TODAY'S NEWS

Unexplained Mysteries
This Strange Planet
Bizarre and terrifying forces at work on planet Earth.

Talk about response!
Well, it's like 16 hours later and I've had about 300 emails from volunteers to help out Tracy, so I think we've got it covered. Many thanks to all those who volunteered, I've passed on the information to Tracy and she'll be in touch with whoever's work seems most in line with what she wants to do.

Friday, June 18, 2004:
TOP SF NETWORK SHOWS:
Joan of Arcadia 4.5
Enterprise 2.6
Angel 1.2
Source: Nielsen Galaxy Report, 5/24/04 - 5/30/04.

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NEW JMS COMIC BOOKS: I picked up the latest issues of AMAZING SPIDERMAN and SUPREME POWER last night at my local comic shop. Both issues look fantastic.

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SUPERMAN: Variety had some news regarding Warner Bros. SUPERMAN movie project. The trade magazine indicated that, S.W.A.T. and FAST AND THE FURIOUS producer Neal Moritz and Gilbert Adler (CONSTANTINE, GHOST SHIP) are in talks to come serve as producers on SUPERMAN. Reports also say that screen tests were held for half-a-dozen possible SUPERMAN actors last week. Variety confirms the tests did go down and that actors Jason Behr (ROSWELL), Henry Cavill (THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO), Jared Padalecki (NEW YORK MINUTE) and Michael Cassidy were among the actors that tried out for the part. Director McG (CHARLIE'S ANGELS) remains involved with the production. And if everything and everyone can gel together nicely, filming could be underway before the end of the year.

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ELEKTRA: Jason Isaacs (PETER PAN, PATRIOT, HARRY POTTER) has a cameo role in 20th Century Fox's ELEKTRA movie, starring Jennifer Garner in the title role. Isaacs will play the character McCabe, an agent who works with Elektra. Story Description of ELEKTRA: Assassin-for-hire Elektra Natchios (Garner) is revived by the Order of the Hand, a group of assassins who helped train her. Assigned by the Hand's current leader, Kirigi (Yun Lee), to kill a man, Mark Miller (Visnjic), and his 13-year-old daughter, Abby (Prout), Elektra soon befriends them and decides to stand up to her ninja peers.

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MR. FIX IT: ANGEL star David Boreanaz is set to star in a romantic comedy feature MR. FIX IT, written by Darin Ferrilola, who also will direct. Variety says the film, about a lovelorn Casanova who tricks women into returning to their ex-boyfriends and finds himself falling for one of his marks, begins production this summer in Southern California. Boreanaz also stars in Dimension's upcoming The Crow: Wicked Prayer with Edward Furlong, Tara Reid, and Dennis Hopper.

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THE AMITYVILLE HORROR: Variety reports that Ryan Reynolds (BLADE 3) is poised to take the lead in the remake of "The Amityville Horror". Set to begin this summer, "Amityville" is about a man who moves his family into a dream house only to discover it is haunted by an evil presence from a past tragedy. Music video and commercials helmer Andrew Douglas is making his feature directorial debut. The script was written by Scott Kosar ["The Texas Chainsaw Massacre"].

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MUTANT X: ADV Films has announced an August 17 release date for MUTANT X: Season 2, Discs 5-6, a two-disc DVD release from the second season of the syndicated television series. The episodes include: "Understudy", "The Grift", "At Destiny's End" and "Within These Walls". The DVD-only release in English 2.0 audio, closed captioned. It includes four complete episodes and is presented in anamorphic widescreen format. Extras include: interview with Victor Webster (Brennan Mulwray); behind the scenes with producer Jonathon Hackett; original TV promos; image gallery; behind the scenes: make-up, behind the scenes: hair and ADV previews.

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Thursday, June 17, 2004:
TOP SF DVD SALES:
1. The Return of the King
2. Star Wars trilogy
3. Buffy season six
4. Passion of the Christ
5. Lord of the Rings trilogy
6. Big Fish
7. Triplets of Belleville
8. Pirates of the Caribbean
9. Bubba Ho-Tep
10. The Two Towers
Source: Amazon.com, top-selling genre DVDs, 6/15/04

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NEW JMS COMIC: Discovered a new JMS comic coming out in September -- STRANGE. All the information is below in the NEW COMIC BOOKS AHEAD section.

