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ComicBookNetworkEmag Archives Index
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| << December31, 2005 - [ComicBooknet E-Mag] CBEM 556.5 |
January07, 2006 - [ComicBooknet E-Mag] CBEM 557.02 >> |
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----------------------------------------------------------------- THE COMIC BOOK NETWORK ELECTRONIC MAGAZINE Issue Number 557 1/06/2006 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] Submissions, mailing address, web page [1] On the Net .............................. David LeBlanc [2] Letters to the Editor ................... Your Page! [3] TRIVIA CONTEST .......................... Win *real* prizes! [4] Network Buzz ............................ News/gossip/rumors [5] Interviews:Vincente Cifuentes Martinez, Bob McLeod .. Richard Vasseur [6] Thoughts From the Land of Frost ......... Alex Ness Interviews with: JM DeMatteis, Stephen R. Bissette, Jordan Raskin, Steve Niles, Joshua Hale Fialkov, Nick Stakal, Christopher Long and Chee [7] Suspended Animation ..................... Michael Vance & Mark Allen [8] ComiX-FAN Reviews........................ Eric J. Moreels [9] Rich's Reviews .......................... Richard Vasseur [10] M.O.E. Reviews .......................... Paul Dale Roberts [11] My View:THE DARKNESS, WITCHBLADE, ZOMBIE TALES: DEATH VALLEY, 10, BLUE EYES ..... David LeBlanc [12] New Comic Book Releases List ............ Charles LePage [13] 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 ----------------------------------------------------------------- If you wish to receive each issue automatically through your Email account, FREE, please send a message FROM that account TO: ComicBookNetworkEmag-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To UNSUBSCRIBE send a message FROM the account to be dropped TO: ComicBookNetworkEmag-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com See section [A] for the address to mail material to be reviewed. _________________________________________________________________ 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: Submissions, Back Issues, Web Page SUBMISSIONS ----------- To submit an article, review, column, etc. to our Emag, simply Email it to the editor at: ComicBkNet@aol.com You must include your REAL name and a valid Email address in order to be published in this Emag. Sorry, we do not accept anonymous columns. The weekly deadline is 7:00 PM Eastern Time on Thursday - NO EXCEPTIONS! Late submissions are held over for the following week. Final edit is reserved by the editor, not the submitter! Reviews of mainstream books are welcome and we encourage reviews of indies and self published material as we feel that material deserves more exposure to the general public. If you write intelligent, coherent, and timely reviews of any comic book it will almost always be printed, so give us a shot. Commentary on the state of the industry, and personal observations and reflections related to comics are *most* likely to be included in our publication. PLEASE, no material on gaming, non-comic derived media, role playing, collectible card games, Anime or other hobbies or collectibles other than comic books. That also includes plugs for web comics and web pages UNLESS they are concerned with print comic books. We do not promote web comics per se, only the printed media. SEND US YOUR WORK ----------------- We also accept product for review purposes. Advanced copies of comic books will not be returned but any comic books sent to us *will* be reviewed in the ComicBook Net Emag in the column MY VIEW. Send material to be reviewed to: David L. LeBlanc 84 Heather Circle Jefferson, MA 01522-1419 Material is generally reviewed in the order received and be advised that we work a few weeks in advance so your review may not be in the magazine immediately. Advanced copies are therefore encouraged so the review will occur prior to your product hitting the stores. 