unusual). Filmmakers are encouraged to submit their work. Submission information may be found at www.floridasupercon.com The convention will be held at the Best Western Plantation/Sawgrass, located at 1711 N. University Drive, Plantation FL. 33322. Special room rates for convention attendees is $79 per night. The Best Western Plantation/Sawgrass is just minutes from Hollywood/Fort Lauderdale Airport and Office Depot Center, home of the NHL Florida Panthers. For your shopping needs the hotel is a short distance from Sawgrass Mills Mall. The hotel is six miles east of Fort Lauderdale in the flourishing Plantation area, near Fort Lauderdale's 'Blue Wave' designated beaches, Dolphin Stadium and the 88-acre Swap-Shop. +++++ ASP'S MOUSE GUARD SELLS OUT AGAIN MOUSE GUARD #1 2nd printing sells out, as does issue #2; reprints coming soon Fort Lee, NJ -- Jun 30, 2006 -- Archaia Studios Press (ASP) announces today that both the 2nd printing of MOUSE GUARD #1 and the 1st printing of MOUSE GUARD #2 have sold out. This brings the total number of #1's sold to 13,000 copies. Issue #2, which had a print run of 10,000, sold out in about two weeks. MOUSE GUARD #3 arrived in stores in the first week of June and is close to blowing through its 13,000-copy print run. Fans and retailers will be happy to know a 3rd printing of MOUSE GUARD #1 will be in stores the week of July 10 and a new printing of #2 is in the June 21 Diamond Dateline Previews Plus. "You know," said creator David Petersen, "I can't thank retailers and fans enough for buying and enjoying my labor of love. MOUSE GUARD took many years to come to fruition and it's a pleasure to see such a positive response to something I've worked so hard on. I hope as the series continues and the traitorous plot is revealed that readers' enjoyment will continue. I know I'm enjoying telling the guardsmice story." "We're very fortunate to have such a wonderful book as MOUSE GUARD," said Mark Smylie, publisher at ASP. "As a relatively new publisher of other creators' work, it's a thrill to come out of the gate with such a small-press hit. And we're excited that interest in and growth of MOUSE GUARD is ever increasing. With the success of MOUSE GUARD and our other titles like the Harvey Award-nominated THE LONE AND LEVEL SANDS, we're quite pleased with how ASP is growing. Thank you to our fans and supporters!" MOUSE GUARD is the story of a band of mice trying to survive in a hostile medieval world, to prosper among harsh conditions and vicious predators. In the 1st issue, we met three members of the Mouse Guard on a mission to find a grain peddler who has disappeared on his journey from one protected mouse hold to another. In MOUSE GUARD #2, while Guards Saxon, Kenzie & Lieam are off searching for the missing grain mouse, another of the Guard, Sadie, is dispatched to a shore outpost of the mice territories. Conrad, the mouse posted there, has failed to stay in touch with the outside world for far too long... And in issue #3, as Saxon, Kenzie & Lieam move on to Barkstone, the map-holding grain peddler's destination, they hold hope that what appears to be a traitorous plot against Lockhaven is little more than a...misunderstanding. Unaware of information Sadie carries with her to Lockhaven, or of the fate of fellow Guard Conrad, Saxon, Kenzie and Lieam find themselves in a city where they are not the law, where they can trust no one, and where bad soon turns to worse. Each issue of Mouse Guard releases bi-monthly and is 24-pages, full color, 8"x 8" and retails for $3.50. It is recommended for ages 10+. ABOUT ARCHAIA STUDIOS PRESS Mark Smylie founded Archaia Studios Press (ASP) in 2002 as the home for his epic fantasy comic book, Artesia. Artesia ($24.95, ISBN: 1-932386-00-9), winner of ForeWord Magazine's Best Graphic Novel of 2003, and its sequels -- Artesia Afield ($24.95, ISBN: 1-932386-02-5) and Artesia Afire ($24.95, ISBN: 1-932386-08-4) -- are available at finer bookstores and comic book shops everywhere. Artesia: Adventures in The Known World (ISBN: 1- 932386-10-6, $39.95, full-color), a new RPG based on Mark's creation, expanded ASP into the world of gaming. In 2005, Mark expanded ASP to publish a line of creator-owned titles, including Robotika (by Alex Sheikman), Mouse Guard (by David Petersen) and The Lone and Level Sands (by A. David Lewis and Marvin Perry Mann). More information can be found at http://www.aspcomics.com +++++ A.C.T.O.R. has released further details concerning ACTOR COMICS PRESENTS, the benefit trade paperback shipping in September. "We've received a lot of industry support," noted A.C.T.O.R. Board Member and book editor Charlie Novinskie, "Everyone has pitched in to make this a huge success." Novinskie went on to note that Lebonfon will be printing the book at a substantial discount which will allow A.C.T.O.R. to keep the price at $10, even though the book runs 152 pages-including a 24-page color signature featuring never-before-published stories featuring the Amazing Spider-Man and The Incredible Hulk. "Marvel has been extremely supportive of this project," Novinskie noted. Jim McLauchlin, president of A.C.T.O.R., agreed, announcing that the benefit book would feature two Marvel-related covers, "The version solicited through Diamond has an amazing cover by Michael Linsner featuring the Hulk and Spidey, and the exclusive Baltimore Con version will have a cover featuring Daredevil, Spider-Man, Wolverine, and the Punisher contributed by John Romita Jr. as well as the senior Romita." ACTOR COMICS PRESENTS received a Spotlight status in the current Diamond Previews catalogue (product code: JUL062782). Published in conjunction with Century Comics, the book can be found under the A.C.T.O.R. listing on page 204. The book features a series of short stories by top industry talent including a new story written by Stan Lee and illustrated by Michael Linsner. Creator Dave Sim has also contributed to the book along with Michael Oeming, Tom DeFalco, C. B. Cebulski and Mark Waid to name just a few on a growing list of contributors. More details concerning the benefit book will be provided as they become available. Any creator wishing to contribute to the benefit still has time to get involved by contacting Novinskie at charlienovinskie@CenturyComics.com. Information on the 2006 Baltimore Comic Con is available at: www.comicon.com/Baltimore. +++++ E-MAN RECHARGED! Haverhill, MA, June 30, 2006 -- E-Man Recharged! No. 1 has been listed as a Diamond Spotlight item in the July '06 edition of Previews now on sale. E-Man, the energy being from outer space who makes his home on earth as a super-hero, returns to comics in September from Digital Webbing Press. The full-color, one-shot issue is written and drawn by the creators of the series, Nicola Cuti and Joe Staton. E-Man has always been a fan favorite, marked by equal amounts of action, mystery and humor. The character debuted in 1973 at Charlton Comics, followed by a two-year run with First Comics in the 80's. The all-new issue features E-Man, his girlfriend Nova Kane, private investigator Michael Mauser, and arch-enemy The Brain from Sirius. Ordering information for E- Man Recharged! can be found on page 272 of the July '06 Previews catalog. The item code is JUL063100 +++++ Marvel: Ultimate Alliance screenshots and trailer We have new Marvel: Ultimate Alliance assets available for you at our FTP. Head to the Marvel: Ultimate Alliance folder, then: \Trailers\"Trailer 063006" folder for the new NPC (non-playable characters) trailer \Screenshots\"Screenshots 063006" folder for new PS3 and Xbox 360 screens For your reading pleasure you will also find the fact sheet at the FTP. Let me know if you have any questions! Using an FTP client: Location: transfer.activision.com Login: step3public Password: wilfee3 Using a Web browser: ftp://step3public:wilfee3@transfer.activision.com/ Wiebke Hesse wiebke@step-3.com +++++ ARCHIE & HIS FRIENDS VISIT THE ONLY COMIC SHOP LOCATED IN A U.S. PUBLIC LIBRARY! This October, Archie Comics is pleased to present a very special story in the pages of ARCHIE #570. In the past, the cause of public libraries has been championed in several stories, particularly those that spotlighted the Los Angeles Library's special "Teen 'Scape" section. Archie and his friends have also spent plenty of time in real life comic shops and real comic conventions in various special issues. Now, those two special worlds come together as Archie and his friends travel to Salt Lake City, Utah and visit the famous "City Library." Within the library's walls is Night Flight Comics, the only comic shop actually housed within a U.S. public library! In the story, "The City Library", the Riverdale High students meet Night Flight manager and co-owner Mimi Cruz, library director Nancy Tessman and other real life folks who teach them the importance of literature and all the arts in their state-of- the-art, multimedia facility! The teens' creative juices really start flowing as they are exposed to much stimulating literature, art and technology. Don't miss this very special issue that is sure to take its place among the other famous Archie stories spotlighting real life places! ARCHIE #570, ships 10/4. 