Ken Tucker reviewed J. Michael Stracynski's first issue of Spider-Man ( Amazing Spider-Man #30) in the April 20th issue of Entertainment Weekly , on newsstands this week. The review, which leads off the 'Books Section' (page 66) is quite favorable and includes a sample panel of art from John Romita, Jr.

The Consumer Electronics Association estimates that manufacturers intend to ship a total of 17 million players to retail establishments in the U.S. this year, which means that the number of DVD players in the U.S could double by the start of 2002.

Variety reports that four state legislatures are considering criminal penalties for allowing anyone under the age of 17 access to 'R-rated' films. In Massachusetts, a bill introduced by Rep. Brad Hill includes stores that offer video products (both rental and sell-through) as well as theaters.

Fandom.com, one of the largest U.S. retailers of comics, collectible toys, and other pop culture products is shedding staff and preparing for a sale. The company had downsized by 20% in January.

Decipher Inc., the Virginia-based CCG powerhouse, announced that it has hired the former staff of Last Unicorn Games.

Topps produced a highly successful series of trading cards for the original film back in 1968, and they are back again with a series of cards based on the new movie that should be in stores two weeks before Planet of the Apes opens on July 27.

Pop culture content sites are in the news as we write this, so we're taking the opportunity to do an update on the category.

Alliance Game Distributors and Diamond Comic Distributors have announced that they will jointly have the exclusive right to distribute Game Workshop's new table-top war game based on the film adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Ri ngs trilogy.

Coca-Cola Company has forged a deal with Warner Bros. to become the sole promotional partner for the Harry Potter film series.

The Matrix was a big hit for N2, which is planning a third series of Matrix figures for 2001 as well as new twelve-inch figures.