Wait, Comico published those Art Adams Gumby comics, that makes them #1.
So a discussion attempting to rank some of the recently-discussed-here comic book publishers broke out in the last post’s comments, so I thought I’d chime in with my own experiences and opinions and such. Since, you know, it’s my blog an’ all.
I’m just sticking to these four: Comico, First, Eclipse, and Pacific, since they’re all defunct (or at least the “classic” original 1970s-1990s versions of them are. I’m aware there have been newer revivals of sorts of a couple of these companies, but those aren’t being included here.
Anyway, #4 on the list is…
…Pacific Comics. I suppose now is as good time as any to say “I liked the output from all these companies,” so being #4 on the list isn’t a bad thing. It’s only here because, personally, my interaction with the publisher while it was extant was minimal. I told you recently that the first book I bought from them new off the stands was the first issue of Berni Wrightson: Master of the Macabre #1, and I bought one or two other comics new from them as well.
Aside from that, my interaction with their publications mostly happened after the fact, fishing various titles out of back issue bins. Rog 2000 (pictured above), a reprinting of some of John Byrne’s work, was an early get. I bought a single issue each of Alien Worlds and Twisted Tales new, and picked up the rest as back issues later. And as I said before, my first Groo was the Eclipse one-shot and I went back and picked up the Pacific Groos later.
I will give Pacific this…I still have distinct memories of the newsstand I attended having, like, Captain Victory and other Pacific books on their spinner racks. Why this newsstand was getting direct-sales stuff, I don’t know (I also bought my Don Rosa’s Comics & Stories there, as well as the last few issue of Comic Reader), but that was one of the ways I began to realize “oh wait, there’s more than Marvel and DC out there.”
Onto #3, which is…
…Comico, where I bough stuff like Grendel, Mage, Jonny Quest and other old favorites new off the rack. I certainly enjoyed what I got from them, and they put out quality product, but the #3 ranking is mostly a numbers game, in that I bought more from the next two companies than I did from Comico.
Speaking of which, #2 is…
…Eclipse, where I picked up a lot of books, mostly new off the shelf, with the occasional after-the-fact-er (like that Stewart the Rat grapic novel I mail ordered from Eclipse honcho cat yronwode post the company’s fall.
This is where Zot! lived. And Mr. Monster. And the early issues of Ms. Tree. And of course Miracleman, the initial U.S. release of Alan Moore’s Marvelman, came from here, too. They also continued some of the Pacific Comics titles that were interrupted mid-stream, like the aforementioned Berni Wrightson: Master of the Macabre. This company gave me so many wonderful, innovative, influential and memorable comics that I still love even today.
Which is why the #1 company of these four only made the top spot by the slimmest of margins…
…First Comics. Which is probably at he top for the same reason Pacific is at the “bottom” — just the sheer quantity of it all. Not necessarily saying “more is better,” but I felt like I was in there near the ground floor of the company’s start, and I picked up so much from them over the years that I enjoyed. First was such a consistent presence in my new comics purchases for so long, a dependable provider of entertainment, that (as I think someone said in my comments) may not have been the most groundbreaking work, but it was certainly fun work.
Nexus, Badger, Grimjack, Jon Sable Freelance, American Flagg!, Dreadstar, a bunch of their wonderful CLassics Illustrateds…they didn’t have quite the number of titles Eclipse did, but it was nice to have such long runs on these books to watch the characters and situations grow and develop.
Though I have to be honest…ask me on a different day and I may say Eclipse is #1 for the sheer variety of content they provided. I’m just more in a First Comics mood as I write this, I guess.
Besides, First Comics had Teddy Q as their mascot:
…and that’s hard to beat, you have to admit.
Mike:
Good picks! All four companies were an important part of the direct market, creator-owned, non-Comics Code Authority flowering of the early ’80s.
It might be interesting to explore what lead to each company’s demise–and how many titles jumped ship to other publishers–like The Rocketeer and Groo being published almost everywhere at one time or another.
Also, it seems like Epic Comics should be brought into the mix at some point, and, eventually, Dark Horse Comics.
Or how about a poll of which First/Eclipse/Comico/Pacific titles or characters the “Progressive Ruiners”–if that’s what we who leave comments here are called–would like to see as movies or streaming shows…Nexus? American Flagg? Grimjack? Grendel? Captain Victory? Starslayer? Sabre? Warp? Silverheels? Could a live action adaptation of Groo even work?
And and some point we’ll have to take a look at the black and white independent boom and its cornucopia of comics!
