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==History== |
==History== |
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The company was founded as '''Eclipse Enterprises''' by brothers Jan and [[Dean Mullaney]] in 1977.<ref>{{cite news|last=Mullaney|first=Jan|first2=Dean|last2=Mullaney| |
The company was founded as '''Eclipse Enterprises''' by brothers Jan and [[Dean Mullaney]] in 1977.<ref>{{cite news|last=Mullaney|first=Jan|first2=Dean|last2=Mullaney|author-link2=Dean Mullaney|title= A Word from the Publisher | work= [[Sabre: Slow Fade of an Endangered Species]]| publisher=Eclipse Enterprises|date=August 1978 |page = 1 (unnumbered)}}</ref><ref name=afterword-original-edition>{{cite news|first=Don|last=McGregor|title=Afterword|work= [[Sabre: Slow Fade of an Endangered Species]]| publisher=Eclipse Enterprises|date=August 1978|pages= Afterword 2–3 (unnumbered)}}</ref> Eclipse published one of the first original [[graphic novel]]s, and the first to be sold through the new "[[direct market]]" of comic-book stores,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.milehighcomics.com/interviews/donmcgregor.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716194521/http://www.milehighcomics.com/interviews/donmcgregor.html |archive-date=July 16, 2011 |year=2001 |title=Interview with Don McGregor |first=Bob |last=Gough |publisher=MileHighComics.com |access-date=September 13, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy }}</ref> ''[[Sabre (graphic novel)|Sabre: Slow Fade of an Endangered Species]]'' by [[Don McGregor]] and [[Paul Gulacy]]. Published in August 1978, it led to a 14-issue spin-off series for Eclipse. |
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McGregor went on to write two additional early graphic novels for Eclipse, each set in contemporary New York City and starring interracial-buddy private eyes Ted Denning and Bob Rainier: ''[[Detectives Inc.|Detectives, Inc.: A Remembrance of Threatening Green]]'' (1980), with artist [[Marshall Rogers]], and ''Detectives, Inc.: A Terror Of Dying Dreams'' (1985), with artist [[Gene Colan]], who would become a frequent collaborator. |
McGregor went on to write two additional early graphic novels for Eclipse, each set in contemporary New York City and starring interracial-buddy private eyes Ted Denning and Bob Rainier: ''[[Detectives Inc.|Detectives, Inc.: A Remembrance of Threatening Green]]'' (1980), with artist [[Marshall Rogers]], and ''Detectives, Inc.: A Terror Of Dying Dreams'' (1985), with artist [[Gene Colan]], who would become a frequent collaborator. |
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Beginning in Missouri, Eclipse expanded operations under editor [[catherine yronwode|Cat Yronwode]] (who was married to Eclipse co-founder Dean Mullaney from 1987 to 1993). With Yronwode as editor-in-chief during a period of expanding attention to the art form, Eclipse published many innovative works and championed [[creators' rights]] in a field which at the time barely respected them. |
Beginning in Missouri, Eclipse expanded operations under editor [[catherine yronwode|Cat Yronwode]] (who was married to Eclipse co-founder Dean Mullaney from 1987 to 1993). With Yronwode as editor-in-chief during a period of expanding attention to the art form, Eclipse published many innovative works and championed [[creators' rights]] in a field which at the time barely respected them. |
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During Yronwode's tenure, Eclipse published superhero titles including ''[[Miracleman]]'' by [[Alan Moore]] and [[Neil Gaiman]], ''[[The Rocketeer]]'' by [[Dave Stevens]], and ''[[Zot!]]'' by [[Scott McCloud]].<ref name="eclipseindex">{{cite web |url=http://www.luckymojo.com/comicswarehouse.html |title=The Eclipse Comics Index | |
