Slave Labor Graphics

Slave Labor Graphics (SLG) is an independent American comic book publisher, well known for publishing darkly humorous, offbeat comics. Creators associated with SLG over the years include Evan Dorkin, Roman Dirge, Sarah Dyer, Woodrow Phoenix, Jhonen Vasquez, and Andi Watson.

Company history

Slave Labor Graphics was started in 1986 by Dan Vado,"Newspeak: Slave Labor in California," ''Speakeasy'' #65 (Aug. 1986), p. 4. who remains the company's president and publisher.

The first book Slave Labor Graphics published was ''ShadowStar'' #3, a female superhero character previously published independently by some of Vado's friends. The company's first wave of titles — ''Samurai Penguin'', ''Barrabas'', ''Lee Flea'', and ''The Light'' — were all written by Vado, with art by a variety of creators. Other early titles, such as ''Hero Sandwich'' and ''It's Science With Dr. Radium'', were all created by friends of Vado's from high school.

Slave Labor Graphics's first major success was ''Samurai Penguin'' #1 by Vado and Mark Buck, which sold 58,000 copies in the summer of 1986. Other successes were '' Milk & Cheese'', a comic about mean-spirited anthropomorphic dairy products by Evan Dorkin, and '' Johnny the Homicidal Maniac'', a comic about the adventures of a serial killer by Jhonen Vasquez. In this time period, comic book speculation was rampant, so Slave Labor Graphics was able to sell its entire print run of many titles. However, at the end of the mid-1990s speculation bubble, some distributors went out of business without paying Slave Labor Graphics.

In 1995, Slave Labor Graphics added a more genre-oriented imprint called "Amaze Ink" intended to be for all audiences; the "stranger, more adult, and more difficult to categorize material" would still be published under the main "Slave Labor" imprint.

In 2005, Slave Labor Graphics entered into a partnership with The Walt Disney Company to produce comic book series based on some of its properties: ''Haunted Mansion'', ''Wonderland'', ''Tron'', and '' Gargoyles''. Its own creations, such as Little Gloomy (1999–2005), Kid Gravity (2003–2007), and The Super Scary Monster Show: Featuring Little Gloomy (2005–2007), appeared regularly in ''Disney Adventures'' magazine.

In September 2008, SLG remodeled its lobby to be a smaller gallery/shop which opened as Boutiki in San Jose in December 2008. The gallery/shop is still operating (with name of Art Boutiki) as of 2014 December.

In late 2010, Slave Labor Graphics established an independent record label entitled Slab Yard Sound Company.

In January 2012, editor-in-chief Jennifer de Guzman, who had been with the company since 2001, left to become the PR and Marketing Director at Image Comics.

