Star Comics was an imprint of Marvel Comics that began in 1984 and featured titles that were aimed at child readers and were often adaptations of children's television series , animated series or toys . The last comic published under the imprint featured a May 1988 cover date , although the Star Comics Magazine continued through December 1988. Some of the titles continued after that, being published directly by Marvel. Several of the original titles consciously emulated the house writing and visual style of then-recently defunct Harvey Comics titles such as Richie Rich .
41-543: The imprint's signature titles were Peter Porker, The Spectacular Spider-Ham and Heathcliff , its longest running title. The imprint was also known for its Star Wars titles, Droids and Ewoks (based on the animated television series). Artists working on the line include Warren Kremer and Howard Post. For a number of years, the industry had benefited from an "age stepladder" whereby comics readers could ascend naturally from children's titles by Gold Key Comics (Disney and Looney Tunes licensee) and Harvey, upward to
82-588: A DVD showing a small portion of a fictional Spider-Ham animated series, discovering that it was created by one of Spider-Man's enemies, Jack O'Lantern . Here, Spider-Ham appears to mostly be a parody of Batman . Also in the issue, there is a partial reprint of Marvel Tails #1. Spider-Ham was selected by fans and retailers to be the focus of the final variant cover by Mike Wieringo to the Spider-Man: The Other crossover, Amazing Spider-Man #528. In January 2007, J. Michael Straczynski authored
123-490: A comic book series which only lasted four issues. It was written by Stan Lee (#1) and Michael Higgins (#2–4) with art by Alex Saviuk . The last issue featured a "next issue" caption, but #5 was never published. In 2013, Dynamite Comics published Kings Watch , a bi-monthly limited series written by Jeff Parker teaming the Phantom, Mandrake, Lothar, and Flash Gordon, taking on not just Ming, but characters from all over
164-466: A graphic novel was published called Spider-Ham: Hollywood May-Ham . The book features Spider-Ham and Mary Jane Waterbuffalo attempt to make a documentary about his status as a superhero with Alfred Peacock (a parody of Alfred Hitchcock ). After noticing mysterious happenings on set, he realizes Peacock is actually Mysteriape and attempts to defeat him and the Swinester Six. Peter Porker was born
205-717: A name that was coined by the Peter Parker of the Ultimate Spider-Man TV series during the original Spider-Verse . In August 2009, TIME listed Spider-Ham as one of the "Top 10 Oddest Marvel Characters". Defenders of the Earth Defenders of the Earth is an American animated television series produced in 1986, featuring characters from three comic strips distributed by King Features Syndicate — Flash Gordon , The Phantom , Mandrake
246-801: A solo series, titled Peter Porker, the Spectacular Spider-Ham debuted under Marvel's Star Comics imprint. The series, published bi-monthly, lasted seventeen issues before its cancellation in 1987. With the cancellation of Peter Porker, the Spectacular Spider-Ham , the character became a backup feature in Marvel Tales , a monthly reprint series showcasing Spider-Man's past adventures. Beginning with issue #201 ( cover dated July 1987), these new Spider-Ham stories appeared in issues #201–212, 214–219, 223–230, 233, 236, 237, 239, 240, and 247 before ceasing altogether. In issue #3 of What The--?! (cover dated October 1988), Porker meets with Raven
287-462: A spider and resided in the basement lab of May Porker, a scientist who invented an atomic-powered hairdryer to revolutionize the hair care industry. After dousing her head with water and activating the dryer, May accidentally irradiated herself and in a fit of delusion, bit Peter, transforming him into an anthropomorphic pig. Running from the Porker home, Peter soon came to realize that he still retained
328-452: A spider's abilities: "This is astounding! Am I a spider with the limitations of a pig? Or a pig with the proportionate strength and agility of a spider? I've become something greater than either spider or pig... I've become a Spider-Ham! " – Peter Porker, the Spectacular Spider-Ham #15 (May 1987) After this startling series of events, Peter adopted the surname "Porker" dedicated himself and his new-found abilities to fighting injustice and
369-726: A spin-off mini-series titled Misty starred Millie's niece Misty Collins. Marvel Productions ' animated series were sourced for Star Comics titles including Defenders of the Earth and Inhumanoids . The lines' two Star Wars titles crossed over in Droids #4 and Ewoks #10. At the end of 1987, Marvel dissolved the Star imprint and absorbed several Star titles under the main Marvel banner and continued to license new properties, such as ALF , Captain Planet and Police Academy . Some of
