The August 1996 Dark Illustrated Newsletter

Introduction

Fifth Business - Definition

"Those roles which, being neither those of Hero nor Heroine, Confidante nor
Villain, but which were nonetheless essential to bring about the Recognition
or the denouement, were called the Fifth Business in drama and opera companies
organized according to the old style; the player who acted these parts was
often referred to as Fifth Business."

- Tho. Overskou, Den Danske Skueplads

As the remaining days of summer dwindle, we can only look back at the
glorious days we had partying, drinking, or even just time alone. It was a
summer to remember. Whether it was meeting strange people who shaved their
heads and dyed them blue, asking strangers for the time in thirty second
intervals, or stealing another's personal belongings, it was certainly
memorable.

Dark is, without a doubt, a Fifth Business.  We fill a role that *isn't*
a role.  Hated and adored.  It's an odd place to stand.  It's also very
difficult to get comfortable.

It's an interesting group, whether or not you choose to acknowledge it's
existence.  Each member "bonds" with it in a different way, and the degree of
what can only loosely be termed as loyalty, is layered.                                                                                                           We share the credit and fame for work well done.  We're forced to share the
blame as well, which can bring discomfort.  This process, however, determines
the "core" of loyal members.  Some willing to weather out the storms, and
others looking to jump ship at the earliest signs of trouble.

There are also conflicts.  These must also be resolved, and can leave scars
and harsh feelings in their wakes.  We've suffered them before, and will no
doubt continue to suffer them; yet we march on.

There are heroes, and there are villains.  Dark is made up of both, but Dark
itself *is* neither.

Memberlisting Update

The flux of members has been pretty chaotic this month, and reasons vary.
Here are a few notable additions to the group:

Eiht Ball joins the Dark ANSI department.
The Dark Side, Primus, and Rubidium Bromide also join Dark, expanding the
VGA department even further.
Hannibal The Cannibal, a veteran of the early Dark years, returns, perhaps
as a nostalgic whim.  ;)
Master of Darkness, a local (and rabid) Dark supporter, joins the Members
department as an all-around helping hand.  His tail still hasn't stopped
wagging!
Death Karnage joined us last month, despite a lack of mention in the
memberlist.

A few changes worth mentionning:

The Dark Agressor and David Tym are now known as Shinya Sasa and Eternal
Vigilance, respectively.

Please forgive (*and report*) any omissions.

Internet News

Dark's presence on the net continues to grow.  A preview of the new Web
page's graphics have been included in this month's pack; Prison Breaker's
VGA should give you a good idea of what to expect.

Filenames

Dark releases artwork under filenames with 5 letter abbreviations of the
handle of the artist and, 2 numbers corresponding to the number of pieces
they've released.

Example:
ARTST-01.DRK for ARTIST's firt piece.

Wha'fuck? (tm)

"desalvo's reviews scare me."  --  Dieznyik

"Backing things up is highly-overrated; hey, mind sendin' up that copy again?
I accidently deleted it."  --  The Green Hornet

"My last ANSI blinded a group of kindergarten students singlehanded."  --
Essential Obscenity

"Profanity is the crutch of the inarticulate, motherfucker!"  --  One of
Hannibal the Cannibal's taglines.

"Man, if I had a HD that big, I'd just sit there, type 'chkdsk', and stare
at it for hours."  --  The Green Hornet

"Besides, she sings like a muzzled wendigo."  --  Xypher Matryx

Rumor Mill

Someone's been impersonating Black Widow, and releasing ANSIs to boot!

The projected release date of Carnifex's VGA - 2014. "I worked on it for 5
hours today; I think I've got the left cornea's shadow right!"

Vortex (the music disk) may come out sometime before armageddon.

Forlorn Extender (desalvo) wasn't joking.

Dark's Summer of Hate World Tour will end in a vendetta strike against an
iguana-butcher somewhere in the US.  Biological weapons and telephone poles
have been listed in an arsenal request form, leaked to the press.

Fake to black...

It's no secret there's turmoil within the ranks.  No sense hiding it.
However, of one you thing you can be sure: we're here to stay.  Expect some
big changes next month.  See you then...

08/96 NFO compiled by Carnifex, The Green Hornet, and Xypher Matryx.
(Also known as Blank, GQ, and Turbo.)