This is topic This is an Exciting Time for Comics Books—Classic Franchises & Independent Publishers in forum Dr. Gym'll's Cultural Rarities at Legion World.
For years independent comic companies have been a big part of the industry; Legion Worlders with independent comics cred like Kent can give you a better history lesson than I can. But as Lardy put it elsewhere, I think when people look back on this era they will not be thinking about the unending crap Marvel & DC have put (enough that when something really great comes along its almost like a shock to the system), but rather, the sheer amount of great work being done by independent publishers.
It’s amazing that Image Comics has gone from all that was wrong in the early 90’s to the king of independent comics and creator-owned excellence. The Walking Dead, Mice Templar and Chew are the sterling examples of a much larger trend at Image. The company has a bit of *everything*--including yes, Spawn & Youngblood.
Dark Horse has for years proven to be a publisher not to be taken lightly and they continue to do so, with proven successes like Hellboy and new series like Umbrella Academy.
IDW Publishing has shown they are no slouch in publishes great independent creator-owned material, like PAD’s Fallen Angel and have become a place where great independent properties of the 80’s have resurfaced like Jon Sable and Grimjack. They also are reprinting some of the great Golden Age comic books and comic strips like Dick Tracy.
BOOM! under Mark Waid’s direction has also shown it is a force to be reckoned with by doing creator-owned work in both the superhero vein and other genre stuff like the excellent Unknown. They have also rectified a great tragedy in comics by bringing back the Disney franchises to the comic book shops, which will hopefully catch a little a momentum with younger readers (and I admit, Darkwing Duck has even me interested).
Dynamite Entertainment has done something few others have done: taken all of the classic franchises like the Green Hornet, Buck Rogers, the Lone Ranger, Zorro and others and have produced top quality comics that have got readers like me, who have never collected them before, actually interested. Up next? Flash Gordon, Mandrake the Magician and the Phantom, and I can’t wait for it.
Even Moonstone Publishing, whose titles I’ve never really found top quality, seems to be turning a page. They plan on publishing all the *other* great Pulp, Radio and Serial franchises, like the Spider, the Black Bat, and even my Dad’s favorite of all movie serial properties, Rocketman (which was the inspiration for Dave Steven’s Rocketeer).
Red 5 Comics has the awesome Atomic Robo, Oni Press has Stumptown and Archaia has Mouseguard.
Yes, there is more to comics than Marvel and DC! And that is good for Marvel and DC, as it means they have to step their game up.
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
What’s incredible is that after all these decades, so many properties are becoming prevalent again: Dynamite, Moonstone, First Wave & Red Circle at DC and Project Superpowers.
Posted by Pov on :
At least now you can say you're buying Darkwing Duck to share with Desi when he's a little older... Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Being a dad = ultimate excuse to indulge in any product for children you secretly want for yourself
Posted by Fat Cramer on :
Archaia has published a number of very interesting books set in biblical times. The Lone and Level Sands tells a story of Moses, Inana's Tears is a tale of a priestess trying to defend her temple and her city against internal and external enemies in ancient Sumer and Some New Kind of Slaughter weaves together various tales of catastrophic floods.
Posted by Fanfic Lass on :
Cobie, did you see my post in the Any Recommendations thread re: a treasury of little kids' comics? I thought you in particular might be interested, with the recent birth of Desi.
Cramer, I will absolutely check out Inana's Tears. That sounds great. Thanks.
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