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King Comics

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This article is about the US comics publisher. For the Indian comics publisher, see King Comics (Raj Comics).

King Comics, a short-lived comic book imprint of King Features Syndicate, was an attempt by King Features to publish comics of its own characters, rather than through other publishers.[1] A few King Comics titles were picked up from Gold Key Comics. King Features placed former Gold Key editor Bill Harris in charge of the line. [2]

The line ran for approximately a year-and-a-half, with its series cover-dated from August 1966 to December 1967.[3] The King Comics Flash Gordon title was well-received, winning three Alley Awards in 1966 and another in 1966.[2] The series had distribution problems throughout its run. Several distributors refused to take the King Comics because their first issues lacked a Comics Code Authority seal; King subsequently obtained a CCA seal on all later King Comics issues.[2] King Features tried to overcome the distribution problem by selling its titles in special "King Paks" of three to variety stores and supermarkets. [2] This tactic failed to gain more readers, and the King Comics line was discontinued. [2][3] Some stories created for King were later published in the continuation of certain titles by Charlton Comics.[4]

Titles

  • Beetle Bailey  #54-65 (Aug. 1966 - Dec. 1967), continued from Gold Key, continued by Charlton with #67 (#66 sold overseas only by King)
  • Blondie Comics  #164-175 (Aug. 1966 - Dec. 1967), continued from Harvey Comics, continued by Charlton with #177 (no #176 was published)
  • Flash Gordon  #1-11 (Sept. 1966 - Dec. 1967), continued by Charlton
  • Jungle Jim  #5 (Dec. 67), reprinted Dell Comics' issue #5, continued by Charlton using Dell's numbering
  • Mandrake the Magician  #1-10 (Sept. 1966 - Nov. 1967)
  • The Phantom  #18-28 (Sept. 1966 - Dec. 1967), continued from Gold Key, continued by Charlton
  • Popeye  #81-92 (Sept. 1966 - Nov. 1967), continued from Gold Key, continued by Charlton

See also

References

  1. ^ Grand Comics Database
  2. ^ a b c d e John Wells and Keith Dallas, American comic book chronicles: the 1960s,1965-1969 Raleigh, North Carolina : TwoMorrows Publishing, 2014. ISBN 9781605490557 (p. 141-5, 150-2)
  3. ^ a b Batton Lash,"Introduction" to Flash Gordon Comic-Book archives:Volume 2. Milwaukie, Or. :Dark Horse Books, 2010. ISBN 9781595826190 (p.6-7).
  4. ^ Griffin, Bob and John. "The Phantom: A Publishing History in the U.S.A."


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