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, 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 that appeared on the back cover of many historically significant comic books, including Action Comics #1 (June 1938) (the first appearance of the character Superman) and Detective Comics #27 (May 1939) (the first appearance of the character Batman).
Notable products offered
Charles Atlas illustrated bodybuilding book
Disappearing ink
Dribble glass
Itching powder
Joy buzzer
Latex mask
Potato gun
Sea-Monkeys
Sneezing powder
Squirting flower
Stink bomb
Whoopee cushion
X-ray specs
The ads also included recruitment of youngsters to act as salespeople for products such as greeting cards and the national newspaper Grit.
See also
Advertising to children
Soren Sorensen Adams – a Danish-American inventor and manufacturer of novelty products, including the joy buzzer. Toy advertising
References
Further reading
156 pages.