First Graphic Novel

    (First, 1984-1987)
™ and © First Comics, Inc. and Star*Reach Productions

By the late 1980s, graphic novesl had gone from expensive experiment to become prestige item for any self-respecting comic publisher. First Comics got into the act with their own line of graphic novels, giving some of their better properties a chance to tell longer, more detailed—and certainly better presented—stories than in their normal comic titles.

Book 3 of this series covers Howard Chaykin’s American Flagg. In the near future, Chicago is controlled by the conglomerate Plex, and the decadent populace is continuously bombarded by media-produced images of sex and violence. Enter Reuben Flagg, a soap-opera porn star sent to urban Hell when his career hits the skids. As a Plexus Ranger, it’s his job (so he’s told) to protect the civilized (so they claim) citizens from numerous terrorist gangs (funded by the Plex, of course).

Flagg gets fed up pretty quickly with the constant battles, corrupt cops, and dirty-dealing city officials (not the sex, though-that’s a good thing!) and takes matters into his own hands. He’s a man with a strong sense of American Democratic ideals, and he’s not above shoving those beliefs down everyone else’s throats.

Setting a new standard for adult comics, American Flagg! won numerous Eagle awards for excellence, and was even nominated for science fiction’s Nebula award.
Jump to issue:
  NotesWriterArtist
Book #1

January, 1984
Cover Price: $5.95
2 copies available from $9.50 		Jerry BinghamJerry Bingham
Book #2

May, 1985
Cover Price: $5.95
2 copies available from $7.00 		Timothy Truman, Mark AcresTimothy Truman
Book #3 (Collected Edition by Howard Chaykin)

June, 1985
Cover Price: $11.95
3 copies available from $14.98 		Howard Chaykin, Michael MoorcockHoward Chaykin
Book #4

November, 1985
Cover Price: $6.95
4 copies available from $5.30 		Mike BaronSteve Rude
Book #5

April, 1986
Cover Price: $7.95
2 copies available from $9.50 		Eric Shanower, Harlan EllisonEric Shanower
Book #6

May, 1986
Cover Price: $14.95
2 copies available from $22.00 		Michael MoorcockP. Craig Russell
Book #7

October, 1986
Cover Price: $7.95
4 copies available from $2.38 		Eric ShanowerEric Shanower
Book #8

November, 1986
Cover Price: $7.95
1 copy available for $15.00 		Howard ChaykinHoward Chaykin
Book #9

December, 1986
Cover Price: $9.95
2 copies available from $40.00 		Kevin Eastman, Peter LairdKevin Eastman, Peter Laird
Book #10

June, 1987
Cover Price: $9.95
2 copies available from $70.00 		Kevin Eastman, Peter LairdKevin Eastman, Peter Laird
Book #10 - 3rd printing

March, 1989
Cover Price: $9.95
2 copies available from $4.50 		Kevin Eastman, Peter LairdKevin Eastman, Peter Laird
Book #11


Cover Price: $14.95
1 copy available for $17.00 		Roy ThomasMichael T. Gilbert
Book #12


Cover Price: $7.95
4 copies available from $4.00 		Howard ChaykinHoward Chaykin
Book #13


Cover Price: $11.95
1 copy available for $12.00 		Howard ChaykinHoward Chaykin
Book #14

November, 1987
Cover Price: $7.95
3 copies available from $9.99 		Eric ShanowerEric Shanower
Book #15

December, 1987
Cover Price: $9.95
1 copy available for $70.00 		Kevin Eastman, Peter LairdKevin Eastman, Peter Laird
Book #15 - 3rd printing

March, 1989
Cover Price: $9.95
4 copies available from $4.50 		Kevin Eastman, Peter LairdKevin Eastman, Peter Laird
Book #16

March, 1988
Cover Price: $8.95
2 copies available from $22.00 		Mike BaronBill Reinhold
Book #17

October, 1988
Cover Price: $8.95
2 copies available from $3.00 		  
Book #18

November, 1988
Cover Price: $9.95
3 copies available from $70.00 		Kevin Eastman, Peter LairdKevin Eastman, Peter Laird
Book #21

September, 1990
Cover Price: $14.95
1 copy available for $19.99 		Michael Moorcock, Roy ThomasMichael T. Gilbert, George Freeman