Comic Books price guide ad - 1983

This ad compliments of Rob Kelly.

Who hasn't turned their comics into cash at one point or another?
I mean, besides people who don't buy comics.

Come on now, we've all been strapped, needed some quick money (don't fancy prostitution?) and have had to rifle through our beloved stash of goodies (do fancy prostitution?)
This is the time when you need to know how much that Solar Man of the Atom lot you got from a relative who thought they were giving a quality gift, is going to go for (although I don't know that a guide book from 83 is going to help you).

You could go straight to the local comic book store/dealer. But do you trust him to be fair? Or does your comic book sense tingle whenever you get near, knowing that a thief is in your midst.
Now you can live monies and without fear!
The Official *insert year* Price Guide to Comic Books is here! Complete with crazy background!

"But Damian, why are you telling us about this? The Atom isn't on there."

Au contra ire fool. That's some Jose Luis Garcia Lopez looking lineup
I'm nothing if not helpful.

The Atom team-up ad

Finally the unpredictability of my work has caught up to the Titan, so there are gaping post holes. I'm actually surprised I made it this far.

Back to work here, I offer an Atom ad! This, to me, is a beauty. Achieves all it set out to, I would imagine. You've got catchy colors, with the text nicely spread out but not all over the place. It grabs you.

"Fistic Fireworks." It says that. It really says that.

Doesn't hurt that you've got a sweet Gil Kane cover there with the two Atom's being smacked around.
Who the hell is this "Thinker?!" I've got to know!

As always, available at your local newsstand.

Mystery in Space and The Atom ad

Compliments of M.O.T.A. member Robquaman (run with it I say) For the very best in Comics reading.

And for me, it would have been AND is the very best in comics reading.
Hawkman and Adam Strange!
The Atom vs. one of his nerdling villains!

It's a shrinking, flying, mace wielding, tomorrow land living, ray gun shooting bonanza!

All for 24 cents. Oh. Yes.

Aquaman and the Atom: The Brave and the Bold ad

If I had even a modicum of timing, maybe I would have posted this before the recap/review of the issue the ad is for. Buuuuuuuuut that's just not me.

But here it is!

It's a great ad, certainly helped along by the B&B cover which was a good one. Unconscious Arthur in his bubble, and squirming Ray in the claw of Galg, the destroyer!

In case you missed it, feel free to check out mine and Rob's dual Aquaman/Atom Crisis on earth's B-List coverage here and here.

Comic Cavalcade ad

Now there's a fun ad!

Hop Harrigan!

Al Pratt stuff is few and far, but the time had arrived for this ad. I like him charging towards the viewer while the Flash,GL, and WW seem... confused.

As always, at your favorite newsdealer.

_____________________________________________________________

Also, do yourselves a favor if you haven't already, and head on over to Michael Netzer's page where Martian saving continues. You'll be treated with Steven Segal references, assorted news, pleas from Martian fans, and the beautiful beginnings of an Aquaman sketch for Rob of the shrine featuring the Martian Manhunter... and the Atom!

Hawkman Brave and Bold ad

Another appearance by Carter at the T3. He's found a home, just where he should be, with his best bud.

This ad, courtesy of Rob Kelly over at the aquaman shrine and other rear kicking bloggage, is gorgeous.
It should just sell itself, and it works for me! I want to know who this Hawkman is, how he comes to fight all of these menaces, and why he "wheets."

If that's not enough or just doesn't do it for you, he's obviously putting his fist through someone or something on the cover of that comic.

That does it.

Although if I didn't know any better, I'd think with all the "who's" on there, maybe it's an ad better suited for Owlman.

Ba-dum-dum

DC favorites subscription ad

I'll take the lot!

I found this uber sweet offer in an old Atom issue. Feel free to click the pic for enlargment, no pills necessary.
Obviously if I'm reading an Atom comic, chances are I probably like comics, know all about the subscriptions being offered here, and need little else to make the drool fall from my mouth.

However, if I were a non-comics fan and saw this ad... eh. Let's have a peek through the windows:

The first guy up would appear to be shrinking. Either that, or he's like one of those Russian egg toys where you keep opening him up and there's a smaller one in side (somebody call DC!). That's interesting. To me anyway. Apparently not to everybody though...

Second window, it's obviously Batman but it's called Detective. Perhaps the child with the zorro mask is the detective. They seriously couldn't find better art to use here? We get it, Batman AND Robin are in this.

That third window... what the hell is Robin Hood doing wearing red gloves and hanging out with some bald green dude deep in thought?
Actually, that would probably be enough to make me go out, right then and there, and purchase this comic. What's it called? The Brave and Bold? Wonder who's who, I'm there.

Move on down to this Justice League. There's some familiar faces, except that guy in the orange shirt and green gloves is obviously not wearing pants, so that's strange. And there would appear to be a small rocket flying over their heads.
General running, I love it.

Awesome, Superman talking to a... this time, pink bald man deep in thought. Wow, that looks exciting, let me pick that up. I know Superman flies and is strong and can do everything else and stuff, but he's running in that Justice League so this may be the comic where he stands around talking.

Batman! Robin too! Running in an Egyptian tomb! Pyramids?! Seriously, sign me up!

Okay, this ad probably doesn't deserve harsh punishment. It probably shouldn't even warrant more than a "oh word to my mother, look at that."

But I was looking at it, saw the Supes ad, and thought "what the hell is that?"

To be honest (I don't think it's bias, but I can't be certain), the Atom panel is the only one where I felt like I would think "hmm, I wonder what's going on there, let me check that out."

Which would be ironic, because...

The Atom subscription offer!

I found this whilst joyously reading through an early Atom comic.

