How DC used to promote their comics

[Jim Kelly]

But in 1974, with the launch of the in-house fanzine (or prozine), AMAZING WORLD OF DC COMICS, the Direct Currents were now featured in that book. This one is from the first issue of AWODCC.



Once that book folded, the Direct Currents were available in the comics again, for awhile. But there was also a Direct Currents Hot-Line you could call (in the early 1980s, if memory serves).



Eventually, the Direct Currents were packaged as a pamphlet that you could get free in your LCS, beginning with books that shipped in February of 1988.

[Tzigone]

dc ad.jpg
Superman front and center is no surprise. Seeing Superboy there too was slightly odd, but I get it. I was surprised by Green Lantern and Wonder Woman - and when I read the 'shipping idea before I thought it came from nowhere.

[Güicho]

Eventually, the Direct Currents were packaged as a pamphlet that you could get free in your LCS, beginning with books that shipped in February of 1988.

Promo for home delivery of Direct Currents

[Jim Kelly]

THE BIG ALL-AMERICAN COMIC BOOK, on sale in November, 1944--



--that wasn't put out directly through DC (National/All-American) but through a proxy, William H. Wise & Company, to get by wartime paper quotas.

Two other DC special format comic magazines (this time from Jack Kirby), IN THE DAYS OF THE MOB on sale June 15th, 1971, and SPIRIT WORLD on sale August 15th, 1971. The magazines were a failure but DC made them available for mail order in 1972--



--note that National/DC isn't on the cover. Instead, it's a different imprint--Hampshire Dist. Ltd. Both were black & white magazine format, to get around the Comic Code restrictions of the day. And it seems like DC didn't want to damage its wholesome family brand, thus the different imprint.

[Electricmastro]

From More Fun Comics #32 (June, 1938). Art by Joe Shuster.

[caj]

[Jim Kelly]

The 1950s were a different time . . .

[Jim Kelly]

[Jim Kelly]

[Jim Kelly]

"On this winter night with you . . ."

[Jim Kelly]

"Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree . . ."

[Jim Kelly]

"Let there be Peace on Earth . . ."