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==History==
The publishing company '''King Comics''' was made by [[King Features Syndicate|KFS]] in 1966 as an effort to publish comic books of its own.
===Regular series===
The comic book line showcased King's best-known characters in six titles.
====Humorous titles====
The first issues of the bi-monthly "Beetle Bailey", "Blondie" and "Popeye" series were released in August, 1967. In the first issue of "Blondie" are prices quoted for subscription, included Canadian and foreign subscriptions.
=====Beetle Bailey=====
The "Beetle Bailey" series continued the numbering from the publisher "Gold Key".
<gallery>
Image:kc-Beetle-Bailey-54.jpg|''Beetle Bailey'' #54
Image:kc-Beetle-Bailey-55.jpg|''Beetle Bailey'' #55
Image:kc-Beetle-Bailey-56.jpg|''Beetle Bailey'' #56
Image:kc-Beetle-Bailey-57.jpg|''Beetle Bailey'' #57
</gallery>
=====Blondie=====
The "Blondie" series continued the numbering from the publisher "Harvey Comics".
<gallery>
Image:kc-Blondie-164.jpg|''Blondie'' #164
Image:kc-Blondie-165.jpg|''Blondie'' #165
Image:kc-Blondie-166.jpg|''Blondie'' #166
Image:kc-Blondie-167.jpg|''Blondie'' #167
</gallery>
=====Popeye=====
The "Popeye" series continued the numbering from the publisher "Gold Key".
<gallery>
Image:kc-Popeye-81.jpg|''Popeye'' #81
Image:kc-Popeye-82.jpg|''Popeye'' #82
Image:kc-Popeye-83.jpg|''Popeye'' #83
Image:kc-Popeye-84.jpg|''Popeye'' #84
</gallery>
====Adventure titles====
The first issues of the bi-monthly "Flash Gordon", "Mandrake the Magician" and "The Phantom" series were released in September, 1967.
=====Flash Gordon=====
The three first issues of "Flash Gordon" has a short Mandrake story as back-up titles.
<gallery>
Image:Flash_Gordon-01-king.jpg|<center>[[Flash Gordon 1 (King)|''Flash Gordon'' #1]]
Image:Flash_Gordon-02-king.jpg|<center>[[Flash Gordon 2 (King)|''Flash Gordon'' #2]]
Image:Flash_Gordon-03-king.jpg|<center>[[Flash Gordon 3 (King)|''Flash Gordon'' #3]]
Image:Flash_Gordon-04-king.jpg|''Flash Gordon'' #4
</gallery>
=====Mandrake the Magician=====
The Mandrake stories were all new [[King Comics stories|''non newspaper'' stories]].
<gallery>
Image:mandrake01king.png|<center>[[Mandrake the Magician 1 (King)|''Mandrake the Magician'' #1]]
Image:mandrake02king.png|<center>[[Mandrake the Magician 2 (King)|''Mandrake the Magician'' #2]]
Image:mandrake03king.png|<center>[[Mandrake the Magician 3 (King)|''Mandrake the Magician'' #3]]
Image:mandrake04king.png|<center>[[Mandrake the Magician 4 (King)|''Mandrake the Magician'' #4]]
</gallery>
=====The Phantom=====
"The Phantom" series continued the numbering from the publisher "Gold Key". Issues 21-23 has a short Mandrake storie as back-up titles.
<gallery>
Image:Phantom-18king.jpg|''The Phantom'' #18
Image:Phantom-19king.jpg|''The Phantom'' #19
Image:Phantom-20king.jpg|''The Phantom'' #20
Image:Phantom-21king.jpg|<center>[[The Phantom 21 (King)|''The Phantom'' #21]]
</gallery>
=====Response cards=====
To give a response to letters King made ''Response cards'' with printed text on the back:
''"It isn't possibile to answer every letter personally. But we appreciate your ideas and suggestions. Look for answer to questions like yours in the letter pages of future issues.<br>The Editors KING COMICS''
<gallery>
Image:King_Comics-RCard-30.jpg
</gallery>


