First Comics

Founded 1983 · Ended 2015 · United States

Series: 87
Issues: 841
Key issues: 44
Years active: 1983–2015

Based in Evanston, Illinois, First Comics was co-founded by Ken F. Levin and Mike Gold. It launched in 1983 with a line-up of creators including Frank Brunner, Mike Grell, Howard Chaykin, Joe Staton, Steven Grant, Timothy Truman, and Jim Starlin. In 1984, First acquired all the titles of the short-lived publisher Capital Comics, including Mike Baron's action/superhero/fantasy/comedy series Badger, and Baron and Steve Rude's space-superhero series Nexus. Among First's best-known titles were Chaykin's satirical futuristic cop series American Flagg; John Ostrander and Tim Truman's Grimjack; Baron & Rude's Nexus; Badger; Jim Starlin's space opera series Dreadstar and Mike Grell's Jon Sable. The company moved to Chicago in 1985. Mike Gold, one of First's founders, served as the company president until late 1985. The company's final major project was a revival of Classics Illustrated. The company partnered with Berkley Publishing Group to acquire the rights, and Classics Illustrated returned with new adaptations and a line-up of artists that included Kyle Baker, Dean Motter, Mike Ploog, P. Craig Russell, Bill Sienkiewicz, Joe Staton, Rick Geary, and Gahan Wilson. However, the line lasted only a little over a year. First Comics ceased publishing in 1991, but resumed in June, 2014. In 2015, they merged with Devil's Due Publishing to become Devil's Due / 1First Comics, LLC.Read more

Among First's best-known titles were Chaykin's satirical futuristic cop series American Flagg; John Ostrander and Tim Truman's Grimjack; Baron & Rude's Nexus; Badger; Jim Starlin's space opera series Dreadstar and Mike Grell's Jon Sable.

The company moved to Chicago in 1985. Mike Gold, one of First's founders, served as the company president until late 1985.

The company's final major project was a revival of Classics Illustrated. The company partnered with Berkley Publishing Group to acquire the rights, and Classics Illustrated returned with new adaptations and a line-up of artists that included Kyle Baker, Dean Motter, Mike Ploog, P. Craig Russell, Bill Sienkiewicz, Joe Staton, Rick Geary, and Gahan Wilson. However, the line lasted only a little over a year.