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SMALLVILLE: We have seen various people turn up in young Clark Kent's life. This year it was Perry White -- now a casting call has gone out for the role of Lois Lane, Clark Kent's future love interest, who will reportedly appear in four episodes of SMALLVILLE this coming season. As SMALLVILLE gets ready to begin filming on its fourth season in Vancouver, the Kryptonsite.com reported that a twenty-something Lois Lane will travel to Smallville in search of her cousin, Chloe Sullivan (series regular Allison Mack). Lois is described in the casting breakdown as "Caucasian, smart, beautiful, urban, headstrong, and no-nonsense. She is also described as being tough as nails due to her upbringing by her U.S. Army father. " Producers are also looking for a young actor to play a new character named Jason Teague, a college student at Metropolis University who will become a regular cast member. There is no word yet on which actors or actresses are being considered for the two roles.

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HUMANITAS: According to the Hollywood Reporter, writers on the feature films "Dirty Pretty Things," "Finding Nemo" and "Seabiscuit" and TV series "Joan of Arcadia" and "The Bernie Mac Show" were among the finalists announced Wednesday for the 2004 Humanitas Prize. The prize, now in its 30th year, honors writers whose work "honestly explores the complexities of the human experience and sheds light on the positive values of life." The award has become "all the more important since television has taken a dehumanizing turn with some of the so-called reality shows," Humanitas Prize president Frank Desiderio remarked as he announced the finalists.

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NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET: REAL NIGHTMARES: CBS and New Line Television have ordered six episodes of "Nightmare on Elm Street: Real Nightmares," an hourlong unscripted skein in which viewers will be given the chance to confront their worst fears head-on. Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund) has signed on to host the show, sans scary makeup..."

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Wednesday, June 16, 2004:
JMS UPDATE: The big news this morning is the update JMS delivered to the moderated newsgroup yesterday. He talks about a new series of BABYLON 5 NOVELS!!!! He also brings us up to date on other projects, like RISING STARS and JMS Unplugged. See the whole posting below.

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TOP SF SYNDICATED SHOWS:
She Spies 1.9
Stargate SG-1 1.9
Mutant X 1.5
Andromeda 1.4
3rd Rock 1.3
Buffy 1.2
The X-Files 1.2
The Outer Limits 1.1
Angel 1.0
Beastmaster 0.9
Source: Nielsen Galaxy Report, 5/24/04 - 5/30/04

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THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW: Variety reports that a Harvard professor is suing DAY AFTER TOMORROW director Roland Emmerich, charging that he plagiarized plot elements from the professor's novel for the SF disaster film. Ubaldo DiBenedetto filed a lawsuit in Germany against the German-born director and the movie's local distributor, 20th Century Fox Deutschland, for an as-yet-undetermined amount of damages. A Cologne state court will review the complaint on June 16.

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STAR WARS: Director George Lucas told USA Today that although fans have already guessed the upcoming prequel's title—he won't announce it until November. This is when the first trailer are to hit theaters.

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SPIDER-MAN 2: With the June 30 release date coming closer, more and more information is coming out for SPIDER-MAN 2. The official website at http://spiderman.sonypictures.com has been updated with new pictures and there is even a new Ana music video at http://spiderman.sonypictures.com/soundtrack/ana_weare_video.html.

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THE CHRONICLE OF NARNIA: Production will begin soon as Disney and Walden Media bring an adaptation of C.S. Lewis's THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE to the big screen. Filming will begin on June 28 in Auckland, New Zealand, where 2/3 of the film will be shot. The production is tentatively scheduled to move to South Island in mid-October where lensing will wrap. THE LION, THE WTICH, AND THE WARDROBE is the first book (the second chronologically) in the seven-part Narnia series. The story follows four children who are sent to live with an old professor during the WWII air raids in London. While exploring the professor's mysterious old house, they discover a wardrobe that is actually a gateway to the magical land of Narnia, a once-peaceful place that is filled with all manner of mythic and fantasy creatures. The children soon learn that Narnia is frozen in a state of perpetual winter, under the spell of the evil White Witch. But when they meet Aslan, the Great Lion, their lives, and the lives of every inhabitant of Narnia, are changed forever. Andrew Anderson (SHREK) is set to direct. Peter Jackson's WETA Digital will be creating the visual effects.

