News Archive

Items from 2004

Nov 09, 2004
"Wild Girl" not an ABC title
While the first two issues of the Wild Girl miniseries (issue #1 shipping this week) by Leah Moore and John Reppion were solicited as being part of the America's Best Comics line, this is actually not the case. As you can see in the First Looks, Wild Girl #1 bears the Wildstorm logo instead of the ABC logo. But since ABC is a sublabel of Wildstorm anyway, this doesn't make any real difference.

Oct 20, 2004
Absolute Promethea
Once again, Rich Johnston has the news:
WRAPPED UP IN BOOKS
An Absolute Edition of Promethea is in the works, in three over-sized collections, either separately or all in one dustcover.

ABC Comics for January 2005
From the DC solicitations:

TERRA OBSCURA VOL. 2 #5 (of 6)
Written by Alan Moore & Peter Hogan
Art and cover by Yanick Paquette & Karl Story
Tom Strange and Princess Pantha face dire peril in the depths of space at the hands of The Terror! And on the planet, S.M.A.S.H. must contend with the deadliest time anomaly of all: an atomic bomb headed toward Hiroshima, meant to end World War II!
On sale Jan 19 :: 32 pages :: $2.95 US

WILD GIRL #3 (of 6)
Written by Leah Moore & John Reppion
Art by Shawn McManus & J.H. Williams III, Cover by McManus
As Rosa and Hylax plot to defeat the Dogman, they turn to Limmershin for help. But who is this mysterious character that wields such power and control over animals? Now, all of Rosa’s hopes hinge on whether or not she can complete Limmershin’s challenge!
On sale Jan 5 :: 32 pages :: $2.95 US

Oct 17, 2004
Top 10 Season 2 actually happening?
Warren Ellis steps in for Rich Johnston to write ComicBookResources' rumor column Lying in the Gutters. Two ABC-related items are included:
SF-novel writer Paul DiFilippo may write a sequel to Top 10, called Beyond the Farthest Precinct. And Jerry Ordway will be the artist on Michael Moorcock's take on Tom Strong. Well, the second one ain't really news, because that was already announced in San Diego (see Aug 18, 2004). Here's the original text:

A MOUTHFUL OF TONGUES
Coincidences in comics: some while back, Harlan Ellison and I contacted Wildstorm independently and unaware of each other in the same 24-hour period about Paul Di Filippo. Paul Di Filippo is an awesomely gifted writer of science fiction. The weird post-cyberpunk, biotech, retrotech Nineties sf form was basically led out of its stable by Di Filippo's STEAMPUNK TRILOGY and RIBOFUNK stories. Incredibly inventive and quite blisteringly mad, Paul marked out the perimeters of excellence a long time ago, and I thought comics needed him working in the form.

All lines to Paul's Lovecraftian Rhode Island residence have been cut, but today I've been made aware that Wildstorm have indeed commissioned the proposal he sent them. It's called BEYOND THE FARTHEST PRECINCT.

It's the sequel to Alan Moore, Gene Ha and Zander Cannon's TOP 1O.

A NOTE FROM JERRY ORDWAY
"[...] Also I am drawing two Michael Moorcock scripted issues of Tom Strong, full of pirates, Elric, and gorillas! Best, Jerry Ordway"

ABC Comics for December 2004
From the DC solicitations:

TOM STRONG #30
Written by Ed Brubaker
Art by Duncan Fegredo
Cover by Chris Sprouse & Karl Story
The conclusion of "The Terrible Life of Tom Strong!" Tom Strong, hero of Millennium City, is no more. One day Tom wakes up to discover he’s a middle-aged man in a loveless marriage, working at a meaningless job. Will this new direction be any closer to our own version of Tom Strong?
On sale Dec 8 :: 32 pages :: $2.95 US

WILD GIRL #2 (of 6)
Written by Leah Moore & John Reppion
Art by Shawn McManus and J.H. Williams III, Cover by McManus
The story of Rosa Torez continues in this miniseries by Leah Moore & John Reppion with art by Shawn McManus (THE SANDMAN PRESENTS: THESSALY — WITCH FOR HIRE) and J.H. Williams III (PROMETHEA)! Rosa makes a new friend, Hylax, in whom she trusts and confides completely - and yet she still feels uneasy around him. Could it be because he keeps referring to her as the "Chosen One," or the fact that Hylax is a German Shepherd?
On sale Dec 8 :: 32 pages :: $2.95 US

