Here's the mail
It never fails
It makes me wanna wag my tail
When it comes I wanna wail
MAAAAAAIIIILLLL!
Sorry, Amanda had a Blues Clues birthday party yesterday!
Greetings,
FANZING readers! Again, my heartfelt apologies for the lack
of a lettercol in last month's issue… Sometimes the world of paid
employment just has to take precedence!
So, let's play
catch-up here and take a look at some of the responses that have stacked
up over the last couple of months.
Hello comic fans!
I have enjoyed receiving issues of your fanzine, and have forwarded
the web address to one of my other friends. Your writing contest
sounds very interesting, unfortunately I am not presently able to
submit a story over the internet. Firestorm would be a good character
to ret-con, unfortunately I haven't seen the character since I stopped
reading his book when they first started that silly elemental storyline
and I have no idea what the character's current status is. Hal Jordan
seems like an easy one to do, I mean who says he's really dead to
begin with? Take it easy.
"brett"
messymichael@hotmail.com
Hey, all!
Great challenge idea. I'd love to participate.
But… Who has time? Busy, busy, bu-ZY! I have one old story I can
dust off, but may not count. Does Green Arrow Oliver Queen count
as ruined now that DC's planning to bring him back? I'm rather pleased
with a little fanfic I did that explains what really happened on
that exploding plane, and where Ollie has been since, and why Clark
has kept his trap shut. But I'm expecting Kevin Smith will render
it moot.
MartinS
mlshoe@accn.org
FANZING Editor-in-chief Michael Hutchison replies:
It's too bad you didn't want to submit it.
Kevin Smith's plans are just that, plans…and it seems like that Green Arrow
series is delayed and delayed.
I read FANZING
in small doses and today I read your DC Combat videogame article.
Totally incredible! I was quietly chuckling the whole way through,
and then I got to the "Black Condor - all he does is fly"
part and had a good laugh. My fellow occupants in the computer lab
gave me strange looks, but your column made my day!
Thanks.
David R. Black
Hi fanzingers:
It's
a pleasure for me to let you know how much I enjoy reading the last
FANZING. I really enjoyed two of them (not that the other
are bad), but I really liked the fiction about Flash thinking in
parenthood and the proposal for a new video game. If there's one
person to make a new "Kingdom Come" related series that
would be Louise. I really like all the stories that are appearing
in FANZING with a Kingdom flavour on it. But the funny one
was the delightful proposal for a new video game "DC Com-bat".
First I think they were serious about it. But after reading (and
laughing) at the combat abilities of the DC characters I realized
that you were joking, weren't you?
Here in Bolivia,
the comic books fans don't have the chance to read comics they way
you are. They come in a rare basis (from time to time) and principally
(almost only), Batman and Superman. But I'm finding slowly many
comic books that shows the bullet from DC. That way I'm slowly getting
a gradual knowledge of the DC Universe. Sorry Louise, that the Titans
comics don't arrive here, but I like these group too, and between
my favorite characters from this group are Changeling, Nightwing
and Donna Troy.
The only way I found
to keep alive my interest in comics is reading FANZING, month
after month (well this gap, are driving me a little nut), so I hope
that soon will be reading another delicious issue of Fanzing.
Thanks to all the
people that took a little bit from their precious time and entertain
us at the same time that maintain our interest alive in comic books.
Thanks a lot!
Your friend
GEVALHER
Muchas gracias
to you, Gevalher, for your kind and thoughtful letter. We've head
from several overseas readers that FANZING helps fill the gaps
in their local comic distribution network, and hearing things like
that makes a lot of the work we do seem worthwhile. As you mention,
FANZING does take time and energy to produce, often time away
form our real-world jobs and families. True of any hobby, I guess,
but it means a lot to know others appreciate our efforts.
Were we joking
with the video game? Well only the writers could tell you for sure,
but Marilee and I were darn serious about that Batty Bunch
thing, let me assure you! ;) I'm certain they'll be more Kingdom features
in the works. -LFD.
You wrote that "Users
of other browsers and/or Mac computers may have different results."
Well, you were right. I'm using an iMac running Mac OS 8.5, which
I thought was supposed to be able to use TrueType fonts (at least
the old Mac OS used to be able to…), but when I put these fonts
in my Fonts folder the computer still doesn't use them. When I try
to open them I get a message saying "The font [name.ttf] can't
be opened because no sample is provided for it." Any ideas
on how I can get this to work?
