Dark Horse Presents #1
Dark Horse Presents #1 (July 1986) is the founding document of Dark Horse Comics — the very first comic book the company ever published — and as such it marks the beginning of one of the most consequential creator-owned publishing ventures in the American industry's history. Its second story introduced Paul Chadwick's Concrete, a character whose grounded, literary approach to superhero concepts stood in deliberate contrast to the increasingly violent and hypersexualized mainstream of the mid-1980s, helping establish a model for character-driven, creator-owned storytelling that would influence the industry for decades. The issue also debuted Chris Warner's Black Cross, and the anthology format it pioneered would go on to launch Frank Miller's Sin City, John Byrne's Next Men, the first Aliens vs. Predator crossover, and dozens of other properties that spun off into their own series. Concrete's success in these pages earned multiple Eisner and Harvey Awards within two years of the issue's debut, cementing the title's reputation as the most important anthology in the direct-market era.
"Black Cross [Part 1]" introduces a striking new character in a tense, grounded moment: a disillusioned soldier from the Black Zone Special Operations Unit, Conrad, who turns on his comrades after confronting an old man. Written and illustrated by Chris Warner, the story unfolds with stark intensity, setting up a transformation that leaves the old man witness to a name being born—Black Cross. The cover by Chris Warner captures the weight of that pivotal moment.
In "Black Cross [Part 1]," a rogue operative from the Black Zone Special Operations Unit confronts an old man during a brutal mission, only to have a sudden shift in conscience. After turning on his comrades, he declares himself Black Cross as he walks away from the carnage.
In "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous," Larry and Concrete handle fan mail with their usual mix of dry wit and quiet charm. When Concrete accepts an invitation to a high-profile celebrity event, he’s surprised to find himself at a children’s birthday party—though he still finds joy in the unexpected gathering.
In "Mindwalk," Agent Doyle sends Myron into the mind of a deceased German scientist who created a dangerous virus, probing the man’s final thoughts. What Myron discovers inside the old man’s memories remains locked in silence when he emerges—leaving Agent Doyle with only the weight of what wasn’t said.
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Dark Horse Presents #1 was assembled by just two people — publisher Mike Richardson and editor Randy Stradley — who recruited contributors from connections made through APA-5, a comics fan-and-creator Amateur Press Association whose membership at various points included Chadwick, Warner, and Frank Miller. Richardson pasted the pages together on the counter of his Beaverton, Oregon comic shop, hoping to sell 10,000 copies to break even; the first print run of 50,000 copies sold out and went to a second printing that also sold out. Richardson had consciously structured the venture so that contributors received 100% of profits from that debut issue, a bold stance on creator rights that differentiated Dark Horse from the work-for-hire standard at Marvel and DC and became a cornerstone of the company's identity.
Trivia · 7 facts
- Contains the first appearance of Paul Chadwick's Concrete (Ron Lithgow), a congressional speechwriter whose brain is transplanted into a massive stone body by aliens; the specific story is titled 'Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.'
- Contains the first appearance of Chris Warner's Black Cross, a soldier operating in a post-apocalyptic Central American setting; Warner's Black Cross story also provides the cover image.
- Issue also includes 'Mindwalk,' written by Randy Stradley with art by Randy Emberlin, and a second Chadwick short called 'Brighter!' featuring a light-projecting mutant character.
- Edited by Randy Stradley, who co-founded Dark Horse with Mike Richardson; the two recruited creators through their connections in APA-5, a comics-fan amateur press association.
- Concrete's debut was an immediate commercial hit — both the first and second printings of DHP #1 sold out — and the character quickly became the series' regular cover feature, spinning off into its own solo title in 1987.
- The Concrete series that debuted here went on to win Eisner Awards for Best Continuing Series and Best Black-and-White Series (1988 and 1989) and the Harvey Award for Best New Series (1988), with Chadwick winning Best Writer/Artist at both awards in 1989.
- Dark Horse Presents ran as the company's flagship anthology title for 157 issues until September 2000, later serving as the launchpad for Sin City (DHP Fifth Anniversary Special and #51), the first Aliens vs. Predator crossover (#36), and the debuts of Hellboy, Next Men, and Milk & Cheese.
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Reprinted in Black Cross Special #1 (1988), The Best of Dark Horse Presents #1 (1989), Concrete Color Special #1 (1989), Concrete: Complete Short Stories 1986-1989 #[nn] (1990), Seriemagasinet extra #2/1990 (1990), Blast! #1 (1991), Dark Horse Presents #[nn] (1992), Wizard Ace Edition #6: Dark Horse Presents #1 #6 (1996), Concrete #1 (2005), Concrete #6 (2006)
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