Continuity Comics
Encyclopedia
Continuity Publishing, also known as Continuity Comics, was an American independent comic book
company formed by Neal Adams
in 1984, publishing comics until 1994.
After years as a freelancer and comics art packager (with his company Continuity Associates
), in 1984 Adams ventured into publishing as a way to maximize his creative freedom (and profits). Continuity mainly published a variety of superhero
comics developed by Adams. (For instance, the title Ms. Mystic
was first published by Pacific Comics
, and was revived in 1987 by Continuity.)
Adams' own detailed, realistic art was the basis of Continuity's "house style"; the company's creators included Dan Barry, Vicente Alcazar
, Mike Deodato, Jr., Mark Texeira
, Dave Hoover
, Richard Bennett
, Tom Grindberg
, Bart Sears
, Esteban Maroto
, and Michael Netzer. Adams often provided layouts for the company's titles, as well as inking many faces and contributing other personal touch-up artwork. Adams also plotted many of Continuity's titles, most of which were scripted by writer Peter Stone.
Continuity's comics tended to be grittier than the mainstream Marvel
or DC
comics of their day, often depicting bloody, graphic violence. For instance, in one issue of Armor the title character has his hand chopped off and then the appendage is destroyed in a blender. Continuity was also part of a trend towards more eroticism
in mainstream comics. For instance, the costume and the cover artwork for the character Samuree were often revealing, and she was sometimes drawn in sexy poses on the cover of her comic.
During the 1990s "variant cover
" craze, Continuity got into Tyvek
(marketed as "indestructible"), die-cut, glow-in-the-dark, chrome-plated, and hologram covers; as well as pull-out posters, stickers, and trading cards; all of which are associated with the speculation bubble which burst in the mid-1990s. Continuity also bought into the crossover craze of the era with Deathwatch 2000 and Rise of Magic). Continuity's entire line was canceled during the Rise of Magic crossover in 1993.
Over the course of its life as a publisher, Continuity was the subject of much criticism from comics retailers and fans for poor editorial oversight and the publisher's inability to ship its products on time or according to schedule.
Continuity stopped publishing in 1994, embroiled in legal and financial troubles. Several of Continuity's later titles and characters wound up being picked up by other publishers. For instance, Samuree, Valeria and Knighthawk would be published by Valiant Comics
' Windjammer line of creator-owned titles.
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...
company formed by Neal Adams
Neal Adams
Neal Adams is an American comic book and commercial artist known for helping to create some of the definitive modern imagery of the DC Comics characters Superman, Batman, and Green Arrow; as the co-founder of the graphic design studio Continuity Associates; and as a creators-rights advocate who...
in 1984, publishing comics until 1994.
After years as a freelancer and comics art packager (with his company Continuity Associates
Continuity Associates
Continuity Studios is a New York City- and Los Angeles-based art and illustration studio formed by cartoonists Neal Adams and Dick Giordano...
), in 1984 Adams ventured into publishing as a way to maximize his creative freedom (and profits). Continuity mainly published a variety of superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
comics developed by Adams. (For instance, the title Ms. Mystic
Ms. Mystic
Ms. Mystic is a fictional comic book superheroine created by popular illustrator Neal Adams. The comic published nine issues between 1982-1994. Her first full appearance was in Captain Victory and the Galactic Rangers #3 , published by Pacific Comics...
was first published by Pacific Comics
Pacific Comics
Pacific Comics was an independent comic book publisher that flourished from 1981-1984. It was also a chain of comics shops and a distributor. It began out of a San Diego, California, comic book shop owned by brothers Bill and Steve Schanes...
, and was revived in 1987 by Continuity.)
Adams' own detailed, realistic art was the basis of Continuity's "house style"; the company's creators included Dan Barry, Vicente Alcazar
Vicente Alcazar
Vicente Alcazar a.k.a. Vicente Alcazar-Serrano is a Spanish comics artist best known for his work for the American comic-book publishers DC Comics and Marvel Comics, including a 1970s run on the DC Western character Jonah Hex....
