Cyberspace Comics market report, reviews and more

August 11, 2010

Glow in the Dark Comics #8 Evil Ernie: Revenge

Filed under: Glow in the Dark Comics — Doorman @ 12:55 pm

During the speculator boom in the 1990s comic book market, publishers enhanced comic covers to increase sales. These gimmicks included shiny foil, holograms and even pop-ups! But, one of the coolest enhancements was the glow in the dark cover. Let’s shed some light on the subject, shall we?

Evil Ernie: Revenge #1Publisher: Chaos! Comics
Cover Date: October 1994

Evil Ernie was an ongoing series originally published by Eternity Comics. After six issues, he later became one of the flagship characters for Chaos! Comics. His first mini series, Evil Ernie: Resurrection, lasted four issues as did his second mini-series, Evil Ernie: Revenge. To celebrate its first issue, Chaos! publisheda premium edition that was limited to 10,000 copies. Unfortunately, the red ink dulls the glow finish making it difficult to see the hidden image (Lady Death on the left; Ernie on the right with outstretched claws).

On Ebay: Evil Ernie

July 28, 2010

Glow in the Dark Comics #7 Venom

Filed under: Glow in the Dark Comics — Doorman @ 10:53 am

During the speculator boom in the 1990s comic book market, publishers enhanced comic covers to increase sales. These gimmicks included shiny foil, holograms and even pop-ups! But, one of the coolest enhancements was the glow in the dark cover. Let’s shed some light on the subject, shall we?

Venom: the Enemy Within #1 glows in the darkPublisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Date: February 1994
Cover Price: $2.95

Venom‘s popularity in the 1990s was at an all-time high. Capitalizing on this surge, Marvel released his very own mini series, entitled Venom: Lethal Protector. It sold well enough to warrant a second series but, rather than greenlight an ongoing series, Marvel continued to feature Venom in mini-series after mini-series. This was previously unheard of! Precedent established that if a limited series sold well enough, an ongoing series would follow. Venom broke this trend with well over 15 different mini-series. It was a smart move for Marvel because they were able to capitalize on a new #1 issue every few months and they commonly armed each potential blockbuster with a cover enhancement. The weapon of choice for Venom: the Enemy Within (which guest-starred Morbius the Living Vampire) was a glow in the dark cover!

On Ebay: Venom

July 21, 2010

Glow in the Dark Comics #6 the Maxx

Filed under: Glow in the Dark Comics — Doorman @ 10:24 am

During the speculator boom in the 1990s comic book market, publishers enhanced comic covers to increase sales. These gimmicks included shiny foil, holograms and even pop-ups! But, one of the coolest enhancements was the glow in the dark cover. Let’s shed some light on the subject, shall we?

the Maxx #1 glows in the darkPublisher: Image Comics
Cover Date: March 1993

Surprisingly enough, one of my favorite comics series came out of the Image Comics glut of the early 1990s. Sam Kieth‘s the Maxx, however, is a read unlike any other comic you’ve experienced. Besides the great, unique art that Kieth is capable of, the story is quite far removed from your typical super hero book and delves into lots of psychological and emotional concerns. I can’t recommend it enough. To celebrate its first issue, a glow in the dark variant was published.

On Ebay: Maxx | Sam Kieth

June 30, 2010

Glow in the Dark Comics #5 Perg

Filed under: Glow in the Dark Comics — Doorman @ 7:42 am

During the speculator boom in the 1990s comic book market, publishers enhanced comic covers to increase sales. These gimmicks included shiny foil, holograms and even pop-ups! But, one of the coolest enhancements was the glow in the dark cover. Let’s shed some light on the subject, shall we?

Perg #1 glow in the dark variantPublisher: Lightning Comics
Cover Date: October 1993
Cover Price: $3.50
Cover Artist: Saltares

Perg was one of three titles that launched the Lightning Comics line in 1993. It told the story of a corrupt policeman who was killed by the very citizens he was charged to protect in the 1800s. Perg rose the next day as a spirit for good with the ability to rid people of their evil.

The title only lasted for eight issues but it’s importance in the comic industry spans far beyond that. Lightning Comics debuted Hellina in this series and she went on to have over twenty solo series and one-shots!

