------------------------------------------------------------------------
    THE COMIC BOOK NET ELECTRONIC MAGAZINE     -     ISSUE NUMBER #71

            Edited by: David LeBlanc [ComicBkNet@aol.com]
________________________________________________________________________
    World Wide Web Page------>>    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!!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
   The ComicBook Network was founded by Ed Dukeshire and Mike Imboden
------------------------------------------------------------------------
   If you wish to receive each issue automatically through your Email
   account, please address a message to    ComicBkNet@aol.com   to be
   placed on the subscription list.
________________________________________________________________________
                   T A B L E   O F   C O N T E N T S
------------------------------------------------------------------------
    [1]  On the Net ............................ David LeBlanc
    [2]  Letters to the Editor ................. Your Page!
         TRIVIA CONTEST......................... Guesses & Answers
    [3]  CBN Insider ........................... News, gossip, & rumors
    [4]  Name This Column ...................... Mike Imboden
    [5]  Suspended Animation ................... Michael Vance
    [6]  Review: Dr. Wonder #3 ................. David Leblanc
    [7]  New Comics Shipping 8/14/96 ........... Bobb Waller

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

First my apologies for mistyping Taboux last time around, I forgot the x
on the end! TABOUX #1 is out there on the stand folks, check it out.  Not
your ordinary vampire comic.

Second, some sad news from our long time contributor Bobb Waller.  His
weekly column which he compiles the list of items shipping the following
week will cease at the end of the month when he shuts down his BBS.  I
used this list myself to double check the racks when I go pick up my
books. I run it here in the Emag for anyone else who wants it.  The
reason it fits well here is that Bobb has it out like clockwork every
Thursday on the networks so I can include it here and still have the Emag
out for the weekend.  The only other weekly list I know of is put out on
Monday and in the email by Tuesday and I would not want to change my
publishing schedule to the day before the comics hit the racks just to
include a list of what will be out.  The news of the week and my
contributing columns are here by Friday and I think people like to have
this to browse at their leisure over the weekend.  So, unless Bobb can
undo what seems inevitable we'll have to do without the What's Shipping
list after August.  :<

On the up side, another member of CBN, Mike Imboden is back with us with
what we hope will be an ongoing column.  It must have been the CHEEZY
PRIZE(tm) that inspired him to once again join the "usual gang of idiots"
to quote Mad Magazine.  To kick off his triumphant return he has offered
his own bag of goodies to the winner of his NAME THIS COLUMN contest.  As
if I didn't have enough to do, I promise to forward to him all your
suggestions, bribes or threats. His old column was called the 25th Hour,
I think because that is when he usually wrote it or something.  I am
kinda curious to see the suggestions, but keep them clean, I am the
editor after all.  :)

A couple of interesting letters this month concerning the
Diamond/Capital buy out.  I know this sparks a lot of talk, and I have
seen much of it on the networks as well as in the comic store.  If you
feel you want to add a thought or two, well, send in a letter.  If it is
good enough it just might get featured as a guest column.  And that goes
for other subjects as well. I know some of you have thoughts about the
industry or that favorite comic that just never gets much mention.  Well
we can't cover it all, but you can help.  Look no further than the lines
below this text for the address to send that Email to.  It is the same as
always (except when AOL is down!)

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

ComicBkNet@aol.com

Note: letters of comment, complete with the sender's Email address, may be
used in future issues of the CBN E-Mag unless you specifically request us
NOT to use them.  Email address will be withheld upon request.
+++++
First up, a note from Gary Sassaman, creator of the most excellent comic
book, Innocent Bystander:

From:    GSassaman
To:    ComicBknet

David,

Hi...I keep enjoying the E-mag every week, but I thought I'd drop you a
line at this particularly vexing (for lack of a better word...or
education, for that matter) point in the comic book industry.

I'm afraid the Diamond-Capital merger sounds the death knell for books
like INNOCENT BYSTANDER. I had such miserable sales at Diamond on issue
#2, and even though it seems to be catching on critically and making a
little of a name for itself, I'm fearful of publishing a third issue. The
folks at Diamond have always been very nice to me, but with so much
product in a monthly catalogue, I'm afraid I'll just get  even more lost.
I suppose a solution to that is buying an ad in PREVIEWS, but there are
so many ads for so many downright crappy books, I'm afraid, again, it
would just get lost in the shuffle, crappy or not.

