Captain Nepto Prime -- New Issue Now Online! Legacy Numbering Begins!

By Bob Barnes

Special to DFG ONLINE!

After a hiatus of one year, Captain Nepto Prime is back on the stands. "This issue marks a new direction for the series," said Captain Nepto creator and DFG VP, Darryl Andrews. "The series continues to feature stories of Cap "in his prime," that is, the mid-1980's period and as such we decided to adjust the numbering our issues to reflect the legacy numbering." Legacy numbering is when a series that has been rebooted returns to its original numbering, with the cumulative addition of any other issues published in the interim. "The original series ended in 1985 at #9. Cap then became a regular feature in the second Spy Comics series. Last year we relaunched Cap in his own title under the Prime banner. Those issues were unnumbered and known only by their month of release. For example, Captain Nepto Prime - July. Only three issues were released (May, June & July). Thus, this issue is actually Captain Nepto Prime #4, but in order to avoid further confusion we just decided to return to the numbering of the original series, plus the addition of the 3 Prime issues from last year... as a result, we are now at Issue #13! Future issues will be reckoned by the legacy numbering system! It's an exciting development and it really links us to our history while at the same time looking forward to the future."

Captain Nepto Prime #13 marks another development for the series. "The Todd Abbot Studio is taking complete responsiblity for the series from this point on," noted DFG President and Co-Publisher Dan Graves. "Darryl's corporate responsiblities at the Peterborough Office have really taken him away from the drawing board of late, and we feel that it is important that he focus primarily on those very important duties which include licensing and product development. Thus, Mr. Abbot who did both 'ghosted' and credited work in the original series, as well as the pencilling duties of the Prime series has taken over the entire creative duties of the new series and will be doing so with the able assistance of the creative team at his studio. We are very happy that Todd was able to step in for us. He has a deep commitment to Captain Nepto and the Nepto family of characters."

When asked about the fate of the unfinished and previously solicted Captain Nepto Prime August 2008 (the original #4), Mr. Andrews noted, "It's still a project that I'm working on. Due to its length ... over 20 pages ... it slowed up our schedule. I still plan to complete it and release it as either an Annual or King-Sized Special.

When reached for comment, Mr. Abbot stated, "Yes, I'm very happy to finally get to work on the creation that I LARGELY CREATED ON MY OWN. And for the record, while my studio will be assisting me, their contributions will be largely minor. I will write, pencil, and ink all the issues. They will provide assistance with paste-up, colouring and lettering only."

Captain Nepto Prime #13 is now online and can be read by clicking here.

DFG is "On The Move!"

By Gus Gunn

Special to DFG ONLINE

Fans have been asking why DFG has been slow releasing several of its promised Fall books and the answer came in a press release today from DFG President and Co-Publisher, Dan Graves. "We've kept this fairly quiet up to this point but DFG is moving into a new corporate HQ on Oct. 6, 2008 and this has delayed some of our Fall publications." Delayed books include the long-anticipated Spy Classics Annual #1: The Origins Issue, Captain Nepto Prime July & August issues, and Spy Classics #4. Mr. Graves noted, however, that Spy Comics Presents...#5 is still on track for a Winter 2008 release, as is the Retro-Spy Christmas Special. "We are optimistic that the late releases can be fit in before the end of the year," added Darryl Andrews, Vice President and Co-Publisher, "In fact we have our staff working through the night to bring these projects to completion. However, you must understand that a move of this magnitude means that all hands have been on deck to relocate the DFG offices."

DFG Comics, with its creative, marketing, production and merchandising divisions now has a staff of over 200 people and has apparently outgrown its previous modest offices. The new offices are quite attractive and will be situated to better serve the needs of the growing company. When questioned if the US stock market crisis has affected the company, Mr. Andrews noted, "Of course not... we are a private company owned completely by Mr. Graves and myself. DFG is secure and safe in these turbulent and economic times. Fans may rest assured that DFG will be around for many years to come!"

Captain Nepto Prime August -- See What All the Controversy is About! Coming Soon!

Check out the Official Captain Nepto Website for updates on the controversial "new direction" of Captain Nepto Prime!

(click here)

DFG President Comments on Todd Abbot Letter

By Bob Barnes
Special to DFG ONLINE
(the above image is taken from SPY Classics #1, and courtesy of Mr. Todd Abbot).

