A Fan Letter: Publication Delays

Dear DFG:

I am a long-time fan of DFG, but am very dissapointed by all the recent delays in you titles. Captain Nepto Prime July and August have still not been completed, Spy Comics Presents #5 was announced for a December release and has not appeared, and the Retro-Spy Christmas Special has now been put off until next Christmas! What gives!?!? We dedicated fans want to read DFG Comics, but you folks can't seem to get them out on time. We want our comic books and yet DFG is consistently tardy in releasing them on time. What explanation can you offer?

Sincerely,
Johnny Seamore
Vancouver, B.C.

Dear Johnny "Complainalot":

Listen punk, have you ever tried to put out a line of comic books while working with some of the biggest pig-headed creators in the industry? I can make up all the nice flow-charts and printing schedules that I want, but when prima dona creators like Todd Abbot, and yes, even our two esteemed publishers, Graves and Andrews, cannot even hand in their artwork on time, what do you expect me to do? Do you want me to run blank pages off the printing presses and tell you that the Spymaster and Capt. Nepto are caught in a snow storm? What do you take me for, some kind of shyster? I'm going to be square with you kid, working in this industry is no picnic. We have four titles (no, count that five, ever since our fearless leader introduced that stupid Spy Comics: Villains title) that I am trying to keep on schedule. Artists don't work on schedules, kid. They just hand in their work when ever than damned well feel like it. When I get it, I print it. And now, with our dear Flora gone, I'm doing all the friggin' colouring, too! I'm only one man, kid, so let up a little, okay? You'll get your comic books when I print them. And remember, their only comic books. Why don't you get a girlfriend or something?

Sincerely,
Frank Daniels,
DFG Production Manager (and Answer Man).

A Fan Letter: "Spy Comics: Villians" Series

Dear DFG:

I was intrigued by your Villain of the Month profile in which it said that your new villain Spychiatrist will be featured in an all-new DFG series Spy Comics: Villains. What can you tell me about this new series?

Javier Santamotzarello,
(Noted DFG Comics enthusiast)
Mexico City, Mexico

Dear Javier:

The problem with you fans is that you can't just take a "teaser" and be teased, you always have to know more and more. If our publisher, Dan Graves, gives you a teaser you should just bloody well be pleased to get what information that he gives out and not come whining to me for more details. What more do you want to know? There's a new series starting this Spring called Spy Comics: Villains. You know that because our boss-man told you. It stars Spychiatrist, a creation of one of our fans, Louise Expatcanuck, who I might add, is not near as annoying as you are with all your inane questions every fifteen minutes... at least she sends in useful ideas that we can use with minimal remuneration. Spychiatrist is the therapist to the heroes, or so they think, until he starts selling their secrets to the underworld. There. Happy now? What, no? You want me to give away the whole story? Why don't I just tell you the whole thing and then you wouldn't have to buy the friggin' book.

Did I mention that it will feature guest appearances by the Grim Avenger, the Flea, the all-new Spymaster, and Cyclone? No? Well now I did, and you'd better still buy the book punk.

Affectionately,

Frank Daniels
DFG Production Manager (and Answer Man).

Another Fan Question

Hello Mr. DFG,

My name is Jimmy and I am eight years old. I would like to know about the history of the relationship between Captain Nepto & The Spy-Master. Have they always been friends or do they fight as well?

Sincerely,

Jimmy [age 8]

P.S. Can you send me an autograph?

Dear Jimmy:

Always nice to hear from our younger fans. The Spymaster and Captain Nepto began teaming up in early issues of the original Captain Nepto series, way back in the early 1980's! They were fast friends and original members of the first Invincibles team. They even took turns being the chairman (Redman also took a turn). If you can get your mom or dad to take you to any fine comic store, you can probably buy back issues of those classic stories, if you save up your allowance. You might also try to track down Captain Nepto Annual #1 that tells the origin of the Spymaster/Nepto team (in which they first learn each others' secret identities!). I should note that that story will be retold in this month's Spy Classics (#4) due to be released soon! In recent years their relationship has deteriorated and now the Spymaster (who is retired from costumed crime fighting), in his civilian identity as Julius Smithers leads the "official" Invincibles team, while Captain Nepto is leading a "renegade" version of the team. Watch for Spy Comics Presents the Invincibles #5, due out in early December for the final chapter of The Battle of the Invincibles!

And of course you can have an autograph... In fact, we are sending you an autographed copy of Todd Abbot's How to Draw Comix, And Make Money! Maybe one day you will be working for DFG! Thanks for writing, Jimmy.

Sincerely,

Frank Daniels

The DFG Answer Man.

Chief Smith's Wife?

Dear DFG:

I enjoyed your recent panoramic poster showing "The Many Faces of Chief Smith." I've always felt that he was DFG's strongest supporting character, and basically the glue of the DFG universe given that he has appeared in every DFG series right back to Spy vol. 1, #1, in 1981. One thing I've always wondered... What happened to his wife. She was never shown. I know that he has (had?) a butler named Johnson and I know that his daughter Sarah is dead, but what about Mrs. Smith?

With thanks for many years of comic book reading!

Johnny Seamore,
Nunavut

DFG Production Manager Frank Daniels responds:

Nice to hear from you, Johnny. I recognize your name from some of our earliest letter columns! Glad to hear you're still following DFG Comics. The DFG brass have asked me to respond to your question. I scoured through every DFG issue, and you are correct -- there never has been any mention of Mrs. Smith... well, until now. Rumours have been circulating at the DFG office that she will be making an appearance in the upcoming Spy Classics Origins Issue. Remember, you heard it here first! As for the Chief's butler... after serving Chief Smith for 47, he retired in 1996 when the Chief retired from the Carnage City police force. Last we heard he is enjoying pinnacle, squash and bridge at the Carnage City Retirement Village. And sadly, yes, the Chief's only daughter, Sarah, was killed by the Unknown Strangler way back in Spy Volume 2, #3, 1985.

Sincerely,
Frank Daniels
Production Manager, DFG Comics