------------------------------------------------------------------------ THE COMIC BOOK NET ELECTRONIC MAGAZINE - ISSUE NUMBER 48 ________________________________________________________________________ Our Web Page is now at http://members.aol.com/ComicBkNet ------------------------------------------------------------------------ o \o/ _ o _| \ / |_ o_ \o/ o /|\ | /\ _\o \o | o/ O/_ /\ | /|\ / \ / \ |\ /) | ( \ /o\ / ) | (\ / | / \ / \ This publication is brought to you by the members of the premiere BBS network for the discussion of comics books and the people who create them, The ComicBook Network!!! Edited by: David LeBlanc [ComicBkNet@aol.com] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The ComicBook Network was founded by Ed Dukeshire and Mike Imboden ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ________________________________________________________________________ T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [1] On the Net ............................ David LeBlanc [2] Letters to the Editor.................. Your page! [3] CBN Insider ........................... News, gossip, & rumors. [4] Out of Africa ......................... Marc Sparks [5] Some Stuff ............................ Nathan Bredfeldt [6] New Comics Shipping 3/4/96 ........... Bobb Waller [7] Comics on the Web - TERROR TOTS ....... Len Strazewski [8] REVIEW: RANA7 ......................... David LeBlanc [9] How to join CBN ....................... BBS 101 [10] BBSes Linked into CBN.................. CBN node list [11] E-Mag Info: Submissions, Subscriptions, Back Issues, Copyrights ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [1] On the Net by David LeBlanc NYC GREAT EASTERN CON POSTPONED! - See the CBN Insider for details. A Great Big Thanks go to Ryan Brewster, our former editor, for posting a link on his home page so fans of this publication could more easily find our new URL and sign up to get CBEM. Ryan has really taken to web design and his Emag is available online with the latest functions now supported by Netscape 2.0 Check it out @ http://www.cris.com/~Xenozoid/ReadComix.html Normally this is the place where yours truly would tell you a little bit about this issue, like our continuing column Out of Africa, or the new web page where you can download comics for free or some of the bits in the CBN Insider. I might even mention that *our* web page has gone through some major changes lately and you should check it out again but instead there is something more serious to tell you about. The first contact online I ever had with anybody from Valiant Comics was with a person named Seaborn Adamson. At the time he was the archivist who kept track of all the characters and events in the Valiant Universe. I met him on the RIME (Relaynet> Comic Conference and he became a source for lots of information about Valiant as well as a conduit for us fans to share our thoughts to others. He broke the ice and soon lots of Valiant pros went online, and are still interacting with fans over on America Online. Lately, I have been busy with this rag and other things so I had not frequented the Valiant folders on AOL as often as before. Today I saw this message: Date 96-01-30 From_MAMoretti Popular Valiant/Acclaim Archivist Seaborn Adamson, known on the Net as VoskRiver and on his WWW Site, was tragically killed in a car accident yesterday near his home outside Atlanta, Ga. Seaborn was one of the truly great people you could ever meet, and will be greatly missed. No more details are available at this time. Flowers and/or condolences can be sent to his wife, Connie, and 3-year-old daughter, Amalie, at 5377 Mountain Trail, Douglasville, GA 30135. Mark A. Moretti +++++ Followed by a number of tributes: +++++ I had the honor of working closely with Seaborn for over a year. His adoration for the continuity, integrity, and artistry that is the Valiant Universe was at first charming to me...but ultimately inspiring. As a newcomer to Valiant, I scrambled to absorb as much information about its chronology and characters as possible. I'd always loved Bob Layton's work, and I wanted to impress him by being able to answer continuity questions on the fly during my first weeks here. Seaborn was only too glad to take me by the hand...and introduce me to the very first Geomancer... For Seaborn...I will only work harder... Jeff Gomez Armada Line Editor Acclaim Comics I got the news about Seaborn early this morning from Jesse Berdinka, who called me from his New York home. It hurts on a number of levels--he was a friend who I talked to by phone at least once a month, and someone who enjoyed reading the stories that I and the other Valiant guys would write. He got excited about the characters and the folks behind them. I will miss Seaborn the fan, the friend and the archivist and I think his loss will be felt by many. Kevin VanHook I regret not getting to know Seaborn more. I would see his posts on the internet and hear his name when someone called him from the office, but never thought too much about it, always thinking, NEXT TIME I'll say "hello" or I'll send him an email LATER. I never realized how short life is and how