First Comics Companion: Showcasing the Saga of the '80s Independent Publisher

By Richard Arndt

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 1983-1991. 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 a new Howard Chaykin cover art

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1605491284
• ISBN13: 9781605491288
• Release Date: November 2025
• Publisher: Two Morrows Publishing
• Length: 160 Pages
• Age Range: 16 years and up