KFS made an effort to publish comic books of its own by establishing the publishing company '''King Comics''' in 1967. This short-lived comic book line showcased King's best-known characters in seven titles: ''Beetle Bailey'', ''Blondie'', ''Flash Gordon'', ''Jungle Jim'', ''[[Mandrake the Magician]]'', ''[[The Phantom]]'' and ''Popeye''.
===King Paks===
"On the Drawing Board" vol. 2 issue 12 ''(April 1967)'' included a letter from [[Bill Harris]] describing their plans for their "King Comics" series:<br>
''(extracts...) The traditional channels of didtribution just don't not work anymore where comic books are concerned. Many "newsstands" have gone out of business... some just gone out of the comics business. And of those still carrying comics, probably none have all the titles available.  ... they divorced themselves from the magazine wholesalers and their outlets in favor of toy wholesalers, jobbers and their outlets. By April 1. "Blondie", "Beetle Bailey" and "Popeye" will go on sale again, under a new marketing setup. The next month "The Phantom" "Mandrake" and "Flash Gordon" will be back, following a bi-monthly schedule. The numbering will continue from the newsstand issues. "King Comics" will be available only in packages of three, one with the humor titles and one with the adventure books.''


==Mandrake the Magician by King Comics==
In an effort to increase sales of its "King Comics" King released their first bi-monthly "King Paks" with their humorous titles: "Beetle Bailey", "Blondie" and "Popeye". After the third bi-monthly "King Paks" both series became monthly from July 1967. Boxes of cardboard with 24 "King Paks" were sold to sold to distributors, where the boxes were easily made into a display box. To increase sales time, King eliminated the cover date. Still, due to the subscribers the covers had a price tag. Interesting, there are two price tag variants on the covers from August ''(July ?)'' and on: 12¢ on the US comics and 10d on the UK comics.
The Mandrake stories were all new [[King Comics stories|''non newspaper'' stories]]. In addition to the Mandrake series there was three Mandrake stories as back-up titles in the "Flash Gordon" and "The Phantom" series.
<gallery>
Image:King_Comics-3comics-10a.jpg|advertisements
Image:King_Comics-3comics-50.jpg|sales box
Image:King_Comics-3comics-51.jpg|sales box
Image:King_Comics-3comics-60.jpg|first "King Pack"
Image:King_Comics-3comics-61.jpg|first "King Pack"
</gallery>


{| {{table}}
====Humorous titles====
!Title !!Issues !!Year(s) !!Note
=====Beetle Bailey=====
|-
<gallery>
| ''[[Flash Gordon (King Comics)|Flash Gordon]]'' || 1-11 || Sept. 1966 - Dec. 1967 || continued by Charlton
Image:kc-Beetle-Bailey-58.jpg|''Beetle Bailey'' #58
|-
Image:kc-Beetle-Bailey-59.jpg|''Beetle Bailey'' #59
| ''[[Mandrake the Magician (King Comics)|Mandrake the Magician]]'' || 1-10 || Sept. 1966 - Nov. 1967 ||
Image:kc-Beetle-Bailey-60.jpg|''Beetle Bailey'' #60
|-
Image:kc-Beetle-Bailey-61.jpg|''Beetle Bailey'' #61
| ''[[The Phantom (King Comics)|The Phantom]]'' || 18-28 || Sept. 1966 - Dec. 1967 || continued from Gold Key, continued by Charlton
Image:kc-Beetle-Bailey-62.jpg|''Beetle Bailey'' #62
|-
Image:kc-Beetle-Bailey-63.jpg|''Beetle Bailey'' #63
|}
Image:kc-Beetle-Bailey-64.jpg|''Beetle Bailey'' #64
Image:kc-Beetle-Bailey-65.jpg|''Beetle Bailey'' #65
</gallery>
The "Beetle Bailey" series continued the numbering ''(skipping #66 !)'' with the publisher "Charlton".
=====Blondie=====
<gallery>
Image:kc-Blondie-168.jpg|''Blondie'' #168
Image:kc-Blondie-169.jpg|''Blondie'' #169
Image:kc-Blondie-170.jpg|''Blondie'' #170
Image:kc-Blondie-171.jpg|''Blondie'' #171
Image:kc-Blondie-172.jpg|''Blondie'' #172
Image:kc-Blondie-173.jpg|''Blondie'' #173
Image:kc-Blondie-174.jpg|''Blondie'' #174
Image:kc-Blondie-175.jpg|''Blondie'' #175
</gallery>
The "Blondie" series continued the numbering with the publisher "Charlton".
=====Popeye=====
<gallery>
Image:kc-Popeye-85.jpg|''Popeye'' #85
Image:kc-Popeye-86.jpg|''Popeye'' #86
Image:kc-Popeye-87.jpg|''Popeye'' #87
Image:kc-Popeye-88.jpg|''Popeye'' #88
Image:kc-Popeye-89.jpg|''Popeye'' #89
Image:kc-Popeye-90.jpg|''Popeye'' #90
Image:kc-Popeye-91.jpg|''Popeye'' #91
Image:kc-Popeye-92.jpg|''Popeye'' #92
</gallery>
The "Popeye" series continued the numbering with the publisher "Charlton".


