What began as an idea for a super villain action figure inspired by a famous 20th century artist has evolved into a five-issue comic book story drawn by some of the most notable and talented Bronze Age comic book artists. A team of super-powered super villains, each who's identity is inspired by a famous 20th century artist, come together at the behest of an unidentified benefactor. All being mast
er artists as well as master thieves, this benefactor dubs this new super villain team, The Masters, and contracts them to steal five very specific portrait paintings from around the world. The paintings individually hold insignificant value, but collectively they are priceless to the benefactor who plans to use their power and influence to perpetrate a scheme only known to him. Standing in their way, though, is a team of Golden Age super heroes led by Black Owl and including: Arrow, Airman, Plymo the Rubber Man, Fly-Man, and Twister. Together they form The Guardians and are dedicated to foiling The Masters' evil plan. Who is this unknown benefactor? Why does the benefactor need these specific paintings to carry our his ultimate plan? How can The Power Corps stop The Masters? All will be revealed in the upcoming five-issue series: The Masters. The Masters will be available for purchase via Kickstarter on, or around, October 1, 2021, with the first issue due out March 1, 2022. The format of the story is an homage to the Bronze Age series The Brave and The Bold drawn so beautifully for nearly 100 issues by legendary artist Jim Aparo. As in The Brave and The Bold, each villain is confronted by the main hero (in this case a re-imagined, modernized version of Black Owl) along with a guest hero from the Golden Age of Comics (who has also been re-imagined and modernized). Each villain has their own chapter. And, each chapter is drawn by a different team of artists. Teams that we know would make Jim Aparo proud. Artists were asked to choose their favorite villain and with that came the tasks of drawing their individual chapter AND re-imaging the Golden Age super hero that confronts them in their chapter. Artists were given complete creative freedom in recreating and modernizing these heroes of the past and we cannot wait to unveil them. They are all spectacular! We have assembled a literal “who's who” of over 25 artists from the Bronze Age of comics through to modern day. These artists, and samples of the art they have created for The Masters, will be revealed over the next few weeks leading up to the Kickstarter. Regarding what will be offered via the Kickstarter, here is a sneak peek of what we have planned:
Issues 1-5 (each with alternate covers)
Issue 0 (the story behind The Masters)
Trade paper back (collecting issues 0-5)
Trade hard cover (collecting issues 0-5)
Treasury Edition/Limited Collectors Edition a la Marvel and DC Comics in the 1970s
Posters and pin-ups of famous comic book cover recreations including The Killing Joke, All Star Comics #3, Plastic Man #11, Isis #7, Limited Collector's Edition #37, Avengers #57, Avengers #223, Marvel's Bring On The Bad Guys, Uncanny X-Men #133...and more! Black light poster a la 1970s Marvel black light posters
Power Comics 2022 Wall Calendar an homage to the 1977 Super DC Comics wall calendar
A comic book-and-record set a la Power Records of the 1970s
Numerous pin-ups and posters from contributing artists including: original art, mazes and games a la Marvel Fun and Games, satirical Hostess ads a la ones used in comic books in the 1970s...and more! Autographed original pieces of art
And, I guess it only appropriate since we created the toy line first, a complete line of action figures – six super-villains and six super heroes. Twelve action figures in all! I hope you like what you have read here enough to like, follow, share, and support Power Comics, Inc. Peace, Love, and Comics! Austin Hough
