rec.arts.comics.misc

RAC/RACM FAQ

Introduction / Revision History

by Carl Henderson
carl.henderson@airmail.net
Based on original FAQs by Francis Uy, Tom Galloway, Paul Estin, et al. 


INTRODUCTION

After a whole lot more work than I thought it would take, I've finished my
first major update to the RAC/RACM FAQ. I've added a number of new
sections/updates to existing sections, incorporated dozens and dozens of
changes and corrections, and checked and updated every URL (375+)
referenced in the document.

Below is a detailed revision history, but I'd like to point out a number of
brand new sections, that readers of previous versions of the FAQ might want
to check out:

1-7:  Where can I post ads, auction announcements, or want-to-buy notices in 
the rec.arts.comics.hierarchy?
1-8:  What are some potential consequences of not following these posting 
rules?
1-9:  Why do some search engines say you can post ads in inappropriate RAC 
groups?
1-11: Why aren't ads for all web sites off-topic?
1-17: Can a comic book character be copyrighted?
2-9:  Where can I find reviews of current comics?
3-7:  How can a comic move up the sale charts and still be selling less?
3-16: Do Marvel and DC really co-own the trademark on 'super-hero'?
3-17: What are the colored bars on top of some comic book pages for?
3-18: How much do comic creators get paid?
5-15: Where can a self-publisher learn about comic book prepress?
6-29: Where can I find information on collecting original comic art?

I've also extensively revised a few sections--so much that they are
essentially new. These are:

3-4:  Is the direct market dying?
6-13: What about online comics databases?
7-1:  WEHT the 1963 Annual?
7-9:  WEHT Milestone?

As always, please send any corrections, updates, or new information to:
carl.henderson@airmail.net

----------------------------------------------------------------------

REVISION HISTORY
----------------

Version 1.0 to Version 1.1

Part 1: The RAC Newsgroups and Posting to Them
----------------------------------------------
1-1:  Updated URL for "A guide to posting on rec.arts.comics.*"
 Reformatted dashes after the RAC newsgroup names to make them 
clickable.
1-2:  Updated URL credit for Greg Morrow's RAC charter archive.
 Removed full text of charters to new Section 8.
1-5:  Usenet Manga FAQ Archive has apparently vanished. Changed URL 
for rec.arts.manga FAQs to faqs.org archive.
1-7:  Added "Where can I post ads, auction announcements, or want-to-
buy notices in the rec.arts.comics.hierarchy?" question
1-8:  Added "What are some potential consequences of not following 
these posting rules?" question.
1-9:  Added "Why do some search engines say you can post ads in 
inappropriate RAC groups?" question.
1-11: Added "Why aren't ads for all web sites off-topic?" section.
1-12: Reformatted dashes after the email address names to make them 
clickable.
 Deleted URL for Frances Uy's inactive RAC FAQ archive.
 Deleted reference to Alternate rec.arts.comics.dc.universe
FAQ--URL no longer active; no forwarding address.
 Added URL for rec.arts.comics/rec.arts.comics.misc FAQ.
 Updated URL for RAC.xbooks
 Updated URL for Greg Morrow's FAQ archive.
1-14: Added reference to Rebecca Tushnet's "fan fiction as fair use" 
law journal article.
1-17: Added "Can a comic book character be copyrighted?" section.

Part 2: Comics News and Commentary on the Net
---------------------------------------------
2-1:  Updated URLs for Comic Wire and Newsarama and Comics Continuum.
 Added Matt Brady's name to Newsarama entry.
 Added Silver Bullet Comic's Silver Bulletins.
 Added iComics and Wizard World Online.
 Deleted PsyComic's PsySpy (no longer updated).
 Corrected spelling on Comicon.com.
2-3:  Updated URL for Charles S. LePage's New Comics Release List.
2-4:  Updated URL for Andrew S. Troth's Late Comics Report.
2-5:  Added alternate URL for CBR (www.cbr.cc).
2-6:  Added entry for Newsarama at fandom.com; deleted Mania entry.
 Added name of Warren Ellis' CBR column (Come In Alone).
 Added alternate URL for CBR (www.cbr.cc).
 Deleted Psycomic.
 Added entry and URL for X-Fan.
 Moved X-Fan from Fanzines section to the Web Magazines section.
2-7:  Updated URL for Steven Grant's "Master of the Obvious" column.
 Added entries for Warren Ellis & Augie De Blieck's CBR columns.
 Added entry for Warren Ellis's FTDO email column.
 Deleted entry for Dwayne McDuffie "To Be Continued" (no longer  
published).
 Added entry for Joe Casey's "Crash Comments."
 Added entry for Rich Johnston's "Rich's Rumblings."
2-8:  Added Dixonverse message boards.
2-9:  Added "Where can I find reviews of current comics?" section.