My GRIMJACK sense is tingling again. Boy would I love to see that as a series, but to do the setting justice — sweet, cynical Cynosure, the city where all realities meet — I think Amazon would need to throw a billion dollars at it, LOTR-style. Maybe animated? Nexus could be done in animation as well.
Grendel could make a great series, in the fashion of American Horror Story, where each new season is a new cast with a new Grendel.
Badger might be pretty well-suited to a series like The Boys, violent, weird, funny. A complex central character with multiple personalities and his benefactor, Ham the weather wizard? I’d watch it.
Wait, I’ve got it! Jon Sable would be perfect for a street-level crime series… oh wait, they already tried that (and I totally forgot Rene Russo was in it):
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sable_(TV_series)
tomthedog:
Cool! I didn’t know there was a John Sable TV show!
Here’s a Steve Rude promo clip for a Nexus animated series, which, unfortunately, never got made.
It is very much in the spirit of Alex Toth and Hanna-
Barbera.
https://youtu.be/ekfCRzn9pQM
And a pretty good video on the history of First Comics:
https://youtu.be/j3FCESAc44o
Love(d) and miss them all!
I enjoyed their books far more than the Marvel stuff I was buying.
Only my deep dedication to Doctor Strange beat my desire for more Pacific/Eclipse/Comico/First content.
My order of hierarchy is different, with Comico at the bottom, since I was only getting MAGE off the rack, then, probably a3-way tie for first between the others.
I bought SO MUCH from them.
Glorious days, they were.
-Ptor
First being first seems somehow preordained.
I had an issue or two from each of these I think, but having not set foot in a comics specialty shop until 1988 I was a smidge too young for these.
I have fond memories of Now Comics though with their Ralph Snart, Real Ghostbusters, Married With Children and Terminator books. Those were a big deal to my collecting friends and me.
First is probably first for me as I was a big Elric reader.I came in after the Pacific days, but I loved their Mike Moorcock books!
The Strange Brain Parts YT channel did a great overview of the decline of First Comics that filled in a lot of blanks for me. For the longest time I thought it was just b/c of the move to bookstores, but it turns out there were a couple of strategic errors that really cemented their downfall. Does this info line up with the Mikester? https://youtu.be/j3FCESAc44o
PTOR:
Doctor Strange was pretty great in the ’80s what with the Chris Claremont/Gene Colan run, the Roger Stern/Marshall Rogers/Terry Austin run, plus some nice work by Michael Golden, Paul Smith, Dan Green, Steve Leialoha, Carl Potts, etc. But I think the ’70s Steve Englehart/Frank Brunner run is my favorite Doctor Strange era. By the by, I assume you are a fan of the Pink Floyd song “Cymbaline” from the More soundtrack album –if not, you should listen to it, as Doctor Strange is mentioned in the lyrics.
I recently acquired a low grade copy of Thrilling Comics no. 25 from 1942, featuring the original, Golden Age Doctor Strange. Stan Lee was never one to let a defunct G.A. superhero character name go to waste.
Cassandra:
Those Elric comics definitely had some amazing P. Craig Russell and Michael T. Gilbert artwork. I picked up some of the Michael Moorcock Hawkmoon run from First Comics a few years ago and those are fun reads as well.
Billy:
I think the only NOW comics I’ve ever checked out–decades later– were Green Hornet comics, which were entertaining enough.
Mike:
Another topic of discussion could be how the success of the direct market lead to the early ’80s revival of the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents by John Carbonaro’s JC Comics, and then Dave Singer’s Deluxe Comics (as well as Singer’s Lodestone Publishing which released a few issues of Dave Cockrum’s The Futurians, an Evangeline special , and Codename: Danger)–as well as Red Circle’s revival of the Archie/MLJ superheroes. I enjoyed the JC Comics iteration for sticking with Wally Wood’s original premise and characterization of the T-Agents, and also for Willie Blyberg’s slick inking in Wood’s style. And the Red Circle Mighty Crusaders and assorted Archie superheroes revival started off strong with Rich Buckler as Editor/Art Director bringing Steranko, James Sherman, Alex Toth, Gray Morrow, Steve Ditko, Dick Ayers, Tony DeZuniga, Carmine Infantino, Alex Niño, Frank Giacoia and other great artists into the mix. Unfortunately, after Buckler was replaced, the comics went downhill when they became rebranded as “Archie Adventure Series.” But there have been some decent attempts at reviving the characters in the last decade–especially The Fox, and The Black Hood–under the Dark Circle imprint.
