Savage Tales Volume 2 Ad

Marvel did not spend a lot of time, space, or money advertising the second iteration of Savage Tales, but they at least did run this ad, which I found in an old issue of the comics magazine Amazing Heroes.

Sure, it's only a half-page, but at least it's something...!

Marvel Readers Forum - 1974

This ran in the letters page of yesterday's issue of Monsters Unleashed!

I dunno--for my money, reader Bob Martinengo's suggestion for a new magazine sounds really good to me. Silver Surfer, The X-Men, The Inhumans? Here's my 75 cents, Marvel!

Deadly Hands of Kung-Fu Ad - Marvel

When you've got his much butt-kicking on a cover--drawn by Neal Adams, no less--you really need to give it more space in an ad than it had here, don't you think?

Amazing Spider-Man Ad - Marvel

This dynamic ad ran in yesterday's issue of Marvel Premiere, promising "A daringly different look"--i.e., a Japanese version of everyone's favorite web-slinger.

Sadly, no such daringly different version of Spidey ever showed up. The next issue of Marvel Premiere was Bizarre Adventures, not Spidey.

Our pal Joe Jusko mentioned this aborted project in his interview here a few months ago: "I started doing Rampaging Hulk covers as well as other miscellaneous one shots. I did a cover for a proposed "fumetti"(telling a comic story with photos) version of a Japanese Spider-Man TV show(!)"

...apparently, though, the show looked so cruddy that Marvel decided to scrap the book. I dunno--from Joe's painting here, the show looks insane.

Which means they definitely should've done the book!

KISS Ad - Marvel

How the hell(appropriate term) have I not bought a copy of this yet?

I'd love to see Marvel reprint this, their Tommy adaptation, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, and that issue of Marvel Premiere starring Alice Cooper in some sort of hardcover slipcase edition. Reprint rights be damned, this is rock n' roll!

The Hulk! Ad - Marvel

This ad ran on the inside cover of yesterday's Jaws 2 adaptation, and it uses one of my favorite iconic shots of the Hulk, ever.

I'm not sure who drew this (it looks a little John Buscema inked by Ernie Chan to me. Anyone else have a better suggestion?), but the Hulk never looked so massive to me, or more threatening, and Banner looks so passive and weak. A perfect visual representation of the inherent dynamic found in the character.

Howard the Duck Magazine Ad - Marvel

Marie Severin rules, even when drawing a sexy chick with a duck's face.

Dracula Lives! Ad - Marvel

I love this ad.

That is all.

Tomb of Dracula Ad - Marvel

Gene Colan + Dracula + black and white = can't go wrong.

Crazy Ad - Marvel

I never got into Crazy too much--I was more of a Cracked man, myself.

But after having read the first issue a way back, I was impressed at the high level of talent it attracted. Maybe at the next comic con I'll try and pick up some of them on the cheap and give Crazy a proper look-see.

Vampire Tales Ad - Marvel

I always liked the Morbius character. I would've loved to see him participate in one of those DC/Marvel crossovers in the 70s, like with The Phantom Stranger or Deadman. That would've kicked supernatural ass.

Planet of the Apes Ad - Marvel

I'm hip-deep in projects this week, so I decided this was the perfect time to do an oft-planned week of Marvel magazine ads.

As good or bad as Marvel's general output was, their sense of showmanship was second to none, and the ads they ran in their b/w magazines made you need--not just want--their publications.

It occurs to me I haven't talked about Marvel's POTA magazine very much, I'll have to rectify that soon.

Epic Illustrated Ad - Marvel

I imagine it was hard crafting eye-catching ads for Epic Illustrated for the b/w magazines, since Epic was so lushly in color, but this one is overall pretty nice. And that list of talent--Corben, Starlin, Buscema, Pini--is impressive no matter what.

Savage Sword of Conan Ad - Marvel

The ad is like the Cimmerian himself--basic, and to the point.

Just buy the magazine, by Crom!

The Hulk! Subscription Ad - Marvel

This ad features that frequently-seen fun shot of the Hulk by Marie Severin, and the ad copy mentions what had to be an early direct plea to the collectors out there, who cared about the condition of their comics.

Howard the Duck Magazine Ad - Marvel

A nifty ad, promoting the short-lived Howard the Duck b/w magazine.

I love that weird-looking(even by Howard standards) guy on the lower left giving us all the a-ok sign.

Epic Illustrated Ad - Marvel

I found this ad on the back of a Marvel Super Special, about six months before Epic the magazine debuted.

I get the feeling the artist, Peter Ledger, wasn't given a lot of specific instruction--"Just make it big, like in the Mighty Marvel Manner!"

Marvel-Con '76 Ad

One of my goals in this second iteration of the blog is to have a little more of a regular schedule; to that end my plan is to do reviews Monday through Friday, and devote weekends to ads and other ancillary material.

Now I'll admit this ad really doesn't have much to do with the b/w magazine format, except that I've only ever seen it in one(a Savage Sword of Conan), never in a color comic, and it was simply too much fun to pass up.

Appearances can be deceiving of course, but judging by this ad this looks like The Most Awesome Comic Con Ever--an appearance by Spider-Man, art lessons by John Buscema, writing lessons by Roy Thomas, free kung fu exhibitions??

And on top of that, if you need more info on it you get to correspond with Vince Colletta!! Not too intimidating, no?

Frantic Ad - Marvel

This ad(click here to see a readable version) made me scratch my head.

It's from a British Marvel reprint magazine called Chiller Pocket Book, and I guess its for the UK version of Marvel's Crazy, but locally called Frantic? Does the word crazy not...translate, for lack of a better word, in England, necessitating the change?

I do love the idea of Marvel using one of their lamest characters to sell the book.

Savage Sword of Conan Ad - Marvel

I didn't, strangely enough, find this ad in a black and white magazine, but in a British digest-sized Marvel reprint magazine called Chiller Pocket Book.

Can't go wrong with a John Buscema Conan piece!