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Tuesday, June 16, 2004:
TOP SELLING SF BOOKS:
1. The Da Vinci Code
2. Song of Susannah (Dark Tower 6)
3. Angels & Demons
4. A Feast for Crows
5. The Time Traveler's Wife
6. Potter paperback box set
7. Wicked
8. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
9. 1984
10. Wolves of the Calla (Dark Tower 5)
Source: Amazon.com, 6/14/04

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STARGATE SG-1: Amanda Tapping, who plays Maj. Samantha Carter on STARGATE SG-1 is eager to sit in the director's chair again in the upcoming eighth season. Tapping directed the season-seven episode "Resurrection" that was actually an episode based on an idea by cast member Michael Shanks (Daniel Jackson). Tapping was recently nominated for a Leo Award honoring film and television work in British Columbia, for directing "Resurrection." It's an experience that Tapping recalls with fondness. "I loved it," she said. "I still get a huge grin on my face when I think about it. I was in the episode more than I wanted to be. I kind of didn't want to be in the episode I was directing. ... And I didn't have as much prep [time] as I would have hoped, because we were shooting our season finale prior to my shooting my episode. But having said all that, it was a fantastic experience." Stargate SG-1 airs Fridays at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Season eight begins on July 9.

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THE MARTIAN CHILD: Variety reports that Director Nick Cassavetes (The Notebook) and John Cusack are set for New Line's SF movie THE MARTIAN CHILD, which will shoot this fall. Adapted by Jonathan Tolins and Seth Bass from a short story by SF author David Gerrold (B5 episode BELIEVERS), MARTIAN CHILD tells the story of an unusual father-son relationship. Cusack will play an SF writer who, shattered by the death of his fiancee, adopts a 6-year-old, because he wants to be a dad. His kid is a little different than most -- he is convinced he is an alien from Mars. The studio wants filming on THE MARTIAN CHILD to begin sometime this fall.

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THE 4400: USA Network has launched the official website for their upcoming science fiction drama series THE 4400 . Scheduled to premiere on Sunday, July 11 at 9:00 PM, the show follows the aftermath of 4,400 abductees after a mysterious ball of light returns them back to Earth. With no memory of what happened to them or where they've been, none of the abductees have aged a single day even though some of them have been gone for decades. As the returned individuals try to pick up the pieces of their former lives, two FBI agents (Joel Gretsch and Jacqueline McKenzie), each with their own personal connection to an abductee, are assigned to the investigation of the phenomena. As the two agents unravel the enigma behind the 4,400, they soon discover that the abductees may change the human race forever. The website has overviews of three of the show's main characters and the show's premise; a gallery of images; a bulletin board and trailers can be downloaded. Don't miss the sweepstakes going on right now where you can win an Apple iPod and 4,400 song downloads.

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THE MAN WHO LOVED GRIZZLIES: Variety reports that Leonardo DiCaprio's Appian Way has teamed with Columbia Pictures to produce the biopic The Man Who Loved Grizzlies. The project will be developed with an eye toward DiCaprio starring as Tim Treadwell, an environmentalist who was fatally mauled by the bears he wanted to protect. Based on Ned Zeman's article published in the May issue of Vanity Fair, Zeman will adapt the film script with Daniel Barnz. Treadwell was a controversial and charismatic figure, one Zeman described as the bears' self-appointed goodwill ambassador who looked like a Malibu surfer. Spending months at a time in the wilds of Alaska, he took the anti-poaching cause as his own -- even appearing on David Letterman's show -- but had no training beyond his talents as a photographer and naturalist. When Treadwell and his partner, Amie Huguenard, were killed in October, they came under criticism for what some viewed as willful naivete, an insistence on viewing the bears as a natural friend rather than potential predator.

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GAY SECRET AGENT: According to Variety, Revolution Studios will begin production on the comedy GAY SECRET AGENT. Brendan Fraser is in talks to play the title character, with Brad Hall and Andrew Gottlieb writing the script. The film, whose tone will be equal parts Our Man Flint, 007 and "Austin Powers," will be produced by the Revolution-based team of Suzanne and Jennifer Todd, producers of the "Powers" films.

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CHASING VERMEER: Warner Bros. Pictures has acquired Scholastic's best-selling children's' book CHASING VERMEER for Plan B to produce and has tapped writer Matt Nix to adapt. Described as a "Da Vinci Code" for tweens, VERMEER is a mystery adventure that revolves around a boy and girl who attend the University of Chicago's Laboratory Schools, a school for the gifted. The two sixth graders team up to solve the theft of a painting by 17th century painter Johannes Vermeer.