Snark Shark:
Going back to the “Mars Attracts” post–with you providing the inspiration and the chorus–here’s:
TOO MANY ROBINS!
(To be sung in the style of Black Flag’s “Rise Above”)
Too many Robins! Too many Robins! All we needed was ONE!
Too many Robins! Too many Robins! All we needed was ONE!
Too many Robins! Too many Robins! Dick Grayson was FUN!
Too many Robins! Too many Robins! All we needed was ONE!
Too many Robins! Too many Robins! All we needed was ONE!
Too many Robins! Too many Robins! Jason Todd–JOKER WON!
Too many Robins! Too many Robins! All we needed was ONE!
Too many Robins! Too many Robins! All we needed was ONE!
Too many Robins! Too many Robins! Tim Drake, GOLDEN ONE!
Too many Robins! Too many Robins! All we needed was ONE!
Too many Robins! Too many Robins! All we needed was ONE!
Too many Robins! Too many Robins! Damian Wayne, BAT-SON!
Too many Robins! Too many Robins! All we needed was ONE!
Too many Robins! Too many Robins! All we needed was ONE!
Comico is always special to me for “Justice Machine”
Sean: maybe not in the best taste, but you inspired me!
(To the tune of “Nervous Breakdown”)
Jason Todd got hit by a crowbar
His head really hurts
He got blown up in a warehouse
The Joker went bezerk, cuz
He’s crazy, likes to hurt
Batman’s friends and family
Drive him bezerk
Joker nabbed Jim Gordon
Shot Barbara in the spine.
Gordon said book him right
One bad day won’t break him down, but
Joker’s crazy, always hurts
Batman’s friends and family
Drive him bezerk
Now and then Joker stalks
Batman’s allies
No Man’s Land was ending
But to save babies Sarah Essen had to die cuz
He’s crazy, likes to hurt
Batman’s friends and family
Drive him bezerk
Mike Loughlin:
Brilliant!
I Wonder Why There Are So Many Wonder Girls?
(to be sung like a Missing Persons song)
I Wonder Why There Are So Many Wonder Girls?
I Wonder Why There Are So Many Wonder Girls?
I Wonder Why There Are So Many Wonder Girls?
I Wonder Why There Are So Many Wonder Girls?
I Wonder Why There Are So Many Wonder Girls?
I Wonder Why There Are So Many Wonder Girls?
Raven-haired Donna Troy was the ever lovin’ best!
Red jumpsuit, kinky boots ‘n’ star-spangled chest!
I Wonder Why There Are So Many Wonder Girls?
I Wonder Why There Are So Many Wonder Girls?
I Wonder Why There Are So Many Wonder Girls?
I Wonder Why There Are So Many Wonder Girls?
Cassie Sandsmark was a Zeus-spawn and a mess!
Blonde hair and blue jeans–only ever second best!
I Wonder Why There Are So Many Wonder Girls?
I Wonder Why There Are So Many Wonder Girls?
I Wonder Why There Are So Many Wonder Girls?
I Wonder Why There Are So Many Wonder Girls?
Yara Flor some do adore–with charisma she is blessed!
A Brazilian with a Brazilian–to her charms one can attest!
I Wonder Why There Are So Many Wonder Girls?
I Wonder Why There Are So Many Wonder Girls?
I Wonder Why There Are So Many Wonder Girls?
I Wonder Why There Are So Many Wonder Girls?
I Wonder Why There Are So Many Wonder Girls?
I Wonder Why There Are So Many Wonder Girls?
To tomthedog: There was a Netflix series of Grendel mostly filmed before being dropped, so doubt we’ll see that. In my view it’s one of Grendel’s saving graces that it ended after three issues and the story was told in Mage back-ups; Hunter Rose is such a Mary Sue (and queer-coded) that his story only works if recounted as dry historical fact, like Devil By The Deed, or told obliquely like in the Black, White and Red series. Take him full-on and he’s just an incredible guy who can do anything.
I dug out my first issue of American Flagg after the conversations about it here, and there are adverts for Badger, Grimjack and Nexus all either on early issues or starting soon… First definitely had an extremely strong slate to start with.
Tom W: the thing that makes Hunter Rose work as a character (for me, at least) is that he’s a bad guy. He commits horrible deeds and ruins lives, and then is killed at a young age. A hero who can do just about anything is usually boring. A villain who can do just about anything is a challenge. I love that first Batman/Grendel crossover, and think Hunter Rose makes a better foil for Batman than most DC bad guys.
