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36-484: Gary Reed, who previously owned a chain of bookstores, began publishing with the release of two titles acquired from Arrow Comics — Deadworld and The Realm . Other initial launches included Caliber Presents , featuring the work of Vince Locke , Mark Bloodworth , Tim Vigil , James O'Barr , and Guy Davis ; the first issue of Baker Street , co-created by Reed and Guy Davis; and the initial appearance of O’Barr’s The Crow . Reed arranged with "Pocket Classics",

72-483: A Heroes Unlimited sourcebook by Palladium. This was based on the original Noble Comics version by Gustovich in 1981, while Caliber distributed the New Justice Machine sequel by Ellis from 1989. The expansion of Caliber continued with projects including Michael Lark 's Airwaves , Silencers from Mark Askwith and R. G. Taylor , and Negative Burn , the anthology title that would run for 50 issues and

108-530: A 3-book series called The Mechanoids which adapted the game into comic book stories. In the early 90s "Sourcebook Two" of Rifts was released, titled The Mechanoids , and it included conversions for the Mechanoids for use in a Rifts Earth setting, along with a storyline on how they got there. In 1998 a collected Mechanoids RPG was released, compiled as the Mechanoid Invasion Trilogy which

144-580: A deadly cybernetic invasion force. The Mechanoid Invasion centers on the planet Gideon E, colonized by humans. A powerful, malevolent, and numerous race of bio-driven machines have come to invade the planet. The humans are hard-pressed to defend themselves against the technologically superior invaders. The game uses a stripped down version of the Palladium Role-Playing Game rules. Characters have basic attributes (Physical Strength, Intelligence Quotient, Speed, etc.). Hit points are dependent on

180-466: A horror title written by Griffith and Kerr themselves and penciled by Jason Moore (later of Evil Ernie inking fame), that pushed the envelope on gore even farther than their earlier Deadworld . Despite the first issue being labelled "For Mature Audiences Only", the violence and nudity made retailers reluctant to carry it, and only one additional issue was published (featuring the banner "Banned in Canada and

216-438: A local comic fanzine called Fantastic Fanzine (a name which they later discovered had already been used in the seventies by Fantagraphics founder Gary Groth ), when the first issue of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles came out. Spurred on by the success of this fairly low production level book, Griffith and Kerr set about to gather their own 'bullpen' of local comic creators and start a comic company, using Fantastic Fanzine as

252-476: A long run at Image Comics ), Stormquest , and a number of literary adaptations, including a version of Frankenstein . Caliber also produced some records and a specialty magazine, ARC , for distribution outside comics. Caliber expanded in the mid-1990s with titles such as David W. Mack 's Kabuki , Brian Bendis ' A.K.A. Goldfish and Jinx , Mark Ricketts ' Nowheresville , Mike Carey and Michael Gaydos on Inferno , and in 1995, Caliber launched

288-405: A new toy company with Spawn creator Todd McFarlane . Reed was named vice president of McFarlane Toys while still running Stabur and Caliber . Reed would stay with McFarlane Toys until May 1996. Writer Jim Pruett was hired to take over some of the editorial duties of Caliber, which began to produce special comics for Wal-Mart , including the series Big Bang Comics (which later would have

324-542: A second volume of The Dead , The War of the Worlds: The Memphis Front , Arrow Spotlight , August , and Korvus v2 (continued from Human Monster Press). A sub-imprint named "Arrow Manga" began in 1999 and included Descendants of Toshin , Miss Chevious: The Armageddon Project , Semantic Lace , and Butterly Gunn (originally solicited as Happy the Clown Manga Special ). In 2002, "Arrow Books" released

360-437: A series of illustrated books similar in design to Classics Illustrated , to be released to the direct market via Caliber Press. Over forty titles were distributed. The interest in literary works continued for Caliber when in 1991 the new imprint Tome Press was launched. Tome featured historical and biographical material in addition to literature. Over 65 different Tome Press titles would be released on subjects as diverse as

396-596: A springboard. With their motto "Our Target is Entertainment; Our Aim is Quality", they intended to bring to the black-and-white comic book market their idea of quality work, in comparison to what they thought was sub-par work intended only as a source of revenue for the larger publishers. Fantastic Fanzine ran thirteen issues in its first volume, during which time Griffith and Kerr discovered local Michigan artists Randy Zimmerman, Guy Davis , Vincent Locke , Susan Van Camp , Mark Bloodworth , and Tim Dzon . In December 1985, Tales From The Aniverse by Zimmerman and Van Camp

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432-498: Is still available. In Issue 42 of The Space Gamer No. 42, William A. Barton reviewed the original three-book edition and commented, "If you can overlook its amateurish production (and the price helps in this), I think you'll find The Mechanoid Invasion worth the investment. It should provide some enjoyable role playing in an SF setting as a break from Traveller or your other favorite SF RPG." In his 1990 book The Complete Guide to Role-Playing Games , game critic Rick Swan