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Monday, June 15, 2004:
TOP 10 SCIFI CHANNEL SHOWS:
Deep Shock 1.3
Stargate SG-1 1.2
Shark Attack 2 1.1
Shark Attack 3 1.1
Sabretooth 1.0
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea 1.0
Boa vs. Python 1.0
Lake Placid 1.0
Dinocroc 0.9
Andromeda 0.9
Source: Nielsen Galaxy Report, 5/24/04 - 5/30/04

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WEEKEND BOX OFFICE: HARRY POTTER still rules at the box office this weekend. The kid with glasses kicked the ex-con with goggles this weekend, taking the #1 spot with an estimated $35 million dollars from Friday to Sunday. That's about a 62% drop in receipts from the picture's opening weekend, but still more than enough to eclipse THE CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK. Universal's space opera actioner opened with an estimated $24.6 M. With a reported budget of around $200 M, the film made only one-eighth of its budget so far. In third spot was DreamWorks' SHREK 2 which added another $24 M to its take, bringing its total to $354 M and counting. On Saturday the movie pushed past FINDING NEMO's total domestic box office earnings ($339.8 M), making the SHREK sequel now the highest-grossing animated picture of all time -- in just 25 days. Fourth and fifth spot are held by another two new films, THE STEPFORD WIVES and GARFIELD: THE MOVIE. The amount separating the two films is about half-a-million dollars, so they might switch places when the final tallies are released on Monday. Here are the estimated box office receipts of the top ten films from June 11 through to June 13:
1. HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN $35,069,000 -- $158,134,000
2. THE CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK $24,606,000 -- $24,606,000
3. SHREK 2 $24,000,000 -- $354,016,000
4. THE STEPFORD WIVES $22,200,000 -- $22,200,000
5. GARFIELD: THE MOVIE $21,675,000 -- $21,675,000
6. THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW $14,550,000 -- $153,156,000
7. RAISING HELEN $3,821,000 -- $31,400,000
8. TROY $3,465,000 -- $125,652,000
9. SAVED! $2,550,000 -- $3,732,000
10. MEAN GIRLS $1,500,000 -- $81,318,000

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5 DAYS TO MIDNIGHT: According to The Hollywood Reporter, this SCIFI miniseries averaged a meager 1.69 total viewers in its premiere window at 9 p.m. over four consecutive nights last week beginning June 7. The average viewership was less than half that of Sci Fi's previous big-budget miniseries, including "Battlestar Galactica" and "Steven Spielberg Presents Taken." Though heavily promoted, Bonnie Hammer, president of Sci Fi and USA Network had this to say, "I would be lying if I said we weren't disappointed and really surprised. But we've been so fortunate that at some point something had to be lower than expectations."

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Sunday, June 13:
STAR WARS CLONE WARS: The Cartoon Network has announced five nights of a brand-new STAR WARS: CLONE WARS mini-series from animator Genndy Tartakovsky beginning March 21. While the original episodes of STAR WARS: CLONE WARS were just three minutes long, each installment of the new Clone Wars animated mini-series, which has yet to be titled, will be 12 minutes as they lead into the long-awaited Star Wars: Episode III, which is scheduled for release in theaters on May 19.

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CSI: NEW YORK: This fall, New York City joins Las Vegas and Miami in the line-up of CSI teams on CBS television. IDW Publishing, which has released comic books and graphic novels based on both previous series, will join in with its first CSI: New York release, written by Max Allan Collins. IDW Editor-in-Chief Jeff Mariotte said, "CSI: New York looks like a terrific addition to the line-up, and we look forward to telling new adventures of Mac Taylor (Gary Sinise), Stella Bonasera (Melina Kanakaredes) and their team."

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DEADWOOD: Two BABYLON 5 guest stars (William Sanderson and Ian McShane) are featured heavily in tonight's season finale of DEADWOOD. See TV listings below for more detail.

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I'll try to address some of the questions that have come up about what's coming up.

On the movies DVDs, and what's inside: the main thing is that we've got commentaries on literally every one of them. Mike Vejar and I did a commentary on In the Beginning, I did one with John Iacovelli on The Gathering, and another with Janet Greek and Tracy Scoggins on River of Souls. I can't remember now if I solo'd on A Call to Arms or if Mike was there as well (it all blurs after a while...I've done something like fifteen of these things by now).

There's a separate cast commentary on Thirdspace with, I think, Pat, Jeff, Jesus Trevino, and one or two others.

On the Crusade DVDs, there's one commentary I did on the original pilot (once WB and I came to a meeting of minds, to wit, "I'm gonna say what happened to the show, what *really* happened...you got a problem with that?"). There's a second commentary track with Fiona, Janet, Peter Woodward and Carrie Dobro.

(We interrupt this message with a coded message for our friends in England and Australia: keep your eyes on the horizon.)

One oddity...constant readers will remember a while back when I was asked what TMoS was, and I provided a list of things it *wasn't*. The aforementioned oddity is...one of those things has come up as an adjunct to TMoS.