"I was shocked..." were the words of DFG president and co-publisher, Dan Graves, earlier today when asked to comment on a letter by Todd Abbot, posted on the DTA Comics website (click here for the text of the letter), in which Mr. Abbot claimed that Captain Nepto Prime was coming to and end after only four issues and that he had been reassigned to other work. "After all that we went through to get Prime up and running and honour his contribution to the early Captain Nepto era, I'm really quite frustrated that he continues to grand-stand like this," said Mr. Graves. Mr. Graves was, of course, referring to the drawn out-legal battle with Mr. Abbot after he registered the defunct DTA label, under which Captain Nepto had originated, and announced that he would launch his own classic Nepto series to compete with DFG's Captain Nepto Prime. Through the herculean efforts of Sir Milton Goldfarbstein, QC, DFG legal counsel, an agreement was reached to bring Abbot and DTA back into collaboration with DFG's Darryl Andrews. "We were moderately pleased with the results of the new series," added Mr. Graves, "but Todd came to me and said that he had other projects that he wanted to pursue. Being the stand-up fellow that I am, and being committed to offering the 'the best in Canadian comics,' Darryl and I brainstormed a new direction for Prime, thus allowing Todd to continue on other projects. What really frustrates me, though, is that Todd would make a public announcement before details have been confirmed. The media frenzy has been out of control and the phones ringing off the hook. Sometimes I just wish Mr. Abbot would keep his own counsel and leave the promtional work to our DFG professionals." Mr. Graves also took the opportunity to introduce DFG's newest staff member, their new publicist, Selina Silvurtungdevull, who will be handling such press releases in the future.

A Message from the Publisher

May 18th, 2008

Dear Fans:

As you will know, DFG Comics has recently been embroiled in a series of "creator-related" controversies with former DFG artist and staffer, Mr. Todd Abbot. The most recent controversy involved Mr. Abbot's seizing of an old DFG trade imprint (DTA Comics) and the rights to early Captain Nepto material. We at DFG planned to launch a new series, Captain Nepto Prime, set during the Silver Age of DFG (mid-late 1980's), while Mr. Abbot announced that DTA would be launching a rival Captain Nepto, Captain Nepto: The Original, set during DFG's Golden Age period (early 1980's). Things appeared to be at a stalemate, but thanks to the herculean efforts of DFG legal counsel, Sir Milton Goldfarbstein, LLB, PhD, QC, KG, who acted as mediator, Mr. Abbot & DFG Comics have come to an agreement. Mr. Abbot, and Nepto creator Darryl Andrews, will be collaborating on a single new Captain Nepto series, Captain Nepto Prime, co-published under the DFG and DTA banners. However, the series will differ significantly from DFG's previously announced series of the same title, as it will be set in Cap's earliest period (the period of Mr. Abbot's series). Mr. Andrews will handle the scripting and inking chores, while Mr. Abbot will provide the pencil artwork. I am pleased to add that Flora Lovartalot will be doing the colouring. I will be personally editing the title.

This agreement has meant that the previously solicted cover cannot be used for the first issue (the costume worn by Cap on the cover is from the late silver age period, whereas the new series will feature his original costume, wig and all!). We hope to be able to use Mr. Andrew's cover art for a future issue of Spy Comics.

I wish to thank DFG fans for their patience during this controversy. I am pleased that Mr. Abbot has returned to the DFG fold, and I am especially thrilled that we will be reuniting two giants from the original Captain Nepto series to return their hero to his former glory.

Committed to bringing you "the Best in Canadian Comics,"

