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The Zocalo Today

Welcome! I am glad that you found The Zocalo Today and dropped by. Take your shoes off, get comfortable and stay a while. There is a LOT of information here and you won't want to miss any of it.

The Zocalo Today is an interactive newsletter, encouraging readers to join a discussion topic each week. If you have suggestions as to how The Zocalo can be improved -- or be more responsive -- send them along. The Zocalo Today is as much YOUR newsletter as it is mine! I'm just pulling together things for you!

Join our weekly discussion topic. It is just one way you can interact with other Z readers. If you have other information you would like to share, send it along. If you see Babylon 5 cast and crew in other roles, let us know. We enjoy convention reports, photos, etc. Don't miss our back issues. I hope this will become more than just a newsletter. It's a community of people that enjoy sharing their experiences and interests. Don't be shy. Join us today!

If you have questions, drop me a line at sgbruckner@aol.com or thezocalo@aol.com. If you would like to join the mailing list for our bi-weekly newsletter, send me a note and I'll include you on the list. Or you can use the subscription block at the left.

Again, WELCOME!

What's New Today

Friday, May 30:

RATINGS: Top 10 SF Network Shows: Alias 6.0; Smallville 4.0; Charmed 3.0; Enterprise 2.7; Angel 2.6; Buffy 2.3; Twilight Zone 1.8; Smallville encore 1.6, and Charmed encore 1.5. Source: Nielsen Galaxy Report, 4/28/03 - 5/4/03.

THE WOODS: M. Night Shyamalan's upcoming supernatural thriller film THE WOODS has a new female lead. Kirsten Dunst dropped out of the project and Variety reports that she will be replaced by newcomer Bryce Dallas Howard. Howard, 21, is a stage actress and actor-turned-director Ron Howard's daughter. She will co-star with Ashton Kutcher and Joaquin Phoenix in the project that is set in 1897 and tells the story of a close-knit community and a mythical race of creatures residing in the nearby forest. Shooting for the movie is slated to begin in October in Philadelphia.

MATRIX RELOADED: Fans are being asked to help Warner Home Video select the cover for the forthcoming DVD release of THE MATRIX RELOADED. Warner asked fans via an online survey to tell them which one of three possible covers they liked the best. Scans of all three DVD covers have been posted at The Digital Bits. WHV hasn't released a date as to when RELOADED will debut on home video but it's generally believed to be shortly before the theaterical release of the third MATRIX film, THE MATRIX REVOLUTIONS, on November 7.

24: Season two of 24 will be released in the UK on the day after the last episode on 11th August. There will be loads of extras, 7 discs, commentaries on selected episodes, deleted scenes. The set will be released in the US in September.

LABOR DAY: Disney has signed Jet Li (THE ONE) to star in LABOR DAY. The story is about a politically ambitious district attorney who has made his career prosecuting a crime lord. When his wife is taken hostage by the crime lord, he must turn to his wife's ex-boyfriend for help, a Chinese gangster (Li). The move is risky for the D.A. because the gangster is not only obviously a criminal, but he's still in love with the D.A.'s wife and thinks rescuing her will make her love him again. Robert Schwentke is directing.

INSIDE SCI-FI THIS WEEK:
Thursday, May 29:
SF DVD SALES: Top Sellers: 1. The Two Towers; 2. Star Trek Nemesis; 3. Die Another Day; 4. Buffy Season Four; 5. The Animatrix; 6. Chamber of Secrets; 7. The Matrix; 8. Children of Dune; 9. Buffy Season One, and 10. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Source: Amazon.com, top-selling genre DVDs, 5/23/03.

WRITER HALL OF FAME: According to the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America Web site, this year's inductees into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame are Wilson Tucker and Kate Wilhelm. Damon Knight and Edgar Rice Burroughs were named posthumous inductees.

GARFIELD: Variety reports that Bill Murray just signed to provide the voice for GARFIELD in the live-action film being produced. Garfield the cat will be created using CGI, in the same way SCOOBY-DOO employed the technique. The movie is scheduled for release next summer from 20th Century Fox and stars Breckin Meyer as Garfield's owner Jim and Jennifer Love Hewitt as a sexy vet.

COMIC BOOK SUPERHEROES UNMASKED: COMIC BOOK SUPERHEROES UNMASKED will debut on The History Channel on Monday, June 23 at 9 p.m. (ET/PT). The special is hosted by Shane West, star of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen movie. COMIC BOOK SUPERHEROES UNMASKED was granted "unprecedented" access to comic books published by DC and Marvel Comics from the late 1930's to the present. Featured are interviews with many of the most influential comic book writers and artists of the past 50 years, including Stan Lee, Will Eisner, Denny O'Neil, Michael Chabon, Jim Steranko, Kevin Smith, Frank Miller, Neil Gaiman and Joe Quesada. The History Channel indicates that the program was "designed to bring visual depth, energy and movement to classic comic book images while still preserving the integrity of the artwork." Executive Producer for The History Channel is Susan Werbe. Comic Book Superheroes Unmasked is produced for The History Channel by Triage Entertainment.

Wednesday, May 28:
RATINGS: Top 10 SF Syndicated Shows: Stargate SG-1 2.4; Buffy 2.1; The X-Files 2.1; Adventure, Inc. 2.0; Andromeda 2.0; 3rd Rock 1.8; Mutant X 1.8; Beastmaster 1.6; John Edward 1.2, and The Lost World 1.1. Source: Nielsen Galaxy Report, 4/28/03 - 5/4/03.

