When assistant editor Michael Rovner asked us a few months ago what can we do for an encore, my immediate thoughts were of Tom Hanks.

Winner of the 1993 Academy Award for the best actor in a leading role in the movie "Philadelphia," Hanks followed that powerful performance with another best actor award the following year in the movie "Forrest Gump."

Last year's H-Men comic book depicting the coming season for the University of Hawaii football team was well-received locally and nationally. Winner of several major awards, the idea of going one better left many editors, writers, photographers and advertising managers wandering toward the ledge.

But now that it's done, this magazine is even better.

UH football beat writer Dave Reardon was joined by a strange band of journalists not often found on the same pages of paper. Features editor Nadine Kam slipped in the side door of the cafeteria to see what, and how much, football players eat at sundown.

Rovner had a vision as to what this magazine would be, and artist Kip Aoki and photographer Richard Walker made it come to life. Kudos to Walker for getting players to strike the pose.

Rovner also contributed a story or two about shoes and makeup. Don't ask. Let us tell. And let's not forget Mr. Reardon's writings of each position; and of each opponent the Hawaii football team faces this season. He also provides key insights of Heisman Trophy candidate Tim Chang. Barring some unforeseen circumstances, Chang will pass fellow quarterback Ty Detmer as the all-time yardage leader in Division I history.

Like Hanks, Chang will be in a league of his own. And we're here to tell the tale. What better encore than that.

Click here to begin.

Paul Arnett - sports editor