The Comics Outsider has been scrabbling inside the virtual bins of all of the comic book industry players since the Dawn of Creation. He has crossed oceans of time to bring you the latest word on Marvel's Ultimate Universe, fought fire breathing dragons to tell tales of Image's daring do's and pushed aside mighty boulders to unleash details of the next Grant Morrison projects week in week out, without fail, yessiree. Sure he took a hiatus, but whats a hiatus between friends?

NEWS FROM IN AND AROUND THE NY COMIC CON

The Outsider had an interesting weekend. After getting trashed with the Marvel-ous and celebrating-the-anniversary-of-his-birth CB Cebulski on Friday night, he had a bit of trouble waking up on Saturday morning, and hence, the outlook was grim for news and rumors and tidbits from the day's festivities. However, through my twin powers of sleuth and stealth, I managed to creep inside unnoticed by either the authorities or the organizers. And hence: rumors.

BROKEBANNIHLATION MOUNTAIN
A little birdie inside Marvel offices tells me the Rawhide Kid is going to be the lynchpin to their big summer crossover, Annihlation. Keep an eye on this character's appearances over the next few months.

THE SWIPE FILE

As we all know, many of today's comics artists do tend to pay homage to their favorite artists, or use certain images or models for inspiration. No harm in that. However, the Outsider has learnt that some comics covers and character poses use other influences.

For example:

is basically just this image, turned upside down:

A RUSE
It has come to my attention, from one of my little moles, that all of Quesada's trashing of the character Speedball has been a ruse to hide the fact that at the end of 2006/early 2007 Speedball will be coming back in a new ongoing series from Ed Brubaker - who has a lot of love for the character - and Skotty Young.

TURTLE GETS THE HARE
Jimmy Olson, Turtle Boy, Gail Simone, Brids of Prey, pregnancy.

SWIPE FILE II

How about this then?

could be the biological twin of this:

YOU BUY MARVEL COMICS? YOU'RE LETTING THE TERRORISTS WIN.

The Comics Outsider has learned through confidential sources that Marvel EIC Joe Quesada has an older brother that he has kept secret from his co-workers and peers in the comics industry lo these many years. His brother's name? Albert.

As in Al.

As in Al Quesada.

Yes. That's right. Captain America is secretly under the guiding hand of Al Queda. Why isn't Patrick Fitzgerald looking into this?

AMIN THE MOOD FOR LOVE

Rumor has it that Alias are about to creep up to controversy and give it the big old kissarooni as they announce their latest title "Young Dictators in Love". The books all feature partially fictional early romances of the very worst despots such as Hitler, Idi Amin, Pol Pot and Donald Rumsfeld. Click on the image on the right to see some of the concept artwork.

An announcement was to have been made at Wondercon, but according to an insider they "want the Danish thing to go away first".

COMICS ON THE GO!
Verizon Wireless and Marvel Entertainment are in the talks to distribute through phone editions of Marvel Entertainment's comic book properties. Each comic will cost $2.50 an issue. Expect there to be what would be in a normal traditional 22page comic with ADs.

WORLDWATCHING

Those of you who have been lamenting Austen Comics' flagship title, the X-rated "Worldwatch" should be cheered by the latest rumor. Seems as though the book may make it to the small screen sometime soon, either as a straight-to-dvd release or a mini series.

However, not content with alledgedly firing himself from his own book, creator and Austen Comics honcho Chuck Austen has apparently also fired himself as screenwriter and executive producer. He will be replaced by Auck Chusten, a self dubbed "Antipodean Entrepreneur/Artiste".

SWIPE FILE III

And its not just the new kids that may have dipped their toe into the swipe arena:

Bears some thinking about eh? More from The Swipe File next week.

If you have any information on scoops, swipes and sc-rumors, then drop The Comics Outsider a line to comicsoutsider @ gmail.com.

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