Evolving in 1982 out of Bill Black's Paragon Publications, AC Comics®
(Americomics in it's first year of existence only, AC since 1984)
was one of the initial quartet of independent color comics companies who
pioneered the direct sales phenomenon in the early '80's. The others were
Pacific, First and Eclipse Comics — all long defunct by now,
yet AC runs on, headed for it's third decade of creating comic book fun.
Within the framework of the four hundred-plus books AC has released,
multitalented publishing maverick Bill Black has introduced us to a
plethora of his own fascinating characters. From his new-wave super-hero
universe of the companies' early years (when costumed defenders like Captain
Paragon, Commando D, The Scarlet Scorpion and Bolt gave
readers an alternative to Marvel and DC fare) grew AC's
best known feature — The Femforce. Comicdom's first and only successful
all-female super-team book. In 1997, Femforce became the 229th comic book
ever to pass the one hundred issue mark, and spawned an ever-increasing circle
of spin-offs, support books, movies and licensed merchandise.
Under Black's creative guidance, many of the industries' artistic "heavy
hitters" cut their professional eyeteeth at AC. Names like Erik Larsen,
Jerry Ordway, Tom Lyle, Paul Ryan, Tim Townsend and
dozens more first came to prominence working in the AC freelance stable,
gaining valuable early experience and an opportunity to work at a professional
level, before moving on to other publishers.
Always a man with respect and appreciation for what has come before, Bill's
fascination with comics history led him to make classic reprints and
historical research into the comics of the 1940's and '50's a big part of
AC's publishing endeavors as well.
Inventing techniques to reproduce and recreate artwork from comic book's
Golden Age, ferreting out history and interviewing actual creators led AC
to present the genius of such luminaries as Lou Fine, Mort Meskin,
Mac Raboy and countless others to a new generation, as well as preserving
that work for many more to come. The solid core audience for such AC
historical reprint series as Golden Age Greats and Men Of Mystery
proves that they fill a valuable niche in the patchwork of chronicling the
development of the comic book. As a special focus among it's vintage material,
AC has always put particular emphasis on western comics — both
those based on the movie cowboys of the genre's heyday and the best original
characters the four-color page has had to offer. AC Comics® has produced
more western-themed comic titles than any other publisher in the last thirty
years. It's successful license to produce comics and materials based on Roy
Rogers and his cast of characters has allowed AC to cross over into
new markets, and again bring this timeless hero to a new crop of young fans.
A unique, eclectic and personal blend of tastes and influences have led
publisher Bill Black to construct an engrossing matrix of fun and
interesting comics and related publications. We invite you to read on, but be
warned — AC Comics® can be addictive!
