Americomics #2

History

Americomics was launched by Bill Black in January 1983 as one of the first full-color comic lines to distribute exclusively through the then-new direct-sales comic shop network, growing out of his earlier Paragon Publications 'ground level' self-publishing of the 1970s. Black served as editor and publisher throughout, and the Americomics anthology format was explicitly designed to mix revivals of characters he had developed at Paragon — chief among them The Shade — with new creations and public-domain Golden Age heroes. Issue #2, cover-dated June 1983, was scripted in part by Martin Greim and Steve Vance alongside Black, with art duties split among Rik Levins, Willie Blyberg, Jerry Ordway, David Matthews, June Brigman, and Roy Richardson; the cover itself was painted by Ordway, giving the issue an unusually polished visual identity for an independent of its era.

Trivia · 8 facts

• First AC Comics appearance of The Terror: AC's version of the Golden Age Black Terror (originally a Nedor Comics character from 1941), here reimagined as the retired Mark Benton — the first name changed from the original Bob Benton — who returns to violent vigilantism after criminals murder his wife.
• First color appearance of Tara Fremont (Tara): The ecology-minded jungle adventurer who lives on a wildlife-preserve island gifted by her father T.C. Fremont; she later became a member of Femforce, AC's flagship superheroine team title launched in 1985.
• First appearance of The Messenger: Government scientist Jason Van Wynne, double-crossed after an experiment to unlock human hidden strength, goes solo as The Messenger; the entire story — script and art — was created by Jerry Ordway.
• The Shade appears as the protagonist of the lead story 'Terror By Night,' written by Martin Greim, Steve Vance, and Bill Black, with art by Rik Levins and inks by Willie Blyberg; The Shade had debuted only one issue earlier in Americomics #1 (1983).
• Supporting and villain characters making their AC debuts in this issue include Dr. Rivits, Roxanne Rivits, Janis Lawson, Jason Godwin, and Roger Brant (The Shade's civilian identity), as well as antagonists connected to the Tara and Terror storylines.
• The cover was illustrated by Jerry Ordway; the back cover pinup of The Shade was penciled by June Brigman and inked by Roy Richardson — an early professional assignment for Brigman, who would soon go on to work for Marvel and DC.
• The issue was published in full color on glossy paper at standard comic book format, consistent with AC's ambition to compete visually with the major publishers in the direct-sales market.
• Americomics was one of the earliest full-color independent comics lines to pioneer the direct-sales distribution system; the series ran six issues total before the independent comics glut of 1984 prompted AC to restructure its publishing line.

Cast · 12 characters

Full credits

Key issues in Americomics