Idaho Comics Group

American independent comic book publishing company

Idaho Comics Group

Founded| 2014
Founder| Albert Asker
Country of origin| U.S.
Headquarters location| Boise, Idaho
Key people| Gaz Asker
Publication types| Comics
Nonfiction topics| History, Autobiography
Fiction genres| Adventure, Humor

Idaho Comics Group (ICG) is an independent comic book publishing company from Boise, Idaho, that was founded in 2014 by Albert Frank Asker.[1] ICG publishes two comics anthologies: the officially licensed[2] Tarzan and the Comics of Idaho and Idaho Comics. The anthologies bring attention to comic book writers and artists from the state of Idaho;[3] sales from the comics benefit the Boise Public Library.[4]

Idaho Comics Group has not published anything since 2016, though it did produce a podcast from 2016 to 2019.

## Overview[edit]

All the comics published by Idaho Comics Group are crowd-funded.[5] The Tarzan and the Comics of Idaho anthologies, published in 2014, 2015, and 2016, feature Tarzan stories by writers and artists from the state of Idaho. (Tarzan creator Edgar Rice Burroughs lived in Idaho during three different periods in his life.)[6]

The companion piece Idaho Comics anthologies, published in 2014 and 2015, feature articles on the history of comic books in Idaho that expand on subjects touched on in the Tarzan and the Comics of Idaho introductions. Articles in the Idaho Comics comics also bring attention to autobiographical comics writer Dennis P. Eichhorn and his contributions to sequential art in Idaho.

Notable creators associated with Idaho Comics Group include Albert Asker, Gaz Asker, Todd Clark, Dame Darcy, Dennis Eichhorn, Randall Kirby, Scott Pentzer, and Charles Soule.[7]

## History[edit]

On August 30, 2014, Idaho Comics Group made its debut at the 2nd Annual Boise Public Library Comic Con with their two offerings: Tarzan and the Comics of Idaho #1 and Idaho Comics #1.[8]

On October 6, 2015, The Best American Comics 2015 was released, and Idaho Comics Group contributors Dennis P. Eichhorn's Real Good Stuff #s 1–2 and Dame Darcy's "Voyage of the Temptress" were named to the list of "Notable Comics" published from September 1, 2013, to August 31, 2014, by series editor Bill Kartalopoulos.[9] (Dame Darcy's "Voyage of the Temptress" made its print debut in Tarzan and the Comics of Idaho #1.)

On August 27, 2015, ICG comic books were featured in a library exhibition at Boise State University.[10] On October 7, 2015, ICG publisher Al Asker gave a talk on the History of Comic Books in Idaho at Boise State University.[11]

On October 13, 2015, ICG publisher Albert Asker remembered his late friend Dennis Eichhorn in a video produced by The Idaho Statesman.[12]

Idaho Comics Group founder Albert Frank Asker edited Tomorrow Girl #6 (due out May 29, 2024, from Antarctic Press), which features a story entitled "Aztlantis Attacks!" by Mexican comic book creators Baltazar Cardenas (writer), Rocío Pérez (artist), and Rodo Farías (colors).[13]

## Titles[edit]

### Tarzan and the Comics of Idaho (2014–present)[edit]

#### Issue #1 (2014)[edit]

Features work from the following Idaho writers and artists:[14]

* Charles Soule (Superman/Wonder Woman, The Death of Wolverine, She-Hulk, Swamp Thing)[a]
* Dennis Eichhorn (Real Stuff, Weirdo, Will Eisner's The Spirit: The New Adventures)
* Todd Clark (the nationally syndicated comic strip Lola)
* Steve Moore (the nationally syndicated comic strip In The Bleachers)
* Dame Darcy (Meat Cake)
* Allen Gladfelter (Disney's/Pixar's Cars, Occupy Comics)
* Steve Willhite (FUBAR, Jesus Hates Zombies)
* Scott Pentzer (Rose & Gunn, Sade, Rock 'n' Roll Comics)
* Randall Kirby (BOP! Comics)[15]
* Jim Sumii (Tura and Eva)
* Julia Green (Mystic Pets)
* Adam Rosenlund (Light Years Away) COVER ARTIST[16]
* Jon Keithley (Shivertown, 6x6)
* Shanae LaVelle (Shivertown, 6x6)
* Gaz Asker (Idaho Comics)
* Albert Frank Asker (Idaho Comics, 6x6)

#### Issue #2 (2015)[edit]

Features work from the following writers and artists:

* Monte Michael Moore (painted covers for DC Comics and Marvel Comics) COVER ARTIST[17]
* Bill Schelly (Alter Ego magazine, The Eye, Fandom's Finest Comics)[18]
* Dennis Eichhorn (Real Good Stuff, Extra Good Stuff)
* Todd Clark (Lola)
* Randall Kirby (BOP! Comics, Anything That Loves)
* Scott Pentzer (Sports Superstars, Rock 'N' Roll Comics, Rose & Gunn, Sade)
* Adrianne Presnell (6x6)
* Steve Willhite (FUBAR, Jesus Hates Zombies, Mother Russia)
* Peter Lawson (Border Town Comic Con)
* Dick Trageser (Fandom's Finest Comics)[18]
* John Barrie (TATCOI #2)
* Michelle Estrada (TATCOI #2)
* Jay O'Leary (Push)
* Bob Beason (Captain Bengal)
* Geoffery C. Everts (Disney cartoons animator, Jethro's Rad Euro-Zine 2.0)
* Jake Scholl (Blade of the Broken)
* Bethany Schultz Hurst (award-winning poet of Miss Lost Nation)
* Gaz Asker (Tarzan and the Comics of Idaho #1, Idaho Comics #1)
* Albert Frank Asker (Tarzan and the Comics of Idaho #1, Idaho Comics #1, 6x6)

#### Issue #3 (2016)[edit]

Features work from the following writers and artists:

* Ward P. Hooper (Mayor's Art Award, 2005; Best Idaho Visual Artist, 2007 and 2012) COVER ARTIST[19]
* James Lloyd (Art Director of the Treefort Music Fest, Mystic Pets, Cowboy Comics)
* Dennis Eichhorn (Real Stuff, Real Good Stuff, Extra Good Stuff, The Adventures of Ace International)
* Jacob Bear (Hawk and Dove, Batbear, Deadpooh)
* Randall Kirby (BOP Comics)
* Joseph Bradshaw (Kingdom of Freedom)
* Treycen Fluckiger (Why Not?)
* James Lichtenberg (Why Not?)
* Hector Diaz (Art Director for Nampa's Dia En Downtown)
* Scott Pentzer (Sports Superstars, Rock 'N' Roll Comics, Rose & Gunn, Sade)
* Damon Bradshaw (Push)
* Gaz Asker (Art Director, Idaho Comics Group)
* Albert Frank Asker (Editor-In-Chief, Idaho Comics Group)

The back cover features a few kind words from Pulitzer Prize-winning author Anthony Doerr.[20] The full letter from Anthony Doerr to Idaho Comics Group was published in the interior of issue #3.

### Idaho Comics (2014–present)[edit]

#### Issue #1 (2014)[edit]

Features an article on the history of comic books in Idaho with a special emphasis on Edgar Rice Burroughs and his time in Idaho working as a cowboy/adventurer, ranch hand, photography and stationery store owner, gold prosecutor, and city councilman in Parma, Idaho. Also features an autobiographical story by Dennis Eichhorn about the time Lyle Smith recruited him to play football at Boise Junior College (now Boise State University).

Idaho Comics #1 features work by:

* Dennis Eichhorn
* Albert Frank Asker COVER ARTIST[21] and also two stories that Asker submitted to Piranha Press when he was thirteen years old.
* Gaz Asker COVER ARTIST and also comic strips by the Idaho Comics Group art director

#### Issue #2 (2015)[edit]

Features a brand new autobiographical story by Dennis Eichhorn about the time he was investigated by the Salt Lake City Police Department over a comic book he published in Moscow, Idaho, in 1974; as well as two other autobiographical stories by Eichhorn. Features a continuation on the article on the history of comic books in Idaho — again with special emphasis on Edgar Rice Burroughs and the comic books published in Idaho based on his characters.

Idaho Comics #2 Features work by:

* Albert Frank Asker
* Gaz Asker
* Reilly Clark
* Damon Bradshaw COVER ARTIST[22]
* Dennis Eichhorn
* Scott Fife
* Jim Loney
* Jim Sumii
* Seth Tobocman
* Mark Zingarelli

## Podcast: Idaho Comics with Albert Asker[edit]

The Idaho Comics with Albert Asker podcasts serve as a compendium piece to the Idaho Comics Group comic books, adding depth and breadth to the subjects touched on in the "History of Comic Books in Idaho" articles. Each month Asker interviews a person with ties to comic books in Idaho. Episodes of Idaho Comics with Albert Asker can be found on iTunes, SoundCloud, and Stitcher. (There is another podcast coming from this group, called The Idaho Comics Group Sports Report and Podcast.)[citation needed]

