May 1986 - June 1986

Batman: The Dark Knight #2.

Edited by Dick Giordano & Denny O’Neil. The comic features the story “Dark Knight Triumphant” (Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Book Two), by Frank Miller, with Klaus Janson and Lynn Varley. Cover illustration by Frank Miller, with Lynn Varley. Perfect-bound comic-book format. Color interiors. 52 pages. New York: DC. Cover/indicia date: 1986 (May 1986 [see note]). Cover price: $2.95.

Notes

The official copyright date is March 25, 1986. This was not when the comic was published. It was most likely the originally scheduled date for it to go on press. The publishing format would have required advance reservations for the issue with the printer and binder, and those likely ended up being used for a printing of Batman: The Dark Knight #1, for which demand considerably exceeded initial orders. Anecdotal recollections from various parties place the availability date for the second issue in May.

There were three printings of the comic.

Cerebus #86.

The comic features the story Church & State (Chapter 35): “Flying Off the Handle at Oblique Angles,” by Dave Sim & Gerhard. Cover illustration by Dave Sim. Standard-format comic book. Black-and-white interiors. 28 pages. Kitchener, Ontario, Canada: Aardvark-Vanaheim. Cover/indicia date: May 1986. Cover price: $1.70.

Note

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

Love and Rockets #17.

Edited by Gary Groth. The magazine includes the Locas story “Locas vs. Locos,” by Jaime Hernandez, and the Palomar stories “The Way Things’re Going” and “Duck Feet (Part One),” by Gilbert Hernandez. Cover illustration by Jaime Hernandez. Magazine format. Black-and-white interiors. 36 pages. Agoura, CA: Fantagraphics. Cover/indicia date: June 1986 (May 1986). Cover price: $2.25.

Note

The exact publication date is unknown. No copyright registration has been filed.

Mad’s Believe It or Nuts!, Frank Jacobs & Bob Clarke.

Published on May 5, 1986. The book features new material by scriptwriter Frank Jcobs and artist Bob Clarke. Cover illustration by Bob Clarke. Mass-market paperback book. Black-and-white interiors. 196 pages. New York: Warner. Cover/indicia date: May 1986. Cover price: $2.95.

Sergio Aragonés’ Groo the Wanderer #19.

Published on May 13, 1986. Edited by Archie Goodwin. The comic features the story “Groo and the Siege,” by Sergio Aragonés, with Mark Evanier. Cover illustration by Sergio Aragonés. Standard-format comic book. Color interiors. 36 pages. New York: Epic (Marvel). Cover/indicia date: September 1986. Cover price: 75¢.

Watchmen #1.

Published on May 13, 1986. Edited by Len Wein. The comic features the story “At Midnight, All the Agents…” (Chapter 1), by Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons. Cover illustration by Dave Gibbons. Standard-format comic book. Color interiors. 36 pages. New York: DC. Cover/indicia date: September 1986. Cover price: $1.50.

Note

This issue begins the serialization of the graphic novel of the same name. The serialization was 12 issues, the last of which was published in July of 1987. The graphic-novel collection was published that September.

Superman #423.

Published on May 20, 1986. Edited by Julius Schwartz. The comic features the story “Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow? (Part 1),” by Alan Moore & Curt Swan, with George Pérez. Cover illustration by Curt Swan, with Murphy Anderson. Standard-format comic book. Color interiors. 36 pages. New York: DC. Cover/indicia date: September 1986. Cover price: 75¢.

Note

This is the first part of a two-part story that concludes in Action Comics #583. The story was intended as the finale of all previous narrative continuity in the Superman comic books. This was to make way for a highly publicized reboot of the feature in the summer.

Swamp Thing #52.

Published on May 27, 1986. Edited by Karen Berger. The comic features the story “Natural Consequences,” by Alan Moore & Rick Veitch, with Alfredo Alcala. Cover illustration by Stephen R. Bissette. Standard-format comic book. Color interiors. 36 pages. New York: DC. Cover/indicia date: September 1986. Cover price: 75¢.

Cerebus #87.

The comic features the story “Towers Analogous” (Church & State, Chapter 35), by Dave Sim & Gerhard. Cover illustration by Dave Sim. Standard-format comic book. Black-and-white interiors. 28 pages. Kitchener, Ontario, Canada: Aardvark-Vanaheim. Cover/indicia date: June 1986. Cover price: $1.70.