Notice how many times I've used the words afraid or fearful?

I've pretty much got IB3 all planned out...and I'd already decided to
reduce the print run to 2,000. (I do everything backwards...I set my
print run before orders come in, because I know I'd never get a book done
in time to make a solicitation date...I know, it's really stupid
business-wise, but I never set out to make any money on this.) And I'm
pretty sure I'm gonna go ahead with it...I just hope it finds a home with
Diamond.

Keep up the great work with the E-mag. I look forward to it each week.

-Gary.

[Truly good work manages to survive, as I am sure yours will.  Keep us
posted on how to best help and how the loyal readers can be sure to get
copies of INNOCENT BYSTANDER.]

More on the Diamond thing:   comments in brackets[] are mine - D.L.

Subj:    Diamond *is* a monopoly
Date:    96-08-04 20:30:45 EDT
From:    vandcook@ix.netcom.com (Brad M. Cook)
To:    ComicBkNet@aol.com

Read the latest CBEM and your mention about Diamond being kind of a
monopoly (or words to that effect).  Actually, if Diamond is controlling
96.5 percent of the market then they *are* a monopoly, and as such their
purchase should be checked into by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Do they think that since it's comics no one would care?  Well, they
should care because monopolies in any industry can be devestating, no
matter how out-of-the-way that industry is.

[I said that people are speculating about what may happen and are
calling the position Diamond is in an *effective* monopoly. You also
misquote the statistic, which I credited to Matt High of Antarctic Press,
which is that Diamond distributes 96.5% of the NON-MARVEL comics to the
direct market. I am sure you are not speaking from any legal expertise to
make such basic errors in an argument.  I suspect that Diamond's lawyers
have looked at the legal ramifications every which way and your
accusations, and you are not alone in this layman assessment, do not hold
enough legal ground to sweat about.  Of course it is not because it is
*just* comics, it's because there is not enough legal ground to bother
with it, more than likely (that being *my* layman's assessment).  If you
read the initial press conference when DC went *exclusive* you will see
that they DO NOT sell product to Diamond so therefore Diamond is not
SELLING DC product to retailers.(I guess that means the percentage that
Diamond *controls* is even less)  DC could set up their own distribution
network very easily I suspect, but why bother when they are paying
Diamond to be their agent and they still set their own discounts.]

Technically, Diamond could refuse to carry a publisher's books or refuse
to sell books to a particular retailer and put that business under that
way.  Will that happen?  Maybe or maybe not.  But it *could*

[Why would they want to put a customer out of business?  Why would they
want to drive fans from the hobby?   They are not that stupid.  Now that
they can be heavily involved with *every* retailer out their that buys
direct, they will want to help keep the hobby healthy.  It is in their
own best interests to do so.]

happen, and that's what I thought the laws of this country were about: to
prevent disasters like this from happening.  A monopoly is a monopoly, no
matter how benign it may seem (and I don't think there are many in this
industry who think that Diamond is benign).

[So they should have let Capital wither on the vine, die a slow death,
which they surely would have, gone bankrupt and thereby leave lots of
small publishers hanging for money they desperately need?  IMHO, the
writing was on the wall, Capital management knew it, and they at least
saved their loyal publishers the pain of being dragged down with them.
Right now they have someone who is taking over the distribution, and
presumedly they will get paid for what they sell.  Some may get dropped
at a later date, but then there will always be companies who just don't
make it, can't appeal to a broad enough audience to be financially
successful.  Is it's Diamond's responsibility to carry every single comic
made no matter how bad and not matter how little it sells even if it is
good stuff?  Of course not, but you can bet there will be much gnashing
of teeth over every single publisher that they do drop since everyone is
ready to paint Diamond as evil incarnate now.  Sorta takes the heat off
of Marvel, and they started this whole mess.]

Hopefully, we will see new distributors rise up in the aftermath of this
(after we get more readers into this industry to give it a shot in the
arm) and there will be more outlets to distribute material. Otherwise, we
are leaving the gates between publishers and retailers in this industry
in the control of a small group of people, and that's insane.

