Lev Gleason Publications
Lev Gleason | |
Founded | 1939 (1939) |
---|---|
Founder | Leverett Stone Gleason |
Defunct | 1956 (1956) |
Country of origin | United States |
Headquarters location | New York City |
Publication types | Comic books |
Fiction genres | Crime, romance, Western |
Imprints | Comic House Publications |
Lev Gleason Publications, founded by Leverett Stone Gleason (1898–1971),[1] was the publisher of a number of popular comic books during the 1940s and early 1950s, including Daredevil Comics, Crime Does Not Pay, and Boy Comics.
Background
Lev Gleason Publications, founded by Leverett Gleason in 1939,[2] was based in Manhattan, New York City, and was among the first to produce comic books aimed at an adult audience.[citation needed] He labeled some of his books "illustories" to suggest that they were a new, different form.[citation needed]
Gleason began his career in 1931 as an artist and advertising director for Open Road for Boys magazine. from 1932 to circa 1934, he served as advertising manager under Harry Wildenberg at Eastern Color Printing, a printer that became a comics-publishing pioneer in 1933 with the first American comic books. Becoming an editor at the newspaper syndicate United Feature, Gleason in 1936 launched the early comic book Tip Top Comics, which ran through 1938.[1] He later became business manager at publisher Dan Gilmor's company Your Guide Publications, Inc., which was affiliated with Gilmor's Friday, Inc. and New Friday, Inc.[3][4]
Gleason, the treasurer of New Friday,[1] purchased the comic-book series Silver Streak Comics and Daredevil Comics (no relation to the Marvel Comics character Daredevil) from that company circa 1942.[3] Under the imprint Comic House Inc., Gleason continued the numbering of Silver Streak Comics with a crime comic, Crime Does Not Pay, which premiered with issue #22 (cover-dated July 1942).[5] Also that year, Gleason briefly published the left-wing political magazine Reader's Choice.[1]
The first and most successful crime comic, Crime Does Not Pay spawned dozens of imitators. Gleason's crime titles (along with horror titles produced by EC Comics) became targets of increasing criticism of the influence of comic books. This pressure led to the formation in 1948 of the Association of Comics Magazine Publishers (ACMP) in an effort to avoid external regulation. Gleason was a founding member. The ACMP was the first step toward the establishment of the Comics Code Authority in 1954.
In April 1949, Lev Gleason Publications — at this point located ar 114 East 32nd Street in Manhattan — began publishing a comics magazine for adults, Tops, carrying "stories illustrated in the style and technique of comic strips."[6] The first-issue features included an excerpt from the Billy Rose book Wine, Women and Words.[6]
Gleason went out of business in 1956. Its final publications were the teen-humor comic Jim Dandy #3 (Sept. 1956), and the children's Western comedy Shorty Shiner #3 (Oct. 1956). Both were published under the imprint Dandy Magazines Inc., as A Dandy Comic.[7]
Personnel
Beginning December 15, 1947, Lev Gleason Publications' advertising director was Gilbert G. Southwick, who had resigned as food advertising manager for Seventeen magazine.[8] He left in September the following year to become vice president and general manager of the Roselle Park, New Jersey, toy manufacturer Childhood Interests, Inc.[9] In 1953, Gleason vice president E.A. Piller resigned to open his own office as a publishers' representative, with Gleason among his clients.[10]
Selected list of Lev Gleason Publications titles
- Black Diamond Western (1949–1956) 52 issues
- Boy Comics (1942–1956) 117 issues
- Boy Loves Girl (1952–1956) 33 issues
- Boy Meets Girl (1950–1952) 24 issues
- Crime and Punishment (1948–1955) 74 issues
- Crime Does Not Pay (1942–1955) 126 issues
- Daredevil Comics (1941–1956) 134 issues
- Lovers' Lane (1949–1954) 41 issues
- Silver Streak Comics (1939–1946) 23 issues
References
- ^ a b c d Bails, Jerry; Ware, Hames, eds. "Gleason, Lev". Who's Who of American Comic Books, 1928–1999. Archived from the original on September 8, 2015. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
{{cite web}}
:|first2=
has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Comics through Time: A History of Icons, Idols, and Ideas [4 volumes] by M. Keith Booker, p. 163
- ^ a b Lev Gleason: Your Guide Publications, Inc. (Indicia Publisher) at the Grand Comics Database. "Your Guide Publications, Inc. is not an actual division of Lev Gleason. It was a company owned by Arthur Bernard and Morris Latzen which published comics in 1939-1941, and in 1946."