COMIC BOOK: THE MOVIE: According to the Hollywood Reporter, Star Wars actor Mark Hamill will star in and direct COMIC BOOK: THE MOVIE, a semifictional documentary for Creative Light Entertainment. COMIC BOOK is an improv film that follows the world's biggest comic fan, who has been hired to direct a documentary about his favorite comic-book heroes of all time. Slated for a fall release, the movie was filmed on location at San Diego's Comic-Con International and features cameos from Spider-Man creator Stan Lee, Playboy founder Hugh Hefner and Simpsons creator Matt Groening.

ANGEL: As fans await the coming season of ANGEL, there are rumors about changes taking place as the show revamps itself. Joss Whedon talked to TV Guide about Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter)'s departure. He said, "The Angel/Cordelia [love story] had gone pretty much as far as we wanted to take it. Their romance was definitely not a popular move on our part, and I think with most fans. It just seemed like it was time because we were revamping the show, and then paring it down... it just seemed like a good time for certain people to move on." He said that he hoped Charisma/Cordelia would return for some episodes, but nothing firm had been scheduled. The other rumor afoot, Lorenzo Lamas would be joining the cast!

THE HULK: A preview of THE HULK will be shown on several TV stations prior to the premiere of the movie. SCIFI will premiere the behind-the-scenes special, HULK: THE LOWDOWN on Wednesday, June 18 at 10 p.m. Additional air dates include Thursday, June 19 at 2 a.m and at 5 p.m.; Friday, June 20 at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Saturday, June 21 at 10 a.m.; and Sunday, June 22 at 11 p.m. MTV will premiere HULK: AN MTV MOVIE SPECIAL on Wednesday, June 11.

Tuesday, May 27:
BABYLON 5 BOOK OF QUOTES: When asked about a publication date for the BABYLON 5 BOOK OF QUOTATIONS, JMS recently replied, "The final manuscript should be going in this coming week, so figure a few months thereafter."

BEST SELLING SF BOOKS: 1. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix; 2. Wolves of the Calla (Dark Tower 5); 3. The Da Vinci Code; 4. The Eternity Code; 5. The Gunslinger (Dark Tower 1); 6. The Lovely Bones; 7. Angels & Demons; 8. Potter paper box set; 9. Wizard and Glass (Dark Tower 4), and 10. Drawing of the Three (Tower 2). Source: Amazon.com, 5/16/03.

WEEKEND BOX OFFICE: Jim Carrey and BRUCE ALMIGHTY brought home the #1 spot at the Box Office this weekend, pulling in an estimated $86.4 million dollars worth of ticket sales over the four day weekend. It's Carrey's best opening yet, eclipsing DR. SEUSS' HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS opening from three years ago. THE MATRIX RELOADED increased its tally by an additional $45.6 M, bringing that picture's total gross to $209 M. RELOADED has now made more money than the first MATRIX (total: $171 M) but with a second weekend decline of 50%, some in Hollywood are worried that picture might not have the legs to take it to $300 M. Third place was Sony's DADDY DAY CARE with an estimated $18 M take, down just 25% from the week previous. X-MEN 2 is marching towards making $200 M, netting an additional $13 M on the weekend. Fifth spot went to THE IN-LAWS with a less-than- stellar $9.1 M.

100 FAVORITE VILLAINS/HEROES: Here is one show you'll just have to watch -- "AFI"s 100 Years... 100 Heroes and Villains" to find out if they make the cut of most dastardly villains when CBS broadcasts the three-hour special Tuesday, June 3, at 8 p.m. Go to Entertainment Tonight for more on the special. If you would like to cast your own vote, go to TV Guide Online.

THE HULK: New clips are turning up around the tube, getting the public ready for a new HULK movie. The clips are pretty good, but I must admit, I still like the original. Bill Bixby will be hard to beat -- but I guess we'll have to wait and see what the movie is like.

STARGATE SG-1: SCIFI has begun advertising the return of STARGATE SG-1 on June 13. The night will begin with a special about the show -- promising material from the past, present and future. That will be followed by the two-hour season premiere. Sounds like a good night to sit in front of the tube, VCR going and popcorn nearby.

Monday, May 26:
HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY As we in the East seriously begin contemplating ark-building, the rainy weather does give everyone time to pick up a good book or take out that stack of videos and with some popcorn, enjoy those old favorites that you can never get enough of. Be sure to check out some of the marathons going on today around the tube. There's the SCIFI Star Trek; A&E Murder She Wrote and a lot of others. I noticed that Nana Visitor from DS9 is a guest on today's MACGYVER over on TVLand! There are some great movies as well, so be sure to check out the TV Guide to see what's on today! Enjoy.

RATINGS: Top 10 SCI CHANNEL Shows: Silent Warnings 1.6; Stargate SG-1 1.4; Red Planet 1.0; Species 1.0; Target Earth 1.0; Species 0.9; Threshold 0.8; It Came From Outer Space 2 0.8; Silent Warnings 0.7, and Scare Tactics 0.7. Source: Nielsen Galaxy Report, 4/28/03 - 5/4/03.

Sunday, May 25: THANKS: Thanks so much to those that responded to the last Discussion Topic -- on first science fiction read. It's great seeing what got folks started down the road toward Babylon 5. I hope others will share their first SF reading with us as well so that it can go on the Discussion Page.

