• Okay, so there’s not much more to say than the headline, but tomorrow’s a big big day. Yes, it’s the result of many years of questions, patient waiting…And now, Wednesday marks the return of Kevin to the world of comics. On shelves everywhere tomorrow, issue #4 of “Spider-Man/Black Cat: The Evil That Men Do”! The book costs a mere $2.99 at your local shop, though we’re guessing signed copies from our own Stash will be available shortly, if not even by the time you read this. There’s still 2 more issues after this one in the series, for a total of 6, and Kevin promises MAJOR surprises and twists to come. Don’t miss issue #4 tomorrow! Welcome back, Kevin!

• Newsarama reports that one of Kevin’s Green Arrow covers will become forver immortalized in US postal history as a stamp next year. As part of a 20 set colletion of DC comics stamps, the cover of Vol. 2, Issue #15, from “The Sound Of Violence” arc, will show up as part of the set. We know what you’re thinking…The issue show 39 cent stamps, not 37 cents…If only they’d have thought of this sooner! Even though we’ve never been into collecting stamps, this looks like a tough sheet to pass up.
• The “Encore Love” cable channel (which comes free as part of digital cable service in a lot of areas) is currently running a very nice 3 minute promo of Jersey Girl. It contains interviews with Kev, Ben, Liv and Raquel, and advertises that the film will air in December. Some of the interview clips are new to us, never seen them before — Worth watch between flicks for! If we get a capture, we’d be happy to post it for ya.
• Underground hiphop artists “Eyedea and Abilities” use a sound clip from Chasing Amy where Holden yells at Alyssa asking “HOW THE FUCK AM I SUPPOSE TO FEEL ABOUT ALL THIS” and Alyssa replies “HOW ARE YOU SUPPOSE TO FEEL ABOUT IT? FEEL WHATEVER THE FUCK YOU WANT TO FEEL ABOUT IT, ALRIGHT?”. The song is called “Two men and a lady”. We’re not sure where to find it, but fans of MCs probably do.
• The issue with Comcast and Hotmail continues, so we thank all our Hotmail friends for the scoops, though we are unable to reply until Comcast and Microsoft get the problem worked out.

• Man, we’re excited to see Kevin returning to the comics realm, and every tidbit that comes out just ramps that up even more. You’veseen the pencils, NOW take a look at Team Dodson’s beautiful finished product — The full color covers of Spidey/Black Cat issues 4, 5, and 6! The Dodsons truly are among the elite working in the industry today, and these covers speak for themselves.

But hey, let’s just ramp up that excitement even MORE, shall we? Wait until you read what Kevin has to say about the end of the series:

Here they are: the three covers to issues 4, 5, and 6 of “Spider-Man/Black Cat: The Evil That Men Do”. Gorgeous, gorgeous stuff.

As with most comic book covers, the image up front doesn’t really tell the story inside. These covers aren’t spoilers at all; they reveal nothing about the plot. As with the covers of issues 1, 2, and 3, they’re just striking, iconic images of the titular (pun intended) character. So for those who speculated, based on the cover of ish 5, that Nightcrawler “saves” Felicia from the events at the end of ish 3, all I can say is “You’re not even close.”

The Marvel Must-Have that collects issues 1, 2, and 3 hits the stores in November. Issues 4 and 5 will ship bi-weekly in December, and the unforgivably late mini wraps with ish 6, hitting shelves in January.

Once again, I can’t apologize enough for how late this whole series has been. I’d completely understand some folks not wanting to bother with the rest of the story at this point. However (and this is not meant to incentivize; it’s more just a heads-up for hardcore comics fans), if you’re a Spidey-verse follower, nothing can prepare you for the Marvel U-altering turn-of-events that happen in ish 6. Expect some major mainstream press on that one, as well as “wall-book” mark-up prices.

So there you have it, folks, Christmas comes a bit early, then extends a bit late with what sounds to be an amazing issue #6. Kevin had some fun with the Marvel-U with the groundbreaking Daredevil: Guardian Devil series, now let’s see what he’s got up his sleeve for this one. The man hits you with a comic book sucker punch like no other. We’re waiting…impatiently!

• We’re going into comic meltdown here, NEEDING to see this stuff sooner than later, as today Kevin’s given us another treat — The first look at some gorgeous pencils from issue #2 of Daredevil/Bullseye: Target. Kevin tells us it’s coming Mid 2006, and that both this series and Spidey/Black Cat are now priority projects. YES! We’re going to let Kevin introduce you to these, as his words do it just perfectly:

It’ll be great to see Kevin’s name topping all the Wizard charts again when these books hit, as we know that’s what they’ll do. With these books and upcoming “Clerks” comic project (see newsbites below), it’s a great time to be a View Askew fan AND a comic fan.

