Original short interviews with notable, rising or overlooked
figures from comics or the larger entertainment field by Bill Baker.

Comic Book Marketplace
A publication of Gemstone Publishing
PO Box 469
West Plains, Missouri 65775

January 25, 2005

Dear CBM Contributor:

Gemstone Publishing's weekly e-newsletter, Scoop, co-sponsored by Diamond International Galleries, has taken less than two and one half years to achieve a weekly readership of at least 138,000 collectors. Though our audience has been a loyal one over the years Comic Book Marketplace has never been able to reach more than a few thousand.

First for Gary Carter and then for me, the goal for CBM has always been to reach as many readers as possible with news and insights into this four-color world we so dearly love. Other than a few odd issues here and there, though, it's never been a money-maker. Instead, as I suspect you already know, it's been a labor of love for everyone involved.

So in one sense it's very difficult to tell you that Comic Book Marketplace #121 will be the last issue printed of the magazine. In another sense, though, we're very excited about the future. CBM and our sister publication, Overstreet's Comic Price Review, are both being folded into a new online publication, the details of which will soon be announced.


This wasn't a decision made lightly, of course. In the last year, we've gone from 16 pages of color to 32 pages of color in each issue, and the magazine also took on a more professional look. This, of course, was more expensive to produce. If this move had resulted in a substantial increase in CBM's readership, the experiment might have worked.

Even though Comic Book Marketplace has now run its course as a printed magazine, the 121 issues will become more collectable and those issues will continue to be a reference for future collectors. As Editor and Publisher I would like to sincerely thank you for being a contributor to Comic Book Marketplace.

Russ Cochran
Editor and Publisher

Hello all,

This is one of the hardest things I've ever had to write. In a very young year that's already seen the comics community lose its figurative and literal pillar, namely the late and great Mr. Will Eisner, the additional loss of this publication is another serious blow. And while I cannot help but have some feeling of personal and professional loss with the closing of the magazine, there's also a real, much larger sense that world of comics at large has lost an increasingly rare and greatly underappreciated resource. After all, if we are all diminished by the death of one man or woman, as one poet suggested, then what disappears when a magazine that concentrates on the accomplishments of so many fine individuals goes the way of all flesh? I hear a din of stifled voices, and fear that many of their vital stories and involvement in events that helped establish and transform not only this art form we all love, but also, to a smaller extent, helped create and explain perhaps even guide the larger, real world we all mutually inhabit, will sadly be overlooked or altogether neglected by future generations.

Still, I'm heartened by the news that some essence of Comic Book Marketplace will live on, albeit in some sort of merged, digital manifestation online. While the hard copy version of this paean to the vital legacy and efforts of generations of comics creators, fans and fellow travels might have left this world, at least the Spirit lives on.

We can all take some comfort, and wisdom, from that lesson, I think.

Finally, I wanted to extend my thanks to Gemstone's JC Vaughn, who was kind enough to invite me to the party five years ago, to Russ Cochrane, Angela Meyer, as well as the rest of the goodhearted folks at CBM central. Also, each and every one of the creators who spoke with me about their work, along with each and every reader of this magazine, past and present--you have my heartfelt and sincere gratitude. Without your time and energy and efforts, none of this would mean anything. Really.

I feel honored by my participation in this grand enterprise. It's been both a rare pleasure and a real privilege to have been allowed to contribute, in however a small a way I might have done, to this fine magazine, the history of comics and your lives.

All the best,

Bill Baker
comics journalist, frequent contributor and Inspiration Central columnist

Airwave Publishing will release Alan Moore Spells It Out: On Comics, Creativity, Magic and much, much more, just in time for the holiday season. Appearing not only with Alan Moore's approval, but also his blessings, Alan Moore Spells It Out presents my three-plus hour conversation with Alan in its entirety, augmented by the occasional B&W spot illustration and supplemental material, all gathered beneath a full color cover featuring a photo taken by none other than José Villarrubia. All for about $10. Be aware, though, that we plan on printing only a limited number of extra copies above initial orders, and there are no plans to reprint this volume at any time in the future. Seriously. With that in mind, I suggest that you to pre-order it. I believe that Alan Moore Spells It Out: On Comics, Creativity, Magic and much, much more should be offered by Airwave Publishing in the November, 2005 cover dated Previews catalogue.