Novelty Press

Not to be confused with vanity press.
Novelty Press
Parent company Curtis Publishing Company
Status defunct: 1949
Founded 1940
Country of origin United States of America
Headquarters location New York City
Key people Dick Briefer, Joe Simon, Jack Kirby
Publication types Comic books
Fiction genres Superhero, 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 19401949. It was the comic book imprint of Curtis Publishing Company, publisher of The Saturday Evening Post. Among Novelty's best-known and longest-running titles were Blue Bolt and Target Comics.

During its nine-year run, Novelty had a roster of creators that included Al Avison, Dan Barry, Carl Burgos, L.B. Cole, Bill Everett, Al Gabriele, Joe Gill, Tom Gill, Jack Kirby, Tarpé Mills, Al Plastino, Don Rico, Joe Simon, Mickey Spillane, and Basil Wolverton.[1]

Although published in Philadelphia, Novelty Press's editorial offices were in New York City.

History

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

Novelty Press launched its first title, Target Comics, debuted with a cover date of February 1940, followed shortly thereafter by Blue Bolt.[2]

Target Comics featured such stars as Bull's-Eye Bill, Lucky Byrd, and The White Streak (Target's first 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.[2] 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's title character superhero was created by Joe Simon, and Blue Bolt #2 (July 1940) featured the first pairing of the longstanding and pioneering creative team of Simon and Jack Kirby.[2]

4 Most, launched in 1941, was Novelty's answer to DC Comics' omnibus title World's Finest Comics and All American's Comic Cavalcade.[2]

Young King Cole, debuting in 1945, was an anthology title headlined by one the comic genre's first private detectives.[4]

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.[5] Using his new assets, Cole began his own company, Star Publications.

Titles

Regular backup features

References

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