410-898: A way to wake it up. In 1987, select episodes of the show were released on four VHS cassettes by Family Home Entertainment in North America. Roughly two decades after production was completed, the series was released around the world on DVD, featuring various episodes and packaging depending on region. On October 10, 2006 and April 3, 2007 the series were released to DVD by BCI Eclipse Entertainment LLC (under its Ink & Paint classic animation entertainment label) in Region 1, containing all 65 original broadcast episodes in two Complete Series volumes and presented in original storyline continuity order. These release includes interviews with story editor Bryce Malek, writer David Wise, and artist Michael Swanigan—each of whom reflect on various points of
451-510: Is an anthropomorphic pig and is a cartoon animal parody version of Spider-Man . He was created by Larry Hama , Tom DeFalco , and Mark Armstrong. He first appeared in the one-shot humor comic book Marvel Tails Starring Peter Porker, the Spectacular Spider-Ham (November 1983), which was then followed by an ongoing bi-monthly series, Peter Porker, the Spectacular Spider-Ham , under Marvel's Star Comics imprint, with both titles edited by Hama. The character existed on Earth-8311, which
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#1732794353390492-680: Is directly shot in the head by an energy bullet by Ultron , effectively killing him but, in a zombie state, Spider-Ham turned into Ham-ibal Lecter ( Hannibal Lecter ). During the Spider-Verse storyline which featured Spider-Men from various alternate realities, Spider-Ham became a member of the Spider-Army fighting against the Inheritors. He played a crucial role in the final confrontation when he switches places with Benjy Parker (the baby brother of Spider-Girl of Earth-982 ) – one of
533-468: Is later included in the Defenders' supercomputer Dynac X. To protect Earth from Ming's invasion, among other threats, Flash joins forces with Mandrake, his assistant Lothar and The Phantom, alongside their children, to form the Defenders. Marvel Productions and King Features Syndicate worked together to develop the show. Marvel Productions had brought in consulting company Q5 Corporation to help develop
574-600: Is not seen as a year, but rather a humorous take on the price of a ham (the cover states that it was marked down from the original price of $ 20.99). Spider-Ham has also appeared on the cover of Wha...Huh? #1, and was referred to as a fictional character in the Earth-616 Marvel Universe, in Generation X #52. Spider-Man Family #1 (2005 one-shot) features a sixteen-page Spider-Girl story, in which May Parker ( Peter Parker 's daughter) watches
615-537: The Ultimate Civil War Spider-Ham one-shot , featuring Spider-Ham's attempt to find his missing "thought balloons" against a Civil War parody. The story does not fit in with previously established Spider-Ham continuity. Tom Defalco returned to Spider-Ham's world in 2009, in the pages of Amazing Spider-Man Family #4–5. He introduces Swiney-Girl, the daughter of Spider-Ham and counterpart of Defalco's other creation Spider-Girl . Once again,
656-499: The Archie Comics titles for preteens, and finally graduating to the Marvel and DC titles (or to independent comics) for teens and older readers. When Gold Key and other children's comic publishers went out of business, both Marvel and DC began exploring ways to fill that missing step on the reading ladder. In 1983, Gold Key ended its licensed kids' lines. Marvel had never published a successful children's line, although prior to
697-463: The King Features universe. The comic lasted five issues. In 2024, Mad Cave Studios published a trade paperback of the Marvel series and launched a new series. There have been DOE -related books, including The Creation of Monitor , A House Divided , The Sun-Stealers and Computer Checkmate . A line of action figures produced by Galoob included Flash Gordon, Mandrake, Lothar,
738-735: The X-Babies in issue #4 (March 2010) of their four-issue miniseries from 2009 to 2010. To mark the anniversary of Peter Porker, The Spectacular Spider-Ham #1, Marvel released the Spider-Ham 25th Anniversary Special in July 2010, with Tom Defalco writing both Spider-Ham and Swiney-Girl stories. These stories feature most of Spider-Ham's original cast and origin, but incorporates the Mary Crane Watsow character from Amazing Spider-Man Family rather than her original counterpart. In 2022,
779-757: The Beagle Brigadiers were presented within the back-up stories in Marvel Tales . The series also included back-up stories featuring such characters as Deerdevil ( Daredevil ), Goose Rider ( Ghost Rider ) and the Fantastic Fur (the Fantastic Four ). When Spider-Ham accidentally travels to the Marvel Zombies universe, he is suddenly zombified by a group of zombies, namely Captain America , Hulk , and Wolverine . It appears that he
