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{{Short description|Imprint of Marvel Comics}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2014}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2014}}
{{Infobox company
{{Infobox company
| name = Epic Comics
| name = Epic Comics
| logo =
| type = Privately held company (subsidiary)
| type = Privately held company (subsidiary)
| genre =
| foundation = 1982
| foundation = 1982
| founder = [[Jim Shooter]]
| founder = [[Jim Shooter]]
| location_city =
| location_country =
| location =
| locations =
| area_served =
| key_people = [[Jim Shooter]]<br />[[Al Milgrom]]<br />[[Archie Goodwin (comics)|Archie Goodwin]]
| key_people = [[Jim Shooter]]<br />[[Al Milgrom]]<br />[[Archie Goodwin (comics)|Archie Goodwin]]
| industry = Publishing
| industry = Publishing
| products = Comics
| products = Comics
| services =
| market cap =
| revenue =
| operating_income =
| net_income =
| assets =
| equity =
| owner = [[Marvel Entertainment|Marvel Entertainment, LLC]]
| owner = [[Marvel Entertainment|Marvel Entertainment, LLC]]
| num_employees =
| parent = [[Marvel Comics]]
| parent = [[Marvel Comics]]
| divisions =
| successor = [[Icon Comics]]
| subsid =
| homepage =
| footnotes =
| intl =
}}
}}

'''Epic Comics''' (also known as the '''Epic Comics Group''')<ref name="BullpenBulletins">Shooter, Jim. "Bullpen Bulletins: The Truth About the Epic Comics Group!" Marvel comics cover-dated November 1982.</ref> was an [[imprint (trade name)|imprint]] of [[Marvel Comics]] from 1982 to 1996. A spin-off of the publisher's ''Epic Illustrated'' magazine, it published [[Creator ownership in comics|creator-owned]] work unconnected to Marvel's superhero universe, and without the restrictions of the [[Comics Code Authority|Comics Code]]. The name was revived by Marvel in the mid-2000s for a short-lived program inviting new writers to pitch series proposals to the publisher.
'''Epic Comics''' (also known as the '''Epic Comics Group''')<ref name="BullpenBulletins">Shooter, Jim. "Bullpen Bulletins: The Truth About the Epic Comics Group!" Marvel comics cover-dated November 1982.</ref> was an [[imprint (trade name)|imprint]] of American publishing company [[Marvel Comics]], active from 1982 to 1996. A spin-off of the publisher's ''[[Epic Illustrated]]'' magazine, it published [[Creator ownership in comics|creator-owned]] work unconnected to Marvel's superhero universe, and without the restrictions of the [[Comics Code Authority|Comics Code]]. The name was revived by Marvel in the mid-2000s for a short-lived program inviting new writers to pitch series proposals to the publisher.


==History==
==History==
=== Origins ===
===Origins===
Launched by editor-in-chief [[Jim Shooter]] as a spin-off of the successful ''Epic Illustrated'' magazine, the Epic imprint allowed creators to retain control and ownership of their properties. Co-edited by [[Al Milgrom]] and [[Archie Goodwin (comics)|Archie Goodwin]], the imprint also allowed Marvel to publish more objectionable content (sometimes explicit) without needing to comply with the stringent [[Comics Code Authority]]. Epic titles were printed on higher quality paper than typical Marvel comics, and were only available via the [[direct market]].<ref name="BullpenBulletins" />
Launched by editor-in-chief [[Jim Shooter]] as a spin-off of the successful ''Epic Illustrated'' magazine, the Epic imprint allowed creators to retain control and ownership of their properties. Co-edited by [[Al Milgrom]] and [[Archie Goodwin (comics)|Archie Goodwin]], the imprint also allowed Marvel to publish more objectionable content (sometimes explicit) without needing to comply with the stringent [[Comics Code Authority]]. Epic titles were printed on higher quality paper than typical Marvel comics, and were only available via the [[direct market]].<ref name="BullpenBulletins" />


