Bissette Finding Aid

BISSETTE COLLECTION FINDING AID
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Bissette Collection

ART-1 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Lea Ann Alexander

Updated 06/21/2007 by Hope Warner

Art includes miscellaneous materials not included in publication process, book illustrations not published in comic or graphic form.

Folder 1

ART-1/01/01 [Added 09/18/2005]

Photocopy, 1 page with note at bottom to Bissette.

[Mark Nelson art, used in TABOO (check issues for publication); note Mark’s note on the bottom of the ‘sketch’.—S.B.]

(need to locate which issue, have not found it yet—hb)

Folder 2

ART-1/02/01 [Added 09/22/2005]

Photocopies, various panels, 2 copies of art for full story.

[Photocopies of DENIS RODIER (Quebec cartoonist; DC’s THE DEMON, etc.) for TABOO/STICKS AND STONES story “Daddyums,” script by Tom Veitch (coming in separate package_. Note this is the ‘raw’ art, before lettering; story never published.—S.B.]

Folder 3

ART-1/03/01 [Added 10/10/2005]

Bound artwork by Jorge Zaffino, first page letter from Chuck Dixon to Steve Bissette, no date.

[Artwork only for TABOO submission “SEVEN BLOCK,” submitted by writer Chuck Dixon; art (unlettered photocopies) by Jorge Zaffino. Though submitted to TABOO and accepted, before contracts and payment had been exchanged Chuck chose instead to submit the material to Marvel/Epic Comics – a wiser career move for Chuck and for Jorge, given both had only worked in the independents up to that time – and I diplomatically ‘passed.’ Marvel/Epic picked up the story, and it was published by Marvel/Epic as a self-standing one-shot graphic novel.—S.B.]

Folder 4

ART-1/04/01 [Added 10/13/2005]

Slides, 6 each. Color photocopy, 1 each. Photocopies, 22 pages with first page note from Bill Koeb to Bissette, no date. Envelope items received in included.

[Envelope: art samples from artist Bill Koeb, in hopes of a TABOO contribution/collaboration. Nothing came of this, in the end, as I recall.—S.B.]

Folder 5

ART-1/05/01 [Added 11/14/2005]

Ink drawing, unknown artist.

ART-1/05/02 [Added 02/13/2006]

Photocopies, 14 pages, 4 pages text, 10 pages sketches, by Brian Sendelbach. Letter from Brian Sendelbach to Bissette regarding sketches; typed, 1 page, no date.

ART-1/05/03 [Added 02/13/2006]

Photocopies: LIL RED by Bob Fingerman 6 pages; 7 pages of untitled artwork by Bob Fingerman. Letter from Bob Fingerman to Bissette regarding artwork; handwritten, 1 page, no date.

[TABOO files: artists & potential contributors, various materials, circa 1987-90. Include Dave Dorman (fellow Kubert School student from second or third year classes; later collaborator and illustrator on my novella ALENS: TRIBES); David Marshan (see TABOO; David eventually had one or two stories published, if memory serves); Rob Orzechowski; Bob Fingerman (who went on to do excellent work published by Fantagraphics and DC Comics); Jeff Easley; Mark Pacella; and an unknown French artist (“Buzzard” piece, oversized photocopies) whose name I don’t recall and can’t find.—S.B.]

Folder 6

ART-1/06/01 [Added 02/13/2006]

Photocopies: MESSAGE by David S. Marshall, 3 pages; SHATTERED by David S. Marshall, 4 pages; 4 pages of untitled artwork by David S. Marshall. Letter from David S. Marshall to Bissette; typed, 1 page, dated 1/2/86.

ART-1/06/02 [Added 02/13/2006]

Photocopies: MESSAGE by David S. Marshall, 3 pages; ASSAULT by David S. Marshall, 11 pages; NEEDS? by David S. Marshall, 2 copies, 17 pages each. Letter from David S. Marshall to Bissette regarding submissions; handwritten, 1 page, dated 2/17/87.

ART-1/06/03 [Added 06/21/2007]

Photocopy of illustration by David Marshall. Attached to handwritten letter; dated 9/12/1987.

ART-1/06/04 [Added 06/21/2007]

10 photographs of illustrations with business card for David Dorman attached.

[TABOO files: artists & potential contributors, various materials, circa 1987-90. Include Dave Dorman (fellow Kubert School student from second or third year classes; later collaborator and illustrator on my novella ALENS: TRIBES); David Marshan (see TABOO; David eventually had one or two stories published, if memory serves); Rob Orzechowski; Bob Fingerman (who went on to do excellent work published by Fantagraphics and DC Comics); Jeff Easley; Mark Pacella; and an unknown French artist (“Buzzard” piece, oversized photocopies) whose name I don’t recall and can’t find.—S.B.]

Folder 7

ART-1/07/01 [Added 02/13/2006]

Binder: Sketch Book of Clive Barkers, volume 1; 110 pages.

Folder 8

ART-1/08/01 [Added 02/13/2006]

Binder: Sketch Book of Clive Barkers, volume 2; 80 pages.

Folder 9

ART-1/09/01 [Added 02/13/2006]

Binder: Sketch Book of Clive Barkers, volume 3; 60 pages.

[Three binders: CLIVE BARKER SKETCHBOOK: bound photocopies from my private collection, as amassed from mailings courtesy of Clive Barker, Steve Niles, others over the years.—S.B.]

ART-2 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Lea Ann Alexander, Renee Campbell,

and Natalie Scrimshire-Phelps

Updated 09/05/2007

Art includes miscellaneous materials not included in publication process, book illustrations not published in comic or graphic form.

Folder 1

ART-2 / 01 / 01 [Added 08/18/2004]

Untitled drawing, colored, 7.25”x11.25”, done by Michael Dubisch, handwritten cover letter, single page.

[Letter, art samples from Michael Dubisch, whose work appeared in GORE SHRIEK (including the issues I edited); we’ve stayed in touch over the years, and Michael has evolved into an excellent cartoonist and storyteller. Alas, view venues have opened up for him…--S.B.]

ART-2 / 01 / 02 [Added 08/18/2004]

Drawing, “Inhumanskin”, black and white, 7.5”x10.25”, done by Michael Dubisch.

ART-2 / 01 / 03 [Added 08/18/2004]

Untitled drawing, colored, 8.5”x11”, done by Michael Dubisch.

ART-2 / 01 / 04 [Added 08/18/2004]

Drawing, “Inhumanskin ‘94, 8.5”x11”, done by Michael Dubisch.

ART-2 / 01 / 05 [Added 08/18/2004]

Untitled drawing, 8.5”x11” by Jim Wheelock.

ART-2 / 01 / 06 [Added 08/18/2004]

Untitled drawing, 8.5”x11”, by Rick McCollum.

ART-2 / 01 / 07 [Added 08/19/2004]

Untitled drawing, 8.5”x11”, by Mark Martin.

[Mark Martin sketchbook piece I bought to run as a TABOO contents page illustration; never published. –S.B.]

ART-2 / 01 / 08 [Added 08/19/2004]

Untitled drawing, 8.5”x11”, by David Langey.

[Artwork, letter from artist David Langey, intended for publication in TABOO, but never used. –S.B.]

ART-2 / 01 / 09 [Added 09/14/2004]

Three postcards displaying the art of “Ferret”, one red and two yellow.

ART-2 / 01 / 10 [Added 09/14/2004]

Sticker displaying the art of “Ferret”, in color, with a handwritten post-it note identifying it as a sticker.

ART-2 / 01 / 11 [Added 09/14/2004]

Artwork for K.W. Jeter’s IN THE LAND OF THE DEAD, drawn and signed by “Ferret”, printed on the back of an advertisement for the novel, dated ’90.

ART-2 / 01 / 12 [Added 09/14/2004]

Artwork for Misha’s RED SPIDER WHITE WEB, drawn and signed by “Ferret”,

printed on the back of an advertisement for the novel, dated ’90.

ART-2 / 01 / 13 [Added 09/14/2004]

Photocopy of a page from The Chronicle Whole Earth Catalog featuring an example of the artwork of “Ferret”, dated 04/11/1990.

Folder 2

ART-2 / 02 / 01 [Added 09/22/2004]

Sketch by Denis Rodier depicting the father in “Daddyums”.

ART-2 / 02 / 02 [Added 09/22/2004]

Artwork by Denis Rodier to be included in “Daddyums”.

ART-2 / 02 / 03 [Added 09/22/2004]

Samples of the artwork of Tim Sales, 2 pages of panels.

[Tim Sale art sample (photocopy), mailed by Doug Wheeler, who was proposing Tim as an artist for one of his scripts (see relevant files on Wheeler, already mailed). –S.B.]

ART-2 / 02 / 04 [Added 09/27/2004]

Colored drawing, “Hello Steve”, by Glenn Barr, 6”x8”.

ART-2 / 02 / 05 [Added 09/27/2004]

Colored drawing, “Cheval Noir”, by Glenn Barr,6.25”x 9.25”.

ART-2 / 02 / 06 [Added 09/27/2004]

Colored drawing, “Mars on Earth”, by Glenn Barr, 6”x8”.

ART-2 / 02 / 07 [Added 09/27/2004]

Colored drawing, untitled, by Glenn Barr, 6”x8”, mounted.

ART-2 / 02 / 08 [Added 09/27/2004]

Colored drawing, “Persistence of Time”, by Glenn Barr, 4.75”x9.75”, mounted.

ART-2 / 02 / 09 [Added 09/27/2004]

Colored drawing, “Bar Scene”, by Glenn Barr, 6.75”x8.75”, mounted.

ART-2 / 02 / 10 [Added 09/27/2004]

Black and white drawing, “Her Black Wings”, by Glenn Barr, 6.5”x9”, mounted.

ART-2 / 02 / 11 [Added 09/27/2004]

Colored drawing for TEMPO (Germany) by Glenn Barr, 5”x8.5”, mounted.

ART-2 / 02 / 12 [Added 09/27/2004]

Colored drawing, “Vampirella!”, by Glenn Barr, 5.25”x8.25”, mounted.

ART-2 / 02 / 13 [Added 09/27/2004]

Colored drawing, “Hell Billy”, by Glenn Barr, 6”x6.75”, mounted.

ART-2 / 02 / 14 [Added 09/27/2004]

Colored drawing, “The Lost”, by Glenn Barr, 6”x10.5”, mounted.

ART-2 / 02 / 15 [Added 09/27/2004]

Colored drawing, “Cliff Takes in the View”, by Glenn Barr, 7”x7”, mounted.

ART-2 / 02 / 16 [Added 09/27/2004]

Colored drawing, “Cliff Stumbles on to Something”, by Glenn Barr. 5”x7.5”, mounted.

Folder 3

ART-2 / 03 / 01 [Added 10/11/2004]

Sketches by artist Mike Hoffman, 18 pages, bound.

[Collection of sketches, art by Mike Hoffman, who illustrated many stories for TABOO, beginning with writer Tim Lucas’ script for “Throat Sprockets”, TABOO 1. –S.B.]

Folder 4 & Folder 5

ART-2 / 04 / 01 and ART-2 / 05 / 01 [Added 09/05/2007]

Original art Christmas cards sent to Bissette by other cartoonist, 9 cards.

[Cartoonists’ Christmas Cards:

Here’s something unusual and of interest – cartoonist Christmas cards, a couple of which are original art! In order, they are:

(1) Charles and Wendy Lang block-print card (the Langs were published in TABOO)

(2)TWO Eddie Campbell cards -- one printed (with glued-on glitter), the second a full-color ORIGINAL!

(3) Tom Yeates Christmas card from 1984 -- note the comment about Reagan, for all those lionizing the late President…

(4) Gary Johnson card; Gary was my assistant on the art for SWAMP THING #29, the one and only time I tried using an assistant. It didn’t work out, but Gary’s a solid artist and was a good friend.

(5) Original art: Christmas card from Eric of Santa Fe, New Mexico -- from about 1980, just after I met my first wife Nancy (later Marlene) O’Connor in Santa Fe. Eric was a great artist, but a lousy poet.

(6) Card from Stanley and Iris Wiater, art by Peter Laird -- just one of the Wiater cards. Stanley and I co-authored COMIC BOOK REBELS, and he was the man who introduced me to the horror writers’ community, which was so important to my life and future writing career.

(7) Bill Sienkiewicz art on card from Toronto comic shop Silver Snail.

(8) [in plastic sleeve] Christmas card from, and drawn by, Alan Moore -- from Alan and his first wife Phyllis to me and my first wife Nancy (now Marlene). Alan’s cartooning skills are forever underestimated, and usually brightened the holidays via cards for the Moore household.

Folder 6

ART-2 / 06 / 01 [Added 09/05/2007]

Two original artworks by Ron Zalme, pen and ink with color pencil, 4x7;” pen and ink, 6x7.”

[TWO ORIGINAL ART PIECES, both by KubertSchool classmate RON ZALME. Ron and I stayed in touch for years after graduating the KubertSchool; Ron freelanced for Scholastic around the same time I did (see his note on the back of the black-and-white original), and also worked in the art dept. (and, if memory serves, was eventually an art director) in the Marvel bullpen for years.—S.B.]

ART-2 / 06 / 02 [Added 09/05/2007]

Original sketch by Chuck Dixon, pen and ink, 5 ½ x8 ½,” ca. 1986.

[ORIGINAL SKETCH by CHUCK DIXON (circa 1986); Chuck Dixon was a writer working with Tim Truman and Tim’s crew, and this sketch (done at Chicago Con) was proof of Chuck’s cartooning skills. He went on to become a prolific comics writer, eventually taking the helm at key titles like BATMAN, and remains a popular writer in the field today.—S.B.]

ART-2 / 06 / 03 [Added 09/05/2007]

Original sketch by Tim Bradstreet, pen and ink, 6x8 ½,” ca. 1989.

[ORIGINAL SKETCH by TIM BRADSTREET (circa 1989). Tim was an up-and-coming artist who cut his teeth with distinctive punk-and-leather vampire portraits; I don’t recall him doing continuities, but he did become a popular cover artist in the 1990s.­­--S.B.]

ART-2 / 07 / 01 [Added 10/24/2007]

Original prints by Wes A. Benscoter, entitled Decompositions: A Portfolio, 6 prints and envelope 8.5x11 inches, 1991.

ART-3 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Hope Warner

Updated 06/21/2007

Art includes miscellaneous materials not included in publication process, book illustrations not published in comic or graphic form.

Folder 1

ART-3 / 01 / 01 [Added 09/14/2004]

Artwork for James P. Blaylock’s THE DIGGING LEVIATHAN, drawn and signed by “Ferret”, printed on the back of an advertisement for the novel, dated ’90.

ART-3/ 01 / 02 [Added 09/14/2004]

Artwork for James P. Blaylock’s HOMUNCULUS, drawn and signed by “Ferret”, printed on the back of an advertisement for the novel, dated ’90.

ART-3 / 01 / 03 [Added 09/14/2004]

Artwork for ALLIGATOR ALLEY, written by Dr. Adder and Mink Mole and illustrated by “Ferret” and Don Coyote, colored, printed on the back of an advertisement for the novel, signed by Ferret, Dr. Adder Mink Mole and Don Coyote.

ART-3 / 01 / 04 [Added 09/22/2004]

Artwork by Brian Sendelbach, in color, suggested cover for SHRIEK , with attached handwritten note from Sendelbach to Bissette describing the original.

[Art, letters from Brian Sendelbach, whose work I always loved. TABOO 4 (back cover) featured Brian’s work, and we planned to run more. –S.B.]

ART-3 / 01/ 05 [Added 09/22/2004]

Artwork by Brian Sendebach, in color, suggested cover for SHRIEK, with attached handwritten note from Sendebach to Bissette discussing logistics.

Folder 2

ART- 3/ 02/01 [Added 09/04/2007]

Original sketch by Timothy Truman, 9x12,” markers.

[ORIGINAL SKETCH (markers) BY TIMOTHY TRUMAN, dated March 1985. That’s Tim and John Ostrander’s character GRIMJACK, which was published at the time by First Comics, Inc. (now defunct).—S.B.]

ART- 3 / 02/02 [Added 09/04/2007]

Print of Dave Stevens of RIO and GINGER FOX, 8 1/2x11.”

[Print by Dave Stevens (ROCKETEER) of two Eclipse Comics characters, RIO by Doug Wildey and GINGER FOX by writer Mike Baron; circa 1987.—S.B.]

Folder 3

ART- 3 / 03/01 [Added 09/05/2007]

TABOO 2 submissions by Phil Elliott and Paul Grist, titled “Monsters.” Cover letter included with envelope, 5 pgs., 1991.

[Photocopies: This is what we printed from for TABOO 2: Phil Elliot and Paul Grist, “Monster,” 2 pages (1991), includes Paul’s cover letter.—S.B.]

Folder 4

ART- 3 / 04/01 [Added 09/05/2007]

Production material and prints by Jeff Nicholson, 4 pgs, 8x14,” 81/2x11,” 1990-91.

[THROUGH THE HABITRAILS material by JEFF NICHOLSON:

(1) Photostat of the first completed page/chapter, which was essentially the nascent form of the concept: “It’s Not Your Juice” (1990)

(2) Photocopy of page 1 of “Increasing the Gerbils” (1990)

(3) SIGNED PRINT of HABITRAILS art by the series/novel letterist CHAD WOODY, #9 of 100, 1991.

(4) SIGNED PRINT (untitled) of non-HABITRAIL art by CHAD WOOGY (1990?)—S.B.]

Folder 5

ART- 3 / 05/01 [Added 09/12/2007]

Cover proof for TABOO 6 of Cru Zen’s painting, 9x14.”

[Cover proof, TABOO 6 painting by New Mexico painter Cru Zen. Store with care: this proof surface will adhere to anything placed upon/against it!—S.B.]

ART-4 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Hope Warner and Natalie Scrimshire-Phelps

Updated 09/11/2007

Art includes miscellaneous materials not included in publication process, book illustrations not published in comic or graphic form.

ART- 4 / 01 [Added 2/13/2006]

Photocopies: Samples of various artwork done by Mark Pacella; 32 pages. Letter from Mark Pacella to Bissette regarding samples; handwritten, 1 page, no date.

ART-4 / 02 [Added 2/13/2006]

Photocopies: FIRST BONER story by Tony Kisch, art by Robert Orzechowski; 5 pages, THE GREAT ERNESTO by Robert Orzechowski; 6 pages, samples of various artwork done by Robert Orzechowski; 7 pages. Letter with business card from Robert Orzechowski to Bissette regarding samples; 1 page, typed, no date.

ART-4 / 03 [Added 2/13/2006]

Photocopies: UNE ADVENTURES BUZZARD ATOMIC artist unknown; 5 pages.

[TABOO files: artists & potential contributors, various materials, circa 1987-90. Include Dave Dorman (fellow Kubert School student from second or third year classes; later collaborator and illustrator on my novella ALENS: TRIBES); David Marshan (see TABOO; David eventually had one or two stories published, if memory serves); Rob Orzechowski; Bob Fingerman (who went on to do excellent work published by Fantagraphics and DC Comics); Jeff Easley; Mark Pacella; and an unknown French artist (“Buzzard” piece, oversized photocopies) whose name I don’t recall and can’t find.—S.B.]

ART-4 / 04 [Added 11/21/2005]

Oversized photocopies of art by Daniel Lapham, 8 pages. Letter from Daniel Lapham to Bissette, handwritten, 1 page, no date.

Daniel Lapham art, letter; Daniel was the first MarlboroCollege comics student I worked with as an outside examiner and advisor. More info, files to follow.—S.B.]

ART-4 / 05 [Added 08/02/2004]

Drawing by S. Clay Wilson, titled “Odious Images”, 13 ½ x10 ½

ART-4 / 06 [Added 09/11/2007]

Caricature portrait of Daniel Bissette by Chuck Rak, marker, 11x14”, 2001.

[ORIGINAL ART: Color marker portrait of my son DANIEL by caricaturist CHUCK RAK (2001) – When Dan was working part-time at First Run Video in 220-2004, his caricature by local cartoonist Chuck Rak joined the rest of ours on the entryway wall of First Run Video. Chuck is a great caricaturist, and this is a pretty on-the-money of Dan’s ‘look’ at age 15. More art to follow…—S.B]

.

ART-5 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Natalie Scrimshire-Phelps

Updated 09/04/2007

Art includes miscellaneous materials not included in publication process, book illustrations not published in comic or graphic form.

Folder 1

ART- 5 / 01/01 [Added 09/03/2007]

Photocopy, 11x14”.

[Unpublished Moebius art, planned for use in TABOO.—S.B.]

Folder 2

ART- 5 / 02/01 [Added 09/04/2007]

Educational Art by JOE KUBERT titles “Jesus Can Do Anything!”

[Educational Art by JOE KUBERT (printed, both sides): Hmmm, devout Jewish Joe doing “Jesus Can Do Anything!” -- classic Kubert art on the kind of commercial art gig he often accepted to keep working and income flowing, this is a real curio.—S.B.­]

ART- 5 / 02/02 [Added 09/04/2007]

Cover flat for A-1 BOOK 2.

[Trimmed cover flat: A-1 BOOK 2, circ 1989? John Bolton MR. MONSTER cover.—S.B.]

Folder 3

ART- 5 / 03/01 [Added 09/04/2007]

Ken Feduniewicz original art on tracing paper.

[KEN FEDUNIEWICZ original art on tracing paper: “The Dumps Vacation at Coney Island” (circa 1977) -- Ken was one of my classmates from the first class of The Joe Kubert School, and this is one of my personal favorites of his sometimes hilarious parodies of the New York/New Jersey citizenry he grew up among.—S.B.]

ART- 5 / 03/02 [Added 09/04/2007]

Original art, Splash Page by Tom Yeates.

[ORIGINAL ART: Splash Page by Tom Yeates, cut from original board (and replaced for publication with a redrawn version of this splash) from the SGT. ROCK back-up story “Lifeline” (circa 1977). Sample of Tom’s early work, using DuoShade board; note the captions cut from the art to be pasted into the redrawn panel. We didn’t waste lettering when we could help it! Tom was another first-class-first-year KubertSchool classmate, and he went on to draw SAGA OF THE SWAMP THING #1-15, opening the door for John Totleben and I to take over the art chores with #16 in 1983! We’re still good friends, though we hardly get to see one another.—S.B.]

ART- 5 / 03/03 [Added 09/04/2007]

Original art, by Chris Kalnick.

[ORIGINAL ART by CHRIS KALNICK (circa 1978), who was a classmate at the JoeKubertSchool, too. Chris was in the second class to enter the school, classmate of John Totleben; this was a piece he did up for me, featuring a graphic (the rat) clipped from the original movie ad for WILLARD (1971).—S.B.]

Folder 4

ART- 5 / 04/01 [Added 09/04/2007]

Trimmed cover flap of CEREBUS: CHURCH & STATE by Dave Sim and Gerhard, 10x16.”

[Trimmed cover flap, CEREBUS: CHURCH & STATE; art by Dave Sim and Gerhard. Dave was one of the most vital of all the artist in my circle of friends and associates, funder and godfather of TABOO. This should be mounted and displayed in some prominent place in the library collection, if possible.—S.B.]

Folder 5 & 6

ART- 5 / 05/01 and ART- 5 /06/01 [Added 09/04/2007]

Seven full-color photocopies of monster portraits by J. Groman, dated 1990.

[Seven full-color photocopies of monster portraits by J. Groman (1990), one of the busiest (and best) fan artists on the comics and horror convention circuit at the time.—S.B.]

Folder 7

ART- 5 / 07/01 [Added 09/04/2007]

Signed color print by A.C. Farley, 21 of 200, 11x17.”

[Signed Color Print (21 of 200): A.C. Farley (one of the Mirage Studio artists, Craig Farley) rendition of Gregor from Kafka’s METAMORPHSIS. Love this print! Shold add some class to the library wall, if framed and hung.—S.B.]

ART- 5 / 07/02 [Added 09/04/2007]

Sketch by J. K. Snyder, pen and marker, 11x14,” 1986.

[ORIGINAL ART:SKETCH by J. (John) K. Snyder, who was writing and drawing FASHION IN ACTION for Eclipse Comics at the time of this sketch (1986). Drawn at Chicago Con, in its venerable pre-WIZARC era.—S.B.]

ART- 5 / 07/03 [Added 09/04/2007]

Two signed prints by Mark Matztal, 11x14, ca.1995.”

[Two signed prints by Mark Matztal circa 1995. Mark is a cartoonist who went on to make his mark (pun intended) later in the 90s with SWORD OF THE SHARPEI and others; note these are signed prints.—S.B.]

Folder 8

ART- 5 / 08/01 [Added 09/04/2007]

Photocopy illustrated with color by Craig Hamilton, color pencil, 11x17,” ca. 1991.

[COLOR ORIGINAL ART (color pencils on black-and-white photocopy) by CRAIG HAMILITON of Steve Ditko’s character THE CREEPER (circa 1991). Craig’s creeper sports Craig’s haircut of the period! Craig was working on a graphic novel adaptation of PETER PAN for Tundra at the time he gave me this piece; we’ve long since lost touch with one another, but I still love this Creeper.—S.B.]

ART- 5 / 08/02 [Added 09/04/2007]

Signed print by Mark Nelson, 11x17,” 1993.

[Signed Print by MARK NELSON (ALIENS), promoting the short-lived FEUD mini-series Mark and writer Mike Baron created for the second incarnation of Marvel Comics’ Epic line, circa 1993.—S.B.­]

Folder 9

ART- 5 / 09/01 [Added 09/04/2007]

Trimmed, unfolded cover flat for TABOO 2.

[Trimmed, unfolded cover flat: TABOO 2 (1989). Front cover by John Totleben, back cover by Charles Lang; inside covers by Clive Barker and Alan Moore. Two flats here, so they can be mounted and displayed together.­­—S.B.]

ART- 5 / 09/02 [Added 09/04/2007]

Color photocopy of Michael Zulli’s design for RAWHEAD REX, 11x17.”

[Color photocopy: section of MICHAEL ZULLI’S design (painting) for RAWHEAD REX, adapted from the Clive Barker story, intended for publication in TABOO. Alas, this never came to pass… more material on this, elsewhere in the collection.—S.B.]

Folder 10

ART- 5 / 10/01 [Added 09/04/2007]

Photocopy pages of various TABOO promotional art, 12 pgs, 11x17,” ca. 1988.

[12 11” x 17” photocopied pages of various TABOO promotional art, circa 1988: This was the FIRST batch of promo art John Totleben and I pulled together. That’s John’s face and hands, splayed onto the glass of a photocopy machine, and my logo concept (later refined by Ron Zalme); very crude, but this art was used in some venues to promote TABOO and become a t-shirt, the first TABOO merchandizing venture.—S.B.]

ART-6 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Natalie Scrimshire-Phelps

Updated 09/04/2007

Art includes miscellaneous materials not included in publication process, book illustrations not published in comic or graphic form.

Folder 1

ART- 6 / 01/01 [Added 09/04/2007]

Original art by Timothy Truman titled “The Leaving,” pen and ink with wash, 12x14,” 1978.

[ORIGINAL ART: Black-and-white wash illustration by TIMOTHY TRUMAN, “The Leaving,” Nov. 1978, class assignment for teacher Irwin Hasen (DONDI cartoonist) completed while Tim was a student at The Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art in Dover, NJ. Tim was an ‘underclassman’ who I made fast friends with during my own KubertSchool days and after-days; we remain close friends.—S.B.]

Folder 2

ART- 6 / 02/01 [Added 09/04/2007]

Signed print by Al Williamson, 18x24,” ca. 1980.

[SIGNED PRINT: AL WILLIAMSON signed cover art print for FLASH GORDON, which Al illustrated as a graphic novel for Whitman (aka Gold Key) comics in 1980, adapted from the Dino DeLaurentiis feature film (directed by Mike Hodges) of that year. Williamson is the classic Flash Gordon artist after the character’s creator Alex Raymond, and this is a great example of Al’s work on this adaptation (of what was, alas, a shoddy film). Mount and display??—S.B.]

Folder 3

ART- 6 / 03/01 [Added 09/04/2007]

Etchings signed by the artists, 5 prints, ca. 1989.

[BLOCK PRINTS: These are ALL original block prints signed by the artist, by two potential TABOO contributors; this is what first brought their work to my attention:

(1) JEFFREY DICKINSON, “Mr. Johnson Feeds His Pet” (circa 1989?); Jeffrey indeed completed a story for publication in TABOO (“Dr. Miro’s Masterpiece” TABOO 9)

(2) ED WESOLOWSHI, four prints (“HALLEY’S SPUDS,” “EVERYBODY’S GONE SURFIN…,” “RESTRAUNT OF THE DAMNED,” and “SEED OF LIFE/BULLET OF DEATH”) (titles on prints; circa 1989?)—S.B.]

Folder 4

ART- 6 / 04/01 [Added 09/05/2007]

TABOO production pages, story boards, 12 pgs.

[TABOO PRODUCTION PAGES:

(1) “Salutations to Ganesa” portion of intro page to the first installment of FROM HELL (TABOO 2, 1989); this was trimmed off the ORIGINAL BOARD by Tundra production in their preparation of the first FROM HELL series (collected). However, the TABOO intro pages were not used, though they were conceived and written by Alan Moore; nor did they appear in the later complete collected editions. I thought this a great loss, as the text (and occasional art) quotations were highly relevent, and vital to setting the stage of each chapter. Oh, well…­.—S.B.]

Folder 5 & 6

ART- 6 / 05/01 and ART- 6 / 06/01 [Added 09/05/2007] [Missing? 6/24/19]

TYRANT production material,

[TYRANT production artifacts!

(1) Photocopy (11” x 17”) of the original cover pencils for TYRANT #1. Dynamic as this was, it made the mother T. rex’s anus -- not the egg – the center of attention. Thrilling as T. rex rectums might have been in their day, this cover was redesigned to make the egg and mother’s eye the true center of attention.

(2) Photocopy (11” x 17”) of TYRANT # 4 pages in progress: partially pencilled, partially inked. Shows how loose my pencils were, though much work went into my page designs and the figures. Inking my own work went into my page designs and the figures. Inking my own work, I never pencil as tightly as I do for other inkers (as in SWAMP THING, for instance).

(3) ORIGINAL LETTERING BOARDS and FILM for REVERSAL of LETTERING for TYRANT #3: Again, how it was done in the pre-computer graphics era! My lettering, for better or worse…—S.B.]

Folder 7

ART- 6 / 07/01 [Added 09/05/2007]

A complete set of Steve Bissette’s YEAR IN FEAR calendar, 16 pgs., 16x25,” 1991-92.

[A complete YEAR IN FEAR calendar -- If you want to ‘dress up’ the room with some of my favorite and choicest art from my years in comics, TRIM OFF the CALENDER portion of each of these prints, and mount & display the art. These prints were afforded the best transfers, production, and printing of any of my art -- so display these with pride! Glad to supply more copies of this calendar, if it’s of use to the collection.—S.B.]

(Note: Nine out of the 16 have been framed and displayed on the first floor of the Huie Library and Special Collections room; however, the prints were not trimmed as suggested by Steve Bissette. The prints hang in their original state with the calendar attached.—NSP) [Now located in second floor study room as of 2019]

Marvel Comics’ HIGH ADVENTURE #4, illustrations by Stephen R. Bissette, mounted full page narrative, framed.

[GIFT from MARJORY BISSETTE:

ONE framed, mounted (under glass) piece of S.R. Bissette original art! Full narrative page from Marvel Comics’ HIGH ADVENTURE #4 -- story title and info to follow.—S.B.]

(Hung on Special Collection Wall.—NSP) [No longer on wall as of 2019]

ATF-1 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Hope Warner

Updated 12/06/2005

Artifacts-games, action figures, and other merchandising materials.

Item 1

ATF-1 / 01 [Added 12/06/2005]

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Mini-Mutants Tokka Technodrome Playset.

[“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles MINI-MUTANTS TOKKA Technodrome Playset” (1994) toy, complete in blister-pack. The character of TOKKA from the second TURTLE movie, TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: SECRET OF THE OOZE was predated by my invited participation in a toy design proposal session. Among my proposals was a giant snapping turtle character (files to follow); when the Mirage Studios folks saw the initial designs for Tokka, they urged me to come forward and remind Peter and Kevin about my design, the FIRST involving snapping turtle mutation in the TURTLE universe. Peter and Kevin agreed the similarity was strong enough to merit an agreement; though a screen credit was not forthcoming, the first TOKKA toys featured a byline in their copyright info that TOKKA was based in part on “sketches by Stephen Bissette” (I will send along the precise working and, if I still have extras, copies of the original TOKKA toy) and I was graciously offered a percentage of the toy earnings. I accepted, and it made for a nice side income for a couple of years. This was, if memory serves, the last of the TOKKA toys; note my byline is no longer featured in the copyright notice.—S.B.]

Item 2

ATF-1 / 02 [Added 02/20/2006]

Poster: Jamison Services Color Chart; cardboard, folded.

[File: JAMIESON Color Chart, the standard color guide in the comics (and publishing) industry.—S.B.]

Item 3

ATF-1 /3,4,5 [Added 02/20/2006]

SWAMP THING CRAYON BY NUMBER; (RoseArt), one box empty, 2 boxes with items in it.

[SWAMP THING CRAYON-BY-NUMBER (1991, Rose Art Industries) - I’ve enclosed three unopened sets of this item, suggest ONE be opened and colored for display!—S.B.]

Item 4

ATF-1 / 04 [Added 02/20/2006]

SWAMP THING BATTLE FOR THE BAYOU GAME; (RoseArt), unopened.

[SWAMP THING BATTLE FOR THE BAYOU GAME (1991, Rose Art Industries) – Unopened board game. Who’da thunk it? Note the impoverished villains Weed Killer, Dr. Deemo, and Dr. Arcane, drawn here (on the cover and the game board) as the sorry little ‘action figures’ they were: human action figures ‘customized’ into monsters by affixing schlocky rubber finger puppets over their heads! Dorky stuff…--S.B.]

Item 5

ATF-1 / 05 [Added 02/20/2006]

SWAMP THING BOG ROVER;(Kenner), toy box and instruction sheet.

Display box and instruction sheet only: SWAMP THING BOG ROVER Vehicle (With Launching Grappling Missile) (1990, Kenner) – BOX only at this time; I’ll find the actual toy for display, too. Kenner’s action figures of Swamp Thing were rather imaginatively designed, picking up imagery from the Moore/Bissette/Totleben/Veitch comics, though not the narrative or creative concepts of the character and his universe. More to come!—S.B.]

Item 6

ATF-1 / 06 [Added 03/06/2006]

MADMAN BUBBLEGUM CARD X 50 (Dark Horse Comics, 1994), Box with 50 individual cards.

[Complete boxed set of trading cards: MADMAN X 50 BUBBLE GUM CARDS (1994, Dark Horse Comics) – Mike Allred’s MADMAN character, rendered by a potpourri of Allred’s favorite cartoonists. What a cool card set! Mike Allred’s work was submitted to me early on at TABOO, but I didn’t meet Mike until years later. MADMAN was originally introduced to Tundra Publishing soon after their doors opened in ’91, but Mike found a more hospitable (and closer to his home) venue at Dark Horse soon after.—S.B.]

Item 7

ATF-1 / 07 [Added 03/06/2006]

TOXICHIGH SCHOOL sticker cards (Topps, 1991), 2 wrappers for cards, cards 1 through 87; missing 9, 23, 57, 58, and 86.

[Partial card set: TOXICHIGH SCHOOL sticker (1991, The Topps Company, Inc.) – Card and sticker sets are a key, primarily unresearched and undiscussed aspect of comics history. These stickers belong in any analysis of satiric comics of the ‘90s, introducing a new generation of kids to the work of RAW, HIGH TIMES, and HEAVY METAL cartoonist Drew Friedman. Marvelous ‘gross’ sticker series, designed and for the most part illustrated by Drew Friedman and the Topps illustration pool, with the likely involvement of Art Spiegelman (of MAUS fame!), who worked at Topps for decades. Includes both packaging designs/wrappers, and this is a pretty expansive set, missing only stickers #9, 23,57, 58, and “Senior Stickers” #22. By the way, this is relevant to the card market implosion of the 1990s, that in turn fueled the comics direct sales market implosion later in the decade: You can rip kids off once, MAYBE twice, but not a third time. My son Dan and his friends were briefly into card collecting, and the decisive turning point in their abandoning the hobby came when the purchase of a full, unopened retail box of cards from Topps would NOT yield even ONE complete set of cards! Once the market began to do this (requiring, I suppose, the purchase of TWO boxes to ensure one complete set), along with adding “Chase Cards” (by-design ‘rare’ cards, ensuring only one or two ‘Chase Cards’ per unopened retail box), Dan and his friends were pissed off and bailed out of the hobby in short order. The card market got another boost with role-playing card games (MAGIC) and the POKEMON phenomenon (which really was a new trading card cycle, with kids actively trading them on the playground and elsewhere), but I’ll never forget the disappointment Dan felt when buying a FULL BOX would not yield a complete set. For instance, we didn’t end up with a full set of these great TOXIC HIGH cards, damn it!—S.B.]

Item 8

ATF-1 / 08 [Added 03/06/2006]

MOTHRA (Bandai, 1992); figure in box.

[Toho Studios Japanese monster movie collectible: Bandai MOTHRA (original design circa 1960s) (1992, Bandai) – Lovely plastic figure of the Toho monster Mothra, based on her original design from the films MOTHRA (1961) and GODZILLA vs. MOTHRA (aka GODZILLA vs. THE THING, 1964), complete in original packaging.—S.B.]

Item 9

ATF-1 / 09 [Added 03/06/2006]

REX stuffed figure from the movie TOY STORY still in package.

[Dinosaur collectible: Burger Kin giveaway: TOY STORY PALS: REX (1995. Burger King) – very cool stuffed toy, from the collection.—S.B.]

Item 10

ATF-1 / 10 [Added 06/23/2006]

Mars Attacks mini comic books series box with 24 mini comic books and publisher flyer inside.

[MARS ATTACKS “The space Adventure Mini Comic Book Series” counter display: Original packaging, and twelve (12) copies each of MARS ATTACKS #1 and #2 inside, with original packing documents (order sheet) (FantaCo Enterprises, 1988) – Here’s MARS ATTACKS #1 and #2 – The ONLY issues released of the planned 54-issue mini-comics series – which FantaCo released in 1988. This was part and parcel of Tom Skulan’s ambitious plans to expand FantaCo, via creative spin-offs from licensed properties (here, licensed from The Topps Company, Inc.); alas, in all cases I know of, his plans were scuttled due to the deadly mix of the indifference of the wider comics marketplace (sales weren’t too hot on this package, as I recall), and primarily by paying too little to creative talent while expecting extensive commitments of their time and energy in exchange (for the sake of a yardstick, it was my first task when I took over editing reins at GORE SHRIEK for a couple issues to convince Tom to up his page rate to the princely sum of $20 per page!). Of course, slow or poor sales only validated FantaCo’s lower page rates – Tom couldn’t pay more, and tough lessons like the fate of this MARS ATTACKS mini-comics series made publishing seem an increasingly risky venture. This set up a rather painful dynamic that soon embittered Tom. But there were many complications. Page rates that might be acceptable (just) for work one owns the copyright to are complicated once such rates are attached to work-for-hire ventures that the creators don’t have a proprietary stake in. Even mini-comics (particularly color mini-comics) are a major commitment when there are going to be 54 issues! The creative team of Mario A. Bruni (a grossly underrated Albany-based designer who did some extraordinary work for FantaCo, including designing GORESHRIEK, which I edited a few issues of) and Bruce Spaulding Fuller was a solid mix, but Bruce (who also did some of GORESHRIEK’s most memorable covers) was frustrated by the low income possible at FantaCo and ached to work in special effects makeup, which he soon did, moving to the West Coast; I didn’t know Mario well enough to read what the mitigating factors might have been for him, if any. Tom was bitter about how this planned series didn’t pan out; it was a great-looking marketing package, the price seemed retail-friendly, and MARS ATTACKS was an ongoing fan favorite (this was a few years before the Tim Burton film, mind you, too). I was going to let Tom down about a year later when I walked away from the planned NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD comics series, still without any contract despite FantaCo heavily marketing, signing with St. Martin’s Press for a mass-market edition, etc., putting the cart before the horse. Still, this is a very cool item, and demonstrates Tom and FantaCo’s ambitions and ability to market to a fan/customer base they clearly understood. —S.B.]

Item 11

ATF-1 / 11 [Added 06/23/2006]

Mars Attacks trading card box, empty.

[Original retail box (mint condition) for MARS ATTACKS Deluxe Trading Cards (1994, The Topps Company, Inc.) – Excellent condition box for the Topps 1994 re-reissue of the original 1962 set reprint (55 cards) plus 45 new cards; see bottom of this box for complete list of series and box contents. Topps launched its own MARS ATTACKS comics series, too, demonstrating that FantaCo’s plans in 1988 were indeed viable… if only things had worked out differently. —S.B.]

Item 12

ATF-1 / 12 [Added 06/23/2006]

45 dinosaur trading cards.

[Partial card set: DINOSAURS: THE MESOZOIC ERA Series #1 (aka REDSTONE DINOSAURS Series 1) (1993, Redstone Mrketing, Inc.) – Partial set of one of the better dinosaur cards in the market in the mid-90s, more info to follow. —S.B.]

Item 13

ATF-1 / 13 [Added 06/23/2006]

54 Ren and Stimpy trading cards.

[Complete card/sticker set: THE REN & STIMPY SHOW ALL Prismatic Series (1993, The Topps Company, Inc.) – Complete card set (of 50, plus ‘Chase Cards’) from the popular John Kricfalusi Nickelodeon cartoon series, the first season of which (prior to Kricfalusi’s removal/departure from the series) was the best original animated cartoon series of the ‘90s, hands-down. This was a key show for my kids, though I loved it, too, as did my cartooning buddies like Mark Martin and film amigos like Tim Lucas – we swapped taped episodes, tracked down unedited versions of episodes Nickelodeon cut, etc.—S.B.]

Item 14

ATF-1 / 14 [Added 06/23/2006]

11 NICKTOONS stickers; 11 NICKTOONS tattoos; 30 NICKTOONS Rugrats trading cards and 3 activity cards; 29 NICKTOONS Doug trading cards and 3 activity cards; 29 NICKTOONS Ren & Stimpy trading cards and 7 activity cards.

[Almost complete card/sticker/tattoos set: NICKTOONS Cards/Stickers/Tattoo/Activity Cards set, featuring RUGRATS, THE REN & STIMPY SHOW, and DOUG (1993, The Topps Company, Inc.) – Complete card set (of 88), complete sticker set (of 11), complete activity card set (of 11 – though some are missing their punch-out forms; we’ve also included duplicates of the “Stimpy-Rama” card!), and near-complete Nicktoons Tattoos (11 of 12; #1 is missing) from the three most popular Nicktoons series, including John Kricfalusi’s hilarious THE REN & STIMPY SHOW (see notes, above). —S.B.]

Item 15

ATF-1 / 15 [Added 06/23/2006]

49 comic baseball trading cards.

[Partial card set: BASEBALL AWESOME! ALL-STARS Baseball Stickers (199?, Leaf) – I would guess these date from around 1991-3, but I am not sure (Leaf does not place a year on any of their product). There were 99 stickers in the set, but Dan wasn’t into these enough to even attempt a full set, though we had a full box to work with. I suspect these stickers got plastered on to school binders, etc. This misc. selection of baseball monster stickers from Leaf is typical of the company; see BASEBALL’s GREATEST GROSS-OUTS, below. —S.B.]

Item 16

ATF-1 / 16 [Added 06/23/2006]

87 comic baseball stickers.

[Near-complete set (missing one card!): BASEBALL’S GREATEST GROSS OUTS (199?, Leaf) – See the above, which came out at the same time (early 1990s). All 88 stickers are here, save for #23 – too bad, but this is pretty inconsequential stuff. —S.B.]

Item 17

ATF-1 / 17 [Added 06/23/2006]

Plastic rat.

[The Giant Rubber Rat (circa 199?) – Hey, every cartoonist’s studio needs a giant rubber rat. I had one. Now you have one. —S.B.]

ATF-2 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Natalie Scrimshire-Phelps

Updated 09/10/2007

Artifacts-games, action figures, and other merchandising materials.

[MOVIES: These are all form original theatrical feature film promotions, NOT video (year listed, followed by director’s name):

Folder 1

ATF-2 / 01/01 [Added 09/10/2007]

Stephen King’s SLEEPWALKERS (1992, Mick Garris)

ATF-2 / 01/02 [Added 09/10/2007]

LIFE ON THE EDGE (pre-release promo button; this was eventually released in 1989 as MEET THE HOLLOWHEADS, dir: Thomas R. Burman)

ATF-2 / 01/03 [Added 09/10/2007]

LIFEFORCE (1985, Tobe Hooper) – 2 (two) copies

Folder 2

ATF-2 / 02/01 [Added 09/10/2007]

UNFORGIVEN (1992, Clint Eastwood)

ATF-2 / 02/02 [Added 09/10/2007]

ERASERHEAD (1977, David Lynch; TINY pin, but from original NYC engagement)

ATF-2 / 02/03 [Added 09/10/2007]

LETHAL WEAPON 2 (toilet paper pin; 1989, Richard Donner)

ATF-2 / 02/04 [Added 09/10/2007]

NIGHT BREED (1989, Clive Barker)

ATF-2 / 02/05 [Added 09/10/2007]

TWILIGHT ZONE: THE MOVIE (1983, Spielberg/Landis/Dante/Miller)

Folder 3

ATF-2 / 03/01 [Added 09/10/2007]

THE GUARDIAN (1990, William Friedkin)

ATF-2 / 03/02 [Added 09/10/2007]

HARD TARGET (1993, John Woo)

ATF-2 / 03/03 [Added 09/10/2007]

THE WIZARD OF SPEED AND TIME (1989, Mik Jittlov)

ATF-2 / 03/04 [Added 09/10/2007]

DARKMAN (1989, Sam Raimi)

Folder 4

ATF-2 / 04/01 [Added 09/10/2007]

FREEJACK (1991, Geoff Murphy)

ATF-2 / 04/02 [Added 09/10/2007]

BEETLEJUICE (1988, Tim Burton)

ATF-2 / 04/03 [Added 09/10/2007]

BATMAN, THE ANIMATED MOVIE: MASK OF THE PHANTASM (1993)

Folder 5

ATF-2 / 05/01 [Added 09/10/2007]

PREDATOR (“Schwarzenegger vs. Predator: The Main Event Begins: June 12th”; wresting-style promo badge)

ATF-2 / 05/02 [Added 09/10/2007]

RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD (clever button! Just reads, “More brains,” the zombie ‘catchphrase’ of the movie; 1985, Dan O’Bannon)

ATF-2 / 05/03 [Added 09/10/2007]

SCANNERS (1980, David Cronenberg)

ATF-2 / 05/04 [Added 09/10/2007]

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES (“At Theatres Everywhere March 30th!”; 1990, Steve Barron)

Folder 6

ATF-2 / 06/01 [Added 09/10/2007]

DEADLY FRIEND (1986, Wes Craven)

ATF-2 / 06/02 [Added 09/10/2007]

ALIEN 3 (1992, David Fincher)

ATF-2 / 06/03 [Added 09/10/2007]

NAKED LUNCH (David Cronenberg/William Burroughs)

ATF-2 / 06/04 [Added 09/10/2007]

CAPEFEAR (1991, Martin Scorsese)

Folder 7

ATF-2 / 07/01 [Added 09/10/2007]

SWAMP THING image from RETURN OF THE SWAMP THING, “Keep the Planet Clean and Green” (1989, Jim Wyronski)

ATF-2 / 07/02 [Added 09/10/2007]

MAD MAX BEYOND THUNDERDOME (1985, George Miller)

ATF-2 / 07/03 [Added 09/10/2007]

INVADERS FROM MARS (1986, Tobe Hooper)

ATF-2 / 07/04 [Added 09/10/2007]

SGT. ROCK (RARE! 1988 promo button for planned but ultimately unproduced Arnold Schwarzenegger feature, starring Arnold as Bob Kanigher/Joe Kubert’s DC Comics’ SGT. ROCK character!)

Folder 8

ATF-2 / 08/01 [Added 09/10/2007]

CHILD’S PLAY (1998, Tom Holland)

ATF-2 / 08/02 [Added 09/10/2007]

GHOSTBUSTERS (1984, Ivan Reitman)

ATF-2 / 08/03 [Added 09/10/2007]

TREMORS (1989, Ron Underwood)

Folder 9

ATF-2 / 09/01 [Added 09/10/2007]

ZOT! (1986, Scott McCloud)

ATF-2 / 09/02 [Added 09/10/2007]

“Freedom of Fiction” (circa 1990s; source unknown)

ATF-2 / 09/03 [Added 09/10/2007]

“Piss Off!” (1993, unknown)

ATF-2 / 09/04 [Added 09/10/2007]

MONSTER SCENE (promo button for magazine, circa mid-1990s)

Folder 10

ATF-2 / 10/01 [Added 09/10/2007]

WATCHMEN pins/badges: 2 versions: (1) Hand-made fan badge, first seen circulating shortly after the release of WATCHMEN #1 [ATF-2 / 10/01 NSP]; (2) DC Comics mass-produced WATCHMEN promo badge, seen circulating after the hand-made fan-made badges spread like wildfire. Cause and effect – WHATEVER DC says in retrospect, the fans were there first, as we all saw that year at the cons [ATF-2 / 11/01 NSP].

ATF-2 / 10/02 [Added 09/10/2007]

REAL WAR STORIES “are the only kind to read” (Eclipse Comics; promo button for the 1990 REAL WAR STORIES comics, one of which I contributed art to)

ATF-2 / 10/03 [Added 09/10/2007]

LUTHER ARKWRIGHT (Bryan Talbot’s popular UK comics character, button circa 1990s)

ATF-2 / 10/04 [Added 09/10/2007]

THE SILENT INVASION (1987, promo button for the Cherkas/Hancock comics mini-series)

ATF-2 / 10/05 [Added 09/10/2007]

MAJOR GRUBERT ‘Moebius’ pin (1990, Starwatcher Graphics/Jean ‘Moebius’ Giraud)

ATF-2 / 10/06 [Added 09/10/2007]

AKIRA pin (Otomo’s anime adaptation of his classic manga; circa 1989?)

Folder 11

ATF-2 / 11/01 [Added 09/10/2007]

WATCHMEN pins/badges: 2 versions: (1) Hand-made fan badge, first seen circulating shortly after the release of WATCHMEN #1 [ATF-2 / 10/01 NSP]; (2) DC Comics mass-produced WATCHMEN promo badge, seen circulating after the hand-made fan-made badges spread like wildfire. Cause and effect – WHATEVER DC says in retrospect, the fans were there first, as we all saw that year at the cons [ATF-2 / 11/01 NSP].

ATF-2 / 11/02 [Added 09/10/2007]

2 buttons: I’m A VIDEO WATCHDOG and VIDEO WATCHDOG Informant (1989, Tim and Donna Lucas, badges given to magazine VIDEO WATCHDOG contributors)

Folder 12

ATF-2 / 12/01 [Added 09/10/2007]

SPLATTER: A Cautionary Tale (Douglas E. Winter promotional button for his short story “Splatter,” on original card, circa 1989?)

ATF-2 / 12/02 [Added 09/10/2007]

Sculptor MARK PRENT button (1991?, body in liquid in cabinet; from Toronto gallery exhibition of Prent’s work)

Folder 13

ATF-2 / 13/01 [Added 09/10/2007]

KING HELL badge (Rick Veitch’s self-publishing imprint/company; circa 1993)

ATF-2 / 13/02 [Added 09/10/2007]

S. CLAY WILSON ORIGINAL ART BUTTON (circa 1989)

ATF-2 / 13/03 [Added 09/10/2007]

THE STRANGE OBJECTS OF DAVID CRONENBERG’S DESIRE (1991?, promo button form David Cronenberg movie prop/art objects Toronto art gallery exhibiton)

ATF-2 / 13/04 [Added 09/10/2007]

Articulated GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS (toytag, 1985)—S.B.]

ATF-3 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Natalie Scrimshire-Phelps

Updated 10/22/2007

Artifacts-games, action figures, and other merchandising materials.

ATF-3 / 01 [Added 10/22/2007]

Original post office box from Wilmington, Vermont, wood with metal.

[POST OFFICE BOX: This is my ORIGINAL Wilmington, VermontPO BOX! When the Wilmington post office renovated top-to-bottom in the mid-1990s, they offered customers the option of buying their original wooden, combination-lock post office boxes -- what the hell, I went for it. This is my original PO Box which served me well from 1981 to the mid-1990s, and I still have this address active to this day. So, this box received checks, bills, royalty statements, etc. throughout ALL the SWAMP THING years and early SpiderBaby Grafix years.—S.B.]

ATF-3 / 02 [Added 10/22/2007]

SWAMP THING Action Figure, sealed in package, Kenner, 1991.

[Climbing SWAMP THING with Bayou Staff and Shield of Reeds (1991, Kenner)—S.B.]

ATF-3 / 03 [Added 10/22/2007]

SWAMP THING Action Figure, sealed in package, Kenner, 1991.

[Capture SWAMP THING with Organic Net and Cypress Club (1991, Kenner)—S.B.]

ATF-3 / 04 [Added 10/22/2007]

SWAMP THING Presto Magix Stick and Lift Adventure Set, opened with pieces included, RoseArt, 1991.

[SWAMP THING PRESTO MAGIX Stick and Lift Adventure Set (1991, RoseArt) -- This set has been opened, so use this as a display item. Colorforms-type play set, another licensed Swamp Thing curio from the short-lived 1990-91 boom in ST merchandize—S.B.]

ATF-3 / 05 [Added 10/22/2007]

Pegasus, the Winged Horse Action Figure from THE CLASH OF THE TITANS, sealed in package, Mattel, 1980.

[Alas, life-long fans (like me) of Ray Harryhausen’s stop-motion animation creations (from the 1949 MIGHTY YOUNG JOE to the 1980 CLASH OF THE TITANS) did not have merchandizing tie-ins -- until this, Harryhausen’s final feature film.—S.B.­]

ATF-3 / 06 [Added 10/22/2007]

Charon, Devil’s Boatman Action Figure from THE CLASH OF THE TITANS, sealed in package, Mattel, 1980.

[Alas, life-long fans (like me) of Ray Harryhausen’s stop-motion animation creations (from the 1949 MIGHTY YOUNG JOE to the 1980 CLASH OF THE TITANS) did not have merchandizing tie-ins -- until this, Harryhausen’s final feature film.—S.B.­]

ATF-3 / 07 [Added 10/22/2007]

Calibos, Lord of the Marsh Action Figure from THE CLASH OF THE TITANS, sealed in package, Mattel, 1980.

[Alas, life-long fans (like me) of Ray Harryhausen’s stop-motion animation creations (from the 1949 MIGHTY YOUNG JOE to the 1980 CLASH OF THE TITANS) did not have merchandizing tie-ins -- until this, Harryhausen’s final feature film.—S.B.­]

ATF-3 / 08 [Added 10/22/2007]

Lock, Shock and Barrel Action Figures from Tim’s Burtons Nightmare Before Christmas, sealed in package, Hasbro, Inc., 1993.

[TIM BURTON’S NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS action figures: LOCK, SHOCK AND BARREL (With Scary Masks) (1993, Hasbro, Inc.) -- Another ultra-rare NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS original tie-in set; in original packaging.—S.B.]

ATF-4 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Natalie Scrimshire-Phelps

Updated 10/22/2007

Artifacts-games, action figures, and other merchandising materials.

ATF-4 / 1 [Added 10/22/2007]

MARS ATTACKS, SLAUGHTER IN THE STREETS Model Figure Kit, unopened packaging (with age the seals are loose), Screamin’, 1995.

[MARS ATTACKS Model Kit Diorama: AIR ASSAULT MARTIAN (with card) (Screamin’, 1995, licensed by The Topps Company, Inc.) -- This is one in a set of MARS ATTACKS model kit dioramas, most of which are on their way to the collection. Screamin’ was an Albany NY-area based model company, and this license was among their most popular in the mid-90s. I did a card for one of these kits, hence their inclusion here; sample cards by Bissette already are in the collection!—S.B.]

ATF-4 / 2 [Added 10/22/2007]

MARS ATTACKS, AIR ASSAULT MARTIAN Model Figure Kit, unopened packaging (with age the seals are loose), Screamin’, 1995.

[MARS ATTACKS Model Kit Diorama: AIR ASSAULT MARTIAN (with card) (Screamin’, 1995, licensed by The Topps Company, Inc.) -- Another in the Screamin’ set of MARS ATTACKS model kit dioramas.—S.B.]

ATF-4 / 3 [Added 10/22/2007]

Mouse pad with TYRANT illustration by Steven R. Bissette, ca. 1997.

[TYRANT Mouse pad (circa 1997) -- The only licensed TYRANT products I marketed were t-shirts and mousepads featuring the cover images of TYRANT 1-4 and this image, drawn by yours truly and colored by Mark Martin, which I also preserved as a color print that I mousepads were sold through Lotus Graphics Inc. of Brattleboro, VT.—S.B.]

ATF-4 / 4 [Added 10/22/2007]

Sedimentary rock with fossils, 8x8.5 inches.

[FOSSIL: Unidentified shellfish (tiny bivalves, etc.) fossils, source unknown. One of many odd fossils I stumbled upon over the years – though actually, this is an extraordinarily ordinary fossil piece. As fossils go.—S.B.]

ATF-4 / 5 [Added 10/22/2007]

Two dinosaur figures for THE LAND BEFORE TIME, Applause, 1988.

[Movie tie-in figures: LITTLEFOOT and CERA from THE LAND BEFORE TIME (1988) (Applause, 1988) -- self-explanatory. More LAND BEFORE TIME items to follow, joining those already mailed from the collection.—S.B.]

ATF-4 / 6 [Added 10/22/2007]

Two figures sea lion figures from THE SECRET OF ROAN INISH, 1994.

[Movie promo item: two (2) THE SECRET OF ROAN INISH (1994) sea lion – I took Maia and Daniel to a special preview matinee of John Sayles’s SECRET OF ROAN INISH at the Images Cinema in Williamston, MA. It was a magical afternoon -- the film is excellent, set of the isle of Roan Inish off of the coast of western Ireland, starring Jeni Courtney as 10-year-old Irish lass Fiona, who discovers her family is descended form the Selkies, the legendary seal-people. It’s a marvelous film, and it was a treat to see it just before its theatrical release, presented by either Maggie Renzi or Sarah Green (she presented herself as the film’s producer, and both are listed on the film’s credits), who also handed out these crudely customized giveaway plastic sea lions to all the children in attendance, including Maia and Daniel. These lived on our apartment windowsills at the Sun & Ski Road apartment in Wilmington, VT until my move out of there in ’98-’99.—S.B.]

ATF-4 / 7 [Added 10/22/2007]

Two dinosaur figures from The Land Before Time Burger King Kids Club toys, sealed in package, Burger King Corporation, 1997.

[2 (two) THE LAND BEFORE TIME Collection Burger King Kids Club promotional giveaway toys (1997, Burger King Corporation) -- two more of the six LAND BEFORE TIME Burger King figures, Littlefoot and the baby T. rex from one of the direct-to-video sequels. Unopened, in original packaging.—S.B.]

ATF-4 / 8 [Added 10/22/2007]

McDonald’s Happy Meal Dragon toy from Walt Disney Masterpiece Collection Pete’s Dragon, sealed in package, McDonald’s Corporation, 1996.

[McDonald’s Happy Meal giveaway item: Walt Disney Masterpiece Collection: PETE’S DRAGON (1996, McDonald’s) -- Another Disney dragon in the collection, this in its original packaging and plastic slipsleeve. Note the video-slipsleeve like packaging, making this as a fast-food tie-in with the film’s re-release on video.­—S.B.]

ATF-5 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Natalie Scrimshire-Phelps

Updated 09/10/2007

Artifacts-games, action figures, and other merchandising materials.

ITEM 1

ATF-5 /01 [09/11/2007]

[KREEPSHOW parody/novelty candy item (1988, Fleer Corporation) – Parody novelty item lampooning George Romero and Stephen King’s anthology horror feature film CREEPSHOW (1983); complete and unopened. DON’T eat the candy!—S.B.]

ITEM 2

ATF-5 /02 [09/11/2007]

[2 (two) Mike Parks MAD LAB MODELS items: Kit for THE REPTILE pin (1990), kit for ax-split “Dead Head” (part of DEAD HEADS model series, 1990) – Mike Parks of Ohio was a former comics and comic art dealer I had met in 1984 at my first Mid-Ohio Convention; Mike later got into making these ‘garage’ monster model kits, some of which were quite marvelous. This is just two of the kits I still have from those days; THE REPTILE pin commemorates the 1966 Hammer Films monster, and the other kit is a Mike Parks original, derived from his imagination.—S.B.]

ITEM 3-6 [

ATF-5 /03 AFT-5 /04 ATF-5 /05, & ATF-5 /06 09/11/2007]

[Complete set: 4 (four) TOXIC CRUSADERS Candy ‘heads’ (1991, Topps) – MORE of the insane of all the merchandizing spillover from R-rated horror movies (see Playmates, 1991 action figures in Box #4), adapted into a kids cartoon show and spin-off toys/candy/merchandizing from THE TOXIC AVENGER (1983). Reminder: TOXIC AVENGER was among the last of the ‘midnight movies’ and the breakthrough title from NYC cheapjack producers Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Hertz’s Troma Studios; it was originally unrated, and was severely cut to get an ‘R’ rating for wider theatrical and video release. It somehow spawned TOXIC CRUSADERS, a children’s cartoon program, Marvel comics series, and this toy line! The candy has been removed. More to follow…--S.B.]

ITEM 7 [09/11/2007]

ATF-5 /07

[SUPER MARIO BROS. action figure: KOOPA (The Slithering Ruler) (with Action Devo Gun) (1993, The Ertl Company, Inc.) – Here’s a significant item (not) representing many firsts: an action figure on a Dennis Hopper movie character, a humanoid dinosaur toy (KOOPA and his kid were hyper-evolved dinosaurs who could assume human form) from the first major studio motion picture based on a video game (the popular Nintendo Super Mario Bros. games), perhaps the first film based on a video game, period. This has since become a movie genre of sorts (e.g., two RESIDENT EVIL features, HOUSE OF THE DEAD, STREETFIGHTER, ALONE IN THE DARK, etc.). One of the oddest items in my dinosaur toy collection, but also among the most mainstream of all. Complete with packaging unopened.—S.B.]

ITEM 8 [09/11/2007]

ATF -5 /08

[GODZILLA and Toho monsters playset/game (ComiChara? title unknown) Vol. 1 (1989?, Bandai) – If anyone knows Japanese, sort this curio out! Coolest of all the Godzilla playsets I picked up for Maia, Daniel, and myself; this was a second copy. Opened, but all pieces are intact; it’s kind of a Godzilla-and-Toho-monsters- go-cart playset/game, complete with b&w instructional booklet, nine

‘eraser’ style monster figures (these are what came with the original set, not the ten pictured on the back); faux-book style packaging doesn’t quite close tight because of the assembled go-cart (do not pull apart!) doesn’t fit snugly into its interior tray.—S.B.]

ITEM 9 [09/11/2007]

ATF -5 /09

[Packaging only: GODZILLA vs. KING GHIDORAH Byun Byun Monsters playset (1991, Byun Byun/Bandai) -- Great parody cover (painted by Yuji Kaida) of the stunning GODZILLA vs. KING GHIDORAH movie poster (circa 1990), packaging for a ‘cute’ little G vs. KING GH. Playset with ‘squashed’ infantilized versions of both monsters and various gear (the Byun Byun moster series, making the revisionist Toho monsters ‘lovable’ for younger kids; see pictures on side of packaging). I gave the toys themselves to a friend’s young son when he was first getting into the Godzilla films, but kept the packaging as a sample of this merchandizing phenomenon.

ITEM 10 [09/11/2007]

ATF -5 /10

GODZILLA vinyl kit (unassembled) (1990, Max Factory Custom Craft) – GREAT Godzilla vinyl kit, based on Godzilla’s revisionist design for GODZILLA vs. KING GHIDORAH (1990); this was a second, complete and unopened.

ITEM 10 [09/11/2007]

ATF -5 /10

[BLADE II Video Promotional Standee (2002, New Line Home Entertainment) – As promised, the companion piece to the BLADE standee already sent (see box #7). Note the packaging, serving as a heavy-duty standee and as a mailer box for the screener videocassette (which originally was nestled inside, in the obvious space).—S.B.]