[What do you mean WE paleface?  The industry contracted after the great
speculation glut, this is one of the final gasps of that contraction,
but WE can't effect that level of the business.  We can support the
product we like and help promote it and work with our retailers to
convince them that diversity in product offering will keep them
successful.  The smart ones already figured that out.  They will get
their product from whomever they need to to stay in business, be it two
monolithic direct distributors or a coalition of retailers buying
directly on some products, whatever the case may be.  You want to sick
the FTC on somebody, be my guest.  Let me know how it turns out.]

Brad Cook
VandCook@ix.netcom.com

Editor, Comic Club

[Thanks for writing in Brad]
And now .....for something completely different  . . .

From: Hank Kanalz <71155.2025@CompuServe.COM>
Subject: Re: CBEM #70A

<<Superman #116, just out this week, has
a free preview of the new TEEN TITANS book.  {This seems to be an
tradition as I believe the NEW TEEN TITANS first appeared in a Superman
book as well.}>>

It was DC COMICS PRESENTS, which did feature Superman and Green Lantern.
And,

[I knew that, honest]

boy, do I remember riding my bike down to 7-11 to buy it!

Hank

But, you've probably already received a lot of posts saying the same
thing...

[Actually SO many people wrote in to tell me about you riding your bike
to the 7-11 I started feeling I had a deprived childhood!]

[TRIVIA CONTEST]
Last week's question:
   Name the main characters in the first Marvel/DC crossover!

[We got basically two responses, as you will see.  Later there will be
 a lesson on the definition of a comic book cross-over.  *8^)  ]
+++++
Date:    96-08-06 11:41:30 EDT From:    desada@edc1.edc.ca

Probably way to late to get this in, but I'll take a shot at it.

Spiderman and Superman.
+++++
From: Don Kirkby <DKirkby@sierrasys.com>

I'm not sure, but I seem to remember Spider Man and I'll guess Superman.
Not that it matters since the e-mag shipped on Friday night before what
was a long weekend here in B.C. and it's now Tuesday. *sigh*

Until next week,
Don

PS Sorry if my response to last week's question was inappropriate.
You're the editor, edit! :-)

[I try not to alter any letters although I am compulsive when it  comes
to spelling.  If the meaning is still understandable I let them stay as
received. Implied profanity is a fine line and a tough call, since it was
meant in fun I left it in. Had it been said in anger I probably
wouldn't.]

+++++
From: bdh@deus.com (William de Haan)
Date: Tue, 06 Aug 1996 12:38:25 GMT

Deciphering a text in Pig-Dethek from David LeBlanc, we find:

Superman/Spiderman, 1979.

>already told you about, plus . . .Superman #116, just out this week, has
>a free preview of the new TEEN TITANS book.  {This seems to be an
>tradition as I believe the NEW TEEN TITANS first appeared in a Superman
>book as well.} . . . Former Image publisher, Tony Lobito, is launching

Not exactly. NTT preview appeared in DC Comics Presents #26; it was a
Superman/Green Lantern team up. Unless you meant "a superman book" to
mean one that he appeared in, rather than his particular title...

[No, I meant a comic with Superman on the cover that Hank Kanalz would
ride his bike to 7-11 to buy!]
+++++
From:    whegdish@Oakland.edu (whegdish)

the main characters in the 1st marvel dc crossover were dorothy, the tin
man, the scarecrow, the cowerdly lion, and toto.  also, i would like to
subscribe to your fine emag.  love it!

[Er, which were DC and which were Marvel characters?]
+++++
From:    j.secret@ix.netcom.com (Jack Secret)
To:    comicbknet@aol.com

Well, if we're being technical, the answer is Dorothy, Tin Man,
Scarecrow, Cowardly Lion, Toto and all the rest in the Wizard Of Oz.

[Huh?]
+++++
From:    dharris@bluemarble.net (Dennis Harris)
To:    ComicBkNet@aol.com

Superman and Spider-man.
+++++
From:    GSassaman
To:    ComicBknet

Oops...just read the trivia question...this one even I know!

Dorothy Gale, The Tin Woodman, The Cowardly Lion, The Scarecrow (neither
the DC or Marvel version), and, of course, THE WIZARD OF OZ.

-Gary.
[notice that at least they all name the CHARACTERS rather than the title
of the book?]