STAR TREK MARATHON: Monday, May 26, from 7AM – 7PM ET/PT . SCIFI will present it's annual Star Trek Marathon -- with 12 hours of classic Star Trek episodes such as "Space Seed," starring Ricardo Montalban as Khan; "Mirror, Mirror," with the infamous evil-Kirk-and-Spock; "Assignment: Earth," a backdoor series pilot starring Robert Lansing and Teri Garr; and everyone's favorite, "The Trouble with Tribbles."

Saturday, May 24:

RATINGS: Top SF Network Shows: Touched by an Angel 4.5; Smallville 3.8; John Doe 3.3; Charmed 2.7; Angel 2.6; Buffy 2.3; Enterprise 2.2; Twilight Zone 1.5; Sabrina 1.4, and Smallville encore 1.0. Source: Nielsen Galaxy Report, 4/14/03 - 4/20/03.

TOMB RAIDER: There is an action-packed trailer out for the latest TOMB RAIDER: THE CRADLE OF LIFE film at http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount/tomb_raider/thecradleoflife/trailer_medium.html. The movie opens on July 25.

BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: Universal has decided to release the BATTLESTAR GALACTICA DVD boxed set in the fall to coincide with the Sci-Fi Channel's premiere of the Battlestar Galactica mini-series.

WHAT'S ON TONIGHT

"Rosemary's Baby" (1968) on American Movie Classics, 8:00pm - 10:40pm ET
Director Roman Polanski's terrifying film redefined Gothic horror for the modern (and more explicit) age. John Cassavetes and Mia Farrow move into a huge, creepy apartment. They're taken under the wing of elderly neighbors, Sidney Blackmer and Ruth Gordon, and good things start to happen in Cassavetes's marginal acting career. When the couple decides to have a child, Gordon takes over Farrow's care, and a strange dream that Farrow has of mating with a hideous beast begins to seem possible. Her hellish trip to motherhood will cause your hair to stand on end.

On SciFi Tonight:

7:00 PM
Dead Zone
Ascent
Conclusion. Critically injured during his efforts to rescue teenagers from a mine, Walt's survival depends upon Johnny's ability to restore him to consciousness.

30-MAY-03 8:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 (LBX) THE CHANGELING
30-MAY-03 9:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 (LBX) MEMENTO
30-MAY-03 11:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 (LBX) MEMENTO

PETER WOODWARD AND CONQUEST

Tune-in Sundays at 10.30pm/9.30c! Whether it's ancient combat or modern sports, Conquest issues a challenge to host Peter Woodward to conquer a highly unusual array of skills. Woodward's body and mind are repeatedly challenged as he pits himself against the masters of various disciplines, in tests ranging from the medieval tournament to the demolition derby; from weird weapons of the Middle Ages to bull riding and knights in plate armor.

RANGER SIGHTINGS

Ranger Steve sent along a couple of reports to share:

Clayton Landy, who played Mars resistance leader "Number Two" on season 4 episode Racing Mars, was on the two-part season finale of Without a Trace. He was a customer in a bookstore when a disturbed widower (whose wife had been killed in the Towers on 9/11) took everyone hostage. He didn't do much, but he did get into a fight with the kidnapper. When the kidnapper released everyone, Landy got into an argument with the FBI which reminded me of how he played #2: tough, in your face, southern accent.

And I should have sent an email back then (don't recall if anyone did), but back in March, Keith Szarabajka, who played Talia's ex-husband Matt Stoner in Sould Mates (season 2) was on an episode of Enterprise. He played an alien that was a hunter on a rogue planet that had broken free from its sun and moved freely through space. And speaking of Enterprise, Vaughn Armstrong, who played the B5 security guard who was head of Nightwatch (on Messages from Earth & Point of No Return) has appeared several times as Admiral Forrest. He also holds the record for the most guest starring roles on all of Star Trek (oh boy).

BABYLON 5 SEASON THREE DVD

GREAT NEWS! According to http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/ we will be enjoying Season Three of Babylon 5 on DVD soon. Hopefully something official will come from the WB soon.

Season 3 Details
5/08/2003

Warner Brothers has announced August 12th as the street date for Babylon 5: The Complete Third Season. Subtitled "Point of No Return", it will be another 6-disc extravaganza featuring all 22 episodes of the third season. In addition, Warner is again working with producer/creator J. Michael Straczynski to bring you the very best in the way of supplements:

Introduction from series creator J. Michael Straczynski
Commentaries on 3 key episodes by series creator and stars
Documentary: Behind the Mask: Creating the Aliens of Babylon 5
Documentary: Designing a Better Narn
Documentary: Designing Tomorrow: The Look of Babylon 5
Data and Personnel Files

Once again this will by brought to you in 16x9 Anamorphic Widescreen, and with sound remastered in Dolby Digital 5.1...all for a list price of $99.98.

BABYLON 5 SEASON TWO DVD

Over at SciFi Dimensions you can read a review of the Season Two DVD. I think you'll agree with this closing comment:

Babylon 5: The Complete Second Season firmly establishes this show as one of the great all-time franchises in science fiction. Every self-respecting fan owes it to himself or herself to own this DVD series.

The WB has promoted the new Season Two DVD in a number of ways. You will see ads on the WB network and they provided a number of B5 sites with promotional material. Rather than try to deal with all the material, I invite you to visit Monica over at The Abyss who has done a marvelous job of putting all the material out for everyone to enjoy! Thanks Monica. Go to http://abyss.hubbe.net/b5/dvds/boxed-s2promos.html

Don't forget about the Season One DVD! I spent a very enjoyable evening watching many of the season one episodes again -- and listening to JMS' commentary on disks 4 and 6. It is a wonderful way to keep Babylon 5 for future fans to see.

SYNOPSIS
The long-running Emmy Award-winning television series Babylon 5 takes place in the year 2257 A.D, on an immense space station floating in a stationary orbit in a neutral corner of a distant galaxy. Staffed by a crew of peaceful Earthmen and women, Babylon 5 serves as a non-political economic and social hub for the four alien races -- the Narn, Centauri, Vorlon and Minbari -- who fight to control the galaxy.

Babylon 5: The Complete Second Season
$99.98 SRP
STREET DATE: April 29
RATING: NR
RUN TIME: approx: 990 minutes

DISCUSSION TOPIC

This topic was suggested by Ranger Helen and I think will bring in some interesting comments!
What was the first science fiction you ever read, about how old were you when you read it? How did it affect your choices of reading matter in the science fiction genre later?

Send in your comments to sgbruckner@aol.com. I'll post the responses on the Discussion Page for everyone to share.

BABYLON 5 CHRONOLOGY

I've put up another wonderful segment of the Babylon 5 Chronology. This segment begins with 2249. Go to 23rd Century.

I noticed that JMS used a section of Terry's chronology to answer a question the other day about Morden/Anna's trip over on the B5 moderated newsgroup.

A BIG THANK YOU and note appreciation goes to Terry for taking the time (and considerable effort) to pull the chronology together -- and for updating it to include CRUSADE, the novels and other relevant Babylon 5 material. THANKS TERRY!

REVIEWS WANTED:

REVIEWS OF THE NEW DVD: A number of people have commented on the new DVD so I've begun adding them to the review page. Check it out. Send in your comments for others to see.

NEW REVIEWS! See if you agreed with the reviews received thus far! Go to Reviews to see. Want to express your opinion? Just drop me a line and you too can see your name in lights.

Read any good books lately? How about the movies. Did you like LORD OF THE RINGS, NEMESIS? Send along a review and share your thoughts with the readers here. Let's make one of our New Years Resolution one of staying in touch here at The Zocalo Today.

KEEPING UP WITH CAST AND CREW

ROBIN ATKIN DOWNES: Robin has been pretty active over the last few months. He will be turning up in conventions over the summer in Cleveland, Tampa, Indiana, England, France, Prague, Atlanta and Orange County. You will also see him in some advertisements on the tube as well. For example, beginning this summer, he will be the Irish announcer in the Sprint Yellow Pages on Golf Spot. He also plays a Russian Basketball player in love with a chicken for Dairy Queen. That spot is scheduled to run nationally beginning in September. He has done some CD ROM work as well for gamers, including BATTLESTAR GALACTICA. He plays the lead pilot, Adama. The game is coming to game cube. Visit http://www.xbox365.com/news/zcomment.cgi?article=EpVEVVFkAyPCtMysan&tmpl=xxt_zc_template&prof=dev for a preview.

PETER WOODWARD: Peter is definitely doing something right over at The History Channel. His new CONQUEST series has gotten an order for new episodes. They will be starting to film new episodes in May and plan to start broadcasting them in July.

JASON CARTER/RICHARD BIGGS: Pipeline Productions is currently organizing a Biggs & Carter Experience (acting workshop) Cruise event. Anyone Interested in participating can be added to the mailing list by emailing their name and address to JasonCarterFC@aol.com. For more information on the Biggs & Carter Experience, please visit www.biggsandcarter.com .

FIONA AVERY: Fiona Avery (author of the "Rising Stars: Bright" series) is starting another spin-off of the Rising Stars series called "Rising Stars: Untouchable". Due around August 2003, it features Laurel Darkhaven, the telekenetic who became a CIA assassin who was featured in issue #16. The five issue mini series is being called "Rising Stars: Untouchable" and will have artwork by Rick Mays. For more on this from Fiona, go to http://www.newsarama.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=000495.

J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI: For those of you who just can't get enough from JMS, there is a long, but interesting interview in Sketch Magazine at http://www.hypethis.com/interviews/interview_jmichaelstraczynski.html.

BILL MUMY: Bill will be releasing his 5th solo CD in April on Renaissance Records. GHOSTS will be a compilation of songs (the best of) taken from the first four CD's plus a few brand new ones. The brand new songs include "Always Open", "Take it Back", "The Recalcitrant Princess" and "Just A Drop of Rain in the Ocean." Angela Cartwright from Lost in Space will design the package. The album will be available through Amazon.com and other internet sites as well as a few of the bigger stores.

RICHARD BIGGS: Ranger Jan reports that Richard Biggs gave out some very good news at MegaCon last week. He has landed a recurring role on SCIFI's TREMORS. He will also be coming back to STRONG MEDICINE.

BABYLON 5 BIRTHDAYS

Theodore Bikel - May 2
Michael O'Hare - May 6
Stephen Furst - May 8
Melissa Gilbert-Boxleitner - May 8
Bruce Boxleitner - May 12
Andreas Katsulas - May 18
Andrea Thompson - May 22
Doug Wise - May 21
Douglas Netter - May 23
Paul Winfield - May 22
Roy Dotrice - May 26
Harlan Ellison - May 27

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.

READER BIRTHDAYS

Sometimes you just can't find the e-mail address for someone you know you have -- it's someone who responded to a discussion topic or you met in one of the chat rooms. You'd like to send a personal note, but .... No address!!!!

