Epic Comics (also known as the Epic Comics Group)Shooter, Jim. "Bullpen Bulletins: The Truth About the Epic Comics Group!" Marvel comics cover-dated November 1982. was an

imprint Imprint or imprinting may refer to: Entertainment * ''Imprint'' (TV series), Canadian television series * "Imprint" (''Masters of Horror''), episode of TV show ''Masters of Horror'' * ''Imprint'' (film), a 2007 independent drama/thriller film ...

Marvel Comics Marvel Comics is an American comic book publisher and the flagship property of Marvel Entertainment, a divsion of The Walt Disney Company since September 1, 2009. Evolving from Timely Comics in 1939, ''Magazine Management/Atlas Comics'' in ...

from 1982 to 1996. A spin-off of the publisher's ''Epic Illustrated'' magazine, it published creator-owned work unconnected to Marvel's superhero universe, and without the restrictions of the Comics Code. The name was revived by Marvel in the mid-2000s for a short-lived program inviting new writers to pitch series proposals to the publisher.

History

Origins

Launched by editor-in-chief

Jim Shooter James Shooter (born September 27, 1951) is an American writer, editor and publisher for various comic books. He started professionally in the medium at the age of 14, and he is most notable for his successful and controversial run as Marvel Comi ...

as a spin-off of the successful ''Epic Illustrated'' magazine, the Epic imprint allowed creators to retain control and ownership of their properties. Co-edited by Al Milgrom and Archie Goodwin, the imprint also allowed Marvel to publish more objectionable content (sometimes explicit) without needing to comply with the stringent Comics Code Authority. Epic titles were printed on higher quality paper than typical Marvel comics, and were only available via the

direct market The direct market is the dominant distribution and retail network for American comic books. The concept of the direct market was created in the 1970s by Phil Seuling. The network currently consists of: * four major comic distributors: ** Lunar ...

Titles

* '' Alien Legion'' by writers Carl Potts and Alan Zelenetz and artist

Frank Cirocco Frank Cirocco (born June 13, 1956) is an American comics artist and video game designer best known as the co-creator of ''Alien Legion'' with Carl Potts and Alan Zelenetz. Early life Frank Cirocco moved from Elmwood Park, New Jersey to San Jose ...

* '' The Black Dragon'' by writer

Chris Claremont Christopher S. Claremont (; born November 25, 1950) is a British-born American comic book writer and novelist, known for his 17-year stint on '' Uncanny X-Men'' from 1975 to 1991, far longer than that of any other writer,Claremont, Chris. ''Marve ...

and artist John Bolton * '' The Bozz Chronicles'' by writer David Michelinie and artists

Bret Blevins Bret Blevins (sometimes spelled Brett Blevins) (born August 13, 1960) is an American comics artist, animation storyboard artist, and painter. He is perhaps best known for his stint as the regular penciler of ''New Mutants'' for Marvel Comics. C ...

and John Ridgway, moved to

Dover Publications Dover Publications, also known as Dover Books, is an American book publisher founded in 1941 by Hayward and Blanche Cirker. It primarily reissues books that are out of print from their original publishers. These are often, but not always, books ...

in 2015 * '' Cadillacs and Dinosaurs'' (colorized version) by writer-artist Mark Schultz * ''

Captain Confederacy ''Captain Confederacy'' is an alternate history comic book by Will Shetterly and Vince Stone that was first published in 1986, revived in 1991–92, then published online with new and revised material in 2011. It tells the story of a superhero cr ...

'' (second series) by writer Will Shetterly and artist Vince Stone * ''

Coyote The coyote (''Canis latrans'') is a species of canine native to North America. It is smaller than its close relative, the wolf, and slightly smaller than the closely related eastern wolf and red wolf. It fills much of the same ecological nich ...

'' by writer Steve Englehart and artist Marshall Rogers, moved to

Image Comics Image Comics is an American comic book publisher and is the third largest comic book and graphic novel publisher in the industry in both unit and market share. It was founded in 1992 by several high-profile illustrators as a venue for creator-o ...

in 2005 * ''

Crash Ryan ''Crash Ryan'' is a four-issue comic book mini-series created by Ron Harris and published by Marvel Comics' Epic Comics line in 1984. Publication history Harris brought back the characters in a four-part story that ran in ''Dark Horse Presents ' ...