32-page, full color comic, $2.25 US. SCRIPT: George Gladir. ART: Stan Goldberg. For more about Archie and his friends go to www.archiecomic.com +++++ DEADWORLD BRINGS DEAD-KILLER TO LIFE Popular comic series features graphic novel on a hunter of the dead. July 1, 2006 (Ann Arbor, MI) Deadworld, the long running comic series featuring world overrun with zombies is currently being published by Image Comics, one of the top four comic publisher in the U.S. Now, in addition to the regular series, a graphic novel spotlighting the Dead-Killer character will be released in September, 2006. Written by Gary Reed, Deadworld is the saga of human survivors where the dead not only walk the earth, but are led by an intelligent zombie, the sarcastic and cruel, King Zombie. King Zombie, a chain-smoking, Harley-riding, talking zombie is on a mission...to turn the world completely dead. The storyline centers of a group of teens riding in their school bus and trying to survive. The original series was released by Caliber Comics with some of the earliest issues from Arrow Comics. The character known as the Dead-Killer first appeared in the first volume as a back up story before spinning into his own three issue mini-series. Now, all of the Dead Killer's appearances in the back up and mini- series will be collected into the trade paperback. "The Dead- Killer has proven to be one of the most popular characters in Deadworld," said writer Gary Reed, " and we figured this was a good time to release the trade as starting with issue seven of Deadworld, the story will bring the Dead-Killer into quite a more prominent role." The artist on The Dead-Killer is Ron McCain who may be known to comic fans for his work on Batman: Dark Knight for DC and Daredevil for Marvel. Reed explained that McCain has a different style than the regular artist of Deadworld, Dalibor Talajic, "but they're both excellent artists, just different styles," he said. Reed said that Deadworld has been well received since he brought it back last year after a hiatus. "I put it in hibernation when it was signed up to Warner Bros by George Clooney's company, but after I turned down the renewal option, I figured it was time to relaunch the series and keep it true to what it was," said Reed. Although no movie deal is currently pending, Deadworld is still active with a recent announcement that Shocker Toys will produce action figures on the characters, Rotten Cotton Graphics has produced t-shirts for mass market distribution, a Halloween mask company will make masks of King Zombie, and a novel is near completion by Gary Reed and co-writer, Gary Francis of Young Dracula fame. Deadworld ships bi-monthly from Image. The trade of Deadworld: Dead-Killer ships in September. The ISBN for the book is 1582406545 and the order number from Diamond Comics is JUL061680 and the 120 page graphic novel retails for $14.99 For any further information or any graphics, contact deadworldcomic@aol.com For more information on Deadworld, go to www.deadworld.info For more information on Gary Reed, go to www.garyreed.net DEADWORLD... Death is just the beginning of the horror +++++ George Gladir joins "Cartoonists Across America" Come to the San Bernardino Public Library and Meet Archie Comics writer and creator of Sabrina the Teen Aged Witch George Gladir George Gladir will be participating in "Cartoonists Across America" World famous artists helping the kids contribute to the creation of giant moving works of art for the city of San Bernardino. There will be fun for the whole family with live entertainment and food! There will be performances by local bands as well as appearances by The 66'ers dancers and mascot. There will also be local celebrities and other VIPs and a remote broadcast by KOLA Radio. Lead artists Phil Yeh and Klaus Leven will be joined by George Gladir, creator of Sabrina the Teenage Witch and writer of Archie; Phil Ortiz "The Simpsons" cartoonist; Matt Lorentz, artist for Tony Hawk and No Fear, Jim Gilbert, the host of Cartoon Factory, and others. CARTOONISTS ACROSS AMERICA, an official partner with The Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, has spent the last 21 years traveling all over the world promoting reading and the arts to all ages. The 2006 tour will promote the slogan, "Building A World of Readers, Artists, and Dreamers" in celebration of their 2006-2010 world tour. George Gladir will be at the San Bernardino Public Library Saturday July 15th From 11:00 am until 5:00 pm San Bernardino Public Library 555 West 6th Street San Bernardino, CA 91410 (909) 381-8236 For more information contact Linda Adams at the San Bernardino Public Library Through out the summer also see these Archie Comics Creators COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL, SAN DIEGO July 20 - 23 Craig Boldman Tania del Rio George Gladir Rich Koslowski Andrew Pepoy WIZARD WORLD. CHICAGO August 3 - 6 Rich Koslowski Andrew Pepoy ORLANDO CON, ORLANDO August 19 - 20 Ben Hunzeker DRAGON CON, ATLANTA September 1-4 Ben Hunzeker SMALL PRESS EXPO (SPX) October 13-14 Rich Koslowski For more about Archie and his friends go to www.archiecomic.com +++++ Top Cow's Compendiums Deliver Bang For the Buck 1200-Page Volumes Listed as Deadly Weapons in Six States Top Cow Productions is giving readers ultimate value and great reading for the bookshelf with its new Compendium editions. The massive, 1248-page volumes will encapsulate years of great story and art in hardcover collections at the bargain price of only $49.99. The Compendium line launches in August, as The Witchblade Compendium, Vol. 1 hits stores. Top Cow's acclaimed Witchblade #1-#50 get the deluxe treatment. The origin of Sara Pezzini, Witchblade-bearer, is revealed here, along with 50 issues of great stories by top-notch talent such as David Wohl, Christina Z., Paul Jenkins, Michael Turner and Marc Silvestri. One month later, The Tomb Raider Compendium will raid stores in September. Dan Jurgens, Andy Park, Michael Turner, Tony Daniel and many more outstanding creators pack 50 issues worth of action into this volume, with tales of Tomb Raider Lara Croft. And in advance of February, 2007's "Darkness" video game release, The Darkness Compendium will hit in October. Supernatural mafia hitman Jackie Estacado oozes blood and power in tales told by Garth Ennis, Paul Jenkins, Marc Silvestri, Joe Benitez and more. "We're very proud of our history at Top Cow, just as we're proud of how these great books will tie in with our immediate future," said Top Cow founder Marc Silvestri. "Big things are happening with massive changes in Witchblade #100, this year marks new adventures for Tomb Raider, and the Darkness video game will spawn an all-new comic in 2007. These great book allow readers to catch up on all the action at a great value price." +++++ PANINI AND MAURICIO DE SOUSA Official Press Release The Panini Group is pleased to announce that it has signed a contract with Mauricio de Sousa, Brazil's top comic book artist, creator of the best selling TURMA DA MONICA (MONICA'S GANG) comics, to become its exclusive publisher for comic books, comic magazines, graphic novels, coloring and activity books, trading cards, sticker collections and many more publishing products, for the territories of Brazil and Portugal. Thanks to this agreement, Panini Brazil becomes the country's largest children publisher, and one of the most important in the global Latin American market. Sara Mattioli Press Office Panini Comics e-mail to: smattioli@panini.it +++++ Soulsearchers and Company #78 Claypool Comics' Soulsearchers and Company #78, scheduled to ship to comics shops on July 12, will instead be delayed one month and will ship on August 9. Claypool had announced that glitches in the production of the book caused the delay, which is not the fault of the book's creative team or its distributors. The delay will not affect the schedule of the following issue, which will ship in late August. "We're modernizing some of our production procedures," explains Claypool editor