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BACK ISSUE! Magazine

@backissuemagazine.bsky.social

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BACK ISSUE! Magazine examines comics & comic-related media from the 1970's, 1980's & 1990's. Ask your local comic shop for the latest issue or subscribe at: www.twomorrows.com BACK ISSUE! is published eight times a year. We nearly always write ALT TEXT.

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BACK ISSUE! Magazine @backissuemagazine.bsky.social · 22d

"BACK ISSUE! Goes MAD!"

BACK ISSUE! Magazine #162 has been shipped and is available TODAY at your local comics shop!!!

MADMAN, THE MAD HATTER, HARLEY QUINN, MAD BALL, MAD-DOG, MAD MAGAZINE and more!

Order and/or subscribe here and get a free DIGITAL copy: twomorrows.com/index.php?ma...

October 2025 - 84 FULL-COLOR pages

“BACK ISSUE Goes MAD!”

Things get crazy this issue with Madman, Batman: Mad Love, MAD superhero movie parodies, the Mad Hatter, Madballs, and more!

Featuring the work of Michael Allred, Bruce Timm, Paul Dini, Gerry Conway, Doug Moench, Mike W. Barr, Jeph Loeb, and others.

Madman cover by Michael Allred!

Edited by Roger Ash.

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BACK ISSUE! Magazine @backissuemagazine.bsky.social · 9h

Last I checked, only Johnny Cash had a Christian comic biography by Al Hartley.

Johnny's at Folsom. No, he's not doing time...he's cutting a record and preachin' the Lord's gospel! Seriously, he is.

BACK ISSUE! Magazine @backissuemagazine.bsky.social · 9h

Johnny's at Folsom.

No, he's not doing time, he's cutting a record and preachin' the Lord's gospel!

Seriously, he is.

—

"Hello, I'm Johnny Cash" (1976) from Spire Christian Comics by Billy Zeoli & Al Hartley

Johnny Cash smiles while playing his guitar under the stage lights.

"Hello, I'm Johnny Cash" (1976) from Spire Christian Comics by Billy Zeoli & Al Hartley

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BACK ISSUE! Magazine @backissuemagazine.bsky.social · 12h

America attacked the world and now every nation lies ruined and starving.

Overmind used the Squadron Supreme as his lackeys to ravage Earth and now defeated, the world greets the Squad with distrust.

As atonement, the Squad pledges they are going to restructure all society, no matter what.

Action shot of the Squadron Supreme rushing towards the reader.

Behind them is an image of fellow member, Nighthawk watching them with a wary look.

Squadron Supreme #1, Sept 1985 by Mark Gruenwald, Bob Hall & John Beatty.

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BACK ISSUE! Magazine @backissuemagazine.bsky.social · 21h

James Gunn @jamesgunn.bsky.social truly appreciates comics history.

Some of the all-time greatest comic creators got a "special thanks" after this season of PEACEMAKER on HBO.

Paul Kupperberg @paulkupperberg.bsky.social · 22h

You're welcome! #Peacemaker Season 2

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BACK ISSUE! Magazine @backissuemagazine.bsky.social · 21h

What is the Incredible Hulk and the Justice League's favorite lunchtime meal?

-

Mad Magazine #208, July 1979 "A Mad LOOK at Superman" by Don Edwin & the legendary Don Martin.

As soon as it hits noon, Clark Kent leaves his office desk, changes into Superman and falls in line along with the Hulk, Batman and Wonder Woman to get a Hero sandwich from the deli.

Mad Magazine #208, July 1979 "A Mad LOOK at Superman" by Don Edwin & the legendary Don Martin.

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Reposted by BACK ISSUE! Magazine

BACK ISSUE! Magazine @backissuemagazine.bsky.social · Aug 11

Aliens are hurling the world through space at light speed.

The fabric of reality is being torn to shreds; time is running amok.

As a slew of heroes fight valiantly to keep order on Earth; the heroes of space, science and magic (and Cryll) are mankind's last hope to save the world from destruction.

The trajectory of the Earth is stopped by a giant, cosmic-sized The Spectre and the combined wills of The Phantom Stranger, Green Lantern, The Atom, Space Ranger and Cryll, The Flash and Adam Strange.

Showcase #100, May 1978 by Paul Kupperberg & Paul Levitz and Joe Staton

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BACK ISSUE! Magazine @backissuemagazine.bsky.social · 1d

Yup. After Gaiman and Delano refused to finish Veitch's storyline, Doug Wheeler agreed to do the job.

He wrote one of the most underwhelming runs in Swamp Thing's history and was, IMO, rightfully terminated after many chances.

BACK ISSUE! Magazine @backissuemagazine.bsky.social · 1d

Sorry, I don't understand what you mean. Which magazine are you referring to?