==Titles==
The first project was ''[[Dreadstar]]'', a [[space opera]] by writer-artist [[Jim Starlin]], published November 1982. Dreadstar had first appeared in the ''Epic Illustrated'' magazine in issue #3. Subsequent titles included ''[[Coyote (comics)|Coyote]]'' by [[Steve Englehart]]; ''[[Alien Legion]]'' (a war series set in outer space created by [[Carl Potts]], but written by others); ''[[Starstruck (comics)|Starstruck]]'', a satirical [[space opera]] farce about female freedom fighters by [[Elaine Lee]] and [[Michael Wm. Kaluta]]; ''[[Six from Sirius]]'', a sci-fi title by writer [[Doug Moench]] and artist [[Paul Gulacy]]; ''[[Sisterhood of Steel]]'', a saga of elite women-warriors by [[Christy Marx]] and [[Mike Vosburg]]; and ''[[Void Indigo]]'', a controversial title written by [[Steve Gerber]].
[[Image:Dreadstar issue 1.jpg|thumb|''[[Dreadstar]]'' #1 (Nov. 1982), debut publication of Marvel Comics' Epic imprint. Cover art by [[Jim Starlin]].<!-- FAIR USE of :Dreadstar_issue_1.jpg see image description page at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Dreadstar_issue_1.jpg for rationale --><!--confirmed: he both penciled & inked-->]]


