September 1981 - December 1981

Cerebus #30.

The comic features the story High Society (Part 5): “Debts,” by Dave Sim. Cover illustration by Dave Sim. Standard-format comic book. Black-and-white interiors. 28 pages. Kitchener, Ontario, Canada: Aardvark-Vanaheim. Cover/indicia date: September 1981. Cover price: $1.50 Canadian.

Note

The exact publication date is unknown. This is a Canadian publication. No copyright registration appears to have been filed in the United States.

Swords of Cerebus, Vol. 3, Dave Sim.

The book collects the stories first published in Cerebus #9-12. Cover illustration by Dave Sim. Trade-paperback book. Black-and-white interiors. 116 pages. Kitchener, Ontario, Canada: Aardvark-Vanaheim. Cover/indicia date: Fall 1981 (September 1981). Cover price: $5.00 Canadian.

Note

The book is a Canadian publication. The exact publication date is unknown. No copyright registration appears to have been filed in the United States.

Weirdo #3.

Edited by R. (Robert) Crumb. The magazine includes the stories “The Adventures of Onion Head” and “Excerpts from Boswell’s London Journal, 1762-1763,” both by R. Crumb. The other contributors include Robert Armstrong, Peter Bagge, Terry Boyce, Max Crumb, Gene Deitch, Gregg Gannon, John Holmstrom, J. D. King, Eugene Teal, and Terry Zwigoff. Cover illustration by R. Crumb. Magazine format. Black-and-white interiors. 44 pages. Berkeley, CA: Last Gasp. Cover/indicia date: Fall 1981 (September 1981). Cover price: $2.25.

Notes

The exact publication date is unknown. No copyright registration appears to have been filed.

“Excerpts from Boswell’s London Journal, 1762-1763” is adapted from the autobiography by James Boswell.

Daredevil #178.

Published on September 1, 1981. Edited by Denny O’Neil. The comic features the story “Paper Chase,” by Frank Miller, with Klaus Janson. Cover illustration by Frank Miller, with Klaus Janson. Standard-format comic book. Color interiors. 36 pages. New York: Marvel. Cover/indicia date: January 1982. Cover price: 60¢.

Ka-Zar the Savage #10.

Published on September 1, 1981. Edited by Louise Jones (Simonson). The comic features the story “Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here,” by Bruce Jones and Brent Anderson, with Carlos Garzon. Cover illustration by Brent Anderson. Standard-format comic book. Color interiors. 36 pages. New York: Marvel. Cover/indicia date: January 1982. Cover price: 75¢.

Note

With this issue, Ka-Zar the Savage became the first ongoing series from a traditional newsstand comics publisher to be distributed exclusively to the “direct sales” comics-store market. It was one of three previously newsstand-distributed titles published by Marvel that were shifted to exclusive comics-store distribution in the fall of 1981. The other two were The Micronauts and Moon Knight. The comics-store market carried publications on a non-returnable basis, while newsstand distributors returned unsold copies for credit with the publisher. The three series, while low sellers overall, sold well enough with comics-store retailers to justify continued publication if they were distributed only in that marketplace. All three series were cancelled in 1984. The Micronauts and Moon Knight were relaunched with new newsstand-distributed series in, respectively, 1984 and 1985.

Mad Clobbers the Classics, Larry Siegel & Angelo Torres.

Published on September 15, 1981. The book features new material by scriptwriter Larry Siegel and artist Angelo Torres. Cover illustration by Angelo Torres. Mass-market paperback book. Black-and-white interiors. 196 pages. New York: Warner Books. Cover/indicia date: September 1981. Cover price: $1.75.

Elfquest, Book 1, Wendy Pini & Richard Pini.

Published on September 18, 1981. Edited by Kay Reynolds, The book features the Elfquest stories from Fantasy Quarterly #1 and Elfquest #2-5. The stories were colored by Wendy Pini and Glynis Wein for book publication. Cover illustration by Wendy Pini. Trade-paperback book. Color interiors. 164 pages. Brookfield, MO: Starblaze (Donning). Cover/indicia date: 1981. Cover price: $9.95.

Note

This is the first of the Elfquest book collections published by the Starblaze Graphics imprint of the Donning Company. The Starblaze Elfquest collections were the first successful effort, although a modest one, to market graphic novels to bookstores.