Sep 09, 2004
Moore's last ABC work: a Terra Obscura Special?
From Rich Johnston's rumor column Lying in the Gutters:
"I hear Alan Moore's work on the ABC universe will finish with an Eighty Page Giant issue of Terrific Tales. So finally, people might actually read that title. Ah well, smugness for all of us who already think it's the bees knees."
Indicated with a green traffic light.

Talking with Peter Hogan
Ninth Art did an interesting interview with Terra Obscura scribe Peter Hogan - go read it! You can read another promotional interview with Peter Hogan at The Pulse, just in time for the release of the first issue of Volume 2 of the series.

Award-winning ABC books
I almost forgot to mention that some ABC books and creators have been honored by receiving Eisner and Harvey Awards 2004! And the winners are...
EISNER AWARDS
Best Writer
Alan Moore, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Promethea, Smax, Tom Strong, Tom Strong's Terrific Tales (ABC)
Best Lettering
Todd Klein, Detective Comics( DC); Fables, The Sandman: Endless Nights (Vertigo/DC); Tom Strong, Promethea (ABC); 1602 (Marvel)
HARVEY AWARDS
Best Continuing or Limited Series
League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Volume II, Alan Moore and Kevin O'Neill

Aug 18, 2004
"Tom Strong's Terrific Tales" canceled with issue #12
DC/Wildstorm's November solicitations indicate that Terrific Tales #12 is the "final issue". Well, it's never easy for anthologies in today's market (Tomorrow Stories was canceled after 12 issues, too), but this is not really a great loss, since TSTT did never reach the quality of other ABC series. At least, we get a nice farewell present with a collaboration of Alan Moore and Peter Bagge (Hate)!

ABC Comics for November 2004
From the DC solicitations:

TERRA OBSCURA VOL. 2 #4 (of 6)
Written by Alan Moore & Peter Hogan
Art and cover by Yanick Paquette & Karl Story
Shocking betrayals are revealed as the gripping miniseries continues! Tom Strange finds his plans of reaching the mysterious craft thwarted by a most unexpected source just as the time distortions turn deadly! Pearl Harbor gets attacked again — with no warships present and civilians as the target!
On sale Nov 17 :: 32 pages :: $2.95 US

TOM STRONG VOL. 4 HC
Written by Alan Moore, Peter Hogan and Geoff Johns
Art by Jerry Ordway, Chris Sprouse, John Paul Leon & Karl Story
Cover by Sprouse & Jose Villarrubia
The fourth amazing collection of Tom Strong adventures is here, collecting issues #20-25 of the acclaimed series! This volume begins with the 3-part story “Meet Tom Stone” by Alan Moore & Jerry Ordway that takes us on a parallel journey through time! Plus, revelations about Tom’s past, including the introduction of a newly discovered Strong family member, Tom Strong’s best pal, and the final fate of Tom’s girlfriend Greta.
On sale Nov 3 :: 176 pages :: $24.95 US

TOM STRONG’S TERRIFIC TALES #12
Written by Alan Moore & Steve Moore
Art by Peter Bagge, Arthur Adams, Alan Weiss & Chris Weston, cover by Adams
This final issue is an absolute classic! Alan Moore & Peter Bagge (Hate) collaborate on "The Strongs;" Jonni Future goes through the looking glass; and Young Tom Strong finally reaches the border of adulthood! Final issue.
On sale Nov 17 :: 32 pages :: $2.95 US

