Ace Magazines
Company type | Comic book publisher |
---|---|
Industry | Publishing |
Founded | 1940 |
Founder | Aaron A. Wyn, Rose Wyn |
Defunct | 1956 |
Headquarters | Springfield, Massachusetts , United States |
Products | Comics |
Parent | Periodical House, Magazine Publishers |
Ace Magazines[1] was a comic book and pulp-magazine publishing company headed by Aaron A. Wyn and his wife Rose Wyn. The Wyns had been publishing pulp fiction under the Periodical House and A. A. Wyn's Magazine Publishers names since 1928, and published comics between 1940 and the end of 1956.
Overview
Its most successful and longest-running superhero title was Super-Mystery Comics featuring Magno the Magnetic Man and his boy partner Davey,[2] who appeared in 28 issues of the title's 48-issue run. Magno is nearly unique among superheroes for having neither an origin for his powers or any apparent secret identity.[3] Horror comics included Baffling Mysteries, Hand of Fate and Web of Mystery, while their contribution to the crime comics was Crime Must Pay the Penalty (the title later shortened to Penalty for the final two issues). Ace's longest running series were the company's romance comics Glamorous Romances, Love At First Sight, Love Experiences and Real Love, which began in the late 1940s as the superhero books faded away, and continued until the company ceased publishing comic books in 1956. Other long running romance titles such as Complete Love Magazine and Ten Story Love began as pulp-magazine titles before switching to comics format in the early 1950s.[1]
A number of Ace stories were used as examples of violent and gruesome imagery in the 1950s U.S Congressional inquiries into the influence of comic books on juvenile delinquency that led to the Comics Code Authority, namely Challenge of the Unknown #6, Crime Must Pay the Penalty #3 and Web of Mystery #19. Western Adventures Comics #3 was used as an example in Fredric Wertham's Seduction of the Innocent, and in the United Kingdom Atomic War #4, Beyond #18 and World War III #2 were cited as examples by Geoffrey Wagner's 1954 book on the same subject, Parade of Pleasure — A Study of Popular Iconography in the U.S.A.
Although characters with the same names as Ace Comics characters have appeared elsewhere (most notably Jack Kirby's Captain Victory in an early 1980s series, and several DC Comics villains called the Black Spider), after the early 1950s all their characters remained unused until 2008, when Lash Lightning and Lightning Girl appeared in flashback in Dynamite Entertainment’s Project Superpowers. In the one-shot Project Superpowers: Chapter Two Prelude, it was stated that the two of them will appear in this line as part of a team called The Super-Mysterymen (presumably named after the Ace title Super-Mystery Comics).
Comics published
Imprints
Ace Magazine comic-book series were published through at least 17 affiliated entities:[1]
- A. A. Wyn, Inc.
- Ace Books, Inc.
- Ace Magazines, Inc.
- Ace Periodicals, Inc.
- Ace Publications
- Ace Publications, Inc.
- Current Books, Inc.
- Humor Publications, Inc.
- Junior Books, Inc.
- Junior Magazines, Inc.
- L. B. Fischer Publishing Corp.
- Periodical House, Inc.
- Publishers Specialists, Inc.
- RAR Publishing Co., Inc.
- Readers' Research, Inc.
- Red Seal Publications, Inc.
- Unity Publishing Corp.
