Alright, I think the time has come for another topic. This time we tackle how comics publishers spread information to their readers before the internet and the inherent limitations therein.
Today we talk about handbooks.
Humans are creatures of order. We love to structure and process information into patterns we can understand and remember. Thus it is no surprise that reference texts date back as far as writing. The Egyptian book of the dead serves as a guidebook to the afterlife, discussing...
...the threats the soul must face to pass on to eternal bliss and naming and identifying hundreds of gods and spirits whose names and epithets must be memorized for the soul to gain passage. Essentially texts like these are early examples of humans charting the imaginary
After two weeks of talking little other than Marvel UK, let's move back across the pond and talk about one of the great 90s icons of Marvel US - Ghost Rider!
As usual the focus of this thread will be on the 90s years of the character, but in order to understand that era, let's start with a little history.
It may or may not be something you know, but the concept of ghostly huntsmen streaking across the night sky, always on the hunt for mortal prey or supernatural enemies is a mythic motif that stretches far back into the fog of prehistory.
It's time to wrap up our look at the many, MANY failed, abandoned and plain disapparated projects spearheaded by Rob Liefeld.
This took considerably more time and effort than I expected when I started. I thought I would have had time to check the other Image founders as well.
But the thing is, while it's a commonly held truth that Image flooded the market of the 1990s with titles, most of the founders kept their ranges small and focused. Todd focused on Spawn and a few spinoffs. Erik focused on Savage Dragon and a few spinoffs.
It's not that the other founders didn't have plenty of canceled titles and titles that never came out. It's just that there are so much fewer of them due to how much Extreme published that they're drowned out by the tide.
Alright folks, I hope you rested up, refilled your pouches, practiced your anguished scowls and prepared yourselves, because it is time for part 3 of the deep dive on canceled and lost Image comics from the 90s.
It's time.. to get AWESOME.
First off, to everyone joining tonight, welcome. Previous two threads chronicling the years 1992-1997 can be found here, give 'em a look if you didn't already:
We are back for part 2 of our deep dive into the many canceled and lost comics of Image's early years. Next up, 1995. Image at high tide! Publicity! Conventions! Merchandise! Impending financial collapse!
By 1995 Extreme Studios seemed to be doing well. Like most of the founders they had a number of ongoings and a few limited series as support, tho they were the studio with the biggest problem with delays, and few title even had 10 issues out.
As seen previously, a number of very delayed projects from 93/94 finally manifested in 95, meaning the Image product line grew substantially across the board (with a few studios keeping a very small, focused line such as McFarlane and Larsen).