Richard Howell, "and some problems delayed this issue, shifting it into being fully late. It's unfortunate, but we want to emphasize that the series is not cancelled. For anyone who is disappointed that it's not being released strictly two months after the previous issue, we apologize, but there's no plot to keep Soulsearchers off the stands. The series is continuing. "Retailers should be aware that if #79 comes in and they still have a few more copies of #78 that haven't sold yet, it isn't because the readership is eroding. It's simply because there'll be a shorter amount of time between the release dates of these two issues." Soulsearchers and Company, created by Peter David and Richard Howell, is a comedy-adventure series about a group of super- powered supernatural investigators. In Soulsearchers #78 -- scripted by Peter David, penciled by Joe Staton, and inked by Al Milgrom, under a cover by Amanda Conner and Steve Leialoha -- the Soulsearchers go sleuthing to find if a mayor's vanished wife is really dead in "The (Private) Eyes of Lara Lamar!" Claypool Comics (www.claypoolcomics.com), a leading independent publisher of humor and horror, is known as "the publisher of hidden treasures." +++++ STAMP OF APPROVAL: MUSEUM OF COMIC AND CARTOON ART (MoCCA) CELEBRATES DC SUPER HERO STAMPS NEW YORK (July 5, 2006) - What does the Green Lantern have in common with Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, Jackie Robinson, Benjamin Franklin, and the Statue of Liberty? Each has been honored on an official United States postage stamp! On July 27, the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art (MoCCA) joins with the U.S. Postal Service and DC Comics in hosting a Dedication Ceremony at the museum (594 Broadway, Suite 401, New York City) to celebrate the issuance of a series of twenty colorful U.S. postage stamps featuring DC Comics characters Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Arrow, Flash, Plastic Man, Aquaman, Supergirl, Hawkman and Green Lantern. Along with officials from the U.S. Postal Service and from DC Comics, many well-known DC comic book artists have been invited to participate. Expected attendees at this special ceremony include Joe Giella, Rich Buckler - both of whom created artworks that appear on these new stamps -- as well as several other Golden, Silver, and modern day comics artists. The ceremony at the museum will begin at 10:30am. This event is open (free) to the press and public. Following the ceremony, a special one-day-only pictorial cancellation will be available. # # # The Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art (MoCCA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts education organization dedicated to the preservation, study and display of all forms of comic and cartoon art. The museum promotes greater understanding and appreciation of the artistic, cultural and historical significance of comic and cartoon art through a variety of events, exhibitions, and educational programs. The museum is located at 594 Broadway (between Houston and Prince Streets) in New York City. MoCCA exhibits are generally open to the public on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays from 12:00-5:00 pm. General admission to the museum is $3 but free for MoCCA Members as well as children 12 and under. For more information about the museum or specific MoCCA events, exhibitions and programs, visit the museum's Website (www.moccany.org) or their page on My Space (http://www.myspace.com/moccany). John McCarthy Communications Director Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art 594 Broadway, Suite 401 New York, NY 10012 212-254-3511 www.moccany.org +++++ From Jim McCann at Marvel Comics http://www.marvel.com Enter: Taskmaster in Moon Knight #4 He's a deadly mercenary with photographic reflexes that allow him to perfect any movement he sees. He's Taskmaster and he's been hired to make Marc Spector's return to crime-fighting a short one in Moon Knight #4. Plus, who is the shadowy organization that has been watching Marc Spector? They know his strengths, his weaknesses, and exactly what to do to put him over the edge. But how much further can a man at the bottom be pushed before he pushes back? Moon Knight's battle with Bushmaster in Moon Knight #2 raised the bar for how gruesome a fight can be. Well, wait until you see Taskmaster take on Moon Knight because you haven't seen anything yet. Pick up Moon Knight #4 as "The Bottom" continues with Moon Knight either returning to his former glory or descending further into madness when a close friend is beaten nearly to death. MOON KNIGHT #4 (MAY061992) Written by CHARLIE HUSTON Pencils & Cover by DAVID FINCH 32 PGS./Rated T+ ...$2.99 FOC - 7/6, On Sale - 7/26/2006 MOON KNIGHT #1 DIRECTOR'S CUT (MAR062107) Written by CHARLIE HUSTON Pencils & Cover by DAVID FINCH 32 PGS./Rated T+ ...$3.99 On Sale Now ESSENTIAL MOON KNIGHT VOL. 1 TPB (DEC052083) Written by DOUG MOENCH, BILL MANTLO, STEVEN GRANT & FRANK MILLER Penciled by DON PERLIN, MIKE ZECK, JIM MOONEY, JIM CRAIG, PABLO MARCUS, GENE COLAN, KEITH POLLARD, BILL SIENKIEWICZ, HERB TRIMPE & MIKE ESPOSITO Cover by BILL SIENKIEWICZ 528 PGS./RATED T+ ...$16.99 On Sale Now Marvel Zombies HC Collects Gory Fan-Favorite Mini-Series The incredibly successful Marvel Zombies mini-series is now being collected in an oversized hardcover featuring an all- new cover by breakout sensation Arthur Suydam. The cover to the HC features an all-new zombie homage to the cover of Secret Wars #1. Marvel Zombies HC collects all five issues of the widely praised mini-series along with a host of extras. The oversized treatment includes every cover that graced a Marvel Zombies issue, including the variant covers of the multiple back-to-press issues along with the covers of the classic issues those covers pay homage to. Robert Kirkman and Sean Phillips took this spin-off of Ultimate Fantastic Four where Earth was devastated by super- powered zombies and carried it to unexpected heights. Not only did Marvel Zombies wow fans, but the critics became fans themselves. Don MacPherson of TheFourthRail.com says, "Marvel Zombies is a guilty-pleasure comic book for fans of both the super-hero and undead horror genres." The ComicFanatic.com calls Marvel Zombies "a perfect mesh of horror and superheroics." Troy Brownfield of Newsarama.com calls it, "A fun spin around the graveyard in mighty Marvel fashion." For a mighty Marvel story with an undead twist, pick up the Marvel Zombies HC with tons of extras including every popular Marvel Zombies cover. MARVEL ZOMBIES HC (JUN062005) Penciled by SEAN PHILLIPS New Cover by ARTHUR SUYDAM 136 PGS./Parental Advisory ...$19.99 FOC - 7/6, On Sale - 8/9/2006 Civil War Daily Bugle Special Features Exclusive J. Jonah Jameson Editorial Looking for fair, unbiased coverage of the Civil War? Look no further than that beacon of journalistic integrity, the Daily Bugle, as they bring to you the Daily Bugle Civil War Newspaper Special. Heroes are battling heroes and the Daily Bugle is your only source for the in-depth coverage and exclusives you have come to expect from the metropolitan area's best paper. Plus, this edition also features a very special editorial by the heart and soul of the Bugle, J. Jonah Jameson. Peter Parker, former Daily Bugle photographer, has been revealed to be the wall-crawling menace Spider-Man. Pick up this special edition for JJJ's response to unwittingly employing one of New York's most dangerous vigilantes. The Daily Bugle Civil War Special features the stunning art of Mike Mayhew as well as articles from ace reporters including J. Michael Straczynski, Peter David, Dan Slott, Zeb Wells, and other Pulitzer Prize worthy talents. For Civil War secrets that you can't find anywhere else, pick up the Daily Bugle Civil War Newspaper Special. The Bugle is your only source for the exclusive Civil War story - and art. DAILY BUGLE: CIVIL WAR SPECIAL EDITION (MAY061959) Written by PETER DAVID, J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI & VARIOUS Art & Cover by MIKE MAYHEW 12 PGS./ Rated T+ ...