High-level Meeting Held at DFG Corporate HQ

By Bob Barnes

Special to DFG ONLINE!

Sources have revealed to this reporter that a special high-level meeting took place at DFG Corporate HQ this week between DFG co-publishers Dan Graves and Darryl Andrews, and a variety of other DFG senior staff. Apparently the meeting was held to flesh out the upcoming Spring line-up, which kicked off this month with the introduction of an all-new series Spy Comics: Villains. "We're very excited," said Mr. Andrews, "several of our projects that remain unfinished from last year will come to completion this year, including Spy Comics Presents... #5, the two unfinished issues of Captain Nepto Prime as well as the Spy Classics Annual (origins issue). But in addition to all this you can be sure that DFG has some surprises planned." When asked what new directions DFG has in store, Mr. Graves added, "I can tell you this ... while you have seen us telling many stories from the past in recent months (editor's note: Mr. Graves was here refering to the titles, Spy Classics and Retro-Spy), we feel that it is now time to gaze into our crystal ball and examine the world of DFG in the distant future ... as a result, you can expect to see a special story in the upcoming season entitled, The Invincibles of the 25th Century!" This groundbreaking news was also accompanied by the news of a special tribute issue (for which magazine is yet to be determined) in which Mr. Graves will pay homage to his uncle, Bryan Rason, a country music legend and superstar. "I have a special issue planned that will feature a character based on Bryan... it is the least I could do for someone who has been such an important influence on my life." Mr. Graves refused further comment on these two exciting new developments. Mr. Andrews also noted that Spy Comics Presents #6 will feature the return of Big Jon, a character created and immortalized by Tim Graves in the award-winning 1980's film series produced by DFG Studios. More details as they become available.

Photograph courtesy of Antiquda Recordafile (DFG staff researcher) and posted by Oscar Foodlecollins (DFG webmaster).

He's Back -- BIG JON Makes Leap from Silver Screen to Comics Page!

By Bob Barnes

DFG ONLINE Staff Reporter

He's back, he's mean, he's mad-as-hell, and he doesn't like anybody... noooobody. That's right, Big Jon, the feature character of several DFG short films of the 1980's is back! The character was imortalized by veteran actor Timothy David. Mr. David, now in retirement, was present at a press conference this afternoon outside DFG corporate head office. President and Co-publisher Dan Graves made the following statement: "Big Jon was always one of our most popular characters from our film ventures. We've been pressed by fans to bring him back for many years. We've just been waiting for the right moment, and well, we've found it." When asked in which DFG title Big Jon would be appearing, Mr. Graves was circumspect, "Let's just say that just like in the films, Jon can pop up just about anywhere." Longtime fans of Big Jon will recall that Jon, filled with rage, would just show up anywhere, anytime, and take out his anger on anyone who passed him by.

In an interview with Jon actor, Timothy David, Mr. David explained Jon's personality in this way,"I've always understood Jon to be a troubled soul. It's just that we don't know what really drives him. His past is shrouded in mystery. I always played him as if he never really had any motive for his actions -- a sort of post-modern kind of portrayal. Perhaps nothing really drives him. Maybe he's just hurts people for no reason other than he can. That's the way I kind-of played him, anyway." DFG Vice President and Co-publisher Darryl Andrews concurred,"If you think of Redman as DFG's altruistic optimist, and Nepto as our existentialist, then Big Jon really is the post-modern man. To him, none of the rules of society make sense any longer. For Jon, there is no meta-narrative, there is no meaning, there is no quest for truth, there is no angst. He just hurts people, and that's what makes him a mystery to those who cross his path. That's also what makes him so dangerous and unpredictable." When asked about how he felt about the enduring popularity of the character he created, Mr. David added, "I'm so pleased that his popularity continues. To me, Jon stands for what happens when we lose sight of our shared human narrative; when we lose sight of our common story. The story of Big Jon is a cautionary story, to which we must constantly return, lest we become as he." With these words the press conference came to a close. Watch for Big Jon in an upcoming DFG Comic.

Publicity sketch provided by Frank Daniels. Thanks to webmaster Oscar Foodlecollins for the scan.