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Heroic Publishing is an American
comic book A comic book, comic-magazine, or simply comic is a publication that consists of comics art in the form of sequential juxtaposed panel (comics), panels that represent individual scenes. Panels are often accompanied by descriptive prose and wri ...
publisher founded by
Dennis Mallonee Dennis Mallonee (born January 22, 1955) is an American writer and publisher of comic books. He is best known as the writer of the '' Champions'' comics and the founder of Heroic Publishing. Education Mallonee graduated from the California Ins ...
. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the company published about 100
superhero comics Superhero comics is one of the most common genres of American comic books. The genre rose to prominence in the 1930s and became extremely popular in the 1940s and has remained the dominant form of comic book in North America since the 1960s. Supe ...
issues across several series – the most prolific of which featured the League of Champions and other titles associated with the ''
Champions A champion (from the late Latin ''campio'') is the victor in a challenge, contest or competition. There can be a territorial pyramid of championships, e.g. local, regional/provincial/state, national, continental and world championships, and ...
''
role-playing game A role-playing game (sometimes spelled roleplaying game, or abbreviated as RPG) is a game in which players assume the roles of player character, characters in a fictional Setting (narrative), setting. Players take responsibility for acting out ...
. Heroic Publishing returned to the marketplace in 2005, and currently publishes via print-on-demand, distributing both physical copies and electronic editions. Notable creators associated with the company include
Daniel Acuña Daniel Acuña (born 1974) is a Spanish comic book artist. Early life In University, college, Daniel Acuña studied painting and graduated with a degree in Fine Arts. He cites his early influences as Jack Kirby, the Romitas (John Romita Sr, Senio ...
,
Mark Beachum Mark Beachum is an American comic book artist, writer, painter, publisher, photographer and filmmaker known for renditions of the female figure. Having worked for Marvel Comics, Marvel, DC Comics, DC, and Continuity Comics, Continuity, among oth ...
, Howard Bender, E. R. Cruz,
Al Gordon Alan Gordon (born June 22, 1953) is an American comic book creator primarily known as an inker and writer. He is best known for his 1990s work on DC Comics' '' Legion of Super Heroes'' and the ''Justice League of America'', Marvel Comics' ''Fant ...
,
Dærick Gröss Sr. Richard Gröss Event occurs at 1:13-8:35. (January 28, 1947 – December 8, 2023), known professionally as Dærick Gröss Sr., was an American illustrator, writer, editor, and art director. Gröss worked at comic book companies Marvel Comics, DC ...
,
Don Heck Donald L. HeckDonald L. Heck
at the Social Security Death Index. Retrieved on Septem ...
,
Rick Hoberg Richard Renick Hoberg (; born June 7, 1952) is an American comics artist and animator. Newspaper strips Hoberg began his career in comic books in the mid-1970s, working for Russ Manning on ''Tarzan'' comic books for overseas distribution (1975â ...
,
Jimmy Janes Jimmy Janes (July 17, 1947 – September 1, 2020) was an American comics artist and storyboard artist best known for his work on DC Comics' ''Legion of Super-Heroes'' series. Early life Jimmy Janes was born July 17, 1947 on Staten Island, New Y ...
, Grant Miehm,
Gordon Purcell Gordon Purcell (born February 14, 1959) is an Americans, American comics artist, perhaps best known for his ''Star Trek (DC Comics), Star Trek'' work, in particular his realistic renditions of the actors who play that franchise's characters, as w ...
, J. David Spurlock, and
Roy Thomas Roy William Thomas Jr."Roy Thomas Checklist" ''Alter Ego'' vol. 3, #50 (July 2005) p. 16 (born November 22, 1940) is an American comic book writer and editor. He was Stan Lee's first successor as editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics and possibly bes ...
.