==Other==
====Adventure titles====
===Response cards===
King had plans for releasing three other titles: "The Girl Phantom", "Buck Rogers" and "X-9", but abandoned them.
To give a response to letters "King Comics" made several ''Response cards'' with printed text on the back:
=====Flash Gordon=====
*''"It isn't possibile to answer every letter personally. But we appreciate your ideas and suggestions. Look for answer to questions like yours in the letter pages of future issues.<br>The Editors KING COMICS''  
<gallery>
Image:Flash_Gordon-05-king.jpg|''Flash Gordon'' #5
Image:Flash_Gordon-06-king.jpg|''Flash Gordon'' #6
Image:Flash_Gordon-07-king.jpg|''Flash Gordon'' #7
Image:Flash_Gordon-08-king.jpg|''Flash Gordon'' #8
Image:Flash_Gordon-09-king.jpg|''Flash Gordon'' #9
Image:Flash_Gordon-10-king.jpg|''Flash Gordon'' #10
Image:Flash_Gordon-11-king.jpg|''Flash Gordon'' #11
</gallery>
The "Flash Gordon" series continued the numbering with the publisher "Charlton".
=====Mandrake the Magician and Jungle Jim=====  
The "Jungle Jim" issue reprinted issue 5 from the publisher "Dell Comics".
<gallery>
Image:mandrake05king.png|<center>[[Mandrake the Magician 5 (King)|''Mandrake the Magician'' #5]]
Image:mandrake06king.png|<center>[[Mandrake the Magician 6 (King)|''Mandrake the Magician'' #6]]
Image:mandrake07king.png|<center>[[Mandrake the Magician 7 (King)|''Mandrake the Magician'' #7]]
Image:mandrake08king.png|<center>[[Mandrake the Magician 8 (King)|''Mandrake the Magician'' #8]]
Image:mandrake09king.png|<center>[[Mandrake the Magician 9 (King)|''Mandrake the Magician'' #9]]
Image:mandrake10king.png|<center>[[Mandrake the Magician 10 (King)|''Mandrake the Magician'' #10]]
Image:kc-Jungle-Jim-05.jpg|''Jungle Jim'' #05
</gallery>
The "Jungle Jim" series continued with the publisher "Charlton" using Dell's numbering.
=====The Phantom=====
<gallery>
Image:Phantom22king.jpg|<center>[[The Phantom 22 (King)|''The Phantom'' #22]]
Image:Phantom-23king.jpg|<center>[[The Phantom 23 (King)|''The Phantom'' #23]]
Image:Phantom-24king.jpg|''The Phantom'' #24
Image:Phantom-25king.jpg|''The Phantom'' #25
Image:Phantom-26king.jpg|''The Phantom'' #26
Image:Phantom-27king.jpg|''The Phantom'' #27
Image:Phantom-28king.jpg|''The Phantom'' #28
</gallery>
"The Phantom" series continued the numbering ''(skipping #29)'' with the publisher "Charlton".
====Overseas====
As mentioned, there are cover variants with the price tag for the UK market.
<gallery>
Image:Flash_Gordon-07-king-uk.jpg|''Flash Gordon'' #7
Image:Phantom-24-uk.jpg|''The Phantom'' #24
Image:kc-mtm-08-uk.jpg|''Mandrake the Magician'' #8
</gallery>
In older issues of Overstreet’s annual "Comic Book Price Guide" it is mentioned that the two ''missing'' "King Comics" issues ("The Phantom" #29 and "Beetle Bailey" #66) were sold only overseas. But they were never published by King, in the likeness of other [[Seeing is Believing (King)|unfinished stories]] and covers which was intended to continue the series.
<gallery>
Image:Phantom-29king.jpg|''The Phantom'' #29
Image:Flash_Gordon-12-king-a.jpg|''Flash Gordon'' #12
Image:Flash_Gordon-12-king-b.jpg|''Flash Gordon'' #12
</gallery>
Pictures from: [https://www.firstcomicsnews.com/the-charlton-comics-mystique-part-1/ '''First Comics News''', Phil Latter: "The Charlton Comics Mystique part 1"] and [http://beachbumcomics.blogspot.no/2015/12/flash-gordon-gripped-by-death-trap-of.html Beach Bum Comics].
 
