Dark Horse Celebrates 20 Years in Previews
Mike Richardson has a lot to smile about this year. Fans will be surprised
to learn that it's been 20 years since his independent publishing business
graced the pages of the Previews catalog. What was once a medium that was
dominated by superhero fare became a bigger salad bowl of four-color
entertainment after Mike Richardson and company joined us at the dinner table.
They brought with them goodies we had never tasted.
The new formula for comics entertainment revolved around one magic ingredient - quality entertainment. Comic fare that Richardson wanted to introduce was entertainment that transcended the superhero genre, and instead focused on stories that would appeal to a wider audience that would include women and fans of mature entertainment. Reaching those demographics was a key strategy for Dark Horse Comics, and it worked to the advantage of the fledgling publisher with Paul Chadwick's Concrete taking the spotlight.
If you want a concrete example of how Dark Horse successfully stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Marvel and DC, then you should look to the comic title that helped them capture their key demographic. Concrete was a comic that appealed to readers who wanted something other than big bruisers in spandex. It was fresh. Heavy. And the book was so good that it went on to earn 26 awards and nominations within two years of hitting the racks.
From that point on, Dark Horse would show that its high standards for publishing was something that readers had wanted, and would reward with their patronage.
Talent that would eventually arrive at the Horse would include well-known names such as Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Stan Sakai, and Sergio Aragonés. And high profile licenses that would make an appearance in comics and trade paperbacks would include Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Star Wars, Aliens, and Predator, to name a few.
The pride in the publishing is truly owed to the vision of Mike Richardson. Making the jump from comics retailer in the 1980s, to independent publisher in the 1990s, Richardson went on to stretch his wings as a researcher as well, for his love of a medium that had given him a livelihood. After 10 years worth of homework, he and co-author Steve Duin have documented the industry's achievements and personalities to inform the reading public just how much comics have to offer pop culture, and popular entertainment. The work is documented in Comics Between the Panels, and it serves as a homage to the comic books of yesteryear.
But the focus on comics today is just as important as those produced in the past. And for that reason, Previews salutes the 20-year veteran Dark Horse Comics for continually publishing stories that are told with pictures.
Here's to you, Dark Horse!
The new formula for comics entertainment revolved around one magic ingredient - quality entertainment. Comic fare that Richardson wanted to introduce was entertainment that transcended the superhero genre, and instead focused on stories that would appeal to a wider audience that would include women and fans of mature entertainment. Reaching those demographics was a key strategy for Dark Horse Comics, and it worked to the advantage of the fledgling publisher with Paul Chadwick's Concrete taking the spotlight.
If you want a concrete example of how Dark Horse successfully stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Marvel and DC, then you should look to the comic title that helped them capture their key demographic. Concrete was a comic that appealed to readers who wanted something other than big bruisers in spandex. It was fresh. Heavy. And the book was so good that it went on to earn 26 awards and nominations within two years of hitting the racks.
From that point on, Dark Horse would show that its high standards for publishing was something that readers had wanted, and would reward with their patronage.
Talent that would eventually arrive at the Horse would include well-known names such as Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Stan Sakai, and Sergio Aragonés. And high profile licenses that would make an appearance in comics and trade paperbacks would include Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Star Wars, Aliens, and Predator, to name a few.
The pride in the publishing is truly owed to the vision of Mike Richardson. Making the jump from comics retailer in the 1980s, to independent publisher in the 1990s, Richardson went on to stretch his wings as a researcher as well, for his love of a medium that had given him a livelihood. After 10 years worth of homework, he and co-author Steve Duin have documented the industry's achievements and personalities to inform the reading public just how much comics have to offer pop culture, and popular entertainment. The work is documented in Comics Between the Panels, and it serves as a homage to the comic books of yesteryear.
But the focus on comics today is just as important as those produced in the past. And for that reason, Previews salutes the 20-year veteran Dark Horse Comics for continually publishing stories that are told with pictures.
Here's to you, Dark Horse!