- ^ Lev Gleason: New Friday Publications, Inc. (Indicia Publisher) at the Grand Comics Database
- ^ Crime Does Not Pay (Lev Gleason, 1942 Series) at the Grand Comics Database
- ^ a b "Advertising News and Notes: Notes". The New York Times. April 4, 1949. Retrieved April 20, 2013. Abstract only; full article requires payment or subscription
- ^ Lev Gleason Publications at the Grand Comics Database
- ^ "Advertising News and Notes: Personnel". The New York Times. December 10, 1947. Retrieved April 20, 2013. Abstract only; full article requires payment or subscription
- ^ "Business Notes". The New York Times. September 6, 1948. Retrieved April 20, 2013. Abstract only; full article requires payment or subscription
- ^ "Advertising & Marketing News". The New York Times. April 20, 1953. Retrieved April 20, 2013. Abstract only; full article requires payment or subscription
External links
- Lev Gleason Publications at Grand Comics Database
- Dakin, in Worcester, Kent, "Lev Gleason: The Family Speaks!, Brett (July 2, 2010). "American Daredevil: Comics, Communism and My Uncle Lev". The Comics Journal. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved April 20, 2013.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - Lev Gleason's Comic House
- Kent Worcester’s book review for The Comics Journal (15 July 2020) of Brett Dakin’s “American Daredevil: Comics, Communism, and The Battles of Lev Gleason”[1]
- v
- t
- e
- Captain Courageous
- Doctor Nemesis
- The Flag
- Lash Lightning
- The Raven
- Unknown Soldier
- Vulcan
Publications
- The Atom
- Al Pratt
- Black Canary
- Dinah Drake
- Doctor Mid-Nite
- Doiby Dickles
- The Flash
- Jay Garrick
- The Gay Ghost
- Green Lantern
- Hawkgirl
- Hawkman
- Carter Hall
- Hop Harrigan
- Johnny Thunder
- Justice Society of America
- The King
- Mister Terrific
- Terry Sloane
- Neptune Perkins
- Red Tornado
- Sargon the Sorcerer
- The Terrific Whatzit
- Thunderbolt
- Ultra-Man
- The Whip
- Wildcat
- Ted Grant
- Wonder Woman
- Airman
- Amazing-Man
- The Arrow
- The Clock
- The Eye
- Fantom of the Fair
- Magician from Mars
- The Masked Marvel
- Minimidget
- Atomic Mouse
- Captain Atom
- Nightshade
- Mr. Muscles
- Nature Boy
- Space Adventures
- Yellowjacket
- Bulletgirl
- Bulletman
- Captain Marvel
- Captain Marvel Jr.
- Captain Midnight
- Dan Dare
- Hoppy the Marvel Bunny
- Ibis the Invincible
- Lieutenant Marvels
- Marvel Family
- Mary Marvel
- Master Man
- Minute-Man
- Mr. Scarlet
- Nyoka the Jungle Girl
- Phantom Eagle
- Pinky the Whiz Kid
- Scoop Smith
- Spy Smasher
- Squadron of Justice
- Uncle Marvel
- Black Fury
- Blue Beetle
- Dan Garret
- The Bouncer
- Bronze Man
- Dynamo
- The Flame
- Green Mask
- The Moth
- Samson
- Stardust the Super Wizard
- U.S. Jones
- Wonder Man
- Black Cat
- Captain 3-D
- Captain Freedom
- Green Hornet
- Invisible Scarlet O'Neil
- Kato
- Shock Gibson
- Spirit of '76
Publications
- Captain Battle
- Claw
- Crimebuster
- Daredevil
- Little Wise Guys
- Silver Streak
- The Black Hood
- Bob Phantom
- Captain Flag
- The Comet
- The Firefly
- The Fox
- The Hangman
- Rang-a-Tang the Wonder Dog
- The Shield
- Super Duck
- The Web
- The Wizard
Publications
- Ace the Bat-Hound
- Air Wave
- Aquaman
- Batman
- Batwoman
- Black Pirate
- Boy Commandos
- Captain Comet
- Chris KL-99
- Congo Bill
- Crimson Avenger
- Lee Travis
- Dan the Dyna-Mite
- Dark Ranger
- Detective Chimp
- Doctor Fate
- Kent Nelson
- Doctor Occult
- Genius Jones
- Gimmick Girl
- Green Arrow
- Guardian
- Hourman
- Rex Tyler
- Johnny Chambers
- King Faraday
- The Knight
- Krypto
- Liberty Belle
- Manhunter
- Paul Kirk
- Martian Manhunter
- Miss X
- Mr. America
- Newsboy Legion
- Phantom Stranger
- Rex the Wonder Dog
- Robin
- Dick Grayson
- Robotman
- Rose Psychic
- Sandman
- Wesley Dodds
- Sandy the Golden Boy
- Seven Soldiers of Victory
- Shining Knight
- Sir Justin
- Slam Bradley
- The Spectre
- Speedy
- Roy Harper
- Squire
- Star-Spangled Kid
- Starman
- Ted Knight
- Stripesy
- Stuff the Chinatown Kid
- Superboy
- Kal-El
- Superman
- Superwoman
- Tarantula
- TNT
- Tommy Tomorrow
- Vigilante
- Wonder Woman
- Zatara
- American Crusader
- American Eagle
- Black Terror
- Captain Future
- Doc Strange
- Fighting Yank
- The Ghost
- Grim Reaper
- Judy of the Jungle
- Kara the Jungle Princess
- Lance Lewis, Space Detective
- Liberator
- The Magnet
- Miss Masque
- Princess Pantha
- Pyroman
- The Scarab
- The Woman in Red
- Blue Bolt
- Dick Cole
- The Target
- The Targeteers
- The Twister
Publications
- #711
- The Black Condor
- Blackhawk
- Blue Tracer
- Bozo the Iron Man
- Captain Triumph
- Doll Girl
- Doll Man
- Firebrand
- The Human Bomb
- Invisible Hood
- The Jester
- Kid Eternity
- Lady Luck
- Madame Fatal
- Magno
- Manhunter
- Merlin the Magician
- Midnight
- Miss America
- Miss Fear
- Mouthpiece
- Neon the Unknown
- Phantom Lady
- Plastic Man
- Quicksilver
- The Ray
- Red Bee
- Red Torpedo
- The Spider
- Spider Widow
- Uncle Sam
- Wildfire
- Wonder Boy
- Woozy Winks
- All-Winners Squad
- American Ace
- The Angel
- Black Marvel
- Black Widow
- Claire Voyant
- Blazing Skull
- Blonde Phantom
- Blue Blade
- Blue Diamond
- Breeze Barton
- Bucky
- Captain America
- Captain Wonder
- The Challenger
- Citizen V
- The Destroyer
- Dynamic Man
- Father Time
- The Ferret
- Fiery Mask
- The Fin
- Golden Girl
- The Human Torch
- Jack Frost
- Laughing Mask
- Marvel Boy
- Mercury
- Miss America
- Miss Fury
- Mister E
- Namor
- Namora
- The Patriot
- Phantom Reporter
- Red Raven
- Rockman
- Silver Scorpion
- Sun Girl
- Super Rabbit
- Thin Man
- Thunderer
- Tim Mulrooney
- Toro
- Venus
- The Vision
- The Whizzer
- Robert Frank
- The Witness
- Young Allies
- American Comics Group
- Anglo-American Publishing
- Commander Steel
- Atlas Publications
- Captain Atom
- Bell Features
- The Brain
- Johnny Canuck
- Nelvana of the Northern Lights
- Cardal Publishing
- Streamline
- Columbia Comics
- The Face
- Skyman
- David McKay Publications
- Mandrake the Magician
- The Phantom
- DC Thomson
- The Amazing Mr X
- Jack Flash
- Dynamic Publications
- Dynamic Man
- Yankee Girl
- Eastern Color Printing
- EC Comics
- Moon Girl
- Superduperman
- Elliot Publishing Company
- Fiction House
- Hillman Periodicals
- Airboy
- The Heap
- Holyoke Publishing
- L. Miller & Son, Ltd.
- Magazine Enterprises
- Funnyman
- Maple Leaf Publishing
- Brok Windsor
- Iron Man
- Rural Home Publications
- Green Turtle
- Street & Smith
- The Avenger
- Doc Savage
- The Shadow
- Supersnipe
- ^ Brett Dakin (2020). "American Daredevil: Comics, Communism, and The Battles of Lev Gleason. Chapterhouse Publishing. Retrieved 31 July 2020.