we must all take the time out to recognize people whom we respect and love, today. I'm sorry Seaborn. Bernard Chang I can only echo the sentiments that all my colleagues have already expressed. I knew Seaborn a little, which is to say that I got to meet and talk with him and most importantly learn from him. He was, genuinely, a great guy. A few minutes with Seaborn always turned a gray day brighter. When Jesse Berdinka and I went to DragonCon in Atlanta, it was Seaborn who met us at the airport and showed us around town. Why? Not because he had to ... just because he could. That was the kind of guy he was. I only regret that I didn't know him as well as I could have. We will miss you Seaborn. I will miss you. Thank you, Seaborn, for everything. Jeofrey Vita Asst. Editor Acclaim Comics, Inc. +++++ +++++ I can only add that from this side of the screen one could tell that Seaborn truly loved what he did and wanted to do all he could to promote Valiant as a company and a comic universe. On RIME he often would run a trivia contest and send out those premium edition Valiants as prizes. I was fortunate enough to win the first, and later donated it to be auctioned to raise money for medical research into a killer blood disease. I know Seaborn would have approved. In his memory, the FIRST person to reach my Email, ComicBkNet@aol.com with the answer to the same question will win a few little bits of Valiant stuff I have kicking around. Members and participants of the Comic Book Network are inelligible for this one. Here it is: What was the next series Valiant released after Magnus and Solar? David LeBlanc [ComicBkNet@aol.com] Editor The Comic Book Net E-Mag ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [2] Letters to the E-Mag 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 may be used in future issues of the CBN E-Mag unless you specifically request us NOT to use them. +++++ Well, the announcement last issue that the CSNsider is going to paper only publication with #455 has raised a stir on the networks and some response from our readers as well . . . From nobody@acs.itd.uts.edu.au (UTS Student at Broadway Campus) To ComicBkNet@aol.com Hiya, Love the "Chromium" cover :) I'd just like to say that I think it's really bad that *SOME* retailers complain about having CSNinsider on the 'net. I have many customers who read the electronic version, just to be up to date on the goss, but then also want the paper version, so they can have the great piccies, and feature stories for which CSN is famous. We haven't reduced our orders in any way, and I think this provided a great service. If any of the retailers who complained about it could explain the logic behind the complaint, I'd love to hear it. I live in Australia so it costs us slightly more ( with shipping, and exchange rates ) to land CSN here, but we still give it away to our customers. Anyhoo, keep up the GREAT work with this E-mag :) Cheerz from Down Under -=> Stuart :-) {There have been similar reactions on the Usenet Newsgroups as well Stuart and your comments have been forwarded to Comic Shop News. Glad you like the E-mag and watch out for the *cover* on #50 and a real surprise in April! - DL} +++++ Dear Comic Book Net guys, Hi! It's Nate Bredfeldt! I still can't connect to FIAWOL, but I thought I'd comment on your 1 year anniversary issue of CBEM! {FIAWOL is the Texas BBS Hub of the ComicBook Net and Nate will be glad to know they are back in the net again} Recently, I've really started losing touch with the pulse of the industry. I have no access to Fido, Rime, CBN, or Usenet, so any information I can get my hands on is very valuable. (even moreso, now that some jerks whined, and CSNsider is gone) For this reason, Rich's Revelations is one of my favorite sections, as well as the CBNsider! {Well, it is officially CBN Insider as homage but not too close to the CSN name.} While I appreciate the big, in-depth review, I'd really like more. Some smaller ones would serve this comic fan who's way behind on his reading well. On a similar note, is there any room in the CBEM for Some Stuff? I have the time, the desire, and can promise that I'll stay two or three weeks ahead of myself, in case I hit a dry sell. I already have two (almost three) whole columns written up, that can be mailed to you at your whim, for approval. Please let me know whenever you can get around to it. Thanks! (and keep up the good work) Nate {Another comment about CSNsider! We like Rich's take on the business and those UK contacts he has. The reviews rely on contributions from our network members who are just now getting linked in after the *crash* of '96. People like Bill Hughes and John Keady will likely have lots to say in the coming weeks as they have in the past so stay with us. Yours truly prefers to do in depth reviews and my time is limited. If you look at the table of contents you will see we took you up on your offer and are once again running "Some Stuff" in this very issue. How's that for service?