Amazing Heroes Issue #116 Cover Page
Dublin Core
Title
Amazing Heroes Issue #116 Cover Page
Subject
Periodical
Comic strips
Comic strips
Description
The cover of the 116th issue of the Amazing Heroes comics features a drawing of characters from the Matt Champion comic series. It was published on May 1, though the year is unlisted on the cover page. Matt Champion is pictured with a grimacing face as a scared woman clutches onto him. Behind him is a poster with “wrestling” written on it, featuring several pictures of wrestlers. In addition, there is a picture of a Samurai behind Matt Champion and the woman; his Samurai sword is gleaming, and he appears to be ready to jump out of the picture and strike at any moment. There are also bullet holes driven into the posters; these bullet holes appear to be fresh, as smoke can be seen pouring out of them. Combined with the scared woman and angry Matt Champion, it appears that there is some sort of tension between Matt Champion and an off-page character that is shooting at him. The bottom of the page reads: “This issue: Our interviewer tries to pin ERNIE COLON to the mat!” Ernie Colon is the man who drew the cover page of this issue, so this comment is making a reference to the Matt Champion series by saying that Ernie Colon will be pinned to the mat.
Matt Champion was originally intended to be written as a four-part mini-series, but only one issue ended up being produced. It is unclear as to whether the series was canceled, or the publishing company collapsed, but the story of Matt Champion never made it past the first issue and was never finished. The opening issue served as an introduction to the series, so because it was canceled, it is difficult to fully tell what the point of the story was beyond basic plot points. In the comic, Matt Champion, a champion professional wrestler, is instructed by the head of the league, Mr. Zucco, to lose to a no-name wrestler in order to bring in more ratings. Even though he is furious that he is forced to give up his title, he complies. Because he is fed up with living with these injustices, Matt Champion fights back and is arrested, but he breaks out of his cell, which is where the issue ends. Because of this, Max Champion’s narrative was cut short and his goals and background are never truly defined or expanded upon. Readers will never know about the fate of the fearless Matt Champion, and whether or not he won back his title. Due to all of these factors, publishing only a single issue of this Matt Champion mini-series proved to be detrimental, as there was seemingly no point to reading it if no ending could ever be reached. Though the cover pages for the second and third issues of the comic were created, there is no published evidence of any text from these two issues, meaning they are likely lying around somewhere. The Matt Champion issue was written by Robert Loren Fleming, and the cover was drawn by Ernie Colon, who was mentioned in the caption on this cover page of the Amazing Heroes issue.
Matt Champion was originally intended to be written as a four-part mini-series, but only one issue ended up being produced. It is unclear as to whether the series was canceled, or the publishing company collapsed, but the story of Matt Champion never made it past the first issue and was never finished. The opening issue served as an introduction to the series, so because it was canceled, it is difficult to fully tell what the point of the story was beyond basic plot points. In the comic, Matt Champion, a champion professional wrestler, is instructed by the head of the league, Mr. Zucco, to lose to a no-name wrestler in order to bring in more ratings. Even though he is furious that he is forced to give up his title, he complies. Because he is fed up with living with these injustices, Matt Champion fights back and is arrested, but he breaks out of his cell, which is where the issue ends. Because of this, Max Champion’s narrative was cut short and his goals and background are never truly defined or expanded upon. Readers will never know about the fate of the fearless Matt Champion, and whether or not he won back his title. Due to all of these factors, publishing only a single issue of this Matt Champion mini-series proved to be detrimental, as there was seemingly no point to reading it if no ending could ever be reached. Though the cover pages for the second and third issues of the comic were created, there is no published evidence of any text from these two issues, meaning they are likely lying around somewhere. The Matt Champion issue was written by Robert Loren Fleming, and the cover was drawn by Ernie Colon, who was mentioned in the caption on this cover page of the Amazing Heroes issue.
Creator
Editor: Kim Thompson
Art Director: Dale Crain
Also Art Director: Doug Erb
With Some Help From: Michael Adams
News Correspondent: J. Collier
Production Assistand: Teresa Moore
Typesetting: L. M. Gorell & Ariene Easter
Circulation: Rachel Enger
Publisher: Fantagraphics Books, Inc.
Printed at: Port Publications, WI
Art Director: Dale Crain
Also Art Director: Doug Erb
With Some Help From: Michael Adams
News Correspondent: J. Collier
Production Assistand: Teresa Moore
Typesetting: L. M. Gorell & Ariene Easter
Circulation: Rachel Enger
Publisher: Fantagraphics Books, Inc.
Printed at: Port Publications, WI
Source
MSU Special Collection Comic Art, PN6725.A47
Publisher
Fantagraphics Books, Inc.
Date
1987-05
Contributor
Miranda Kalinowski
Rights
Rights Restrictions Apply
Format
10 and 1/4 inches by 6 and 5/8 inches
Language
English
Type
Periodical
Coverage
1981 - 1992
Files
Collection
Citation
Editor: Kim Thompson
Art Director: Dale Crain
Also Art Director: Doug Erb
With Some Help From: Michael Adams
News Correspondent: J. Collier
Production Assistand: Teresa Moore
Typesetting: L. M. Gorell & Ariene Easter
Circulation: Rachel Enger
Publisher: Fantagraphics Books, Inc.
Printed at: Port Publications, WI, “Amazing Heroes Issue #116 Cover Page,” Critical Fanscape, accessed October 17, 2026, https://chambl91.msu.domains/CriticalFanscape/items/show/53.