* ''[[Alien Legion]]'' by writers [[Carl Potts]] and [[Alan Zelenetz]] and artist [[Frank Cirocco]]
The line branched out later with historical fiction (''[[The Black Dragon (comic book)|Black Dragon]]''), [[social commentary]] (''[[The One (comics)|The One]]'', ''[[Marshal Law (comics)|Marshal Law]]''), humor (''[[Groo the Wanderer|Groo]]'') and [[fantasy]] (''[[Moonshadow (graphic novel)|Moonshadow]]'', ''[[Elfquest]]''). However, initial sales were disappointing, so in order to give the line a boost, popular Marvel writer-artist [[Frank Miller (comics)|Frank Miller]] and artist [[Bill Sienkiewicz]] were commissioned to develop ''[[Elektra: Assassin]]'', featuring the ninja assassin from the ''[[Daredevil (Marvel Comics series)|Daredevil]]'' comic book.
*''[[Atomic Age (comics)|Atomic Age]]'' by writer [[Frank Lovece]], penciler [[Mike Okamoto]] and inker [[Al Williamson]]
* ''[[The Black Dragon (comic book)|The Black Dragon]]'' by writer [[Chris Claremont]] and artist [[John Bolton (illustrator)|John Bolton]]
* ''[[The Bozz Chronicles]]'' by writer [[David Michelinie]] and artists [[Bret Blevins]] and [[John Ridgway (comics)|John Ridgway]], moved to [[Dover Publications]] in 2015
* ''[[Xenozoic Tales|Cadillacs and Dinosaurs]]'' (colorized version) by writer-artist [[Mark Schultz (comics)|Mark Schultz]]
* ''[[Captain Confederacy]]'' (second series) by writer [[Will Shetterly]] and artist Vince Stone
* ''[[Coyote (comics)|Coyote]]'' by writer [[Steve Englehart]] and artist [[Marshall Rogers]], moved to [[Image Comics]] in 2005
* ''[[Crash Ryan]]'' by writer-artist Ron Harris
* ''[[Dreadstar]]'' by writer-artist [[Jim Starlin]]
* Dreadlands by Andy Lanning, Steve White, and Phil Gascoine
* ''[[Hellraiser (franchise)|Clive Barker's Hellraiser]]'' by various writers and artists, moved to [[Boom studios|Boom! Studios]] in 2011
* ''[[Clive Barker's Nightbreed|Clive Barker's Night Breed]]'' by writers [[Alan Grant (writer)|Alan Grant]] and [[John Wagner]] and artist [[Jim Baikie]]
* ''Clive Barker's The Harrowers'' by writers McNally Sagal, Malcolm Smith, Anna Miller and Fred Vicarel and artist [[Gene Colan]]
* ''[[Elfquest#Marvel|Elfquest]]'' by writer-artists [[Wendy and Richard Pini]]
* ''[[Elektra Lives Again]]'' by writer-artist [[Frank Miller]] and colorist [[Lynn Varley]]
* ''[[Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser#Comics adaptations|Fritz Leiber's Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser]]'' by writer [[Howard Chaykin]] and artist [[Mike Mignola]], moved to [[Dark Horse Comics]] in 2007
* ''Feud'' by writer [[Mike Baron]] and artist [[Mark Nelson (artist)|Mark A. Nelson]]
* ''[[Groo the Wanderer|The Groo Chronicles]]'' by writer-artist [[Sergio Aragonés]] and writer [[Mark Evanier]]
* ''Havok & Wolverine: Meltdown'' by writers [[Walt Simonson|Walt]] and [[Louise Simonson]] and artists [[Kent Williams (artist)|Kent Williams]] and [[Jon J Muth|Jon J. Muth]]
* ''Interface'' by writer [[James D. Hudnall]] and various artists
* ''Iron Man: Crash'' by writer-artist [[Mike Saenz]]
* ''Lawdog'' by writer [[Chuck Dixon]] and artists Flint Henry,
* ''[[The Light and Darkness War]]'' by writer [[Tom Veitch]] and artist [[Cam Kennedy]], moved to [[Titan Books]] in 2015
* ''[[Marshal Law (comics)|Marshal Law]]'' by writer [[Pat Mills]] and artist [[Kevin O'Neill (comics)|Kevin O'Neill]], moved to [[DC Comics]] in 2013
* ''Metropol'' by writer-artist [[Ted McKeever]]
* ''Midnight Men'' by writer-artist [[Howard Chaykin]]
* ''[[Moonshadow (comics)|Moonshadow]]'' by writer [[J. M. DeMatteis]] and artists [[Jon J. Muth]], [[Kent Williams (artist)|Kent Williams]] and [[George Pratt (artist)|George Pratt]], moved to Dark Horse Comics in 2019
* ''[[The One (comics)|The One]]'' by writer-artist [[Rick Veitch]], moved to [[King Hell Press]] in 2003
* ''[[Pinhead (Hellraiser)#Comics|Pinhead]]'' by writers [[D.G. Chichester]] and Erik Saltzgaber and artists Dario Corrasco and [[Phil Gascoine]]
* ''Psychonauts'' by writers Alan Grant and Tony Luke and artist [[Motofumi Kobayashi]]
* ''[[Sachs and Violens]]'' by writer [[Peter David]] and writer-artist [[George Pérez]], moved to DC Comics in 2006
* ''[[Shadowline Saga]]'' by creator [[Archie Goodwin (comics)|Archie Goodwin]]
* ''[[Sisterhood of Steel]]'' by writer Christie Marx and artist [[Mike Vosburg]]
* ''[[Six from Sirius|Six From Sirius]]'' by writer by [[Doug Moench]] and artist [[Paul Gulacy]]
* ''[[The Sleeze Brothers]]'' by writer [[John Carnell]] and artist [[Andy Lanning]]
* ''[[Spyke (limited series)|Spyke]]'' by writer Mike Baron and artist [[Bill Reinhold]]
* ''[[Stray Toasters]]'' by writer-artist [[Bill Sienkiewicz]]
* ''[[Swords of the Swashbucklers]]'' by writer [[Bill Mantlo]] and artists [[Jackson Guice]], [[Geof Isherwood]] and [[Colleen Doran]]
* ''[[Timespirits]]'' by writer [[Stephen Perry (writer)|Stephen Perry]] and artist [[Tom Yeates]]
* ''[[Void Indigo]]'' by writer [[Steve Gerber]] and artist [[Val Mayerik]]
* ''[[Wild Cards#Comics|Wild Cards]]'' by various writers and artists


'''Source:'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Epic Comics |url=http://www.internationalhero.co.uk/e/epic.htm |access-date=2022-04-12 |publisher=www.internationalhero.co.uk}}</ref>
Although Epic was meant to be mainly a creator-owned line, ''Elektra: Assassin'' became only the first title featuring Marvel characters published by the imprint. Others included ''Meltdown'', a painted mini-series featuring [[Havok (comics)|Havok]] and [[Wolverine (character)|Wolverine]] from the ''[[X-Men]]''; ''Iron Man: Crash''; a resurrected ''[[Tomb of Dracula]]''; and the miniseries ''[[Silver Surfer#Subsequent series|Silver Surfer: Parable]]'', dealing with messianic themes, written by [[Stan Lee]] with art by French comics storyteller [[Jean Giraud|Moebius]]). Marvel then commissioned writer and Marvel editor [[Archie Goodwin (comics)|Archie Goodwin]] to create original characters for a Mature Readers superhero line for Epic Comics. This took the form of The "[[Shadowline (Epic Comics)|Shadowline]] Saga", a storyline spanning four different titles in 1987.