} +++++ Thanks for printing the top WWW pages list. I only had a couple of those. Rob Collier {Well if you don't want to set up your book marks with all those URL's just stop by our Web Page: http://members.aol.com/ComicBkNet because I have set up a whole page of links to everything on that list. It will be a regular feature of our page. PLUS, anyone who has stopped by may want to go back again because I just finished a major revamp on 2/28 - all new graphics to make it more user friendly. Comments and criticisms on it are welcome.} ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [3] CBN Insider - News, gossip and rumors from around the industry NEW YORK, NY - 2/29/96 STOP THE PRESSES! (I always wanted to say that!) Late Thursday afternoon word started to spread that the Great Eastern Convention scheduled for Mar 1-3 had been "postponed" to June just one day before the opening! R.A.C.M. reigning queen, Elayne Wechsler-Chaput broke the news online and added the Friends of Lulu Fundraiser would still go on. Evan Dorkin alluded to the *cause* being that the organizers had not handled the paperwork with the Fire Marshall in the big apple. Whatever the cause, the news was not circulated by the organizers and many guests, exhibitors, and fans already en route will arrive to locked doors. Sadly a Gene Colan benefit was scheduled for the event to help defray medical expenses. Also, if there is a rescheduled show in June, GEC will likely not refund any fees already collected - but what about non cancellable plane fares and the like? A hastily organized FREE to the PUBLIC show is now on at : The Church of St. Paul the Apostle 10 Columbus Ave (between 59th and 60th) Directly behind the N.Y. Coliseum 10 am to 8pm Saturday March 2nd. So far Joe Quesada, Jimmy Palmiotti and Bill Tucci will be there. This will be the buzz on the nets for a while! +++++ BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--March 1, 1996-- Sceneries Entertainment has announced that Brian Yuzna, critically-acclaimed director of 'Bride of Re-Animator,' will helm 'Zen -- The Movie.' Based on the comic-book 'Zen Intergalactic Ninja,' the live-action feature is being promoted at the American Film Market, currently underway in Santa Monica, CA. "Zen is a new breed of alien hero, with a message of hope for humanity," said producer Philippe Diaz. "Brian Yuzna's unique vision of Zen will earn him a whole new legion of fans." Created by Steve Stern and Dan Cote in 1987, Zen is exclusively licensed by Surge Entertainment, the same people who turned the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles into pop culture icons. No stranger to comic-book material, Yuzna has also served as producer of 'The Guyver' and 'Crying Freeman,' both based on popular Japanese comics. +++++ Dan Chichester, writer on the SLIDERS comic book for Acclaim, reports that not only is the 2nd two issue series wrapping up in May but yet another 3 issue mini has been given the green light with extra plotting input from producer Tracy Torme! +++++ According to those who frequent the America Online DC Online area, Mike Carlin announced on 2/22 that Joey Cavalieri, who was dropped from the 2099 titles in the Marvelcution leading to mass resignations of people working on those books, has been tapped as the new editor for the SUPERMAN titles taking over from KC Carlson (who will remain on the Legion titles). No word on other new duties for KC. Mark Waid also announced that Brian Augustyn is going from editorial staff to free lance writing with Paul Kupperberg taking over for him on the "FLASH". Brian will still be around on it though, only now as a collaborator on the writing. +++++ On 25 Feb 1996, Tom Brevoort indicated to the Usenet folks that it looked like the Green Goblin book will only last until #13. Not official yet so stay tuned. +++++ Those of us who read Comic Buyer's Guide got a first glimpse of a new project this week. According to CBG #1164, there's an Image/Marvel crossover in the works. On Page 6 there are 3 pieces of promotional art for the crossover. Details to follow next week but according to word on the nets here are some of the projects: X-FORCE/STRIKEFORCE WOLVERINE/TROLL WOLVERINE/BADROCK BADROCK/SPIDER-MAN (featuring Peter Parker as Spidey!) X-MEN/WILDCATS SHADOWHAWK/DAREDEVIL GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY/THE ALLIANCE (by Valentino of course) PUNISHER/PROPHET All will be released sometime in 1996-early 1997 depending on completion and all are one-shots with varying page counts and prices ranging from $1.95 to $3.95. You can IMAGE-ine the grains of salt that some people are taking with this news as to actual release dates or if some will actually show up as the chatter alludes to "DEATHMATE" history! +++++ Reuter,s News Service reports that an undisclosed buyer bought the Batmobile for $189,500! The from the 1989 ``Batman'' film was sold to an anonymous fan who phoned in the winning bid at an auction of Hollywood memorabilia held by the Butterfield & Butterfield auction house in Los Angeles February 27th. The electric car has a hydraulic system that raises and lowers the chassis and a battery charging system. Both the new owner and the seller are not known to the public, at their request. +++++ ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [4] OUT OF AFRICA ^^^^^^^^^^^^^ By Marc Sparks (c) 1996 Ok, it's the old story you innocently wander into your favourite source of Mythos (comics etc), and there it is. It stares at you from the self, it's got a fancy cover, a big blurp reading "Collectors Item", and maybe "Anniversary" or "Spectacular First Issue" and it's the first one you see. Maybe it's double the price, but you buy it anyway, you know it's gonna be worth it, it's a solid investment. Is the story any good? WHY BUYING COMICS FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES IS JUST PLAIN DUMB! Oh I've been caught before, bought that terrific Anniversary issue, or maybe the first issue and endured a mismashed story of strained art and editorial ego-boosting. So now it doesn't matter what the cover says, if I don't like it I'm not buying it. I don't care who the guest hero of the month is in Green Lantern, I'm not getting caught. Multiple issue purchases? Oh I do that, if an old favourite is looking a little battered I'll buy a second copy, I might pay a small premium, but that might be years (even decades) later, so you can't bank on me for that. So how can you tell what gonna be hot ten years from now? How many copies should I buy? how much am I gonna make $$$$$$$. How am I gonna stop all the other people from buying 10 copies as well? The simple answer, is that you can't. Oh if you enjoy the comic, think the art and the writing's great and your friends agree then there `might' be a demand for good condition issue ten years from now, but it won't be anything like an Action #1 or a 'Tec #26. Let me explain, the value of these old golden age classics is based primarily on nostalga. The golden age comic that was read and passed on, had readerships into the millions! So 40 or 50 years later, those kids might be CEO's of major companies, and they have no qualms about paying thousands of dollars to recover their lost youth. So what about your X-title with a foil cover and five versions of issue #1, thats a best seller, the sales figures prove it, it must be popular, and I've got five sealed copies. They must be worth something? Sure're they worth something, the intrinsic value of any comic is it's scrap paper value. If you bought five copies, chances are most everyone who bought that issue got multiple copies. That sort of accounts for the high sales figures doesn't it? So what's hot might not be so hot after all, PLUS because it was so HOT it probably was released as a trade paperback as well. Those were hot too, how many copies did you get? Was the story any good? This should be your crucial guide, if the story's good, then you, or people like you, or an entirely new generation of readers will find it desirable, and maybe your comic will worth a little bit more than scrap paper. Of course if you like it that much then it's probably battered as hell and far to valuable to you personally to sell. So what's this all got to do with South African comics? Well local publishers have been making mutterings about the future value of their products. I would hate to see the local industry (even if it is a reprint one go belly up because readers were alienated or felt cheated over speculation talk. So what's a SA version of Spawn #1 worth anyway? Well with lots of hot air preceding, I would love to get E-mail, commenting on my comments or on just about anything in general (I just love to get E-mail). My Address: Figment@connx.vironix.co.za Marc Sparks lives and works in the Republic of the New South Africa (GMT-2), and should really be in bed right now instead of waffling commentry for a virtual Magazine. NEXT: "The Potential Socio-Economical Implications Of a Virtual Society on the Comic Book Industry" or "The Net & Comics" Marc Sparks ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [5] Look! I'm back! Maybe for more that three consecutive columns, this time! NateCo Presents: SOME STUFF! (Nate's only official occasionally appearing column-like writings that can be located in CBEM!) Let's get to know one another: My name is Nate; I aspire to write for a living, but need a lot more practice. Thus, SomeStuff! The weekly column in which I talk endlessly about stuff. Let's begin. This week, I thought I'd cover a few comic related happenings around my little world here in Dallas over the past three weeks. GENERATION X movie: Far be it from me to give Marvel any lip service, but I liked it. I always like to see live action superhero shows and movies, just as long as they don't involve any current Saturday Night Live cast members. Throughout this movie, I was constantly putting myself into the stretchy guy's place. I'd think "If I were the stretchy guy, I'd forget the blonde, and ask Jubilee out." Or, "I wouldn't be able to undress in front of the White Queen. I'd just have to take my stretchy self to join the Avengers." Here's hoping another movie is in the works! Babylon 5 suprised me this week, with "Messages from Earth." This episode actually took continuity from issues 5-8 of the late, lamented comic book! Both show and comic can still stand alone, but together they add depth to one another! I feel a lot better about the comic, now that I know it