WILD GIRL #1 (of 6)
Written by Leah Moore & John Reppion
Art and cover by Shawn McManus and J.H. Williams III
Enter the world of Rosa Torez, a 13-year-old girl whose normal life with her mom and baby brother is shattered when an alarming incident forces her to make a life-changing decision!
Rosa’s story is the focus of WILD GIRL, a new 6-issue WildStorm miniseries co-written by Leah Moore (TOM STRONG, TOM STRONG’S TERRIFIC TALES) & John Reppion with incredible art by Shawn McManus (THE SANDMAN PRESENTS: THESSALY) and J.H. Williams III (PROMETHEA)!
When Rosa discovers that she can communicate with animals, her world is turned upside down. Now she must figure out whom she can really trust, as animals and humans try to dictate what her role in this newfound life should be - because a wrong decision could destroy her family!
On sale Nov 10 :: 32 pages :: $2.95 US :: Edited by Alex Sinclair

ABC news-bits from Chicago
Some items from the Wildstorm panel at Wizard World Chicago, as reported by The Pulse:

• Artist Jerry Ordway is drawing two issues of Tom Strong that Michael Morcock is writing. Ordway is also working on a WildStorm miniseries, but no other details were revealed.
• There are talks of a fourth League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, the third volume is underway with Alan Moore and Kevin O'Neill.

Leah Moore writes "Wild Girl"
Alan Moore's daughter Leah is writing a 6-issue miniseries for ABC: Wild Girl, drawn by Shawn McManus, is about a girl who is able to talk with animals. Co-writing is Leah's partner John Reppion. Issue #1 is scheduled for a November release. You can read more about Wild Girl at Newsarama.

Chris Sprouse talks "Tom Strong"
In an interview at The Pulse, artist Chris Sprouse talks mainly about Ocean (his current project with Warren Ellis, but also drops a line about Tom Strong:
"I'm going to be doing more Tom Strong work - covers AND interiors, including the final two to three issues whenever the series comes to an end."

Ed Brubaker talks "Tom Strong"
In an interview at Comixfan, writer Ed Brubaker talks (among other things) about his Tom Strong story (#29-30, drawn by Duncan Fegredo).
CXF: Your turn as writer of Tom Strong promises an alternate look into the life of the science-hero. In your other work, you have clearly shown an affinity for an earlier era of storytelling, so will your Tom Strong be a reflection of his pulp roots?
EB: I really don't want to give anything away, but I had a blast writing Tom Strong, and got to pay tribute to two of my favorite comic writers at the same time. I was really not expecting Alan Moore to approve my pitch, but he told Scott he loved it, so that was good enough for me. It is a very pulpy story, in many ways, but it's also something no one is expecting, I think.

Jul 15, 2004
JHW3 goes DC-exclusive
Recently, DC Comics announced that Promethea artist J.H. Williams III has signed a two-year exclusive contract with the company. Since his work on Promethea will soon be completed, his main project in the next two years will be the upcoming Wildstorm series Desolation Jones, written by Warren Ellis. Along that, JHW3 will do cover artwork for JSA and provide pages for an upcoming Wildstorm (or ABC???) project by Alan Moore's daughter Leah, called Wild Girl. For more information, read the Newsarama article.
Fans of Williams' work should also check out DC Comics Presents: Mystery In Space #1, a tribute book to the late Julius Schwartz, featuring an Adam Strange story by Elliot S. Maggin and J.H. Williams III. You can preview the first few pages here.

Peter Hogan talks Terra Obscura Vol.2
At Comic Book Resources, writer Peter Hogan talks about his second Terra Obscura miniseries:
"Well, the main two are Tom Strange [...] and the Terror. [...] His old sidekick Tim will also figure heavily in the second series. [...] Then there are Carol and Diana a.k.a. the Fighting Yank and Ms Masque, who are now a crime fighting couple. [...] We'll be concentrating mainly on those five in Volume Two, and everyone else gets a much smaller role."
"I have another issue of Tom Strong coming out in a matter of months, which is called 'Cold Calling.' It's the follow-up to my Greta Gabriel story, and reveals her final fate. And I've been working on another ABC project, which I can't tell you about yet."

