The Star*Reach Companion is a complete history and
bibliography of the 1970s independent comic, highlighting its importance to the
comics field. Star*Reach's influence was enormous, impacting nearly every
aspect of modern comics and genres, and showcasing such creators as Dave
Stevens, Frank Brunner, Howard Chaykin, Steve Leialoha, Walter Simonson, Barry
Windsor-Smith, Ken Steacy, John Workman, Mike Vosburg, P. Craig Russell, Dave
Sim, Michael Gilbert, and many others. In addition to extensive historical
coverage and interviews by author Richard Arndt, the book also features full
stories from Star*Reach and its sister magazine Imagine, including
the first Gideon Faust story by Before Watchmen writer Len Wein and
The Shadow artist Howard Chaykin, "Marginal Incident" by Fables
artist Steve Leialoha, and, presented for the first time in the original,
intended version, "Siegfried and the Dragon" by P. Craig Russell, one of the
first of his operatic adaptations. Also included is extensive information about
independent magazines like Witzend, Hot Stuf', and
Andromedea that both preceded and followed Star*Reach in its
mission to re-invent comics for a more mature audience. It includes a Foreword
by Star*Reach founder Mike Friedrich, and a cover by Howard
Chaykin!