Doctor Beagle and Mister Hyde, Charles M. Schulz.

Published on September 21, 1981. The book features material first published in 1980 and 1981 in Charles M. Schulz’s Peanuts daily newspaper strip. Cover illustration by Charles M. Schulz. Trade-paperback book. Black-and-white interiors. 196 pages. New York: Owl (Holt, Rinehart and Winston). Cover/indicia date: September 1981. Cover price: $4.95.

Mad #227.

Published on September 29, 1981. Edited by Albert B. Feldstein. The contributors include Sergio Aragonés, Dave Berg, Bob Clarke, Paul Coker, Jr., Jack Davis, Dick DeBartolo, Mort Drucker, Don “Duck” Edwing, John Ficarra, Chris Hart, Stan Hart, Al Jaffee, Don Martin, Harry North, Esq., Paul Peter Porges, Antonio Prohias, Jack Rickard, Larry Siegel, Lou Silverstone, Angelo Torres, and George Woodbridge. Cover illustration by Jack Rickard. Magazine format. Black-and-white interiors. 52 pages. New York: E. C. Cover/indicia date: December 1981. Cover price: $1.00.

Cerebus #31.

The comic features the story High Society (Part 6): “Chasing Cootie,” by Dave Sim. Cover illustration by Dave Sim. Standard-format comic book. Black-and-white interiors. 28 pages. Kitchener, Ontario, Canada: Aardvark-Vanaheim. Cover/indicia date: October 1981. Cover price: $1.50 Canadian.

Note

The exact publication date is unknown. This is a Canadian publication. No copyright registration appears to have been filed in the United States.

Daredevil #179.

Published on October 6, 1981. Edited by Denny O’Neil. The comic features the story “Spiked!,” by Frank Miller, with Klaus Janson. Cover illustration by Frank Miller, with Klaus Janson. Standard-format comic book. Color interiors. 36 pages. New York: Marvel. Cover/indicia date: February 1982. Cover price: 60¢.

Girls and Boys, Lynda Barry.

Published on October 7, 1981. The book features material originally published in Lynda Barry's Ernie Pook's Comeek weekly-newspaper strip. Cover illustration by Lynda Barry. Trade-paperback book. Black-and-white interiors. 100 pages. Seattle: Real Comet. Cover/indicia date: 1981. Cover price: $5.95.

Garfield Bigger Than Life, Jim Davis.

Published on October 9, 1981. The book features material originally published in Jim Davis' Garfield daily-newspaper strip. Cover illustration by Jim Davis. Trade-paperback book. Black-and-white interiors. 132 pages. New York: Ballantine. Cover/indicia date: 1981. Cover price: $4.95

Elfquest #11.

Published on October 15, 1981. Edited by Richard Pini. The magazine features the story “Lair of the Bird Spirits,” by Wendy Pini & Richard Pini. Cover illustration by Wendy Pini. Magazine format. Black-and-white interiors. 44 pages. Poughkeepsie, NY: WaRP Graphics. Cover/indicia date: October 1981. Cover price: $1.50.

Catcalendar Cats: The Complete Collection, B. Kliban.

Published on October 15, 1981. The book features the cartoons originally published in B. Kliban’s cat-themed art calendars between 1977 and 1981. Cover illustration by B. Kliban. Hardcover book. Black-and-white interiors. 148 pages. New York: Workman. Cover/indicia date: September 1981. Cover price: $9.95.

The Eggs-Rated Mad.

Published on October 15, 1981. The book features select material originally published in Mad #170-177. The contributors include Sergio Aragonés, Dave Berg, Bob Clarke, Paul Coker, Jr., Jack Davis, Mort Drucker, Don “Duck” Edwing, Stan Hart, Frank Jacobs, Al Jaffee, Arnie Kogen, Don Martin, Paul Peter Porges, Antonio Prohias, Jack Rickard, Lou Silverstone, and Angelo Torres. Cover illustration by Jack Rickard. Mass-market paperback book. Black-and-white interiors. 196 pages. New York: Warner. Cover/indicia date: October 1981. Cover price: $1.75.

Get Stuffed with Mad, Frank Jacobs & Bob Clarke.