During Yronwode's tenure, Eclipse published superhero titles including ''[[Miracleman]]'' by [[Alan Moore]] and [[Neil Gaiman]], ''[[The Rocketeer]]'' by [[Dave Stevens]], and ''[[Zot!]]'' by [[Scott McCloud]].<ref name="eclipseindex">{{cite web |url=http://www.luckymojo.com/comicswarehouse.html |title=The Eclipse Comics Index |author-link=Catherine Yronwode |first=Catherine |last=Yronwode |publisher=LuckyMojo.com |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20020917011931/http://www.luckymojo.com/comicswarehouse.html |archive-date=September 17, 2002 |url-status=live |access-date=September 13, 2011 |df=mdy }}</ref> and also brought out graphic novels featuring opera adaptations, such as ''[[The Magic Flute]]'' by [[P. Craig Russell]] and children's literature such as an adaptation of ''[[The Hobbit]]'' by [[J. R. R. Tolkien]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Conan in Comics? Yes. Hulk? Sure. But Fafner? Wotan?|first=John |last=Rockwell|work= [[The New York Times]] |date= April 5, 1990}}</ref> |
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In 1985, Yronwode and cartoonist [[Trina Robbins]] co-wrote the Eclipse book ''Women and the Comics,'' on the history of female comic strip and comic book creators. As the first book on this subject, its publication was covered in the mainstream press in addition to the fan press.<ref>"Women in the Comics: Assertive and Independent Women Make a Comeback" [[Miami Herald]] (newspaper), Dec. 1, 1988.</ref><ref>"Comic Books Are For Adults Too" by William Singleton, Scripps Howard News Service, Chronicle-Telegram (newspaper), Jan. 7, 1988.</ref><ref>"Funny How Things Change" Daily Herald (newspaper), Dec. 28, 1988.</ref> |
In 1985, Yronwode and cartoonist [[Trina Robbins]] co-wrote the Eclipse book ''Women and the Comics,'' on the history of female comic strip and comic book creators. As the first book on this subject, its publication was covered in the mainstream press in addition to the fan press.<ref>"Women in the Comics: Assertive and Independent Women Make a Comeback" [[Miami Herald]] (newspaper), Dec. 1, 1988.</ref><ref>"Comic Books Are For Adults Too" by William Singleton, Scripps Howard News Service, Chronicle-Telegram (newspaper), Jan. 7, 1988.</ref><ref>"Funny How Things Change" Daily Herald (newspaper), Dec. 28, 1988.</ref> |
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=== 1986 flood === |
=== 1986 flood === |
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In February 1986, Eclipse lost most of its back-issue stock in a catastrophic [[Guerneville, California|Guerneville]] flood,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.luckymojo.com/vishantiprolepsis.html |title=The Lesser Book of the Vishanti: A Companion to the Dr. Strange Comic Books |last1=Yronwode |first1=Catherine |last2=Nagasiva |first2=Nagasiva |year=2002 |publisher=LuckyMojo.com | |
In February 1986, Eclipse lost most of its back-issue stock in a catastrophic [[Guerneville, California|Guerneville]] flood,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.luckymojo.com/vishantiprolepsis.html |title=The Lesser Book of the Vishanti: A Companion to the Dr. Strange Comic Books |last1=Yronwode |first1=Catherine |last2=Nagasiva |first2=Nagasiva |year=2002 |publisher=LuckyMojo.com |access-date=September 28, 2010 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120913190726/http://www.luckymojo.com/vishantiprolepsis.html |archive-date=September 13, 2012 |url-status=live |df=mdy }}</ref> which also submerged the company's offices. |
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=== Acme Press === |
=== Acme Press === |
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In 1988 Eclipse created a new division, '''Eclipse International''', as it partnered with the British independent publisher [[Acme Press]] to distribute Acme's comics in the American market. (Eclipse had previously partnered with British publisher [[Dez Skinn]] when it had published ''Miracleman''.)<ref name="writeragree">{{cite web|last=Best |first=Daniel |url=http://ohdannyboy.blogspot.com.au/2011/09/miracleman-neil-gaimans-writers.html |title=20th Century Danny Boy: Miracleman: Neil Gaiman's Writer's Agreement |publisher=Ohdannyboy.blogspot.com.au |date=2011-09-03 | |
