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The “Do You Own Any of These” Game - Round 1

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The “Do You Own Any of These” Game - Round 1

Old 02-06-23, 02:12 PM
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Re: The “Do You Own Any of These” Game - Round 1

Originally Posted by Kurt D
I have often thought of revisiting Flagg! I still think of Raul fairly often.
Somehow, I never gave American Flagg a try, despite planning to for years and generally likening most Chaykin. Not sure if I even own any of it physically or digitally, although I’m sure I bought it all on Comixology if it was ever there and on sale.
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Old 02-06-23, 03:00 PM
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Re: The “Do You Own Any of These” Game - Round 1

Originally Posted by Trevor
Somehow, I never gave American Flagg a try, despite planning to for years and generally likening most Chaykin. Not sure if I even own any of it physically or digitally, although I’m sure I bought it all on Comixology if it was ever there and on sale.
I just checked, and I do have the digital version of American Flagg. I like Dominic Fortune so figured I’d give it a shot.
Old 02-06-23, 03:37 PM
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Re: The “Do You Own Any of These” Game - Round 1

Chaykin's art is fantastic, the design aesthetic was very cool back then (probably would still be considered so) and lots of good predictions about how news would be delivered in the future, etc.. The hardboiled 'dames and skirts' stuff may not translate as easily today, though.
Old 02-06-23, 04:09 PM
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Re: The “Do You Own Any of These” Game - Round 1

That MICRA actually looks familiar.
I know I've got (or had, I lost some comics due to damage) some Eclipse titles.
Quick skim of the Wiki: Alien Worlds, Twisted Tales, loved those. Winter World!

I read some American Flagg from one of the bundle deal sites. Couldn't really get into it, even considering the era.

Here's a couple old weird random comics from my collection (sorry for sizing):

Eclipse:
Spoiler:








Apparently some guy's printer:
Spoiler:








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Old 02-06-23, 04:47 PM
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Re: The “Do You Own Any of These” Game - Round 1

Originally Posted by davidh777
I just checked, and I do have the digital version of American Flagg. I like Dominic Fortune so figured I’d give it a shot.
Just checked and only own one book there, but it says it’s the ‘definitive collection’ so imagine that’s at least the first 12 issues. Downloading now.
Originally Posted by Kurt D
Chaykin's art is fantastic, the design aesthetic was very cool back then (probably would still be considered so) and lots of good predictions about how news would be delivered in the future, etc.. The hardboiled 'dames and skirts' stuff may not translate as easily today, though.
Speaking of Chaykin, I enjoyed the first issues of his latest (?) series, that ‘Hey Kid’s Comics’ take on comic book history.
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Old 02-07-23, 10:07 AM
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Re: The “Do You Own Any of These” Game - Round 1

This is the original Grendel reprint book:

It's worth having IMO.

I was a fan of American Flagg but still have a handful of issues from late in the series to track down.

My top 3 series from the 80s are probably:
  • Scout
  • Nexus
  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Oh, and Love and Rockets is my favorite comic of all time but I was late to the train on that one and didn't start reading it until the 90s.
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Old 02-07-23, 10:16 AM
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Re: The “Do You Own Any of These” Game - Round 1

Originally Posted by Trevor
I guess I’m older than I thought compared to you all. Eclipse was the bomb back in the late 70s and early 80s, kinda like today’s Image as in producing the best stuff. Miracleman, Zot, Airboy, a lot of the first manga seen in the states, Groo, Mr Monster, Hembeck, Rocketeer, and classic strip reprints.

