Hi, for those of you that know me, you know I have about a dozen other projects going on besides my Comic Widows website and of course hanging out here at Comics Uncovered. One of them is being the moderator of the Fear of Writing Chatroom at:

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This Wednesday evening I have the distinct pleasure of interviewing our own Enchantress, and I want to extend a special invitation to everyone here at Comics Uncovered to come on out and support her that night. Details are below:

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THE FEAR OF WRITING CHATROOM

The Fear of Writing Chatroom is owned by Milli Thornton and managed by chat moderator, Glenn Walker. Our mission is to present fun and educational chats for writers as well as fans of authors from many genres.

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The main chats are usually Wednesday evenings, although sometimes there are special monthly chats as well. Announcements are regularly posted at the Writers Chat Yahoo! Group:

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If you'd like to suggest a guest, topics for a theme chat, offer yourself as a chat guest, or give feedback about a chat you've attended, contact Glenn Walker at:

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Our current schedule of guests can be found here:

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CHAT WITH ANNETTE PETERSON

PASSWORD: enchantress

The Fear of Writing Chatroom is happy to introduce this Wednesday's chat guest, Annette Peterson. I will be interviewing Annette and also taking questions from the room. To find out more about Annette, see her bio below. ~ Glenn Walker

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THIS WEEK’S PRIZE GIVEAWAY

The doorprize for this week's chat is very generous. Milli Thornton, our hostess at Fear of Writing, has donated a few fine prizes. To the winner, a choice of either a Fear of Writing Mug or T-Shirt -and- the choice of any two e-books from her online bookstore at: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.fearofwriting.com/e-Books/Free.htm">http://www.fearofwriting.com/e-Books/Free.htm</a><!-- m --> This will be awarded to a lucky, random chatter halfway through the night's event.

And in the tradition of Fear of Writing Chats Past, don't forget to bring chocolate. Mmm… chocolate. :-)

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WHERE?

The Fear of Writing Chatroom at:

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Enter, then click on "Chatroom" on left-hand column. Then click on "Enter Chatroom" at bottom of page.

Choose a log in name for your self. Wednesday night's case-sensitive password is:

enchantress

It will take a moment to load, if you can not see entire screen, click on "Float."

If you are new to the Chat or having trouble logging in to the Chatroom please go to:

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Reminder for members: you can either print the emoticon list at Writers Chat or get it by auto-email from <!-- e --><a href="mailto:emoticons@fearofwriting.com">emoticons@fearofwriting.com</a><!-- e -->

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WHEN?

Wednesday, May 5, 2004

Pacific Time................….7 PM

Mountain Time................8 PM

Central Time................…9 PM

Eastern Time...............….10 PM

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CHAT WITH ANNETTE PETERSON

Our chat guest Wednesday night is writer and columnist, Annette Peterson. She is a full time Human Resources Assistant and part time writer with a few credits to her name. Having won awards for her writing and a few magazine articles published, she spends most of her time dreaming up new ideas for her characters. She currently writes a review and opinion column at Comic Widows <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.comicwidows.com">http://www.comicwidows.com</a><!-- m --> called "X Marks the Spot" about the mutant superheroes, the X-Men and their world:

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Annette spends her free time with her husband, Jeremiah and their three dogs, two cats and turtle. For a peek into her private side, her web journal can be found here:

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Writing is one of her many passions, along with reading (in many media) and cinema. Annette also has a very green thumb and spends most spring days in the garden, where she finds her muse for her stories. She is a member of Writer Circle <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/writercircle/">http://groups.yahoo.com/group/writercircle/</a><!-- m --> and an active participant in the online comics fandom community.