We've started a White Pages of Zocalo Readers! It's a handy way of keeping track of people -- and putting together a birthday/greeting card list as well. If you would like to be part of the listing, just send me your name, state, e-mail address and (if you'd like to have it listed) birthday (without year) to sgbruckner@aol.com. Check out the Directory of Readers.

Name: John T. Hill
State: North Carolina (GO TAR HEELS!)
Email Address: snowheel@bellsouth.net
Birthday: May 8

Name: Dante Ojeda
State: Buenos Aires, Argentina
E-mail: dantii@tutopia.com
Birthday: May 18

Name: Kevenn T. Smith
State: Ohio
E-mail: kevenn777@earthlink.net
Birthday: May 17

Name: Sally Smith
State: Georgia
E-mail address: NeverTheVictim@aol.com
Birthday: May 28

Name: Laurraine Tutihasi
State: California
E-mail address: ltutihasi@aol.com
Birthday: May 18

COMIC BOOKS

AMAZING SPIDERMAN

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #56
Written by J. Michael Straczynski and Fiona Avery, pencils by John Romita Jr. and cover by Mike Deodato Jr.
The conclusion of the 2-part "Unintended Consequences" story arc co-written by JMS and Fiona Avery.
32 pages, $2.25.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #57
Written by J. Michael Straczynski, pencils by John Romita Jr. and cover by Tony Harris.
J. Michael Straczynski is back flying the Spider-Man ship solo in a 2-part story arc leading up to October's Amazing Spider-Man #500.
32 pages, $2.25, in stores on Aug. 13 and Aug. 27.

For a review of the current issue, go to http://cherokee.thmedia.net/~zenterta/comicreviews.php?op=showcontent&id=925.

Amazing Spider-Man #53 is on shelves now. The issue is written by J. Michael Straczynski, with art and cover John Romita Jr. and Scott Hanna.

Here's how Marvel describes the issue:
"Part 3 of a 3-part story."

Amazing Spider-Man #53 is 32 pages and costs 25 cents.

SMALLVILLE

Smallville #2 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from DC Comics. The issue is written by Mark Verheiden and Clint Carpenter, with art by Renato Guides and Tom Derenick and a cover by John Van Fleet.

DC describes the issue below:

"The bimonthly series based on The WB television show continues. Trouble's brewing at the Miss Smallville Pageant. Contestants are being terrorized, and it's up to Clark and Lana to get to the bottom of it! Plus, in a back-up story, find out what Chloe did during her summer internship at the Daily Planet between Seasons 1 and 2. This issue is rounded out by interviews with actors Allison Mack (Chloe Sullivan) and Sam Jones III (Pete Ross), as well as the next installment of the episode guide to Season 1."

Smallville #2 will be 48 pages and will cost $3.50.

RISING STARS

An original novel based on the hit comic book series! It covers the events that happened in issues #9-16.

SUPREME POWER

A note over at Comics Continuum reads:

Marvel also announced that 1602 and Supreme Power will launch in August.

When asked when the first issue would be released, JMS recently responded via the B5 moderated newsgroup:

I noticed that it wasn't in the July previews, after it had been set for July 16th, and inquired of Marvel because we're well ahead on art and scripts (I'm working on issue 5 at the moment).

They explained that they'd wanted to debut the comic at Wizard Con (either Philly or Chicago, I can't now remember), but since I couldn't make it, they pushed the debut to August 6th, which allows us to get even further ahead on scripts. Once it hits the ground, we won't have any basis for missing any pub dates for at least half a year, it not more.

This is a new title J. Michael Straczynski has been working on for Marvel. Originally titled "Squadron Supreme", it is now called "Supreme Power". According to JMS, publication date in July 16.

JMS described the series in a comment to the B5 moderated newsgroup as:

Supreme Power is an updating of the Squadron Supreme book done quite a while back by Mark Gruenwald. It was one of the first books, possibly the first book, to really examine the role of the superhero in society, and as such is generally considered to have paved the way for such later works as Watchmen, Dark Knight, Marvels, Kingdom Come and others.

Marvel said, basically, if you could take those characters, who were used at a time when comics were still quite a bit more restrictive than now, due to the comics code and other influences, and update them, recast them, free to do whatever you want...what would you do?

Hence, Supreme Power. While it has its moments of dark humor, it's a very intense, serious book. And because it's being done for the Marvel Max line -- which is aimed at mature readers -- there are very few limitations in terms of imagery and language. Marvel has said it wants me to take this book to the wall, and that's pretty much where I intend to go.

Interestingly, unlike the aforemtentioned titles, this isn't a limited series...it's intended to be an ongoing series, while trying to sustain the kind of intensity you get in that kind of limited edition. It's a massive writing challenge, though one of my main goals is to do right by Mark's original creation.

CSI

CSI VOLUME 1: Serial
by Collins, Rodriguez, & Wood; cover by Ashley Wood

In modern Las Vegas, a Jack the Ripper copycat terrorizes the city. This mini-series was written by New York Times best-selling author, Max Allan Collins, and captures all of the gritty realism of the TV show, keeping readers guessing to the very last page.

I read issues #1 thru #4 yesterday. I like the way the comic mimics the TV show. Each issue holds your interest and brings in a great deal of detail.

CSI: THICKER THAN BLOOD
IDW Publishing
When an Elvis impersonator disappears, and a mobster’s life is threatened, only the CSI team can save the day!

BRIGHT

Rising Stars: Bright #3 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from Image Comics. The issue is written by Fiona Avery, penciled by Dan Jurgens, inked by Jason Gorder and art by John Starr.

Rising Stars: Bright #3 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.99.