History


Hero Comics/Hero Graphics

In 1986, comics writer
Dennis Mallonee Dennis Mallonee (born January 22, 1955) is an American writer and publisher of comic books. He is best known as the writer of the '' Champions'' comics and the founder of Heroic Publishing. Education Mallonee graduated from the California Ins ...
licensed characters from the
tabletop Tabletop may refer to: Common use * The top of a table Games * TableTop, an Internet-based show about board games * Tabletop games, encompassing several classes of games that can also be referred to individually as "Tabletop", including: ** Ta ...
superhero role-playing game ''
Champions A champion (from the late Latin ''campio'') is the victor in a challenge, contest or competition. There can be a territorial pyramid of championships, e.g. local, regional/provincial/state, national, continental and world championships, and ...
'' for a comic book
limited series In the field of comic books, and particularly in the United States, a limited series is a comics series with a predetermined number of issues. A limited series differs from an ongoing series in that the number of issues is finite and determined ...
he wrote, which was published by
Eternity Comics Eternity Comics was an American comic book publisher active from 1986 to 1994, first as an independent publisher, then as an imprint of Malibu Comics. Eternity published creator-owned comics of an offbeat, independent flavor, as well as some lice ...
. That same year, he co-created (with artist
Rick Hoberg Richard Renick Hoberg (; born June 7, 1952) is an American comics artist and animator. Newspaper strips Hoberg began his career in comic books in the mid-1970s, working for Russ Manning on ''Tarzan'' comic books for overseas distribution (1975â ...
) and wrote the series ''Eternity Smith'' for
Renegade Press Renegade Press was an American comic book company, founded by Canadian Deni Loubert, that operated from 1984 to 1988. Notable titles published by Renegade included '' Flaming Carrot'', '' Ms. Tree'', and ''normalman''. History Loubert was publ ...
. Founding Hero Comics, Mallonee struck out on his own. Hero Comics' first titles were a new ongoing ''Champions'' series, ''Eternity Smith'' (continuing the numbering from Renegade), and ''Captain Thunder and Blue Bolt'', written by
Marvel Comics Marvel Comics is a New York City–based comic book publishing, publisher, a property of the Walt Disney Company since December 31, 2009, and a subsidiary of Disney Publishing Worldwide since March 2023. Marvel was founded in 1939 by Martin G ...
veteran
Roy Thomas Roy William Thomas Jr."Roy Thomas Checklist" ''Alter Ego'' vol. 3, #50 (July 2005) p. 16 (born November 22, 1940) is an American comic book writer and editor. He was Stan Lee's first successor as editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics and possibly bes ...
. All three titles debuted with September 1987 cover dates. Other early titles published by Hero Comics included ''The Marksman'' and ''Flare'', both featuring characters also licensed from the ''Champions'' role-playing game. After taking a short break from publishing, Mallonee re-entered the marketplace in 1990 as Hero Graphics, co-publishing a handful of issues with
David Campiti David Campiti (; born May 9, 1958) is an American animation producer, comic book writer, talent agent, and packager. He was deeply involved with a number of comics publishers in the late 1980s and early 1990s, including Eternity Comics, Pied P ...
's
Innovation Comics Innovation Publishing (also known as Innovation Books and the Innovative Corporation) was an American comic book company based in Wheeling, West Virginia. It was co-founded by David Campiti in 1988 after writing a business proposal and raising U ...
, which also served as the company's distributor.