$0.50 FOC - 6/29, On Sale - 7/19/2006 Civil War Tie-Ins Go Back to Press with New Variant Covers Civil War tie-ins have been just as popular as the main event itself. As a result of the massive response to these now sold out titles, Marvel is going back to press on New Avengers: Illuminati Special, Wolverine #42, Amazing Spider-Man #532, Thunderbolts #103, and She-Hulk #8. Featuring a special variant cover scheme running across three of the back-to-presses, New Avengers: Illuminati Special, Wolverine #42, and Amazing Spider-Man #532 will lose the standard Civil War banner and feature an iconic image from the interior of each specific book. For instance, the New Avengers: Illuminati Special Second Printing will feature a cover of the now iconic Alex Maleev image of Tony Stark sitting alone after the Illuminati have broken apart. The second printing variants of Thunderbolts #103 and She-Hulk #8 will feature all-new covers by Mark Bagley and Juan Bobillo respectively. It's a variant blast from the past as former Thunderbolts artist Mark Bagley and former She-Hulk artist Juan Bobillo knock out two fantastic covers for books they used to call home. Note: the sketches shown here are not the final covers as they will be in full color. (And for you Sensational She Hulk fans, the Green Goddess will be saying "Okay, now. This is your second chance. If you don't buy my book this time, I'm gonna come to your house and rip up all your Civil War variants") Despite large overprintings, all five of these books have sold out as a result of new readers and the return of old readers to comic shops to read Civil War. Civil War is proving to be one of the biggest events in Marvel's history so don't miss out on these fantastic second printing variants of New Avengers: Illuminati Special, Wolverine #42, Amazing Spider-Man #532, Thunderbolts #103, and She-Hulk #8, and don't forget Civil War #2 Spider-Man Unmasked Variant! Fans be advised that some of the first printings may still be available at the retail level. Retailers should check their orders now on all upcoming Civil War issues and tie ins. NEW AVENGERS ILLUMINATI SPECIAL SECOND PRINTING VARIANT (MAY068089) Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS Pencils and Cover by ALEX MALEEV 48 PGS./Rated A ...$3.99 FOC - 6/29, On Sale - 7/19/2006 WOLVERINE #42 SECOND PRINTING VARIANT (MAY068092) Written by MARC GUGGENHEIM Pencils & Cover by HUMBERTO RAMOS 32 PGS./Parental Advisory ...$2.99 FOC - 6/29, On Sale - 7/19/2006 SHE-HULK #8 SECOND PRINTING VARIANT (MAY068090) Written by DAN SLOTT Penciled by PAUL SMITH Cover by JUAN BOBILLO 32 PGS./Rated A ...$2.99 FOC - 6/29, On Sale - 7/19/2006 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #532 SECOND PRINTING VARIANT (MAY068096) Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI Pencils & Cover by RON GARNEY 32 PGS./Rated T+ ...$2.99 FOC - 6/29, On Sale - 7/19/2006 THUNDERBOLTS #103 SECOND PRINTING VARIANT (MAY068091) Written by FABIAN NICIEZA Pencils by TOM GRUMMETT Cover by MARK BAGLEY 32 PGS./Rated A ...$2.99 FOC - 6/29, On Sale - 7/19/2006 Wolverine: Origins #5 Two Covers Revealed Marvel has released the two covers to Wolverine: Origins #5 which will be released in a 50/50 split. The first cover is by regular Wolverine: Origins cover artist Joe Quesada and the other cover is by Squadron Supreme's Gary Frank. It doesn't stop with these awesome covers for Wolverine: Origins #5 as Captain America and the X-Men guest-start in the conclusion to "Born In Blood." Plus, a mind-blowing revelation about Logan's past that will have everyone talking. WOLVERINE: ORIGINS #5 (JUN061999) WRITTEN BY DANIEL WAY PENCILED BY STEVE DILLON COVER BY JOE QUESADA VARIANT COVER BY GARY FRANK "BORN IN BLOOD" It's Logan vs. Captain America vs. the X-Men in a super-charged standoff that will end with a revelation that will utterly and completely blow both Logan's and readers' minds. Do NOT miss out on this issue! Part 5 (of 5). 32 PGS./Parental Advisory ...$2.99 FOC - 7/20, On Sale - 8/9/2006 Giant-Size Hulk #1 Sells Out as Planet Hulk Continues to Roll Giant-Size Hulk #1 has sold out at Diamond as "Planet Hulk" and all things Hulk continue to sizzle among fandom. J. Caleb Mozzocco of Newsarama says, "Marvel's "Giant-Size" format is the perfect one for Hulk stories-a character this big demands a big book, and, at 74 full-color story pages, Giant-Size Hulk #1 certainly fits the bill...with some great Hulk stories." Brian Ewing of IGN.com calls it a "must have...looking at the entire package as a whole, it's a no-brainer." Featuring two all-new stories by Peter David and Greg Pak, one a Hulk-Champions flashback and a Planet Hulk interlude, along with a reprint of the popular Hulk: The End by Peter David, Giant-Size Hulk #1 delivered great Hulk stories all in one mind-blowing issue. Be sure to pick up the next issue of the Planet Hulk saga in Incredible Hulk #96 as the next act of the Jade Giant's epic begins, continuing from the events seen in Giant-Size Hulk #1. Fans should note that some copies may still be available at the retail level. For a detailed bio of the Hulk, visit http://www.marvel.com/universe/Hulk INCREDIBLE HULK #97 (JUN061965) Written by GREG PAK Penciled by AARON LOPRESTI Cover by LADRONN 32 PGS./Rated A ...$2.99 FOC - 7/20, On Sale - 8/9/2006 Neil Gaiman Marvel Spotlight Features Exclusive Tori Amos Interview Neil Gaiman, the New York Times best-selling author currently garnering massive amounts of critical praise for his latest comics work The Eternals, is taking center stage in the newest issue of Marvel Spotlight. And it features an exclusive interview with world famous singer/songwriter Tori Amos who dishes to Marvel Spotlight about her long-standing friendship and admiration for the writer of Marvel 1602 and Sandman. Tori Amos established a friendship with Neil Gaiman before her album Little Earthquakes made a seismic shock through the world of alternative music. Pick up the next issue of Marvel Spotlight to learn how Gaiman acted as a type of spiritual mentor and confidante to her, how they have referenced each other in their past works, and their hopes to collaborate in the future. Plus, Marvel Spotlight features an in-depth interview with the man himself, Neil Gaiman, on his plans for The Eternals as well as his feelings on the creator of the Eternals, Jack Kirby. And there is a Guide to the Eternals that tells you everything you need to know, and then some, about the Kirby-created characters. And that's only half the issue as it features long-standing X- artist Salvador Larroca in his first extensive interview in Spanish on his Marvel work that has been translated into English. Read how the artist of X-Men has enjoyed working on one of the greatest titles in comics as well as his future plans, including the upcoming Newuniversal with Warren Ellis. Marvel Spotlight: Neil Gaiman/Salvador Larroca is 32 pages of jam-packed content with no ads. It is extensive interviews and a look behind the scenes of your favorite creators that you cannot afford to pass up. MARVEL SPOTLIGHT: NEIL GAIMAN/SALVADOR LARROCA (APR062046) Written by JOHN RHETT THOMAS 32 PGS./NO ADS/Rated T+ ...$2.99 On Sale Now Civil War Cease Fire as Black Panther and Storm Wed? Civil War has been tearing its way through the Marvel Universe as America has passed a Superhuman Registration Act, but will the fighting carry over to Wakanda when heroes on both sides of the conflict attend the royal wedding of the Black Panther and Storm in Black Panther #18. Regale at the most royal Marvel wedding ever as Shawn Dudley, the Emmy-Award winning Costume Designer for TV's Guiding Light, has designed Ororo's Wedding Dress. Eisner-Award nominated artist Frank Cho provides a memorable wraparound cover while fan-favorite Michael Turner delivers a spectacular variant cover featuring Storm and Kaare Andrews provides guest pencils for the wedding ritual pages. You've seen their mutual past revealed and their relationship grow, now watch as T'Challa and Ororo consummate their love in the bonds of holy matrimony. But will Captain America and Iron Man ruin their special day with an epic Civil War battle? Don't miss Black Panther #18 for a very special Civil War tie-in as Storm and the Black Panther take a very important step in their lives in front of Captain America, Iron Man, the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, and a host of other Marvel heroes. BLACK PANTHER #18 (MAY061955) Written by Reginald Hudlin Penciled by Scot Eaton Cover by FRANK CHO 48 PGS./Rated T+ ...$3.99 FOC - 4/27, On Sale 5/17/2006 BLACK PANTHER #18 TURNER VARIANT (MAY061956) Written by Reginald Hudlin Penciled by Scot Eaton Cover by MICHAEL TURNER 48 PGS./Rated T+ ...