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About This Series
Issues
Pictures
About This
Series:
Issues:
This is a rather unique mini-series on many levels. "Dreadstar
& Company" ran for only six issues and wasn't touted as a
mini-series. It just "ended". The six issues in this series
are really just reprints of the first six issues of the series
"Dreadstar", which premiered in 1982. The original series of
"Dreadstar" was the very first series Marvel published under the Epic
imprint. It was printed on quality paper and only sold in
specialty shops. Nowadays (2009), almost all comics are released
through specialty shops. Back in the 1980s, and even for much of
the 1990s, this was the exception. The original "Dreadstar"
series ran for 26 issues under Epic. From issue #27 through #64,
the series was published by First Comics (for a total of 38 issues from
that publisher). Issue #64 (March, 1991) was the end of the
original run of Dreadstar.
The "Dreadstar" series became quite popular for a non-mainstream, experimental title from Marvel's specialty imprint, Epic. Most Epic titles did not have long runs or meet with much enthusiasm. One reason was due to the higher cover cost, because most Epic comics were printed on quality glossy stock and meant to be more "mature". The other reason Epic titles usually flopped is because most of them weren't very good and couldn't be made to appeal to larger audiences. "Dreadstar" always had mainstream quality, and potential, but wasn't something Marvel wanted to include in their "universe" with heroes such as Fantastic Four, Silver Surfer, and so on. This is a shame, because Dreadstar would fit into the Marvel Universe like a glove. When the original "Dreadstar" series proved to be worthy of making more mainstream, Marvel's Epic reprinted the first six issues on cheaper, standard newsprint, for the cover price of 75 cents (only 10 cents more than the standard comic price of the day).
Dreadstar would make a heck of a cartoon series, live-action movie, and toyline. It's like a cross between He-Man and Star Wars. It's not so ridiculous as Star Wars, but it has the same, larger-than-life type heroes and the whole "fighting the evil empire" premise. The heroes are more defined, like you'd see in the "He-Man & the Masters of the Universe" cartoon. They're distinct characters. Jim Starlin is the genius behind "Dreadstar"; the creator, writer, AND artist. Pretty much every issue is a story within itself, although there is continuity. It's easy to jump in at any issue.
A great civil war is going on between the Dylogo Monarchy and the Instrumentality. These two have laid waste to many planets in the universe, killing countless billions of people. Vanth Dreadstar, a man disenchanted with the war, seeks refuge on a faraway planet that the war hardly ever reached. However, when the war lays waste to the planet, and Dreadstar loses his wife, he angrily takes up the mantle of warrior, again. Fighting both evil sides, Dreadstar has a crew. This includes the disfigured human ally Syzygy Darklock, who happens to be a mystic, the cat man Oedi, the beautiful blind telepath Willow, and her monkey-type pet Rainbow, with which she sees. Later joining the group is Skeevo Phlatus, a smuggler bad boy (kind of an ape man) who has an uneasy alliance with Darklock. Dreadstar, with super-strength and power sword that he can materialize at will, is more than a match for evil on any front.
The "Dreadstar" series became quite popular for a non-mainstream, experimental title from Marvel's specialty imprint, Epic. Most Epic titles did not have long runs or meet with much enthusiasm. One reason was due to the higher cover cost, because most Epic comics were printed on quality glossy stock and meant to be more "mature". The other reason Epic titles usually flopped is because most of them weren't very good and couldn't be made to appeal to larger audiences. "Dreadstar" always had mainstream quality, and potential, but wasn't something Marvel wanted to include in their "universe" with heroes such as Fantastic Four, Silver Surfer, and so on. This is a shame, because Dreadstar would fit into the Marvel Universe like a glove. When the original "Dreadstar" series proved to be worthy of making more mainstream, Marvel's Epic reprinted the first six issues on cheaper, standard newsprint, for the cover price of 75 cents (only 10 cents more than the standard comic price of the day).