Part 3: Inside the Comic Book Industry
--------------------------------------
3-2:  Added Viz to names of publishers who went exclusive with Captial.
3-4:  Rewrote the "Is the direct market dying?" question to accurately 
reflect the COMICS RETAILER data. Deleted Question 3-5.
3-6:  Added Stuart Moore's comments on the impact of the scheduling of 
Diamond's order cut-off dates on monthly sales.
3-7:  Added new question, "How can a comic move up the sale charts 
and still be selling less?" & renumbered rest of Part 3.
3-8:  Updated Marvel's apx. "line of death" for comics sales.
3-11: Added reference to section 4-2 (printer contact information).
3-12: Updated the entry for the Squiddy Awards.
3-16: Added new question, "Do Marvel and DC really co-own the 
trademark on 'super-hero'?"
3-17: Added new question, "What are the colored bars on top of some comic
book pages for?"
3-18: Added new question, "How much do comic creators get paid?"

Part 4: Comics Industry Contact Information
-------------------------------------------
4-1:  Updated URL for Dark Horse submission guidelines.
 Updated URLs for Wildstorm submission guidelines and email.
 Deleted email contact list URL for TMP--no longer on website.
 Deleted email contact list URL for Top Cow--no longer on website.
 Updated address and phone number for Image central.
 Updated phone number and email contact for Hyperwerks.
 Updated URL for Marvel submission guidelines.
 Updated URL and email contact for Acclaim.
 Updated email contact URL and physical address for Amaze Ink/SLG.
 Updated email contact URL for Antarctic Press.
 Added fax and toll-free numbers for Fantagraphics/Eros.
 Updated URL for Fantagraphics/Eros submission guidelines.
 Updated URL for Radio Comix.
 Added additional contact email for Rip-Off Press.
 Added email addresses for Sirius.
 Added entries for ISG and Kenzer and Company.
4-2:  Deleted entry for World Color Press (acquired by Quebeccor).
 Added entry for Glass House Graphics.
4-4:  Updated phone, address, and email contact for PACER.
4-5:  Updated Next Convention date for Mid-Ohio Con.
 Updated Next Convention date for Motor City Comic Con.
 Updated Next Convention date for WonderCon to TBA.
 Updated Next Convention date for Heroes Con to TBA.
 Deleted Dragon*Con listing due to numerous reports of minimal 
support for comics content.
 Updated URL for Indy Magazine's convention listings.
4-8:  Updated URL for Indy Magazine's publisher listings.

Part 5: Comic Book Professionals--And How to Become One
-------------------------------------------------------
5-1:  Updated list of comics industry professionals who post on the 
RAC newsgroups.
5-3:  Updated URL for Steve Lieber's "Guide for Pros New to Usenet"
5-4:  Updated URL for Indy Magazine's comic professional's email 
address database.
 Updated URL for NCRL's "Comic Book Professionals on the Internet" 
list.
5-5:  Added URL for Newsarama's pronunciation guide.
5-7:  Added Stuart Moore and Steve Moore to the list of unrelated 
"Moore's" in comics.
5-10: Updated URL for Waid's original script to CAPTAIN AMERICA #14.
 Updated URL for plot, script, and pitch samples from Devin 
Grayson, Jay Faerber, and Brian K. Vaughan.
 Updated URL for treatments and scripts by Warren Ellis.
 Updated URL for Kurt Busiek's "On Writing for Comics."
 Replaced Deja.com URL for Gerard Jones "Getting Off the Merry-Go-
Round (Before You Puke)" with more stable URL.
5-12: Corrected reference to contact information on colleges.
5-14: Updated URL for Comicraft's "Balloon Tales" lettering tips.
5-15: Added "Where can a self-publisher learn about comic book 
prepress?" section.

