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------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Protect your PC from spy ware with award winning anti spy technology. It's free. http://us.click.yahoo.com/97bhrC/LGxNAA/yQLSAA/bGIolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> ----------------------------------------------------------------- [5] Interviews Richard Vasseur richardv@sympatico.ca Kirk Kushin writer on "Super Teen Topia" from Alias Enterprises interviewed by Richard Vasseur www.jazmaonline.com RV: What is the story of "Super Teen Topia"? KK: Essentially STT is about what teenagers would really do with super-powers. The best analogy I can give is; imagine if you give a sixteen-year old a million bucks, I doubt they are going to donate it all to charity. So I'm trying to take an alternate look at the traditional super-powered teen as opposed to the whole "great power/responsibility" riff. But, I like to qualify that by saying this is not an edgy deconstruction of the genre -- it's actually more like my valentine to some of the great series I grew up with like Chris Claremont's The New Mutants. RV: Is this a character driven comic? KK: Yes, it is very character driven. STT is less plot intensive than a lot of my previous works (B.A.B.E. FORCE) - which focused on humor and action first and foremost. Here I'm interested in not only what my characters will do with their "gifts" - but on their first crushes and getting their learner's permits. There's a lot of talking in this book, so get some new reading glasses - you're gonna need 'em! RV: What makes you qualified to write a comic about teens? KK: Well, I was a teen at one time so I am obliviously drawing quite a bit from my own experiences. I had a lot of fun in those years - so the book really reflects the magic of growing up. RV: Paige seems like a sweet girl but when it comes to a fight how will she react? KK: Paige is very sweet and good-hearted -- but you don't want to cross her, because she will throw down on you "Old Testament" style. But your question brings up a subject I'd like to address. This is not a comic where you see them in costume every issue battling some evil teen group. Super Teen*Topia is much more Ferris Bueller's Day Off than it is Teen Titans. In fact you may never see a couple of the characters in costume - but of course they use their powers - but in new ways you haven't seen before in comics. RV: What motivates you to get up in the morning and write? KK: I am motivated to write because I love telling this story. But, like with anything, there is discipline involved, so I actually have a schedule. If you remember being a little kid when your parents would give you a chore chart and add gold stars every-time you did a job. Once it was filled up you'd get a reward. Well, as an adult when my "chart" is filled up I get an actual comic done. RV: Who is the artist on the comic and what do you think of his style? KK: Gonzalo Martinez is the artist I developed this story for -- specifically to take advantage of his style. He is very much from the Art Adams school of "cartoony-reality." Plus, he draws my girls really cute - so I have to give him major props. Gonzalo also has a strong architectural background. which is important since I have a strong idea of what I want the STT world to look like. Gonzalo doesn't know it yet - but I am developing a Tiki themed setting which will be a lot of fun. Look for it after issue number five (the completion of the first arc). RV: What are Paige, Diva, Blackjack and Trident like, and what are their powers? KK: Paige (Solstice) is home-schooled and comes from a very protective family. She is hiding her heat/fire powers from her parents because she is not sure how they will react. Far from being a sterero-typical "goody-goody," Paige is a compelling character who puts a lot of thought into doing the right thing. On the opposite side of the coin is the exotic and out-going Vi(Diva). She enjoys putting on a costume and using her tk abilities to foil local criminals. She is probably the closest thing in STT to the type of competent hero you see in "normal" comics. The most eager (and probably the most fun) character to write is Kevin (Blackjack). Kevin's entire life is focused on achieving his dream of becoming an "A-List" hero. There are a lot of cool parallels to real-world kids who dream of playing for the NBA. Cameron (Trident) could care less about putting on tights and becoming a super-hero. He enjoys using his water-controlling abilities for pranks - but will step up to the plate and save the day when necessary. While he is Kev's best friend Cam wants no part of his home-grown super-group, until the girls make the scene... RV: What was the first comic you wrote? KK:The first comic I wrote was B.A.B.E. FORCE: Back To School #1. I've been a millionaire ever since! Writing comics is like printing money, dontcha know? RV: How did you get on at Alias Enterprises? KK: Alias Enterprises seems eager to have a broad line of comics that are "outside" the box of most the "Big Two's" offerings. They've said STT is the next Invincible - so let's hope that this series can achieve that same kind of attention. RV: What type of movies do you like? KK:. Of course I am a big fan of John Hughes films. Some of my other