Advertising in comic books

Comic book advertisements are a common feature in American comic books mainly from the 1940s onwards. As these advertisements were directed at young people, many made sensational claims,^[1] and sold the products for a few dollars or less, to be sent to a post office box. Products offered included novelty items, toys, and self-improvement courses such as drawing and body building.

Companies

The Johnson Smith Company placed advertisements for gadgets and toys^[2] that appeared on the back cover of many historically significant comic books, including Action Comics #1 (June 1938)^[3] (the first appearance of the character Superman) and Detective Comics #27 (May 1939) (the first appearance of the character Batman).^{[citation needed]}

Notable products offered

Charles Atlas illustrated bodybuilding book
Disappearing ink^[4]
Dribble glass
Itching powder^[5]
Joy buzzer^[4]
Latex mask
Potato gun^[6]
Sea-Monkeys^[7]
Sneezing powder
Squirting flower^[8]
Stink bomb
Whoopee cushion^[9]
X-ray specs^[10]

The ads also included recruitment of youngsters to act as salespeople for products such as greeting cards and the national newspaper Grit.

References

^ By (25 May 2008). "12 Comic Book Ads That Taught Us To Be Cynical". Cracked.com.
^ Comic Book Come-ons that Catch Kids. Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. November 1974. pp. 43–46. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
^ Tosh, D. (2015). Picker's Pocket Guide - Comic Books: How to Pick Antiques Like a Pro. F+W Media. p. pt252. ISBN 978-1-4402-4514-5. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
^ ^a ^b The Thin Man. Cincinnati Magazine. September 2005. p. 58. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
^ "Monkey Madness". NPR.org.
^ New Society. New Society Limited. 1975. p. 697. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
^ Hix, Lisa. "Sea-Monkeys and X-Ray Spex: Collecting the Bizarre Stuff Sold in the Back of Comic Books". Collectors Weekly.
^ American Woodworker. New Track Media. p. 42. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
^ The New York Times Book Reviews 2000. Fitzroy Dearborn. 2001. p. 1706. ISBN 978-1-57958-058-2. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
^ Penkava, Michael. "Penkava: Don't monkey around with comic book ads". www.nwherald.com.

External links

Media related to Comic book advertisements at Wikimedia Commons

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[1] By (25 May 2008). "12 Comic Book Ads That Taught Us To Be Cynical". Cracked.com.

[2] Comic Book Come-ons that Catch Kids. Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. November 1974. pp. 43–46. Retrieved February 6, 2019.

[3] Tosh, D. (2015). Picker's Pocket Guide - Comic Books: How to Pick Antiques Like a Pro. F+W Media. p. pt252. ISBN 978-1-4402-4514-5. Retrieved February 6, 2019.

[Cincinnati_Magazine-4] The Thin Man. Cincinnati Magazine. September 2005. p. 58. Retrieved February 6, 2019.

[5] "Monkey Madness". NPR.org.

[6] New Society. New Society Limited. 1975. p. 697. Retrieved February 6, 2019.

[7] Hix, Lisa. "Sea-Monkeys and X-Ray Spex: Collecting the Bizarre Stuff Sold in the Back of Comic Books". Collectors Weekly.

[8] American Woodworker. New Track Media. p. 42. Retrieved February 6, 2019.

[9] The New York Times Book Reviews 2000. Fitzroy Dearborn. 2001. p. 1706. ISBN 978-1-57958-058-2. Retrieved February 6, 2019.

[10] Penkava, Michael. "Penkava: Don't monkey around with comic book ads". www.nwherald.com.

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v t e Media manipulation
Context	Bias Crowd psychology Deception Dumbing down False balance Half-truths Media Obfuscation Orwellian Persuasion Manipulation (psychology)
Activism	Advocacy group Alternative media Boycott Call-out culture Cancel culture Civil disobedience Culture jamming Demonstrations Deplatforming Grassroots Guerrilla communication Hacktivism Internet Media Occupations Petitions Protests Youth
Advertising	Billboards False Infomercials Mobiles Modeling Radio Sex Slogans Testimonials TV Criticism of advertising Annoyance factor
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News media	Agenda-setting Broadcasting Circus Cycle Emotive conjugation False balance Infotainment Managing Narcotizing dysfunction Newspeak Pseudo-event Scrum Sensationalism Tabloid journalism
Political campaigning	Advertising Astroturfing Attack ad Canvassing Character assassination Dog whistle Election promises Lawn signs Party platforms (or manifestos) Name recognition Negative Push polling Smear campaign Wedge issue
Propaganda	Bandwagon Big lie Crowd manipulation Disinformation Fearmongering Framing Indoctrination Loaded language National mythology Rally 'round the flag effect Techniques
Psychological warfare	Airborne leaflets False flag Fifth column Information (IT) Lawfare Political Public diplomacy Sedition Subversion
Public relations	Cult of personality Doublespeak Non-apology apology Reputation management Slogans Sound bites Spin Transfer Understatement Weasel words Corporate propaganda
Sales	Cold calling Door-to-door Pricing Product demonstrations Promotion Spaving Promotional merchandise Telemarketing
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Advertising in comic books

Companies

Notable products offered

See also

References

Further reading

External links