820-539: The Hunter (a parody of Spider-Man's nemesis Kraven the Hunter ) in a story that satirized the popular " Kraven's Last Hunt " storyline which had been featured a year earlier in Marvel's Spider-Man titles. Spider-Ham also makes appearances in issues #18, 20, 22, and 24 of What The--?! The 26th issue of What The--?! (cover dated fall 1993) features "Spider-Ham 15.88", a humorous take-off on Peter Parker's future counterpart, Miguel O'Hara a.k.a. Spider-Man 2099 . The "15.88"
861-637: The Magician , and Mandrake's assistant Lothar—opposing Ming the Merciless in the year 2015. Supporting characters include their children Rick Gordon (son of Flash), L.J. (son of Lothar), Kshin (adopted son of Mandrake), and Jedda Walker (daughter of the Phantom). The series lasted for 65 episodes; there was also a short-lived comic book series published by Star Comics (an imprint of Marvel Comics ). The closing credits credit Rob Walsh and Tony Pastor for
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#1732794353390902-405: The Marvel banner. The ongoing titles did not appear in stores until five months later and were launched over a two-month period with three original and six licensed titles. Fraggle Rock , Heathcliff , Planet Terry and Strawberry Shortcake were released in the first month while The Ewoks , Get Along Gang , Muppet Babies , Royal Roy and Peter Porker, the Spectacular Spider-Ham followed in
943-499: The Marvel staff reevaluated their publishing plan and decided that their new line of all-age comics would be published under a different imprint name. Star Comics was the name selected early on in the revamp of the publishing plan. The first comic published was the first issue of a three-issue movie adaptation of The Muppets Take Manhattan , in July 1984. Marvel’s existing titles, based on licensed toy lines such as G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero and Transformers , remained under
984-537: The Marvel-owned original characters (Top Dog, Planet Terry, Royal Roy and Wally Wizard) have since been seen in various Marvel titles such as X-Babies , and Drax . Additionally, three Star Comics series were planned yet never published: Peter Porker, The Spectacular Spider-Ham Spider-Ham ( Peter Porker ) is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics . The character
1025-452: The Phantom, Ming, and Garax. As part of the show's 35th anniversary, National Entertainment Collectibles Association (NECA) produced variants of its King Features characters in the style and colors of the Defenders of the Earth. A video game was released by Enigma Variations Software in 1990, for the Amiga , Atari ST , Commodore 64 , Amstrad CPC , SAM Coupe and ZX Spectrum systems. It
1066-829: The Spectacular Spider-Ham #6, "Salad Daze"). Other notable menaces Porker would face along the way include the Bull-Frog (a parody of the Marvel villain Man-Bull ), the Buzzard (an opossum take on the Spider-Man adversary the Vulture ), Hogzilla (a swine counterpart to the more popular Godzilla ), and the King-Pig (seemingly the swine equivalent of Marvel's mob-boss the Kingpin ). Three characters, not parallels to anybody in
1107-491: The Spider-Man series, also begin in #1: J. Jeremiah Jackal, Jr. (J. Jonah Jackal's nephew), Bunson Bunny and Upton Adam Stray (a cat with shades), all junior trainees at the Daily Beagle. They acquire super-powers in #15, encouraging Spider-Ham in his already made decision to abandon his super-hero career, but they fumble their first mission, forcing Peter Porker to resume his alter-ego as Spider-Ham. Further misadventures of
1148-543: The creation of the Hulk-Bunny ( Marvel Tails #1, "If He Should Punch Me"). Several months later, Spider-Ham encountered his main nemesis and one of his only recurring enemies in the form of Ducktor Doom, a duck parody of Doctor Doom ( Peter Porker, the Spectacular Spider-Ham #1, "The Mysterious Island of Ducktor Doom"). Spider-Ham would meet again with Doom when Porker would foil the would-be world conqueror's plot to create an army of living super vegetables ( Peter Porker,
1189-524: The creative process, including the origins of the characters, legal issues surrounding the properties, controversial content, and ways in which the production differed from others of its time. Mill Creek Entertainment re-released the complete series on DVD in Region 1 on May 18, 2010. The series is streaming on Amazon Prime Video and Tubi TV . NEW KSM FILM has released the series in Germany: Force Entertainment has released
1230-465: The deal. Marvel Editor-in-Chief Jim Shooter appointed editor Tom DeFalco as Executive Editor to coordinate with the Harvey staff, who were hired by Marvel. On the day Marvel was set to take over the Harvey publications, Harvey Comics pulled out of the deal due to an internal disagreement among the Harvey brothers. Harvey would cease publishing their comics in 1982. With the loss of the Harvey characters,
