Suspended Animation began on January 8, 1989. This column marks the beginning of its fifteenth year of continuous weekly publication.

Then as now, its purpose is to find and review comic books and strips that will appeal to adult readers, and to publish those reviews in comics and non-comics related publications.

I created Suspended Animation, and comics reviewer and writer R. A. Jones was my first co-author, writing alternate columns. When he left, he was replaced by Dr. Jon Suter, and then by current co-author Mark Allen.

So what has happened to Vance, Jones, Suter and Allen in fifteen years? I wrote several comic books including The Adventures of Captain Nemo, Bloodtide, Straw Men, and The Angel of Death. Several of these were written with Jones. For the past seven years, I have been writing short stories set in my fictional town of Light's End, Maine. Many of these have found homes in different magazines.

Jones continues to write comic books. His latest work includes Bulletproof Monk that was released as a motion picture. He has also created and written Scimidar, The Fist of God, The Protectors, and many other titles.

Dr. Suter moved from Oklahoma to Houston, Texas to become the head librarian of a university. He often teaches courses on comics and pulp magazines. Mark Allen was 'promoted' from his position as a Youth Minister at one church to the Pastor of another Oklahoma church.

And what has happened to comics in the past 15 years?

Sadly, sales continued to decrease even in the wake of blockbuster movies like Spider-Man and The X-Men. The cover price of comics has increased dramatically, and many 'superstar' artists and writers have come and gone. Graphic novels have proliferated although their sales are still modest compared to the heyday of the medium. And comic strips are still read by millions each day in newspapers.

And what will happen to comics in the next fifteen years?

Stay tuned.

Michael Vance

Any statements made, expressed or implied are solely those of columnists or persons interviewed and do not represent the editorial position of the administration, who does not accept responsibility of such statements. All characters and artwork shown are trademark and © of their respective owners.