RISING STARS: BRIGHT #1
(W) Fiona Avery, (P) Dan Jurgens, (I) Jason Gorder.
"Mercy." In the hit series, Rising Stars, it is mentioned that at one time, Matthew Bright ran away from Pederson and, under an assumed name, became a member of normal society and a police officer. Join us as Matthew tells this story in his memoirs and learn how a Special can shine brightest when they're just being human. FC 32 pages $2.99 Part 1 of 3 .

BRIGHT #2
(W) Fiona Avery (P) Dan Jurgens.
"Authority." Matthew Bright is still living under the assumed name of Brendan Miller, and making close friendships with Frank and Jess in the precinct, when a new serial killer case erupts in the NYPD. Matt really takes the case to heart upon discovering that the serial killer has Specials in mind whenever he causes new carnage in the streets of suburban New York. In the second part of three issues, Matthew's secret identity as Brendan Miller is about to be ripped from him and his true nature as a special is revealed. 32 pages, $2.99.

BOOKS

BABYLON 5 NOVEL

DelRey is reprinting the original Babylon 5 novels. They started with #7 - Jeanne Cavelos' THE SHADOW WITHIN. Here's one I've been waiting for -- Kathryn Drennan's TO DREAM IN THE CITY OF SORROWS. The release date is scheduled for July 29, 2003. I love the new cover art! It can be pre-ordered from www.amazon.com. For those of you who love Babylon 5, this one reads just like an episode from the series. You just can't put it down.

CSI COMPANION

CSI COMPANION
by Mike Flaherty

Featuring episode summaries, behind-the-scenes information, exclusive celebrity interviews, and more, this official companion book to TV’s most watched drama, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, takes fans behind the scenes to the world behind the yellow tape.

Neil Gaiman’s The Wolves in the Walls
by Neil Gaiman; illustrations by Dave McKean

Lucy is sure there are wolves living in the walls of her house—and, as everybody says, if the wolves come out of the walls, it’s all over. Her family doesn’t believe her. Then one day, the wolves come out. But its not all over. Instead, Lucy’s battle with the wolves is only just the beginning! A wonderfully strange and hilarious adventure for readers of all ages, from the acclaimed author of the New York Times best-seller, Coraline! Illustrations rendered by Dave McKean.

SCI FI PUBLICATIONS

Cult Times #93: Writer/director/extra Peter DeLuise talks about Season Seven of STARGATE SG-1, bringing back Daniel Jackson and some extras. Also in this issue, Gina Torres from FIREFLY and ANGEL; Chloe Sullivan from SMALLVILLE and Carl Lumbly from ALIAS.

TV Zone #162: With the end coming for BUFFY, most of the SF magazines will sport covers of the cast and TVZone is right in line with the entire cast. Emma Caulfield looks back on five years with the series while Director Michael Wood from STARGATE SG-1 looks back on season six and some of his early stories.

Expose Special#77 Expose Special #77: This special issue is a review of 2002. With Harry Potter #2, Lord of the Rings and Terminator 3, they also look at Star Trek: Nemesis, FIREFLY, Buffy and Dinotopia.

Starburst #298: ANGEL's new season is the focus of the issue. David Boreanaz talks about what makes the show so special to him. Also in this issue, a behind the scenes look at MATRIX RELOADED. Another show with changes ahead is SMALLVILLE. Alfred Gough and Miles Millar talk about what is in store for the next season.

BABYLON 5 BOOK OF QUOTES

For all those who submitted quotes and experiences to the Babylon 5 Book of Quotes, word from JMS is that the book, plus emails and suggestions, is being compiled now, and they're targeting February, the 10th anniversary of B5, for the publication date.

SCI-FI SCHEDULE

BABYLON 5

30-MAY-03 9:00 AM BABYLON 5 (LBX) DIVIDED LOYALTIES

02-JUN-03 9:00 AM BABYLON 5 (LBX) THE LONG, TWILIGHT STRUGGLE
03-JUN-03 9:00 AM BABYLON 5 (LBX) COMES THE INQUISTOR
04-JUN-03 9:00 AM BABYLON 5 (LBX) THE FALL OF NIGHT
05-JUN-03 9:00 AM BABYLON 5 (LBX) MATTERS OF HONOR
06-JUN-03 9:00 AM BABYLON 5 (LBX) CONVICTIONS
09-JUN-03 9:00 AM BABYLON 5 (LBX) A DAY IN THE STRIFE

10-JUN-03 9:00 AM BABYLON 5 (LBX) PASSING THROUGH GETHSEMANE
11-JUN-03 9:00 AM BABYLON 5 (LBX) VOICES OF AUTHORITY
12-JUN-03 9:00 AM BABYLON 5 (LBX) DUST TO DUST
13-JUN-03 9:00 AM BABYLON 5 (LBX) EXOGENESIS

16-JUN-03 9:00 AM BABYLON 5 (LBX) MESSAGE FROM EARTH
17-JUN-03 9:00 AM BABYLON 5 (LBX) POINT OF NO RETURN
18-JUN-03 9:00 AM BABYLON 5 (LBX) SEVERED DREAMS
19-JUN-03 9:00 AM BABYLON 5 (LBX) CEREMONIES OF LIGHT AND DARK
20-JUN-03 9:00 AM BABYLON 5 (LBX) SIR TRANSIT VIR