Titles
- All-Love / All Love Romances ( #May 26, 1949 - #32 May 1950) - under Ace Periodicals / Current Books imprint
- All-Romances (#August 1, 1949 - #June 6, 1950) - under AA Wyn / Ace Periodicals imprint
- Andy Comics (#June 20, 1948 - #August 21, 1948) - under Current Publications imprint
- Atomic War! (#Nov 1, 1952 - #April 4, 1953) - under Ace Periodicals / Junior Books imprint
- Baffling Mysteries (#November 5, 1951 - #October 26, 1955) - under Periodical House imprint
- Banner Comics (#September 3, 1941 - #January 5, 1942)
- Beyond, The (#November 1, 1950 - #January 30, 1955)
- Captain Courageous Comics (#6 1942) - under Periodical House imprint
- Challenge of the Unknown (#September 6, 1950)
- Complete Love Magazine (v26#2 May 1951 - v32#4 September 1956) - under Ace Periodicals / Periodical House imprint
- Crime Must Pay the Penalty (#33 February 1948 (issue #1), #June 2, 1948 - #46 1955) - under Current Books imprint
- Dotty and Her Boyfriends (#35 June 1948 - #40 May 1949) - under AA Wyn imprint
- Ernie Comics (#September 22, 1948 - #March 25, 1949) - under Current Books imprint
- Four Favorites (#September 1, 1941 - #32 December 1947)
- Four Teeners (#34 April 1948)
- Fun Time (#1 Spring 1953 - #4 Winter 1953/4) - under Ace Periodicals imprint
- Glamorous Romances (#41 July 1949 - #90 October 1956) - under AA Wyn imprint
- Hand of Fate (#December 8, 1951 - #December 25, 1954 - includes 2 issue #25's)
- Hap Hazard Comics (Summer 1944 - #February 24, 1949) - under Reader Research imprint
- Heroes of the Wild Frontier ( 2 issues - #January 27, 1956 - #April 2, 1956) - under Ace Periodicals imprint
- Indian Braves (#March 1, 1951 - #September 4, 1951) - under Ace Magazines imprint
- Lightning Comics (#December 4, 1940 - #June 13, 1942)
- Love At First Sight (#October 1, 1949 - #43 November 1956) - Under RAR Publishing Co / Periodical House imprints
- Love Experiences (#October 1, 1949 - #38 June 1956) - under AA Wyn / Periodical House imprint
- Men Against Crime (#February 3, 1951 - #October 7, 1951) - under Ace Magazines imprint
- Monkeyshines Comics (#1 Summer 1944 - #July 27, 1949) - under Ace / Publishers Specialists / Current Books / Unity Publishing imprints
- Mr Risk (#October 7, 1950, #December 2, 1950) - under Ace Magazines imprint
- Our Flag Comics (#August 1, 1941 - #April 5, 1942)
- Penalty (#47 November 1955 - #48 January 1956)
- Real-Life Secrets (#September 1, 1949) - under Ace Periodicals imprint
- Real Love (#April 25, 1949 - #76 November 1956) - under AA Wyn imprint
- Real Secrets (#November 2, 1950 - #May 5, 1950) - under Ace Periodicals imprint
- Revealing Romances (#September 1, 1949 - #August 6, 1950) - under Ace Periodicals imprint
- Science Comics (#January 1, 1946 - #5 1946) - under Humor Publications imprint
- Scream Comics (#1 Autumn 1944 - #April 19, 1948) - under Humor Publications / Current Books / Ace imprint
- Space Action Comics (#June 1, 1952 - #October 3, 1952) - under Junior Books imprint
- Super-Mystery Comics (#July 1, 1940 - vol 8#6 July 1949) - under Periodical House and Ace Periodicals imprints
- Sure-Fire Comics (#June 1, 1940 - #October 4, 1940 - includes 2 issues #3's)
- Ten-Story Love (v29#3 June 1951 - v36#5 September 1956) - under Ace Periodicals imprint
- Trapped! (#October 1, 1954 - #April 4, 1955) - under Periodical House imprint
- Vicky Comics (October 1948 - #June 5, 1949) - under Ace Magazines imprint
- War Heroes (#May 1, 1952 - #April 8, 1953) - under Ace Magazines imprint
- Web of Mystery (#February 1, 1951 - #February 29, 1955) - under AA Wyn imprint
- Western Adventures Comics (#October 1, 1948 - #August 6, 1949) - under Ace Magazines imprint
- Western Love Trails (#November 7, 1949 - #March 9, 1950) - under AA Wyn imprint
- World War III (#March 1, 1953 - #May 2, 1953) - under Ace Periodicals imprint
Characters
- Ace McCoy (in Sure-Fire Comics)
- The Black Ace (in Four Favourites, Super-Mystery Comics)
- The Black Spider (in Super-Mystery Comics)
- Buckskin (in Super-Mystery Comics)
- Buck Steele (in Sure-Fire Comics)
- The Clown (in Super-Mystery Comics)
- Captain Courageous (in Banner Comics, Captain Courageous Comics, Four Favourites)
- Captain Victory (in Our Flag Comics)
- Corporal Flint of the RCMP (in Super-Mystery Comics)
- Doctor Nemesis (in Lightning Comics, Super-Mystery Comics). A version of this character has been adapted to Marvel Comics stories.
- The Flag (in Four Favourites, Our Favourites)
- Green Arrowhead (in Indian Braves)
- Hap Hazard (in Four Favourites, Hap Hazard Comics)
- The Lancer (in Super-Mystery Comics)
- Lash Lightning and Lightning Girl (in Lightning Comics, Sure-Fire Comics (as Flash Lightning))
- Lone Warrior and Sidekick Dicky (in Banner Comics, Captain Courageous Comics)
- Magno the Magnetic Man (in Four Favourites, Super-Mystery Comics)
- Marvo the Magician (in Sure-Fire Comics)
- Mr. Risk (in Four Favourites, Men Against Crime, Mr. Risk, Our Favourites, