Boris the Bear Instant Color Classics

Boris the Bear Instant Color Classics is a three-issue series from Dark Horse, launched in 1987, that lampoons the comics industry and pop culture through the adventures of its grumpy, weapon-wielding ursine protagonist. Written primarily by Mike Richardson, Randy Stradley, and James Dean Smith—who also handled the art—the series stands as an early, satirical pillar of Dark Horse's founding era, poking fun at everything from superhero tropes to publishing trends. Its importance lies in showcasing the irreverent, creator-driven spirit that defined the publisher's early identity.