$3.99 FOC - 4/27, On Sale 5/17/2006 New Zombie Variant for Ultimate Fantastic Four #32 Mark Millar and Greg Land are ending their titanic year- long run in Ultimate Fantastic Four #32 and Arthur Suydam is contributing an all-new zombie variant cover as the Millar/Land run comes full-circle...with blood-thirsty super-zombies. Suydam, the artist behind the popular Marvel Zombies cover, takes the classic cover to Fantastic Four #8 and twists it into an all-new Zombie-themed version of the cover. This is the final battle between the Ultimate Fantastic Four and their zombie counterparts from an apocalyptic earth as "Frightful" concludes. Everything from "Crossover," "Tomb of Namor," and "President Thor" all gets tied up here along with the hit Marvel Zombies mini-series. The end of "Frightful" is even enough to make George Romero lose his lunch. Pick up Ultimate Fantastic Four #32 for more Ultimate action and zombie gore and don't forget about the all-new Arthur Suydam zombie variant. ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR #32 (MAY061939) Written by Mark Millar Pencils & Cover by Greg Land 32 PGS./Rated A ...$2.99 FOC - 7/20, On Sale - 8/9/2006 ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR #32 SUYDAM ZOMBIE VARIANT (MAY061939) Written by Mark Millar Pencils by Greg Land Variant Cover by Arthr Suydam 32 PGS./Rated A ...$2.99 FOC - 7/20, On Sale - 8/9/2006 The Runaways Say Goodbye to a Friend in Runaways #18 Get your tissues ready as the Runaways say goodbye to a beloved friend when "Parental Guidance" concludes in Runaways #18. It's the Runaways' final confrontation with the all-new Pride as the young heroes deal with the loss of one of their own. Pick up Runaways #18 for the most heart-wrenching comic of the year. If you haven't been reading Runaways, this issue will make you a fan for life. RUNAWAYS #18 (MAY061996) Written by BRIAN VAUGHAN Penciled by ADRIAN ALPHONA Cover by MARCOS MARTIN 32 PGS./Rated T+ ...$2.99 On Sale - July 19, 2006 Civil War Podcast with Zeb Wells and David Hine Now on Marvel.com David Hine and Zeb Wells sat down recently to record a Marvel podcast discussing their two Civil War mini-series Civil War: X-Men and Civil War: Young Avengers and Runaways and both up-and-coming writers could not be more excited to be a part of possibly Marvel's biggest event ever. Click here http://www.marvel.com/rss/podcasts/Civil_War_YA_Runaways_Xmen.mp3 to listen now! Hine and Wells discuss everything from picking the X-Men roster for Civil War: X-Men to how the spotlight was divided up to feature all the members of the two teen teams, the Runaways and the Young Avengers. Visit Marvel.com right now and listen to the exclusive podcast to learn what parts your favorite heroes will play in Civil War. CIVIL WAR: YOUNG AVENGERS & RUNAWAYS #1 (of 4) (MAY061963) Written by ZEB WELLS Penciled by STEFANO CASELLI Cover by JIM CHEUNG 32 PGS./Rated T+ ...$2.99 FOC -7/6, On Sale - 7/26/2006 +++++ From THE PULSE by Heidi MacDonald and Jennifer Contino at: http://www.comicon.com/pulse/ DC COMICS FINALIZES PLANS FOR COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL: SAN DIEGO 2006! Beginning the evening of Wednesday, July 19, DC Comics staff and freelance talent will be on the West Coast for Comic-Con International: San Diego 2006! As always, DC will bring guests to the convention, sponsor panels and much more! DC's special guests scheduled to be in San Diego include: *Mark Buckingham (FABLES) *Kurt Busiek (ACTION COMICS, AQUAMAN: SWORD OF ATLANTIS, ASTRO CITY, SUPERMAN) *Terry Dodson (WONDER WOMAN) *Geoff Johns (52, GREEN LANTERN, INFINITE CRISIS, TEEN TITANS) *J.G. Jones (52) *Adam Kubert (ACTION COMICS; through Saturday morning only) *Jim Lee (ALL STAR BATMAN AND ROBIN, THE BOY WONDER, WILDCATS) *Jonathan Matthews (DC Direct sculptor) *Ivan Reis (GREEN LANTERN) *Darick Robertson (THE BOYS) *Greg Rucka (52, CHECKMATE) *Douglas Rushkoff (TESTAMENT) *Steven T. Seagle (AMERICAN VIRGIN) *Gail Simone (THE ALL-NEW ATOM, BIRDS OF PREY, GEN13, TRANQUILITY) *Bill Willingham (FABLES, JACK OF FABLES, SHADOWPACT) *Judd Winick (GREEN ARROW, OUTSIDERS) Other notable DC talent scheduled to be at the show includes: * Arthur Adams (TOM STRONG'S TERRIFIC TALES) * Tony Akins (JACK OF FABLES) * Adam Beechen (ROBIN) * Lee Bermejo (HELLBLAZER) * Danny Bilson (THE FLASH: THE FASTEST MAN ALIVE) * Brian Bolland (FABLES: 1001 NIGHTS OF SNOWFALL) * Giuseppe Camuncoli (CAPTAIN ATOM: ARMAGEDDON) * Matthew Clark (OUTSIDERS) * Becky Cloonan (AMERICAN VIRGIN) * Paul DeMeo (THE FLASH: THE FASTEST MAN ALIVE) * Paul Dini (DETECTIVE COMICS) * Fred Gallagher (MEGATOKYO) * Ale Garza (SKYE RUNNER) * Patrick Gleason (GREEN LANTERN CORPS) * Dean Haspiel (THE QUITTER, AMERICAN SPLENDOR) * Allan Heinberg (WONDER WOMAN) * Gilbert Hernandez (SLOTH) * David Lapham (BATMAN) * John McCrea (HITMAN) * Tara McPherson (FABLES: 1001 NIGHTS OF SNOWFALL) * Brad Meltzer (JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA, IDENTITY CRISIS) * Todd Nauck (52, TEEN TITANS GO!) * George Perez (JSA) * Wendy and Richard Pini (ELFQUEST) * Howard Porter (THE TRIALS OF SHAZAM) * Brian K. Vaughan (EX MACHINA, Y: THE LAST MAN) * Mark Waid (52, SUPERGIRL AND THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES) * Brad Walker (SECRET SIX) * Freddie Williams II (ROBIN) * J.H. Williams III (BATMAN, SEVEN SOLDIERS) Led by President & Publisher Paul Levitz, DC Comics will be in San Diego in force, with staff members from across the company. Editorial staff attending the show include Senior VP -Executive Editor, DCU Dan DiDio; VP -Executive Editor, Vertigo Karen Berger; Executive Editor, WildStorm Scott Dunbier; Group Editors Eddie Berganza, Shelly Bond, Mike Carlin and Bob Schreck; Senior Editors Joey Cavalieri, Matt Idelson and Peter Tomasi; and Editors Ben Abernathy, Jim Chadwick, Joan Hilty, Jonathan Vankin and Stephen Wacker. From the DCU, Editorial Art Director Mark Chiarello will be on hand, as will Coordinating Editor Jann Jones. From DC's La Jolla offices, WildStorm VP -General Manager Hank Kanalz will be there, along with CMX Director of Manga Asako Suzuki. DC Direct will be represented in San Diego by VP -Design & DC Direct Creative Georg Brewer, VP -Business Development Jeff Trojan, Director -Product Management Syndee Barwick, Senior Art Director Jim Fletcher and Associate Art Director Shawn Knapp. From DC's Creative Services Department, Senior VP -Creative Director Richard Bruning will be at the convention, along with Director -Creative Services Ron Perazza and Manager -DC Online Dave McCullough. Executive VP -Finance & Operations Patrick Caldon is scheduled to attend the convention, as are members of DC's Editorial Administration department including VP -Managing Editor Terri Cunningham, Executive Director -Editorial Administration Jack Mahan and Manager -Editorial Administration Leon Avelino. Also at the convention will be Senior VP & General Counsel Lillian Laserson and Senior VP -Business & Legal Affairs Paula Lowitt. Senior VP -Brand Management Cheryl Rubin will be in San Diego on behalf of DC's Licensing department, as will Executive Creative Director -Licensing David Erwin and Manager -Licensing Kevin Kiniry. Senior VP -Creative Affairs Gregory Noveck will be at the show, as will VP -Business Development John Nee, Group Editor -Licensed Publishing Steve Korte and MAD Senior Editor Jonathan Bresman. From DC's Advertising Sales department, National Sales Director - Advertising & Custom Publishing Kerry Hughes will be in attendance, as will Managers -Advertising & Custom Publishing Kris Longo and Lisa Mills and Sales Manager of Advertising & Custom Publishing Jason Stroot. In addition, Director of Purchasing Thomas DiMascio is scheduled to be at convention. DC's Sales & Marketing staff will be represented by Senior VP - Sales & Marketing Stephanie Fierman, VP -Marketing John Cunningham, VP -Sales Bob Wayne, Manager -Events & Retailer Services Fletcher Chu-Fong, Manager -Marketing Matt Keller, Manager -Direct Sales Vince Letterio, Manager -Marketing Communications Adam Philips, Administrator -Direct Sales Stuart Schreck, Representative -Events & Retailer Services Rex Ogle and Coordinator -Book Trade Sales Jenna Sices. From DC's Publicity team, look for Director of Publicity David Hyde, Publicity Manager Alex Segura and Publicity Coordinator Sierra Hahn. Look for an announcement on DC's panels and giveaways at the convention coming soon. For more on Comic-Con International: San Diego 2006, visit http://www.comic-con.org/index.php 24 HOUR COMIC SITES ANNOUNCED With three months to go before October 7th's 24 Hour Comics Day, the organizers have announced forty-two sites in seven countries where cartoonists will gather to take the 24 Hour Comics challenge. Each participating cartoonist, amateur and pro alike, will try to create a 24 page comic book story in 24 straight hours. 