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 Welcome to the first issue 0f 2006. How was your New Year's celebration? How about the drop kick from Doug Flute? We'll be glued to our TV Saturday night for the first game of the NFL playoffs. Go Pats! Long-time readers know that on a rare occassion I digress into matters involving computers and the Internet. This is, after all, electronic communications and sometimes things that affect or might affect our "conversation" is worth noteing. This time it is a warning to all you guys and gals using Windows XP. I get the weekly Email newsletter from Kim Komando, an expert who has her own radio talk show about all things computerish. I have found some good tips, decent software suggestions, and the latest news about flaws in software and virus threats. (She also has a joke of the week that is very corny, if you like that stuff.) Here is the excerpt I bring to your attention: <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Issue Date: Dec. 31, 2005 -- Vol. 9, No. 53 Kim Komando Show Home Page: http://www.komando.com >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> -- SECURE COMPUTING: Severe flaw is found in Windows XP SECURE COMPUTING: Stuff to keep you safe from harm! --> PROTECT YOURSELF FROM AN 'EXTREMELY CRITICAL' WINDOWS FLAW Code that exploits a hole in Windows XP is circulating on the Internet. Security companies are calling the flaw extremely critical. The vulnerability involves the way Windows handles image files. A malicious Windows Metafile (.WMF) image could allow attackers to take control of your computer. The file extension may be changed to .JPG, .GIF, .PNG or .TIF. The problem is particularly serious because pictures load automatically in Web browsers. Microsoft is investigating the flaw and has not issued a fix. You should keep security software updated. Also, don't open files from unknown or untrusted sources. The only known way to protect your computer is to disable a .DLL file that is needed to run the malicious code. Click Start>>Run. At the prompt, enter regsvr32 /u shimgvw.dll and click OK twice. That disables the Microsoft Picture and Fax Viewer. Most people use that to open pictures. So, to open a picture file, right-click it and select Open With. Pick another program to open pictures. Among those that will work are Paint, your Web browser and Windows Media Player. Eventually, Microsoft will issue a fix for this flaw. When that happens, you should re-register the .DLL. To do that, click Start>>Run. Enter regsvr32 shimgvw.dll and click OK twice. ***** Now here is some good news, this week's comics I suggest you try: DC COMICS Day Of Vengeance Infinite Crisis Special, $3.99 JSA #81, $2.50 Outsiders #32, $2.50 Seven Soldiers Frankenstein #2 (Of 4), $2.99 Teen Titans #31, $2.50 IDW PUBLISHING Maze Agency Vol 1 TPB, $24.99 IMAGE COMICS City Of Heroes #9, $2.99 Down #3 (Of 4), $2.99 <--------------------Pick of the Week! Witchblade #93, $2.99 MARVEL COMICS Astonishing X-Men Saga #1, $3.99 Marvel Zombies #2 (Of 5), $2.99 Sentinel #3 (Of 5), $2.99 Supreme Power Nighthawk #5 (Of 6), $2.99 X-Men The 198 Files, $3.99 X-Men The End Men And X-Men #1 (Of 6), $2.99 SHANDA FANTASY ARTS Medics Code 3 Special, $4.95 Later in the week we learned that the flaw applies to all versions of Windows from 1990 and later. It pays to stay up to date with the latest news on the hackers and mischevious if you are going to use any Windows products. 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 send Email to: ComicBkNet@aol.com Note: Letters of comment, including those sent to the columnists, may be used in future issues of CBEM unless you specifically request us NOT to use them. Your Email address and/or name will be withheld upon request. +++++ Winter, post-Holiday blahs. _________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------- [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. THE FIRST PLACE TO FIND THE EMAG EACH WEEK IS ON OUR HOME PAGE! IF YOU ARE DESPERATE TO WIN THE TRIVIA, GO THERE FIRST ON FRIDAY NIGHT! http://members.aol.com/ComicBkNet QUESTION OF THE WEEK Prizes 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. Submit your own trivia and win the CHEEZY PRIZE(tm) if you can stump the readers! You MUST submit the correct answer with your question. LAST ISSUE'S QUESTION OF THE WEEK: In 1957, who were the first non-baseball playing celebrities to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame? We got sucked into the belief it was Abbott & Costello by this text from the official Abbott and Costello web site: In 1956 Bud and Lou were brought together on THE STEVE ALLEN SHOW before a live nationwide viewing audience. Steve Allen announced the induction of Abbott & Costello and their Gold Record of "Who's On First" into the world-famous BASEBALL HALL OF FAME in Cooperstown, New York. (Many are not aware that Abbott & Costello are the first non-baseball-playing celebrities ever to be inducted into the Hall of Fame!) The word "inducted" is definitely incorrect as we see from the Hall of Fame web site: Abbott and Costello are not members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, though the comedy duo is featured in our museum. Steve Allen started an incorrect characterization of their status that is believed to this day, even by their heirs! So we accept our mistake but still give the prize to Gene Kannenberg Jr. who was the first to guess the comedy duo. He wins BATMAN: A DEATH IN THE FAMILY from Discount Comic Book Service. +++++++++++++++ THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION: It started in an anthology then got a standalone series. Some story arcs were named "Faith", "Power", and "Lies". Can you name the series? 