+++++
From:    De afrikan
To:    ComicBknet

Superman&Spiderman or Batman & Hulk
+++++
From:    rjp1224@hci.net (Jay Perry)
To:    ComicBkNet@aol.com

The Battle of the Century
Superman vs. the Amazing Spider-Man (1976)
+++++
From: Marlous de Neef <jdeneef@nik.publishnet.nl>

The answer should be: Superman and Spider-Man (we think). Love your
magazine, BTW.

Marlous de Neef
The Netherlands, Europe
[Hope you loved the CHEEZY PRIZE you won as well.
+++++
From: jeremy.dennis@lroom.org (Jeremy Dennis)

Superman, Spider-Man, Lex Luthor, & Dr. Octipus. I think The Incredible
Hulk was in it, too, but wasn't a main character.

+++++
From: nexus1@soho.ios.com
Subject: Trivia

The first Marvel/DC crossover:

Superman Vs. Spider-Man (1976)

"The Battle of the Century"

(Story also featured Luthor and Doc Ock)

WRITER: Gerry Conway
PENCILS: Ross Andru
INKS: Dick Giordano
+++++
From: JThomp1@aol.com
Date: Fri, 2 Aug 1996 23:57:36 -0400

The answer to the qustion "who were the main characters in the first
DC/Marvel crossover?"
          ^^^^^^^^^^ [Didn't anybody understand this word?  :)   ]
Dorthy
Cowardly Lion
Scarecrow
Tin Man
and don't forget Toto.

DC and Marvel jointly produced "The Wizard Of OZ" just prior to their
first Superman/Spiderman crossover.
                         ^^^^^^^^^
[oh, I guess you did.]

Anyhow, have a great week!

John Thompson
Drippan Comix
+++++
Date:    96-08-03 03:14:16 EDT
From:    garpete@metro.net (Gary Peterson)
To:    comicbknet@aol.com

Name the main characters in the first Marvel/DC crossover!

Superman and Spider-man

[could have been the winner but someone jumped on it Friday and got it on
the first shot. . . ]

Date: Fri, 2 Aug 1996 22:21:23 -0800
From: ptully@stocktonet.com (Wild Side)
Subject: Re: CBEM #70A

Hello,

To answer your trivia question, the answer is Super-Man and Spider-Man (
I think)

WILDSIDE
+++++
I still haven't heard back but if WILDSIDE wants his/her(?) CHEEZY
PRIZE(tm) just send me the mailing address!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION:
"Face it, tiger. . .you just hit the jackpot!"  was the famous line from
Mary Jane Watson when she first met Peter Parker in Amazing Spider-Man
#42.      The question is:  WHERE were they when she said it?

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

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

Remember the Batmobile that was bought at auction by magician David
Copperfield for $189,500?  Remember the flap afterward when he wanted to
get his money back because (so he said) it was one of 5 promotional
vehicles and not the actual one used in the 1989 movie, "BATMAN", while
others said he did not know he would not be allowed to use it in his
magic act as a condition of sale?  Well Copperfield sued the seller,
collector Michael Eisenberg and the suit has been settled and a new buyer
will donate the Batmobile to a very appropriate home, at the Words &
Pictures Museum of Fine Sequential Art in Northampton, Massachusetts.
The buyer was the founder of the museum, Kevin Eastman - YES  *that*
Eastman of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle fame - and his wife Julie Strain.
COWABUNGA dude!

+++++
Missed this one from a July 30th (Rueter) article-

Golden Books Family Entertainment Inc. is selling $50million of its stock
to Hallmark Cards Inc while it undergoes a restructuring, part of which
includes acquiring BROADWAY VIDEO ENTERTAINMENT [the parent company of
BROADWAY COMICS.]  The restructuring is said to be a plan to build a
multi-media family entertainment company built on the core Golden Books
brand.  Golden Books, comic fans, was formerly known as WESTERN
PUBLISHING GROUP [beginning to get the picture?] and was acquired itself
by some investors in May.   $25million of the stock sale to Hallmark is
set for September with the balance an option by years end.  As part of
the restructuring Golden Books will divest its paper and party goods
subsidiary, Penn Corp, and discontinue other products.

    Golden Books said it will also record charges "to resolve
outstanding differences with its customers and licensors" with respect to
legal matters.

[anyone know if Valiant *owns* or just licenses Turok, Magnus and
Solar?]

