by Howard Chaykin
Episodes 1 and 2
from Heavy Metal magazines May and June 1981
In the May issue of Heavy Metal magazine, a new serial is underway: 'Cody Starbuck', by Howard Chaykin.
Cody Starbuck had first appeared in the very first issue of the indie comic Star Reach in April 1974, as a black-and-white comic. The character appeared again in Star Reach in 1976 and 1978.
In 1981, Chaykin produced a full color, five-part serial of Starbuck for the May - September issues of Heavy Metal.
Chaykin intended Starbuck to be a more satirical version of the space opera heroes like Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers. Unlike traditional sf heroes, Starbuck is decidedly amoral and self-centered, doing good deeds only if the money is right.
While such a character was essentially unmarketable in mainstream comic books of the 70s and early 80s, he was perfect for the more sophisticated, European - influenced pages of Heavy Metal.
Below, I've posted first two installments of Cody Starbuck, from Heavy Metal 's May and June 1981 issues. Stay tuned for further adventures in coming posts.
So, lets go back in time to the late Spring of 1981, give a listen to the mellow folk rock of Taylor and Souther and 'Her Town Too', and check out the doings of Cody Starbuck....
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