Nightmask

Nightmask made their entrance in the pages of The Savage Dragon #1 in 1992 — a debut that doubles as a key issue and places this character right at the exciting intersection of the Copper and Modern Ages, when independent publishers were shaking up the direct market. Published by Malibu, Nightmask's footprint stretches across Protectors and even the exotic terrain of Tarzan: Love, Lies and the Lost City, suggesting a character with more range than their modest appearance count might imply. Along the way, Nightmask shares the page with a colorful roster including Drake Stevens, The Ferret, Airman, Gravestone, and Arc — exactly the kind of offbeat ensemble that made early-'90s Malibu such a treasure trove for collectors willing to dig. With a key issue on the résumé and an Erik Larsen-connected origin, Nightmask is a genuine hidden gem for anyone exploring the wilder edges of that era.