Imagine #1
Published by Star*Reach and © the respective creators below, April 1978
Title: “Flightmare”
Synopsis: A pilot’s sexist resentment of a female trainee leads him to a wild, conjoined daydream.
Writer: Neal Adams
Artist: Frank Cirocco
Review: Like the Image comics of the 1990s, Star*Reach’s anthology titles often let star artists experiment with writing – and the results could be just as self-indulgent. This lead feature, written by the legendary Neal Adams, pairs the history of flight with giant nakedness. Odd stuff, nicely drawn by Frank Cirocco.
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Title: “Anticipation”
Synopsis: Authorities interview a person who witnessed the murder of a musician on stage at a concert.
Writer: Dave Sim
Artist: Fabio Gasbarri
Review: Dave Sim displays a knack for getting into character’s heads. Fabio Gasbarri’s art is both striking and hard to follow.
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Title: “Disputed Sacrifice”
Synopsis: When the Zxeraxerlis is attacked while trying to sacrifice a virgin, a subhuman underling has its way with said virgin.
Writer: Marshall Rogers
Artist: Rogers
Review: Another self-indulgent, dreamy tale that offers an excuse to draw nakedness. But Marshall Rogers sure draws a pretty page.
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Title: “The Nimrod Fusion”
Synopsis: Prime hunters from two species fighting for supremacy on a future Earth get inside each other’s head – literally.
Writer: Steven Grant
Artist: Rich Larson
Review: Steven Grant’s text-heavy script overwhelms the visuals. Rich Larson’s art is decent, but his light line work lacks contrast.
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Title: “The Garbage Men”
Synopsis: “Garbage Men” sent to burn diseased, radioactive corpses run into a live mutant – and a family mystery.
Writer: Gene Day
Artist: Fabio Gasbarri
Review: This odd little tale needed more room to breathe. The art is striking, but the lettering is hard to read.
Grade (for the entire issue): B
Second opinion: “Recommended.” – The Comic Reader #166, March 1979
Cool factor: Plenty of nice art here.
Not-so-cool factor: The stories? Not as good.
Notable: Also includes a one-pager by Lee Marrs titled “Making It.”
Collector’s note: The second printing has a new cover by Frank Cirocco.
Character quotable: “You can smell it in the air smothering the entire building. The anticipation, man … the anticipation!” – A murder witness
A word from the editor: “Imagine will attempt to encompass dramatic material from many different areas: if the stories are good, we’ll run a western here, or a detective story, something topically located, even (**shudder**) a superhero.” – Mike Friedrich, from his introduction to this issue
Editor’s note: This review was originally published by Comics Bronze Age on April 22, 2010.
