As you've probably figured out by now, BENT Zine is not your usual mag. It's part comic book, too. And with every issue, the serialized graphic novels tucked inside are going to grow more important.

See, it's all part of The Master Plan for the BENT Universe

What is the BENT Universe, you ask? An excellent question. In a nutshell, the BENT Universe is where all the characters from three of BENT Zine's serialized graphic novels live and interact with one another -- Terrible Terrorists of Terror (TToT), RAGNAROK, and Deeds of Derring-Do (DoDD). Since all three stories take place in the same 'universe,' Pandora (RAGNAROK) can bump into Binky the Demon from Hell (DoDD) or Battle Bucket (TToT) along the way.

The Master Plan involves a Secret Plot that ties the BENT Universe serials together. It's the trunk from which the other stories branch off. When all is said and done and the three tales come to their inevitable conclusions, it will suddenly dawn on the reader that -- really -- they were reading one big story the whole time. Obviously, we can't spoil the surprise by letting you in on the secret of the Secret Plot... what fun would that be?

There is one hint we'll give you: the Master Plan is more than the Secret Plot. There's an even bigger surprise in the works. Something that will take the BENT Universe to a whole other level.

TERRIBLE TERRORISTS OF TERROR by Justin Varn

When the Terrible Terrorists of Terror suddenly attack Stoney Hills High School, they set in motion a chain of events that will send repercussions throughout the world!  Drawn into open, the brave Heroes are plunged into the middle of an ancient conflict dating back to the very beginning of time.  The Heroes set forth on their epic adventure that will bring them face-to-face with the, seemingly, endless hordes of Terrorist minions, across familiar characters from Deeds of Derring-Do and Ragnarok, under the shadow of the mysterious, shadowy leaders of the Terrorists, and into a plot too terrible for even the maddest of all mad evil-geniuses to conceive.

What secrets lie behind the acts of aggression perpetrated by the Terrible Terrorists of Terror?  What dangers will the Heroes have to overcome to unravel this world-ending plot?  Who are, or is, or may be, or should be, the unscrupulous forces manipulating these events for their own dark purposes?  What answers wait to unlocked beyond the far-reaches of the cosmos itself?  Who are these valiant, and inspiring Heroes of whom we speak?  And what did they have for lunch? 

To find out the great master plan that hides behind the "BENT Universe", to discover the unflinching truth behind all these questions --and to some unasked, some new questions, questions without answers, and even a few random answers without questions-- ,to appease the deep, gnawing, gut-wrenching, burning. itching, undeniable curiosity that now eats at you, you've got to strap in, wear a helemet, brace youself, and read the Terrible Terrorists of Terror!

CLICK HERE to read the TERRIBLE TERRORISTS of TERROR web comic.

RAGNAROK: Phases by Joseph Edwards VIII

What do 9/11, an ancient secret society, the mob, and Greek gods have in common?

There's only one way to find out... read RAGNAROK. When the son of a mysterious figure called "Sam" is killed on 9/11, the Magnum-toting anti-hero sets out for revenge. Only he discovers more than he bargained for. Maybe even the secret of his true identity.

Finding a journal in a secret room beneath The Crypt of a secret society, Sam learns that 9/11 was orchestrated by none other than Zeus himself. With the information in the journal guiding him, other Greek gods -- including the heroic Pandora -- are soon drawn into Sam's plot.

Only not everyone seems to be playing by Sam's rules. What is Pandora's real agenda? Who wrote the journal that Sam trusts so completely? Why do characters from the Terrible Terrorists of Terror and Deeds of Derring-Do cross over with characters from RAGNAROK?

We can't tell you all our secrets, but we can explain the cross-overs with other BENT Comics. These three titles comprise what we like to call the "BENT Universe," and the stories of each title follow our Master Plan for the titles.

CLICK HERE to read RAGNAROK web comic.

Deeds of Derring-Do by Keith Basham

What does anything have to do with anything? The fundamentals of the BENT Universe's Master Plan are set forth in philosophical detail in Keith's deconstruction of postmodern heroic archetypes into mystical molecules of sardonic humor.

What role do Bert and Binky the Demon from Hell play in the grand scheme unfolding in the BENT Universe? It's anybody's guess -- or is it? Why do Bert and Binky keep appearing to Pandora in Ragnarok and the Heroes in Terrible Terrorists of Terror? How far out does it get?

Find out in Deeds of Derring-Do. 

CLICK HERE to read Deeds of Derring-Do web comic.