The only book that spotlights the widely respected indie company of the ’80s…
Another year, another rad companion volume from TwoMorrows.
The last few years have seen the Pacific Comics Companion, The Team-Up Companion and The MLJ Companion, just the latest in a long line of such volumes from the publisher.
In September 2025, they’ll be joined by the First Comics Companion, by Richard J. Arndt and Jon B. Cooke. Dig the official description:
THE FIRST COMICS COMPANION
The First Comics Companion is the only book dedicated to the history of Chicago’s groundbreaking independent comics publisher, which took on the Big Two by storm between 1983–’91. From a modest promotional comic hawking theater subscriptions, First soon blossomed into an ambitious, aggressive imprint with achievements that included adapting the fabled sci-fi play Warp; reviving beloved ’70s Charlton hero E-Man; luring Mike Grell over from Pacific Comics to continue Starslayer and launch Jon Sable, Freelance; and releasing one of the ’80s greatest comic book series, American Flagg! by Howard Chaykin. Soon followed Elric, Grimjack, Nexus, Shatter, Dreadstar, Lone Wolf and Cub, super-hero Alter Ego, and a resurrection of Classics Illustrated. Featuring the recollections of founders Mike Gold, Joe Staton, and dozens more, this book continues Richard J. Arndt and Jon B. Cooke’s exhaustive “carpet-bombing” approach to documenting comics history in fascinating detail—first, last, and always, THE definitive account! Featuring new Chaykin cover art!
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The 160-page, full-color oversize paperback lists for $31.95 and is due Sept. 17, 2025. (Date subject to change.) It will be available through comics shops and booksellers, but you can pre-order it now, directly from TwoMorrows. Click here.
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MORE
— EXCLUSIVE: Long-Awaited MARSHALL ROGERS Illustrated Biography Set for 2025. Click here.
— Illustrated History of AMERICAN MOVIE COMIC BOOKS Slated for 2025. Click here.
January 3, 2025
Is that supposed to be Reuben? That it isn’t brown is throwing me off