Amazing Heroes Issue #159 Representative Image

Amazing Heroes Issue #159 Representative Image

comics, comic strips
superheroes
science fiction
technology

This is one half of a 2-page article spread. The title is cut off, but what is visible reads ‘Sci-Fan, Sci-f’ and ‘Paul Gulacy: A’. This title is set against a black background, the letters being white. On the left side of the page is a thin column of the background for the article. It goes into depth on Paul Gulacy’s career. It describes his work on “Masters of Kung Fu”, which was his first major work. He also worked on Daredevil, worked for Marvel, even did a Batman comic. It mentions themes of the direct market and technology as well. To the right of this description is a part of a comic panel which contains Coldlood-7, aka Eric Savin, who Gulacy created. Coldblood-7 is in full futuristic armor, with a utility belt and even a half metal mask covering the right side of his face. He appears to be falling sideways as he shoots something out of his right arm towards something or someone who is out of frame. The words “CHUN CHUN” are seen in the blast coming out of the weapon he is presumably holding in his right hand. The edge of a metal-like, robotic-looking hand peeks out from the top right corner. We can assume that this is the ‘thing’ Coldblood-7 is shooting. Below Coldblood-7 there is a person in full on stormtrooper looking gear who appears to be falling backward. There is a Batman symbol on his helmet. This page serves as a good representation in that it discusses many themes prevalent in the 80s. One that they bring up is the direct market. In the description of Gulacy’s past work, it mentions that one comic he worked on is believed to be the beginning of the direct market revolution. This occurred in the 80s, as a result, to decrease in distribution.

When vendors were given the option of either selling more expensive magazines or cheap comics, they option opted for the option that they profited the most from, which was magazines. This meant that a lot of what comic companies were creating were not even making it to the shelves due to the fact that distributors would only buy the big name, big selling comics. Strangely though, the comic reading base was still strong—there was still a demand for comics. This led to the creation of the direct market, which was the sale of comics directly to distributors that more and more commonly sold only exclusively comics. Now space existed for comics to thrive and for comic book readers to shop for a wider variety of comics. Another theme explored in this image is technology. The 70s and 80s saw a drastic change in technology, be it weapons, NASA, and just everyday home appliances. Literature came to reflect this new interest in using technology to make us not entirely better, but maybe simply different. In years past, technology was looked at as something to be skeptical of or something to be overcome. As the world grew to see how the world could use technology, it became more and more ingrained into who we are. This becomes quite metaphorical if we consider the fact that for Coldblood-7, technology literally becomes ingrained in who he is.

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
Editorial Team #159:
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

Cover: http://chambl91.msu.domains/CriticalFanscape/items/show/54
Table of contents: http://chambl91.msu.domains/CriticalFanscape/items/show/55

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

English

Periodical

1981-1992