Aircel Comics
Encyclopedia
Aircel Comics was a Canadian comic book
publisher founded by Barry Blair
, based in Ottawa
and active between 1985 and 1994. In 1988, it merged with American publisher Eternity Comics
, itself an imprint of Malibu Comics
, and in the late 1980s was taken over by Malibu before ceasing publication. In the beginning, Aircel focused upon storytlling techniques, blending historical and futuristic fantasy from different cultures as the underlying theme for each comic series. The Aircel comic book "style" featured high-quality colour covers with black-and white interiors. Canadian artists such as Dave Coos Beauvais, and Dale Keown
got their start at Aircel. Charles de Lint
also scripted several comic books for Aircel in the mid-1980s
.
In the late 1980s Aircel terminated its previous comic book series and pursued sex-themed comics in a partnership with Malibu Comics
. After 1990, Aircel achieved some commercial success with the Men in Black comic.
Releasing their first books in 1985, Samurai, Dragonring, and Elflord, all of which featured line-art manga
-styled illustrations, were the first Aircel publications to receive international attention. (Manga was still new to the North American market at the time.) In 1986, illustrator Denis Beauvais collaborated with Blair (as writer) to create Warlock 5, highly regarded among international comic collectors at the time, featuring high-realism mixed-media and airbrushing techniques as a unique trademark style. The Maelstrom series was released shortly thereafter. The first editions and back issues of Aircel publications sold for up to $350 each in Ottawa comic-book stores. Aircel's future, like the strong Canadian arts and music industry of the 1980s, was very promising.
By 1988, however, the independent comics bubble burst, affecting Aircel's niche market. Financial problems caused founder Blair to strike a deal with Scott Mitchell Rosenberg
(associated with the American publisher Malibu Comics
), whereby Malibu would be "lent" Aircel to publish a number of titles, in return for a financial assist. This resulted in Aircel's de facto merger with the Malibu imprint Eternity Comics
. Staff changes at Aircel left their acclaimed original series in uncertainty. New illustrators assumed responsibility for continuing some of the existing series (e.g. Elford vol. 2, Warlock vol. 2). This in turn led to copyright disputes over some of Aircel's titles. Ultimately, Aircel terminated most of its previous titles and pursued sex-themed comics in a partnership with Malibu.
After 1990, Aircel achieved some commercial success with the Men in Black comic. It was first published by Aircel and became a franchise that includes the cartoon Men in Black: The Series
, and the movies Men In Black
and Men in Black II
.
In 1991, Aircel's debts were paid off, and Blair quit Aircel, formally handing the company over to Malibu. Aircel ceased publishing in 1994, when Malibu was bought by Marvel Comics
.
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
publisher founded by Barry Blair
Barry Blair
Barry Blair was a Canadian comics publisher, artist and writer, known for launching Aircel Comics in the 1980s...
, based in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
and active between 1985 and 1994. In 1988, it merged with American publisher Eternity Comics
Eternity Comics
Eternity Comics was a California-based comic book publisher active from 1986 to 1994, first as an independent publisher, then as an imprint of Malibu Comics. Eternity published creator-owned comics of an offbeat, independent flavor, as well as some licensed properties...
, itself an imprint of Malibu Comics
Malibu Comics
Malibu Comics was an American comic book publisher active in the late 1980s and early 1990s, best known for its Ultraverse line of superhero titles. The company's headquarters was in Calabasas, California. Malibu imprints included Aircel Comics and Eternity Comics...
, and in the late 1980s was taken over by Malibu before ceasing publication. In the beginning, Aircel focused upon storytlling techniques, blending historical and futuristic fantasy from different cultures as the underlying theme for each comic series. The Aircel comic book "style" featured high-quality colour covers with black-and white interiors. Canadian artists such as Dave Coos Beauvais, and Dale Keown
Dale Keown
Dale Keown is a Canadian comic book artist from Grande Prairie, Alberta who currently resides in Toronto.-Career:Keown started working in comics in 1986 drawing several series for Aircel Comics, including Samurai, Elflord, Dragon Ring , and Warlock 5.Keown moved to Marvel Comics in 1989, where he...
got their start at Aircel. Charles de Lint
Charles de Lint
Charles de Lint is a Canadian fantasy author and folk musician. He is also the chief book critic for The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction....
also scripted several comic books for Aircel in the mid-1980s
1980s in comics
This article lists major events in the field of comics during the 1980s.Publications: 1980 - 1981 - 1982 - 1983 - 1984 - 1985 - 1986 - 1987 - 1988 - 1989-1982:*Akira by Katsuhiro Otomo debuts in Young Magazine.- March :...
.
In the late 1980s Aircel terminated its previous comic book series and pursued sex-themed comics in a partnership with Malibu Comics
Malibu Comics
Malibu Comics was an American comic book publisher active in the late 1980s and early 1990s, best known for its Ultraverse line of superhero titles. The company's headquarters was in Calabasas, California. Malibu imprints included Aircel Comics and Eternity Comics...
. After 1990, Aircel achieved some commercial success with the Men in Black comic.
