Eclipse Comics



Eclipse Comics was one of the major American comic book companies of the 1980's in the direct market. It was founded in 1977 by Jan and Dean Mullaney with Cat Yronwoode as editor in chief for most of its run and released comics until 1993 (declaring bankruptcy in 1995). It ended because of several factors including a flood in 1986, personal issues, and a bad contract with a book publisher.

Eclipse was a pioneer in publishing creator-owned titles and promoted creators' rights. It also published the first direct-market graphic novel. In 1987, working with Viz Media, Eclipse published the first major English-language manga releases (in comic book format), shortly followed by other companies.

Well-known Eclipse Comics titles included:


 * Adolescent Radioactive Black Belt Hamsters (one of many comics "inspired by" Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)
 * Airboy, a revival of a Golden Age character that was successful enough to have several spinoffs
 * Aztec Ace
 * Champions (based on the RPG)
 * Destroyer Duck
 * Dirty Pair (one of the first Animesque series)
 * DNAgents
 * Fusion
 * Miracleman by Alan Moore, later by Neil Gaiman
 * Modesty Blaise
 * Ms. Tree
 * The Rocketeer
 * Sabre
 * Scout
 * Total Eclipse (a Crisis Crossover)
 * Zot!

Manga titles (with Viz) included:

The first three major titles in the US:
 * Mai, the Psychic Girl
 * Area 88
 * Legend of Kamui

Followed by
 * Appleseed
 * Cosmo Police Justy
 * Cyber 7
 * Dominion Tank Police
 * Xenon: Heavy Metal Warrior