Lloyd Kirton
Thunder Bay
Ontario, Canada

    First of all, a quick "thank you" for your personal reply to the letter I wrote you way back in the spring commenting on various Caliber titles and how much I was enjoying the Caliber Book Club. Even though our Canadian dollar is plummeting in value and I have cut back on ordering stuff from the States, I still see your book club as a wonderful value and have no plans of discontinuing my membership. (It would be really nice though, if our dollar starting going up in value!)
    Since I last wrote, Caliber has become my favorite comic book company. There are many reasons for that but I think the major one is all the titles I have been introduced to through the book club and the fact I have been enjoying a very high percentage of them.
    It seems to me that Caliber really spends a lot of time designing and publishing books that appeal to the comic book reader, rather than the fan who will settle for one fist fight per issue with a bit of character development thrown in as a side dish. I believe that if comic books were a more accepted form of literature, Caliber would be the number one comic book publisher in terms of sales because you have books that appeal to such a wide range of interests. Anyone who loves mysteries would like Maze Agency or your Sherlock Holmes books and your Tome Press titles are excellent books to give away to people who don’t read comics and think they are for "kids only". Then there are your various fantasy and sci-fi titles…need I go on?
    You may recall in my first letter to you, I was pretty cool towards the Caliber Core titles. Since then, I have grown to like them a bit more. I just finished up Magus #1 and thought it was really great- especially the cliffhanger ending. I have read several Kilroy shorts in various Caliber books and found the first issue of that series rather intriguing. Black Mist has also captured my interest, though I haven’t been able to develop the same feeling about Saint Germaine.
   It seems like there are a lot of follicle-ly challenged guys in the Caliber Core universe- in other words- there are a lot of bald guys running around. What’s the deal? Is it some sort of Lex Luthor syndrome? Or does everyone just want to look as cool as Michael Jordan?
    If I had any suggestions for the Caliber Core universe it would be to introduce a book that is a bit lighter in tone. Right now, all the titles seem to be pretty dark and foreboding.
    Yet it is outside of the core titles where I find my favorite Caliber books lie. Little White Mouse has been my absolute favorite and I was thrilled that in your letter you said Paul Sizer is going to be doing a continuing series. I can hardly wait for it to start.
    The first three issues of LifeQuest have been a delightful surprise. Mr. Vanderpol has a real quirky, but lovable art style and the story- while preachy at times- has a certain charm and simplicity to it.
    Speaking of weird- the first issue of Sudden Gravity had weird by the basket-full, but the artwork was gorgeous. I also enjoyed the story.
    I was really impressed by Caliber offering two free comics because the last shipment of Book Club titles shipped late. That was more than generous. As you no doubt know, many comic books are always late- with never a word of apology to either retailers or readers. When someone offers free comics as a way of apologizing for late shipping books, it is a rarity- and also very much appreciated.
    Finally, I wish you "good luck" at getting your comics out and into the hands of the mainstream reading audience. That is a formidable task and I have no idea how you will do it. You certainly have the material that will appeal to them and that is a great place to start!

Danny Grigg
Sydney, Australia

    I thought I would drop you guys a quick message to let you all know that I’m enjoying all the Caliber Core titles so far. It’s about time Caliber had a bunch of titles interacting in a shared universe. It’s got me excited thinking of all the possibilities and interesting stories that can be told now, encompassing not one but many titles and characters.
    So far my favourite title is Saint Germaine followed by Black Mist. This is mainly because they both have several issues already out while the others have barely started. Saint Germaine is a fascinating character and has loads of potential, I really enjoyed the first 4 issues with Lilith and the brief guest appearance by Magus. Then came the Kilroy issues which were great as well. The reason why I like Black Mist second is because of 2 reasons, 1)The Raven team’s involvement and 2)Mike Perkins’ art. The art by Mike is superb, I love his art, make sure you keep him at Caliber and don’t let him slip away like Vince Locke did. I was sad to see Vince depart Saint Germaine.
    I’m looking forward to reading Magus, Fatalis and Disciples, plus the other Caliber Core forthcoming titles. I’ll be getting them all provided you don’t start flooding the market with dozens of titles.
    I do have one major complaint and that’s the lateness of nearly all of the Caliber titles, not just the Caliber Core titles. I think if you want to make the Caliber Core titles a success you must have a regular schedule and not be late. You have the quality stories/scripts and art, now all you need is to get them out on time. I guess one of the problems with getting titles out on time is keeping a regular artist, that’s why Saint Germaine has been coming out so erratically after Vince Locke departed. I feel frustrated and annoyed when titles don’t come out on time, especially when they are bimonthly and are really enjoyable, so please try to get them out on time.

