Epic Comics


Epic Comics was an imprint of American publishing company Marvel Comics, active from 1982 to 1996. A spin-off of the publisher's Epic Illustrated magazine, it published creator-owned work unconnected to Marvel's superhero universe, and without the restrictions of the Comics Code. The name was revived by Marvel in the mid-2000s for a short-lived program inviting new writers to pitch series proposals to the publisher.

History

Origins

Launched by editor-in-chief Jim Shooter as a spin-off of the successful Epic Illustrated magazine, the Epic imprint allowed creators to retain control and ownership of their properties. Co-edited by Al Milgrom and Archie Goodwin, the imprint also allowed Marvel to publish more objectionable content without needing to comply with the stringent Comics Code Authority. Epic titles were printed on higher quality paper than typical Marvel comics, and were only available via the direct market.

Titles

Image:Dreadstar issue 1.jpg|thumb|Dreadstar #1, debut publication of Marvel Comics' Epic imprint. Cover art by Jim Starlin.Alien Legion by writers Carl Potts and Alan Zelenetz and artist Frank CiroccoAtomic Age by writer Frank Lovece, penciler Mike Okamoto and inker Al WilliamsonThe Black Dragon by writer Chris Claremont and artist John Bolton The Bozz Chronicles by writer David Michelinie and artists Bret Blevins and John Ridgway, moved to Dover Publications in 2015Cadillacs and Dinosaurs by writer-artist Mark SchultzCaptain Confederacy by writer Will Shetterly and artist Vince StoneCoyote by writer Steve Englehart and artist Marshall Rogers, moved to Image Comics in 2005Crash Ryan by writer-artist Ron HarrisDreadstar by writer-artist Jim StarlinDreadlands by Andy Lanning, Steve White, and Phil GascoineClive Barker's Hellraiser by various writers and artists, moved to Boom! Studios in 2011Clive Barker's Nightbreed by writers Alan [Grant (writer)|Alan Grant] and John Wagner and artist Jim BaikieClive Barker's The Harrowers by writers McNally Sagal, Malcolm Smith, Anna Miller and Fred Vicarel and artist Gene ColanElfquest by writer-artists Wendy and Richard PiniElektra Lives Again by writer-artist Frank Miller and colorist Lynn VarleyFritz Leiber's Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser by writer Howard Chaykin and artist Mike Mignola, moved to Dark Horse Comics in 2007Feud by writer Mike Baron and artist Mark A. NelsonThe Groo Chronicles by writer-artist Sergio Aragonés and writer Mark Evanier Havok & Wolverine: Meltdown by writers Walt and Louise Simonson and artists Kent Williams and Jon J. MuthInterface by writer James D. Hudnall and various artistsIron Man: Crash by writer-artist Mike SaenzLawdog by writer Chuck Dixon and artists Flint Henry, The Light and Darkness War by writer Tom Veitch and artist Cam Kennedy, moved to Titan Books in 2015Marshal Law by writer Pat Mills and artist Kevin O'Neill, moved to DC Comics in 2013Metropol by writer-artist Ted McKeeverMidnight Men by writer-artist Howard ChaykinMoonshadow by writer J. M. DeMatteis and artists Jon J. Muth, Kent Williams and George Pratt, moved to Dark Horse Comics in 2019The One by writer-artist Rick Veitch, moved to King Hell Press in 2003Pinhead by writers D. G. Chichester and Erik Saltzgaber and artists Dario Corrasco and Phil GascoinePsychonauts by writers Alan Grant and Tony Luke and artist Motofumi KobayashiSachs and Violens by writer Peter David and writer-artist George Pérez, moved to DC Comics in 2006Shadowline by creator Archie GoodwinSisterhood of Steel by writer Christie Marx and artist Mike VosburgSix From Sirius by writer by Doug Moench and artist Paul GulacyThe Sleeze Brothers by writer John Carnell and artist Andy LanningSpyke by writer Mike Baron and artist Bill ReinholdStray Toasters by writer-artist Bill SienkiewiczSteelgrip Starkey by writer-artist Alan Weiss (comics)Swords of the Swashbucklers by writer Bill Mantlo and artists Jackson Guice, Geof Isherwood and Colleen DoranTimespirits by writer Stephen Perry and artist Thomas YeatesVoid Indigo by writer Steve Gerber and artist Val MayerikWild Cards by various writers and artists
'''Source:'''

General and cited references