23-JUN-03 9:00 AM BABYLON 5 (LBX) A LATE DELIVERY FROM AVALON
24-JUN-03 9:00 AM BABYLON 5 (LBX) SHIP OF TEARS
25-JUN-03 9:00 AM BABYLON 5 (LBX) INTERLUDES AND EXAMINATIONS

26-JUN-03 9:00 AM BABYLON 5 (LBX) WAR WITHOUT END -PT 1
27-JUN-03 9:00 AM BABYLON 5 (LBX) WAR WITHOUT END -PT 2
30-JUN-03 9:00 AM BABYLON 5 (LBX) WALKABOUT

STARGATE SCHEDULE:

30-MAY-03 8:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 (LBX) THE CHANGELING
30-MAY-03 9:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 (LBX) MEMENTO
30-MAY-03 11:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 (LBX) MEMENTO

02-JUN-03 7:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 HOLIDAY
02-JUN-03 8:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 SERPENT'S SONG
02-JUN-03 9:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 ONE FALSE STEP
02-JUN-03 10:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 SHOW AND TELL
02-JUN-03 1:00 AM STARGATE SG-1 HOLIDAY

03-JUN-03 1:00 AM STARGATE SG-1 SERPENT'S SONG
04-JUN-03 1:00 AM STARGATE SG-1 ONE FALSE STEP
05-JUN-03 1:00 AM STARGATE SG-1 SHOW AND TELL
06-JUN-03 8:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 (LBX) PROPHECY
06-JUN-03 9:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 (LBX) FULL CIRCLE
06-JUN-03 11:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 (LBX) FULL CIRCLE

09-JUN-03 7:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 1969
09-JUN-03 8:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 OUT OF MIND
09-JUN-03 9:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 INTO THE FIRE
09-JUN-03 10:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 SETH
09-JUN-03 1:00 AM STARGATE SG-1 1969
10-JUN-03 1:00 AM STARGATE SG-1 OUT OF MIND
11-JUN-03 1:00 AM STARGATE SG-1 INTO THE FIRE
12-JUN-03 1:00 AM STARGATE SG-1 SETH
13-JUN-03 9:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 PREMIERE MOVIE (PTS 1 & 2) FALLEN PT 1 / HOMECOMING PT 2 (LBX)
13-JUN-03 11:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 PREMIERE MOVIE (PTS 1 & 2) FALLEN PT 1 / HOMECOMING PT 2 (LBX)

16-JUN-03 7:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 FAIR GAME
16-JUN-03 8:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 LEGACY
16-JUN-03 9:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 LEARNING CURVE
16-JUN-03 10:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 POINT OF VIEW
16-JUN-03 1:00 AM STARGATE SG-1 FAIR GAME
17-JUN-03 1:00 AM STARGATE SG-1 LEGACY
18-JUN-03 1:00 AM STARGATE SG-1 LEARNING CURVE
19-JUN-03 1:00 AM STARGATE SG-1 POINT OF VIEW
20-JUN-03 9:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 (LBX)
20-JUN-03 11:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 (LBX)

23-JUN-03 7:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 DEAD MAN SWITCH
23-JUN-03 8:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 DEMONS
23-JUN-03 9:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
23-JUN-03 10:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 FOREVER IN A DAY
23-JUN-03 1:00 AM STARGATE SG-1 DEAD MAN SWITCH
24-JUN-03 1:00 AM STARGATE SG-1 DEMONS
25-JUN-03 1:00 AM STARGATE SG-1 RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
26-JUN-03 1:00 AM STARGATE SG-1 FOREVER IN A DAY
27-JUN-03 9:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 (LBX)
27-JUN-03 11:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 (LBX)

30-JUN-03 7:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 PAST AND PRESENT
30-JUN-03 8:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 JOLINAR'S MEMORIES -PT 1
30-JUN-03 9:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 THE DEVIL YOU KNOW -PT 2
30-JUN-03 10:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 FOOTHOLD

FARSCAPE SCHEDULE:

30-MAY-03 5:00 AM FARSCAPE WE'RE SO SCREWED -PT 2: HOT TO KATRATZI (LBX)
01-JUN-03 12:00 AM FARSCAPE DIE ME, DICHOTOMY
02-JUN-03 12:00 AM FARSCAPE SEASON OF DEATH
03-JUN-03 12:00 AM FARSCAPE SUNS & LOVERS
04-JUN-03 12:00 AM FARSCAPE SELF-INFLICTED WOUNDS-PT 1:COULDD'A,WOULD'A,SHOULD
05-JUN-03 12:00 AM FARSCAPE SELF-INFLICTED WOUNDS-PT 2: WAIT FOR THE WHEEL
06-JUN-03 5:00 AM FARSCAPE (LBX) WE'RE SO SCREWED-PT 3: LA BOMBA

08-JUN-03 12:00 AM FARSCAPE DIFFERENT DESTINATIONS
09-JUN-03 12:00 AM FARSCAPE EAT ME
10-JUN-03 12:00 AM FARSCAPE THANKS FOR SHARING
11-JUN-03 12:00 AM FARSCAPE GREEN EYED MONSTER
12-JUN-03 12:00 AM FARSCAPE LOSING TIME
13-JUN-03 5:00 AM FARSCAPE (LBX) BAD TIMING

15-JUN-03 12:00 AM FARSCAPE RELATIVITY
16-JUN-03 12:00 AM FARSCAPE INCUBATOR
17-JUN-03 12:00 AM FARSCAPE MELTDOWN
18-JUN-03 12:00 AM FARSCAPE SCRATCH & SNIFF
19-JUN-03 12:00 AM FARSCAPE INFINITE POSSIBILITIES-PT 1: DAEDALUS DEMANDS