Quarter bins still exist I hear, but I haven’t seen them often for years.
Yeah, without Eclipse I don't think we'd have Viz today (they partnered on that early manga). Eclipse and First were basically the "big" independents in my eyes.
Old 02-07-23, 10:39 AM
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Re: The “Do You Own Any of These” Game - Round 1

I think i have a copy of Edge of Chaos in a box somewhere. About 12 years ago I bought a cheap box of independent comics, mostly they were first issues. I think I bought them for the Groo issues, but it had a lot of first issues of oddball titles, so I could possibly have some of the others.
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Old 02-07-23, 10:43 AM
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Re: The “Do You Own Any of These” Game - Round 1

When I was young (like middle school) my school had an annual carnival. One of the prizes for one of the carnival games were old comics... I don't think it was just someone's donated collection either because there were multiples of a lot of stuff... maybe some comic shop donated them? But whoever it was was a big fan of Starlin because there was a ton of stuff like Dreadstar and his Warlock stuff (which at the time I couldn't believe was in the same Marvel Universe as the rest of the heroes), as well as other independents.

If it was a comic shop, it was a brilliant way to get a kid hooked on comics, I'll say that much.
Old 02-07-23, 12:14 PM
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Re: The “Do You Own Any of These” Game - Round 1

Originally Posted by fujishig
Yeah, without Eclipse I don't think we'd have Viz today (they partnered on that early manga). Eclipse and First were basically the "big" independents in my eyes.
The history of comic book publishing is interesting and strewn with some surprising names and lengths of publishing. Here’s a wiki link for a potential rabbit hole of nostalgia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...hing_companies

Around the time we’re talking reference this thread, early to mid 1980s, I think I’d very broadly describe the players like this:

We had the big two, and then probably bigger than we think Archie, small stuff like underground books and smaller companies like Fantagraphics and NBM starting in 76, Aardvark-Vandheim and Warp in 77, FantaCo from 80-98, Pacific burned briefly but brightly from 81-84, Vortex from 82-93, and Slave Labor starting in 86.

As for potential #3 thru 5 companies after DC and Marvel, we had Eclipse for 78-93, Comico 82-97, First 83-91, Mirage 83-09, Now 85-05, Malibu 86-94, Dark Horse started in 86, and then Image in 92.
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Old 02-07-23, 12:31 PM
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Re: The “Do You Own Any of These” Game - Round 1

Yeah that sweetheart legacy deal Archie had at the grocery store aisle was huge for them. That was another really good source of comics for kids, those digests that you'd find checking out at grocery stores, and Archie remained there for a long time after DC, Marvel and the rest could. With Archie I could never really tell if I was reading a new story or a reprint and that probably worked for them too.

Now I'm wondering how big companies like Harvey (Richie Rich and Caspar), Gold Key, Antarctic Press (never really that big, I know), Gladstone, Valiant (who took over the Gold Key characters) and Cartoon books were.
Old 02-08-23, 08:49 AM
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Re: The “Do You Own Any of These” Game - Round 1

For me, there was not better time in comics than the 80s.

Here are some of my favorite titles from that period:

Maybe the first manga I held in my hands back in '82 or so:


Then there was just an explosion of good titles:


Eventually I came across Tim Vigil and Jim O'Barr:


And they led to a whole new world that I was previously too young to even know existed (I know some of these aren't from the 80s but that's when I discovered them):


And, while not quite underground, I discovered Richard Corben and just couldn't get enough:


Then there was all the other stuff from Eclipse, First, Comico, Continuity and the whole black and white explosion that led to Dark Horse, Eternity, Aircel, and Mirage (which ultimately led to Tundra in the 90s). It was such an incredible period of creativity and experimentation; I'm glad I got to be a part of it.
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Old 02-08-23, 11:02 AM
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Re: The “Do You Own Any of These” Game - Round 1

This thread makes me wonder why I haven’t read Matt Wagner’s Grendel. Not enough time to read everything, I guess.
Old 02-08-23, 04:57 PM
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Re: The “Do You Own Any of These” Game - Round 1

Only have two of them myself. Checking my handy CBG Checklist book, I see all seven issues of Micra, and four different number ones of Empire Lanes.

