Comic Book History of Animation #4

In Comic Book History of Animation #4 (2021), the story turns to a pivotal moment when Hollywood’s animation departments began to shutter, pushing creators toward television—where they thrived alongside advertisers through the 1980s, only to face a creative plateau by decade’s end. At the same time, Japan’s burgeoning animation industry was rising, setting the stage for a transformative influence on North American audiences. Written by Fred Van Lente and illustrated by Ryan Dunlavey—with colors by Adam Guzowski and letters by Dunlavey—this issue captures the shift with sharp clarity, its cover by Dunlavey framing the era’s turning tide.