The Star Section: Lifestyle Ad Value: RM 35,328 31-Aug-2021 Size : 702cm2 PR Value: RM 105,986

A union of greats

WORLDS OF WONDER A union of greats By ANDREW A. SMITH . . Roger TV-turned-comics writer Darin Henry talks about founding new Stem. If youVe read American comic books for any length of time, comics publisher Binge Books and working with legends like these aren't just Eamiliar names. Sal Buscema, Ron Frenz and . ltiey*re comic book gods. And their work - usually on Marvel titles like Amazing Spider-Manr and - was always welcome to eager fans. But they're gods of a previous era, so we haven't seen much from (WE AT THEE, them lately. Until now - with Binge BRiGAHPSf Books. Binge Books is the brainchild of Emmy-nominated TV writer Darin Characters like the Blue Baron Henry (Seinfelds Futurama), whose love of 1970$ and 1980$ comics is have appeared before in digital evident on every page of 77ie Heroes comics. Union #1, which arrived Au5 18. Binge Books lives up to its name, as "Heroes Union" clocks in at a whop ping 68 pages for US$4.99 (RM20)- when most American comics are 32 pa^es for US$3.99 (RM16.70) or US$4.99. Heroes Union is an Avengersstyle story for all ages, told in the Mighty Marvel Style of the Bronze Age of comics (1970s and 1980s), by veter­ ans of the Bronze A^e of comics. It features a team of new superheroes like Blue Baron, Raider and Startup, some of whom have appeared already in digital comics, and some of whom will be hitting print soon. They take on a cosmic menace in a manner that can't help but bring to inind Marvel's / War, DC's The Heroes Union is an Avengers-style story for all ages, told in the Mighty Marvel Style Crisis on Infinite Earths and other of the Bronze Age of comics (1970s and 1980s). — Photos: Binge Books beloved “events" of yesteryear. As a 1980s Marvel cover might Marvel had just kept publishing travelled in publishing, with where the new books help sell the printing quality of the Modem A^e. say of Binge Books, "WHO are they? Spider-Girl. %page "graphic novellasM that old books and the old books help The best superhero comics sus­ WHAT are they? WHERE did they other publishers would likely sell the new books. tain the spectacle that attracts kids get their fantastic powers?" How do you come by your big break into three monthly install­ The bigger the Library of releases, with the continuity that keeps I decided to ask Henry himself names? Did you seek these three ments -and then charge three the quicker a new release can pay adults engaged. the senses-shattering answers to men out on piupose, or some­ times as much. How did you come for itself. Roger, Ron and Sal were making those scintillating questions. thing Less planned? by that decision, and how is it comics back when titles sold an Reassembling the classic Marvel financially viable? Two characters in 77te Heroes average of 250,000 copies on the How did you transition from TV bullpen was definitely the plan! We're in the bin