Amazing Heroes Issue #104 Cover
Dublin Core
Title
Amazing Heroes Issue #104 Cover
Subject
Periodical
Comics Strips
Comics Strips
Description
A giant, transformer-like robot sits off in the distance, with an anthropomorphic cat and military-looking character in the foreground. With no text to inform them, this art dominated cover of Amazing Heroes #104 may leave the average reader scratching their head at who these characters actually are. In fact, they are the main ensemble in Dynamo Joe, a futuristic, intergalactic science fiction comic.
The year is 3425, and the three main races - the Terrans, the Imperium, and the Tavitans - are all in alliance and under attack from an unknown alien life force. To be victorious against the attack, the three races worked together and created numerous fusion-powered robo-suits manned by two, named the Dynamo. As the first issue of Dynamo Joe opens, the last fortress-world is falling, and the alien attack is told from the point of view of one robo-suit: Dynamo Joe, crewed by pilot Sargent Daro of the Imperium and technician Private Pomru of the Tavitan Empire. On the cover - from right to left - the characters depicted are Sargent Elanian Daro, the pilot; Pomru, the technician; and the robo-suit Dynamo Joe itself. For fifteen issues, the crew of the Dynamo Joe tries to win the war against the aliens and navigate the tense relationships between members of the three races. Initially published in 1986 by First Comics, Dynamo Joe was released when fans of non-mainstream comics and publication from independent companies were continually succeeding.
At the end of the 1970s and on the back end of a big, decade-long creator-publisher battle, the comic industry was again in crisis. Enter direct-marketing distribution. As traditional comic book stores closed with the industry again hitting a wall, smaller shops that strictly sold comic books began to pop up and comics were beginning to be distributed directly (and in some cases, exclusively) to these smaller comic book stores. This direct-market distribution not only lowered costs for publishing companies, but it also affected the creation of comics themselves with new independent publishers popping up, specifically targeting the direct market. Furthermore, writers and illustrators gained more popularity within various fandoms, growing their sales. Thus, the comic book and superhero market became more saturated than ever due to the new direct market that incentivized commercial success and not pure innovation.
Ultimately, Dynamo Joe ran for two years, spanning fifteen issues. It was created by Doug Rice (who also created the Amazing Heroes #104 cover) at the perfect time. Without direct-market distribution and the subsequent success of non-mainstream, independent comics, Dynamo Joe and other comics alike may have never come into existence.
The year is 3425, and the three main races - the Terrans, the Imperium, and the Tavitans - are all in alliance and under attack from an unknown alien life force. To be victorious against the attack, the three races worked together and created numerous fusion-powered robo-suits manned by two, named the Dynamo. As the first issue of Dynamo Joe opens, the last fortress-world is falling, and the alien attack is told from the point of view of one robo-suit: Dynamo Joe, crewed by pilot Sargent Daro of the Imperium and technician Private Pomru of the Tavitan Empire. On the cover - from right to left - the characters depicted are Sargent Elanian Daro, the pilot; Pomru, the technician; and the robo-suit Dynamo Joe itself. For fifteen issues, the crew of the Dynamo Joe tries to win the war against the aliens and navigate the tense relationships between members of the three races. Initially published in 1986 by First Comics, Dynamo Joe was released when fans of non-mainstream comics and publication from independent companies were continually succeeding.
At the end of the 1970s and on the back end of a big, decade-long creator-publisher battle, the comic industry was again in crisis. Enter direct-marketing distribution. As traditional comic book stores closed with the industry again hitting a wall, smaller shops that strictly sold comic books began to pop up and comics were beginning to be distributed directly (and in some cases, exclusively) to these smaller comic book stores. This direct-market distribution not only lowered costs for publishing companies, but it also affected the creation of comics themselves with new independent publishers popping up, specifically targeting the direct market. Furthermore, writers and illustrators gained more popularity within various fandoms, growing their sales. Thus, the comic book and superhero market became more saturated than ever due to the new direct market that incentivized commercial success and not pure innovation.
Ultimately, Dynamo Joe ran for two years, spanning fifteen issues. It was created by Doug Rice (who also created the Amazing Heroes #104 cover) at the perfect time. Without direct-market distribution and the subsequent success of non-mainstream, independent comics, Dynamo Joe and other comics alike may have never come into existence.
Creator
Cover Artists: Doug Rice, Dale Crain
Managing Editor: Mark Waid
Art Director: Dale Crain
Production Manager: Kim Thompson
News Correspondent: J. Collier
Production Assistant: Theresa Moore
Typesetting: L.M. Gorell & Arlene Easter
Circulation: Rachel Enger
Managing Editor: Mark Waid
Art Director: Dale Crain
Production Manager: Kim Thompson
News Correspondent: J. Collier
Production Assistant: Theresa Moore
Typesetting: L.M. Gorell & Arlene Easter
Circulation: Rachel Enger
Source
MSU Special Collection Comic Art, PN6725.A47
Publisher
Fantagraphics Books, Inc.
Date
10-1986
Contributor
Matthew Marshall
Rights
Rights Restrictions Apply
Format
10 and 1/4 inches by 6 and 5/8 inches, Color
Language
English
Type
Periodical
Coverage
1981-1992
Still Image Item Type Metadata
Original Format
Comic Book
Physical Dimensions
10 and 1/4 inches by 6 and 5/8 inches
Files
Collection
Citation
Cover Artists: Doug Rice, Dale Crain
Managing Editor: Mark Waid
Art Director: Dale Crain
Production Manager: Kim Thompson
News Correspondent: J. Collier
Production Assistant: Theresa Moore
Typesetting: L.M. Gorell & Arlene Easter
Circulation: Rachel Enger, “Amazing Heroes Issue #104 Cover,” Critical Fanscape, accessed October 17, 2026, https://chambl91.msu.domains/CriticalFanscape/items/show/41.