The children's book publisher also agreed to acquire the family video
library of <Broadway Video Entertainment L.P.> for $81 million in cash
and $10 million in common stock.  The deal will serve as the foundation
for a new business unit, Golden Books Entertainment Group. This new unit
will expand the Golden Books brand name into family-related video,
television, film and multimedia, the company said.

    After the offering and after using $81 million in cash for the
Broadway acquisition, Golden Books said it will have about $115 million
in cash.

+++++
Comic Cafe reports that they have seen an early draft of the Superman
Reborn movie.  It involves the death of Superman at the hands of Braniac
and Doomsday, and his return.  Supposedly Braniac needs Kryptonian DNA
to survive so he creates Doomsday.  Silver Banshee and Parasite also
appear in the script.  It will be interesting to see if this makes it to
the silver screen!  . . . Dark Horse plans a Beast Wars-Transformers
comic series late this year or early next to coincide with a new
syndicated series.  The 2 hour pilot ran last spring and supposedly 26
episodes are already in the can. . . Dan Parsons of RAZOR is doing a self
published book called The Harpy . . . John Leguizamo will be the Clown in
the live action SPAWN movie while Angella Basset and Teresa Randall are
rumored as possible Wanda's for the film. . . another rumor is TOP COW
may do the Ghost Rider comic for Marvel.

+++++

From this week's CSNsider in, er, ah, well I never did get this week's
Comic Shop News so let's see what is on their web page . . . They
mention the Diamond buy out of Capital ending with their famous line
"This should have no affect on comic readers and fans" . . . a nifty
rumor is out that Jim Steranko will be doing a Shield limited series for
Marvel. . . the Dr. Who movie did good enough for Fox to consider a
possible series for mid season next year. . . VIRUS , the Dark Horse
comic is being made into a movie by Universal Pictures. . . Motown
Animation/Machineworks is out of the comics business for now. . . a new
edition of the Marvel Tryout book will be out this fall. . . Gon and
Supergirl are going into second printings. . . MAD TV is renewed for a
full season next year. . . Batman and Predators meet again next year.
________________________________________________________________________
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[4] NAME THIS COLUMN (and win a prize)                  -by Mike Imboden

        I guess I could waste a few paragraphs introducing myself but
what would that really accomplish?  You'd have a handful of fairly
useless facts about a guy you'll probably never meet and will never be
questioned about.  "I'll take Mike Imboden for $500, Alex." is something
you'll never hear, that I can guarantee.
        So why do I have a column here in the premiere comic related
e-mag?  I suppose it's one of the perks of having your name listed on the
first page as being one of the co-founders of The ComicBook Net.  (whoop,
there we go, into that shadowy realm of useless facts.)  So since my list
of credentials is about as long as a Willie Lumpkin mini-series you are
probably wondering what to expect from this bit of space, right? (my God,
did I just use Willie Lumpkin as a reference?!?)  Well, it'll be a little
of this and a little of that.  I may review a comic or two (although
other people do a better job than I) but most likely I'll simply offer
some type of commentary on current topic in and around the world of
comics.
        First matter to address is the title of this column. Coming up
with a good, catchy name isn't very easy.  That's why I've decided to let
YOU come up with a good, catchy name.  "But," you ask, "what's in it for
me?" - well, aside from having your name added to the top as "creator" of
the name, I'll send you a box full of goodies.  I'd call them "cheezy"
but our esteemed editor has already pounced on that descriptive phrase.
So we'll just leave it at "goodies" and move on.  Send your names to
David at the comicbknet@aol.com address and I'll see that he passes them
on to me (didn't know you'd be included in this fun, didja Dave?), and I
will decide which one wins.  The only people not eligible are people I
know.  Chances are they've, at one point or another, gotten a box of
"goodies" from me.  Besides, I don't want it to look like the whole damn
thing was rigged from the get-go.
        Second item.  (ITEM! Remember that from the Bullpen Bulletin page
in old Marvel Comics?  ITEM! it would scream, making you think it was
something important but it would always wind up being some announcement
about who was marrying who or who was having babies with who around the
Marvel offices.  Which I guess *WAS* important to some folks - but it
always made me feel left out.  I mean, why couldn't *I* be the one
marrying the intern from the advertising department or having the baby of
some assistant editor?)  Anyway, the second item is, uhm, nothing I
guess.
        So, short but sweet is what this first installment is.  In the
weeks to come I'll try and tackle a whole host of topics, I already have
a few ideas ranging from what makes a good comic store to mindless
ramblings that will have you scratching your heads wondering what exactly
was in that bowl of cereal I had that morning.
        In the meantime, you can contact me directly on the "net" at
cambot@ix.netcom.com (and if you're really bored you can swing by my home
page which hasn't been updated in about a month, at
http://www.netcom.com/~cambot.  If you prefer writing actual letters you
can get hold of me at CBN, c/o Mike Imboden, PO BOX 1423, Frederick, MD
21702-0423.  You can even send comics for review or simply as a "try it,
you'll like it" pitch.  Who knows, I might even send money for more
issues if I like it.
        Until next time, I remain,
        M!ke Imboden