I remain,

Dan Graves
President and Co-Publisher,
DFG Comics

DFG President Asserts Ownership of Captain Nepto

By Robert Kahn
Freelance Reporter

DFG President and Co-Publisher Dan Graves responded this morning to Todd Abbot's relaunch of the now defunct DTA Comics line and appropriation of Captain Nepto: "It's theft, pure and simple," said Mr. Graves, "DFG owns both DTA and Cap, lock, stock and barrel. If Mr. Abbot thinks that that he can win this one, he is sadly mistaken." DTA Comics was the original imprint under which Captain Nepto was released by Darryl Andrews (DFG's Vice-President and Co-Publisher). DFG and DTA merged in the early 1980's and DTA characters immediately began to appear under the DFG banner. Apparently, DFG let the trademark for DTA lapse and Mr. Abbot legally purchased the trademark earlier this week. In addition, Mr. Abbot claims that he created both Captain Nepto and pivotal supporting characters, such as the Jester, while "ghosting" for Mr. Andrews back in the 1980's. "It's all nonsense," said Darryl Andrews, when asked about Abbot's claim to Nepto, "he was working for DFG, doing some inking, background artwork and the occasional fill-in work, nothing more. I created Nepto and all related characters and they are wholly owned by DFG Comics." According to the newly-launched DTA website, Abbot is planning to launch a new Captain Nepto series entitled The Original Captain Nepto featuring stories of Captain Nepto from the earliest stage of his career (early 1980's). "This series is clearly intended to compete with DFG's new Captain Nepto Prime set somewhat later in the mid 1980's," said Mr. Graves. "Todd Abbot is clearly trying to use DFG copyright characters for his own personal gain and to attempt to hurt DFG, but let me tell you, we will not be distracted. Captain Nepto Prime is set to launch this summer and we believe that fans will be loyal to our version of Nepto." When reached for comment, Todd Abbot made the following statement: "I have no desire to use any of the later DFG interpretations of Captain Nepto as I believe them to be spurious and false interpretations. DFG seriously corrupted the character and universe that I so brilliantly created nearly thirty years ago. In The Original Captain Nepto we will be seeing the real Cap - that is, the one with super powers, with the "CN" insignia on his chest, and the classy wig. In addition, watch for MY classic villains such as the Jester, not the Darryl Andrews knock-offs that we've seen over the past number of years."

More on this story as it develops.

Picture of DFG President Dan Graves courtesy of Darryl Andrews, personal collection.

Captain Nepto Website Launched!

By Cynthia Martin
Freelance Reporter
Special to DFG ONLINE!

Well, there's a real buzz around DFG Corporate HQ these days about the many exciting new projects on the go at DFG. One project that is garnering considerable attention is the return of Captain Nepto to his own series Captain Nepto Prime. There are several rumours about this series but Nepto creator Darryl Andrews has confirmed that this series take place somewhere between 1987 when Spy Comics (second series) wrapped up and before 1996 when Spy '96 began. "The 1985-87 series was where we introduced Cap's 'new look'," said Mr. Andrews, "and where we had Cap dealing with a lot of his personal demons, like tracking down his parents' killers. That series ended with both the Spymaster and Cap hanging up their cowls." For Julius Smithers it was basically permanent, for David Anderson, well, he just couldn't let Nepto die. This series is about these lost years." In addition, DFG President and Co-Publisher, Dan Graves, has announced the launch of a new site for all things Nepto. At a press conference earlier today he stated, "I'm very pleased with the direction Darryl's taking on this new series. We've previewed the cover and fan response has been fantastic. In this series, Darryl is really taking Nepto back to his roots, with self-contained single-issue stories. This is what made the original series from the early eighties so great. I think we lost something when we cancelled the book back in '84 and consolitated everthing under the Spy Comics banner. To this end, I am announcing the launch of a new Captain Nepto website that will feature new and previously unpublished artwork, Nepto news, and more!"


Darryl Andrews also noted, "This new book really is about bringing the fun back into the Nepto mythos. It's a homecoming of sorts for me. It's been a long time since I really felt this connected to the character. We've spent a lot of time on Nepto's darker side. We dealt with that in the 1985-87 Spy series, and again in Spy '96. Dan's doing a fantastic job of dealing with David Anderson's dark side in the current Spy Comics "Invinicibles" series. What I really want to do is get back to the playful Cap and have some fun with the characters, just like I did in the original series." When asked if the book will be a solo effort on his part, Mr. Andrews responded, "Oh yeah, for sure. This is the character that catipulted me to fame as a comic book celebrity a quarter century ago and as long as I have life and breath in me I will be writing, drawing, colouring and lettering Captain Nepto!" We asked Mr. Andrews if we might be seeing any contribution to the book by Todd Abbot, "Absolutely not," replied Mr. Andrews, "Dan is going to have that second-stringer busy on other projects, like Cyclone and Tornado, Nova, and the Flea, or some such thing. Nepto is mine."


Captain Nepto Prime will be on sale soon!
Click Here to visit Cap's new website!