King Comics: Difference between revisions

From MandrakeWiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(→‎King Paks: Three images added)
(13 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 61: Line 61:
Image:Phantom-20king.jpg|''The Phantom'' #20
Image:Phantom-20king.jpg|''The Phantom'' #20
Image:Phantom-21king.jpg|<center>[[The Phantom 21 (King)|''The Phantom'' #21]]
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>
</gallery>


Line 67: Line 73:
  ''(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.''
  ''(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 "King Paks" with their humorous titles: "Beetle Bailey", "Blondie" and "Popeye". 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.
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.
 
<gallery>
<gallery>
Image:King_Comics-3comics-10.jpg|advertisements
Image:King_Comics-3comics-10a.jpg|advertisements
Image:King_Comics-3comics-50.jpg|sales box
Image:King_Comics-3comics-50.jpg|sales box
Image:King_Comics-3comics-51.jpg|sales box
Image:King_Comics-3comics-51.jpg|sales box
Image:King_Comics-3comics-52.jpg|sales box
Image:King_Comics-3comics-53.jpg|sales box
Image:King_Comics-3comics-54.jpg|sales box
Image:King_Comics-3comics-60.jpg|first "King Pack"
Image:King_Comics-3comics-60.jpg|first "King Pack"
Image:King_Comics-3comics-61.jpg|first "King Pack"
Image:King_Comics-3comics-61.jpg|first "King Pack"
Line 83: Line 91:
Image:kc-Beetle-Bailey-59.jpg|''Beetle Bailey'' #59
Image:kc-Beetle-Bailey-59.jpg|''Beetle Bailey'' #59
Image:kc-Beetle-Bailey-60.jpg|''Beetle Bailey'' #60
Image:kc-Beetle-Bailey-60.jpg|''Beetle Bailey'' #60
Image:kc-Beetle-Bailey-61.jpg|''Beetle Bailey'' #61
Image:kc-Beetle-Bailey-61.jpg|''Beetle Bailey'' #61<br><small>(also exists as an UK variant)</small>
Image:kc-Beetle-Bailey-62.jpg|''Beetle Bailey'' #62
Image:kc-Beetle-Bailey-62.jpg|''Beetle Bailey'' #62<br><small>(also exists as an UK variant)</small>
Image:kc-Beetle-Bailey-63.jpg|''Beetle Bailey'' #63
Image:kc-Beetle-Bailey-63.jpg|''Beetle Bailey'' #63<br><small>(also exists as an UK variant)</small>
Image:kc-Beetle-Bailey-64.jpg|''Beetle Bailey'' #64
Image:kc-Beetle-Bailey-64.jpg|''Beetle Bailey'' #64<br><small>(also exists as an UK variant)</small>
Image:kc-Beetle-Bailey-65.jpg|''Beetle Bailey'' #65
Image:kc-Beetle-Bailey-65.jpg|''Beetle Bailey'' #65
</gallery>
</gallery>
Line 95: Line 103:
Image:kc-Blondie-169.jpg|''Blondie'' #169
Image:kc-Blondie-169.jpg|''Blondie'' #169
Image:kc-Blondie-170.jpg|''Blondie'' #170
Image:kc-Blondie-170.jpg|''Blondie'' #170
Image:kc-Blondie-171.jpg|''Blondie'' #171
Image:kc-Blondie-171.jpg|''Blondie'' #171<br><small>(also exists as an UK variant)</small>
Image:kc-Blondie-172.jpg|''Blondie'' #172
Image:kc-Blondie-172.jpg|''Blondie'' #172<br><small>(also exists as an UK variant)</small>
Image:kc-Blondie-173.jpg|''Blondie'' #173
Image:kc-Blondie-173.jpg|''Blondie'' #173<br><small>(also exists as an UK variant)</small>
Image:kc-Blondie-174.jpg|''Blondie'' #174
Image:kc-Blondie-174.jpg|''Blondie'' #174<br><small>(also exists as an UK variant)</small>
Image:kc-Blondie-175.jpg|''Blondie'' #175
Image:kc-Blondie-175.jpg|''Blondie'' #175
</gallery>
</gallery>
Line 107: Line 115:
Image:kc-Popeye-86.jpg|''Popeye'' #86
Image:kc-Popeye-86.jpg|''Popeye'' #86
Image:kc-Popeye-87.jpg|''Popeye'' #87
Image:kc-Popeye-87.jpg|''Popeye'' #87
Image:kc-Popeye-88.jpg|''Popeye'' #88
Image:kc-Popeye-88.jpg|''Popeye'' #88<br><small>(also exists as an UK variant)</small>
Image:kc-Popeye-89.jpg|''Popeye'' #89
Image:kc-Popeye-89.jpg|''Popeye'' #89<br><small>(also exists as an UK variant)</small>
Image:kc-Popeye-90.jpg|''Popeye'' #90
Image:kc-Popeye-90.jpg|''Popeye'' #90<br><small>(also exists as an UK variant)</small>
Image:kc-Popeye-91.jpg|''Popeye'' #91
Image:kc-Popeye-91.jpg|''Popeye'' #91<br><small>(also exists as an UK variant)</small>
Image:kc-Popeye-92.jpg|''Popeye'' #92
Image:kc-Popeye-92.jpg|''Popeye'' #92
</gallery>
</gallery>
Line 116: Line 124:


====Adventure titles====
====Adventure titles====
King had plans for releasing three other titles: "The Girl Phantom", "Buck Rogers" and "X-9", but abandoned them.
=====Flash Gordon=====
=====Flash Gordon=====
<gallery>
<gallery>
Image:Flash_Gordon-05-king.jpg|''Flash Gordon'' #5
Image:Flash_Gordon-05-king.jpg|''Flash Gordon'' #5
Image:Flash_Gordon-06-king.jpg|''Flash Gordon'' #6
Image:Flash_Gordon-06-king.jpg|''Flash Gordon'' #6
Image:Flash_Gordon-07-king.jpg|''Flash Gordon'' #7
Image:Flash_Gordon-07-king.jpg|''Flash Gordon'' #7<br><small>(also exists as an UK variant)</small>
Image:Flash_Gordon-08-king.jpg|''Flash Gordon'' #8
Image:Flash_Gordon-08-king.jpg|''Flash Gordon'' #8<br><small>(also exists as an UK variant)</small>
Image:Flash_Gordon-09-king.jpg|''Flash Gordon'' #9
Image:Flash_Gordon-09-king.jpg|''Flash Gordon'' #9<br><small>(also exists as an UK variant)</small>
Image:Flash_Gordon-10-king.jpg|''Flash Gordon'' #10
Image:Flash_Gordon-10-king.jpg|''Flash Gordon'' #10<br><small>(also exists as an UK variant)</small>
Image:Flash_Gordon-11-king.jpg|''Flash Gordon'' #11
Image:Flash_Gordon-11-king.jpg|''Flash Gordon'' #11
</gallery>
</gallery>
Line 132: Line 141:
Image:mandrake05king.png|<center>[[Mandrake the Magician 5 (King)|''Mandrake the Magician'' #5]]
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: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:mandrake07king.png|<center>[[Mandrake the Magician 7 (King)|''Mandrake the Magician'' #7]]<br><small>(also exists as an UK variant)</small>
Image:mandrake08king.png|<center>[[Mandrake the Magician 8 (King)|''Mandrake the Magician'' #8]]
Image:mandrake08king.png|<center>[[Mandrake the Magician 8 (King)|''Mandrake the Magician'' #8]]<br><small>(also exists as an UK variant)</small>
Image:mandrake09king.png|<center>[[Mandrake the Magician 9 (King)|''Mandrake the Magician'' #9]]
Image:mandrake09king.png|<center>[[Mandrake the Magician 9 (King)|''Mandrake the Magician'' #9]]<br><small>(also exists as an UK variant)</small>
Image:mandrake10king.png|<center>[[Mandrake the Magician 10 (King)|''Mandrake the Magician'' #10]]
Image:mandrake10king.png|<center>[[Mandrake the Magician 10 (King)|''Mandrake the Magician'' #10]]<br><small>(also exists as an UK variant)</small>
Image:kc-Jungle-Jim-05.jpg|''Jungle Jim'' #05
Image:kc-Jungle-Jim-05.jpg|''Jungle Jim'' #05
</gallery>
</gallery>
Line 143: Line 152:
Image:Phantom22king.jpg|<center>[[The Phantom 22 (King)|''The Phantom'' #22]]
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-23king.jpg|<center>[[The Phantom 23 (King)|''The Phantom'' #23]]
Image:Phantom-24king.jpg|''The Phantom'' #24
Image:Phantom-24king.jpg|''The Phantom'' #24<br><small>(also exists as an UK variant)</small>
Image:Phantom-25king.jpg|''The Phantom'' #25
Image:Phantom-25king.jpg|''The Phantom'' #25<br><small>(also exists as an UK variant)</small>
Image:Phantom-26king.jpg|''The Phantom'' #26
Image:Phantom-26king.jpg|''The Phantom'' #26<br><small>(also exists as an UK variant)</small>
Image:Phantom-27king.jpg|''The Phantom'' #27
Image:Phantom-27king.jpg|''The Phantom'' #27<br><small>(also exists as an UK variant)</small>
Image:Phantom-28king.jpg|''The Phantom'' #28
Image:Phantom-28king.jpg|''The Phantom'' #28
</gallery>
</gallery>
"The Phantom" series continued the numbering ''(skipping #29)'' with the publisher "Charlton".
"The Phantom" series continued the numbering ''(skipping #29)'' with the publisher "Charlton".
====Overseas====
====Overseas====
As mentioned, there are cover variants with the price tag for the UK market.  
As mentioned, there are cover variants with the price tag for the UK market.  
Line 158: Line 166:
Image:kc-mtm-08-uk.jpg|''Mandrake the Magician'' #8
Image:kc-mtm-08-uk.jpg|''Mandrake the Magician'' #8
</gallery>
</gallery>
In older issues of Overstreet’s annual "Comic Book Price Guide" 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 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>
<gallery>
Image:Phantom-29king.jpg|''The Phantom'' #29
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>
</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].
=====See also=====
*[https://www.cgccomics.com/boards/blogs/entry/4903-king-comics-uk-price-variants/ CGS Comics: King Comics - UK Price Variants]


===Giveaways===
===Giveaways===
====Complimentary====  
====Complimentary====  
There are at least 3 "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. ''(note: not confirmed that one do find the Mandrake story in the "Flash Gordon" issue 1)''
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:Flash Gordon-01-king-complimentary.jpg|''Flash Gordon'' #1
Image:Flash Gordon-01-king-complimentary.jpg|''Flash Gordon'' #1
Image:kc-Beetle-Bailey-56-c.jpg|''Beetle Bailey'' #56
Image:kc-Beetle-Bailey-56-c.jpg|''Beetle Bailey'' #56
Image:kc-Beetle-Bailey-63-c.jpg|''Beetle Bailey'' #63
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.
====Supplementary Reading Program====
====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.  
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.  
Line 193: Line 209:


==Other==
==Other==
===Response cards===
{{stub}}
To give a response to letters "King Comics" made several ''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>
==Sources==
[https://www.firstcomicsnews.com/the-charlton-comics-mystique-part-1/ '''First Comics News''', Phil Latter: "The Charlton Comics Mystique part 1"]


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

Revision as of 16:57, 9 July 2020

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.

See also

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