===Giveaways===
====Complimentary====
There are at least 4 "King Comics" labeled as ''Complimentary (copy)'', and released as military giveaways in 1968. The ads and some of the content have been replaced with the content of the military relevance. The "Flash Gordon" issue missing the Mandrake story.
<gallery>
<gallery>
Image:King_Comics-RCard-30.jpg
Image:Flash Gordon-01-king-complimentary.jpg|''Flash Gordon'' #1
Image:kc-Beetle-Bailey-56-c.jpg|''Beetle Bailey'' #56
Image:kc-Beetle-Bailey-63-c.jpg|''Beetle Bailey'' #63
Image:kc-Beetle-Bailey-66-c.jpg|''Beetle Bailey''
</gallery>
</gallery>
According to [https://www.comics.org/issue/1730302/ GCD], a reprint of "Flash Gordon" #1 with same cover as above was a "Cerebal Palsy Association" Giveaway.


===3 Comics 29¢===
====Supplementary Reading Program====
Issues with "Mandrake the Magician", "The Phantom" and "Flash Gordon" were also sold in 3 pack plastic bags:
The ''comic reading libraries'' (1973 and 1977) was part of a supplementary reading program in US, with vocabulary words defined to teach reading skills for the program. The student would read the comic and then work to answer the questions and solve problems related to the stories.
<gallery>
<gallery>
Image:King_Comics-3comics-10.jpg|advertisements
Image:kc-r-01-a.jpg|issue 1
Image:King_Comics-3comics-20.jpg|sales box
Image:kc-r-02-a.jpg|issue 2
Image:King_Comics-3comics-30.jpg|sample 3 Comics
Image:kc-r-03-a.jpg|issue 3
Image:kc-r-04-a.jpg|issue 4
Image:kc-r-05-a.jpg|issue 5
Image:krl-06king.jpg|[[Supplementary Reading Program R-06 (King)|issue 6]]
Image:kc-r-07-a.jpg|issue 7
Image:kc-r-08-a.jpg|issue 8
Image:kc-r-09-a.jpg|issue 9
Image:kc-r-10-a.jpg|issue 10
Image:kc-r-11-a.jpg|issue 11
Image:kc-r-12-a.jpg|issue 12
Image:kc-r-13-a.jpg|issue 13
Image:kc-r-14-a.jpg|issue 14
Image:kc-r-15-a.jpg|issue 15
Image:krl-16king.jpg|[[Supplementary Reading Program R-16 (King)|issue 16]]
</gallery>
</gallery>


===Giveaways===
==Other==
See: [[Giveaway (King Comics)|Supplementary Reading Program]]


[[Category: Publishers]]
[[Category: Publishers]]

Revision as of 17:55, 7 May 2019

King Comics
Biographical information
Founded: 1966
Country: Mini usa.gif USA / English
Website:


History

The publishing company King Comics was made by KFS in 1966 as an effort to publish comic books of its own.

Regular series

The comic book line showcased King's best-known characters in six titles.

Humorous titles

The first issues of the bi-monthly "Beetle Bailey", "Blondie" and "Popeye" series were released in August, 1967. In the first issue of "Blondie" are prices quoted for subscription, included Canadian and foreign subscriptions.

Beetle Bailey

The "Beetle Bailey" series continued the numbering from the publisher "Gold Key".