favorites are Raising Arizona, Napoleon Dynamite and Dr. Strangelove. RV: What other projects do you have? KK:. I have three issues complete of the next B.A.B.E FORCE miniseries Charge of the Cereal Brigade. Diego Barreto (who does the smashing covers for STT) is the artist. We have not schedule the release yet - but you can see a preview of it at www.babeforce.net. We have lots of great stuff up that site, so if you're in the mood from Get Smart meets Charlies Angels -- check it out! RV: What comics do you read now? KK:. Spider-Girl (shame on Marvel of canceling it!) and the Legion of Superhero hardcover archives. RV: How can someone contact you? KK: You can contact me at www.forcewerks.com . And remember, I'm all about cash and no receipt...so keep that in mind when sending your generous monetary gifts. And whoever told you not to send cash through the mail was flat-out wrong! RV: Any final words for fans of "Super Teen Topia"? KK: Yes, I'd like to encourage people who enjoy fun and upbeat books to support Super Teen*Topia. I know it's hard in this marketplace to take a chance on a new book - since most last about three issues. Too many creators actually believe they're printing money and when a couple issues fail to make them rich, they drop the books and screw the fans. With Super Teen*Topia we already have the first four (0 -3) issues complete. Forcewerks is taking a long-term view to producing the series. We are providing the financing and Alias is acting as our publisher - so that means we're our committed to putting a bi-monthly book out and have the means to back it up. People need to chat it up with their comics retailer and on the Internet. Since our Comic Book Digest is only a quarter, I'm encouraging everyone to buy a couple extras and give them out to their friends. There are twenty-four thousand Comic Book Digests ordered - and I want every single one of them read! Plus, we will always be posting preview pages on so you can get a look at upcoming issues - because nothing helps us more than when folks pre-order the book out of Previews. Just passively enjoying the book is no longer an option - you gotta get out there and spread the word! Super Teen*Topia #1 will be in stores in May. ***** Billy Tucci cover artist for "Zoom Suit" from Assassination Comics and creator/writer/artist of "SHI" interviewed by Richard Vasseur www.jazmaonline.com RV: How did you become involved with "Zoom Suit"? BT: John Taddeo was one of the first people I've ever met in comics. We just hit it off way back in 1994 and got reaquainted at the San Diego Comic Con 10 years later. He told me about his new character "Zoom Suit" and I immediately fell in love with the concept. RV: Have you watched the short film? BT: Yes. Can't wait for the feature, though I think it would work even better as a live action film. RV: How did you come up with the pose on the cover? BT: After seeing the pages, I liked the idea of your first crush. I loved the whole Halloween scenerio with the suit and immediately thought "Norman Rockwell". RV: Will you be doing any more cover art on any comics? BT: I will be doing the cover to #4 and have to get on it this weekend! RV: What can you tell us about Deborah Tucci? BT: I can tell you that if you ask me that in person, I'll lump you up. Seriously though, she's just wonderful. I don't know why she married me. RV: What do you think of the SHI statue from Dark Horse Comics and Steve Kiwus? BT: I think Steve's statue of Shi is just perfect -- hell he was nominated for an Eisner for it! Hope he does the next one too! RV: Do you have any new character ideas that might one day see the light of day? BT: We have two new series' coming out through Narwain, "Gremlin Effect" and "Victoria Cross" RV: Any new "SHI" projects in the works? BT: I'm currently writing the new Shi series "The Ring of Fire" for Dark Horse, but the whole Marvel "Heroes for Hire" gig and Shi movie script have pushed it off a bit. RV: What have you being doing with your time when you were not working on comics? BT: Hanging with the family, playing hockey and hunting. RV: If you could have one super power what would it be and why? BT: I think I'd fly. Just seems like fun. But I still don't see how it's possible. Even for Superman. Angel and Hawkman perhaps, but does Superman just leap and keeps on going? Does the cape act as some sort of wing? RV: In the last year what is the most memorable thing that has happened to you? BT: The birth of my son Matthew Vincent 3/31/06 RV: Will we ever see a live action SHI movie? BT: I sure hope so. RV: Any last words of advice? BT: "The world is a fine place and worth fighting for." Hemingway _________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------- 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 ] THEY WERE A DYNAMIC DUO TOO Everyone knows the 1960's TV series of BATMAN. But few remember what ABC shows they replaced. On Thursday night, the caped crusader took the time slot of another "adventure" show about a "duo"- THE ADVENTURES OF OZZIE AND HARRIET. _________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------- [6] Interviews Paul Dale Roberts Silhouet98@cs.com Interview with James S. Reed PhD - Retired Psychologist - Discussion: The Psychology of Comic Books. Interviewed by: Paul Dale Roberts, Publisher