Having first gotten her "spark" of writing in role playing games online some eleven years ago, she has continued on with that tradition, winning over fans with characters people can relate to, even if they are ghosts, vampires, mutants and elves. Currently, she is involved in writing on the "Nomads" game on the Marvel Boards where she posts as Enchantress: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.marvel-boards.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=97">http://www.marvel-boards.co.uk/forumdis ... forumid=97</a><!-- m -->

Annette is heavily involved in her home away from home, Comics Uncovered, a new comics, gaming and media message board located here:

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.comicsuncovered.com/">http://www.comicsuncovered.com/</a><!-- m -->

and the "Guardians of Twilight" game there, where she is also known as Enchantress:
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.comicsuncovered.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=21&sid=52deb4280cfe958edd2267fa143fb963">http://www.comicsuncovered.com/phpBB2/v ... fa143fb963</a><!-- m -->

These role-playing games are designed as huge collaborative writing exercises where each player takes on the persona of a character in an ongoing superhero story like in a prose comic book. Taking turns, several writers combine their talents to weave their own cohesive adventures. Annette is among the best of these writers.

For samples of Annette's writing, please check out this website:

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Please check the Calendar at Writers Chat at: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.fearofwriting.com/chat/SigmaChat/Chat-Calendar.htm">http://www.fearofwriting.com/chat/Sigma ... lendar.htm</a><!-- m --> for information on upcoming guests (including next week's Nicole Meyenberg of Books Through Bars) and writing-related chat topics.

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We look forward to chatting with you!

Glenn Walker - Moderator and Chatroom Manager
Milli Thornton - Host at Fear of Writing

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Hi all!

It's everyone's favorite (or not so) Asgardian imp with a challenge to issue to all our of Comics Uncovered Members.

You all ready comics, you know heroclix, you are a fount of knowledge to people out there who are wanting and willing to read it.

My challange is...I'd like to see everyone interested write a comic related article for Glenn Walker's Comic Widow's website. PM Glenn to ask for details such as word count, but he is always taking submissions.

Those of you accepting this challenge will get something really neat and cool from the Comics Uncovered Staff in your mailboxes.

My second Challenge is one that a few people here have already picked up on. Recruitment. For every 2 or 3 people you enlighten to our little home away from home, you'll get a super cool gift from the Comics Uncovered Staff in your mailbox. (Don't worry Surfer, I'm holding on to yours until you visit!) Make sure they let us know in the "How did you hear about Comics Uncovered?" Thread that you sent them here!

So, the challenges have been set forth! Let the games begin!

Enchantress :hulkout:

I'm working on some new mods that are decent. Definitely not my younger or older brother's quality of work, but not bad. I'll try to see if I can get some digital pictures posted for ya'll to see. Thor, Enchantress, I know you've got some good ones to display. Let's see some of your's posted too!

Glenn I was wondering if you could give us some background on the Comic Widows site, how it came to be and why you put so much effort into it?

Hail to the BAT!!!!


Truly a conqueror in his own right, Batman is the single most incredible superhero that has ever been scetched into existance. Here is a person with balls of Adamantium!!! In my opinion, He's the only and quite possibly single reason why DC still exists today. But, in all honesty I think that Batman could take on any villan or superhero out there and come out on top.....

When you are no longer an Avenger, you have to find something to pay the rent.

Reported 29/04/2004
Source ComicBookResources
By Dave Richards

Raising the Dredd?

The Criminals of Mega-City One have lived in fear for the past 27 years. In 1977 John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra introduced the world to Judge Dredd, the toughest lawman in the futuristic Mega-City One. He patrolled the streets on an advanced motorcycle armed with a high-tech gun and a fanatical dedication to the law. Dredd's adventures have been chronicled in many comics, they have inspired two songs, "I Am the Law" by the heavy metal band Anthrax and "Mutants in Mega-City One" by the Fink Brothers, and they were translated into a disappointing 1995 film starring Sylvester Stallone as Dredd. CBR News recently talked with Silvio Astarita, one of the producers of a new Judge Dredd film currently in pre-production with I Am The Law Productions and Framework in association with Rebellion/2000 AD.

