In this Issue...

Comic Movie Guide

ComicBase at Comic-Con 2005

We (Still) Want Your Database!

Farewell, Hello

Human Computing Secret Files & Origins

Upcoming Comic Movies

Unless you’ve been living in isolation for the past few years, you know that comic based movies are huge business. Studios are finally seeing the merit of not only super-hero stories such as X-Men and Daredevil, but are also keen to adapt some of the graphic novel material comic fans have been enjoying for years. Here’s a peek at the tasty movie treats coming this summer and what to keep an eye out for in the coming year:

	Batman Begins The first movie that has comic fans chomping at the bit is Batman Begins. Staring Christian Bale (The Machinist, American Psycho) as the Bat, this film focuses on the infancy of the Batman persona; recounting Bruce’s search to become something more than himself. After the utter abomination of the last Batman film/films (depending on where you decide they jumped the shark), this movie seems like it will get to the essence of the Batman character: a tormented vigilante, trying to do his part to help out his local neighborhood watch. Opens June 15th, 2005
	Fantastic Four The Fab Four come to life this summer in the first live action adaptation of this Stan Lee/Jack Kirby classic. There are many unknowns in the cast: Ioan Gruffurd is Mr. Fantastic, Michael Chiklis of The Shield fame is The Thing, Jessica Alba is The Invisible Woman, Chris Evans is The Human Torch and Julian McMahon from Nip/Tuck is Dr. Doom. The trailers out right now have many fans concerned, but it's hard to tell how the final product will look. Some say this may be the comic bomb of the summer, though comic fans are still optimistic that this may be a first-rate translation of the comic. (P.S. Look for a cameo by Stan Lee as a postman.) Opens July 8th, 2005
	A History of Violence Based on the John Wagner book, A History of Violence is the story of Tom Stall. Tom is an average guy with an average life until a heroic deed finds him in the spotlight and a lot of attention from people he has avoided for the past twenty years. Now, Tom must do whatever it takes to protect his family from his history of violence. Directed by David Cronenberg (The Fly, Scanners) and starring Viggo Mortensen (Lord of the Rings, A Perfect Murder) as Tom, the early buzz indicates this will be a worthy adaptation. Opens September 30th, 2005
	V for Vendetta In post apocalyptic London, a totalitarian government has taken over. All the undesirable portions of the population were taken to “resettlement camps” where some were used for experiments while the others were systematically eliminated. Experiments I-IV didn’t fare so well but, number V was a success. V (vee), as he refers to himself, has a Vendetta and is out to have a little fun with those that made him. Staring Hugo Weaving (The Matrix, Lord of the Rings) as V and Natalie Portman (Star Wars, Closer) as Evey, V for Vendetta should have everyone remembering the 5th of November. Opens November 5th 2005
	Superman Returns The Man of Steel is back for his first movie in nearly twenty years. Brandon Routh takes on the roll of Superman, which picks up after the second movie where we find Superman has been gone for six years after his run in with General Zod and his druggies. The people of Metropolis think that perhaps they are better off without him until evil begins to seep into the city. Superman must return to once again rid the city of those who challenge Truth, Justice, and the American Way. Bryan Singer who directed the X-Men movies is expected to do an excellent job on this, the ultimate comic book character. Opens June 30th 2006
	Sin City 2 After the success of Sin City, Robert Rodriquez and Frank Miller will return to do another installment of the stylistic triumph. “A Dame to Kill For” is the only Sin City chapter known to be in the sequel while what fills out the remainder is yet to be revealed. Hopefully, most of the cast will return and Rodriquez will continue to remain faithful to the material. 2007

ComicBase to Storm Comic-Con International

We’ll be seeing you in San Diego!

Suit up everyone, and prepare to dive into this year’s Comic-Con International (coming soon in July 2005). Human Computing, the makers of ComicBase, will be making another spectacular splash at this year’s showing. Come meet us in person at the booth and attend the annual User Group meeting for exciting news.

ComicBase creator Peter Bickford will be on hand at the annual ComicBase User Group meeting to dish the inside dirt on the World’s Greatest Comic Book Database. Find out all that’s new with ComicBase, win cool prizes, learn secret features and technical tips, and get your ComicBase questions answered face to face.

Wanted: Your Database
Reward: Intangible Feelings of Goodness

Here ye, here ye. We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again. ComicBase is looking to expand its coverage and your database is on our wanted list!

Every little bit helps. You see, the more title variations and issue transferences ComicBase can cut its teeth on, the better the program will be. Your submission will go towards making version to version upgrades of ComicBase faster and more efficient. And if you’re one of select few who own comics that aren’t already loaded into the default copy of ComicBase, your contribution will ensure that there won’t be any missing issue and title information between your collection and the newest version of ComicBase.