ITEM 11 [09/11/2007]

ATF -5 /11

[THE UNCANNY X-MEN: THE EVIL MUTANTS: BROOD (1993, Toy Biz) – Artifact of the only X-Men series story arc I really engaged with, as it was at the time (early 1980s) the only newsstand horror comic being published – a genre standing it earned for writer Chris Claremont and artist Dave Cockrum’s storyline featuring the ALIEN-inspired Brood and their infection of almost all the X-Men! This action figure of one of the Brood should join the ALIEN toys in the collection; the correlations are obvious. BTW, at the time of the Brood storyline in X-Men the comic series, Claremont also had other X-Men characters infected with vampirism, writing himself into quite a corner…which he resolved by shamelessly stealing imagery and concepts from Rick Veitch’s “Abrasax and the Earthman” series, which has being serialized in EPIC Magazine (edited by Archie Goodwin). Rick was so far ahead of schedule that his original use of imagery/concepts Claremont ripped off (confirmed by EPIC editor Archie Goodman at the time) was published a month or two AFTER Claremont’s creative theft saw print in a dues-ex-machina X-MEN ANNUAL. This was the most blatant case of creative theft I ever witnessed in my lifetime in the comics industry, and Claremont was unapologetic. I later suffered my own variation at Marvel (from writer Bill Mantlo); more on that later and elsewhere. So, anyhoot, having this BROOD toy in the studio during my TYRANT years was a visual reminder why I had worked so hard to achieve creative autonomy – and why I wasn’t going back to the plantations if TYRANT failed.—S.B.]

ITEM 12 [09/11/2007]

ATF -5 /12

[JURASSICPARK: ELECTRONIC UTAHRAPTOR “RIPPER” (With Screaming Sound and Kick-Slash Action!) (1994, Kenner) – Second copy, complete and still in packaging, of one of the coolest JURASSICPARK dino toys.—S.B.]

ITEM 12 [09/11/2007]

ATF -5 /12

[MR. CHOPS, THE NAGGING DRAGON (1983, Alps Toy) – This is, of course, Godzilla, and the roar confirms that for any doubters – Mr. Chops, my ass—and hung on my studio door (three different studios) for years! I have no idea WHY I held on to the packaging, but I did. Maybe it was the phrase, “Get Even At Work,” but most likely it’s because I am a packrat of the highest obsessive order – and if you all haven’t figured that out by now, seek medical assistance immediately.—S.B.]

ITEM 13 [09/11/2007]

ATF -5 /13

[TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES Stickers (1990, Diamond/Surge Licensing) – Partial pack, in its original display box, of the stickers from the first TMNT movie tie-in stickers, just on of the flood of merchandizing from that phenomenon. Note this was a production by Diamond, the comics distribution firm; conflict of interest? Oh, no, can’t be. Diamond, the monopoly, conflict of interest?­—S.B.­]

ITEM 14 [09/12/2007]

ATF -5 /14

[DINOSAUR ATTACK! (1988, Topps) – This was the last great Topps gore-and-monster card set (unless you lump GARBAGE PAIL KIDS into that substrata), and this almost-full display box is a real treasure. I have a complete set of this MARS ATTACKS homage in my binders; keep this intact, if you can! The gum was stale in 1988, so resist the temptation… resist the temptation… resist….—S.B.]

ATF-6 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Natalie Scrimshire-Phelps

Updated 10/23/2007

Artifacts-games, action figures, and other merchandising materials

ATF-6 / 01 [Added 10/23/2007]

Miscellaneous trading cards, 12 cards, ca. early 1990s.

[Misc. cards from DANIEL BISSETTE’S childhood trading card collection (circa 1990s) -- Dan has decided his childhood comics and cards are joining the collection, as here’s the first volley. We’ve organized them as best we can, but these ‘stray’ remain, so here they are first: 2 BATMAN movie cards (circa 1989), one MONSTER IN MY POCKET ‘Vampire’ card (1991), one TROLL FORCE card (circa 199?), two Topps’ GRUSOME GREETING CARDS (1992); misc. comics cards: one LADY DEATH promo card (#1, 1994); one SILVER SURFER promo card (1992. Comic Images), one SHADOW HAWK promo card (1992, Comic Images), and three ARENA magazine promo cards, featuring WILDSTORM (1993), and BLOOD & ROSES (1993).—S.B.]

ATF-6 / 02 [Added 10/23/2007]

Two sets of 6 Marvel trading cards, 12 cards, 1991.

[Two (2) sets of six (6) cards, MARVEL TRADING CARD TREATS (1991, Impel Marketing, Inc.) -- Captain America, Ghost Rider, The Hulk, She-Hulk, Spider-Man, Wolverine.—S.B.­]

ATF-6 / 03 [Added 10/23/2007]

The Simpsons trading cards, 15 cards, 1990.

[Fifteen (15) misc. THE SIMPSONS trading cards (1990, Topps)—S.B.]

ATF-6 / 04 [Added 10/23/2007]

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze trading cards, 16 cards, 1991.

[Sixteen (16) misc. TEENAGE MUNTANT NINJA TURTLES II: THE SECRET OF THE OOZE trading cards (1991) -- This was my kids’ first-ever movie premiere; we were invited as a family to attend the Northhampton, MA world premiere at the Academy of Music theater. It was quite a treat! This is the film that featured the snapping-turtle mutant Tokka, which was based in part for the toy line; though I earned no screen credit, I was credited on the first Tokka toys, and earned a nice royalty off those through the mid-1990s.—S.B.]

ATF-6 / 05 [Added 10/23/2007]

Stars Wars trading cards, 6 cards, 1993, 1995.

[Misc. STAR WARS cards -- five STAR WARS GALAXY card (1993, Topps); one STAR WARS: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK Topps Widescreen promo card (1995). Dan was never, ever a STAR WARS fan. —S.B.]

ATF-6 / 06 [Added 10/23/2007]

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles trading cards, 8 cards, 1989.

[Four (4) TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES trading cards, 1^st series; four (4) TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES trading cards, 2^nd series (all 1989, The Topps Company, Inc.)—S.B.]

ATF-6 / 07 [Added 10/23/2007]

The Crow game cards and rule booklet, 13 cards, 1995.

[Thirteen (13) THE CROW Game Cards (1995, Crowvision), plus ‘rule booklet’ -- This offbeat attempt to mix trading cards marketing with role-playing games just pissed off Dan at age ten, since they were sold as separate packs. He didn’t by more than one.—S.B.]

ATF-6 / 08 [Added 10/23/2007]

Fright Flicks trading cards and 3 stickers, 35 cards, 1989.

[Misc. cards -- thirty-five (35) cards, three (3) stickers -- from the FRIGHT FLICKS Topps Picture Card Series (1989, Topps) -- Cool monster card set from Topps provided an entrée for my son Dan at a tender age. Like all kids, boy in particular, Dan was fascinated by horror imagery and monsters; these cards were a safer entry route than the films or videos themselves, which were pretty rough going for a little guy. I eased both Maia and Daniel into horror films via the old black-and-white classics (KING KONG, the Universal films, 1950s monster and sf films, etc.) I grew up with before the heavier horrors of the 1970s-90s were made available to them. Still, with NIGHTMARE OF ELM STREET merchandizing everywhere, I sought out hands-on items (cards, some of the toys, etc.) to satisfy his itch to see stuff without exposing him to the films themselves at too young an age.—S.B.]

ATF-6 / 09 [Added 10/23/2007]

Tom Savini’s Grande Illusions trading cards, 63 cards, card numbers 17 and 61 are missing, 1988.

[Almost complete TOM SAVINI’S GRANDE ILLUSIONS trading card set (1988, FantaCo Enterprises) -- Ah, we’re missing cards #17 and 61, but the rest are all here. Images of makeup effects by Tom Savini (makeup artist of the original DAWN OF THE DEAD, FRIDAY the 13^th, MANIAC, DAY OF THE DEAD, etc.) features some jaw-dropping gore imagery. Along with these cards, I also took Dan to one of the New Jersey Chiller conventions, so he could see the makeup and special effects tricks, model kits, etc.; at age five, Maia got to meet my Kubert School classmate John Bisson and visit his home studio and handle and work so of John’s special effects creations. I wanted both kids to know the films were illusions, that special effects weren’t “real,” that this was all fantasy and imaginative in nature. Having card set like these, gruesome as they are, made it manageable and ‘safe,’ they could control their interaction with such imagery.—S.B.]

ATF-6 / 10 [Added 10/23/2007]

Bone trading cards, 90 cards, 1994.

[Complete BONE trading card set (1994, Comic Images) -- Jeff Smith’s BONE made for a great card set; all 90 cards are here!—S.B.]

ATF-6 / 11 [Added 10/23/2007]

Toxic Waste Zombies trading cards, 40 cards with box, 1991.

Full card set in box: TOXIC WASTE ZOMBIES (40 Revolting Trading Cards) (1991, Mother Productions) -- “…features an environmental quiz on back of each card!” Ah, sure. This was the only ‘kid-friendly’ set of ‘zombie cards’ I could find for Dan at age five; pretty cool, if you’re a five-year old! He dug ‘em.—S.B.]

ATF-6 / 12 [Added 10/23/2007]

The Original Dinocardz trading card box, cards in binder not yet shipped, 1992.

[Card set box (box ONLY): THE ORIGINAL DINOCARDZ: Series 1 (1992, The Dinocardz Company) -- This full set is in one of the card binders that will join the collection soon. Hold onto this box!—S.B.]

ATF-6 / 07 [Added 10/23/2007]

Zombie War trading card box, cards in binder not yet shipped, 1992.

[Card set box ( box ONLY): ZOMBIE WAR Trading Cards (1992, FantaCo/Tundra) -- This box sports a cover painting by Charles Lang, whose work also appeared on TABOO (TABOO 2 on back cover, TABOO 8 on front cover-N.S.P.); Charles painted all the cards, based on designs by Jim Whiting and concepts/script by FantaCo Enterprises honcho Tom Skulan. The ZOMBIE WARS comics series was a collaborative mini-series by Kevin Eastman and Tom Skulan; it wasn’t very good, but it was lively and gory as hell. The cards are, I think, in one of the binders you’ll be getting later this year. Hold onto this box!—S.B.]

ATF-7 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Natalie Scrimshire-Phelps

Updated 10/23/2007

Artifacts-games, action figures, and other merchandising materials

ATF-7 /01 [10/23/2007]

MAD2 Edition Covers trading cards, 404 cards, 1992.

[MAD 2 Edition Covers Trading Cards (1992, Lime Rock Int., Inc.) -- Box of the MAD 2 trading cards in foil packs, opened w/some foil packs included and one holographic image card (SPY vs SPY). These would be best served organized and protected in a proper trading card binder, if HUIE is willing to go that expense and labor -- duplicates could be given away as ‘party favors’ at the next public event involving the collection, perhaps. Much of my card collection will eventually join the collection, some loose, some in boxes, some organized and in binders. That’s all once I get to that sedimentary layer of material here at the Hacienda Bissettios.—S.B.]

Note: Cards have been removed from display box and placed in archival trading card box. Display box is stored in archival record box number ATF-4.-N.S.P.

ATF-7 /02 [11/13/2007]

Child’s Play 3 movie trading card, Number 3, Universal, 1991.

[Promotional movie card: CHILD’S PLAY 3 (Universal, 1991) -- Card #3 from a set of 5 cards distributed to promote the release of CHILD’S PLAY 3, the ongoing horror film franchise.—S.B.]

ATF-8 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Natalie Scrimshire-Phelps

Updated 10/24/2007

Artifacts-games, action figures, and other merchandising materials.

ATF-8 / 01 [Added 10/24/2007]

Keanu Reeves as Constantine movie statue, hand painted porcelain statue, numbered 945 of 1000, 2004.

[CONSTANTINE movie merchandise: CONSTANTINE MOVIE STATURE (DC Direct, 2004), numbered #945/1000. Statue of KEANU REEVES at John Constantine with demons, from the film CONSTANTINE, adapted from the character created for SWAMP THING and Vertigo Comics by yours truly, Alan Moore, John Totleben and Rick Veitch; sculpted by Gentle Giant Studios; measures 10 1/4” by 6” by 6” -- suitable for display, and in original packaging.

ATF-8 / 02 [Added 10/24/2007]

Japanese Monster Action Figures, sealed in package, Bandai, 1993.

[JAPANESE MONSTER ACTION FIGURES/TOYS: Very rare! 1993 COMPLETE and IN ORGINAL PACKAGING set of authorized GODZILLA DAISHINGEKI (Bandai, 1993), with nine miniature plastic monster figures (and two tail accessories, for the two KING GHICODORAH, GIGAN MOTHRA (adult), MOTHRA (larvae), BATTRA (adult), BATTRA (larvae), all featured in installments of the Toho 1990s Godzilla and Mothra film series. Note some figures may slide from their places in shipping, and are easily put back into place.—S.B.]

ATF-8 / 03 [Added 10/29/2007]

Tumbler with dinosaur cut outs, made by Stephen R. Bissette’s mother, 1993.

[Plastic Tervis Tumbler (1993) -- with dinosaurs! This was a simple prototype my mother had done in 1993 as I was talking about doing TYRANT. This is a Tervis Tumbler, manufactured in Osprey, Florida, a short drive from my parent’s retirement home in North Port, Florida, and these mugs are themal mugs and all carry lifetime guarantees (see bottom of tumbler!), replacement free if damaged. My mother had this one custom-made with the crude cutout dinosaurs in place, just to show me what could be done; I saw the possibilities. I was indeed planning to offer TYRANT Terivis Tumblers, with a custom-made, custom-fit piece of TYRANT art by yours truly (and planning a TYRANT shot glass, too) sometime later in 1997… but the collapse of the market and my personal circumstances brought me to the decision to end TYRANT before the Tervis merchandizing materialized. Ah, well. This is all that’s left!—S.B.]

ATF-8 / 04 [Added 10/29/2007]

Ceramic mug, Independent Video Stores (IVS), circa 2001.

[Ceramic mug (circa 2001) -- artifact of my work as manager at First Run Video, activist for regional films, and my New England Buying Group participation (1998-2004), one of the many promotional items we prepared. This was to promote both the IVS (Independent Video Stores) concept and New England regionally-made films; the manufacture of this mug was bankrolled by Artisan Studios, who then had STARTUP.COM as their seasonal title (that was shot in New England, hence the promotion). This, in its way, also fed my personal projects on regional filmmaking, which finally bore fruit in November of 2004 with the publication of GREEN MOUNTAIN CINEMA I.—S.B.]

ATF-8 / 05 [Added 10/29/2007]

Rubber stamp of The Creature from the Blue Lagoon, copyright 1977, circa 1994.

[Rubber Stamp -- I used these all the time on my TYRANT mailings to fans, subscribers, retailers, distributors, etc., and there’s lots more to come. This was one of my favorites, The Creature from the Blue Lagoon! Circa 1994 or so.—S.B.]

ATF-8 / 06 [Added 10/29/2007]

Carnage action figure with stand, Tyrannosaurus rex with box (no original inner packaging), ReSaurus Company, Inc., 1997.

[This handsome set of ReSaurus plastic dinosaur figures remain my all-time favorites, and were prominently displayed in both my Main Street, Heritage Building second-floor Wilmington studio (where TYRANT 2-4 and what was done of 5 and 6 were completed) and my home on Sun & Ski Road in Wilmington (atop the wine-glass rack in the kitchen/dining area). In their accuracy, design, detail, and coloration, these dinosaur figures are second to none. I am sending along the following:

(1) In its original box, the CARNAGE Action Figure Dinosaur Tyrannosaurus rex (1997, ReSaurus Company, Inc. of Columbus, Ohio); item was opened and displayed, but I reconstructed the packaging and replaced the figure and stand so you could see/display their original packaging. Note the Columbus connection: At the time, Columbus had become crucial to me, with both Jeff Smith (BONE) and Paul Pope based there.—S.B.]

ATF-8 / 07 [Added 10/29/2007]

Dinosaur action figure with stand, Velociraptor, ReSaurus Company, Inc., 1997.

[(2) Same product line, same manufacturer (1997, ReSaurus Company, Inc.) under a different moniker (this and the next were not sold as “Carnage!”), sans packaging: Here’s the Velociraptor (match with correct stand, note plastic brace to hold figure erect); note the marvelous detailing, meticulous hinged joints, authenticity of anatomical specifics including head/skull, and dig the tongue and flexible jaw action! Love these…--S.B.]

ATF-8 / 08 [Added 10/29/2007]

Dinosaur action figure with stand, Gigantosaurus, ReSaurus Company, Inc., 1997.

[(3) Same as above, only this is the Gigantosaurus figure (1997; again, match with correct stand, note plastic brace to hold figure erect); again, great figure. More to follow!—S.B.]

ATF-8 / 09 [Added 10/29/2007]

QUADROPHENIA promotional pin and tin, 2001.

[QUADROPHENIA tin container with pin (see insided) -- used to promote the 2001 video and DVD re-release of this marvelous British film adapted form the Who rock opera.—S.B.]

ATF-8 / 10 [Added 10/29/2007]

Styrofoam bust, 8x18 inches.

[Styrofoam ‘fashion’ bust -- Used this in my studio to (a) hang mask on for decoration (Creature from the Black Lagoon, the custom-made FRANKENSTEIN’S DAUGHTER mask already shipped to the collections, etc.) and (b) experiment with lighting for drawing faces when I wanted some extreme lighting effect. It was serviceable!—S.B.]

ATF-8 / 10 [Added 10/29/2007]

Two “Bloody Visions” Mass Murderer Trading Card Set t-shirts, 2004.

[NOTORIOUS T-SHIRTS! Two of the “Bloody Visions” Mass Murderer Trading Card Set t-shirts, art by Michael H. Price and Todd Camp - artifacts of the early 1990s comics & trading card scene, these two examples from my good Fort Worth, Texas amigo Michael H. Price. Mike offers the following: “Ah, for those days of manufactured controversy and condemnation from the pulpit!” (Mike Price, 12/04).—S.B.]

(Stored in the t-shirt boxes. NSP)

ATF-9 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Natalie Scrimshire-Phelps

Updated 10/24/2007

Artifacts-games, action figures, and other merchandising materials.

Folder 1

ATF-9 / 01 [Added 10/29/2007]

John Kerry and John Edwards campaign bumper stickers, 3 stickers, 2004.

Folder 2

ATF-9 / 02 /01 [Added 10/29/2007]

“Had to be Made Film Festival” pin, 2001.

[(1) HAD TO BE MADE FILM FESTIVAL pin -- This independently-mounted label announced themselves at the 2001 VSDA (Video Software Dealers of America) trade show, and have become a solid presence since. They picked up the baton from the Filmmakers of Tomorrow program I participated in as an organizer and huckster; more on this later…--S.B.]

ATF-9 / 02 /02 [Added 10/29/2007]

Jeepers Creepers 2 promotional pin, 1 pin, 2003; and House of the Dead promotional pin, 2 pins, 2003.

[Misc. pins -- JEEPERS CREEPERS 2 (2003), HOUSE OF THE DEAD (2003); note the HOUSE OF THE DEAD pins have a button you can press on the back to make the red ‘eye’ of the zombie flash.—S.B.]

ATF-9 / 02 /03 [Added 10/29/2007]

Jurassic Park: The Lost World 3-D title card, 1997.

[JURASSICPARK: THE LOST WORLD 3-D title piece (1997) -- promo item that was also used on the specially-designed slipsleeve videocassette packaging of THE LOST WORLD.—S.B.]

Folder 3

ATF-9 / 03 /01 [Added 10/30/2007]

Birthday cards with winking Jesus statue image, blank, View Askew Prods, Inc., 1999.

[Collectible Birthday Card: “Buddy Christ” birthday card, publishing by View Askew Prods., Inc. (filmmaker Kevin Smith’s licensed product imprint), 1999 -- This parody of Catholicism was released in conjunction with the release of Kevin Smith’s feature film DOGMA (1999), and amuses this particular lapsed Catholic all to heck.—S.B.]

ATF-9 / 03 /02 [Added 11/07/2007]

Black Tundra Christmas postcard with Mark Martin illustration, circa 1990.

[Mark Martin Tundra Christmas card (circa 1990) -- The Tundra Mammoth ( the company trademark/icon) on ice with skating dinosaurs. Mark’s still a good friend, and great cartoonist.—S.B.]

ATF-9 / 03 /03 [Added 11/07/2007]

Four “Freaky Postcards” by Drew Friedman, published Glen Bray, circa 1980s.

[4 (four) Drew Friedman “Freaky Postcards” (published by Glenn Bray, 1985) -- Great samplers of Friedman’s art and obsessions (Tor Johnson, human oddities, etc.), circa the mid-‘80s, when Friedman was still best-known for his work in RAW and HEAVY METAL.—S.B.]

ATF-9 / 03 /04 [Added 11/07/2007]

“Freaks!” postcard by Kim Deitch, published by Glenn Bray, 1985.

[1 (one) Kim Deitch “Freaks!” postcard (Glenn Bray, 1985) -- one card from veteran underground cartoonist also published by underground publisher Glenn Bray (beloved and best known for his reprints of rare work by artists like Basil Wolverton, Boris Artzybasheff, etc.).—S.B.]

ATF-9 / 03 /05 [Added 11/07/2007]

Promotional sticker for Tim Avery’s Screwball Classics 2, MGM/UA Home Video, 1989.

[Color promotional card for the videocassette release of TEX AVERY’S SCREWBALL CLASSICS 2 (MGM/UA Home Video, 1989), featuring the Wolf and Red Hot Riding Hood from classic Avery cartoons.­—S.B.]

ATF-9 / 03 /06 [Added 11/07/2007]

Illustration of “Far Side” by Gary Larson, illustration half of card only, circa 1980s.

[Gary Larson “FAR SIDE” dinosaur skeleton museum gag (year unknown; circa mid-1980s)—S.B.]

ATF-9 / 03 /07 [Added 11/07/2007]

Promotional The Addams Family ‘Thing’ finger puppet, Paramont, 1991.

[Promotional “Thing” ‘finger puppet’ for the theatrical release of THE ADDAMS FAMILY (Paramount, 1991)—S.B.]

ATF-9 / 03 /08 [Added 11/07/2007]

Promotional The Addams Family ‘Thing’ stickers, Paramount, 1992.

[Promotional “Thing” stickers for the video release of THE ADDAMS FAMILY (Paramount Home Video, 1992).—S.B.]

ATF-9 / 03 /09 [Added 11/07/2007]

Promotional envelop for the screener video, Paramount/Full Moon, 1991.

[Promotional ‘bag’ (which contained the video screener for the film) for the direct-to-video feature SHRUNKEN HEADS (Paramount/Full Moon, 1991) -- This was the second feature film by Richard Elfman, brother of famed Oingo-Boingo lead and soundtrack composer Danny Elfman. The Elfman brothers first film, FORBIDDEN ZONE, is among my all-time favorite ‘midnight’ movies, and a real classic.—S.B.]

ATF-9 / 03 /10 [Added 11/07/2007]

Promotional envelop for Psycho II and promotional sticker for Psycho III, Universal, 1983, 1985/86.

[Promotional envelope for the theatrical release of PSYCHO II (Universal, 1983) and promotional sticker for the theatrical release of PSYCHO III (Universal, 1985/86.—S.B.]

Folder 4

ATF-9 / 04 /01 [Added 11/07/2007]

Promotional mask from Budweiser for ‘Bud Light Fright Night,’ 3 mask, Anheuser-Busch, Inc., 1985.

[Budweiser BUD LIGHT FRIGHT NIGHT “Free Nose Mask” (Anheuser-Busch, Inc., 1985) -- Free promo item given out at grocery/liquor stores and participating supermarkets to tie-in with regional “Bud Light Fright Night” TV broadcast of vintage horror films, Halloween of 1985. Seasonal promotions of Halloween were in full swing in the 1980s, a practice that has sadly faded.—S.B.]

ATF-9 / 04 /02 [Added 11/07/2007]

“Official Clue Card: Scent of Mystery” comic tie-in to local television program, unopened, circa 1985.

[“Official Clue Card”: SCENT OF MYSTERY (In Scent-Sational SMELL-O-VISION!) (circa mid-1980s; note 1985 copyright on art, though this was available for a coup years afterward, as regionally broadcast) -- This was sold in stores to tie-in with regional television broadcasts of the curio mystery film SCENT OF MYSTERY (1960) this was a gimmick film when originally released (tagline on ads: “First they moved (1895)! Then they talked (1927)! Now they smell!”), presented in at least some urban markets as a “Smell-o-Vision” movie, for which theaters were equipped with a system that gave off various odors in synch with the film (in the opening scene, a butterfly flies through a peach grove, with accompanying smells, etc.). From the late 1970s through the mid-‘80s, TV station broadcasts of 3-D movies (like HOUSE OF WAX and THE MASK) and ‘gimmick’ films like SCENT OF MYSTERY were in vogue, with the tie-in merchandizing item (e.g., 3-D glasses, or this ‘clue card’) sold in local stores or venues to accompany the broadcast. John Waters offered a variation on the SCENT OF MYSTERY gimmick with his delightful satire POLYESTER (1981), in “Odorama” (requiring ‘scratch and sniff’ cards; one of these is in the collection, and will follow)

[Note: You’ll be getting my 3-D glasses collection -- from various theatrical feature films, comics, etc. -- soon, too.—S.B.]

ATF-9 / 04 /03 [Added 11/07/2007]

“Mars Attacks!” promotional mini-comic #1, FantaCo Enterprises, 1988.

[Promotional MARS ATTACKS! Mini-comic #1 (of 2) (FantaCo Enterprises, 1988) -- This faux-fold-out mini-comic promoted the impending release of a planned 54-issue mini-comics series from FantaCo Enterprises of Albany, NY (Tom Skulan, publisher), which never got past its first two issue release. Good idea -- licensed mini-comics based on the Topps card series of the 1960s, using the art from the original cards themselves as covers -- but the cost of the project, lack of market response, and difficulty keeping the planned art team involved and on-deadline brought it all to a halt.—S.B.]

ATF-9 / 04 /04 [Added 11/07/2007]

Scottie’s Bar coasters promoting comic series Beer Nutz by Wayno, Tundra Publishing, 1992.

[4 (four) Promotional coasters: SCOTTIE’S BAR coasters to promote the comic series BEER NUTZ by Wayno (Tundra Publishing, 1992)—S.B.]

ATF-9 / 04 /05 [Added 11/07/2007]

Two Superhuman Samurai Cyber-Squad removalable skin tattoos, unopened, 1993.

[2 (two) unopened SUPERHUMAN SAMURAI CYBER-SQUAD decals (1993) -- promotional items for the Buena Vista (Disney) Home Video release of the Japanese superhero series from Tsuburaya Productions, the outfit that kicked off the entire Japanese TV superhero craze with the success of their first series ULTRAMAN in the 1960s. Regardless of the stellar credentials, the US market ironically perceived this series as a knock-off of the Mighty Morphing Power Rangers.—S.B.]

ATF-9 / 04 /06 [Added 11/07/2007]

Hand printed commemorative bookmark for 17^th Annual Council of Edacious Souls Feast by Tim Viereck, 1987.

[ORIGINAL BOOKMARK/COMMEMORATIVE ITEM (1987): hand-printed (via block) commemorative bookmark/card by Tim Viereck aka “Doc Ersatz” for the 17^th Annual Council of Edacious Souls Feast (circa August, 1987; the Feast is held August of every year in Bennington, VT on the Viereck farm property). Tim Viereck is a good friend, and he’s the man who financed the publication of my first comic work in ABYSS (Johnson State College Press, 1976), which was my portfolio piece that got me in to the Joe Kubert School in ’76. About this bookmark, Tim just wrote me, “The 17^th Feast would have been 1987. I would have been in Manhattan at the time, I believe, running off prints in the back hall with the rats and cockroaches… This year [2005] will the 35^th” [form personal email, from “Tim Viereck/Tamara Singleton”

(edacia@cybermesa.com), To: “Marge & Steve Bissette” (msbissette@yahoo.com), Subject: Re: Hey, Tim -- what year was the 17^th feast??, Date Fri, 25 Feb 2005 20:36:49 -0700]. There you have it!—S.B.]

ATF-9 / 04 /06 [Added 11/07/2007]

ATF-10 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Natalie Scrimshire-Phelps

Updated 10/29/2007

Artifacts-games, action figures, and other merchandising materials.

ATF-10 / 01 [Added 10/29/2007]

Mars Attacks Attacking Martian model figure kit, The Topps Company, 1995.

[Three (3) MARS ATTACKS Screamin’ Model Figure Kit and Model Kit Diorama (all 1995, from Albany, NY-based Screamin’ Products Inc.):

MARS ATTACKS ATTACKING MARTIAN Model Figure Kit: -- This is the one featuring my MARS ATTACKS card (pictured on the front and sides of the packaging), hence the inclusion of this entire MARS ATTACK model kit line in the collection. See other figures, and samples MARS ATTACK cards, already in the collection. – MARS ATTACKS TARGET EARTH Model Figure Kit

- MARS ATTACKS NO PLACE TO HIDE Model Kit Diorama—S.B.]

ATF-10 / 02 [Added 10/30/2007]

Mars Attacks Target Earth model figure kit, The Topps Company, 1995.

[Three (3) MARS ATTACKS Screamin’ Model Figure Kit and Model Kit Diorama (all 1995, from Albany, NY-based Screamin’ Products Inc.):

MARS ATTACKS ATTACKING MARTIAN Model Figure Kit: -- This is the one featuring my MARS ATTACKS card (pictured on the front and sides of the packaging), hence the inclusion of this entire MARS ATTACK model kit line in the collection. See other figures, and samples MARS ATTACK cards, already in the collection. – MARS ATTACKS TARGET EARTH Model Figure Kit

- MARS ATTACKS NO PLACE TO HIDE Model Kit Diorama—S.B.]

ATF-10 / 03 [Added 10/30/2007]

Mars Attacks No Place To Hide model figure kit, The Topps Company, 1995.

[Three (3) MARS ATTACKS Screamin’ Model Figure Kit and Model Kit Diorama (all 1995, from Albany, NY-based Screamin’ Products Inc.):

MARS ATTACKS ATTACKING MARTIAN Model Figure Kit: -- This is the one featuring my MARS ATTACKS card (pictured on the front and sides of the packaging), hence the inclusion of this entire MARS ATTACK model kit line in the collection. See other figures, and samples MARS ATTACK cards, already in the collection. – MARS ATTACKS TARGET EARTH Model Figure Kit

- MARS ATTACKS NO PLACE TO HIDE Model Kit Diorama—S.B.]

ATF-10 / 04 [Added 10/30/2007]

The MAD Magazine Game, board game, Parker Brothers, 1979.

[Board Game: THE MAD MAGAZINE GAME (1979, Parker Brothers) -- Complete MAD board game with a great Jack Davis cover.—S.B.]

ATF-10 / 05 [Added 10/30/2007]

Dinosaur, plush bean bag toy, The Idea Factory, 1997.

[“MEANIES” toy: “BORIS” THE MUCOUSAURUS (1997, The Idea Factory) -- Beanie Babies were big in the 1990s, and among the knockoffs were the “Meanies,” ‘gross-out’ Beanie Baby parody toys. “Boris the Mucousaurus has a leaky snout/Wherever he goes his boogies drip out/His snot hangs from his nose/Which he never blows/When he sneezes you’d better look out.” Edward Lear, never fear. This was an anonymous gift sent in the mail by a TYRANT fan.—S.B.]

ATF-10 / 06 [Added 10/30/2007]

E.T. plush toy, leatherette, Kamar, circa 1982.

[Two (2) E.T. figures (both circa 1982):

- Plush E.T. toy, leatherette (decaying) with bean bag hand and feet (1982, Kamar)

- Plastic action figure (1982, LJN?)—S.B.]

ATF-10 / 07 [Added 10/31/2007]

E.T. action figure, plastic, LJN, circa 1982.

[Two (2) E.T. figures (both circa 1982):

- Plush E.T. toy, leatherette (decaying) with bean bag hand and feet (1982, Kamar)

- Plastic action figure (1982, LJN?)—S.B.]

ATF-11 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Natalie Scrimshire-Phelps

Updated 10/30/2007

Artifacts-games, action figures, and other merchandising materials.

ATF-11 / 01 [Added 11/06/2007]

VSDA Convention Home Entertainment Expo & DVD Festival 2001, signed by filmmakers, 2001.

[ONE Video Software Dealers Association placard/poster, mounted on stiff board, for the 2001 VSDA Convention Home Entertainment Expo & DVD Festival, announcing the Independent Filmmakers session I hosted and moderated: “Independent Filmmakers of Tomorrow Series: Reel and Deal Roundtables” - noting my moderating role, dated Monday, January 8, 2001, 1-3 PM. This has been SIGNED in permanent market by ALL the participating filmmakers, who were overjoyed with the event and results.

I was an active advocated for building bridges between independent video retailers and independent filmmakers, both of whom were suffering by 2000 in the constricting grip of consolidating corporate video chain-store, distribution and studio forces, being squeezed “out of the market” quite literally. For about three years, the VSDA pursued these sorts of programming events to counter this wave, and this panel represents the culmination of those joint efforts. I aggressively moderated the ”Reel and Deal” event, in which filmmakers present (and signing): LANCE WEILER, PATRICK HASSON, TIM KELLY, along with VSDA organizers BRUCE APAR, CELESTE, etc.

Though signed in permanent marker, the slick surface of the poster makes it easy to wipe off the marker -- HANDLE WITH CARE, and I hope this makes it to the collection intact!—S.B.]

ATF-11 / 02 [Added 11/07/2007]

Miniature alien figure from Close Encounters of the Third Kind: Special Edition, plastic, ½ inch tall, circa 1979.

[REALLY RARE, TINY ITEM!: Original plastic ‘alien’ figure used in the special effects miniatures for the Mothership interiors of Steven Spielberg’s CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND: THE SPECIAL EDITION (circa 1979; the “SPECIAL EDITION” re-release debuted theatrically in 1980) -- When Spielberg revamped his 1977 hit CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND to create the expanded “Special Edition” for theatrical re-release, special effects sequences added to the climax gave audiences a glimpse to the previously-unseen interior of the Mothership. Standing inside that vast Douglas Trumbull special effects creation were hundreds of THESE tiny plastic alien figures. Yes, THIS IS ONE OF THOSE ACTUAL FIGURES! Not a replica, but one of the figures actually used in the film. This was a gift to me from Jean-Marc and Randy Lofficier, and is a treasured item in my movie-related collection. Don’t lose this little wonder!—S.B.]

[For info on the alternative versions of CLOSE ENCOUNTERS and the particulars of the SPECIAL EDITION, go to:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075860/alternateversions

Print out and place this information in the collection with this figure. Thanks!—S.B.]

ATF-11 / 03 [Added 11/07/2007]

“The Lament Configuration” box, handmade replica of movie prop from Hellrasiers, made by Dan Grenier, wooden with faux gold leaf, circa 1987.

[HAND-MADE recreation of the movie prop “The Lament Configuration” (a box-like Chinese puzzle that opens the gates of hell) from the Clive Barker movie HELLRAISERS (1987), constructed by DAN GRENIER (circa 1987) -- Items like these are now sold regularly in direct-sales comics shops (I saw one last week at a flea market comic shop in Port Charlotte, FL), but at the time this was quite unusual, made by woodworker and good friend DAN GRENIER, who at thte time was still a teenager. Dan later did all the repairs, renovations, and woodwork on my trailer studio on Lower Dover Road in Marlboro, VT (where I worked approx. 1988 until September of 1993). Unfortunately, the fake ‘gold leaf’ stecil work of the configuration has chipped and cracked over the years, but this has been a fixture of my studio and/or household bookshelves since Dan gave it to me in ’87.—S.B.]

ATF-11 / 04 [Added 11/07/2007]

Laminators Neon Monster: The Mummy model, sealed in original package, Monogram, 1991.

[LUMINATORS Neon Monsters: THE MUMMY (Monogram, 1991) -- Monogram “Glow in the Dark” recasting of the original 1962 Aurora monster model kit, recast in transparent ‘glow in the dark’ plastic. The original Aurora kit was among my first monster models (at age 7), and this is a nifty artifact of that era and formative period.—S.B.]

ATF-11 / 05 [Added 11/07/2007]

Plasma Bug Starship Troopers Action Fleet action figure, sealed in original package, Galoob, 1996/97.

[STARSHIP TROOPERS Action Fleet: PLASMA BUG (vs. Ace Levy & MI Trooper) (Galoob, 1996/97) -- This is the first of a complete set of the ill-fated STARSHIP TROOPER action figures, which were my last toy collection purchases ever. Let me explain: First off, STARSHIP TROOPERSS the movie (1997, directed by Paul Verhoeven) was an unlikely candidate for licensing as children’s toys: adapted form the controversial Robert Heinlein sf classic novel, it was an explicitly violent, gory, R-rated militaristic sf epic with a savage satiric edge (parodying militarism and fascism by reveling in it, and in the bloody interstellar war at its core of human vs. an alien insect race). Nevertheless, just before the film opened, this imaginative and very cool line of action figures were in all the toy stores, based on stop-motion and CGI animator Phil Tipett’s special effects creations for film (see my interview with Phil Tippett in ANIMATO, in the collection). My son Dan and I snapped them up, and we were glad we did: once the film opened, horrified parents complained and nervous chain-toy-store managers removed them from the shelves in haste. This great line of monster toys vanished in a flurry of bargain-bin blowout sales. For me, they were also of interest as a 1990s revamp of the 1962 monster insect toy line HAMILTON’S INVADERS, which featured three ‘giant insect’ monsters and an array of futuristic sf ‘space warrior’ war figures and weaponary. I have ONE item form the HAMILTON’S INVADERS line left in my collection, which will be coming in a future package. They were clearly inspired by the Heinlein novel -- though of course no mention was made of that -- and anticipated both the MARS ATTACKS card set (Topps) and the STARSHIP TROOPERS “Action Fleet” monster-insect-and-military-figures line. More to follow!—S.B.]

ATF-11 / 06 [Added 11/07/2007]

Official Universal Movie Monster Creature from the Black Lagoon figure, in original packaging, Remco, 1980.

[Remco Official Universal Movie Monsters: CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON (Remco, 1980) -- Still in its original packaging, though a bit worn. Unusual cloth-and-plastic monster figure, with ‘glow in the dark’ face and hands, complete with “Monster Iron-On Patch & Glow-in-the-Dark Skull Ring!”—S.B.]

ATF-11 / 07 [Added 11/07/2007]

Two Creature from the Black Lagoon action figures, sealed in original packages, Remco, 1980.

[2 (two) Remco tiny action figures of CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON, one cast in dark green plastic, the other “Glows in the Dark!” lighter green plastic (Remco, 1980) -- Both in their original blister-packs, unopened.—S.B.]

ATF-11 / 08 [Added 11/07/2007]

Creature from the Black Lagoon Glow-in-the-dark jigsaw puzzle, 300 pieces, American Publishing Corp., 1974.

[THE CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON GLOW-IN-THE-DARK JIGSAW PUZZLE (American Publishing Corp., 1974) -- Open puzzle, hope all the pieces are in the box! GREAT puzzle, featuring a Creature portrait painted by the famed FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND cover artist Basil Gogos; this was, in fact, a cover for FM.—S.B.]

ATF-11 / 09 [Added 11/07/2007]

Official Universal Studios Monsters Creature from the Black Lagoon puzzle, 200 pieces, sealed in original package, Golden, 1990.

[Second copy: Official Universal Studios Monsters THE CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON 200 piece puzzle (Golden, 1990) -- Second copy, sealed and unopened.—S.B.]

ATF-11 / 10 [Added 11/07/2007]

Gremlins Bendable Stripe action figure, sealed in package, LJN, 1984.

[GREMLINS Bendable STRIPE figure (LJN, 1984) -- ‘Evil’ mogwai gremlin STRIPE, unopened in original blister-pack.

A quick explanation, as this portion of the collection will be arriving complete in the coming packages. Among my family’s favorite ‘kids monster movies’ of the 1980s were Joe Dante’s GREMLINS and GREMLINS 2. Maia and Daniel loved both films, and we searched high and low for the toys and action figures, though they are few and far between. For every one the kids got, I picked u p a duplicate to display in my studio. Lucky you, they’re all on their way. Director Joe Dante (and screen writer Chris Columbus, who went on to make the first two HARRY POTTER films, among many others) is a key figure in my life, having written for my two favorite monster magazines (FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND and especially CASTLE OF FRANKENSTEIN) in the 1960s and early ‘70s before breaking into filmmaking (co-directing HOLLYWOOD BOULEVARD, 1976, and launching his solo-directing career with PIRANHA, 1978, and THE HOWLING, 1981). He is among my all-time favorite American filmmakers (born November, 1946, in Morristown, NJ, near the home of the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art in Dover, NJ, where I was schooled in cartooning!). I’ve interview Joe (for my book project TRASH CHIC, forthcoming), too, which was a rare pleasure. More GREMLINS figures to follow, sans this explanatory note.—S.B.]

ATF-11 / 11 [Added 11/07/2007]

Gremlins Gizmo poseble figure, sealed in package, LJN, 1984.

[GREMLINS Poseable GIZMO figure (LJN, 1984) -- ‘Good’ mogwai gremlin GIZMO, unopened in original packaging and blister-pack.—S.B.]

ATF-11 / 12 [Added 11/07/2007]

Gremlins 2 “Candy Filled Containers,” Topps, 1990.

[GREMLINS 2 “Candy Filled Containers” (Topps, 1990) -- Candy-filled GREMLINS 2 heads featuring 4 (four) of the Gremlin characters from the sequel, including GIZMO and the revamped STRIPE; this is the original Topps counter display, complete in packaging, still containing 18 of the 24 count GREMLIN containers (there were originally 8 of the GIZMO heads). Per usual, I would NOT eat the candy after 15 years of storage…--S.B.]

ATF-11 / 13 [Added 11/13/2007]

Hat owned and worn by Stephen R. Bissette, 2000-2004.

[My hat (2000-2004) -- When my daughter Maia was about 7 years old (she was born in 1983, so that would place my first hat purchase around 1990), we were in Sam’s in Brattleboro, VT, and she picked out a hat for me. It was this style, and I’ve worn this style of hat ever since. This is one of at least five or six I’ve worn out -- just punch the top of the hat back into shape, and you’ve got a representative example of my headgear from 1990 on.—S.B.]

ATF-11 / 14 [Added 11/13/2007]

Two licensed ‘1963’ t-shirts, #1 and #2 issued, Mystery Inc., 1993.

[2 (two) licensed ‘1963’ t-shirts: MYSTERY INC. and THE FURY (1963 #1 and #2 issues) (Graphitti Designs, 1993) -- Our only licensed ‘1963’ merchandise, sadly. In original package, unopened.—S.B.]

ATF-11 / 15 [Added 11/13/2007]

The Fury t-shirt, Graphiti Designs, 1993.

[2 (two) licensed ‘1963’ t-shirts: MYSTERY INC. and THE FURY (1963 #1 and #2 issues) (Graphitti Designs, 1993) -- Our only licensed ‘1963’ merchandise, sadly. In original package, unopened.—S.B.]

BIO-1 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Hope Warner

Updated 04/28/2006

Bissette Biographical

Items pertaining to Stephen R. Bissette personal and professional history.

[LOTS of files, which I have carefully organized by year, subject, etc. This becomes autobiographical in nature, and provides a snapshot of my economic life as a cartoonist: what I earned, what it cost to live, etc., as well as a progressive view of my adult life taking shape (marriage, building a family, etc.) and such. I hope this makes the material a little more digestible – along with the following notes, which pretty well give you a year-by-year overview of my life, pro and some personal, and its relevance to the records enclosed. – SB]

Folder 1

BIO-01 / 01 / 01 [Added 03/09/2006]

Manila folder with notes on it; 2 bankbooks; 1 processed check; 1 money order receipt; envelope addressed to Stephen R. Bissette from Office of Town Clerk and Treasurer, Grafton, Vermont; checkbook with 5 checks and 1 deposit slip still attached in it; UPS shipping receipt dated 9/30/80; Application for addition to checklist, 1 yellow and 1 blue copy.

[(1) 1980: Where I lived – Though some of this ‘back story’ will be fleshed out once I excavate the remaining 1970s files, this was the key transitional year for me: moving from a shared-living arrangement that was a direct extension of my Kubert School student life, to living alone in Vermont; moving from New Jersey to return to my home state of Vermont; meeting Nancy O’Connor, my wife-to-be; cutting my teeth in my chosen profession; etc. So, bear with me, I’ll try to explain the documents in this file and in doing so what was happening for me:

- BANK BOOK: I banked at the Dover, NJ branch of the National Community Bank of New Jersey during my years in Dover, NJ at the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art, Inc. (Sept. 1976 – May 1978) and my short stay in NJ after (June 1978 – Fall 1979), building the professional contacts necessary to continue working in comics. I kept the NJ bank account open until April of 1980; this was my final bank book from that period. Note my first rental check for my Grafton, VT home (made out to my new landlords Theron and Iva Fisher, $60 a month rent, July 27. 1979; I moved in August 1^st, and kept my room at the NJ residence through March of 1980 as a base of operations in NJ) . Note, too, the transfer of funds to my bank in Vermont, First Vermont Bank, on August 7, 1979.

- SAMPLE CHECKS from National Community Bank of NJ: Note the address on these checks, 9 Berkshire Avenue, Dover, NJ, 07801, which our ex-KubertSchool classmate Ken Feduniewicz dubbed the “Flying Dutchman Studios.” Our landlord was Anthony Carraccio, who lived next door to us; Joe Kubert’s oldest son David lived across the street for part of our stay in this abode. This was the house where I lived with fellow XQB (ex-Kubies) RICK VEITCH, JOHN TOTLEBEN, TOM YEATES, and Tom’s partner SUE BALINSKI (originally from Fort Wayne, NJ); my room was on the main floor, facing landlord Carraccio’s house. I lived there from the time of my graduation from the KubertSchool (May 1978) until I moved to Grafton, VT in August 1979; I eventually sublet my room until leaving the house altogether in March of 1980.

- SAMPLE CHECK from First Vermont Bank, VT: Note my new home address, Fisher Hill Road, Grafton, VT05146. I was renting from Theron and Iva Fisher, two sturdy old Vermonters, and my residence was a one-room brick schoolhouse from the 1860s. It lacked electricity (I was the first resident to install electricity, after struggling with battery-powered lighting through the entire ‘1941’ graphic novel job; what prompted the final decision to install electricity was the lack of refrigeration, when my use of the nearby brook to keep food cold was foiled nightly by nocturnal raccoons who seemed able to open any container – I built a stone hollow to protect my food underwater and capped it with a huge flat stone, and that very night there was a flashflood that washed it all away), there was no plumbing (there was a single sink that drained into the crawlspace beneath the stone foundation, and an extension to the building in back: a long hallway past the wood storage area leading to an opulent four-seat outhouse), and was heated only with the woodstove I purchased upon my move into the place. Rent was only $60.00 per month (note receipt also in this file folder); it was pretty Spartan living and working, with my drawing board in the corner facing the road and driveway, my bed in the other corner. I should also note I purchased the first car of my life while living here, sometime in late 1979: a 1970 Mercury Montego from Florida that was hand-painted (you could see the paintbrush strokes!) piss yellow. I bought it for $100 in ’79, and sold it for $100 in 1981 (see 1981 file).

- Application for Addition to Grafton Voter Checklist, dated Oct. 20, 1980 (forms enclosed, with original mailing envelope)

- Shipping receipts: Nancy O’Connor’s move to live with me in Grafton, VT in September, 1980. For the whole story, see my notes (below) for the file 1981: Where I Lived (the bankbook for 1981 features most of the entries for 1980, documenting our life together); also see 1980: Travel folder (below) for details, and note the entries in my bankbook relevant to Jack Venooker (Johnson State College classmate, whom I went to visit in his new abode in Santa Fe, New Mexico) and Nancy O’Connor (whom I met in New Mexico, fell in love with, and spent time with in Santa Fe, paying my share of the rent during those months I visited).—S.B.]

Folder 2

BIO-01 / 02 / 01 [Added 03/09/2006]

Manila folder with notes on it; envelope from Johnson State College; check stub from Johnson State College for Cover Art Ref. #145; billing statement from Johnson State College dated 8 Jan 80; letter from Johnson State College to Bissette regarding balance due, dated December 4, 1979; student billing statement from Johnson State College for Spring of 1976, dated 12/15/75; student billing statement from Johnson State College for Spring of 1976, dated 03/22/76.

[(2) 1980: Final Johnson State College bill! – I attended Johnson State College in Johnson, VT from the fall of 1974 through the end of summer 1976 (I tutored at JSC that summer break); began my studies at the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art, Inc. in Sept. 1976. This was the final JSC bill; settled, behind me.—S.B.]

Folder 3

BIO-01 / 03 / 01 [Added 03/09/2006]

Manila folder with notes on it; envelope from HEAVY METAL to Bissette; invoice from Bissette to HEAVY METAL for FIRST LOVE, dated 2/4/80; receipt for payment to Bissette from HEAVY METAL for FIRST LOVE/ MAY 1980, dated 3/13/80.

[(3) 1980: HEAVY METAL job – The color two-page piece “First Love”; editor: Julie Simmons, Art Director: John Workman. This was my final HEAVY METAL sale; it was published much later, as was work I had completed and been paid for in 1979.—S.B.]

Folder 4

BIO-01 / 04/ 01 [Added 03/09/2006]

Manila folder with notes on it; envelope with check stub from Marvel Comics Group, dated 10/20/80; envelope with check stub from Marvel Comics Group, dated 8/27/80; envelope with check stub from Marvel Comics Group, dated 4/28/80: envelope with check stub from Marvel Comics Group, dated 6/28/80: envelope with check stub from Marvel Comics Group, dated 11/5/80; shipping receipt from Bissette to Marvel Comics, dated 4/10/80; copies of shipping receipts from Bissette to Marvel Comics, 2 copies, 2 pages, dates are: 5/28/80, 5/29/80, 6/2/80, 6/4/80.

[(4) 1980: Marvel Comics Group jobs – Editors: Lynne Graeme, Ralph Macchio; MARVEL PREVIEW/BIZARRE ADVENTURES magazine (black and white zine). Lynne Graeme was the editor of BIZARRE ADVENTURES in the wake of Marvel’s unceremonious booting of Richard Marshall from the editor’s seat. She was a curious woman to work for; during this period, I proposed a number of stories to her for the zine. If Lynne liked an idea, though, she would decide she should write it – and then never write it, which is what happened to my time-travel heroine Kestrel Falconer, whose story was ballyhooed (complete with two of my four character paintings) in an issue of BIZARRE ADV., but never appeared. Lynne never wrote the script, and the job languished, though I did complete two fully-rendered pages in hopes of jump-starting the gig. Throughout this arduous waste of time, erstwhile Ralph Macchio, who had been Rick Marshall’s assistant during my very first Marvel jobs, remained as Lynne’s assistant – and he remained assistant editor under Lynne’s successor Denny O’Neil. In a way, Ralph was the only constant for me at Marvel. See 1981: Marvel Comics file, below, for the rest of the story.—S.B.]

Folder 5

BIO-01 / 05/ 01 [Added 03/09/2006]

Manila folder with notes on it; return receipt for mail sent to James Van Hise, dated 5/14/80; original and copy of invoice statement to James Van Hise from Bissette dated 1/30/80; envelope addressed to Bissette from James Van Hise dated 6/22/80.

[(5) 1980: ROCKET BLAST COMICS COLLECTOR/ James Van Hise job – Van Hise’s RBCC was a venerable comics fanzine, and this was among the work I did for him over about a two-year period.—S.B.]

Folder 6

BIO-01 / 06/ 01 [Added 03/13/2006]

Manila folder with notes on it; envelope with check stub from Scholastic Magazines Inc. dated 1/04/80; envelope with check stub from Scholastic Magazines Inc. dated 2/29/80; envelope with check stub from Scholastic Magazines Inc. dated 5/15/80; envelope with check stub from Scholastic Magazines Inc. dated 10/15/80; registered mail receipt and express mail receipt from Bissette to Scholastic Magazines Inc. dated 5/15/80; express mail receipt from Bissette to Scholastic Magazines Inc. dated 11/13/80.

[(6) 1980: Scholastic Magazines jobs – Scholastic was among the best publishers I worked with in the formative years of my comics career: the kindest, most fun, best-paying, best reproduction of my work, and among the best gifts Joe Kubert gave me (he let me take the ‘contract’ with me when I graduated the School, having done a solid job on the couple of Scholastic jobs I did FOR Joe while a student). Editor and writer was “Jovial” Bob Stine, aka R.L. Stine of later GOOSEBUMPS fame, and Art Director was Bob Feldgus.—S.B.]

Folder 7

BIO-01 / 07/ 01 [Added 03/13/2006]

Manila folder with notes on it; invoice statement to Larry Shell from Bissette dated 1/17/80.

[(7) 1980: Larry Shell job – January, 1980: completed “Earth Invasion” for Larry Shell’s planned anthology ALIEN ENCOUNTERS; see 1981 for end of story. Larry Shell was among the first publishers I worked with while a student at the JoeKubertSchool. He lived in Irvington, NJ, and though couldn’t afford to pay much, provided a few critical venues for myself and a few classmates – and, as the 1981 files prove, was the bridge to two publishers who were later important to me.—S.B.]

BIO-01 / 07/ 02 [Added 03/13/2006]

Manila folder with notes on it; receipt from Snow & Lear Co. Inc. to Bissette dated 11/14/80.

[(8) What I wrote with – evidence of my manual typewriter, long since gone, on which I wrote my first comics scripts and pro jobs. Sentimental writer attachments like this are soooo pathetic, aren’t they?—S.B.]

Folder 8

BIO-01 / 08/ 01 [Added 03/13/2006]

Manila folder with notes on it; Conrail train ticket date punched is February 4; Amtrak train ticket date punched is August 25; Greyhound receipt dated 11/10/80; Vermont Transit receipt dated 11/26/80; Vermont Transit receipt dated 9/16/80; Vermont Transit receipt dated 11/03/80; parcel stub no. 500196 no date; flight itinerary envelope from Adventure Travel; Bieber Tourways receipt dated 8/26/80; Western Union telegraphic money order receipt dated 4/18/80; Western Union mailogram dated 4/18/80.

[(9) 1980: Travel – OK, here’s the scoop: I first met Nancy O’Connor during my November 1979 trip to Santa FE, NM (see 1980 file above, my bank books, Nov. 5-9, 1979). We fell for one another at the very end of that visit – I mean, like, the LAST NIGHT I was in Santa Fe! – and I then scrambled for work to afford a return visit. Note the bankbook entries for Jan. 14, 1980; Nancy (later Marlene) got me the plane tickets through a travel agency on her end, and I reimbursed her and rushed back out to Santa Fe in February, 1980, living with her until the money (and return ticket) ran out in April 1980. We fell for each other hard: Nancy moved out to Grafton to live with me by September of 1980. Ah, young love and long-distance romances. Also herein: bus and train trip tickets etc. for work-related trips to New York City and Boston.—S.B.]

Folder 9

BIO-01 / 09/ 01 [Added 03/17/2006]

Manila folder with notes on it; 1 bankbook; checkbook with 5 checks and 1 deposit slip still attached in it; receipt for post office box dated 9/02/81; premium notice from State Farm Insurance agency with 2 envelopes dated 11/17/80; 2 Empire Gas notices with envelopes dated 12/02/80 and 2/24/81; statement from Automobile Club of Vermont expiration date 07/01/81.

[(1) 1981: Where I lived – 1981 was also a key transitional year, culminating in marriage to Nancy O’Connor in August before our move to Wilmington, VT, the area of the state in which I was to settle for the rest of my life to date. The documents in this file tell the story, particularly the bankbook, but they do require a bit of back-up to explain the rest of what happened in 1980.—S.B.]

[As noted above (1980: Where I lived file), Nancy moved in September of 1980 to live with me. However, by the time of her arrival, I had arranged for possibly moving our living quarters from the red brick schoolhouse on Fisher Hill Road to the hilltop Grafton rental home built by SteveLake, if Nancy preferred. The Lake rental house was as Spartan as life at the schoolhouse, though it was a very cool structure with two floors, an electrical generator, a real kitchen and dining area, a living room, no running water but plumbing of a sort (a bathtub upstairs one could fill with water heated on the woodstove), and an outhouse a bit more elegant than the schoolhouse four-holer. The barely passable dirt road to the place was drivable in the fall, but unplowed in the winter, necessitating a half-mile trek uphill come winter. Nancy and I spent our first night together in VT at this place in the upstairs bedroom, which had a skylight above the bed; an owl visited us that night, landing above the skylight looking down. She loved the place, and so by October we had moved to the $85-a-month Lake rental while I kept the $60-per-month Fisher Hill schoolhouse as my studio. This pioneer-style idyll faded once winter hit hard, and we ended up literally fleeing the house on December 24^th, 1980, when a day-long struggle to fill the bathtub with hot water culminated in the crude plumbing bursting at almost every seam at the moment I climbed into the tub. We packed up and spent Christmas Day at the Fisher Hill schoolhouse, where we subsequently lived together from January 1981 through the end of August of that year. It was cramped living, but we were young and in love; Nancy worked in Springfield, VT (about a half-hour drive away) as a waitress, while my freelance work picked up and I worked at home. We were married atop the hills overlooking our Fisher Hill home in August, 1981, by our landlord Iva, who was also a Justice-of-the-Peace; sadly, her husband Theron had passed away late in 1980.

Seeking work that was of interest, Nancy gravitated to the GreenMeadowsSchool, a structured living facility for autistic children, in Wilmington, VT, south of Grafton. After her successful interview for a position at Green Meadows, we made the decision to move, and bid farewell to the red schoolhouse. We moved to a seasonal rental on Lake Rapona Road in Wilmington, in a rather odd sprawling two-story house owned by Connecticut teachers Tom and Carol Grant; we were there from September 1981 through the end of May 1982. The Wilmington move was definitive, re-orienting my life up to the present (I still live, now with my second wife Marjory, in this part of the state, over the mountain from Wilmington in Marlboro, VT). Note the receipt from the Wilmington post office for opening my PO Box (442) on Sept. 2, 1981; this is to this day my business address, primarily kept for consistent mailing of all DC Comics royalty checks.

Though the Grant house was a great place to live, complete with plumbing and electricity, comfortably heated with wood, and boasting an adjoining lawn across the road that sloped down to the lake itself (the Grants also had a small sailboat and paddle-boat we were free to use), and my freelance career in comics enjoyed a real boost from my work with Marvel (see below), it was a troubled year for us. We endured a tragic miscarriage (what would have been our first child, a son, at about six months) which happened at home, perhaps caused in part by a minor car accident Nancy suffered on Lake Raponda Road; that spring, we scattered the infant’s ashes on the shore of Lake Raponda. Our new car was subsequently totaled in our driveway when Wilmington high school boys joy-riding at about 7:30 AM avoided a rear-end collision with the local school bus by veering into (actually, ONTO) the back end of our vehicle. Luckily, I still owned the piss monster (my 1970 Mercury Montego), which I sold after we could afford a new used car at the end of the year (see below).

The bankbook is a real reminder of the details of our life that year. The one significant moment I will cite therein is my first check written to MOONDANCE COMICS (C #205, May 26, 1981). Moondance Comics was a mail-order comics supplier owned and operated by Alan Goldstein, then of Wilmington, VT. Moondance advertised in ALL Marvel Comics of the period, and was such a fixture of the Marvel Comics of the early 1980s that Sam Raimi paid homage in the SPIDER-MAN feature film (Peter Parker’s love Mary Jane works as a waitress at the Moondance Diner). In May of ’81, I found Moondance’s first retail shop in a corner of the Harmony Parking Lot in Brattleboro, VT. Alan and I became fast friends, and my old Johnson State College crony and frequent comics script collaborator Steve Perry (whose script “A Frog is a Frog” I illustrated that very year for editor Denny O’Neil for the black-and-white magazine BIZARRE ADVENTURES) was soon working at Moondance (he met his first wife, Marnie Rogers, there). My ongoing friendship with Alan later culminated in my becoming a shareholder, partner, and eventually employee of Alan’s in his new business First Run Video in 1991 (that’s another long story, which also involves Steve Perry – to be related in the 1991 file notes). It all started in May of 1918…—S.B.]

Folder 10

BIO-01 /10/ 01 [Added 03/17/2006]

Manila folder with notes on it; shipping receipt from Bissette to DC Comics Inc., dated 1/08/81; shipping receipt from Bissette to DC Comics Inc., dated 1/22/81; shipping receipt from Bissette to DC Comics Inc., dated 2/17/81; shipping receipt from Bissette to DC Comics Inc., dated 7/16/81.

[(2) 1981: DC Comics Inc. income –The mailings to Dick Giordano were, I think, related to a series of stories I proposed to DC for their mystery title SECRETS OF HAUNTED HOUSE, which I cleverly entitled “Secrets of Haunted House.” Editor David Manak loved the concept and my proposals, but the company policies that so complicated my first and only completed story in the proposed series, “Seeker,” scuttled further work. Under DC’s work-for-hire policies, I could not be allowed to write, pencil, and ink the stories; in fact, “Seeker” was only accepted after my friend Bill Kelley agreed to have his name affixed to the script credits. The later mailing (July 16, 1981) to editor Karen Berger was for a proposed HOUSE OF MYSTERY story that was indeed scripted by Bill Kelley; I don’t recall why that job never reached fruition, though I do recall it was about a shape-shifting housecat, and I did do a complete set of roughs for the story. This was significant, though, for being my first creative brush with Karen Berger, who two or so years later played a key role in my professional and creative life as the editor of SAGA OF THE SWAMP THING. —S.B.]

Folder 11

BIO-01 /11/ 01 [Added 03/17/2006]

Manila folder with notes on it; invoice from Fantaco to Bissette dated 1/21/81; invoice from FantaCo Enterprises to Bissette dated 3/17/81.

[(3) 1981: FantaCo Enterprises jobs (via Larry Shell) – see 1980 file on Larry Shell, and the next file on Kitchen Sink (below). My having done art for the story “Earth Invasion” for Larry Shell’s ALIEN ENCOUNTERS one-shot comic led to my contact with FantaCo, who published the anthology comic. FantaCo became a key employer for me later in the decade, and publisher Tom Skulan and I became good friends until the end of the decade (the unfortunate NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD debacle ended that for good) – but only after I had contributed to, and co-edited, GORESHRIEK and other FantaCo publications, and my writing career was launched by DEEP RED, which FantaCo published as well. —S.B.]

Folder 12

BIO-01 /12/ 01 [Added 03/17/2006]

Manila folder with notes on it; shipping receipt from Bissette to Larry Shell, dated 4/03/81; Invoice with copy and envelope dated 4/06/81.

[(4) 1981: Kitchen Sink Press (Krupp Distribution Co.) income (via Larry Shell) – as with FantaCo, my having done the story “Forgotten Fears of the Fifties” for Larry Shell’s 50’s FUNNIES one-shot led to my first professional association with Denis Kitchen and Kitchen Sink Press, who published 50’s FUNNIES in ’81. So that’s two I owe Larry! Denis and I maintained cordial relations over the years, culminating in the period in which Kitchen Sink “acquired” Tundra in 1993-94, and the subsequent publication of the final two volumes of TABOO by Kitchen Sink. —S.B.]

Folder 13

BIO-01 /13/ 01 [Added 03/27/2006]

Manila folder with notes on it; Vermont Transit receipt dated 03/02/81; Vermont Transit receipt dated 04/10/81; Vermont Transit receipt dated 04/10/81;copy of express mail receipt from Bissette to Marvel Comics Group dated 07/07/81; copy of express mail receipt from Bissette to Marvel Comics Group dated 08/11/81; copy of express mail receipt from Bissette to Marvel Comics Group dated 10/14/81; copy of express mail receipt from Bissette to Marvel Comics Group dated 11/19/81; copy of express mail receipt from Bissette to Marvel Comics Group dated 11/12/81; copy of express mail receipt from Bissette to Marvel Comics Group dated 12/09/81; copy of express mail receipt from Bissette to Marvel Comics Group dated 12/21/81; copy of express mail receipt from Bissette to Marvel Comics Group dated 12/03/80;copy of Amtrak train ticket date punched unknown; copy of Vermont Transit receipt dated 12/16/80; copy of express mail receipt from Bissette to Michael Hollingshead dated 01/05/81; copy of Amtrak train ticket date punched is December 7.

[(5) 1981: Marvel Comics Group income – Ah, here’s a long tale to tell. 1981 was the year in which, initially under BIZARRE ADVENTURES editor Lynne Graeme, I was introduced to one Michael Hollingshead, ostensibly to engage me as an artist in working with Hollingshead on an ambitious proposed series of Marvel Science Comics. Hollingshead claimed to have associations with pop-science writers and scientists like Carl Sagan, Robert Jastrow, John C. Lilly, etc., and a very professional-looking set of stationary to back his boast – and a savvy agent to ram the deal through. However, it came to light later that year that throughout 1981 Hollingshead pulled an astounding con-job on Marvel and it’s head honcho Editor-in-Chief Jim Shooter.