24 Hour Comics Day organizer Nat Gertler made these suggestions: "Interested in participating at an event? Contact the shop ahead of time. Most locations are open to additional participants, but they don't have infinite space. Additional locations are being added to the list all the time; we are in the midst of applications from sites in other areas, other states, other countries not listed here. If you don't find a local site listed here, head over to 24HourComics.com for the latest updated list. And if you still don't see a local site, arrange for one! Most of the event hosts are comics shops, but almost any existing organization or establishment can be a host. Already approved hosts and folks placing inquiries include school groups, a bar and grill, libraries, comic clubs, and even a mixed office-and- retail building. Details on hosting an event are also at the 24HourComics.com site." Canada: * Alberta: Happy Harbor Comics & Toys in Edmonton * British Columbia: Elfsar Comics & Toys in Vancouver * Ontario: Gemini Jetpack in Waterloo Finland: Bukra Kirjakauppa in Tampere Greece: Location to be announced. Hosted by Comicworld, Athens Luxembourg: Location to be announced, organized by Kenn Sebesta The Netherlands: Lambiek comicstore in Amsterdam Portugal: Livraria Setima Dimensao in Madeira United States: * Alabama: Kingdom Comics in Vestavia Hills * California: Brave New World in Newhall; The Comic Bug in Manhattan Beach; Comickaze in San Diego; Knightly Games in El Centro; Waterfront Comics in Suisun * Florida: The Acme Superstore in Longwood; Pop Comics and Games in Sarasota * Georgia: Bunjee's Comics in McDonough * Illinois: Stickney-Forest View Public Library District in Stickney * Indiana: Comic Quest in Evansville; Reader Copies in Anderson * Kentucky: Coolector'$ Mall in Owensboro * Maine: Casablanca Comics, in Portland * Massachusetts: Comicopia in Boston; Modern Myths in Northampton; That's Entertainment in Worcester * Michigan: Green Brain Comics in Dearborn * Missouri: Quinlan Keep in Columbia * New Jersey: BAD MOO Games and Collectibles in New Providence * North Carolina: Silver Bullet Comics in Winston Salem * Oklahoma: Atomic Comics in Oklahoma City; Speeding Bullet Comics & Ricochet Cafe in Norman * Oregon: Pacific Northwest College of Art in Portland * Pennsylvania: 517521 in Bellevue; Wade's Comic Madness in Levittown * Tennesee: Rick's Comic City in Nashville * Texas: Austin Books and Comics in Austin; Lone Star Comics in Arlington; Lone Star Comics in Dallas; Midnight Comics & Games in Houston; Super Happy Fun Land in Houston * Utah: Night Flight Comics in Salt Lake City * Wisconsin: House of Heroes in Oshkosh Complete address and contact information for each event location can be found at the 24HourComics.com site. 24 Hour Comics Day is an international festival of comics creation, now in its third year. Last year, more than 800 cartoonists took part, creating over 10,000 pages of comics. This year's Day is Saturday, October 7th. The rules allow events to start so long as its October7th somewhere in the world, and thus some locations may start their event on October 6th. The 24 hour comics challenge, for one person to create a 24 page story in 24 hours, was created by Scott McCloud, comicdom's leading theoretician and author of the upcoming book Making Comics. The international festival 24 Hour Comics Day is organized by the comics specialty publisher About Comics. +++++ From THE BEAT by Heidi McDonald at http://www.comicon.com/thebeat/ and now at: http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/ Jann Jones promoted at DC Jann Jones has just been named Coordinating Editor, DCU. After showing her mettle coordinating all the Infinite Crisis and One Year Later business as assistant to Dan DiDio, and assistant editing 52, we couldn't think of a better qualified person to keep the trolleys running. Congrats, Jann! The Beat is moving On Wednesday, July 5th, The Beat will be moving to a new home on the Publishers Weekly website. http://www.publishersweekly.com/ RBI has been adding some blogs to the web presence of their publishing group, but this is by far the biggest commitment to both blogging and comics/graphic novels that they've made, and it's pretty darned exciting. With the added resources, I'm hoping to take The Beat where no comics blog has gone before. We're still gussying up the new digs, so I'll post the new URL as soon as I have it. In this venture, I've had the full support of everyone at PW, from publisher William McGorry to EIC Sara Nelson and Associate Publisher Cevin Bryerman. And of course, Calvin Reid has been a tireless campaigner for both comics and me since I started working with PW 3 years ago. I couldn't have done it without him. I don't expect the content to change very much except that I should be able to make the improvements that I've had in mind since the beginning, such as the return of comments, categories and so on. There might be a little less Clive Owen and a little more full length interviews, but I think everyone can live with that. Of course, I couldn't make this announcement without thanking the Comicon team. Four years is a long time, and the changes in the internet, comics and comics on the internet in that time has been nothing short of breathtaking. When I started doing my mix of business news, cartoonists as celeb news and news of the odd, I was pretty much alone. Now, this kind of coverage is de rigeur at other sites. It's been fascinating to watch and even have a hand in its development. I want to thank Steve Conley and Jen Contino for all their help, support and friendship. I'll always be around if you need me, kids. I especially want to thank Ben Grimm himself, Rick Veitch. Four years ago I was facing the greatest crisis of my life, and Rick reached out a hand and helped me at least start to find out who I was meant to be all along. Rick is a great artist and a great friend, and I owe him a lot. I still haven't entirely figured out where I'm going, but I'm sure enjoying the journey, and I thank everyone who has been with me this far. Come along on the next leg of the trip -- things are just getting interesting. 07/4/06 THE BEAT HAS MOVED Our new URL can be found here. http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/ [There is no truth to the rumor that Heidi is being blamed for the end of the publishing run of CBEM and is being forced to move her blog because of it. It is just a coincidence. - D.L.] HOLLYWOODLAND trailer up 07/6/06 12:24 PM One of the more peripherally connected comics-type movies coming out this year is HOLLYWOODLAND, due in September, which stars Ben Affleck as George Reeves, the actor who once played Superman, whose controversial death continues to haunt Hollywood. Adrien Brody, Bob Hoskins, Joe Spano, Robin Tunney and Diane Lane also star - we remind you that since in real life Reeves girlfriend's ex-husband was a gangsterish studio head, it is required by law that Bob Hoskins appear in the film. Anyway, the trailer is up. Although the timing following SUPERMAN RETURNS release cannot be accidental, one notes that the Big Red S is not explicitly shown. http://movies.yahoo.com/feature/hollywoodland.html;_ylt=Apv.sP..w yrNUria1CBUq51fVXcA [I suggest you look at his one fans - I think it looks pretty good! - D.L.] +++++ From the Comics Continuum at http://www.comicscontinuum.com/: BLADE: THE SERIES UPDATE The premiere of Spike TV's Blade: The Series on Wednesday drew record ratings for the network with a 2.0 household rating and 2.5 million viewers, the highest premiere in network history for an original series. According to Spike TV, Blade: The Series was the No. 1entertainment show for the night with Men 18-34 and 18-49. Blade: The Series tallied triple-digit gains in all key male demos versus last year, including plus-517 percent in Men 18-34 (2.6 rating, 680,000 viewers), up plus-472 percent in Men 18-49 (2.2, 1.17 million), up 277 percent in viewers (2.5 million), and up 247 percent in household rating (2.0, 1.8 million). "We promised action and adventure with our first scripted series and really delivered," said Doug Herzog, president, Spike TV. "Our targeted audience of men came through for us with big numbers. Blade: The Series serves as a launch pad for future original scripted shows." In other Blade news: * Users of iTunes can download a free copy of the two-hour premiere through July 11. New episodes will be available for purchase on iTunes the day after their premiere on Spike TV. ASPEN COLLECTS SOULFIRE: DYING OF THE LIGHT Aspen Comics on Thursday announced details for its Soulfire: Dying of the Light trade paperback, due in in stores in September. The collected edition will include the mini-series with the #0 issue, as well as entirely new