22-JUN-03 12:00 AM FARSCAPE INFINITE POSSIBILITIES-PT 2: ICARUS ABIDES
23-JUN-03 12:00 AM FARSCAPE REVENGE ANGEL
24-JUN-03 12:00 AM FARSCAPE THE CHOICE
25-JUN-03 12:00 AM FARSCAPE FRACTURES
26-JUN-03 12:00 AM FARSCAPE I YENSCH, YOU YENSCH

29-JUN-03 12:00 AM FARSCAPE INTO THE LION'S DEN -PT 1:LAMB TO THE SLAUGHTER

BABYLON 5/CRUSADE PHOTOSHOP PHOTOS

You do NOT have to pay the prices asked for over at e-bay! Here are photos of B5 and Crusade cast members at fantastic prices. Check out Photo Shop. Ordering is easy -- and you can't beat the prices! Just let me know which photos you want and I'll check to make sure they are still in stock.

BABYLON 5 TOONS

John Cook has a wonderful collection of cartoons -- many are take-offs from Babylon 5. Here's just one of them. What Lardo Wants

He has a cartoon caption contest going on as well. Try your hand at a punch line.

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

Punchline
Name
Email

BABYLON 5/CRUSADE CONVENTIONS

CONVENTION CALENDAR

Vulkon
May 30-June 1, 2003
Place: Tampa, Florida
B5 Guest: Mira Furlan, Judson Scott
Other Guests: Michael Dorn, John Billingsley, Teryl Rothery, Alexander Siddig, Corin Nemec, Arne Starr
For more information, visit their website at http://www.vulkon.com.

Slanted Fedora
May 30 - Syracuse, New York
May 31 - Rochester, New York
June 1 - Buffalo, New York
Guests: Robert Picardo, Ethan Phillips, Robin Curtis, Peter Mayhew, Rick Searfoss
For more information, visit their website at http://www.sfedora.com.

Trek Expo 2003
June 27-29, 2003
Place: Exposition Center, Tulsa, OK
B5 Guest: Walter Koenig
Other Guests: William Shatner, Leonard Nemoy, George Takei, Dominic Keating
For more information, visit their website at http://www.starbase21ok.com/trek__expo__2003.htm.

Toronto Trek 2003
July 11-13, 2003
Place: Regal Constellation Hotel, Toronto, CA
B5 Guest: Julie Caitlin Brown
Other guests: James Marsters, Gil Gerard, Erin Gray
For more information, visit their website at http://tcon.icomm.ca.

Shore Leave 25
July 11-13, 2003
Place: Marriott's Hunt Valley Inn
245 Shawan Rd., Hunt Valley, MD 21031
Tel. 410-785-7000
B5 Guest: Andrea Thompson (Talia)
For more information, visit their website at http://www.shore-leave.com.

Vulkon
July 18-19, 2003
Place: Tampa, Florida
Tampa Airport Hilton
B5 Guest: Robin Atkin Downes
Other Guests: James Marsters, Mercedes Mcnab, Jeams C. Leary, Andy Hallett, Iyari Limon
For more information, visit their website at http://www.vulkon.com.

Bill Blair Birthday Celebrity Cruise
August 18-22, 2003
Ports of Call: Key West, Cozumel
Guest: Bill Blair, Peter "Chewbacca' Mayhew
For more information, visit Bill's website at http://www.BillBlairFanClub.com.

DragonCon
August 29-Sept. 1, 2003
Place: Atlanta, GA
B5 Guests: Stephen Furst, Peter David, Bruce Boxleitner, Mira Furlan, Walter Koenig, Peter Woodward, Brad Dourif, Julie Caitlin Brown, Bill Mumy
Other Guests: Luke Perry, Ray Bradbury, Christopher Judge, John Rhys-Davies, George Takei, Virginia Hey, Tony Amendola

For more information, visit their website at http://www.dragoncon.org.

Be sure to visit our Convention Calendar for a full listing of upcoming conventions featuring Babylon 5, Crusade and Legend of the Rangers cast members as guests.

If you would like to share your convention experience with your other Zocalo readers, send along a convention report. I will gladly post it for all to read. Got pictures? I'll post those as well.

ZOCALO TRADING POST

Do you have extra copies of B5, Amazing Spiderman, Midnight Nation or Rising Stars comics you'd like to trade? How about those extra trading cards or B5 magazines? There are a lot of fans looking for these items -- and the Trading Post can help you buy or sell them. To see what's available, just use this link to the Trading Post. To have items included in The Trading Post, send a note to The Zocalo. Please put Trading Post in the subject line.

Pen Pals

If you are looking for someone to talk about Babylon 5 and Crusade with, the Pen Pal section is for you! Check it out! Drop a note to someone who is feeling B5 withdrawal -- BIG TIME!

People thought a Pen Pal page was a good idea. If you would like to meet people who you could chat with or share your opinions of the show with, send along your e-mail or snail-mail address The Zocalo. It will be incorporated on the new Pen Page Page.

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.

JMS' mail can be sent to:

14431 Ventura Boulevard, PMB 260
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

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

BACK ISSUES OF THE ZOCALO TODAY

The front page of the The Zocalo Today changes daily, so be sure to check the back issues to make sure that you haven't missed anything IMPORTANT! I don't want the front page getting too long so I shift information periodically into the archives. So if you aren't a regular visitor to The Zocalo Today, be sure to check out the back issues. Just use the button above!

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, 2003

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