In 1988 Eclipse created a new division, '''Eclipse International''', as it partnered with the British independent publisher [[Acme Press]] to distribute Acme's comics in the American market. (Eclipse had previously partnered with British publisher [[Dez Skinn]] when it had published ''Miracleman''.)<ref name="writeragree">{{cite web|last=Best |first=Daniel |url=http://ohdannyboy.blogspot.com.au/2011/09/miracleman-neil-gaimans-writers.html |title=20th Century Danny Boy: Miracleman: Neil Gaiman's Writer's Agreement |publisher=Ohdannyboy.blogspot.com.au |date=2011-09-03 |access-date=2013-10-15}}</ref> Highlights from the Acme/Eclipse era included ''[[Powerman (comics)|Power Comics]]'', a four-issue superhero title by writers Don Avenall and [[Norman Worker]], with art by [[Dave Gibbons]] and [[Brian Bolland]]. The title was originally published in [[Nigeria]] in 1975, and the title's character's names was changed from "Powerman" to "Powerbolt" to avoid confusion with the character [[Luke Cage]] (also called "Power Man"), published by [[Marvel Comics]]. Another notable title from the Acme/Eclipse era was ''Aces'', a five-issue black-and-white anthology of serialized [[Jazz Age]] genre stories which were originally published in Europe. Eclipse also distributed Acme's two-issue anthology ''Point Blank'', which promoted itself as "The Best of European Strip Art". |
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In 1989 Acme acquired the comics license for [[James Bond]].<ref>Curson, Natasha. [https://tashauk.wordpress.com/2010/08/18/acme-take-two-earthquake-pills-and-exit-over-cliff/ "Acme – take two Earthquake Pills and exit over cliff...,"] Natasha Curson blog (August 18, 2010).</ref> Acme and Eclipse co-published the official [[graphic novel]] adaptation of ''[[Licence to Kill]]'',<ref>Conroy, Mike (2004). ''500 Great Comicbook Action Heroes''. London: Chrysalis Books Group. {{ISBN|978-1-84411-004-9}}, p. 293.</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Bond Violence Gets Artistic 'Licence'|newspaper=[[The Palm Beach Post]]|date=28 July 1989}}</ref> with art by [[Mike Grell]], and then published Grell's three-issue series ''James Bond: Permission to Die'' — the first James Bond comic book storyline not adapted from a previous work — from 1989 to 1991. Eclipse also distributed Acme's three-issue licensed limited series ''[[Steed and Mrs. Peel]]'' in 1990–1992, by such notable creators as [[Grant Morrison]] and [[Ian Gibson (comics)|Ian Gibson]]. |
In 1989 Acme acquired the comics license for [[James Bond]].<ref>Curson, Natasha. [https://tashauk.wordpress.com/2010/08/18/acme-take-two-earthquake-pills-and-exit-over-cliff/ "Acme – take two Earthquake Pills and exit over cliff...,"] Natasha Curson blog (August 18, 2010).</ref> Acme and Eclipse co-published the official [[graphic novel]] adaptation of ''[[Licence to Kill]]'',<ref>Conroy, Mike (2004). ''500 Great Comicbook Action Heroes''. London: Chrysalis Books Group. {{ISBN|978-1-84411-004-9}}, p. 293.</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Bond Violence Gets Artistic 'Licence'|newspaper=[[The Palm Beach Post]]|date=28 July 1989}}</ref> with art by [[Mike Grell]], and then published Grell's three-issue series ''James Bond: Permission to Die'' — the first James Bond comic book storyline not adapted from a previous work — from 1989 to 1991. Eclipse also distributed Acme's three-issue licensed limited series ''[[Steed and Mrs. Peel]]'' in 1990–1992, by such notable creators as [[Grant Morrison]] and [[Ian Gibson (comics)|Ian Gibson]]. |
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*[http://www.comics.org/publisher/405/ Eclipse (publisher)] at the [[Grand Comics Database]] |
*[http://www.comics.org/publisher/405/ Eclipse (publisher)] at the [[Grand Comics Database]] |