Note

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

High Society, Dave Sim.

The book collects the Cerebus episodes originally published in Cerebus #26-50. Cover illustration by Dave Sim & Gerhard. Trade-paperback book. Black-and-white interiors. 516 pages. Kitchener, Ontario, Canada: Aardvark-Vanaheim. Cover/indicia date: June 1986. Cover price: $25.00.

Notes

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

The first printing of the book was sold exclusively through mail-order. The second and later printings were distributed to the comics-store market.

This is the second volume in the "telephone book" Cerebus graphic-novel series, although it was the first to be published.

Love and Rockets, Book Two, Los Bros Hernandez.

Edited by Gary Groth. The book features material originally published in Love and Rockets #3 and 4. The stories are by Gilbert Hernandez, Jaime Hernandez, and Mario Hernandez. Introduction by Gary Groth. Cover illustration by Gilbert Hernandez. Trade-paperback book. Black-and-white interiors. 160 pages. Agoura, CA: Fantagraphics. Cover/indicia date: June 1986. Cover price: $9.95.

Notes

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

The book was retitled Chelo’s Burden with its second printing in 1989.

Monu-Mentally Mad.

The book features select material originally published in Mad #202-204,206, and 207. The contributors include Dave Berg, Paul Coker, Jr., Jack Davis, Dick DeBartolo, Mort Drucker, Frank Jacobs, Al Jaffee, Bob Jones, Don Martin, Norman Mingo, Paul Peter Porges, Antonio Prohias, Alen Robin, Dennis Snee, Angelo Torres, and George Woodbridge. Cover illustration by Norman Mingo. Mass-market paperback book. Black-and-white interiors. 196 pages. New York: Warner. Cover/indicia date: June 1986. Cover price: $2.95.

The Way of the Fussbudget Is Not Easy, Charles M. Schulz.

The book features select material originally published in 1983 and 1984 in Charles M. Schulz’s Peanuts daily-newspaper strip. Cover illustration by Charles M. Schulz. Trade-paperback book. Black-and-white interiors. 192 pages. New York: Henry Holt. Cover/indicia date: 1986 (June 1986). Cover price: $7.50.

Note

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

Weirdo #17.

Edited by Peter Bagge. The magazine includes the story “The Religious Experience of Philip K. Dick,” by R. (Robert) Crumb. The other contributors include Doug Allen, Ken Avidor, Linda Crothers, Michael Dougan, Mary Fleener, Drew Friedman, Eddie Gorodetsky, J. D. King, Krystine Kryttre, Michael McMillan, Anthony Mostrom, Diane Noomin, David Ostrem, Ken Struck, Lynne von Schlicting, S. Clay Wilson, and Dennis Worden. Cover illustration by R. Crumb. Magazine format. Black-and-white interiors. 44 pages. Berkeley, CA: Last Gasp. Cover/indicia date: Summer 1986 (June 1986?). Cover price: $2.50.

Notes

The exact publication date is unknown. No copyright registration was filed. The June 1986 listing date is extrapolated from the Summer 1986 date given in the indicia.

“The Religious Experience of Philip K. Dick” was adapted from excerpts of the book Philip K. Dick: The Last Testament, by Gregg Rickman.

Lynne von Schlicting’s contribution “Isle of Lust,” a pornographic lampoon of the TV series Gilligan’s Island, was key to Weirdo #17 being declared obscene in 1988 in the case of Illinois v. Correa. The obscenity determination was overturned on appeal in 1989.

Action Comics #583.

Published on June 3, 1986. Edited by Julius Schwartz. The comic features the story “Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow? (Part 2),” by Alan Moore & Curt Swan, with Kurt Schaffenberger. Cover illustration by Curt Swan, with Murphy Anderson. Standard-format comic book. Color interiors. 36 pages. New York: DC. Cover/indicia date: October 1986. Cover price: 75¢.

Note

This is the second part of a two-part story that began in Superman #423. The story was intended as the finale of all previous narrative continuity in the Superman comic books. This was to make way for a highly publicized reboot of the feature in the summer.

Moonshadow #9.

