Breed

Few characters carry the distinction of debuting in a key issue and having nearly half their entire catalog recognized as collector-significant, but Breed pulls it off with remarkable efficiency. Born out of the scrappy, independent Bronze Age energy of AC Comics in 1983 — brought to life by the creative trio of Dan St. John, Greg Guler, and Matt Feazell — this character stepped onto the page in Americomics Special #1 and made an impression that still registers with collectors today. Breed moves through a vivid corner of the AC universe, sharing adventures with a cast that includes The Shade, Stephanie Stills, and Roger Brant across Americomics, Americomics Special, and Bolt and Starforce Six. A compact but choice presence in early-'80s independent comics, Breed is exactly the kind of hidden gem that reminds you why digging through the Bronze Age back-issue bins is always worth the effort.