During the early 1980s, independent comic book publishers began challenging the dominance of Marvel and DC…
Oh, You Didn’t Know
OH, YOU DIDN’T KNOW – PRIME
In 1993, Malibu Comics launched the Ultraverse, an ambitious new superhero universe designed to compete with…
OH, YOU DIDN’T KNOW – MARSHAL LAW
In 1987, when superheroes were becoming darker, more violent, and increasingly complicated, Marvel Comics’ Epic imprint…
OH, YOU DIDN’T KNOW – THE AMERICAN
In 1987, Dark Horse Comics introduced a superhero who appeared to represent everything America stood for.…
OH, YOU DIDN’T KNOW – MIRACLEMAN
Long before Watchmen redefined the superhero genre, Alan Moore was already challenging everything readers thought they…
OH, YOU DIDN’T KNOW – COYOTE
During the early 1980s, the American comic book industry was transforming. Independent publishers were challenging Marvel…
OH, YOU DIDN’T KNOW – BILL BLACK’S FUN COMICS
Long before independent comic books became a major force in the industry, Bill Black was keeping…
OH, YOU DIDN’T KNOW – CRY FOR DAWN
In the late 1980s, independent comic books were exploring territory that mainstream publishers rarely dared to…
OH, YOU DIDN’T KNOW – MURCIÉLAGA SHE-BAT
Long before independent comics made diversity a regular part of the conversation, Murciélaga She-Bat was already…
OH, YOU DIDN’T KNOW – SAMUREE
During the 1980s, Neal Adams’ Continuity Comics built one of the more distinctive independent superhero universes…
OH, YOU DIDN’T KNOW – THE PROTECTORS
Before Malibu Comics launched the Ultraverse with characters such as Prime, Hardcase, and Mantra, the publisher…
OH, YOU DIDN’T KNOW – EX-MUTANTS
The 1980s independent comics boom produced some wonderfully strange concepts. Publishers were willing to experiment, creators…
OH, YOU DIDN’T KNOW – GRIPS
The 1980s independent-comics explosion produced plenty of strange, ambitious, and occasionally outrageous books, but few captured…
OH, YOU DIDN’T KNOW – THE ROCKETEER
There are comic-book heroes who save the universe, battle gods, and carry the fate of reality…
OH, YOU DIDN’T KNOW – Mage
When discussing the great independent comics of the 1980s, MAGE deserves a place near the top…
OH, YOU DIDN’T KNOW – DNAgents
Long before genetically engineered superheroes became a familiar part of comic book storytelling, DNAgents was exploring…
OH, YOU DIDN’T KNOW – THE ELEMENTALS
Before Fables, before Bill Willingham became one of the best-known fantasy writers in comics, there was…
OH, YOU DIDN’T KNOW – GRENDEL, HUNTER ROSE
There are comic book villains, there are antiheroes, and then there is Grendel. Created by writer…
OH, YOU DIDN’T KNOW – JON SABLE, FREELANCE
Long before the modern comics market became crowded with creator-owned titles, Mike Grell’s Jon Sable, Freelance…
OH, YOU DIDN’T KNOW – American Flagg!
American Flagg! was conceived ground-up for First Comics in Evanston, Illinois. Launched in October 1983, it…
OH, YOU DIDN’T KNOW – The Badger
When creator Mike Baron was asked by Madison, Wisconsin–based publisher Capital Comics to create a costumed…
OH, YOU DIDN’T KNOW – Pineapple Man: Hawaiian Superhero
Independent comics have long been home to some of the industry’s most original superheroes, but few…
OH, YOU DIDN’T KNOW – Normalman: The World’s Most Average Hero in an Extraordinary Universe
When the independent comic book boom of the 1980s exploded with innovative creators and unconventional ideas,…
OH, YOU DIDN’T KNOW – Cobalt Blue: A Modern Superhero Built on Classic Foundations
Independent comics have always been fueled by creators willing to take chances on original heroes. While…
OH, YOU DIDN’T KNOW – Northern Light: The Forgotten Hero Who Helped Revive Canadian Superheroes
When comic book fans discuss Canadian superheroes, names like Captain Canuck, Nelvana, Northguard, and Alpha Flight…
OH, YOU DIDN’T KNOW – A HISTORY OF CAPTAIN CANUCK
In December 1940, the War Exchange Conservation Act was passed. It restricted the importation of goods…