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New “The Pacific Comics Companion” charts meteoric rise and fall of the American comics publisher

By John Freeman on October 9, 2023

The Pacific Comics Companion - Cover by Dave Stevens (TwoMorrows, 2023)

Author Stephan Friedt shares the story of the meteoric rise of the Schanes brothers’ California-based imprint Pacific Comics in the new The Pacific Comics Companion, available direct from publisher TwoMorrows in the US now, or to preorder from AmazonUK.

Pacific Comics published memorable comics by such legends as Jack Kirby, Sergio Aragonés, Steve Ditko, Neal Adams, Mike Grell, Bernie Wrightson, and Dave Stevens. From its groundbreaking 1981 arrival in the fledgling direct sales market, to a catastrophic, precipitous fall after only four years, The Pacific Comics Companion reveals the inside saga, as told to Friedt by Bill and Steve Schanes, David Scroggy, and many of the creators themselves.

The Pacific Comics Companion - Sample Spread (TwoMorrows, 2023)

It also focuses on the titles and the amazing array of characters they introduced to an unsuspecting world, including The Rocketeer, Captain Victory, Ms. Mystic, Groo the Wanderer, Starslayer, and many more.

Written with the editorial assist of Eisner Award-winning historian Jon B. Cooke, this retrospective is the most comprehensive study of an essential publisher in the development of the creator’s rights movement.

This fascinating looking-book is available to order direct from the American publisher now, but be warned postage is pricey from the US! You might want to see if your Local Comic Shop is going to stock it.

Alternatively, Amazon UK is listing it as available here from the end of November so if you want to wait until then, then pre-order it now.

• Check out The Pacific Comics Companion on the TwoMorrows official site

For enquiries at your Local Comic Shop, quote Diamond Comic Distributors Order Code: JUN232171

• Preorder The Pacific Comics Companion from AmazonUK (due 28th November 2023, Affiliate Link)

Main cover illustration by Dave Stevens

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.