Part 6: Misc. Comic Book Questions
----------------------------------
6-1:  Added URL for comic stores database at The Long Box.
 Updated URL for The Master List.
 Added note about fee charged to comic stores by Diamond's 
Comic Shop Locator Service.
 Updated URL for Indy Magazine's list of "Indy Friendly 
Stores" and noted it was now updated.
6-2:  Rewrote section to reference other subscription services 
other than just Westfield.
6-3:  Updated URL for COMIC BOOK HEROES.
 Added URLs for Gene Kannenberg's Comics Scholarship Annotated 
Bibliographies and Michael Rhode and John Bullough's    
Comics Research Bibliography.
 Corrected spelling of Frederik L. Schodt's name.
6-5:  Updated URL for Jamie Coville's "History of Superhero Comic 
Books" site.
 Replaced Deja.com web address for Bob Heer's "Jack Kirby FAQ" 
with URL for the FAQ-maintainer's archive.
 Added references and URLs for Kent G. Orlando's "Cheeks the 
Toy Wonder Page" and Jess Nevins' Timely Comics history 
and essays pages.
 Added reference and URL for Derek Santos' "The Comic Page." 
6-7:  Updated URL for 1989 version of the Comics Code.
6-8:  Updated write-up on Words and Pictures Museum.
6-10: Replaced Deja.com web addresse for Paul Adams' "Grading Guide" 
with more stable Negative Space (hoboes.com) URL.
6-11: Replaced Deja.com web addresse for Paul Adams' "Protecting Comics 
Guide" with more stable Negative Space (hoboes.com) URL.
6-12: Deleted entry for Comic Box for the Macintosh--apparently dead.
6-13: Rewrote online comic book databases, replacing editorial 
judgements on the databases with listings of the most recent 
statistics of the databases.
6-17: Corrected history of the terms "retcon" and "retroactive 
continuity"
6-22: Added Aricel's LEATHER AND LACE to comics with variant interiors.
6-23: Tightened up and clarified wording.
 Deleted last paragraph joke. It wasn't funny.
6-25: Corrected spelling of "Bob Ingersoll."
6-27: Added URL for Ty Templeton Suicide Squid artwork.
 Added URL for Bob Greenwade's write-up of Suicide Squid as a Hero 
system RPG character.
6-28: Corrected statement that Marvel's GIANT SIZED MAN-THING contained 
the first appearance of Howard the Duck. Gerber's duck 
first appeared ADVENTURES IN FEAR #19 and #20 as a supporting 
character in a Man-Thing story. 
6-29: Added "Where can I find information on collecting original   
comic art?" question.

Part 7: Whatever Happened to ___________?
-----------------------------------------
7-1:  Corrected section title (was "WEHT the 1973 Annual").
 Trimmed some of the outdated background information.
 Added comments by Moore on 1963 Annual from 
Alanmoorefansite.com interview.
7-2:  Added reference to 10 pages of Sienkiewicz BIG NUMBERS art 
published in the first issue of SUBMEDIA magazine.
 Added URL for Paul Jenkins Newsarama interview on end of 
Tundra (and BIG NUMBERS).
7-3:  Minor change in wording due to passage of time.
7-6:  Added date for Martin Wagner's quote.
7-7:  Minor update to "Whatever happened to Jim Shooter?"
7-9:  Updated "WEHT Milestone?" to reflect new STATIC animated series 
and comic book limited series.
7-10: Wording changed from "all parties involved" to "both publishers 
involved" in "Whatever happened to Miracleman?"
7-11: Updated the "WEHT Nexus?" section to reflect the apparent death 
of the Nexus animated series. Updated Baron and Rude URLs.
7-12: Mentioned Kate Worely's post-OMAHA comics work for Disney.
 Noted that Waller no longer covered OMAHA on his website.
7-13: Updated the "WEHT Sam Kieth?" section. 
7-15: Updated "WEHT Tekno?" section with Big Entertainment's 
acquisition by Hollywood.com

Part 8: RAC Newsgroup Charters
------------------------------
8-n:  Moved full text of RAC newsgroup charters here from section 1-2.


Beta Release to Version 1.0

General
-------
G-1:  Reformatted all quotes over 3 lines to block quote format
G-2:  Reformatted all long URLs (75 characters+) over two lines
G-3:  Split Section 2 into two parts: "Comics News and Commentary on 
the Net"(Section 2) and "Inside the Comic Book Industry" (new 
Section 3). Renumbered all sections accordingly.