Published on June 3, 1986. Edited by Archie Goodwin. The comic features the story “Gloriously Crown’d,” by J. M. DeMatteis & Jon J Muth. Cover illustration by Jon J Muth. Standard-format comic book. Color interiors. 36 pages. New York: Epic (Marvel): August 1986. Cover price: $1.50.

Sergio Aragonés’ Groo the Wanderer #20.

Published on June 10, 1986. Edited by Archie Goodwin. The comic features the story “Groo and the Siege (Second Try),” by Sergio Aragonés, with Mark Evanier. Cover illustration by Sergio Aragonés. Standard-format comic book. Color interiors. 36 pages. New York: Epic (Marvel). Cover/indicia date: October 1986. Cover price: 75¢.

Watchmen #2.

Published on June 10, 1986. Edited by Len Wein. The comic features the story “Absent Friends” (Chapter 2), by Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons. Cover illustration by Dave Gibbons. Standard-format comic book. Color interiors. 36 pages. New York: DC. Cover/indicia date: October 1986. Cover price: $1.50.

The Spirit #19.

Published on June 13, 1986. Edited by Denis Kitchen. The comic features stories first published in 1947 in Will Eisner’s The Spirit Sunday-newspaper comic-book insert. The stories include “Black Gold” (06-15-1947), “Hangly Hollyer Mansion” (06-22-1947), “Whiffenpoof!” (06-29-1947), and “Wanted” (07-06-1947). Introduction by Dave Schreiner. Cover illustration by Will Eisner. Standard-format comic book. Black-and-white interiors. 36 pages. Princeton, WI: Kitchen Sink. Cover/indicia date: May 1986. Cover price: $1.95.

Batman #400.

Published on June 17, 1986. Edited by Len Wein. The comic features the story “Resurrection Night!,” by Doug Moench & John Byrne, Steve Lightle, George Pérez, Paris Cullins, Bill Sienkiewicz, Arthur Adams, Tom Sutton, Steve Leialoha, Joe Kubert, Ken Steacy, Rick Leonardi, and Brian Bolland, with Bruce Patterson, Larry Mahlstedt, Terry Austin, Ricardo Villagrán, and Karl Kesel. Other contributors include Mike Grell, Michael W. Kaluta, Steve Rude, and Bernie Wrightson. Foreword by Stephen King. Cover illustration by Bill Sienkiewicz. Standard-format comic book. Color interiors. 68 pages. New York: DC. Cover/indicia date: October 1986. Cover price: $1.50.

Elektra: Assassin #1.

Published on June 17, 1986. Edited by Archie Goodwin. The comic features the story “Hell and Back” (Chapter 1), by Frank Miller & Bill Sienkiewicz. Cover illustration by Bill Sienkiewicz. Standard-format comic book. Color interiors. 36 pages. New York: Epic (Marvel). Cover/indicia date: August 1986. Cover price: $1.50.

American Splendor #11.

Published on June 18, 1986. All stories scripted by Harvey Pekar. The contributing artists include Joyce Brabner, Greg Budgett, Gary Dumm, Bill Knapp, Joe Lintner, Val Mayerik, Spain Rodriguez, Ed Wesolowski, and Joe Zabel. Cover illustration by Val Mayerik. Magazine format. Black-and-white interiors. 60 pages. Cleveland Heights, OH: Harvey Pekar. Cover/indicia date: 1986. Cover price: $3.00.

Swamp Thing #53.

Published on June 24, 1986. Edited by Karen Berger. The comic features the story “The Garden of Earthly Delights,” by Alan Moore & John Totleben. Cover illustration by Stephen R. Bissette. Standard-format comic book. Color interiors. 52 pages. New York: DC. Cover/indicia date: October 1986. Cover price: $1.25.

The Spirit #20.

Published on June 25, 1986. Edited by Denis Kitchen. The comic features stories first published in 1947 in Will Eisner’s The Spirit Sunday-newspaper comic-book insert. The stories include “Hansel and Gretel” (07-13-1947), “Li’l Adam” (07-20-1947), “The Lamp” (07-27-1947), and “Competition” (08-03-1947). Introduction by Dave Schreiner. Cover illustration by Will Eisner. Standard-format comic book. Black-and-white interiors. 36 pages. Princeton, WI: Kitchen Sink. Cover/indicia date: June 1986. Cover price: $1.95.

Next: July to August 1986.