Dennis C. Wiedbusch
via email

    I just wanted to drop you a line and let you know how excited I am about your new Caliber Core line, and what a good idea it is that you finally bring some of your highest quality creators and creations under one banner. I’ve really been enjoying your productions so far.
   Black Mist: When the writer of The Apparition and co-creator of Negative Burn comes out with a new title, I’m all over it, and this book was no exception. James Pruett’s writing, especially when it comes to themes and dialogue, clicks with me more than most comics out there.
    Still, I was skeptical as I read this book because of two elements: Kali and Raven, Inc., both of which have been of no interest to me before. But I really like Pruett’s Raven, Inc., because instead of being the group of mystery seeking paranoia-hunters, they are a group of friends who must use their resources to save one of their own; instead of chasing after the X-Files-ish "unknown", we are dealing with a very tangible, albeit still mysterious, menace. As for the Kali mysticism, I’m still not sold on it, but it’s been interesting so far, and I’ll have to see how the whole thing plays out over the next year.
    In the meantime, Mike Perkins’ art will keep me transfixed. I love art that was meant to be printed in black and white, and Mike Perkins’ interior art on Black Mist has been exactly that. His art is simply gorgeous to look at, especially in the quiet moments where it’s down to the expressions of the characters to tell the story. I’ve quickly become a big fan.
    Overall, I’ve really enjoyed the first two issues of this book, and look forward to more. This is the first and the best of the Caliber Core books so far.
    It was very odd to see in the back pages of Black Mist that this was going to become part of an over-arching line of Caliber books. I read with interest the information of the other books, as well as the assurances of how the books would be independent-yet-connected, and found myself looking forward to the other books. It sounded like the perfect set-up, whether the books were good or not. Of course, that meant I was going to pick up the next book in the line…
    Helsing: This one, on the other hand, was more than a pleasant surprise. I’m always uneasy when it comes to stories involving vampire stories, and this one seems to fall in the small category of vampire stories which I enjoy: it adds something new to the Dracula mythos without indulging in goth pretentiousness. With a strong central character whom I can easily get inside the head of, coupled with almost everything in her life being shrouded in mystery, I am almost immediately hooked into the story and willing to stick around for a few more issues to find out more.
    John Lowe has the most unadmirable task of having to follow Chris Wozniak’s gorgeous initial work on this book. Still, Lowe’s work is solid if sometimes uninteresting. I really wish you could have had Wozniak’s beautiful black and white pencils grace this book, it might become my favorite book on the market if that was so, but as it is Lowe’s art adequately conveys the great story Reed has cooking here. I can’t wait for #2.
   Kilroy: Ooooh yeah. He’s back. I’ve been waiting for this one for a while, and I’m hoping the Core line will give him enough of a boost to keep him around for a while. The story in #1 was a bit odd, considering I didn’t expect anything where Kilroy would become the point of the story, instead of the philosophical intricacies of Kilroy’s role, and I’m really hoping this origin stuff is handled expediently so we can get back to the philosophy of justice. In the meantime, this looks to be a good story, and Joe Pruett has yet to disappoint.
   Saint Germaine: I picked up #5-8 when I found out that it was joining the Core line, and now feel like a doofus for not picking it up earlier. Not only that, but I was pleasantly surprised to see a substantial appearance by Kilroy! It was a little jarring to see the character I was well familiar with go mind-to-mind with a character that I had no knowledge of, but once I got a handle on Germaine, I was set. This is a really enjoyable comic and it clicks on all the right cylinders: plot, story, characters, dialogue, and themes.
    Reed obviously writes this book with a heavy visual sense, and both Locke and Bennett have been up to the task of creating fascinating and flowing visuals to complement the story. I hope Locke will return to further draw the character he helped create.
   Caliber Core: This "handbook" was ok. For most of the character entries, the information fleshed out just a little bit more of what I had previously read in the main titles. The Raven, Inc. tale reintroduced the Russian characters and created an "excuse" for the handbook entries in a pretty dry and methodical manner. And the Magus neither dimmed nor heightened my excitement for that new series.
    What made this book worthwhile, though, was the Saint Germaine story. This was quite gripping and had me enraptured from the beginning to end. A great treat, thanks.
    As for the rest, it gave me more of an idea of the upcoming titles which I probably buy one or two issues of anyway just to try. Kind of like advertising. Not a big deal, but well-presented.
    So, all in all, you’ve got me hooked on a lot more Caliber books than I was a few months ago, and you have the Core to thank for that. I’ll be continuing on with Black Mist, Helsing, Kilroy, and Saint Germaine, while keeping a look-out for more debuts, especially Magus.
    I’m also very happy with Caliber for bringing back Silent Invasion. I’d urge you to continue to publish and support that series. I’m very delighted to hear Little White Mouse is coming back as an ongoing series, as that was one of the best surprises so far this year in the comics industry.
    Well, that’s all from me. Good luck to you all, and I urge you to keep up the great creations.