www.jazmaonline.com James S. Reed PhD Retired Psychologist & Clinical Therapist; Previously Ordained EMS Chaplain, Presently Psycho-Historian & Teacher Personal: I came from very disturbed family: father had severe dysthymia (depression), lots of alcoholism and addiction & significant family abuse issues. I relied on school for my salvation - loved the math-sciences but also was fascinated by creative writing and mythology. Graduated Valedictorian just in time to get drafted into the Vietnam War - lost a scholarship because of Mr. Nixon's decision to remove student deferments from 70-72'. My high school girlfriend was killed when she was 22 and I was 24, her death almost destroyed me. I have been a student at about 20 colleges and universities have about 700 semester units, and taught at 5 as both a grad student and post-grad. I've done more bizarre and unusual things and held more varied jobs than any man I know, though I'm not so sure what benefit it has been. I got into psychology in order to deal with my own mental health issues and was so impressed with what it could do for me that I switched my graduate major from Biochemistry to Psychology. As they say, the rest is history. However, I am extremely critical of Psychology because I see it through the eyes of an experimentally rigorous perspective from my math-science background. As of now I am very disillusioned with the field and where it's gone. First Comics: I loved reading from my earliest memories. I could read quite well by the time I was in kindergarten - my parents were wise enough to have invested in five sets of encyclopedias and from my earliest memories I was reading them and writing rather complex stories. I wrote my first Egyptian hieroglyphic scroll when I was 8 - I loved archaeology. I don't remember my first comics but I do recall having scores by the age of 7 and I do know that they ran the gamut from Superman and Batman to Uncle Scrooge and Bugs Bunny. I loved the Tales From the Crypt and Mad Magazine formats. The Archie type didn't interest me because it reminded me too much of my disturbed family surroundings - reading Archie was like a kid in the hospital with terminal leukemia watching the Brady Bunch and trying to relate. One of the sweetest memories of my dad, troubled though he was, was occasionally (and unpredictably) bringing home a comic for me, and laying it on my bed for me to find. It was one of the few ways he could say to me, "I'm thinking about you and I love you." Morality, Psychology and Comic Books: Wow, I could outline a Master's Thesis on this. Comic Books are our modern mythology, combined with a sprinkling of television and film and (of course) the Internet. The modern male is in a heap of no-win situations - being blamed for every social ill and getting credit for nothing. Most Male comics involve some aspect of unresolved or irresolvable grief - caused by loss. Males are expected to endure and extraordinary amount of angst and keep smiling the entire time, given responsibility without the requisite rights. There is no men's movement - you'll witness the truth to that in the next military draft. Comic book heroes present moral dilemmas - not choices: 1) They can't show who they are to others (can't be identifiable in routine society). The superhero willing to be known to others and be seen by others makes themselves vulnerable. 2) Their anonymity makes them vulnerable to slander (can't show self to defend self). 3) The knowledge of a heroic deed and to be spoken of vicariously is often the only ego gratification for a superhero - which is why they often collaborate; they need the emotional reinforcement. 4) With "the gift", one is expected to take action, thus superheroes are inherently responsible for every ill that befalls anyone who suffers who they are in contact with. If responsible, they are to blame (in spite of the Nixonian apology of the 70's). If responsible, then they are so for all factors: whether wrong time, wrong place, or accidental injury - it's falsely assumed that superheroes have superknowledge!! 5) There is a moral responsibility with a superhuman gift - to not use it is immoral, no less than a talent for healing, running, playing the piano - the gift is considered divine and thus to not use it makes one counter-divine and thus immoral. 6) The choice of how to use the superhuman gift is the divine dilemma. For every gift there is a primary liability or detriment, which is ego - the need to show or demonstrate the gift, even if in disguise. 7) The good side of the divine gift suffers from honesty - hence predictability. The honest person lacks the choices of the liar and con, even more the case for the super-villain. The villain is not limited in choices and may use honesty or dishonesty to their advantage. Thus they have the advantage of unpredictability. 8) The super-hero without a super-villain is in danger of becoming a self-imposed super-villain themselves (a sort of two in one) or will create one out of a minor villain. All super- heroes must have an adversary worthy of their talents or their talents wane. It's no less the case in Tennis, Track & Field, Judo, Politics, or any other individual competition; you're only as good as your best adversary. 