Also, expect word fairly soon-ish about a new series of B5 novels.

Elsewhere on the prose front...Straczynski Unplugged is out now, and Tribulations will be coming out in December.

I've turned in all three final Rising Stars scripts, and the first issue of the last arc comes out in October, I hear.

Next week a new arc and a new artist starts on Amazing Spider-Man, and it's a stinking cool issue. You can read a preview of the whole issue for free at:

http://www.milehighcomics.com/firstlook/marvel/spidey509/

On other projects...I'm making sudden progress with the medieval play I've been twiddling with for the last few years, and may have it done in the next couple of months. Once that happens, my plan is to do a limited, small production for two weeks or so here in LA, just to see how the text works with an audience, then take it away for another few months, twiddle with it some more, then go for a larger venue. I may do something similar in London, since I may be spending a bit amount of time there fairly soon.

And for those who've asked, I won't be in attendence at San Diego Comic Con this year due to a variety of commitments.

Oh...and I've been offered an EP position on a network series, and while I don't usually do that on shows I don't create or develop, when I heard what this project was, I had to get on board. We still have to negotiate a deal, and work out how that will interface with the stuff that'll be going on later in the year, but fortunately the start date for the series should work out, at least at this point.

Ranger Jan has passed along an update on her auction efforts for Richard's children. She is sending the first check for $2500 off to the family shortly. She will be posting more items for auction soon. For more information, go to:
Auctions to benefit a Richard Biggs Memorial fund: http://tinyurl.com/2az5w
PayPal Account: RBiggsMemorial@aol.com
Personal auctions: http://tinyurl.com/b36t

Warner Bros Home Video will continue the popular Babylon 5 DVD releases with "Babylon 5: The Movies," news we brought you back in November, 2003. This 5 disc set will contain all 5 movies as well as special features. The set will carry a $59.98 SRP and will be available in stores and online August 17th. "The Gathering" will be presented in 4:3 (original aspect ratio) while the other movies will be 16:9 anamorphic widescreen; all movies will feature Dolby Digital 5.1 tracks. The sets will be closed captioned and be subtitled in English, Spanish and French.

Each movie will contain commentary from the creator (J. Michael Straczynski), cast and crew, as well as an introduction for each movie by JMS. Rounding out the special features is the featurette, "Creating the Future - How Science Fiction and the show influenced each other."

The Gathering (1993): Alien envoys come to the giant space station in the pilot that launched the five-year TV series.

In the Beginning (1998): The B5 prequel! It's humans vs. aliens in the battle that led to the station's creation.

Thirdspace (1998): Is there a realm beyond hyperspace? Discovery of a million-years-old gateway technology may hold the answer...and more.

River of Souls (1998): After death, then what? Questions of eternity arise when a supposedly infallible harvester of souls proves to be very fallible.

A Call to Arms (1999): The torch is passed. A race against time to save Earth links the B5 mission with the Rangers' new interstellar efforts.

For more information on Babylon 5 DVDs, go to Babylon 5 DVDs.

SEASON SIX DVD

Special features include audio commentary for each episode and twelve "SG-1 Directors Series" featurettes!

JERRY DOYLE RADIO SHOW

All the best.
JD

For more information on Jerry Doyle, Talk Radio Show Host, you may visit www.talkradionetwork.com

Ranger Brian reports that:
Bruce Boxleitner was on Jerry Doyle's Radio Show on Saturday night for about half an hour reflecting on the life of Ronald Reagan and how he impacted their lives. It was an enlightening discussion with Bruce relaying his experience on a visit to the White House during the Reagan administration and how Ronald Reagan inspired him to become a Republican.

Jeffrey Willerth - June 5
Donovan Brown (Optic Nerve) - June 6
Ann Bruice Aling - June 8
Mark Walters - June 10
Susan Norkin (Post) - June 10
Adrienne Barbeau (Amanda Carter) - June 11
Mike Vejar - June 25

Have I missed anyone? If you know the birthday of someone connected with Babylon 5, pass the information along. We want to include everyone in our Happy Birthday Wishes.

Cult Times #106: With season eight poised to begin in about 2 weeks, producers Robert C Cooper and Andy Mikita talk about the many changes ahead. Also in the issue, more about 24 and SHE SPIES.

The 100-page Angel Yearbook serves up a feast of Angel goodies for you to enjoy! There are exclusive chats with the entire cast and a complete guide to Season Five — the last season. Following Angel’s transformation into a puppet in Season Five’s "Smile Time," we take an in-depth look at creating an Angel Muppet! Plus the A-Z of Angel — everything you ever wanted to know… and more!