Titles

* ''Absent Friends'' (2004)
* ''A Bag of Anteaters''
* '' Action Girl Comics'' #1–19 (by Sarah Dyer, 1994–2001)
* ''Adora Gone and The Electric Electric Elephant'' (2010)
* ''Awkward'' (by Ariel Schrag, 1999)
* ''Autumn'' #1–5 (2004–2006)
* ''Babyhead Magazine'' #1 (2004)
* ''Babysitter''
* ''Bad Art Collection''
* ''Barrabas'' #1–2 (1986)
* ''Bear'' #1–10 (by Jamie Smart, 2004–2005)
* ''Beer and Roaming in Las Vegas''
* ''Bill The Clown'' 3 issues (1992–1993)
* ''Bloody Dreadful'' (by Justin Bastard Sane)
* ''Black Heart Billy''
* '' Bombaby Screen Goddess'' #1–3 plus a TPB (by Antony Mazzotta, 2003–2004)
* ''Byron: Mad, Bad, and Dangerous'' (by Karl Christian Krumpholz, 2007)
* '' Cactus Thief'' #1–20
* ''Caffeine'' #1–10 (by Jim Hill; April 1996 – 1999)
* ''Camping with Bigfoot''
* ''Captain Dingleberry''
* ''The Cat With The Really Big Head''
* '' Cemetarians'' 6 issues (2008)
* ''Charm School'' #1–9 (by Elizabeth Watasin; Apr. 2000 – 2003)
* '' Chumble Spuzz'' (by Ethan Nicolle, 2008)
* '' The Clarence Principle'' (by Fehed Said and Shari Chankhamma, 2007)
* ''Cocopiazo''
* ''The Comical Tragedy of Punch and Judy''
* ''Comic Book Heaven''
* ''Corporate Ninja'' (2005)
* ''Dead Eyes Open'' (by Roy Boney, 2005)
* ''Definition''
* ''Dim Witted Darryl''
* ''Dork'' #1–11 (by Evan Dorkin, 1993–2006; continued by Dark Horse Comics)
* '' Dr. Grave'' (by Ed Clayton
* ''Dystopik Snomen'' (by Don M. Haring, Jr., 1995)
* ''Eating Steve: A Love Story''
* ''Egg Story''
* ''Elmer''
* ''Emily and the Intergalactic Lemonade Stand''
* ''Emo Boy'' #1–11 (by Steve Emond, 2005–2007)
* ''Empty Love Stories'' #1–2 (all stories written by Steve Darnall, Nov. 1994 – Aug. 1996)
* ''Evenfall'' (by Pete Stathis, 2004)
* ''Everwinds''
* ''Everything Can Be Beaten''
* ''Farewell Georgia''
* ''Fishmasters''
* '' Gargoyles '' 15 issues (by Greg Weisman, et al; a continuation of the TV series)
* ''Ghost Ship'' #1–3 (by Jon Lewis, Mar. 1996 – Oct. 1996)
* ''Ghouly Boys''
* '' Gloomcookie'' #1–28 (by Serena Valentino and Vincent Batignole, 1999–2006)
* '' The Griffin'' (by Dan Vado)
* ''Halo and Sprocket'' #1–4 (2002)
* ''Haunted Mansion''
* ''Heart of a Corpse'' (by Justin Bastard Sane)
* ''Hectic Planet'' (by Evan Dorkin; previously known as Pirate Corp$)
* ''Hero Sandwich'' #1–5 (1987–1989)
* ''Highway 13'' #1–10 (by Les McClaine, 2001–2003)
* ''Hummingbird''
* ''Hsu and Chan'' (by Jeremy "Norm" Scott)
* '' I Feel Sick'' #1–2 (by Jhonen Vasquez, 1999–2000)
* '' Imp''
* ''Iliad'' #1–2
* ''It's Science With Doctor Radium (1986)
* ''Jellyfist (by Jhonen Vasquez and Jenny Goldberg)
* ''Jet Comics'' #1–3
* ''Jet Pack Pets''
* '' Johnny the Homicidal Maniac'' #1–7 (by Jhonen Vasquez, 1995–1997)
* '' Kitsune Tales'' #1 (by Woodrow Phoenix and Andi Watson, 2003)
* ''Knights of the Living Dead''
* '' Lenore'' #1–13 (by Roman Dirge, 1998–2007)
* ''Life of a Fetus'' #1–7
* ''Likewise'' #1–2 (by Ariel Schrag, 2002)