Epic was also notable as one of the first American comic publishers to release material originally produced in other countries, such as the Moebius graphic novels ''[[Airtight Garage]]'', ''[[The Incal]]'' and ''[[Blueberry (comics)|Blueberry]]'', published here in English translations by [[Jean-Marc Lofficier]] and [[Randy Lofficier]]. Epic also published [[Katsuhiro Otomo]]'s [[manga]] classic ''[[Akira (manga)|Akira]]'', with translations by Marvel staffer [[Mary Jo Duffy]] and colors by [[Steve Oliff]].

As well, Epic, now edited by Potts, [[Licensing|licensed]] a variety of literary material, the best known of which were the [[Clive Barker]] novels and stories, including ''[[Hellraiser]]'', ''[[Nightbreed]]'' and ''[[Weaveworld]]''. Other adapted works included ''[[TekWar|William Shatner's Tekworld]]'', the ''[[Wild Cards]]'' anthologies, and William Gibson's ''[[Neuromancer]]''.

=== 1990s===
During this decade, Epic published the four-part [[miniseries]] ''[[Atomic Age (comics)|Atomic Age]]'', a 1950s-style science fiction story reimagined from a contemporary perspective by writer [[Frank Lovece]] and artists [[Mike Okamoto]] and [[Al Williamson]], the latter two of whom won the [[Russ Manning Award]] and an [[Eisner Award]], respectively, for their work there, and brought out the action-oriented Heavy Hitters line with material from [[Peter David]] (''[[Sachs and Violens]]''), [[Howard Chaykin]] (''Midnight Men''), [[Gerard Jones]] (''[[The Trouble with Girls (comics)|The Trouble with Girls]]''), [[Joe Kubert]] ''(Abraham Stone''), [[Ron Lim]] ''(Dragon Lines''), and [[Steve Purcell]] (''[[Sam & Max]]''). A subsequent comic-book sales bust, however, prompted Marvel to end Epic in 1994. In late 1995, the line was temporarily brought back to complete the reprinting of the ''Akira'' manga. Epic was ended again when that series was completed in early 1996.

=== 2000s resurrection ===
In 2003, the Epic imprint was brought back, with two stated goals: to scout for new creator-owned projects, and to offer new talent a chance to work on lesser-known Marvel properties.{{Citation needed|date=September 2008}} Marvel editors contacted industry columnists, such as ''[[The Plain Dealer|Cleveland Plain Dealer]]'' and [[Newsarama]] columnist Michael San Giacomo, Ryan Scott Ottney, Comixfan's Eric J. Moreels, and ''[[Sword of Dracula]]'' creator [[Jason Henderson]], to ask for new comic pitches using existing Marvel properties.{{Citation needed|date=September 2008}} San Giacomo created his own character, [[Phantom Jack]]. Henderson created "Strange Magic", a story about a hitherto-unknown daughter of Marvel's Doctor Strange.{{Citation needed|date=August 2009}} Moreels was creating a super-team featuring various Australian Marvel characters.{{Citation needed|date=August 2009}} An open call for submissions was issued, which prompted a huge response, and resulted in months-long delays in reviewing submissions.{{Citation needed|date=September 2008}} The option of submitting creator-owned pitches was quickly downplayed and then discontinued.{{Citation needed|date=September 2008}}