Dying of the Light Beginnings story, only available in the trade paperback. Also featured is a complete cover gallery featuring the art by Michael Turner and Peter Steigerwald. "The Dying of the Light mini-series was a great run for Aspen last year and we're excited to release the entire collected work in this format," said Frank Mastromauro, Aspen's executive vice president. "We really wanted to thank fans for the great support they showed the series, so we decided to include an entirely new story packaged with the trade." Written by J.T. Krul and featuring the artwork of Micah Gunnell, Soulfire: Dying of the Light was a spin-off of the regular Soulfire series and centered on a new cast of characters, along with regular series cast members Grace and the malevolent Rainier. Aspen plans to release the Dying of the Light trade paperback in September to coincide with the mini-series Soulfire: Chaos Reign by J.T. Krul and Marcus To. Both mini-series provide the essential history of the Soulfire universe and set the stage for the regular Soulfire series by Michael Turner and Peter Steigerwald. BRIEFLY * Smallville star Tom Welling, a big Boston Red Sox fan, threw out the first pitch at Thursday's Red Sox-New York Mets game at Fenway Park. Production on Season 6 of Smallville is expected to begin in about three weeks in Vancouver. "Reckoning" will be the Thursday, July 13 episode. * The WB will air the pilot episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel as part of its final night of programming on Sunday, Sept. 17. HEROES CON: DC NATION PANEL CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Marv Wolfman is the new writer of Nightwing with #125, DC Comics' Dan DiDio announced Friday at the DC Nation panel at Heroes Con. DiDio broke the panel's biggest news during the "lightning round" of questions. It was later learned that Dan Jurgens will be drawing an arc. In other notes from the panel: * DiDio said that he was able to get Jonah Hex back from the Vertigo office by basically trading Deadman for the character. * Writer Greg Rucka said that current events in the DCU were planned out nearly four years ago. "It does end somewhere and you guys are about halfway there," Rucka said. * Asked about where the Elongated Man story is heading in 52, Rucka said, "Nobody's going to see it coming." * DiDio said that trade paperback plans for 52 have not been finalized, but no collections will be released until after all 52 issues have been released. Due to the weekly pace, there will also be no second printings of any issues. "I love periodicals, I love comics," DiDio said, adding that any trade paperbacks released prior to the end of 52 would "weaken the potential of the series." * DiDio said there have been talks with writer Judd Winick about dealing with Jason Todd. * DiDio revealed that in the initial One Year Later pitch to Paul Levitz, the uncovered events would have been revealed in annuals. It was Levitz who suggested a weekly comic. * Breaking rank a bit, Rucka revealed that Grant Morrison is writing the Animal Man sequences in 52. He noted that Animal Man, Starfire and Adam Strange will be getting off the planet they are stranded on soon, and Animal Man's story has "one of the best endings" of 52. * DiDio said that the delayed Seven Soldiers will wrap up in October with Seven Soldiers #1. * Bart Allen being the Flash is part of the "generational" aspect of the character, DiDio said, noting that Wally West is "gone, but not forgotten." * DiDio said he liked the Son of Vulcan mini-series -- "It had an interesting twist to it" -- and the character could be showing up again soon. * DiDio said that he likes "the edge" to the recently resurrected Manhunter series and that the lawyer aspect of the character will be hit upon. Kate Spencer will be the only Manhunter under his watch, DiDio said. Asked about Captain Carrot after the recent appearance in Teen Titans, DiDio said there are no plans, although both Captain Carrot and Plop! have been talked about for Showcase treatment. * DiDio said the goal with the Batman Confidential and Superman Confidential books is to have stories that "make people feel they matter." * DiDio said he enjoyed Superman Returns and that it was like the first X-Men movie in that the characters weren't messed up and their potential was opened. "The scene in the stadium was worth the price of admission alone," DiDio said. As far as the big twist in the film, DiDio said that Levitz was involved from DC's end and that DC did not veto it. * DiDio hinted at a big event for Wonder Woman -- rumored to be called Attack of the Amazons -- that will increase her role in the DCU. "The goal for Wonder Woman is to make her as important as the other two (Batman and Superman) -- and we're on it," he said. * DiDio said Jeff Smith's Shazam! project will probably launch in either November or December. "It will be worth wait," he said. * DiDio said the Spectre-headlining Tales of the Unexpected will feature back-ups written by Brian Azzarello featuring obscure concepts as I, Vampire and Haunted Tank. HEROES CON: WARREN ELLIS PANEL CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Showcased in his own panel at Heroes Con on Friday, Warren Ellis said he should know the fate of his television pilot with AMC by the end of August. "I was contracted for a pilot script and if they like it, then they'll go to pre-production," Ellis said. Ellis said he was contacted by AMC through is agent and really didn't want to meet with the network's representatives. He said he only went because he wanted to visit the hotel in London where they were staying. Sending several ideas to the network, Ellis said AMC picked the one idea he didn't think could be done. Contractually, Ellis can't provide details about the half-hour pilot, other than it's been described as both "black comedy/science fiction" and "sf/entertainment-industry dramedy." He said the reason for non-disclosure is so that the concept can be duplicated by another network. Ellis has been down this road before, with a $4 million Global Frequency pilot that was shot for The WB, which eventually passed on it. "The things I could do with $4 million," Ellis said. In other notes from the panel: * Ellis' first novel, Crooked Little Vein, which he describes as a "weird detective story," will be released in hardcover by Harper Collins next year. * Despite the other media opportunities, Ellis said he remains committed to comic books. "Comics is the last place where you can do words and visuals without an outsider filter," he said. "It's absolutely pure. What I say is exactly what is on the printed page -- and I wouldn't give that up for anything." * Ellis said he doesn't have a specific regimen when it comes to script writing. "It's what you have on the day," he said. HEROES CON: JOE QUESADA PANEL CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Fresh off Marvel Comics' recent creative summit, editor-in-chief Joe Quesada staged a panel at Heroes Con, where he answered fan's questions. Following are some highlights: * Quesada said the main purpose of the summit was "to get all our ducks in a row" after the Civil War event. "I'm more thrilled about what happens after Civil War," he said, noting there will be new titles and news for December. * Quesada said that with Mike Carey, Robert Kirkman and Brian Michael Bendis at the summit, a lot of discussion was held about the Ultimate Universe. "And how to keep the quality high in the Ultimate line," Quesada said. * On Ultimates 4 -- by Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness -- being announced well before the first issue of Ultimates 3 has been solicited: "We wanted to get a head start. Jeph has a lot of good ideas." * Quesada reiterated that Spider-Man's public unmasking was cleared through all channels at Marvel and that the creators are careful not to cross a line where flagship characters are permanently damaged by events. "I had no idea it was going to be this big," he said of the reaction to Civil War #2. * Quesada noted that Marvel Adventures Spider-Man is the publisher's No. 1 title in terms of mail subscriptions. "It shows a lot of little kids and parents are digging it, and reading comic books," he said. * Asked about Neil Gaiman, Quesada said it was best -- due to the writer's other works -- to have Gaiman work on special projects, as opposed to an ongoing monthly. He said he feels Gaiman's Eternals will place the characters in a key position in the Marvel Universe "the way Jack Kirby intended them to be." * Despite reports of a new Spider-Girl title, Quesada remained coy