Old 02-09-23, 09:11 AM
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Re: The “Do You Own Any of These” Game - Round 1

Originally Posted by Trevor
Only have two of them myself. Checking my handy CBG Checklist book, I see all seven issues of Micra, and four different number ones of Empire Lanes.
I enjoyed Empire Lanes. I remember the 4 issue series from Northern lights (1st issue shown in your initial post),



Then in 1989 Comico came out with volume 2 with a new #1:



In 1990 Comico released the second issue which, probably to inspire higher sales, they also labeled as #1:



In 1990 they also released a trade paperback of the original 4 issues series, which also carries a #1 label in most catalogs:


I recommend the series. It was a tough sell amongst all the superhero titles on the racks I'm sure, but it's a fun product of its time.
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Old 02-09-23, 09:31 AM
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Re: The “Do You Own Any of These” Game - Round 1

Originally Posted by Trevor
Anyone own, or have any memories/thoughts on these titles?
Old 02-09-23, 09:39 AM
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Re: The “Do You Own Any of These” Game - Round 1

I feel like back in the day most of the indy comics were basically non superhero stuff, and Marvel and DC weren't flooding the market like they are now with superhero stuff. It feels like it's harder to get an indy comic published/ordered now (unless you join Image or a bigger publisher).
Old 02-09-23, 04:35 PM
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Re: The “Do You Own Any of These” Game - Round 1

I think that most of the 80s independent comics still felt like superhero titles, though they tried to branch out into other genres.
,
Most of these books -- Nexus, Badger, Grimjack, American Flagg, Whisper, Grendel, Dreadstar, Starslayer, Sable, et al -- still had protagonists running around in distinctive costumes. And, with some exceptions, didn't really go too far beyond too far beyond the kind of material that Marvel and DC were putting out, which shouldn't be surprising since they were often created by journeyman creators like Grell, Starlin, Chaykin, and Ostrander, and they were being sold in the direct market to mostly superhero readers. Even Love & Rockets had superhero and other genre elements featured prominently in the early issues, though they were mostly used in a magical realist sense. Even then, L&R was aimed at a more indie audience than the stuff from First and Eclipse, so I don't really include it in this class, just mention the superhero influence.

Most of these titles are still readable but dated; the ones I think that still stand up to this day are Miracleman, Grendel, The Crow, and Mister X (at least the first volume).

Old 02-09-23, 04:46 PM
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Re: The “Do You Own Any of These” Game - Round 1

Yeah I was thinking more along the lines of stuff like Myth Adventures, Elf Quest, Groo, Cerberus, Usagi, Grim Jack, Concrete, Alien Legion, Star Slayer, Tank Girl, American Flagg, Bucky O'Hare etc. But you're right there was certainly a ton of superhero indy stuff too, though a lot of parody like the Tick and Flaming Carrot.
Old 02-11-23, 07:03 AM
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Re: The “Do You Own Any of These” Game - Round 1

Originally Posted by fujishig
I had Sun Runners but for the most part a lot of independent comics were just too pricey (at the time) for me to collect regularly as a kid. I remember saving up to get those TMNT comics where they allegedly showed you how to use the weapons because those were fairly expensive cover price.
I guess that’s one “positive” of how pricing has changed over the decades: the good stuff is now generally the same price as Marvel and DC. I too remember struggling with purchasing Indy stuff due to their increased cost.
Old 02-11-23, 06:10 PM
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Re: The “Do You Own Any of These” Game - Round 1

Most here have probably seen this series of books from Tomorrows, but if you haven't and are interested in the gamut of things that were published in that era (or any of the decades previous or post) these volumes come VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! (as the old Bud Plant catalogs would say).



here's a link to a flip thru excerpt of the book
https://e.issuu.com/embed.html?ident...241656/1504522

Seriously, I can't gush enough about how fabulous this series of books is.
Old 02-11-23, 08:44 PM
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Re: The “Do You Own Any of These” Game - Round 1

