Lost Comic-books from the 80's Pt. 24

Star Blazers. Written by Phil Foglio and illustrated by Doug Rice - (based on characters and situations from ' Space Battleship Yamato' credited to Leiji Matsumoto & Yoshinobu Nishizaki ). Comico Comics, published in a monthly format for a total of #1 - 4 issues, from April 1987 to July 1987, and #1 - 5 issues, from May 1989 to September 1989.

This short lived transference from popular television cartoon show 'Star Blazers', an early breakthrough in dubbed Anime that was the heavily edited for America. Taken from 'Space Battleship Yamato', that had an on-going storyline needing to be shown in order.

The Basic plot is set in the year 2199, the Earth is a radioactive dust-bowl thanks to an Alien menace and what's left of the Human race lives in cities deep under ground. At this time Earth scientists have calculated that in one year the radiation will reach fatal levels for all of Humanity, but as fate and luck would have it the earth has a new ally who sends engine blueprints for a faster-than-light Star-drive.

Earth resources are pulled together and the ancient Battleship Yamato is retro fitted and made in to a Space battleship, we then follow the crew on their journey through hostile space hoping to reach their new ally who has technology to clean the Earth of it's radiation.

[Note: I have either misplaced or lost my Comico 'Star Blazers' comics (as of writing this 30^th. December 2013), I'll see if they can be found or replaced.]

[Note: In 1982 Comico was founded, and at its hight of popularity in 1985 saw the simultaneous debut release of three Robotech comics series, but sadly to say Comico ceased operations in 1990.]

Comic-books in the 80's Pt. 21

Leiji Matsumoto's Captain Harlock. Written by Robert W. Gibson and illustrated by Ben Dunn - (based on characters and situations from Space Pirate Captain Harlock created by Leiji Matsumoto). Eternity Comics (a division of Malibu Graphics Inc.) published in a monthly format for a total of #1 - 13 issues, from October 1989 to December 1990 .

“In the30th. Centry, the Earth and its colonies lost a bitter war with forces of theIllumids, a race of aliens who exist only to conquer. Now the once-proud inhabitants of Earth live as slaves-- at least the lucky ones.

Only the pirate Harlock declared he would not be a party to the occupation. With the aid of Tochiro (perhaps the greatest mechanical engineer of his time), and a crew of idealistic outcasts, Harlock left Earth in the magnificent space galleon 'Arcadia', to live a renegade's life in the “sea of stars”. But his heart, he could never truly abandon the land of his birth, nor the people who, without his leadership, would be subjugated forever.”

Clearly one of the most Iconic and recognisable characters from Japanese animation for a whole generation of fans, Leiji Matsumoto's Captain Harlock a creation of literary stature brought to our western shores, that will always have a place in our hearts.

Leiji Matsumoto's other recognisable works include “Space Battle Ship Yamato” (known in the USA as “StarBlazers”), Galaxy Express 999, The Cockpit, and to a lesser extent Queen Emeraldas and Queen Millennia, all have his signature style.

[Note: in issue #1 at the back you will find the "Afterword" by Robert W. Gibson – is, and I quote a "Labor of love".]

[Note: Robert W. Gibson stories are set two years after the events featured in the film "My Youth in Arcadia".]

[Note: a total of 28 Captain Harlock comic-books were printed between 1989 and 1993 (end-date to be confirmed) by Robert W. Gibson and various illustrators.]

[Note: details of the of the comic-book's demise rest on publishing Rights that were sold to Eternity Comics (a division of Malibu Graphics Inc.) fraudulently by parties unknown to me at this time of writing – sad news indeed.]

[NOTE: I am slowly collecting, the series of comic books... as of 2022.]