Paul Hayward
via email

   RE: Caliber Core #0.  Great idea and well executed. I’m glad that I finally got the chance to sample the various other titles other than Kilroy. Retailers near me don’t stock Caliber (except to standing order customers) and you can’t beat this one for price/value. I liked the Saint Germaine sequence, that and the Magus look like the pick of the bunch. The Fatalis ad really sparked my interest and I’ll add that to my standing order list when it comes out. It’s difficult to get a feel for a title from Previews, and with my retailer’s standing order system I have to give 3 months notice of cancellation- quite an investment for stuff I’m not sure about. I like to have as much information as possible before making a decision and this little book certainly helped with that, so thanks again.
    What I like most about Caliber is the variety. Jinx was not like Sinergy which didn’t resemble Boneshaker. Far more interesting than one-note companies- God knows there are enough of them. Keep putting out different styles and I’ll keep buying some of them.

Jason Hopper

    I got to say, so far I’m really enjoying the Caliber Core Universe. I love the interlinking books so long as they’re integral to what you’re doing (like Lonnie from Raven Chronicles becoming Black Mist). This is good stuff. It also seems like this is not a Marvel or DC universe thing where you can’t swing a dead cat without hitting some other superperson, but rather a universe where all these things are going on and some of these people may cross paths but don’t have to. I love that it’s like real life- except not as dark and spooky. But you have to admit if real life were like that, some of these people might be drawn to or bump into each other. But since you’re doing such a good job and asked for questions and comments anyway, here’s mine: Monthly titles are a good thing. There’s nothing better than going to your comic shop every month to get a favorite title. However, and this might be just me, but I’m real excited about the Caliber Core and want to pick up all the books. Not because I will miss a part of the story or appearance by Kilroy in Saint Germaine, but because these are good quality books I want to read. If everything came out monthly, I may not be able to get everything. Bi-monthly is fine, and doesn’t cut into the budget so much. Thanks guys for doing this. Caliber Core looks like it’s got a great bit of potential, and I’m looking forward to the dark ride.

Tony Isabella’s Journal #299

    Caliber Comics has reunited several of their characters and titles into their new "Caliber Core" imprint.
   Black Mist #2 is a very good comic book in most regards. James Pruett’s story and Mike Perkins’ artwork are both excellent…
    The story? Like I said, it’s excellent. A deceased member of Raven, Inc.- the organization has previously appeared in the greatly under-appreciated Raven Chronicles- is back among the living as the host of a supernatural entity. While those who were close to her in life investigate the enigmatic circumstances of her "afterlife", she wrestles with what she has and is becoming. It’s an intense scenario and I’m enjoying it greatly.
   Helsing #1 has an eye-catching cover by Greg Loudon. That heroine, Samantha Helsing, is a descendent of the legendary Abraham Van Helsing, and appears to be following in his footsteps. She’s tracking a mysterious organization known as the Tophet while other characters are investigating her family’s connection to that group. Helsing herself appears to be something more (or less) than human, but writer Gary Reed is keeping her true nature a secret for the time being. Oh, yes, the Tophet also figured in an issue of the afore-mentioned Raven Chronicles. A brief excerpt from that story is also featured in the issue.
    This was a good first issue. I liked the writing and the John Lowe/Chris Wozniak/Craig Brasfield/Jerry Foley art.
    As for Black Mist and Helsing, I think fans of "supernatural adventure" fiction will enjoy them. I did.