Hollingshead was a smooth-talking British gentleman who looked a bit like William Burroughs (and, I soon discovered, shared Burroughs appetite for drugs) and charmed Marvel personnel with his Brit accent and manners. Hollingshead’s main claim to fame was having written the book THE MAN WHO TURNED ON THE WORLD (1973, Blond & Briggs, London), detailing his 1960s LSD experimentation with Timothy Leary. Hollingshead was indeed a British academic, and I vividly recall the meetings in which he sold first Graeme and then Shooter on his proposed series of pop science comics. The concept was great, and it was just the kind of high-profile venture Shooter was seeking. Hollingshead produced letters and documents (which, it turned out, were all forged) claiming association with, and permission from, Sagan, Jastrow, Lilly, etc. to adapt their best-selling science books to comics form. I was to work one-on-one with Hollingshead and Shooter, and jumped into the project enthusiastically. The debut issue was to be based on Robert Jastrow’s UNTIL THE SUN DIES (1977, W.W. Norton & Co., Inc. NY), and I completed artwork (pencils and inks) for the entire issue not once but twice, in part to rework Hollingshead’s rather chaotic and incoherent script to meet Jim Shooter’s specifications, and in part to try and salvage the project after Hollingshead’s scam was uncovered.

This was all a heady, steep learning curve for an eager young newlywed cartoonist. Having already learned from Rick Veitch’s and my experience with the HEAVY METAL graphic novel adaptation of the Steven Spielberg film 1941 to never trust “a sure thing,” I learned never again to ‘cover’ for a partner at a meeting: for our first story conference with Shooter, Hollingshead showed up so unbelievably fucking stoned (“Excellent hash oil,” he slurred to me on the way up the elevator at 575 Madison Avenue). He could barely manage to sit in his chair, much less speak coherently. (At one point, when Shooter stepped out to take an urgent phone call, Hollingshead slid out of his chair like a drunken snake and toppled onto the floor; he got back into the chair only with my help. Later that afternoon, as I was forced to take Hollingshead to Marvel’s bank to cash our checks then get him back home to his redstone via cab, I had to save him from arrest when a bank guard he managed to completely enrage with his stoned behavior threatened to handcuff him). I learned to trust Shooter’s rigorous story-telling instincts, though my obsessive desire to push the envelope of page and panel design naturally fractioned with Shooter’s staid by-the-numbers template-approach to the medium: we ended up really enjoying working together, and our completely-opposed orientation to comics as a medium fueled some lively meetings and the one pleasurable aspect of this entire debacle. Somehow, through all this, I managed to completely pencil and ink issue one, THE COSMIC EGG (not once, not twice, but three times!) and completely breakdown and partially pencil the second issue, which traced the evolution of life on Earth – a dream project for me.

I learned a company could be snowed: when, at Hollinshead’s (suicidal, as it turned out) constant insistence, I contacted the offices of OMNI magazine (Penthouse’s then-profitable popular newsstand science magazine) after completing what I had been told were commissioned full-page b&w wash paintings to promote the Marvel Science Comics line in OMNI’s news section, the OMNI section editor spilled the beans. He patiently explained to me, apologizing each step of the way, that he had to be the bearer of bad news (“I can see by your work you’re very good, and very passionate about this project, but –“), that not only had the OMNI piece and artwork NOT been commissioned, but that Hollingshead was a complete con-artist, having conned OMNI into commissioning and then paying kill-fees (payment for work completed but not published due to publisher decision) for articles he’d never written. Furthermore, the editor had checked around: Hollingshead had NO permission to represent, much less adapt, any of the books or authors he’d claimed to represent and have clearance to adapt. Shaken, I immediately called Jim Shooter, told him the bad news, and gave him the OMNI editor’s phone number. Within the week, the jig was up for Hollingshead and for Marvel, and Jastrow’s attorney was threatening to sue Marvel if ANY aspect of our debut issue, THE COSMIC EGG, bore any relation whatsoever to Jastrow’s writings – ANY of Jastrow’s writings. So, Jim and I re-did the entire issue for a THIRD time, removing all material relevant to the source material we had worked from – a mean feat. During this process, Shooter began double-checking every factoid and bit of information Hollingshead had included in his ramshackle script, and found much of it to be incorrect. Hollingshead’s agent had already locked Marvel into a contract they could not break. Knowing it was all a con, the agent had managed to ram through an unbreakable contract – Marvel had to pay Hollingshead off to get him out of their hair, which infuriated Shooter to no end. Still, we somehow managed to salvage THE COSMIC EGG and produce a fair job of it, and we re-engaged with the second issue, which required extensive reworking to remove all Jastrow-inspired text or set pieces in its depiction of life’s evolution. In the end, Shooter pulled the plug on the project. It was discouraging, but I’ve no doubt the losses the project had already racked up due to Hollingshead’s pay-or-play deal and our having to rewrite and redraw the first issue three times made this venture a loser before we were out of the starting gate. Shooter was apologetic throughout, and in the end I was back to drawing for BIZARRE ADVENTURES. Shooter made sure I was paid well for my work throughout this ordeal, but in the end it ended up in Marvel archives of unpublished projects. I still have a dummy-copy and some Photostats (partially faded) of the first issue’s final form in the collection, and photocopies of some of the second issue work completed, which will eventually join the HUIE collection, too (as will my copies of THE MAN WHO TURNED ON THE WORLD by Michael Hollingshead and UNTIL THE SUN DIES by Robert Jastrow).

Note the change in the mailing receipts: I started working with Lynne (who was fired from Marvel very early in ’81), then was answering directly to Jim Shooter (and his secretary Linda Grant; no relation to my landlords of the LakeRaponda home) throughout the year, specifically on the Science Comics Project. By December, I was working with the new BIZARRE ADVENTURES editor Denny O’Neil (see Dec. 1981 Express Mail receipt enclosed), for home I illustrated “A Frog is a Frog,” a story conceived with and scripted by my friend Steve Perry – the story was completed and delivered ON TIME against a very tight deadline during the horrific miscarriage Nancy and I endured. We lost our child mere days after the job was turned in – my reward being Marvel claiming the copyright to that story with a single phonecall, though it was supposed to be our copyright (see that issue of BIZARRE ADV., wherein all other contributors retained copyright). As Steve Perry never signed a contract on the job, and Marvel was dubiously claiming ownership based on the blanket work-for-hire contract I had been coerced into signing in 1978, I plan to reprint this story under Steve’s and my copyright sometime soon. It remains one of the stories and art jobs I am proudest of to this day, and among the most personal of all my comics work. Embittered, I never really gave a shit about another deadline in my life.—S.B.]

Folder 14

BIO-01 /14/ 01 [Added 04/28/2006]

Manilla folder with note on tab; express mail receipt from Bissette to Scholastic, dated 2/26/81; express mail receipt from Bissette to Scholastic, dated 3/09/81; express mail receipt from Bissette to Scholastic, dated 6/15/81; express mail receipt from Bissette to Scholastic, dated10/29/81; express mail receipt from Bissette to Scholastic, dated 12/2/81; express mail receipt from Bissette to Scholastic, dated 12/19/81; express mail receipt from Bissette to Scholastic, dated 12/22/81.

[1981: Scholastic Magazines income – Scholastic, an oasis of sanity in an insane year. Looks like I enjoyed four or five jobs with them in 1981, by the dates on the mailing receipts (Feb. / March; June; October; December), still working with editor Bob Stine and art director Bob Feldgus. I loved working for and with them both. The top-notch production and printing I enjoyed with Scholastic inadvertently led me to a sort of professional cul-de-sac with Marvel, as new BIZARRE ADV. editor Denny O’Neil loved my sample pages from the Scholastic jobs and insisted I work in a similar painterly style for BIZARRE ADV – which Marvel’s crap print jobs turned to muck.—S.B.]

Folder 15

BIO-01 /15/ 01 [Added 04/28/2006]

Manila folder with notes on it; receipt dated 14 Dec 81 with Parmalee & Howe comics written in ink on it; receipt with Klara Simpla 12/16/81 written in ink on it; receipt with Klara Simpla 12/12/81 written in ink on it; receipt to Bissette for 27 copies purchased from the Town of Wilmington dated 9/23; receipt to Bissette for 19 copies purchased from the Town of Wilmington dated 10/02/81; receipt to Bissette for 4 copies purchased from the Town of Wilmington dated 10/14/81; receipt to Bissette for xerox copies purchased from the Town of Wilmington dated 10/16/81; receipt to Bissette for 5 copies purchased from the Town of Wilmington dated 12/2/81; receipt to Bissette for 20 copies purchased from the Town of Wilmington dated 12/9/81; receipt to Bissette for copies purchased from the Town of Wilmington dated 12/14/81; receipt to Bissette for 2 copies purchased from the Town of Wilmington dated 12/15/81.

[1981: Photocopy receipts, misc. Wilmington receipts – I include these as records of the three Wilmington businesses that became key to my work life after Nancy and I moved to the area. (a) Photocopies: The only place in Wilmington to get sharp photocopies of my work as I completed pages (pre-computer scanner era, this was a real problem) was the Wilmington Town Clerk’s office, where I met and befriended Town Clerk Mary Lou Rich. She was great, and loved to see me walk in the door – photocopying my weird shit was a pleasant change in her day. (b) Klara Simpla was an alternative book/ art supply/health-food store in downtown Wilmington, and became a key fixture, not only for their art supplies and such, but because later in the ‘80s I rented expansive studio space in their second-floor complex. (c) Parmalee & Howe Pharmacy was the venerable Wilmington institution (sadly, now gone) where I bought all my newsstand comics, including the copies of SWAMP THING I would mail to Alan Moore (John Totleben, Alan, and I never, ever got comp copies of our own work from DC; the only exception to that was when we would visit Karen Berger’s office in NYC, and she’d allow us to take a few from her office stash. Still astounds me that DC never put us on their comp lists – the cheap bastards! – which became problematic when we had to draw characters from other DC comics. I’d have to find ‘em and buy ‘em!).—S.B.]

BIO-2 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Hope Warner

Updated 05/12/2006

Bissette Biographical– Items pertaining to Stephen R. Bissette personal and professional history

[LOTS of files, which I have carefully organized by year, subject, etc. This becomes autobiographical in nature, and provides a snapshot of my economic life as a cartoonist: what I earned, what it cost to live, etc., as well as a progressive view of my adult life taking shape (marriage, building a family, etc.) and such. I hope this makes the material a little more digestible – along with the following notes, which pretty well give you a year-by-year overview of my life, pro and some personal, and its relevance to the records enclosed. –SB]

Folder 1

BIO-02 / 01 / 01 [Added 04/28/2006]

Manila folder with notes on it; all purpose form copy, yellow from Bissette to Cynthia Muise dated 12/29/81.

[1981: Sale of my first car – Yep, I sold my beloved heap, the urine-yellow 1970 Mercury Montego, in Dec. of 1981 (to Nancy’s lifelong friend Cynthia Muise from Nancy’s hometown of Lynn, MA) for the same price I’d paid for it, and what a deal it was. Though the car remained hideous throughout its existence, it survived TWO more owners after Cyndi sold it, ending up in a roll-over accident on Ray Hill Road in Wilmington that ended its life (but so rugged was that car that its driver wasn’t injured). What a tank it was!—S.B.]

Folder 2

BIO-02 / 02 / 01 [Added 05/01/2006]

Manila folder with notes on tab; receipt for St. George Motor Inn dated 11/25/81; receipt for Spruce Pond Inn dated 8/26/81; Vermont Transit receipt dated 04/20/81; The Travelsmiths business card, 2 each; ticket stub for Altair airlines with 3 baggage tickets dated 11/12/81; ticket stub for Altair and travel itinerary from The Travelsmiths dated 11/12/81; ticket envelope for Altair; envelope with notes on it; a flyer about identification of airplanes.

[1981: Travel, work-related – I have, mercifully, thrown away all the train/bus/cab receipts from the NYC trips, most of which were Marvel-related. Unlike DC Comics, Marvel would always reimburse me for travel expenses when I was called into the city for a meeting – always.—S.B.]

Folder 3

BIO-02 / 03 / 01 [Added 05/01/2006]

Manila folder with notes on it; 9 personal money orders from Vermont National Bank dated January through November, 1987; 2 receipts for firewood delivery to Arnie’s Quality Home Service dated 08/87 and 10/87; 1 written receipt for furniture dated 05/19/87; 1 note card on paid bills.

[1987: Where I lived – documents relevant to where my family lived and I worked. See all notes on the file, which read as follows:

- Still at Warren “Duffy” Manley’s rental house at Lower Dover Road in Marlboro, VT

- Note electric bills: we were still paying Duffy directly until sometime in 1987, when we convinced him to put the power bills in our hands.

- We heated with wood exclusively (purchased form WilmingtonVT ex-Police Chief Arnie Bernard, who is still a friend of mine)

- We bought some office furniture from Betty Manley in ’87, which helped furnish my studio – also bought a great kitchen table!

- Maia was now four years old and going to the Meetinghouse School and Lucky Woodlock’s Day Care in Marlboro, VT. Danny was only two years old, still at home.--S.B.]

Folder 4

BIO-02 / 04 / 01 [Added 05/04/2006]

Manila folder with notes on it; personal money order to Bill Cathey from Nancy J. O’Conner Bissette dated 6/6/87.

[1987 Aborted coloring book project – This project was for Whitman Publishing, and it just didn’t work out. Enclosed is one of my pay receipts to William Cathey, who worked with me on the project – he was my HarwoodUnionHigh School art teacher, and also had taught art to none other than Frank Miller in Montpelier, VT before working at Harwood!—S.B.]

Folder 5

BIO-02 / 05/ 01 [Added 05/04/2006]

Manila folder with notes on tab; express mail receipt dated 7/9/87; copy of check to Bissette from DARK HORSE COMICS dated 1/20/87; copy of check to Bissette from DARK HORSE COMICS dated 5/15/87; copy of check to Bissette from DARK HORSE COMICS dated 1/20/87; copy of check to Bissette from DARK HORSE COMICS dated 10/16/87.

[1987 Dark Horse Comics income (checks aren’t identified –not sure what this was for – GODZILLA?) -- S.B.]

Folder 6

BIO-02 / 06 / 01 [Added 05/04/2006]

Manila folder with notes on it; 11 check stubs from DC COMICS Inc. dated January through December of 1987; copy of check from DC COMICS Inc. to Bissette dated 6/18/87; copy of check from DC COMICS Inc. to Bissette dated 6/19/87; royalty statement from DC COMICS to Bissette dated 5/15/87; royalty statement from DC COMICS to Bissette dated 8/14/87; copy of check from Andrew J. Helfer to Bissette dated 7/15/87; copy of contract between DC COMICS and Rick Veitch dated 7/16/87.

[1987 DC Comics Inc. income – This includes payment for my work on SWAMP THING #64, which was Alan Moore’s final issue (drawn in August of ’87 from phoned ‘plot’ descriptions by Alan, the only time we worked on this title using the “Marvel method” we later employed for ‘1963’). This earned me my first art royalty on the SWAMP THING comic book (not the collections); when I drew the title earlier in the ‘80s, it was a newsstand comic, and earned no royalties. By this time, it was a “Direct Sales Only” title, paying royalties at a lower sales threshold.—S.B.]

Folder 7

BIO-02 / 07 / 01 [Added 05/04/2006]

Manila folder with notes on it; freelance voucher from ECLIPSE to Bissette date 3/16/87, copy of check from ECLIPSE dated 6/12/87; copy of check from ECLIPSE to Bissette dated 1/12/87.

[1987 Eclipse Comics income – for writing the TALES OF TERROR script “Remembering Rene,” art by David Lloyd.—S.B.]

Folder 8

BIO-02 / 08 / 01 [Added 05/04/2006]

Manila folder with notes on it; express mail receipt dated 12/12/87; express mail receipt dated 1/2/88.

[1987 FACES OF FEAR portfolio income – well, actually, these scant records indicate the production of the portfolio, a self-publishing venture I completed at the suggestion of and in partnership with Kubert School student Frederick Steven Warrick, aka Steve Warrick. This proved very successful for us; Steve printed ‘em up using my art, and we sold them for years after (see royalties paid to Steve in the 1989 records, below).—S.B.]

Folder 9

BIO-02 / 09 / 01 [Added 05/04/2006]

Manila folder with notes on it; copy of check from Peter A. Laird date 11/20/87; copy of check from MIRAGE Studios dated 5/8/87; copy of check from MIRAGE Studios dated 12/14/86.

[1987 Mirage Studios/Peter Laird income – for my Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles story in the one-shot TURTLE SOUP anthology; my script for the war story “The Bells”; and for inking a page or two of the LEONARDO special issue one-shot.—S.B.]

Folder 10

BIO-02 / 10 / 01 [Added 05/04/2006]

Manila folder with notes on it; copy of check to Bissette from BLUE COMET dated 1/30/87; copy of check to Bissette from GRAPHITTI dated 9/5/87; copy of check to Bissette from POPLAR PUBLISHING dated 11/8/87; copy of check to Bissette from NOMAD COMICS dated 11/16/87.

[1987 Misc. comics industry income – Hmmm, what’s in here? A Graphitti Designs check for I-don’t-know-what; a Nomad Comics/Chris Foss check for a pinup I drew for him; Poplar Publishing’s check for the first illustration for the ill-fated CARNOSAURS portfolio project; and a check from Craig A. Stormon for a sketch I did of his comic character BLUE COMET, which I don’t believe was ever published.—S.B.]

Folder 11

BIO-02 / 11 / 01 [Added 05/04/2006]

Manila folder with notes on it; copy money order to Bissette from Steve Donnelly dated 7/29/87; copy of check from NEW COMICS GROUP date 7/1/87.

[1987 New Comics Group income – Publisher was Steve Donnelly; we did a couple of books together, including a collection featuring a few of my Scholastic Magazines horror comic stories. Didn’t last long, this relationship; see notes for 1989 fiscal records, below.—S.B.]

Folder 12

BIO-02 / 12 / 01 [Added 05/04/2006]

Manila folder with notes on it; receipt from Palladium Books dated 9/2/87; copy of check to Bissette from PALLADIUM BOOKS dated 11/8/87; copy of receipt from Palladium Books dated 9/2/87.

[1987 Palladium Books income – Gaming publisher Kevin Siembieda was among the best publisher I had the good fortune to work with in the late 1980s. Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird of TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES fame turned me on to Kevin S, and Nancy (Marlene) and I did a batch of illustrations for one of Palladium’s supernatural-based games, and were paid well and earned royalties for years from that one gig.—S.B.]

Folder 13

BIO-02 / 13 / 01 [Added 05/12/2006]

Manila folder with notes on it; express mail receipt dated 3/26/87; express mail receipt dated 4/24/87; copy of check from CENTRAL COMMITTEE FOR CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS dated 5/12/87; copy of check from CENTRAL COMMITTEE FOR CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS dated 5/15/87; copy of check from CENTRAL COMMITTEE FOR CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS to dated 6/10/87.

[1987 REAL WAR STORIES job – The handful of mail/financial documents associated with the REAL WAR STORIES #1 gig, for which I did the full art job (pencils and inks) for one story, and my wife Nancy (now Marlene) colored two stories. A good project; note the source of the checks (Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors, 2208 South St., Philadelphia, PA 19146), and our editor, Joyce Brabner (the at PO Box 18471, Cleveland Heights, Ohio, 44118), wife of Harvey Pekar and co-star of AMERICAN SPLENDOR (the comic series and the film). – S.B.]

Folder 14

BIO-02 / 14 / 01 [Added 05/12/2006]

Manila folder with notes on it; federal express sender activity summary dated 8/07/87, 2 each.

[1987 SWAMP THING sequel art mailing to John Bisson – A bit of explanation here. In July of 1987, I got a phone call from one of my old JoeKubertSchool classmates John Bisson, who had gone into the field of movie special effects makeup. John was bidding to get the job for an upcoming sequel to the Wes Craven feature film SWAMP THING, and at his urging John Totleben and I each mailed John a set of photocopies of some select pieces from our SWAMP THING comics work (including character design sketches for the Un-Men) and a few original designs (including a snapping turtle monster I designed). This is the Fed X shipping receipt for that mailing, dated July 27, 1987 (delivered July 28), which indeed reached John in time for the producer’s meeting. According to John’s follow-up phone call, makeup expert Ed French was also bidding for the job, and attended the meeting; when John showed the producers Totleben’s and my artwork, they showed great interest, at which point French pointed our that the producers already HAD the legal rights to use anything John Totleben and I had done for the comic book – thus (a) earning brownie points with the cheapjack producers, and (b) undercutting John Bisson’s bid for the job. In short order, Bisson (and we) were out – and we later learned that Jim Wynorski was directing THE RETURN OF SWAMP THING for Uslan & Melnicker. The only upshot of this was a surprise phone call from DC honcho Paul Levitz, who had NEVER spoken to me before – I knew more about the SWAMP THING film than DC did!

When the film opened in NYC, none of us were invited; when I phoned Karen Berger at DC to see about getting comp tickets, she explained it wasn’t possible. When it was discovered the film used our cover art under the opening titles (effectively accompanied by Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Born on the Bayou”), DC mailed John and I $700 each. I finally saw the film when it was on video, renting it from the South Newfane General Store – and barely slept that night (it was sooooo bad, I wondered, “Is THAT what our work looked like to people?”). This proved a perfect intro to my few brushes with Hollywood: Out of four films that were somehow based or drew from my work in the comics industry (RETURN OF THE SWAMP THING, TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES II: SECRET OF THE OOZE, FROM HELL, and CONSTANTINE), I was invited to the premiere of one of them (TMNT: SECRET OF THE OOZE), and earned a share of option money from only one of them (CONSTANTINE). – S.B.]

Folder 15

BIO-02 / 15 / 01 [Added 05/12/2006]

Manila folder with notes on it; postal service return receipt article addressed to Bob Fingerman, no date; postal service return receipt article addressed to Maggie Thompson, dated 2/17/87; postal service return receipt article addressed to Stuart Alford, dated 8/12/87; postal service return receipt article addressed to George Hagenauer, dated 9/14/87; postal service return receipt article addressed to Michael McDowell, dated 9/10/87; receipt for certified mail sent to Anthony Timpone, dated 9/15/87; receipt for certified mail sent to Jon White, dated 9/15/87; receipt for insured mail dated 5/15/87; receipt for insured mail dated 5/15/87; receipt for insured mail dated 5/19/87; receipt for insured mail dated 6/5/87; receipt for insured mail dated 8/10/87; receipt for insured mail dated 9/5/87; receipt for insured mail dated 9/9/87; receipt for insured mail dated 9/11/87; receipt for insured mail dated 11/19/87; express mail receipt dated 10/19/87; envelope with notes on it; copy of check from AARDVARK ONE INTERNATIONAL INC. dated 6/3/87; copy of check from AARDVARK ONE INTERNATIONAL INC. dated 6/11/87; copy of check from AARDVARK ONE INTERNATIONAL INC. dated 8/15/86; copy of check from AARDVARK ONE INTERNATIONAL INC. dated 11/23/87; copy of check from AARDVARK ONE INTERNATIONAL INC. dated 11/25/87; copy of check from AARDVARK ONE INTERNATIONAL INC. dated 12/10/87; copy of check from AARDVARK ONE INTERNATIONAL INC. dated 1/6/87.

[1987 TABOO mailing and receipts – Work in earnest on TABOO was underway in 1987, and these are the significant remaining documents on shipping, payments, etc. to contributors and potential contributors. KAREN McKIEL was our key support contact at DAVE SIM’s then-vital Aardvark One International, Inc., the company Dave maintained to accommodate his publishing ventures with invited creators (PUMA BLUES, TABOO) – alas, KAREN was fired unceremoniously sometime in 1989, and Aardvark One folded in late ’88 due to Dave’s ethical crisis concerning the publication of creators other than himself (precipitated by the Diamond Dist/PUMA BLUES debacle, which I have detailed elsewhere; see COMICS JOURNAL #185 interview with Bissette, already in the collection). He still bankrolled TABOO until Nancy/Marlene and I (and our company SpiderBabay Grafix) were on our feet following the release of TABOO 1 – Dave was among the most honorable people I’d ever worked with in the comics industry. The checks herein were not primarily payments to me; they were monies from Aardvark One to cover payments to TABOO contributors who were beginning to turn in their work, so the checks would come from SpiderBaby Grafix. –S.B.]

BIO-2 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Hope Warner

Updated 05/15/2006

Bissette Biographical– Items pertaining to Stephen R. Bissette personal and professional history.????????(get what Lea Ann wants to put there.)

LOTS of files, which I have carefully organized by year, subject, etc. This becomes autobiographical in nature, and provides a snapshot of my economic life as a cartoonist: what I earned, what it cost to live, etc., as well as a progressive view of my adult life taking shape (marriage, building a family, etc.) and such.

I hope this makes the material a little more digestable – along with the following notes, which pretty well give you a year-by-year overview of my life, pro and some personal, and its relevance to the records enclosed.

Folder 1

BIO-02 / 01 / 01 [Added 04/28/2006]

BIO-3 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Hope Warner

Updated 05/15/2006

Bissette Biographical– Items pertaining to Stephen R. Bissette’s personal and professional history

LOTS of files, which I have carefully organized by year, subject, etc. This becomes autobiographical in nature, and provides a snapshot of my economic life as a cartoonist: what I earned, what it cost to live, etc., as well as a progressive view of my adult life taking shape (marriage, building a family, etc.) and such.

I hope this makes the material a little more digestable – along with the following notes, which pretty well give you a year-by-year overview of my life, pro and some personal, and its relevance to the records enclosed.

Folder 1

BIO-03 / 01 / 01 [Added 05/15/2006]

Manila folder with notes on it; receipt from Brattleboro Music Center dated 11/29/88; money order receipt dated 2/3/88; electric bill dated 7/19/88; electric bill dated 7/19/88.

[1988: Where I lived - various documents/mail to indicate my living and working place circa '88. My family and I were still living on Lower Dover Road in Marlboro, VT, landlord still Warren "Duffy" Manley and his wife Elizabeth; I had two mailing addresses: PO Box 335, Marlboro, VT 05344 was my 'home' address (home bills, etc.), and PO Box 442 in Wilmington, VT 05363 was my business address (and still is, for DC Comics, etc.). Maia Rose was now five years old, Danny was three years old; Maia at the Marlboro Meetinghouse still, and took classes at the Brattleboro Music Center, too. We heated with wood only. My key projects now were TABOO, some DC work (scripts), and other odds and ends. —S.B.]

Folder 2

BIO-03 / 02 / 01 [Added 05/15/2006]

Manila folder with notes on it; check stub from DC Comics dated 12/10/86; check stub from DC Comics dated 12/03/86; letter from Kitchen Sink Press to Bissette dated 10/14/86; copy of check from Toronto Dominion Bank dated 11/26/86; written receipt for payment to Bissette from Mirage Studios no date.

[1988: Income- Pretty slim pickings in '88, post-SWAMP THING and pre-TABOO (TABOO 1 came out that November). One story ('Road Kill," scripted by Tom Veitch) for Kitchen Sink Press's DEATH RATTLE anthology; one cover for the Canadian comic MACKENZIE QUEEN by Bernie Mireault; one eight-page story form Mirage Studios and 18 hours of inking/toning work on one of the TMNT books. Dave Sim continued to subsidize work on TABOO, and began paying me $200 per month to help keep it going; John Totleben had dropped out of the editing process, and Nancy (now Marlene) engaged only superficially. I picked up the slack with a lot of odd jobs locally, under-the-table pay for various day-job piecemeal gigs. —S.B.]

Folder 3

BIO-03 / 03 / 01 [Added 05/15/2006]

Manila folder with notes on it; thank you note with letter from March of Dimes dated 11 /8/87.

[1988 March of Dimes Comic Convention fundraising - though I was poor as a pauper myself, I continued to donate time, energy, and sketches to various charity comic conventions and events. This is one of the few receipts generated for such work - at $25 a sketch, $550.00 is a lot of sketches for charity at one event! —S.B.]

Folder 4

BIO-03 / 04 / 01 [Added 05/15/2006]

Manila folder with notes on tab; invoice and copy dated 8/5/88.

[1988 Self-Promotion - purchases of SWAMP THING back issues, for samples to drum up work. —S.B.]

Folder 5

BIO-03 / 05 / 01 [Added 05/31/2006]

Manila folder with notes on it; 11 receipts from kwik copy for copies; 1 receipt from Harold Makepeace for copies; 6 receipt from Classe Copy; 17 receipts from Golden Bear Photo Company; work order for printing from Classe Copy; 6 bills from Vermont Electric Cooperative; bill from New England Telephone, 5 pages; bill from Sprint, 13 pages; money order to Judy Nagel dated 1 /3/89; money order to Judy Nagel dated 2/7/89; money order to Judy Nagel dated 2/7/89; money order to Judy Nagel dated 2/27/89; money order to Judy Nagel dated 6/1/89; money order to Judy Nagel dated 6/26/89; money order to Judy Nagel dated 7/27/89.

[1989: Where I lived/worked: We were still living at Warren "Duffy" Manley's rental house, Lower Dover Road, Marlboro, VT. My studio was still part of the house at this time; see "1988: Where I lived, " above. Duffy was in his 70s or 80s at this time; he sold his home (across the pond from our rental) and the rental home we lived in to JUDY NAGEL, who became our landlord from 1989-1992 (see "1992: Where I lived," below). Though I haven't clear notes on this, I believe Duffy passed away in 1990 or'91.

Though I still worked in my studio room in the rental house, note that 1989 marks the year in which my photocopying and shipping business shifted almost entirely to Golden Bear Photo on Main St. (though their address is listed as Route 100, their retail frontage was actually on Rte. 9, alongside the Heritage Building, which became my studio in 1993), in Wilmington, VT. Bill and Sally Coombs (later Sally Mack) were the owners; Sally took over the business after their divorce later (I believe by '93), and this remained my primary venue for photocopying and shipping throughout the life of TYRANT. —S.B.]

Folder 6

BIO-03 / 06 / 01 [Added 05/31/2006]

Manila folder with notes on it; return receipt and receipt for certified mail dated 3/5/89; express mail receipt dated 7/18/88; UPS next day air receipt dated 3/8/89.

[1989: First writing jobs - shipping receipts to Chas (Charlie) Balun, editor/packager of DEEP RED magazine. Chas gave me my first break as a writer, and opened a whole new career path for me that became vital later in the 1990s. —S.B.]

Folder 7

BIO-03 / 07 / 01 [Added 05/31/2006]

Check stub from Dark Horse Comics dated 8/20/89.

[1989: Dark Horse Comics income - Hmmm, $400. Not a big year. —S.B.]

Folder 8

BIO-03 / 08 / 01 [Added 05/31/2006]

12 check stubs for royalty payments from DC Comics; 16 royalty statements from DC Comics; copy of check from DC Comics dated 6/2/89.

[1989: DC Comics, Inc. income. —S.B.]

Folder 9

BIO-03 / 09 / 01 [Added 05/31/2006]

Manila folder with notes on it; money order to Steve Warrick dated 5/22/89; money order Steve Warrick to dated 11/29/89.

[1989: FACES OF FEAR portfolio - see "1987 FACES OF FEAR portfolio income," above. Steve Warrick and I were still splitting up income from this modest self-publishing venture. As I said, it was fairly successful. —S.B.]

Folder 10

BIO-03 / 10 / 01 [Added 05/31/2006]

Manila folder with notes on it; New England Transit shippers receipt dated 3/15/89. New England Transit shippers receipt dated 5/15/89; express mail receipt dated 1/20/89; copy of check from FantaCo Enterprises, Inc. dated 3/9/89.

[1989: FantaCo Enterprises income - Note this was the critical year of the aborted NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD project with Tom Skulan (publisher) and FantaCo. I should have known better: as with my experiences with Lynne Graeme (Marvel, see "1980: Marvel Comics Group jobs," above) and Randy Stradley at Dark Horse (Randy approached me to do GODZILLA with Dark Horse; he insisting on co-writing, but I was not permitted to script per se, and never received coherent script pages or outlines from Randy), Tom insisted on co-scripting the four-part adaptation of the Romero film. We had story conferences at his home outside Albany, but never was a page of script produced, nor was I permitted to script on my own. I cobbled together layouts, pencils, and even rushed into finishes on some pages, but the core issue was never resolved of who was writing the damned thing.

Furthermore, though I was paid for the four covers completed and the doublepage "landscape of zombies at dawn" spread, there was never a contract, either and the deal remained amorphous as Tom and FantaCo hustled to sign a deal with St. Martin's Press of NYC for bookstore editions, and aggressive promotion of the project began. 1989 was the year Nancy (now Marlene) suffered a complete breakdown amid 'flashback' memories of having been sexually-abused as a child (see my interview in THE COMICS JOURNAL #185, in collection), which put my home life and professional life in a sudden upheaval. In the end, I walked from the NOTLD project, still lacking a contract; Tom Skulan blamed me entirely, and I eventually burned all my work & papers on the project - the only time in my career I resigned myself to such despair. This, along with the RAWHEAD REX debacle, sorely stigmatized my career in the 1990. The only art that survived were the pieces turned in to FantaCo, which were later returned and I sold them to Kevin Eastman; I later did recreations of two of the cover paintings for private collectors (Joe Manning, Tom Crouss). Anyhoot, I believe this is all that remains of my transactions with FantaCo, though we'll see if anything turns up in the 1990 materials. —S.B.]

Folder 11

BIO-03 / 11 / 01 [Added 05/31/2006]

Money order receipt dated 10/11/89; copy of check from National Westminster Bank USA dated 5/15/89.

[1989: Misc. income -- $168 for a UK job I can't recall. Sorry! —S.B.]

Folder 12

BIO-03 / 12 / 01 [Added 05/31/2006]

Manila folder with notes on it; receipt for certified mail dated 10/10/89.

[1989: New Comics Group income - Publisher, Steve Donnelly; editor: Valerie Jones. Ill-fated publishing venture from art dealer and comics fan Donnelly; I recall Valeries was rather duplicitous in her dealings at time, particularly with one TABOO contributor I had recommended to her, and it was a relief to leave this freelance venue behind. See "1987 New Comics Group income," above. —S.B.]

Folder 13

BIO-03 / 13 / 01 [Added 05/31/2006]

Manila folder with notes on it; letter to Bissette from Palladium Books dated 7/10/89; envelope dated 7/11/89.

[1989: Palladium Books income - Still earning royalties from this one job! See "1987: Palladium Books income" file, above. —S.B.]

Folder 14

BIO-03 / 14 / 01 [Added 06/12/2006]

Manila folder with notes on it; registered and insured mail receipts, 7 each; UPS next day air receipts, 2 each; New England Transit shipping receipt; Express Mail receipts, 7 each.

[1989: TABOO related shipping (of artwork, checks, scripts, etc.)- Not the 7/16/88 (89? Must be 1989, to have ended up in these records) mailing to FRANK MILLER; this was sending Frank a $500 advance for a proposed story entitled "Rats," which Frank eventually withdrew before completion and reimbursed his advance in full. Frank was always honorable in all dealings with me. —S.B.]

Folder 15

BIO-03 / 15 / 01 [Added 06/12/2006]

Manila folder with notes on it; receipt from Golden Bear Photo Company for copy machine date 11/28/89 with envelope.

[1989: Photocopy Machine purchase - this indicates to me that I might have set up my trailer studio in 1989, or been preparing to do so (for 1990) - hopefully, records to be uncovered will resolve this, allowing me to confirm or correct this note. I did not have the physical space in my studio room on Lower Dover Road to accommodate a photocopier, which is what leads me to believe I might have been preparing for the trailer studio at this point. . . —S.B.]

Closed on 06/12/06

BIO-4 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Hope Warner

Updated 06/23/2006

Bissette Biographical– Items pertaining to Stephen R. Bissette personal and professional history

[LOTS of files, which I have carefully organized by year, subject, etc. This becomes autobiographical in nature, and provides a snapshot of my economic life as a cartoonist: what I earned, what it cost to live, etc., as well as a progressive view of my adult life taking shape (marriage, building a family, etc.) and such. I hope this makes the material a little more digestible – along with the following notes, which pretty well give you a year-by-year overview of my life, pro and some personal, and its relevance to the records enclosed. –SB]

Folder 1

BIO-04 / 01 / 01 [Added 06/12/2006]

Manila folder with notes on it; Vermont Electric Cooperative Inc. payment stubs, 3 each.

[1992: Where I lived – Judy Nagel still owned the house Nancy (now Marlene) O’Connor and I rented on Lower Dover Road, Marlboro, VT early in 1992. Rent checks indicate Judy as our landlord from January through August; our first rent check written to Elizabeth “Betty” Manley is dated October 8^th, indicating the time she repossessed the property and became our landlord once again. Alas, her husband “Duffy” had died sometime prior to this, I don’t recall exactly when. Betty was our landlady into 1993; at some point in 1993, Larry Broder purchased the property from Betty, and became our fourth landlord at that location. He remained our landlord – and, after my separation from Marlene in Sept. 1993, Marlene’s landlord – until she moved from out of the house in 1995. [Larry is a wildlife photographer, and he still owns what was originally the Manley home; he sold the rental house around 2001, and it is scheduled for demolition or major renovations in 2005 by its new owners, Bob and Joanne Gutt. Larry Broder’s photography is posted on his website: http://www.naturallightphotography.org.

Check it out – we’re still friends.] —S.B.]

Folder 2

BIO-04 / 02 / 01 [Added 06/14/2006]

Manila folder with notes on it; envelope with notes on it with 7 receipts for household bills; envelope with notes on it with 6 synergy gas invoices, 3 synergy gas bill stubs and 2 synergy gas receipts; envelope with notes on it with 4 receipts from Hillwinds Farms.

[1992: Studio and storage costs – My trailer studio was the center of my professional life in ’92; it was parked behind and to the south of our garage at the Lower Dover Road rental residence in Marlboro, VT. In the late summer/fall of 1992, I also rented a shared studio space with Rick Veitch in Wardsboro, Vt, where we met twice a week to pencil and work on the ‘1963’ project (completed in ’93). All my backstock and much of my personal collection was stored at this time in a storage unit at Hillwinds Farm, Dummerston, VT.—S.B.]

Folder 3

BIO-04 / 03 / 01 [Added 06/14/2006]

Notebook paper with 1992 income written on it in ink.

[1992: My income – Hey, I found my tax income worksheet! No privileged information here – so here ya go, precisely what I earned in 1992, and from where. —S.B.]

Folder 4

BIO-04 / 04 / 01 [Added 06/14/2006]

Manila folder with notes on tab; 7 pages of check stubs.

[1992: Check stubs. Because of the personal nature of much of this checking information, I have disposed of the majority of the stubs; here’s what seemed OK to pass on to the collection. Financial records I have chosen NOT to ship (the SpiderBaby check records) yield the following info for the year 1992, which I thought I’d include as information to be stored with the enclosed 1992 financial records for the collection. I have included SOME of these check stubs herein, if they related to work, but also note the personal history in the following:

* Nancy/Marlene and I were already in biweekly marriage counseling sessions by end of ’91, beginning of ’92. Our separation began Sept. of 1993.

* A check (C #1509, Jan. 14, 1992) reflects a payment of 10% of my SWAMP THING trade paperback royalties to Mitch Berger for legal services rendered. I guess ’91-’92 were the years Mitch was working with me as legal counsel; I wasn’t sure. His employ at Tundra (which terminated our legal relationship) must have begun fall of ’92. Others include: C #1646 (to “Express contract to lawyer”), C #1806 (“5% of ALIENS: TRIBES pay”).

* A check dated March 13, 1992 (C #1592) is annotated, “Xpress mail for last GOREZONE column,” indicating my tenure as a columnist for the Starlog Communications Inc. newsstand publication GOREZONE ended here.

* I opened the post office box in West Brattleboro for all ‘1963’ mail on Feb. 4, 1992. I kept it open for one full year. I was the sole member of the editorial team (Rick and I were the nominal unpaid editors of the series) to handle the mail, some of which we DID incorporate into the comics series.

* The checks cut to John Totleben (C #1946, $800.00) and Rick Veitch (C #1947, $800.00) for the first ‘1963’ ashcan promotional comics done through Moondog’s of Chicago are dated Dec. 17, 1992. This is the beginning of the ‘1963’ promotional push.

* Work on COMIC BOOK REBELS (the interview book I co-authored with Stanley Wiater, for Donald I. Fine Publishing, NY, NY) must have begun in December – There’s a check stub to BRW Electronics of Brattleboro, VT dated 12/17/92 for “tape recorder and tapes for phone interviews.”

* First check to Jeff Smith to buy issues of BONE! C #1805, Aug. 22, 1992.

* Conventions/retail signings for 1992 included Fitchburg, MA (January), Nashville, TN (March), Memphis, TN (June), San Diego (August – my first San Diego ComiCon ever!), etc.

* Also: I lectured and attended an academic seminar on comics and pop culture at DuquesneUniversity, April 1992 (paid 4/21/92); this included my second public presentation of the JOURNEYS INTO FEAR lecture on the history of horror comics.

* I was still an active member of the Horror Writers of America (later Horror Writers Association) in 1992 (membership paid C #1580, March 5, 1992).

* TABOO-related payments included:

- $100 to Rick Grimes for work in TABOO 4 (C #1564, Feb. 27, 1992)

- $500 to Michael Zulli for “Sweeney Todd poster” (C #1598, March 17, 1992), showing SpiderBaby indeed paid Michael for the poster that Tundra claimed as theirs as soon as it was printed. This was among the death blows in the TABOO/Tundra relations, and soon precipitated Neil Gaiman and Michael Zulli pulling out of the SWEENEY TOKK project. Further checks indicate mailing of “Sweeney Todd work copies” to Neil Gaiman (on May 8).

* TABOO-related reimbursement to Tundra Publishing: $2500.00 (C #1579, March 14, 1992 – my birthday). This indicates the end of good relations with Tundra, which would drag on into (and further deteriorate) the spring and early summer.

* I paid photographer Fred Moore throughout 1991 and ’92 to shoot the slides for my JOURNEYS INTO FEAR slide lecture/history of horror comics (C #1616, March 24, $118.12; C #1658, April 21, $45.00.

* The ill-fated FROM HELL: THE COMPLEAT SCRIPTS project was launched with an agreement and check paid to Alan Moore on April 23, 1992 (C #1668, $500.00); the same amount was paid as matching funds by Borderlands Press (Tom and Elizabeth Monteleone, Baltimore, MD) the same week. Brattleboro-based Lotus Graphics was paid on May 1 to copy and bind the FROM HELL scripts for mailing to Borderlands, and the project was immediately put into motion; payment was made to Eddie Campbell for artwork for the book on Aug. 4 (C #1772, $50.00), and continued into 1993. This project was pulled together VERY quickly to address a phone call from Alan seeking funds on any basis due to a personal financial crisis. Alas, though launched with the best intentions, this project resulted in only one volume, and Alan and Eddie breaking our agreements/contracts when the FROM HELL movie option was suddenly complicated by the eleventh-hour revelation of this agreement and project. —S.B.]

Folder 5

BIO-04 / 05 / 01 [Added 06/20/2006]

Manila folder with notes on tab; 2 sheets of notebook paper with “1992 expenses Legal” written on the front page; 2 sheets of notebook paper with “1992 expenses” written on the front page; 2 sheets of notebook paper with “1992 expenses” written on the front page; 2 sheets of notebook paper with “1992 expenses Car” written on the front page; 1 sheet of notebook paper with “1992 expenses Phone” written on it; 2 sheets of notebook paper with “1992 expenses Postal and Shipping” written on the front page; 2 sheets of notebook paper with “1992 expenses Utilities, Plowing” written on the front page.

[1992: Tax worksheet for SpiderBaby Grafix/Stephen Bissette and Nancy (now Marlene) O’Connor – what it says; this seems OK to include, as an adjunct to (3) and (4) above. Anyone wanting to see what this ‘successful’ cartoonist was earning in 1992, and how it related to household and business expenses, here ya go. —S.B.]

Folder 6

BIO-04 / 06 / 01 [Added 06/20/2006]

Manila folder with notes on tab; envelope addressed to The Manager Spiderbaby Grafix dated 5/21/92; court papers regarding the bankruptcy of Neptune Comic Distributors, 2 pages; letter regarding the bankruptcy of Neptune Comic Distributors dated 5/21/92; proof of debt form.

[1992: Collapse of NEPTUNE COMIC DIST. Ltd (UK), documents – By the early 1990s, we began to see the crumbling of the once-booming direct sales market. It first impacted upon a couple of our foreign distributors, including Neptune; this is the final document we received from the UK concerning this account. Bear in mind, too, we could not claim these as losses – books (TABOO in this case) that were printed, sold, shipped, etc. were simply considered “income lost,” not losses, despite the material loss and unrecoverable costs associated with them. I never could quite get my head around that accounting/tax concept, which came up big-time later with TYRANT and the MAJOR distributor collapses that I endured for a time. —S.B.]

Folder 7

BIO-04 / 07 / 01 [Added 06/20/2006]

Manila folder with notes on tab; copy of check from MOONDOG’S INCORPORATED dated 12/11/90; copy of written travel expenses, no date.

[1992: “1963” Ashcans income/cost breakdown – With the launch of the ‘1963’ six-issue comics project in the late summer of this year, I scrambled to maximize the income from this project for ALL my collaborative partners. I saw it in part as my one opportunity to make up for past difficulties/delays/headaches I had caused for John Totleben, Rick Veitch, and Alan Moore on our various projects (SWAMP THING among those), a karmic payback manifest as income, if you will. Thus, I hustled to land and manage every income-producing promotional venture I could find; prominent among those were the then-popular ‘ashcan’ collectibles (deliberately crude photocopy mini-comics, the term ‘ashcan’ derived from long-standing publisher practices going back to the 1930s and ‘40s as a means of filing for copyright and trademark claims on unpublished titles using mock-ups of planned or pre-emptive protection titles). Gary Colabuno, owner of the Chicago-based comics shop chain Moondog’s, was the prominent collector of true ashcans, and he seized upon the opportunity to finance and distribute exclusive ‘1963’ ashcan editions of MYSTERY INC., THE FURY, and N-MAN. With the help of Larry Marder (creator of BEANWORLD, friend, and promotional manager of Moondog’s), I brokered the deal with Gary and put it together so Rick, John, Alan and I would make a nice sum off this deal. Here’s all the breakdowns and remaining documentation. Note, too, the reference to HELIOGABOLUS, which was a Neil Gaiman written-and-illustrated 24-hour comic which was prepared as an ‘ashcan’ edition at the same time; this was NOT part of the ‘1963’ project or ashcans, but Larry and I jumped at the opportunity to bring all this together at the same time and include Neil’s mini-comic in the package, to Neil’s benefit (while giving Moondog’s a very unique Gaiman collectible to sell). —S.B.]

Folder 8

BIO-04 / 08 / 01 [Added 06/20/2006]

Manila folder with notes on tab; receipt from Radio Shack for mono-recorder dated 12/17/92.

[1992: Work on COMIC BOOK REBELS begins (recorder receipt) – Included herein as evidence of work launched on the COMIC BOOK REBELS interview book project, co-authored with Stanley Wiater. —S.B.]

Folder 9

BIO-04 / 09 / 01 [Added 06/21/2006]

Manila folder with notes on it; check stub from Dark Horse Comics dated 09/30/92 and royalty statement for ALIEN TRIBES; Dark Horse Comics work voucher with check stub dated 10/5/92; Dark Horse Comics work voucher with letter of intent to publish LITTLE BROTHERS dated 11/5/92.

[1992: Dark Horse Comics income – Note the advance for ALIENS: KICK THE CAN (October), which was the planned novella sequel to the successful ALIENS: TRIBES project. The plot was accepted, but Dark Horse let the project lapse, without explanation; we were assigned various neophyte editors (one of whom I recall calling me, miserable over not having a desk: “I am sitting in the hallway making this call to you”) until it simply evaporated. Too bad; it was a solid story concept, one I may yet write (though not as an ALIENS project, for obvious reasons).—S.B.]

Folder 10

BIO-04 / 10 / 01 [Added 06/21/2006]

Royalty statement from DC Comics dated 12/6/91; check stub and royalty statement from DC Comics dated 1/15/92; check stub and royalty statement from DC Comics dated 3/15/92; check stub and royalty statement from DC Comics dated 5/15/92; Royalty statement from DC Comics dated 6/30/92; check stub and royalty statement from DC Comics dated 7/15/92; check stub and royalty statement from DC Comics dated 9/15/92; check stub and royalty statement from DC Comics dated 10/15/92; check stub and royalty statement from DC Comics dated 12/15/92.

[1992: DC Comics income – self-explanatory. —S.B.]

Folder 11

BIO-04 / 11 / 01 [Added 06/21/2006]

Manila folder with notes on it; 22 weekly check stubs from First Run Video with the dates ranging from 7/24/92 to 12/24/92.

[1992: First Run Video income (pay stubs) – I will include only one paystub (the final one of each year, which lists my total income for each respective year) in following year files, but wanted to document my full first year at First Run. I worked as the promotions and advertising manager in 1992, starting the week of July 12^th, 1992, and continuing into 1993. This job subsidized my drawing and editing work on ‘1963,’ for which we were paid only modest page-rate advances in exchange for a whopping 80% of the profits on the back-end. Couldn’t have done it at all without the dependable First Run Video job and income. —S.B.]

Folder 12

BIO-04 / 12 / 01 [Added 06/21/2006]

Manila folder with notes on it; First Run Video Annual Report for 1992, 2 pages; First Run Video Special Meeting of the Shareholders and Meeting of the Directors 23 pages, dated 3/16/93.

[1992: Shareholder information, First Run Video – I have removed my shareholder’s tax document, due to social security number, etc. therein. This is the first full year report on First Run, relevant to my career and life due to my shareholder status and longtime partnership, as well as my employment there (1992-93, 1998-2005) which subsidized much creative and freelance work that paid little or late, or neither. First Run Video opened its doors in November, 1991, and I participated fully in its opening, actually sorting the video catalog into its initial categories, racking, etc. My years in the video industry also expanded the business education that began with Dave Sim and my relations with Aardvark One International and TABOO, my retail education primarily launched by Larry Marder and Gary Colabuono of the Chicago-based Moondog’s comic shop chain (the buying meeting Gary invited me to attend was VERY educational, and oddly enough prepared me as a buyer at First Run Video, too), and my publishing ventures with TABOO and SpiderBaby Grafix. Anyone who dismisses the importance of First Run Video to my professional life is an idiot. —S.B.]

Folder 13

BIO-04 / 13 / 01 [Added 06/21/2006]

Manila folder with notes on it; handwritten in ink I.O.U. dated 4/2/92.

[1992: Great Eastern Conventions, writing income – This reflects income from my articles for Fred Greenberg’s short-lived comics magazine INSIDE COMICS, which was part of his eventually-fatal expansion plan for his Great Eastern Conventions business. Fred had managed conventions on the east coast (primarily NY and NJ at first) since the late 1970s, expanding it by 1992 into an operation that was threatening to either break-through into a major player or collapse. Alas, the latter happened; Fred disappeared soon after, and I haven’t heard from his since, save for a single phone call in the mid-90s. I miss him – Fred was among my classmates (second year) at the JoeKubertSchool, and a major part of all our lives in comics via his conventions. —S.B.]

Folder 14

BIO-04 / 14 / 01 [Added 06/21/2006]

Manila folder with notes on tab; royalty statement from Kitchen Sink Press dated 12/1/92.

[1992: Kitchen Sink Press income – a lone project, the SAUCER PEOPLE trading card set; a lone illustration. Oddly enough, my illustration ended up tying into an individual I later became good friends with via my video buyer job: the UFO case I illustrated as a card was investigated and written up as a book by Peter Robbins (LEFT AT EAST GATE by Larry Warren and Peter Robbins, 1997, Marlowe and Company, NY), who handled First Run Video’s account for Central Park Media, one of the premiere anime video and DVD labels of the ‘90s. Peter and I nurtured friendly relations, eventually met face-to-face at a trade show, and have maintained contact since his departure from Central Park Media in 2004. —S.B.]

Folder 15

BIO-04 / 15 / 01 [Added 06/22/2006]

Manila folder with notes on it; check stub from Mirage Licensing Inc. dated 4/9/92; check stub from Mirage Licensing Inc. dated 7/23/92.

[1992: Mirage Studios income –This includes royalties for the Tokka TMNT toys, and for a reprint of my Mutanimal pinups Steve Murphy commissioned in for the Archie Comics TMNT comics line (“Invasion from Space” reprint).—S.B.]

Folder 16

BIO-04 / 16 / 01 [Added 06/22/2006]

Manila folder with notes on it; royalty statement for third and fourth printing of BEYOND THE SUPERNATURAL from Palladium Books; check stub from Palladium Books dated 6/30/92; check stub from Palladium Books dated 12/31/92; royalty statement for fourth printing of BEYOND THE SUPERNATURAL from Palladium Books.

[1992: Palladium Books royalties – Still earning from that 1987 modest illustration gig! —S.B.]

Folder 17

BIO-04 / 17 / 01 [Added 06/22/2006]

Manila folder with notes on tab; check stub from Starlog Group dated 2/27/92; check stub from Starlog Group dated 5/07/92.

[1992: Starlog Communications Inc. /GOREZONE income – I was still writing for FANGORIA and GOREZONE on occasion at this time.—S.B.]

Folder 18

BIO-04 / 18 / 01 [Added 06/23/2006]

Manila folder with notes on tab; 5 check stubs and one invoice from Tundra Publishing Ltd. Dates range from 01/09/92 to 06/10/92.

[1992: Tundra Publishing income – modest, as you can see. —S.B.]

Folder 19

BIO-04 / 19 / 01 [Added 06/23/2006]

Manila folder with notes on tab; check stub and invoice from Windham Southeast Supervisory Union dated 5/20/92; check stub and letter regarding Bissette lecturing dated 5/28/92.

[1992: Tutor/Educational income – this includes lecture honorarium fees, tutoring income, etc. This became more than an occasional sideline in the 1990s for me. —S.B.]

Folder 20

BIO-04 / 20 / 01 [Added 06/23/2006]

Manila folder with notes on tab; Piece of note paper with Video Watchdog printed on top with handwritten notes and used as an invoice dated 4/3/92.

[1992: Video Watchdog income – This was my cover fee for painting the cover illustration for THE VIDEO WATCHDOG book (see collection). —S.B.]

Folder 21

BIO-04 / 21 / 01 [Added 06/23/2006]

Manila folder with notes on tab; receipt for insured mail, 2 each; express mail receipt, 13 each; UPS receipt; copies of 2 UPS receipts.

[1992: Shipping receipts for misc. projects – This gives a fair idea of the various side projects I worked on, from writing for GOREZONE and FANGORIA (newsstand horror zines) to writing for horror fanzines (Pual Harless’s ECCO, Craig Ledbetter’s ETC aka EURO-TRASH CINEMA, etc.), along with various comics-related projects (INSIDE COMICS, edited by Dale Crain; etc.) and TABOO (Alan Moore receipts, etc.). —S.B.]

BIO-5 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled Natalie Scrimshire-Phelps

Updated 10/31/2007

Bissette Biographical

Items pertaining to Stephen R. Bissette personal and professional history.

Folder 1

BIO-5 / 01/ 01 [Added 10/31/2007]

Independent Research Contracts with instructor Peter Heller, 4 pages with file folder, 1976.

[1976:

One (1) file:

(1) Independent Research Contracts with instructor Peter Heller, Johnson State College, Johnson, VT (January 28, 1976) -- Addendum material to Box # 5’s file folder, for which I noted:

“(3) 1975-76: Two (2) key Johnson State College documents relevent to my comics career: Independent Studies outline/proposals for art instructor Peter Heller (’75-’76 semesters), and invoice on publication of ABYSS, my first-ever comic! -- The one-page proposal is of interest as my first comic studies, under JSC’s head of the Art Dept., Peter Heller; note that Peter only approved the Anatomy studies as my first independent study, though the extensive work I did on ABYSS (my first published comics work) was applied toward planned independent studies “Pen and Ink” and “The Comic Epic.” [etc.]”

Looks like I was wrong -- Peter had originally signed off on ALL FOUR proposed independent studies! All but “Anatomy Studies” were tied in to the over-reaching scheme to publish ABYSS #1-4 in a ridiculously short semester period, and ambitious plan that yielded only one issue of ABYSS, which I recall Peter accepted as “more than I thought you’d accomplish in one semester.” The “Comic Epic” referred to, “Kona,” became Steve Perry’s script I illustrated for ABYSS #1 entitled “Not Yeti,” which was also not epic. I did write “Kona,” which my literature professor dismissed as “a plethora of violence,” which was most likely true. I may yet find that material as well.—S.B.]

BIO-5 / 01/ 02 [Added 10/31/2007]

Canceled rent checks, 15 checks with file folder, 1979-80.

[1979-80:

Sixteen (16) files, addendums to Box #5, File Folder Box #1, files #10-14; see notes for those files, and Box #1, files 31-9; insert these files as appropriate into those chronologies. Please not the checking acc’t numbers on these checks are NOT sensitive; these accounts are long-since closed.

(1) 1979-80: Where I lived: Cancelled checks:

Confirming the previous account of this period, checks to landlords Theron and Iva Fisher for rent on the brick schoolhouse of Fisher Hill Road, Grafton, VT; and checks to SteveLake for rental of his house in Grafton, VT, October to December 1980. This would indicate Nancy’s move to VT sometime in late September or early October, the beginning of our life together as a couple after a long-distance New Mexico/VT romance. As previously noted, we fled the Lake house on Christmas Eve of ’80 when the plumbing burst, returning to the Fisher Hill Rd. schoolhouse.—S.B.]

Folder 2

BIO-5 / 02/ 01 [Added 10/31/2007]

Cancelled checks from installation of electricity and a woodstove with file folder, October 16, 1979, December 7,1979.

[(2) 1979: Fisher Hill Road schoolhouse residence: cancelled checks indicating when I finally had electricity installed (Oct. 16) and purchased a new woodstove to replace the old clunker originally in the place (Dec. 7). Spartan living rendered a little less Spartan; still, no plumbing, no water.—S.B.]

BIO-5 / 02/ 02 [Added 10/31/2007]

Income/Expense records for the year of 1979.

[(3) 1979: Income/Expenses worksheets: Complete income/expense records for the year, noting all freelance income from my first full year post-Kubert School graduation.—S.B.]

Folder 3

BIO-5 / 03/ 01 [Added 10/31/2007]

Income tax info and worksheets, 13 pages and 2 envelopes with file folder, 1979.

(4) 1979: Income Taxes & worksheets: As cited, along with my 1099 forms from my major first-year employers Marvel Comics Group ($1925.00) and The Joe Kubert School ($789.20), reflecting work for Joe’s school-associated Tell-A-Graphics studio; and a letter from my accountant, Lester Terry, who was my parent’s next-door neighbor in North Port, Florida. Lester did his best to guide me through the vagaries of self-employment income tax, though it took me years to digest much of what he taught me.—S.B.]

Folder 4

BIO-5 / 04/ 01 [Added 10/31/2007]

Bank documents for transfer of funds, 5 pages and 3 envelopes with file folder, August 1979.

[(5) 1979: Documents relevent to the transfer of funds from my bank account in New Jersey to my new acc’t in Vermont (August, 1979) -- Evidently, as with every aspect of the move, this was a difficult trasition.—S.B.]

Folder 5

BIO-5 / 05/ 01 [Added 10/31/2007]

Cancelled check for production expenses on ‘1941’ graphic novel, 1 check and file folder, 27 August 1979.

[(6) 1979: Cancelled check: production expenses for the ‘1941’ graphic novel project. There was more than this, of course, but this was the only surviving cancelled check I could find!—S.B.]

BIO-5 / 05/ 02 [Added 10/31/2007]

Cancelled checks travel, business and personal, 3 checks and file folder, 1979-80.

[(7) 1979-80: Travel (business and personal): cancelled checks. Note the two relevent to my budding relationship with Nancy O’Connor, soon to be my wife: An October 1979 cash check for the trip to Santa Fe, NM during which I met and bonded with Nancy; my next cancelled check for a Santa Fe trip is written to Nancy ( Jan. 14, 1980), to reimburse her for plane tickets she purchased for me. It was getting serious!—S.B.]

BIO-5 / 05/ 03 [Added 10/31/2007]

Cancelled checks of payments to writer Steve Perry for script, 2 checks and file folder, 1980.

[(8) 1980: Payments to writer Steve Perry, cancelled checks: Payment for Steve’s script for the EPIC #6 story I had conceived, “Kultz” (Nov. 12, 1980, $150.00) and for the concept of a purely visual ‘column filler’ color piece sold to HEAVY METAL, entitled “First Love” (June 9, 1980, $50.00).-S.B.]

Folder 6

BIO-5 / 06/ 01 [Added 10/31/2007]

Cancelled checks for purchase of Stephen R. Bissette published work, 2 checks and file folder, 1980.

[(9) 1980: Purchase of comics my work appeared in: cancelled checks: These give a clear indication of when this material had hit the newsstands. The comics companies rarely sent comp copies; I purchased my own published work throughout my career, necessary for portfolio, samples of work for editors on future jobs interviews, etc. EPIC #2 (featuring Veitch/Bissette collaboration “Monkey See”) hit stands in July that same year.—S.B.]

BIO-5 / 06/ 02 [Added 10/31/2007]

Cancelled checks for payment to Rick Veitch for lettering, 2 checks and file folder, 1980.

[(10) 1980: Payment for lettering on my comics jobs: cancelled checks: to Rick Veitch for lettering the Scholastic Magazines stories “The Unkindest Cut” and “Dead Ringer” (June 9, 1980, $60.00) and to Ron Zalme for lettering “Attack of the 60-Foot Joggers” (I think) (Nov. 20, 1980. $60.00).—S.B.]

BIO-5 / 06/ 03 [Added 10/31/2007]

Cancelled checks to Bill and Sandra Cathey, July 7-August 15, 1980.

[(11) 1980: Summer with Bill and Sandra Cathey (July 7 – Aug. 15): cancelled checks: As previously noted, I summered in VT with my old high school art teacher and dear friend and mentor Bill Cathey and his wife Sandra in Middlesex, VT from 1977 through 1980; this was my final summer with them, due to my life changes. By the following summer, Nancy and I were preparing for our wedding, which Bill and Sandra joined us for.—S.B.]

Folder 7

BIO-5 / 07/ 01 [Added 11/03/2007]

Scholastic Magazine 1099 tax form with file folder, 1980.

[(12) 1980: Scholastic Magazines income: 1099 tax form: $2700.00, my strongest freelance account -- a generous gift from Joe Kubert, who allowed to to ‘take’ this acc’t as my own after my graduation from the Kubert School. Bless you, Joe!—S.B.­]

BIO-5 / 07/ 02 [Added 11/03/2007]

Cancelled check for SCAT purchase, 1 check with file folder, 1980.

[(13) 1980: SCAT purchase: cancelled check: This Oct. 1980 check indicated a purchase date for a sample copy of SCAT, a Northhampton, Massachetts-area comics newspaper that presented the first published work of Peter Laird -- soon to be co-creator of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and a friend to this day. I first saw his cartooning work HERE!—S.B.]

BIO-5 / 07/ 03 [Added 11/03/2007]

Cancelled check for purchase at The Little Professor, 1 check with file folder, 1980.

[(14) 1980: Last commix purchase from The Little Professor, Burlington, VT (Aug.): cancelled check -- This book store on Church St. in Burlington was my primary source for underground commix, and this was my last purchase there. The other key location in VT where commix could be found was the Burlington ‘head shop’ The Emerald City of Oz, which survived into the 1990s as a futon store and boutique, though its glory days were long gone.—S.B.]

BIO-5 / 07/ 04 [Added 11/03/2007]

Cancelled check for cash, 1check and file folder, 1980.

[(15) 1980: Ludlow, VT theater ticket money: cancelled check: Why this check? This was my trip to Ludlow, VT’s now-defunct movie theater to see FRIDAY THE 13th, which had opened nationwide the weekend before (May 10th). Not a great movie, but a historic one, and this rang a memory bell for me.—S.B.]

Folder 8

BIO-5 / 08/ 01 [Added 11/03/2007]

Two phone bill invoices and itemized record of calls from Mountain Bell Phone Company, 1981.