Published on October 15, 1981. The book features new material by scriptwriter Frank Jacobs and artist Bob Clarke. Cover illustration by Bob Clarke. Mass-market paperback book. Black-and-white interiors. 196 pages. New York: Warner Books. Cover/indicia date: October 1981. Cover price: $1.75.

Heavy Metal, Vol. 5, No. 9 (#57).

Published on October 15, 1981. Edited by Julie Simmons-Lynch. The magazine features both original material and English translations of stories that first appeared in the French magazines Métal Hurlant, Pilote, and Pilote Mensuel. The stories include “White House,” by Moebius (Jean Giraud), and “Den II (Part 3),” by Richard Corben. Cover illustration by Chris Stein. Magazine format. Color interiors. 100 pages. New York: HM Communications (National Lampoon). Cover/indicia date: December 1981. Cover price: $2.00.

Creature Comforts, Charles Addams.

Published on October 20, 1981. The book features single-panel cartoons by Charles Addams. Many pieces were originally published in The New Yorker magazine. Cover illustration by Charles Addams. Hardcover book. Black-and-white interiors. 116 pages. New York: Simon & Schuster. Cover/indicia date: 1981. Cover price: $12.95.

Cerebus #32.

The comic features the story High Society (Part 7): “Alliance,” by Dave Sim. Cover illustration by Dave Sim. Standard-format comic book. Black-and-white interiors. 28 pages. Kitchener, Ontario, Canada: Aardvark-Vanaheim. Cover/indicia date: November 1981. Cover price: $1.50 Canadian.

Note

The exact publication date is unknown. This is a Canadian publication. No copyright registration appears to have been filed in the United States.

Spider-Man.

Edited by Jim Salicrup. The book features material originally published in The Amazing Spider-Man #71, The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #2, and Marvel Team-Up #27. The creative personnel include Stan Lee, Steve Ditko, Jim Mooney, John Romita, and Len Wein. Cover illustration by Bob Larkin. Mass-market paperback book. Color interiors. 164 pages. New York: Marvel Illustrated (Marvel). Cover/indicia date: November 1981. Cover price: $2.50.

Note

The exact publication date is unknown. No copyright registration was filed.

Star Wars.

Edited by Louise Jones (Simonson). The book features Star Wars stories originally published in the British magazine Star Wars Weekly. The creative personnel include Dave Cockrum, Archie Goodwin, and Carmine Infantino. Cover illustration by Bob Larkin. Mass-market paperback book. Color interiors. 164 pages. New York: Marvel Illustrated (Marvel). Cover/indicia date: November 1981. Cover price: $2.50.

Note

The exact publication date is unknown. No copyright registration was filed.

Daredevil #180.

Published on November 3, 1981. Edited by Denny O’Neil. The comic features the story “The Damned,” by Frank Miller, with Klaus Janson. Cover illustration by Frank Miller, with Klaus Janson. Standard-format comic book. Color interiors. 36 pages. New York: Marvel. Cover/indicia date: March 1982. Cover price: 60¢.

The Spirit #31.

Published on November 3, 1981. Edited by Will Eisner, Denis Kitchen, and Cat Yronwode. The magazine includes stories first published in Will Eisner’s The Spirit Sunday-newspaper comic-book insert. The stories include “Wanted for Murder” (07-05-1942), “The Siberian Dagger” 01-27-1946), “Just One Word Made Me a Man!” (01-18-1948), and “The Barber” (10-22-1950). Cover illustration by Peter Poplaski, et al. Magazine format. Black-and-white interiors. 60 pages. Princeton, WI: Kitchen Sink. Cover/indicia date: October 1981. Cover price: $2.00.

Mad #228.

Published on November 12, 1981. Edited by Albert B. Feldstein. The contributors include Sergio Aragonés, Dave Berg, Bob Clarke, Paul Coker, Jr., Jack Davis, Dick DeBartolo, Mort Drucker, Don “Duck” Edwing, John Ficarra, Stan Hart, Frank Jacobs, Al Jaffee, Arnie Kogen, Don Martin, Harry North, Esq., Paul Peter Porges, Jack Rickard, Larry Siegel, Dennis Snee, Mike Snider, Angelo Torres, and George Woodbridge. Cover illustration by Jack Rickard. Magazine format. Black-and-white interiors. 52 pages. New York: E. C. Cover/indicia date: January 1982. Cover price: 90¢.

