Realm Press, part of JMJ Media, LLC, has cancelled their continuing adventures of the original Battlestar Galactica crew. In a statement posted to their web site (http://www.jmjmedia.com) on 18 September 2000, they stated:

JMJ MEDIA CEASES PUBLICATION OF BATTLESTAR GALACTICA; WILL CONCENTRATE ON CREATOR OWNED PROPERTIES

September 18, 2000

Citing poor sales and lack of a sufficiently broad consumer base to support an ongoing monthly title, JMJ Media today announced that it would cease publication of Battlestar Galactica comic books. JMJ Media will instead concentrate it's energies on the production and promotion of quality creator owned titles such as Matt (Star Wars) Busch's Daria Jontak and Greg (The Flash) LaRocque's Dreamer.

"This was a really tough decision to make," said Mark Haynes, President and Publisher of JMJ Media. "We have here a situation in which our love of a property overshadowed making a sound business decision. We wanted to believe that, with time, we could turn it around. It turns out that we had the time, but not the sales to continue doing the book."

Haynes went on to say that "both Matt and Greg have been a pleasure to work with on Battlestar and we believe the the fans will be totally blown away by what these guys are doing now. We're really looking forward to what these incredibly talented and professional artists can do without the constraints of a licensed property to stand in their way."

Fans of Matt Busch and Greg LaRocque can look forward to their exciting and thought provoking stories this fall. The first incredible issue of Matt Busch's Daria Jontak is already scheduled for October shipping and preview artwork will be available at JMJMedia.com later this week as will more details on Greg LaRocque's Dreamer.

All Battlestar Galactica products solicited after January 2000 will be cancelled. Additionally, any orders that had been received directly by JMJ Media for products advertised after March 31, 2000 will be cancelled and any funds received along with those orders will be refunded.

While JMJ Media had not sold any subscriptions to the Battlestar Galactica comics produced under their ownership, the previous owners of the Realm Press imprint had and JMJ Media, at their own expense, had been honoring the remainder of those subscriptions. At this time, records indicate that all subscriptions have been filled.

Battlestar Galactica, based on the 1978 ABC TV series, has been published by JMJ Media under its Realm Press imprint since June 1999. The Realm Press imprint was acquired by JMJ Media in April 1999.

REVIEW: Battlestar Galactica: Eve of Destruction Prelude
PUBLISHER: Realm Press
WRITER: J.C. Vaughn
ARTIST: Matt Busch
LETTERING & EFFECTS: Mark L. Haynes
EDITORS: James A. Kuhoric, Mark L. Haynes, and J.C. Vaughn
COVER PRICE: $3.99 (U.S.), $5.99 (CAN)

Before I dissect the contents of this stand-alone issue, let me just say that whether you are a fan of Battlestar Galactica or not this book is a must-have for the artwork alone. Each page is filled with some solid eye candy that most comics these days sorely lack. The larger panels and detailed art gives the impression you are watching a new episode instead of reading a typical "comic book." There is no mistaking who these characters are. Starbuck and Co. look like they could reach out of the page and shake hands with you, which is something that I always felt was missing in many of the Galactica comics of the past. Just check out Baltar on the front cover. BOO-YAH!

As for the writing, this issue is actually two self-contained stories that involve the characters of Count Iblis and Apollo's brother Zac.

The Count Iblis yarn ("Nostalgie De La Boue") is a quick read but nicely explains some of the gaps that has surrounded the Count since he first appeared in the Battlestar Galactica episode, "War of the Gods." One of the things that irritated me since the original series about Iblis is that it was never explained what led up to him being exiled on that strange planet that Apollo, Starbuck, and Sheba found him on. While writer J.C. Vaughn doesn't really explain it in detail, either. He, at least, comes up with a unique reason WHY Iblis ended up there.

It seems that the angelic beings that inhabit the Ship of Lights put a curse upon him that lasted 7000 years (or yahrens in BSG lingo). Without giving it all away, the curse was for his past transgressions and it neatly fills in some of the holes involving the Count. It is a very satisfying and fascinating angle that adds an entire new dimension to the BSG mythos. I hope that it is something the creators expand on more in future issues.

The second prelude ("Daughter of Elysium") involves Zac having a conversation via a dream with an "Agent of Light."

As usual, these angelic beings aren't much for giving us any answers, but the story does a great job of cementing Zac as an important part of the BSG saga. If you don't believe me, just check out the last page.

The rest of the issue has the writer and artist's take on Galactica, with more gorgeous artwork by Matt Busch that leads into his three pages of interview.

I highly recommend this comic for it is truly one of the best Battlestar Galactica comics I have ever seen. If you are a new fan of BSG, I would suggest you watch the pilot episode and "War of the Gods" before picking this one up, or you may be a little confused by the two story lines. However, I suggest you die hard fans get a copy A.S.A.P. Trust me, you won't be disappointed.

--Lawrence White