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Novelty Press

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Not to be confused with vanity press.
Novelty Press
Parent companyCurtis Publishing Company
Statusdefunct: 1949
Founded1940
Country of originUnited States of America
Headquarters locationNew York City
Key peopleDick Briefer, Joe Simon, Jack Kirby
Publication typesComic books
Fiction genresSuperhero, Crime

Novelty Press (a.k.a. Premium Service Co., Inc.; a.k.a. Novelty Publications; a.k.a. Premier Group) was an American Golden Age comic-book publisher that operated from 1940–1949. It was the comic book imprint of Curtis Publishing Company, publisher of The Saturday Evening Post. Although published in Philadelphia, Novelty Press's editorial offices were in New York City. Among Novelty's best-known titles were Blue Bolt and Target Comics. During their nine-year run, Novelty's roster of creators included Al Avison, Dan Barry, Carl Burgos, L.B. Cole, Bill Everett, Al Gabriele, Joe Gill, Tom Gill, Jack Hearne, Jack Kirby, Tarpé Mills, Al Plastino, Don Rico, Joe Simon, Mickey Spillane, and Basil Wolverton.[1]

History

Blue Bolt Comics #2 (July 1940). Cover art by W.E. Rowland

Novelty Press launched its first title, Target Comics, in 1940, followed shortly thereafter by Blue Bolt. In 1949, due to the growing criticism over violence in comic books, Novelty Press sold its assets to Blue Bolt cover artist L.B. Cole.[2] Using his new assets, Cole began his own company, Star Publications.

Target Comics

Target Comics debuted with a cover date of February 1940, featuring such stars as Bull's-Eye Bill, Lucky Byrd, and The White Streak (Target's only superhero). Material for the book was supplied by Funnies, Inc., a packager also responsible for many of Marvel Comics' early characters.[1] Creators included Bill Everett, Joe Simon, and Tarpé Mills. Basil Wolverton's Spacehawk (which originated in Circus comics) made its Target Comics debut with issue #5, and ran for many issues. The superhero Target, created by cartoonist Dick Briefer under the pen nam "Dick Hamilton", was introduced in issue #10 (Nov. 1940), accompanied by the Targeteers the following issue.

The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide suggests that the first comic book letter column may have appeared in Target Comics #6. The page in question also has an early mention of comic-book collecting)[3]

Blue Bolt

Main article: Blue Bolt

The title character superhero was created by Joe Simon, and Blue Bolt #2 (July 1940) featured the first pairing of legendary Marvel cartoonists Simon and Kirby. The two teamed for fewer than twelve issues, turning over the book to successors including Dan Barry, Tom Gill, and Mickey Spillane — before his creation of the detective character Mike Hammer in novels. (A reprint collection of the Simon & Kirby issues of Blue Bolt was published by Verotik in 1998 ISBN 978-1-885730-40-4.)[4] Malcolm Kildale's Sgt. Spook, an undead detective, was a regular backup feature in Blue Bolt for most of its run.[5] Blue Bolt ran for 110 issues, the first 102 published by Novelty Press, and the rest published by Star Publications.

4 Most

This anthology title was Novelty's answer to DC Comics' World's Finest Comics or All American's Comic Cavalcade. Regular features of 4 Most included Cadet, Dan'l Flannel, Edison Bell, and Lem the Grem, the "Trouble-Loving Gremlin".[6]

Young King Cole

This anthology title was headlined by one the comic genre's first private detectives.[7] Regular backup features included Doctor Doom, "The Resourceful Professor of Criminology"; Foxy, "Office Boy in the Detective Bureau"; Homer K. Beagle, "The Demon Detective"; Larry Broderick, "City Detective"; and Tony Gayle, "Glamorous Detective Model".[8]

Dick Cole, The Wonder Boy

Main article: The Adventures of Dick Cole

A popular backup feature in Blue Bolt (and later 4 Most), Dick Cole had his own title from 1948 to 1950 (the first five issues published by Novelty Press; the rest were published by Star Publications). Dick Cole was created by cartoonist Bob Davis (The Chameleon), but others who handled the character include Al Fagaly (Super Duck), James Wilcox (Dolly O'Dare), and Jack Hearne (The Cadet).[6]

Titles

Regular backup features

Footnotes

  1. ^ a b Markstein, Don. "Target & the Targeteers," Don Markstein's Toonopedia. Retrieved July 11, 2008.
  2. ^ Markstein, Don. "Blue Bolt," Don Markstein's Toonopedia. Retrieved July 11, 2008.
  3. ^ Overstreet, Robert M. Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide, vol. 33. House of Collectibles, 2003.
  4. ^ Novelty Press at the Michigan State University Libraries: Index to the Comic Art Collection. Retrieved July 12, 2008. WebCitation archive.
  5. ^ Markstein, Don. "Sgt. Spook," Don Markstein's Toonopedia. Retrieved July 11, 2008.
  6. ^ a b Markstein, Don. "Dick Cole, The Boy Wonder," Don Markstein's Toonopedia. Retrieved July 11, 2008.
  7. ^ Markstein, Don. "Young King Cole," Don Markstein's Toonopedia. Retrieved July 11, 2008.
  8. ^ Smith, Kevin Burton, "Young King Cole," The Thrilling Detective website. Retrieved July 11, 2008.

References

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