ABC Comics for October 2004
From the DC solicitations:

TERRA OBSCURA VOL. 2 #3 (of 6)
Written by Alan Moore & Peter Hogan
Art and cover by Yanick Paquette & Karl Story
The bizarre time distortions worsen as the mysterious craft nears Terra Obscura. Tom Strange, while preparing to leave Earth, comes into contact with some old allies...and one nasty villain!
On sale Oct 20 :: 32 pages :: $2.95 US

TOM STRONG #29
Written by Ed Brubaker
Art by Duncan Fegredo, Cover by Chris Sprouse & Karl Story
Part 1 of a fantastic 2-part story by two of comics’ most exciting creators! Tom Strong’s feats of bravery are world-renowned, but what if he weren’t the idol of millions? If he didn’t ascend to the role of hero, where would he be?
On sale Oct 13 :: 32 pages :: $2.95 US

TOM STRONG’S TERRIFIC TALES Vol. 1 HC
Written by Alan Moore & Steve Moore
Art by Arthur Adams, Paul Rivoche, Alan Weiss, Jerry Ordway, Sergio Aragones, Jason Pearson and Jaime Hernandez, Cover by Adams
Alan Moore’s hero of Millennium City shines in this hardcover collecting TOM STRONG’S TERRIFIC TALES #1-6! This volume features Strong in space-faring action, the debut of sexy heroine Jonni Future, and a tale of Young Tom Strong!
On sale Oct 27 :: 176 pages :: $24.95 US

Jun 22, 2004
JHW3's next project
Creator Warren Ellis writes in his mailing list "Bad Signal":
"Wildstorm confirmed for me late last night that I have an artist on Desolation Jones, the new long-form original creator-owned monthly I've had placed there since last year. JH Williams. Some of you will know his work from Alan Moore's Promethea. I've signed him in as co-creator, and he gets started late next month for a probable early 2005 launch. I am, as you might imagine, somewhat pleased. And looking forward to getting back to work on the book."

Heroes and Monsters, Part 2
Press Release: Jess Nevins' A BLAZING WORLD: THE UNOFFICIAL COMPANION TO THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN, VOL II, which covers the best-selling second LOEG comic series, is available for preorder. With an introduction and interview with series co-creator Alan Moore, and commentary by and interview with co-creator Kevin O'Neill, the book features detailed panel-by-panel annotations and exhaustive coverage of the New Traveler's Almanac.
Alan Moore, in his introduction, had this to say about A BLAZING WORLD and the previous companion, HEROES & MONSTERS: "Without these two companion volumes, I doubt that the experience of the original work would be as complete, and I also doubt that Kevin and I would have felt sufficiently liberated or encourage to push the concept quite as far as we currently are doing."
A BLAZING WORLD will be solicited through Diamond Previews and available through retail outlets in September, but preorders will begin to ship from MonkeyBrain Books in August. The book, which retails for $15.95, is 304 pages long, with a cover by John Picacio.
For ordering details, and to see the gorgeous Picacio cover, visit http://www.monkeybrainbooks.com.

ABC Comics for September 2004
From the DC solicitations:

SMAX HC
Written by Alan Moore, Art by Zander Cannon & Andrew Currie, Cover by Cannon
Collecting the acclaimed 5-issue miniseries written by Alan Moore that featured the return of TOP 10's Smax the Dragon Killer! What happens when Jeff Smax and Toybox return to Smax's homeworld? One thing's for sure - it won't be pretty!
On sale Sept 1 :: 136 pages :: $19.95 US

TERRA OBSCURA VOL. 2 #2 (of 6)
Written by Alan Moore & Peter Hogan, Art and cover by Yanick Paquette & Karl Story
The miniseries continues! With a mysterious craft nearing the planet, the Pentagon decides upon the only non-military solution they have: send Tom Strange into space to investigate! As preparations for the journey begin, more time fluctuations occur - including the appearance of the S.M.A.S.H. of yesteryear!
On sale Sept 15 :: 32 pages :: $2.95 US

TOM STRONG #28
Written by Brian K. Vaughan, Art by Cameron Stewart, Cover by Chris Sprouse
Featuring the guest creative team of Brian K. Vaughan (Y: THE LAST MAN, EX MACHINA) and Cameron Stewart (SEAGUY)! Tom's faithful robot servant Pneuman questions himself. Has he fulfilled the duty assigned him by Susan Strong all those years ago?
On sale Sept 22 :: 32 pages :: $2.95 US

Terra Obscura Preview
The first few pages of Terra Obscura Vol.2 are available at wildstorm.com as a PDF document.

