Licensed comics have been a part of the comics medium since their earliest appearances on store shelves and spinner racks. They are defined as comics based on previously completed, licensed material that covers everything from comic strips to novels, movies to TV shows, toys, trading cards, you name it. This week in Scoop, we are revisiting some of our favorite licensed comics, covering single issues and collections that bring TV and movie characters to life in comics.  

Comico; $3.50 

Writer Mark Evanier and Steve Rude bookended 1987 by teaming up twice. The first, cover-dated January of that year, was a Mister Miracle one-shot for DC Comics. Evanier, a longtime Jack Kirby associate, and Rude, channeled the King and produced a fantastic, Kirbyesque thrill ride. In December, they once again teamed up, this time for a Space Ghost one-shot at Comico. 

Evanier and Rude co-wrote the story, Rude penciled, Willy Blyberg inked, and Ken Steacy painted the adventure, which sees a mysterious hooded figure releasing Space Ghost’s greatest foes from prison. With Zorak, Lurker, Metallus, Brak, and The Creature King all on the loose, Space Ghost, Jan, Jace, and Blip have their hands full. 

While I’m thoroughly enjoying the current Space Ghost series from Dynamite, there’s no mistaking that this one-shot has the look and feel of the original cartoon show down pat. It reads – and perhaps more significantly feels – like a classic episode that you’ve never seen before. 

It’s pure Space Ghost through and through, and a true delight for fans of the show. 

What’s more, unlike many nostalgia trips, this one has stood the test of time. It’s an excellent issue and well worth hunting down. 

– J.C. Vaughn