Aircel Comics

Aircel Comics

Company type	Private
Industry	Comic book publishing
Founded	1985 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Founder	Barry Blair
Defunct	1994
Fate	Ceased operations after Malibu Comics acquisition by Marvel Comics
Headquarters	Ottawa , Canada
Key people	Barry Blair
Products	Comic books (notably The Men in Black)

Aircel Comics (also known as Aircel Publishing) was a comic book company established by Barry Blair in Ottawa, Ontario in 1985. In 1988, it merged with the American publisher Eternity Comics, an imprint under Malibu Comics. Subsequently, Malibu assumed full control before Aircel ceased operations in 1994. The company is notably recognized for originally publishing The Men in Black, which later evolved into a prominent multimedia franchise.

Aircel focused on merging elements of historical and futuristic fantasy drawn from diverse cultural backgrounds, presenting vibrant color covers paired with black-and-white interiors. It played a pivotal role in launching the careers of Canadian illustrators like Dave Cooper, Denis Beauvais, and Dale Keown. Additionally, writer Charles de Lint contributed scripts during the mid-1980s.

Company history

Initially operating as a foam insulation manufacturer, Aircel transitioned into comic book publishing after losing a government contract. This shift was influenced by employee Barry Blair, who persuaded the company's leadership to enter the expanding comics market. Blair managed publishing efforts with early contributors including Dave Cooper, Patrick McEown, and Guang Yap.

In 1985, Aircel debuted its first series—Samurai, Dragonring, and Elflord—which showcased manga-influenced line art, an innovative approach for North American readers at the time. The following year, Blair teamed up with artist Denis Beauvais and writer Gordon Derry to produce Warlock 5, distinguished by its realistic mixed-media and airbrushing style, followed by the launch of the Maelstrom series.

The independent comics market contraction during the late 1980s adversely affected specialized publishers like Aircel. To secure financial backing, Blair negotiated a partnership with Scott Mitchell Rosenberg of Malibu Comics, resulting in a merger with Malibu’s imprint Eternity Comics. New artists assumed responsibility for several titles (such as Elflord vol. 2 and Warlock 5 vol. 2), which led to disputes over ownership rights. Ultimately, Aircel discontinued most of its earlier series to concentrate on producing erotic-themed comics under Malibu’s direction.

In 1990, Aircel released The Men in Black, created by Lowell Cunningham and Sandy Carruthers. By 1992, producers Walter F. Parkes and Laurie MacDonald acquired adaptation rights and developed it into the successful Men In Black movie and subsequent franchise.

After resolving outstanding debts in 1991, Blair departed from Aircel and formally handed over control to Malibu. The publisher ultimately ceased all comic production in 1994 following Malibu’s acquisition by Marvel Comics.

Titles published

• 2000 Maniacs (1989), #1–3
• The Adventurers (1986), #1–2 [later reprinted and extended as Adventurers #0–10 (1986–1987) through Adventure Publications]
• Bloodlines (1987–1988), #1–7
• Blood 'N Guts (1990–1991), #1–3
• Body Count (1989–1990), #1–4
• Bodyguard (1990), #1–3
• Born To Kill (1990), #1–3
• Cat & Mouse (1990–1991), #1–18
• Chaser Platoon (1990), #1–6
• China Sea (1990), #1
• Darkewood (1987–1988), #1–5
• Dead Walkers (1991), #1–4
• Demon Hunter (1989), #1–4
• Dragonforce (1988–1990), #1–13
• Dragonforce Chronicles
• Dragonring
  • Volume 1 (1986), #1–6
  • Volume 2 (1986–1988), #1–15
• Dragons In The Moon (1990), #1–4
• Elflord
  • Volume 1 (1986), #1–6 [compiled in Elflord: The Black and White Chronicles (1987)]
  • Volume 2 (1986–1989), #1–31
  • Elflord Chronicles (1990–1991), #1–8 [reprints from Nightwynd Productions]
• Fire Team (1990–1991), #1–6
• Full Throttle
• Galaxina (1991–1992), #1–4
• Gauntlet (1992–1993), #1–8
• Greenhaven (1988), #1–3
• Greenlock (1991), #1
• Gun Fury (1988–1989), #1–10
• Gun Fury Returns (1990), #1–4
• Hardball (1991), #1–4
• Hardkorr (1991), #1–4
• Icarus (1986–1987), #1–6
• Inferno (1990–1991), #1–4
• Jake Thrash (1988), #1–2 [collected with unpublished issue #3 in Malibu's 1989 release]
• Kiku San (1988–1989), #1–6
• Maelstrom (1988–1989), #1–11
• Mara of the Celts (1991), #1–4
• The Men in Black
  • Volume 1 (1990), #1–3
  • Volume 2 (1991), #1–3 ('Men in Black: Book II')
• Mummy's Curse (1990), #1–4
• Mutant Zone (1991), #1–3
• Nocturne (1991), #1–3
• Pendragon (1991), #1–2
• Power (1991), #1–4
• Ripper (1989–1990), #1–6
• Scimidar Book VI: Slashdance (1992), #1–4 [originating from Eternity's 1991 release]
• Samurai
  • Volume 1 (1985–1987), #1–23
  • Volume 2a (1987–1988), #1–3
  • Volume 2b (1988–1989), #1–7
• Shadowalker (1988), #1
• Silverstorm(1990) ,# ́# ́#  #  #
• Southern Squadron(1990) ,#  #  #  #  [originated from Cyclone Comics; continued under Eternity's 1992 series]
• Stark: Future(1987-89) ,#  #  #  #  #  #  #  #  #  #  #  #  #  #  #
• Starstone(87) ,#  #  #

Adult-themed titles

• Arthur Sex (191), #-8
• Carmilla (191), #-6
• Casanova (191), #-10
• Casanova in Venice (191), #-
• Climaxxx (191), #-4
• CyberLust (191), #-3
• Debbie Does Comics (192), #-3
• Debbie Does Dallas (191), #-18
• Dirty Pictures (191), #-3
• Erotic Tales (191), #-3
• Erotique (191), #-
• The Experience (191), #-
• Final Taboo (191), #-2
• Flesh Gordon (192), #-4
• Hooters (192), #-6
• Jungle Love (191), #-3
• King Arthur Uncensored (192), #-
• Leather & Lace
  • v_(_)(-_)_, #-25
  • v_(Blood Sex & Tears)_(-_), #-4
• Summer Special (190), #-
• Lizard Lady (191), #-4
• Rated X
  • v_(_)(-_)_, #-3
  • Special_(-_)_#, -_-
• Sapphire (190), #-9
• Scum Of The Earth (191), #-2
• Torment (191), #-3
• Triple-XXX (192), #-3
• Vampyre's Kiss
  • v_(Beware the Vampyre's Kiss)_(-_), #-4
  • v_(Bianca's Revenge)_(-_), #-4
  • v_(The Dark Kiss of Night)_(-_), #-4
• The Voyeur (191), #-4