BACK ISSUE! Magazine @backissuemagazine.bsky.social · 1d

Sadly, Swamp Thing #87 was the final Rick Veitch issue.

Issue #88 was the infamous "The Magician/Jesus Christ" story that Warner Bros. killed and caused Rick to quit in protest.

For decades, fans believed the original story would never be told.

...we were wrong.

bsky.app/profile/step...

Stephen R Bissette @stephenrbissette.bsky.social · 1d

My longtime (near lifelong) pal Rick Veitch announced this earlier today, OK for me to share now, here, with you.

It's real. It's happening. At long last.

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BACK ISSUE! Magazine @backissuemagazine.bsky.social · 1d

It is the time of Camelot and it is under attack by the monsters of Modred & Morgaine LeFay.

Sir Justin has rescued Alec from the time stream to assist him, Merlin and Merlin's brother, the demon Etrigan in saving the House of Pendragon.

In exchange for his help, Merlin promises to send Alec home.

Swamp Thing has been transformed into a giant eight-legged monster and he carries Camelot on his back towards safety.

Swamp Thing #87, June 1989 by Rick Veitch & Tom Yeates

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BACK ISSUE! Magazine @backissuemagazine.bsky.social · 1d

SUPER PLOP!!

Another hairbrained scheme from Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane.

—

PLOP! #5, June 1974; reprinted in Best of DC #1 (1979 digest)

Lois falls from a Daily Planet window. Without time to change into Superman, Clark jumps after her and saves her. Lois admits it was a ruse to prove Clark is Superman.

In the final panel; while sitting at his desk, Clark is asked where Lois is. He says she fell out the window.

PLOP! #5, June 1974; reprinted in Best of DC #1 (1979 digest) art by Murphy Anderson (background by Sergio Aragones).

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BACK ISSUE! Magazine @backissuemagazine.bsky.social · 1d

Quad Cities is under attack from domestic terrorists.

At a hostage situation, a hockey masked man rescues a new crew and kills the terrorists.

Not one to condone vigilantism, the police chief makes it known that he will find the masked man and shoot him down like a wild dog in the street.

From the creators of Ms. Tree.

THIS iS WILD DOG

image of a man wearing a hockey mask and a sports jersey of a cartoon laughing dog on his chest holding an automatic weapon.

Wild Dog #1, Sept 1987 by Max Collins and Terry Beatty w/ Dick Giordano

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BACK ISSUE! Magazine @backissuemagazine.bsky.social · 2d

I write how I see them! 😂

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BACK ISSUE! Magazine @backissuemagazine.bsky.social · 2d

A guy in black enters a castle to save a captured girl. The girl beats up her captors and escapes while the guy is fighting a ninja who is dressed in all-white. The guy and girl leave the castle by sharing a jet pack.

There is also a man in a white mask who plays chess with G.I. Joe action figures.

The most UNUSAL G.I. Joe story ever!!

It is silent; no dialogue or captions.

On the cover, a man in black hangs from a line while scaling the outside wall of a castle and returns machine gun fire.

G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #21, Mar 1984 - Story & Breakdowns by Larry Hama; finishes by Steve Leialoha.

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BACK ISSUE! Magazine @backissuemagazine.bsky.social · 2d

"OMG! I remember them!"

Will probably be said by a lot of people scrolling past this post.

It had tons of buzz when it came out and even got a TV show.

Alas, it went the way of The Fish Police; a nearly forgotten comic series and hi-quality cartoon.

youtube.com/playlist?lis...

The Big Guy and Rusty the Boy Robot - YouTube

The episodes in this playlist are arranged by broadcast release dates

youtube.com

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BACK ISSUE! Magazine @backissuemagazine.bsky.social · 2d

Japanese scientists have awakened an ancient monster who has been waiting for humans to evolve into their food.

To stop the monster from eating people and converting them into more monsters, Japan activates Rusty, a boy robot weapon prototype, and America sends their greatest hero, The Big Guy!

In front of a beautiful blue sky with clouds stands the giant American hero robot, The Big Guy. Floating past him around his knees is the "Astro Boy look-a-like", the Japanese hero, Rusty, the Boy Robot!

The Big Guy and Rusty The Boy Robot #1 (1995) by Frank Miller & Geof Darrow

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BACK ISSUE! Magazine @backissuemagazine.bsky.social · 2d

"Get out."

The only dialogue spoken in this otherwise silent issue.

Legends John Byrne and Jim Aparo let the pictures to the talking.

Batman #433, May 1989 by John Byrne, Jim Aparo & Mike DeCarlo w/ Adrienne Roy.

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BACK ISSUE! Magazine @backissuemagazine.bsky.social · 2d

The Batman is found one night strung up on a fence, beaten and dying; he dies as the doctors attempt to revive him.