Originally Posted by Paul_SD
Most here have probably seen this series of books from Tomorrows, but if you haven't and are interested in the gamut of things that were published in that era (or any of the decades previous or post) these volumes come VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! (as the old Bud Plant catalogs would say).



here's a link to a flip thru excerpt of the book
https://e.issuu.com/embed.html?ident...241656/1504522

Seriously, I can't gush enough about how fabulous this series of books is.
Well, right off the bat it reminded me of E-Man which I think I really liked and had COMPLETELY FORGOTTEN EVER EXISTED so there's that.
Old 02-12-23, 07:12 AM
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Re: The “Do You Own Any of These” Game - Round 1

Those hardcovers are beautifully made and wonderful reads.

But really, everything published by TwoMorrows is worthy.

I really want to re-read all of Fish Police now.
Old 02-12-23, 08:48 AM
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Re: The “Do You Own Any of These” Game - Round 1

Originally Posted by ytrez
This is the original Grendel reprint book:
It's worth having IMO.

I was a fan of American Flagg but still have a handful of issues from late in the series to track down.

My top 3 series from the 80s are probably:
  • Scout
  • Nexus
  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Oh, and Love and Rockets is my favorite comic of all time but I was late to the train on that one and didn't start reading it until the 90s.
Nexus is one of my all-time favorite series. Read most of it as it was coming out, but still need to read the last year or so of what came out back in the day, plus all the occasional stuff the last decade or two. Apparently Baron and Rude have ‘broken up’ and have each done separate Nexus material fairly recently.
Originally Posted by cultshock
Wish I had hung on to my copy. I first became aware of Grendel, and Comico in the below ad I saw in some comic or magazine I was reading. I remember all the characters intriguing me, but the only one of those I ever ended up reading was Grendel (I'm sure by far the best of the bunch).
Yeah, those particular characters were fairly forgettable, but Comico did have a lot of other great stuff, and Grendel is a Mount Rushmore candidate of great characters.

Originally Posted by ytrez
For me, there was not better time in comics than the 80s.

Here are some of my favorite titles from that period:

Maybe the first manga I held in my hands back in '82 or so:

Then there was just an explosion of good titles:

Eventually I came across Tim Vigil and Jim O'Barr:

And they led to a whole new world that I was previously too young to even know existed (I know some of these aren't from the 80s but that's when I discovered them):

And, while not quite underground, I discovered Richard Corben and just couldn't get enough:

Then there was all the other stuff from Eclipse, First, Comico, Continuity and the whole black and white explosion that led to Dark Horse, Eternity, Aircel, and Mirage (which ultimately led to Tundra in the 90s). It was such an incredible period of creativity and experimentation; I'm glad I got to be a part of it.
It really was a golden era. I’m sure the explosion of creativity and competition from the independents led to the big two having to expand and grow into the stuff like Vertigo.

But as much as I love to wax nostalgic on this era, comics have never been better than they are now. You just have to look outside the typical comic shop for much of it.
Originally Posted by ytrez
I enjoyed Empire Lanes. I remember the 4 issue series from Northern lights (1st issue shown in your initial post),


Then in 1989 Comico came out with volume 2 with a new #1:


In 1990 Comico released the second issue which, probably to inspire higher sales, they also labeled as #1:

In 1990 they also released a trade paperback of the original 4 issues series, which also carries a #1 label in most catalogs:

I recommend the series. It was a tough sell amongst all the superhero titles on the racks I'm sure, but it's a fun product of its time.
Now that I see I own 4/7 of the entire output, I’ll have to track down issues 2 thru 4.
Old 02-12-23, 11:02 AM
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Re: The “Do You Own Any of These” Game - Round 1

I should re-read my run of Grendel. I haven't looked at it in twenty years. I never bought the first three B&W issues that were disowned by Matt Wagner, but I did get the B&W&Red one-shot promotional issue.

I read comics from the early 1980s to the mid 1990s, so I remember most of the titles people are talking about. But they just sit in boxes, and I really ought to sell them all.

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