Picking up the pieces
Picking up the pieces |
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Page 38 of 38  pages from 1994 Far inferior to Epic Illustrated in terms of quality, but nearly as long-lasting, was 1984, launched by Warren in 1978, and which survived until 1983 (after a name-change to 3994). This tacky black-and-white effort made no pretence at seriousness, and featured as much sex as it could possibly fit into its pages (viz its suggestive strapline: 'Provocative Illustrated Adult Fantasy'). Some of the strips have since been re-evaluated as 'erotic classics' (such as Frank Thome's 'Ghita of Alizarr'), but in general, comics fans prefer to forget the title ever existed. In the 1990s, Heavy Metal's influence was still being felt, as mainstream magazines embarked on a policy of bringing out comics supplements. Penthouse Comix (Penthouse, 1993) has included erotic science fiction strips, while Omni Comix (Omni 1995) was an offshoot of the respected science fiction journal. Both are glossy productions in the established style, with much emphasis on the trusty airbrush. How long they will last still remains to be seen. In conclusion, this phase of American publishing initiated in the 1970s was important for a number of reasons, not least because it showed that there was a readership for mainstream comics among an older age range than had previously been catered for. The underground had shown the potential for more mature subject matter, and by cannibalizing some of that movement's ideas (typically the sex and violence rather than the politics), publishers like Marvel and DC Comics began to find a new teenage market. This was something that would develop over the next decade into a completely new system of comics marketing based on comics 'fandom' - the subject for our next chapter. |