By morning, word has spread that the Batman is dead but Commission Gordon doesn’t believe the blond man under the cowl is the real Batman.

...and then a second dead Batman is found.

Batman's cowl is pinned to a stone wall by a hunter's knife with the emblem of a skull on the handle.

Batman #433, May 1989 by John Byrne, Jim Aparo & Mike DeCarlo w/ Adrienne Roy

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Reposted by BACK ISSUE! Magazine

BACK ISSUE! Magazine @backissuemagazine.bsky.social · May 11

A mother tells her sweet baby boy a bedtime story.

It's about her trip to Paris, how she killed four members of Justice League Europe and destroyed their headquarters.

Starman #38, Jan 1998 by James Robinson & Dusty Abell @dustyabell.bsky.social. Cover by Tony Harris @tonyfuckingharris.bsky.social

The Mist gently cradles her baby son next to a table where a gun and pacifier lay, behind them an image of the Justice League is displayed.

The text reads "The Most versus the new Justice League Europe".

#HappyMothersDay

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BACK ISSUE! Magazine @backissuemagazine.bsky.social · 3d

Like his master Groo, Rufferto isn't above spinning a fish tale.

—

Groo The Wanderer #87, Mar 1992 by Sergio Aragones

Groo's dog, Rufferto, slips on ice and unexpectedly catches a fish!

When other wild dogs ask where he got the fish, Rufferto can't help but exaggerate.

—

Groo The Wanderer #87, Mar 1992 by Sergio Aragones

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BACK ISSUE! Magazine @backissuemagazine.bsky.social · 3d

Puma attacks Peter at his home while Mary Jane is visiting. Peter shoves MJ to safety and takes the battle to the streets.

When the fight is over, Peter returns home and MJ confesses that she has known the truth for years and she can't cope with knowing that Peter Parker is secretly Spider-Man!

The Puma and the black costumed Spider-Man fight while they fall from the roof of a building.

Amazing Spider-Man #257, Oct 1984 by Tom DeFalco, Ron Frenz & Josef Rubinstein.

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BACK ISSUE! Magazine @backissuemagazine.bsky.social · 3d

Aquaman doesn't command sea creatures, he suggests, and the creatures respect the request of their King.

But piranhas are mean, vicious animals only interested in skeletonizing anything that moves.

When Charybdis holds Arthur's hand in a stream full of piranhas -- well, they do what they do.

An injured Aquaman is being comforted by Dolphin. She tries to soothe him by telling him everything will be alright, then she looks at the hand that he's holding.

The vicious piranhas have eaten his left hand and forearm clean to the bone.

Aquaman #2, Sept 1994 by Peter David, Martin Egeland & Brad Vancata

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Reposted by BACK ISSUE! Magazine

BACK ISSUE! Magazine @backissuemagazine.bsky.social · 13d

Seduction of the Innocent 3-D #1 (1985) cover by Dave Stevens

Contents are the previously unpublished Adventurous into Darkness #15 (Standard Comics) from 1954.

3-D separations by Ray Zone.

It is Halloween night and there is a full moon in the sky. In the foreground a gorgeous woman smiles wearing nothing but a silly, witch cap, long white gloves and sexy stockings. Small black pieces of lace barely cover her breast and pelvis.

Behind her is a mound of jack-o'-lanterns and hidden deep within them is a dead, decapitated head.

Three-dimensional Seduction of the Innocent by Eclipse Comics.

Cover art by the late, great and sorely missed Dave Stevens (The Rocketeer).

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BACK ISSUE! Magazine @backissuemagazine.bsky.social · 4d

Comic Industry Trading Cards!!

Collect Them All!

DORK #1, Aug 1992 by Evan Dorkin @evandorkin.bsky.social

(split into three images for easier reading)

#3 - The Comic Shop Owner

#47 - Comic Zines and Industry Periodicals

#53 - Comic/Movie Tie-Ins

#30 - The Distributors

#?? - The Comic Convention Dealer

#18 - The "Erotic" Comic Book

#?? - Autobiographical Comics

#?? - The Industry

#21 - Comics Are Not For Kids Anymore (DC Ad Campaign)

#13 - The Fan Favorite

#4 - The Angry Young Sellout

#6 - The Fanboy

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Reposted by BACK ISSUE! Magazine

twomorrows.bsky.social @twomorrows.bsky.social · 4d

It's your last day to choose one of our advance copies (Back Issue #164 or Cryptology #7) with your minimum $50 donation. But any amount helps TwoMorrows recoup their losses from Diamond Comic Distributors' bankruptcy!

givebutter.com/c/B7HQDj

TwoMorrows Diamond Recoup

Help TwoMorrows recoup its Diamond Comic Distributors bankruptcy losses

givebutter.com

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