468-535: The Fellowship of Reconciliation ) and Animal Rights Comics (published as a benefit for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals ; 2 issues). As Caliber expanded, more editorial staff was hired to handle the growing line of comics. Moebius Comics launched and fan favorites Mr. Monster and Maze Agency returned. Caliber handled the distribution of Howard Feltner's Amazing Comics Group , which featured

504-529: The Russian Revolution , The Alamo , Amelia Earhart , El Cid , Jack London stories, reprints of classic art print series, and dozens of others. After its initial launch, Caliber expanded by bringing in new creators and projects. Jim Calafiore was first published with his graphic novella, Progeny . In Grafik Muzik , Mike Allred introduced his Madman character, Kevin VanHook 's Frost series which

540-697: The Caliber titles with reprints of collections and all new series, initially from Image Comics , then from Desperado Publishing and Transfuzion Publishing . Deadworld continued to be printed in new volumes via Desperado but now under the IDW banner. In 2015, Gary Reed undertook a relaunch of Caliber, and solicited orders in the summer of 2016 for several new and reprint publications; however, he died suddenly in October 2016. Caliber has continued publishing, as of 2018, with graphic novels and comics such as Weirdsdale , Knights of

576-592: The Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus. Both spent several months in the hospital and had similar experiences with life threatening complications to the virus. Fortunately, after 5 months of hospitalization and rehab, both returned to work. With renewed creative energy, the company got a shot of adrenal and properties such as Zimmerman's The Fool and Allison Chains were added in 2023 and 2024 respectfully. Arrow comics continues to recruit new creators and properties from some of

612-467: The Hybrids:The Sons of Gods series to the roster. From there, additional creators and their properties joined the team. Craig white joined with his space war adventure, SOLTAC. Justin K. Sweet brought his bionic werewolf, Chrome-Dog. Stone partnered with Piper Steed to produce the all ages sci-fi adventure, Rift Riders Shortly after the revival of Arrow Comics, both Zimmerman and Stone fell ill with

648-515: The Monkey and Rebel Nun (both by Zimmerman). Randy Zimmerman has once again restarted Arrow Comics, due to a retail deal that never existed) and, along with a number of other Indie creators, returned to publishing comics for the direct and crowdfunding market. Initially began as Arrow Comics 4.0 the number designation was dropped in January 2023 and the brand continues on as Arrow Comics. A new "sub-brand

684-513: The Skull , Nightlinger , The Shepherd , and Infinite . Arrow Comics Arrow Comics was one of the original independent publishers of black-and-white comics in the mid-1980s, the first truly creator-owned comic companies, started in Ypsilanti , Michigan , by founders Ralph Griffith (24 April 1960–11 December 2020) and Stuart Kerr . Griffith and Kerr were just getting ready to publish

720-550: The U.K.!!!") before Griffiths and Kerr moved to Caliber Comics to write Oz (1994–1997). After the release of Shock and Spank: The Monkeyboys by Creative Force Designs in 1996, a far more significant revival began with the first of four issues of Arrow Anthology by Arrow Comics Group in 1997, followed in 1998 by a variety of titles continuing the Oz series from Caliber Comics: Dark Oz , Land of Oz , Wogglebug , Wonderland , and Bill Bryan's Oz Collection . Also beginning in 1998 were

756-429: The character's Physical Endurance. The characters are completed with Occupational Character Classes and their accompanying skills. There are also rules for paranormal psionic abilities. In 1981, Palladium published its first role-playing game as a series of three comic-book sized sourcebooks: In 1985, Palladium revised and republished the game as a single book, The Mechanoids . In 1991 Caliber Comics produced

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792-405: The collectible card game and had great potential with purchase orders. However, the printer of the card game was running behind in production and outsourced the collation of the game to another printer who didn't understand the random assortment of the cards. When the game appeared with improper collation, the purchase orders, which exceeded over two million dollars, were cancelled. Although a lawsuit

828-511: The most talented content producers in the independent comic book industry. They are currently distributing to the direct market and fans. They host an online store at www.arrowcomics.store where their properties are available in physical and digital formats. Mechanoid Invasion The Mechanoid Invasion (and its source books, supplements and sequels) was the first role-playing game from Palladium Books , published in 1981. The science fiction setting places human settlers at odds with

864-518: The move of their most popular titles, The Realm and Deadworld , to Caliber Comics . After publishing three issue of Fantastic Fanzine volume two throughout 1992, Griffith and Kerr announced the return of Arrow Comics in a single issue of Fantastic Fanzine volume four in December 1992, this time explicitly under the Arrow Comics banner. In January 1993 they released the first issue of The Dead ,

900-608: The number of titles. Caliber found some success of producing comics that appealed outside the usual comics market with some of the Tome Press titles including the Sherlock Holmes Reader , which had the majority of its sales outside the traditional comic stores. The demise of Caliber can be attributed primarily to the problems associated with the Spawn PowerCardz game. Caliber had invested heavily in time and money to launch

