Spy '96 "Lost Annual" to Finally See Light of Day!

By Bob Barnes
DFG ONLINE Staff Reporter

Once thought destroyed in a flood at the DFG satellite studio in Warkworth, ON, the original artwork for the “lost” Spy ’96 annual has been found! “This is an exciting day!” said DFG president and co-publisher, Dan Graves, “this is the second time this year that lost artwork has re-surfaced.” When asked if fans will finally get to see the annual, Mr. Graves responded, “Well, it’s in a fragmentary state. We have the script outline written by Darryl Andrews and artwork from Mark Andrews, which is incomplete.” Mark Andrews, brother of DFG V.P. and co-publisher Darryl Andrews, did some work for DFG in 1996, including the cover for an issue of Spy Classics and several pin-ups, “This was to be his big break,” said Mr. Graves, “Mark’s schedule does not permit him to complete the issue at this point. I fully intend to publish the annual, twelve years late, by making some format changes.” Mr. Graves revealed that he has asked long-time DFG Production Manager, Frank Daniels, to complete the project. “I’ve looked at the ‘remains’,” said Mr. Daniels, “and I’m confident that we can have it available this Spring or Summer.” When asked what the ‘format changes’ might be, Mr. Daniels responded, “Rather than issue the book in the traditional comic book format, we’ll be issuing it as a pulp magazine – a kind of tribute to the early days of the industry. I’m taking Darryl’s script outline and converting it to fuller prose. We will be inserting Mark’s artwork – some of which are fully inked and coloured drawings, others are B & W inks, and others are pencil drawings – and insert them into the text at appropriate places. I may have to throw in the odd picture of my own, here or there, to fill it out.” Long-time DFG readers will remember that Mr. Daniels drew a couple of issues of the original Spy Comics series back in the early eighties, in addition to his duties as production manager. “As a production man, I hate to see projects delayed or shelved. I want to get them into print; it’s what I do! I’m really excited about this project and the fact that Dan has placed it in my care. I think that fans will be pleased by the result.” Above is a sample of some of Mark Andrews’ work on the annual. Watch for it this Spring or Summer!

Pencil Art for Spy Comics Presents the Invincibles #2

DFG ONLINE is pleased to give you this preview of Dan Graves' pencils for the cover of Spy Comics Presents the Invincibles #2, due out later this month. We had hoped to have the issue released by the end of March, but we had to push things back about a month due to a fire at the DFG production plant. We hope this teaser will please our fans who are eagerly awaiting the release of this historic issue! With special thanks to DFG webmaster Oscar Foodlecollins for the scan.

ABBOT FURIOUS OVER NEPTO SNUB

By Cynthia Martin
Freelance Reporter
Special to DFG ONLINE!

Todd Abbot is said to be furious with DFG bosses Dan Graves & Darryl Andrews for failing to offer him a creative role in the new Captain Nepto Prime comic, according to reports. The artist, who claims to have created the Jester [among others] in the iconic comic series, is said to be "very upset and has been lobbying for a writer/artist role". Jablone Hollywoodandcould, Abbot's manager, refuted the allegations, saying, "I don't know that to be the case, so I can't comment." The comic-book is slated to be released later this year (08).

April Villian - Dr. Tequilia

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!