________________________________________________________________________
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[5] SUSPENDED ANIMATION                                 by Michael Vance

There was a time in America when the color of morality was not gray and
colorful heroes wore red, yellow and blue spandex and capes. Among these
heroes were "The Black Terror", "Phantom Lady", "Mr. Scarlet", "The
Avenger", "The Ghost Rider" and "The Heap".  They met crime and violence
with law and defensive violence.

Their adventures were straightforward, uncomplicated and, more often than
not, fun.  These fictional elements, more often than not, are missing in
today's gray comic books.

You need miss them no more.  These superheroes once called "Mystery Men"
are back in a grand collection of reprinted stories from the '40s and
'50s, GOLDEN AGE MYSTERY MEN.

Undeniably, these heroes are too two-dimensional; without distinctive
uniforms and powers, they are interchangeable.  Subplots are impossible
in brief seven and eight page exploits, and dialog is minimal.  Stories
are almost plot outlines.  But their beliefs were widely shared by the
readers who added their imagination between panels.  These readers had
practice "adding" with radio shows.

The art here is both mediocre and brilliant.  The best artists of this
collection are Jerry Robinson, Mort Meskin and Dick Ayers.  Their art
differs from today's crop in simpler page designs, a closer wedding of
art and story, and less useless detail.

Buy this collection for nostalgia, because you're curious about early
comics history or because you want to add color to a gray world. Highly
recommended.

GOLDEN AGE MYSTERY MEN #1/$6.95, 45pgs from AC Comics/various artists and
writers/sold in comic shops or by mail.

Want to critique the critic? Send $3 for Michael Vance's BLOODTIDE #1 to
1427 S. Delaware Ave., Tulsa, OK, 74104.

(Mr. Vance is a professional writer having written for numerous
magazines like CBG, Starlog and Comics Interview. His work has
appeared in over 500 newspapers and he's had work published by
Comico, Renegade, Innovation and Rip Off Press. SUSPENDED
ANIMATION appears in 14 publications reaching 214,000 readers
in the U.S., Ireland and Portugal.)
________________________________________________________________________
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[6] Review: DR WONDER #3                                by David LeBlanc

Old Town Publishing - 40 pages B&W, color cover. $2.95 ($3.50 CAN) Story
by David Allikas, art by Dick Ayers, cover color - Marie Severin

True to their word Old Town had Dr. Wonder #3 in my mail box before it
hit the stands this week.  If you missed the first 2 issues fear not,
they are still available at cover price direct from Old Town, if your
local store has sold out.  It is not hard to jump right into #3 for
starters though as the new reader can follow what is going on rather
easily.

Old time readers will know that the Web of Evil is out to destroy Dr.
Wonder and gain power and wealth for themselves through the creation of
powerful beings using technology they stole from the good doctor.  As he
agonizes over his loss from last issue (that would be telling), Dr.Elliot
Wunderbach, accompanies his new assistant Patricia Brooke, and Lionel
Bennett to a Grand Jury hearing for two of the evil cartel he captured.
We soon learn that a break out is planned using the latest member of the
Web, Crucible, who can mix chemicals in his stomach and spray them out of
his hands.  There is a lot of exposition as we learn the motivations of
various characters, more about the arch enemy Gil Bates, and some secrets
about the mysterious Patricia Brooke as well.  There is a nice mix of
story and action and the art is top notch all the way.  Even the epilogue
has a lead about a future character we had a glimpse of before,
Powerhouse.