The new Epic received considerable attention with ''[[Trouble (comics)|Trouble]]'', a miniseries by [[Mark Millar]] that supposedly would [[retcon]] the [[Spider-Man]] mythos by revealing details from the teenage years of [[Aunt May|May Parker]] and Peter's mother. Although all the main characters sported names any Spider-Man fan would recognize, there was no explicit revelation that they were in any way connected to their Marvel Universe namesakes, the series instead being connected to the continuity of [[Ultimate Marvel]]. Other comics in the line, including a [[Crimson Dynamo]] title, were produced by lesser-known talents, and the line was canceled. A number of solicitations also were canceled.{{Citation needed|date=August 2009}} Titles that were in progress when Marvel's new management ended the line were consolidated under one cover with the title ''Epic Anthology Presents'', which was canceled after the first issue. San Giacomo requested that the rights to Phantom Jack be returned to him, and it was not included in the anthology.{{Citation needed|date=September 2008}} The story was published instead by [[Image Comics]] and returned in 2007 through Atomic Pop Art Enterprises.

Since 2013, the Epic brand is used for Marvel's ''Epic Collection'' trade paperback collections. The logo can be found on the back cover of said collections.

==Titles==
[[Image:Dreadstar issue 1.jpg|thumb|200px|right|''Dreadstar'' #1 (Nov. 1982), debut publication of Marvel Comics' Epic imprint. Cover art by [[Jim Starlin]].<!-- FAIR USE of :Dreadstar_issue_1.jpg see image description page at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Dreadstar_issue_1.jpg for rationale --><!--confirmed: he both penciled & inked-->]]
*''67 Seconds'' – written by [[James Robinson (comics)|James Robinson]], art by [[Steve Yeowell]]
*''[[A1 (comics)|A1]]''
*''[[Akira (manga)|Akira]]'' – Manga – [[Katsuhiro Otomo]]
*''[[Alien Legion]]'' – created by [[Carl Potts]]
*''[[Atomic Age (comics)|Atomic Age]]'' – created by [[Frank Lovece]] and [[Mike Okamoto]]
*''[[Black Dragon (comics)|Black Dragon]]'' – written by [[Chris Claremont]], art by [[John Bolton (comics)|John Bolton]]
*''[[Blood: A Tale]]'' – created by [[J.M. DeMatteis]]
*''[[The Bozz Chronicles (comics)|The Bozz Chronicles]]'' – written by [[David Michelinie]], art by [[Bret Blevins]]
*''[[Xenozoic Tales|Cadillacs and Dinosaurs]]''
*''[[Captain Confederacy]]''
*''[[Car Warriors (comics)|Car Warriors]]'', based on Steve Jackson Games' [[Car Wars]]
*[[Clive Barker]]-related
**''Clive Barker's Book of the Damned''
**''Clive Barker's The Harrowers''
**''[[Hellraiser (comics)|Clive Barker's Hellraiser]]'' – based on concepts by [[Clive Barker]], includes a separate outing for ''[[Pinhead (comics)|Pinhead]]''
**''[[Nightbreed (comics)|Clive Barker's Nightbreed]]'' – based on Clive Barker's novel and movie by the same name.
**''Nightbeed / Hellraiser: Jihad''
**''[[Pinhead (comics)|Pinhead]]'', based on the works of Clive Barker
**''Pinhead vs. Marshal Law''
**''[[Weaveworld (comics)|Weaveworld]]'', based on the works of Clive Barker
*''[[Coyote (comics)|Coyote]]'' – created by [[Steve Englehart]] and [[Steve Leialoha]]
*''[[Crash Ryan]]''
*''[[Crimson Dynamo]]''
*''[[Dreadstar]]'' – created by [[Jim Starlin]]
*''[[Elektra: Assassin]]'' by [[Frank Miller (comics)|Frank Miller]] and [[Bill Sienkiewicz]]
*''[[Elektra Lives Again]]'' by Frank Miller
*''[[Elfquest]]'' – [[Wendy and Richard Pini]]
*''Epic Anthology'' – collected the complete first issues of three different titles that were developed as individual mini-series (''Sleepwalker'', ''Young Ancient One'' and ''Strange Magic''); only one issue published
