Sergio Aragonés Groo #1

Groo the Wanderer #1 was published by Pacific Comics in 1982, marking the character's transition from an occasional feature in magazines like Destroyer Duck into his own dedicated ongoing series. Created by cartoonist Sergio Aragonés and writer Mark Evanier, the comic was born from Aragonés's desire to lampoon the sword-and-sorcery tropes popularized by figures like Conan the Barbarian. The character, a dim-witted but incredibly lethal mercenary, served as a vehicle for Aragonés's signature wordless pantomime style, which he had previously perfected during his decades as a lead contributor to MAD magazine.

The design of the debut issue reflects the aesthetic of the early 1980s independent comic movement, which allowed creators more artistic freedom than the mainstream houses of the era. Aragonés utilized his distinctive, energetic ink-line style to create chaotic, densely packed panels that emphasized physical comedy and slapstick violence. Upon its release, the issue was well-received by readers for its irreverent humor and the unique chemistry between Aragonés's visual storytelling and Evanier's sharp, satirical scripts, solidifying Groo as a cult classic that would eventually move to publishers like Epic Comics and Dark Horse.