LOEG Vol.III on the horizon
Rich Johnston in his rumor column Lying in the Gutters:
"On League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Scott Dunbier stated a guarantee there would be no delays on the third series, and that Kevin O'Neill is well into it. He also gave a guaranteed no-Tom-Sawyer clause."

ABC Comics for August 2004
From the DC solicitations:

THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN VOL. 2 TP
Written by Alan Moore, Art and cover by Kevin O'Neill
The second volume of the smash-hit series is finally in paperback! Alan Moore and Kevin O'Neill return with the further adventures of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen in this collection that reprints the best-selling second 6-issue miniseries.
It's one month after the events in LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN VOL. 1, and the skies over England are filled with flaming rockets as Mars launches the first salvo of an invasion. Only our stalwart adventurers - Allan Quatermain, Mina Harker, Captain Nemo, Hawley Griffin, and Mr. Edward Hyde - can save mother England and the very Earth itself. But there are many startling revelations along the way, including the blossoming of love and the uncovering of a traitor in their midst!
Also included in this volume is an almanac of fantastic places that spans the entire globe as well as special supplemental material by Moore & O'Neill not found in the original periodicals!
On sale Aug 4 :: 228 pagess :: $14.95 US

PROMETHEA #31
Written by Alan Moore, Art by J.H. Williams III & Mick Gray, Cover by Williams III
What do you do the day after the world ends? This is it, the end of the story - the one that answers all the questions! And whatever you do, do not miss issue #32!
On sale Aug 25 :: 32 pages :: $2.95 US

TERRA OBSCURA VOL. 2 #1 (of 6)
Written by Alan Moore & Peter Hogan, Art and cover by Yanick Paquette & Karl Story Tom Strange and the heroes of Terra Obscura return for another outing following 2003's critically acclaimed series! The heroes have finally adjusted to the society that spent 30-years without them... and more importantly, society has acclimated to having science heroes again! Things have returned to normal for the members of S.M.A.S.H., until a mysterious object appears on the edge of their galaxy - on a collision course with Terra Obscura!
What's more, the object appears to be the spacecraft of long-lost legendary hero Captain Future, but in a twisted and distorted way. And as the ship nears, time anomalies begin to crop up over the entire planet, wreaking terrible havok. Can Tom Strong and the other heroes unravel this mystery before it spells doom for the entire planet?
On sale Aug 18 :: 32 pagess :: $2.95 US

ABC News from Wondercon's Wildstorm Panel
Newsarama reports:
August will see the return of the world of Terra Obscura, as Alan Moore and Peter Hogan again team with Yanick Paquette and Karl Story for Terra Obscura Volume 2. In it, the heroes of Terra Obscura have finally adjusted to the society that spent 30-years without them, only to have a mysterious object appear on the edge of their galaxy – and take on a collision course with their world.
August also sees the completion of Promethea with issue #31. (Note: it's more likely that #31 will wrap up the actual story, but there will be a #32, probably featuring something like an epilogue)
The Top Ten prequel series, The 49ers by Alan Moore and Gene Ha is looking at a 2005 release. "Gene Ha is putting everything he's got into it."
In regards to future Top Ten books, editor Scott Dunbier said that there will be more miniseries in the future.

Apr 28, 2004
Eisner and Harvey Awards Nominees
The nominees for the 2004 Eisner and Harvey Awards (for comics published in 2003) were announced recently. Here are the nominees where ABC books are involved:

EISNER AWARDS 2004:
Best Writer
Alan Moore, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Promethea, Smax, Tom Strong, Tom Strong's Terrific Tales (ABC)
Best Lettering
Todd Klein, Tom Strong, Promethea (ABC); Detective Comics( DC); Fables, The Sandman: Endless Nights (Vertigo/DC); 1602 (Marvel) Bill Oakley, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen vol. 2 (ABC); Hawkman, JSA (DC); Sleeper (WildStorm/DC)
Best Publication Design
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: The Absolute Edition, vol. 1, designed by Todd Klein, Alex Sinclair, and Larry Berry (ABC)