Yours, Si Rowe
Michael replies: Hmmm…not a clue. I haven't tried
using Mac Fonts. However, more and more, I'm using backup fonts so
that if "Final Frontier" doesn't work, "Arial"
will. Arial should be common enough that you'd see it.
Loved
the Titans issue by the way. The Louise Freeman Davis story went
very nicely with my recent acquisition of TEEN TITANS #6, where
Beast Boy first tries to join the Titans. Looking forward to the
new BEAST BOY mini series, whenever it gets published. Another great
issue of FANZING, as always! :-)
All the best!
Stew
Stewart Brower <comicbooks.guide@about.com>
Thanks, Stew! That issue of the Titans is one of the very few
of the original series that I've shelled out the money to own. For
myself, I've love to see Archive editions of the original Titans and
Doom Patrol! -LFD.
Michael,
The
new and improved archives really look great! I think that the archival
issue viewer format is neater to use, because you get the feeling
that you're looking at an actual back issue of FANZING, but
I tend to overlook a few features while using it. I browsed through
the new archives and found a few articles and features I hadn't
noticed before. The new archives are much more specific (and therefore
easier to find certain items with) and like an ultimate FANZING
index.
Both the archival
viewer and the new archival index complement each other nicely.
Where one is a spiffed up, nice for browsing version, the other
is a "bare bones" locator of specifics. The casual reader
and the hardcore fan both benefit from this dual archive, symbiotic
situation.
Great job, and I
wish you good luck with submitting your proposals to DC.
David R. Black
Great
work on the archives. I'm an avid fan fiction reader and this way
I was able to catch up on some missing pieces.
Give Marilee my
compliments for 'Choices'. I especially like the 'Batman - Catwoman'
relationship. When is the next chapter coming?
Keep
up the good work.
Caroline
I'm
glad you sent me an updated letter to visit the site. It was like
a good refresher for me with many thoughtful opinions and researched
articles for me to peruse. I also enjoyed Tim Truman's interview
and the little bits of information about ADD. It just goes to reaffirm
that comic book creators can come from anywhere. I enjoyed the DC
War heroes piece in The Hall of Justice and hope there is a companion
article about Blackhawk, which hopefully would include Quality's
run and the Evanier/Spiegle material which was probably the most
faithful to the Blackhawk of the Quality era. You may wish to do
(if you haven't already done so) a general article about all the
companies and characters that DC has absorbed from Fawcett and Quality
to Charlton's Action Heroes and Wildstorm. It would also be nice
to read about how each acquisition affects the characters, and how
those characters are forced to conform into DC's world.
Keep on sending
me those reminders. I need my butt kicked.
Sincerely,
Neil A. Hansen
Well,
you said you want feedback so here goes:
Thanks, by the way
for a great site. I hope you keep up the good work -- and congrats
on the nuptials as well.
Is it just me, or
is the current run of JLA really confusing? It seems that every
time I pick up an issue, I have to go back and read the previous
one just to piece together what is going on. Most of the time, I
find that the amount of action that goes on "off panel"
is just too much! My prime example of this is the "Tomorrow
Woman" story. A great concept, but wouldn't it have been much
more effective for the fans to get to know Tomorrow Woman for at
least a few months before the story wrapped? I think that in most
cases, Morrison is flying at such a breakneck pace that most of
the details are lost. I find this very frustrating! I think my favorite
parts of JLA in the past are the interaction of the heroes as friends,
which we almost NEVER see in the current run.
Also, when Giffen
was writing JLA, I begged DC to use Plastic Man - he would have
been perfect with that lighthearted style. This run, however, is
just begging for the return of Elongated Man. I hope he will not
be exiled to comic book limbo for too long.
Anyway, that's my
2 cents. Replies can be directed to DCJules2@aol.com
Thanks Again
Dave J.
Edison, NJ
Dave, I think your Elongated Man comments just made you a pal
for life! ;) -LFD.
Please note: This
is not a flame about the site. I really enjoy it.
