Trio comic books issue 1

Star-Studded Comics 1 - September 1963 (Following content information for this issue, see a "Brief History of Star-Studded Comics" written by Rick Kelsey) Format: Four-color photo offset for cover and ditto interior Staple bound on side of pages. Original price was 35 cents Color cover by Howard Keltner features the Changling, the Defender, Doctor Weird, and the Astral Man. This was the first color cover EVER for a fandom-produced publication. "Let's Talk It Over!" column with notes and discussion by the Texas Trio. Stories:"The Defender in Slaves of the Brain Ray" A text story by Larry Herndon and illustrations by Richard "Grass" Green "Introducing Dr. Weird" Comic story with script and art by Howard Keltner "The Astral Man" A text story by Tommy Fisher "The Changling In Fearfull [sic] Weapon!" Comic story with script and art by Buddy Saunders A BRIEF HISTORY OF STAR-STUDDED COMICS by Rick Kelsey THE BEGINNING: On February 15, 1963, three young men who loved comic books met at a Carrollton, Texas home to talk about the hobby and the possibility of starting their own comic book. They did just that. The comic was called Star-Studded Comics and those three young men, Larry Herndon, Howard Keltner, and Buddy Saunders, became the "Texas Trio." When the "Texas Trio" started Star-Studded Comics in the early 1960s, it was an exciting time in comic books. New heroes and new teams were premiering like Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, Magnus Robot Fighter, the Justice League of America. And old heroes were being revived like the Flash, Green Lantern, and Captain America. This was a time before VCRs, DVDs, CD-Roms, personal computers, and cellular phones and when checking your mail meant looking in the mailbox in front of your home not turning on the computer and logging onto the internet. Even comic books stores didn't exist. You got the latest issues of Batman, Superman, the Hulk, or Donald Duck from wire racks in convenience stores, drug stores, grocery stores, and the "five-and-10" shops such as Winn's, Ben Franklin's, and TG&Y. And comic book conventions weren't happening yet. All of that helped to make the entertainment value of comic books all the greater and all the more precious. Fans wanted to meet one another and one way to do that was to publish your own comic book or magazine. Many tried but few succeeded as well as "Star-Studded Comics." The problem? A fan-published comic or magazine didn't usually last or appear with the regularity and dependability of a professional comic. Many fan publications ended or went AWOL after one issue. If you think self-publishing today is a tough job, imagine doing that in the 1960s without computers, desktop publishing software, word processing programs, Fax machines, photo-copiers, a home printer, the internet, or even an electric typewriter. Then toss in the fact that there was little, if any, profit to be made publishing your own comic or magazine. So you couldn't make a living from that. Most of these fan publications were done out of the love of the hobby. And when all of your spare time from your job or school is spent working on a comic or mag, your enthusiasm and dedication can quickly fade. Yet, the "Texas Trio" published 18 issues of Star-Studded Comics and in its time became well-known among fans and professionals alike, gave many future comic writers and artists a start in the industry, and entertained many, many people. And today the comic is a collectors' item and a reminder of a wonderful time when comic books were one of the best entertainment sources and a great escape for youngsters. If you want to know more about the history of Star-Studded Comics and the super-heroes, villains, stories, and artwork that appeared in this publication, check out the book "The Best of Star-Studded Comics" by Bill Schelly which is available at the author's website www.billschelly.com Cover price $0.35.

Stories and art by Warren Kremer and others. Part of Harvey's mid-'70s explosion of Casper spin-off titles, featuring the mean-spirited ghosts Fatso, Lazo and Fusso. The Trio's ghost professor retires, so he gives his castle to the Ghostly Trio. Casper is compelled to make speeches after accidentally inhaling a politician's hot air. Spooky decides to take a break from scaring anyone, but no one believes his true intentions. Whats My Name; The Witch Sisters; Casper for President; All That Glitters; Go Fish; Pretty Boy; Spooking of Kindness; Wendy. 36 pages, full color. Cover price $0.20.

Add to cart Near Mint $4.00

Add to cart Near Mint $4.00

Add to cart Near Mint $4.00

Add to cart Very Fine $3.20

Cover by John Byrne (W/A) John Byrne ZAP! POW! BAM! -- are sound effects you may actually see in this series, as John Byrne returns to his roots with a brand-new superhero series. Their code names are simple ONE, TWO and THREE, but the world calls them ROCK, PAPER and SCISSORS. Together, they are Trio. Cover price $3.99.

Limited 1 for 10 Variant Cover by John Byrne and Joe Sinnott. (W/A) John Byrne. ZAP! POW! BAM! -- are sound effects you may actually see in this series, as John Byrne returns to his roots with a brand-new superhero series. Their code names are simple ONE, TWO and THREE, but the world calls them ROCK, PAPER and SCISSORS. Together, they are Trio. Cover price $3.99.

Cover by Jim Starlin and Howard Keltner, very early Jim Starlin art. Stories by Howard Keltner and George R.R. Martin. Art by Jim Starlin and Howard Keltner. The first solo comic of mystical superhero Dr. Weird, featuring art by Jim (Warlock) Starlin and writing by George (Game of Thrones) Martin, long before they were famous. This is the last amateur story and only amateur comic book adaptation ever to be produced by Martin--"Only Kids Are Afraid of the Dark!" Inking & lettering by Howard Keltner.