I agree that sparse Hunter Rose appearances keep the character fresh. He has a finite history Wagner and co. can fill in, but he can’t just keep coming back in contrived ways.
Sean M: nice! If anyone out there wants to start an ’80s tribute band who plays super-hero song parodies, you can do the lyrics.
King of the Moon:
Agreed that Justice Machine was a special comic–I wish it could have lasted longer and gone further. I never read the post-Comico iteration, but I think the original iteration could be the basis for a very interesting streaming show!
Tom W:
Thanks! I feel like I’m on a roll with my very cheesy sidekick-themed songs! But, with a bit of seriousness, it is also because I really like the original iterations of these characters: Dick, Donna, Wally, Garth, and Roy–and I’m not a big fan of most of the replacement characters (although I actually kind of appreciate Damian for his personality).
I know it is an unpopular opinion, but my favorite Teen Titans cohort is the first iteration from the Silver and early Bronze Ages with the (mostly) zany Bob Haney stories and beautiful Nick Cardy art–and also the socially progressive Robert Kanigher and Steve Skeates stories from the early ’70s as well– especially with the core grouping of Dick, Donna, Wally, and Roy–although I like Garth as well…and Lilith, and Mal. It got a bit silly with the late ’70s Bob Rozakis and a revolving door’s worth of artists revival and the Joker’s Daughter/Harlequin being thrown into the mix, but those were still fun reads. And although I like the New Teen Titans, I do feel that Marv Wolfman lost the plot at a certain point after George Perez left the series–but it was fun to see Changeling/Beast Boy as a full-fledged member; and I thought Starfire and Cyborg were great additions…but I never really liked Raven that much, and Jericho even less. But after Wally left, and with Roy barely ever featured in the early NTT run, it didn’t really feel like the real TT to me, but that’s just my take.
And then, from the ’90s up to the present, the sheer amount of crap that Donna, Roy, and Garth–and more recently, Wally (thanks, Tom King!)–have been put through is just ludicrous. Personally, I feel that a lot of bad editorial decisions were made. I’ve no doubt ranted about this before, so I’ll try my best to be brief, but the one decision that I believe made sense was Wally West becoming the Flash, because Barry died on COIE. I would have be just as happy if Dick Grayson had kept his Robin identity as an adult–like the Earth 2 Robin–and just got a modified costume–like the Earth 2 Robin–without the bare legs. Not that the Nightwing identity is that bad, but I think the name is sort of silly–maybe for a Kryptonian character (as it was originally used) it makes sense, if there were actual species of birds on Krypton called “flamebirds” and “nightwings” –but on Earth, “Nightwing” has no real meaning (but “Spoiler” and “The Signal” are also not great names). I think Donna Troy should have been left alone and should still be called Wonder Girl–she was a perfect character as is with a great red jumpsuit costume and great personality–although I never really liked her marrying Terry Long. If you look at the natural late Silver/early Bronze Age TT progression (pre NTT), Donna Troy and Roy Harper were a couple, so, it would have made sense for them to eventually marry and have a child who would end up with amazon strength and awesome archery skills. They could have named her Diana (in tribute to Wonder Woman), and she could have grown up to be a Huntress-type archery character–like Diana the Huntress. Garth has consistently been undervalued and give the shaft–again, I think he and Tula should have been allowed to remain a couple. I will say that his Rebirth Era Tempest outfit isn’t too bad, but they should have let him keep his curly hair. Roy Harper has been messed with more than any other old school Teen Titan. I get it that Denny O’Neil and Neal Adams were making a valid social commentary statement when they chose to have Roy become a junkie–but it should have been a situation where he was allowed the dignity to have overcome his teenage misadventures and become a better human being for it. I never cared for the Arsenal identity and shtick or the whole Roy/Cheshire bad romance and the death of their daughter and the loss of Roy’s arm. Dude can’t catch a break! Although I think it does make sense for Roy to have eventually adopted the name Red Arrow. I also think Mal Duncan should have just kept the Guardian costume and name–the whole Hornblower/Herald/Vox shtick is just not as cool as being the next Guardian was. And it made sense, as Mal could have been an aspirational hero to the kids in his community, just as Jim Harper had been a hero to the Newsboy Legion. There could have been some cool Black Lightning/Guardian/Bumblebee team-up stories written as well–and it’s never too late!
No idea how or why, but the most recent comment attributed to “Tom W” was me. Sorry Tom!
Sean M: Nick Carey’s art was excellent! I’m so glad we got that Showcase trade of his BatLash, those comics are exquisite in black & white.