9) The era will dictate the need for a super-hero or super villain. It should be no wonder that the U.S. had some of its greatest superhero creations during times of domestic trouble and international conflict. The 60's brought forth, through television and film both James Bond and Emma Peel - in the midst of the greatest civil strife since the Civil War. Superman: Superman was essentially abandoned and is dealing with major family dis-attachment issues. He exemplifies the child that feels like a stranger in a strange land, the child that can't tell anyone what really happens at home, the child that sees the hypocrisy all around them in others and truly strives to be good but is in no-win situations. Superman is that first-born child that has a family secret and has to uphold the values that others have vocalized but failed to live up to. What makes Superman truly Super is not his physical abilities but his Moral standards including humility (delivering salvation when no one knows it's him). As long as he has adequate foes, he can continue moving and behaving in a Super fashion - God help the world if he's relegated to the tripe of tackling dope traffickers and corrupt politicians. He should never be allowed to reflect on his pain, loneliness, the demeaning things said about him as Clark Kent and his secret - one of the biggest secrets of all time. What is most amazing about Superman is not that he doesn't get a god complex, but that he doesn't get bitter and say, "I'm tired of all you ungrateful clods, I'm tired of your sexist, demeaning, helplessness in the face of problems you can solve - I'm tired of your blind entitlement - I've been walking among you as Clark Kent, watching you treat each other like garbage and I'm through with the lot of you!" But Superman is also the ultimate SuperEnabler. Batman: Batman, like Superman is a reluctant hero. The fact that he has "super powers" (cleverness combined with wealth rather than strength, vision, and levitation abilities) simply makes him more capable of tackling bigger problems and dilemmas than the average Joe. Note that Batman, like Superman (and for that matter ALL superheroes) also must maintain anonymity. I wish someone would come up with a 12-Step anonymity program for Superheroes - they need one. For Batman, he is so much at the edge that he needs a superego (in the Freudian sense) to keep him on track. Unlike Superman who can maintain his stoic silence, Batman has a naive sidekick (a pseudo-son) who he can't let down. Batman is in pain and has problems avoiding his inclination - which is being a savage avenger. He is much closer to the Paul Kersey of the Death Wish movies or Jean Reno's character in The Professional. Batman witnesses the laggard and buffoonish incompetence of the bureaucracy, government and the police. He has used his knowledge of "the system" to work outside of it while appearing to work within it. He's somewhat like a Sci-Fi Sherlock Holmes with less obsessive-compulsive character. Reed Richards: It's funny that my students often call me "Mr. Fantastic" because of both the name as well as my penchant for psycho-mythology. Yet, Reed Richards is one of the most tame characters I've seen - something of a "Supermanager" - I think it has something to do with his ability to stretch himself beyond all comprehension. I think the only other quality that would suit him better would be if he could occupy two or more places at the same time. His geekish quality makes him appealing to the pre-teen and teen boy who likes school and studying but also dreams of not having sand kicked in his face. The Fantastic Four are very well suited as a family unit, each with individualism but still an endearing dedication to the family. Indeed, with a family as bizarre as theirs, where else would they go for comfort and understanding? I hate to take is back and forth to films but Blood Moon is a perfect example of the compassionate association of "special people". Spiderman: Now that is one troubled guy. As well as any other Superhero, he has lost his normalcy to his surroundings but he has significant unresolved grief that leads him on his quest for vengeance. This is the one comic I remember clearly from when I was a child - the criminal loss of his loved ones. It's been said that grief is the one emotion that all men must face in the light of their losses but are forbidden to experience in American society: friends and comrades in war, girlfriends, pets, parents, innocence, etc. and to do so with an unemotional characteristic that tells the world, "I'm doing just fine!" The two emotions that men are pretty well forbidden to feel in Western Society are Grief and Fear and Spidey is trapped in that human masculine expectation - thus, more than any other Superhero, he becomes a well defined animal, because then he can sense and not "feel". The Hulk: I see the internal dilemma of the hormonal blackout that people get with anger combined with the incredible energy people get with that adrenaline rush. It there is a dilemma in any one Superhero where the good-bad is ever present, it is in the Hulk. He's essentially powerless unless he incorporates the power to destroy. I see his human analogy as Robert J. Oppenheimer - who chose (in essence) to never get angry again, but after discovering and unleashing the ultimate power. Unfortunately, he taught