[(16) 1980-1981: Jack Venooker/New Mexico phone debacle: letters, documents, sketch by Jack (May 1981, in original envelope) -- I debated just dumping this, but Jack was so central to my life for so many years in so many ways -- best friend in college, one of the four most vital to my pursuing my comics career and getting into Joe Kubert School, I met my first wife Nancy aka Marlene through him, etc. -- that this record of our first big falling-out seemed relevent. In short, Jack and Kate were have their first child (Sarah) and had no phone and no credit to get a phone with. I allowed them to use my name to get a phone -- and then got bitten of the ass when Jack tried to stiff ME with THEIR overdue bills! We eventually settled all this, but it was one of many occasions in which my good nature got me into hot water when friends ‘used’ me, and one of the few with documentation remaining. I’ll leave it at that… we survived, though our friendship later (in the 1990s) succumbed to another debacle I won’t get into. We later mended fences enough to collaborated, in a way, in two incarnations of an online discussion board collective Jack dubbed ‘The Kingdom,’ with my board called ‘The Swamp.’—S.B.]

BIO-5 / 08/ 02 [Added 11/03/2007]

Phone bill invoices and itemized record of calls from Mountain Bell Phone Company with envelopes, 1980.

[(16) 1980-1981: Jack Venooker/New Mexico phone debacle: letters, documents, sketch by Jack (May 1981, in original envelope) -- I debated just dumping this, but Jack was so central to my life for so many years in so many ways -- best friend in college, one of the four most vital to my pursuing my comics career and getting into Joe Kubert School, I met my first wife Nancy aka Marlene through him, etc. -- that this record of our first big falling-out seemed relevent. In short, Jack and Kate were have their first child (Sarah) and had no phone and no credit to get a phone with. I allowed them to use my name to get a phone -- and then got bitten of the ass when Jack tried to stiff ME with THEIR overdue bills! We eventually settled all this, but it was one of many occasions in which my good nature got me into hot water when friends ‘used’ me, and one of the few with documentation remaining. I’ll leave it at that… we survived, though our friendship later (in the 1990s) succumbed to another debacle I won’t get into. We later mended fences enough to collaborated, in a way, in two incarnations of an online discussion board collective Jack dubbed ‘The Kingdom,’ with my board called ‘The Swamp.’—S.B.]

BIO-5 / 08/ 03 [Added 11/03/2007]

Phone bill invoices and itemized record of calls from Mountain Bell Phone Company with envelopes, 2 unopened letters, 1981.

[(16) 1980-1981: Jack Venooker/New Mexico phone debacle: letters, documents, sketch by Jack (May 1981, in original envelope) -- I debated just dumping this, but Jack was so central to my life for so many years in so many ways -- best friend in college, one of the four most vital to my pursuing my comics career and getting into Joe Kubert School, I met my first wife Nancy aka Marlene through him, etc. -- that this record of our first big falling-out seemed relevent. In short, Jack and Kate were have their first child (Sarah) and had no phone and no credit to get a phone with. I allowed them to use my name to get a phone -- and then got bitten of the ass when Jack tried to stiff ME with THEIR overdue bills! We eventually settled all this, but it was one of many occasions in which my good nature got me into hot water when friends ‘used’ me, and one of the few with documentation remaining. I’ll leave it at that… we survived, though our friendship later (in the 1990s) succumbed to another debacle I won’t get into. We later mended fences enough to collaborated, in a way, in two incarnations of an online discussion board collective Jack dubbed ‘The Kingdom,’ with my board called ‘The Swamp.’—S.B.]

BIO-5 / 08/ 04 [Added 11/03/2007]

Phone bill invoices and itemized record of calls from Mountain Bell Phone Company with envelopes, handwritten letter with illustration and original envelop, file folder included, 1981.

[(16) 1980-1981: Jack Venooker/New Mexico phone debacle: letters, documents, sketch by Jack (May 1981, in original envelope) -- I debated just dumping this, but Jack was so central to my life for so many years in so many ways -- best friend in college, one of the four most vital to my pursuing my comics career and getting into Joe Kubert School, I met my first wife Nancy aka Marlene through him, etc. -- that this record of our first big falling-out seemed relevent. In short, Jack and Kate were have their first child (Sarah) and had no phone and no credit to get a phone with. I allowed them to use my name to get a phone -- and then got bitten of the ass when Jack tried to stiff ME with THEIR overdue bills! We eventually settled all this, but it was one of many occasions in which my good nature got me into hot water when friends ‘used’ me, and one of the few with documentation remaining. I’ll leave it at that… we survived, though our friendship later (in the 1990s) succumbed to another debacle I won’t get into. We later mended fences enough to collaborated, in a way, in two incarnations of an online discussion board collective Jack dubbed ‘The Kingdom,’ with my board called ‘The Swamp.’—S.B.]

Book Shelf Inventory

Inventory compiled by Lea Ann Alexander

Updated 10/17/2005 (by Hope Warner)

Comics, graphic novels, videos, sound recordings, etc., shelved according to call number.

Title: GHOSTS, GHOULS & UNSOLVED MYSTERIES

Author: Citro, Joseph A.

Title: PASSING STRANGE

Author: Citro, Joseph A.

Title: COMIC BOOK ARTIST, Volume 2, Issue #1

Title: COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL, SAN DIEGO, 1997

Title: TRASH: THE GRAPHIC GENIUS OF XPLOITATION MOVIE POSTERS

Author: Boyreau, Jacques

Title: YOUR MOVIE GUIDE TO HORROR: VIDEO TAPES AND DISCS

Title: YOUR MOVIE GUIDE TO MOVIE CLASSICS: VIDEO TAPES AND DISCS

Title: YOUR MOVIE GUIDE TO SCIENCE FICTION FANTASY: VIDEO TAPES AND DISCS

Title: THE FRANKENSTEIN READER

Title: COMIC BOOK CONFIDENTIAL (DVD)

Title: THE ED WOOD STORY: THE PLAN 9 COMPANION (VHS)

Title: Songs in the Key of Z

Author: Chusid, Irwin

[SONGS IN THE KEY OF ‘Z’: THE CURIOUS UNIVERSE OF OUTSIDER

MUSIC by Irwin Chusid (A Cappella Books, 2000). Many illustrations by cartoonists, including Bissette (see pg. 128, a portrait of one of my favorites Captain Beefheart aka Don Von Vleit) –S.B.]

Title: HOW PRINTS LOOK (1943, Beacon Press)

Author: Ivins, William M.

[Study of the print-making process and of the prints themselves; relevant to early comics studies. A number of books from my personal art instruction/research library—S.B.]

Title: THE DESIGN CONCEPT: A GUIDE TO EFFECTIVE GRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (1981, Watson-Guptill)

Author: Hurlburt, Allen

[A number of books from my personal art instruction/research library—S.B.]

Title: CALLIGRAPHY (1973 Dover Publications)

Author: Baker, Arthur

[gift of Norm and Tina Krampetz. A number of books from my personal art instruction/research library—S.B.]

Title: TYPOGRAPHY 3: THE ANNUAL OF THE TYPE DIRECTORS CLUB (1982, Watson-Guptill)

[A number of books from my personal art instruction/research library—S.B.]

Title: PERSPECTIVE DRAWING: A DIRECTED STUDY (1981, Prentice-Hall)

Author: James, Jane H.

[A number of books from my personal art instruction/research library—S.B.]

Title: THE GREAT MAZE BOOK (1973, Pantheon)

Author: Bright, Greg

[A number of books from my personal art instruction/research library—S.B.]

Title: DRAW NATURE (1980/81, Grumbacher/Pentalic)

Author: Huntly, Moira

[Gift of Norm and Tina Krampetz. A number of books from my personal art instruction/research library—S.B.]

Title: GRAPHIC IDEA NOTEBOOK (1980, Watson-Guptill)

Author: White, Jan V.

[Useful ‘brainstorming’ book when I was trying to come up with inventive title designs or pages; my second copy was too beat up to send along. A number of books from my personal art instruction/research library—S.B.]

Title: THE TECHNIQUE OF OIL PAINTING (circa 1950, Pitman Publishing Company)

Author: Richmond, Leonard

[All tipped-in plates are complete and intact. Good instructional text, which I used in high school and college. A number of books from my personal art instruction/research library—S.B.]

Title: CARTOON CAVALCADE (1944, Peoples Book Club Edition, hardcover)

Edited by: Craven, Thomas

[Excellent anthology of American cartoons, tracing chronology of the form from 1883 to the book’s WW2 publication; an essential text, in good condition. This was a key book for me growing up; the was the edition that was in our family library.—S.B.]

Title: PARANOIDS (1986, Harrap, UK)

Author: Steadman, Ralph

[Rare Steadman book collecting his unique manipulated Polaroid portraits of celebrities, reformed into collecting his unique manipulated Polaroid portraits of celebrities, reformed into grotesque extremes by Steadman via a photographic technique the artist developed.—S.B.]

Title: THE GREAT COMIC BOOK HEROES (1965)

Author: Feiffer, Jules

Title: DANGEROUS VISIONS #1 (May 1969 Berkeley)

Author: Ellison, Harlan

Title: DANGEROUS VISIONS #2 (June 1969 Berkeley)

Author: Ellison, Harlan

Title: DANGEROUS VISIONS #3 (July 1969 Berkeley)

Author: Ellison, Harlan

Title: ELLISON WONDERLAND (1962 Paperback Library)

Author: Ellison, Harlan

Title: FROM THE LAND OF FEAR (1974 BelmontTower Books)

Author: Ellison, Harlan

Title: PARTNERS IN WONDER (1972 Avon)

Author: Ellison, Harlan

[Harlan Ellison paperbacks (6), including DANGEROUS VISIONS 1-3; note DV3 is signed to Bissette by Harlan Ellison. Ellison’s work, and specifically his approach to anthologies – collections of his own work, and of others – was the key inspirations and template for TABOO, with DANGEROUS VISIONS the primary model. Note the use of introductions, so vital to TABOO, was modeled on Ellison’s work herein.—S.B.]

Title: MAGICNET (1993 Borderland)

Author: DeChancie, John

[Sample Borderlands Press limited edition, MAGICNET by John DeChancie; published by Borderlands, Tom and Elizabeth Monteleone. Tom and Elizabeth are great friends, and it was editions like this one that led to my approaching them with the concept of packaging and co-publishing the Alan Moore/Eddie Campbell scripts, notes, art, and footnotes to the complete FROM HELL – thus, THE COMPLEAT FROM HELL, Volume 1 which proved enormously successful in its limited market, and among the decisive ‘death blows’ in my relationship with Alan Moore (see COMIC JOURNAL #185 interview, essay “Mr. Moore and Me” in ALAN MOORE: PORTRAIT OF AN EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMAN, and relevant files already shipped).—S.B.]

Fumettis:

Title: REVENGE OF THE PINK PANTHER (1979 FOTONOVEL)

Author: Edwards, Blake

Title: BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (1979 Berkeley)

Author: Larson, Glen A.

Title: THE BEST OF ROCKY AND THE COMPLETE ROCKY II (1979FOTONOVEL)

Author: Stallone, Sylvester

Title: BUCK ROGERS IN THE 25^TH CENTURY(1979 FOTONOVEL)

Author: Larson, Glen A.; Stevens, Leslie

Title: INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS (1979 FOTONOVEL)

Author: Richter, W.D.

Title: THE CHAMP (1979 FOTONOVEL)

Author: Newman, Walter

[6 paperback movie fumettis, ‘Fotonovels’ and one ‘Photobook’: Before video arrived, these paperback photo-fumetti comics adaptations of popular films enjoyed a brief reign on the paperback bookshelves. I love’em; here’s a representative sampling of the form, including my all-time favorite ‘Fotonovel’ INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS! Richard Anobile ‘pioneered’ this sort of movie fumetti frame-by-frame adaptation with his mid-1960s books featuring frame-blowup sequences of favorite W.C. Fields, Marx Bros., etc. films, followed by his ‘fumetti’ books adapting FRANKENSTEIN (1931), DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE (1932), and others, culminating in trade paperback color ‘fumetti’ adaptations of ALIEN and OUTLAND (both 1979). Anobile relied on typeset captions and dialogue, rather than comics-oriented use of word balloons and panels; the’Fotonovel’ format was more comics-oriented, and hence dearer to my heart. Magazine and comic format movie fumetti using frame blowups and stills were internationally popular and published since the 1950s, at least; the first US models to hit the newsstand were the Warren Publishing magazine fumetti adaptations of THE MOLE PEOPLE, THE HORROR OF PARTY BEACH, and CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN/HORROR OF DRACULA, written and designed by Russ Jones, with Wally Wood; and Charlton’s cruder magazine-format THE BLACK ZOO.—S.B.]

Title: PICTORIAL HISTORY OF TELEVISION (1959 Bonanza Books)

Author: Daniel Blum

[Daniel Blum’s PICTORIAL HISTORY OF TELEVISION (1959), a fantastic illustrated overview of the first decade-and-a-half of American TV history.—S.B.]

Title: THE END AND THE BEGINNING: THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO THE X-FILES Volume 5 (2000 Harper/Collins)

Author: Andy Meisler

[Andy Meisler’s THE END AND THE BEGINNING: THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO THE X-FILES Vol. 5 (2000); self-explanatory.—S.B.]

Title: METHODS OF MADNESS (1990 Dark Harvest)

Author: Ray Garton

Title: PRAYERS TO BROKEN STONES (1990 Dark Harvest)

Author: Dan Simmons

[More artifacts of my horror writer years: Two hardcover books from my key years of involvement with Horror Writers of America and the US horror writer scene: a signed-and-limited edition of Ray Garton’s METHODS OF MADNESS and a hardcover edition of Dan Simmons’ PRAYERS TO BROKEN STONES.—S.B.]

Title: THE BEST AMERICAN EROTICA (1999 Touchstone/Simon & Schuster)

Author(edited by) Susie Bright

[THE BEST AMERICAN EROTICA 1999 (First Edition; Touchstone/Simon & Schuser, 1999), ed. By Susie Bright. Here’s a rare and invaluable landmark in the conjunction of literature and comics: Kelly McQuain’s short story “Je t’aime, Batman, je t’adore” (pp.33-48) makes expicit the implicit homosexual content Dr. Fredric Wertham accused the BATMAN comic book series of harboring. Still smarting from the good doctor’s attacks (circa 1949-54), while arguing the use of Batman and Robin in the story was not satiric in nature, DC Comics took exception to McQuain’s comic erotic tale, and after legal threats the story was withdrawn from an academic comic journal to reprint panels from past DC BATMAN stories to illustrate an article on how the BATMAN series dealt with the accusations of the homosexual subtext; clearly, this is still a sore point for DC, though ‘fair use’ should have covered the latter case. KEEP THIS FOREVER IN THE COLLECTION—I will try to get a copy of the relevant comic academic journal into the collection, too.—S.B.]

Title: ALIEN: THE MOVIE NOVEL (1979 Avon)

Author: (edited by) Richard J. Anobile

[ALIEN: THE MOVIE NOVEL, “edited” by Richard Anobile (Avon, 1979). This was the slickest, most handsome, and probably best-selling example (including Anobile’s subsequent ‘movie novel’ OUTLAND) of Anobile’s ‘Movie Novel’ format. Anobile initiated this odd photo-fumetti variation in the 1960s with his hardcover and trade-paperback editions of black-and-white photo-fumetti volumes featuring favorite routines of the Marx Brothers, W.C. Fields, Laurel and Hardy, and Abbott and Costello (using typeset captions and text, not work balloons and captions as in comics and true photo-fumetti). In the pre-video era, this form was the only means for non-16mm-film-collector afficianados and film-lovers to preserve and revisit favorite sequences and (in books such as these) films. Anobile expanded the format from collecting famous ‘gags’ and sequences from films featuring beloved comedian sequences, to full-length photo-novel presentations of 1930s and ‘40s feature films, including FRANKENSTEIN (1931), DR. JEKYLL & MR. HYDE (1932; this Rouben Mamoulian version was then-rare and hard to see), THE MALTESE FALCON, and others. ALIEN represented the most lavish culmination of Anobile’s conceit, printed in full color and featuring the full ‘movie novel’ adaptation (via frame blow-ups) of a then-current and cutting-edge theatrical feature, AS it hit theaters. To my knowledge, Anobile did one other such full-color adaptation, of Peter Hyams’ less successful OUTLAND, before the fledgling video cassette market knocked these fumetti ventures out of the market forever. Also see the “FOTONOVEL” collection, already shipped and in the collection.

This particular book is vital to my own work, in that I based my visualizations (and some penciled panels!) of the character of Abby in SAGA OF THE SWAMP THING on actress Sigourney Weaver – and this book provided a rich reference for that characterization. The decision to model my comics characters on film actors and actresses was based on the specific recommendation of the late cartoonist Vincent Fago, whom I visited in his Bethel, Vermont home in the winter of 1976-77. Fago generously studied my KubertSchool portfolio at that time, and pointed out my inability then to maintain consistent characterization, and recommended I work through this problem by consciously basing my characterizations on celebrities or people I could build a solid photo-reference library upon. By 1983, as I began work on SWAMP THING as a penciller, I had become proficient in maintaining the consistency of my male character without having to rely on this method – though note by choice I still would follow this practice (note my “casting” of beloved British Hammer star Peter Cushing “as” Jason Woodrue/The Floronic Man in SWAMP THING #21-24)… but I was not so confident with female characters. This very copy of ALIEN helped me through that process; by SWAMP THING #27, though, John Totleben and I had evolved our characterization of Abby as a distinct character enough that I abandoned the Sigourney Weaver model.—S.B.]

Title: MONSTERS STRIKE BACK! (1965 Paperback Library)

Author: Forrest J. Ackerman

[FAMOUS MONSTERS STRIKE BACK!, ed. (and most of the text written) by Forrest J. Ackerman (Paperback Library, 1965). At the circulation and popularity peak of editor Ackerman and publisher Jim Warren’s newsstand magazine FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND, three of these paperback collections of articles and photos from then-already-rare and out-of-print early issues of FAMOUS MONSTERS magazine hit the racks, and sold VERY well! This was the third and final collection (see back cover for cover shots of the first two), featuring seemingly random reprints of Ackerman’s articles and clutches of photos from early issues. Robert Bloch’s “Calling Dr. Caligari” was of a higher standard than the writing that characterized the zine (though note Bloch’s misidentification of a famous sequence from the Val Lewton production of Jacques Tourneur’s THE LEOPARD MAN as being from the first horror film from Lewton’s production stable, THE CAT PEOPLE; see pg. 34), as was Bloch’s “The Clown at Midnite” (see pp. 58-75); also note the rare photos from the cut sequence of James Whale’s FRANKENSTEIN (1931) on pg. 66, a hallmark of FM’s finest moments. Bloch was, of course, the author of PSYCHO, among other novels, teleplays, and films, and quite a feather in Ackerman’s cap it was to feature Bloch’s articles from time to time! Also note the excellent article on makeup master Dick Smith’s work (pp. 76-89), a feature unlike that featured in ANY other American magazine of the period or before – another innovation of FM that spawned many future makeup and effects expert’s careers (as cited repeatedly by Rick Baker, Rob Bottin, Tom Savini, and many others) and defined entire future magazines of the genre (see FANGORIA). This is a rarity, and treat it well!—S.B.]

Title: SUBLIMINAL SEDUCTION (1974 Signet)

Author: Wilson Bryan Key

Title: SUBLIMINAL SEDUCTION (1974 Signet)

Author: Wilson Bryan Key

[TWO copies – one coverless, for reference – of SUBLIMINAL SEDUCTION by Wilson Bryan Key (Signet, 1973). This was a VERY popular book in its day (note the printings – 7^th and 12^th printings!), and had a profound influence on many filmmakers and cartoonists, sparked by William Friedkin’s extensive use of ‘subliminals’ and near-subliminals in his remarkable film adaptation of William Peter Blatty’s best-selling novel THE EXORCIST (1973). Key analyzed THE EXORCIST extensively in his follow-up book MEDIA SEXPLOITATION (1976). I recall friend, collaborator, and Kubert School classmate Rick Veitch was heavily into this book, and began to incorporate techniques analyzed by Key into his own comic book art.—S.B.]

Title: WILLIAM PETER BLATTY ON THE EXORCIST FROM NOVEL TO FILM (1974 Bantam Books)

Author: William Peter Blatty

[WILLIAM PETER BLATTY ON THE EXORCIST: FROM NOVEL TO FILM by William Peter Blatty (Bantam, 1974). A remarkable, self-analytical (and ego-boosting) book on the making of THE EXORCIST by the author of the original novel who also adapted his novel to shooting script and co-produced the film version, which was the surprise box office hit of 1973-74. This was, in its time, a most remarkable book; note the extensive photo section, and best of all Blatty’s original screenplay.—S.B.]

Title: TV GUIDE THE FIRST 25 YEARS (1978, Simon & Schuster)

Author: (edited by) Jay S. Harris

[TV GUIDE: THE FIRST 25 YEARS (Simon & Schuster, 1978), ed. By Jay S. Harris. Great overview of the early years of television; sans dust jacket, purchased for research (articles on various television programs and made-for-TV horror films), now completed.—S.B.]

Title: FROM HELL: BOOK 1; THE COMPLEAT SCRIPTS (1994 Borderlands Press and SpiderBaby Grafix)

Author: Moore, Alan

[Book: FROM HELL: THE COMPLEAT SCRIPTS VOL. 1 by Alan Moore, illustrated by Eddie Campbell, edited by S.R. Bissette, co-published, co-published by Borderlands Press and SpiderBaby Grafix & Publications. This was the one and only volume published; details in my COMICS JOURNAL #185 interview, more to follow. There were two editions – a signed and limited hc, and this trade paperback edition – this is VERY RARE, long out of print, so take care! VERY theft-vulnerable item, and the ONLY ONE I can send to the collection, as it’s the last of my stock.—S.B.]

Title: SWAMP THING: REUNION, volume 6 (2003 Vertigo/DC Comics)

[SWAMP THING: VOL. 6 (2003, Verigo/DC Comics, Inc.) Most recent (and final) collection of the Alan Moore SWAMP THING collected editions from DC/Vertigo, just out – here ya go! Note my art (covers, issue #64) and script (the Patchwork Man story). More to follow.—S.B.]

Title: ALIENS: TRIBES ( 1992 Dark Horse)

Author: Bissette, Stephen R.

[Book: ALIENS: TRIBES by Stephen R. Bissette, illustrated by David Dorman; Dark Horse, April 1992, 1^st edition hardcover. For this, I won the 1993 Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in Novella. This will provide the published context for many files, binders to follow; there was also a softcover trade paperback edition, copy to follow.—S.B.]

Title: THE BITE OF MONSTERS (Modern Promotions, no date)

Author: O’Neil, Dennis

Title: THE BITE OF MONSTERS (Belmont, 1971)

Author: O’Neil, Dennis

[2 copies, two editions of THE BITE OF MONSTERS, a sf original novel by Dennis O’Neil, published around the period when O’Neil was establishing a strong reputation as the writer on DC Comics’ GREEN LANTERN/GREEN ARROW series and BATMAN, both collaborations with premiere late 1960s/ early 1970s comics artist and illustrator Neal Adams. Note the ‘batman’ character in the novel, dragging his useless wings around! Two editions: the first printing (Belmont Books, NY, June 1971), and the Unibook reprint (Modern Promotions, no date or indicia, and note the ‘price tag’ is printed on the cover, not a sticker). Other comic writers preceded O’Neil in writing sf novels; others would follow, including O’Neil peers Chris Claremont, Jim Starlin, Don McGregor, and others. O’Neil was my editor on two key stories I drew for BIZARRE ADVENTURES (Marvel).—S.B.]

Title: STAR JAWS (Scholastic, 1978)

Author: Eisner, Will

[STAR JAWS by Will Eisner (Scholastic, 1978); one of the many ‘gag’ and joke comic paperbacks Eisner packaged during the ‘dry spells’ of his comics and graphic novel career.—S.B.]

Title: SUPERFAN (Signet, 1972)

Author: Meglin, Nick and Davis, Jack

[SUPERFAN by Nick Meglin and Jack Davis (Signet, 1972; 2^nd printing). I’m a huge Jack Davis fan, and there’s more to follow (see below)! This was a comicstrip collected into paperback book form.—S.B.]

Title: THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES BOOK OF COUNTRY HUMOR (Dell, 1964)

Author: Edited by Benton, Lewis R. Ph.D.

[THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES BOOK OF COUNTRY HUMOR, ed. By Lewis R. Benton, cover and interior illus. by Jack Davis (Dell, NY, 1964). More great Davis pen-and-ink art.—S.B.]

Title: A SORT OF A SAGA (Bantam, 1950)

Author: Mauldin, Bill

[A SORT OF A SAGA by Bill Mauldin (Bantam Books, NY, 1949, 1^st ed. Paperback 1950). Mauldin was a hero of mine, too, and this is his autobiography of his formative years, which was an inspiration to me when I first read it as a Vermont boy. If Mauldin could make a living drawing with his country roots, maybe there was hope for me, too…--S.B.]

Title: THROAT SPROCKETS (Delta)

Author: Lucas, Tim

[BOOK: The novel THROAT SPROCKETS by Tim Lucas, the culmination of Tim’s ongoing series “Throat Sprockets” in TABOO (see collection, TABOO0. This was written at my suggestion when Tim’s relations with the “Throat Sprockets” artists continued to be volatile. Simply put, Tim didn’t need comics to tell his story, nor did he need the personal upsets the collaborations inexplicably caused. A key addition to the TABOO collection.—S.B.]

Title: ALAN MOORE: PORTRAIT OF AN EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMAN (AbioGenesis Press, 2003)

Author: edited by Smokey Man and Millidge, Gary

[Book: ALAN MOORE: PORTRAIT OF AN EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMAN, edit. by ‘Smokey Man’ and Gary Millidge (AbioGenesis Press, 2003) New book, collecting essays, interviews, art, etc. dedicated to the works of Alan Moore. See my contribution, “Mr. Moore and Me,” pp. 217-232; also note that FROM HELL, LOST GIRLS were created for, and originally serialized in, TABOO. Reading the COMICS JOURNAL #185 interview with me, and then “Mr. Moore and Me,” should give folks a pretty good snapshot of my relationship with Alan over the ten years we worked together – and what happened to end that relationship.—S.B.]

Title: SAGA OF THE SWAMP THING (DC Comics, 1987)

[Graphic novel: SAGA OF THE SWAMP THING (DC Comics, first collected edition, 1987). This has since been reprinted in a new edition. This collects the first issues of the Alan Moore/Steve Bissette/John Totleben run on the series, circa 1983-84, originally published as SAGA OF THE SWAMP THING #21-27.—S.B.]

Title: COMIC BOOK REBELS

Author: Wiater, Stanley and Bissette, Stephen R. (New York, D.I. Fine, 1993)

Title: DEUS-X

Author: Citro, Joseph A (New Jersey, Twilight Publishing, 1994)

Title: TABOO #1 (Spiderbaby Grafix, 1988)

Author: (Created by) Bissette, Stephen R. and Totleben, John

Title: TABOO #2 (Spiderbaby Grafix, 1989)

Author: (Created by) Bissette, Stephen R. and Totleben, John

Title: TABOO #3 (Spiderbaby Grafix, 1989)

Author: (Created by) Bissette, Stephen R. and Totleben, John

Title: TABOO #4 (Spiderbaby Grafix, 1990)

Author: (Created by) Bissette, Stephen R. and Totleben, John

Title: TABOO #5 (Spiderbaby Grafix, Tundra, 1991)

Author: (Created by) Bissette, Stephen R. and Totleben, John

Title: TABOO #6 (Spiderbaby Grafix, Tundra)

Author: (Created by) Bissette, Stephen R. and Totleben, John

[Photocopy ‘dummy,’ promotional copy of the Neil Gaiman/Michael Zulli SWEENEY TODD ‘ashcan’ promo item, shipped (shrinkwrapped with) TABOO 6.—S.B.]

Title: TABOO #7 (Spiderbaby Grafix, Tundra)

Author: (Created by) Bissette, Stephen R. and Totleben, John

Title: TABOO #8 (Kitchen Sink Press, 1995)

Author: (Created by) Bissette, Stephen R. and Totleben, John

Title: TABOO #9 (Kitchen Sink Press, 1995)

Author: (Created by) Bissette, Stephen R. and Totleben, John

Title: TABOO ESPECIAL (Spiderbaby Grafix, Tundra, 1991)

Author: (Created by) Bissette, Stephen R. and Totleben, John

Title: BIG SUR

Author: Kerouac, Jack (Bantam Books, 1962)

Title: CRYPTOZOIC!

Author: Aldiss, Brian (Avon, 1967)

Title: THE GREATEST ADVENTURE

Author: Taine, John (Ace Books, 1929)

[THE GREATEST ADVENTURE by Dr. Eric Temple Bell (writing as ‘John Taine’; Ace, 1929; early 1960s reprint) Remarkable speculative sf tale of evolutionary tangents yielding races of monsters still alive in the Antarctic; this was one of my favorite ‘dinosaur’ sf novels as a youth, and just one of Bell’s many novels of unusual evolutionary tangents spawning bizarre Lifeforms. Bell died in 1960, and this edition appeared soon after. A later Bell favorite of mine is BEFORE THE DAWN (1934), in which scientists view the end of the age of dinosaurs through a time-viewer crystal; had I read this as a child, TYRANT might have taken shape much sooner in my life! Some sources credit this distinctive GREATEST ADVENTURE cover art to renowned sf illustrator/underground filmmaker Ed Emshwiller. —S.B.]

Title: CLASH OF THE TITANS

Author: Foster, Alan Dean (Warner Books, 1981)

[CLASH OF THE TITANS (movie novelization) by Alan Dean Foster (Warner Books, 1981), based on the screenplay by Beverley Cross. This was the novelization of special effects wizard/co-producer Ray Harryhausen’s last feature film; Harryhausen, as noted elsewhere in the collection, is one of my true heroes, and one of the many influences that prompted my career in art, comics, and the study of genre films and filmmakers. —S.B.]

Title: THE INHERITORS

Author: Golding, William (Pocket Books, 1971)

Title: 101 DINOSAUR JOKES

Author: Hirsch, Phil (Scholastic, 1988)

[101 DINOSAUR JOKES by Phil Hirsch (Scholastic, Inc., 1988) Illustrations by Brian Buniak (note his name is misspelled on the title page), an excellent cartoonist in the Mort Drucker style who currently teaches at the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art, Inc., in Dover, NJ. —S.B.]

Title: THE GREAT TIME MACHINE HOAX

Author: Laumer, Keith (Ace, 1978)

Title: DINOSAUR PLANET

Author: McCaffrey, Anne (Del Rey, 1984)

Title: FIRST MEN IN THE MOON

Author: Wells, H.G. (Ballantine Books, 1963)

[FIRST MEN IN THE MOON by H.G. Wells, movie edition (Ballantine Books, 1963); another Ray Harryhausen artifact, published in tandem with the 1964 release of the Charles H. Schneer/Harryhausen classic feature film

adaptation. —S.B.]

Title: THE PARASAURIANS

Author: Wells, Robert (Berkley Medallion, 1969)

Title: WHY DID PETE DUEL KILL HIMSELF?

Author: Kalesniko, Mark (Fantagraphics Books, 1997)

Title: THE VAULT OF HORROR

Author: Oleck, Jack (Bantam, 1973)

[Excellent condition pb novelization of classic EC comics stories, selected and adapted for the Amicus anthology feature film THE VAULT OF HORROR, by prolific comic book scriptor Oleck, who wrote many comics from the mid-1950s to the 1970s DC ‘mystery’ horror comics.—S.B.]

Title: TALES FROM THE CRYPT

(Ballantine Books, 1964)

Title: THE AUTUMN PEOPLE

Author: Bradbury, Ray (Ballantine Books, 1966)

Title: TOMORROW MIDNIGHT

Author: Bradbury, Ray (Ballantine Books, 1965)

[Three of the Ballantine paperbacks collecting the EC horror and sf comics in paperback form, with covers by Frank Frazetta (among his first!). The latter two collect the Ray Bradbury comic adaptations, of historic importance in the evolution of the genre in comics, and as the first juncture between a living published author and a comics publisher working together on adaptations of the author’s work. These are very rare, and in good condition.—S.B.]

BUS-1 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Hope Warner

Updated 09/05/2005

Business Documents

[Misc. TABOO solicitation materials, invoices, distribution lists, letters, etc. –SB]

Folder 1

BUS-1 / 01 / 01 [Added 05/24/2004]

Flyer to potential distributors and retailers seeking a wider audience for TABOO (3 copies). Includes review of TABOO that appeared in SPIN Magazine, Vol. 5., No. 3, June 1989. 81/2 x 11 photocopies, b/w.

BUS-1 / 01 / 02 [Added 06/02/2004]

Definitions of “adult-only” materials, from Capital City Distribution, Inc., with disclaimer. (n.d.) 81/2 X 11 photocopy. 1 page.

BUS-1 / 01 / 03 [Added06/03/2004]

List of distributors (n.d.) 5 pages. 81/2 x 11.

BUS-1 / 01 / 04 [Added06/03/2004]

Letter to publisher soliciting donations for Comic Book Legal Defense Fund benefit auction (04/30/1990). 1 page. 81/2 x 11.

BUS-1 / 01 / 05 [Added 08/13/2004]

TABOO distributor mailing list, typed, 5 pages.

[TABOO solicitations; original masters, notes, typed mailing list (which demonstrates HOW MANY DISTRIBUTORS were extant in the direct sales market prior to the mid-1990s collapse! There’s THIRTY venues we shipped to, the majority of them distributors!), etc. Much information here; best filed separately, perhaps. –S.B.]

Folder 2

BUS-1 / 02 / 01 [Added 08/23/2004]

Solicitation, TABOO 2, original master copy, 6 pages.

BUS-1 / 02/ 02 [Added08/23/2004]

Solicitation, FACES OF FEAR, Bissette’s first art portfolio, original master copy, 2 pages.

BUS-1 / 02 / 03 [Added 08/23/2004]

Ad for TABOO 1, original master, 2 copies.

BUS-1 / 02 / 04 [Added 08/23/2004]

Royalty letter to contributors to TABOO 1, typed, 3 pages.

BUS-1 / 02 /05 [Added 08/30/2004]

Solicitation letter for STICKS AND STONES: AN ANTHOLOGY OF CHILDHOOD TRAUMAS: typed 4 pages, including biographical and bibliographical information re: Bissette and Nancy O’Connor.

Folder 3

BUS-1 / 03 / 01 [Added 09/01/2004]

Letter from Preney Print and LithoInc. to Spiderbaby Grafix, c/o Bissette, re: pages of TABOO 2 that were considered too graphic for Preney to print, typed, single page, dated 02/28/1989.

BUS-1 / 03 / 02 [Added09/01/2004]

Letter from Preney Print and LithoInc. stating that they have produced TABOO 1 and have received payment, typed, single page, dated 02/28/1989.

BUS-1 / 03 / 03 [Added 09/01/2004]

Order form for TYRANT full color merchandise featuring the cover art of Bissette, 30 copies.

[TYRANT promotion and merchandizing: ad sheets for the TYRANT t-shirts, mousepads. –S.B.]

BUS-1 / 03 / 04 [Added 09/02/2004]

A form letter to the contributors to COMIC BOOK REBELS from Bissette and Stanley Wiater re: signing a release, typed, single page, dated 09/01/1992, 11 copies.

BUS-1 / 03 / 05 [Added 09/08/2004]

Permission form from Will Eisner Studios granting permission for Stanley Wiater to employ “page 1 of THE STORM”, with a handwritten note asking Stanley to please return 2 copies after signing them, dated 03/30/1993.

Folder 4

BUS-1 / 04 / 01 [Added 09/08/2004]

Permission form from DC Comics granting permission for Stanley Wiater to employ “one page from STUCK RUBBER BABY by Howard Cruse, 2 pages, dated 03/01/1993.

BUS-1 / 04 / 02 [Added 09/20/2004]Letter of agreement concerning Doug Wheeler’s and Tim Sale’s contribution to TABOO for the story “Donor”, handwritten and signed by both parties, dated by Wheeler on 10/19/1990 and by Sale on 10/26/1990.

BUS-1 / 04 / 03 [Added09/20/2004]

Letter of agreement concerning Doug Wheeler’s and Chris Bachalo’s contribution to TABOO for the story “No Broken Hearts”, handwritten and signed by both parties, dated by Wheeler on 01/30/1991 and by Bachalo on 02/10/1991.

BUS-1 / 04 / 04 [Added 09/21/2004]Missionstatement of Lenar Fine Arts, typed, single page.

BUS-1 / 04 / 05 [Added 09/22/2004]

Ad for Wendy Snow-Lang’s NIGHT CHILDREN, photocopied from CEMETERY DANCE MAGAZINE.

[unfiles: Wendy Snow-Lang as from Cemetary (sic) Dance magazine (see collection for NIGHT CHILDREN, her spin-off comics series from her story “Want” in TABOO ESPECIAL. –S.B.]

Folder 5

BUS-1 / 05 / 01 [Added 09/22/2004]

Invoice from Mary Kelleher for lettering “La Fugue”, dated 12/15/1989.

[Invoice (paid) from letterer Mary Kelleher, re: P. Foerster’s “La Fugue”. At the time, Mary was married to Mirage Studios cartoonist Mike Dooney; she was a sweetheart, and did much work for us over the Tundra years. –S.B.]

BUS-1 / 05 / 02 [Added 09/27/2004]

Permission agreement between Christopher Beaumont and Mark Burbey giving Burbey permission to adapt Beaumont’s short story, “Miss Gentilbelle”, as a full color comic, signed by Burbey on 02/18/1986 and by Beaumont on 02/21/1986.

[More materials (including photocopy of agreement with Charles Beaumont’s son Chris Beaumont) concerning Mark Burbey and Bill Wray’s adaptation of Beaumont’s “Miss Gentilbelle” – again, tragic this didn’t see print in the end, despite everyone’s best efforts. –S.B.]

BUS-1 / 05 / 03 [Added 10/12/2004]

Material associated with Diamond’s absorption of Capital City Dist., 2 copies:

1 mailed brochure and 1 Fax.

[HISTORIC DOCUMENTS IN THE HISTORY OF THE DIRECT SALES MARKET: The mailings and Faxes sent to publishers in the spring of 1996 announcing the hew terms for Capital City Dist. Accounts after Diamond’s successful ‘absorption’ of Capital City Dist. Note the date, July 26, 1996, at which point Diamond picked up Capital’s assets, accounts, and functions – it was the end of the heyday of the direct sales market. From that point on, it was all downhill, for ALL aspects of the direct sales market – save, I suppose, for Diamond. The assumption that Diamond would simply pick up Capital’s numbers (and that of the distributors who subsequently withdrew from the marketplace) prove false: Capital’s ‘numbers’ simply evaporated, prompting my decision that year to cease self-publishing.

For any scholar, researcher, or comics fan interested in what really happened to the comics direct sale market in the 1990s, THIS is a vital document and historic moment. –S.B.]

BUS-1 / 05 / 04 [Added 10/12/2004]

Form letter from Capital City Distribution to SpiderBaby Grafix & Pub. re: Capital’s wind-up and plan for paying claims, 2^nd notice, typed on Capital letter-head stationery, single page, dated 08/16/1996, envelope included.

[Context: Want to know how crucial Capital City Dist. Was to my self-publishing venture? Here’s a file of account activity from 1995; without Capital, SpiderBaby and TYRANT simply could not survive. –S.B.]

BUS-1 / 05 / 05 [Added 10/12/2004]

Form letter from Capital City Distribution to SpiderBaby Grafix & Pub. re: payment schedules, typed on Capital letter-head stationery, single page, dated 09/13/1996, envelope included; check stub for payment on TYRANT #4, dated 04/17/1996; photocopy of check from Capital City Distribution, Inc. to SpiderBaby Grafix & Pub., dated 09/17/1996.

BUS-1 / 05 / 06 [Added 10/12/2004]

Letter from Capital City Dist. to SpiderBaby Grafix & Pub. re: cancellations of Purchase Orders for TYRNAT #4, typed on Capital letter-head stationery, dated 10/17/1995, envelope included.

[Cancelled TYRNAT #4 order with CapitalCity; I cancelled and resolicited the issue, which cost me given CapitalCity’s subsequent collapse. Still, TYRANT #4 sold almost 20,000 copies! –S.B.]

Folder 6

BUS-1 / 06 / 01 [Added 10/12/2004]

Purchase Order #0000068949-00 (Buyer, Diamond Comic Distributors; Vendor, SpiderBaby Grafix & Pub.) for 15 copies of TYRANT #1, 12 copies of TYRANT #5, and 6 copies of TYRANT #2, dated 10/26/1996, handwritten notation stating that TYRANT #2 was shipped and invoiced on 10/31/1996, 2 copies.

[Misc. orders on TYRANT #5, unfulfilled as I pulled the book from solicitation and never published the issue in the wake of the Capital collapse. –S.B.]

BUS-1 / 06 / 02 [Added 10/13/2004]

Fax to Bissette from S. Robert Picone of SyCo Distribution: cover page, dated 11/25/1996; photocopy of SyCo’s publishers requirement statement and agreement, 2 pages.

[The Aptly-named Syco Distribution; didn’t do much business with these folks, very unstable indy distributor that arose after the collapse of Capital Dist. – S.B.]

BUS-1 / 06 / 03 [Added 10/13/2004]

Print out of email from SyCo Comics to Bissette re: the company history and operation, 2 pages, dated 09/12/1996, 2 copies.

BUS-1 / 06 / 04 [Added 10/13/2004]

Purchase Order #3/10/95-29 (Buyer, Styx International; Vendor, SpiderBaby Grafix) for 20 copies of TYRANT #4, dated 03/10/1995.

[Xanadian Comics distributor Styx, renamed Comics America; misc. order info, invoices, etc. – S.B.]

Folder 7

BUS-1 / 07 / 01 [Added 10/18/2004]

SpiderBaby Grafix accounts statement #0060696 BPC for Bud Plant Comic Art, dated 06/06/1996, marked paid 07/09/1996 and shipped 06/06/1996; purchase order #002718 (Buyer, Bud Plant Comic Art; Vendor, SpiderBaby Grafix) for 15 copies of TYRANT #1, 15 copies of TYRANT #2, and 15 copies of TYRANT #3, dated 06/04/1996; photocopy of check from Bud Plant Comic Art to SpiderBaby Grafix for #06096 BPC, dated 07/09/1996, envelope included.

[Bud Plant Comic Art, California-based comics distributor and mail-order retailer; this is the firm I bought most of my underground comix from as an aspiring comic artist in 1970-76! –S.B.]

BUS-1 / 07 / 02 [Added 10/18/2004]

SpiderBaby Grafix accounts statement #090996 CC for Cold Cut Dist., dated 09/09/1996; purchase order #80306 (Buyer, Cold Cut Distribution; Vendor, SpiderBaby Grafix) for 50 copies of TYRANT #1, 50 copies of TYRANT #3, and 50 copies of TYRANT #4, dated 08/23/1996, 2 copies; photocopy of check from Cold Cut Comics Distr. to SpiderBaby Grafix for #090996 CC, dated 10/21/1996, envelope included.

[Cold Cut Distributors; California-based indy distributor, one of the few whp survived and continued to grow after Diamond’s ‘takeover’ of the direct sales market. –S.B.]

BUS-1 / 07 / 03 [Added 10/26/2004]

Purchase Order #SB-13 (Buyer, Hobbies Hawaii Distributors; Vendor, SpiderBaby Grafix) for 15 copies of TYRANT #1, 15 copies of TYRANT #2, 15 copies of TYRANT #3, 15 copies of TYRANT #4, 30 copies of TYRANT #5, and 2 copies of TYRANT PALEO-PACK Signed Edition, dated 06/04/1996, marked shipped all but #5 06/11/1996; SpederBaby accounts statement #061196 HH for Hobbies Hawaii, dated 06/11/1996, photocopy of check to SpiderBaby Grafix from Hobbies Hawaii for inv. #061196 HH, dated 07/08/1996, envelope included.

[TWO files: Comics Hawaii & Hobbies Hawaii account files; small distributor who handled Hawaii (natch). –S.B.]

BUS-1 / 07 / 04 [Added 10/26/2004]

SpiderBaby Grafix accounts statement #081296 N&T for Now & Then Books inv. #0121595, dated 08/12/1996, marked overdue.

[Retail Accounts file; various individual retailers I sold direct to; invoices, etc. –S.B.]

BUS-1 / 07 / 05 [Added 10/26/2004]

Invoice for 20 copies of SR Bissette’s FACES OF FEAR folio sold to Fantaco Enterprises, order date 11/14/1989.

[TWO files, FACES OF FEAR (Bissette art portfolio) orders, invoices, copies of money order payments of share to Steve Warwick. This was quite successful, published and printed by my good friend Fred “Steve” Warwick. –S.B.]

Folder 8

BUS-1 / 08 through 1/12 [Added 12/09/2004]

Miscellaneous materials including invoices, checks and stubs, letters, vendor/distributor information, and etc, associated with the sales of TABOO 1-4.

[Large file, misc. invoices, orders, documents relevant to sales of TABOO 1-4. The notes on the outside of the file folder, and most of the interior documents, were written by my first wife and partner Nancy (now Marlene) O’Connor, who handled many of TABOO’s operations during issues 1-3. This was an active partnership thru the third issue. –S.B.]

BUS-2 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Hope Warner

Updated 11/07/2005

Business Documents

[Misc. TABOO solicitation materials, invoices, distribution lists, letters, etc. –SB]

Folder 1

BUS-2 / 01 / 01 [Added 12/09/2004]

Miscellaneous business papers relevant to TABOO 4 and 5.

[TABOO 4 reorder file: announcements, press releases, internal documents, orders, invoices, etc. relevant to the cancellation of TABOO 4 and 5 and resolicitation of TABOO 4 after the ‘re-organization’ of SpiderBaby Grafix (to sole proprietorship, sans Nancy/Marlene’s active participation, and my budding partnership with Tundra). –S.B.]

Folder 2

BUS-2 / 02 / 01 [Added 12/13/2004]

Invoice from Green Mountain Press for printing of TABOO 2, dated 11/02/1989.

[Note that Green Mountain Press printed TABOO 2, but proved unable to find a bindery willing to bind the completed printed books! This was my single attempt to work with local, Vermont printers as a self-publisher, hoping to support local businesses with my own. A costly folly! TABOO 2 ended up costing a small fortune to publish, needlessly so. –S.B.]

BUS-2 / 02 / 02 [Added 12/13/2004]

Solicitations, statements, price quotes, etc, from printers.

[Printers info, letters, replies form our seeking quotes for publishing future issues, etc (circa 1989). –S.B.]

Folder 3

BUS-2 / 03 / 01 [Added 09/05/2005]

Letter from Jean-Marc Lofficier to Bissette re: formation of The Starwatcher Agency. 2 pages. Bound at end of essay titled Hollywood & the Comics Creator. 81/2 x 11, typed. Dated 07/07/1994.

[Spiral-bound essay: “Hollywood & the Comics Creator” by Jean-Marc Lofficier, circa 1994. Note letter at the end of binder, initiating services between myself and Jean-Marc’s agency; they represent my N-Man, The Fury, and Hypernaut properties. –S.B.]

Folder 4 [Added 12/15/2004]

BUS-2/04/01

Bankruptcy notice from Andromeda Distributing, LTD., dated 04/19/1995.

[ANDROMEDA DIST. bankruptcy notice. Another peek behind the scenes, at just one of the documents that marked the beginning of the end of my self-publishing venture. Andromeda was one of many distributors who went under in the mid-1940s, leaving small publishers suffering significant financial losses that cumulatively pushed many of us out of the arena. More documentation of this period will follow, piecemeal. –S.B.]

Folder 5 [Added 10/10/2005]

BUS-2/05/01

Notice to distributors from Rick Veitch, 6 pages, no date.

[Rick Veitch’s KING HELL notice to distributors of his first self-published venture, THE ONE. This was an early draft Rick sent me for review/revision/suggestions; includes introductory statement on King Hell and its founding, complete WALL STREET JOURNAL article on the SWAMP THING #88 debacle with DC that led to Rick leaving DC and finally self-publishing. This is a fascinating little document, snapshot of a brave step one of American comics’ most vital creators took after much consideration and a real upheaval in his relations with DC Comics Inc.—S.B.]

Folder 6 [Added 10/10/2005]

BUS-2/06/01

Miscellaneous solicitation materials for TABOO #3 and 4.

[File of misc. TABOO solicitation materials for distributors; provides a snapshot of our ballyhoo, terms, and some contents that didn’t see print in the end.—S.B.]

Folder 7 [Added 10/12/2005]

BUS-2/07/01

Miscellaneous letters, notes, submissions, and artwork for TABOO #1.

[Jam-packed file of misc. correspondences for TABOO 1, including many of the eventual contributors (Eddie Campbell, S. Clay Wilson, etc.); full of juicy tidbits and memories. File accordingly; this one is chaotic. Includes first-draft of letter to Art Spiegelman and Francoise Mouly, who indeed helped early on establish contact with various contributors, including Charles Burns.—S.B.]

Folder 8 [Added 10/13/2005]

BUS-2/08/01

Notes on an envelope.

[Handwritten notes (by me) on writer/novelist/screenplay writer Michael McDowell, scribbled on the back of an envelope from Dave Gibbons (name-dropping here, or what?). The notes cover Michael’s key novelist credits to that time (1987), including his pseudonames… these were notes for his planned bibliography for TABOO, as we were going to publish his collaboration with Tim Burton, “The Oyster Boy.” Michael wrote the story, Tim illustrated it – but Tim wanted to finish polished pen-and-ink illustrations, though Michael (and I) were more than happy with Tim’s sketchy, energetic art. With the BATMAN movie in production, though, we lost contact with Tim and this eventually, over a three year period, stretched into limbo. Too bad, would have been a great addition to TABOO and feather in our collective cap! It saw print much later in the hardcover book THE OYSTER BOY AND OTHER STORIES, credited solely to Tim Burton – though I know Michael wrote “The Oyster Boy.” More files to follow, as they surface.—S.B.]

BUS-2/08/02 [Added 10/13/2005]

Notes in pencil, 1 page, both sides.

[notes on Cam Kennedy JUDGE DREDD pages for sale; I helped Cam sell some of his art stateside back in 1989 or so, just after the publication of his art for “Eyes Without a Face” in TABOO 1.—S.B.]

BUS-2/08/03 [Added 10/14/2005]

Solicitations: TABOO 2, 9 pages dated 12/16/88. TABOO 3, 2 pages no date.

[TABOO 2 and 3 solicitations. Note that there was NOT an ‘export’ edition of TABOO 2; we didn’t get enough orders to justify the extra expense – the issue was simply banned in the UK, Canada, and a number of other countries!—S.B.]

Folder 9 [Added 10/17/2005]

BUS-2/09/01

Letters, forms, re: distributor trade shows, 20 pieces with one envelope, various dates.

[Incredible! Letters and specs on the 1988-89 comics distributor trade shows – evidence of a once-vital, thriving, money-fueled direct sales market. This stuff is invaluable to anyone who might research the direct sales market prior to the mid-1990s crash!—S.B.]

Folder 10 [Added 11/07/2005]

BUS-2/10/01

Copies of TABOO 1 through 4 “Terms of Agreement” typed 3 pages each.

Folder 11 [Added 11/07/2005]

BUS-2/11/01

Federal Express receipts for shipments, seven each with various dates, one page of shipping notes included.

[Historic Fed X document: The delivery of TABOO 1 material to our printer, October 27, 1988!—S.B.]

BUS-2/11/02 [Added 11/07/2005]

Postcard from SyCo to Spiderbaby Grafix, dated 3/98. Advertising sheet for SyCo, 1 page. Publication schedule for SyCo 2 copies, 1 page each. SyCo contract, 2 pages.

[Files on the aptly-named ‘Syco’ Distributions firm, circa 1997. As the direct sales market collapsed, these kinds of underfunded neophyte firms sprang up and vanished in rapid succession, making many in my shoes (self-publishing) increasingly wary of the quicksand we found ourselves losing our footing within, with Diamond remaining the most and at times only viable ‘game’ in town.—S.B.]

Folder 12 [Added 11/07/2005]

BUS-2/12/01

List of drop ship points of Diamond Comic Distributors, 2 pages. Shipping list for TABOO 1, one list typed 3 pages, one list for signed and numbered copies, 1 page written, one list for regular copies, 3 pages, written. Notes on orders for TABOO 1, 2 pages. Paid invoices for TABOO 1. Copy of UPS receipt dated 1/24/89. Five letters requesting copies of TABOO, various dates.

[TABOO 1 shipping list; includes all distributor ship lists, contributor comp ship lists, info, documents, etc.; note quantities shipped. 16,000 copies were printed, and soon sold out. This was our first – and the only profitable – issue of TABOO.—S.B.]

BUS-3 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Hope Warner and Natalie Scrimshire-Phelps

Updated 6/23/2006

Business Documents

[Misc. TABOO solicitation materials, invoices, distribution lists, letters, etc. –SB]

Folder 1

BUS-3 / 01 / 01 [Added 11/07/2005]

Royalty Report for TABOO 1, 2 copies, 7 pages each, no date. Report 1 page, dated 12/7/88. TABOO 1 royalty advances, 1 page. TABOO 1 bookkeeping, 8 pages.

[TABOO 1 royalty report (Dec. 1988) to contributors; this includes all key bookkeeping information, and the royalties paid to all contributors.—S.B.]

Folder 2

BUS-3 / 02 / 01 [Added 11/21/2005]

Email from Rick Sardinha to Bissette, dated 1/20/00, 1 page. Signup form and program list for NECON 20, 2 pages. Invitation from NECON to Bissette for NECON 21 with envelope, dated 10/25/00.

[Three files on NECON (200-2001), horror writers’ private convention in Rhode Island that was so central to my joining the ranks of the horror writers group in the 1990s—S.B.]

BUS-3 / 02 / 02 [Added 11/21/2005]

Tearsheets, 2 pages.

[March 1996 tearsheets: From distributor catalogs, for the “Tyrant Prince” dinosaur figure. I had to defend my registered S.R. BISSETTE’S TYRANT trademark, but my attorney and I both decided this figure and its name were NOT actionable or problematic. Whew.—S.B.]

Folder 3

BUS-3 / 03 / 01 [Added 11/21/2005]

Photocopy of TABOO 4 Solicitation: 7 pages.

[TABOO 4 solicitation (photocopy) – note this is still a SpiderBaby venture, though the issue was co-packaged with Tundra.—S.B.]

Folder 4

BUS-3 / 04 / 01 [Added 11/21/2005]

Photocopy of TABOO 5 original and revised copy of solicitation: original, 2 copies, 5 pages each; revision, 3 pages.

[TABOO 5 – revised solicitation (photocopy), after completion of copublishing agreement with Tundra.—S.B.]

Folder 5

BUS-3 / 05 / 01 [Added 11/21/2005]

TABOO T-shirt advertisement/order form, 30 copies.

[TABOO t-shirt ad; our first piece of merchandizing, done with a short-lived firm out of Massachusetts called “Mindgame.” They thereafter printed a story by Rick Veitch and I, “War Wind,” in a one-shot MINDGAME comic and vanished without paying us or even sending comp copies. Just last year, I traded a sketch to a fan for a copy of the comic, just to SEE the damned thing!—S.B.]

Folder 6

BUS-3 / 06 / 01 [Added 11/21/2005]

Photocopies of TABOO 1 advertising flyer, 43 copies.

Folder 7

BUS-3 / 07 / 01 [Added 11/21/2005]

1997 SOCIETY OF VERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY material: first circular for 57^th annual meeting. Donation form for benefit auction, 1 page. Call for award nominations flyer with envelope addressed to Bissette, dated 2/27/97.

[Information, invitation, and reservation and cancellation info for the final Society of Vertebrate Paleontology convention:SVP 1997, Chicago, IL. I had been an eager and active SVP member, working tirelessly on TYRANT and building a network a paleontologist supporters and researchers, until the deck of card collapsed THIS YEAR – note I made my reservations in March of ’97, and cancelled in Sept. 1997, marking the very year self-publishing was no longer a viable means of earning a living amid the collapse of the direct sales market, distribution, and my personal ‘collapse’ as my divorce proceedings gained momentum. The date of my cancellation – Sept. 19, 1997 – is as significant a date as any to mark my decision to abandon TYRANT and self-publishing for good.—S.B.]

Folder 8

BUS-3 / 08 / 01 [Added 11/21/2005]

1998 SOCIETY OF VERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY material: second circular for 58^th annual meeting. Directions from airport to meeting, 1 page. Schedule of events, 1 page. Annual benefit auction flyer and donation form, 2 pages. Poster schedule, 1 page. Optional tours and registration form, 1 page.

[SVP 1998 Meeting material; again, I did not go, and let my SVP membership lapse in 1998 as TYRANT became a casualty. Alas.—S.B.]

Folder 9

BUS-3 / 09 / 01 [Added 11/21/2005]

Notes handwritten, 3 pages.

[Notes on a proposed collaborative book project with Chas Balun (DEEP RED founder/editor), to have been entitled CHUNKBLOW APOCALYPSE 2000 ad, circa 1998, Chas had a terrible experience with a publisher around this time (on his revised edition of his horror film book HORROR HOLOCAUST), which took the wind right out of his sails for this venture.—S.B.]

BUS-3 / 09 / 02 [Added 11/21/2005]

VMAG deadlines, 1 page eyped with handwritten notes on it.

[VMAG deadline sheet, circa 1999. I was a frequent contributor to this monthly Northampton, MA free magazine, published and edited by Stephen Murphy (of PUMA BLUES – writing under his own name – and TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES – under the pseudoname of “Dean Clairain” – etc.).—S.B.]

BUS-3 / 09 / 03 [Added 11/21/2005]

Original contract between BLOCKHEADS and Bissette, 2 pages, dated 2/25/98. Letter from Bissette to Tom Monteleone, hand written, 2 pages, no date. Fax from Tom Monteleone to Bissette, 4 pages, dated 2/8/98. Notes, handwritten, 1 page.

[1998 contract (terminated), letters (including letters to Tom Monteleone, who was middle-man for this proposed deal), etc. concerning a planned line of t-shirts for Blockheads Company of New Hampshire. The contract was signed after discussing a line of Bissette monster shirts, but what they REALLY wanted were sports and Tiger Woods shirts (!), which were way out of my league. I did work upp roughs for “Baseball Monster” shirts, which Tom loved, but blockheads really didn’t care for this material, or any of my work, in the end. Another case of mismatched enthusiasm and projects, despite the fact Blockheads was shown a full portfolio of my work past and present – NONE of which ‘misled’ or misrepresented my orientations. Ah, well… another failed attempt to branch out into other lines of commercial art ventures during my divorce.—S.B.]

Folder 10

BUS-3 / 10 / 01 [Added 11/21/2005]

Letter from Jenny Lee to Bissette typed 1 page, dated 10/22/97. Invoice to DC Comics from SpiderBaby Grafix, dated 5/7/98. Index Card with notes. Invoice from Spiral Shop Studios to Bissette, 3 each, dated 5/5/98. Notes handwritten 1 page. Fax from Jenny Lee to Bissette, 2 copies, 1 page each, dated 5/6/98.

[Letters, documents (concerning reshooting SWAMP THING cover art for use by DC Comics) from DC editor Jennifer Lee re: DC’s black-and-white SWAMP THING comics reprint series, 1997-98. Jevvifer was the LAST DC editor to have any meaningful relations with me, and the last to be cordial and timely in those relations. Thereafter, all DC relations – including my final DC (and my final comics) job with my beloved DC SWAMP THING editor Karen Berger, illustrating Neil Gaiman’s “Jack in the Green” story for MIDNIGHT DAYS – were sour at best, and led to my final retirement from the industry in 1999.—S.B.]

BUS-3 / 10 / 02 [Added 12/05/2005]

Budget notes for VERMONT’S HAUNTS, 2 pages.

[A batch of files from my collaborative efforts with Joe Citro, one of my best friends on Earth and famed Vermont horror novelist and regional folklorist and scribe of ‘true weird tale’ (or, as Joe now puts it, “books that might not be fiction”).—S.B.]

[Our finances and budget notes for the first edition (fall 1997) of “Vermont’s Haunts.”—S.B.]

Folder 11

BUS-3 / 11 / 01 [Added 06/23/2006]

21 various receipts with envelope with the writing “1992 Prod. & Pub. Costs” on it; merchants bank check debit receipt dated 12/18/91 with envelope.

[1992: TABOO expenses/documents – Self-explanatory, as TABOO was in its final SpiderBaby/Tundra year. Note the advance to Alan Moore; TABOO was still vital to FROM HELL’s ongoing progress and financial well-being, though Tundra and (later) Alan marginalized that role.—S.B.]

Folder 12

BUS-3 / 12 / 01 [Added 09/04/2006]

Photocopy of typed page with notations.

[Single page excerpted from proposed Tundra TABOO contracts; note negotiation notes. Full contract samples follow, with letter.—S.B.]

BUS-3 / 12 / 02 [Added 06/27/2007]

Note pages, TABOO 6 ad designs, yellow note paper, 2 pages.

[Two yellow pad note pages: TABOO 6 ad designs, concepts. Circa late 1991.—S.B.]

BUS-3 / 12 / 03 [Added 06/27/2007]

Note pages, yellow note paper, 3 pages.

[Yellow pad note pages: Comp (complimentary copies to contributors, reviewers) ship list for TABOO 5; proposed 1992 schedule for TABOO. In reality, the SpiderBaby/Tundra collaboration ended with TABOO 7. TABOO ELITE (proposed for July, 1992 publication/shipping) was assembled but never published; contents of TABOO ELITE were eventually published as TABOO 8 by Kitchen Sink Press.—S.B.]

Folder 13

BUS-3 / 13 / 01 [Added 08/30/2007]

Memo from Steve Bissette to Tundra staff, 4 Dec. 1991, 3 pgs.

[Dec. 4, 1991 memo by Bissette to Tundra staff on TABOO 6. I hope to find the Tundra meeting notes/memo this responded to. Note reference to poor coordination/relations relevant to TABOO 5 and ESPECIAL; poor sales of TABOO 5. The writing was on the wall.—S.B.]

BUS-3 / 13 / 02 [Added 08/30/2007]

Miscellaneous TABOO and Tundra documents, photocopy, originals, steno paper, 20 pgs.

[Misc. TABOO/Tundra internal memos, documents. Note dates and relation to above document. Note that the TABOO ESPECIAL promotional budget cites a planned “Fright Insurance Policy” that was never realized (abandoned by staff, through graphics and print-ready material was completed); the shot glasses WERE completed by SpiderBaby and Inkwell Production (G. Michael Dobbs) at our own expense, and were a bit hit -- the ONLY promotional material in the history of Tundra that ended up MAKING MONEY! They proved enormously popular at the few conventions they were showcased at, and sold out quickly; this became a real sore point for relevent Tundra staff, who resented rather than embraced the success. We did only one ‘printing’ of the TABOO ESPECIAL shot glasses; they are now a collectible item.—S.B.]

Folder 14

BUS-3 / 14 / 01 [Added 08/30/2007]

Photocopy of invoice for TABOO 4 printing by SpiderGrafix, dated paid 12/14/90.

[12/14/90 receipt, payment of printing deposit for TABOO 4 -- note the printer (“Mello Smello”) withdrew due to contents, and returned deposit.—S.B.]

BUS-3 / 14 / 02 [Added 08/30/2007]

‘Cleanup’ notes on unknown issue of TABOO, photocopy, 2 pgs.

[Notes on contents, production ‘cleanup’ on TABOO (issue unknown)—S.B.]

BUS-3 / 14 / 03 [Added 08/30/2007]

Invoice from Star*Reach Publications for David Thorpe and Aidan Potts’s story “Afterlife,” dated 9/91, original.

[Invoice from Star*Reach Productions for “Afterlife” story by David Thorpe and Aidan Potts, published in TABOO (9). Note payment was going through SpiderBaby Publications, which was the policy throughout the SpiderBaby/Tundra co-publication period.—S.B.]

BUS-3 / 14 / 03 [Added 08/30/2007]

Photocopy of fax from Preney Print & Litho, 2 copies.

[Photocopy of Fax from Preney Print & Litho; TABOO 1 and 3 were long out-of-print and out-of-stock by this time (June, 1991).—S.B.]

BUS-3 /14/04 [Added 08/30/2007]

Letter from Neil Gaiman with information about the SANDMAN Tour, photocopy, 1 pg.; handwritten on yellow legal paper, 1 pg.

[Yellow pad, legal size, notes (info via phone conversation with Neil, 5/92), and 5/20/92 letter from Neil: Neil Gaiman SANDMAN tour, 1992; note Neil sent this information to me and the Tundra personel, to help in TABOO and TABOO itself. Tundra (specifically, “the Amazing Backroom Boys,” Kevin Russell and Steve Wardlaw, as Neil puts it in his letter) did nothing, and actively DISCOURAGED the promotion potential of this tour.—S.B.]

Folder 15

BUS-3 / 15 / 01 [Added 09/12/2007]

Ten envelopes for SPIDERBABY GRAFIX/TYRANT, ca. 1994/95.