HARVEY AWARDS 2004:
Best Writer
Alan Moore | Promethea
Best Continuing or Limited Series
League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Volume II | Alan Moore and Kevin O'Neill
Promethea | Alan Moore and J.H. Williams III
Best Inker
Mick Gray | Promethea
Best Letterer
Todd Klein | Promethea
Best Colorist
Jeromy Cox | Promethea

ABC Comics for July 2004
From the DC solicitations:
TOM STRONG'S TERRIFIC TALES #11
Written by Alan Moore & Steve Moore; art by Bruce Timm, Alan Weiss, Chris Weston, Andrew Pepoy, and Arthur Adams; cover by Weiss
Animation superstar Bruce Timm tackles a tantalizing Tesla tale, while Jonni Future is pencilled with manic glee by Chris Weston and embellished with élan by arty Arthur Adams. All this plus a tale of Young Tom Strong, illustrated by Alan Weiss abetted by Andrew Pepoy!
July 21 :: 32 pages :: $2.95

Apr 01, 2004
ABC comics for June 2004
From the DC solicitations:

TOM STRONG #27
Written by Steve Aylett; art by Shawn McManus; cover by Chris Sprouse
A surreal journey of self-discovery brought to you by British science fiction author Steve Aylett (Karloff’s Circus) and fan-favorite artist Shawn McManus (THE SANDMAN PRESENTS: THESSALY, WITCH FOR HIRE). Several mysterious deaths, coupled by an unannounced visit from an enigmatic stranger, prompt Tom Strong to investigate a woman with odd powers that shift realities.
June 9 :: 32 pages :: $2.95

Warren Ellis on Tom Strong?
On his "Bad Signal" mailing list, writer Warren Ellis wrote:
"Been asked (again) to write an issue of TOM STRONG. Got an idea, will probably write it next month. Working title is TOM STRONG AND THE MIDNIGHT CLADE."

Sprouse pencilling new series by Ellis
Looks like Chris Sprouse, former regular penciller of Tom Strong, will not return to the title in the near future - from warrenellis.com:
"OCEAN - Something is floating in the alien water under the ice shell of Jupiter's ocean moon Europa. Hundreds of things. Weapons. A United Nations weapons inspector despatched to the scene discovers that there are worse things than weapons. Such as people. And history.
A sf novel in six parts to be illustrated by Chris Sprouse and published by DC Wildstorm during 2004."

Feb 20, 2004
ABC comics for May 2004
From the DC solicitations:

PROMETHEA #30
Written by Alan Moore, art and cover by J.H. Williams III & Mick Gray
Everything must go as the landmark series nears its conclusion! As the apocalypse continues to extend its reach from Sophie’s mom’s apartment to encompass the city and the world, various persons converge on their home to put a stop to it — including America’s Best, and perhaps more significantly, the last Painted Doll.
May 26 :: 32 pages :: $2.95

TERRA OBSCURA TP
Written by Alan Moore and Peter Hogan; art and cover by Yanick Paquette and Karl Story
Collecting the critically acclaimed 6-issue miniseries! How would you adjust to the world if you’d been frozen for 30 years? That’s the problem the heroes of Terra Obscura have faced. But now a threat unlike anything they’ve seen before is spreading across the United States — a mysterious plague spreading like a cancer, making all technology useless and reverting mankind back to the Stone Age. Where are the heroes when their world needs them the most?
May 12 :: 160 pages :: $14.95

Feb 09, 2004
Top Ten Season Two?
From Rich Johnston's rumour column Lying in the Gutters:
I hear word of a Top Ten Season Two from ABC, being announced this summer. Not by Alan Moore, but another of his co-collaborators.
This rumour has a yellow traffic light (indicating its confidence).

Jan 19, 2004
Art Adams signs 3-year exclusive deal with DC
DC Comics has announced that Arthur Adams, artist of the Jonni Future strip in Tom Strong’s Terrific Tales, has signed a three-year exclusive contract with the publisher. ABC, as an imprint of Wildstorm Productions, is practically a division of DC Comics, so this contract will allow him to stay on board of TSTT.

