1980s Indie Comics8944

Originally Posted by brysb
Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedOne1944
Great Thread and some very memorable books you all have posted.

I credit the eighties independent titles as what really got me back into comics.

The diversity in all of the different artwork that began really pushing the envelope, as well as the more detailed mature storylines was really what grabbed hold of me.

The Title that started it all for me was Grim Jack in 1984, when I purchased Issue #5 "Eternity Road".
The Extreme details of John Ostranders Trans-Dimensional city of Cynosure was beyond belief and still remains one of my all time favorite story lines, and Tim Truman's Gritty and "Dirty" artwork really brang it all to life. I have since completed a high grade Grim Jack Run, but the Tim Truman Issues are really the heart and soul of the Series.

I firmly believe The John Ostrander/Tim Truman Grim Jack Work are masterpieces that are some of the most overlooked and under appreciated comic book works in the hobby.





The last page in Grim Jack #5 "Eternity Road" really left me hanging. I couldn't wait for the next issue!




So it was without question that I was immediately drawn to Tim Truman's Scout Series. Outstanding story and art from Truman, While I indeed loved all the Rock N Roll, Guns and Bikes action, The Scout character was not quite as strong as Grim Jack. It goes without question I maintain a High Grade Scout run though.






Who could ever forget the Impact Judge Dredd would have on the world of comics. The John Wagner/Brian Bolland combo is the stuff comic book legends are made of! I couldn't ever imagine a comic book world without our favorite Law officer of the future. In fact our current world could use a few more no holds barred Judge Dredd's.

Im still looking for a few upgrade Issue's for my Dredd run, Including a 9.4-9.6 Issue #1, Which is getting kind of pricey.






Another of my favorite Indie titles from the eighties was Chuck Dixon's Airboy stories. I have always been intrigued by stories from the war era. Obviously by now you know the Tim Truman Art on the early issues was a big draw for me as well. Of coarse a HOT Valkyrie cover by Dave Stevens never hurts your cause! All this Action coming to you Bi-weekly for ONLY .50 cents!!! Ahh the good ole days!







Of coarse ANY serious discussion about eighties Indies titles has to start with Howard Chaykins "American Flagg". Chaykin's masterpiece almost single handily moved the comic book genre forward to the next level of maturity in story telling. His knack for drawing the reader into the story by establishing a character base that plays through out the story line and that always makes you not only want to turn the page, BUT have to turn the page to find out what happens next. With multiple plot lines of political scandal, police and Government corruption, to Ruben's sexual escapades, Chaykin masterfully weaves them all full circle.
If one has no American Flagg, Im not sure I can even call ya a comic enthusiast.






While it is true that many of the Independent publishers were only around for a short time, I strongly believe that they hold a VERY significant distinction in the timeline of comic book history. It gave Creators, for the first time the ability to work outside of the Comics Code of Authority, and gave writers and artist the creative freedom to push the boundaries of their creativity with more creative and mature storylines. It also paved the way for creative rights issues that gave Writers and Artist the rights to their work.

The short of it? It was good shit that pushed the industry to the next level. I believe some of the most influential work ever done in comic books was done during this brief, but very fruitful time period.

While these substantial comic book works still seem to be overlooked and under valued, They will always remain as top tier books in my collection, as there have been very few comics printed since their departure that have come remotely close to reaching the creative level of the eighties Indie books.

You have beautiful comics, wish we were related.

Originally Posted by michaelekrupp
Although I was very high on them when they first came out, Dark Horse was probably not the publisher I would have bet on to survive that tumultuous era. In hindsight, they did demonstrate the one thing that so many of the others lacked: the ability to run a business. I think that was really the downfall of many of the publishers on this thread.

Originally Posted by michaelekrupp
Western Publishing (AKA Dell/ Gold Key) managed to survive for over 40 years almost exclusively publishing licensed material. I will agree that a diversified business model is probably the best strategy.

Originally Posted by esaravo
Did somebody say Dave Stevens?

Originally Posted by michaelekrupp
@Tedsaid Alan was hesitant to do the drawing. When I told him what I wanted, he was only doing head shots. I asked him if he would draw them both if I paid him for two. I guess I looked sufficiently dejected because, after a brief pause, he said ...”I’ll see what I can do”. He did that drawing in about 10 minutes. Watching him work was just incredible! Man, I wish I had that kind of talent!
Another interesting tidbit: when I was waiting at Alan’s table for him to return from lunch, I was talking to another fan who had met Alan before and had brought some Eclipse Miracleman issues for him to sign. He refused to sign them, saying that the creative people never received any money from Eclipse from these books. Apparently it was work for hire and Eclipse paid the publisher for the rights, but the creative people never saw a dime.