[10 (ten) SPIDERBABY GRAFIX/TYRANT envelopes (circa 1994/95) – These were the custom-made envelopes I shipped all TYRANT subscriptions, mail orders, or correspondence in during the duration of TYRANT’s four-issue run.—S.B.]

Folder 16

BUS-3 / 16 / 01 [Added 09/12/2007]

Six FACES OF FEAR invoice and order forms, ca. 1989.

[6 (six) FACES OF FEAR invoice/order forms (circa 1989?) – Check the year of this item. Invoices specially printed for handling sales/orders on the original FACES OF FEAR portfolio (which is in the collection; see item, and check year of release).—S.B.]

BUS-4 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Natalie Scrimshire-Phelps

Updated 10/24/2007

Business Documents

[Cleaning out my files from First Run Video -- where I am a shareholder and was employed full-time from 1998 to 2004 (clerk, co-manager, buyer) and part-time from July 1992 to summer 1993 (advertising & promotions manager), May 2004 to April 2005 (buyer) -- I chose to salvage these files and send them on the HUIE for inclusion in the collections.—S.B.]

Folder 1

BUS-4 / 01 [Added 10/24/2007]

Adult Video Handbook, copy 1, June/August 2000.

[Adult product presentation/handbook, June/August, 2000 -- Multiple copies of my presentation to the New England Buying Group on purchasing/stocking adult product in video stores. This was based on my two-year management of First Run Video’s adult room, and input form other knowledgable New England and East Coast video retailers.—S.B.]

Folder 2

BUS-4 / 02 [Added 10/24/2007]

Adult Video Handbook, copy 2, June/August 2000.

Folder 3

BUS-4 / 03 [Added 10/24/2007]

Adult Video Handbook, copy 3, June/August 2000.

Folder 4

BUS-4 / 04 [Added 10/24/2007]

Adult Video Handbook, copy 4, June/August 2000.

Folder 5

BUS-4 / 05 [Added 10/24/2007]

Adult Video Handbook, copy 5, June/August 2000.

Folder 6

BUS-4 / 06 [Added 10/24/2007]

Adult Video Handbook, copy 6, June/August 2000.

Folder 7

BUS-4 / 07 [Added 10/24/2007]

Adult Video room material: floor layout, concepts for room, photocopy of cover to PIZZA SLUTS, handwritten note, ca. 2000.

[Video adult room -- floor layout, concepts for First Run Video adult room, circa 2000. Note the photocopy of the cover art for the XXX title PIZZA SLUTS; note the back hand-written notation: this video arrived in our stock in 2000, and the copies we received were taped over MPI’s TESTIMONY OF WILLIAM JEFFERSON CLINTON videocassette (you could peel back the PIZZA SLUTS label and see the original stamped MPI title!). Just another perk at the HUIE Bissette collection that I bet the Clinton Library in Little Rock is missing from its collection!—S.B.]

Folder 8

BUS-4 / 08 [Added 10/24/2007]

Anime presentation material, 25 pages, October/November 2001.

[Anime presentation, Oct./Nov. 2001 -- 2001 notes, faxes relevent to my presentation to the New England Buying Group on purchasing/stocking anime product in video stores.—S.B.]

Folder 9

BUS-4 / 09 [Added 10/24/2007]

Clippings about DVD format, circa 1998.

[DVD: Growth of format (circa 1998) -- Various tear-sheets, clippings from the video trade journals tracing the growth of competing disc formats (DIVX, DVD) and the emergence of DVD as the dominate format. I have more files of this nature that will be coming along shortly.–S.B.]

Folder 10

BUS-4 / 10 [Added 10/24/2007]

Clippings about DIVX collapse, June 1998.

[DIVX collapse (June 1998) -- Followup to the above file; the competing format to DVD was DIVX, detailed herein, along with its demise.—S.B.]

Folder 11

BUS-4 / 11 [Added 10/24/2007]

Letter from Alan Goldstein about State of the Video Industry, 2 copies, 1999.

[Alan Goldstein letter on the State of the Video Industry, 1999 -- This was a talk Alan delivered at one of the 1999 Video Industry trade shows, date unknown. We collaborated on the text for this speech; note the byline on the last page. Two copies are enclosed.—S.B.]

Folder 12

BUS-4 / 12/ 01 [Added 10/29/2007]

Business cards for First Run Video and Eye First Media.

[#1 and #2: my business cards for FIRST RUN VIDEO (Manager/Buyer) and EYE FIRST MEDIA (“Vice President”), reflecting my employ with Alan Goldstein at First Run Video (shareholder, 1991-present; promotional manager, 1992-93; employee 1998-99, manager/buyer 1999-2005) and our failed partnership with Eye First Media (approx. 2001-2003), a planned DVD imprint that never got off the ground.—S.B.]

BUS-4 / 12/ 02 [Added 10/29/2007]

Business cards for Take 2 Studios LLC of Chester, VT.

[#3: Business cards for my efforts with TAKE 2 STUDOS LLC of Chester, VT (filmmakers Travis Van Alstyne and Dylan Duncan) to produce a digital feature film with VT author and dear friend JOSEPH A. CITRO entitled “SPIRITED VERMONT.” We worked on this project for a little over two years (2002-2005), without success.—S.B.­]

Folder 13

BUS-4 / 13/ 01 [Added 11/12/2007]

Letter from Peter Enfantino, 1 page, August 22, 1991.

[Aug. 22, 1991 letter form Peter Enfantino (on contributing to a planned ANNOTATED GUIDE AND INDEX TO CREEPY MAGAZINE); replied, but nothing came of this for me.—S.B.]

BUS-4 / 13/ 02 [Added 11/12/2007]

Letter from David Thorpe, 1 page, May 15, 1990.

[May 15, 1990 letter from David Thorpe, re: AFTER LIFE (see TABOO later issues, in collection). Also note David’s correction to the TABOO 3 biblio for Phil Elliot; my only defense: it was a biblio for Phil, and I was working from info provided by Phil!—S.B.]

BUS-4 / 13/ 03 [Added 11/12/2007]

Vendor badge for Capital City Distributors Retailer Conference trade show, 1995.

[Vendor badge for SpiderBaby Grafix (yours truly), for/from the final Capital City Distributors Retailer Conference trade show, “The Big Idea” (1995) -- hand-drawn original ‘TYRANT’ sketch and my signature.—S.B.]

Folder 13

BUS-4 / 13/ 01 [Added 11/12/2007

“THE BIG IDEA” CapitalCity Retailer Conference 1995 Program Guide, 1995.

[“THE BIG IDEA” CapitalCity Retailer Conference 1995 Program Guide (1995)

-- This was IT, the 15^th anniversary of Capital City, their 8^th retailer conference trade show, and their FINAL trade show, ever. It was held on April 29-May 2, 1995 in Chicago, and was the last hurrah of the healthy direct sales market. The Sunday, April 30^th “State of the Industry” address by Capital co-owner Milton Griepp (from 3:40-4:40 PM) was fateful, and it was obvious to many of us that the last nails were in the coffin when Milton referred to the “black leather and ear-ring crowd” supporting SANDMAN (which caricatured more than half the retailers in the room, and insulted them) and addressed the sudden shift in the market to publisher exclusivity among distributors (prompted by Marvel’s devastating “Pearl Harbor” announcement of their exclusive distribution arrangement with Heroes World) by saying, “We’ll have OUR exclusives, too.” It was an impractical strategy; Kitchen Sink Press was the only ‘major’ publisher signed on as an exclusive. In short order, DC Comics, Dark Horse, and Image Comics had sealed exclusivity deals with Diamond, and without access to product form the four key direct sales market comics publishers, Capital was effectively shut out of the business. But to many of us that April afternoon, it was already obvious Milton and his partners weren’t going to be able to compete or survive, and that they were clueless as to how to retaliate or adjust to the shifting power plays. Still reeling from the expense of two major relocations of their business (in 1991 and 1992; see “Capital History,” end of program booklet), the sudden ‘shut out’ Capital was experiencing dealt a mortal blow (they subsequently filed a ‘restraint of trade’ lawsuit, but settled and were ‘absorbed’ by Diamond). A collective groan and sagging of shoulders set in as Milton’s speech concluded that afternoon of April 30^th -- clearly, it was all over but the tears. Note my attendance (see pg. 47, Booth #606; no info, my name spelled wrong); this is a key artifact for anyone interested in the demise of the multi-distributor direct-sales comic market, the fate of TYRANT, and my eventual retirement from the industry four years later.—S.B.]

COR-1 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Lea Ann Alexander

Updated 11/10/2005 by Hope Warner

Folder 1

COR-1 / 01 / 01 [Added 06/02/2004]

Letter from Phil Elliott, illustrator, re publishing “Vulnerable,” strip by Glenn Dakin, in TABOO (02/27/1989). 81/2 X 11, handwritten.

COR-1 / 01 / 02 [Added 07/20/2004]

Letter from Gary Colabuono (05/18/1992), handwritten.

[Letter from Gary Colabuono, owner of the Moondog’s comic shop chain based in Chicago. –S.B.]

COR-1 / 01 / 03 [Added 07/20/2004]

List of potential interview subjects, handwritten

[List of potential interview subjects for Fred Greenberg’s interview zine (title to follow, once I find the zines – samples to be included in collection). –S.B.]

COR-1 / 01 / 04 [Added 07/20/2004]

Two letters from James Robert Smith, typed

[James Robert Smith file (first of many; James aka ‘Bob’ was a contributor to TABOO; I wrote the introduction to his still-unpublished short story anthology; note his letters are revealing as to workings of the comic industry with freelance writers, circa 1989-95). –S.B.]

COR-1 / 01 / 05

Letter from Matt Brooker, handwritten [Added 07/20/2004]

[Matt Brooker aka ‘D’Israeli (letter; first of many files. Matt was a TABOO contributor; see TABOO collection). –S.B.]

COR-1 / 01 / 06 [Added 07/20/2004]

Letter from Ramsey Campbell to Michael Zulli, typed

[Ramsey Campbell, 2/89 letter to Michael Zulli for TABOO adaptation of Ramsey’s story, “Again” (see TABOO 5): Note this was Ramsey’s first and only stab at adapting his own work to comics – and this letter reflects his best shot at ‘scripting’ the adaptation, which in the end Michael Zulli himself did, at my urging (and with Ramsey’s permission). Campbell is a key UK writer, novelist, scholar, and anthologist of horror, still active to this day. –S.B.]

COR-1 / 01 / 07 [Added 07/20/2004]

Letter and postcard from S. Clay Wilson, handwritten

[Personal TABOO-related letters from S. Clay Wilson, most notorious of all the original US underground cartoonist and a frequent TABOO contributor. First of many files of Wilson’s correspondence to come. –S.B.]

Folder 2

COR-1 / 02 / 01 [Added 08/10/2004]

Letter from Jeff Nicholson, single page, typed on back of comic script

[Letters from contributor/THROUGH THE HABITRAILS creator Jeff Nicholson, circa 1990-02. Should be self-explanatory; see my notes about Jeff in the prior shipment (10/10 mailing). Note the reference to TOTAL TABOO, which was a proposed TABOO offshoot I ultimately abandoned to focus fully on TYRANT. –S.B.]

COR-1 / 02 / 01 [Added 08/10/2004]

Letter from Jeff Nicholson, single page, typed.

COR-1 / 02 / 02 [Added 08/10/2004]

Letter from Jeff Nicholson, single page, typed.

COR-1 / 02 / 03 [Added 08/10/2004]

Letter from Jeff Nicholson, single page, typed.

COR-1 / 02 / 04 [Added 08/10/2004]

Letter from Jeff Nicholson, single page, typed.

COR-1 / 02 / 05 [Added 08/10/2004]

Essay, “No End”, written by Jeff Nicholson?, single page, 6 paragraphs, typed.

COR-1 / 02 / 06 [Added 08/10/2004]

Letter from Rick Grimes, single page, handwritten, includes handwritten notations by Bissette.

[Misc. letters from TABOO contributor and fellow KubertSchool student (first class, 1976-78) RICK GRIMES, circa 1989-90. – S.B.]

COR-1 / 02 / 07 [Added 08/10/2004]

Letter from Rick Grimes, handwritten on a postcard, signed “Granma Goobercrumps”.

COR-1 / 02 / 08 [Added 08/10/2004]

Letter from Rick Grimes, single page, handwritten.

COR-1 / 02 / 09 [Added 08/10/2004]

Letter from Rick Grimes, 3 pages, handwritten.

COR-1 / 02 / 10 [Added 08/10/2004]

Letter from Rick Grimes, single page, handwritten.

COR-1 / 02 / 11 [Added 08/10/2004]

Letter from Rick Grimes, 3 pages, handwritten.

Folder 3

COR-1 / 03 / 01 [Added 08/10/2004]

Letter from David Lloyd, single page, handwritten, with attached business card.

COR-1 / 03 / 02 [Added 08/13/2004]

Letter from Neil Gaiman, biography/ bibliography, 2 pages, computer printout.

COR-1 / 03 / 03 [Added 08/16/2004]

Letter from Eric Vincent, single page, handwritten on yellow, lined legal paper, envelope included.

[Letter from Eric Vincent, re: TABOO contribution (see series; Eric did at least one story), circa July 1990. –S.B.]

COR-1 / 03 / 04 [Added 08/16/2004]

Letter from David Langey, handwritten with green marker.

COR-1 / 03 / 05 [Added 08/23/2004]

Letter from Rick McCollum to Bissette, typed, single page, dated 03/28/1989.

[Letter, notes from artist Rick McCollum, re: “Salome” in TABOO ESPECIAL, which see. –S.B.]

COR-1 / 03 / 06 [Added 08/23/2004]

Letter from Rick McCollum to Bissette re: biographical and bibliographical information, typed, 5 pages, dated 03/30/1990.

COR-1 / 03 / 07 [Added 08/23/2004]

Letter from Dick Foreman to Bissette, 2 pages, handwritten, dated 05/09/1990.

[Two more letters from Dick Foreman, circa 1990. See files previously shipped; TABOO ESPECIAL. –S.B.]

COR-1 / 03 / 07 [Added 08/23/2004]

Letter from Dick Foreman to Bissette, single page, handwritten, dated

05/23/1990.

COR-1 / 03 / 08 [Added 08/24/2004]

Letter from Douglas Wheeler to Bissette, re: scripts he (Wheeler) has written, single page, handwritten, n.d.

COR-1 / 03 / 09 [Added 08/24/2004]

Letter from Douglas Wheeler to Bissette and Nancy, re: scripts he (Wheeler) has written, two pages, typed, dated 09/06/1990

COR-1 / 03 / 10 [Added 08/24/2004]

Douglas Wheeler’s bibliography sent to Bissette on a postcard, handwritten, dated 11/1992.

COR-1 / 03 / 11 [Added 08/25/2004]

Letter from Stephen Blue to Nancy O’Connor and Bissette re: submission of a “…in the Garden”, typed, n.d. written by Angela Bocage.

COR-1 / 03 / 12 [Added 08/25/2004]

Postcard with graphics from Jill Karla Schwartz of the Rocket Girl Studio, no message.

COR-1 / 03 / 13 [Added 08/25/2004]

Envelope addressed to S.R. Bissette & Nancy O’Connor c/o of SPIDERBABY GRAFIX.

COR-1 / 03 / 14 [Added 08/25/2004]

Letter to Bissette from Leslie Black, handwritten, single page, dated 08/09/1990, with attached business card.

COR-1 / 03 / 15 [Added 08/25/2004]

Letter to Bissette from Douglas Wheeler, typed, single page, n.d.

Folder 4

COR-1 / 04 / 01 [Added 08/26/2004]

Letter from Adrian B. Martinez to Bissette, typed, single page with envelope attached, dated 01/22/1992.

COR-1 / 04 / 02 [Added 08/26/2004]

Self-addressed manila envelope from Joe Zable.

COR-1 / 04 / 03 [Added 08/30/2004]

Letter from Michael H. Price of Cremo Studios to Bissette re: TABOO projects, typed, 10 pages, written on Cremo Studios letter-head staionery, including the first 2 pages of the comic “Sunk Rats’ written by Adrian Marinez, and illustrated presentations of Andrew Marvell and Guy de Maupassant.

COR-1 / 04 / 04 [Added 09/02/2004]

Draft of a letter written to Stephen (?) from Bissette and Stanley Wiater re: writing a foreword to COMIC BOOK REBELS, typed, single page, dated 12/26/1992.

COR-1 / 04 / 05 [Added 09/02/2004]

Letter to Denis Kitchen from Bissette re: the corrected appendix to COMIC BOOK REBELS, handwritten on lined yellow legal paper, single page, n.d.

COR-1 / 04 / 06 [Added 09/07/2004]

Letter to Joshua (?) from Stanley Wiater re: text materials for COMIC BOOK REBELS, typed, 2 pages, dated 01/20/1993.

COR-1 / 04 / 07 [Added 09/07/2004]

Letter to Adam (?) from Stanley Wiater detailing Status Report #5, typed, single page, dated 03/04/1993.

COR-1 / 04 / 08 [Added 09/14/2004]

Letter from “Ferret” to Bissette re: examples of Ferret’s artwork included with letter, typed on TrIfAsE cReAtUrAs, iNc! letter-head stationery, 2 pages, dated 04/18/1990; P.S. included on separate page, handwritten on paper with Ferret’s artwork creating a border.

[Letters, submissions, samples from artist “Ferret” (real name unknown), circa spring of 1990. I’m also including Ferret’s extraordinary illustrated novel ALLIGATOR ALLEY with this package, complete with audio cassette soundtrack! –S.B.]

COR-1 / 04 / 09 [Added 09/20/2004]

Letter from Doug Wheeler to Bissette re: material he (Wheeler) submitted, typed, single page, dated 09/29/1986 and including a handwritten note from Tim Sale re: his progress on “Donor”.

[Doug Wheeler (writer; see relevant files already sent) letters, copies of agreements with artists on TABOO submissions. Alas, TABOO folded before these saw completion or print. –S.B.]

Folder 5

COR-1 / 05 / 01 [Added 09/20/2004]

Letter from Chet Williamson to Bissette re: participating in a future TABOO project, typed, single page, dated 10/12/1987, including accompanying envelope. [Letter from novelist Chet Williamson; first of many. Chet and Tim Truman completed “The Worms Crawl In” for TABOO: STICK SND STONES; it ran in TABOO 8 or 9 (see collection). -- S.B.]

COR-1 / 05 / 02 [Added 09/20/2004]

Letter from Dave Gibbons to Bissette responding to Bissette’s invitation to contribute to TABOO, handwritten, 3 pages, dated 02/28/1987.

[Feb. 1987 letter from DAVE GIBOONS (WATCHMEN, etc.), responding to my invitation to contribute to TABOO. Great letter; my then wife Nancy and I had met Dave during his first NYC visit with Alan and Phyllis Moore, and we hit it off. Dave is a great fellow, and I miss him. We never did get to work together, until the silliness of the ‘1963’ series (in 1992-93) – well, that was great fun, and THE FURY was indelibly aided by Dave’s inks on my self-consciously Ditkoesque pencils. -- S.B.]

COR-1 / 05 / 03 [Added 09/20/2004]

Letter from Phil Hester to Bissette re: touch-ups on Hester’s artwork, handwritten,

single page, dated 09/05/ 1990, 2 copies.

[Letter (Sept. 1990) from Phil Hester, re: touchups on his TABOO stories (see collection). Note Phil’s very nice final line – he’s right, I WOULD never be so arrogant as to ‘touch up’ another artist’s work, EVER! -- S.B.]

COR-1 / 05 / 04 [Added 09/21/2004]

Letter from Jeffrey Jones to Bissette re: material submitted, handwritten, 2 pages, dated 02/25/1991.

COR-1 / 05 / 05 [Added 09/22/2004]

Letter from Denis Rodier to Bissette re: artwork submitted for “Daddyums”, handwritten, single page, dated 04/28/1990.

COR-1 / 05 / 06 [Added 09/22/2004]

Letter from Brian Sendelach to Bissette re: artwork Sendelbach sent, handwritten, single page, with accompanying envelope.

COR-1 / 05 / 07 [Added 09/22/2004]

Brian Sendelbach’s biography, typed, single page; cover letter, handwritten, single page.

COR-1 / 05 / 08 [Added 09/22/2004]

Letter from Richard Sala to Bissette re: Sala’s TABOO work, handwritten on letterhead stationery, single page, dated 10/25/1987.

[Postcard, letter from RICHARD SALA (circa 1987-88), concerning his TABOO work (see collection), and his reaction to my GORE SHRIEK article on horror comics and monster magazines (copy forthcoming to collection). –S.B.]

COR-1 / 05 / 09 [Added 09/22/2004]

Postcard from Richard Sala to Bissette re: Bissete’s article in GORE SHRIEK, postcard features Sala’s artwork, dated 06/12/1988.

COR-1 / 05 / 10 [Added 09/22/2004]

Letter from David Lloyd to Bissette re: “Twelve States” project, typed, single page, dated 06/25/1991, with attached business card, including accompanying envelope.

[More DAVID LLOYD letters, circa 1990-91; “Twelve States” proposal, etc. –S.B.]

COR-1 / 05 / 11 [Added 09/22/2004]

Letter from David Lloyd to Bissette re: “Twelve States” project, typed, single page, dated 08/30/1990.

COR-1 / 05 / 12 [Added 09/22/2004]

Letter from David Lloyd to “Twelve States” writer re: TWELVE STATES project, typed, two pages, dated 08/30/1990.

Folder 6

COR-1 / 06 / 01 [Added 09/27/2004]

Letter from Luke T. Bush to Bissette re: plans to submit a plot synopsis, “The Photographer” to GORE SHRIEK, typed on personal letterhead stationery, single page, dated 10/19/1988.

[Letters from Luke Bush, TABOO submission, etc. Accepted his material, but nothing came of it. Circa 1988-90. –S.B.]

COR-1 / 06 / 02 [Added 09/27/2004]

Postcard from Luke T. Bush to Bissette re: status of “The Photographer”, dated 02/07/1990.

COR-1 / 06 / 03 [Added 09/27/2004]

Postcard from Luke T. Bush to Bissette re: status of “The Photographer”, dated 10/16/1989

COR-1 / 06 / 04 [Added 09/27/2004]

Letter from Mark Burbey to Bissette re: plans to adapt “Miss Gentilbelle”, a short story written by Christopher Beaumont, into comic book format, typed, 2 pages, dated 04/07/1986.

COR-1 / 06 / 05 [Added 09/27/2004]

Letter from Glenn Barr to Bissette re: work in TABOO, handwritten on personal letterhead stationery, single page, n.d.

[Art samples, letters (circa 1990-91), mini-comic by Glenn Barr, cartoonist-artist extraordinaire. Glenn’s work appeared in TABOO ESPECIAL, and I wish we’d done more. I became drawn (pun intended) to Glenn’s work in FILM THREAT magazine, and contacted him. –S.B.]

COR-1 / 06 / 06 [Added 09/27/2004]

Letter from Glenn Barr to Bissette re: samples of Barr’s artwork, handwritten on personal letterhead stationery, 2 pages, n.d.

COR-1 / 06 / 07 [Added 09/29/2004]

Letter to Valerie Jones from Bissette re: New Comics treatment of writer James Robert Smith, handwritten, single page, n.d., 3 copies.

[Two files: Letter to editor Valerie Jones of New Comics, and copies of relevant letters and Valerie’s reply, concerning my relationship with them and their abominable treatment of James Robert Smith, prompting this letter. –S.B.]

COR-1 / 06 / 08 [Added 09/29/2004]

Letter to Valerie Jones from James Robert Smith protesting how New Comics was treating him (Smith), typed, single page, dated 09/12/1989.

COR-1 / 06 / 09 [Added 09/29/2004]

Letter from Valerie Jones to Bissette explaining what happened between James Robert Smith and New Comics, handwritten, 3 pages, n.d.

COR-1 / 06 / 07 [Added 09/29/2004]

Postcard from Mark Burbey to Bissette re: looking forward to seeing the FREAKS stuff, n.d.

[Letters from Mark Burbey (writer; see relevant files already sent, particularly the “Miss Gentilbelle” files), Tom De Haven (novelist) concerning proposed adaptation of De Haven’s novel “Freaks Amour”. Mark and I worked for a couple of years on this venture, but could never land a publisher; note that this was 1985, pre-TABOO, while I was still at work on SWAMP THING for DC Comics.

–S.B.]

COR-1 / 06 / 08 [Added 09/29/2004]

Letter from Mark Burbey to Bissette re: enclosed letter from Tom De Haven, typed, single page, dated 08/15/1985.

COR-1 / 06 / 09 [Added 09/29/2004]

Letter from Mark Burbey to Bissette re: status of character sheets for FREAKS’ Amour, typed, single page, dated 11/25/1985.

COR-1 / 06 / 10 [Added 09/29/2004]

Form letter from Mark Burbey to Bissette re: temporary mailing address, typed, single page, n.d.

COR-1 / 06 / 11 [Added 09/29/2004]

Letter from Mark Burbey to Bissette re: updates on works in progress, typed, single page, dated 12/02/1984.

COR-1 / 06 / 12 [Added 09/29/2004]

Letter from Mark Burbey to Bissette re: enclosed materials for FREAKS’ AMOUR, typed, 2 pages, dated 09/28/1985.

COR-1 / 06 / 13 [Added 09/29/2004]

Letter from Tom De Haven to Mark Burbey re: status of adaptation of FREAKS’ AMOUR, typed, 2 pages, dated 08/95/1985.

COR-1 / 06 / 14 [Added 09/29/2004]

Letter from Mark Burbey to Bissette re: scripting FREAKS’ AMOUR, typed, single page, dated 08/05/1985.

COR-1 / 06 / 15 [Added 09/29/2004]

Letter from Tom De Haven to Mark Burbey re: script for FREAKS’ AMOUR, typed, single page, dated 05/28/1986.

COR-1 / 06 / 16 [Added 09/29/2004]

Letter from Mark Burbey to Bissette re: works in progress, typed, single page, dated 06/15/1986.

Folder 7

COR-1 / 07 / 01 [Added 10/11/2004]

Letter from Howard Cruse to Bissette re: funding for STUCK RUBBER BABY, Cruse’s graphic novel, typed on personal letter-head stationery, 2 pages, dated 05/09/1993, envelope included.

COR-1 / 07 / 02 [Added 10/11/2004]

Letter from Howard Cruse to Bissette re: COMIC BOOK REBELS, typed on personal letter-head stationery, 2 pages, dated 07/20/1993, envelope included.

COR-1 / 07 / 03 [Added 09/05/2005]

Letter from Diana Schutz of Dark Horse Comics, Inc. to Bissette re: a requested copy of SIN CITY and AMERICAN SPLENDOR #17, typed, single page, dated 03/29/1993.

COR-1 / 07 / 04 [Added 09/05/2005]

John Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Confidential Report on Candidate for Fellowship sent to Bissette for his candid and critical appraisal of Howard Cruse who had applied for a grant; cover letter, typed on Foundation letter-head stationery, single page, dated 11/1993.

COR-1 / 07 / 05 [Added 09/05/2005]

Acknowledgement of receipt of Bissette’s confidential statement concerning Howard Russell Cruse from the John Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, dated 02/22/1994, envelope included.

COR-1 / 07 / 06 [Added 09/05/2005]

Brochure from the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation announcing the 1993 list of Fellowship Recipients, envelope included.

COR-1 / 07 / 07 [Added 09/05/2005]

Letter expressing Bissette’s candid and critical appraisal of Howard Cruse as submitted by Bissette to G. Thomas Tanselle, Vice President, John Simon Guggenheim Foundation, typed, 3 pages, dated 02/18/1994.

COR-1 / 07 / 08 [Added 09/18/2005]

Letter with treatment attached. 3 pages plus envelope. Dated 7/02/90.

[Letter from famous alternative/experimental writer KATHY ACKER, July 2 1990, with proposal for a possible TABOO contribution entitled “Christ Comes to New York City.” Note this was actually an outline for a “possible Grand Guignol play,” and that Kathy’s artist-of-choice would have been S. Clay Wilson, though Wilson wasn’t keen on ANY sort of collaborative venture he didn’t initiate himself. If memory serves, this was our only contact with Kathy; though I replied, it was the only letter and proposal ever received from her.—S.B.]

Folder 8

COR-1 / 08 / 01 [Added 09/18/2005]

Letter and submission dated 10/04/88. 2 pages with envelope.

[Letter and submission from Mike Baron, October 4 1988, for story “Trimming the Hedge.” Though we paid Mike in full for his script, he then held this script ‘hostage’ to try to force the issue with John Totleben’s never-completed illustration of Mike’s 1979 script “Space Invaders” (see relevant files, elsewhere); note my discussion of this matter in my COMICS JOURNAL #185 interview. Mike contacted me after the publication of that interview and apologized; no hard feelings here.—S.B.]

COR-1/ 08 / 02 [Added 09/18/2005]

Letter, 1 page, handwritten, no date.

[Letter from renowned UK horror author RAMSEY CAMPBELL on TABOO 5; note his happiness with Michael Zulli’s adaptation of his story, “Again.”—S.B.]

COR-1/ 08 / 03 [Added 09/22/2005]

Letter, 1 page, dated 7/26/1992.

[July 1992 letter from photographer/artist Rick Leider, for planned TABOO back cover use; hope I find the photo!—S.B.]

COR-1/ 08 / 04 [Added 10/10/2005]

Letter from Ramsey Campbell to Bissette, handwritten, dated 6/02/87.

[Ramsey Campbell letter (June 2, 1987) expressing enthusiasm for TABOO, and option to contribute. Photocopies of TWILIGHT ZONE magazine publication of Campbell’s short story ‘Again’ also included (my inclusion and selection); this was indeed the story we settled on adapting. See TABOO 7 related materials in collection.—S.B.]

COR-1 / 08 / 05 [Added 10/10/2005]

Postcards from Joe Coleman to Bissette, 2 each.

[Joe Coleman letters, written on postcards featuring his artwork. Note Coleman contributions to TABOO (cover of TABOO 7; story).—S.B.]

Folder 9

COR-1 / 09 / 01 [Added 10/10/2005]

Letter from Jamie Delano to Bissette, dated 01/12/88 2 pages with a 12 page submission. Letter from Jamie Delano to Bissette, dated 8/10/99, 4 pages.

[Letters from Jamie Delano (Jan. 12, 1988, and post-Vermont visit letter of August 10, 1990), then-longtime-friend of Alan Moore and up-and-coming script writer for DC’s HELLBLAZER, which emerged from Alan, John Totleben, and my tenure on SWAMP THING. Jamie was younger than we by a few years, and we’d met during our visits to Northampton, UK in the mid-1980s and late-80s. His then-wife later became Alan’s then-wife’s lover, and the estrangement between Alan and Jamie grew until Alan ‘cut’ Jamie out of his life entirely in the early 1990s; a preview of the treatment I’d later suffer when Alan terminated our ten-year relationship and ‘exiled’ me. Ah, well… here’s Jamie’s letters to us, and photocopies of a story he’d submitted to TABOO, written by himself and illustrated by painter Susan Eastland. We passed, though it came up again as a possible contribution to the TABOO: STICKS AND STONES project (see relevant items in collection).—S.B.]

Folder 10

COR-1 / 10 / 01 [Added 10/10/2005]

Letter from Richard Corben to Bissette, 1 page typed, dated 09/18/89.

[Richard Corben LOC (Sept. 18, 1989) on TABOO 2; we never did coax Richard into the book, though we maintained contact off and on over the years through the 1999 HEAVY METAL CD-Rom debacle (see related materials elsewhere in collection).—S.B.]

COR-1 / 10 / 02 [Added 10/10/2005]

Letter from Dick Foreman to Bissette, 1 page handwritten, dated 9/07/90.

[Letter from Dick Foreman (Sept. 1990; contributor to TABOO ESPECIAL, which see), friend of Alan Moore who we met during our 1990 trip to the UK – my last to date. Includes comprehensive listing of Dick’s published comics works to date at that time, and further evidence of the importance to TABOO of the Northampton UK circle-of-friends that grew out of our visits to Alan Moore and Melinda Gebbie.—S.B.]

COR-1 / 10 / 03 [Added 10/10/2005]

Letter from Howard Cruse to Bissette, typed 1 page, dated 6/26/89

[Letter from Howard Cruse (June 1989); this was the beginning of my relations over the years with Howard, which led to eventual TABOO contributions (see TABOO ESPECIAL) and my helping Howard as best I could with support and fund-raising brainstorming for his graphic novel STUCK RUBBER BABY (see relevant materials elsewhere in collection).—S.B.]

COR-1 / 10 / 04 [Added 10/10/2005]

Letter and postcard from Phil Hester to Bissette, letter dated 7/17/91, postcard no date.

[Letter, postcard from writer/ artist Phil Hester (both from 1991), who indeed contributed to TABOO in his distinctive style – before taking over art chores on SWAMP THING, oddly enough!—S.B.]

COR-1 / 10 / 05 [Added 10/14/2005]

Fax from David Thorpe to Bissette, one page dated 7/14/92.

[David Thorpe FAX letter, re: “After Life” progress. See other relevant files, already mailed.—S.B.]

Folder 11

COR-1 / 11 / 01 [Added 10/17/2005]

Letter from Bissette to Don Congdon, typed, 2 pages dated 08/15/86.

Letter from Craig Goden to Richard Matheson, typed, 1 page dated 09/02/86. Letter from Craig Goden to Bissette, typed, 1 page dated 08/01/86.

Letter from Craig Goden to Bissette, typed, 1 page dated 09/03/86.

[Letters to agent Don Congdon, representing novelist/screenwriter RICHARD MATHESON (“I Am Legend,” “The Shrinking Man,” the Vincent Price/Roger Corman Poe films, etc.), concerning my hopes of adapting/illustrating a comics adaptation of “I Am Legend.” Note that Craig Goden of Time Tunnel (see previous file, already shipped) wrote extensively, too; alas, nothing came of this, post-SWAMP THING and pre-TABOO (1986-87).—S.B.]

COR-1 / 11 / 02 [Added 11/08/2005]

Postcard from Mike Hoffman to Bissette regarding introduction to TOOTH DECAY, dated 8/19/87.

COR-1 / 11 / 03 [Added 11/09/2005]

Letter from Kitchen Sink Press to Bissette regarding donating work for a benefit portfolio, 2 pages, dated 5/28/87.

COR-1 / 11 / 04 [Added 11/10/2005]

Letter from Jack Butterworth to Bissette regarding introduction to EYES WITHOUT A FACE, 3 pages typed with envelope, envelope post date 7/18/87.

COR-2 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Hope Warner

Updated 08/28/2006

Correspondence

Folder 1

COR-2 / 01 / 01 [Added 11/10/2005]

Fan mail from Batton Lash to Bissette, typed, 1 page, dated 7/8/89.

COR-2 / 01 / 02 [Added 11/10/2005]

Fan mail from John Schlim Jr. to Bissette, typed, 1 page, no date.

COR-2 / 01 / 03 [Added 11/10/2005]

Fan mail from Jim Mattes to Bissette, typed, 5 pages with envelope, dated 5/18/92.

COR-2 / 01 / 04 [Added 11/10/2005]

Letter from Dan Dickholtz of Starlog Group to Bissette regarding “Taboo update” in Comics Scene, dated 10/7/88.

Folder 2

COR-2 / 02 / 01 [Added 11/10/2005]

Letter from Bill of Golden Apple to Bissette regarding Rolling Stone ad, 3 pages: letter, 1 page; color copy of ad, 1 page; invoice, 1 page, dated 4/5/90 with envelope.

COR-2 / 02 / 02 [Added 11/10/2005]

Advertisement from Comics Sheet Advertiser addressed to Spiderbaby Grafix, dated 2/89.

Folder 3

COR-2 / 03 / 01 [Added 11/10/2005]

Letter from Scoop to Bissette regarding list of Vermont newspapers, 1 page written with 9 pages of lists, no date.

Folder 4

COR-2 / 04 / 01 [Added 11/10/2005]

Letter from Jim Whiting of Jems regarding Jems new publication Slaughterhouse, 1 page typed with copies of 6 pages from the magazine, dated 7/88.

COR-2 / 04 / 02 [Added 11/21/2005]

Letter from Great Eastern Convention to Bissette, 2 copies with envelope, no date.

[1991 Great Eastern Convention invitation and info; this once-viable convention organizer firm was run by my old ex-Kubert School friend and classmate (one year behind me) Fred Greenberg and his then-wife Nancy.—S.B.]

Folder 5

COR-2 / 05 / 01 [Added 11/21/2005]

Invitation from SPX to Bissette for the Small Press Expo of 1998: 2 letters, 8 pages with envelope; one dated 12/19/97, one dated 11/20/97 with note asking Bissette if he would do his “History of Horror” presentation at the expo.

[The 1998 SPX invitation; I had already given up on the convention scene by this point, deep into my divorce proceedings and my self-publishing comics years behind me.—S.B.]

COR-2 / 05 / 02 [Added 11/21/2005]

Postcard from Coevolution Quarterly to Bissette, no date.

[Copies sent to the COEVOLUTION QUARTERLY magazine (published by Stewart Brand of the WHOLE EARTH REVIEW) yielded this postcard. Hahahahahaha!—S.B.]

Folder 6

COR-2 / 06 / 01 [Added 11/21/2005]

Letter from Chris Staros regarding FROM HELL THE COLLECTED, 1 page, dated 8/14/99.

[1999 email letter from Chis Staros, Top Shelf, concerning upcoming FROM HELL definitive collection. Chris was a prince throughout this process, ensuring that I received a ‘thank you’ in the acknowledgements and seeint to it I received comp copies of the book; Eddie was supportive and communicative throughout, too. It meant I could ‘let go’ of the lingering hard feelings over the breakup with Alan Moore and my involvement with FROM HELL as ‘mid-wife.’—S.B.]

COR-2 / 06 / 02 [Added 11/21/2005]

Letter from DC to Bissette, typed, 1 page, dated 3/6/98, with page 28 of Comics Buyers Guide attached.

[Letter from DC Comics concerning the death of Archie Goodwin on March 1, 1998. Archie was one of the good souls working in the industry, writer and editor extraordinaire who was so vital to my career (EPIC) and especially my friend Rick Veitch’s career (EPIC, editor of at least two of Rick’s Marvel graphic novels, etc.). I interviewed Archie concerning his Warren horror magazine years (CREEPY and EERIE) for the extensive article I wrote on horror comics and monster magazines for GORE SHRIEK; more material to follow.—S.B.]

COR-2 / 06 / 06 [Added 12/05/2005]

Email from Bissette to Joe Citro, 5 pages, no date. Email from Sarah Welsch to Bissette, 2 pages, dated 9/25/98.Book Order form for University Press of New England, 1 page. Photocopies of book advertising, 3 pages. Order form for SHADOW CHILD by Joe Citro, 1 page.

[A batch of files from my collaborative efforts with Joe Citro, one of my best friends on Earth and famed Vermont horror novelist and regional folklorist and scribe of ‘true weird tale’ (or, as Joe now puts it, “books that might not be fiction”).—S.B.]

[Emails concerning use of the map as a promotional item to promote University Press of New England’s release of Joe Citro’s novel Shadow Child. Particulars of negoriation are herein, and the map was indeed printed in a proper color version by UPNE in time for their Halloween 1998 promotion.—S.B.]

Folder 7

COR-2 / 07 / 01 [Added 2/01/2006]

Letter/Scrapbook: Scrapbook from Carol and Sonny to Bissette thanking him for attending A FESTIVAL OF COMIC BOOK CREATORS presented by Star Clipper Books, 7 pages, dated 04/30/94.

[Binder: STAR CLIPPER (St. Louis, MO) photo record of April 30, 1994 “Spirit of Independence” tour stop. Note the lineup of cartoonists, and that I’ve identified the professionals in each photo with notes, inpencil, on each page. This was a key stop in the ‘tour,’ which lasted for two years.—S.B.](back display case- 1 page)

COR-2 / 07 / 02 [Added 2/08/2006]

Letter from Paul Buck to Bissette regarding a script Paul Buck sent to him. 1 page, typed, dated 07/04/90.

Folder 8

COR-2 / 08 / 01 [Added 2/08/2006]

Letter from Kitchen Sink Press to Bissette inviting him to be involved in DEATH RATTLE, typed with a written note on it, 1 page, dated 5/5/95.

[File: Letter of invite to submit material to DEATH RATTLE’s third (1995) incarnation from Kitchen Sink Press. The original Kitchen Sink DEATH RATTLE was a key title in the pantheon of true underground horror commix; this invite was linked to its second (short-lived) revival. I gracefully declined, thankful for the invite, though.—S.B.]

COR-2 / 08 / 02 [Added 2/08/2006]

Letter from Tundra Publishing regarding collecting material for HYENA, 4 pages, no date. Research for submission ideas of Bissettes, photocopies, 17 pages. Handwritten notes,1 page.

[File: Call for submissions to Mark Martin(editor)’s humor anthology HYENA, published by Tundra Publishing, my own notes & reference for possible submissions. I did not participate in the end, though I toyed with parodies of the ads herein; an Art Linklater parody book; and a Harvey Comics parody of “L’il Dot” entitled “Li’l Microdot,” in which L’il Microdot tripping on acid sees hundreds of little Art Linklater heads pop out of the holes in the phone receiver, saying “Don’t jump!” (reference to 1950s-60s “Kids Say the Darndest Things” celebrity Linklater losing his daughter to a fall linked with her taking acid, and his subsequent public stand against drugs as a result).—S.B.]

Folder 9

COR-2 / 09 / 01 [Added 8/28/2006]

Postcard from Elizabeth Massie to Bissette regarding creation of TABOO and SHRIEK, dated 6/21/90.

[Postcard from writer/novelist Elizabeth Maaie (of Charlottesville, VA) on TABOO 3, GUANTLET article, circa June 1990. Elizabeth later offered a story to TABOO that I accepted, and which was penciled by Cara Sherman-Tereno; alas, TABOO – and Cara – passed away before publication; the comics adaptation of Elizabeth’s story remains unpublished.—S.B.]

COR-2 / 09 / 02 [Added 9/04/2006]

Letter and business card from Glenn Barr to Bissette. Handwritten, 1 page, no date.

[Letter from Glenn Barr; Glenn’s submission was accepted and published in TABOO ESPECIAL.—S.B.]

COR-2 / 09 / 03 [Added 9/04/2006]

Letter from Bissette to Haakon, Hege, and Jan-Olof, typed, 3 pages, dated 6/15/90.

[June 1990 letter to Scandanavian publisher SEMIC Nordisk Forlag As, concerning foreign publication of TABOO material. Note difficulties with payment cited in letter; in the end, I abandoned all further foreign reprint overtures for TABOO material or my own, since payments (always low) were always difficult to receive, and never worth the trouble. This policy remains in effect to the present – it just isn’t worth the bother, and rip-offs were all to common (i.e., reprinting more material than that negotiated for; complete theft of material, etc.). More relevant material to follow.—S.B.]

COR-2 / 09 / 04 [Added 9/19/2006]

Letter from Mark Martin to Bissette, on Tundra Publishing letterhead, typed 2 pages with ink notation on page 2, dated 6/10/91.

[Letter from Mark Martin, June 1991, Tundra art director and ‘straw boss’ for TABOO, concerning scheduling of same. Deadlines noted were met, though TABOO 6 was rescheduled (see below); rocky relations continued due in part to the increasing conflict of interest between the ongoing serialization of “From Hell” in TABOO, and Tundra’s self-standing reprint volumes of the same “From Hell” chapters soon after publication in TABOO. The matter was never resolved; Tundra and SpiderBaby severed relations on TABOO shortly before the collapse of Tundra.—S.B.]

Folder 9

COR-2 / 09 / 01 [Added 09/12/2007]

TABOO correspondence from Thomas E. Sniegoski, letter, script submission, handwritten note, ca. 1987.

[TABOO correspondence: Thomas E. Sniegoski: letter, circa 1987 (undated, but this was among Tom’s first submissions to TABOO, and we indeed featured one of his stories, “Tooth Decay,” in TABOO 1); March 6, 1990 letter, script submission (“Sustenance: A Tale of Hunger”) from Tom. Note the script was Tom’s first attempt at writing a comic script; “Tooth Decay” was adapted by artist Mike Hoffman from Tom’s short story submission, so Mike essentially ‘scripted’ that piece, adhering to Tom’s story specifics. Tom has gone on to be a prolific, successful comics writer (VAMPIRELLA, BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER), short story author, and novelist, often working with mutual friend Chris Golden. Chris, Tom, and I co-authored THE MONSTER BOOK: BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER (Pocket Books, 2000), and though I thought Tom did a terrific job, he summed it up at the time saying, “I hate non-fiction!” And, per the first letter, Tom and I indeed first met at the Corner Bookshop in Lynn, Massachusetts, during a visit to my first wife Nancy (now Marlene) O’Connor’s parents home in Lynn, MA.—S.B.]

Folder 10

COR-2 / 10 / 01 [Added 09/12/2007]

TABOO correspondence and submission, letter, card, 1989.

[TABOO correspondence/submission: October 12, 1989 letter and card from Jack Jackons, aka “Jaxon,” one of my underground comix heroes! Jack and I talked on the phone after this letter arrived, and though he never ended up doing a TABOO story (never had an opening in his schedule for it), we did become friends for a stretch, and I was able to include his definitive SKULL commix adaptations of H.P. Lovecraft in the planned Tundra ILLUSTRATED H.P. LOVECRAFT project (never published, though Jack delivered work and was paid in full) and interviewed him for COMIC BOOK REBELS. We drifted apart that, though I did mail him a set of TYRANTs and got a very kind letter in response.—S.B.]

COR-2 / 10 / 01 [Added 09/12/2007]

Two postcards to Steve Bissette, 1985, 1990.

[2 (two) original TABOO era postcards:

(1) Oct. 10, 1985 postcard from Mark Burbey, about our planned comics adaptation of Tom DeHaven’s cult underground novel FREAKS AMOUR. The failure to land a publisher for this project was a real catalyst for TABOO, though by then Mark and Tom had gravitated to a new artist, understandably enough after four years of our trying to find a publisher. See the FACES OF FEAR portfolio for my portrait of the FREAKS AMOUR male lead; the only piece of art that eventually saw print form this many-year effort.

(2) Oct. 30, 1990 postcard from S. Clay Wilson, concerning TABOO contributions and a correction to Wilson’s story in TABOO 4; note that’s S. Clay’s art on the front (1990), and his distinctive handwriting on the back!—S.B.]

DRA-1 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Lea Ann Alexander

Updated 05/05/2004

Drafts – any version of comic, graphic novel, or film script produced before the final product.

Complete original manuscript (in four binders): Novel DEUS-X by Joe Citro; illustrated by Bissette; this is the original ms. Bissette worked from to complete illustrations for the hardcover first edition of the novel. This was also the first collaborative effort between Bissette and longtime friend and fellow native Vermonter Citro.

DRA-1/01/01 Binder 1 (begins with title page)

DRA-1/02/01 Binder 2 (begins with page 145)

DRA-1/03/01 Binder 3 (begins with page 285)

DRA-1/04/01 Binder 4 (begins with page 433)

DRA-2 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Lea Ann Alexander and Renee Campbell

Updated 07/20/2004

Drafts – any version of comic, graphic novel, or film script produced before the final product.

Folder 1

DRA-2 / 01 / 01 [Added 02/20/2004]

Submission: script for Dark Horse Comics comic series ALIENS: LABYRINTH, Book Three written by Jim Woodring, typed, 33 pages, bound, with handwritten editorial notes by Bissette.

[Jim Woodring script for Dark Horse Comics comic series ALIENS: LABYRINTH, Book Three. I believe I was sent this script just as a courtesy; of interest as a sample of Woodring's script work, and as a sample of scripting relevant to the long-lasting Dark Horse ALIENS comics series/franchisa –S.B.]

Folder 2

DRA-2 / 02 / 01 [Added 02/20/2004]

Submission: script for SWAMP THING #83 written by Rick Veitch, typed, 41 pages, bound, with handwritten editorial notes by Bissette.

[Bound script (green cover) by Rick Veitch for SWAMP THING #83. Good sample of Veitch's scripting style for the series, a mere five issues away from the fateful ST #88 debacle that ended Veitch's run on the series. –S.B.]

Folder 3

DRA-2 / 03 / 01 [Added 02/23/2004]

Typesetting proof: ALIENS: TRIBES, a graphic novella written by Bissette and Dave Dorman, typed, 80 pages, bound.

[Typesetting proof for final draft of Bissette novella ALIENS: TRIBES, circa 1991— a further polish was done prior to publication. Note the credit byline; Dave Dorman was the initiator and illustrator of the novella, and all plotting was done with Dave. –S.B.]

Folder 4

DRA-2 / 04 / 01 [Added 05/05/2004]

Presentation: MELTING POT written by Kevin Eastman and Eric Talbot, typed, 43 pages, over-sized, bound

[Kevin Eastman and Eric Talbot's original MELTING POT presentation (in one complete binder): photocopied proposal, page layouts for the graphic novel series Eastman eventually completed with artist Simon Bisley. –S.B.]

Folder 5

DRA-2 / 05 / 01 [Added 05/05/2004]

Binder 1 of 2: THE MARNICK MANIAS written by Dennis Ellefson for Tom Foxmarnick, misc. sketches, bound, 78 pages.

THE MARNICK MANIAS, [one of two spiral-bound binders of art, sketches by Denis (sic) Ellefson; these were done for Tom Foxmarnick, (the "Tom" of the title of both binders), who was a classmate of mine at the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art, Inc. in Dover NJ. (Tom was in the second class in the school's history, 1977-79; I was in the first.) Ellefson is a key unsung figure in comics history, having edited many of the popular newsstand comic magazines to the 'custom car culture' and 'biker' subcultures (e.g., CARtoons, BIKERtoons, etc.). More on Ellefson will follow, if I can lay hands on the issue of THE COMICS JOURNAL with his obit; that could be filed with these two sketchbooks, providing some context for their inclusion in the collection beyond the personal link with Tom Foxmarnick. –S.B.]

Folder 6

DRA-2 / 06 / 01 [Added 05/05/2004]

Binder 2 of 2: TOM'S NEW GIRL written by Dennis Ellefson for Tom Foxmarnick, Misc. sketches, bound, 43 pages.

Folder 7

DRA-2 / 07 / 01 [Added 05/27/2004]

Submission: script pages, MISS GENT IL-BELLE written by Charles Beaumont and adapted by Mark Burbey (script) and Bill Wray (art), 20 pages, typed, with handwritten editorial notes by Bissette.

[Script pages, pencils (photocopies), roughs, lettering script, etc. for writer Mark Burbey and artist Bill Wray's adaptation of Charles Beaumont's story "Miss Gentilbelle." Bill finished almost all the art, but a hangup with the lettering and repeated delays thereafter somehow deep-sixed this ambitious adaptation, planned for publication in TABOO 4 or 5. –S.B.]

DRA-2 / 07 / 02 [Added 07/27/2004]

Submission, lettering script, MISS GENTILBELLE written by Charles Beaumont and adapted by Mark Burbey (script) and Bill Wray (art), 30 pages, typed.

DRA-2 / 07 / 03 [Added 07/27/2004]

Submission: panel for a double-paged spread, MISS GENTILBELLE written by Charles Beaumont and adapted by Mark Burbey (script) and Bill Wray (art), oversized, in pencil.

Folder 8

DRA-2 / 08 / 01 [Added 07/20/2004]

Short story: "The Source of the Nile" by Rick Hautala; typed, 7 pages (2 copies, one on red paper)

[Short story "The Source of the Nile" by Rick Hautala (Hautala is a good friend, and often sent my (sic) copies of his short stories as they were compiled; see upcoming material on proposed collaborative comic series "Little Brothers" with Rick. –S.B.]

DRA-2 / 08 / 02 [Added 07/20/2004]

Submission: "Clio's Problem" by Carol Lay; script, 6 pages.

[Carol Lay, Clio's Problem" (submission for TABOO; was accepted for TABOO 8; never published in TABOO, Carol later found a home for it; will reference that printing once I find it). –S.B.]

DRA-2 / 08 / 03 [Added 07/20/2004]

Submission: "Livin' in a Material World" written by Jukka Murtosaari,script, 4 pages; cover letter, handwritten. Samples of other works by Jukka Murtosaari

[TABOO letter/submission from Finland artist Jukka Murtosaari; Jukka'sTABOO story appears in TABOO ESPECIAL. –S.B.]

DRA-2 / 08 / 04 [Added 07/27/2004]

Portfolio: Examples of sketches by Jukka Murtosaari, 22 pages.

Folder 8

DRA-2 / 09 / 01 [Added 07/20/2004]

Submission: script, WANT by Wendy Snow-Lang, 20 pages, typed, with typed cover letter.

[Letters, scripts, layouts from Wendy Snow-Lang and husband Chuck Lang (though Wendy is the active creator in this batch of material); note I purchased publication rights to Wendy's first-ever short story (which Wendy read aloud at Necon, July 1988, where I heard it and met Wendy and Chuck), and comic story, 'Want" — see TABOO ESPECIAL — though it was published after the debut of her subsequently-written-and-drawn vampire comic series NIGHT'S CHILDREN (FantaCo Enterprises). Note the letter of Sept. 22, 1988 refers in paragraph #1 to Chuck's painting "Home Is Where the Heart Is", which was a back cover for TABOO (see TABOO collection). –S.B.]

DRA-2 / 09 / 02 [Added 07/27/2004]

Submission: script, BLOODMONEY by Wendy Snow-Lang, 8 pages, with typed cover letter.

DRA-2 / 09 / 03 [Added 07/27/2004]

Submission: Wendy Snow-Lang's bio in letter form, typed, 2 pages.

DRA-2 / 09 / 04 [Added 07/27/2004]

Submission: penciled breakdowns, WANT written by Wendy Snow-Lang, 14 pages, with typed cover letter.

DRA-2 / 09 / 05 [Added 07/27/2004]

Photo: 3x5 of sample panel of WANT written by Wendy Snow-Lang.

DRA-2 / 09 / 06 [Added 07/27/2004]

Note handwritten on index card from Wendy Snow-Lang to Bissette.

DRA-3 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Lea Ann Alexander and Renee Campbell

Updated 07/27/2004

Drafts – any version of comic, graphic novel, or film script produced before the final product.

Folder 1

DRA-3 / 01 / 01 [Added 07/20/2004]

Submission: “Sound and Vision” by James Robert Smith, 35 pages, typed; cover letter, typed.

Folder 2

DRA-3 / 02 / 01 [Added 07/20/2004]

Submission: “Human Crux” by Cara Sherman-Tereno, 16 pages, with handwritten editorial comments by Bissette, cover letter included.

[Cara Sherman-Tereno (classmate from the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art, Inc., class of ’76-’78 with me; Cara was a good friend, contributor to TABOO; one of many files on Cara, TABOO submissions, etc. – note she passed away in 1996, I believe, and is included in Trina Robbins’ latest book on female cartoonists). –S.B.]

DRA-3 / 02 / 02 [Added 07/24/2004]

Lettering script, “Human Crux” by Cara Sherman-Tereno, typed; cover letter, typed, with handwritten editorial comments.

DRA-3 / 02 / 03

Panels, “Human Crux” by Cara Sherman-Tereno. [Added 07/24/2004]

Folder 3

DRA-3 / 03 / 01 [Added 07/20/2004]

Submission: untitled panel by I. Allen Gladfelter; cover letter, handwritten on a postcard.

[I. Allen Gladfelter letter, submission for TABOO. This was indeed published in TABOO (see TABOO collection); sample of one-off piece by non-pro that, if it made the cut (that is, I found it disturbing), was published. Note, too, that ALL creators were paid the same per-page-rate for TABOO. –S.B.]

DRA-3 / 03 / 02 [Added 07/20/2004]

Submission: script of “Dire Wolf” by Mike Baron, 28 pages, photocopy, handwritten on lined notebook paper, bound

[Mike Baron script – yes, THIS is how Mike wrote ALL his scripts! – for an issue of THE BADGER ( first comics) Mike wanted me to illustrate featuring the Grateful Dead-inspired character “Dire Wolf”. I chose not to take on thte job. Date and year unknown, but would have appeared at the tail end of THE BADGER run (check price guide for approx. date/year?). I did design, and sketch, the non-human “Dire Wolf” character; will send along photocopies of that art once I find it, for inclusion in this file. –S.B.]

Folder 4

DRA-3 / 04 / 01 [Added 07/20/2004]

Anthology of scripts, “Opprobrium”, written by Mark Burbey, submitted to FANTAGRAPHICS, featuring the art work of Rich Larson, Gene Day, Marc Hempel, Dennis Fujitake, Doug Potter, and Bissette, 58 pages, bound; cover letter, typed.

[OPPROBRIUM: anthology proposal by writer Mark Burbey, submitted to Fantagraphics, circa June 1991. I was to paint the cover to this anthology, and illustrate a story (see table of contents); alas, the collection never saw print. I completed the first page of “Dogs”, but no more; planned cover was scrapped.

--S.B.]

DRA-3 / 04 / 02 [Added 07/25/2004]

Photo of Mark Burbey with his neice.

Folder 5

DRA-3 / 05 / 01 [Added 07/20/2004]

Binder 1 of 2: script, “Bad Blood” (#14) written by Andi Watson for the comics series BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER; panels, 22 pages; lettering script, typed, 32 pages.

[Comic scripts (2) by Andi Watson for the Dark Horse comics series BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER; includes photocopies of complete script, layouts, final inked pages; sample scripts sent to me in late 1990s for consideration of work for the BUFFY comics. I declined. –S.B.]

Folder 6

DRA-3 / 06 / 01 [Added 07/20/2004]

Binder 2 of 2: script, “Bad Blood” (#15) written by Andi Watson for the comics series BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER: panels, 22 pages; lettering script, typed, 29 pages.

Folder 7

DRA-3 / 07/ 01 [Added 07/20/2004]

Binder 1 of 3: Shooting draft, “The Freshman” written by Joss Whedon for the TV series BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, typed, 52 pages, dated July 22, 1999.

[Teleplays/scripts for the TV series BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, for the episodes “The Freshman”, “Beer Bad”, and “The Bachelor Party”. See above; again, sample scripts sent to me when Dark Horse editor Scott Allie asked me to consider working on the BUFFY comics series. Note: Given the high academic interest in the BUFFY TV series, and the many film scripts to follow as part of my collection, don’t underestimate the possible interest in these items within the collection. –S.B.]

Folder 8

DRA-3 / 08/ 01 [Added 07/20/2004]

Binder 2 of 3: Shooting draft, “Beer Bad” written by Tracey Forbes for the TV series BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, typed, 50 pages, dated September 16 – 23, 1999.

Folder 9

DRA-3 / 09 / 01 [Added 07/20/2004]

Binder 3 of 3: Shooting draft, “The Bachelor Party” written by Tracey Stern for the TV series ANGEL, typed, 54 pages, dated September 16 – 24, 1999.

Folder 10

DRA-3 / 10 / 01 [Added 07/20/2004]

“Work in progress” reference binder for TABOO 5, 130 pages

[“Work in progress” reference binder for TABOO 5 (see TABOO collection). Note cover sheet was the cover page of the solicitation sent to distributors. –S.B.]

Folder 11

DRA-3 / 11 / 01 [Added 07/20/2004]

“Works in progress” binder (#2 of 2) for TABOO 4, 49 pages.

[“Work in progress” binder (#2 of 2) for TABOO 4; note this reflects that Wendy Snow-Lang’s story “Want” was originally schedule for publication in this issue; it was bumped and published in TABOO ESPECIAL. –S.B.]

DRA-4 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Lea Ann Alexander and Renee Campbell

Updated 08/18/2004

Drafts — any version of comic, graphic novel, or film script produced before the final product.

Folder 1

DRA-4 / 01 / 01 [Added 08/02/2004]

Comic book series JON DARK, PSYCHIC EYE, written by Stanley Wiater, 5 pages, typed.

[Proposal from writer/friend Stanley Waiter (Oct. 1994) for comic book series JON DARK< PSYCHIC EYE — a planned series to be based on a computer game Stanley had co-developed at this time. This proposal was presented (a) as a possible venture for us to collaborate on (l declined as TYRANT was my sole focus by this time), (b) seeking my input and editorial skills (which I do, informally), and (c) seeking a publisher. Nothing came of this, in the end. –S.B.]

DRA-4 / 01 / 02 [Added 08/02/2004]

Script, "OGOPOGO", written by Stanley Wiater, 17 pages, typed.

Folder 2

DRA-4 / 02 / 01 [Added 08/10/2004]

Notes, planned two-book project with Stanley Wiater, COMIC BOOK REBELS and COMIC BOOK MASTERS, 2 pages, handwritten on lined, yellow legal paper.

[Notes on the planned two-book project with friend Stanley Waiter, which yielded COMIC BOOK REBELS. Our second planned book, COMIC BOOK MASTERS, was abandoned. –S.B.]

DRA-4 / 02 / 02 [Added 08/10/2004]

"Jarhead" written by Jeff Nicholson, 2 pages, typed; cover letter, single page, typed.

DRA-4 / 02 / 03 [Added 08/10/2004]

Comic, in Russian, written by Zenat, 9 pages.

[Submission from Russia — Zenat was the artist's name, and these were samples. TABOO folded before anything came of this contact. Too bad... –S.B.]

DRA-4 / 02 / 04 [Added 08/10/2004]

TWELVE STATES, a collaboration between David Lloyd and Bissette; script, 4 pages (2 of which are in color); cover letter with attached business card.

[David Lloyd letter, re: TWELVE STATES proposal (see separate file), circa Feb. 1992. –S.B.]

DRA-4 / 02 / 05 [Added 08/13/2004]

Script, "Babycakes" written by Neil Gaiman, 2 pages, typed.

[Misc. letters, notes, etc. on various Neil Gaiman TABOO projects, including SWEENEY TODD (see TABOO 6 and 7), and the one-shot story Michael Zulli illustrated from the script by Neil's young daughter Holly Gaiman. My own notations, from various conversations and planning sessions associated with SWEENEY TODD, are here on yellow paper. –S.B.]

DRA-4 / 02 / 06 [Added 08/13/2004]

SWEENEY TODD PROLOGUE, addressed to Michael Zulli, includes introduction note, 12 pages, typed.

DRA-4 / 02 / 07 [Added 08/13/2004]

Notations by Bissette from various conversations and planning sessions associated with SWEENEY TODD, 3 pages, yellow, lined notebook paper, handwritten.

DRA-4 / 02 / 08 [Added 08/13/2004]

Untitled script written by Holly Gaiman, Neil Gaiman’s daughter, 2 pages, typed.

DRA-4 / 02 / 09 [Added 08/16/2004]

SWEENEY TODD: A BRIEF INTROUCTION by Neil Gaiman, working copy, 7 pages typed.

DRA-4 / 02 / 10 [Added 08/16/2004]

SWEENEY TODD PROLOGUE, addressed to Bissette, 9 pages typed.

DRA-4 / 02 / 11 [Added 08/16/2004]

Script: SWEENEY TODD, TABOO 6 insert, 8 pages, typed.

Folder 3

DRA-4 / 03 / 01 [Added 08/16/2004]

Submission: comic, untitled, story and art by Noel Tuazon, 3 pages; accompanying cover letter, 2 pages, handwritten on notebook paper.

[Letter from Noel Tuazon, TABOO contributor. –S.B.]

DRA-4 / 03 / 02 [Added 08/16/2004]

Submission: comic, “One Last Drink”, story and art by Noel Tuazon, 3 pages.

DRA-4 / 03 / 03 [Added 08/18/2004]

Submission: lettering script, "Love in the Afternoon" written by Rolf F. Stark and Marlene Stevens, 15 pages, typed; accompanying cover letter, single page, typed.

[Letter, script, art photocopies by Rolf Stark, TABOO contributor, for story "Love in the Afternoon" (see TABOO). Note that Rolf eventually expanded his material for the graphic novel RAIN, which was published by Tundra in 1991. –S.B.]

DRA-4 / 03 / 04 [Added 08/18/2004]

Copy #2 of “Love in the Afternoon” written by Rolf F. Stark and Marlene Steven, 15 pages, typed.

Folder 4

DRA-4 / 04 / 01 [Added 08/18/2004]

RAIN, a graphic novel written by Rolf F. Stark, bound, 31 pages.

DRA-4 / 04 / 02 [Added 08/18/2004]

Panels, "To Each His Own", art work by Rolf F. Stark, 2 pages.

DRA-4 / 04 / 03 [Added 08/18/2004]

Panels with handwritten notations, "To Each His Own" art work by Rolf F. Stark, 2 pages.

DRA-4 / 04 / 04 [Added 08/18/2004]

Panels, "To Each His Own", art work by Rolf F. Stark, 7 pages.

DRA-4 / 04 / 05 [Added 08/18/2004]

Lettering script, "To Each His Own", written by Rolf Stark, 4 pages, handwritten.

