Boris the Bear

    (Dark Horse, 1986-1991)
©1986 James Dean Smith
Nicotat begins as publisher with issue #13

Boris is a comic-collecting teddy bear who lives in a tree fort in his boy, David’s, back yard. But this cute little animal isn’t like all the others you see in the funny books: he’s got an attitude…and an Uzi.

Once upon a time, critters like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were recognized as satirical; now these mutant funny animals have become a genre unto themselves. Boris decides it’s time to put things straight—with as much violence as possible.

James Dean Smith’s Boris the Bear is hilarious, self-effacing, and (of course) more than a little twisted. If you’re numbed to death from comic book overload, this title may just be the medicine you need to crack a smile again.
Jump to issue:
  • 1
    #1
    Aug 1986
    Cover: $1.50
    W: James Dean Smith, Mike Richardson, Randy Stradley  ·  A: James Dean Smith
    B&W
    11 copies from $3.00
  • 1-2
    #1 - 2nd printing
    Aug 1986
    Cover: $1.50
    W: James Dean Smith, Mike Richardson, Randy Stradley  ·  A: James Dean Smith
    B&W
    1 copy for $9.98
  • 2
    #2
    Sep 1988
    Cover: $1.50
    W: James Dean Smith, Mike Richardson, Randy Stradley  ·  A: James Dean Smith
    Versus Transformers; B&W
    14 copies from $0.99
  • 3
    #3
    Cover: $1.50
    W: James Dean Smith, Mike Richardson, Randy Stradley  ·  A: James Dean Smith
    Boris takes on Marvel Comics for Jack Kirby; B&W
    18 copies from $0.99
  • 4
    #4
    Man of Steel parody cover (far shot)
    Cover: $1.50
    W: Mike Richardson, Randy Stradley, R.L. Crabb  ·  A: James Dean Smith, R.L. Crabb
    R.L. Crabb L.O.C.; B&W
    10 copies from $0.99
  • 4/A
    #4 Variation A
    Man of Steel parody cover A (close-up)
    Cover: $1.50
    W: Mike Richardson, Randy Stradley  ·  A: James Dean Smith
    B&W
    9 copies from $0.75
  • 5
    #5
    Cover: $1.50
    W: Mike Richardson, Randy Stradley, Steve Mattsson, Jim Bradrick  ·  A: James Dean Smith, Jim Bradrick
    Swamp Thing parody; Wack Squirrel back up story; B&W
    11 copies from $0.25
  • 6
    #6
    Cover: $1.50
    W: Mike Richardson  ·  A: James Dean Smith, Jim Bradrick
    Batman parody; B&W
    8 copies from $1.50
  • 7
    #7
    Feb 1987
    Cover: $1.50
    W: Mike Richardson, Ken Meyer Jr.  ·  A: James Dean Smith, Ken Meyer Jr., A. Owsley
    A. Owsley pinup; Elfquest parody; Ken Meyer Jr. L.O.C.; B&W
    11 copies from $0.75
  • 8
    #8
    Mar 1987
    Cover: $2.00
    W: James Dean Smith, Mike Richardson  ·  A: James Dean Smith
    40 pages; B&W
    15 copies from $0.75
  • 9
    #9
    Apr 1987
    Cover: $1.50
    W: Steve Mattsson, Mike Richardson, Ken Meyer Jr.  ·  A: James Dean Smith, Jim Bradrick
    G.I. Joe parody; Ken Meyer Jr. L.O.C.; Wacky Squirrel backup story; B&W
    11 copies from $0.75
  • 10
    #10
    May 1987
    Cover: $1.50
    W: Mike Richardson, Len Wein  ·  A: James Dean Smith, Jim Bradrick
    G.I. Joe parody continues; Len Wein L.O.C.; Wacky Squirrel backup; B&W
    7 copies from $1.75
  • 11
    #11
    Jun 1987
    Cover: $1.50