'' by writer-artist Ron Harris * '' Dreadstar'' by writer-artist

Jim Starlin James P. Starlin (born October 9, 1949) is an American comics artist and writer. Beginning his career in the early 1970s, he is best known for space opera stories, for revamping the Marvel Comics characters Captain Marvel and Adam Warlock, an ...

* '' Clive Barker's Hellraiser'' by various writers and artists, moved to

Boom! Studios Boom! Studios (styled BOOM! Studios) is an American comic book and graphic novel publisher, headquartered in Los Angeles, California, United States. History Origins In the early 2000s, Ross Richie and Andrew Cosby had been working in ...

in 2011 * '' Clive Barker's Night Breed'' by writers Alan Grant and John Wagner and artist Jim Baikie * ''Clive Barker's The Harrowers'' by writers McNally Sagal, Malcolm Smith, Anna Miller and Fred Vicarel and artist Gene Colan * '' Pinhead'' by writers D.G. Chichester and Erik Saltzgaber and artists Dario Corrasco and

Phil Gascoine Phil Gascoine (8 June 1934 – August 2007)Holland, SteveBear Alley (August 17, 2007). was a British comics artist, best known for his work in comics such as '' Jinty'', ''Bunty'', and '' Battle Action'', for which he drew ''The Sarge''.

* '' Elfquest'' by writer-artists Wendy and Richard Pini * '' Elektra Lives Again'' by writer-artist Frank Miller and colorist Lynn Varley * '' Fritz Leiber's Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser'' by writer Howard Chaykin and artist Mike Mignola, moved to

Dark Horse Comics Dark Horse Comics is an American comic book, graphic novel, and manga publisher founded in Milwaukie, Oregon by Mike Richardson in 1986. The company was created using funds earned from Richardson's chain of Portland, Oregon comic book shops know ...

in 2007 * ''Feud'' by writer

Mike Baron Mike Baron (born July 1, 1949) is an American comic book writer. He is the creator of '' Badger'' and the co-creator of ''Nexus'' with Steve Rude. Biography Mike Baron entered the comics industry with an illustrated text piece in ''Weird Trip ...

and artist Mark A. Nelson * '' The Groo Chronicles'' by writer-artist Sergio Aragonés and writer

Mark Evanier Mark Stephen Evanier (; born March 2, 1952) is an American comic book and television writer, known for his work on the animated TV series '' Garfield and Friends'' and on the comic book ''Groo the Wanderer''. He is also known for his columns and b ...

* ''Havok & Wolverine: Meltdown'' by writers Walt and Louise Simonson and artists Kent Williams and Jon J. Muth * ''Interface'' by writer

James D. Hudnall James David Hudnall (April 10, 1957 – April 9, 2019) was an American writer who began his career in the comic book field in 1986 with the series '' Espers'', published by Eclipse Comics. He later worked for Marvel and DC on such titles as '' A ...

and various artists * ''Iron Man: Crash'' by writer-artist

Mike Saenz Mike Saenz (born 3 December 1959 Miller, John Jackson"Comics Industry Birthdays" ''Comics Buyer's Guide'', June 10, 2005. Accessed December 12, 2010WebCitation archive) is an American comic book artist and software designer. He is the creator of '' ...

* ''Lawdog'' by writer

Chuck Dixon Charles Dixon (born April 14, 1954) is an American comic book writer, best known for his work on the Marvel Comics character the Punisher and on the DC Comics characters Batman, Nightwing, and Robin in the 1990s and early 2000s. Early life Di ...

and artists Flint Henry, * '' The Light and Darkness War'' by writer

Tom Veitch Tom Veitch (September 26, 1941 – February 14, 2022) was an American writer, known for his work in the comic book industry. He was also a novelist and a poet. He was the brother of comics writer and artist Rick Veitch. Early life Veitch was ...

and artist

Cam Kennedy Campbell ("Cam") Kennedy is a Scottish comics artist. He is best known for his work on '' 2000 AD'', especially the flagship titles ''Judge Dredd'' and ''Rogue Trooper''. Biography Following work in commercial art in his hometown of Glasgow, ...