Folder 5

DRA-4 / 05 / 01 [Added 08/18/2004]

Rough draft, "Fuck Pieces", written by Jim Wheelock, 10 pages; cover letter addressed to Stanley Wiater and Bissette with page-by-page notes, 2 pages, typed.

[Letter and roughs from artist Jim Wheelock, for story "Fuck Pieces" (see above, and separate file, already mailed). –S.B.]

DRA-4 / 05 / 02 [Added 08/18/2004]

Rough draft, description of the characters in the BANE comics, written by Rick McCollum, 5 pages, typed, with drawings.

[Misc. materials, comics, roughs, etc. from artist Rick McCollum, for TABOO and GORE SHRIEK. This culminated in my publishing Rick's adaptation of "Salome" in TABOO ESPECIAL. –S.B.]

DRA-4 / 05 / 03 [Added 08/18/2004]

Lettering script, "An Itch in Time" written by Rick McCollum, 4 pages, typed.

DRA-4 / 05 / 04 [Added 08/18/2004]

Panels, "An Itch in Time", written by Rick McCollum, 8 pages.

Folder 6

DRA-4 / 06 / 01 [Added 08/18/2004]

Comic, BANE 2, written by Rick McCollum, 32 pages, bound.

DRA-4 / 06 / 02 [Added 08/18/2004]

Comic, BANE 3, written by Rick McCollum, 40 pages.

Folder 7

DRA-4 / 07 / 01 [Added 08/18/2004]

Comic, BANE 2, written by Short story, Jan Neruda's "The Vampire" adaptation and art work by Alec Stevens, 6 pages.

[Photocopy of completed Alec Stevens' art, adaptation of Jan Neruda's short story "The Vampire" — see TABOO 8 and 9. –S.B.]

DRA-4 / 07 / 02 [Added 08/18/2004]

"Dummy" versions of planned TABOO: BOOK OF THE DEAD, created on folded pages from a memo pad, handwritten.

[Materials (including contents list, "dummy" versions) of planned TABOO: BOOK OF THE DEAD; crumbling relations with Tundra killed this venture, and most of the stories listed finally saw print in TABOO 8 and 9. –S.B.]

DRA-4 / 07 / 03 [Added 08/18/2004]

Contents list for TABOO: BOOK OF THE DEAD, single page, handwritten on yellow legal paper.

DRA-4 / 07 / 04 [Added 08/18/2004]

Drawing, proposed cover art for TABOO: BOOK OF THE DEAD.

DRA-4 / 07 / 05 [Added 08/19/2004]

Comic, "The Paper Undertaker", written by P. Foerster in French, 12 pages, with 2 additional pages with notations.

[P. Foerster story "The Paper Undertaker" — only Foester's "The Fugue" saw print in translated form (translation by Jean-Marc and Randy Lofficier) in TABOO. –S.B.]

Folder 8

DRA-4 / 08 / 01 [Added 08/19/2004]

Comic, "Dr. Miro's Masterpiece", written by Jeff Dickinson, 6 pages, with cover letter handwritten on drawing, dated 09/01/1991.

[Jeff Dickinson letter, photocopies of art, stories, etc. Jeff was going to figure prominently in TABOO after #5, but only his "Dr. Miro's Masterpiece" saw print in TABOO (see published version in TABOO 8 or 9). –S.B.]

DRA-4 / 08 / 02 [Added 08/19/2004]

Comic, "Baby", written by Jeff Dickinson (9/89), 12 pages.

DRA-4 / 08 / 03 [Added 08/19/2004]

Comic, "False Skins" written by Jeff Dickinson, 8 pages.

DRA-4 / 08 / 04 [Added 08/23/2004]

Script, "After Life", written by David Thorpe, typed, with handwritten P.S., 26 pages; cover letter, typed, single page, dated 1 1/08/1991.

[David Thorpe letters, script for "After Life" series (circa 1991). See related files, already shipped; TABOO 8 and 9; more to follow. –S.B.]

DRA-5 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Lea Ann Alexander and Renee Campbell

Updated 09/07/2004

Drafts – any version of comic, graphic novel, or film script produced before the final product.

Folder 1

DRA-5 / 01 / 01 [Added 08/23/2004]

Rough draft, layout for TABOO 4, handwritten on the back of ads for Jan Duursema's “Spirit Guides”, 4 pages.

DRA-5 / 01 / 02 [Added 08/23/2004]

Rough draft, layout for TABOO 5, handwritten on the back of ad for Jan Duursema's "Spirit Guides", single page.

DRA-5 / 01 / 03 [Added 08/23/2004]

Introduction page, written by Bissette, for "Space Invaders", story by Mike Baron and John Totleben, intended for publication in TABOO 1, completed, typeset, pasted-up board.

[Ah, optimism: Two completed, typeset, pasted-up boards awaiting logos to be statted and placed from the actual stories.. -which, alas, were never completed by the artists! Intended for publication in TABOO 1, these are the introduction pages (scribed by Bissette) for Mike Baron and John Totleben's story "Space Invaders" — script completed, artwork never finished — and Frank Miller's "Rats" — described to me at great length over the phone by Frank, but never completed. Similarly, his planned vampire project, BLOODLUST (noted in the "Rats" intro text) was abandoned. –S.B.]

DRA-5 / 01 / 04 [Added 08/23/2004]

Introduction page, written by Bissette, for "Rats", story by Frank Miller, intended for publication in TABOO 1, completed, typeset, pasted-up board.

DRA-5 / 01 / 05 [Added 08/24/2004]

Submission: script, "No Fear, No Hate, No Pain, No Broken Hearts", written by Douglas Wheeler, typed, 15 pages; cover letter, typed, single page, dated 09/29/1986.

Folder 2

DRA-5 / 02 / 01 [Added 08/24/2004]

Submission: script, "Lean Your Ear This Way", written by Douglas Wheeler, typed 76 pages; cover letter, single page, typed, handwritten P.S.S., dated 01/30/1989; synopsis, single page, typed; hand drawn maps of the apartment and the hands hold in "Lean Your Ear This Way", 2 pages.

Folder 3

DRA-5 / 03 / 01 [Added 08/24/2004]

Submission: comic strip, "Donor" , story by Doug Wheeler, art by Shane Oakley, letters by Gary Crutchley, 5 pages; cover letter, handwritten by Douglas Wheeler in red marker, 5 pages.

["Donor" script (by Doug Wheeler), photocopies of completed artwork, letter from Shane Oakley, etc. - accepted, paid for, but never published in TABOO. –S.B.]

DRA-5 / 03 / 02 [Added 08/24/2004]
Submission: script, "The Morrigan Tales", written by Elaine Lee, typed, 18 pages; cover letter, handwritten by Charles Vess, in red marker, 2 pages.

[Letters, notes, script pages and revisions from Charles Vess and Elaine Lee for "Morrigan Tales" in TABOO 4. Also see below. –S.B.]

DRA-5 / 03 / 03 [Added 08/24/2004]

"The History of the Morrigan Tales", handwritten by Charles Vess, 3 pages.

DRA-5 / 03 / 04 [Added 08/24/2004]

Charles Vess' bibliography, handwritten, single page.

DRA-5 / 03 / 05 [Added 08/24/2004]

Page-by-page revisions to "The Morrigan Tales" by Elaine Lee, handwritten, 10 pages; cover letter, handwritten by Charles Vess, 2 pages.

[Letter, revision notes from Charles Vess for his story in TABOO 4. Note the reference to "the poem" in Charles' letter: I'd approached him about illustrating Matt Levin's "Earthquake in the Cementary (sic) ", which will be elsewhere in the files, forthcoming. –S.B.]

Folder 4

DRA-5 / 04 / 01 [Added 08/24/2004]

Submission: script, "When the Wall Cries", written by Stanley Wiater, typed, 17 pages; cover letter, typed, single page, dated 10/06/1988.

[Short stories by Stanley Wiater (co-author of COMIC BOOK REBELS) for consideration as submissions for TABOO. See file folder on "Fuck Pieces", already shipped. –S.B.]

DRA-5 / 04 / 02 [Added 08/24/2004]

Submission: script, "The Man Who Would Not Be King", written by Stanley Wiater, typed, 14 pages.

DRA-5 / 04 / 03 [Added 08/24/2004]

Submission: script, "The Savior", written by Stanley Wiater, typed, 12 pages.

DRA-5 / 04 / 04 [Added 08/24/2004]

Submission: script, "Close Call", written by Stanley Wiater, typed, 7 pages.

DRA-5 / 04 / 05 [Added 08/24/2004]

Submission: script, "The Toucher", written by Stanley Wiater, typed, 10 pages.

Folder 5

DRA-5 / 05 / 01 [Added 08/25/2004]

Notes for TABOO: STICKS AND STONES, handwritten on 5x7.25, yellow, lined paper.

[A chunky TABOO: STICK AND STONES file (full of files), giving a fair overview of the planned intent, content, notes, etc. —S.B.]

DRA-5 / 05 / 02 [Added 08/25/2004]

Rough draft of contents list for TABOO: STICKS AND STONES, handwritten, single page.

DRA-5 / 05 / 03 [Added 08/25/2004]

Rough draft of contents list for TABOO: STICKS AND STONES, handwritten, single page.

DRA-5 / 05 / 04 [Added 08/25/2004]

Rough draft of contents list for TABOO: STICKS AND STONES, handwritten, single page.

DRA-5 / 05 / 05 [Added 08/25/2004]

Submission for TABOO: STICKS AND STONES: script, "The Worms Crawl In", written by Chet Williamson, typed, 16 pages; cover letter, typed, single page; photocopy of a page from To the Artist All in Nature Is Beautiful with a selection in brackets; panels for "The Worms Crawl In", 13 pages.

DRA-5 / 05 / 06 [Added 08/25/2004]

Submission for TABOO: STICKS AND STONES: comic strip, "Ain't Love Grand", written by Angela Bocage, printed on red construction paper.

DRA-5 / 05 / 07 [Added 08/25/2004]

Submission for TABOO: STICKS AND STONES: comic strip, "The Joys of

Childhood", written by Angela Bocage, printed on lime green construction paper.

DRA-5 / 05 / 08 [Added 08/26/2004]

Submission for TABOO: STICKS AND STONES: script, "How I Learned to Shrug; How I Stopped", written by Jeannine Atkins, typed, 12 pages; cover letter, handwritten, 2 pages.

Folder 6

DRA-5 / 06 / 01 [Added 08/26/2004]

Submission for TABOO: STICKS AND STONES: script, "St. Dymphna" written by Joyce Brabner, typed, 8 pages.

DRA-5 / 06 / 02 [Added 08/26/2004]

Submission for TABOO: STICKS AND STONES: comic, "Sunk Rats", written by Adrian Martinez, 8 pages; cover letter, handwritten on "Fort Worth Star" letterhead stationery, dated 02/24/1992.

DRA-5 / 06 / 03 [Added 08/26/2004]

Submission for TABOO: STICKS AND STONES: comic, "The Feast of Ashes", written by Joe Zabel and Gary Dumm, 9 pages, 2 copies; cover letter #1 , typed, single page, dated 07/29/1991 ; cover letter #2 typed, single page, n.d.

Folder 7

DRA-5 / 07 / 01 [Added 08/26/2004]

Submission for TABOO: STICKS AND STONES: comic, "Legacy", written by Stephen Blue, 8 pages; cover letter, typed, 2 pages, n.d.

DRA-5 / 07 / 02 [Added 08/26/2004]

Submission for TABOO: STICKS AND STONES: comic, 'Angst", written by Leslie Sternberg, one page; cover letter, typed, single page, n.d, black manila envelope.

DRA-5 / 07 / 03 [Added 08/26/2004]

Submission for TABOO: STICKS AND STONES: comic, "Circumcision", written by P. Hester, 8 pages, 2 copies.

DRA-5 / 07 / 04 [Added 08/30/2004]

Submission for TABOO: STICKS AND STONES: comic, "Abandonment Games", story by Doug Wheeler, art by Mike Hoffman, 6 pages.

DRA-5 / 07 / 05 [Added 08/30/2004]

Submission for TABOO: STICKS AND STONES: script, "The October Children", written by Stephen Niles, 1 1 pages; last page revision, single page, handwritten.

Folder 8

DRA-5 / 08 / 01 [Added 08/30/2004]

Submission for TABOO: STICKS AND STONES: comic, "Things Happen" written by Leslie Black, 79 pages, bound.

[RARE ITEM: Binder: Leslie Black's first self-published version (photocopy edition, plastic-clasp bound) of her marvelous semi-autobiographical THINGS HAPPEN (1991 which was to be the core of STICKS AND STONES. Note this is #5 of an edition of 58. We paid Leslie in full for this work, and then released her from all obligations when both Tundra and, later Dark Horse backed out of the project; Leslie self-published and distributed a magazine-format, saddle stitched revised edition. —S.B.]

Folder 9

DRA-5 / 09 / 01 [Added 09/02/2004]

Draft of the "Title Page" of COMIC BOOK REBELS, definitive text 3/3/93.

DRA-5 / 09 / 02 [Added 09/02/2004]

Draft of the "Table of Contents" of COMIC BOOK REBELS, definitive text.

DRA-5 / 09 / 03 [Added 09/02/2004]

Draft of the "About the Authors" section of COMIC BOOK REBELS.

DRA-5 / 09 / 04 [Added 09/02/2004]

Draft of the "Copyright Page" of COMIC BOOK REBELS.

DRA-5 / 09 / 05 [Added 09/02/2004]

Draft of the "Dedications" of COMIC BOOK REBELS.

DRA-5 / 09 / 06 [Added 09/02/2004]

Draft of the "Artwork Credit" of COMIC BOOK REBELS.

DRA-5 / 09 / 07 [Added 09/02/2004]

Draft of the "Acknowledgements" of COMIC BOOK REBELS.

DRA-5 / 09 / 08 [Added 09/02/2004]

Draft of the "Foreword" of COMIC BOOK REBELS, 3 pages.

DRA-5 / 09 / 09 [Added 09/02/2004]

Draft of the "Introduction" of COMIC BOOK REBELS, 14 pages.

DRA-5 / 09 / 10 [Added 09/02/2004]

Draft of the "Also By... page of COMIC BOOK REBELS.

DRA-5 / 09 / 11 [Added 09/02/2004]

Draft of "Appendix l" of COMIC BOOK REBELS, 5 pages.

DRA-5 / 09 / 12 [Added 09/02/2004]

Draft of "Appendix II" of COMIC BOOK REBELS, 24 pages.

Folder 10

DRA-5 / 10 / 01 [Added 09/07/2004]

Draft of "Appendix II" of COMIC BOOK REBELS, 23 pages.

DRA-5 / 10 / 02 [Added 09/07/2004]

Draft of "Appendix III" of COMIC BOOK REBELS, 14 pages.

DRA-5 / 10 / 03 [Added 09/07/2004]

Draft of "Appendix III" of COMIC BOOK REBELS, 13 pages.

DRA-6 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Lea Ann Alexander and Renee Campbell

Updated 09/08/2004

Drafts – any version of comic, graphic novel, or film script produced before the final product.

Folder 1

DRA-6 / 01 / 01 [Added 09/07/2004]

COMIC BOOK REBELS #1: Interview with Scott McCloud with introduction (definitive text), 15 pages, including examples of McCloud's work.

DRA-6 / 01 / 02 [Added 09/07/2004]

COMIC BOOK REBELS #2: Interview with Larry Marder with introduction (definitive text), 15 pages, including examples of Marder's work.

DRA-6 / 01 / 03 [Added 09/07/2004]

COMIC BOOK REBELS #3: Interview with Jack Jackson with introduction (definitive text), 17 pages, including examples of Jackson's work.

Folder 2

DRA-6 / 02 / 01 [Added 09/07/2004]

COMIC BOOK REBELS #4: Interview with Richard Corben with introduction (definitive text), 16 pages, including examples of Corben's work.

DRA-6 / 02 / 02 [Added 09/08/2004]

COMIC BOOK REBELS #5: Interview with Lee Mars with introduction (definitive text), 12 pages, including examples of Marrs' work.

DRA-6 / 02 / 03 [Added 09/08/2004]

COMIC BOOK REBELS #6: Interview with Howard Cruse with introduction (definitive text), 14 pages, including examples of Cruse's work.

Folder 3

DRA-6 / 03 / 01 [Added 09/08/2004]

COMIC BOOK REBELS #7: Interview with Denis Kitchen with introduction (definitive text), 14 pages, including examples of Kitchen's work.

DRA-6 / 03 / 02 [Added 09/08/2004]

COMIC BOOK REBELS #8: Interview with Dave Sim with introduction (definitive text), 16 pages, including examples of Sim's work, 2 copies.

Folder 4

DRA-6 / 04 / 01 [Added 09/08/2004]

Interview with Dave Sim by Bissette with introduction, 36 pages, 3 copies.

Folder 5

DRA-6 / 05 / 01 [Added 09/08/2004]

COMIC BOOK REBELS #9: Interview with Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird with no introduction or artwork, 20 pages.

DRA-6 / 05 / 02 [Added 09/08/2004]

COMIC BOOK REBELS Interview with Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird with introduction (definitive text), 20 pages, including examples of their artwork.

DRA-6 / 05 / 03 [Added 09/08/2004]

COMIC BOOK REBELS #10: Interview with Harvey Pekar and Joyce Brabner with introduction (definitive text), 17 pages, including examples of their work.

Folder 6

DRA-6 / 06 / 01 [Added 09/08/2004]

COMIC BOOK REBELS #1 1: Interview with Jean "Moebius" Giraud with introduction (definitive text), 19 pages, including examples of Giraud's work.

DRA-6 / 06 / 02 [Added 09/08/2004]

COMIC BOOK REBELS #12: Interview with Alan Moore with introduction (definitive text), 15 pages.

DRA-6 / 06 / 03 [Added 09/08/2004]

COMIC BOOK REBELS #13: Interview with Eddie Campbell with no introduction or artwork, 14 pages, 2 copies.

Folder 7

DRA-6 / 07 / 01 [Added 09/08/2004]

COMIC BOOK REBELS #13: Interview with Eddie Campbell with introduction (definitive text), 14 pages, including examples of Campbell's work.

DRA-6 / 07 / 02 [Added 09/08/2004]

COMIC BOOK REBELS #14: Interview with Neil Gaiman with introduction (definitive text), 17 pages, including examples of Gaiman's work.

DRA-6 / 07 / 03 [Added 09/08/2004]

COMIC BOOK REBELS #15: Interview with Dave McKean with revised introduction, 18 pages.

Folder 8

DRA-6 / 08 / 01 [Added 09/08/2004]

COMIC BOOK REBELS #16: Interview with Frank Miller with introduction (definitive text), 17 pages.

DRA-6 / 08 / 02 [Added 09/08/2004]

COMIC BOOK REBELS #17: Interview with Colleen Doran with introduction (definitive text), 14 pages, including examples of Doran's work.

DRA-6 / 08 / 03 [Added 09/08/2004]

COMIC BOOK REBELS #18: Interview with Rick Veitch with introduction (definitive text), 16 pages, including examples of Veitch's work.

Folder 9

DRA-6 / 09 / 01 [Added 09/08/2004]

COMIC BOOK REBELS #19: Interview with Todd McFarlane with introduction (definitive text), 1 1 pages, including examples of McFarlane's work.

DRA-6 / 09 / 02 [Added 09/08/2004]

COMIC BOOK REBELS #20: Interview with Will Eisner with introduction (definitive text), 18 pages, including examples of Eisner's work.

DRA-6 / 09 / 03 [Added 09/08/2004]

Revisions on the Harvey Pekar/ Joyce Brabner interview, 6 pages, with handwritten notations.

DRA-6 / 09 / 04 [Added 09/08/2004]

Unidentified comic strips (4), single page each, handwritten notations on 1.

DRA-7 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Lea Ann Alexander and Renee Campbell

Updated 09/09/2004

Drafts – any version of comic, graphic novel, or film script produced before the final product.

Folder 1

DRA-7 / 01 / 01 [Added 09/09/2004]

Work-in-progress binder: TABOO 1

[TABOO 1 work-in-progress binder (opens with Dave Sim intro to my story "Cottonmouth" (circa 1988); note this includes graphics not in the published edition —S.B.]

Folder 2

DRA-7 / 02 / 01 [Added 09/09/2004]

Preview binder (1 of 25 sent): TABOO 1, with "for John Gilbert from S. R. Bissette 8/88" written in green ink on the front cover.

[TABOO 1 'preview' binder (one of 25 binders sent; August 1988) —S.B.]

Folder 3

DRA-7 / 03 / 01 [Added 09/09/2004]

Work-in-progress binder: TABOO 3.

[TABOO 3 (circa 1989) —S.B.]

Folder 4

DRA-7 / 04 / 01 [Added 09/09/2004]

Work-in-progress binder: TABOO 2.

[TABOO 4 (sic) work-in-progress binder (w/cover image closeup (sic) from John Totleben's cover painting; circa 1989) —S.B.]

Folder 5

DRA-7 / 05 / 01 [Added 09/09/2004]

Bound "dummy" of printed version of TABOO 4, including cover wraparound.

[TABOO 4 bound 'dummy' of printed version w/ printed cover wraparound. —S.B.]

Folder 5

DRA-7 / 06 / 01 [Added 09/09/2004]

Work-in-progress binder: TABOO 7.

[TABOO 7 work-in-progress binder (note includes stories in pencil form, etc.; circa 1992). —S.B.]

DRA-8 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Lea Ann Alexander and Renee Campbell

Updated 09/21/2004

Drafts – any version of comic, graphic novel, or film script produced before the final product.

Folder 1

DRA-8 / 01 / 01 [Added 09/09/2004]

Document: Draft copy of "Curtis Harrington and the Underground Roots of the Modern Horror Film", an essay written by Bissette, typed with handwritten corrections and notations, 12 pages.

[Document: Draft copy of my essay "Curtis Harrington and the Underground Roots of the Horror Film" revised version, published in the book UNDERGROUND U.S.A. (2002). —S.B.]

DRA-8 / 01 / 02 [Added 09/09/2004]

Draft: Comic book, TYRANT ("ashcan" edition), written by Bissette, 21 pages, bound, 3 copies.

Folder 2

DRA-8 / 02 / 01 [Added 09/09/2004]

First draft: Screenplay, "The Jungle Vine", by Rick Hautala, story by Rick Hautala and Michael Kimball, bound, 118 pages.

[Unproduced feature screenplay by Rick Hautala, "The Jungle Vine" (circa 1991) —S.B.]

Folder 3

DRA-8 / 03 / 01 [Added 09/09/2004]

Screenplay: "Superman Lives", written by Kevin Smith, bound, pages not numbered.

[Unproduced feature film screenplay by Kevin Smith, "Superman Lives" (circa 1997). —S.B.]

Folder 4

DRA-8 / 04 / 01 [Added 09/09/2004]

Screenplay: "Arzach", by Randy Lofficier, story by Randy Lofficier and Kirk Thatcher, based on the book by Jean "Moebius" Giraud, bound, 101 pages.

[Unproduced feature film screenplay by Randy Lofficier, "Arzach", based on the comic series by Jean "Moebius" Giraud (circa 1989). —S.B.]

Folder 5

DRA-8 / 05 / 01 [Added 09/09/2004]

Manuscript: THE UNSEEN KING, written by Tyson Blue, bound, pages not numbered.

[Bound ms. For unpublished Tyson Blue Stephen King book, for which I drew the cover. Title of this one escapes me; there were ads for it in the CEMETARY DANCE issues I've already sent you... —S.B.]

Folder 6

DRA-8 / 06 / 01 [Added 09/13/2004]

Comics: "What the Left Hand Did, Part I-IV", written by Jim Woodring, 28 pages;

"Pulse", written by Jim Woodring, 3 pages; letter to Mark Martin from Jim Woodring, handwritten, 2 pages; art work by R. Crumb, one page; "Introducing Dennis Eichhorn" story by Harvey Pekar, art by Jim Woodring, single page. All items are bound together.

[Bound photocopies of Jim Woodring comix stories, letter (to Mark Martin), circa 1990. I have no idea why I have these, save for Mark and I used to share copies of the stuff we received from other cartoonists we thought the other should see. Don't Know where this Woodring material finally saw print; see Fantagraphics JIM zines, books. —S.B.]

DRA-8 / 06 / 02 [Added 09/20/2004]

Biographical information on Dennis Ellefson, handwritten, single page.

[Bio info on CARtoons editor Dennis Ellefson, for TABOO intro (see TABOO 5, I think; "Black Dahlia" story by Ellefson and Tom Foxmarnick. —S.B.]

DRA-8 / 06 / 03 [Added 09/20/2004]

Submission: "The Satanic Mofo Acid Massacre", script by Dick Foreman, art by Pete Williamson, 5 pages; cover letter, handwritten by Pete Williamson, single page, n.d.

[Letter, photocopies of art from UK artist Pete Williamson, who illustrated Northampton UK writer Dick Foreman's script “Suburban Autopsies" (See TABOO ESPECIAL; also see relevant Dick Foreman files, already sent). —S.B.]

DRA-8 / 06 / 04 [Added 09/20/2004]

Comic strip: "Suburban Autopsies", script by Dick Foreman, art by Pete Williamson, 5 pages.

Folder 7

DRA-8 / 07 / 01 [Added 09/20/2004]

Notes for the introduction to P. Foerster's "La Fugue", print-out with handwritten notations, single page.

[Notes for introduction to P. Foerster's "La Fugue" for TABOO 4. —S.B.]

DRA-8 / 07 / 02 [Added 09/20/2004]

Submission: comic strip, "Obsessive Love", by Michael T. Gilbert and Mike McCarthy, 9 pages, with handwritten note from Gilbert to Bissette on first page.

[Michael T. Gilbert story "Obsessive Love", submitted to TABOO in 1989. I passed but stayed in touch with Michael over the years and remained friends. We ALMOST co-edited an anthology of our favorite Pre-Code horror comics stories for Tundra in 1991-92, but that fell apart as Tundra (and Mike's relations with Tundra) did. —S.B.]

DRA-8 / 07 / 03 [Added 09/21/2004]

Jeffrey Jones Curriculum Vitae, typed, 3 pages.

[JEFF JONES info for his bibliography accompanying his work in TABOO 5 (see collection). —S.B.]

DRA-8 / 07 / 04 [Added 09/21/2004]

Submission: panel script, "Payne's Inferno", written by George E. Turner and Mike H. Price, typed, 34 pages, dated 10/21/1989-12/12/1989; cover letter from Michael H. Price, typed, 2 pages, dated 12/17/1989.

[Michael H. Price letter (Dec. 1989) — note the reference to "Mr. Boyette", meaning famed comics artist and Texan filmmaker Pat Boyette — and script, photocopied art for "Payne's Inferno" (art by Lamberto Alvarez). This led to Mike and Lamberto doing a similar story, "Gator Bait", for TABOO (see collection; it's either issue 8 or 9). —S.B.]

DRA-8 / 07 / 05 [Added 09/21/2004]

Photocopy of comic "Payne's Inferno", story by George E. Turner, and Mike H. Price, art by Lamberto Akvarez, 15 pages, with handwritten note from Mike Price, dated 07/02/1991.

DRA-9 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Renee Campbell

Updated 10/11/2004

Drafts – any version of comic, graphic novel, or film script produced before the final product.

Folder 1

DRA-9 / 01 / 01 [Added 09/21/2004]

Submission: comic strip, “Sadopsychomondo”, created by J.K. Potter, fumetti artwork, 5 pages.

[Photocopies of J.K. Potter’s fumetti story “Sadopsychomondo” (1979), submitted for inclusion in GORE SHRIEK or TABOO. These photocopies do not do justice to the actual work; Potter remains a key illustrator for genre books using his photomanipulation techniques, which were uncanny in the pre-PhotoShop days. Like Dave McKean, many of Potter’s techniques and images were pirated wholesale when computer graphics broke big in the 1990s. –S.B.]

DRA-9 / 01 / 02 [Added 09/21/2004]

Draft: comic strip, “Daddyum”, written by Tom Veitch, rough artwork by Denis Rodier, Veitch’s instructions for the artwork are in some panels, 11 pages.

[DENIS RODIER roughs, working from the Tim Veitch script “Daddyums” (see relevant files). –S.B.]

DRA-9 / 01 / 03 [Added 09/22/2004]

Comic strip: “Throwing Up Is Good”, written by Billy Mathers (age 7), artwork by Brian Sendelbach, “CEREBUS HIGH SOCIETY #6” is handwritten at top, single page, 2 copies.

DRA-9 / 01 / 04 [Added 09/22/2004]

Submission: panel script for “Davey’s Dream”, written by Mark Askwith, typed, 7 pages.

[Mark Askwith, script, “Davey’s Dream (illustrated by Rick Taylor, published in TABOO 4). Mark was a huge advocate and friend of TABOO, and in fact suggested the name for the anthology that stuck! More to follow; “Davey’s Dream” was one of our most successful pieces, to my mind, and Professor Tom Roberts used it as a teaching tool in his comics class for over half a decade at University of Connecticut in Storrs, CT, where I spoke almost every semester. –S.B.]

DRA-9 / 01 / 05 [Added 09/23/2004]

Rough Draft: Comic, “After Life”, written and submitted by Dave Thorpe, art by Aidan Potts, 25 pages, bound; cover letter, typed, single page, dated 04/09/1990.

[“After Life” relates letters from Dave Thorpe, featuring extensive photocopies of the artwork in various stages of completion (April 1990). Combine this with the
”After Life” material already in hand, and note the remarkable ‘behind the scenes’ peek at artist Aidan Potts working methods. –S.B]

Folder 2

DRA-9 / 02 / 01 [Added 09/23/2004]

Rough Draft: comic, “Things Happen” written by Leslie Black, 68 pages.

[“Things Happen”, early version, photocopies, by Leslie Black. See relevant files already in hand, re: Leslie Black, TABOO: STICKS AND STONES. –S.B]

Folder 3

DRA-9 / 03 / 01 [Added 09/27/2004]

Rough Draft: comic, “Adaptation”, written by Jack Butterworth, 6 pages, handwritten notations for the artist.

[Scripts from JACK BUTTERWORTH, vet comics writer (CREEPY, EERIE, etc.) and newspaper journalist. These are Jack’s scripts for the two TABOO stories “All She Does Is Eat” (finally drawn by Greg Capullo; see relevant files) and “Adaptation” (illustrated for publication by Eric Vincent; see relevant files), which see. Jack was a good man; always friendly, easy-going, very professional. I was always happy to work with him, and regret we didn’t do more together, though we sure tried (including our proposal to DC/Vertigo; files forthcoming). –S.B.]

DRA-9 / 03 / 02 [Added 09/27/2004]

Rough Draft: comic, “All She Does Is Eat”, written by Jack Butterworth, 6 pages handwritten notations for the artist; cover letter, typed, single page, n.d.

DRA-9 / 03 / 03 [Added 09/27/2004]

Rewrite of “All She Does Is Eat”, written by Jack Butterworth.

DRA-9 / 03 / 04 [Added 09/27/2004]

First draft of pages 2 and 6 of “All She Does Is Eat”, written by Jack Butterworth, handwritten notations for the artist.

DRA-9 / 03 / 05 [Added 09/27/2004]

Submission: panel script for “The Photographer” written by Luke T. Bush, 7 pages; cover letter, single page, typed on personal letterhead stationery, dated 12/23/1988. 3 copies.

DRA-9 / 03 / 06 [Added 09/27/2004]

Photocopy of “Miss Gentilbelle”, a short story written by Christopher Beaumont, and adapted into comic format by Mark Burbey, 9 pages.

DRA-9 / 03 / 07 [Added 09/27/2004]

Rough Draft: comic, “Miss Gentilbelle”, adapted by Mark Burbey from a short story written by Christopher Beaumont, 14 pages, artwork on the first 2 pages done by Bill Wray; cover letter, typed, single page, dated 01/26/1987.

Folder 4

DRA-9 / 04 / 01 [Added 09/29/2004]

Proposal: outline, “Someone Will Die in this Bus Today”, written by Kevin Browne, 2 pages; Plot-style script, “Someone Will Die in this Bus Today”, 4 pages; outlines for “All Bets Are Down”, “Just the Right Card”, “Where You Lie”, “The Greatest Gift of All”, “Objective Report”, “No Control”, “Déjà vu”, “The Truth Box”, “From a Simple Time”, “I, Witness”, “The Tycoon”, “Shouldn’t Throw Stones”, “Capital Punishment’, “The Great Awakening”, “To Age Is Human”, and “Over the Wall”, 3 pages, cover letter, typed, single page, n.d.

[Submission from writer Kevin Browne, circa 1990 or so. –S.B.]

DRA-9 / 04 / 02 [Added 09/29/2004]

Panel layout for FREAKS’ AMOUR, 2 pages.

DRA-9 / 04 / 03 [Added 09/29/2004]

Panel script for Mark Burbey and Bissette’s comic book adaptation of FREAKS’ AMOUR, a novel written by Tom De Haven, 38 pages.

Folder 5

DRA-9 / 05 / 01 [Added 09/29/2004]

Photocopied sample of G. Panter’s comic book adaptation of De Haven’s FREAKS’ AMOUR, 3 pages.

DRA-9 / 05 / 02 [Added 09/29/2004]

Synopses for 6-issue limited series of FREAKS’ AMOUR, adapted from Tom De Haven’s novel into comic book format by Mark Burbey and Bissette, 6 pages.

DRA-9 / 05 / 03 [Added 09/29/2004]

Inside Front Cover of FREAKS’ AMOUR #1, comic book adaptation of Tom De Haven’s novel, 2 pages.

DRA-9 / 05 / 04 [Added 10/11/2004]

Short story, “Foreign Parts” written by Neil Gaiman, bound, 22 pages, signed by the author.

[Neil Gaiman short story “Foreign Parts” – note Neil’s signature on the final page.

–S.B.]

Folder 6

DRA-9 / 06 / 01 [Added 10/11/2004]

TABOO ESPECIAL, work-in-progress, bound.

[“Work in progress” binder for TABOO ESPECIAL; note Scott McCloud’s ’24 Hour Comic’, Wendy Snow-Land’s “Want”, “Neon Spray” by Finland artist Jukka Murtosaari. –S.B.]

Folder 7

DRA-9 / 07 / 01 [Added 10/11/2004]

TABOO 3, work-in-progress, bound.

[“Work in progress” binder for TABOO 3. –S.B.]

Folder 8

DRA-9 / 08 / 01 [Added 10/11/2004]

Novel, “Throat Sprockets”, written by Tim Lucas, work-in-progress, 53 pages, bound.

[“Work in progress” binder of Tim Lucas’ novel “Throat Sprockets”, circa 1990. The completed novel was eventually published by Dell in the US, and overseas in many editions. Tim began work on the novel at my urging, after a particularly volatile falling-out between himself and artist Mike Hoffman over future installments of “Throat Sprockets” for TABOO; though conceived and initially executed as a series of linked, self-contained comic stories, I convinced Tim that seeing through his vision for the project AS a novel, sans collaborators, was the way to go. A subsequent collaboration with UK artist David Lloyd (“V for Vendetta”, etc.) to illustrate another TABOO “Throat Sprockets” story (see TABOO 8 or 9; can’t recall of (sic) the top of my head which featured the completed story) also proved unsatisfactory and difficult for Tim, unfortunately proving the merit of my suggestion. See the acknowledgements page in this binder, and in Tim’s final novel. –S.B.]

DRA-9 / 09 / 01 [Added 10/11/2004]

Graphic novel, BRATPACK, written by Rick Veitch, work-in-progress, in two binders.

[Binders (2), Rick Veitch’s graphic novel BRATPACK; includes photocopies of pages, revised art, and script excerpt (see end of binder #2) for re-written final chapter of BRATPACK. Rick ran this rewrite past both myself and Neil Gaiman for review and suggestions. –S.B.]

DRA-10 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Renee Campbell

Updated 10/11/2004

Drafts – any version of comic, graphic novel, or film script produced before the final product.

Folder 1

DRA-10 / 01 / 01 [Added 10/11/2004]

Comic, MAXIMORTAL #1, written by Rick Veitch, work-in-progress, 32 pages, bound.

[Binder, “Work in Progress”, Rick Veitch’s MAXIMORTAL #1. –S.B.]

Folder 2

DRA-10 / 02 / 01 [Added 09/29/2004]

Graphic novel, STUCK RUBBER BABY, written by Howard Cruse, the first 11 chapters of a work-in-progress, 95 pages; letter to Bissette from Cruse re: Cruse’s application for a Guggenheim Foundation Grant, typed on personal letter-head stationery, 2 pages, dated 03/19/1993; cover letter, typed on personal letter-head stationery, single page, dated 03/23/1993; letter to Kristen Kelly, Program Specialist, Literature Department, National Endowment for the Arts, from Cruse requesting consideration for NEA support of his graphic novel, typed on personal letter-head stationery, single page, dated 01/12/1993; photocopied review of “Maus” by Art Spiegelman from the Book Review section of “The New York Times”, 3 pages; sample page of “Maus”; photocopied biographical blurb on Art Spiegelman, single page; letter to Cruse from Alexander Ooms, Literature Staff, National Endowment for the Arts, turning down his application for a grant but suggesting that he apply to the Visual Arts division, typed, single page.

[Binder, “Work in Progress”, Howard Cruse’s STUCK RUBBER BABY graphic novel. Includes copies of Cruse’s application for the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Fund Grant (needed for completion of the graphic novel)’ my personal letter of recommendation submitted to the Grant with Howard’s novel-in-progress and other letters; copy of Howard’s “Statement of Plans” and application for the Grant; letter from Howard; work completed on STUCK RUBBER BABY to that date; etc. This is, to my mind, a key document, revealing in the difficulties creators had in funding ongoing work on ambitious graphic novels; in the process of grant application, and how graphic novels were perceived at the time by such authorities (see relevant passages of all letters and documents herein); etc. –S.B.]

Folder 3

DRA-10 / 03 / 01 [Added 10/11/2004]

Proposal: graphic novel, AIR SHARKS, written by Steve Perry, outline, 11 pages, bound.

[Proposal, outline by writer Steve Perry for graphic novel AIR SHARKS (never completed or published), submitted to Tundra Publishing, circa approx. 1991. –S.B.]

DRA-10 / 03 / 02 [Added 10/11/2004]

Submission: graphic novel/ mini-series, BADLANDS, written by Steven Grant and art by Vince Giarrano, work-in-progress, 132 pages, bound.

[Binder, “Work in Progress”/submission, Steve Grant and Vince Giarrano’s graphic novel/ mini-series BADLANDS, circa 1990. This was submitted to me as a sample of writer Grant and artist Giarrano’s work, possibly for consideration in TABOO? I don’t fully recall. –S.B.]

Folder 4

DRA-10 / 04 / 01 [Added 10/11/2004]

Short stories, “Master Tape” (13 pages) and “…from a Stone” (16 pages), written by Rick Hautala, bound.

[Binder, Rick Hautala short story “Master Tape”, “…from a Stone”. –S.B.]

DRA-10 / 04 / 02 [Added 10/11/2004]

Submission: short story/ novella, “The House of Fear”, written by Chet Williamson, 23 pages, bound.

[Binder, Chet Williamson short story/ novella “The House of Fear”, submitted to me for illustration purposes. This was to be a small press chapbook, illustrated by myself (note rough for proposed ‘title page’ sketch, in orange color pencil, on the first page of this binder), for Footsteps Press (publisher Bill Munns), circa 1988, I believe. Due to scheduling conflicts, I withdrew from the project, which Footsteps did publish with another illustrator’s work. –S.B.]

Folder 5

DRA-10 / 05 / 01 [Added 10/11/2004]

Manuscript, novel, “Wet Work”, written by Philip Nutman, 148 pages, bound.

[Binder, ms. For Phil Nutman’s first novel, “Wet Work” (1990). The novel was indeed published as a paperback original in the early 1990s. –S.B.]

Folder 6

DRA-10 / 06 / 01 [Added 10/11/2004]

Submission: manuscripts for misc. short stories, “Something Kinky” (55 pages), “Shock Radio” (34 pages), and “Fat” (63 pages), written by Ray Garton, bound.

[Binder, ms. For misc. Ray Garton short stories, submitted by Garton’s agent of the period (circa 1990?) for consideration for adaptation in TABOO. Nothing came of this, but Garton was and remains a key genre author, and this is of interest to the TABOO files. –S.B.]

DRA-11 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Renee Campbell

Updated 12/15/2004

Drafts – any version of comic, graphic novel, or film script produced before the final product.

Folder 1

DRA-11 / 01 [Added 12/13/2004]

Bound Manuscript, THE MOUNTAIN KING, written by Rick Hautala, 313 pages.

[BOUND MANUSCRIPT: Complete ms. For Rick Hautala’s novel THE MOUNTAIN KING; this is the ms. I worked from when I illustrated the novel. –S.B.]

Folder 2

DRA-11 / 02 [Added 12/13/2004]

Screenplay, THE MOUNTAIN KING, by Rick Hautala, based on the novel of the same name by A.J. Matthews, first draft, bound, 94 pages, dated 11/1993.

[BOUND SCREENPLAY: Rick Hautala’s screenplay adaptation of THE MOUNTAIN KING (Nov. 1993); unproduced. –S.B.]

Folder 3

DRA-11 / 03 [Added 12/13/2004]

Screenplays: THE FACTS IN THE CASE OF M. VALDEMAR, by George A. Romero, inspired by the short story “The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar” by Edgar Allan Poe, third draft, dated 06/1989, 59 pages; and EDGAR ALLAN POE, by Dario Argento and Franco Ferrini, revisions dated 07/06/1989, 57 pages; both screenplays in one binder.

[BOUND SCREENPLAY: George A. Romero’s THE FACTS IN THE CASE OF M. VALDEMAR (1989), and EDGAR ALLEN POE (filmed as “The Black Cat”) screenplay by Dario Argento and Franco Ferrini; filmed by Romero and Argento for their Poe-inspired anthology film TWO EVIL EYES. Though the finished film was erratic – Romero’s episode was lackluster, Argento;s a potent modern revamp of Poe’s classic tale with a real kick in the tail, further galvanized by Harvey Keitel’s central performance as Rod – the screenplays are compelling reading , and most instructive when compared with the completed film (now available on DVD). –S.B.]

Folder 4

DRA-11 / 04 [Added 12/15/2004]

Thumbnails/script, “Solar Plexus” by Rick Veitch, 8 pages.

[Photocopies of Rick Veitch story thumbnails/script: “Solar Plexus” for EPIC ILLUSTRATED (Marvel Comics Group), issue and year of publication unknown at the time of this writing and package assembly (though I’ll try to find out!). Complete 8-page story layouts and roughs, with script penciled in as part of the presentation, submitted and accepted by EPIC editor Archie Goodwin. –S.B.]

DRA-12 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Renee Campbell

Updated 08/29/2005 by Hope Warner

Drafts

[Any version of comic, graphic novel, or film script produced before the final product.]

Folder 1

DRA-12 / 01 [Added 12/15/2004]

Manuscript to novel, THE DRIFTING SOUL, by Matt Spencer, pages 1-80.

[Original ms. to novel THE DRIFTING SOUL by Matt Spencer (2001; revised and reprinted 2004), from which I worked to illustrate the novel the winter of 2003/2004. –S.B.]

Folder 2

DRA-12 / 02 [Added 12/15/2004]

THE DRIFTING SOUL (con’t), pages 81-160.

Folder 3

DRA-12 / 03 [Added 12/15/2004]

THE DRIFTING SOUL (con’t), pages 161-200.

Folder 4

DRA-12/04 [Added 8/29/2005]

Final Proof for ALIENS: TRIBES, 72 pages.

[Binder: Layouts, typeset pages for final proof on my novella ALIENS: TRIBES. See that book, in collection. –S.B.]

Folder 5

DRA-12/05 [Added 8/29/2005]

Submission: Script for Paul Jenkins’ KNIGHTS OF THE FALLEN CONSTRUCT: spiral bound 32 pages.

[Paul Jenkins’ KNIGHTS OF THE FALLEN CONSTRUCT, his first original comics series (circa 19990-91?). Jenkins has gone on to become a top writer in comics, writing for DC, Marvel, and many others; this was indeed his first original series, in proposal form for review of myself and Rick Veitch at a time when Paul was pitching the series to his employer, Tundra.—S.B.]

Folder 6

DRA-12/06 [Added 8/29/2005]

Manuscript RUN, by Douglas E. Winter, spiral bound, 169 pages.

[Spiral-bound ms. For Douglas E. Winter novel “RUN” (1995).—S.B.]

DRA-13 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Hope Warner

Updated 09/18/2005

Drafts – any version of comic, graphic novel, or film script produced before the final product.

Folder 1

DRA-13 / 01 [Added 08/29/2005]

Screenplay, First draft of THE BLUE LADY, based on the novel GHOST LIGHT by Rick Hautala. Spiral bound 100 pages.

Folder 2

DRA-13 / 02 [Added 08/29/2005]

Binder: RARE BIT FIENDS by Rick Veitch.

[Spiral-bound binder: Rick Veitch’s RAREBIT FIENDS: misc. episodes of Rick’s self-published comic; photocopies mailed by Rick over the duration of his comic, some featuring Bissette. Note pencil cover rough sketch at end of binder.—S.B.]

Folder 3

DRA-13 / 03 [Added 08/29/2005]

Binder, comics, 3 stories written by Steve Perry, art by Rick Veitch. Green clip binder, MY BIZARRE CHRISTMAS ADVENTURE, 5 pages, HERE LIES A CAT, 12 pages, GETTING EVEN, 7 pages.

[‘Clip’ binder: Three comics stories written by Steve Perry, art by Rick Veitch; circa mid-1980s to 1989, I believe. Steve and Rick were and are among my ‘oldest’ friends—in all meanings of the word—and this represents the small body of work they did together. I’m not sure where these stories were ultimately published, though; I think “My Bizarre Christmas Adventure” was in Marvel’s BIZARRE ADVENTURES magazine.—S.B.]

Folder 4

DRA-13 / 04 [Added 08/29/2005]

Binder 1 of 2, Treatment, MELTING POT by Kevin Eastman and Eric Talbot, spiral bound 47 pages.

Binder 2 of 2, novel, MELTING POT by Kevin Eastman and Eric Talbot, spiral bound, typed with character studies.

[Kevin Eastman’s MELTING POT graphic novel and screenplay, circa 1988-90. Note Kevin launched this series with collaborator Eric Talbot, but completed the published version with Simon Bisley.—S.B.]

Folder 5

DRA-13 / 05/01 [Added 09/18/2005]

1 page, typed.

[proposed contents, credits for TABOO 8 or 9 (check issues to confirm).—S.B.] (TABOO #8)

DRA-13 / 05/02 [Added 09/18/2005]

2 pages, 1 typed, 1 written, no date.

[“SPACE INVADERS” intro notes; script by Mike Baron, to have been illustrated/adapted by John Totleben. See other relevant materials.—S.B.]

Folder 6

DRA-13 / 06/01 [Added 09/18/2005]

COUNTRY by James Pascoand Chad Hermann, 2 copies, one script, text only, one script, sketches with story, with letter attached, no date. FRAGMENTS by Ray G. Cabana Jr., typed. THE NIGHT OF THE BRAZEN BULL by Ray G. Cabana Jr., typed. Treatment: ULTIMATES by Ray G. Cabana Jr., typed.

[Two unsolicited script / story submissions for TABOO: “Country” by James Pasco and Chad Hermann; “Fragments” by Ray G. Cabana, Jr. (author of THE FILMS OF PETER LORRE).—S.B.]

DRA-14 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Hope Warner

Updated 09/22/2005

Drafts – any version of comic, graphic novel, or film script produced before the final product.

Folder 1

DRA-14 / 01 [Added 09/18/2005]

Submission, 15 pages plus 2 notes.

[David Sexton and P. Craig Russell submission “Satan & the Saviour” for TABOO; published in TABOO 8 or 9 (check issues to confirm).—S.B.]

(TABOO 8)

Folder 2

DRA-14 / 02 [Added 09/18/2005]

Draft, 2 copies, 12 pages each.

[Final “THROAT SPROCKETS” story for TABOO, “The Disaster Area,” script by Tim Lucas, art by David Lloyd art (photocopies) – published in TABOO 8 or 9 (check issues to confirm).—S.B.]

(TABOO 8)

Folder 3

DRA-14 / 03 [Added 09/22/2005]

Draft, 2 copies, 30 pages each

[Matt Howarth story “Revenge” (photocopies) – published in TABOO 8 or 9 (check issues to confirm). Compare with the version that finally saw print; I believe Al made some changes in the final printed version.—S.B.]

(TABOO 8)

Folder 4

DRA-14 / 04/ 01 [Added 09/22/2005]

Photocopies, 4 pages.

[AL COLUMBIA story “Johnny 23” (photocopies) – published in TABOO 8 or 9 (check issues to confirm). Compare with the version that finally saw print; I believe Al made some changes in the final printed version.—S.B.]

(TABOO 8)

DRA-14 / 04/ 02 [Added 09/22/2005]

Submission, 7 pages.

[July 1992 Fax of submission for TABOO: “Chasing the Dragon,” script by Paul Jenkins, art by Al Columbia; accepted, but never completed or published in TABOO; to my knowledge, this was never published anywhere, due to the falling out between artist and writer over the fate of the planned Tundra publication of Alan Moore’s BIG NUMBERS (for which Al Columbia was artist, and Paul Jenkins’ Tundra’s “straw boss” aka editor/supervisor).—S.B.]

Folder 5

DRA-14 / 05 [Added 09/22/2005]

Proposal from Jeff Nicholson, 2 copies, 9 pages each, 2 draft copies, 29 pages each.

[Episode of TABOO serialized novel THROUGH THE HABITRAILS by Jeff Nicholson: “Cat Lover” (photocopies); proposal, various drafts. See final version published in TABOO 9, and in Jeff Nicholson’s self-published graphic novel edition of THROUGH THE HABITRAILS.—S.B.]

Folder 6

DRA-14 / 06 /01 [Added 09/22/2005]

Photocopies, 2 copies, 6 pages each, working papers, 2 pages.

[Alec Stevens’ adaptation of Wladyslaw Reymont’s short story “Twilight”; photocopies of art, photocopies of story text Alec worked from. Published in TABOO 8 or 9 (check issues to confirm).—S.B.][Published in TABOO 8—H.W.]

DRA-14 / 06 /02 [Added 09/22/2005]

Photocopies, 10 pages.

[James Robert Smith (writer) and Mike Hoffman (artist) story “The New Ecology of Death” (1992; photocopies), published in TABOO 8 or 9 (check issues to confirm).—S.B.]

(TABOO 9)

Folder 7ab&c

DRA-14 / 07 [Added 09/22/2005]

1. Sample invoice, 1 page, and letter from Jim Wheelock to Stan and Steve, 2 pages, 2 copies, dated 10/15/1992.
2. 3 drafts of “Fuck Pieces”, 2 copies with more detailed art, 2 copies with less detailed art, and 2 copies text only.
3. Panels: 2 copies, 1 page each: 2 copies, 11 pages each, and 2 copies, 11 pages each.

[All documents and art photocopies, unpublished TABOO story “Fuck Pieces” – Stanley Wiater, author; Jim Wheelock, artist. To my knowledge, this was never published anywhere, sad to say, though both creators and the letterer were paid.—S.B.]

DRA-15 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Hope Warner

Updated 10/10/2005

Drafts – any version of comic, graphic novel, or film script produced before the final product.

Folder 1

DRA-15 / 01 [Added 09/26/2005]

Photocopies, 2 copies, 25 pages each.

[Photocopies of “After Life,” first installment of planned serialized series for TABOO, written by Dave Thorpe, art by Aiden Potts. Published in TABOO 8 or 9 (check issues to confirm).—S.B.]

(TABOO 9)

Folder 2

DRA-15 / 02 / 01 [Added 09/26/2005]

Submission, 4 pages, dated 1982.

[TABOO submission from writer/artist Michael T. Gilbert (MR. MONSTER, etc.), “The Damned” – never published.—S.B.]

DRA-15 / 02 / 02 [Added 09/26/2005]

Photocopies, 3 copies, 7 pages each.

[Photocopies of Melinda Gebbie story “The Cock-Pit,” accepted (and paid) for TABOO; never published therein. This story did appear in one of the women’s underground comics; can’t recall which it was, offhand.—S.B.]

Folder 3

DRA-15 / 03 / 01 [Added 09/26/2005]

Photocopies: 8 pages; Letter from Michael Price to Steve Bissette, dated 12/01/1992.

[Photocopies of the first 8 pgs. Of the 12 pg. story “Gator Bait,” script and lettering by Michael H. Price, art by Lamberto Alvarez. Published in TABOO 9 (check issues to confirm).—S.B.]

(TABOO 9)

DRA-15 / 03 / 02 [Added 09/26/2005]

Photocopies: 8 copies; Letter from Mark King with envelope, dated 2/03/1992; notes: 1 page.

[Photocopies, letter, notes on planned reprint of Herriman strip KRAZY KAT for TABOO vol. 10 – alas, we never reached that fateful number. Herriman’s meditation on ‘taboo’ would have been a great intro to that issue!—S.B.]

Folder 4

DRA-15 / 04 [Added 09/26/2005]

Photocopies: 2 copies, 23 pages each.

[Photocopies of planned collage story “Clipped Wings” by Tim Lucas (script) and Simoneda Perica Uth; never published, anywhere, to my knowledge. Alas.—S.B.]

Folder 5

DRA-15 / 05 [Added 09/26/2005]

Photocopies: 4 pages.

[Photocopies of Marc Arsenault TABOO submission “Alien Mind” – accepted but never published.—S.B.]

Folder 6

DRA-15 / 06 [Added 10/10/2005]

Outline: 2 copies, 8 pages each. Plot outline, 1 page. Letter from Jack Butterworth to Steve Bissette, dated 11/15/85.

[Script by Jack Butterworth, and letter, for TABOO #1 “Eyes Without a Face” (illustrated by Cam Kennedy).—S.B.]

Folder 7

DRA-15 / 07 [Added 10/10/2005]

Photocopy, 2 pages. Letter from Bill Wray to Steve Bissette with 1 page attached, no date. Letter from Steve Bissette to Harris Publications, 2 pages, dated 11/15/86. Certified mail receipt, dated 11/17/86. Invoice from Bill Wray to Steve Bissette or Dave Sim for COME ON DOWN, no date.

[Bill Wray letter, art photocopies for “Come On Down,” scripted by Alan Moore, art by Bill Wray, which was completed for Harris Publications’ CREEPY but abandoned, and submitted by Bill to TABOO – we indeed published it in TABOO #1.—S.B.]

Folder 8

DRA-15 / 08 [Added 10/10/2005]

Treatment, 2 copies, 24 pages each. Letter from Tom Sniegoski to Steve Bissette, dated 12/2/86. Panels by Mike Hoffman, 10 pages. Letter from Mike Hoffman to Steve Bissette, no date.

[Script, art photocopies, and further story submissions from Tom Sniegoski, who indeed contributed more work to TABOO. His story here, “Tooth Decay,” was illustrated by Mike Hoffman and indeed saw print in TABOO 1 – Tom and I remained friends over the years, as he went on to script comics (for Marvel, Dark Horse, etc., often collaborating with Christopher Golden) and we co-authored (with Chris Golden) THE MONSTER BOOK: BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER (Pocket Books, 2001).—S.B.]

Folder 9

DRA-15 / 09 [Added 10/10/2005]

Photocopies, CAUCHEMAR, 11 pages. Oversized photocopies of drawings of dinosaurs, by Kenneth Smith, 2 pages. Miscellaneous panels by Kenneth Smith, 16 pages. Photocopies of THE STRUGGLE FOR SUPREMACY OVER THE WORLD by Kenneth Smith, note on bottomed of first page says “published in Heavy Metal in April 1983” 2 pages. Photocopies of RISING TO THE OCCASION by Kenneth Smith note on bottomed of first page says “published in Heavy Metal in September 1979” 2 pages. Photocopies of HIVE by Kenneth Smith, oversized first page with letter to Bissette asking him to look over it with his “Connoisseur’s Eye”, 7 pages. Submission, AION POLYMORPH by Kenneth Smith, 10 pages. Prints by Kenneth Smith with note to Bissette that art was in Phantasmagoria #4. Photocopies of Panels by Kenneth Smith, 9 pages. Photocopies of lists of stories illustrated by Kenneth Smith, 2 pages. Photocopy of panel from THE SKINNY PEOPLE OF LEPTOPHLEBO STREET by Kenneth Smith. Photocopy of MR HAMADRYAD by R.A. Lafferty, Illustrated by Kenneth smith, 8 pages.

[Kenneth Smith letter (Jan. 29, 1992), photocopies of art, stories, misc. Kenneth indeed was a TABOO contributor in its final issues (see TABOO collection).–S.B.]

Folder 10

DRA-15 / 10 [Added 10/10/2005]

Scripts, THE DISASTER AREA by Tim Lucas typed 2 versions. SIAMESE TWINS by Tim Lucas typed with handwritten note attached to Bissette, dated 1990.

[TIM LUCAS scripts for THROAT SPROCKETS stories for TABOO. Two different versions of “The disaster Area” (see David Lloyd art, elsewhere in file collection, already mailed) and TABOO for eventual publication (in #8 or 9; see books to confirm), and Tim’s final (and never illustrated or published) THROAT SPROCKETS script, “SIAMESE TWINS.” At my urging following unfortunate relations with previous THROAT SPROCKETS artist Mike Hoffman, and rather rude treatment of Tim by “Disaster Area” artist David Lloyd, Tim abandoned the comics medium for THROAT SPROCKETS to reinvent and complete the work as a novel, soon after published by Dell.—S.B.]

DRA-16 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Hope Warner

Updated 10/13/2005

Drafts – any version of comic, graphic novel, or film script produced before the final product.

Folder 1

DRA-16 / 01 [Added 10/10/2005]

Scripts, outline, and notes for KNIGHTS OF THE FALLEN CONSTRUCT by Paul Jenkins.

[Paul Jenkins scripts, outlines, etc. for his first comics series KNIGHTS OF THE FALLEN CONSTRUCT (circa 1991-92); my notes and comments for Paul (solicited) are also herein, on the yellow legal paper. At the time, Paul was working VERY hard at Tundra as production coordinator and all-around Kevin Eastman right-hand-man, but VERY eager to extend his energy into writing. Aside from a TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES story and a few short pieces, this represented Paul’s most ambitious venture to date; surviving Tundra, he went on to become one of the key comics writers of the late 1990s, and remains popular and successful as such today. See related materials elsewhere in collection, re: Tundra, and re: Paul Jenkins’ submissions to TABOO.—S.B.]

Folder 2

DRA-16 / 02 [Added 10/10/2005]

Proposal 7 pages. Submission, 17 pages.

[Kenneth Whitfield submission to TABOO, “Dust Dancers.” Nothing ultimately came of this for TABOO or Kenneth, sad to say. –S.B.]

Folder 3

DRA-16 / 03 [Added 10/12/2005]

Photocopies, 40 pages with note on back page from Eddie Campbell to Bissette.

[Eddie Campbell photocopies (see Eddie’s handwritten notes on back of final pages of each mailing installment), original set, of completed art for FROM HELL Chapter 7 for publication in TABOO (see set, in collection). By this point, we were still publishing FROM HELL in serial form in TABOO, while Tundra was collecting the chapters in their FROM HELL trade paperback series; the die was cast, the end of TABOO was nigh. Still, we kept excellent relations with Alan and Eddie throughout, and were VERY prompt with payments!—S.B.]

Folder 4

DRA-16 / 04 [Added 10/12/2005]

Photocopies of five different chapters of THROUGH THE HABITRAILS. “The Infiltrator”, 6 pages. “Animal Control”, 3 copies, 7 pages each. ”Escape #3: Concow”, 7 pages. “Dark Spiral”, 7 pages. “The Gerbil King” 2 copies, pages 1-13, 1 copy, pages 6-27 with letter from Jeff Nicholson to Bissette on front.

[Jeff Nicholson’s THROUGH THE HABITRAILS chapters, photocopies of completed art/stories. Note Jeff’s letters, notes; Jeff was by far the most pleasant professional, timely, and straightforward of ALL the many TABOO contributors, and THROUGH THE HABITRAILS remains to my mind one of TABOO’s most ambitious and enduring creations. After the demise of TABOO and Tundra, Jeff remained the most thoughtful of all TABOO collaborators: when he collected the revised THROUGH THE HABITRAILS in book form (see collection), he solicited an introduction from me, conscientiously paid me the identical rate TABOO had paid him ($100 per published page), and sent me comp copies of every edition. He was forever thankful for the venue we’d given him; the solid publisher relations and fair practices we maintained; the timely exchange of work and payments; the comp copies of TABOO we always went to contributors; and he reciprocated in kind after the professional relations were complete. God Bless Jeff – if only all relations had been so good, during TABOO’s lifetime and afterwards.—S.B.]

Folder 5

DRA-16 / 05 [Added 10/13/2005]

Photocopies, notes, letter from Tom Marnick to Bissette, dated 2/10/88.

[Tom Marnick (later Tom Foxmarnick) letters, photos, photocopies, etc. for his “Black Dahlia” TABOO story (see collection); also, comps and submission outlines for Tom’s planned magazine WILDLIFE.—S.B.]

Folder 6

DRA-16 / 06 [Added 10/13/2005]

Scripts: BLUE ANGEL, 2 copies, 7 pages each with letter from Tim Lucas to Bissette, dated 6/6/89. I THOUGHT YOU’D NEVER ASK Throat Sprockets chapter 2, 29 pages, dated 8/28/87, revised 4/13/88. THE ROOM OF PRESIDENTS, 18 pages, dated 1989. CLIPPED WINGS, 6 pages with letter from Tim Lucas to Bissette, dated 6/6/89.

[Tim Lucas TABOO material: “Blue Angel” rewrite (see TABOO 4); “Throat Sprockets” Chapter 2 script (compare with published version; see collection); short story submission “The Room of Presidents,” which was discussed at some length but ultimately abandoned; script for “clipped Wings” (see relevant file, already sent).—S.B.]

Folder 7

DRA-16 / 07 [Added 10/13/2005]

Script of UNCLE RAY by Tom Sniegoski, 21 pages typed. Art samples by Jana Christy, 6 pages.

[Tom Sniegoski story “Uncle Ray,” samples of Tom’s artist-of-choice Jana Christy. Though planned for TABOO: STICKS AND STONES, this venture did not work out – even before STICKS AND STONES collapsed.—S.B.]

Folder 8

DRA-16 / 08 [Added 10/13/2005]

Submission of AION POLYMORPH by Kenneth Smith, 13 pages.

[Kenneth Smith story, roughs “Aion Polymorph,” TABOO submission, 1991.—S.B.]

Folder 9

DRA-16 / 09 [Added 10/13/2005]

Submissions: THE NEW ECOLOGY OF DEATH by James Robert Smith, 15 pages with letter from Bob Smith to Bissette dated 2/20/90. WET by James Robert Smith, 11 pages. NUMHED by James Robert Smith, 11 pages. TABOO STORY: (An untitled study of selfishness) by James Robert Smith, 4 pages. Letter from Bob Smith to Bissette, 2 pages dated 10/23/90.

[James Robert Smith short stories, submissions to TABOO. At least two of these “Wet” and “The New Ecology of Death,” saw print in TABOO (see collection).—S.B.]

Folder 10

DRA-16 / 10 [Added 10/13/2005]

Photocopies of POKERFACE by Bernie Mireault, 12 pages with letter from Bernie Mireault to Bissette, dated 8/2/87.

[BERNIE MIREAULT letter, roughs for story “Pokerface” (circa 1987). Bernie is a comics genius in my book, and this was one of many stories he submitted; see collection for his work that DID see print in TABOO.—S.B.]

DRA-17 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Hope Warner

Updated 11/14/2005

Drafts – any version of comic, graphic novel, or film script produced before the final product.

Folder 1

DRA-17 / 01 [Added 10/13/2005]

Photocopies of JAR HEAD by Jeff Nicholson, 8 pages. Letter from Jeff Nicholson to Bissette typed 1 page, no date. Postcard from Jeff Nicholson to Bissette dated 8/21/90.

[Jeff Nicholson letters, postcard, photocopied art; all relevant to installments of THROUGH THE HABITRAILS in TABOO (see collection; prior Nicholson files already mailed).—S.B.]

Folder 2

DRA-17 / 02 [Added 10/13/2005]

Script of WET WORK by Phil Nutman, 2 copies 22 pages each. Letter from Phil Nutman to Bissette, 2 copies no date. Letter from Phil Nutman to Jorge Zaffino, 2 copies no date.