• The excitement continues to build for Kevin’s return to the world of comics, and Kevin keeps making the wait a bit easier by dropping some visual tastes — This time, some incredibly cool pencils from the brilliant Terry Dodson — And just friggin LOOK at the two special guests that are showing up to cap off the final 3 issues of this series! Holy expletive — This one can’t be in our hands soon enough. Click the minis here for a much closer look.

• For those of you fretting the loss of that previous Black Cat cover for issue four, Kevin revealed good news. That cover WILL return on the “Marvel Must Have” book that will collect issues #1 through #3 of the series, to catch those of you up who may have missed the first run, forgotten the story or, as Kevin quips, torn up your issues in anger over the delays. Click the cover for a closer look.

• Local UCF freebie newspaper/magazine “The Central Florida Future” had a very prominent scan of our beloved Buddy Christ with an article. The shot you see here is the best we have to show ya.
• In honor of Labor Day, AOL and Moviefone are running a list of “Top 10 Movie Jobs That Suck”. The hard working counter jockeys of Clerks make #5 on that list.

• Kevin made a surprise appearance at the Marvel Knights panel in Chicago today, to again announce to the world that he’s finished up Spidey/Black Cat, AND dropped some release details and more. Here’s Wizard Universe with the story:

Kevin Smith drops in on the Marvel Knights panel with big announcement

It’s been three years in the making, but Kevin Smith confirmed today at the Marvel Knights panel at Wizard World Chicago, that he has completed the scripts for issues 4-6 of his acclaimed mini-series. The issues are scheduled for release this November, but first a Marvel must-have collecting the first three issues and including an 8-page preview of issue 4 will be release next month.

When questioned at both this panel and at the Cup Of Joe Earlier, Marvel EEK Joe Quesada denied reports that the final issues had been written, despite the fact that Kevin himself posted as much on his own web site days earlier. The ruse was set-up for the grand cameo made by Smith who walked in near the end of the presentation to answer questions and confirm the completion. Amidst a slew of expletives (a Smith trademark) he apologized for the delay and left the room in stitches as he tried to explain the cause. One heckler got a particularly funny remark when he asked Smith about Daredevil: Target.

“I don’t even get to celebrate for five ****ing minutes,” Smith shouted back.

See Kevin LIVE this weekend at Wizard World Chicago!!!!

• We always love having some fantastic news to carry into the weekend, and this one’s no exception. Kevin has finished a project that we’ve heard many questions about, both through e-mail and at his live gigs. With the writing on “Spidey/Black Cat” done now, we’re excited to hear that a “written by Kevin Smith” comic will be hitting the shelves soon! Here’s Kev:

I have finished writing the “Spider-Man/Black Cat: Evil That Men Do” mini-series.

For those of you who’re new (or don’t follow comics), this is a mini series I started writing back in 2001. I turned in script for issue three back in September of 2002.

But as of a few moments ago, I just forwarded the script to issue six to Axel at Marvel. It’s done.

And while I have zero defense for my lateness (particularly when folks like Bendis turn out great stories in multiple books on a monthly basis), I will say this: it’s a much better story now that it would’ve been had I completed it back in ‘02. But judge that for yourselves when it comes out (or don’t; believe me – I’d understand if folks were like “Fuck him for making me wait three years. I ain’t buying it.”).

Terry Dodson is done drawing issue four, and is well into issue five. Don’t know when this puts the book on track for, but my guess is by year’s end, or Jan. ‘06.

Anyway, just thought I’d share that. Thanks, all, for your patience.

One down, one to go! Once Kevin finishes “Target”, we’re hoping he might be inspired to take up another comics run somewhere — We miss seeing regularly-scripted books coming from the guy.

• Newsarama reports that, due to the fact that he couldn’t promise he’d be able to keep up with the monthly pace of The Amazing Spiderman comic, Kevin will write his own brand new Spidey title sometime in 2003. Joe Quesada was interviewed, and broke the news:

• Here’s the issue description for the new Daredevil series, coming from Kevin this Fall (scheduled for this Novemeber at presstime). This sounds like a MUST-BUY, and has to be one of the most anticipated titles in the comics industry, with Kevin’s writing and Fabry’s amazing artwork: