Dave Olbrich @ Comic Con 2008
I graduated from high school with my sight set on a career in comic books. I worked at a comic book store, graduated from college (specializing in publications), edited a fan magazine, ran a comic distribution warehouse and was the founding publisher of Malibu Comics. I also administered the Jack Kirby Awards, edited the first comic industry business publication, founded and administered the Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, worked for Marvel, worked for Humanoids Publishing and founded DoggWorks (with Gary Guzzo) an agency for comic writers and artists.
Now I’m just a funny book fanatic. Mostly I’m going to be looking back at my time in the comic book business and relating some of the stories that I can remember. I encourage anyone visiting here to help me recollect better, correct me, or ask questions that I can answer.
What could you possibly ask me … well let’s see. Here is a bunch of trivia items from my background.
• I grew up in Southern Minnesota with three real sisters and five foster sisters, no brothers.
• I grew up on a farm (or farmland) … see you could ask me what that means.
• I lived six miles from the nearest town, Claremont (population 520 or so).
• Television and comics were my early companions. Wild, Wild West, Saturday morning cartoons, the John Steed/Emma Peel Avengers, Kolchak the Night Stalker.
• Played and loved high school football … remain a rabid NFL fan … go Vikings.
• Watching pro wrestling was the most compelling reason to miss church on Sunday.
• I’ve been to at least 3 Wrestlemanias
• Went to college in La Crosse, Wisconsin when the drinking age was 18.
• Managed, but didn’t own a comic book store in La Crosse
• Worked for Fantagaphics Books for two years, one in Connecticut, one in California.
• Served as the founding publisher at Malibu Comics from 1986 to 1995
• Administered the Jack Kirby Awards, founded and administered the Will Eisner Awards
• Edited and published the first business magazine for the comics industry
• founded DoggWorks (with Gary Guzzo) an agency for comic writers and artitsts
• worked briefly for Marvel Comics, including when Marvel bought Heroes World
• served as Director of US Publishing for Humanoids Publishing
• currently a partner in The Pack, comic packaging company
Oh, yeah, as I was the contract architect and administrator for my entire career at Malibu Comics, I LOVE questions about the terms of comic book contracts.
But it is my blog … so I’ll do as I please.
Dave's business card for THE PACK
Funny Book Fanatic 
Dave, I have a question about the Prime video game that was released for the Sega CD. Was the mini comic that was advertised as being included with this game actually included? I’ve bought several “factory sealed” copies of this over the years (the Prime/Microcosm double pack, I’ve never actually seen or heard of the Prime game being sold as a standalone game) and none have ever included the mini comic. I’m a big Ultraverse fan and have managed to collect all but 6 books, this mini comic being one of them.
Thanks for any info you can provide.
Jason –
I’m checking my sources, but as far as I know, the mini-comic was included in the game. I can’t really explain how you got factory sealed copies of the game that didn’t contain the mini-comic. Check back here and I’ll try to provide more information that I find. Thanks for checking out Funny Book Fanatic. Tell all your friends.
Dave.
I was going through some original artwork and I fell across some original Dragonforce Dale Keown pages, wondered what ever happened to Aircel Comics out of Canada and a wikipedia search or two later and read that Mailibu Comics were gained the Aircel titles through some financial troubles with Barry Blair. What can you tell me about the Aircel books?
Dragonforce/Dale Keown (at the time) was one of the main reasons that I wanted to become a comic illustrator.
Do you think Samauri or any of those titles will ever see daylight again?
Patrick —
I answered your question in an ASK THE DWO post on the front page.
Why is your mouth open like that? Are there any recent pictures of you with your mouth in a more normal position?
I’m just NOT a photogenic cat, that’s all. I figured a picture of me laughing might be something everyone could relate to.
As I recall, many years ago CBG published a swell picture of the two of us, revealing you in all your true photogenic glory.
Albeit clothed.
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I love your site. Keep it up !
Not that I’m totally impressed, but this is a lot more than I expected for when I found a link on SU telling that the info is quite decent. Thanks.
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Hello,
May I have your email address?
Alyssa — Sure you can. It is right there in the corner of the home page, just below the search box. I look forward to hearing from you.