[Phil Nutman letters (including copy of his letter to Jorge Zaffino – see SEVEN BLOCK file, already shipped – who was the artist of choice on this venture), scripts for planned adaptation of Phil’s short story “Wet Work,” which was underway for publication in the planned TABOO: BOOK OF THE DEAD anthology. Too bad, came to naught; Phil did complete his novel version of “Wet Work,” which was published in paperback by Berkeley Books.—S.B.]

Folder 3

DRA-17 / 03 [Added 10/14/2005]

Introduction for TABOO 7, 30 pages, typed with various written notes on pages.

[TABOO7 intros, notes, handwritten revisions.—S.B.]

Folder 4

DRA-17 / 04 [Added 10/14/2005]

Script for SWEET NOTHINGS by Tim Lucas, 4 pages, typed.

[Tim Lucas script “Sweet Nothings,” this saw print in TABOO 2 illustrated via collage by Simoneda Perica Uth (see collection).—S.B.]

Folder 5

DRA-17 / 05 [Added 10/14/2005]

Script for A ROSARY FOR FATHER SITHIUS by Tom Veitch, 11 pages with letter to Mark Dunn from Tom Veitch on first page. Letter from Tom Veitch to Bissette dated 12/28/?.

[Tom Veitch letter (Dec. 1987; note pencil notation that Tom was paid for his script Feb. 1988), script “A Rosary for Father Sithius,” intended for TABOO 2. Artist Mark Dunn was approved to illustrate the script – samples forthcoming, I believe, if they’re still on file – and paid a partial advance, then disappeared. The story never was completed or saw print.—S.B.]

Folder 6

DRA-17 / 06 [Added 10/17/2005]

Manuscript of DEAD HIGHWAY, LOST ROADS by Phil Nutman, 77 pages, typed.

[Phil Nutman novella “Dead Highway, Lost Roads” ms.—S.B.]

Folder 7

DRA-17 / 07 [Added 11/10/2005]

Breakdown of TABOO 1, small booklet form, handwritten, 110 pages. TABOO 1 contents draft, 3 pages: 1 page typed, 1 page written, 1 page of notes. Draft press release for TABOO 1, 5 copies, 5 pages each.

[Stray TABOO 1 material: obsolete announcements (1987) relevant to the aborted release of TABOO 1, contents list, mockup, etc. of the planned original version.—S.B.]

Folder 8

DRA-17 / 08 [Added 11/10/2005]

Quotes for TABOO 1 ads, 13 pages.

Folder 9

DRA-17 / 09 [Added 11/10/2005]

Copies of ad page for TABOO, 23 pages.

Folder 10

DRA-17 /10/01 [Added 11/10/2005]

Copy of news release, 1 page, dated 10/21/88.

DRA-17 /10/02 [Added 11/14/2005]

Notes on TABOO 2, 4 pages: 1 typed; 3 written.

DRA-17 /10/03 [Added 11/14/2005]

Introduction for SHARKS by Mark Askwith, art by Rick Taylor, 2 pages typed. Letter from Mark Askwith to Bissette regarding introduction, 2 pages, handwritten, dated 3/13/89.

Folder 11

DRA-17 /11/01 [Added 11/14/2005]

Introduction for ENCORE by David Marshall, 2 copies: 1 copy, 2 pages; 1 copy, 1 page. Letter from David Marshall to Bissette regarding introduction, 2 pages, no date.

DRA-17 /11/02 [Added 11/14/2005]

2 letters with biographies on Andrew Elliott and Ben Dilworth who collaborated on MAD EYES. Letters are from Andrew Elliott to Bissette, 4 pages, no date.

DRA-18 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Hope Warner

Updated 11/07/2005

Drafts – any version of comic, graphic novel, or film script produced before the final product.

Folder 1

DRA-18 / 01 [Added 10/10/2005]

Oversized Photocopies: 29 pages. Letter from Milton Knight to Steve Bissette, dated 01/28/92

[File of oversize materials: Milton Knight letter, pencil roughs for “Hinkley” story (January 1992); at the time, Milton was best known for his HUGO comic series published by Fantagraphics. We indeed accepted “Hinkley”, Milton completed the final version and was paid – and TABOO folded soon afterwards. I don’t know if this story ever saw print’ Milton was certainly free to publish it afterwards, as we had no claim over the material.—S.B.]

Folder 2

DRA-18 / 02 [Added 10/10/2005]

Photocopies: Oversized panels by Greg Capullo, 7 pages. Sketches by Greg Capullo, 4 pages. Panels by Greg Capullo, 9 pages.

[Greg Capullo art samples (photocopies; includes ‘try out’ pages for Marvel), pencils for Jack Butterworth story “All She Does Is Eat” (see TABOO 8 or 9; related materials in collection). As previously noted, Capullo – who at the time of this job was still living in the AlbanyNY area, graduating from his early published comics work in Albany-based FantaCo’s GORE SHRIEK comic to work for the majors – went on to become Todd McFarlane’s collaborative artist of choice on SPAWN.—S.B.]

Folder 3a@b

DRA-18 / 03a [Added 11/07/2005]

Dental negatives, 1 page. Acknowledgements for TABOO 1, 7 pages. Introduction for Clive Barker 1 faxed copy, 10 pages, 1 original, typed 4 pages, 1 revision, 3 pages. Introduction for S. Clay Wilson typed, 2 pages. Introduction for COME ON DOWN by Alan Moore and Bill Wray, 3 copies: 1- 5 pages, typed; 1-2 pages, typed with “Alans copy” written on top; 1-2 pages, typed. Introduction for CABLE by Bernard Mireault, 6 copies: 1-2 pages each; 5-1 pages each. Introduction for CONTAGIOUS by Charles Burns, 2 copies, 2 pages each; 2 copies, 1 page each; 1 copy handwritten 1 page. Introduction for EYES WITHOUT A FACE by Jack Butterworth and Cam Kennedy, 4 copies, typed, 2 pages each. Introduction for COTTONMOUTH by Dave Sim, 1 page. Introduction for CHIGGAR AND THE MAN by Keith Griffin and Ralph Loren, 4 copies, 1 page each. Introduction for LIFE WITH THE VAMPIRE by Cara Sherman Tereno, 2 copies, 1 page each. Introduction for THE PYJAMA GIRL by Eddie Campbell, 2 copies, 2 pages each; 1 copy, 1 page. Introductions correction notes, 8 pages.

DRA-18 / 03b

Biography on Tom Sniegoski, typed, 1 page. Biography on Charles Burns, handwritten, 2 pages. Notes on TABOO 1, 7 pages with 2 business cards. THE SAVOY THEATER newsletter, on front page paragraph circled with note “Alan Moore Intro” written by it. Update on progress of TABOO 1, 2 pages, typed, dated Jan/Feb, 1987. TABOO promotional concepts, 10 pages. Typesetting samples, 3 pages.

[TABOO 1 story introduction notes, drafts, etc. including nasty negatives (for printing purposes) of dental photos used for the intro of “Tooth Decay.” Brrrrr.—S.B.]

DRA-19 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Hope Warner

Updated 11/21/2004

Drafts– any version of comic, graphic novel, or film script produced before the final product.

Folder 1

DRA-19 / 01 / 01 [Added 11/14/2005]

Introduction for SWEET NOTHINGS by Tim Lucas and Simoneda Perica-Uth, 2 copies, 2 pages each. Letter from Tim Lucas to Bissette regarding Biographies on Tim Lucas and Simoneda Perica-Uth, 2 pages with envelope. Advertisement for one of Simoneda Perica-Uth’s exhibits.

DRA-19 / 01 / 02 [Added 11/14/2005]

Biography for James Robert Smith with letter to Bissette regarding biography, 3 pages, typed, no date.

Folder 2

DRA-19 / 02 / 01 [Added 11/14/2004]

Introduction for SICK ANIMAL by Rick Grimes, typed, 2 copies, 2 pages each.

DRA-19 / 02 / 02 [Added 11/14/2005]

Introduction for CHECK OUT TIME by Tom Marnick, typed, 2 pages. Letter from Tom Marnick to Bissette regarding Biography and Introduction to CHECK OUT TIME, 2 pages, 1 page dated 1/30/89 and the other 2/1/89.

Folder 3

DRA-19 / 03 / 01 [Added 11/14/2004]

Introduction for LIFE WITH THE VAMPIRE by Cara Sherman Tereno, 2 copies, 1 page each. Letter from Cara Sherman Tereno to Bissette regarding editing to introduction, typed, 2 pages, no date.

DRA-19 / 03 / 02 [Added 11/14/2005]

Notes on introductions for TABOO 4, 2 pages, handwritten. Copy of VOICE with paragraph by Emily Prager circled in it.

Folder 4

DRA-19 / 04 / 01 [Added 11/14/2004]

Introductions for LA FUGUE/THE ESCAPE by P. Foerster, OBESE OBSESSOR by Noel Tuazon, and for Charles Burns, untitled, typed 4 pages.

DRA-19 / 04 / 02 [Added 11/14/2005]

Introduction to HATE MAIL by Richard Sala, typed, 2 copies, 2 pages each.

Folder 5

DRA-19 / 05 / 01 [Added 11/14/2004]

Introduction to MERCY by Michael Zulli, typed, 2 copies, 3 pages each.

DRA-19 / 05 / 02 [Added 11/14/2005]

Curriculum Vitae for Phil Elliott, typed, 2 pages.

DRA-19 / 05 / 03 [Added 11/14/2005]

Introduction for RATS, 4 pages. Introduction for SPACE INVADERS, 9 pages. Note on introduction for CHASING LINCOLN, 1 note card.

[Completed (and typeset) introductions for the three key unpublished TABOO 2 stories slated for inclusion in that issue: “Chasing Lincoln Home” script by Steve Perry, art by Steve Bissette; “Space Invaders” script by Mike Baron, art by John Totleben; “Roats” by Frank Miller. NONE of these stories were ever completed, or published anywhere.—S.B.]

Folder 6

DRA-19 / 06 / 01 [Added 11/21/2005]

Sketch on notepad in ink.

[Neil Gaiman sketch: “The Ghastly Guardian,” one of a batch of sketches done by Neil, Larry Marder, and myself at a Chicago get-together, probably circa 1991 or ’92. We were sitting around my hotel room in the wee hours, brainstorming ideas for a ‘retro-1970s’ horror anthology emulating the rather lame 1970s horror/mystery line Neil had such a soft spot for (see his inspired revamp of the ‘horror hosts’ of those books in SANDMAN).—S.B.] [Ghostly Guardian]

DRA-19 / 06 / 02 [Added 11/21/2005]

Introduction draft to A TOUCH OF VINYL by Rick Veitch, for TABOO 3; typed, 3 pages.

Folder 7

DRA-19 / 07/ 01 [Added 11/21/2005]

Photocopies of TABOO 2 cover variations; 24 pages.

Folder 8

DRA-19 / 08 / 01 [Added 11/21/2005]

Notes on corrections for TABOO 3; 2 pages, 1 typed, 1 handwritten.

[TABOO 3 corrections notes, list (for printer Preney Print & Litho) after checking the bluelines for the issue.—S.B.]

Folder 9

DRA-19 / 09 / 01 [Added 11/21/2005]

Photocopies of comic story COLONIA by Jeff Nicholson, 28 pages. Letter with copy of news release for COLONIA from Jeff Nicholson to Bissette, date on news release is 5/1/98.

[May 1998 letter, art photocopies for Jeff Nicholson (THROUGH THE HABITRAILS creator, see TABOO collection) and his new series COLONIA. Jeff continued self-publishing into the late 1990s, though I’ve lost track of his and his efforts since ’98.—S.B.]

Folder 10

DRA-19 / 10 / 01 [Added 11/21/2005]

Script THE TOLKIEN PROJECT by Michael Cohen and Jimmy Gownly, 26 pages. Letter from Michael Cohen to Bissette, handwritten, no date.

[Letter, ms. Proposal from Michael Cohen, “The Tokien Project.” Circa 1997 or ’98, I think. Michael Cohen is a good friend who I met through the comics self-publisher circuit; more info, files to follow.—S.B.]

Folder 11

DRA-19 / 11 / 01 [Added 12/05/2005]

Flyer for BIG E. Outlines, copy of map for VERMONTS HAUNTS, 14 pages. Advertising for Joe Citro Books, PASSING STRANGE, and GREEN MOUNTAIN GHOSTS, GHOULS, & UNSOLVED MYSTERIES, 1 page.

[A batch of files from my collaborative efforts with Joe Citro, one of my best friends on Earth and famed Vermont horror novelist and regional folklorist and scribe of ‘true weird tale’ (or, as Joe now puts it, “books that might not be fiction”).—S.B.]

[Production materials for our collaborative “Joe Citro’s Vermont’s Haunts” ‘ghost’ map; I will soon mail copies of the map to you for display, it’s very cool. The ‘Big’E” flyer in this folder is relevant to the annual event – the collective New England fall fair, ‘The Big’E”, held in Springfield, MA every year – which was our target venue for the map, Sept. 1997. We completed the map (as oversized, signed color photocopy ‘prints’) in time for that venue, and it sold fairly well, leading to our later (more polished) editions of the map.—S.B.]

Folder 12

DRA-19 / 12 / 01 [Added 12/05/2005]

Email from Joe Citro to Bissette, 2 copies, 2 pages each, dated 9/16/98. Letter from April Ossmann to Bissette, 1 page, typed, dated 12/29/98. Letter from Bissette to April Ossmann, 1 page typed, dated 1/6/99. Email from Joe Citro to Bissette, 3 pages, dated 2/10/99. Email from Joe Citro to Bissette, 2 pages, dated 2/11/99. Email from Joe Citro to Bissette, 2 pages, dated 2/15/99. Email from Joe Citro to Bissette, 2 pages, dated 2/19/99. Email from Joe Citro to Bissette, 1 page, dated 2/19/99. Email from Joe Citro to Bissette, 1 page, dated 2/22/99. Email from Joe Citro to Bissette, 2 pages, dated 3/18/99. Email from Joe Citro to Bissette, 2 pages, dated 3/30/99. Email from Joe Citro to Bissette, 1 page, dated 4/13/99. Email from Joe Citro to Bissette, 1 page, dated 4/15/99. Email from Joe Citro to Bissette, 2 pages, dated 4/21/99. Email from Joe Citro to Bissette, 2 pages, dated 4/28/99. Email from Joe Citro to Bissette, 2 pages, dated 4/28/99. Email from Joe Citro to Bissette, 2 pages, dated 4/29/99. Email from Joe Citro to Bissette, 2 pages, dated 5/10/99. Email from Joe Citro to Bissette, 1 page, dated 5/19/99. Email from Joe Citro to Bissette, 1 page, dated 6/8/99. Email from Joe Citro to Bissette, 1 page, dated 6/23/99. Photocopies of research for THE VERMONT GHOST GUIDE, 16 pages.

[Sept. 1998 also was the time Joe and I proposed to UPNE a ‘pocket’ paperback Vermont ghost guide, which became THE VERMONT GHOST GUIDE (2000). There are FOUR files here, including misc. correspondences, notes, text pieces, research items, etc. for the VERMONT GHOST GUIDE project.—S.B.]

DRA-20 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Hope Warner

Updated 02/09/2006

Drafts– any version of comic, graphic novel, or film script produced before the final product.

Folder 1ab&c

DRA-20 / 01 / 01 [Added 12/05/2005]

Letter from Nancy Collins to Bissette, 2 pages with envelope, dated 7/9/99. Letter from Nancy Collins to Bissette, 2 pages with envelope, dated 9/7/01. Draft manuscript for VARIATIONS ON A THEME by Nancy Collins, typed, 14 pages. Draft manuscript for VAMPIRE KING OF THE GOTH CHICKS by Nancy Collins, typed, 19 pages. A letter from Tom Crouss to Bissette, dated 8/3/00 with 2 copies of Publishers agreement and copies of manuscript for DEAD ROSES FOR A BLUE LADY, 87 pages. Letter from Tom Crouss to Bissette regarding the manuscript for DEAD ROSES FOR A BLUE LADY, with manuscript, 195 pages.

[A batch of material relevant to my illustration job for Crossroads Press (Tom Crouss, Springfield, MA) on Nancy Collins’ anthology DEAD ROSES FOR A BLUE LADY (2002). These include: Nearly-complete ms. of the book; Letters, ms. From Nancy Collins, in part relevant to a White Wolf (publisher) book project I chose NOT to involve myself with, but which led to my work on the DEAD ROSES FOR A BLUE LADY project. Typeset ms. Material for DEAD ROSES FOR A BLUE LADY.—S.B.]

Folder 2&3

DRA-20 / 02 / 01 [Added 01/23/2006]

(Scripts for FROM HELL by Alan Moore on display)

Scripts-LOST GIRLS by Alan Moore, chapter; 2-35 pages, 3-35 pages, 4-35 pages, and 5-18 pages.

[ALAN MOORE scripts, as they were printed out from Alan’s own computer printer! Misc. LOST GIRLS scripts, FROM HELL scripts; to be coallated and properly identified, but I know you can do it. More to follow! Note both series ran in TABOO originally; see TABOO collection.—S.B.]

Folder 4

DRA-20 / 04 / 01 [Added 01/23/2006]

Script: Photocopy of BELLY OF CLOUD; by Alan Moore, 22 loose pages.

[ALAN MOORE script “BELLY OF CLOUD” – circa 1990 or so, I would guess. I do not believe this was ever drawn or published, but will check with others on that and report back to you.—S.B.]

Folder 5&6

DRA-20 / 05 / 01 [Added 02/2/2006]

Submission: REQUIEM FOR CHERRY AMES, by Mindy Newell, 2 pages, typed. Letter from Mindy Newell to Bissette regarding submission, 1 page, handwritten, dated 5 April, 1990.

DRA-20 / 05 / 02 [Added 02/2/2006]

Submission: MY DARKEST SECRET, by Joe Matt, 1 page. Letter from Joe Matt to Bissette regarding submission, 1 page, handwritten, dated 13 March, 1990.

DRA-20 / 05 / 03 [Added 02/8/2006]

Submission: THE HOLE, by Paul Buck, 8 pages. Letter from Paul Buck to Bissette regarding submission, 1 page, typed, dated 5/31/90.

DRA-20 / 05 / 04 [Added 02/8/2006]

Submission: MURDER MAN, by Karen Sandt, 4 pages with letter on front page regarding submission, dated 8/08/92

DRA-20 / 05 / 05 [Added 02/8/2006]

Submission: EARTHQUAKE IN THE CEMETERY, by P. Craig Russell, 5 pages, typed. Letter from P. Craig Russell to Bissette regarding submission, 1 page, handwritten, no date.

DRA-20 / 06 / 01 [Added 02/8/2006]

Submission for non-fiction article from Steve Ringgenberg, 32 pages. Letter from Steve Ringgenberg to Bissette, typed, 1 page, dated 4/27/90.

DRA-20 / 06 / 02 [Added 02/8/2006]

Submission: TEA AND…SYMPATHY?, by Doug Murray, 38 Pages. Letter from Doug Murray to Bissette regarding submission, typed, 1 page, dated 5/8/90.

DRA-20 / 06 / 03 [Added 02/8/2006]

Submission: DARK RANGER, by Paul Stockton, 8 pages. Letter from Paul Stockton to Bissette, typed, 1 page, dated, 12/10/89.

[File: Misc. TABOO submissions from interesting creators; note the submission from novelist Paul Buck, who novelized the Leonard Kastle film THE HONEYMOON KILLERS in 1970. None of these were accepted, but they are among the better submissions that didn’t make the cut. Be thankful my files are not brimming with the less-than-primo submissions that were not accepted.—S.B.]

Folder 7,8,&9

DRA-20 / 07 / 01 [Added 02/9/2006]

Book Proposal for COMIC BOOK CREATORS and COMIC BOOK REBELS by Stephen R. Bissette and Stanley Wiater, 12 pages.

DRA-20 / 07 / 02 [Added 02/9/2006]

COMIC BOOK REBELS #15; HOWARD CRUSE, photocopy, 14 pages.

DRA-20 / 07 / 03 [Added 02/9/2006]

COMIC BOOK REBELS #18; COLEEN DURAN, photocopy, 14 pages.

DRA-20 / 08 / 01 [Added 02/9/2006]

COMIC BOOK REBELS draft of ABOUT THE AUTHORS, typed, 2 pages.

DRA-20 / 08 / 02 [Added 02/9/2006]

COMIC BOOK REBELS draft of NOTES ON CONTRIBUTORS, photocopy, 2 pages.

DRA-20 / 08 / 03 [Added 02/9/2006]

COMIC BOOK REBELS draft of CONVERSATIONS WITH THE CREATORS OF THE NEW COMICS, types with some handwritten notes, 5 pages.

DRA-20 / 08 / 04 [Added 02/9/2006]

Letter to Bissette regarding Jack Jackson interview, typed, 1 page.

DRA-20 / 08 / 05 [Added 02/9/2006]

Artwork status report for COMIC BOOK REBELS, typed, 2 copies, one dated 12/19/92.

DRA-20 / 09 / 01 [Added 02/9/2006]

Letter from Bissette to Stan Wiater regarding interviews for COMIC BOOK REBELS, 4 copies, 3 pages each, no date.

DRA-20 / 09 / 02 [Added 02/9/2006]

Letter from Cathy to Stan regarding book proposal for COMIC BOOK REBELS, typed, 1 page with copy of book proposal attached, dated 11/27/90.

DRA-20 / 09 / 03 [Added 02/9/2006]

Letter from Joshua Blimes to Stanley Wiater regarding book proposal for COMIC BOOK REBELS, 2 copies, 2 pages each, dated 7/12/91.

DRA-20 / 09 / 04 [Added 02/9/2006]

Letter from Joshua Blimes to Stanley Wiater regarding contract agreement for COMIC BOOK REBELS, 2 pages, dated 6/4/92.

[File: COMIC BOOK REBELS, book co-authored by Bissette and Stanley Wiater. This file contains our original proposal (for a two-book package), letters of comment from our agents, sample interview chapters, etc. More to follow on this project, including, of course, copies of the book itself.—S.B.]

DRA-21 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Hope Warner

07/10/2006

Drafts– any version of comic, graphic novel, or film script produced before the final product.

Folder 1

DRA-21 / 01/ 01 [Added 02/13/2006]

Articles: THE HELLRAISER CHRONICLES, 10 pages; FORBIDDEN CANDY, 25 pages; ALENATED, 7 pages; NIGHT LETTERS, 11 pages; STEPHEN KING’S THE STAND, 9 pages; A HORROR WITHOUT LIMITS, 5 pages; NARROW HOUSES, 7 pages; SHADOWINGS, 12 pages; by Douglas Winter, spiral bound.

[Spiral-bound essays/articles by Douglas E. Winter on horror literature and horror films, circa 1992-94. Winter is a good friend, and among the most insightful writers and analysts of modern horror fiction, author of books on Stephen King, Clive Barker, and many short stories and one novel.—S.B.]

Folder 2

DRA-21 / 02/ 01 [Added 02/20/2006]

Binder: Blue with TABOO #4, $12.95 Special written on the front; 95 loose pages bound with metal clip.

[Binder: TABOO 4 (partial contents of the final issue) This was a ‘work in progress’ binder; see related TABOO binders already mailed to you folks.—S.B.]

Folder 3

DRA-21 / 03/ 01 [Added 02/20/2006]

Comic: BEING AN ACCOUNT OF THE LIFE AND DEATH OF THE EMPEROR HELIOGABOLUS by Neil Gaiman; loose sheets, 14 pages.

[Neil Gaiman’s 24-hour comic: “Being an Account of the Life and Death of the Emperor Heliogabolus by Neil Gaiman: A 24 Hour Comic,” written and drawn by Neil in the wake of Scott McCloud’s (the first) and my own (the second) 24-hour comics, which I published in TABOO ESPECIAL and TABOO 7, respectively.—S.B.]

Folder 4

DRA-21 / 04/ 01 [Added 07/10/2006]

Production draft: LOIS & CLARK: THE NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN “We Have A Lot To Talk About”, unbound, 61 pages.

[LOIS & CLARK: THE NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN: Episode One script, “We have A Lot to Talk About” by John McNamara (1995).—S.B.]

Folder 5

DRA-21 / 05/ 01 [Added 07/10/2006]

Script: BATMAN, unbound, 113 pages.

[BATMAN by Sam Hamm (undated, draft unknown; no title page).—S.B.]

Folder 6

DRA-21 / 06/ 01 [Added 07/10/2006]

Revised Draft: THE POISON PEN written by Durnford King, bound, 51 pages.

[Teleplay: FRIDAY THE 13^TH: THE SERIES: “The Poison Pen” by Durnford King (1987).—S.B.]

Folder 7

DRA-21 / 07/ 01 [Added 07/10/2006]

Final Draft: STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE “Past Prologue”, bound, 63 pages.

[Teleplay: STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE: “Past Prologue” by Kathryn Powers (story) and Peter Allan Fields (teleplay) (October 1992).—S.B.]

Folder 8

DRA-21 / 08/ 01 [Added 07/10/2006]

Third Draft: MISERY, bound, 134 pages.

[Screenplay: MISERY by William Goldman, from the novel by Stephen King (1989). —S.B.]

DRA-22 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Hope Warner

Updated 07/10/2006

Drafts– any version of comic, graphic novel, or film script produced before the final product.

Folder 1

DRA-22 / 01 / 01 [Added 07/10/2006]

Screenplay: THE ROCKETEER, bound, 119 pages.

[Screenplay: THE ROCKETEER by Danny Bilson and Paul De Meo, based on characters / comics by Dave Stevens (1990) —S.B.]

Folder 2

DRA-22 / 02 / 01 [Added 07/10/2006]

Screenplay: COLD WHISPER, bound, 107 pages.

[Unproduced Screenplay: COLD WHISPER by Rick Hautala, adapted from his own novel (1992?). —S.B.]

Folder 3

DRA-22 / 03 / 01 [Added 07/10/2006]

First Draft: THE ONLY CRIMINAL, bound, 111 pages plus one unbound page.

[THE ONLY CRIMINAL: An Original Screenplay by Time Lucas (Feb. 9, 1987 – First Draft) Tim has never abandoned this concept: he at one point proposed it as a possible comics series for TABOO, and later reinvented it as a novel (as yet incomplete / unpublished). —S.B.]

Folder 4

DRA-22 / 04 / 01 [Added 07/10/2006]

First Draft: THE GORE CORPS, bound, 139 pages.

[THE GORE CORPS: An Original Screenplay by Tim Lucas (Feb. 22, 1988 – First Draft). —S.B.]

Folder 5

DRA-22 / 05 / 01 [Added 07/10/2006]

Second Draft: THE GORE CORPS, bound, 138 pages.

[THE GORE CORPS: Original Screenplay by Tim Lucas (March 24, 1989 – Second Draft) – Two drafts of VIDEO WATCHDOG editor/ “Throat Sprockets” author (see TABOO collection) Tim Lucas, a dear friend. This was, s I recal, created by Tim for producer Alfred Leone, producer of Mario Bava’s LISA AND THE DEVIL/HOUSE OF EXORCISM (1973), among other films. Alas, nothing came of this, though it holds up as an excellent piece of work. NOTE that Tim has registered this screenplay with the Writers Guild of America, and I believe Leone holds certain legal rights as well; it is included in this collection as an artifact of my relationship with Tim, and his remarkable body of work. —S.B.]

DRA-23 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Hope Warner

Updated 08/08/2006

Drafts– any version of comic, graphic novel, or film script produced before the final product.

Folder 1

DRA-23 / 01 / 01 [Added 08/08/2006]

Bound proof of STUCK RUBBER BABY by Howard Cruse, 222 pages, dated 1994.

[Bound “Preview” edition of Howard Cruse’s complete graphic novel STUCK RUBBER BABY, circa November 1994. Note enclosed letters (including DC cover letter), promo materials, etc. The binding needs reinforcement of some kind.—S.B.]

Folder 2

DRA-23 / 02 / 01 [Added 08/08/2006]

Draft of DIABOLIK by Brian Tudor, Degas Gates, 125 pages, bound photocopy, dated 5/12/66.

[Bound photocopy of the Final Draft (5/12/66) script by Brian Tudor and Degas Gates for the Dino DeLaurentiis production DIABOLIK (US title: DANGER: DIABOLIK, 1967/68). The feature film was directed by Mario Bava (BLACK SUNDAY, BLACK SABBATH, BLOOD AND BLACK LACE, PLANET OF THE VAMPIRES, etc.) and adapted from the popular Italian ‘fumetti’ (comic) “Diabolik.” This is a very rare item, and of import as a vintage film script; as a screenplay from an early, formative comic book adaptation feature film; and as an ‘artifact’ from a film by one of my all-time favorite directors, Mario Bava, whose work (particularly his horror films) had a tremendous impact on my own creative life and work.—S.B.]

Folder 3

DRA-23 / 03 / 01 [Added 8/28/2006]

Photocopies of advertisements for TABOO, 2 pages.

[Promotional ad for TABOO 1 (circa 1988). —S.B.]

DRA-23 / 03 / 02 [Added 8/28/2006]

Promotional dummy and Photocopy of SWEENEY TODD: DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET by Neil Gaiman and Michael Zulli, promotional copy-8 pages; photocopy-15 pages.

[Photocopy ‘dummy,’ promotional copy of the Neil Gaiman/Michael Zulli SWEENEY TODD ‘ashcan’ promo item, shipped (shrinkwrapped with) TABOO 6. —S.B.]

DRA-23 / 03 / 03 [Added 8/28/2006]

Photocopies of panels of THROUGH THE HABITRAILS: IT’S NOT YOUR JUICE, 5 pages. Letter from Jeff Nicholson to Bissette, typed, 1 page, dated 6/13/90.

[Jeff Nicholson letter, photocopy of art, “It’s Not Your Juice,” “Welcome to the Gerbil World,” and other material, circa June, 1990; this was published (launching Jeff’s serialized graphic novel “Through the Habitrails”) in TABOO, as was the bulk of THROUGH THE HABITRAILS, which Jeff eventually collected into graphic novel form (two editions to date, that I know of; I am contacting Jeff to see if he’ll contribute two copies to the collection). —S.B.]

Folder 4

DRA-23 / 04 / 01 [Added 9/04/2006]

Submission of TWELVE STATES by David Lloyd and John Kaiine typed, 5 pages; synopsis of plot for TWELVE STATES typed, 14 pages; letter from David Lloyd to Bissette typed, dated 02/14/90.

[David Lloyd Feb. 1990 letter of inquiry, proposal (TWELVE STATES, cocreated with John Kaiine) for TABOO. Complete as received in plastic sheath. Note handwritten notation on letter by Bissette, noting the phone conversation that resulted (2/28/90), in which Lloyd expressed interest in illustrating the final chapters of Tim Lucas’ “Throat Sprockets” series; only one more chapter was drawn in the end, and Tim (at my urging) completed THROAT SPROCKETS as a novel. If memory serves, David’s request in this letter that I write something for him, too, culminated in our doing the story “Remembering Rene” together for Eclipse Comics’ TALES OF TERROR comic series.—S.B.]

Folder 5

DRA-23 / 05 / 01 [Added 9/19/2006]

Fax of “I’LL HAVE A ZOMBIE”: A PIT STOP AT BISSETTE’S BAR, written by Philip Nutman, 4 pages, dated 2/8/91.

[TABOO ESPECIAL intro by author/novelist Phil Nutman, “I’ll Have a Zombie: A Pit Stop at Bissette’s Bar,” circa Feb. 8, 1991. —S.B.]

DRA-23 / 05 / 02 [Added 9/19/2006]

Fax of “KINSKI”, 1 page, dated 4/16/91.

[Single page: Doug Winter submission for intro page (to accompany the published color inside front cover portrait of Klaus Kinski) for TABOO ESPECIAL, a parody of Kinski’s just-published autobiography “All I Need is Love.” Circa April, 1991. Note that Richard Deacon was the popular US American movie and TV character actor best known for his role at ‘Mel’ on THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW, and had a strange scene in bed with Adam West in THE HAPPY HOOKER GOES TO HOLLYWOOD, which prompted Doug’s anachronistic sexual satire here. Though this piece was accepted, typeset, and prepared for publication, I decided in the eleventh hour to pull it – essentially because no one seemed to het the joke. Kinski’s subsequent death would have made publication of this text a matter of bad taste and very poor timing, so it’s just as well we abandoned this tact. Kinski fans, however, would have been delighted. Ah, well…. —S.B.]

Folder 6

DRA-23 / 06 / 01 [Added 6/25/2007]

Photocopy submission of HATE MAIL by Richard Sala (TABOO 2); black and white, 5 pages.

DRA-23 / 06 / 02 [Added 6/25/2007]

Photocopy submission of WET by Mike Hoffman and James Robert Smith (TABOO 2); black and white, 6 pages.

DRA-23 / 06 / 03 [Added 6/25/2007]

Photocopy submission of MAD EYES by Andrew Elliott and Ben Dilworth (TABOO 2); black and white, 2 pages.

Folder 7

DRA-23 / 07 / 01 [Added 6/27/2007]

One page from submission of POKERFACE by Bernie Mireault (TABOO 3); black and white.

DRA-23 / 07 / 02 [Added 6/27/2007]

One page from submission of FROM HELL: A STATE OF DARKNESS by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell (TABOO 3); black and white.

DRA-23 / 07 / 03 [Added 6/27/2007]

Draft of Bio for Rick Grime’s THESE THINGS HAPPEN (TABOO 4); typed, 2 pages.

Folder 8

DRA-23 / 08 / 01 [Added 6/27/2007]

Photocopy submission of VERSE FROM A VISCERA VASE by Michael H. Price and Adrian Martinez (TABOO 5); black and white, 3 copies.

DRA-23 / 08 / 02 [Added 6/27/2007]

Photocopy submission of BABY’S ON FIRE by Matt Howarth (TABOO 5); black and white, 6 pages, 3 copies.

Folder 9

DRA-23 / 09 / 01 [Added 6/27/2007]

Photocopy submission of ROTTING ZOMBIE by S. Clay Wilson (TABOO 6); black and white, 3 pages.

DRA-23 / 08 / 02 [Added 6/27/2007]

Photocopy submission of THE CAT WOMAN RETURNS by C. Burns (TABOO 6); black and white, 20 pages.

Folder 10

DRA-23 / 10 / 01 [Added 6/27/2007]

Typewritten submission of MONSTERS by Dick Foreman (TABOO ?); 9 pages.

DRA-23 / 10 / 02 [Added 6/27/2007]

Photocopy submission of ONE DAY IN HELL, GOD SPOKE by Tony Salmons (TABOO 9); black and white, 17 pages.

Folder 11

DRA-23 / 11 / 01 [Added 6/27/2007]

Photocopies of character sketch by Mike Zulli; black and white, 4 copies.

DRA-23 / 11 / 02 [Added 6/27/2007]

[?]

DRA-24 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Hope Warner

Updated 08/24/2006

Drafts– any version of comic, graphic novel, or film script produced before the final product.

DRA-24 / 01 / 01 [Added 08/24/2006]

Proof: MONSTER BOOK, unbound, 724 pages, no date.

[Complete typeset proof, THE MONSTER BOOK: BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER (Pocket Books, 2001), by Christopher Golden, Stephen R. Bissette, and Tom Sniegoski.—S.B.]

Folder 1

Pages 1-150

Folder 2

Pages 151-300

Folder 3

Pages 301-450

Folder 4

Pages 451-600

Folder 5

Pages 601-724

DRA-25 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Hope Warner

Updated 06/21/2007

Drafts– any version of comic, graphic novel, or film script produced before the final product.

DRA-25 / 01 [Added 08/29/2005]

Drafts of Scott McCloud’s UNDERSTANDING COMICS. oversized photocopies, 91 pgs and REINVENTING COMICS. bound, 119 pgs. Includes letter from Scott McCloud.

[OVERSIZED PHOTOCOPIES: Flat: Here’s a prime set of materials: Roughs of chapters, pages by Scott McCloud for “Work in progress” on his historic book UNDERSTANDING COMICS, circa 1991 (?); and copies of roughs for “work in progress” on REINVENTING COMICS (circa 1999?); approx. 150 total between both projects. Scott and I were, and are, very good friends, and at the time of the first book’s genesis I was visiting Scott and his wife Ivy fairly regularly, first when they lived outside of Boston, and later during their stay in Amherst, MA. I was a strong advocate, too, for Scott keeping the book away from his publisher of record, Eclipse Comics (who published ZOT and DESTROY!), and eventually bringing UNDERSTANDING COMICS to Tundra (which became Kitchen Sink). Note the cover letter to REINVENTING COMICS, outlining Scott’s difficulties at that point in the book’s development.—S.B.]

DRA-25 / 02 [Added 09/12/2005]

PERSPECTIVE DRAWING, instructional sheets. (source unknown). Oversized Photocopies. 40 pages.

DRA-25 / 03 [Added 10/13/2005]

Oversized photocopies of pencils, 3 pages.

[MICHAEL ZULLI pencils, “Mercy,” published in TABOO 1 (I think – see collection).—S.B.] [TABOO 2]

DRA-25 / 04 [Added 10/17/2005]

Treatments: THE OCTOBER CHILDREN by Steve Niles, 13 pages, typed. THE SMOKING HOLE by Steve Niles, 19 pages, typed. Letter from Steve Niles to Bissette dated 4/28/88, handwritten with samples of artwork, 1 page photocopy by Steve Niles. 2 posters by Steve Niles friends.

[TABOO related, and more: Letters, printed samples, and two short stories (“The October Children” and “Smoking Hole”0 mailed to me by Steve Niles, then-proprietor of Arcane Press who ‘cornered’ the Clive Barker short story adaptation market before being ‘absorbed’ by Eclipse… and who more recently has become a VERY prominent comics writer, with a number of hit mini-series to his credit. Steve submitted the two short stories, which are semi-autobiographical; we were going to run them in TABOO: STICKS AND STONES. It was Steve who sheparded the planned Bissette/Michael Zulli adaptation of “Rawhead Rex” before Eclipse’s involvement deep-sixed that project. More info, files to follow.—S.B.]

DRA-25 / 05 [Added 11/10/2005]

Oversized photocopies of TABOO 1 ad, 4 pages Ad rates for Comics Buyers Guide, 1 page, dated 11/04/88.

DRA-25 / 06 [Added 11/21/2005]

Booklets, black and white sketches of robots, spaceships and aliens: 2 copies, 32 pages each. Letter and contract from Play Value Books to Bissette, 10 pages, dated 4/9/86. Envelope addressed to Scott Treimel. Oversized sketch of coloring book page with overlay. Tissue overlay with notes on it, 2 pages. Letter from Play Value Books regarding specifications of coloring book, 1 page. Photocopies of drawings with notes, 5 pages. Pencil sketches on overlay paper, 2 pages. Sketches in pencil, 2 pages. Pencil drawing on cardboard. Oversized photocopies of coloring book cover, 2 pages. Photocopies of sketches of coloring book pages, 14 pages. Letter from Play Value Books to Bissette regarding cover specifications and art direction, dated 2/20/86. Photocopies of coloring books: 3 separate books; 1 folded into book form, 26 pages; 1 loose pages, 16 pages; 1 folded into book form, 22 pages with envelope from Bissette to Bill Cathey.

[Documents, roughs, mock-ups, sketches, etc. for a coloring book job I took on for Grosset & Dunlap’s Play Value Books division, “Robots, Spaceships, & Aliens” (winter-spring, 1986). I took on this venture with the help of my Harwood Union High School art teacher William Cathey, and we did a great deal of work on this project before ultimately abandoning it due to difficult relations with the editor. In short, after we turned in many roughs and pencils, he simply didn’t like either Bill’s or my own style of drawings. At this empasse, after weeks of work, we walked without earning a cent – my first and last stab at the coloring book industry.—S.B.]

DRA-26 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Natalie Scrimshire-Phelps

Updated 08/29/2007

Drafts– any version of comic, graphic novel, or film script produced before the final product.

Folder 1

DRA-26 / 01/01 [Added 08/29/2007]

Miscellaneous notes and correspondence pertaining to TABOO, handwritten, 4 pgs, photocopy, 6 pgs.

[Misc. TABOO material, including: Feb. 1992 notes (1 page) on promotional issues; Matt Howarth biblio, provided by the creator; Tony Salmons one-page piece, photocopy; October, 1990 letter from Rick Grimes (3 pgs.); misc. photocopies of art, memos, layouts, etc. on promotions and more forTABOO ESPECIAL, TABOO 5, “Year in Fear” calendar, misc. related TABOO titles and publications; July 1993 ad for Chicago con (my last appearance at that show); original copy for “From Hell” intro, Chapter Four, for TABOO (see collection issue #).—S.B.]

Folder 2

DRA-26 / 02/01 [Added 08/29/2007]

Submission to TABOO from David Thorpe, photocopy, 4 pgs.

[6/92 Outline/Proposal from David Thorpe: “Afterlife” stories for TABOO.—S.B.]

Folder 3

DRA-26 / 03/01 [Added 08/29/2007]

Full cover sample of TABOO 6 with “Lost Girls” page 49 insert, full color sample, 1 pg., insert, 1 pg.

[Full cover sample, front/back/inside covers, TABOO 6, and into page for the second serialization installment of Alan Moore and Melinda Gebbie’s “Lost Girls.”—S.B.]

DRA-26 / 03/02 [Added 08/29/2007]

TABOO submissions from Brian Sendelbach, scanned image, 1 pg., photocopy, 1 pg. with envelop.

[Artsit Brian Sendelbach TABOO submission circa 4/92; note Brian’s back cover published on TABOO 4. I had purchased more of Brian’s work for future publication in TABOO, but the anthology folded before publication of any further Sendelbach work.—S.B.]

Folder 4

DRA-26 / 04/01 [Added 09/04/2007]

Illustrated photocopy of Scott McCloud’s FIRST 24-HOUR COMIC titled “A Day’s Work,” 24 pgs.

[THE FIRST PHOTOCOPY EVER of the FIRST 24-HOUR COMIC: This is the VERY photocopy edition Scott McCloud handed me of his 24-Hour Comic -- the first on Earth! -- to challenge me to drawing the SECOND 24-Hour Comic on Earth.—S.B.]

Folder 5

DRA-26 / 05/01 [Added 09/05/2007]

Script and illustrations by Steve Bissette entitled “SUCCUBUS,” 6 pgs., 1980.

[Original Bissette SCRIPT and LAYOUTS/BREAKDOWNS: “SUCCUBUS” (3 pages, 1980) – Submitted to DC Comics, Inc. for SECRETS OF HAUNTED HOUSE (editor: Dave Manrak?) as part of a proposed series of stories tied-in with the series title (that is, detailing some of those elusive “Secrets of Hauted House”). The plan was for me to write and draw these stories, and the editor was initially enthusiastic: he immediately accepted and commissioned the 3-page “Seeker,” which I finished under deadline. Alas, DC objected to one creator writing, pencilling, and inking singular stories or material; this created a problem with the legal premise of their “work for hire” contracts. “Seeker” saw print only after my friend Bill Kelley (who passed away in 2003) agreed to put his name in the credits as writer, mailing that portion of the payment to me once it arrived; the rest of the proposed series was scuttled (four scripts and sets of layouts in all). This non-sexualized “Succubus” was a variation on my ‘soul eater’ premise, which I continued to seek a venue for elsewhere… without success.­­--S.B.]

Folder 6

DRA-26 / 06/01 [Added 09/05/2007]

Script by Art Raveson, layouts by Steve Bissette, entitled “SCUD VETCH” 18 pgs., ca.1984.

[SCRIPT and LAYOUTS/BREAKDOWNS: “SCUD VETCH” (circa 1984?) – Script by Art Raveson, layouts by Bissette (pp. 1-7) and Raveson (see variation layout, pg. 7). This was a story by one of my Kubert School classmates Art Raveson which I agreed to illustrate, and we completed this script and tight page layouts -- but could never interest a publisher in it (tried EPIC when Archie Goodwin was still editor; Eclipse; HEAVY METAL; etc.), so it remained uncompleted and unpublished. Too bad; still a good little story, by vet NYC cab-driver Raveson, inspired no doubt by the windshield-wiping street people of NYC.—S.B.]

Folder 7

DRA-26 / 07/01 [Added 09/05/2007]

Submission to TABOO, spiral bound script by Mark Burbey and illustrated by Dave Marshall, 24 pgs., ca. 1989.

[Another MARK BURBEY piece (see FREAKS AMOUR postcard, above), circa 1990, a submission to TABOO for a mini-series expansion of Mark and artist David Marshall’s short story “Bored Sick” (published in STREET MUSIC #4, 1989). The cover letter and binder explains all. Mark and David were hoping to do BORED SICK as a self-standing (preferably color) mini-series or graphic novel, which did not fit TABOO or SpiderBaby’s parameters.—S.B.]

Folder 8

DRA-26 / 08/01 [Added 09/05/2007]

Submissions for TABOO from Jeff Dickinson, entitled “The Twisted Men” and “Somnambulist,” including 2 letters, photograph, 27 pgs.

[TABOO correspondence/submission: 2 (two) letters and submissions from Jeff Dickinson: August 9, 1989 letter, submission (first page completed, the rest in tightbreakdown/layout form) “The Twisted Men”; February 4, 1990 letter, submission (completed) “Somnambulist.” TABOO indeed ran at least one or two of Jeff’s stories, though I wish we could have run more! For some reason, other publishers didn’t respond to Jeff’s work or style, though I think his work was excellent.—S.B.]

Folder 9

DRA-26 / 09/01 [Added 09/05/2007]

Submissions for TABOO from Paul Buck, entitled “Hideway” with letter and submission for TABOO from Phil Elliot, entitled “Hideaway: Chapter One: Arrival,” “Chapter Two: Into the Labyrinth,” with envelop.

TABOO correspondence/submissions: Paul Buck: November 10, 1989 letter, submission proposal “Hideaway,” and related letter/submission from Phil Elliott, “Hideaway: Chapter One: Arrival,” “Chapter Two: Into the Labyrinth” (completed). Paul Buck was/is a UK-based novelist/writer whose work I knew and was a fan of (note Paul’s reference in his letter to the novelization of the film THE HONEYMOON KILLERS); we were at the time exchanging letters on the possibility of his working with artist Art Wetherell. Phil Elliot was/is among Eddie Campbell’s circle of cartooning friends in the UK (as was/is Glenn Dakin, who Phil refers to in his letter), and I ended up publishing a fair amount of Phil’s work in TABOO.—S.B.]

Folder 10

DRA-26 / 10/01 [Added 09/05/2007]

Submissions for TABOO from John R. Cochran, entitled “The Disenfranchised” (art by Tom Sutton) with letter, 11 pgs.

[TABOO correspondence/submission: January 17, 1992 letter, story sample (published) from NYC-based writer John R. Cochran, with photocopies of the EERIE story “The Disenfranchised” (art by Tom Sutton). I responded enthusiastically to John’s letter, but alas, never heard back from him; this did, however, lead to my contacting Tom Sutton by phone, and though Tom never ended up in TABOO (it was “too harsh” for his tastes), he was to be involved with the Tundra ILLUSTRATED H.P. LOVECRAFT project until Tundra’s poor handling of communications with Tom botched that -- and, in short order, the entire project. Still, Tom called me often and we talked into the wee hours many nights and mornings; glad to have had some good relations and friendship with the man before his untimely death. Tom was a sweetheart, and on hell of an artist.—S.B.]

Folder 11

DRA-26 / 11/01 [Added 09/06/2007]

Submissions for TABOO from Scott Allie, entitled “Dead Cat Stories,” with letter, 5 pgs.

[TABOO correspondence/submission: Historic submissions form a current Dark Horse Comics editor (who has launched their current horror line!) with cover letter: undated cover letter (circa 1991) from Scott Allie of Portland, OR, with submissions (completed) for “Dead Cat Stories” #1-3. I passed on this material (not TABOO material), but stayed in touch with Scott and met him in the mid-1990s at a signing in Portland. His very real love of the genre has fueled the current boom in horror comics, so Scott’s certainly “made good” -- wish we could have gotten him into TABOO, but he wasn’t quite up to our standards at this time (while still in college), as these samples demonstrate.—S.B.]

DRA-26 / 11/02 [Added 09/06/2007]

Submissions for TABOO from Tim Lucas, entitled “The Disaster Area,” 9 pgs.

[TABOO script: THROST SPROCKETS chapter: “The Disaster Area” by Tim Lucas (1989) -- Complete script, first version, by Tim Lucas for his ill-fated THROAT SPROCKETS series for TABOO; alas, this script was rejected by original THROAT SPROCKETS artist Mike Hoffman (and not in an amicable manner, I might add), and the artist Tim eventually worked with, David Lloyd, proved a difficult ‘fit,’ too. So traumatic was the collaboration that Tim ultimately abandoned comics altogether, and at my urging completed THROAT SPROCKETS as a novel (see collection).—S.B.]

Folder 12

DRA-26 / 12/01 [Added 09/06/2007]

Submission photographs for TABOO from Rolf Stark, series of paintings of the Holocaust, 12 Polaroid photographs, ca. 1988-90.

[Polaroid photographs: ROLF STARK’s Holocaust paintings (circa 1988-90) – These were the polaroids originally given to me by Albany, NY artist Rolf Stark for consideration for inclusion in TABOO (3). I indeed published Rolf’s work in TABOO, including an original story written and illustrated by Rolf based upon his Holocaust memories, “Love in the Afternoon.”—S.B.]

DRA-27 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Natalie Scrimshire-Phelps

Updated 09/03/2007

Drafts– any version of comic, graphic novel, or film script produced before the final product.

Folder 1

DRA-27 / 01 [Added 09/03/2007]

Letter and TABOO illustrated submission from Phil Hester, handwritten, 1 pgs.; photocopy, 8 pgs.

[Undated letter, TABOO submission from Phil Hester; note story “Dreaming and the Law” was published in TABOO. Coincidentally, Hester went on to pencil SWAMP THING, among his other credits in comics subsequent to this letter and his TABOO appearances.—S.B.]

Folder 2

DRA-27 / 02 [Added 09/03/2007]

Paste-up of various images, including TABOO logo, in a design, original with photocopies.

[Paste-up mechanical ‘flat’ for proposed inside-front-cover of TABOO 1. Never used—S.B.]

Folder 3 & 4

DRA-27 / 03 and DRA-27 /04

Miscellaneous production work, originals, 21 pgs.

[Misc. paste-ups, mechanicals, and ‘flats’ for TABOO 1. I did all the mechanicals for TABOO 1; TABOO 2 and 3 designed and executed by Norm Krampetz. This is how we did it, pre-computers…--S.B.]

Folder 5 & 6 & 7

DRA-27 / 05, DRA-27 /06 and DRA-27 /07

Full sized production work, originals, 20 boards.

[Paste-up mechanical/flats for intro pages, TABOO 2. Typeset, design by Norm Krampetz.—S.B.]

Folder 8

DRA-27 / 08 [Added 09/04/2007]

Paste-up for contents page for TABOO 1.

[Contents page paste-up mechanical/flat from TABOO1 (Fall, 1988).—S.B.]

Folder 9

DRA-27 / 09 [Added 09/04/2007]

Submissions for TABOO from Phillip Hester, entitled “Circumcision,” with letter, 9 pgs.

[TABOO correspondence/submission: Phillip Hester: letter, photocopies (submission “Circumcision”), undated (circa 1990?). This arrived after my positive response to an earlier submission from Phil, and we indeed published his work in TABOO. Note that Phil later became one of the artists on SWAMP THING, post-Rick Veitch’s departure after SWAMP THING #88! Funny how the world moves…--S.B.]

DRA-28 Box Inventory

Oversized

Inventory compiled by Natalie Scrimshire-Phelps

Updated 09/03/2007

Drafts– any version of comic, graphic novel, or film script produced before the final product.

Folder 1 & 2

DRA-28 / 01/01 [Added 09/03/2007]

Full sized production work, originals, 6 boards.

[Paste-up mechanical/flats for intro pages, TABOO 2. Typeset, design by Norm Krampetz.—S.B.]

DRA-28 / 02/01 [Added 09/03/2007]

Full sized production work, originals, 2 pgs, 5 boards.

[Misc. paste-up mechanicals/flats for TABOO 2 and 3; designed and completed by Norm Krampetz.—S.B.]

Folder 3

DRA-28 / 03/01 [Added 09/04/2007]

Illustrated photocopies of Neil Gaiman and Michael Zulli’s story “Baby Cakes,” 5 pgs.

[Full-size (size of original art) photocopies of Neil Gaiman/Michael Zulli story “Babycakes,” published in TABOO (4). This was written and drawn for inclusion in a comicbook dedicated to fund-raising for CETA (Creators for Ethical Treatment of Animals), edited by Valerie Jones, more info as I find it.—S.B.]

Folder 4

DRA-28 / 04/01 [Added 09/04/2007]

Photocopy of Leslie Black’s “Things Happen,” 75 pgs.

[Complete set, oversized (size of original art) photocopies of Leslie Black’s 75-page story “Things Happen,” circa 1990, written and drawn for inclusion in the planned TABOO special TABOO: STICKS AND STONES. This was certainly the most ambitious and personal work conceived and completed for publication in TABOO – unfortunately, it did not see print therein. My first wife Nancy (who changed her name about this time to Marlene) O’Connor-Bissette was co-editor of STICKS AND STONES, and the anthology and its premise grew of her own struggle with repressed memories of childhood sexual abuse, our coping together with the dramatic changes in her and our life as a result, and similar life-experiences of other creative individuals who gravitated to the planned anthology. Leslie Blacks’ “Things Happen” emerged from her also being a survivor of sexual abuse, and her story was to be the centerpiece of the collection. Alas, our co-publisher Tundra did not want to be involved with the project; and despite a July 1991 San Diego convention handshake agreement with publisher Mike Richardson at Dark Horse Comics to form a partnership to publish STICKS AND STONES, within the year the deal had dissolved from Dark Horse’s failure to engage with the venture on any level. With our blessing (we had paid her for first publishing rights), Leslie self-published a revised version of “Things Happen” in 1992. This photocopy set is Leslie’s complete first version of the graphic novel, and comparison of this with the published version is of interest.—S.B.]

Folder 5

DRA-28 / 05/01 [Added 09/04/2007]

Illustrated photocopies of Michael Zulli’s work on the Ramsey Campbell short story adaptation “Again,” 38 pgs.

[Full-sized photocopies of Michael Zulli’s work on the Ramsey Campbell short story adaptation “Again” for TABOO. Includes: Micheal’s conceptual character sketches (hero, old woman); floor plan for the old woman’s entire living space, to work out the details of the story’s action; complete roughs and layouts for the adaptation. Circa 1988-89; see TABOO collection for final published version.—S.B.]

Folder 6

DRA-28 / 06/01 [Added 09/04/2007]

Illustrated photocopies of an adaptation for Tom Sniegoski’s “Uncle Ray” by unknown artist, 7 pgs.

[Two sets (full-sized and reduced photocopies) of sample pages by artist (idenity unknown; I hope to remember!) for proposed adaptation of Tom Sniegoski short story “Uncle Ray” for TABOO. This was NOT intended for STICKS AND STONES, despite the thematic content.—S.B.]

DRA-28 / 06/02 [Added 09/04/2007]

Illustrated photocopies of Jim Wheelock’s story “One Good Trick,” 5 pgs.

[Complete oversize photocopies for Jim Wheelock’s story “One Good Trick” in TABOO 3 (see collection). Note these were the originals we shot from, with Jim doing touchup on reduced photocopies of the pages.—S.B.]

Folder 7

DRA-28 / 07/01 [Added 09/04/2007]

Submission to TABOO by unknown artist, photocopy, 6 pgs.

[Oversized photocopies, artist/writer unknown, for submission to TABOO. Nothing came of this; note, however, the graphic and narrative content, mixing sexual domination, Nazi medical experiments, etc. – if I find more on this submission, and its creator, I will most certainly clarify the source info!—S.B.]

DRA-28 / 07/02 [Added 09/04/2007]

Illustrated photocopies of flats/proofs for intro pages for TABOO 4, 12 pgs.

[Full-sized photocopies of flats/proofs for intro pages, TABOO 4, with notations by Tundra art director Mark Martin, who aided in the design and completion. Norm Krampetz, my Wilmington VT artist friend who did the typeset and design for TABOO 2 and 3, completed the intro page and special pages in TABOO 4 for the “Eyes of the Cat” section.—S.B.]

Folder 8

DRA-28 / 08/01 [Added 09/04/2007]

Photocopies of KEVIN EASTMAN breakdown for DAREDEVIL, 11 pgs., 11x17.”

[Photocopies: KEVIN EASTMAN breakdowns and pencils (11”x17”) for a DAREDEVIL story Kevin pitched to Marvel, circa 1986. With Kevin and Peter Laird’s TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES all the rage, I never, ever understood Marvel’s insulting treatment of Kevin at the time; his work here is solid, as good or better than much of the post-Frank Miller DAREDEVIL work Marvel actually published. Kevin really wanted a shot at doing at least ONE Daredevil story; alas, Marvel’s editors dismissed the notion, even though Kevin’s fans would have made this an instant best-seller and collectible. What is it with these publishers? Poor Kevin, this was a heartbreaker at the time. Still, with the success he and Pete enjoyed, who needed Marvel?—S.B.]

DRA-29 Box Inventory

Oversized

Inventory compiled by Natalie Scrimshire-Phelps

Updated 11/12/2007

Drafts– any version of comic, graphic novel, or film script produced before the final product.

Folder 1

DRA-29 / 01/01 [Added 11/12/2007]

TABOO submission “Space Invaders” by Mike Baron, 10 pages, circa 1987.

[A key script in TABOO history, though it remained unpublished: “SPACE INVADERS” by Mike Baron (circa 1987), to have been illustrated by JOHN TOTLEBEN for TABOO 1 (1988) -- This was among the first scripts accepted and paid for during the extensive preproduction period of TABOO 1 when it was still under the umbrella of Dave Sim and Aardvark One International. John Totleben, co-creator and co-editor of TABOO, loved it and claimed it as his own. Alas, though John completed the story for publication in TABOO (or anywhere else); when I later purchased a different script from Mike for another artist, after payment Mike essentially held that second script “hostage,” refusing permission to complete it until John finished illustrating “Space Invaders.” See my COMICS JOURNAL interview for the whole sorry story; Mike wrote and apologized immediately upon publication of the TCJ interview. [John’s breaksdowns, Baron documents to follow in a later shipment.]—S.B.]

Folder 2

DRA-29 / 02/01 [Added 11/12/2007]

TABOO submission from Life with the Vampire series, “Ohmigod It Feels Like Dying” by Cara Sherman-Tereno, 12 pages, 1987.

[Two more key TABOO scripts, in original envelope (July 1987): Cara Sherman-Tereno’s LIFE WITH THE VAMPIRE stories, “Ohmigod It Feels Like Dying” and “The Human Crux” (both completed and published, see TABOO, in collection) (TABOO 2—NSP). Cara was one of my classmates from the Joe Kubert School, and among the finest artists in our circle. Unfortunately, her lifelong commitment to drawing the adventures of her unique vampire character Ivan Koliath enjoyed too few venues: APPA fanzines provided her (and Ivan’s) primary outlet, as did TABOO for a time. Cara was a dear friend, and her premature death from tuberculosis in the mid-1990s was a real loss -- for her family, for her friends, and for comics. The industry wasn’t very good to her, I must say, and her creative life was troubled by family unease with her preferred subjects, the modest income it rarely earned, and the difficulties of finding venues for her work. My first real disagreement with Tundra over the direction TABOO maintained was over Cara’s work, which some at Tundra took exception to and tried to block from publication. Cara enjoyed few professional comics opportunities, in part because she was a woman, in part because of her living in Spokane, Washington, in part due to prejudices her work invited from certain editors (Ivan was a bisexual vampire, and Cara’s stories were often sexually explicit). She did a little work for DC (very little), endured and completed a difficult work-for-hire job for Byron Preiss (one of the sf comics paperbacks of the mid-1990s; Cara was made to redraw so much of the story that the job ended up costing, rather than making, her money), etc. It was a great tragedy that she was denied the venues she, and her work, deserved. Thankfully, Trina Robbins made it a point to posthumously include Cara’s work in Trina’s most recent book on women in comics; when Trina contacted me, I provided her with all the material, info, and contacts I could. More to follow…—S.B.]

Folder 3

DRA-29 / 03/01 [Added 11/12/2007]

TABOO submission from Life with the Vampire series, “The Human Crux” by Cara Sherman-Tereno, 14 pages with envelope, 1987.

[Two more key TABOO scripts, in original envelope (July 1987): Cara Sherman-Tereno’s LIFE WITH THE VAMPIRE stories, “Ohmigod It Feels Like Dying” and “The Human Crux” (both completed and published, see TABOO, in collection) (TABOO 2). Cara was one of my classmates from the Joe Kubert School, and among the finest artists in our circle. Unfortunately, her lifelong commitment to drawing the adventures of her unique vampire character Ivan Koliath enjoyed too few venues: APPA fanzines provided her (and Ivan’s) primary outlet, as did TABOO for a time. Cara was a dear friend, and her premature death from tuberculosis in the mid-1990s was a real loss -- for her family, for her friends, and for comics. The industry wasn’t very good to her, I must say, and her creative life was troubled by family unease with her preferred subjects, the modest income it rarely earned, and the difficulties of finding venues for her work. My first real disagreement with Tundra over the direction TABOO maintained was over Cara’s work, which some at Tundra took exception to and tried to block from publication. Cara enjoyed few professional comics opportunities, in part because she was a woman, in part because of her living in Spokane, Washington, in part due to prejudices her work invited from certain editors (Ivan was a bisexual vampire, and Cara’s stories were often sexually explicit). She did a little work for DC (very little), endured and completed a difficult work-for-hire job for Byron Preiss (one of the sf comics paperbacks of the mid-1990s; Cara was made to redraw so much of the story that the job ended up costing, rather than making, her money), etc. It was a great tragedy that she was denied the venues she, and her work, deserved. Thankfully, Trina Robbins made it a point to posthumously include Cara’s work in Trina’s most recent book on women in comics; when Trina contacted me, I provided her with all the material, info, and contacts I could. More to follow…—S.B.]

Folder 4

DRA-29 / 04/01 [Added 11/12/2007]

TABOO submission from Sean Scoffield, artist, and Steve Solomos, writer, “Homesick for Guyana,” 6 pages, circa 1991-1992.

[Undated (circa 1991-92) letter, TABOO submission from Sean Scoffield (artist) and writer Steve Solomos, completed painted story “Homesick from Guyana” (1991?). Steve and Sean were running the excellent comics retail store The Beguiling in Toronto, Ontario, Canada at the time -- I accepted the story, but for some reason the deal was never completed and story remained unpublished.­—S.B.]

Folder 5

DRA-29 / 05/01 [Added 11/12/2007]

TABOO submission with letter from Jeff Lang, “The Indoctrination,” 13 pages, 1990.

[June 17, 1990 letter from Jeff Lang, re: TABOO submissions, which are attached: script for proposed story “The Indoctrination”; sample photocopied pencils by Steve Lieber, from DC Comic proposal DR. THIRTEEN; sample photocopied pages by a young Michael Dalton Allred, before his MADMAN breakthrough.—S.B.]

Folder 6

DRA-29 / 06/01 [Added 11/12/2007]

TABOO submission sample by Steve Lieber, “DR. 13,” 3 pages, 1990.

[June 17, 1990 letter from Jeff Lang, re: TABOO submissions, which are attached: script for proposed story “The Indoctrination”; sample photocopied pencils by Steve Lieber, from DC Comic proposal DR. THIRTEEN; sample photocopied pages by a young Michael Dalton Allred, before his MADMAN breakthrough.—S.B.]

DRA-29 / 06/02 [Added 11/12/2007]

TABOO submission sample by Michael Dalton, “Madman,” 2 pages, 1990.

[June 17, 1990 letter from Jeff Lang, re: TABOO submissions, which are attached: script for proposed story “The Indoctrination”; sample photocopied pencils by Steve Lieber, from DC Comic proposal DR. THIRTEEN; sample photocopied pages by a young Michael Dalton Allred, before his MADMAN breakthrough.—S.B.]

DRA-29 / 06/03 [Added 11/12/2007]

TABOO submission from Noel Tuazon, “Banger,” 5 pages, circa 1991.

[Noel Tuazon was a frequent TABOO contributor; here’s a story of his entitled “Banger” (circa 1991?) I wish we had run! No idea what happened here… Noel sent frequent contributions, so I reckon this one just got lost in the wash, so to speak.—S.B.]

DRA/PUB/MED/ART-Temp Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Hope Warner

Updated 02/13/2006

Drafts– any version of comic, graphic novel, or film script produced before the final product

Folder 7

PUB-t / 07 [Added 11/21/2005]

Volume 5, #2 of the GREATFUL DEAD ALMANAC, THE UNRULY SUNNE Issue, oversized, 15 pages, no date

[THE GRATEFUL DEAD ALMANAC, featuring TIM TRUMAN material. Tim was a KubertSchool classmate and remains a good friend; I try to keep up on the works of my old KubertSchool associates as best I can.—S.B.]