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 ] IT'S SUPER DISGUSTING! In the early SUPERGIRL story THE GREAT SUPERGIRL MIRAGE the Girl of Steel demonstrates an unusual and rather nauseating mastery of her superpowers. Fellow orphan Dick Malverne had snapped a picture of Supergirl by accident, and is convinced that Linda Lee is this person. He then sets up several Lois Lane-like traps to trick her into revealing that she has super powers. There are two dumbbells on the orphanage stage (three if you count Dick) and he switches tags on the real and phony ones, then tricks Linda into picking up the 1000 pound one, exclaiming that he has found out her secret. IN FIVE PANELS, Linda (1) grabs a lump of coal and does the diamond trick, making sure it has a point (2) "Using an assortment of her super skills" Linda throws the diamond into one end of the dumbbell (not Dick) and uses a SUPER SPIN on it so that it drills out the entire inside of the heavy steel ball. (3) After the diamond drill has hollowed out each end of the dumbbell, Linda uses her super powers to INHALE the steel dust into her lungs "for future use" (4) Linda tosses the now lightweight dumbbell to Dick, saying he must have REALLY mixed up the tags (5) Unbelievably, Linda then PROJECTILE SPEWS the steel dust THROUGH HER NOSE into the paper mache dumbbell to make it super heavy. (And probably super snotty as well). Personally, I would have just clobbered Dick Malverne, threw the weights into orbit, and when he came to, said "What dumbbells?" _________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------- [4] Network Buzz News, gossip and rumors from the industry aharlib@earthlink.net Dear David, Here's an item I think would be of great interest to newsletter readers. Happy New Year! Amy Panel by Comic Panel, a Retail Clerk Exacts His Revenge By MICHAEL BARBARO Revenge comes in many forms. For Norm Feuti, it is a comic strip. After a 15-year career in retailing, where he says he endured everything from bare fungus-infected feet at a shoe store to rude, know-it-all parents at an educational toy chain, Mr. Feuti will begin recounting the ups and downs - mostly the downs - in newspapers across the country. His aim for the comic strip, which will be published beginning tomorrow, is to do for the mall what "Dilbert" did for the office, revealing the dysfunctional world of bickering employees, spineless managers and cruel shoppers that lurks behind the cheery sales slogans. There is plenty of shopping in the annals of American comics - Blondie is prone to buying binges and Cathy is endlessly searching for a flattering wardrobe - but as far as anyone can tell, Mr. Feuti's strip is the first focused exclusively on the retail industry. (It is named, appropriately enough, "Retail.") The strip's recurring theme is the always uneasy, and, at times, explosive relationship between sales clerk and consumer, who simultaneously need and despise one another. In one panel, an employee initially resists wearing a malodorous, moth-eaten clown costume to promote a sale until he realizes it will take him outside the store - and away from customers - for the day. "Mommy, what's that funny smell" asks a child passing the costumed employee. "Freedom, kid," the employee responds. "It's the putrid stench of freedom." King Features, the company that syndicated "Retail," predicted it would find a natural audience among the one in five Americans who work in retail, not to mention anybody who regularly shops. "It's surprising there hasn't been a retail strip" before now, said Jay Kennedy, editor in chief of King Features and a former retail employee (in a picture frame store in high school). The comic strip is unusual in another way: it will solicit stories from retail employees and shoppers, which Mr. Feuti will integrate into his panels. Bernadette