is in continuity. They seem like less of a waste, knowing that knowledge gleaned from the pages of the comic could come into play at any time. And I hope DC brings it back at some point! ANNOUNCEMENT: The official NateCo Sandman #75/Death #1 gambling pool is over! On a related note, the official NateCo Sandman #75/Dreaming #1 gambling pool is now open! I'm giving 5:1 odds that Dreaming #1 will be out before Sandman #75! Act soon, pool closes in three weeks. Seriously, Gaiman has me frustrated like you would not believe! I've seen The Tempest several times, and have looked forward to a mystic rendition of it since it was first rumored, many years ago. (I even ordered it! My first issue of Sandman!) Maybe it will be out by the time this sees print, invalidating my comment. But, if not: man, I wish Gaiman would hurry it up! The last two items are are toy related. Just thought I'd warn any of you non-toy people... Hooray for Galoob! Besides the only toy company in the world to feature Babylon 5 toys, they have a nifty Ultraforce line! All the "chase" figures (packaged 1 in 12) are either repackaged or repainted versions of regular figures! No more losing out on the best figure in the line because it's rare! Too bad the comic book still sucks. Finally, I picked up the Superman/Doomsday action figure 2 pack (complete with comic) for my birthday. Doomsday seems good and sturdy, but he's a little smaller than I imagined he'd be. Superman is a gladiator variation of your basic Superman (like Infrared Batman, Power Disk Batman, or Sub-Zero Batman, etc.) with no real thrills. The comic is short, but otherwise, it's a good set. (I also picked up the Star Wars 2 player card game. It pits Luke and Ben against Darth Vader on the Death Star and Tatooine. It's pretty neat, but the rules are CONFUSING!) That's it for this week! Next week: The Dichotomy that is Dark Horse! (Agree? Disagree? Want to comment? Nathan Bredfeldt can be replied to at ComicBkNet@aol.com) ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [6] New Comics Shipping 3/4/96, by Bobb Waller Here is the expanded list of what is shipping next week 3/4/96 according to diamond, capitol, and marvel. remember this list is guaranteed to be at least 200% inaccurate. (though i hope the kindly ones hc ships!) onto the list! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ABSTRACT STUDIOS: Strangers in Paradise #10 ACCLAIM COMICS: Eternal Warrior:Fist & Steel #1 Killer instinct #1 ALAFFINITY BOOKS: Greymatter #10 ARCHIE COMICS: Archie Dbl. Digest #85 Betty #37 Hanna-Barbera Presents #4 Laugh digest #127 Street Sharks #1 BIG ENTERTAINMENT: Lady Justice #10 CHAOS! COMICS: Lady Death: The Odessey Sneak Peek Preview CLAYPOOL COMICS: Soulsearchers & Company #16 COMICO: Primer:Bathroy #3 COMIC SHOP NEWS: Csn #455 COPPERVALE PRESS: Starchild:Crossroads #3 COSMIC COMICS Caged Heat 3000 #3 Death Race 2021 #1 Rock & Roll High School #2 DARK HORSE COMICS: Bettie Page Comics #1 Cud Comics 3: Godzilla #9 Indiana Jones & The Sargasso Pirates #4 Legend of Mother Sarah City of... Star War: Darke Empire TP Preview X #24 DC COMICS Batman: Black & White #1 Blood & Shadows #2 Chairoscuro: PLoDV #8 DC Vs. Marvel #4 Green Lantern #73 Hardware #38 Hawkman #31 Hellblazer #100 Hitman #1 Justice League America #110 Man-Bat #3 New Gods #7 Power of Shazam #14 Sandman: The Kindley Ones HC Shade:TCM #70-Final Issue Showcase 96 #4 Sovereign Seven #10 Starman #18 Superman #11 Swamp Thing #165 DRAWN & QUARTERLY BOOKS: Crash:Quarterly Comic Book Review V1 #3 FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS: At work & Play with Bitchy Bitch Hate #22 Comics Journal #184 GLADSTONE HAMILTON BOOKS: Donald Duck Adventures #38 HIGH IMPACT COMICS: Double Impact/Hellina #1 HIGH TOP COMICS: Brinke of Destruction #2 I BOX PUBLISHING: Thieves & Kings #10 IMAGE COMICS: Body Count #1 Bone #5-Image Printing Crush #4 Cybernary #5 Dart #1 Defcon 4 #1 Lethal #1 Man Against TIme #2 Maggie the Cat #2 Prophet Vol.II #4 Spawn/Wildcats #3 Stormwatch #33 Union #9 Weapon Zero #2 Witchblade #4 KITCHEN SINK PRESS: Oink:Heavens Butcher #2 MARVEL COMICS: Spider-Man 2099 #43 Avemgers #397 Captain America #451 Captain Marvel #6 Fantastic Four Unplugged #5 Silver Surfer #115 Daredevil #352 Doctor Strange #88 Over the Edge #6 Sensational Spider-Man #4 Spectacular Spider-Man #233 Venom:Along Came a Spider #4 Adventures of the X-Men #2 Cable #31 Uncanny X-Men #332 Wolverine #100 (Both Enhanced & Non) Casper #2 Conan #10 Saban's MMPR & Ren & Stimpy #42 Phoenix Resurrection #0 Prime #6 Battletech Value Pack Mortal Kombat Value Pack MAXIMUM COMIC PRESS: Battlestar Galactica:Starbuck #3 NGNG STUDIOS: Rana 7 #2 SIRIUS ENTERTAINMENT: Dawn #3 SLAVE LABOR GRAPHICS: Dystopik Snomen #3 Little Mister Man #3 Skelton Key #8 TOPPS COMICS: GoldenEye #3 VIZ COMMUNICATIONS: Battle Angel Alita:Angel of Redemption Battle Angel Alita: Part 6 #1 Maison Ikkoku:part 5 #5 Manga Vision V2#3 Return of Lum:Part2 #7 Riot #6 WARP GRAPHICS: Elfquest:Waveriders Special #1 ======================================================================== Well it looks like the biggest week in months next week, at least $$$$wise. See ya in Seven, on the Spinners! ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [7] Comics on the Web - TERROR TOTS! We all have heard about the commercial possibilities of the World Wide Web. Many technical hurdles have or will soon be overcome promising to bring much more products to our attention via the Internet and even allow purchasing of those products by secure means, the future of home shopping. What about comics? I don't mean buying from guy's private collection via Email, I mean actually downloading and printing a comic to read or just view as graphic images. Well they have already started and a message from a familiar name showed up this week: Date 1996-02-26,01:58 To ALL From Len Strazewski Subject TERROR TOTS/free downloads TERROR TOTS, the ash can comic series created by Len Strazewski (PRIME) and Paul Fricke (TROLLORDS) is now available on the World Wide Web. If you were unable to get copies of the limited edition ash can from me or Paul at conventions, you can view and download the stories in six page units from the Web site. Downloads are free with registration and all material is copyright by me and Paul, but readers are invited to print as many copies as they want and distribute them to whoever they want--as long as they don't alter the pages. Also coming soon to NEGATIVE BURN from Caliber Press, the first TERROR TOTS story in a commercial comic--featuring the full-playable TERROR TOTS board game. No kidding! TERROR TOTS on the Web http://www.animus.com/Tot Len Strazewski ----- Well I checked it out and the *registration* consisted of giving my name and address so I could get a code to access the pages in GIF or JPEG format. I took 2 and it looks pretty neat. I think is a wonderful way to promote a new product, having seen the same thing done for Generation-X #1 before it came out (though, as I recall, Marvel specifically forbid duplication or redistribution of those images). Getting to see a few pages and given permission to print, copy and pass them out is like a whole new form of ash can at much less expense! I am sure we will see more of this in the future. Anyone with a web browser should check out Terror Tots! To make it easy I have added a link on our MAIN page at: http://members.aol.com/ComicBkNet ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [8] REVIEW: - RANA 7:"Warriors of Vengeance" #1 (of 2) NGNG STUDIOS $2.50 ($3.50CDN) Creator/Writer: Glen Sica Illustrator/Color: Ovi Hondru Art Director: Robert Mag Unusual to see the title "Art Director" in the main credits, I wonder what he does? Ovi Hondru, the artist, has some mainstream credits to his name like pencils and inks on the Black & White version of Marvel's "Savage Sword of Conan", colors on "Thor" and "Silver Surfer" and covers on Clive Barker's Hellraiser and Heavy Metal. His work on this title shows some of that experience but I dislike his frequent use of collage pages to tell flashback sequences. This book is really the setup for everything to follow, and there is some 11 pages of back story running from pre-historic times to the future. No distinct panels for that long got tiring for me. I received this book in the mail and part 2 was supposedly shipping this week (it did not make it to my store in MA) to end the mini series that introduces the RANA 7 and sets up the premise for the series. I must say I am still not too clear on some of the details on the story 'til now. First it seems there is this war between Dyradom the Terrible and the Aura Masters that has been waging for millennia. Dyradom genetically engineered some eggs of the lethal RANA species, (poison-dart frogs that look so much like a cross between ninja turtles and Cyberfrog!), trained them in warfare and then sent them out to eliminate the Aura Masters for as long as it takes, in this case centuries. The seven who are left after a pre-historic battle, left unconscious to die, are frozen in amber through the ages and are eventually freed by an archaeologist, Dimitriades Alexander, who just happens to be an ancient Greek warrior who survived through the ages after beating the evil Globoticus in the 68th Olympiad. They are both descendants of Aura Masters, but Globoticus is seeking revenge for his ancient loss and has so far killed Dimitriades wife and child. With the RANA7 revived and now loyal to Dimitriades, they are striking back in a very Hellish future with mutated creatures in the alleys and Globboticus' Raiders with diamond hard armor patrolling New York seemingly killing for thrills and to show their power over all. Need I go on? I like the art, though the color is a bit dark most of the time. The story is just too involved, too many elements jammed in to try and tell you everything at once. The whole multi-century story with all the names ands relations became a blur and I found myself going back to figure out who was fighting who and why. Maybe it moves forward from here, and we actually get to see these RANA7 do something so we understand them as the title characters. In this book they barely speak and there is no character development at all, as if they are just extras in their own book. Other than that, the uncanny resemblance to other amphibian like warrior creatures did not interest me, but maybe it is the next thing to be hot! Many thanks to NGNG Studios for the free copy. This book was out in December so you may still be able to find it on the racks and get #2 shortly - which I noticed is getting some play in the fan press. Rating: I don't *do* ratings. Mildly recommended. ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [9] How to join the COMIC BOOK NETWORK You too can enjoy the intelligent conversations and informative threads that occupy the conferences of the Comic Book Net every day! However, many people who read this e-mag aren't familiar with the Local BBS echo-mail system.... Bulletin Board Systems are scattered everywhere across the continent and the world, many of them are free! Chances are, if you have a modem you have the accompanying communications software. Using the Terminal Emulation software that came with your modem, you can dial up one of the many systems linked into CBN (see the listings down a few paragraphs). Most of the boards offer all the message echoes in the Comic Book Network... There are message bases devoted to all the bigger comics publishers, as well as big Small Press and Independent message bases, not to mention sections for general (doesn't even have to be about comics!) conversation. If you are worried about long distance charges, worry no longer! Most if not all the BBS's offer a mail service from which you can download a .QWK packet of recent e-mail to read offline with a program called an offline mail reader. You can read & write messages at your leisure, and then upload your own messages & replies the next time you call your local BBS. There are many .QWK packet readers out there, for every type of computer system. They all give you a better explanation in their documentation than I can. These programs are available all over the Internet and are free to download from most BBS's. I recommend SLMR or OLX-TD for DOS to get started. These "mail runs" (dialing up, downloading the mail packet and uploading replies) generally take less than 5 minutes to accomplish, and at the average after-5pm/weekends/holidays long distance phone rates, that is LESS THAN $.75! See? Even less expensive than many of the commercial information services available! :) So what else can you find on free BBS systems? There are plenty of files for specific types of computers. Some systems also offer other types of message networks ranging from general topics to specific themes like sci-fi, role playing, games, music, etc. And, let's not forget online games. Join into the many different multiplayer games, each system sports different challenges. There's nothing like becoming the most powerful being in a online adventure! And when you _do_ log on, leave a message in The Bullpen conference to ALL, and introduce yourself to us! You're guaranteed to get plenty of replies and all the help you need to join in the fun! ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [10] BBSes Linked into CBN We are rebuilding our connections and probably have more BBS nodes connected than we know right now. Here's the most up-to-date node listing for the COMIC BOOK NETWORK as of 2/28/96 F=FIDO Q=QWK B=Both *=Major HUB -- ARKANSAS ------------------------------------------------------------ F* Karate & Comics & ... Russelville AR 501-968-3910 Robert Wood Conway PC Users AR 501-329-7227 Tim Stone -- CALIFORNIA ---------------------------------------------------------- Q Freedom Flight Victorville CA 619-955-6445 Ronald Siodla Electronic RPO Newbury Park CA 805-498-8061 Kelly Cruise -- FLORIDA ------------------------------------------------------------- F Never Never Land Melbourne FL 407-253-8754 Wayne Bell Steel Dog Cafe Destin FL 904-654-1631 Keith Schultz Ghost's Realm Crestview FL 904-689-6664 Kie Dorton -- ILLINOIS ------------------------------------------------------------ F The Chess Board Grand Prairie TX 214-641-1136 Ken Givens -- INDIANA ------------------------------------------------------------- F The CyberSpace BBS Indianapolis IN 317-856-9020 Charlie Smith -- KENTUCKY ------------------------------------------------------------ Lex Corp Georgetown KY 502-867-0992 -- MARYLAND ------------------------------------------------------------ B* CBN SuperHub Frederick MD 301-874-6020 Mike Imboden F The Vampyre Bar! Frederick MD 301-698-5194 Darryl Pierce F DataStorm Kettering MD 301-390-5243 Tarek Gordan F Bifrost Mount Rainier MD 301-779-9381 Kevin Carlin F Womens World East BBS Silver Spring MD 301-431-0647 Wendy Dumser -- MASSACHUSETTS ------------------------------------------------------- F Archives BBS Acushnet MA 508-995-0085 John Viera F Muskrat & Heatwave New Bedford MA 508-984-5321 Dennis Racine B* Keystone BBS Shrewsbury MA 508-753-3767 John Harris F HellFire BBS S. Dartmouth MA 508-979-8930 Brock Cordeiro B Call Again Soon Worcester MA 508-791-1281 Joe Johnson -- MICHIGAN ------------------------------------------------------------ F Intl. Comic Network Dearborn Hgts MI 313-565-8464 Anthony Palacio -- MISSOURI ------------------------------------------------------------ F The Oan Citadel Grandview