CALL IT PROPHECY

27/1/03: Prophecy Magazine, a new comics / sequential art magazine, is set to launch in early 2003.

Prophecy features cutting edge, alternative content from independent artists and writers from around the world, including regular contributor Scott McCloud (author of Understanding Comics).

The full-colour, tabloid-sized magazine is being touted as the next biggest thing to hit the comics world and the magazine is currently offering extremely reduced promotional subscription rates with a money back guarantee via its web site.

If you like what you see, sign up for a subscription. If you’re an artist, the magazine is also accepting submissions, via their website, for possible inclusion in upcoming issues.

“We are dedicated to changing current perceptions and stereotypes about the comic arts” says a spokesperson, seemingly unaware that such hype has graced many past (but also welcome) attempts of this kind…

ONLINE SHOWCASE FOR NEW COMIC BOOK CREATIVE TALENT – BULLETPROOF COMICS – LAUNCHES

22/1/03: A new Internet-based showcase for up-and-coming UK comic book creators is now officially online at bulletproofcomics.co.uk. The first monthly ‘issue’ of the online magazine has been launched to allow the wealth of currently untapped comic book talent in the UK to reach a wider audience.

“Bulletproof began as an idea for a comics newsletter but soon expanded into an online, portfolio-style magazine after the interest shown by many UK comic creators,” explained Matt Yeo, Editor-in-Chief & Publisher, Bulletproof Comics. “There is a wealth of incredible untapped comics talent in the UK, and Bulletproof has been set-up to get them under the spotlight!”

Within bulletproofcomics.co.uk you’ll discover material from exciting new writers, artists and creators, as well as exclusive interviews and artwork from established industry professionals such as Frank Quitely, Steve Yeowell, Richard Starkings and Andy Diggle.

“It is becoming increasingly difficult to find a platform to showcase your comic book work, whether it be art or writing,” added Stu Taylor, Editorial Consultant, Bulletproof Comics. “As a new writer, I find the potential of bulletproofcomics to be extremely exciting. It’s essentially a UK comics talent pool that allows writers to find artists, artists to find writers, and even mainstream publishers to find entire creative teams at a click of a button!”

The website is only the first stage for this ambitious comic publisher… launching early-2003 is the first issue of Bulletproof, a 60-page anthology, featuring the work of some of the creators showcased on the web site.

WHAT’S IN THE FIRST ISSUE?

The first totally-free online issue of bulletproofcomics.co.uk features the following:

• Exclusive Frank Quitely interview: The white-hot artist is grilled by fellow Scot Lorna Miller on New X-Men, The Authority and more. PLUS: Win signed New X-Men collections! 
• Exclusive Richard Starkings interview: Ground-breaking comic book letterer Richard Starkings talks about his career, Comicraft’s 10th anniversary, and the launch of Hip Flask. 
• Exclusive Steve Yeowell interview: The artist on The Invisibles and Skrull Kill Krew gives us the lowdown on his new 2000AD series, “The Red Seas”, the history of Zenith, and his collaborations with Grant Morrison. 
• New Creator Spotlight: Award-winning writer John A Short speaks to Stu Taylor about his Vietnam War superhero epic, Armageddon Patrol. 
PLUS: Read an exclusive five-page online Armageddon Patrol comic strip!  
• New Creator Showcase: Presenting amazing work from the next generation of UK comic creators, including: Lorna Miller, John A Short, Joseph Robinson, Lee Langford, Klaus Berlaski, Vincent Vanoli, Richard Elson, Nigel Kitching, Nigel Dobbyn, Alan Burrows and more!
• Rant! Ex-2000AD editor and new Vertigo writer Andy Diggle kicks off a special guest column! 
PLUS: Check out comic book reviews, access exclusive artwork, subscribe to the mailing list and much more!

SOUTH AMERICAN COMIC COMPETITION LAUNCHES

22/1/03: A non profit cultural organisation in Uruguay is organising an International Comic Competition which hopes to atract plenty of participants from the UK.

All the information in English about the “Peloduro 2002 International Humour Cartoon Contest” can be found at the Fundacion Lolita Rubial web site. The theme of the competition is “What the 20th Century Left Us”.

The rules on site don’t seem to define what they mean by ‘cartoon’, so I can’t tell you if the submissions need to be funny joke ha ha or otherwise! Also, there you can find all the rules and conditions on a pdf file.

SUPERMAN: THE 10-CENT ADVENTURE

8/1/03: In its latest marketing move, DC Comics has released the first Superman comic book in 40 years to go on sale for 10 Cents.

Superman: The 10-Cent Adventure is the first time in 40 years that a Superman comic will be on sale for just one dime. Created as an invitation for new readers, the promotion is a follow-up to DC’s successful Batman: The 10-Cent Adventure, which was the best-selling American comic book in units for 2002.

“The 10-Cent Adventure is a unique opportunity for Superman fans to rediscover the comics world and catch up with their hero,” said Paul Levitz. “The comic is a great entry point into the latest adventures in the Superman mythos.”

The comic book is an enjoyable stand-alone story that acts as a definitive primer on Superman: his origin, his motivation, and his methods. The 32-page comic has been written by Steven T. Seagle with art and cover by Scott McDaniel and Andy Owens, both well known for their work on the Batman comics.

STILL A GOOD LIFE

22/1/03: The Zocalo Today and the Bill Mumy Fan Club report that Bill Mumy (Lost in Space, Babylon 5) is in Vancouver this week to film the sequel to It’s A Good Life, titled It’s Still a Good Life, for The Twilight Zone TV series. Bill will be reprising the role of “Anthony Fremont,” the kid who sends you into the cornfield if you upset him.

Bill Mumy’s daughter Liliana (who costarred in Santa Clause II, currently has a recurring role on My Wife And Kids), plays his daughter, Amy Fremont. Liliana looks just like her dad! Cloris Leachman may be involved, although that cannot be confirmed right now.

In the new story, it’s 30 years later in Peakesville, Ohio… the village that was separated from the world by Anthony all those years ago. If you thought it was tough going then…

It’s Still A Good Life will air in February in the US during sweeps.

REEVE ON SMALLVILLE

8/1/03: The US TV Guide reports that former Superman actor Christopher Reeve will give Clark Kent some advice in an upcoming episode of the WB series Smallville.

Reeve, who rose to fame as the star of the Superman movies, will play Dr. Swan, a brilliant scientist who gives the show’s teenage Clark Kent (Tom Welling) an insight into his superhero future.

Smallville, which chronicles Kent’s tumultuous teenage years in a rural town, usuallyis shot in Vancouver but Reeve’s scenes will be shot in New York City.

The WB offered the 50-year-old actor, paralysed from the neck down sincea 1995 horse riding accident, a unique incentive to take the part. The network will run a public-service announcement at the end of the show for The Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation.