THE POMP AND THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF AN EPIC FAILURE

Okay, maybe failure is a bit harsh for this magazine sized publication from 1980, complete with its Frank Frezetta oil on canvas cover.

But it was supposed to be serious stuff, you know, the kind of comic book that comic book fans could point to and say something like: See, comics can be serious and adult. So there!!! Got ya!

Not that the concept was particularly original, as Heavy Metal and, too a degree, Warren Publications had already laid down most of the ground work that Marvel were attempting to muscle in on. Or rip-off, depending on your point of view.

But Epic, which would run form 1980 to 1986, was a slick affair, where artists, both old and new could try something, maybe a little different from their usual superhero fodder. And the first dozen or so issues were very much in that mold.

Last point about the first issue though: Stan Lee contributed a loose letter for this first issue, the opening line of which is branded forever in my memory. He wrote: 'Hi there, culture lovers'.

ARRRRRRRAAAUUUGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

WE PLUCKY CHAPS DO S.F TOO, DON'T YOU KNOW OLD BOY

The main thrust (no pun intended) of English comic books, certainly in the 70s was to keep World War Two alive and kicking. And to remind the world in general who actually won the danm thing.

It was the American's in actual fact, if my Hollywood addled memory serves my correctly!

But that might just be a topic for another day, time or comic book cover. However, towards the end of the 70s, 1978 here, science fiction crept onto the English comic book scene, no doubt aided by the success of Star Wars.


Starlord was, in my humble opinion the better offering over 2000AD, the latter would come to dominate the field and oust all those WWII offerings in a matter of a few short years. Starlord would fold too, attempting to appeal to readers of all ages.

2000AD may have had Judge Dredd but it never has had a cover as good as this one!!!

A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE LADIES....SEXISM & THE 70s

To redress the balance and probably push forward the underdeveloped emotional growth of some, if not all, male comic collectors, Marvel Comics gave it's fans (and FanBoys), Ms Marvel.

See Ms., acknowledging that women were equal to men. Well, almost. A look at this cover Ms. Marvel number one suggests otherwise, in its patronising pose, tone and wordage.

Hey, look 'this female fights back'. (Doh), really, wow how new and different, how hip, how cringe worthy. Look, her alto ego can answer a phone for herself!! What ever next, driving a car, running her own bank account? But don't the dishes need washing first, who's cooking dinner tonight?

Notice also that Ms. Marvel 's still getting trashed by a male super villain and still has an ample cleavage. So if you do get bored with her agenda there's still something to look at.

And then there's that in the tradition of Spider Man!!! Like Ms. Marvel's too weak a character not to need a supporting cast of manly men. I could go on but I think you're getting the point or getting bored, or both.

There are worst sexist covers than this but, as teenage boy this was first and also my first realisation that something was not quite equal in the macho world of comics. And, I believe, that's still the case today. Some three decades later!