Heavy Metal, Vol. 5, No. 10 (#58).

Published on November 15, 1981. Edited by Julie Simmons-Lynch. The magazine features both original material and English translations of stories that first appeared in the French magazine Métal Hurlant. The stories include “Den II (Part 4),” by Richard Corben, “The Sand Man,” by Philippe Paringaux & Jacques Loustal, and “Toward a New Day,” by Philippe Druillet. Cover illustration by Ron Walotsky. Magazine format. Color interiors. 100 pages. New York: HM Communications (National Lampoon). Cover/indicia date: January 1982. Cover price: $2.00.

B. C.: A Clam for Your Thoughts, Johnny Hart.

Published on November 26, 1981. The book features material originally published in Johnny Hart’s B. C. daily newspaper strip. Cover illustration by Johnny Hart. Mass-market paperback book. 132 pages. Greenwich, CT: Fawcett Gold Medal. Cover/indicia date: December 1981. Cover price: $1.75.

Cerebus #33.

The comic features the story High Society (Part 8): “Friction,” by Dave Sim. Cover illustration by Dave Sim. Standard-format comic book. Black-and-white interiors. 28 pages. Kitchener, Ontario, Canada: Aardvark-Vanaheim. Cover/indicia date: December 1981. Cover price: $1.50 Canadian.

Note

The exact publication date is unknown. This is a Canadian publication. No copyright registration appears to have been filed in the United States.

Nexus #1.

Published on December 1, 1981. Edited by Richard Bruning. The magazine features the story “The Coming of Nexus,” by Mike Baron & Steve Rude. Introduction by Richard Bruning and John Davis. Cover illustration by Paul Gulacy. Magazine format. Black-and-white interiors. 44 pages. Madison, WI: Capital. Cover/indicia date: 1981. Cover price: $1.95.

Note

The magazine is the debut of one of the more enduring adventure-genre comic-book features not published by Marvel and DC. Capital Comics, the publisher, was started by Capital City Distribution, one of the more prominent distributors of comics in the “direct sales” comics-store market in the 1980s and 1990s. They sought to take advantage of the lower-risk distribution model of the comics-store market to publish in competition with the two largest adventure-comics publishers. Capital’s publishing operations were shut down in 1984. Nexus and the company’s two other titles moved to First Comics.

Daredevil #181.

Published on December 8, 1981. Edited by Denny O’Neil. The comic features the story “Last Hand,” by Frank Miller, with Klaus Janson. Cover illustration by Frank Miller, with Klaus Janson. Standard-format comic book. Color interiors. 52 pages. New York: Marvel. Cover/indicia date: April 1982. Cover price: $1.00.

Heavy Metal, Vol. 5, No. 11 (#59).

Published on December 15, 1981. Edited by Julie Simmons-Lynch. The magazine features both original material and English translations of stories that first appeared in the French magazine Métal Hurlant and the Spanish magazine 1984. The stories include The Light Incal (Part 1): “Hail Darkness!,” by Alexandro Jodorowsky & Moebius (Jean Giraud), and “Den II (Part 5),” by Richard Corben. Cover illustration by Greg Hildebrandt. Magazine format. Color interiors. 100 pages. New York: HM Communications (National Lampoon). Cover/indicia date: February 1982. Cover price: $2.00.

Dennis the Menace: The Way I Look at It…, Hank Ketcham.

Published on December 26, 1981. The book features material originally published in Hank Ketcham’s Dennis the Menace daily newspaper strip. Cover illustration by Hank Ketcham. Mass-market paperback book. Black-and-white interiors. 132 pages. Greenwich, CT: Fawcett Gold Medal. Cover/indicia date: January 1982. Cover price: $1.75.

The Incredible Hulk.

Published on December 28, 1981. Edited by Jim Salicrup. The book features Hulk stories by Harlan Ellison, Roy Thomas, Herb Trimpe, and Sal Buscema that were originally published in 1971. Cover illustration by Bob Larkin. Mass-market paperback book. Color interiors. 164 pages. New York: Marvel Illustrated (Marvel). Cover/indicia date: January 1982. Cover price: $2.50.

Next: January to March 1982.