Whether you are one of those comprehensive fans with a treasure hoard of every comic or a newcomer seeking to make your name, help revolutionize the future of ComicBase by sending us a copy of your database today! To be eligible, please burn a copy of your ComicBase Database file and send it along with your name, phone number, and email address to:

ComicBase Database Testing
Human Computing
4509 Thistle Drive
San Jose, CA 95136-2014

Or, if your internet connection is reasonably fast, you can also contact technical support at support@human-computing.com to set up a location for you to FTP your database to us.

After a year of hard–work saving us from cruel, crushing deaths under the heavy load of long boxes and rescuing us more than once from despair with his can-do attitude, Human Computing is sorry to announce that our production assistant, Andrew Erlichman, will be leaving the company in June. We never could have gotten through all the rescanning on the Archive edition of ComicBase without Andrew, and he’s single-handedly scanned over 20,000 comics for our cause. You may also remember him from such features as “the model” for our article on large sized cover scans in ComicBase Confidential Vol 9 #1.

Andrew will be joining the Peace Corps where he will serve on the Caribbean island of St. Lucia as of late July. Incidentally, if you ever search for “St. Lucia” online, the first entry Google returns is: “St. Lucia, tropical islands caribbean vacation paradise.” [sic] Although Andrew will be busy lending a hand to the people of the Eastern Caribbean, he has welcomed the Human Computing office staff to crash on his couch anytime. In return, we’d like to completely abuse his generous offer by inviting you to join us. For details, please e-mail Andrew Erlichman at aerlichman@human-computing.com.

Stepping in to fill Andrew’s position is Erica Ealy, a recent graduate of San Jose State University. We couldn’t have wished for a better replacement, but can it be only mere coincidence that Erica and Andrew share the same birthday in May? Erica’s cheerful disposition and bright smile will surely help us get over the loss of Andrew, but he’ll always hold a special place in our hearts.

To help you keep our team roster straight, we’ve prepped the following Secret Files & Origins to keep you in the know.

Real Name: Andrew Erlichman Occupation: Production Assistant with the Can-Do Attitude Base of Operations: Human Computing World HQ, soon to be somewhere in the Eastern Caribbean. Eyes: Brown Hair: Brown Special Abilities: Master Balloon Twister, Inane Trivia Knower. Oh yeah, he can fly. First Appearance: February 20, 2004 Did you know…? Andrew’s last name, Erlichman, means “honest man” in German, honestly. Power Rating: Unmatched box-lugging champion. Favorite Comic: Maus: A Survivor’s Tale

Real Name: Erica Ealy Occupation: Perky Production Assistant Replacement Base of Operations: Human Computing Eyes: Brown Hair: Brown Special Ability: Mystery Member of Shrunkenheadman Illustration Club, Master of Drawing First Appearance: May 23, 2005 Did you know? Erica's fiancée is a native of St. Kitt’s, another tropical paradise neighboring St. Lucia. (We’ll be crashing on his couch too.) Power Rating: Uninitiated box-lugger. Favorite Comic: X-Men

Incidentally, both Andrew and Erica will be making appearances as official employees of Human Computing at Comic Con this year, so come wish Andrew well on his trip and get acquainted with Erica!

And let's not forget to give your greetings to the remaining team members of the CBA (ComicBase Avengers) team!

Real Name: Peter Bickford Occupation: Perspicacious Programmer Base of Operations: San Jose, CA Eyes: Blue Hair: Peppery Special Abilities: De-bugging ComicBase, Baby Juggling, Chronic Laughter, Even Inaner Trivia Knower First Appearance: ca. 1993 Did you know? Pete drinks, like, 147 diet cokes a month. Power Rating: Hands-off box-lugger. Favorite Comics: Hellblazer, The Walking Dead (Image), Y: The Last Man Recently Heard: "Hey, if random people told me that I was godly, I wouldn't mind!"

Real Name: Shiaw-Ling Lai Occupation: Editorial Stickler Base of Operations: Secret ComicBase Development Lair—shhh! Eyes: Brown Hair: Black Special Ability: Origami Ninja Masta! First Appearance: February 20, 2004 Did you know? Shiaw-Ling had to write most of this newsletter. Except for the summer movies article—that's too cool for her. (Andrew did it instead.) Power Rating: Unrated box-lugger. Favorite Comics: Astro City, The Walking Dead (Image), Wanted, Hellsing, Fruits Basket, Wallflower, DNAngel, The Gift, Megatokyo, Maniac Road