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*{{comicbookdb|type=publisher|id=115}} |
*{{comicbookdb|type=publisher|id=115}} |
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*{{cite web |url=http://isbndb.com/d/publisher/eclipse_books.html |title=Eclipse Books |publisher=ISBNdb.com | |
*{{cite web |url=http://isbndb.com/d/publisher/eclipse_books.html |title=Eclipse Books |publisher=ISBNdb.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020145150/http://isbndb.com/d/publisher/eclipse_books.html |archive-date=October 20, 2012 |url-status=dead |access-date=September 13, 2011 |df=mdy-all }} |
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*{{cite news|url=http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/content/printVersion/159491/ | title=Keating Gets Carded: Your Money Might Be Safer in These than in an S&L| first=Paul |last=Rubin|date=August 14, 1991 |work=[[Phoenix New Times]]| |
*{{cite news|url=http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/content/printVersion/159491/ | title=Keating Gets Carded: Your Money Might Be Safer in These than in an S&L| first=Paul |last=Rubin|date=August 14, 1991 |work=[[Phoenix New Times]]| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110914012629/http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/content/printVersion/159491/ | archive-date= September 14, 2011| url-status= live|access-date=September 13, 2011}} |
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{{Comic book publishers in North America navbox}} |
{{Comic book publishers in North America navbox}} |
Status | Defunct, 1993 Intellectual property acquired by Todd McFarlane 1996 |
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Founded | 1977 |
Founder | Jan Mullaney, Dean Mullaney |
Defunct | 1994 ![]() |
Headquarters location | Staten Island, New York, then Columbia, Missouri, then Guerneville, California, then Forestville, California |
Key people | Catherine Yronwode |
Publication types | Comics, trading cards |
Imprints | Independent Comics Group |
Eclipse Comics was an American comic book publisher, one of several independent publishers during the 1980s and early 1990s. In 1978, it published the first graphic novel intended for the newly created comic book specialty store market. It was one of the first to offer royalties and creator ownership of rights, and the first comics company to publish trading cards.
The company was founded as Eclipse Enterprises by brothers Jan and Dean Mullaney in 1977.[1][2] Eclipse published one of the first original graphic novels, and the first to be sold through the new "direct market" of comic-book stores,[3] Sabre: Slow Fade of an Endangered SpeciesbyDon McGregor and Paul Gulacy. Published in August 1978, it led to a 14-issue spin-off series for Eclipse.
McGregor went on to write two additional early graphic novels for Eclipse, each set in contemporary New York City and starring interracial-buddy private eyes Ted Denning and Bob Rainier: Detectives, Inc.: A Remembrance of Threatening Green (1980), with artist Marshall Rogers, and Detectives, Inc.: A Terror Of Dying Dreams (1985), with artist Gene Colan, who would become a frequent collaborator.
The company had early success with the anthology magazine Eclipse and color comic Eclipse Monthly, as well as with the detective series Ms. TreebyMax Allan Collins.
Creators whose early work appears in Eclipse publications include Chuck Austen, Donna Barr, Dan Brereton, Chuck Dixon, James Hudnall, Scott McCloud, Peter Milligan, Tim Truman, and Chris Ware. Veterans published by Eclipse include Steve Englehart, Don McGregor, Gene Colan, and Mark Evanier. The company published Alan Moore's series Miracleman (stories originally published in the U.K.).
During the early 1980s, Eclipse moved several times: from 81 Delaware Street, Staten Island, New York; to 295 Austin Street, Columbia, Missouri; and then to the small towns of Guerneville and later ForestvilleinSonoma County, California.