936-661: The science fiction film starring Star Trek 's Walter Koenig , and the production of a comic for Troma Films called Frostbiter: Wrath of the Wendigo ; but it was the full-color adaptation of The Rocky Horror Picture Show , written and drawn by Kevin VanHook that proved the most successful. Another licensed property was Mechanoid Invasion , a 1981 RPG from Palladium Books made into a 3-book comic called The Mechanoids beginning in Spring 1991. Another comic property affiliated with Caliber called Justice Machine had also been adapted into

972-476: The stage play). Iconografix dealt with more obscure and cutting-edge material that included humor comics as well as comics often referred to as the "slice of life." Included here were the first issues of Ed Brubaker 's Lowlife , Meatcake from Dame Darcy , Bound & Gagged from Michael Aushenker, and a number of projects from Dave Cooper , Jason Lutes , and Matt Howarth . Caliber had ventured into licensed comics with their early release of Moontrap ,

1008-462: The sub-imprint of New Worlds . New Worlds' titles were loosely connected, and included Raven Chronicles , Helsing , Seeker , Saint Germaine , Red Diaries , Black Mist , and others. Although not an actual shared universe, the settings and characters could cross over with each other and often did. In the mid-1990s, Caliber's Stabur imprint published two advocacy comics written by Joyce Brabner — Activists! (originally commissioned by

1044-556: The trade paperbacks The War of the Worlds: Haven and the Hellweed , which collected the 1996 Caliber Comics The War of the Worlds series written by Zimmerman, and then Zimm's Heroic Tales , a superhero anthology. With strong support from Internet readers, the most recent incarnation of Arrow Comics has been spearheaded by Randy Zimmerman and Scott R. Moore, publishing the webcomics Spank

1080-424: The work of Mike Deodato . Brian Lumley's Necroscope and Whitley Strieber 's Communion series were signed on for comic releases. Jon Sable from Mike Grell was announced but never came out. Caliber also started a new imprint in 1997, Tapestry Comics , that featured an " all ages " approach. As the overall comic market declined with the consolidation of the distribution system, Caliber slowly cut back on

1116-482: Was begun in February 2023 entitled "Arrow Comics 3-G" to designate their adult content titles from their more family friendly works. AR-13L is the first title to carry the "3-G" designation. Since then, Arrow Comics has grown its catalog to include a variety of properties from creators. Zimmerman began Arrow's rebirth with his Hero Bot Zero, Calico of Shard, and Paragon titles. He then recruited creator Luke Stone and added

Caliber Comics - Misplaced Pages Continue

1152-561: Was filed and Caliber won, by the time the judgment came, it was too late. In addition, the printer declared bankruptcy and Caliber was left only with portions of the unusable product. In 2000, Caliber released the last of its titles, and Gary Reed moved on to concentrate on teaching college biology and freelance writing. Many of Caliber's top titles continued on with new publishers, including Baker Street , Deadworld , Saint Germaine , Kilroy Is Here , Negative Burn , Raven Chronicles , and Red Diaries . Reed had been reviving many of

1188-411: Was impressed with this game, writing "Concise rules, a slick presentation, and a fascinating setting add up to a gem of a game." The only issue Swan had was with the paranormal abilities, which Swan thought "reads suspiciously like magic spells ... This psionic/magic system contrasts too sharply with the high-tech setting of Mechanoids and should've been left on the drawing board." Swan's favorite part of

1224-408: Was picked up by Desperado Publishing . In late 1993, Caliber merged with Paul Burke's Stabur Corporation/Stabur Press . Reed became president of Stabur as well as staying on with Caliber. (Stabur had been founded in 1983, and was known for publishing monographs of Mad magazine cartoonists like Jack Davis and Mort Drucker .) At the time of the merger, Stabur and Burke were involved in starting up

1260-526: Was published, followed shortly thereafter by The Realm , Deadworld , and Nightstreets . Other titles included Legend Lore: Tales from the Realm and System 7 , but it was not long before Arrow found itself caught up in the infamous "black and white bust", and the revenues from their highest-selling titles were held up in the bankruptcy hearings of several major comic book distributors of the day. In 1989, in order to salvage their legacy, Griffith and Kerr agreed to

1296-572: Was the storyline for the film released in 2002, Ted Slampyak 's Jazz Age Chronicles , Philip Hester 's Fringe , Stuart Immonen 's Playground , John Bergin 's Ashes , and other titles such as Go-Man , Northguard , Varcel's Vixens , and more. In the early 1990s, Caliber launched three new imprints, Gauntlet and Iconografix . Gauntlet was an action-based line whose leading titles were U.N. Force , Berzerker (featuring work from Rob Liefeld and Angel Medina ), Patrick Zircher 's Samurai Seven , and Serpent Rising (based on

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