, Mike Deodato, Jr., Mark Texeira
Mark Texeira
Mark Texeira is an American comic book artist. Classically trained as a painter, Texeira broke into the comics field in the early 1980s.-Career:Mark Texeira was born and raised in New York City...
, Dave Hoover
Dave Hoover
Dave Hoover was an American comic book artist and animator, most notable for his art on DC Comics' The Wanderers limited series, as well as lengthy runs on DC's Starman and Marvel Comics' Captain America.-Early life:Hoover received his B.S...
, Richard Bennett
Richard Bennett Lamas
Richard Bennett is a former comic book artist and current freelance film concept and storyboard artist born in Uruguay. He broke into the comic book industry in 1990, penciling and inking the Cyberad series for Continuity Comics...
, Tom Grindberg
Tom Grindberg
Tom Grindberg is a comic book illustrator.His British comic book work includes 2000 A.D. Presents #16-19 and Judge Dredd #10-11 for Fleetway in 1987....
, Bart Sears
Bart Sears
Bart Whitman Sears is an American artist and author, originally from Syracuse, New York.Sears has lent his unique style and creative ideas to multiple industries, including but not limited to: Comics , Toys, and Computer Games...
, Esteban Maroto
Esteban Maroto
- Career :Born in Madrid, he began his career in the 1960s with series like Cinco por infinito, published in English by Continuity Comics as "Zero Patrol" ....
, and Michael Netzer. Adams often provided layouts for the company's titles, as well as inking many faces and contributing other personal touch-up artwork. Adams also plotted many of Continuity's titles, most of which were scripted by writer Peter Stone.
Continuity's comics tended to be grittier than the mainstream Marvel
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...
or DC
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
comics of their day, often depicting bloody, graphic violence. For instance, in one issue of Armor the title character has his hand chopped off and then the appendage is destroyed in a blender. Continuity was also part of a trend towards more eroticism
Eroticism
Eroticism is generally understood to refer to a state of sexual arousal or anticipation of such – an insistent sexual impulse, desire, or pattern of thoughts, as well as a philosophical contemplation concerning the aesthetics of sexual desire, sensuality and romantic love...
in mainstream comics. For instance, the costume and the cover artwork for the character Samuree were often revealing, and she was sometimes drawn in sexy poses on the cover of her comic.
During the 1990s "variant cover
Variant cover
In comic books, a variant cover refers to an issue of a comic book printed with multiple covers with each unique cover art...
" craze, Continuity got into Tyvek
Tyvek
Tyvek is a brand of flashspun high-density polyethylene fibers, a synthetic material; the name is a registered trademark of DuPont. The material is very strong; it is difficult to tear but can easily be cut with scissors or a knife...
(marketed as "indestructible"), die-cut, glow-in-the-dark, chrome-plated, and hologram covers; as well as pull-out posters, stickers, and trading cards; all of which are associated with the speculation bubble which burst in the mid-1990s. Continuity also bought into the crossover craze of the era with Deathwatch 2000 and Rise of Magic). Continuity's entire line was canceled during the Rise of Magic crossover in 1993.
Over the course of its life as a publisher, Continuity was the subject of much criticism from comics retailers and fans for poor editorial oversight and the publisher's inability to ship its products on time or according to schedule.
Continuity stopped publishing in 1994, embroiled in legal and financial troubles. Several of Continuity's later titles and characters wound up being picked up by other publishers. For instance, Samuree, Valeria and Knighthawk would be published by Valiant Comics
Valiant Comics
Valiant Comics is a comic book imprint published by various publishers since its inception with Voyager Communications, Inc. in 1989, later Acclaim Comics, Inc. Its assets were purchased from the bankruptcy of the Acclaim Entertaintment by Valiant Entertainment, Inc. in 2007.-Voyager...
' Windjammer line of creator-owned titles.
Titles
- Armor (13 issues, 1985-92; 6 issues, 1993)
- Bucky O'HareBucky O'HareBucky O'Hare is a fictional character and the hero of an eponymous comic book series as well as spin-off media including an animated TV series and various toys and video games...
