Comic books in 'Comics Hobby'

May 4, 1984. Article by Denis Kitchen on 'Tab'; DC news; signed 'Grimjack' poster is coming; Marvel to produce comic dealing with child abuse; various artists work on 'All-Star Squadron,' 'Infinity Inc.' Also in this issue: Advertising Index; American Comic Strips; The Bitter Half; Classified Ads; Comics Clubs; Comics in Your Future; Comics Trader; Dan T's Inferno; Dealer Directory; Editorial; Everett True; Fit to Print; Freddy & Eddy; The Law Is a Ass; Oh, So?; Rayguns, Elves; Trufan Adventures; Viewsbreak; What, Where & When.

May 11, 1984. First Comics switches to $1.25 offset format; 'Thriller' cancelled; Stan Lee to write annual with Jameson wedding story; Joel Edler is CBG ad manager; 'Comics Review' has new publisher. Cover price $1.00.

May 18, 1984. Western suspends its Whitman comics line; Pacific kills Silverheels; a look at Dalgoda; Everett True - mourns for the fallen; Dan T's Inferno - readers' title picks; Law Is a Ass - is Scarecrow insane?; Upcoming Comics - what to expect. Cover price $1.00.

May 25, 1984. Ms. Tree leaves Eclipse, goes to Aardvark-Vanaheim; Hal Jordan to quit as Green Lantern; Pacific cancels Bold Adventure; Reuben goes to Arnold Roth; DC Universe series to change characters; Rocketeer story finished, due in June; Epic expansion begins, Dreadstar changes. Cover price $1.00.

June 1, 1984. Offset 'Teen Titans' is a hit, total sell-out in some areas; Everett True cleans house of old jokes; Lawrence Watt-Evans on pre-Code horror; up-to-date listing of upcoming comics; new, enlarged directory of comics clubs; who should pay for super-hero damages? Cover price $1.50.

NOTE: This issue, #552, is dated June 15th). Issue #553 (June 22nd) is also numbered 552). Fantagraphics to publish Prince Valiant in color; Sergio Aragones' Groo to be Epic Comic; Lawrence Watt-Evans on pre-Code horror; a day in the life of Cat Yronwode; Fred Hembeck's back; news about and listings of hundreds of upcoming comics. Cover price $1.50.

NOTE: This issue, #553 (June 22) is mistakenly numbered 552. The actual #552 is dated June 15th. Founder Shel Dorf quits San Diego Comic-Con; Neal Adams on artists' rights (letter column); Denny O'Neil hints at Rhodey's bleak future; Lois Lane goes to prison (The Law Is a Ass). Cover price $1.50.

Original cover price: $1.50. June 29, 1984. International Comics Issue. Alan Moore tells what won't happen to Marvelman; Lone Wolf and Child; Kampung Boy and Town Boy; Eagle Award winners; salute to San Diego Comic Con. Cover price $1.50.

Original cover price: $1.50. July 6, 1984. Sol Brodsky dies; Yronwode on trademarks; Lawrence Watt-Evans on Pre-Code Horror; Stangroom on British comics; Michael Mauser and Ms. Tree star in mini-series. Cover price $1.50.

July 13, 1984. Rich Margopoulos to wipe out 3 of The Mighty Crusaders - 'All the old continuity' scrapped by new writer; stolen Williamson Flash Gordon art located in Italy; SkyCon 4 honors DC's Julius Schwartz; Bob Ingersoll explains his 'appearance' in MTU; Ron Goulart looks at Golden Age heroes. Cover price $1.50.

July 20, 1984. ElfQuest to have 21st issue - 'End of quest' celebrations planned; Steve Gerber talks about Void Indigo; Kurtzman gets a green award; Bill Cole gets saluted; Kitz 'n' Katz get hypnotized; Dan Tyree and Elizabeth Slaughter get new logos; Kim Metzger gets another crack at editing CBG. Cover price $1.50.

Original cover price: $1.50. July 27, 1984. George Perez leaves Teen Titans, but remains as co-editor, co-plotter and cover artist; Bill DuBay's ideas that didn't sell; SF writer Lawrence Watt-Evans discusses comic-book science fiction; Bob Ingersoll displays his briefs. Cover price $1.50.

