Starblaze Graphics
Encyclopedia
Starblaze Graphics was an imprint
of The Donning Company
, a publishing company established in 1978 to publish illustrated books. Notable Starblaze publications include Robert Asprin
's MythAdventures series, as well as a graphic novel
based on the first book. Donning also published a graphic version of the Thieves' World
shared world anthology
series, with art by Tim Sale
.
Starblaze also published compilation reprints of the comics series Elfquest
by Wendy and Richard Pini and A Distant Soil
by Colleen Doran
. The Pinis later sued Starblaze for continuing to publish Elfquest, and attempting to re-secure the rights to the A Distant Soil series. Starblaze countersued; the dispute was settled in 1988. A dozen Starblaze authors also sued Donning/Starblaze after the company folded the Starblaze division in 1989 and sold contracts and rights to multiple book properties to Schiffer Publishing
.
Starblaze ceased operation in 1989.
Imprint
In the publishing industry, an imprint can mean several different things:* As a piece of bibliographic information about a book, it refers to the name and address of the book's publisher and its date of publication as given at the foot or on the verso of its title page.* It can mean a trade name...
of The Donning Company
The Donning Company
The Donning Company is a specialty book publisher based in Virginia Beach. It was first established in the mid-1970s to publish a pictorial history of the founders' hometown. Its imprints included Starblaze Graphics.In 1985, Donning became a wholly owned subsidiary of Walsworth Publishing Company...
, a publishing company established in 1978 to publish illustrated books. Notable Starblaze publications include Robert Asprin
Robert Asprin
Robert Lynn Asprin was an American science fiction and fantasy author and active fan, best known for his humorous MythAdventures and Phule's Company series.- Background :...
's MythAdventures series, as well as a graphic novel
Graphic novel
A graphic novel is a narrative work in which the story is conveyed to the reader using sequential art in either an experimental design or in a traditional comics format...
based on the first book. Donning also published a graphic version of the Thieves' World
Thieves World
Thieves' World is a shared world fantasy series created by Robert Lynn Asprin in 1978. The original series comprised twelve anthologies, including stories by such science fiction authors as Poul Anderson, John Brunner, Andrew J. Offutt, C. J. Cherryh, Janet Morris, Chris Morris...
shared world anthology
Anthology
An anthology is a collection of literary works chosen by the compiler. It may be a collection of poems, short stories, plays, songs, or excerpts...
series, with art by Tim Sale
Tim Sale (artist)
Tim Sale is an American Eisner Award-winning comic book artist. He is primarily known for his collaborations with writer Jeph Loeb.-Early life:...
.
Starblaze also published compilation reprints of the comics series Elfquest
Elfquest
Elfquest is a cult hit comic book property created by Wendy and Richard Pini in 1978. It is a fantasy story about a community of elves and other fictional species who struggle to survive and coexist on a primitive Earth-like planet with two moons. Several published volumes of prose fiction also...
by Wendy and Richard Pini and A Distant Soil
A Distant Soil
A Distant Soil is a science fiction/fantasy comic book series written and illustrated by Colleen Doran, and is the work for which she is best known....
by Colleen Doran
Colleen Doran
Colleen Doran is an American writer/artist, film conceptual artist, and cartoonist. She has illustrated hundreds of comics, graphic novels, books and magazines, and dozens of stories and articles, including works written by Neil Gaiman, Clive Barker, Anne Rice, J...
. The Pinis later sued Starblaze for continuing to publish Elfquest, and attempting to re-secure the rights to the A Distant Soil series. Starblaze countersued; the dispute was settled in 1988. A dozen Starblaze authors also sued Donning/Starblaze after the company folded the Starblaze division in 1989 and sold contracts and rights to multiple book properties to Schiffer Publishing
Schiffer Publishing
Schiffer Publishing Ltd. is a publisher based out of the "Schiffer Book Farm" in Atglen, Pennsylvania, about 20 miles east of Lancaster. It specializes in books about antiques, architecture and design, arts and crafts, collectibles, lifestyle, military and aviation history.-External links:***...
.
Starblaze ceased operation in 1989.
Titles published
- Buck Godot: PSmithBuck GodotBuck Godot is the title character in a science fiction/comedy comic book series collected in two volumes and assorted comic books, including the eight-issue "Gallimaufry" series, all written and drawn by their creator, Phil Foglio.-Overview:Buck's adventures take place in a future where a...
(1 issue, December 1987) - A Distant Soil: Immigrant SongA Distant SoilA Distant Soil is a science fiction/fantasy comic book series written and illustrated by Colleen Doran, and is the work for which she is best known....
(1 issue, August 1987) - A Distant Soil: Knights of the AngelA Distant SoilA Distant Soil is a science fiction/fantasy comic book series written and illustrated by Colleen Doran, and is the work for which she is best known....
(1 issue, 1989) - ElfQuestElfquestElfquest is a cult hit comic book property created by Wendy and Richard Pini in 1978. It is a fantasy story about a community of elves and other fictional species who struggle to survive and coexist on a primitive Earth-like planet with two moons. Several published volumes of prose fiction also...
(4 issues, 1981 - 1984) - Fortunes Friends
- MythAdventures (1978–1989)
- Thieves' World (6 issues, 1985 - 1987, the first three collected in Thieves' World Graphics, 1986)