others how to get angry and experience that "adrenaline" power and unleashed societies full of Hulks. History Channel: I was interviewed a few months back for a documentary on the Donner Party and the general topic of cannibalism. I'm not an expert on cannibalism; I'm just a person with insights into human emotions and cognition during times of extraordinary stress. Part of that is just being a good therapist because the best therapists I've met and have attempted to model myself after, are extraordinary empaths. I take it much further and apply therapeutic skills to the antiquated written documents. As with a client or patient, I look at what is both said and not said and reference it back into the writer's era, social expectations, culture, family history, etc. With respect to the History Channel, the events I discussed all had to do with the states of mind of the individuals who were attempting to survive in increasingly hostile environments. As for Sawny Bean - unlike most of the events I did analyze, I could find no solid documentation, only hearsay and legend. He is a Scottish boogeyman. I could comment on the psychosocial need for a "boogeyman" but I don't think that's your aim in the question. However, I would like to comment as a corollary to the usual adage, "If there were no boogeyman, man would create him", and the more secure and safe the society becomes - the more it would create and embellish the bogyman's power, range of influence, longevity, and viciousness. By the way, I love the work of the modern boogeyman masters: Wes Craven, John Carpenter, George Romero, and Rob Zombie. Comic Books and effect on Youth. Overall, I think comic books are, at least no more detrimental than traditional TV fare, and in many ways, far more morally instructive than most television. A comic book can be viewed at one's own pace, with pauses for reflection, and reading lines of speech and the thoughts of the characters takes some work and input from the reader. By its very nature a comic book is a short story told in storyboard format and the message can be subtle and still comprehended due to the pictures. It's important that comics also present a vocabulary that encourages the use of a dictionary and that pose questions that require the reader delve more deeply into statements on background surfaces. I remember at 8 seeing my first differential equation on a blackboard in a frame of a comic book. Re Escapism I have a problem with escapism and youth; as a teacher, I think there is too much escapism in the classroom. It's almost as if, with the advent of Information at the Speed of Light - that information overload is taking its toll. If they choose (and they will, as Pandora did) they can witness a human beheading, open sexual acts, read about all forms of abuse, get instructions for making poisons and pipe bombs, and all in color enlargeable prints. Escapism from this Info Overload has become necessary and comic books may be the only form of moral education still available - television certainly hasn't filled that void. Television has become the media for moral escapism. Comic Books may be a form of escapism but it has more value than most TV. My Website I have soooo many people wanting me to get a website but I've resisted because I have toooo many interests. I'm not on the Net enough to constantly detail the website but folks can contact me at doctaj@oco.net <mailto:doctaj@oco.net> . Re: Hobbies and Recreation I write a lot - mostly moral sci-fi and semi-fiction along the lines of the 60's Twilight Zone. There's a lot of Serling's frustration in me. I also recently wrote a rather long play about Pontius Pilate and his time in Judea. I also have several injury related problems so I workout daily - if I don't, pain is a constant companion. I don't watch any sports or commercial TV but Netflix are very intimate. I love to dance but don't do it often and I'm teaching myself a few musical instruments. My cats and dog are the focus of my affection. On the average I endeavor to read at least a book a week (around 500 pages). The 6 Dinner Guests: Wow, I can't do it with 6, so I have to set a larger table. The real life persons would include: Raoul Wallenberg, Jesus Christ, J. Robert Oppenheimer, H.P. Lovecraft, Cleopatra IV, Socrates, and Alexander the Great. The fictional people would include: Mr. Spock, Spawn (CB character), Sherlock Holmes, Mrs. Peel, and Odysseus. Although I picked almost all men, the two women I did select I do not believe would shift the dynamics and limit the interaction among the parties. Men usually react and interact differently when a woman is around, and the women usually resort to becoming either "helpless" or "bitchy" when the interaction becomes tense. The Time Machine (where and why): If I had even a reasonable fraction of my present intelligence, I'd go back to the era just prior to the loss of the Library at Alexandria, in Egypt. I would LOVE to be able to read even a portion of those papyrus manuscripts and codices. Words of wisdom: Take nothing for granted, Always say "Thank You", Time is the most precious resource you have - respect its temporary quality. Thank You. ***** 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 2006 The Comic Book Network. 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