Star Wars Legends: The Newspaper Strips Omnibus Al Williamson Early Adventures Cover

As both writer and artist, Archie Goodwin (d. 1998) got his start in comic strips and cartoons before moving to Warren Publishing’s Vampirella — and from there to Marvel, where he eventually succeeded Gerry Conway as editor in chief. He has been credited with saving Marvel from financial ruin, with Roy Thomas, by securing adaptation rights to the legendary Star Wars franchise, perceiving its potential long before later merchandisers. He also wrote comic-book adaptations of Alien, Blade Runner and other hit films. He created both Marvel’s Graphic Novel line and its Epic Comics imprint — where, as editor, he occasionally appeared in caricature as alien, elf or other. He also edited early English translations of the Akira series and the works of Moebius. At DC Comics, he guided the destinies of Batman and Starman; one of his most memorable bodies of work was his collaboration with Walter Simonson on the “Manhunter” backup feature in Detective Comics, which won five Shazam Awards.

Alfredo Alcala (1925-2000) earned stardom in the Philippines’ comic-book industry with his 1963 series Voltar. Following stints at DC Comics and Warren Publishing, he moved to Marvel and penciled runs of Conan the Barbarian, Star Wars and other licensed titles. After success in film animation and novel illustration, Alcala returned to comics during the 1990s, working in several genres.