I first met Reggie Byers about twenty five years ago when I worked at Fat Jack’s Comicrypt in Philadelphia. At the time, Reggie was already established in the industry, having worked on Robotech, his own creation, Shuriken, and was working on his book, Jam Quacky, The Hip-Hop Duck.
Now, Reggie is bringing Shuriken back, reimagining it for today’s audiences. With a Kickstarter campaign launching today, Reggie took some time to discuss his career and the return of his iconic character.
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FOG!: You started your professional career in comics in the mid-80s working at Comico. Among the talents who were there at that time were Matt Wagner, Chuck Dixon, and Bill Willingham. How did you get involved working for them and what were the circumstances that led to you illustrating Robotech?
Reggie Byers: It was fortunate that I lived in Norristown where Comico was located. One day in 1982 when I was walking up Dekalb Street, I saw the normal looking residential house and noticed the “Comico” sign in the front of the building. I literally walked up on the porch and knocked on the door. Gerry Giovinco, one of the founders, answered. I asked him if this was a comic book company, and he replied, “yes” and proceeded to give me a tour.
Still in my first year of Art school, I was dizzy with excitement and hurried back a few days later with my portfolio in hopes of getting a job to illustrate for them.
At the time, they were just preparing to release their first issue of the new talent anthology, Primer. I didn’t get a position to illustrate for them because at the time there were no openings. But they were gracious to me and offered me a position to work as an office assistant.
I became part of the small Comico family, which at the time was Gerry, Bill Cucinotta, Phila Lasorda, Vince Argondezzi and Matt Wagner. It wasn’t until about two years later that they offered me a chance to illustrate one of the three Robotech comic book series that they acquired the rights to publish from Harmony Gold.
At what point did you decide to leave Comico and start self publishing?
I actually was still working for Comico when I started self publishing. I had just begun illustrating Robotech New Generation in 1985. At the same time I formed my company, Victory Productions and published Shuriken #1 that same year.
You created Shuriken which focused on a female protagonist. Kyoko Shidara, a bodyguard trained in martial arts. What was the genesis of the character?
I was always a Japanese anime fan and a fan of manga even back then. At the time, I was a big Captain Harlock fan. Visually, Kyoko was modeled after Queen Emeraldas. Also being a lover of martial arts culture, I merged the two and created Shuriken.
Neil Vokes, who also worked for Comico at the time helped me with the creation of one of the characters in Shuriken and offered to help create her costume.
Shuriken was ahead of its time by attempting to create an American manga title. It was successful enough that the character also got a spin-off series, Blade of Shuriken (which was published by Eternity Comics, then Malibu). Yet, eventually, you sold the rights to Malibu. Looking back, was that a decision you regret?
It was more of “giving” the rights to Eternity as opposed to “selling.” It was 1989, and at the time, I was ready to move on from comics. I was about to get married and open an airbrush store. The folks at Eternity loved the character and wanted to create further comics featuring Kyoko.
Being young and stupid, I signed off the rights and wasn’t paid any money. I didn’t even receive royalties. Yes, a few years later I started regretting the decision, but figured it was too late to try to rectify the decision.
Now, you’re relaunching Shuriken in a new Kickstarter. Why now? It’s been over 30 years since you’ve published anything with the character. Now, you’re essentially targeting an entirely new audience. Can you tell me about the Kickstarter, what your plans are, and how did you get the rights back?
It wasn’t until after watching Tom Fremgen’s 2021 YouTube documentary about Shuriken, I started feeling an urgency to reclaim my lost creation. In 1991, Eternity produced the last issue of what I call “Volume 2” of a series called Shuriken. I realized that this coming November it will have been exactly 30 years since my character, “Kyoko Shidara Shuriken” ever saw publication.
After Eternity shut down, Malibu had a group of individuals create a new “Shuriken” that was NOT the character that I created at all.
The only similarity was the name of the character. The new character was named Brittany Chien and her origin story was totally different. Then Malibu was absorbed by Marvel, and so goes the story. Eternity is gone. Maibu is gone. Marvel shelved the entire Ultraverse brand including “their” Shuriken character.
It was after watching Tom’s video that made me investigate if Shuriken was truly owned by Marvel/Disney as I believed all these years. What I found was that I never actually copyrighted Shuriken, and after Eternity had ownership, neither did they.
The Mailbu “Shuriken” (and any of the Ultraverse characters) will never see the light of day because of some serious logistical issues and “dirty laundry” as Joe Quesada once quoted in an interview.
I now have a concrete feeling as to what that dirty laundry is, but I don’t think it’s appropriate to publicly speak on it. This year, after an extensive successful search, I copyrighted “Reggie Byers’ Shuriken” as well as applied for Trademark. I’m free and clear to re-introduce my original character created back in 1985.
Introducing Shuriken to a new audience is exciting and yes, a challenge. But because the character has a history that goes back 36 years, I felt that I had an advantage as opposed to her being an actual “new” creation coming out the gate.
The Kickstarter that I’m launching on July 21st is to fund the production and printing of Reggie Byers’ Shuriken #1 as well as the cost of producing the rewards for donors. I intend to produce a series with all new artwork and characters. The first story arc will be a reboot of the original four issues I published from 1985-1986.
You’ve never left comics, writing an illustrating over the years Jam Quacky The Hip-Hop Duck, Kidz of The King and Afroboy and Puffgirl. You’ve been proactive in terms of producing positive, inspiring content. Why do you feel that’’s important and are there other books out there that you connect with by sharing a similar message?
Having an overall message is the core of every comic creation, but after the 1980’s Shuriken, my messages have always been infused with life skills and morals for younger readers. I think it’s important that comics entertain, educate and edify. Not all comics will do that, and that’s okay. But for me, I feel a sense of accomplishment when there’s something my reader can walk away with and actually apply in their actual life. One particular title that always had that connection for me in that area would be Jeff Smith’s BONE.
What about the comic medium do you still love and besides Shuriken, what are your upcoming projects?
What I love the most is the diversity that exists in comics more than ever before as well as the continuing existence of thriving independent publishers. The most exciting part is how Hollywood options so many comic book properties. I’m very excited about actress/director Regina King being tapped to produce Bitter Root.
Other than breathing life back into Shuriken, I’m also looking to find a publisher for my Egyptian female heroine Crescent that I co-produce with Aaron Beatty. Crescent was released as a one shot title in 1996. It seems this year is what I hope to be my “Second Renaissance”in comics.
What are you currently geeking out over?
MCU and related Marvel MCU Disney+ series have me continuing to Geek out to the point where I need paramedics (laughing).
Reggie Byers’ Shuriken Kickstarter is LIVE NOW!
