Amazing Heroes Issue #160 Table of Contents

Amazing Heroes Issue #160 Table of Contents

Periodical
Comics Strips

The table of contents of Amazing Heroes Issue #160 is over two pages, the first with featured articles that align with the theme of European comics and the second with additional articles, staff, and publishing information. The first page contains an image of a man with papers flying around him, presumably a European comic books character, and a picture of French character TinTin, dropping a large stack of comic books, and his dog Milou. The featured articles include: “A New World of Comics,” an introduction to European comics; “From Europe with Love,” an interview with Bernd Metz, the creator of the Comcat and Catalan comics; “Approaching Eurocomics,” a guide to English editions of foreign language comics; and “Thorgal Comes to America,” a story of a foreign comic becoming popular in the United States. The additional articles in the fanzine are: “Newsline”; “Coming Distractions,”; “X of a Kind,” a list of ten influential European comics artists; “Backstage,” an interview with Watchmen film writer Sam Hamm; “First Look”; “Doc’s Bookshelf,” an explanation of comic book translation; “Cover Gallery,” “Cartoon Corner,” a story about international animation; “Comics in Review,” “Amazing Readers,” and “Strom’s Index.”

The variety of European comic books included in this fanzine is representative of the international comic book culture. French comics make up the majority of those mentioned in this issue, likely because they are the most widely distributed and well known in America. Publishers in France like Catalan and Dargaud have contributed to this by making their comic books available internationally. Additionally, many French scholars regard comics as the ninth art and thus worthy of sharing with others. Despite this, European comics have still had to deal with challenges to their popularity and even existence. Because of Germany’s occupation of much of Europe during World War 2, there was not much exposure to American comics and artistic expression was limited. This had its benefits, as it allowed at least France to cultivate a distinct comic identity outside from the American superhero, including the creation of characters like TinTin and Asterix. There were still some obstacles to reaching prestige with which they are now held by those in academia. Until the 1960s and 1970s, comics in France and other European countries were intended for children. There were large amounts of copies or spoofs of American titles, and there were concerns that this kind of comic art would Americanize children and disrupt the formation of their national identities. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, French comics reached their most productive era but attempts to standardize the industry caused a decline in sales soon thereafter. Increasing globalization allowed for more trade between nations and the spread of comic books internationally. This includes American comics and movies being published in other nations, as well as more access for English speakers to foreign comics, bot translated and in their original language.

Executive Editor: Kim Thompson
Managing Editor: Chris McCubbin
Art Director: Lynette Alcorn-McCubbin
Editorial Assistance: Rudy Minger
News Correspondent: Darren Cranston
Production Assistant: Mark Thompson
Typesetting: Linda Gorell & Arlene Easter
Circulation: Rachel Enger & Carol Kovinick-Hernandez

MSU Special Collection Comic Art, PN6725.A47

Fantagraphics Books Inc.

1989-03

Sarah M Geist

Rights Restrictions Apply

6 5/8 inches by 10 1/4 inches

English

Periodical

1981-1992