* ''Little Gloomy'' #1–6 (by Landry Walker and Eric Jones, 1999)
* ''Little Gloomy Adventures'' one-shot (2003)
* ''Little Gloomy Crypt of Creepts'' one-shot (2004)
* ''Little Gloomy Hallowe'en Special'' one-shot
* ''Little Scrowlie'' 18 issues (by Jennifer Feinberg and Todd Meister; Mar. 2003 – Jan. 2008)
* ''Longshot Comics'', Shanne Simmons (volume 1: 1995. volume 2: 1997)
* ''Love In Tights''
* ''Metamorphosis Odyssey'' (by Jim Starlin)
* ''Midnight Sun''
* '' Milk & Cheese'' 7 issues plus a TPB (by Evan Dorkin, 1991–2000)
* '' Mister Blank'' 15 issues (by Christopher J. Hicks, 1996–1998)
* ''Model A''
* ''The Monsters In My Tummy''
* ''Mr. Night''
* ''Murder Can Be Fun'' #1–12 (anthology; 1996–1999)
* ''MuZz''
* ''My Monkey's Name is Jennifer'' (2002)
* ''Next Exit'' #1–10 (by Christy Lijewski; 2004 – 2006)
* '' Nightmares & Fairy Tales'' #1–23 (by Serena Valentino and Camilla D'Errico, May 2002 – May 2008)
* '' Nil: A Land Beyond Belief'' original graphic novel (by James Turner, 2005)
* ''No Hope''
* ''Oblivion City''
* '' Oddjob'' #1–8 (by Ian Smith and Tyson Smith, Spring 1999 – May 2001)
* ''On the Bus''
* ''One Fisted Tales'' #1–11 (anthology, 1990 – Aug. 1994)
* ''Outlook:Grim'' #1–6 (2003–2004)
* '' The Pants Ant Trouser Hour''
* ''Paris'' (by Andi Watson, 2005–2006)
* ''Patty Cake'' 33 issues (by Scott Roberts; 1997–2005)
* ''Pinocchio: Vampire Slayer''
* ''Pirate Club'' #1–10 (by Derek Hunter & Elias Pate, 2004–2006)
* ''Pirate Corp$'' (by Evan Dorkin, 1989–1993)
* '' The Price''
* ''Private Beach'' #1–7? (2002?)
* ''Punk Rock & Trailer Parks'' (2008)
* ''The Replacement God'' #1–8 (by Zander Cannon, June 1995–1997)
* '' Rex Libris'' #1–13 (by James Turner, 2005–2008)
* ''Rogue Satellite Comics'' #1–3 (Reilly & Atkinson, 1996–1997)
* ''The Royal Historian of Oz''
* '' Samurai Jam'' #3–4 (by Andi Watson, 1993, previously ''Samurai Funnies'', published by Solson Publications)
* '' Samurai Penguin'' #1–8 (1986–1988)
* ''Samurai Penguin: Food Chain Follies'' #1
* ''Sanctuary''
* ''Screenplay'' #1
* ''Screwtooth'' #1-? (2006)
* '' Serenity Rose'' #1–5 (by Aaron Alexovich, 2003–2004)
* ''Seth Throb, Underground Artist''
* ''Shadoweyes'' (by Sophie Campbell, 2010)
* ''ShadowStar'' #3 (1986; #1–2 published by Savage Graphics)
* '' Sidney Mellon's Thunderskull!''
* ''The Sister's Luck'' (by Shari Chankhamma, 2010)
* ''Skaggy The Lost'' #1–4, trade paperback
* ''Skeleton Girl Comics'' #1–3
* ''Skeleton Key'' #1–30 (by Andi Watson, July 1995 – Jan. 1998 )
* '' Sky Ape'' #1–4
* ''Slacker Comics'' #1–18 (by Doug Slack, Aug. 1994 – Oct. 1998)
* '' Slow News Day'' (by Andi Watson, 2001)
* '' Street Angel'' #1–5 (by Jim Rugg, 2004–2005)
* '' Space Bunny'' #1–30
* '' Sparks''
* ''Spot the Dog'' #1–5 (by Brian Villaverde, 2007)
* '' Squee'' #1–4 (by Jhonen Vasquez, 1997–1998)
* ''Strongman'' by Charles Soule
* '' Sugar Buzz'' #1–9 (by Ian Carney and Woodrow Phoenix, Jan. 1998 – May 2002)
* '' Swerve'' #1–2 (by "Downer" creator Kyle S. Hunter)
* '' T+'' #1–16
*''The Jam'' #2–6, 1989–1990 (by Bernie Mireault; came from Matrix Graphics, moved to Dark Horse Comics)
* '' The Super Scary Monster Show: Featuring Little Gloomy''
* ''Tales from the Heart'' #3–11, 1988 – May 1994 (by Cindy Goff, Rafael Nieves and Seitu Hayden; came from Entropy Enterprises)
* '' Tron: The Ghost in the Machine'' (2006–2008; miniseries following up the film and the video game ''TRON 2.0'')
* ''The Trouble With Igor'' #1 (2006)
* '' True Swamp'' #4–5 (by Jon Lewis, Oct. 1994"Newswatch: True Swamp Joins Slave Labor Line-Up," ''The Comics Journal'' #172 (Nov. 1994), p. 38. – Feb. 1995); first 3 issues published by Peristaltic Press
* '' Truth Serum''
* ''Ubu Bubu'' #1–4 (2008–2009)
* ''Ursa Minors'' #1-? (2006)
* ''Vaistron'' #1–5 (2005)
* ''The Vesha Valentine Story'' (by Des Taylor, 2011)
* '' The Waiting Place'' 18 issues (by Sean McKeever, Mike Norton, and David Yurkovich; Apr. – Sept. 1997; Nov. 1999 – Feb. 2002)
* ''Weird Science'' (1986)
* '' Where's It At, Sugar Kat?'' #1–3 (by Woodrow Phoenix and Ian Carney, Sept. 2000 – Mar. 2001)
* ''Whistles'' (by Andrew Hussie, 2007)
* ''Wonderland''
* ''Zombies Calling'' (by Faith Erin Hicks, 2007)

Notes

References

WONDERCON '07: Slave Labor panel report
Newsarama

External links

*
Slave Labor Graphics
an
SLG Publishing
at the Comic Book DB
*

{{Authority control

Companies based in San Jose, California
Publishing companies established in 1986
1986 establishments in California
Comic book publishing companies of the United States