EPIC ILLUSTRATED #4 June 3
Issue 4, Winter 1980, Marvel Comics
editor, Stan Lee; editorial director, Archie Goodwin; cover, Michael W. Kaluta
“Sleeping Dogs”
story, Harlan Ellison; art and adaptation, Ken Steacy;
Story is in black-and-white.
About
Epic Illustrated was Marvel Comics attempt at a Heavy Metal-type anthology of science-fiction and fantasy stories. It also served as the launching point of their Epic Comics imprint of creator owned comics. Most issues of the magazine were edited by Archie Goodwin.
The first in a series of short stories by Harlan Ellison of the Earth-Kyba War. Thse adaptations by Ken Steacy were later collected by Comico in the Night and the Enemy graphic novel.
Also included in this issue are a chapter of Jim Starlin’s “Metamorphosis Odyssey”, a chapter of Roy Thomas and P. Craig Russell’s adaptation of Michael Morcock’s Elric story “The Dreaming City”, and a chapter of Roy Thomas and Tom Conrad’s adaptation of Robert E. Howard’s “Almuric”, along with work by Marc Hempel, James Fox, Paul Kirchner, and Rick Veitch.
Reprints
An updated version, in color, is included in the graphic novel Night and the Enemy (Comico, 1987).
Original Story
“Sleeping Dogs” is included in the collections Paingod and Other Delusions, 1965; and The Fantasies of Harlan Ellison, 1979