In May of last year, Shoreline Entertainment in association with Rebellion/2000 AD announced pre-production had begun on two Dredd films, "Judge Dredd: Dredd Reckoning" and "Judge Dredd: Possession." "Dredd Reckoning" was to be the first film in the series and would pit Mega-City's top cop against corruption in the justice department, and "Possession" would feature Judge Dredd against his arch-nemesis Judge Death. These films were supposed to be shot back to back.

Now that the "Judge Dredd" film is being developed by I Am The Law, these scripts have been abandoned. The current plan is to work on one movie at a time. "We have a new writer on board so we will have a new story line," Astarita told CBR. I Am The Law is currently not revealing the identity of the new writer.

The new Judge Dredd film is still in its early stages of development. Some studios have expressed interest in the film, but the screenplay must be completed before any deals begin. I Am The Law knows who they want to direct the film. "We do have someone in mind right now, but again to soon to reveal the name." Astarita said. Now that comic book movies are hip again, Astarita said some actors have expressed a desire to play Mega-City's legendary lawman, but the title role would not be cast till a final screenplay is completed and approved. I Am the Law will consider a variety of actors for Dredd. " I do not believe we need a big name actor for the main role but that doesn't mean we will not get one," Astarita explained.

Unlike the previous "Judge Dredd" film, 2000 A.D., the publishers of the "Judge Dredd" comic, are directly involved with the current production. Astarita said this would help I Am The Law create a film that remains faithful to the comics but still appeal to a broad audience. He also said that many of the supporting characters from the comic book would appear in the film. The tone of the "Judge Dredd" comics has always been sci-fi action mixed with heavy doses of black humor and satire. I Am the Law hopes to capture this for their film. "The film will be dark, more like 'The Crow' with the look of 'Blade Runner,' but dark comedy must have a role in Dredd's world," Astarita told CBR.

Judge Dredd is not a typical comic book hero. He can be cold, uncaring, and merciless. Dredd's only loyalty is to the laws of Mega-City One, which he enforces with zeal. Astarita believes despite this Judge Dredd and his adventures will still resonate with filmgoers. He explained, "Which ever way you cut it everyone likes a Hero. I don't know too many people who did not like Dirty Harry, this is no different. Dredd is in many ways a hero that we love to hate. A tough father figure that has an even tougher code of behavior."

Reported 29/04/2004
Source Newsarama
by Benjamin Ong Pang Kean

DC’s original superhero team is heading back to the Golden Age in a tale by acclaimed novelist and The Saga of the Seven Suns: Veiled Alliances writer Kevin J. Anderson with art by recently exclusive DC artist, Barry Kitson.

Originally titled Justice Society: Lord Dynamo, the limited series has since been retitled JSA: Strange Adventures, “with a nice pulp-magazine looking logo,” according to Anderson. The August-debuting six issue miniseries is extra-sized, according to the writer. “It's a miniseries with six giant issues - 30 pages each. Since this is really a heartfelt homage to retro science fiction and the glory days of pulp magazines, it's more on target to emphasize the pulp aspect. Lord Dynamo is the continuing villain of this story arc, but the series isn't really ‘about’ him. Lord Dynamo is a new villain -- wonderfully pulpy and retro, flying around in a giant zeppelin studded with lightning rods - part Captain Nemo and part megalomaniac. A pulpish title more accurately reflects the feel of these books.”

