Status defunct: 1949 Publication types Comic books Parent organization Curtis Publishing Company | Headquarters location New York City Founded 1940 Country of origin United States of America | |
Parent company Curtis Publishing Company Key people Dick Briefer, Joe Simon, Jack Kirby Headquarters New York City, New York, United States Fiction genres Superhero comics, Crime comics | ||
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. Among Novelty's best-known and longest-running titles were Blue Bolt and Target Comics.
Contents
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.
Although published in Philadelphia, Novelty Press's editorial offices were in New York City.
History
Novelty Press launched its first title, Target Comics, debuted with a cover date of February 1940, followed shortly thereafter by Blue Bolt.
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. 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.)
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.
4 Most, launched in 1941, was Novelty's answer to DC Comics' omnibus title World's Finest Comics and All American's Comic Cavalcade.
Young King Cole, debuting in 1945, was an anthology title headlined by one the comic genre's first private detectives.
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. Using his new assets, Cole began his own company, Star Publications.