Garcia, an editor at The New Mexican in Santa Fe, said the feedback appealed to the newspaper, which will soon begin carrying "Retail." So far, about 20 newspapers have agreed to carry "Retail," including The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, The Rocky Mountain News in Denver, The Review-Journal in Las Vegas and The Portland Oregonian, according to King Features. The comic strip is set at a department store called Grumbel's, which the syndicate requested be in a mall in case Mr. Feuti runs out of material from a single store. It follows four stock retail characters: Marla, the unappreciated middle manager; Cooper, the smart-aleck clerk who despises customers; Val, the overqualified, sarcastic sales clerk; and Stuart, the irritable by-the-books store manager. To a certain degree, each character represents a phase in Mr. Feuti's career. Mr. Feuti, now a 35-year-old stay-at-home father who lives in Attleboro, Mass., has worked for seven retailers - a peripatetic career path that reflects the high turnover rate across retail. He doodled throughout high school but did not think enough of his drawing skills to apply to art school. So, he took a job at a convenience store. Like most of his retail positions, this one imposed what he considered to be onerous - and unnecessary - requirements. "They insisted we wear an apron," he recalled. "Our clientele was generally getting out of a bar late at night, coming in, yelling that we were out of their brand of cigarettes, and we still had to put on an apron to create an air of respectability." Soon it was on to Father and Son Shoes. As the company moved into the backpack business, it asked employees to wear a backpack around the store and compete to sell the highest number. Customers mocked him, the bag proved uncomfortable and, in the end, he said, the only contest winner was the store's manager, who received a color television. Soon, he switched to Bostonian, an upscale shoe store where the merchandise was more expensive and the customers complained more loudly. One shopper called the store to report that a shoelace had broken off. It was unclear how the lace had broken, or what it had to do with the store, but the man angrily demanded that Mr. Feuti mail him a new one, which he did. After that, Mr. Feuti worked at Learningsmith, an educational toy and gift store, where, he recalled, he encountered parents who thought that their children were little geniuses in the making. When Mr. Feuti steered one mother to a series of Looney Tunes- themed workbooks she sneered that her highly literate children "never watch television." Mr. Feuti said his comic strip was not a crusade against rude, snobby or otherwise unpleasant shoppers, but it does reflect his observation that "when you have a name tag on, a lot of people believe they can treat you like an indentured servant." But comic strip revenge is sweet. In his early strips, which he provided through a publicist, Mr. Fueti frequently uses "Retail" to mock ill-tempered, inconsiderate consumers, who chat loudly into their cellphones while working with a cashier and who badger managers for a discount even after a sale has ended. One strip features a shopper who demands that Val, the saleswoman, check for a dress in the stockroom even after she explains there are none left. "Sure," Val sighs. The next panel finds her in the back room, sitting in a chair. "Pretend checking?" asks a colleague. "Yup," she responds. In another strip, a middle-age woman tries to use two coupons for the same purchase, a violation of store policy. When Val tries to explain the rule, the shopper explodes. "Fine!" she screams. " I won't buy the jeans then! Are you happy?" A thought balloon hovers over Val's head. "Always happy to be yelled at for no good reason." +++++ Ezra Model Search Move Over Tyra Banks! Sean O'Reilly, Arcana Studio EIC, is searching for the comic industry's next top model. Arcana has teamed up with Severe, Pop Culture's Entertainment Magazine, to give one lucky lady a once in a lifetime opportunity. To coincide with the release of Ezra vs. 10th Muse, Arcana Studio is looking for a real life, living, breathing Ezra. This model doesn't have to kick butt on the runway. She just has to kick butt! As the sexy, medieval mercenary for hire, the winner of the Epic Ezra Model Search will win: *The opportunity to appear as Ezra on the cover of the upcoming Ezra vs. 10th Muse comic book. The winner will photographed alongside of Cindy Margolis, the most downloaded model ever. *A