Which issues of Epic Illustrated did Dreadstar showed up?

[Rasputin9977]

I'm trying to collect all of Dreadstar's issues and I just found out that he debuted in Epic Illustrated. The only issues I could find were #15 and #30. Are there any more?

[Chris N]

His story began in the first issue. The Metamorphosis Odyssey. Trades may be easier to track down.

This site may help:

http://www.maelmill-insi.de/UHBMCC/datafr.htm

[MRP]

In short Epic Illustrated #1-9 and 15. When you look for these, be aware the issues of Epic Illustrated have no issue number on the cover, so unless you know what you are looking for you need to open up the books to find out what issue # it was. They do however, have cover dates prominently shown, which helps distinguish them if you know which ones to look for. I listed the cover date with each issue below.

In more detail...

Metamorphosis Odyssey began in Epic Illustrated #1 as a b&w feature with 3 8 page chapters scattered throughout the issue. Vanth Dreadstar does not appear in any of the first 3 installments, but the first does show the creation of the sword he would one day wield. The last page of chapter 3 is in color. #1 is the Spring 1980 issue.

Issue 2 features a single 8 page chapter, the first 4 pages are in b&W, the last 4 in color, and Vanth makes a cameo appearance in the last panel of the last page as part of a foretelling one of the other characters has-he is seen as a sign of the coming of death, but no name is given to the image. #2 is the Summer 1980 issue.

Issue 3 features two 8 page chapters, the first is all in color and Vanth makes his first full appearance in the last panel of the last page. The second is also in color and is our first look at Vanth in action, plus Vanth gets the sword that became part and parcel of his early look. #3 is the Fall 1980 issue.

Issue 4 has a single 8 page color chapter and a synopsis of the story so far. #4 is the Winter 1980 issue.

It continues in:

#5 April 1981 issue with a single 8 page color chapter and synopsis
#6 June 1981 again with 1 8 page chapter in color w/ synopsis
#7 August 1981 has two 8 page color chapters and a synopsis
#8 October 1981 back to a single chapter

and concludes in #9 December 1981 with two 8 page chapters in color plus an interview with Starlin conducted by Archie Goodwin that is a behind the scenes look at the series.

The complete Metamorphosis Odyssey saga was collected in trade form as Dreadstar Vol. 1 by Slave Labor Graphics, but it is all in b&w. I believe Dynamite is set to rerelease this trade (or recently released it) but I am not sure if it is going to be in b&w or color.

Epic Illustrated #14 (October 1982) has a Jim Starlin story in it, but it is unrelated to Dreadstar, though thematically it is classic Starlin.

Epic Illustrated #15 (December 1982) has a b&w story that bridges the gap between the Dreadstar Graphic Novel and the first issue of the ongoing Dreadstar under the Epic imprint. Between the end of Metamorphosis Odyssey, 2 Dreadstar related graphic novels had been released.
The first was The Price from Eclipse ( a b&w ogn introducing Syzyg Darklock and was reprinted in comic form (and in color) as Dreadstar Annual #1. The second was the Dreadstar OGN from Marvel.

Epic Illustrated #30 has a single piece of Starlin art as part of an article about art and rock music called Infinity, but it is not Dreadstar related.

Those, as far as I know, are the only Dreadstar stories in Epic Illustrated.
-M

[Gumdrop Man]

Wow, I did not know that. Dreadstar is one of those that I fondly remember collecting and will add to my collection as I come accross them. Guess I'll have to keep an eye out for those Epic Illustrated issues.
And thank you MRP, some great information.

[benday-dot]

The complete Metamorphosis Odyssey saga was collected in trade form as Dreadstar Vol. 1 by Slave Labor Graphics, but it is all in b&w. I believe Dynamite is set to rerelease this trade (or recently released it) but I am not sure if it is going to be in b&w or color.

In 2010 Dynamite already issued a hardcover trade of the Epic Dreadstar serial. The fine story "The Price" (an annual originally I think) featuring Syzgy is also included. I can't recall if the Marvel OGN Dreadstar is there. I have the volume, but its kind of buried. Perhaps the tpb reissue will be based on this 2010 edition.

[DonEMC]

I believe the Marvel Graphic Novel was included in the Dreadstar The Beginning HC from Dynamic Forces (Dynamite).
I have the Dreadstar Definitive Edition and The Beginning and they are both great reprints of some of the 1980s' best stories and art.
I just wish Dynamite would hurry up with its promised Dreadstar Omnibus series. I have waited for years for follow-up reprints of this great series, but all we've gotten so far are unfulfilled promises.

[Rasputin9977]

Thanks all. I have the Price GN and the Dreadstar GN. Just need those Epic mags.

[Arnold Layne]

And for die-hard completists, don't forget his brief, recent appearances in Starlin's Breed III series.

[Shellhead]

I'm a big fan of Dreadstar, dating back to his early appearances in Epic Magazine. But I never seem to be in a mood to re-read those Epic installments. I tend to start my re-reading with The Price and the Dreadstar graphic novel.

[grphxkindaguy]

And for die-hard completists, don't forget his brief, recent appearances in Starlin's Breed III series.

That cameo was a lot of fun IMO. Even the tribute cover to Dreadstar #1.

Here's hoping one day Starlin does more Dreadstar...

[Rasputin9977]

&#($&$. Had my Epic Dreadstar mags ready for ordering on mycomicshop.com but looks like someone snatched them away from me. Guess I'll just have to wait until they have more issues or until Mile High has another 60% discount.

And for die-hard completists, don't forget his brief, recent appearances in Starlin's Breed III series.

This series is why I started to buy Dreadstar. Already have the previous two Breed series, Darklon and a few Wyrd issues.

[grphxkindaguy]

This series is why I started to buy Dreadstar. Already have the previous two Breed series, Darklon and a few Wyrd issues.

Dreadstar is Starlin's best work IMO. As much as I liked the Breed mini's, its felt like he's been "phoning it in" with those...

[Arnold Layne]

Yeah, I agree. I wanted to like Breed, but it just never clicked with me. The Dreadstar cover from the latest Breed series was a thing of beauty though. Just stunning.

[grphxkindaguy]

Yeah, I agree. I wanted to like Breed, but it just never clicked with me. The Dreadstar cover from the latest Breed series was a thing of beauty though. Just stunning.

Yeah, it was worth buying those issues, just to see Dreadstar in action again. Though apparently its a younger Dreadstar, shortly after he got his sword and met Oedi, before assembling his team of rebels.