A question for the ages: Shouldn't an SBC intern be compiling "The Panel"? Instead, it falls to Alan Donald, who should be writing "All The Rage."

Anyway, this week's question boils down to, "Is the Internet good or bad for the industry?" The answers are pretty predictable, with the panelists generally condemning message boards ("populated by morons"), but praising the Internet as a research tool.

Marvel's Axel Alonso is quick to pick up the Chuck Austen banner by pointing out: "The net can be hilarious but bottom line: It is not an accurate reflection of the comic-reading public. It’s a small slice of the pie: those individuals who choose to spend their free time on the net discussing comics. To take your cues from internet chat boards is career suicide."

And CrossGen's Bill Rosemann longs for those times of yore: "I miss the days when all I knew about an upcoming issue was what was printed in the 'Next Issue' box."

At least late shipping dates wouldn't be as much of a problem ...