Tiger's of Terra by Ted Nomura

[Alawson453]

One of the best Small Press Comic Titles of the 80's

 

I know a lot of you readers are strictly either Marvel or DC fans with a few Image sprinkled in for good measure. However Image and all the other non Marvel/DC companies would not be around today if not for the Small Press/Black & White Explosion of the 80's.

 

I tend to journey back in time quite often with my journals (I hope you guys don't mind).

 

This time our time machines destination is the year 1986 and a small comic shop owned by yours truly (My first venture before The Book Rack).

 

I had been open for a couple months and business was ok, people were starting to find their way in to purchase both new and back issues. I had a small group of high school kids that liked to hang out and shoot the breeze (man those were the days).

 

Well one day in walks this dude off the street and ask if I might be interested in distributing his book. Now I was always getting self published books from various artists/writer/creator's, much of which I would buy a couple copies just to help the guys out, but today was going to be a very special day.

 

I ask the guy to let me see what he had, and when he pulls out his material I was floored! His book was already published, on high quality mando paper and the kicker the artwork was unbelievable.

 

Ok, I thought this has to be a joke, no way a guy walks in off the street pushing a book and the artwork is as good as some of the major publishers.

 

Just happened a couple of the high school kids show up take a look at the book and were sold on the spot!

 

The guy's name is Ted Nomura he actually spent about an hour visiting with shoppers and signed a book for anyone that asked.

 

That day he passed out copies of his number one issue of Tigers of Terra "Families of Altered Wars". The book went on to become a small hit with the small press and independent comic buyers of the day including myself.

 

Not only was Ted great at telling his story but I simply could not believe how fast he was able to keep up with production based on the quality of his art (it was amazing).

 

For anyone who had to live through the barrage of publisher's at the end of the 80's believe me Ted's book was such a treat.

 

Ted was a regular at the shop up until the time it closed and always made sure I got signed and numbered copies of every book.

 

Ted went on to collaborate with Ben Dunn of Ninja High School Fame and do many other great works. I keep in touch with him through Facebook and he is doing well today.

 

If you get a chance look for some of the back issues of Tigers of Terra, Families of Altered Wars. They are very well drawn and entertaining (Black & White).

 

Ted gave me a little keepsake one day out of the blue he comes strolling in with an original hand drawn/sketched and inked poster as a thank you for helping to promote his books. I thought I would share with all so you can see first hand how amazing his work really is. Enjoy

 

See more journals by Dre

[Brandon Shepherd]

Thank you for the journey back in time! It's great to read about something different and about your personal experiences from your shop.

[meshuggah]

You aren't lying. That art is fantastic!

[surfer99]

i don't know if it's the big eyes or what, but it kind of reminds me of japanamation.

[Alawson453]

Other than the covers to the early comics this was the only time any of the characters from Ted's books were actually colored. His detail on military aircraft is mind blowing! Ted was actually stationed at Nellis Air Force Base as a mechanic and worked on F-15's and F-16's so he knows his stuff when it comes to planes and jets.

[AllenP-migration]

Yes! Love Tigers of Terra and its still my favorite Indy book! I bought them at the Friendly Neighborhood Comic Book store in Vegas (good ole Tom and Mary)...used to walk by it every day and developed my love of comics there. I was lucky enough to have Ted sign some of my issues. His work, though not my own style, was very inspiring to me and still is. I hope he's doing well and still creating!