Marvel Fanfare
Encyclopedia
Marvel Fanfare is the title of two comic book
series published by Marvel Comics
. Both versions of Marvel Fanfare were anthology
, showcase titles featuring a variety of characters from the Marvel universe.
, and included stories of varying lengths by a vast array of different creators. The title was published every two months from 1982
-1992
and ran for 60 issues. It was edited throughout its run by Al Milgrom
, who also wrote and drew an illustrated column in most issues, entitled "Editori-Al". (Marvel Fanfares original working title was Marvel Universe, which was later appropriated by Marvel editor-in-chief Jim Shooter
for the encyclopedia series The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe.)
Marvel Fanfare was envisioned as a showcase of the comics industry's best talent. Each issue featured 36 pages of material with no advertisements and it was printed on magazine
-style slick paper. Creators who contributed were paid a bonus 50% over the standard page rate for their work on the title. Consequently it was more than twice as expensive as standard comic books ($
1.25 in 1982 when most titles were 60 cents
and $2.25 in 1992 when most were $1).
.
Like the first volume the title featured different creative teams in each issue and starred different characters from around the Marvel universe. However, the talent were mostly newcomers, the paper was cheap and it cost half the price of most other comics (99 cents when most comics cost $1.95).
The title is notable for featuring the early work of writer Joe Kelly
and penciller Scott Kolins
.
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
series published by Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
. Both versions of Marvel Fanfare were anthology
Anthology
An anthology is a collection of literary works chosen by the compiler. It may be a collection of poems, short stories, plays, songs, or excerpts...
, showcase titles featuring a variety of characters from the Marvel universe.
Volume One
Marvel Fanfare Volume One featured characters and settings from throughout the Marvel UniverseMarvel Universe
The Marvel Universe is the shared fictional universe where most comic book titles and other media published by Marvel Entertainment take place, including those featuring Marvel's most familiar characters, such as Spider-Man, the Hulk, the X-Men, and the Avengers.The Marvel Universe is further...
, and included stories of varying lengths by a vast array of different creators. The title was published every two months from 1982
1982 in comics
-Year overall:* San Diego-based independent publisher Pacific Comics makes a strong push in the marketplace, following Jack Kirby's Captain Victory and the Galactic Rangers with four new ongoing titles, Starslayer, Ms...
-1992
1992 in comics
-Year overall:* Image Comics explodes onto the scene, releasing eight ongoing and limited series, starting with Youngblood in April; followed by Spawn in May; Savage Dragon in July; and Brigade, Shadowhawk, and WildC.A.T.S. in August....
and ran for 60 issues. It was edited throughout its run by Al Milgrom
Al Milgrom
Allen "Al" Milgrom is an American comic book writer, penciller, inker and editor, primarily for Marvel Comics. He is known for his 10-year run as editor of Marvel Fanfare; his long involvement as writer, penciler, and inker on Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man; his four-year tenure as West...
, who also wrote and drew an illustrated column in most issues, entitled "Editori-Al". (Marvel Fanfares original working title was Marvel Universe, which was later appropriated by Marvel editor-in-chief Jim Shooter
Jim Shooter
James Shooter is an American writer, occasional fill-in artist, editor, and publisher for various comic books. Although he started professionally in the medium at the extraordinarily young age of 14, he is most notable for his successful and controversial run as Marvel Comics' ninth...
for the encyclopedia series The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe.)
Marvel Fanfare was envisioned as a showcase of the comics industry's best talent. Each issue featured 36 pages of material with no advertisements and it was printed on magazine
Magazine
Magazines, periodicals, glossies or serials are publications, generally published on a regular schedule, containing a variety of articles. They are generally financed by advertising, by a purchase price, by pre-paid magazine subscriptions, or all three...
-style slick paper. Creators who contributed were paid a bonus 50% over the standard page rate for their work on the title. Consequently it was more than twice as expensive as standard comic books ($
Dollar
The dollar is the name of the official currency of many countries, including Australia, Belize, Canada, Ecuador, El Salvador, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan, and the United States.-Etymology:...
1.25 in 1982 when most titles were 60 cents
Cent (currency)
In many national currencies, the cent is a monetary unit that equals 1⁄100 of the basic monetary unit. Etymologically, the word cent derives from the Latin word "centum" meaning hundred. Cent also refers to a coin which is worth one cent....
and $2.25 in 1992 when most were $1).
Volume Two
Marvel Fanfare Volume Two was published monthly for 6 issues between 1996 and 1997. This version of the title was edited by James FelderJames Felder
James Felder is a comic book editor and cartoon writer best known for his work editing Daredevil and writing for the series Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Chaotic.-Biography:...
.
Like the first volume the title featured different creative teams in each issue and starred different characters from around the Marvel universe. However, the talent were mostly newcomers, the paper was cheap and it cost half the price of most other comics (99 cents when most comics cost $1.95).
The title is notable for featuring the early work of writer Joe Kelly
Joe Kelly (comics)
Joseph "Joe" Kelly is an American comic book writer, penciler and editor who has written such titles as Deadpool, Uncanny X-Men, Action Comics, and JLA...
and penciller Scott Kolins
Scott Kolins
Scott Kolins is an American illustrator, writer and creator for multiple different superhero and science fiction comic books. His main credits are as a penciler but he is an established inker as well as colorist and has some credits as a writer.-Biography:...
.