On Ebay: Perg

May 19, 2010

Glow in the Dark Comics #4 Superman

Filed under: Glow in the Dark Comics — Doorman @ 10:11 am

During the speculator boom in the 1990s comic book market, publishers enhanced comic covers to increase sales. These gimmicks included shiny foil, holograms and even pop-ups! But, one of the coolest enhancements was the glow in the dark cover. Let’s shed some light on the subject, shall we?

Superman vol. II #123Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Date: May 1997
Cover Price: $1.95
Cover Artist: Ron Frenz

In the 1990s, DC Comics put Superman through some interesting developments. They killed him off, replaced him with four different stand-ins, brought him back, married him off … and gave him a new look with all-new powers. To celebrate this move to make Superman “ready for the next century”, they published the new look’s debut with a glow-enhanced cover. Watch out, though! There’s a newstand variant of this with a different cover that doesn’t glow. But … it had the same cover price! Doesn’t seem right to me, folks.

On Ebay: Superman

May 12, 2010

Glow in the Dark Comics #3 Daredevil 321

Filed under: Glow in the Dark Comics — Doorman @ 8:57 am

During the speculator boom in the 1990s comic book market, publishers enhanced comic covers to increase sales. These gimmicks included shiny foil, holograms and even pop-ups! But, one of the coolest enhancements was the glow in the dark cover. Let’s shed some light on the subject, shall we?

Daredevil #321Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Date: October 1993
Cover Price: $2.00
Writer: D.G. Chichester
Cover Artist: Scott McDaniel

In the early 1990s, changing the status quo of your favorite comic title was “the thing” to do. Superman died. Spider-Man was a clone. Batman’s back was broken. The mantle of Thor was passed on and many other heroes went through some interesting changes. As for Daredevil, he got himself some new armor because of the events of the Fall From Grace storyline. I think the curious thing about this enhancement is that it was placed on the second chapter of the storyline. Now, I’d think placing the enhancement on the first chapter would suck more people into the story but what do I know? Anywho, if you’re looking for this issue, make sure you pick up the enhanced cover because the other version (cover price of $1.25) doesn’t glow. Take note: this is a wraparound cover … and both sides glow!

On Ebay: Daredevil

May 5, 2010

Glow in the Dark Comics #2 Evil Ernie: Revenge

Filed under: Glow in the Dark Comics — Doorman @ 9:23 am

During the speculator boom in the 1990s comic book market, publishers enhanced comic covers to increase sales. These gimmicks included shiny foil, holograms and even pop-ups! But, one of the coolest enhancements was the glow in the dark cover. Let’s shed some light on the subject, shall we?

Evil Ernie: Revenge #1Publisher: Chaos! Comics
Cover Date: October 1994
Cover Price: $2.95
Cover Artist: Steven Hughes

Evil Ernie was an ongoing series originally published by Eternity Comics. After six issues, he later became one of the flagship characters for Chaos! Comics. His first mini series, Evil Ernie: Resurrection, lasted four issues as did his second mini-series, Evil Ernie: Revenge. To celebrate its first issue, Chaos! enhanced the Steven Hughes cover with a glow in the dark finish that illuminuates Lady Death as well as Ernie’s face and claws.

On Ebay: Evil Ernie

April 28, 2010

Glow In The Dark Comics #1 Ghost Rider

Filed under: Glow in the Dark Comics — Doorman @ 3:23 pm

During the speculator boom in the 1990s comic book market, publishers enhanced comic covers to increase sales. These gimmicks included shiny foil, holograms and even pop-ups! But, one of the coolest enhancements was the glow in the dark cover. Let’s shed some light on the subject, shall we?

Ghost Rider vol. III #15Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Date: July 1991
Cover Price: $1.75
Writer: Howard Mackie
Cover Artist: Mark Texeira

Marvel’s “new” Ghost Rider (Danny Ketch) proved to be even more popular than the original! His series debuted in the early 1990s and went on to spawn several spinoff titles which were collectively known as the Midnight Sons. Issue 15 featured what I believe to be the earliest glow-in-the-dark comic cover. The issue pictured here is actually the second printing (note the gold background) but, if you manage to get your hands on a first printing (black background) … don’t you worry! … ’cause that one glows, too.

On Ebay: Ghost Rider

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