Heroic Publishing

Mallonee rebranded the company again in 1991, as Heroic Publishing. As Mallonee's company evolved, it became more centered on depicting attractive pinups.
Hero Games Hero Games (''DOJ, Inc dba Hero Games'') is the publisher of the Hero System, a generic roleplaying rules set that can be used to simulate many different genres, and was the co-developer of the '' Fuzion'' system. History In 1981, George MacD ...
, the original licensor of ''Champions'', became increasingly uncomfortable with these changes in tone, and some of the characters' owners pulled Mallonee's licensing rights, forcing him to rename the characters. For instance, Bruce Harlick's Marksman became Huntsman, and Harlick's
Foxbat The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25 (; NATO reporting name: Foxbat) is a supersonic interceptor and reconnaissance aircraft that is among the fastest military aircraft to enter service. Designed by the Soviet Union's Mikoyan-Gurevich bureau, it is an ...
became The Flying Fox.
Icestar ''Champions'' is a role-playing game published by Hero Games designed to simulate a superhero comic book world. It was originally created by George MacDonald and Steve Peterson in collaboration with Rob Bell, Bruce Harlick and Ray Greer. The la ...
and Flare's rights' owners, Gleen Thain and Stacy Lawrence, respectively, allowed Heroic to continue using their characters. Over the years, Mallonee developed many original characters as well, slowly pushing his comics further from Hero Games' Champions universe. (To avoid confusion, Hero Games removed creator-owned characters that were still being used by Mallonee from new editions of their products.) By late 1992, however, Heroic Publishing was in the red, offering retailers deep discounts on their titles. The company effectively suspended publishing in late 1993/early 1994.


2005 return

Heroic returned to publishing again in 2005; in addition to new titles, it continued a number of series from its earlier incarnation, including ''Captain Thunder and Blue Bolt'', ''Champions'', ''Murcielaga She-Bat'', and ''The Tigress''. The company currently publishes print-on-demand, distributing both physical copies and electronic editions.


Titles (selected)


First phase, 1987–1994

* ''Captain Thunder and Blue Bolt'' (13 issues, Sep 1987–Sep 1988; 2014–2015) — first ten issues written by
Roy Thomas Roy William Thomas Jr."Roy Thomas Checklist" ''Alter Ego'' vol. 3, #50 (July 2005) p. 16 (born November 22, 1940) is an American comic book writer and editor. He was Stan Lee's first successor as editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics and possibly bes ...
, contributors include Grant Miehm * ''
Champions A champion (from the late Latin ''campio'') is the victor in a challenge, contest or competition. There can be a territorial pyramid of championships, e.g. local, regional/provincial/state, national, continental and world championships, and ...
'' vol. 1 (12 issues, Sep 1987–Oct 1988) — written by
Dennis Mallonee Dennis Mallonee (born January 22, 1955) is an American writer and publisher of comic books. He is best known as the writer of the '' Champions'' comics and the founder of Heroic Publishing. Education Mallonee graduated from the California Ins ...
; continuing 1986 series acquired from
Eternity Comics Eternity Comics was an American comic book publisher active from 1986 to 1994, first as an independent publisher, then as an imprint of Malibu Comics. Eternity published creator-owned comics of an offbeat, independent flavor, as well as some lice ...
* ''Champions'' / ''Flare Adventures'' (11 issues, Aug 1992–July 1993) — contributors include Dennis Mallonee * ''Eternity Smith'' (9 issues, Sep 1987–Aug 1988) — continuing 1986 series acquired from
Renegade Press Renegade Press was an American comic book company, founded by Canadian Deni Loubert, that operated from 1984 to 1988. Notable titles published by Renegade included '' Flaming Carrot'', '' Ms. Tree'', and ''normalman''. History Loubert was publ ...
, by Dennis Mallonee and
Rick Hoberg Richard Renick Hoberg (; born June 7, 1952) is an American comics artist and animator. Newspaper strips Hoberg began his career in comic books in the mid-1970s, working for Russ Manning on ''Tarzan'' comic books for overseas distribution (1975â ...
; contributions by E. R. Cruz and
Jimmy Janes Jimmy Janes (July 17, 1947 – September 1, 2020) was an American comics artist and storyboard artist best known for his work on DC Comics' ''Legion of Super-Heroes'' series. Early life Jimmy Janes was born July 17, 1947 on Staten Island, New Y ...
* ''Flare'' vol. 1 (16 issues, Nov 1990–Feb 1994) — contributors include
Mark Beachum Mark Beachum is an American comic book artist, writer, painter, publisher, photographer and filmmaker known for renditions of the female figure. Having worked for Marvel Comics, Marvel, DC Comics, DC, and Continuity Comics, Continuity, among oth ...
, E. R. Cruz, Dærick Gröss Sr., Rick Hoberg, and Dennis Mallonee * ''Flare First Edition'' (11 issues, June 1991–Oct 1993) — contributors include Mark Beachum and Dennis Mallonee * ''Icicle'' (5 issues, 1992–1993) — written by Dennis Mallonee * ''Lady Arcane'' (4 issues, 1992–1993) — written by Dennis Mallonee * ''League of Champions'' (17 issues, Dec 1990–July 1993; Dec 2009–Apr 2017) — written by Dennis Mallonee; contributors include Dærick Gröss Sr. * ''The Marksman'' (5 issues, 1988) — written by Dennis Mallonee * ''Murcielaga She-Bat'' (12 issues, Jan–Apr 1993; March 2010–present) — by
Dærick Gröss Sr. Richard Gröss Event occurs at 1:13-8:35. (January 28, 1947 – December 8, 2023), known professionally as Dærick Gröss Sr., was an American illustrator, writer, editor, and art director. Gröss worked at comic book companies Marvel Comics, DC ...
; Studio G published issues #3-7 in the early 1990s * ''Rose'' (5 issues, Dec 1992–Dec 1993) — by Dennis Mallonee and Mark Beachum * Sparkplug (3 issues, 1993) — with art by J. David Spurlock * ''The Tigress'' (13 issues, Aug 1992–1993; 2016–present) — contributors include Mark Beachum, Dærick Gröss Sr., and Dennis Mallonee