, moved to

Titan Books Titan Publishing Group is the publishing division of Titan Entertainment Group, which was established in 1981. The books division has two main areas of publishing: film and television tie-ins and cinema reference books; and graphic novels and c ...

in 2015 * '' Marshal Law'' by writer Pat Mills and artist Kevin O'Neill, moved to

DC Comics DC Comics, Inc. ( doing business as DC) is an American comic book publisher and the flagship unit of DC Entertainment, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery. DC Comics is one of the largest and oldest American comic book companies, with the ...

in 2013 * ''Midnight Men'' by writer-artist Howard Chaykin * ''Metropol'' by writer-artist

Ted McKeever Ted McKeever (born 1960 in New York City)McKeever entry
Grand Comics Database. Retrieved Dec. 30, 2021. is an ...

* '' Moonshadow'' by writer J. M. DeMatteis and artists Jon J. Muth, Kent Williams and George Pratt, moved to Dark Horse Comics in 2019 * '' The One'' by writer-artist Rick Veitch, moved to King Hell Press in 2003, * ''Psychonauts'' by writers Alan Grant and Tony Luke and artist Motofumi Kobayashi * '' Sachs and Violens'' by writer

Peter David Peter Allen David (born September 23, 1956), often abbreviated PAD, is an American writer of comic books, novels, television, films and video games.Buxton, Marc (March 29, 2014)"From 'Future Imperfect' to '2099': Peter David's Greatest Hits" Co ...

and writer-artist George Pérez, moved to DC Comics in 2006 * '' Shadowline Saga'' by creator Archie Goodwin * '' Six From Sirius'' by writer by Doug Moench and artist Paul Gulacy * '' The Sleeze Brothers'' by writer John Carnell and artist Andy Lanning * ''

Spyke Spyke (Evan Daniels) is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, most commonly in association with the X-Men. He was created for the animated series '' X-Men: Evolution'', and was created by writer Rober ...

'' by writer Mike Baron and artist Bill Reinhold * ''

Stray Toasters ''Stray Toasters'' is a four-issue comic book mini-series created, written and illustrated by Bill Sienkiewicz and published by Marvel Comics's imprint Epic Comics in 1988. Although it was critically acclaimed, it never reached widespread circu ...

'' by writer-artist Bill Sienkiewicz * ''

Swords of the Swashbucklers ''Swords of the Swashbucklers'' first appeared in the Marvel Graphic Novel range. Epic Comics, a division of Marvel Comics, began publishing it as a twelve-issue limited series between March 1985 and March 1987. The series was created by Bill Ma ...

'' by writer Bill Mantlo and artists Jackson Guice, Geof Isherwood and

Colleen Doran Colleen Doran is an American writer-artist and cartoonist. She illustrated hundreds of comics, graphic novels, books and magazines, including the autobiographical graphic novel of Marvel Comics editor and writer Stan Lee entitled ''Amazing Fant ...

* ''

Timespirits ''Timespirits'' was an eight-issue comic book limited series published by Marvel Comics as part of its Epic Comics imprint in 1984. It was created by writer Stephen Perry and Tom Yeates. In a report published by Folha de S.Paulo, many have poi ...

'' by writer Stephen Perry and artist

Tom Yeates Thomas Yeates (born January 19, 1955) is an American comic strip and comic book artist best known for illustrating the comic strips ''Prince Valiant'' and ''Zorro'' and for working on characters created by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Career Thomas Ye ...

* ''

Void Indigo ''Void Indigo'' was a short-lived and controversial comic book series written by Steve Gerber and drawn by Val Mayerik. It was published by Epic Comics from 1983 to 1984. ''Void Indigo'' focuses on an alien named Jhagur (he is known on Earth as " ...

'' by writer Steve Gerber and artist Val Mayerik * '' Wild Cards'' by various writers and artists Source:

Notes

References

* *
"Epic Comics"
at the International Catalogue of Superheroes

External links

"Marvel to tell 'Epic' stories once again"
''

Comic Book Resources ''Comic Book Resources'', also known by the initialism CBR, is a website dedicated to the coverage of comic book–related news and discussion. History Comic Book Resources was founded by Jonah Weiland in 1995 as a development of the Kingdom Co ...

''
"The Trouble with Marvel"
''

The Comics Journal ''The Comics Journal'', often abbreviated ''TCJ'', is an American magazine of news and criticism pertaining to comic books, comic strips and graphic novels. Known for its lengthy interviews with comic creators, pointed editorials and scathing re ...