1271-410: The early 1980s, Marvel Comics was in negotiations with Harvey Comics to assume publication of some of their characters. Harvey editor Sid Jacobson , along with the other Harvey staff, were interviewed by Mike Hobson, Marvel's group vice-president of publishing ( de facto publisher). As part of the process, Jacobson created several new characters which were well received by Hobson and effectively sealed
Star Comics - Misplaced Pages Continue
1312-454: The existence of the Star imprint, they had released a few miniseries based on licensed toy and cartoon properties, such as Rom The Spaceknight , The Smurfs , and Starriors . In 1977, Marvel had also published several licensed Hanna-Barbera titles including Dynomutt , The Flintstones , Scooby-Doo , Yogi Bear , and Laff-a-Lympics . In 1983, Marvel also published a one-shot, Marvel Tails , in which Spider-Ham debuted. By
1353-636: The main title music, and Stan Lee for the lyrics. The series later aired in reruns on the Sci Fi Channel as part of its animation block, Cartoon Quest . Flash Gordon has also been seen in two other animated series: The New Adventures of Flash Gordon (1979–82), and Flash Gordon (1996–97). Flash Gordon and his son Rick escape from Ming the Merciless, who has exhausted the natural resources of his home planet Mongo and desires to exploit Earth. Ming tries to brainwash Flash's wife Dale Arden , but she resists until death, whereafter her psyche
1394-465: The occasional animal parody of established Marvel Comics villains. May Porker's scientific genius was transferred to Peter, giving him the know-how to devise his webspinner gauntlets to replace his lost natural ability. Porker, in his spider-themed alter-ego's first adventure, teamed up with Captain Americat, as they attempted to foil the nefarious plot of The Marauder, in a series of events that led to
1435-528: The second month. Top Dog and Wally the Wizard were also early Star comic titles. In late 1985, Harvey Comics sued Marvel for copyright infringement, claiming that Royal Roy was a blatant copy of Richie Rich . Thus, the title was canceled after six issues due to this similarity. Millie the Model , who had starred in her own title in 1945, during Marvel's Timely Comics era, and ran until 1973, appeared in
1476-768: The series in Australia: The first episode appears on the BCI Eclipse DVD releases for: BCI has also released two 5-Disc sets that cover the entire series: Selected episodes are available in the UK, in compilations including: Hollywood DVD LTD Delta Music PLC The complete series was then released in the UK by Fabulous Films and Fremantle Media on February 18, 2013. VHS-Select Video (7104/73) Ondskans Makt (1987) incl episodes - Ondskans Makt (?), Bröder (?), Dynak i Fara (?) - Only Swedish voice In 1987, Star Comics ( Marvel Comics ' children's imprint) published
1517-540: The show. Q5's consultants consist of psychology PhDs and advertising, marketing and research professionals. The animation for the series were done overseas at Daewon Media and Sei Young Animation (now merged with Dong Woo Animation ) and AKOM in Seoul, South Korea, and Toei Animation in Tokyo, Japan. A mammoth killer-robot from another galaxy has been buried under Central City for ten million years. Now Ming discovers
1558-431: The story strays away from the established, albeit loose, continuity of the original Spider-Ham stories by altering the character's origin and supporting characters, most notably in establishing Peter Porker as a natural-born pig bitten by a radioactive spider (directly mirroring Spider-Man's origin) and altering his love interest (a counterpart of Mary Jane Watson ) from a water buffalo to a crane . He fights alongside
1599-587: The three sacrifices needed for the Inheritors to destroy the Spider-Totems – allowing Ben Parker to get Benjy to safety. During the Secret Wars event when all universes were destroyed and their remains formed a single planet called Battleworld, Spider-Ham found himself the only pig in the domain of the Battleworld called Arachnia and ended up as the captive of its Mayor , Norman Osborn . He
1640-712: Was a universe populated by anthropomorphic parody versions of the Marvel superheroes and supervillains. Spider-Ham made his feature film debut in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018), voiced by John Mulaney . Spider-Ham was first featured as star of the 1983 humorous one-shot Marvel Tails , with a backup cast of other anthropomorphic talking-animal parody versions of popular Marvel superheroes, such as Captain Americat (a cat version of Captain America ), Hulk-Bunny (a rabbit version of Hulk ) and Goose Rider (a goose version of Ghost Rider ). Two years later,
1681-426: Was rescued by Spider-Gwen , and the two eventually discovered and teamed up with other spider-powered people ( Spider-Man Noir , Spider-Man India , Spider-UK and Anya Corazon ), neither of whom remembered their previous encounter during the original Spider-Verse . Following the conclusion of Secret Wars , the team of six Spiders that formed during the event feature in a new ongoing series called Web Warriors ,