| Parent company | Curtis Publishing Company |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1940 |
| Defunct | 1949 |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Headquarters location | New York City |
| Key people | Dick Briefer,Joe Simon,Jack Kirby |
| Publication types | Comic books |
| Fiction genres | Superhero,Crime |
Novelty Press (a.k.a.Premium Service Co., Inc.; a.k.a.Novelty Publications; a.k.a.Premier Group) was an AmericanGolden Agecomic-book publisher that operated from 1940 to 1949. It was the comic book imprint ofCurtis Publishing Company, publisher ofThe Saturday Evening Post. Among Novelty's best-known and longest-running titles were the companion titlesBlue Bolt andTarget Comics.
During its nine-year run, Novelty had a roster of creators that includedAl Avison,Dan Barry,Carl Burgos,L.B. Cole,Bill Everett,Al Gabriele,Joe Gill,Tom Gill,Jack Kirby,Tarpé Mills,Al Plastino,Don Rico,Joe Simon,Mickey Spillane, andBasil Wolverton.[1]
Although published inPhiladelphia, Novelty Press's editorial offices were in New York City.
Novelty Press launched its first title,Target Comics, debuted with acover date of February 1940, followed shortly thereafter byBlue Bolt.[2]
Target Comics featured such stars asBull's-Eye Bill,Lucky Byrd, and TheWhite Streak (Target's first superhero). Material for the book was supplied byFunnies, Inc., a packager also responsible for many ofMarvel Comics' early characters.[1] Creators includedBill Everett,Joe Simon, andTarpé Mills.Basil Wolverton'sSpacehawk (which originated inCircus comics) made itsTarget Comics debut with issue #5, and ran for many issues. The superheroTarget, created by cartoonistDick Briefer under the pen nam "Dick Hamilton", was introduced in issue #10 (Nov. 1940), accompanied by the Targeteers the following issue.[2] TheOverstreet Comic Book Price Guide suggests that the firstcomic book letter column may have appeared inTarget Comics #6. The page in question also has an early mention of comic-book collecting.)[3]
Blue Bolt's title character superhero was created byJoe Simon, andBlue Bolt #2 (July 1940) featured the first pairing of the longstanding and pioneering creative team of Simon andJack Kirby.[2]
4 Most, launched in 1941, was Novelty's answer toDC Comics' omnibus titleWorld's Finest Comics andAll American'sComic Cavalcade.[2]
Young King Cole, debuting in 1945, was an anthology title headlined by one of the comic genre's first private detectives.[4]
In 1949, due to the growingcriticism over violence in comic books, Novelty Press sold its assets toBlue Bolt cover artistL.B. Cole.[5] Using his new assets, Cole began his own company,Star Publications.[citation needed]