U.S. 1 (comics)

Last updated
U.S. Archer
Publication information
Publisher Marvel Comics
First appearance U.S. 1 #1 (May, 1983)
Created by Al Milgrom, Herb Trimpe
In-story information
Alter egoUlysses Solomon Archer
Notable aliasesU.S. 1, US Ace
AbilitiesCollege-level engineer
Skilled driver
Proeficient fighter
Metal-plated skull

U.S. 1 was a Marvel Comics comic book series that debuted in 1983. The series was produced based on a license of the US-1 Trucks slot truck toyline from Tyco Toys. [1]

Contents

Publication history

U.S. 1 lasted for 12 issues (May 1983 - October 1984). It was among the first line of titles edited by Ralph Macchio, [2] [3] and Bob Harras later worked on the title. [4] Al Milgrom wrote the series, with artwork provided by Marvel veterans Herb Trimpe, Frank Springer and Steve Ditko.

Characters

Reception

According to Kurt Busiek, US1 is considered the book that broke the "Marvel Zombie". The term had been coined by retailer Cliff Biggers, to describe fans who complained to retailers or wrote letters to Marvel saying the Epic Comics series Groo the Wanderer should be canceled because they did not like it, but had to buy it because it was a Marvel comic. Once they read US1 and decided not to order it anymore, Marvel Zombies no longer bought everything reflexively, and started dropping other titles as well. US1 may have been the first book to drop below 100,000 copies sold per issue, and once it broke that line, other books followed. [5]

Screen Rant ranked Ulysses Archer (and series villain The Highwayman) as one of the superheroes that Marvel wants you to forget. [6]

References

  1. Morris, Jon (2015). The League of Regrettable Superheroes: Half Baked Heroes from Comic Book History. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Quirk Books. pp. 252–253. ISBN   978-1-59474-763-2.
  2. Webb, Liam. "10 Questions with... Ralph Macchio". Comic Avalanche. Archived from the original on August 7, 2008. Retrieved August 18, 2008.
  3. Ralph Macchio at the Grand Comics Database
  4. Shooter, Jim. "Bullpen Bulletins," Marvel comics cover-dated November 1983.
  5. Brevoort, Tom (2025-11-09). "BHOC: DEFENDERS #73". The Tom Brevoort Experience. Retrieved 2025-11-30.
  6. Byrd, Matthew (29 August 2017). "15 Superheroes Marvel Wants You To Forget". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on 2 September 2017. Retrieved 2 September 2017.