Part homage as well, Strange Adventures features the comic book appearance of one of America’s earliest pulp magazine authors and the magazine that gave birth to the term “scientifiction,” or now known as science fiction or sci-fi. “This is a ‘classic’ Justice Society of America story, set in the early 1940s with the Golden Age JSA members -- Sandman, the Jay Garrick Flash, the Alan Scott Green Lantern, Wildcat, Starman, Star-Spangled Kid, Dr. Fate, Hawkman, Hawkgirl, Atom and Johnny Thunder. Wonder Woman is also in the JSA. No Superman or Batman, though,” Anderson said. ”Johnny Thunder, the JSA's rather dimwitted gosh-wow ‘mascot,’ wants to be a writer for Amazing Stories magazine, one of the classic pulps of the ‘40s. But his writing is terrible -- however, the editor of Amazing sees this as his opportunity to get the real inside story of the famed JSA superheroes. So he has his best writer, Jack Williamson, team up with Johnny to teach him how to write... and to follow him on his adventures. I got permission from the real Jack Williamson - who's a grand master, multiple-award-winning writer -- 96 years old - to use him in the story, and also permission from the owner of Amazing Stories to use their magazine.”

The brainchild of legendary publisher and editor Hugo Gernsback, Amazing Stories magazine was first published in April 1926. It was a classic pulp magazine and was one of the pioneers of science fiction in the United States. Early stories were reprints of Edgar Allan Poe, H. G. Wells and Jules Verne tales as well as supporting stories by Edgar Rice Burroughs, Philip Francis Nowlan (Buck Rogers) and Alpheus Hyatt Verrill (The Radio Detectives). Jack Williamson’s first published story, “The Metal Man,” appeared in the December 1928 issue of Amazing Stories. Asked what his fascination with the magazine is, Anderson clarified one point. “Well, I certainly didn't grow up in the 1940s! But Amazing is a cornerstone in the history of science fiction. Its first issue was released in 1926 and was the very first science fiction magazine. The editor, Hugo Gernsback, who is also a character in JSA: Strange Adventures, invented the term ‘scientifiction’ which he later shortened to ‘science fiction.’ Science fiction's highest award, the Hugo, is named after him. After a several-year hiatus, Amazing is resuming publication again this summer, coincidentally right around the time when this series hits the stores.

“Jack [Williamson] was one of the most popular SF writers in the golden days of the pulp magazines, which is why I used him as a main character here. His first story was published in Amazing in 1928 and, even though he is 96 years old, he still publishes a new novel just about every year, and last year he won the coveted Nebula Award for one of his shorter works. He's also won the Hugo Award, has been declared a Grand Master of Science Fiction, and is a past president of the Science Fiction Writers of America. If you don't know who Jack is, you should. I've known Jack personally for about fifteen years. He is a kind gentleman and very talented. When I was developing this storyline, I wrote to Jack and asked if I could use him as a character; he readily agreed, saying that he himself used to read the JSA comics when he was much younger. I have also written several pieces for Amazing Stories in its various incarnations -- Brian Herbert and I published the first-ever original Dune short story in Amazing -- and I know the publisher and editor well. DC thought it would be impossible to get legal permission to use Amazing, but the publisher was also very enthusiastic - turns out he's a JSA fan as well.”

As for Anderson, who’s also writing the new Starjammers for Marvel Comics, he’s also a fan of the JSA. “I remember the old series set in WWII- Last Days of the Justice Society from 1986 - when Hitler got his hands on the Spear of Destiny, thereby preventing the superheroes from going to fight in Europe. I had to dodge around that for my story here, and still remain true to the continuity. I also read some of the classic All-Star Comics from the ‘40s, which were basically solo adventures instead of teamwork. My favorite batch, though, was a revival series of All-Star and Adventure in 1999 written by James Robinson and David Goyer.

“I love the classic versions of Flash, Green Lantern, Hawkman, etc. Setting the story in the 1940s allows me to play up on a sense of wonder that I just don't think is available in a modern-day setting. Indiana Jones would feel at home here. Since this is set during WWII, the JSA members are precluded from fighting against Hitler because of the Spear of Destiny (the original reason for why the superheroes couldn't just fly over to Europe and kick Nazi butt and end the war in a few days). So, technically, they are supposed to stay at home and guard the country.Barry Kitson brings a majesty to this time period and these grand golden-age heroes that I've never seen before. In his own words, Barry says ‘the superheroes feel 'at home' in this era - it somehow seems to me they are given weight and presence by being shown in the era in which they were conceived.’ I took the pencils and immediately went to show them to my wife and frequent co-author. This is why I like writing comics!”