Company history
Aircel Comics evolved from Aircel Insulation, when the government pulled its contract with the company. Blair, an Aircel employee, convinced the owner to shift the company's focus from insulation to comic book publishing. Aircel's initial talent line-up included Blair, Cooper, Patrick McEown, and Guang Yap.Releasing their first books in 1985, Samurai, Dragonring, and Elflord, all of which featured line-art manga
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
-styled illustrations, were the first Aircel publications to receive international attention. (Manga was still new to the North American market at the time.) In 1986, illustrator Denis Beauvais collaborated with Blair (as writer) to create Warlock 5, highly regarded among international comic collectors at the time, featuring high-realism mixed-media and airbrushing techniques as a unique trademark style. The Maelstrom series was released shortly thereafter. The first editions and back issues of Aircel publications sold for up to $350 each in Ottawa comic-book stores. Aircel's future, like the strong Canadian arts and music industry of the 1980s, was very promising.
By 1988, however, the independent comics bubble burst, affecting Aircel's niche market. Financial problems caused founder Blair to strike a deal with Scott Mitchell Rosenberg
Scott Mitchell Rosenberg
Scott Mitchell Rosenberg is a film, television producer, comic book publisher, and the chairman of Platinum Studios, an entertainment company that controls a large independent library of comic book characters and adapts them for film, television and other media...
(associated with the American publisher Malibu Comics
Malibu Comics
Malibu Comics was an American comic book publisher active in the late 1980s and early 1990s, best known for its Ultraverse line of superhero titles. The company's headquarters was in Calabasas, California. Malibu imprints included Aircel Comics and Eternity Comics...
), whereby Malibu would be "lent" Aircel to publish a number of titles, in return for a financial assist. This resulted in Aircel's de facto merger with the Malibu imprint Eternity Comics
Eternity Comics
Eternity Comics was a California-based comic book publisher active from 1986 to 1994, first as an independent publisher, then as an imprint of Malibu Comics. Eternity published creator-owned comics of an offbeat, independent flavor, as well as some licensed properties...
. Staff changes at Aircel left their acclaimed original series in uncertainty. New illustrators assumed responsibility for continuing some of the existing series (e.g. Elford vol. 2, Warlock vol. 2). This in turn led to copyright disputes over some of Aircel's titles. Ultimately, Aircel terminated most of its previous titles and pursued sex-themed comics in a partnership with Malibu.
After 1990, Aircel achieved some commercial success with the Men in Black comic. It was first published by Aircel and became a franchise that includes the cartoon Men in Black: The Series
Men in Black: The Series
Men in Black: The Series also known as Men in Black: The Animated Series is an American animated television series that aired during The WB's Kids' WB programming block for four seasons from 1997 through 2001.The show features characters from 1997's science fiction film Men in Black, which was...
, and the movies Men In Black
Men in Black (film)
Men in Black is a 1997 science fiction comedy film directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, starring Tommy Lee Jones, Will Smith and Vincent D'Onofrio. The film was based on the Men in Black comic book series by Lowell Cunningham, originally published by Marvel Comics. The film featured the creature effects...
and Men in Black II
Men in Black II
Men in Black II is a 2002 science fiction action comedy starring Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones. The film also stars Lara Flynn Boyle, Johnny Knoxville, Rosario Dawson and Rip Torn...
.
In 1991, Aircel's debts were paid off, and Blair quit Aircel, formally handing the company over to Malibu. Aircel ceased publishing in 1994, when Malibu was bought by Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
.
Titles published
- Adventurers
- Bloodlines
- Blood N Guts
- Body Count
- Body Guard
- Born To Kill
- Cat & Mouse
- Chaser Platoon
- Cyberlus
- Darkewood
- Dead Walkers
- Demon Hunter
- Dragonforce
- Dragonforce Chronicles
- Dragonring (vols. 1 and 2)
- Dragons In The Moon
- Elflord (vols. 1 and 2)
- Elflord Chronicles
- Fire Team
- Full Throttle
- Galaxina
- Gauntlet
- Greenhaven
- Greenlock
- Gun Fury
- Gun Fury Returns
- Hardball
- Icarus
- Kiku-Sanu
- Maelstrom
- Mara
- Mummy's Curse
- Mutant Zone
- Nocturne
- Pendragon
- Power
- Samurai (vols. 1, 2, and 3)
- Sapphire
- Silver Storm
- Southern Squadron
- Stark Future
- Starstone
- 2000 Maniacs
- Warlock 5 (vols. 1 and 2)
- Warlocks
Erotic titles
- Arthur Sex
- Carmilla, Casanova
- Climaxxx
- Debbie Does DallasDebbie Does DallasDebbie Does Dallas is a 1978 pornographic film starring Bambi Woods. The plot of the film focuses on a team of cheerleaders attempting to earn enough money to send the title character to Dallas, Texas, to try out for the famous “Texas Cowgirls” cheerleading squad. The fictional name "Texas...
- Dirty Pictures
- Erotic Tales
- Erotique
- Experience
- Final Taboo
- Flesh GordonFlesh GordonFlesh Gordon is a 1974 American science fiction adventure comedy film. It is an erotic spoof of the Flash Gordon serial films from the 1930s. The screenplay was written by Michael Benveniste, who also co-directed the film with Howard Ziehm...
- Hardkorr
- Jake Thrash
- Jungle Love
- Leather & Lace
- Leather & Lace Blood Sex & Tears
- Leather & Lace Summer Special
- Lizard Lady
- Rated X
- Ripper
- Scum Of The Earth
- Torment
- Vampyre Kiss (vols. 1, 2, and 3)