(graphic novel) - Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future (2 issues, 1988–1989)
- CrazymanCrazymanCrazyman is a superhero created by American comic book publisher Continuity Comics. His power is one of lunacy and rage, where his body is pushed to the extremes of ordinary human limits....
(3 issues, 1992; 4 issues, 1993-94) - Cyberad (7 issues, 1992-93; 1 issues, 1993; 2 issues 1992/93)
- Echo of Futurepast (9 issues, 1984-86)
- Hybrids (4 issues, 1993; 1 issues, 1994)
- Hybrids: The Origin (4 issues, 1993-94)
- MegalithMegalith (comics)Megalith is a fictional superhero, as well as the title of a comic book starring the hero published by Continuity Comics. Megalith first appeared in The Revengers #1 in 1985, which had him team up with Armour and Silver Streak. Later, Megalith starred in his own series.-External links:**...
(9 issues, 1989-93; 8 issues, 1993-94) - Ms. MysticMs. MysticMs. Mystic is a fictional comic book superheroine created by popular illustrator Neal Adams. The comic published nine issues between 1982-1994. Her first full appearance was in Captain Victory and the Galactic Rangers #3 , published by Pacific Comics...
(9 issues, 1987-93; 1-3, 1993; 1-4, 1993-94) - Revengers (6 issues, 1985-89; Special 1992)
- Samuree (9 issues, 1987-91; 4 issues, 1993-94)
- Shaman (1 issue, 1994)
- Toyboy (7 issues, 1986-89)
- Valeria, She-Bat (3 issues, 1993; no issues #2 or 4)
- Urth 4Urth 4Urth 4 is a comic-book series created by Peter Stone, Neal Adams and Trevor Von Eeden and published by Continuity Comics. The series ran for four issues , and was then revived as Earth 4 in 1993, running for a total of seven more issues.-Series overview:The title featured the adventures of a team...
(4 issues, 1989-90); renamed Earth 4 (3 issues, 1993; 4 issues, 1993-94) - Zero PatrolZero PatrolThe Zero Patrol was a short-lived superhero team created by Continuity Comics in 1984.The Zero Patrol were a team of five people from Earth, collected to protect the universe. The series was a European comic written and drawn by Esteban Maroto, with Neal Adams supplying a new story and artwork.The...
(2 issues, 1984-85; 5 issues, 1987-89)
Crossovers
- Deathwatch 2000
- Armor (#1-3, 1993)
- Cyberrad (#1-2, 1992/93)
- Earth 4 (#1-3, 1993)
- Hybrids (#0-4, 1993)
- Megalith (#0-3, 1993)
- Ms. Mystic (#1-3, 1993)
- Rise of Magic
- Armor (#4-6, 1993)
- Hybrids (#1, 1994)
- Megalith (#4-7, 1993/94)
- Ms. Mystic (#2-4, 1993/94)
- Samuree (#1-4, 1993/94)
- Shaman (#0, 1994)
- Valerie, She-Bat (#5, 1993)
Characters
- Armor
- Bucky O'HareBucky O'HareBucky O'Hare is a fictional character and the hero of an eponymous comic book series as well as spin-off media including an animated TV series and various toys and video games...
- CrazymanCrazymanCrazyman is a superhero created by American comic book publisher Continuity Comics. His power is one of lunacy and rage, where his body is pushed to the extremes of ordinary human limits....
- Cyberrad
- Hybrids
- MegalithMegalith (comics)Megalith is a fictional superhero, as well as the title of a comic book starring the hero published by Continuity Comics. Megalith first appeared in The Revengers #1 in 1985, which had him team up with Armour and Silver Streak. Later, Megalith starred in his own series.-External links:**...
- Ms. MysticMs. MysticMs. Mystic is a fictional comic book superheroine created by popular illustrator Neal Adams. The comic published nine issues between 1982-1994. Her first full appearance was in Captain Victory and the Galactic Rangers #3 , published by Pacific Comics...
- Samuree
- Shaman
- Silver Streak
- Toyboy
- Valeria, She-Bat