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1980s Comic Book Series

Comic series that began publishing between 1980 and 1989. The direct market matured across the decade, letting publishers sell to comic shops on a non-returnable basis and print against firm orders rather than gamble on newsstand racks. That changed what was publishable: Watchmen, The Dark Knight Returns, and Maus all arrived in this window, and independents like First, Eclipse, and Comico built full lines. Browse every 1980s series in the catalog with its issue list, creator credits, covers, and release dates.

6,998 series Page 91 of 234

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Gustaf i toppform (1984)

B. Wahlströms

1 issue

Night of the Crash-Test Dummies (1988)

Andrews McMeel Publishing

1 issue

Fox Trot (1989)

Andrews McMeel Publishing

1 issue

Doonesbury Deluxe (1987)

Henry Holt and Co.

1 issue

He's Never Heard of You, Either (1981)

Holt, Rinehart and Winston

1 issue

Cosmic Heroes (1988)

Eternity

11 issues

Downtown Doonesbury (1987)

Henry Holt and Co.

1 issue

The Far Side Observer (1987)

Andrews McMeel Publishing

1 issue

B.C. A Special Christmas (1981)

Firefly Books Ltd.

1 issue

Ranxerox (1984)

Catalan Communications

3 issues

Werewolf (1984)

Catalan Communications

1 issue

Richard Corben Complete Works (1985)

Catalan Communications

3 issues

The Far Side Gallery (1984)

Andrews McMeel Publishing

5 issues

Check Your Egos at the Door (1985)

Holt, Rinehart and Winston

1 issue

The Far Side (1982)

Andrews McMeel Publishing

1 issue

Archie's R/C Racers (1989)

Archie Comics

10 issues

Normalman - The Novel (1987)

SLG Publishing

1 issue

Shoe Must Go On (1984)

Holt, Rinehart and Winston

1 issue

Tex Arcana (1987)

Catalan Communications

1 issue

Johnny Hazard Quarterly (1986)

Dragon Lady Press

4 issues

Video Clips (1985)

Catalan Communications

1 issue

Arken Sword (1980)

Self Published

32 issues

Racer X (1988)

Now Comics

11 issues

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Longest runs for 1980s

6,998 series catalogued, published between 1980 and 1989.

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1980s FAQ

What is the direct market?
A non-returnable sales channel that ships straight to comic shops instead of newsstands. Publishers print against firm orders, which made smaller and riskier series viable for the first time.
Why did independent publishers grow in the 1980s?
The direct market gave them shelf access without newsstand distribution. First Comics, Eclipse, Comico, and Fantagraphics all built their lines through comic shops.
Are Watchmen and The Dark Knight Returns listed as series?
Yes. Both were limited series in 1986 and have their own entries here, alongside the collected editions that reprint them.

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