It allowed comic book publishers to sell direct to the consumer through comic books shops thus cutting out the middle man-the newsstand distributor and the costly return policy.
Comic shops could buy comics at a discount with the understanding that once bought there were no returns.
Comic books publishers loved the concept and shop owners had more control over what they ordered and how much that best fit their clientele.
In 1983 a small publisher out of Texas (Texas Comics) had big plans and was slated to start a full-fledge comic book company.
Unfortunately finances and a licensing snafu ended the company after only one comic book being published: Justice Machine Annual.
What makes this issue so important is not only the appearances of the Justice Machine and guest stars the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents but a new feature that would continue under the Comico publishing banner.
That title, written and drawn by Bill Willingham, was The Elementals.
This is the same Bill Willingham that would go on to win accolades and awards with his outstanding script work on DC’s Fables and other titles.
The Elementals were a group of superheroes whose powers (you guessed it) came from the four basic elements: fire, water, air and earth.
It was a great concept and very controversial in its own right when it first published. It was by all definitions an adult comic book.
As popular as the Aliens movies were there was not a lot of merchandising when they came out.
There were some toys, a few collectibles and the like but very little in print.
In 1988 Dark Horse Comics published a six-apart, black and white Aliens comic book series with art by Mark A. Nelson and a script written by Mark Verheiden.
The story involved Newt, the young girl last seen in Aliens, as a woman and the reappearance of her worse nightmare--the Aliens.
It’s a taut, terrifying tale that successfully translates the horror story in space genre made popular by the various Alien movies.
As much as I love comic books there are times when I wish they were the same 10-cent Golden Age tales published specifically for kids.
There was something charming and feel good about many of the stories, especially Walt Disney based stories.
For a mere 25-cents kids could purchase the Dell Giant Stories, Walt Disney’s Christmas Parade edition that included tales starring all of Disney’s stable of characters including Donald Duck and his nephews, Goofy, Mickey Mouse Minnie Mouse, Chip and Dale, Gyro Goose and other licensed characters like Pinocchio and others.
Even old Saint Nick showed up.
There were puzzles, activates and other fun things kids could also do.
It’s a wonderful slice of nostalgia when things were simpler, more family oriented and consisted of good, clean wholesome fun.
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