August 3, 1984. Nexus, Badger, Whisper taken by First Comics; Brent Anderson - Save the comics industry; Bob Ingersoll - Could comics reduce crime?; Tony Isabella - Comics in Jamaica; Editorial - Women like to see men suffer; vast numbers of photos of comics stars. Cover price $1.50.

August 17, 1984. Gil Kane, Jan Strnad do maxi-series, 2nd 'Sword of Atom Special'; Bob Ingersoll on killing by degrees; Everett True goes to his reward; Lawrence Watt-Evans on Avon horror; Ron Goulart on lesser Golden Agers; Gene Reed answers collectors' questions; Terry Beatty on 3-D bubble-gum cards; Elizabeth Slaughter has Hubby trained. Cover price $1.50.

September 7, 1984. Science Fiction Issue. Bill Spicer surveys UFOs in comic books; Lawrence Watt-Evans on writing fantasy; Robert Coulson on current SF magazines; Robert Weinberg on collecting fantasy; Ron Goulart on old comics. Cover price $1.50.

September 14, 1984. Joe Staton leaves staff at First, continues 'E-Man'; Phil Seuling dies, direct-sale pioneer; Don Newton dies; Marvel announces try-out contest. Also in this issue: Advertising Index; The Bitter Half; Book Guide; Classified Ads; Comics Guide; Comics Trader; Dealer Directory; Editorial; Everett True; Fanzine Guide; Freddy & Eddy; Fred Hembeck; I Cover the Newsstand; Magazine Guide; Oh, So?; Trufan Adventures; What, Where & When.

September 21, 1984. Pacific cancels comics for at least 2 months; photos from San Diego, Colorado, and Petuniacon; Roger Stern reveals what's in store for Dr. Strange, Spider-Man and The Avengers; Jan Strnad talks about The Atom; Robert Ingersoll analyzes Superman III. Cover price $1.50.

September 28, 1984. Special Pulp & Paperback Issue. Pulpwood detectives - Ron Goulart; Paperback cowboys - Bernard Drew; Pulpcon Thirteen - Will Murray; How Pulps Led to Comics - Lawrence Watt-Evans; Hugo Awards - tribute to Larry Shaw highlights presentations at SF Worldcon. Cover price $1.50.

October 12, 1984. Marvel hikes price of regular comics; Archie Adventure titles held back, line re-evaluated; Eclipse takes four more Pacific titles; Frank Miller, Bill Sienkiewicz team on Daredevil; Epic's Coyote to conclude soon; new column deals with comics games; a photograph of The Thing?; Peter Ledger challenges the industry. Cover price $1.50.

October 19, 1984. First Comics cancels two - 'Warp' at #19, 'Mars' at #12; '700 Club' attacks comics; Kitchen Sink upgrades Spirit, Steve Canyon; globetrotting cartoonist Pracy dies at 22; Deluxe - You can publish THUNDER Agents; Bob Ingersoll objects - Heroes commit crimes; Superman comes for Tony Isabella; Craig Yoe mourns the death of Vip; Lawrence Watt-Evans on writing for a living; an up-to-date list of forthcoming comics. Cover price $1.50.

October 26, 1984. Special Silver Age Issue; new Marvel titles - 'West Coast Avengers' and 'X-Factor' to be series; Charlton suspends publication. Cover price $1.50.

November 2, 1984. Harlan Ellison writes for DC - signs contracts for a graphic novel and for a Kid Flash mini-series; Frank Miller - 2 graphic novels; Steve Canyon meets the Smurfs (really!); photos of Orlandocon celebrities; Heidi MacDonald on hit vs. hot comics; a look at the Unknown Super-Hero; an updated list of coming comics; a major interview with Jim Davis (who has nothing whatever to do with Garfield). Cover price $1.50.

November 9, 1984. Supergirl on videotape before film hits theaters; Eclipse adds 4 titles - Somerset Holmes, Mr. Monster, Alien Worlds, Twisted Tales; Star Comics bow in with heavy promotion; silent-era 'Photoplay' held comics gems; more on UFOs in the comic books; a continuing list of American comic strips; looks at SF books and magazines; computers aid collectors and investors. Cover price $1.50.

November 16, 1984. Publishers form association; Eclipse obtains Sun Runners, while Groo, Rocketeer, Pressbutton sell out; Everett True recalls the good old days; the return of Cosmic Trips and Information Please; reviews of many recent books; a revised list of upcoming comics; a visit to Witzend Book Shop. Cover price $1.50.