Dreadstar would make a heck of a cartoon series, live-action movie, and toyline. It's like a cross between He-Man and Star Wars. It's not so ridiculous as Star Wars, but it has the same, larger-than-life type heroes and the whole "fighting the evil empire" premise. The heroes are more defined, like you'd see in the "He-Man & the Masters of the Universe" cartoon. They're distinct characters. Jim Starlin is the genius behind "Dreadstar"; the creator, writer, AND artist. Pretty much every issue is a story within itself, although there is continuity. It's easy to jump in at any issue.
A great civil war is going on between the Dylogo Monarchy and the Instrumentality. These two have laid waste to many planets in the universe, killing countless billions of people. Vanth Dreadstar, a man disenchanted with the war, seeks refuge on a faraway planet that the war hardly ever reached. However, when the war lays waste to the planet, and Dreadstar loses his wife, he angrily takes up the mantle of warrior, again. Fighting both evil sides, Dreadstar has a crew. This includes the disfigured human ally Syzygy Darklock, who happens to be a mystic, the cat man Oedi, the beautiful blind telepath Willow, and her monkey-type pet Rainbow, with which she sees. Later joining the group is Skeevo Phlatus, a smuggler bad boy (kind of an ape man) who has an uneasy alliance with Darklock. Dreadstar, with super-strength and power sword that he can materialize at will, is more than a match for evil on any front.
Issues:
#1: July,
1985. Really a reprint of the comic "Dreadstar" (Series 1) #1
from 1982. Oedi, the cat man, narrates this origin tale of
Dreadstar and Company as he voice records a journal entry. A
great civil war is going on in the universe between two evil
powers. One is the Dylogo Monarchy, the human power led by King
Gregzor. The Monarchy is wealthy and pompous. The opponent
is The Instrumentality, a religious order of alien humanoids led by the
Lord High Papal. Billions of people on countless planets have
died because of this 200-year war. Vanth Dreadstar and his
friends are considered outlaws on both sides because they want to end
the war.
The Monarchy is a bit easier to handle and ultimately defeat than the Instrumentality, who are just plain rich and nuts. Dreadstar and crew do all they can to take down both sides and bring peace back to the universe again.
#2: August, 1985. Really a reprint of the comic "Dreadstar" (Series 1) #2 from 1982. In this story, we learn the origin of Willow. She is a pretty well-conceived character and could probably be featured in solo stories. This issue also marks the first appearance of new crew member Skeevo Phlatus, an ape man who is a likable, albeit dimwitted character.
#5: November, 1985. Really a reprint of the comic "Dreadstar" (Series 1) #5 from 1982. Just a great action story where crew members Oedi the cat-man and Skeevo the ape-man rescue Darklock.
#6: December, 1985. Really a reprint of the comic "Dreadstar" (Series 1) #6 from 1982. It's the last issue of this limited series, and really a good stopping point. The long-awaited Plan M, devised by Dreadstar and his crew, is finally put into effect. It's too good to spoil for you. You've just got to read it!
The Monarchy is a bit easier to handle and ultimately defeat than the Instrumentality, who are just plain rich and nuts. Dreadstar and crew do all they can to take down both sides and bring peace back to the universe again.
#2: August, 1985. Really a reprint of the comic "Dreadstar" (Series 1) #2 from 1982. In this story, we learn the origin of Willow. She is a pretty well-conceived character and could probably be featured in solo stories. This issue also marks the first appearance of new crew member Skeevo Phlatus, an ape man who is a likable, albeit dimwitted character.
#5: November, 1985. Really a reprint of the comic "Dreadstar" (Series 1) #5 from 1982. Just a great action story where crew members Oedi the cat-man and Skeevo the ape-man rescue Darklock.
#6: December, 1985. Really a reprint of the comic "Dreadstar" (Series 1) #6 from 1982. It's the last issue of this limited series, and really a good stopping point. The long-awaited Plan M, devised by Dreadstar and his crew, is finally put into effect. It's too good to spoil for you. You've just got to read it!