Beginning in Missouri, Eclipse expanded operations under editor Cat Yronwode (who was married to Eclipse co-founder Dean Mullaney from 1987 to 1993). With Yronwode as editor-in-chief during a period of expanding attention to the art form, Eclipse published many innovative works and championed creators' rights in a field which at the time barely respected them.
During Yronwode's tenure, Eclipse published superhero titles including MiraclemanbyAlan Moore and Neil Gaiman, The RocketeerbyDave Stevens, and Zot!byScott McCloud.[4] and also brought out graphic novels featuring opera adaptations, such as The Magic FlutebyP. Craig Russell and children's literature such as an adaptation of The HobbitbyJ. R. R. Tolkien.[5]
In 1985, Yronwode and cartoonist Trina Robbins co-wrote the Eclipse book Women and the Comics, on the history of female comic strip and comic book creators. As the first book on this subject, its publication was covered in the mainstream press in addition to the fan press.[6][7][8]
During the 1980s, Eclipse brought out a new line of non-fiction, non-sports trading cards, edited by Yronwode. Controversial political subjects such as the Iran-Contra scandal, the Savings and Loan crisis, the AIDS epidemic, and the Kennedy Assassination, as well as true crime accounts of serial killers, mass murderers, the Mafia, and organized crime were covered in these card sets.[9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21]
In February 1986, Eclipse lost most of its back-issue stock in a catastrophic Guerneville flood,[22] which also submerged the company's offices.
In 1988 Eclipse created a new division, Eclipse International, as it partnered with the British independent publisher Acme Press to distribute Acme's comics in the American market. (Eclipse had previously partnered with British publisher Dez Skinn when it had published Miracleman.)[23] Highlights from the Acme/Eclipse era included Power Comics, a four-issue superhero title by writers Don Avenall and Norman Worker, with art by Dave Gibbons and Brian Bolland. The title was originally published in Nigeria in 1975, and the title's character's names was changed from "Powerman" to "Powerbolt" to avoid confusion with the character Luke Cage (also called "Power Man"), published by Marvel Comics. Another notable title from the Acme/Eclipse era was Aces, a five-issue black-and-white anthology of serialized Jazz Age genre stories which were originally published in Europe. Eclipse also distributed Acme's two-issue anthology Point Blank, which promoted itself as "The Best of European Strip Art".
In 1989 Acme acquired the comics license for James Bond.[24] Acme and Eclipse co-published the official graphic novel adaptation of Licence to Kill,[25][26] with art by Mike Grell, and then published Grell's three-issue series James Bond: Permission to Die — the first James Bond comic book storyline not adapted from a previous work — from 1989 to 1991. Eclipse also distributed Acme's three-issue licensed limited series Steed and Mrs. Peel in 1990–1992, by such notable creators as Grant Morrison and Ian Gibson.
In 1990 Acme teamed with Eclipse to release Eddie Campbell's The Complete Alec,[27] which collected three previous "Alec" publications — Alec (1984), Love and Beerglasses (1985), and Doggie in the Window (1986) — together with some unpublished material. The collection won the 1991 UK Comic Art Award for Best Graphic Novel Collection.[28]
Eclipse's arrangement with Acme lasted until 1991.
In 1988, in partnership with Viz Communications and Studio Proteus, Eclipse published some of the earliest English-translated Japanese manga, such as Area 88, Mai, the Psychic Girl, and The Legend of Kamui. With the success of these titles, the manga line was expanded.
After-effects of the 1986 flood, Mullaney and Yronwode's 1993 divorce, and the mid-1990s evolution of the direct market distribution system caused the company to cease operations in 1994.[29][30] and file for bankruptcy in 1995.[31] The company's intellectual property rights were later acquired by Todd McFarlane[32] for a total of $25,000.[23] Mullaney also attributed the company's demise to a problematic contract with the book publisher HarperCollins.[33] Eclipse's last publication was its Spring 1993 catalog, which was a complete bibliography of its publications.
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