MO 816-767-1488 Brian J. Stewart -- NEW HAMPSHIRE ------------------------------------------------------- Venom's World Rollinsford, NH 603-749-5599 -- NEW JERSEY ---------------------------------------------------------- -- NEW YORK ------------------------------------------------------------ Asgard TW BBS West Islip NY 516-422-4225 Tom Pemberton Interzone BBS Long Is. City NY 718-786-5557 Jim Garvin F Starbase : Red Dwarf Saugerties NY 914-247-9601 John Dragun -- NORTH CAROLINA ------------------------------------------------------ F Electronic Hangover Durham NC 919-286-4542 Richard Lee F Psychotronic Durham NC 919-286-7738 Richard Lee F* TI-Raliegh Maximus Raliegh NC 919-833-3412 Walter Tietjen F Crystal Winds Raliegh NC 919-790-3599 Mike Gurkin -- OKLAHOMA ------------------------------------------------------------ Compumate Tulsa OK 918-628-0887 Danny Pelletier F Snart's Dreamland Collinsville OK 918-371-0980 Jeff Bennett -- PENNSYLVANIA -------------------------------------------------------- F Comic Book Board Philadelphia PA 215-365-5225 William Horton -- TENNESSEE ----------------------------------------------------------- -- TEXAS --------------------------------------------------------------- Razor's Domain ][ Edinburg TX 210-631-5159 Kevin Nunn Q Way Out There Dallas TX 214-680-2755 Justin Pasher F The Chess Board Grand Prairie TX 214-641-1136 Ken Givens B* FIAWOL/MSConnections Irving TX 214-790-6472 Bobb Waller F Star Streams Waxahachie TX 214-938-7115 Michael Rudolf -- VIRGINIA ------------------------------------------------------------ B Crystal Aerie Arlington VA 703-415-1130 Spencer Greenwald -- WASHINGTON ---------------------------------------------------------- -- ONTARIO, CANADA ----------------------------------------------------- F Dark Knight BBS London ONT 519-850-9929 Michael Cross F MACH 1 BBS London ONT 519-457-6771 Tomasz Heiber Stargate:Above & BeyondLondon ONT 519-472-4938 Paul Nicholas -- MEXICO -------------------------------------------------------------- B* The Gate BBS Mexico City 52-5-264-2994 Emilio Karam - From USA, dial international-access 011 then 52-5-264-2994# ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [11] E-Mag Info The Comic Book Net E-Mag is published by the many participants of The Comic Book Network. This is a compilation of articles and columns which were originally posted in the network's conferences or written specifically for this electronic magazine. Some articles are independent of any connection with CBN and are used with permission. All text contained within is copyrighted to the originating author(s). You may freely distribute or duplicate intact without alteration for noncommercial purposes only. Please do not distribute except as the complete file as originally transmitted by The Comic Book Net E-Mag THE CBN WEB PAGE ---------------- If you have access to the World Wide Web, please stop by and visit our web page! On our web page, you can find the latest issue of our E-Mag, as well as an annotated index and all back issues. You'll also find important information on how to join the conversation in the Comic Book Net, and other neat features like links to Comic Book Web pages! The URL address is: http://members.aol.com/ComicBkNet LOCATING THE ISSUES ------------------- The latest issue is always available from all the systems linked into The Comic Book Network. You can also find the back issues at America Online, by going to Keyword: Science Fiction, scrolling to the menu item _ Comic Book Forum_ and then going to the Comics Library from there. Most issues should also be available on Compuserve, Genie, Channel1 BBS and Software Creations BBS as well as other non CBN affiliated Bulletin Board Systems. All back issues should be available at the above sites, as well as our World Wide Web page. SUBMISSIONS ----------- To submit an article, review, column, etc to our e-mag, simply post it in any Comic Book Net conference and leave me a message in the CBN: E-Mag conference giving me permission to use the article. If you cannot access the Comic Book Net, submit your articles for consideration to the editor at: ComicBkNet@aol.com Reviews of mainstream books are least likely to get included when submitted from sources outside of CBEM. We give more consideration to reviews of indies and self published material as we feel that material deserves more exposure to the general public. Commentary on the state of the industry, and personal observations and reflections related to comics are *most* likely to be included in our publication. We also accept product for review purposes. Advanced copies of comic books will not be returned but anything sent to us will be reviewed in the ComicBook Net Emag. Send all material to: David L. LeBlanc 84 Heather Circle Jefferson, MA 01522 SUBSCRIPTIONS ------------- If you wish to receive these issues automatically through your internet account, please address a message to ComicBkNet@aol.com to be placed on the subscription list. ________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ - End of another Issue .. see ya in the funny papers!! --- Well I'll be damned! "I wouldn't recommend it." - SPAWN