Recently, I've become
aware of the fact that, thanks to Grant Morrison's handling of the
JLA, Heaven and Hell have been in the mainstream continuity. I have
no problems with is in itself. I've been reading 'Vertigo' type
stuff before getting into the more mainstream DC comics so things
like Hell and demons in comics don't upset me.
What I'd like to
know is who the Hell is in charge of, well, Hell? You see, since
I've been reading quite a few Vertigo Comics, I was always under
the impression that Duma, the Angel of Silence, and Remiel, the
Angel of Whining, were in charge because God had placed them there
after Lucifer abdicated. The abdication of Lucifer also did the
same thing that is supposed to happen this September, which is send
everyone out of Hell, but that's another gripe.
In any case, later
on I find out in the DC Universe, Neron is the Lord of Hell. Since
I largely ignored the whole Underworld Unleashed thing, I am not
quite familiar with who Neron is or what his game is. Still to claim
that you're a Lord of Hell is not something you do casually.
Okay, so we have
two or three Lords of Hell now. No problem. We just say Neron is
the Lord of Hell in the DC Universe and Duma and Remiel rule in
the Vertigo and everybody's happy right? No chance in Hell.
Y'see, during Grant
Morrison's run on JLA, he has Dream of the Endless show up in DC
Universe proper. And Lucifer, the original sovereign of Hell, was
in the Demon's comic series. Then there's the fact that Superman,
Batman, and the Martian Manhunter show up in the Wake, beyond the
first time that the JLA appears in the Sandman series. The two universes
are linked.
Okay. Then Neron
overthrew the two Angels or they returned to Heaven. Doesn't work.
Recently, there was a Vertigo series called, "Lucifer: the
Morningstar Option." In it, Lucifer returns to Hell and is
confronted by Remiel. If we assume that events in comic books happen
in chronological order, an earlier comic books events precede a
later comic book, unless otherwise stated, Remiel and Duma are still
in charge of Hell after Underworld Unleashed occurs.
Are you getting
one Hell of a headache? I am.
It's also bad enough
that we've got two different "Lords of Hell" running around,
but somehow, there are even more. Take Satanus from the Superman
series. Where does he fit into all of this? When I first saw him,
he looked like a Lord of Hell. I don't know if he ever claimed to
be as such, but I do know that he doesn't like Neron very much.
Then there's Satan
from the Vertigo's Hellblazer. This guy showed up mainly because
Garth Ennis wanted to do something with his "trick the Devil"
dangling plotline, but Neil Gaiman already had Lucifer abdicate
Hell. So, Ennis decided there was another First of the Fallen, Satan
the First Angel to dare to think for himself. He also claims to
be the real "Lord of Hell" allowing the Angels to think
they're in charge.
So, who really is
in charge of Hell in the DC Universe? Neron? Satan? Satanus? Duma
and Remiel? Ah… To Hell with it. (Note: I have no idea why I'm
sending this to you guys. Just thought you'd either a) know what's
going on in the hierarchy of Hell or B) get a chuckle or two out
of this.)
August Paul Yang
Michael replies:Thanks for the diatribe, August! I agree,
DC constantly has new "lords of hell" showing up all the time.
Each writer thinks that the previous version wasn't evil enough (I certainly
think Neron's too hokey to be evil incarnate). However, if you'll check
our FANZING Archives, you'll see that Mario di Giacomo did an
excellent "Vanishing Point" article on this very topic
over a year ago! Perhaps that can soothe your nerves. And don't forget
to poke around at some of the other things you've missed from our past
issues!
I
printed up a few of the promo flyers and posted them in the Queen
City Bookstores here in Buffalo . There are a few other comic shops
around, and I'll put some flyers in them as well as I go to them.
Every little bit helps ! Love the articles and art in FANZING.
Keep it up, you deserve to get some publicity from DC, but with
Julie not around the powers that be don't seem as cooperative. Perhaps
someone should remind VP Paul Levitz of his fannish roots!!!
Gord Green
Michael replies: Thank you VERY much! I've been working
on some better flyers which would use some more FANZING artwork.
Our newest effort is now on the Promotions
page. Tell you what…you can see it HERE:
Let me add my thanks, too, Gord, for trying to direct new readers
our way! A note to any first-time FANZING readers… We'd love
to know how you found us! Please drop us a line! -LFD.
Howdy.