Cult Times #104: SMALLVILLE star Tom Welling is the focus of this issue. The interview focuses on the latest changes in the life of Clark Kent and how it may affect the relationship with Lex Luthor. Also in this issue -- Amy Acker, J. August Richards and Andy Hallett talk about the cancellation of ANGEL.

KOLCHAK: THE NIGHT STALKER VOLUME 1 TP
by Various
This volume contains four complete stories of TV's first paranormal investigator, Carl Kolchak (played to the hilt by Darren McGavin in the 1970s)! Thrill again to the story of a vampire in Las Vegas, based on the TV movie that still has one of the highest ratings of all time! This comic story was adapted from the screen by Kolchak's very own creator, writer Jeff Rice! Then, experience the terror of a small mining town that has unexplained murders, in an adaptation of an unfilmed script from the TV show! Then, get the chills from horror/mystery novelist extraordinaire Stuart Kaminsky's original Kolchak tale of experiencing your worst fears! And finally, thrill to an all-new, never-before-seen original Kolchak tale from X-Files comics scribe, Stefan Petrucha! Stories illustrated by Artists Gordon Purcell, Christopher Jones, and Doug Klauba (who also provides the cover image)!

SC, 7x10, 160pg, FC..........$17.95

SMALLVILLE MAGAZINE #1
The new magazine to bring you all the latest news, interviews and behind-the-scenes secrets from Smallville is here! The first issue of the monthly Smallville magazine includes an interview with the star of the show Tom Welling, talking about life as the teenage Clark Kent. Series creators Al Gough and Miles Millar discuss the re-imagining of the Superman legend and we examine Clark¹s increasing powers! Plus, a fantastic free Tom Welling poster! (Titan Publishing Group)

NEWSSTAND-Magazine, 68pg, FC..........$5.99
EXCLUSIVE-Magazine, 68pg, FC..........$5.99

SMALLVILLE: THE OFFICIAL COMPANION SEASON 1 TP
by Paul Simpson

Packed with exclusive interviews, unseen photos, behind-the-scenes secrets, and a complete episode guide, plus insights into the world of Smallville, with excerpts from the town newspaper and even a look at the mysterious LexCorp, this authorized companion tells fans everything they need to know about the first season of the hit WB television series, Smallville. (133/1-84023-795-3) (CAUT: 4)

SC, 6x9, 176pg, PC..........$14.95

Writers On Comics Scriptwriting Volume 2 tp
by Tom Root & Andrew Kardon

Packed with fascinating behind-the-scenes information, anecdotes, and stories from the hottest writers working in comics today, this second volume of Writers on Comics Scriptwriting offers insider insight into every aspect of the creative process from the likes of Kevin Smith, Mike Mignola, Mark Millar, Brian Michael Bendis, Geoff Johns, Bruce Jones, Greg Rucka, and Bill Willingham, among other notable comics luminaries.

Stargate SG-1: The Essential Scripts TP
by Sharon Gosling

Far more than a script book, this essential Stargate SG-1 series guide is packed with bonus material including an in-depth introduction about writing for the show, deleted scenes, commentary and background, plus exclusive interviews with the writers, directors, and cast members. The following original Stargate SG-1 shooting scripts — complete with annotations — were specially selected for this volume: "2010," "Abyss," "The Fifth Race," "The Torment of Tantalus," "Window of Opportunity," and "Wormhole Xtreme."
(133/1-84023-887-9) (CAUT: 4)
SC, 6x9, 352pg, b&w..........$17.95

BookCloseOut.com

Ranger Dave writes that books by Bruce Boxleitner, John DE Lancie(Q), and William Shatner are available on Bookcloseouts.com in hard cover. They also now have a paperback listing and book prices are greatly reduced. Check it out.

Other science fiction material, outside of the B5 environment can be found on the Materials Page.

There is a free online library of Sci Fi books at www.baen.com . I have the paperbacks and hardcovers of several of the books (notably 1632 and 1633 by Eric Flint) and they are very good multi arc stories. To access the books click on Free Library then Authors. (I am not affiliated in any way with baen just happened to be a reader and looked their site up after enjoying several of their publications).

Written by J. Michael Straczynski and Samm Barnes, penciled by Brandon Peterson, cardstock cover by Brandon Peterson.

The master of the mystic arts is back -- as only J. Michael Straczynski and artist Brandon Peterson could envision him. Brash young surgeon Dr. Stephen Strange is on a collision course with destiny -- a journey that will force him to search the deepest corners of his own heart...and the outer reaches of the cosmos.

