Welcome to the one hundred and second chapter in the latest volume of the long-running gossip and rumour column for the comic book industry. Over ten years damnit! Written by British comics commentator, me, Rich Johnston, it's read by comic book professionals and readers alike. Loved and hated equally, every Monday (ish) it brings the stories not-quite-ready-for-primetime, a look behind the curtain, a sniff of the toilet seat, the worst and the best that the comics industry can inspire. Go in with your eyes open, your blinkers off and a peg on your nose.
As for the traffic lights, RED means that the story is unlikely to be true, and you should read that with that context. AMBER signifies an identifiable agenda/slant or bias in the source that may affect the work, or that the source isn't clear, or another factor that might bring the piece into doubt. GREEN means that the story feels right to me, my gut instinct says go for it. However, as is often the case, while the gist may be correct, the detail may be wrong - and in fact I may be having an off day and the whole thing may be buggered. It wouldn't be the first time.
So there you go.
SOUND OUT
![[Yellow Light]](http://images.comicbookresources.com/litg/litg_yl.gif?q=50&fit=crop&w=750&dpr=1.5)
The "Seven Soldiers" project I mentioned last week from Grant Morrison is picking up steam. Here's the list of intermingled mini-series in fill
Zatanna
Shining Knight
Bulleteer
Klarion the Witch Boy
Mister Miracle
Spawn of Frankenstein
Guardian
LANTERN'S LIGHT
![[Green Light]](http://images.comicbookresources.com/litg/litg_gr.gif?q=50&fit=crop&w=750&dpr=1.5)
So what's lined up for Dave "Watchmen" Gibbons as part of his DC exclusive deal? One bright spark at Bristol saw the Ben-Elton-alike buying copious quantities of Green Lantern back issues, then a boxful of Guy Gardner Warrior comics. The reason given?
"Research."
KIRKMAN NOT HAWKMAN
No I've no idea what was up with that Robert Kirkman Shadowhawk series rumour that he so thoroughly debunked.
Could it be a mixture of Jim Valenetino's new Shadowhawk series…
… with the fact that Kirkman is actually working on another Image founder's original book?
AMERICAN BEOWULF IN ARGENTINA
An interview with well-know Argentinian artist Enrique Alcatena for an Italian site revealed that "...e farò una versione a fumetti di Beowulf con Chuck Dixon."
He's working on a comic version of Beowulf with Chuck Dixon.
NAUGHTY GHOST
Dark Horse commissioned Jason Pearson for a Ghost illustration casting Beyonce in the star role. Apparently they didn't want an exact likeness, just a close approximation for their own nefarious purposes.
What are they up to?
SUITS YOU
I understand that Mark Alessi is suing ex-Crossgen employees Brian Soltis (Controller), Chris Oarr (VP of Sales), Mike Beattie (Financial Officer) and Bart Sears (Art Director) in a joint suit, in relation to their management of CrossGen and their recent resignations.
However, some industry sources tell me they doubt the veracity of such a case, and see it as fireworks lit by the dying embers of the company.
ALESSI ATTACK
But things never seem to go easy for Alessi. Fleshing out a rumour I'd heard earlier in the year, it seems Alessi was banned from his favourite bar, The Chase Club, in February. On the day of the Super Bowl, routing for the Patriots (his team), and drunk, he got into a dispute with some patrons defending another CG staffer. When things got heated and Alessi threatened to have the patron 'seen to', the bar staff called the police and Alessi was banned from the bar.
How many other publishers would go to such lengths to defend an employee?
MYSTIC LIVES?
I understand that Larry Molinar is still at Crossgen… and is working on a new project with Sergio Cariello, supposedly a relaunch of "Mystic" without any connection to the sigil concept.
Still kicking?
DEATH OF A FAN
One of Rob Liefeld's biggest fans has finally called it a day. Anthony L has defended the man and his work for ten years, across Usenet, newsgroups, message boards and blogs.
He writes, "Over the last two years i've been spending time and money to accumulate every single project Rob Liefeld as done. I'm 3/4 of the way there. I wanted to make the biggest Rob Liefeld resource online that there ever was. I got that opportunity, and the EIC of ComiX-Fan Eric Moreels was kind enough to host it upon completion.
"That was my big secret project. I have no qualms letting the cat out of the bag now because now it's not going to happen. Because I'm so sick of it all. Dont tell me you're going to give me an interview and then go to Newsarama every single time, and then ignore my emails after you tell me.
"That's just wrong. I dont know if he's mad at me or what, and I used to care. I dont anymore. I dont care about the resource project i've been working on for over a year now, I dont care about interviewing him and pimping out his work (free of charge, i mean, come on, who turns down free publicity on a major comic book site?). I dont care about reviewing his work when it comes out. I just dont care.
"Why should I? He obviously doesnt.
"So i'm done."