I see from your photo on your web, not only are you a fan of DC
comics, but also a pike fisherman. I myself am an avid fan of classic
DC comics, and large northern pike. I'm sure we don't grow them
here in Montana like you guys have in the land of the Vikings, which,
by the way is my team, but this isn't about fishing. It is about
a search, for a comic I'm not sure really ever existed. When I was
young, I had an oversize Limited Collector's Edition called Secret
Origins of Super Villains. Within the yellow-orange cover were stories
of the Joker, Lex Luthor, and a myriad of other baddies. Be danged
if I didn't lose it over the past twenty years and now I am looking
for another copy of it. Am I making this up? Nobody seems to recall
this title or the comic, although it is listed in the Overstreet
guide. If you happen to recall this comic or know of someone who
can help me acquire a copy, please drop me a line at my home base.
The address is: natew@imt.net Muchos gracias and may you catch the
record muskie.
Nate Wilburn
Michael replies:Thanks Harvey! Best of luck to you in
your fishing, too! Believe it or not, that was the first day I ever
fished for pike. I've only gotten into fishing in the last year or
so.
I DO remember that
Secret Origins of Super Villains special. It was often advertised
in the comics of the time. It had the super villains and super heroes
facing off against each other on the cover. I remember having a hell
of a time trying to find it…and never did. I only got to read the
digest version. But you might try looking for it on Ebay. Here's
the appropriate category:
http://listings.ebay.com/aw/listings/list/category63/index.html
I hope that helps.
Hi,
I was wondering if you could interview Karl Kesel for your magazine
in the near future.
Thank you
steve
Oppie1984@aol.com
Michael replies:I've received his e-mail address, so
we'll certainly try..
Dear FANZING,
I found the recent proposal
for a Captain Comet series that was posted on your site to be
excellent. A series with this tone is truly lacking in the DC universe,
particularly since Green Lantern has become earthbound. The idea
that Comet has actually been a super hero since the 50s instead
of around for the vague "10 years" of many DC heroes could
lead to many interesting stories. I would most definitely be willing
to pay $2 a month for such a series. An issue set in the 60s that
featured a discussion between Comet and Martian Manhunter would
be a true gem.
Thank you,
Austin Jenkins
Michael assures me that he and Kurt are working on the proposal
as we speak, Austin! Maybe DC will nibble at our bait one of these
days (to continue the fishing motif from the previous letter!) -LFD.
Loved
the new Clock. I'd buy it! …just wanted to say that…
Martin Flodkvist
<ghostbuster1000@hotmail.com>
Just
wanted to drop you a note and tell you guys how much I dig FANZING!
It's very well put
together, and it looks great. I'm an old buddy of Joel Rea, who
works on your alt.showcase series. He led me to the site. I need
to get cracking on a few ideas I've had to send in to you.
Meanwhile, I could
ask you to take a look at Zealot.com.
It's a new science fiction / fantasy / comics / etc. site. We think
we have a different look and attitude than the other general sci-fi
sites. And we'd love to get the Fanzingers over there and checking
us out.
Good luck with the
next issue. I'll be reading.
Joe Crowe
www.Zealot.com
Sci-Fi and Fantasy fun since July! :)
Dear Sirs,
I just read your
review of the Justice League storyline with Despero, and heartily
praise it! You echoed my exact sentiments. I am a 25 year veteran
comic reader, and have probably read that series at least 20 times
or more. I rank it right up there with the other great stories -
Dark Phoenix, Watchmen, Dark Knight, etc. You have won a new reader
and regular visitor to your website. It is very refreshing to find
other comic fans with the intelligence and good taste to appreciate
great stories and art. Most of the fans I meet nowadays seem to
think that if a book doesn't have a butt-shot or gratuitous nudity
then it isn't any good. Then you have the ones who think great art
is a bunch of flash lines thrown on a page. Adam Hughes did a fantastic
job without a bunch of scribbles everywhere, ala most of the newer
artists in the field today. Sorry for the rambling, I'll let you
go now, but I wanted you to know that I really like your site and
will let all my friends know how fantastic it is.
Sincerely,
Julian R. Rice
Many thanks for the kind words, to Julian and all the rest of
you who wrote. Hopefully the lettercol is back for the long haul (or
at least until I have my baby in December!)
Louise Freeman Davis
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