A.S.T. Lookin! #1- The Original Comics!

Astounding Space Thrills #1-3 (Day One Comics) 1998

As opposed to our other series-"Lookout",which is attempting to document all the non-Conley publications that featured A.S.T. content,this one is attempting to expand on the home cooked variety-the ones which directly involved the Creator.Now when talking about A.S.T. it is important to note,that Steve Conley intended it as a multimedia concept from the word go!So,we must take cognizance of the Internet,Printed Media and Videos!As far as I can ascertain,back in 1997,Steve put online the very first appearance of A.S.T. in the form of a short animated cartoon(not to be confused with the A.S.T. "trailer" which came later),called simply "Astounding Space Thrills".This has since disappeared and even Steve is reputed not to have a copy!If he does,we can only hope that he makes it available again for us fans!Now back to base-Steve put out 3 independently produced A.S.T. comics back in 1998,published by Day One Comics.The first of these was called not surprisingly-Astounding Space Thrills #1.

Astounding Space Thrills #1

This came out in May 1998.Featuring an explosive cover by series storyteller Steve Conley and comics legend STERANKO (Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., The Shadow), this first plutonium-powered issue introduces the retro-universe of Argosy Smith, Theremin and a cosmos of new characters. Beginning part one of "The Codex Reckoning" the characters seek the Codex Melzi - mysterious lost notes of Leonardo da Vinci. As a backup story, a 7-page retro sci-fi adventure "The Victor Belt" features the Hero of Strata 4, Jet Victor by Marty Baumann. As an extra bonus: a sci-fi pin-up from STERANKO! 40 pages in classic B&W with full-color covers.There was also a variant cover (limited to 750 copies) featuring the same beautiful STERANKO/Conley cover without type, showcasing the cover painting.

Astounding Space Thrills #2

By Steve Conley, Cover by the Brothers Hildebrandt!This second independently produced comic was released in July 1998 and continued part two of The Codex Reckoning. Argosy Smith, Theremin and pilot-for-hire Petra Vaverchek find themselves caught between galactic corporate superpowers, alien protoplasmic monsters and little green mercenaries as they determine just what Leonardo DaVinci's lost notes mean to the future of space travel. Renowned sci-fi illustrators Greg and Tim Hildebrandt (STAR WARS, X-Men) provide a stunning painted cover. As a backup story, a 7-page retro sci-fi adventure "The Jorvax Cloud" features the Hero of Strata 4, Jet Victor by Marty Baumann. As an extra bonus: a sci-fi pin-up by Michael Cohen (Strange Attractors). 40 pages in classic B&W with full-color covers.A variant cover (limited to 500 copies) features the same spectacular Brother Hildebrandt painted cover without type.

Astounding Space Thrills #3

By Steve Conley, Cover by Drew Struzan (Artist of the STAR WARS Special Edition and Indiana Jones Trilogy movie posters)! The third comic of the original run was released in January 1999.In the feature story, "Aspects of Iron": Argosy Smith is dead, so what is he doing running from dinosaurs, robots and the Velthan mystic who prophesized his death? And while Argosy is galavanting in the afterlife, his cohorts are no better off! Petra's being chased by a Bounty Hunter and Theremin's up to his globules in Musketeers. This issue also features a Jet Victor episode by Marty Baumann. PLUS: a sci-fi pin-up by comics legend Pat Boyette! 40 pages in classic B&W with full-color covers.A rare variant (limited to 500 copies) features the same gorgeous Drew Struzan painted cover without type.