Not only could you be the first in your neighborhood to read each issue of The Atom... but you could save money too.
Ten issues for a buck. It's mental. Why it's like finding twenty cents. Sheer madness...

I'm just an absolute sucker for old ads. They charm the socks directly off my feet (unfortunately for them).
The art used for this particular ad though... it would look to me as though some guy is grabbing for The Atom, and he's waving their hand away.

Waving their hand away?

Rear back and clock them! Get people to read this thing! Nobody wants to read about the little doll man who scampers around and waves people away when they go for him.

"Unghhh! Get awaaaaay!"

Maybe I read too much into it.

The Atom #10 ad

What you're seeing here is a beautifully done ad for an issue of The Atom (and some other comic) with a gorgeous cover. .

This was provided to me by Rob Kelly of the aquaman shrine and other beautiful bloggery. Thanks Rob!

The "Ride A Deadly Grenade" cover, done by two guys named Gil Kane and Murphy Anderson, has become a favorite amongst many people (and some even admit it) and for good reason.

For the very best in Comics reading...

Debut of the Atom ad Part 2

Here I posted the first debut ad and great galaxies here is the second!

I received this compliments of Rob Kelly of the aquaman shrine and various other top-o-the-line blog action, who found it, along with many other beauties, in old JLA issues.

So there's heaps more to come! You're excited.

I'm still loving the "Big, big, small, small" thing.

Beautiful ad. People should have picked this thing up and read it and stuff. At newsstands no less!

Schnapp!

As I was firmly entrenched in Atom fandom whilst being a child, naturally, Hawkman had a place in my heart as well. So naturally, I've got gobs of Hawkman stuff. So please check out the Hawkman poll I've got going on over there and throw in your 2 cents.

DC on TV Ad!

On September 9, 1967 tv viewers were treated to the premiere of The Superman - Aquaman Hour of Adventure! It was a 60 minute program broken into 6 minute adventures featuring the heroes of DC. As you may have guessed by either the name of the show or this ad here, Superman and Aquaman were the big draws.

But we're here for the guest stars, aren't we?
The Atom and Hawkman (as their heads can be seen betwixt sweet art and words) were rotating regulars on the show as were The Flash and Teen Titans, and my favorite part of the whole thing is the beautiful cels it has provided. I've posted one so far, which can be seen here.

You've probably got some questions you'd like to ask. Check out the FAQ first:

FAQ
Q:Why is the Atom the only one who's head isn't basically facing front?
A: Good question. Part of the contract involving The Atom and Hawkman was that when they appeared on a page/screen together, one of them had to be on-the-border-of-lovingly staring at the other. I believe this to be an attempt to cash in on the success of the Batman/Robin relationship.

Q: Who is the most badass mother on that ad?
A: Well, that's simple. It's quite obvious the one not to trifle with is Storm, Aquaman's sea horse! Storm the time bomb can be spotted often sporting that look. Just back off a bit. For another example, visit Rob Kelly's aquaman shrine.
Tick, tick, tick...

Incidentally, Storm and Imp (Aqualad's ride) are by far my two favorites things on the ad!

No more questions.

I'll ignore the photos on the bottom of the ad for now. Click to get an all up in yo grill version.

Meet Chronos: Atom ad

Here, for the first time (I think) the average public could catch a glimpse of what would become the most villainously terrifying piece or moment in the entire history of comics as we know it.






Chronos's pants.

That's right kids, you don't see beautiful ads like this anymore. I love the whole setup of Chronos on there (even if one would guess that he must be blind) and the Atom held at gun point on a watch is just great stuff. It speaks for itself.
Ira Schnapp in the house.

It's only a matter of time before someone unleashes an Atom/Chronos two pack action figure bonanza on the world.

Of course I'm still waiting on a Power of the Atom playset with saddle wearing battle frog...

Power of the Atom ad poster

There is no proof this thing exists on the internet (until now!) so this photo is the best you're going to get. You have my apologies.
This poster was sent to retail stores (preferably ones with comics) so it's always a treat when these guys hang on to stuff like this and I can track em down. Super happy fun when it's in great condition as it was never put up.
Of course the problem with that is... it was never put up. Power of the Atom didn't exactly have an epic run there, yanno. I blame all comic book stores that didn't put up this poster. Bastards.
As you can see, DC had done it again, and it was currently the Atom's turn.
With all the revamping and resurrecting success DC was having, it was Ray Palmer's turn (I already said that sort of), with Roger Stern and Dwayne Turner putting it all together. His costume got a lil tweaking, most significantly losing the dome portion of his mask. It would wisely return to his head later on as Dr. Palmer found that fighting crime and keeping the perfect waviness in his hair was nearly impossible at that time due to inferior hair care products.
I made that up. But feel free to use it if you're writing a new hero and are looking for a severe weakness. Just give me credit.

Debut of The Atom ad!

It's the exciting debut of DC's newest costumed hero, The Atom!
I do love me some old time ads and this one, for some reason, is my fave.

Perhaps because it's super informative AND educational! And I like the whole Big News about a Small Super-hero thing they've got going on at the top.

For a mere 10 cents you could see the tiny titan in costumed action for the first time! If that, the glorious cover featuring Ray stuffing poor schmuck Kulan Dar into a bottle, and reading about a hero with the explosive power of an atom bomb in his fists isn't enough, I don't know what is.
Click on that mother for the bigger version.

Making the world a better place:
Due to Rob Kelly's excitement over this here ad, it's only right that I mention the man who put this, and so many other beauties together: Ira Schnapp!
Go here, Dial B For Blog For a fantastic piece on Ira Schnapp complete with glorious pictures and wonderful words.

And to think I had the balls to post this ad without mentioning him...