Anybody notice this?

The Spider · Post by **The Spider** » Mon Jun 21, 2004 10:34 pm

Back in the 80's, there was a comics company called First Comics, which published comics such as Howard Chaykin's AMERICAN FLAGG, Mike Grell's JON SABLE, Mike Baron and Steve Rude's NEXUS, Tim Truman and John Ostrander's GRIMJACK, and others. It was one of the forefront independant comics companies during the 80's.

According to a post I found on Google, the company went belly up in 1991.

1991 is when the Valiant Heroes stuff started, didn't it?

And Acclaim ceased all comics production in... 2000, was it?* Which was the time when CrossGen started up...

*Not counting that Turok: Evolution comic.

greg · Post by **greg** » Mon Jun 21, 2004 10:47 pm

Interesting... Since CrossGen's dead... what's the new "destined to fail" company?

I once noticed that Valiant could be broken into three 18-month periods...

The first 18-months... pre-Unity, Unity, and up to Rai 0.
The middle 18-months... super-high print runs, chromium galore.
The last 18-months... the print runs drop, the titles start disappearing.

The Spider · Post by **The Spider** » Mon Jun 21, 2004 11:01 pm

Just found out something else interesting: First Comics started in 1983.

Warren Publications, which had published horror comics magazines (CREEPY, EERIE, and VAMPIRELLA) since 1964, folded in 1983.

shaxper · Post by **shaxper** » Mon Jun 21, 2004 11:39 pm

I'm just now rediscovering the First comics. I bought American Flagg and The Comet back in the day, and just laughed at them. Nexus is rocking my world in hindsight, though.

I completely missed the Crossgen era. What were those like?

I don't suppose Marvel's New Universe fits into this plan anywhere?

The Spider · Post by **The Spider** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 12:03 am

shaxper wrote:I'm just now rediscovering the First comics. I bought American Flagg and The Comet back in the day, and just laughed at them. Nexus is rocking my world in hindsight, though.

I completely missed the Crossgen era. What were those like?

I don't suppose Marvel's New Universe fits into this plan anywhere?

The first 12 issues of AMERICAN FLAGG were really good. Haven't read the rest yet.

I actually haven't gotten around to reading CrossGen stuff yet.

New Universe was (and probably is) still owned by Marvel, so I don't think it fits into that (the companies I mentioned are non-Marvel, non-DC). It can be looked upon as a Valiant prototype, though.

RyanMcLelland · Post by **RyanMcLelland** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 6:07 am

It's funny you mention this all...

I'm actually doing a HUGE article on First Comics right now. It still is about two months away from seeing print...but it deals with everything with First from beginning to end...and not so end, as many of the properties are still tied up in legal brouhaha.

I loved First when I was younger...Grimjack is a great read as was Whisper. American Flagg...Nexus...hmmm..this list could go on and on for me...

myron · Post by **myron** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 7:24 am

RyanMcLelland wrote:It's funny you mention this all...

I'm actually doing a HUGE article on First Comics right now. It still is about two months away from seeing print...but it deals with everything with First from beginning to end...and not so end, as many of the properties are still tied up in legal brouhaha.

I loved First when I was younger...Grimjack is a great read as was Whisper. American Flagg...Nexus...hmmm..this list could go on and on for me...

don't forget Badger...alot of these started as capital comics and became first after about the 4th or 5th issue...can't wait to see that article Ryan

hillmanthe2nd · Post by **hillmanthe2nd** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 7:32 am

myron wrote:
RyanMcLelland wrote:It's funny you mention this all...

I'm actually doing a HUGE article on First Comics right now. It still is about two months away from seeing print...but it deals with everything with First from beginning to end...and not so end, as many of the properties are still tied up in legal brouhaha.

I loved First when I was younger...Grimjack is a great read as was Whisper. American Flagg...Nexus...hmmm..this list could go on and on for me...
don't forget Badger...alot of these started as capital comics and became first after about the 4th or 5th issue...can't wait to see that article Ryan

I really liked some of those titles, especially Badger since it was the first comic series my wife read and could not get enough of.

Jaknife · Post by **Jaknife** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 9:23 am

crossgen is awesome. they have amazing storylines, good titles. and suprisingly, for it being a mulitplanet universe, they have tight continuity. the First is good, as well as Sigil, Scion, Mystic(hehe), Sojourn, and some others.

Vault-Keeper · Post by **Vault-Keeper** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 1:05 pm

The complete Lone Wolf & Cub collection (#1-45) I just sold was from First. Issues #1-12 all had Frank Miller covers. They put it out up til the end of the company. I still have a few dozen assorted First issues, if anyone is looking.---Steve G

twofour · Post by **twofour** » Wed Jun 23, 2004 12:55 pm

Crossgen had this little title called Negation. Pick it up. It is amazing!!!

twofour