Second phase, 2005–present

* ''Alter Ego: The Graphic Novel'' (2005) — collecting the limited series of the same name by
Roy Thomas Roy William Thomas Jr."Roy Thomas Checklist" ''Alter Ego'' vol. 3, #50 (July 2005) p. 16 (born November 22, 1940) is an American comic book writer and editor. He was Stan Lee's first successor as editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics and possibly bes ...
and Ron Harris and originally published by
First Comics First Comics is an American comic book publisher that was active from 1983 to 1991 and then from 2011 to present (stylized as 1First Comics), known for titles like '' American Flagg!'', '' Grimjack'', ''Nexus'', ''Badger'', '' Dreadstar'', and '' ...
() * ''Champions'' econd Edition(18 issues, 2011–2016) * ''Champions'' vol. 2 (34 issues, Aug 2005–Aug 2018) * ''Champions Adventures'' (16 issues, Mar 2011–July 2018) * ''Flare Adventures'' (19 issues, July 2005–Mar 2012) * ''Flare'' vol. 2 (23 issues, June 2005–Feb 2018) — contributors include Dennis Mallonee and
Gordon Purcell Gordon Purcell (born February 14, 1959) is an Americans, American comics artist, perhaps best known for his ''Star Trek (DC Comics), Star Trek'' work, in particular his realistic renditions of the actors who play that franchise's characters, as w ...
* ''Flare'' econd Edition(19 issues, Jan 2016–present) — reprint series * ''Heroic Spotlight'' (26 issues, Mar 2010–Feb 2017) — reprint series * ''League of Champions'' olor Edition(12 issues, Apr 2017-?) — reprint series * ''Liberty Comics'' (9 issues, June 2007–July 2015) * ''Roy Thomas' Anthem'' #1–5 (2006–2009) — by Roy Thomas; contributions from
Daniel Acuña Daniel Acuña (born 1974) is a Spanish comic book artist. Early life In University, college, Daniel Acuña studied painting and graduated with a degree in Fine Arts. He cites his early influences as Jack Kirby, the Romitas (John Romita Sr, Senio ...
and Dennis Mallonee * ''Witchgirls Inc.'' (13 issues, Sep 2005–present) — contributors include Dennis Mallonee


Notes


References


Citations


Sources

* *


External links

* {{official website, http://www.heroicmultiverse.com/heroicpub/ 1987 establishments in California Comic book publishing companies of the United States Publishing companies established in 1987