Folder 9

MED-t / 09 [Added 2/2/2006]

Resource Guide on HEARTWORK, 20 PAGES. Articles on HEARTWORK, oversized, 3 pages.

[File: HEARTWORK art gallery exhibition in Brattleboro, VT, circa 1992. An exhibition dedicated to showcasing artwork, performances, etc. by survivors of sexual abuse; early work (1990-91) on this exhibition by my first wife Nancy (later Marlene) O’Connor-Bissette spilled into TABOO, and was a catalyst for the planned TABOO: STICKS AND STONES anthology.—S.B.]

Folder 11

ART-t / 11 [Added 2/13/2006]

Photocopies: Samples of various artwork done by Jeff Easley; 10 pages black and white, 5 pages color. Letter from Jeff Easley to Bissette regarding samples; handwritten, 1 page, no date.

LAW-1 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Hope Warner

Updated 11/10/2005

Folder 1

LAW-1 / 01 / 01 [Added 09/06/2005]

Court case: Ontario Court of Justice, Her Majesty the Queen vs. Mark Carl Laliberte, 40 pages, bound with photocopies of two of Laliberte’s offending comics: “Blood and Salt” and “Peenutz”.

[Binder “Ontario Court of Justice” record of comics censorship case “Her Majesty the Quenn vs. Mark Carl Laliberte” – VERY important comics case, circa May 1992; this transcript was sent to me by Mark Askwith, who testified for the defense (see pg. 20). Laliberte was a teenager at the time the comic being tried (HEAD TRIP #1) was drawn and self-published. This case ties in with the notorious Florida prosecution and obscenity verdict against BOILED ANGEL creator Mike Diana, as Laliberte and Diana exchanged their comic zines in the mail; I have been told by a number of sources, INCLUDING Mark Laliberte, that it was a tip from the Canadian authorities to the Florida authorities that might have led to the investigation of Mike Diana. –S.B.].

Folder 2

LAW-1 / 02 / 01 [Added 09/06/2005]

New Zealand government documents pertaining to seized indecent publications, photocopy, bound, dated 06/05/1991.

[Spiral bound (plastic) binder of photocopies of a June 5, 1991 New Zealand gov’t document detailing the customs seizure of a number of comics and graphic novels, including TABOO 3 (see pg. 20), and the Tribunal’s analysis and verdict on the books cited; fascinating document and a decent review of TABOO 3. –S.B.].

Folder 3

LAW-1/03/01 [Added 09/06/2005]

Court case: Edgar Winter et al., Plaintiffs and Appellants, v. DC COMICS et al., Defendants and Respondents. 14 pages with email to Marge & Steve Bissette attached.

[June 2003 document sent to me by Tim Truman, marking the conclusion of the Supreme Court of California’s ruling on the case of Edgar Winter vs. DC Comics, Inc. et al – the et al of the latter including writer Joe Lansdale and Tim Truman, both good friends of mine (Tim was a classmate at the Joe Kubert School, though not a member of my class of ’78). This was a momentous case, involving rock star and guitarist Edgar Winter suing DC, Lansdale, Truman, and inker Sam Glanzman (one of my personal artistic heroes) claiming defamation of character for characters Joe, Tim, and Sam created for their final JONAH HEX collaboration.—S.B.].

Folder 4

LAW-1/04/01 [Added 11/10/2005]

Article on THE LEGAL DEFENSE FUND, 2 copies, 1 photocopy, 1 page; 1 rough draft, 2 pages, dated 8/24/87.

MED-1 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Lea Ann Alexander

Updated 11/28/2005 by Hope Warner

Media Coverage includes interviews, reviews, and news articles about Steve Bissette and other figures in the comics industry.

Folder 1

MED-1 / 01 / 01 [Added 2/14/2004]

[The Comics Journal #185: Bissette cover story/interview. This was the fateful, definitive interview, covering my latter years in the industry in much detail. Alas, this interview also cost me my ten-year relationship with Alan Moore, and created much friction with Kevin Eastman. (See Eastman interview in The Comics Journal.) –SB]

Folder 2

MED-1 / 02 / 01 [Added 9/21/2004]

Photocopied article from American Artist about the artwork of Jeffrey Jones, 4 pages.

MED-1 / 02 / 02 [Added 10/27/2004]

Press release announcing promotions for 4 upper level employees at Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc., dated 09/25/1990.

MED-1 / 02 / 03 [Added 11/10/2005]

Card announcing Bissette autograph signings, dated 1989.

[First TABOO shop signing: October 29, 1989, Same Bat Channel Comics, Fitchburg, MA.—S.B.]

MED-1 / 02 / 04 [Added 11/28/2005]

Photocopies of press release for THE LIGHT AND DARKNESS WAR by Tom Veitch and Cam Kennedy, 7 pages, dated 8/15/88.

[Tom Veitch (Sky River Studios) press release (photocopy) for THE LIGHT AND DARKNESS WAR, Tom Veitch (writer) and Cam Kennedy (artist) series for Marvel’s Epic Comics line (circa August, 1988).—S.B.]

Folder 3

MED-1 / 03 / 01 [Added 12/19/2005]

Flyer: DC Releases for April 1987.

[Flyer/newsletter: DC RELEASES (April 1987) This was DC’s free in-store promotions publication, which was one of the few promotional venues we had during our tenure on SAGA OF THE SWAMP THING. See pp. 2-3, note listing, cover shot for SWAMP THING #59, scripted by Bissette.—S.B.]

MED-1 / 03 / 02 [Added 01/05/2006]

Newsletter: KITCHEN SINK PRESS PIPELINE, September 1995, 3 copies.

[Promotional newsletter: KITCHEN SINK PRESS PIPELINE (September 1995; 3 copies) Note the strong promotional push Kitchen Sink gave here to TABOO 9, the final issue, including a clean shot of the Alan Clarke cover painting. The active TABOO chapter of my life was over, and Denis Kitchen, Phil Amara, and their team treated myself and TABOO very well.—S.B.]

MED-1 / 03 / 03 [Added 01/05/2006]

Handout: 1993 WORLD HORROR CONVENTION: VIDEO FEAR FEAST!, 4 pages.

[Handout: 1993 World Horror convention VIDEO FEAR FEAST! – this program of films/videos and this program booklet was prepared by your truly for the 1993 World Horror Convention – one of two that I attended. Quite a program, if I may say so!—S.B.]

MED-1 / 03 / 04 [Added 01/05/2006]

Promotional Sheet regarding the novel, DEUS-X.

[Promo sheet for Joe Citro’s novel DEUS-X, illustrated by Bissette. See collection.—S.B.]

Folder 4

MED-1 / 04 / 01 [Added 2/01/2006]

Article: PICTURE THIS: GRAPHIC NOVELS IN LIBRARIES; author: Keith R.A. DeCandido; Library Journal, dated March 15, 1990. Letter from Stephen Weiner to Bissette complimenting Bissette on his book COMIC BOOK REBELS, and inviting Bissette to speak at his branch library in SomervilleMA. Letter dated 8/5/93.

[Binder: Photocopies of key early published articles about graphic novels in public libraries, circa 1990-92. Note personal letter inside from Stephen Weiner, on COMIC BOOK REBELS and marketing my own work to libraries.—S.B.]

Folder 5

MED-1 / 05 / 01 [Added 2/02/2006]

Newsletters: DC SHOP TALK, vol. 2; issues 3, 4, and 5: vol. 3; issues 1 and 4.

[File: “DC SHOP TALK,” DC Comics Inc. newsletter mailed gratis to pros working with/for the company, circa 1989-90. Fascinating stuff, in part for how the company tried to maintain a “dialogue” with its freelance community through such means.—S.B.]

Folder 6

MED-1 / 06 / 01 [Added 2/02/2006]

Press Release: Marvel Comics, June 1995, 8 pages.

[File: Marvel Comics and Heroes World: This was the ‘Pearl Harbor’ (as BEANWORLD creator Larry Marder put it) of the direct sales market upheaval of the mid-1990s; it in fact cumulatively led to the collapse of market by the end of the decade. Note Marvel’s March, 1995 announcement herein, announcing their plans to go ‘direct only’ with Marvel product available EXCLUSIVELY from the NJ-based Heroes World Distributors with the July product of that year. Note the letters and documents noting reactions, issues from Diamond and Capital, the two largest distributors for the direct sale market at that time.

[More to follow on this matter! I also recommend you buy a copy of COMIC BOOK WARS for the library, if you haven’t already; chronicles the history of Marvel’s turbulent 1990s, albeit from the company’s own viewpoint and that of its successors who now own and manage Marvel.]—S.B.]

MED-1 / 06 / 02 [Added 6/22/2007]

Advertisement Flyer for PRIME EVIL; black, 4 pages.

[Promotional ‘flyer’ (quite elaborate, really) for the Signet paperback edition of the Douglas Winter edited horror anthology PRIME EVIL. This was among the final strong ‘pushes’ for a horror title from mainstream book publishers of this era (late 1980s/early 1990s), before they abandoned ‘horror’ as a genre per se with labels like “Dark Suspense” and such. Doug winter is and was a dear friend and associate, and this dates from the period of my greatest involvement with the professional horror writers’ field and organizations.—S.B.]

Folder 7

MED-1 / 07 / 01 [Added 10/29/2007]

Interview by Michael Marantz of Stephen R. Bissette on “Keep it Alive” radio show, circa January 6, 2005.

[2 (TWO) AUDIOCASSETTES: STEPHEN BISSETTE on the ‘rfb’ (RADIO FREE BRATTLEBORO) radio program “KEEP IT ALIVE” with DJ HOMEYM (MICHAEL MARANTZ of Jamaica, VT), complete in tow tapes, circa JANUARY 6,2005. Lengthy (rambling, too) interview with guest BISSETTE, one of two appearances on the program. RADIO FREE BRATTLEBORO (107.9 FM) was a local low-wattage radio station that was launched in Brattleboro, VT on July 13, 1998 and shut down by an FCC raid on June 22, 2005.—S.B.]

MED-2 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Natalie Scrimshire-Phelps

Updated 11/13/2007

Media Coverage includes interviews, reviews, and news articles about Stephen R. Bissette and other figures in the comics industry.

Folder 1

MED-2 / 01 / 01 [Added 10/31/2007]

Battleboro Reformer, Volume 93, Number 61, Thursday, 12 May 2005.

[Newspaper: BRATTLEBORO REFORMER, Thursday, May 12, 2005 (Brattleboro, VT) -- See my article, part one of two, “Reel World Experience,” in the Arts & Entertainment section, pp. 21-22. I have written about the Center for Digital Art’s program for years in the local press, including strong advocacy editorials/letters when funding for the program was jeopardized a few years ago. An expanded version of this two-part piece will appear in GREEN MOUNTAIN CINEMA. My income form this two-part article has been donated to the CDA toward the student feature film covered in the essay. More to follow!—S.B.]

PUB-1 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Lea Ann Alexander

Updated 09/13/2004

Publications: Comics, graphic novels, film scripts, APAs (amateur press alliances).

Folder 1

PUB-1 / 01 / 01 [09/01/2004]

Issues 74, 89, 90, 91, 107, and 119 of TV ZONE, a UK magazine.

[Misc. copies of UK magazine TV ZONE; see notes, previous box (mailed yesterday). More to come! –S.B.]

Folder 2

PUB-1 / 02 / 01 [09/13/2004]

BEFORE ITS TOO LATE, written by Ruth Hurst Ray, bound photocopy edition, 36 pages.

[Bound photocopy edition of chapbook “Before It’s Too Late (It Can Happen Here!)” by Ruth Hurst Ray; extremist (“biblical right to keep and bear arms…” BIBLICAL???) pro-gun chapbook studied by myself for planned TABOO story that, alas, never came to pass. Still, here it is! –S.B.]

PUB-1 / 02/ 02 [09/13/2004]

ETC (EURO TRASH CINEMA), Volume 2/ Number 7.

[Fanzine: ETC (EURO TRASH CINEMA),Vol.2, #7 (1993); cover by Bissette (cannibal from Ruggero Deodato’s JUNGLE HOLOCAUST aka THE LAST CANNIBAL WORLD aka THE LAST SURVIVOR), pastel crayons. Editor/ published (sic) Craig Ledbetter was a good friend, and I was a fairly frequent contributor to ETC, as both writer and artist. More to follow. –S.B.]

PUB-1 / 02 / 03 [09/13/2004]

ANIMATION PLANET #1.

[ANIMATION PLANET #1 (Spring 1997); reviews by Bissette include “Sleazy Cartoons of Bill Plympton” (pp. 8-9), “Tex Avery: the MGM Years” (pp. 9-10), note back cover ad for TYRANT series (just as I withdrew from self-publishing). Note that ANIMATION PLANET was my dear friend G. Michael Dobbs (“Mike”) follow-up to ANIMATO, which he co-edited for a number of years before he and his publishing partner Pat Duquette had an unfortunate but permanent falling out. ANIMATION PLANET last (sic) three issues before Mike folded up the tents. –S.B.]

Folder 3

PUB-1 / 03 / 01 [09/13/2004]

ECCO: THE WORLD OF BIZARRE VIDEO, Nos. 15, 18, and 19.

[Fanzine: ECCO: THE WORLD OF BIZARRE VIDEO #15, 18, 19 (1991-93), edited and published by ‘Charles Kilgore’ (Paul Harless), covers by Bissette. I was also a frequent contributor to ECCO, one of my favorite movie/ video zines of the time, drawing covers for ‘Charles’ and contributing the occasional article or review (see “Thank You Veddy Much”, pg. 15 in ECCO #18; “Orange Polishing”, pp. 8-9, ECCO #19). More to follow. –S.B.]

Folder 4

PUB-1 / 04 / 01 [09/13/2004]

ANIMATO!: THE ANIMATION FAN’S MAGAZINE, Issues 24-25 and 27-28.

[Four issues of ANIMATO (#24-25, 27-28; 1993-94), edited by G. Michael Dobbs and published by Patrick Duquette. I painted the cover for ANIMATO #24, illustrated the debut installment of my two-part interview with my hero Ray Harryhausen, whose London home I was fortunate enough to visit in 1991. This interview was conducted in San Diego in the summer of 1992. Also note I have other work in these issues including a review if “The Nightmare Before Christmas” (#27, pp. 54-55), “Batman: Mask of the Phantasm” (#28, pg. 5) and SPIKE & MIKE FEST” (#28, pp. 6-7), etc. –S.B.]

PUB-2 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Renee Campbell

Updated 09/12/2005 (by Hope Warner)

Publications: Comics, graphic novels, film scripts, APAs (amateur press alliances).

Folder 1

PUB-2 / 01 / 01 [09/27/2004]

“Technocracy Blues”, mini-comic by Glenn Barr, 13 pages.

PUB-2 / 01 / 02 [09/29/2004]

CEMETERY DANCE, Summer 1991, V. 3, Issue 3.

[CEMETARY (sic) Dance Summer 1991 issue (V. 3, No. 3); note ad on pg. 84 for “The Shape Under the Sheet: The Stephen King Encyclopedia”, in the limited edition of which I had four illustrations (original to the book). –S.B.]

Folder 2

PUB-2 / 02 / 01 [09/29/2004]

TIME TUNNEL catalogs (2), fall 1989.

[Craig Goden of TIME TUNNEL (mailorder and specialty horror bookseller), catalogs. Craig was a good friend and one of the truly fine people I met through the Horror Writers of America and summer Necon network; he was a strong advocate of my illustrating Richard Matheson’s “I Am Legend” in graphic novel form, and petitioned Matheson himself when Eclipse Comics were preparing such as adaptation (despite my misgivings about Eclipse, documented elsewhere). Matheson demurred and I never would have worked again with Eclipse, but it was indicative of Craig’s good heart and willingness to speak up for what he believed in. Alas, he faded from the scene in the mid-1990s. –S.B.]

Folder 3

PUB-2 / 03/ 01 [08/29/2005]

Bacchus #15 by Eddie Campbell

[Comic: EDDIE CAMPBELL’S BACCHUS #15 (July 1996) Features my collaboration with Eddie, “Tam O’Shanter,” completed August of 1989 when Eddie was visiting my first wife Nancy (later Marlene) O’Connor, our kids Maia and Daniel, and myself at our home on Lower Dover Road in Marlboro, VT. Eddie later drew his version of the events behind this story, which were skewed, but oh, well. We completed this in about three days.—S.B.]

Folder 3

PUB-2 / 03/ 02 [Added 08/29/2005]

Patrick Rabbit #12 by Phil Yeh, 32 pages.

[Phil Yeh’s PATRICK RABBIT #12 (2003) – Phil Yeh’s energetic cartooning and comics are tied to his equally energetic international promotion of literacy, which he has been traveling the globe pushing for over a decade. Phil is a friend of my amigo Rick Veitch, and we make a point of getting together once every couple of years when Phil is in the area.—S.B.]

Folder 4

PUB-2/04/01 [Added 09/12/2005]

LETTERING: AN INTRODUCTION TO CALLIGRAPHY by Charles Pearce, no date.

[A number of books from my personal art instruction/research library.—S.B.]

PUB-2/04/02 [Added 09/12/2005]

REFLECTIONS OF A JAPANESE CALLIGRAPHER by Toshu Ogawa, (October 6, 1983), Photocopy, 3 page text.

[Gift of Norm and Tina Krampetz. A number of books from my personal art instruction/research library.—S.B.]

Folder 5

PUB-2/05 [Added 09/12/2005]

PERSPECTIVE WITHOUT PAIN, Workbook 1: THE BASICS, by Phil Metzger (1988, North Light). Study guide, loose sheets in cover.

[Gift of Norm and Tina Krampetz. A number of books from my personal art instruction/research library.—S.B.]

Folder 6

PUB-2/06(a@b)

Folder 7

PUB-2/07

Folder 8

PUB-2/08

Folder 9

PUB-2/09 [Added 9/12/2005]

TARZAN: THE LOST ADVENTURE by Edgar Rice Burroughs and Joe R. Lansdale, volumes 2 and 3(1994-1995, Dark Horse).

[Illustrated completion of unfinished, unpublished Burroughs TARZAN adventure, completed by Texan genre author Lansdale in fine form, with covers, illustrations by Art Suydam, Tom Yeates, Charles Vess, Gary Gianni. I will ship along Vol. 1 if and when it turns up!—S.B.]

PUB-2 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Renee Campbell and Hope Warner

Updated 09/12/2005

Publications: Comics, graphic novels, film scripts, APAs (amateur press alliances).

Folder 1

PUB-2 / 01 / 01 [09/27/2004]

“Technocracy Blues”, mini-comic by Glenn Barr, 13 pages.

PUB-2 / 01 / 02 [09/29/2004]

CEMETERY DANCE, Summer 1991, V. 3, Issue 3.

[CEMETARY (sic) Dance Summer 1991 issue (V. 3, No. 3); note ad on pg. 84 for “The Shape Under the Sheet: The Stephen King Encyclopedia”, in the limited edition of which I had four illustrations (original to the book). –S.B.]

Folder 2

PUB-2 / 02 / 01 [09/29/2004]

TIME TUNNEL catalogs (2), fall 1989.

[Craig Goden of TIME TUNNEL (mailorder and specialty horror bookseller), catalogs. Craig was a good friend and one of the truly fine people I met through the Horror Writers of America and summer Necon network; he was a strong advocate of my illustrating Richard Matheson’s “I Am Legend” in graphic novel form, and petitioned Matheson himself when Eclipse Comics were preparing such as adaptation (despite my misgivings about Eclipse, documented elsewhere). Matheson demurred and I never would have worked again with Eclipse, but it was indicative of Craig’s good heart and willingness to speak up for what he believed in. Alas, he faded from the scene in the mid-1990s. –S.B.]

Folder 3

PUB-2 / 03/ 01 [08/29/2005]

Bacchus #15 by Eddie Campbell

[Comic: EDDIE CAMPBELL’S BACCHUS #15 (July 1996) Features my collaboration with Eddie, “Tam O’Shanter,” completed August of 1989 when Eddie was visiting my first wife Nancy (later Marlene) O’Connor, our kids Maia and Daniel, and myself at our home on Lower Dover Road in Marlboro, VT. Eddie later drew his version of the events behind this story, which were skewed, but oh, well. We completed this in about three days.—S.B.]

Folder 3

PUB-2 / 03/ 02 [Added 08/29/2005]

Patrick Rabbit #12 by Phil Yeh, 32 pages.

[Phil Yeh’s PATRICK RABBIT #12 (2003) – Phil Yeh’s energetic cartooning and comics are tied to his equally energetic international promotion of literacy, which he has been traveling the globe pushing for over a decade. Phil is a friend of my amigo Rick Veitch, and we make a point of getting together once every couple of years when Phil is in the area.—S.B.]

Folder 4

PUB-2/04/01 [Added 09/12/2005]

LETTERING: AN INTRODUCTION TO CALLIGRAPHY by Charles Pearce, no date.

[A number of books from my personal art instruction/research library.—S.B.]

PUB-2/04/02 [Added 09/12/2005]

REFLECTIONS OF A JAPANESE CALLIGRAPHER by Toshu Ogawa, (October 6, 1983), Photocopy, 3 page text.

[Gift of Norm and Tina Krampetz. A number of books from my personal art instruction/research library.—S.B.]

Folder 5

PUB-2/05 [Added 09/12/2005]

PERSPECTIVE WITHOUT PAIN, Workbook 1: THE BASICS, by Phil Metzger (1988, North Light). Study guide, loose sheets in cover.

[Gift of Norm and Tina Krampetz. A number of books from my personal art instruction/research library.—S.B.]

Folder 6

PUB-2/06(a@b) [Added 09/12/2005]

TALES FROM THE CRYPT, THE AUTUMN PEOPLE, TOMORROW MIDNIGHT, paperbacks, (1964-1966)

[Three of the Ballantine paperbacks collecting the EC horror and sf comics in paperback form, with covers by Frank Frazette (among his first!). The latter two collect the Ray Bradbury comic adaptations, of historic importance in the evolution of the genre in comics, and as the first juncture between a living published author and a comics publisher working together on adaptations of the author’s work. These are very rare, and in good condition.—S.B.]

Folder 7

PUB-2/07 [Added 9/12/2005]

THE VAULT OF HORROR by Jack Oleck. Paperback (1973, Bantam).

[Excellent condition pb novelization of classic EC comics stories, selected and adapted for the Amicus anthology feature film THE VAULT OF HORROR, by prolific comic book scriptor Oleck, who wrote many comics from the mid-1950s to the 1970s DC ‘mystery’ horror comics.—S.B.]

Folder 8

PUB-2/08 [Added 9/12/2005]

WHY DID PETE DUEL KILL HIMSELF? By Mark Kalesniko. Graphic novel (1997, Fantagraphics Books, Inc.)

Folder 9

PUB-2/09 [Added 9/12/2005]

TARZAN: THE LOST ADVENTURE by Edgar Rice Burroughs and Joe R. Lansdale, volumes 2 and 3(1994-1995, Dark Horse).

[Illustrated completion of unfinished, unpublished Burroughs TARZAN adventure, completed by Texan genre author Lansdale in fine form, with covers, illustrations by Art Suydam, Tom Yeates, Charles Vess, Gary Gianni. I will ship along Vol. 1 if and when it turns up!—S.B.]

PUB-3 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Hope Warner

Updated 01/05/2006

Publications: Comics, graphic novels, film scripts, APAs (amateur press alliances).

Folder 1

PUB-3 / 01 / 01 [09/12/2005]

CARTOONIST PROFILES, magazines. Three Miscellaneous issues

(Circa 1982, 1987). [Many more to follow!—S.B.]

Folder 2

PUB-3 / 02 / 01 [12/07/2005]

STARBURST, magazines, Issues: 263, 264, 269.

[Misc. issues of UK genre file/TV magazine STARBURST. More to follow! Lots of great info, coverage, photos; these will be of interest to media researchers.—S.B.]

Folder 3

PUB-3 / 03 / 01 [12/19/2005]

Magazine: ARENA Issue 10, June 1993.

[Magazine: ARENA #10 (June, 1993) Cover (by Dave Dorman) story, interviews with yours truly and Dave Dorman on ALIENS: TRIBES text from the original draft, featuring characters cut out of the published version (due to eleventh-hour edits of ms. due to length), pp. 31-32, nicely-designed to emulate the book’s actual design and layout. ALSO: “Comics Now” columan, early review of #1 of our ‘1963’ series, pp. 59.—S.B.]

PUB-3 / 03 / 02 [12/19/2005]

Magazine: BANANAS Issue 54.

[Magazine: BANANAS #54 (Scholastic Inc., 1982) All-comics issue edited by “Jovial Bob Stine,” aka R.L. Stine of later fame via the GOOSEBUMPS juvenile horror line. I had been illustrating comics for Scholastic for four years, and this was Bob’s only ‘all comics’ issue of BANANAS to date. Bob and art director Bob Feldgus (a great guy, one of my best ‘bosses’) asked me to steer them to some other cartoonists, which led to friends like Tom Yeates, John Totleben (collaborating on the first color story in this issue, “The Trials of Squire Gavin,“ pp.1-5) and Rick Veitch (“A Day to Remember,” pp. 18-21) to land gigs. I illustrated two stories, “A Toast to Mr. Dalyrimple” (pp. 12-15) and among my favorite Scholastic jobs, “The Prospector’s Luckiest Strike!” (pp. 27-31). The latter allowed me to take full advantage of Scholastic’s superior production and printing capabilities, developing my b&w painted techniques which, alas, culminated in the atrocious Marvel BIZAREE ADVENTURES Dracula story (see collection) – and an end to that approach to cartooning for me.—S.B.]

PUB-3 / 03 / 03 [12/19/2005]

Catalog: CERTIFIED COOL, Volume 1, April 1995.

[Distributor catalog: CERTIFIED COOL #1 (Capital City Distribution, April 1995) Among the last spasms of direct-sale-market life prior to the 1996 collapse was this manifestation of Capital City’s commitment to the independent and alternative comics, including self-publishers like myself. See pp. 44-45, listing and ad for TYRANT #4, which proved to be the final issue. This ad (designed and executed by yours truly) drew a lot of positive attention, including compliments from industry insiders (like ad vet Larry Marder of BEANWORLD fame); I was on a roll!—S.B.]

PUB-3 / 03 / 04 [12/19/2005]

Magazine: COMICS INTERVIEW, Issue 107, 1992.

[Magazine: COMICS INTERVIEW #107 (1992): Bissette interviews DAVE SIM, cover feature (pp. 8-39). Portions of this interview session were used in COMIC BOOK REBELS (see collection); CI editor David Anthony Kraft’s later 1993 announcement of a reprint of this issue as a ‘CEREBUS SPECIAL,’ sans any payment to yours truly, in conjunciont with the publication date of COMIC BOOK REBELS, led to a heated exchange when I refused permission for Kraft to reprint my interview (in part for fear of my COMIC BOOK REBELS publisher seeing the reprint as breach of contract with their firm). As I legally owned the material – there was no contract with CI, hence kraft’s presumption of ownership was founded on nothing save his erroneous presumption of propriety – he angrily cancelled the announced ‘CEREBUS SPECIAL,’ and relations were forever severed at his insistence. Too bad… but he was definitely in the wrong.—S.B.]

Folder 4

PUB-3 / 04 / 01 [12/19/2005]

Magazine: COMICS JOURNAL, Issue 71, March 1982.

[THE COMICS JOURNAL #71 (March 1982) See “Newswatch,” pg. 9, “Marvel’s Titan Series Nearing completion,” featuring shots of my art for that project. Alas, it was aborted when the writer cited in the piece, Michael Hollingshead, turned out to have NO legal rights to the material he presented to Marvel for adaptation, though we had by that time completed one full issue and I had completely penciled the second! I went directly from this ambitious but abortive Marvel project to SAGA OF THE SWAMP THING at DC.

Other items of note in this issue: also in “Newswatch,” see pg. 10, “Eclipse to Publish Three Swamp Thing Tie-Ins,” just in case anyone argues the point of how little control DC really held over the non-comics SWAMP THING licensing ventures at this time – note that only the Paul Gulacy portfolio ultimately was print; ph. 13, “Comics Veteran Harry ‘A’ Chesler Dies, “ note that Harry was patriarch of the Joe Kubert School and that with his passing, John Totleben’s ambitious, completed (twice), fully-painted illustrated edition of the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam was forever lost – completed over a period of three or more years under Harry Chesler’s patronage and stern editorial guidance, this represented Totleben’s first great work, and remains lost and unpublished – for more info, see my notes on NEAR MINT #17, below, and see that zine; note Kim Thompson cites Rick Veitch’s “Abraxas and the Earthman” as one of the few series of merit in EPIC (see review, “Waiting for the Fruit Salad,” pg. 37).—S.B.]

[Magazines: Various issues of THE COMICS JOURNAL (Fantagraphics, Inc.); These three issues providing an interesting chronology of my career on the rise, circa the 1980s. Note many worthwhile articles, art, etc. in each issue not directly related to my career/work – you may wish to find some method for cataloguing this material—S.B.]

PUB-3 / 04 / 02 [12/19/2005]

Magazine: COMICS JOURNAL, Issue 73, July 1982.

[THE COMICS JOURNAL #73 (July 1982) My first good review, and man, it meant a great deal, especially since I was indeed proud of the story under scrutiny, and still am. See “Stop! In the Name of the Carrot!” by Dale Luciano, pp. 43-48, particularly Luciano’s review of BIZARRE ADVENTURES #31 review (pp. 44-47), in which he singles out Steve Perry and my “A Frog is a Frog” for merit. As I may have already mentioned, the events surrounding the creation of this story – culminating in my making the deadline, despite my first wife Nancy (aka Marlene) and I dealing with a miscarriage at home, and Marvel subsequently taking away our copyright with a single phone call – resulted in my first real shot of disdain for the comics industry and its practices, and the determination to never again put a life-issue behind work-issues. Also relevant to that decision were the events the sparked the Richard Marschall column “Polychromatic Effulgency: Death at the Drawing Board” (pp. 91-96); the suicide of veteran comics artist Wally Wood and subsequent death of Gene Day also prompted me to reconsider my path, and determine that life issues must ALWAYS take precedence over work. I did not intend to give my ‘all’ to an industry that so badly treated its ‘own.’ Though this had detrimental effects on my career, particularly my reputation with missed deadlines, I never regretted the decision.—S.B.]

[Magazines: Various issues of THE COMICS JOURNAL (Fantagraphics, Inc.); These three issues providing an interesting chronology of my career on the rise, circa the 1980s. Note many worthwhile articles, art, etc. in each issue not directly related to my career/work – you may wish to find some method for cataloguing this material—S.B.]

PUB-3 / 04 / 03 [12/19/2005]

Magazine: COMICS JOURNAL, Issue 93, September 1984.

[THE COMICS JOURNAL #93 (September 1984) SWAMP THING issue; interviews with Alan, John, and I (pp. 45-99); cover painting by John Totleben over my pencils, our first, which led DC and editor Karen Berger – who up to that point had refused to consider our doing painted covers – to reconsider their stance, and opened the door to our first painted cover on SAGA OF THE SWAMP THING #34.

Also note: “Newswatch” items on collapse of Pacific Comics, end of one of the first great experiment in creator-owned publishing (but NOT self-publishing) for the direct-sales market, pp. 8-10; “Comics Code rejects Saga of Swamp Thing tale…,” full account of the events surrounding SOTST #29 and quotes from all involved from the time of the actual events (which have more credence than those given in hindsight), pp. 12-13; death of Phil Seuling, founder of direct-sales market, pp, 13-14.—S.B.]

[Magazines: Various issues of THE COMICS JOURNAL (Fantagraphics, Inc.); These three issues providing an interesting chronology of my career on the rise, circa the 1980s. Note many worthwhile articles, art, etc. in each issue not directly related to my career/work – you may wish to find some method for cataloguing this material—S.B.]

Folder 5

PUB-3 / 05 / 01 [12/19/2005]

Magazine: FILM THREAT Issue 19, 1989.

[Magazine: FILM THREAT #19 (1989) Reprints, with permission, the complete ‘50s FUNNIES comics story “Forgotten Fears of the Fifties” by Bill Kelley (who just passed away in September of this year), David Bianculli, Glenn Lovell (both friends of Bill’s working at that time with him at a NJ newspaper), and ‘Earl J. Bondgrasse,’ my pseudoname; art by yours truly, and poster/ad art by ‘guest’ Kubert School classmates and artists Rick Veitch, John Totleben (SLUG WOMEN), Joe Ragusa, Tom Marnick (aka Foxmarnick), and Ernie Pasanen (pp. 35-40). Also note my article “The Secrets of Horror” (pg. 34). Also note “Creepy Rick’s Crypt” piece on the film RETURN OF THE SWAMP THING, pp. 52-53, including quote from yours truly on what happened with John Totleben’s and my fleeting bid for involvement.—S.B.]

PUB-3 / 05 / 02 [12/19/2005]

Comic: GORE SHRIEK, Issue 6, 1989.

[Comic: GORESHRIEK #6 (FantaCo Enterprises, 1989) Edited by Bissette (one of two-three issues I ‘guest’ edited), also featuring inside front cover and back cover art by Bissette, Bissette zombie ‘pin up’ in center of comic, I wrote “Wormfood” (illustrated by Rolf Stark), and I lettered the contents page. At the time, FantaCo proprietor (it was a comic & collectibles shop in Albany, NY) and publisher (Tom had published throughout FantaCo’s history, and this was a period of much activity for him: DEEP RED – see collection – and more) Tom Skulan was growing increasingly frustrated with editing chores and publisher obligations; he was also paying some of the lowest rates in the industry at the time ($15 per page!). I convinced him we could ‘reboot’ GORE SHRIEK, which continued to sell well, by upping the page rate (to $20 per page) and incorporating articles, for which we also paid first-publication rights (a modest fee, much less than the cumulative total of a comic page rate for the same amount of pages in the publication). Tome was overjoyed with the results, including this issue. Note I called upon prominent friends and associates to contribute all-new articles – Jack Butterworth’s account ofhis Warren years, Tom Veitch’s overview of underground horror comics (Part 2 herein), Stanley Wiater on monster magazine collectible curios – and kept my own hand involved as writer, artist, etc. This was done in tandem with TABOO, and was a very productive period for me – though ‘legend’ characterizes this as a non-productive period in my career, as all the editing and writing did not reflect the production of comics pages, the coin of the realm to industry and most of my friends.—S.B.]

PUB-3 / 05 / 03 [01/05/2006]

Magazine: HEAVY METAL , Volume 7, Issue 3, June 1983.

[HEAVY METAL (Vol. VII, No. 3; June 1983) Partial-page illustration piece, “Crunch!,” pg. 29. Also note Rick Veitch’s “June 2050,” pg. 89.—S.B.]

Folder 6

PUB-3 / 06 / 01 [01/05/2006]

Magazine: HERO, Issue 2, August 1993.

[HERO #2 (August 1993) Here for FROM HELL (Tundra version, vol. 2 reviewed) review, just after the title’s ‘break’ from TABOO as self-standing collection even as it was still being serialized in TABOO – the beginning of the end for TABOO, as Tundra refused to cross-promote FROM HELL and TABOO together, which was reflected in reviews/promotional notices like this one (see pg. 38). ALSO Note: pg. 47 early review of Scott McCloud’s then-upcoming UNDERSTANDING COMICS; Clive Barker interview on Marvel ‘Razorline’ imprint, pp. 68-72 (and back cover ad); fold-out cover painting by Dave Dorman, Kubert School classmate and artist/collaborator on ALIENS: TRIBES (see collection).—S.B.]

[Magazines: Various issues of HERO (newsstand & direct market competitor to WIZARD, lasted only a couple of years, 1993-?); note SWAMP THING values posted in each issue’s ‘Price Guide’ feature; also note many worthwhile articles, art, etc. in each issue not directly related to my career/work – you may wish to find some method for cataloguing this material:--S.B.]

PUB-3 / 06 / 02 [01/05/2006]

Magazine: HERO, Issue 5, November 1993.

[HERO #5 (Nov. 1993) “Spotlight on: DAVE SIM” (pp. 64-67) provides insights into my relations with Dave during this period, among other things – note discussion of direct-market and creator rights issues, including Dave’s insights to “Creator Rights Summit.” ALSO Note: FROM HELL solo series info on pg. 48; note Jim Lee interview, conducted (and streeting) roughly concurrent with the announced release of the ‘1963 Annual’, which Jim had assumed control of at San Diego Con 1992 – Jim was never contactable, the Annual never came out, and it merited nary a whisper in this interview with him, though ‘1963’ the series had registered in this issue’s ‘Price Guide” as a “complete” (sans concluding Annual) series (see pg. 150).—S.B.]

[Magazines: Various issues of HERO (newsstand & direct market competitor to WIZARD, lasted only a couple of years, 1993-?); note SWAMP THING values posted in each issue’s ‘Price Guide’ feature; also note many worthwhile articles, art, etc. in each issue not directly related to my career/work – you may wish to find some method for cataloguing this material:--S.B.]

PUB-3 / 06 / 03 [01/05/2006]

Magazine: HERO, Issue 6, December 1993, 2 copies, one still in plastic wrapping with Pitt comic inside.

[HERO #6 (Dec. 1993) Chris Golden article on Bissette, “Draining the Swamp” (pp. 54-58), which offers interesting snapshot of the period for me (note TABOO plans cited, pg. 57, for instance). Note Chris Golden was and is a good friend, including my essay “Higher Ground” in his first book project as an editor (CUT! HORROR WRITERS ON HORROR FILMS, see collection), and later as co-author (THE MONSTER BOOK: BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, see collection).—S.B.]

[Magazines: Various issues of HERO (newsstand & direct market competitor to WIZARD, lasted only a couple of years, 1993-?); note SWAMP THING values posted in each issue’s ‘Price Guide’ feature; also note many worthwhile articles, art, etc. in each issue not directly related to my career/work – you may wish to find some method for cataloguing this material:--S.B.]

PUB-4 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Hope Warner

Updated 10/17/2005

Publications: Comics, graphic novels, film scripts, APAs (amateur press alliances).

Folder 1

PUB-4 / 01 / 01 [10/17/2005]

1a

Comics Interview, issues 6, 13, 15, 25.

1b

Comics Interview, issues 28, 41, 42, 44, 46.

1c

Comics Interview, issues 50, 54, 55, 56.

1d

Comics Interview, issues 57, 58, 61, 62, 63.

1e

Comics Interview, issues 66, 69, 70, 71.

1f

Comics Interview, issues 72, 73, 78, 86.

1g

Comics Interview, issues 88, 89, 90, 91.

1h

Comics Interview, issues 98, 104, 105, 108.

1i

Comics Interview, issues 110, 111, 113, 114.

[Misc. issues of COMICS INTERVIEW magazine. Use ‘em in good health – more to follow! These are a tremendous research resource, sadly hard to find or access. As I photocopy what I need out of the rest of my collection, most of it will be donated to the Library and this venture.—S.B.]

PUB-5 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Hope Warner

Updated 12/07/2005

Publications: Comics, graphic novels, film scripts, APAs (amateur press alliances).

PUB-5 / 01 / 01 [12/07/2005]

Folder 1

Magazine,TV ZONE, issues:63, 65, 69,70, 71, 72.

Folder 2

Magazine, TV ZONE, issues: 73, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79.

Folder 3

Magazine, TV ZONE, issues: 81, 82, 83, 84 (Has note saying Neil Gaiman Neverwhere on it placed in this issue), 85, 96.

Folder 4

Magazine, TV ZONE, issues: 100, 102, 104, 111, 113.

Folder 5

Magazine, TV ZONE, issues: 114,115, 116, 118, 120, 123.

[Misc. issues of UK genre TV zine TV ZONE. I’ve been working for a few years on a book-length overview of made-for-TV horror feature films, and these were part of an extensive film and TV magazine collection I purchased to research that project. This UK zine is chock-full of great material, including much coverage of comics-to-TV series and features, along with the plethora of DR WHO and STAR TREK material (which interests me little if any). Note the single issue bagged alone, and bookmarked, for its coverage of Neil Gaiman’s FIRST television mini-series NEVERWHERE. More to follow, as I sort through my magazine archives and collection.—S.B.]

PUB-6 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Hope Warner

Updated 01/23/2006

Publications: Comics, graphic novels, film scripts, APAs (amateur press alliances).

Folder 1

PUB-6 / 01 / 01 [01/05/2006]

Magazine: MANTICORE, Issue 1, 1976.

[Comic/Magazine: MANTICORE #1 (and only; Fall 1976) – This was a publication of and by the FIRST CLASS EVER of the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art, Inc. in Dover, NJ – of which I was a graduating member. This is the closest we ever got to a ‘yearbook,’ and the only published artifact of that first class. See inside back cover for photos of all my classmates, ALL of whom are indeed represented by work published in the zine – and via the cover art, which was designed by yours truly, with penciled creatures by each classmate (I penciled Joe Kubert, in the doorway, and the toothy multi-eyed monster immediately beneath him), and inked by yours truly. Table of contents lists all original class members; not all stayed on for the second year, and not all graduated. Note the inside front cover dedication; Harry ‘A’ Chesler was a key publisher and packager in the very early history of comicbooks, and the first publisher to hire Joe as a pre-teen! Harry was indeed the ‘grandfather’ and fiscal ‘Godfather’ of the school, a frequent visitor, patron of second-year student (and dear friend and later collaborator on SWAMP THING) John Totleben (see next item, below), and of inestimable importance to Joe and the School – and hence, to my own humble career. See the ignoble follow-up, PARADE OF GORE #1, below.—S.B.]

PUB-6 / 01 / 02 [01/05/2006]

Magazine: PARADE OF GORE, Issue 1, October 1977.

[Comic magazine: PARADE OF GORE #1 (and only, Oct. 1977) This was the SECONDKubertSchool class’s unsanctioned-by-the-school and self-published (primarily by 2^nd year student Fred Greenberg) follow-up to MANTICARE, and a ragged, rangy thing it was and is, too. I did the cover; logo by Rick Veitch. Note key early work by future comics & animation pros like John Totleben, Dave Dorman, Ron Randall, Kevin Altieri, Tom Marnick (aka Foxmarnick), Tom Mandrke, Larry Loc, and my first-year classmates Rick Grimes, Cara Sherman-Tereno, Rick Veitch, Tom Yeates, and others. We all ended up with so many copies of this publication that at one point we were using it as toilet paper (I kid you not! – ah, the impoverished existence of the Kubert School student).—S.B.]

PUB-6 / 01 / 03 [01/05/2006]

Catalog: MONKEY’S RETREAT, Summer 1987, 2 copies.

[Catalogue: MONKEY’S RETREAT (Summer 1987; 2 copies), for the titular Columbus, Ohio comic and specialty shop. Cover by Bissette; I met the proprietor at the Mid-Ohio Con, which I attended throughout the 1980s with John Totleben every November.—S.B.]

PUB-6 / 01 / 04 [01/05/2006]

Fanzine: NEAR MINT, Issue 17, November 1981.

[Fanzine: NEAR MINT #17 (Nov. 1981) – Fanzine featuring cover story and many interesting items about the early years of the Joe Kubert School; note that Mike Chen (pictured; artwork included; short bio) is still an administrator at the school! Also note Tim Truman photo, art – ‘Dakota’ was indeed Tim’s favorite creation, usurped when RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK introduced Indiana Jones shortly after this zine was published. Damn! Also note the (unfortunately source is uncredited, though the article’s author is listed) newspaper clipping on page 14 on Harry ‘A’ Chesler and John Totleben’s project, illustrating the complete “Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam,” a poem Harry was obsessed with (as noted in the article). Harry was John’s patron for a number of years, and John completely illustrated the “Rubaiyat” TWICE, both times in lavish colored pen-and-ink illustrations – an ambitious, remarkable body of work that was, sadly, scattered upon Harry’s death in the estate auctions. This is a terrible loss, to John personally and comics history in general, as it represented John’s first complete body of work, pre-dating SAGA OF THE SWAMP THING and MIRACLEMAN. As implied by Harry’s statement in the article, John’s illustrations were filled with stunning images of Death and death – fused with the skillful renditions of female youth and beauty that also remain central to John’s illustrations work.—S.B.]

[An aside: in a post on my discussion board – see http://www.fanboy.info/yabbse/index.php?board=13;action=display;threadid=7704 – citing the above item entering the collection, I also wrote:

“True enough…BOTH sets of paintings and illustrations John completed for Harry of the “Rubaiyat” were absolute knock-out material, brimming with outrageous visions of beauty, youth, life, death, decay, corruption, and more than I can possibly verbalize.

Harry’s patronage of the project – which Harry, not John, initiated – lasted for years, as I recall, and John redid many illustrations at Harry’s request and, if memory serves, according to Harry’s often rigorous directions. The end result was Two complete versions of the epic “Rubaiyat,” representing John’s first important body of work, and astounding chronicle of John’s ‘blossoming’ as a pen-and-ink artist prior to his SWAMP THING and MIRACLEMAN years.

Sadly, when Harry passed away, despite his great love for the poem, the project and John, it seems he drafted no legal papers or direction for the preservation or publication of this ‘life’s work’ (which it seemed to indeed be for Harry)…and despite John’s persistent inquiries and efforts, it was all scattered in the estate dissolution and auctions, with no opportunity for John to rescue, retain, or even trace the eventual fate of this epic work.

_____

I fear John’s most recent epic work – “Hellhead,” a fully-painted graphic novel done in collaboration with Rick Veitch (co-concept/writer) – may remain in a similar limbo, though the work itself is (as far as I know) still in John’s possession. It was a jaw-dropping masterpiece, with extended sequences completed and fully-painted, but for whatever reason (mainly the lead ‘villain’s’ primal nude state, with his monster dick dragging in the dirt in many action sequences), no publisher took it on…and so, it malingers. John and Rick worked on “Hellhead” throughout the mid-1990s, and many lucky convention-goers and self-publishers were privileged with glimpses of pages and completed sequences for about a two-to-three year period, whenever John broke out the folio for ‘show and tell’ peeks at the work-in-progress.

“Hellhead” still deserves to see print, in SOME form – somewhere, somehow. It’s heartbreaking, truly… John’s first epic, and most recent epic (hopefully not his last, though circumstances have relegated John continuing in comics to as unlikely a proposition as my own very different situtation have made it probable I’ll ever again work in the industry), likely never to see print. With MIRACLEMAN/MARVELMAN still in interminable legal limbo, this means only SWAMP THING remains the accessible portion of John’s career, the only ‘epic’ to remain in print.

What a damned shame.

John, his family, his fans, and the future of comics deserve better.”

End of digression.—S.B.]

Folder 2

PUB-6 / 02 / 01 [01/05/2006]

Fanzine: NECROFILE: THE REVIEW OF HORROR FICTION, Issue 6, Fall 1992 and Issue 7, Winter 1993.

[Literary horror fanzine: NECROFILE: THE REVIEW OF HORROR FICTION #6 and #7 (Fall 1992 and Winter 1993 issues) As my involvement with the Horror Writers of America organization and the horror writers’ community in general blossomed, I was invited to contribute reviews to this prestigious publication. See #6 review of the Mike Benton books on horror comics and science-fiction comics, “Don’t Know Much About History…” (pp. 5-9), and #7 review of BERNI WRIGHTSON: A LOOK BACK, “The Wrightson Stuff” (pp. 9-12).—S.B.]

PUB-6 / 02 / 02 [01/05/2006]

Magazine: SHRIEK, Issue 2, Fantaco Publications.

[Comic magazine: SHRIEK #2 (FantaCo Enterprises, Inc., 1990) I co-edited this issue (along with #1, see collection), penciled and scripted the ‘Gore & Shriek’ frontispiece (inked by Eric Talbot), and wrote the introduction for Stanley Wiater’s short story “The Tougher.” This was among the last fruitful collaborations with FantaCo, which unraveled over the NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD project (see collection). Note crossover of contributors from TABOO, which I was working on also during this period.—S.B.]

PUB-6 / 02 / 03 [01/05/2006]

Comic: STAR WARS: JABBA THE HUTT: THE GAAR SUPPOON HIT, Issue 1, April 1995.

[Comic: STAR WARS: JABBA THE HUTT: THE GAAR SUPPOON HIT #1 (Dark Horse, April 1995) Cover penciled by Bissette, inked by Cam Kennedy; this was completed in short order for Dark Horse during one of my 1993-94 trips to Portland, Oregon to visit Cam and Isobel Kennedy, dear friends from the Scottish isle of Orkney who lived for a time in the US in Portland.—S.B.]

PUB-6 / 02 / 04 [01/05/2006]

Comic: TALES TOO TERRIBLE TO TELL, Issue 3, Summer 1991.

[Comic: TALES TOO TERRIBLE TO TELL #3 (Summer 1991) Cover by Bissette (and Totleben; John penciled the women writhing in the monster’s arms), later used as frontispiece for SPIDERBABY COMIX #1. This title was dedicated to reprinting Pre-Code (pre-Oct. 1954) horror comics stories, and running articles, cover galleries, etc. relevant to the subject. At the time, editor/publisher George Suarez had one of the most extensive and complete collections of Pre-Code horror comics I was aware of. –S.B.]

Folder 3

PUB-6 / 03 / 01 [01/05/2006]

Comic: TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES MOVIE II: THE SECRET OF THE OOZE, Summer 1991.

[Comic: TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES MOVIE I: SECRET OF THE OOZE comicbook adaptation (Archie, Summer 1991). Features Tokka, the character based in part on my toy design sketches of a snapping-turtle villain. See other relevant material in my files, in the collection.—S.B.]

PUB-6 / 03 / 02 [01/05/2006]

Newspaper: VALLEY ADVOCATE, March 21, 1988.

[Newspaper: THE VALLEY ADVOCATE for March 21, 1988 (Northampton, MA edition; weekly free alternative newspaper) See “The Comics Censors” by Lisa Yashon, pg. 17. Timely coverage of 1980s comic shop busts, quoting many area creators including Bissette; THE PUMA BLUES was, at the time, in the midst of a ‘censurship’ debacle that precipitated Dave Sim’s decision to no longer publish work by other creators (see PUMA BLUES issues, in collection).—S.B.]

PUB-6 / 03 / 03 [01/05/2006]

Magazine: WIZARD: THE GUIDE TO COMICS, Volume 1, Issue 28, December 1993.

[Magazine: WIZARD #28 (December 1993) Article on yours truly, “Tyrants & Tyrant” (pp. 93-96); note early color version of TYRANT cover, then intended as the cover to #1, later redrawn to become the cover of #3. ALSO note: “Comics Watch” (collectible comics increasing in value/interest in the market) cites SAGA OF THE SWAMP THING #37 (see pg. 123); Price Guide (SAGA OF THE SWAMP THING, pg. 193); interview/article with/ on Joe Quesada, who later became a company-reshaping head honcho at Marvel (pp. 48-51); note Todd McFarlane’s column “E.G.O.” (pg. 216). WIZARD played a vital role in the redefinition of the comics industry and marketplace – and not a particularly honorable role, at that. The introduction of the monthly ‘Price Guide’ feature (which all competitors had to offer, too: see HERO magazines, above) was most detrimental, fanning the flames of speculative buying at ALL strata of the industry that reduced comics to ‘junk bond’ status – a key factor in the collapse of the direct sales market by 1996-97.—S.B.]

Folder 4&5

PUB-6 / 04 / 01 [01/23/2006]

Magazine: CARTOONIST PROFILES: Issues 55(9/82), 57(3/83), 58(6/83), 70(6/86), 71(9/86), 72(12/86), 74(6/87).

[Seven more issues of CARTOONIST PROFILES (1982-87); many good articles, interviews, and note the ads for the KubertSchool listing Rick Veitch, yours truly, and others as successful graduates.—S.B.]

Folder 6

PUB-6 / 06 / 01 [01/23/2006]

Magazine: SKELETON CREW; Issue 5.

[Single issue of UK horror literature zine SKELETON CREW #5, circa 1985 or ’86.—S.B.]

PUB-6 / 06 / 02 [01/23/2006]

Newsletter: FANTASY NEWSLETTER; Number 31, December 1980.

Magazine: CEMETERY DANCE; volume 3, issue 4, fall 1991.

PUB-6 / 06 / 03 [01/23/2006]

Magazine: THE HORROR SHOW: AN ADVENTURE IN TERROR; Fall 1985.

[Horror lit zine THE HORROR SHOW (Fall 1985) note Wes Craven interview.—S.B.]

PUB-7 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Hope Warner

08/08/2006

Publications: Comics, graphic novels, film scripts, APAs (amateur press alliances).

Folder 1&2

PUB-7/ 01 / 01 [Added 02/08/2006]

Fanzine: DEATHREALM, Issues 4,6,7, and 10.

PUB-7/ 02 / 01 [Added 02/08/2006]

Fanzine: DEATHREALM, Issues 11,12,13.

[Horror literature fanzine DEATHREALM #4,6,7,10,11,12,13, circa 1987-90. More artifacts from my active years in the horror writing field and Horror Writers of America; more to follow.—S.B.]

Folder 3

PUB-7/ 03/ 01 [Added 02/08/2006]

Fanzine: SKELETON CREW, Issue 3/4.

[Horror literature fanzine SKELETON CREW #3/4, Clive Barker issue,

1988.—S.B.]

PUB-7/ 03/ 02 [Added 02/17/2006]

Fanzine: SECRET IDENTITY No. 1, 32 pages, Spring 1996.

PUB-7/ 03/ 03 [Added 02/17/2006]

Fanzine: FEATURE Issue 3, 30 pages, Feb.\Mar. 1996.

[Fanzines: Bothe from Spring of 1996, both featuring interviews with Bissette: SECRET IDENTITY #1, and FEATURE #3. Part two of the SECRET IDENTITY interview will follow, once I find a copy to send.—S.B.]

Folder 4

PUB-7/ 04/ 01 [Added 03/06/2006]

Magazine: CRACKED: COLLECTORS’ EDITION #101, January 1995.

[CRACKED COLLECTORS’ EDITION #101 (January 1995, Globe Communications Corp.) – Forever published in the shadow of MAD, but hey, that ‘forever’ reference is accurate; CRACKED has survived for decades where other humor zines have folded. Cover feature “The Making of the Lion King” full-color semi-fumetti (by Lou Silverstone, Walter Brogan, and Chris Bartlett) is unusually high-production standards for CRACKED; per usual, though, the issue is padded with ample reprints, includig a fair sampling of EC vet-artist John Severin’s work.—S.B.]

PUB-7/ 04/ 02 [Added 03/06/2006]

Magazine: MAD SPECIAL NUMBER SIX.

[MAD SPECIAL Number Six (1971, EC Publications, Inc.) – Complete with the actual MAD Mischief Stickers, which are usually missing! Unfortunately, they’re all stuck together. This will test the powers of the GREATEST Special Collections librarians and technicians at HUIE!—S.B.]

PUB-7/ 04/ 03 [Added 03/09/2006]

Magazine: MAD STALKS DEATH SUPER SPECIAL, June 1995.

[MAD STALKS DEATH SUPER SPECIAL (June 1995; DC Comics era of MAD) – 1957-95 contents, interesting overview of MAD magazine’s black humor over the decades.—S.B.]

PUB-7/ 04/ 04 [Added 03/09/2006]

Magazine: MAD SPY VS. SPY SUPER SPECIAL, November 1995.

[MAD SUPER SPECIAL: SPY vs SPY (Nov. 1995; DC Comics era of MAD) – Lively collection of Cuban cartoonist Antonio Prohias’s popular MAD feature, circa 1962-95; note the cover artist, David Manak, was one of my first editors at DC Comics! See “1981: DC Comics Inc. income,” below, for details.—S.B.]

Folder 5

PUB-7/ 05/ 01 [Added 03/09/2006]

Magazine: NUTS! #1, June 1997.

[NUTS! Premiere Issue #1 (June 1997, Nuts! Magazine Inc. /Aritsocrates Inc.) – Debut issue of short-lived MAD/CRACKED-style humor zine. Most notable in my mind for its “Archix” two-page ARCHIE parody, which incorporates Archix cheating on ‘Mob boss’ Big Bad Moose to have sex with “Cherryl,” drive-by shootings, and a genuinely amusing ‘safe sex’ tagline. Ah, the ‘90s.—S.B.]

Folder 6

PUB-7/ 06/ 01 [Added 07/10/2006]

Newspaper: VALLEY ADVOCATE, February 12, 1990; photocopy of “LETTERS” in THE VALLEY ADVOCATE March 5, 1990 issue.

[Newspaper: THE VALLEY ADVOCATE for Feb. 12, 1990 (Northampton, MA edition; weekly free alternative newspaper) Cover story “Santa Sangre: The Poetry of Terror” by Bissette (pg. 1, 9). I had spent a day-and-a-half with SANTA SANGRE director Alefandro Jodorowsky and the film’s producer Claudio Argento in Boston, MA when SANT SANGRE opened at the Boston Film Festival; at that time, I was working on TABOO 4 featuring the only US publication of Alefandro Jodorowsky and Jean ‘Moebius’ Giraud’s classic “Eyes of the Cat.” Thanks to that project, I was able to arrange interview time with Alefandro while he and Claudio were in Boston, and maximized the opportunity by conducting a full interview which I was able to run portions of in TABOO 4, and sell portions of to other venues, including GOREZONE, ETC, and THE VALLEY ADVOCATE. Sheer happenstance prompted this sale: in contacting the US distributor of SANTA SANGRE for stills and visuals to run in TABOO 4, I discovered SANTA SANGRE was to be test-marketed in Northampton, MA at the Pleasant Street Theater! Thus, this venue – which prompted angry feminist letters in the next issue of the paper (photocopies enclosed, with VALLEY ADVOCATE issue). .—S.B.]

Folder 7

PUB-7/ 07/ 01 [Added 07/10/2006]

Magazine: NEWSWEEK, April 22, 1991; letter from Bissette dated March 27, 1991; copy of Letter to the Editor written by Bissette dated March 26, 1990.

[NEWSWEEK (April 22, 1991; V. CXVII, No. 16) See my letter on pg. 12; complete letter text also enclosed in photocopy form. I sent the complete letter to THE COMIC BUYERS GUIDE, which editors Don and Maggie Thompson printed in its entirety. This resulted in Gary Groth taking potshots at me in THE COMICS JOURNAL, in the context of justifying Fantagraphics entry into publishing the Eros Comics line: in Gary’s simplistic view, graphic sex good, graphic violence bad, and I was a handy target to justify his facetious argument. .—S.B.]

Folder 8

PUB-7/ 08/ 01 [Added 08/08/2006]

Fanzine: THE HORROR SHOW, January 1987.

PUB-7/ 08/ 02 [Added 08/08/2006]

Fanzine: THE HORROR SHOW, Summer 1988.

PUB-7/ 08/ 03 [Added 08/08/2006]

Fanzine: THE HORROR SHOW, Fall 1988.

Folder 9

PUB-7/ 09/ 01 [Added 08/08/2006]

Fanzine: THE HORROR SHOW, Spring 1989.

PUB-7/ 09/ 02 [Added 08/08/2006]

Fanzine: THE HORROR SHOW, Summer 1989.

PUB-8 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Hope Warner

08/24/2006

Publications: Comics, graphic novels, film scripts, APAs (amateur press alliances)

Folder 1

PUB-8/ 01/ 01 [Added 08/08/2006]

Fanzine: HORRORSTRUCK, March/April 1988.

PUB-8/ 01/ 02 [Added 08/08/2006]

Fanzine: HORRORSTRUCK, July/August 1988.

Folder 2

PUB-8/ 02/ 01 [Added 08/08/2006]

Fanzine: DEATHREALM, Issue #16, Spring 1992.

PUB-8/ 02/ 02 [Added 08/08/2006]

Fanzine: DEATHREALM, Issue #18, Summer.

Folder 3

PUB-8/ 03/ 01 [Added 08/09/2006]

Magazine: BIZARRE, Volume II, 1993.

[One 1993 anthology/issue of BIZARRE BAZAAR, signed by friend and COMIC BOOK REBELS co-author Stanley Wiater.—S.B.]

PUB-8/ 03/ 02 [Added 08/09/2006]

Fanzine: THE SCREAM FACTORY, Issue 2, Spring 1989.

Folder 4

PUB-8/ 04/ 01 [Added 08/09/2006]

Fanzine: THE SCREAM FACTORY, Issue 3, Summer 1989.

PUB-8/ 04/ 02 [Added 08/09/2006]

Fanzine: THE SCREAM FACTORY, Issue 7.

Folder 5

PUB-8/ 05/ 01 [Added 08/09/2006]

Newsletter: AFRAID: The Newsletter for the Horror Professional, Number 6, November 1992.

PUB-8/ 05/ 02 [Added 08/09/2006]

Magazine: FANTASY REVIEW, Issue 73; Volume 8; Number 10, November 1984.

[One issue of FANTASY REVIEW, featuring an interview/panel with Stephen King moderated by Douglas Winter —S.B.]

Folder 6

PUB-8/ 06/ 01 [Added 08/09/2006]

Newsletter: FANTASY NEWSLETTER, Number 42, November 1981.

[FANTASY NEWSLETTER #42 (1981) featuring an early published essay by Doug Winter. —S.B.]

PUB-8/ 06/ 02 [Added 08/21/2006]

Fanzine: NIGHTSHADE: A FANZINE ABOUT FANTASY, October 1, 1977.

[NIGHTSHADE: A FANZINE ABOUT FANTASY circa 1977, featuring a very early cover by Charles Vess (who I first met about this time at my first-ever comicbook convention). Vess went on to become a premiere American comicbook artist, fantasist, and illustrator, most recently illustrated work by Neil Gaiman and others.—S.B.]

Folder 7

PUB-8/ 07/ 01 [Added 08/21/2006]

Fanzine: CREATURE, 42 pages, no date.

[UK horror literature fanzine CREATURE (1985), featuring interviews with Clive Barker, James Hervert, Ramsey Campbell. Note this features one of Barker’s earliest interviews, and this zine was acquired during my first trip to the UK, when Alan Moore introduced me to Barker! —S.B.]

PUB-8/ 07/ 02 [Added 08/23/2006]

Magazine: CEMETERY DANCE DELUXE EDITION, Spring 1990, volume 2, Issue 2.

Folder 8

PUB-8/ 08/ 01 [Added 08/24/2006]

Magazine: CEMETERY DANCE, Winter 1990, Volume 2, Issue 1.

PUB-8/ 08/ 02 [Added 08/24/2006]

Magazine: CEMETERY DANCE, Winter 1993, Volume 5, Issue 1.

Folder 9

PUB-8/ 09/ 01 [Added 08/24/2006]

Magazine: CEMETERY DANCE, Winter 1994, Volume 6, Issue 3.

PUB-8/ 09/ 02 [Added 08/24/2006]

Magazine: CEMETERY DANCE, Spring 1996, Volume 7, Issue 1.

[Five issues of the US horror literature/scene magazine CEMETARY DANCE (circa 1990-96). Note ads in at least one issue (bookmarked) for limited-edition horror novels/chapbooks I illustrated during this period, when I was a very active member of the Horrors Writers of America writer association. I later illustrated three books for the publisher of this zine, Richard Chizmar and his imprint Cemetary Dance (illustrating “The Mountain King” by Rick Hautala, “Lynch” by Nancy Collins, and “Ferryman” by Christopher Golden).—S.B.]

Huie Library HendersonStateUniversity

Bissette Collection

PUB-9 Box Inventory

Inventory compiled by Hope Warner

08/24/2006

Publications: Comics, graphic novels, film scripts, APAs (amateur press alliances)

Folder 1

PUB-9/ 01/ 01 [Added 11/11/2007]

VHS of Richard Elfman’s Forbidden Zone, 1980.

[Videocassette of Richard Elfman’s FORBIDDEN ZONE (1980) -- And here it is! This was among the last6 of the ‘Midnight Movies,’ a cult movie phenomenon arguably launched by Alejandro Jodorowsky’s EL TOPO (1971), though there were predecessors to that breakthrough success. FORBIDDEN ZONE meshes the live stage shows of Danny Elfman’s Oingo-Boingo punk band performances with a ribald revamp of the look, feel, and energy of the immortal Fleischer Brothers sound cartoons of the early 1930s (particularly Betty Boop), filtered through counter-culture layers (from the Warhol ‘60s -- note Warhol star Viva in a key role -- to the punk era). It’s a remarkable film, intoxicating with multiple viewings. Recommended!­—S.B.]

Extras/Unprocessed/??

• Small Tube
  • Two skull fossils with letter:

“Stephen,

The two fossils I’m enclosing will hopefully show some of my appriciation [sic] for the great things you said about M³ in “Tyrant” #2.

Their suppose to be “Oreodont” upper skull. I have no idea what that is, can’t find it in any of my guide books.

Hope you don’t already have “Oreodont” skulls. Thanks again for all your help.”

[Stephen Weakley]

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