DC’s press release reads:
Renowned artist Arthur Adams has signed a 3-year exclusive agreement with DC Comics. Adams, who is highly regarded as both a cover and interior artist, will provide covers for ACTION COMICS beginning with April's issue #814.

"I look forward to continuing what has been a very happy working relationship with DC," says Adams. "I'm very excited to be working on a new project, and I hope people actually like it when they see it!"

"It has been my great pleasure for a number of years to work with Arthur so closely," says Scott Dunbier, Executive Editor - WildStorm. "He's an exceptionally talented artist whose fine line work and expressive characterization precursed - and inspired - many whose styles are now considered 'hot.' And yet he continually amazes me with his growth as an artist. In addition to his cover work for the DCU, we've got some big plans for him here at WildStorm. His upcoming work will blow you away; you can bet on it!"

ABC comics for April 2004
From the DC solicitations:

TOM STRONG #26
Written by Mark Schultz; art by Pascual Ferry; cover by Chris Sprouse and Karl Story
Buckle up for a high-flying tale that takes Tom and his companions from the back streets of Millennium City to the top of the world! Aircraft across the world are mysteriously grounded as all engine-driven flight is rendered impossible. Now, after discovering a secret from his past, Tom Strong must solve this mystery — or mankind will forever be banned from the skies! Featuring guest creative team Mark Schultz (Cadillacs and Dinosaurs) and Pascual Ferry (SUPERMAN).
April 14 :: 32 pages :: $2.95

TOM STRONG’S TERRIFIC TALES #10
Written by Alan Moore and Steve Moore; art by Peter Kuper, Arthur Adams, Bruce Timm, and Alan Weiss; cover by Adams
Peter Kuper, maestro of graphic impressionism, collaborates with the legendary Alan Moore for an urban jungle tale of Tom Strong! Plus, in Part 2 of “Jonni Future,” Arthur Adams and Bruce Timm once again provide the delightful delineatio's of our delectable heroine, while Alan Weiss brings young Tom Strong ever closer to maturity in a third captivating tale!
April 21 :: 32 pages :: $2.95

TOM STRONG BOOK THREE HC
Written by Alan Moore and Leah Moore; art by Chris Sprouse, Karl Story, Leah Moore, Howard Chaykin and Shawn McManus; cover by Sprouse and Jose Villarrubia
Collecting issues #15-19, TOM STRONG BOOK THREE brings back some old favorites…and introduces some new ones! Val Var Garm kidnaps Tesla Strong, but even if Tom and Dhalua rescue their daughter, they might still lose her — to a new boyfriend! Plus, Coleman Grey, the Weird Rider, comes to enlist the aid of the heroes of Millennium City when alien ants try to enslave the human race. And if all that's not enough, we look back at a few of Tom's previous adventures, including the dastardly end (for real this time!) of Paul Saveen, arch-nemesis of our handsome hero!
April 28 :: 144 pages :: $24.95

Jan 19, 2004
Tom Strong's future authors
In a Newsarama Interview with Jim Lee, writer Ed Brubaker (Sleeper, Gotham Central, Catwoman) told that he will be writing "a few issues of Tom Strong with Duncan Fegredo, and that is going to be a blast. It's going to be called 'The Terrible Life of Tom Strong'".
In Markisan Naso's rumour column All the Rage, it's said that SF and fantasy novelist Michael Moorcock will be writing a Tom Strong book.
So it seems that Tom Strong is going to be a regular home for guest authors and guest artists (#23 and #24 were written by Peter Hogan, #25 will be written by Geoff Johns and drawn by John-Paul Leon).

Terra Obscura continued?
Peter Hogan's and Yanick Paquette's ABC miniseries Terra Obscura saw its conclusion with #6 in December 2003. A little note in the last panel of the book reads "End of Book 1". It's not officially confirmed that there will be a "Book 2", but some hints by Hogan and Paquette on Wildstorm's Message Board indicate that the adventures of the S.M.A.S.H. heroes might continue.