Blondie

The "Blondie" series continued the numbering from the publisher "Harvey Comics".

Popeye

The "Popeye" series continued the numbering from the publisher "Gold Key".

Adventure titles

The first issues of the bi-monthly "Flash Gordon", "Mandrake the Magician" and "The Phantom" series were released in September, 1967.

Flash Gordon

The three first issues of "Flash Gordon" has a short Mandrake story as back-up titles.

Mandrake the Magician

The Mandrake stories were all new non newspaper stories.

The Phantom

"The Phantom" series continued the numbering from the publisher "Gold Key". Issues 21-23 has a short Mandrake storie as back-up titles.

Response cards

To give a response to letters King made Response cards with printed text on the back:

"It isn't possibile to answer every letter personally. But we appreciate your ideas and suggestions. Look for answer to questions like yours in the letter pages of future issues.
The Editors KING COMICS

King Paks

"On the Drawing Board" vol. 2 issue 12 (April 1967) included a letter from Bill Harris describing their plans for their "King Comics" series:

(extracts...) The traditional channels of didtribution just don't not work anymore where comic books are concerned. Many "newsstands" have gone out of business... some just gone out of the comics business. And of those still carrying comics, probably none have all the titles available.  ... they divorced themselves from the magazine wholesalers and their outlets in favor of toy wholesalers, jobbers and their outlets. By April 1. "Blondie", "Beetle Bailey" and "Popeye" will go on sale again, under a new marketing setup. The next month "The Phantom" "Mandrake" and "Flash Gordon" will be back, following a bi-monthly schedule. The numbering will continue from the newsstand issues. "King Comics" will be available only in packages of three, one with the humor titles and one with the adventure books.

In an effort to increase sales of its "King Comics" King released their first bi-monthly "King Paks" with their humorous titles: "Beetle Bailey", "Blondie" and "Popeye". After the third bi-monthly "King Paks" both series became monthly from July 1967. Boxes of cardboard with 24 "King Paks" were sold to sold to distributors, where the boxes were easily made into a display box. To increase sales time, King eliminated the cover date. Still, due to the subscribers the covers had a price tag. Interesting, there are two price tag variants on the covers from August (July ?) and on: 12¢ on the US comics and 10d on the UK comics.

Humorous titles

Beetle Bailey

The "Beetle Bailey" series continued the numbering (skipping #66 !) with the publisher "Charlton".

Blondie

The "Blondie" series continued the numbering with the publisher "Charlton".

Popeye

The "Popeye" series continued the numbering with the publisher "Charlton".

Adventure titles

King had plans for releasing three other titles: "The Girl Phantom", "Buck Rogers" and "X-9", but abandoned them.

Flash Gordon

The "Flash Gordon" series continued the numbering with the publisher "Charlton".

Mandrake the Magician and Jungle Jim

The "Jungle Jim" issue reprinted issue 5 from the publisher "Dell Comics".

The "Jungle Jim" series continued with the publisher "Charlton" using Dell's numbering.

The Phantom

"The Phantom" series continued the numbering (skipping #29) with the publisher "Charlton".

Overseas

As mentioned, there are cover variants with the price tag for the UK market.

In older issues of Overstreet’s annual "Comic Book Price Guide" it is mentioned that the two missing "King Comics" issues ("The Phantom" #29 and "Beetle Bailey" #66) were sold only overseas. But they were never published by King, in the likeness of other unfinished stories and covers which was intended to continue the series.

Pictures from: First Comics News, Phil Latter: "The Charlton Comics Mystique part 1" and Beach Bum Comics.

Giveaways

Complimentary

There are at least 4 "King Comics" labeled as Complimentary (copy), and released as military giveaways in 1968. The ads and some of the content have been replaced with the content of the military relevance. The "Flash Gordon" issue missing the Mandrake story.

According to GCD, a reprint of "Flash Gordon" #1 with same cover as above was a "Cerebal Palsy Association" Giveaway.

Supplementary Reading Program

The comic reading libraries (1973 and 1977) was part of a supplementary reading program in US, with vocabulary words defined to teach reading skills for the program. The student would read the comic and then work to answer the questions and solve problems related to the stories.

Other