Part 1: The RAC Newsgroups and Posting to Them
----------------------------------------------
1-1:  Reformatted list of RAC newsgroups for easier reading. Corrected 
hyphenation typo under RAC.other-media.
1-2:  Clarified the status of reviews on RAC.info, and updated the 
moderator's name and email address.
1-3:  Added alt.books.cait-r-kiernan to list of other comics-related  
newsgroups.
1-9:  Changed name of question to more-newbie friendly "Where did all 
these FAQS and rules come from? And why should I pay attention?"
Rewrote corresponding answer.
1-12: Added "Where should I post about web-comics?" section.
1-13: Added "What is a "Hype:" post, and when should i make one?" 
section.

Part 2: Comics News and Commentary on the Net
---------------------------------------------
2-1:  Added Comics Continuum and PsyComic' PsySpy to online comics 
news sources.
2-6:  Corrected the spelling PsyComic.
 Added PopImage under webzines section.
2-7:  Corrected the spelling PsyComic.
2-8:  Added "Where are some other--non-Usenet--online comics discussion 
forums?" section.

Part 3: Inside the Comic Book Industry
--------------------------------------
3-2:  Renumbered to remove duplicate section number.
3-5:  Added some current industry negative to "So why does everyone 
think the direct market is dying?" for balance.
3-7:  Made sub-titles under the "Where can I find sales figures for 
Comics?" consistent.

Part 4: Comics Industry Contact Information
-------------------------------------------
4-1:  Added phone number to Wildstorm contact information.
4-3:  Added FM International (& info) under direct market distributors.
4-5:  Added HeroesCon (& info) under major conventions.
 Added URL for Jeff Mason's INDY MAGAZINE convention listings.
 Changed "Small Press Expo" to "The Expo."
 Updated "Next Convention" dates for 2000.
4-6:  Added contact information for the Minneapolis College of Art and 
Design (MCAD), and the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). 
 Re-titled section 3-6 "Schools of Cartooning and Comic Art."
4-7:  Moved "Misc." and ComicCraft to a new section. Renumbered   
remaining question.

Part 5: Comic Book Professionals--And How to Become One
-------------------------------------------------------
5-2:  Rewrote/clarified last sentence.
5-5:  Split off Jim Owsley/Christopher Priest info into new question.
5-6:  Added Jim Owsley/Christopher Priest info question. Renumbered.
5-7:  Fixed the spellings of Jeff Moy and LEGIONNAIRES.
 Corrected spelling of "Hernandez" (as in the Los Bros).
5-8:  Corrected typo ("one" for "own") in 5-7.
5-9:  Reformatted sub-heads as all caps.
5-10: Reordered the list of recommended books.
5-11: Reordered the list of recommended books.
 Updated URL for Lieber's "Learning the Craft of Comics" essay.
5-13: Rewrote to add MCAD and SCAD. Referenced section 3-6.

Part 6: Misc. Comic Book Questions
----------------------------------
6-1:  Added "checking the Yellow Pages" under list of ways to find 
comic stores in you area. Duh!
6-3:  Rewrote the entry on "The Comic Books Heroes" to address some of 
Gerard Jones biases.
6-9:  Added listing for ComicsPriceGuide.com under "How do I find out 
what my comics are worth?"
6-13: Added a disclaimer that the databases listed under "What about 
online comic databases" do contain some errors.
6-17: Clairified origin of "retcon."

Part 7: Whatever Happened to ___________?
-----------------------------------------
7-3:  Updated "Whatever happened to Bill Mantlo?" section.
7-11: Updated Nexus TV series news in "Whatever happened to NEXUS?" 
section.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
J. Carl Henderson
carl.henderson@airmail.net

Intro: Introduction / Revision History
Contents: Table of Contents/Acknowledgements
Part 1: The RAC Newsgroups and Posting to Them
Part 2: Comics News and Commentary on the Net
Part 3: Inside the Comic Book Industry
Part 4: Comics Industry Contact Information
Part 5: Comic Book Professionals--And How to Become One
Part 6: Misc. Comic Book Questions
Part 7: Whatever Happened to ___________?
Part 8: RAC Newsgroup Charters

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