November 23, 1984. John Byrne, Bill Mantlo to trade titles - Mantlo does Alpha Flight, Byrne takes over Hulk; honoring 50 years of comic books; first interview with Norman Maurer; a brief history of New Adventure Comics; Steve Ditko - before the Code; guest editorial by John Byrne. Cover price $1.50.

November 30, 1984. First to publish Elric - will do novels as sets of mini-series; an interview with Marvel editor Carl Potts; background on Mendy and the Golem; First's, Eclipse's plans for 1985; a review of the Supergirl movie; a serious look at real graphic novels; some remarkable predictions from 1970; lots of news about upcoming comics. Cover price $1.50.

December 21, 1984. DC plans weekly comic - Charlton heroes to star in 2-to-4-page stories; Batman meets Jon Sable; new series, specials from Marvel, Epic; wacky (but true) news about Ambush Bug; planned DC titles, mini-series, graphic novels; John Byrne's views on life after X-Men; tongue-in-cheek guest editorial by Jan Strnad. Cover price $1.50.

December 28, 1984. Deni Loubert to leave Aardvark-Vanaheim; Waldenbooks to carry Amazing Heroes previews; Thunderbunny finds a new publisher; writer-editors trade assignments; a Christmas fable for collectors; cartoons to make you a merry soul; a look at pre-Code Simon and Kirby horror; a variety of news, views and reviews. Cover price $1.50.

January 4, 1985. Dave Cockrum's Futurians series goes to Deluxe Comics; conclusion of the Don Rosa interview; $500,000 Disney art auction; flying saucers by Wally Wood, Bob Powell; why 'Sgt. Fury' was not a war comic; 'Mad' publisher buys Statue of Liberty.

January 18, 1985. Cristy - Trina Robbins talks about her Star Comic; the return of The Zine Fan; a look at Marvel's pre-Code horror; a lawyer vs. 'America vs. the JSA'; an update on David Michelinie; some chilling thoughts on 'hot books'; a preview of the 1985 Omnicon. Cover price $1.50.

January 25, 1985. Comico loses Evangeline; Secret Wars II - series ties in with rest of Marvel line; a major interview with Howard Chaykin; a report on the Asheville Mincon; a 63-year-old comic strip bids farewell; further thoughts on comics' metallic ages; Eisner and Wolverton on flying saucers; a listing of upcoming comics from all over. Cover price $1.50.

February 1, 1985. Renegade Press - 3-D comics, series about a pulp writer planned; Ben Oda dies at 68, long-time letterer; 40-year-old drawings by Simon and Kirby; pre-Code horror in Plastic Man; a surprising thing about surprise witnesses; a photo album of visitors to CBG's offices; a very large number of book reviews; David Campiti looks at unkept promises. Cover price $1.50.

February 8, 1985. SF writers pick Howard Chaykin - American Flagg gets three nominations; man pleads guilty in $30,000 comics theft; Art of Steve Ditko is rescheduled; updates on Jan Strnad, Rich Margopoulos; how to get CBG delivered by postal people; reviews of science-fiction magazines; previews of hundreds of upcoming comics; a comprehensive listing of comics clubs. Cover price $1.50.

February 15, 1985. Life after ElfQuest - WaRP Graphics plans to double output in 1985; your ballot for the CBG Poll; a look at post-Code horror comics; a very late Christmas Carol parody; The Bitter Half explains comics fans; a large number of comics reviews. Cover price $1.50.

March 8, 1985. Collins-Traylor book on Spillane nominated for Edgar Award; the first-ever interview with Boody Rogers - creator of Sparky Watts and Babe, he is the only living artist who had work in the world's first comic book; see Yoe-Ho-Ho on page 3; heavily illustrated interview begins on page 20. Cover price $1.50.

March 15, 1985. Charlton to return - mostly reprint line stresses characters in 12 bi-monthlies; previews of Rawhide Kid, Capt. Marvel series; reviews of small-press publications; Comico expands its Robotech line; suggestions for a livelier collection; a very large number of book reviews; lots of reviews of comics and magazines. Cover price $1.50.

March 22, 1985. Another Rainbow to publish Disney comics - famed titles return to newsstand by year's end under new Gladstone imprint; what's coming up in Alpha Flight, Hulk; All-Star Squadron faces turning point; Mr. Monster becomes a regular series; Asgardian graphic novel, mini-series planned; Golden Age hero makes a hash of the law; previews of upcoming comic books. Cover price $1.50.