about the character's future. "She may be showing up here and there," he said. * Asked about the Event Comics character Ash, Quesada said he had no plans, although at one point he talked to Kirkman about possibly using the character in Marvel Team-Up. * Regarding the public knowing Matt Murdock is Daredevil, Quesada said it was then-writer Bendis' intention to have no actual proof that he is Daredevil and that it was more a tabloid headline that really didn't impact the general public. * Quesada said he knows the next project for Civil War artist Steve McNiven, but he couldn't talk about it yet. * Would Marvel kill off Mary Jane Watson? "That would be a really sad funeral, wouldn't it?" Quesada said. * Quesada said that Chris Claremont continues to mend from his heart problems and "could be back at the keyboard soon." * Warpath will be "an emerging character" from Ed Brubaker's run on Uncanny X-Men, Quesada said. * Quesada said he still can't envision a Marvel Universe/Ultimate Universe crossover, saying it would permanently damage the Ultimate Universe. * Quesada said he thinks Venom works best as a villainous character, and with Spider-Man 3 due next summer, there could be Venom and Sandman mini-series. "We have a couple of ideas for Venom that would pump new life into him without damaging the character," Quesada said. * Because of Marvel's stronger publishing and trade paperback programs, Quesada said he feels the comics portion of Marvel doesn't have to follow Marvel's movies lock and step. * Quesada said that because of all the events coming out of Civil War, it's tough to launch new ideas for the Marvel Universe, although Dan Slott presented a project at the summit that looks like it's a go. * Quesada said that there's "a lot of crazy stuff going on with Iron Man" and he thinks the currently storylines will replace Tony Stark's struggle with alcoholism as a defining time for the character. HEROES CON: DC COMICS' 52 PANEL CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Jann Jones, assistant editor of the weekly 52 series, told the crowd at DC Comics' 52 panel at Heroes Con on Saturday that an impressive list of artists has been lined up for back-up features. Among those contributing will be Eric Powell, Brian Bolland, Adam Hughes, George Perez, Kevin Nowlan and Jones' husband, 52 cover artist J.G. Jones. As far as interiors go, DC's Dan DiDio said that having Keith Giffen doing breakdowns gives 52 a consistent look, despite whomever is penciling. "He can take so much information and put it out in a cohesive manner," DiDio said, noting that he didn't want a "jarring" issue-to-issue approach to the book despite the several pencilers. "I've been watching the art come in and we're not compromising anything to get this out on a weekly basis," Jann Jones added. Greg Rucka, one of the four 52 writers, noted that several additional artists have inquired about contributing to the project. "Some of them are quite surprising," Rucka said. "And I'm like, 'You're a big name? Why would you?'" DiDio said that cover artist Jones attends all the story meetings and sketches during the discussions. One of his sketches, of Detective Chimp, led to a new story angle -- one that DiDio noted conflicted with Shadowpact. And while DC won't do any 52 collections until the series is over -- nor has it announced any plans -- DiDio suggested that a coffee table book of Jones' story-telling covers with sketches might be a good post-52 project. In other notes from the panel: * DiDio broke down what he felt the writers of 52 brought to the table: Rucka, a sense of realism and a look at the DCU from the ground up; Geoff Johns, a sense of moving the characters forward to where they should go; Mark Waid, a sense of history and where characters have been; and Grant Morrison, who "is just way out there." Rucka added, "Grant has more good ideas in an afternoon than I do all year." * Rucka said that 52 is like a novel and should have a theme. In this case, he said the primary goal is to see "on the whole, how the DC Universe has changed." * The Resurrection Cult was not part of the original plan for the story, and Rucka said that it took over from Conner's sacrifice as the religious aspect intended for 52. * Rucka noted that while the characters' arcs have a beginning, middle and end, not all them will end with the 52nd issue. * Asked why Batman is such a jerk in All Star Batman and Robin, the Boy Wonder, DiDio said: "It was Frank Miller's decision. You don't like it, you call him. I'm not going to make that call." * DiDio said that the concept developed for Captain Marvel since the 1970s "hasn't worked" and the challenge DC faces is making him contemporary but to true to his character. * J.G. Jones added that members of the Marvel Family will be key to a 52 story. * Regarding Batman, DiDio said that he wants to emphasize the Bruce Wayne part of the character more. He also said that Batman's strike team had become "too far-reaching" and that the character works best with Robin, Alfred and Gordon on his side. * DiDio said the Oracle/Batman relationship became bad for Batman and he's pulling the plug on it. "It was like Batman had OnStar," he said. "He stopped being Batman." * Rucka said Elongated Man's story in 52 is spiritual. "His story is about the fact that Sue is dead in a world where people come back from the dead with alarming frequency," he said. * Rucka said the racial aspects of John Henry Irons were going to be part of 52, but that it didn't materialize. "You never tell stories like that if they become Afterschool Specials," he said. "If you can't do it right, it's better not to do it." * J.G. Jones confirmed that was Isis on a 52 cover. But DiDio noted it wasn't the television version because DC doesn't own the rights. * Black Adam's death toll in 52? "Massive," DiDio said. But then Rucka noted, "By the end of 52, you're probably going to cry for Black Adam." * In regards to pacing, Rucka said concessions have to be made in a 22-page story and that stories can't end with cliffhangers. He also noted that some things -- like the effects of Renee Montoya's have to be assumed off-panel. "I'm sure we all know Renee is going, 'Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow!'" he said. Rucka said that it's hard and fast that story beings with Week 1, Day 1 and ends with Week 52, Day 7. "It's an interesting thing to deal with when you have people who can, say, travel through time," he said. * DiDio said the back-ups for 52 were to provide supplemental information without overloading readers. * DiDio said that any similarities between the "Up, Up and Away!" story in the Superman books and Superman Returns were coincidental. He said he did not read the movie script, wanting to the film as a fan. * DiDio said there will be a Zauriel one-shot early next year. HEROES CON: MARVEL COMICS PANEL CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Civil War event and its repercussions were the primary themes of Marvel Comics' panel at Heroes Con, led by editor-in-chief Joe Quesada, on Saturday. Following are some of the highlights. * Asked about a Nova ongoing following Annihilation, Quesada said that it was a "possibility" and that "certain things" will break out of Annihilation. * Quesada said the Winter Soldier will play "a very big part in the world of Marvel super-heroes and Captain America." * Daniel Way, writer of the new Ghost Rider series, said the situation with Danny Ketch will be resolved, but the book will feature Johnny Blaze. Way said he's been bowled over by the art on Ghost Rider by javier Saltares and Mark Texeira. "It's like they've been waiting for their triumphant return," he said. * Spirits of Vengeance, by Garth Ennis and Clayton Crain, will be a series of mini-series. * Quesada said an announcement regarding Bryan Hitch's next project after Ultimates 2 should come this summer. * Amazing Spider-Man writer J. Michael Straczynski on Peter Parker's unmasking: "He really can't recant the revealing of his identity. There's no going back on that." * Civil War Front Line writer Paul Jenkins said an upcoming story will see a foreign team of super-heroes setting down in the United States. "They're going to say, 'We're not of your country. Come and arrest us,'" Jenkins said. * Straczynski noted one character will leave the United States rather than deal with registration. "He'll say, 'I'm going to Paris,' which is what he'll do," Straczynski said. * Even with the upcoming wedding of Black Panther and Storm, Quesada said the title will remain Black Panther. * Stracyznski said his Icon title, The Book