Apple Comics

Apple Comics, also known as Apple Press, was an American comic book publisher which operated from 1986 to 1994. Founded by Michael Catron, they began by taking over the publishing elements of comic production from WaRP Graphics before expanding into their own titles while WaRP resumed publishing its own titles. Apple was known for publishing war comics, particularly its long-running title Vietnam Journal (as well as many spin-offs and one-shots).

This article is about a comic book publisher. For the publisher of illustrated lifestyle books, see Quarto Group.
Apple Comics
IndustryComics
Founded1986
FounderMichael Catron
Defunct1994
HeadquartersBethel, Connecticut
DivisionsForbidden Fruit

Other notable titles published by Apple included Blood of Dracula, Desert Storm Journal, Eagle, FantaSci, Fish Police, Myth Conceptions, Thunderbunny, and Vox. Creators associated with Apple included Don Lomax, Lee Marrs, Aaron McClellan, Ken Mitchroney, Steven Moncuse, Rickey Shanklin, Neil Vokes, Mark Wheatley, and John Workman.

History

Origins

In 1986, Richard Pini turned over all of WaRP's publishing and marketing duties to Apple so that WaRP could concentrate on editing comics.[1] While still featuring the WaRP logo on their covers, the indicia of FantaSCI #2, MythAdventures #10, Thunderbunny #6, and Unicorn Isle #2 listed themselves as "published bi-monthly by Apple Press Inc." Their next issues featured both the WaRP and Apple Comics logos on the cover, along with a note from the new publisher, Michael Catron, including an explanation of the arrangement:

Broadly speaking, WaRP handles all the creative details involved in preparing each issue for publication and Apple handles all of the business and production details. Richard remains editor on all titles. It's his job to edit each issue, work with the creators to help them do their best, and generally see to it that everything lives up to the standards WaRP has set — that's why the "WaRP Graphics" imprint will continue to appear on the cover of every issue WaRP prepares for Apple.[2]

In March 1987 (originally promised for October 1986), Apple began publishing the eight-issue mini-series Elfquest: Siege at Blue Mountain, which ran until December 1988. Also in 1987, Apple began publishing original titles, including Blood of Dracula, Myth Conceptions, and Vietnam Journal. They also picked up the title Space Ark from Americomics, and in 1988 picked up Eagle from Crystal Publications.

Forbidden Fruit

From 1991–1994, Apple published an erotic comics imprint known as Forbidden Fruit. Titles published by Forbidden Fruit included The Adventures Of Misty, Case Morgan, Gumshoe Private Eye (reprinting material by Don Lomax featured in Gent), Sexy Superspy, and Sindy.

End of Apple Comics

The comics market meltdown of 1994 hit the small press very hard, and Apple Comics was forced to close its doors.[3] Its final issue was Vietnam Journal: Valley of Death #2, published in August 1994.

Titles

Notes
  1. "WaRP titles now under Apple aegis," The Comics Journal #110 (August 1986), p. 17.
  2. Catron, Michael (24 July 1986). "Notes from the New Publisher". MythAdventures. No. 11. Apple Press Inc. p. ifc.
  3. "Comics Publishers Suffer Tough Summer: Body Count Rises in Market Shakedown," The Comics Journal #172 (Nov. 1994), pp. 13-18.

References
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