Fantagraphics, the publisher of some of the world’s most renowned independent comic book series like Love and Rockets and Eightball, have announced All Time Comics, the publisher’s first ever shared superhero universe featuring an all new world of heroes. All Time Comics will feature four new heroes initially: Atlas, Blind Justice, Bullwhip, and Crime Destroyer.

Fantagraphics has shared special “stats” pages for each of these characters with us, each done in the style of the 1980s Who’s Who in the DC Universe and Official Handbook to the Marvel Universe comics. You can check out all four of these “stats” pages down below in our gallery.

All Time Comics is the joint venture of the Bayer brothers: Josh Bayer, an underground comics artist and teacher, and acclaimed mainstream director Samuel Bayer, who launched his career 25 years ago with Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” video.

According to Fantagraphics, each issue of All Time Comics features a mash up of new cartoonists and classic comic book creators collaborating with writer Josh Bayer to unleash superhero stories that no other publisher would dare to publish: a stunning series of six comic books featuring startling stand alone and interconnected adventures chock full of retro crime fighting.

The launch title, All Time Comics: Crime Destroyer issue 1, is a 36 page oversized spectacular featuring the writing of Josh Bayer, the inks of Ben Marra, and the last art by legendary Incredible Hulk artist Herb Trimpe, who co-created Wolverine. The first issue also features covers by acclaimed cartoonists Jim Rugg and Johnny Ryan. Upcoming issues of All Time Comics feature art by Rick Buckler, Ben Marra, Al Milgrom (co-creator of Firestorm), Noah Van Sciver and more.

“There’s an alchemy to the Bayers’ editorial vision that is undeniably exciting, and I’ve gotten a genuine charge out of their enthusiasm for All Time Comics,” said Fantagraphics Associate Publisher Eric Reynolds in a statement. “In a market flooded with crass attempts to cash in on Hollywood’s interest in superheroes, All Time Comics is that rare project motivated by a sincere appreciation and affection for the creators behind the creations.”

“All Time Comics is both an expression of affection for the books that shaped our lives, and a link to a pre-internet time when comic book culture was more precious and rarefied. It originates from a lifetime of research and our devotion to the comics medium,” says Josh Bayer. “This project is a chance to work with not only acclaimed independent figures like Noah Van Sciver and Ben Marra, but to spotlight superstars of the field like Al Milgrom and Herb Trimpe. I see All Time Comics like an Obelisk: something that can be admired but with a greater significance beyond itself. It stands for all comics.”

“I am so excited by the combination of writers and artists that we have working on All Time Comics,” says Sam Bayer. “We’re bridging generations of creators — veterans from the 70’s with contemporary creators — to make comics that are retro cool.”

The oversized first issue of All Time Comics: Crime Destroyer issue 1 will retail for $4.99, and subsequent standard size issues will retail for $3.99, and will be available in March of 2017. Issue #2 will hit in July of 2017. Subsequent series will debut throughout the year.

Are you excited for an all-new retro style shared universe? Let us know down below in the comments.

Images: Fantagraphics Publishing

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