A Conversation on Legacy, Characters, and the Future of the Heroic Universe
Since the early days of independent comics publishing, Heroic Publishing has built a universe defined by optimism, larger-than-life heroes, and some of the medium’s most enduring superheroines. We sat down to talk about the company’s origins, its standout characters, and what readers can expect next.
First Comics News: Take us back to the beginning. How did Heroic Publishing first come together, and what were those early years like?
Dennis Mallonee: It started back in 1981 with the illustrated sci-fi/fantasy magazine, Fantasy Book. We incorporated as Heroic Publishing in late 1986 and began publishing comics under our own imprint in 1987.
1st: Heroic Publishing is often associated with the tagline “the finest superheroines in comics.” How did that slogan originate, and what do you think resonates with readers about your characters?
Dennis: The tagline is the finest superheroines in comics. That was suggested by Mark Beachum when we noticed that our most popular characters are women. As to why that should be true, I’ll leave that to readers to judge.
1st: For readers discovering her for the first time, who exactly is Fantastic Girl, and what makes her powers and origin unique within the Heroic Universe?
Dennis: The Fantastic Girl is Jessica Madison, the precocious and occasionally obnoxious little sister of Flare’s boyfriend, Lucas Madison. Jessie’s been infused with the essence of the Olympian moon goddess Selene, and can dream herself into being a superheroine. She has the powers of strength, flight, durability, invisibility, and intangibility. She also has a reality-shifting ability she doesn’t quite yet understand.
1st: You’re currently writing Fantastic Girl Deluxe. What elements of the character and the series help her stand out from other superheroes on the shelves today?
Dennis: She already stands out as a tough, willful, no-nonsense, way-overpowered heroine who focuses on street-level crime. She doesn’t yet have any clue that the things she’s dreaming about doing are, in fact, actually happening.
1st: Readers may notice certain titles carry the “Deluxe” branding. What does that designation represent within the Heroic Publishing line?
Dennis: The Deluxe line includes the comic books being distributed into comic book stores through Philbo Distribution. It’s separate from, but complementary to, our line of digital and on-demand comics.
1st: The Champions have faced many threats over the years. Which villain would you consider their most formidable adversary?
Dennis: That would have to be the dread lord Azsum-Gandi, the demonic entity worshipped by the occult criminal organization, DEMON.
1st: Liberty Girl is one of Heroic Publishing’s most recognizable heroes. Beyond the symbolism in her name, what defines her patriotism and guiding philosophy?
Dennis: The Liberty Girl believes whole heartedly on the underlying principles upon which the American experiment is based. Specifically, that all men are created in the image of God, and that their rights derive from the spark of divinity that dwells within them. Government does not grant rights; government exists to secure the rights that mankind already possesses.
1st: Giant is, quite literally, a larger-than-life character. What aspects of the hero do you think connect most strongly with fans?
Dennis: If you’re asking about Will Jensen, the contemporary version of Giant, we’re dealing with a teenage boy who can transform himself into a superhero. It’s a “coming of age” kind of fantasy, the male counterpart, if you will, to the Fantastic Girl.
1st: Flare has been a cornerstone of Heroic Publishing since the beginning. How has she changed and matured as a character over the years?
Dennis: She’s grown and matured. She’s no longer the confused teenager in a woman’s body that she was when we first started publishing stories about her. She’s a competent, confident young woman.
1st: Writers often leave pieces of themselves in their characters. Is there anyone in the Heroic lineup you feel particularly reflects you?
Dennis: There are obviously going to be parts of me reflected in every character I write, but there’s no character I look at as a reflection of myself.
1st: If you had the chance to step into the Heroic Universe yourself, which superhero would you most want to meet, and what draws you to that character?
Dennis: I’ve always found Rose to be the character most interesting to me. She’s an overachiever who loves testing herself against obstacles and opponents who push her to the limits of her abilities.
1st: Looking ahead, what upcoming releases or projects from Heroic Publishing are you especially excited for readers to see?
Dennis: Worthy of particular mention are the Liberty Girl Archive, which will be a collection of her every published appearance to date, and an All-Girl Hero League special that collects their published appearances along with a new Commander Fantastic and Dynamo Girl story.
1st: If you could personally choose one superpower from the Heroic Universe, whose abilities would you want, and what appeals to you about them?
Dennis: The only power I’d really be interested in having is a long, healthy lifespan. I just don’t like the idea of, at some point, not being able to see what happens next.
1st: And finally, what would you like to say to the fans who have supported Heroic Publishing throughout the years?
Dennis: Heartfelt thanks for all the support you’ve given us over the years. I love it when new fans find us, and I hope that the upcoming Deluxe line will bring in new readers.
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