    W: Mike Richardson  ·  A: James Dean Smith
    T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents; B&W
    4 copies from $2.75
  • 12
    #12
    Oct 1987
    Cover: $1.75
    W: Steve Mattsson, Jim Bradrick  ·  A: James Dean Smith, Jim Bradrick
    Boris’ Birthday; Last Dark Horse issue
    7 copies from $2.98
  • 13
    #13
    Nov 1987
    Cover: $1.50
    W: James Dean Smith, Steve Mattsson, Jim Bradrick  ·  A: James Dean Smith
    Drug abuse issue; First Nicotat issue, remaining issues scarce; B&W
    3 copies from $2.40
  • 14
    #14
    Dec 1987
    Cover: $1.50
    W: James Dean Smith, Steve Mattsson  ·  A: Dan Shaefer, James Dean Smith
    Versus Number Two; B&W
    8 copies from $1.64
  • 15
    #15
    Jan 1988
    Cover: $1.50
    W: Steve Mattsson  ·  A: Dan Shaefer, James Dean Smith
    B&W
    10 copies from $1.99
  • 16
    #16
    Mar 1988
    Cover: $1.50
    W: James Dean Smith, Steve Mattsson  ·  A: James Dean Smith
    Indiana Jones parody
    6 copies from $1.75
  • 17
    #17
    Apr 1988
    Cover: $1.75
    W: James Dean Smith, Steve Mattsson  ·  A: Art Nichols, James Dean Smith, Randy Emberlin
    BlackHawk parody; Sininju Coneys back-up
    5 copies from $1.99
  • 18
    #18
    Jun 1988
    Cover: $1.75
    W: James Dean Smith, Steve Mattsson  ·  A: Art Nichols, James Dean Smith, Jim Bradrick
    Spider-Slayer (Spider-Man) parody
    7 copies from $1.24
  • 19
    #19
    Sep 1988
    Cover: $1.75
    W: Gerard Jones, James Dean Smith, Steve Mattsson  ·  A: James Dean Smith, Larz Bourne
    The Old Swap Shop back-up
    5 copies from $1.24
  • 20
    #20
    Nov 1988
    Cover: $1.75
    W: Gerard Jones, Steve Mattsson  ·  A: James Dean Smith, Larz Bourne
    The Old Swap Shop back-up
    3 copies from $1.99
  • 21
    #21
    Feb 1989
    Cover: $1.75
    W: James Dean Smith  ·  A: Gary Martin
    The Old Swap Shop back-up
    2 copies from $4.00
  • 22
    #22
    Apr 1989
    Cover: $1.95
    W: James Dean Smith  ·  A: James Dean Smith
    Kraven the Hunter/Sonny and Cher parody
    4 copies from $3.70
  • 23
    #23
    May 1989
    Cover: $1.95
    W: James Dean Smith, Steve Mattsson  ·  A: James Dean Smith, Larz Bourne
    B&W
    4 copies from $2.25
  • 24
    #24
    Jul 1989
    Cover: $1.95
    W: Heidi MacDonald, James Dean Smith, Steve Mattsson  ·  A: James Dean Smith, Larz Bourne
    Bingo Glumm back-up
    2 copies from $3.98
  • 25
    #25
    Cover: $1.95
    W: Dave DeVries, James Dean Smith, Steve Mattsson, Valaska E. Smith  ·  A: Gary Chaloner, Glenn Lumsden, James Dean Smith
    B&W
    6 copies from $4.00
  • 26
    #26
    Jul 1990
    Cover: $1.95
    W: James Dean Smith, Valaska E. Smith  ·  A: James Dean Smith
    Tom & Jerry parody
    1 copy for $4.50
  • 27
    #27
    Oct 1990
    Cover: $1.95
    W: James Dean Smith, Valaska E. Smith  ·  A: James Dean Smith
    B&W
    2 copies from $4.00
  • 28
    #28
    Dec 1990
    Cover: $1.95
    W: James Dean Smith, Valaska E. Smith  ·  A: James Dean Smith
    B&W
    2 copies from $3.90
  • 31
    #31
    Jun 1991
    Cover: $2.25
    W: James Dean Smith  ·  A: James Dean Smith
    B&W
    1 copy for $49.99