<!--
	Title: Yow! Comic books on a computer only $12
	Subtitle: Just like comic books but you can see the plot from different points of view
	Author: Infocom staff
	Source: The Status Line, v7(1)
	Date: Winter/Spring 1988
	Transcription by Steve Derby
-->

Infocom and Tom Snyder Productions present Infocomics, a bold new form of
storytelling.

By this time, many of you have probably snapped a synapse or two
trying to navigate your way through the wilds of Quendor in *Beyond Zork* or
dodging bloodthirsty guard dogs in *Border Zone*. So you're probably ready
for a little Rest and Relaxation. Well, don't touch that power switch, because
we've got the cure for what ails you. The cure? Infocomics, of course! And
what are Infocomics? Simply put, they're traditional comic books brought
to life on your computer screen in new and exciting ways.

Now, we all have our favorite comic books or comic strips, but what makes
them so special and memorable? It's that comics transport you to new and
different worlds, peopled by fantastic and interesting characters who have
absorbing stories to tell. And they do all that using a deceptively simple and
direct format. When these things come together just right, you've got a comic
that grabs you and makes you forget about the outside world for a little
while. Infocomics do that and much, much more.

<figure class="float-left-half">
	<img src="/public/img/articles/sl-comic-books-on-a-computer/zorkquest-screen-shot.jpg" alt="ZorkQuest Screen Shot">
	<figcaption><em>Radnor, the evil magician of Egreth puts the lovely Acia under his spell in the Infocomic’s fantasy story</em> ZorkQuest: Assault on Egreth Castle.</figcaption>
</figure>

When you boot up an Infocomic, your computer will be transformed into
a comic book, mimicking the real thing, complete with turning pages. Picture
this: a deadly ray from a far-off planet sweeps through space, causing harmless
animals and insects to mutate and devastate Earth. Sounds like a great comic
already, right? But because it's an Infocomic, it’s unlike any comic you've
ever seen.

The panels of an Infocomic use sounds and exciting cinematic effect —-
panning, zooms, dissolves -— that bring the colorful graphics to life and draw
you right into the action. So you'll actually see and hear that ray slice through
space and see the animals grow right before your eyes. Then you'll watch
them as they run amok, wreaking havoc on the Earth and munching on famous
landmarks for lunch.

## One story through many eyes

But while Zabor, Chief of the Earth Defense League, helplessly watches
these munching mutants, elsewhere our hero, Lane Mastodon, rockets through
space, oblivious of the ray's wrath. And on Jupiter, the villainous Blubbermen
delight in Earth's deadly dilemma. At any given moment these characters
each have their own tales to tell. In order to get the big picture, you'll want
to see all of them.

In Infocomics, the tales of these characters and many others are intricately
intertwined, their paths merging here and diverging there. The end result is a
cleverly fascinating story made up of the labyrinth-like structure of the
various characters' story lines. Infocomics allow you to wander through
this structure, following any character's tale and branching to another's
whenever their paths intersect. At every turn, another piece or another
perspective is added to the overall story in an enlightening and often surprising
way. The plot thereby delightfully unfolds in a manner that is totally
unique to this new storytelling medium.

## No puzzles, maps or manuals

While Infocomics are complex in their structure, they're incredibly simple
to use. In fact, they're so easy to use, there's no need for an instruction
manual. Only four keys are needed to watch them! The “pages” turn by themselves.
You can fast forward, stop, and rewind any time you like by pressing
the arrow keys or the space bar. To jump to another character's path, press
the RETURN (or ENTER) key. Otherwise, just sit back and enjoy!

## Something for everyone

The first three issues of Infocomics offer a host of varied and entertaining
characters and storylines. There's something for every taste—from comedy
to fantasy to adventure.

Check out *Lane Mastodon vs. The Blubbermen* by Steve Meretzky. In this
comic spoof of 1930's science fiction, Lane Mastodon, accountant turned
superhero, fights to save humanity from the evil Blubbermen of Jupiter.

Or try *Gamma Force in Pit of a Thousand Screams* by Amy Briggs.
This exciting superhero series features the *Gamma Force*, a trio of brave
aliens each of whom possesses a different power. Thrill to the action as they
try to free their planet from an evil overlord and his Pit of a Thousand
Screams.

Finally, you'll enjoy *Zork Quest: Assault on Egreth Castle*, by Elizabeth
Langosy with characters and selected architectonics by Dave Lebling. Follow
a caravan of Quendorians as they travel through the countryside, unaware that
they are being manipulated by the Evil Magician and headed to a fateful confrontation
at Egreth Castle.

There's more action and adventure to come, so don't miss these three premier
issues. All three titles will be available in March for Apple II series, Commodore
64/128, and IBM and 100% compatible computer systems. With hours
of entertainment at the amazingly low price of only $12, Infocomics are an
incredible bargain.
