First Comics: The Legacy of Creator-Owners

Welcome back netizens, Fracadactyl speaking to you from the Cynosure.

Since I found some series that came from this very same source, I thought I’d talk about them; especially since most of them are not part of their old publisher anymore even after its merger with Devil’s Due. True to the original name; the company and the number of series it was known for are the First Comics of their kind. I know bad joke but hear me out.

The Beginning of First Comics

First Comics was formed in 1983, a year that was bringing in a lot of changes to the industry. It is the year that the New Mutants and Chris Claremont make waves in Marvel; when DC acquires most of Charlton Comics’ characters, setting up what would become Watchmen; and when Archie Comics is reacquired by the children of its founders. Not to mention when Archie starts the Red Circle imprint creating the Black Hood. It was the time notable independent publishers came up including Mirage Studios who created the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Characters like Miyamoto Usagi were also created during this year before making their own series.

For the independent companies competing with Marvel and DC; it was their time to shine because they are able to exploit a loophole in the Comics Code. This censorship act keeps things from getting too extreme in the mainstream companies’ content. However this did not always allow characters to be used to their full potential. Enter companies like First Comics who were not backed by major business publishers or distributors like Marvel or DC. This allows for more creativity and less boundaries by targeting the direct comic market. Creators like Jim Starlin and Howard Chaykin joined Ken F. Levin and Mike Gold to set the foundations for later creator-owned comic company series like Image.

First Comics’ Early Series

American Decadence is Coming

One of the most notable series to come out is Chaykin’s American Flagg! The above series brings in some of the action that superhero fans like. But it adds political satire to complement the bleak future it shows. The not so funny thing was, it might be where Earth could go in the coming years. The series setting takes place on Earth in 2031; things had gotten so bad that Earth’s government fled to Mars. All the while the conglomerate the Plex gains control of Earth to fill the niche. As a result, Earth is consumed by constant consumerism; with the only law enforcement being mall cops (Plex Rangers). Worst part was, the Plex practically leeches off its citizens and actively encourages violence because it makes good TV. People can’t even play professional sports without the Plex.

Enter Reuben Flagg, a former television star replaced by a cheaper CGI doppelgänger. Drafted into the Plex Rangers, Reuben fills a niche that much like First Comics did for its industry. Born and raised on Mars by Jewish parents, Reuben was instilled an idealized patriotism forged by nonconformity. This upbringing and ironic situation allows Reuben to slip through the cracks that nobody could find; allowing him to exploit and expose the system. Reuben figures out that most of the violent incidents are because of subliminal messages. To combat this threat, he inherits an illegal TV station from his superior.

Don’t Just Blame Consumerism

Eventually he begins to unravel how twisted the world under the Plex is. It even gets to the point where the Plex sends assassins after him; including a few ambitious figures willing to brainwash people into serving them. Scary part is, they are willing to spread lies and make use of the same utilities to twist the values they represent into something self-serving. The series is never afraid to make use of Russian influences; including the phrase “Bozhe Moi”. Remember that the Soviet Union is active in this time.

The series is so successful it inspires prolific creators like Brian Michael Bendis and Warren Ellis.

The Baron Reigns

One year in production, First Comics acquires Capital Comics, a company founded the same year and with similar plans. First Comics acquires the titles of Mike Baron’s Badger and Nexus (with Steve Rude). Mike Baron seems to have a way of redefining superheroes; as is the case with Wally West’s iconic role as the Flash in DC. Even before that Baron had a way of fleshing out the role of superheroes and the people around them.

Anyone Got Any Honey?

In Badger for example, rather than just have a righteous hero willing to do good after his time in the Vietnam War; it presents a troubled man who went through traumas stemming from his stepfather before the war. Kind of ironic considering Baron had his time with the Punisher, a known war veteran. But at least he introduces Microchip. As a result of the added traumas from Vietnam, the title character has multiple personalities. One of which is the environmental animal talking martial artist the Badger. He often calls people Larry (his wayward biological father) and has very warped perceptions. For one thing, he would attack someone just for littering. Other personalities include his legal identity Norbert Sykes; and a few strange ones including a 9 year old girl, a dog, and an African-American he met in Vietnam.

But wait, it gets crazier. He’s actually a bodyguard for a fifth century Welsh druid with the nickname Ham. Ham is looking for redemption after his blood sacrifice crimes. Now to use magic that can even control the weather, Ham sacrifices computer files; I wonder if that’s his adult content collections. The rest of the cast includes Norbert’s shrink and Ham’s secretary Daisy Fields. For a while I would ponder if she would falling for Norbert’s more flirtatious identity; before he comes out as gay.

But then in the strangest irony, the Badger meets a veterinarian and martial artist of Vietnamese descent named Mavis. While both sides had their fair amount of troubles; they eventually fell in love and later marry serving as a partners in life and in crime fighting. All good considering the Badger needs all the help he can get; including supernatural forces who have a bone to pick with Ham.

The Reluctant Space Coaster

As for Nexus, it brings out a more reluctant side of being a superhero. Despite being influenced by the original depiction of Space Ghost (before Coast to Coast); Horatio Hellpop is little more than an errand boy of an ancient being called the Merk. The Merk sends Horatio to kill mass murderers who often are under political protection. The only reason Horatio does the job is because he suffers migraines and nightmares that would kill him. Sounds like just another job, until you realize his first kill is his own father. Sure he was a Soviet Empire leader who abandoned his planet and actually had it destroyed; but killing a parent is always a traumatizing event. Horatio himself really just wants to learn and develop himself over time.

The Sov Empire isn’t the only threat though. Even the democratic but consumerist Web wants to exploit Nexus to monopolize energy for its own use; asserting control over the cosmos. They even send a spy to try and pry the sources of power from him. However the spy Sundra Peale falls in love with Horatio and becomes a regular supporting character. Sundra is also one of the few female characters of the time who has arcs and developments. She becomes a leading businesswoman and founder of her own company thanks to her innovations.

Deeper Insights

Despite hating the job; the reason Horatio is given the power and title of Nexus is because he has a good heart. Rather than leave people to their death; he opens his home world of Ylum (like Asylum) for others to live on should they choose. This allows for characters like the intelligent and insightful helper Dave Maccabee to join as a good friend to Nexus. Dave’s son Judah the Hammer would also serve as a regular friend and companion; bringing a much more lighthearted complement to the more dour Horatio.

One of the series regulars is Dr. Clonezone, a comedian who often tries to make a name for himself. But his delusions of grandeur get him in a lot of sticky situations. It’s hilarious but also paints a broad picture of the universe Nexus takes place in. Between all the political corruption and religious fanatics that decorate the corners; there are lighter touches that help make Nexus feel like a place people actually live in.

Pushing Careers Forward

Its series like these that help push the boundaries of how comics could be represented; not just as some escapist fantasies but character driven epics that help inspire stories in the Big Two. Mike Gold for example is one of the reasons Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters comes into fruition.

First Comics: Trend Setters

First Comics is also among the first companies to make use of strategies that other companies use. Shatter, the first of an all-digital comic series; a comic adaptation of a fantasy book series called Eternal Champion; and publishing licensed manga in the form of Lone Wolf and Cub.

And the only time Americans made variant covers for manga.

Nowadays, First Comics only publishes so much after its merger. But the legacy it leaves behind continues pushing out by fans made into publishers.

The ink’s not dry yet in terms of this legacy though. Thanks for coming and as always remember to look between the panels.