The thread also kicked off other allegations about broken promises, lies, broken orders and other problems over here as Arcade's Jimmy Jay tried to mop up the spills.
CRACK ART
Thanks to Grant Morrison's CrackComicks for the following…
Pages 6 and 7 of "We3"
Page 1 from the second issue of "Vimanarama"
GET YOUR PEN AND PAPER READY
Okay, who's for a game of spot the difference? How many changes can you see from this character in X-Force…
To the next page?
We're down to six… can you see any more? Answer next week!
THE ITALIANS ARE COMING
After the international success of W.I.T.C.H., it seems Italian Disney are setting up offices in the USA and are using their new high profile to launch a monthly comic series called "Kylion":
The first issue of KYLION has a print run of 200,000 copies, retailing for 1 Euro/$1.5 each as a special launching price, for eighty colour pages.
Say, did you know that 70% of Disney comics in the world are produced in Italy?
CAT. PIGEONS.
Diamond Select, the creator and distributor of a number of toylines to comic retailers is now becoming those retailers' direct competition.
They've launched a retail section of the Web site to sell toys directly to the public. First up is a bunch of Willow dolls, a number of which were previously exclusive to certain venues, and unavailable to purchase by most stores.
SAN DIEGOING GOING GONE
Image Comics may not have been as timely with their San Diego convention fees as they might have. As of yesterday, they hadn't been placed on the floor map. Word is from the con organisers that they will get placed, but it most probably will be on the outskirts of the publisher area, far from the multi media companies, and near the various smaller retail areas.
As ever with San Diego, the "you snooze, you lose" rule seems to be in full effect.
WAITING FOR THE TRADE TRADE.
Big thick collection collecting previous collections are all the rage right now. From Barnes And Noble 1000+ page "Ultimate Spider-Man" hardcover to the "Complete Bone" clocking in at 1300+pages, we're all going to need sturdier bookshelves.
Thankfully Peter Bagge hasn't gone to quite those extremes. But next year Fantagraphics are collecting "Hate" in larger wedges with "Buddy Does Seattle," collecting the first few "Hate" trades, merely 340 pages for $15.
HOLED TWO
It should not have escaped your notice that issue two of "Rich Johnston's Holed Up" shipped last week from Avatar Press. If your comic shop ordered it, that is. For those thus far deprived of such literary delight, as the Holed Family first interrogate a suspicious postman, get into a siege situation with the FBI then take a trip to Saudi Arabia, here are a few places who say they've got copies…
