PLATO'S RETREAT (PLATO)

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TheComicStore.com Begins New Millennium Plans

Sacramento, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 1, 2001--(OTC Pink Sheets: CMIX - news) TheComicStore.com announced today that they have unveiled their new plans for the millennium. As part of TheComicStore.com's expansion focus, the company has begun negotiating with several online and off-line retailers to acquire the online portion of their businesses.

``With the continued strength of our stock price, and upcoming funding, it is time to expand our own retail sales through acquiring new sites.'' Ross Rojek, CEO said. ``We have begun discussions with several retailers to purchase either some or all of their business.''

Several of the businesses have brick and mortar stores as well as an online presence. TheComicStore.com will only keep the online portion of the business, and either spin off the retail storefronts to Comics & Comix, owned by TheComicStore.com CEO, Rojek, or sell them to another comic retailer.

TheComicStore.com also announced that it intends to re-launch work on Big Monster Toys in this quarter. Work was halted to potential fiduciary conflicts between TheComicStore.com and its relationship with Syconet Inc. Those potential conflicts have been resolved.

TheComicStore.com

TheComicStore.com is the Internet spin-off of Comics & Comix, the fourth largest comic book chain in the United States. Founded in 1972, Comics & Comix has been at the forefront of the comic and collectable industry for almost three decades. Through it's BTP Distribution Division, TheComicStore.com also does sales and fulfillment for other on-and off-line retailers including Tower Books & Records, Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com. The growth of e-fulfillment is expected to continue as more e-commerce companies outsource it to third party suppliers. BTP is currently distributing to more than 10 web companies, and several hundred bricks and mortar customers.

TheComicStore.com: http://www.thecomicstore.com

To learn more about TheComicStore.com or to be included on the shareholder communication email list, please contact Marc Jablon at Big Apple Consulting USA, Inc. 1-800-546-7950, or contact www.askbigapple.com

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a ``safe harbor'' for forward-looking statements. Certain information included in this press release contains statements that are forward-looking, such as statements related to the future anticipated direction of the high-technology industry, plans for future expansion, various business development activities, planned capital expenditures, future funding sources, anticipated sales growth and potential contracts. Such forward-looking information involves important risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect anticipated results in the future and, accordingly, such results may differ from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of TheComicStore.com, Inc. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those relating to development and expansion activities, dependence on existing management, financing activities, and domestic and global economic conditions


Contact:

Big Apple Consulting USA, Inc.
Marc Jablon, 800/546-7950
www.askbigapple.com