Dr. Weird battles the Prince Of Demons and Urrathon of the Grinning Skull. Also includes an article about Dr. Weirds real-life history in 1960s fanzines produced by the Texas Trio. 8 1/2 in. x 11 in. 24 pages, B&W. Dr. Weird first appeared in Star-Studded Comics published by the Texas Trio (Howard Keltner, Larry Herndon and Buddy Saunders). Cover price $0.35.

1st printing. Starring NoMan, Dynamo and Menthor; The 1st printing. Cover by Wally Wood. Stories and art by Wally Wood, Steve Ditko, John Giunta, and Carl Hubbell. Reprints of the origins and first adventures of cult-favorite super-team the THUNDER Agents, from THUNDER Agents (1965 Tower) #2-6. Super-strong Dynamo battles a race of underground humanoids called Subterraneans, who are seeking to reclaim the surface world from humanity. Menthor faces the powerful mesmerist Zizaqz, whose mental powers are a match for those provided by Menthor's helmet. Android hero NoMan battles hypnotist Mr. Image, who can turn anyone against him, in a story with art by Spider-Man co-creator Steve Ditko. Dynamo Battles the Subterraneans; Dynamo Battles Dynavac; Menthor: The Carnival of Death; NoMan: To Fight Alone; T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents. 4 1/2-in. x 7-in., Squarebound, 132 pages, B&W. Cover price $0.50.

Add to cart Near Mint $2.95

Add to cart Near Mint $2.95

1st printing. Written by Laurie S. Sutton. Art and cover by Ethen Beavers. It's a triple threat! Catwoman, Poison Ivy, and Harley Quinn have crashed a charity fundraiser and made off with all the cash. Which villain should Batman chase first? Should he search the Fairgrounds or the Gotham Seaport? Does the Caped Crusader jump onto a speeding train, or get grabbed by a monstrous vine? In this interactive story, you choose the path Batman should take. With your help, he'll solve the puzzle of The Terrible Trio! Softcover, 5-in. x 7-in., 112 pages, full color. Cover price $6.95.

If you think that you know ghosts, think again! Those three, bumbling, grumbling specters are here to make you laugh, as they try their darndest to spoil Casper's day. But with Casper's ever-present cheerfulness and with the help of his friends, the Ghostly Trio doesn't stand a chance at doing anything but fumbling their own pranks in hilarious fashion! 32 pages, full color. Cover price $3.99.

Add to cart Very Fine $6.30

Written by Steve Niles. Art and Cover by Bernie Wrightson. Collecting issues 1, 2, and 3 of the acclaimed Frankenstein series by Niles and Wrightson in a bargain-priced format! A grand treat of Victorian horror featuring the further adventures of Mary Wollstonecraft Shelly's classic monster, as ghoulishly illustrated by Bernie Wrightson, the true master of the macabre! 68 pages, full color. Cover price $7.99.

1st printing. Collects Rick and Morty Presents: Maximum Overture (2023 Oni Press), Rick and Morty: Maximum Crescendo (2024 Oni Press), and Rick and Morty Presents: Maximum Coda (2024 Oni Press). Written by Brockton McKinney. Art by Jarrett Williams. Cover by Suzi Blake. Rick and Morty fall into the clutches of the maniacal, musicall villain Concerto! His symphony of terror will finally make Rick pay for . . . wait, why is Concerto mad at Rick? In this triplet of stories from creators Brockton McKinney (Jenny Zero) and Jarrett Williams (Rick and Morty: Worlds Apart), the universe's least-dynamic duo must evade and outrun Concerto, the rabid pooch Chickenskin Dogskull, a horde of fast-food-franchise mascot zombies, and more as they try to answer that age-old question: What is this guy's deal, anyway? Softcover, 112 pages, full color. Cover price $19.99.

Add to cart Fine $8.99

1st printing. Written by Olivier Vatine and Alain Clement. Art by Fabrice Lamy and Olivier Vatine. The Blonde. The Brunette. And the Bank Robber. Joseph Carpenter, the notorious bandit, is a very Wanted man. Mary, the brazen blonde bounty hunter, will risk anything to bring him in - and divorce him! Dolores, the brunette bandita, aims to keep Joseph in her gang at any cost! Meanwhile, the stubborn Sheriff Terco waits patiently just north of the Rio Grande - to capture all three! Hardcover, 48 pages, full color. Mature Readers Cover price $14.95.

1st printing. Collects Trio (2012 IDW) #1-4.

Art and Cover by John Byrne.

ZAP! POW! BAM!-are sound effects you may actually see in this series, as John Byrne returns to his roots with a brand-new superhero series. Their code names are simple: ONE, TWO and THREE, but the world calls them ROCK, PAPER and SCISSORS. Together, they are Trio.

Softcover, 104 pages, Full color.

Cover price $17.99.

One-Shot. 1995. Flip-format comic combining "The Extra Terrestrial Trio / White Star". Written and illustrated by Fraser D. Graham. 6.5" x 10.25". 32 pages. Black and white. Cover price $2.95.

"Gold and Ashes" written by Jason DeGroot with art by Carla Berrocal. B&W, 24 pages, standard paper stock. Cover price $2.00.

Add to cart FN 6.0 $6.00

Add to cart FN 6.0 $6.00

Written by Tony Cacciatore, Art by Ross Aston. 28 Pages, B&W. Cover price $2.75.

Add to cart Fine $2.65

(W/A)- Alex Tschetter. 24 pages, full color. Cover price $1.95.