A + Plus Comics

A + Plus is a series of black and white underground comic books published in Detroit Michigan by Kevin Siembieda and Alex Marciniszyn as Megaton Publications in the late 1970s. The books featured collections of science fiction and fantasy stories with some adult themes and a hint of satire. Aside from Kevin Siembieda who went on to found Palladium Books with Erick Wujcik in 1981, Several notable figures in the comic book industry made contributions to the series early in there careers. Michael Netzer (Nasser) Illustrated the cover of A + Plus Comics #1 and worked on many titles during his career including Superboy, The Martian Manhunter, Green Arrow, Black Lightning, Spider Man, Uri-On, Ms. Mystic, Detective Comics, The Huntress, Babylon 5, Neil Gaiman’s Lady Justice and more. Tom Orzechowski designed the A + Plus logo and later became an award-winning comic book letterer, primarily known for his work on The Uncanny X-Men. Bill Bryan contributed his artistic talents to several issues of A + Plus and is the artist behind the Oz comic book series, that started in 1994 and eventually spawned the Dark Oz and Land of Oz series. Terry Austin did inks for Once Apon A Time in issue #3 of A + Plus and is best known for his work with ink in The Uncanny X-Men series, as well as other titles including DC's Detective Comics, Marvels' Captain Marvel and Doctor Strange. Only five issues of A + Plus where published, each in a single 5,000 copy print run.

Issue #1 was published in March 1977 and printed on 8 1/2" x 11" newsprint with a red & black on glossy white cover by Mike Nasser, featuring The Fool. Other contributors to issue #1 include Alex Marcinisczyn (Editorial), Kevin Siembieda (Tendrils of the Mind), Joel W. Stolinsky (Star God), Brian Siembieda (Paraphernalia), Bill Bryan (The Fool), Peter Simon (Eye Catcher)( and James Dombroski (Illustration pg.66).

Issue #2 was published in July 1977 and printed on 7" x 9 5/8" newsprint with a full color glossy cover by Joel W. Stolinsky, featuring The Gargoyle and Punkie My Eye. Other contributors to issue #2 include Tom Orzechowski (Logo), Kevin Siembieda (Editorial, Paraphernalia, Pact, Future Soldier), Brian Siembieda (Paraphernalia), Alex Marciniszyn (Pact, Future Soldier), Ed Kwaitkowski (Future Soldier), James Dombrowski (Side Steps, Future Soldier), Kenny Schettling (Truck Rogers), John Peter (Truck Rogers), Peter Simon (Fifteen Miles Up) and John Benson (Back Cover). Incidentally, John Benson's Back Cover designs also appeared on some of the early Palladium compendiums including The Palladium Book of Weapons & Armour.

Issue #3 was published in November 1977 and printed on 7" x 9 3/4" newsprint with a full color glossy cover by Kevin Siembieda. It was the first issue to include the phrase "Detroit's First Comic Book" on the cover. Other contributors to issue #3 include Tom Orzechowski (logo), Alex Marcinisczyn (Editorial), Jerry Gawronski (Business As Usual), Michael Kucharski (Once Apon A Time), Terry Austin (Once Apon A Time), Bill Bryan (Stormram), Brian Siembieda (Paraphernalia), James Dombroski (Vaudevil), Bill Dombroski (Vaudevil), Peter Simon (Reflections), Kim Fujihara (Illustration pg.66), John Benson (Back Cover).

Issue #4 was published in March 1978 and printed on 7" x 9 3/4" newsprint with a full color glossy cover by Kevin Siembieda. Other contributors to issue #4 include Tom Orzechowski (logo), James Dombroski (ARC), Arnold Tiddleburg (Editorial), Ed Kwiatkowski (The Chosen), Brian Siembieda (Paraphernalia), Alex Marciniszyn (Masked Man), Fran Trevisani (Spare Fodder), Bill Bryan (Stormram), Kim Fujihara (Illustration pg.66), John Benson (Back Cover).

Issue #5 was published in July 1978 and printed on 7" x 9 3/4" newsprint with a black and white glossy cover designed by Kevin Siembieda and executed by Michael Kucharski. Other contributors to issue #5 include Tom Orzechowski (logo), William Francis Loebs (The Hare The Worm The Desert), James Dombroski (ARC), Brian Siembieda (Paraphernalia), James Allen Osten (And A Word From The Overseer), David L. Monak (Demon Slayer), Bob Lehy (Spare Fodder), Fran Trevisani (Spare Fodder), John Benson (Back Cover).