I am liking this comic more with each issue.  The little bits of pseudo
science thrown in here and there are amusing and add to the flavor I
remember from the "good old days" when a awe struck kid like me really
believed that such things as vibranium (or isobortium) could exist in the
world.  There is really not all that much you need to suspend your
disbelief over, but it wouldn't be so authentic without some of it, if
you catch my drift.  Fun story, evil villains, brave heroes and heroines,
a few tragic characters blended in make for lots of entertainment.  Well
worth the cover price considering what else is included beside the superb
lead story!

The text story is the first by a reader, Steven Shinkaruk.  A great pick
to start out this feature where anyone can write a story in the style of
the sixties text stories - about ordinary people caught in extraordinary
circumstances done in just 1500 words.  Steven captured the style nicely
with a tale of a man who suspects that his neighbors are being replaced
by robots.  The tension mounts at just the right pace as we reach the
climax with a twist that is the hallmark of the 60's text story.  Check
this out and if you have any talent in that regard give it a try.
Anyone can make a submission, and they will pay you if they use it!

The disappointment this issue was the missing Tony Isabella, Irwin Hasen
backup story.  The upside was that the rest of the issue that was not
the main story is jam packed with fun stuff (well there are some ads as
well). The Silver 60's Section has Scott Saavedra's Monstrous Marvel
chart reprinted from Comic Book Heaven, detailing monsters, their
descriptions, and other pertinent details including the titles that
reprints their story. There is a challenge with original art by Dick
Ayers as the prize for anyone who can name the original appearances of
the 7 monsters named.

Also in the 60's section is Calamity at the Cocktail Hour by Mr. Silver
Age Craig Shutt.  It includes a trivia quiz concerning some famous
Marvel love birds and full details on the answers.

There is an interesting Convention report and 4 pages of letters and
news about Old Town Publishing, and of course, a splash about the next
issue (and I must say a peculiar change in CAD-MAN!) promising something
interesting with the title, "The Once & Future Hero!".  I hope you'll
join me there after you've grabbed this issue off the rack first.  I
promise you, it is worth it for any fan of super heroes the way they used
to be.
________________________________________________________________________
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[7] New Comics Shipping  8/14/96                          by Bobb Waller

Well the countdown begins, No not Onslaught! I will be taking my BBS
(FIAWOL) down after 10 years & 3 months on August 31, 1996. What does
this mean to the lists I post every week. Unless something changes,
August 28th will be the last list I post. But we still have three weeks
to go! Onto the list of what is scheduled to ship August 14th, 1996:
========================================================================
Acclaim Comics: All New Armed & Dangerous #3        Killer Instinct
Special-Brothers

Archie Comics:
Archie & Friends #20                Betty & Veronica #105
Betty & Veronica Digest #84         Flintstones #15
Sonic The Hedgehog #40

Big Entertainment:
Primortals #4                       Phage Shadow of Death #5

Chaos! Comics:
Purgatori The vampires Myth #1

Comic Shop News Inc.:
CSN #478

Crusade Comics:
Lethargic Lad #2

Dark Horse Comics:
Dark Horse Presents #112             Dominion Conflict 1-No More Noise #6
Ghost #17                            Gunsmith Cats The Return of Grey #1
Insider #9                           Tongue Lash #1

DC Comics:
adventures of Superman #539          Animaniacs #18
Azrael #22                           Batman #535
Batman GCPD #3                       Bloody Mary #1
DC Vs. Marvel TP                     Detention Comics #1
Essential Vertigo: Sandman #3        Free Final Night Preview
Green Arrow #113                     House of Secrets #1
Impulse #18                          JLA Annual #10
Kingdom Come #4                      Legionnaires #41
Static #40                           Supergirl #2
Vertigo Verite Girl #3

Drawn & Quarterly:
Optic Nerve #3

Fantagraphics Books:
Acme Novelty Library #7

Gemstone Publishing-R. Cochran:
Frontline Combat Annual Vol.1        Two-Fisted Tales #17
Vault Of Horror #17                  Weird Fantasy 17

High Impact Studios:
Double Impact Vol. 2 #1

Image Comics:
Backlash #21 (Replacement Copy)      Bone #10 Image Printing
Cyberforce #26                       Deathblow #29
Gen 13 #12                           Lady Supreme #2
Prophet Avengelyne #1                Shattered Image #1
TMNT #2                              Wetworks #19
Youngblood #10