It’s a shame that the original Titans fell off so badly. As with many X-characters, they alternated between fading into the background and being brought out as punching bags. Even before Tom King, Wally went from being te one and only Flash to being co-Flash and then being written out. Even the Wolfman/Perez characters, who were hits on the small screen, were often out of focus (except Cyborg, who was put on the Justice League but rarely the central character). It doesn’t pay to be a younger Big 2 super-hero!
Mike Loughlin:
Many good points!
I thought the Hunter Rose Grendel was the best Grendel, but I didn’t read too many issues after the Pander Bros. run–and some Wagner and Bernie Mireault issues. Loved Bernie Mireault’s The Jam! Great character and cool art!
I need to track down and read the Bat Lash comics. Didn’t Sergio Aragonés script them? He is one of the funniest people and also very kind–I met him at a few conventions. Nick Cardy and Neal Adams were arguably the top two best artists DC Comics had during the Silver to early Bronze Ages…Gil Kane, too. They were masters of the medium who went the extra distance.
It only pays to be a younger big 2 super-hero if you are Spider-Man!
As I might have mentioned before, I dipped out of comics in the late ’80s and only returned right around the New 52–so when I realized some of the horrible things that had happened to characters who had once inspired me, I was quite disappointed. But I suppose there are only so many good stories to tell with the same characters, decade after decade after decade. With The Flash dilemma, I can see people wanting Barry back–since he heralded the arrival of the Silver Age. Personally, I always liked the Kid Flash costume better than The Flash costume–I would have had Wally revert to that and maybe let them both be called The Flash–but then Wallace West was created during New 52, and he took over Wally’s old KF costume design and names. And at this point there are way too many Flash Family speedsters!
Re: Cyborg, I think Ray Fisher was great as Zack Snyder’s iteration of Cyborg –I don’t know why they needed to put another Cyborg on The Doom Patrol show, though. I actually prefer the Teen Titans 2003-2006 cartoon iteration of Raven to the NTT comic iteration of Raven. And I never thought that Marv Wolfman wrote Wally West’s characterization in NTT very true to his earlier pre-NTT characterization. But again, I think Marv was running out of steam shortly after Perez departed…and once Pantha and Baby Wildebeest happen, forget it!
Anyway, brace yourself for more cheesy sidekick lyrics:
Are All The Kid Flashes Flashes In The Pan?
(to be sung like a DEVO song)
Are all the Kid Flashes flashes in the pan?
Are all the Kid Flashes flashes in the pan?
Are all the Kid Flashes flashes in the pan?
Wally West was the best–then he became an also ran!
Are all the Kid Flashes flashes in the pan?
Are all the Kid Flashes flashes in the pan?
Are all the Kid Flashes flashes in the pan?
Bart Allen was impulsive, Max Mercury lent a hand!
Are all the Kid Flashes flashes in the pan?
Are all the Kid Flashes flashes in the pan?
Are all the Kid Flashes flashes in the pan?
Wallace West is Wally’s cousin–same name, different man!
Are all the Kid Flashes flashes in the pan?
Are all the Kid Flashes flashes in the pan?
Are all the Kid Flashes flashes in the pan?
Chart a new course into the Speed Force!
So First, is, in fact, FIRST!
“Teddy Q”
WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT!!!
twitter: “the early 1990s section of my Comics Journal
run”
Those were interesting!
“what lead to each company’s demise”
Seems to be incompetence, of one sort or another, alsong with the changing nature of the comics market.
“Epic Comics”
I remember seeing an issue of Dreadstar at some chain bookstore, and being VERY impressed by the art, but less than impressed by the 1.50 (or so) cover price. Which now sounds CHEAP.
“Could a live action adaptation of Groo even work”
ONLY if it starred Arnold Schwartzeneggar!
“Now Comics”
It’s good someone liked em! i only ever read their Married with Children comic, and it was NOT good.
“Doctor Strange…the Roger Stern/Marshall Rogers/Terry Austin”
Roger Stern run is ALWAYS the best run!
“TOO MANY ROBINS”
LOL!
“hat Marv Wolfman lost the plot at a certain point”
Yeah, i think he was just on that series WAY too long, like Chris Claremont on X-Men. Eventually you run out of ideas of what to do with the characters.
“although I never really liked her marrying Terry Long.”
I don’t think anyone did. He was a creep.
“the most recent comment attributed to “Tom W” was me.”
TOO MANY TOMS! TOO MANY TOMS!
“alsong” = ALONG.
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