Reported 28/04/2004
Source Comics Continuum

DC Comics has acquired the North American publishing rights to existing and future comic-book material from UK publisher Rebellion. Rebellion is the publisher of 2000 AD and the Judge Dredd Megazine, the weekly and monthly titles featuring the world-renowned film and video game character Judge Dredd. Rebellion has published many creatively groundbreaking graphic novels by such creatorsas Garth Ennis, Simon Bisley, Frank Quitely, Mark Millar, Chris Weston, Sean Phillips, Glenn Fabry, and many more.

Paul Levitz, President & Publisher of DC Comics, and Jason Kingsley, Co-founder, CEO and Creative Director of Rebellion, announce that plans are for the publication of 36 books per year for distribution in the North American comics specialty market and in trade bookstores. DC's current plans are to focus primarily on graphic novels and trade paperback collections. "The Rebellion catalog expands the already diverse offerings of DC's publishing output," Levitz said, "and much of it is done by writers and artists beloved by our readership, so we're delighted to be able to connect them to these great stories. The wonderful work done on 2000 AD over the years was one of the important bridges that led to the so-called 'British Invasion' of American comics, so it feels like these titles were always meant to be with our line."

"2000 AD and its sister publication The Judge Dredd Megazine are hugely influential and popular in Europe," Kingsley said. "We are looking forward to working closely with the professional and creative powerhouse that is DC, and are excited about introducing our vast catalog of characters, worlds and stories to a wider readership."

The first books from DC are scheduled for September, beginning with The Batman/Judge Dredd Files (written by John Wagner and Alan Grant, with art by Simon Bisley, Carl Critchlow, Dermot Power, Glenn Fabry, Jim Murray, and Jason Brashill) and Sinister Dexter: Gunshark Vacation (written by Dan Abnett, with art by David Millgate, Anthony Williams, Charles Gillespie, Simon Davis, and Henry Flint.)

Future plans include such projects as Devlin Waugh: Swimming in Blood (written by John Smith, with art by Sean Phillips, Siku, and Michael Gaydos), Red Razors (written by Mark Millar, with art by Steve Yeowell and Nigel Dobbyn), Judge Dredd: Judgment Day (written by Garth Ennis, with art by Peter Doherty, Dean Ormston, Carlos Ezquerra, and Chris Halls), Nikolai Dante: The Romanov Dynasty (written by Robbie Morrison, with art by Simon Fraser, Chris Weston, Charlie Adlard, and Henry Flint), Robo-Hunter: Verdus (written by John Wagner, with art by Ian Gibson), and Shimura (written by Robbie Morrison, with art by Frank Quitely, Colin MacNeil, Robert McCallum and Fraser.) Formats and prices will be announced at the time of solicitation for each book.

"The Rebellion library," Levitz said, "allows DC to continue its growth with the consistent goal of attracting more readers to comics."

More Images:
Strontium Dog
Rogue Trooper

IS known as High School Career Day!!

Yes, I had to be a guest speaker today for my company for the local High School career day. If you notice my new custom user tagline, you'll see one of the phrases I used a few times.
:roll:
I had 9 groups of kids come around, almost all of them boys who wanted to hear the gruesome horror stories of semi truck crashes. The few girls that did show up kept apologizing for the boys. :wink:

If someone had asked me to do this a few months ago...I would have been taking birth control the MOMENT I got home! EGADS!

So that was my lovely day. I think Career Day is a great thing. But for the most part, I knew it was simply a way for the kids to get out of class for the afternoon, so I did my best to make it fun and answer all their questions. The main question was..."How much money do they make?"
I'd reply with "45k to 70K a year".... then I'd get "Woah! how much money do you make??" I replied with "No where near that...maybe in 4 years...yeah...4 years."