Marvel Comics:
Adventures of The X-Men #7           Amazing Spider-Man #416
Cable/X-Force '96                    Carnage:It's a Wonderful Life
Fantastic Four: The Legend           Generation X #20
Ghost Rider #78                      Professor X & The X-Men #12
Kingdom Come Trading Cards           Incredible Hulk: Hercules Unleashed
Fleer Football Trading Cards         Spider-Man:Redemption #2
Thor:Worldengine TP                  Untold Tales of SPider-Man #14
X-Factor #127                        X-Men/Clandestine #1

Maximum Press Comics:
Battlestar Galactica Journeys End #1

Slave Labor Graphics:
Rouge Satellite #1                   Slacker Comics #9
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
see ya in seven, on the spinners!

... Never wear anything in public that panics your cat.

Origin: FIAWOL/MSConnections * PP288MT II V.34 * 214-790-6472 * (23:203/4)
________________________________________________________________________
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[A] E-Mag Info: Submissions, Subscriptions, Back Issues, Copyrights

The Comic Book Net E-Mag is published by the many participants of The
Comic Book Network.  This is a compilation of articles and columns which
were originally posted in the network's conferences or written
specifically for this electronic magazine.  Some articles are
independent of any connection with CBN and are used with permission.

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

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

THE CBN WEB PAGE        http://members.aol.com/ComicBkNet
----------------
If you have access to the World Wide Web, please stop by and visit our
web page!  On our web page, you can find the latest issue of our E-Mag,
as well as an annotated index and all back issues.  You'll also find
important information on how to join the conversation in the Comic Book
Net, and other neat features like newly released comic book graphics,
links to lists of Comic Book Company addresses, Comic Professionals Email
addresses, and other Comic Book related Web pages!

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

SUBMISSIONS
-----------
To submit an article, review, column, etc to our e-mag, simply post it
in any Comic Book Net conference and leave me a message in the
CBN: E-Mag conference giving me permission to use the article.  If you
cannot access the Comic Book Net, submit your articles for consideration
to the editor at:   ComicBkNet@aol.com

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

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

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

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

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

You too can enjoy the intelligent conversations and informative threads
that occur in the conferences of the Comic Book Net every day!  However,
many people who read this e-mag aren't familiar with the Local BBS
echo-mail system....

Bulletin Board Systems are scattered everywhere across the continent and
the world, many of them are free!  Chances are, if you have a modem you
have the accompanying communications software.  Using the Terminal
Emulation software that came with your modem, you can dial up one of the
many systems linked into CBN (see the listings down a few paragraphs).
Most of the boards offer all the message echoes in the Comic Book
Network...

There are message bases devoted to all the bigger comics publishers, as
well as big Small Press and Independent message bases, not to mention
sections for general conversation, collecting, gaming and other forms
of entertainment.

If you are worried about long distance charges, worry no longer!  Most if
not all the BBS's offer a mail service from which you can download a .QWK
packet of recent e-mail to read offline with a program called an offline
mail reader.  You can read & write messages at your leisure, and then
upload your own messages & replies the next time you call your local BBS.
There are many .QWK packet readers out there, for every type of computer
system.  They all give you a better explanation in their documentation
than I can.   These programs are available all over the Internet and are
free to download from most BBS's.  I recommend SLMR or OLX-TD for DOS to
get started.

These "mail runs" (dialing up, downloading the mail packet and uploading
replies) generally take less than 5 minutes to accomplish, and at the
average after-5pm/weekends/holidays long distance phone rates, that is
LESS THAN $.75!  See? Even less expensive than many of the commercial
information services available! :)

So what else can you find on free BBS systems?  There are plenty of files
for specific types of computers.  Some systems also offer other types of
message networks ranging from general topics to specific themes like
sci-fi, role playing, games, music, etc.  And, let's not forget online
games.  Join into the many different multiplayer games, each system
sports different challenges.  There's nothing like becoming the most
powerful being in a online adventure!

And when you _do_ log on, leave a message in The Bullpen conference to
ALL, and introduce yourself to us!  You're guaranteed to get plenty of
replies and all the help you need to join in the fun!
________________________________________________________________________
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[C] BBSes Linked into CBN
  Here's the most up-to-date node listing for the COMIC BOOK NETWORK

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

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

  All you need do is utter the word . . . KIMOTA!
