The Strange Story of the Startling Comics Company

Some background for the Kickstarter Campaign...

***

The Startling Company of Comic Publishers (also called SC Comics) was a relatively minor comics company that started publishing in 1948. They launched a series of romance, war, and western comics, with titles like "Two Hearts", "Patriots in War", and "Wonders of the Wild West". However, when Kirby Jackson was looking for work after his time in World War II, publisher Gordon Richards offered him a job - launch a line of superheroes with his own title, "Startling Comics Presents". 

Running for 57 issues from July of 1951 through March of 1956, Kirby Jackson (along with several uncredited assistants) churned out superhero adventures featuring, among many more, the Powers Squad, Tribune, and the Blue Bowman. You were always aware of these characters growing up - and your uncle, who was a huge comic collector, had a particular affinity for these characters. He always had the comics around the house when you went to visit him, and he loved talking comics with you.

However, it was no big surprise when Startling Comics declared bankruptcy in 1979; they had been running on fumes for over a decade, and their superhero line never recovered from Kirby Jackson's departure in 1956 (after they refused to increase his pay per page from $10 to $12). They continued to reprint his books continually from the time he left until they went bankrupt, despite turning out relatively scant new stories in the superhero genre. A suspicious fire at their warehouse - that destroyed much of the original art - was the final nail in the company's slow decline.

In an amazing turn of events, the bankruptcy of the company caused the rights to the characters to fall into question. When Kirby Jackson decided to pursue legal action to get these rights (which he considered a longshot), he was shocked when he appeared in court and representatives for SC Comics failed to appear; the judge awarded the rights to Mr. Jackson. Many believe that the same people who could have claimed copyright had bigger problems - notably their insurance fraud case - and were trying to put as much distance between themselves and the company as possible.

Moved by the public outpouring of support for him, and for the love these characters were receiving, Mr. Jackson decided to allow the characters to be used for the Mighty Doc Stalwart Annual #2, and he would allow a young up-and-coming creator to assume the rights for $1 so that the characters could continue.

At the end of the 'greatest comics jam ever', Kirby Jackson himself appeared and, to anyone who had contributed to the issue, he offered entry to the lottery. Dozens of creators held their breath as the lot was drawn - someone would be able to build upon the legacy of these characters created decades ago by Mr. Jackson. 

You were as shocked as anyone when you won.