The 1980 Comics Annual

One of my greatest regrets is that there are not more easy to access resources regarding Canadian comics. Some of these would not only include historical information but also sample work. This is perhaps one of the reasons why I so love anthologies. They are a testament to the range and variety of comics, artists and writers that were published at the time.

Ian Carr, a Canadian who has done a bit of everything in the comic book industry, is a man after my own heart. In 1979, Carr edited a book called The 1980 Comics Annual published by Potlatch Publications. Carr’s original goal was to put out an anthology like this yearly, featuring many top artists but unfortunately that did not happen. Had it been more successful, I would probably not be needing to write this blog, but I’m so happy he took the initiative anyway. The book, weighing in at 128 pages, half of which are in colour, feature work from great Canadian creators. Here is a list of the contents:

  • Return of the Magician: Arn Saba (Script), Lois Atkinson (Script assistance), Don Inman (Art)
  • Blarg the Swordsman: John MacLeod
  • The Intergalactic Depletion Machine #21
  • Stareway
  • Tales of King Arthur: Bill Slavin
  • Street Noise: Ken Steacy
  • Sir Rolaid and the Black Knight: Bill Slavin
  • The Believer!
  • Haab the Luckless: Steve LeBlanc
  • Totter of the Mounted: JOT
  • Last Chance!: Bob Smith
  • Neil the Horse: Arn Saba, D. Roman
  • The Revenge of Yukon Tom!: Richard Cordoba
  • Malcolm and Eric: Ian Carr
  • The Hunter: Martin Springett
  • Wirely L. Wiremire: Tom Nesbitt
  • Wirely L. Wiremire in Wired Again, Part I: Tom Nesbitt
  • Cave-in: James Simpkins
  • Dust Bowl Sanction: Jim Craig (Art and script), Bill Payne (Inks and Lettering)
  • Wirely L. Wiremire in Wired Again, Part II: Tom Nesbitt
  • The Gauntlet of the Gods: John MacLeod (Art and script), Steve LeBlanc (Assist)
  • Tommy Whitehawk: Don Inman
  • Cave-in: James Simpkins
  • Danger Squad: Ian Carr
  • A Dick Mallet Adventure: Michael D. Cherkas
  • Flying Eight Ball: Tom Nesbitt
  • Neil the Horse Goes to Hell: Arn Saba, D. Roman
  • Spud: William King (Plot), Paul McCuscker (Art and script)
  • Bubblegummers in The Cat’s Night Out: Jeff and Carol Wakefield
  • Little Feller: Ron Van Leeuwen (Script), Franc Reyes (Art)
  • Space Cat and the Flaming Commandos: Tom Nesbitt

The book also has that very distinct feel of the seventies with the science fiction fascination at the time, while there is also a very strong influence of underground comics, especially with MacLeods already satirical style. But most importantly, it shows a broad range of talents from more mainstream styles like Ken Steacy and Jim Craig to cartoonish spoofs by Bill Slavin and Tom Nesbitt. It even has Neil the Horse, a comic that successfully bridges the gap from the seventies to the eighties. As sited above in the Potlach Publications link, this book is still for sale by the publisher, but it’s also available on ebay or Abebooks if you look.

Andromeda (Comic)

1977. A great year for Canadian comics, but it’s about to get better as the beginnings of Volume 2, and I think the only volume, of Andromeda is released.  This sci-fi fantasy series was created at the peak of an era that produced many science fiction anthology magazines. While slightly more expensive to find online, there were only six issues ever published. Alternatively, you could probably find some cheaper ones in bargain bins at cons and shops. Interestingly, the publisher of the comic, Andromeda Publications, was owned by none other than Ron Van Leeuwen, or the well known and ever present Silver Snail Comics in downtown Toronto.

Andromeda arrived around the tail end of Canada’s Underground Comix era but the influence is apparent in many of the comics. Filled with mature comedy, the comics are of high quality and are for the most part printed in black and white.

It is important to note that Andromeda is not entirely Canadian. For example, the second issue features a story by Arthur C Clarke while the sixth issue is completely dedicated to the writings of Alan Dean Foster. Much of it is though, including production, writers and the earnest artists, a lot of them fresh from Sheridan. Andromeda features some of the best Canadian talent such as Ken Steacy, Dean Motter, Gene Day, Don Marshall and AE Van Vogt. There is also an exceptional adaptation from bpNichol. 

Here are the issue breakdowns.

Volume 2 No 1

  • Cover: John Allison
  • Back Cover: Paul Rivoche
  • Frontispiece: “Amber” by Robert MscIntyre
  • The Man Who Walked Home: James Tiptree (Original); John Allison (Adaptation); Jim Allison and Tony Meers (Artists)
  • The Escape and Pursuit of Jeanne d’Arc: Dean Motter (Writer and artist)
  • A Day At YGSRD’s: Jason Ross (Writer and artist)
  • CerebralSwamp: Don Marshall (Writer and artist)

Volume 2 No 2

  • Cover: Don Marshall
  • Back Cover: Dean Motter
  • Frontispiece: Robert MacIntyre
  • Contents: Paul Rivoche
  • Process: A.E. Van Vogt (Writer); Dean Motter (Artist)
  • The Hidden Diaries: Jeffrey Morgan (Writer); Ken Steacy (Artist)
  • Shawn of the Ruins: George Henderson (Writer); Gene Day and Jim Beveridge (Artists)
  • The Dark Side of the Moon: Tom Nesbitt and Nick Poliwko (Artists and Writers)

Volume 2 No 3

  • Cover and contents: Paul Rivoche
  • Back Cover: Don Marshall
  • Frontispiece: Rob MacIntyre
  • Wirely L. Wiremire: Tom Nesbitt
  • Exile of the Aeons: Arthur C. Clarke (Original); b.p. nichol (Adaptation); Paul Rivoche (Artist)
  • Here’s Mudin Yer Eye!: Don Marshall

Volume 2 No 4

  • Cover: Ramy Bar-Elan
  • Frontispiece: Rob MacIntyre
  • Contents: Paul Rivoche
  • Narrowland: Jack Vance (Original); b.p. nichol (Adaptation); Tom Nesbitt (Artist)
  • For Tomorrow We Die: Brian Lee and Marc Griffiths (Artists and Writers)
  • Space Stuff: Tom Nesbitt

Volume 2 No 5

  • Cover: John Allison
  • Frontipiece: Rob MacIntyre
  • Contents: Paul Rivoche
  • The Big Hunger: Walter M. Miller (Original); b.p. nichol (Adaptation); Tony Meers (Artist)
  • Klang Klang: Derek Carter
  • The Visit: Don Marshall
  • The Bellergon Version: b.p. nichol (writer); Tom Nesbitt (Artist)

Volume 2 No 6 – Alan Dean Foster Special Issue (All written work by him)

  • Cover: Tom Nesbitt
  • Contents: Ken Steacy
  • Back Cover: Peter Hsu
  • Why Johnny Can’t Speed: Peter Hsu (Artist)
  • Where Do You Get Those Ideas?: Paul Rivoche
  • The Metrognome: Tom Nesbitt
  • Thrust: Don Marshall