32 pages, $3.50, in stores on Sept. 15.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #512

Written by J. Michael Straczynski, art and cover by Mike Deodato.

"Sins Past," part 4 of 5. The worst defeat that Peter Parker ever endured -- a moment frozen in the minds of Spider-Man fans everywhere -- was supposed to be far in his past. But now, two villains -- ripped, perhaps, directly from that very moment -- have emerged and they threaten to destroy everything that he holds dear.

32 pages, $2.25, in stores on Sept. 29.

AMAZING FANTASY #4

Written by Fiona Avery, art and cover by Mark Brooks.

Part 4 of 6. Being a freshman in high school is bad enough -- now Marvel's newest hero has to survive her first week of training at her new after-school "job" with a shadowy organization. It's out of the frying pan and into the fire -- but will she get burned by a jealous peer before she gets a chance to prove herself? Also, time for a makeover: A brand-new costume debuts for summer's hottest debut title.

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on Sept. 29.

MADROX #1

Written by Peter David, penciled by Pablo Raimondi, cover by David Lloyd.

Jamie Madrox, stabbed, staggering off a bus. Jamie Madrox, setting up a detective agency in the heart of Mutant Town. Jamie Madrox, a peaceful Shaolin priest. Which is the real Jamie Madrox? In this noir-esque thriller of a limited series, it's possible that even Madrox doesn't know anymore. Peter David, acclaimed for his run on X-Factor, reunites several of that title's most popular and whimsical characters--Jamie Madrox, Wolfsbane, and the aptly named Strong Guy -- and sends them on an adventure of light and darkness. Featuring the incredibly moody pencils of Pablo Raimondi.

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on Sept. 15.

ASTONISHING X-MEN #5

Written by Joss Whedon, art and cover by John Cassady.

"Gifted," part 5 of 6. As demand for the "mutant cure" reaches near-riot levels, the X-Men finally go head-to-head with Ord, with an unexpected ally -- and some unexpected adversaries -- tipping the scales.

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on Sept. 22.

Here's how Marvel describes the issue:
"The enigmatic Ezekiel returns to Peter's life. But is he the same man who stood by Spider-Man's side in his hour of need, or will he prove to be something much deadlier?"

Amazing Spider-Man #508 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.25.

For a preview of the issue, go to http://www.milehighcomics.com/firstlook/marvel/spidey509/.

The second installment of the new Stargate SG-1 comic book series is now available at retailers worldwide. "P.O.W." #2 tells part two of a 3-issue story, in which Colonel Jack O'Neill finds himself a captive of the Goa'uld. "This is meant to be our introduction to the Stargate world for new comic fans and a fun treat for the hardcore fans," said author James Anthony Kuhoric. The issue features a recounting of the events of the original "Stargate" film, as well as the beginning of the TV series. "In addition to establishing the background as a starting point for future comic book series, this feature amalgams the two universes [of the film and the TV series] into SG-1 continuity. We get to see Richard Dean Anderson as O'Neill during the first Abydos mission!"

With a story by Kuhoric and art by Renato Guedes, "P.O.W." #2 carries a $3.50 price tag and is available in several different covers. Fans who can't find the issue can order it from the publisher's online store, at ComicCavalcade.com.

"P.O.W." #3 is currently on stands, followed by a brand new 3-part series, "Fall of Rome," which will introduce new characters and expand the Stargate universe.

FARSCAPE SCHEDULE:

20-JUN-04 1:00 AM FARSCAPE THE FLAX
24-JUN-04 3:00 AM FARSCAPE MY THREE CRICHTONS
24-JUN-04 4:00 AM FARSCAPE BEWARE OF DOG
24-JUN-04 5:00 AM FARSCAPE WON'T GET FOOLED AGAIN
27-JUN-04 1:00 AM FARSCAPE JEREMIAH CRICHTON

Go to http://contests.sev.com.au/index.php?contestid=1

Punchline Name Email

Tye Bourdony's latest Lighter Side of Sci-Fi satire can be seen here and at Tye's website www.thelightersideofscifi.com.

Guests: TBA
For more information, visit their website at http://www.originsgames.com/ .

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June 24-27, 2004
Escapade Convention
Location: Radisson Hotel
City: Boston, Massachusetts
Guest: Virginia Hey (Farscape)
For more information, visit their website at http://www.escapadeboston.com/guests.

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July 2-4, 2004
TorontoTrek
Location: Double Tree International Hotel
City: Toronto, Canada
B5 Guest: Walter Koenig
Other Guests: Christopher Judge, Lani John Tupu (Farscape), George Hertzberg (Buffy)
For more information, visit their website at http://www.tcon.icomm.ca/tt18 .

