1993 Hero Illustrated #2 (With Promo Trading Card & Mini-Comic/Poster Inserts) - NM

Catalog a loaded early-1990s comic industry magazine entry for your archival inventory: Hero Illustrated #2! Published by Warrior Publications, this unbagged direct newsstand/store issue—photographed alongside its loose original promotional pack-ins—features visceral, fully painted front cover artwork by Dave Dorman, depicting a fierce battle between a Predator and a Xenomorph Alien set against a fiery orange-and-purple backdrop. The cover composition is framed beneath bold orange-to-yellow gradient HERO ILLUSTRATED title typography, a bright yellow top header banner displaying feature callouts ("MIKE ALLRED ON MADMAN", "SPOTLIGHT ON JIM SHOOTER", "RATING THE COMICS SUPPLIES", "JIM LEE POSTER"), and the publication text "NUMBER TWO • AUGUST, 1993". Displayed across the lower right foreground is an exclusive Hero promotional trading card featuring Image Comics' Brigade (art by Marat Mychaels). Additionally, a third archival image documents the accompanying loose pack-in inserts: a Madman Adventures promotional mini-comic/ashcan by Mike Allred ("THE WORLD'S SNAZZIEST ADVENTURE SERIES! POP ART HEAVEN!") layered over promotional mini-posters/prints for Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Dark Horse's Aliens / Predator: The Deadliest of the Species.

The back cover features a full-page promotional house advertisement from Marvel Comics introducing Clive Barker's Razorline imprint ("SUPER HEROES FROM THE MIND OF CLIVE BARKER — RAZORLINE — SUMMER 1993"). The ad centers on a haunting painted portrait of Clive Barker surrounded by glowing spheres illustrating the four launch titles: Saint Sinner (Elaine Lee, Max Douglas), Ectokid (Larry Wachowski, James Robinson, Steve Skroce, Bob Dvorak), Hokum & Hex (Frank Lovece, Anthony Williams, Andy Lanning), and Hyperkind (Fred Burke, Paris Cullins, Bob Petrecca). A premier centerpiece entry for 1990s comic industry archivists, Dave Dorman Aliens vs. Predator collectors, Mike Allred Madman completionists, and Hero Illustrated run builders!

Structural & Visual Inspection

• Cover, Inserts & Spine Condition - NEAR MINT (NM): Original high-gloss cover retains vivid orange-to-yellow title gradients, deep fiery amber and violet tones, and razor-sharp painted detail across Dave Dorman's Aliens vs. Predator illustration with zero surface scuffs or color breaks. Squarebound spine is flat, clean, and tight with sharp vertical edge alignment and zero reading creases; corners remain crisp and intact. All loose pack-in inserts (the Hero Brigade promo card, Mike Allred Madman Adventures mini-comic, Star Trek: DS9 insert, and Aliens / Predator print) present clean surfaces, sharp corners, and vibrant ink saturation.

• Interior & Back Cover Integrity: Interior high-grade glossy pages remain clean, flat, and un-marred. The back cover featuring the Marvel Comics Razorline imprint launch ad maintains deep cosmic black framing, vibrant glowing sphere colors, crisp title lettering, and square edge margins with no creasing or foxing.

Item Specific Details