March 29, 1985. Harvey Kurtzman edits new book-magazine 'Nuts!'; Sparkle City offers public 'Mile High' comics; Frank Miller signs to do Batman graphic novel; Marvel debates labeling of adult comics; an interview with Dave Sim and Deni Loubert; an index to Tales of the Mysterious Traveler; Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to have spin-off titles.

April 5, 1985. European printing plan may lower comics cost - could narrow independent-newsstand price gap; Elementals is put on hiatus; Tim Truman's Time Beavers are coming; Storm, Wasp, She-Hulk, Tigra graphic novel; an updated checklist of Monitor appearances; the top 25 newspaper comic strips; the story of Supersnipe; your collection and your income taxes. Cover price $1.50.

April 12, 1985. Marvel to cancel six titles - Dazzler, Defenders, Micronauts, Thing, Power Man/Iron Fist and Rom to get ax; Jan Strnad asks how long comics stay fresh; postal problems and CBG; comic strips featured in Public TV series; Zot! officially becomes bi-monthly; comics characters star in software games; Macross sells out, Comico has new look. Cover price $1.50.

April 19, 1985. Comic book to aid Ethiopia - 54 top writers, artists donate their talents to X-Men Benefit Special coming this summer; X-Men staff goes to Paris to plot #200; Obituaries - Morrie Kuramoto, Don Rico; the new man in Katy Keene's life; a guide to conventional behavior; a less-than-serious ABC of comic books; a double dose of Everett True. Cover price $1.50.

April 26, 1985. Western Printing archives of file comics to be sold - project produces indexing bonanza; Joshua Quagmire on Cutey Bunny; Richard Bruning joins DC as art director; Disney comics may be out early; a chance to improve CBG's delivery; speculation on how titles help or hurt sales. Cover price $1.50.

May 10, 1985. Golden Age bonanza - More Flash/Whiz Comics #1, Thrill #1 found; Sparkle City, Dragon's Lair buy from Fawcett files; 19 lost Spirit strips are found; why comics upset the censors; tongue-in-cheek comics grading. Cover price $1.50.

May 17, 1985. The cover of this issue features an illustration of Jon Sable and Batman by Mike Grell, which is a promo piece for the aborted Jon Sable/Batman crossover.

July 5, 1985. Eclipse adds titles - 'Johnny Nemo' in own book, Timothy Truman does 'Scout'; Will Eisner speaks at OSU comics exhibit; a trivia quiz on ignored topics; many reviews of comics, books, fanzines; a tribute to the late Chester Gould; advice on convention etiquette; a look at the 'Space Cadet' comic strip; plus ads, letters and more.

July 12, 1985. 'Miracleman' orders cut - Eclipse's first 75c title sells out before shipping, orders for #1 are reduced 20% across the board; a lawyer looks at Squadron Supreme; candid remarks by Charles M. Schulz on 'Doonesbury,' 'Bloom County,' and how completely 'Peanuts' is his; plus ads, letters and more.

July 19, 1985. 'Starslayer' on hiatus; 'Flaming Carrot' #1-6 sell out; comics censorship on the rise in 1949; cartoonists bare all (well, some) in new series; Jay Disbrow on the original comics heroes; publishers reveal why comics are delayed; readers tell of letter-column outrages; changes made in Marvel's British comics. Cover price $1.50.

August 9, 1985. 'World's Finest' canceled - Superman and Batman part company amicably; Pre-Code horror in 3-D - Eclipse offers unpublished 1950s comics; the 100th Everett True installment (see page 20 of this issue for a list of who inked it); a look at upcoming summer comics; furor grows over bogus news releases; plus ads, letters and more.

August 16, 1985. WaRP: weekly color comic - mini-series features Dracula, Jack the Ripper; Greenberg the Vampire - 'Woody Allen meets the Hunger' in graphic novel; Jim Engel returns with a new Fandom Confidential; the very first CBG sports staff story; Jo Duffy on 'Star Wars,' other projects; Bob Ingersoll's farewell to The Flash; plus ads, letters and more.

August 23, 1985. 'THUNDER Agents' is 'public domain'; 'X-Factor' video offered; Trina Robbins' confession; Tony Isabella meets The Beyonder; August birth dates; Heidi MacDonald says we were all dumb once; plus ads, letters and more.