*''[[Epic Illustrated]]'' – magazine anthology similar to ''[[Heavy Metal (magazine)|Heavy Metal]]''
*''[[Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser]]''
*''Feud'', written by Mike Baron with art by Mark A. Nelson (1993)
*''[[Groo the Wanderer]]'' – by [[Sergio Aragonés]], [[Mark Evanier]] and [[Stan Sakai]]
*''Gun Theory'' – by [[Daniel Way]] and Jon Proctor, cancelled mid-series after two issues
*''Jhereg'' - written by [[Alan Zelenetz]], art by John Pierard
*''[[Lawdog]]'' – from the Epic Heavy Hitters line (1993)
*''[[The Last American]]''
*''[[The Light and Darkness War]]''
*''[[Marshal Law (comics)|Marshal Law]]''
*''Meltdown'' – written by [[Walt Simonson]] and [[Louise Simonson]]; art by [[Jon J Muth]] and [[Kent Williams (artist)|Kent Williams]]
*''Metropol'' – by [[Ted McKeever]]
*''[[Jean Giraud|Moebius]]'' - a series of self-titled graphic novels by [[Jean Giraud|Moebius]]. Some characters in these graphic novels also received their own titles:
**''[[Airtight Garage]]'' – French comic, created by [[Jean Giraud|Moebius]]
**''The Elsewhere Prince'' – part of the ''[[Airtight Garage]]'' universe
**''Onyx Overlord'' – part of the ''[[Airtight Garage]]'' universe
**''[[Blueberry (comics)|Blueberry]]''
**''[[Blueberry (comics)|Lieutenant Blueberry]]''
**''[[Blueberry (comics)|Marshal Blueberry]]''
**''Chaos''
**''[[The Incal]]''
**''Metallic Memories''
*''Midnight Men'', miniseries created, written and with art by [[Howard Chaykin]]
*''[[Moonshadow (graphic novel)|Moonshadow]]'' – created by [[J.M. DeMatteis]]
*''Mutatis'' (1992), #1–3
*''[[Olympians (comics)|The Olympians]]'' – Stephen Jewell and [[Gary Chaloner]]
*''[[The One (comics)|The One]]'' – [[Rick Veitch]]
*''Psychonauts'' – [[Alan Grant (writer)|Alan Grant]] and [[Motofumi Kobayashi]]
*''Plastic Forks'' – [[Ted McKeever]]
*''[[Sachs and Violens]]'' – [[Peter David]] and [[George Pérez]]
*''[[Sam & Max]]'' (Freelance Police and Bad Day on the Moon)
*''[[Samurai Cat]]''
*''[[Shadowline (Epic Comics)|The Shadowline Saga]]'' – created by [[Archie Goodwin (comics)|Archie Goodwin]]
**''Dr. Zero''
**''Powerline''
**''St. George''
**''Critical Mass''
*''[[Silver Surfer]]: [[Silver Surfer#Subsequent series|Parable]]'' – [[Stan Lee]] and [[Jean Giraud|Moebius]]
*''[[Sisterhood of Steel]]''
*''[[Six from Sirius]]'' - [[Doug Moench]] and [[Paul Gulacy]]
*''[[The Sleeze Brothers]]''
*''[[Someplace Strange]]'' - [[Ann Nocenti]] and [[John Bolton (illustrator)|John Bolton]]
*''Spyke''
*''[[Stalkers (comics)|Stalkers]]''
*''[[The Stars My Destination]]''
*''[[Starstruck (comics)|Starstruck]]'' – written by [[Elaine Lee]], art by [[Michael William Kaluta]]
*''Steelgrip Starkey'' – miniseries – [[Alan Weiss (comics)|Alan Weiss]]
*''[[Stray Toasters]]'' – [[Bill Sienkiewicz]]
*''[[Swords of the Swashbucklers]]'' – written by [[Bill Mantlo]], art by [[Jackson Guice]]
* William Shatner's ''[[Tek World]]''
*''[[Timespirits]]''
*''[[The Tomb of Dracula]]'' – revival by [[Marv Wolfman]] and [[Gene Colan]]
*''Tomorrow Knights'' – created by Roy Richardson and Rod Whigham
*''[[The Transmutation of Ike Garuda]]'' – written by [[Elaine Lee]], art by [[James Sherman (comic book artist)|James Sherman]]
*''[[Trouble (comics)|Trouble]]''
*''[[The Trouble with Girls (comics)|The Trouble with Girls]]''
*''Video Jack'' – written by [[Cary Bates]], art by [[Keith Giffen]]
*''[[Void Indigo]]''
*''War Man'' – written by [[Chuck Dixon]], art by [[Juan Zanotto]] (2 parts; 1993)
*''[[Wild Cards]]''


