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!!!!!!