Toronto Trek will have a number of activities to honour the memory of Richard Biggs at this year's convention. There will be a book of condolences where fans can sign and leave messages to Richard's family. We will also accept any photos or artwork (of reasonable size) and this will be mailed to the family. In addition, we have received a number of donations from various Babylon 5 actors to be sold at the Charity Auction (Sunday Morning - FREE Event - No membership required) with the money raised from these items going to the education trust fund for Richard's children.

There will also be a general Donation Jar at the convention for the trust fund. In addition, we have been granted permission to show the Babylon 5 tribute video.

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July 2-4, 2004
Inconjunction
Location: Indianapolis Sheraton Hotel and Suites
City: Indianapolis, Indiana
B5 Guest: Jason Carter
Other Guests: Author Eric Flint; director David Winning
For more information, visit their website at http://www.inconjunction.org.

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July 2-4, 2004
Alias Rendevous
Location: Radisson Edwardian Hotel
City: Heathrow, London, UK
Guests: Bradley Cooper, David Anders, Merrin Dungey
For more information, visit their website at http://www.wolfevents.com .

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July 2-4, 2004
HeroiCon
Location: Louisville, KY
Guests: Brian Downey (Lexx), Dick Durock (Swamp Thing), Jackson Bostwick (Captain Marvel) & Ellen Dubin (Giggerota)
For more information, visit their website at http://www.heroicon.com/.

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July 9-11, 2004
SHORE LEAVE
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Guests: Cirroc Lofton, Teryl Rothery, Nicole deBoer, Brian Thompson, Michael Welch, Thom Christopher, Mercedes McNab, Clint Howard, Greg Evigan, Chase Masterson
For more information, visit their website at http://www.shore-leave.com/ .

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July 10-11, 2004
STARGATE SG-1 CONVENTION TOUR 2004
Location: Burbank Airport Hilton & Towers
City: Burbank, California
For more information, visit their website at http://www.fansofstargate.com .

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July 14-19, 2004
GATECON 2004
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada)
Guests: Amanda Tapping, Michael Shanks, Corin Nemec, Teryl Rothery, Colin Cunningham, Jr Bourne, Douglas Arthurs
For more information, visit their website at http://www.gatecon.com/ .

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July 22-25, 2004
COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL
Location: San Diego, California (USA)
Guests: To be announced
For more information, visit their website at http://www.comic-con.org .

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July 23-25, 2004
ALTERNATE UNIVERSE
Location: Thistle Heathrow Hotel - London
Guests: John Rhys-Davis, Colin Cunningham, J.R. Bourne, Andrea Thompson, Sarah Douglas, Peter Stebbings, Marc Cass
For more information, visit their website at http://www.l3conventions.co.uk/alternateuni.htm .

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July 29-Aug 1, 2004
CREATION CONVENTION
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Guests William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Tim Russ, Ethan Phillips, Nana Visitor, Robert Picardo, Walter Koenig, David Gerrold
For more information, visit their website at http://www.creationent.com/ .

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Be sure to visit the referenced sites to see if there have been changes in dates/guests attending. Visit our Convention Calendar for a full listing of upcoming conventions.

MAIL FOR CAST AND CREW

Here's a recent note from JMS on the subject:

Just an FYI to those who've been using the Ventura Blvd. mail drop for fan mail to actors....

As mentioned before, we're phasing out the forwarding of fan mail because we a) don't have the resources, complicated by b) the actors have scattered to the four winds, and it makes it very difficult to get everything to everybody in a timely fashion.

So, having provided prior notice...fan mail to actors coming to the Ventura Blvd. mail drop will be sent back. Mail to actors should be sent via their official fan clubs. I will still be taking mail there, since it's my mailbox, but that's it.

Just so's y'all know and save a few bucks on postage and returns.

WARNER BROS:

Warner Bros. Address:

Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution
4000 Warner Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91522

Warner Home Video:

Mr. Douglas Wadleigh
VP for Marketing and Special Features
Warner Bros.
4000 Warner Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91522

SCIFI:
Bonnie Hammer, President
Sci-Fi Channel
1230 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY. 10020-1513

Mr. Thomas Vitale
Senior VP of Acquisitions, Scheduling & Program-Planning

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Take care and I look forward to hearing from you.
Sandra Bruckner (sgbruckner@aol.com)
Editor/Publisher
The Zocalo Today
http://www.isnnews.net
Copyright - SBruckner, 1999-2004