* Episode One (October 2016): "Idaho Comics News" (Pilot)
* Episode Two (November 2016): Randall Kirby
* Episode Three (December 2016): Steve Willhite
* Episode Four (January 2017): Josh Shapel
* Episode Five (February 2017): Catherine Kyle
* Episode Six (March 2017): 'Adam Rosenlund
* Episode Seven (April 2017): Jacob Bear and Dan Feldmeier
* Episode Eight (May 2017): Terry Blas
* Episode Nine (June 2017): Shanae Lavelle
* Episode Ten (July 2017): Scott Pentzer
* Episode Eleven (August 2017): Ethan Ede
* Episode Twelve (September 2017): Erica Crockett
* Episode Thirteen (April 2018): Brian Douglas Ahern and Randall Kirby
* Episode Fourteen (June 2018): Julia Green
* Episode Fifteen (July 2018): James W.A.R. Lloyd
* Episode Sixteen (July 2018): BONUS! Wizard World Comic Con Boise 2018 Review
* Episode Seventeen (August 2018): The Dennis Eichhorn Project Part I
* Episode Eighteen (September 2018): The Dennis Eichhorn Project Part II
* Episode Nineteen (December 2018): CF Arik Grant
* Episode Twenty (April 2019): Ron Randall[23]

## Notes[edit]

1. ^ Charles Soule is not actually from Idaho. He wrote a story illustrated by Boisean Allen Gladfelter.

## References[edit]

1. ^ Asker, Albert Frank (2014). "Tarzan Loves Idaho: An Anthology Taps a Trove of Gem State Comic Book Talent". IDAHO magazine.
2. ^ "Idaho Comics Group Embraces Tarzan". EdgarRiceBurroughs.com. Sep 16, 2014.
3. ^ "Idaho Comics Group highlights local artists". The Arbiter. Sep 11, 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-09-14.
4. ^ Frauenfelder, Mark (4 September 2014). "Tarzan comic with story by Real Stuff's Dennis Eichhorn |". Boing Boing.
5. ^ Alverson, Brigid (9 December 2014). "Comics A.M. | At long last, 'Blake and Mortimer' gets a prequel".
6. ^ Asker, Albert Frank. "Tarzan Moves To Idaho: A Comic History Of The Gem State". IdaHome. Vol. 4, no. 4 - via Issuu.
7. ^ Speelman, Tom (8 July 2016). "Kreegah! Bundolo! A History Of Tarzan In Comics". Comics Alliance.
8. ^ "Library Director's Report" (PDF). Boise Public Library. Sep 2014.
9. ^ Kartalopoulos, Bill. "Best American Comics 2015". On-Panel.com. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
10. ^ "New Library Exhibit: Idaho Comic Collection - UPDATE". Archived from the original on 2015-09-10.
11. ^ "'History of Idaho Comics' presentation at Albertsons Library". @thelibrary - News and resources from Albertsons Library. Boise State University. 29 September 2015.
12. ^ "Dennis Eichhorn, underground comic writer with Boise roots, dies at age 70 (video)". Idaho Statesman. 13 October 2015. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
13. ^ "Tomorrow Girl #6". Previews Catalog.
14. ^ "112 - New X-Men Vol 4-5 by Morrison, Quitely, Jimenez, Bachalo". Handsome Boys Comics Hour. September 2015.
15. ^ "Your Brief And Wondrous Guide To Contemporary Queer Comics | HuffPost Entertainment". HuffPost. 25 March 2015.
16. ^ "Tarzan and the Comics of Idaho #1 by Adam Rosenlund". Imgur. September 6, 2014.
17. ^ "Tarzan and the Comics of Idaho #2 by Monte Moore". Imgur. August 11, 2015.
18. ^ a b "Fandom's Finest Comics". No. 1\. Hamster Press. February 10, 1997 - via Atomic Avenue.
19. ^ "Tarzan and the Comics of Idaho #3". Imgur: The Magic of the Internet. August 23, 2016.
20. ^ "Back Cover to Tarzan and the Comics of Idaho #3". Imgur: The magic of the Internet. March 26, 2017.
21. ^ "Idaho Comics #1 by Al and Gaz Asker". Imgur. August 14, 2014.
22. ^ "Idaho Comics #2 Cover Art by Damon Bradshaw". Imgur: The magic of the Internet. September 21, 2015.
23. ^ "Idaho Comics with Albert Asker - Ron Randall". SoundCloud.

## External links[edit]

* Idaho Comics Group — Tumblr site
* Mystery House Radio — SoundCloud site
* Idaho Comics Group at the Grand Comics Database