CALIFORNIA
Hijinx Comics
2050 Lincoln Ave San Jose, CA 95125
www.hijinxcomics.com
408 266-1103
info@hijinxcomics.com
Comic Relief: THE Comic Bookstore
2138 University Avenue, Berkeley, California 94704-1026
www.comicrelief.net
510.843.5002
info@comicrelief.net
Brave New World Comics
23566 Lyons Ave #103
Newhall, CA 91321
www.bravenewworldcomics.com
661-259-4745
mail@bravenewworldcomics.com
GEORGIA
Dr. No's Comics & Games
3428 Canton Road
Marietta GA 30066
www.drnos.com
770.422.4642
info@drnos.com
ILLINOIS
Twilight Comics
1A Bellevue Park Plaza, Belleville, IL 62226
www.twilightcomics.com
618-233-1085
brian@twilightcomics.com
Graham Crackers Comics,
69 East Madison Street Chciago Illinois 60603, Inbetween Wabash and Michigan Avenue
Website: http://www.grahamcrackers.com
phone# 1-312-629-1810
Fax: 1-312 629-1812
MASSACHUSETTS
Comicopia
464 Commonwealth Av #13
Boston, MA 02215
(617) 266-4266
http://www.comicopia.com
info@comicopia.com
MICHIGAN
Green Brain Comics
13210 Michigan
www.greenbrain.biz
313-582-9444
greenbrain@greenbrain.biz
21st Century Comics & Games
515 E Grand River East Lansing MI
http://21stcomics.com/index.php
517.324.3585
lon@chronopolis.com
MINNESOTA
Big Brain Comics
81 South Tenth Street
Downtown Minneapolis, MN
612-338-4390
bigbrain@visi.com
Source Comics and Games
1601 W Larpenteur Ave
Falcon Heights, MN 55113
651/645-0386
http://www.sourcecandg.com
NEW JERSEY
The Record Store
6299 Route 9 North
Howell, NJ 07731
USA
732-905-9056
therecordstore@aol.com
NORTH CAROLINA
Silver Billet Comics
1571 Hanes Mall Blvd, Winston Salem, NC 27103
www.silverbulletcomics.com
336-794-3692
walan@silverbulletcomics.com
Silver Billet Comics
1207 Central St Suite 4A, Wilkesboro, NC 28697
www.silverbulletcomics.com
336-838-7736
walan@silverbulletcomics.com
OKLAHOMA
Speeding Bullet Comics and Ricochet Cafe
614 N Porter Ave Norman OK 73071
www.speedingbulletcomics.com
(405) 360-6866
sbcomics@aol.com
TEXAS
Titan Comics
3701 W Northwest Hwy #125 Dallas Texas 75220
www.titancomics.com
214-350-4420
info@titancomics.com
VIRGINIA
Metropolis Comics
105 Pickwick Ave.
Colonial Heights, VA 23834
804-526-8750
metropoliscomics@aol.com
Amazing Fantasy Comics
14346 Warwick Blcd. Suite 444
Newport News, VA. 23602
Phone # 757-877-6030
Email - afcomics@aol.com
CANADA
The Beguiling Books & Art
601 Markham Street
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M6G 2L7
http://www.beguiling.com
(416) 533-9168
mail@beguiling.com
Another Dimension
130-10th Street NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1V3
www.another-dimension.com
(403)283-7078
comics@another-dimension.com
Astro Books/Librairie Astro
1844 Ste.Catherine St.W.
(514) 932-1139
astro@autoroute.net
Strange Adventures Comic Bookshop
5262 Sackville Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia
www.strangeadventures.com
U.S. 1-866-6-COMICS
shop@strangeadventures.com
Strange Adventures Comic Bookshop
366 Queen Street, Fredericton, New Brunswick
www.strangeadventures.com
U.S. 1-866-6-COMICS
shop@strangeadventures.com
UK
Comix-shop
7a High Street
Maidenhead
Berkshire
SL6 1JN
http://www.comix-shop.co.uk/
01628 777 998
webmaster@comix-shop.co.uk
Orbital
9 Old Compton Street
Soho
London W1
020 7434 9363
Gosh! Comics
39 Great Russell Street
London
WC1B 3BD
020 7636 1011
http://www.goshlondon.com
Comics Showcase
63 Charing Cross Road
London WC2H 0NE
020 74344349
comicshowcase@talk21.com
Forbidden Planet London
179 Shaftesbury Avenue
London
WC2H 8JR
020 7420 3666
www.forbiddenplanet.com
Page 45
9 Market Street
Nottingham
Nottinghamshire NG1 6HY
page45@page45.couk.com
01159 508045
http://www.page45.couk.com/
Forbidden Planet
5 Duke Street , Cardiff
www.forbiddenplanet.co.uk
02920228885
http://www.forbiddenplanetinternational.com
World's Apart
58/60 LIME ST
LIVERPOOL
L1 1JN
tel 0151-707-0839
fax 0151-707-2192
e-mail wa@worldsapart.f9.co.uk
86th Floor Comics
www.86thfloor.com
0115 9443009
enquiry@86thfloor.com
Forbidden Planet Leeds
30 Eastgate,
Headrow, Leeds
0113 242 6325
Fpleeds@fpleeds.plus.net
Forbidden Planet
168 Buchanan street
www.forbiddenplanet.co.uk
0141 331 1215
fp@fpscotland.f9.co.uk
Asylum Books & Games
29 Adelphi
www.asylum-booksandgames.com
01224 574637
info@asylum-booksandgames.com
Comics 24-7 Limited
PO BOX 111, AYLESBURY, BUCKS HP21 9WE
WWW.COMICS24-7.CO.UK
01296 424676
SALES@COMICS24-7.CO.UK
Calamity Comics
90 QUEEN'S ROAD
WATFORD
HERTS
WD17 2LA
www.calamitycomics.com
TEL: 01923 249293
E-MAIL: orders@calamitycomics.com
Calamity Comics
160 STATION ROAD
HARROW, MIDDLESEX HA1 2RH
www.calamitycomics.com
020 8427 3831
orders@calamitycomics.com
Ace Comics Southend
324-325 CHARTWELL NORTH,VICTORIA PLAZA, SOUTHEND-ON-SEA,ESSEX,SS25SR
www.acecomics.net
01702 613021
info@acecomics.net
Whatevercomics
5 Middle Row
High St
Maidstone
Kent
www.whatevercomics.com
01622 681041
www.whatevercomics.com
RECRUITING IN THE GUTTERS
If you've got a story, talk to me. Your identity will remain anonymous unless you wish otherwise. You can choose a pseudonym and join the ranks of the Gutterati. Or be a demon reposter, join the Gutter Snipes and spread the word about stories in this column across the Internet, where relevant. Then tell me where you've put them up - the more mainstream the better!
You can contact me at:
- mailto:rich@twistandshout.freeserve.co.uk (which often gets full, but it'll reach me during the day)
- AOL Instant Message me at TwistRich
- 0780 1350982 (01144780 1350982 from N America)
- Anthrax packages can be sent to 8 Robin Hood Lane, Kingston Vale, London SW15 3PU, ENGLAND
Be seeing you.
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