==See also==
==See also==
* [[Icon Comics]], another Marvel imprint for creator-owned works.
* [[Icon Comics]] - imprint of Marvel Comics
* [[MAX Comics]], an adults-only imprint of Marvel Comics similar to Epic.
* [[MAX (comics)]] - imprint of Marvel Comics


== Notes ==
== Citations ==
{{Reflist}}
{{reflist}}


== General and cited references ==
==References==
{{Refbegin}}
{{Refbegin}}
*{{gcdb brand group|id=2002|title=Epic Comics}}
* {{gcdb brand group|id=2002|title=Epic Comics}}
*{{comicbookdb|type=imprint|id=10|title=Epic Comics}}
* {{comicbookdb|type=imprint|id=10|title=Epic Comics}}
*[http://www.internationalhero.co.uk/e/epic.htm "Epic Comics"] at the International Catalogue of Superheroes
* [http://www.internationalhero.co.uk/e/epic.htm "Epic Comics"] at the International Catalogue of Superheroes
{{Refend}}
{{Refend}}


== External links ==
==External links==
*[http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=2065 "Marvel to tell 'Epic' stories once again"], ''[[Comic Book Resources]]''
* [http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=2065 "Marvel to tell 'Epic' stories once again"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060322191201/http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=2065 |date=March 22, 2006 }}, ''[[Comic Book Resources]]''
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20100302074736/http://archives.tcj.com/journalista/zarch200306Ba.html "The Trouble with Marvel"], ''[[The Comics Journal]]''
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100302074736/http://archives.tcj.com/journalista/zarch200306Ba.html "The Trouble with Marvel"], ''[[The Comics Journal]]''
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20051217220912/http://www.maelmill-insi.de/UHBMCC/SELED.HTM#G7 "Epic publishing timeline"], ''Maelmill.com''
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20051217220912/http://www.maelmill-insi.de/UHBMCC/SELED.HTM#G7 "Epic publishing timeline"], Maelmill.com


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[[Category:Epic Comics| ]]
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[[Category:1982 in comics]]
[[Category:Publishers of adult comics]]
[[Category:Publishers of adult comics]]

Latest revision as of 13:29, 11 March 2024

Epic Comics
Company typePrivately held company (subsidiary)
IndustryPublishing
Founded1982
FounderJim Shooter
SuccessorIcon Comics
Key people
Jim Shooter
Al Milgrom
Archie Goodwin
ProductsComics
OwnerMarvel Entertainment, LLC
ParentMarvel Comics

Epic Comics (also known as the Epic Comics Group)[1] was an imprint of American publishing company Marvel Comics, active from 1982 to 1996. A spin-off of the publisher's Epic Illustrated magazine, it published creator-owned work unconnected to Marvel's superhero universe, and without the restrictions of the Comics Code. The name was revived by Marvel in the mid-2000s for a short-lived program inviting new writers to pitch series proposals to the publisher.

History[edit]

Origins[edit]

Launched by editor-in-chief Jim Shooter as a spin-off of the successful Epic Illustrated magazine, the Epic imprint allowed creators to retain control and ownership of their properties. Co-edited by Al Milgrom and Archie Goodwin, the imprint also allowed Marvel to publish more objectionable content (sometimes explicit) without needing to comply with the stringent Comics Code Authority. Epic titles were printed on higher quality paper than typical Marvel comics, and were only available via the direct market.[1]

Titles[edit]

Dreadstar #1 (Nov. 1982), debut publication of Marvel Comics' Epic imprint. Cover art by Jim Starlin.

Source:[2]

See also[edit]

Citations[edit]

  1. ^ a b Shooter, Jim. "Bullpen Bulletins: The Truth About the Epic Comics Group!" Marvel comics cover-dated November 1982.
  2. ^ "Epic Comics". www.internationalhero.co.uk. Retrieved April 12, 2022.

General and cited references[edit]

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Epic_Comics&oldid=1213169223"