Amazing Heroes Issue #159 Cover Page

Amazing Heroes Issue #159 Cover Page

Comics, comic scripts
Superheroes
Science Fiction

The cover page for issue # 159 has a pair of armored feet standing on a dirt. On the ground by the feet are 2 newspaper pages, slightly crumbled like litter. In front of the feet is a puddle, which shows a reflection. In the reflection is the rest of the armored feet, showing the rest of the body of Eric Savin, aka the villain Coldblood. The rest of Savin’s body is also covered in armor, and his face is half covered in an armored mask as well. Savin is also holding a gun, pointed down, on one of his hands. Behind the reflection of Savin in the puddle are a couple of taller buildings, signaling that he is probably in a city. Written in a very small font next to one of the building is “Gulacy”, who created the art. On the top of the page is the “Amazing Heroes” title as standard in all the other periodicals. Towards the left side of the title is the release information, stating the issue #, date, etc. Towards the right bottom corner are the words “SAM HAMM talks about writing the BATMAN movie in an exclusive interview!”, “PAUL GULACY reflects on his new project for Marvel!” and “all this, and the return of SIDNEY MELLON too!”. This periodical cover is a good reflection of the times because it encompasses a lot of very prevalent themes. One of the main themes is illustrated by the figure of Eric Savin, who was a lieutenant colonel in the army who oversaw the project “Ultra-Tech”. He eventually suffers an accident, which results in him becoming a cyborg who is programmed to work for “Ultra-Tech”, leaving him with little chooses.

The 80s saw a wave of skepticism of government, disdain for authority, and anti-conformity. This was a result of the rapidly changing world, with the Cold War, the Vietnam War, race riots, problems in the middle east, etc. creating an unstable America. Many people were struggling trying to make sense of the complex world, and many people’s deep thoughts were reflected in writing as a way of exploration and reflection. Savin’s backstory is a prime example of this since the army is clearly shown as being a fascist organization and something that cannot be trusted. Through the exploration of these themes in comics, people were able to comprehend our increasingly complicated world, or at least try to see reality as the non-linear reality that it is. This periodical also demonstrates the theme of integration of comics into mainstream pop culture. The section dedicated to the new Batman movie is a prime example of this. Comic book characters had had their own radio shows, 12 episode serials, etc., but the introduction of movies in the list of spaces superheroes could exist signifies a demand for heroes. Superheroes, in particular from the 70s onward, became a staple in mainstream media due to the fact that they served this role of exploration of these political themes discussed before.

Editorial Team:
Executive Editor: Kim “Dracula” Thompson
Managing Editor: Chris “Frankenstein” McCubbin
Art Director: Lynette “Vampirilla” Alcorn-McCubbin
Editorial Assistance: Charles “Invisible Man” Lieurance
News Correspondent: Darren “Wolfman” Cranston
Production Assistant: Mark Thompson
Typesetting: Linda Gorell, Arlene Easter
Circulation: Rachel Enger, Carol Kovinick-Hernandez
Publisher: Fantagraphics Books, Inc.

MSU Special Collection Comic Art, PN6725.A47

Fantagraphics Books, Inc.

1989-2

Hannah Boyd

Rights Restrictions Apply

Table of Contents: http://chambl91.msu.domains/CriticalFanscape/items/show/55
Representative Image: http://chambl91.msu.domains/CriticalFanscape/items/show/58

10 and 1/4 inches by 6 and 5/8 inches

English

Periodical

1981-1992