featured spread in an upcoming issue of Severe Magazine. *Consideration for the role of Ezra in the film adaptation. *Exposure to various industry agencies and film studios. Ezra was created by Sean O'Reilly, Canada's most prolific independent comic book writer. Sean formed Arcana Studio in 2004 and made his one man operation into Canada's biggest comic book publisher. He recently won The Shuster Award for Outstanding Publisher, as voted on by retailers and readers. Arcana's titles have consistently come in the top 5 independent books in the industry with Ezra continuing to be the company's most popular character. With a past shrouded in intrigue and circumstance, Ezra is a rogue mercenary for hire. When her parents tragically died, she was taken in by the Order of the Black Sun, where she learned to take care of herself. Now, this porcelain skinned warrior searches for adventure. She is strong, swift, and sexy. So do you think you have what it takes to be a superhero? Enter now and find out. The grand prize winner will be decided upon by viewers' votes. Sign up today and be a part of what is shaping up to be the comic crossover event of 2006. Ezra vs. 10th Muse will hit stores in April. The epic crossover will be distributed in eight different countries. Top that Tyra! Si vales, gaudeo! For more information and to fill out an entry form, please visit Arcana Studio: www.arcanastudio.com <http://www.arcanastudio.com/>; Severe Magazine Website: www.severemagazine.com <http://www.severemagazine.com/>; As well images can be found at: http://www.arcanastudio.com/severe/1.jpg http://www.arcanastudio.com/severe/2.jpg http://www.arcanastudio.com/severe/3.jpg http://www.arcanastudio.com/severe/4.jpg http://www.arcanastudio.com/severe/5.jpg http://www.arcanastudio.com/severe/6.jpg http://www.arcanastudio.com/severe/7.jpg http://www.arcanastudio.com/severe/8.jpg The response has been GREAT and while we only wanted 25 entries we now have over 60 half way through the contest. Please let me know if you can continue the great response and I'll be sure to link back. Si vales, gaudeo! Sean Patrick O'Reilly Editor-in-Chief Arcana Studio http://www.arcanastudio.com http://www.kade.ca +++++ Thanks for subscribing to the Comic Book Network Electronic Magazine (CBEM) --------------------------->Disclaimer<--------------------------- This is an ANNOUNCE only mailing list, only the Editor can send messages to the list. No one else has access to the subscriber list. Replies to these messages will be received by the Editor ONLY, so you must CC: individual contributors if you want them to get your E-Mail. The E-mail to the E-mag MAY be used in future issues at the Editor's discretion UNLESS you specifically request that they not be. It is our policy to withhold names and/or Addresses, by request only, from letters of comment. All contributors are required to use their real name and have a valid Email address for their columns to be published. Send Email comments to: ComicBkNet@aol.com Material for inclusion in the Emag - press releases, solicitations, column submissions, Letters to the Editor, guesses for the trivia contest should be sent to ComicBkNet@aol.com The EDITOR, not the submitter, has final approval and edit rights on ALL material. Printed comic books and advanced copies for review in the Emag should be sent via US Mail or UPS to David L. LeBlanc 84 Heather Circle Jefferson, MA 01522-1419 TO Subscribe send a message FROM the intended address to: ComicBookNetworkEmag-subscribe@yahoogroups.com TO Unsubscribe send a message FROM the address to be dropped to: ComicBookNetworkEmag-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com You may also unsubscribe from the Egroups Web page at the short cut below. Shortcut URL to the Egroup page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ComicBookNetworkEmag All contents COPYRIGHT 2005 The Comic Book Network. This messages may be reproduced only in its original form, and in its entirety for non-commercial purposes. Contact the original author(s) or the Editor for permission to use individual items. Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ComicBookNetworkEmag/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: ComicBookNetworkEmag-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ |
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| << December31, 2005 - [ComicBooknet E-Mag] CBEM 556.5 |
January07, 2006 - [ComicBooknet E-Mag] CBEM 557.02 >> |
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