Dennis Mallonee (Heroic Publishing)

Today we've got writer and publisher Dennis Mallonee, who moved from CalTech economics to #comics by pitching story ideas to Bill Mantlo and helping develop the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe with Rick Hoberg. Dennis recounts launching The Champions at a 1985 SDCC panel, first publishing through Eclipse, and then forming his own imprint that evolved into Heroic Publishing. We dig into the complicated licensing history with Hero Games, the disputes over tone and pinup art that led to revoked rights and renamed characters (Marksman → Huntsman, Foxbat → Flying Fox), and the 1988 ruling confirming Marvel had abandoned the Champions trademark. Dennis also touches on publishing 100+ comics, his 2009–2012 Flare newspaper strip, and building a unique #superhero universe.

You can follow Dennis and his Heroic exploits on his site, heroicmultiverse.com, on X @heroicpublish, and on his own YouTube interview show, The Heroic Voice.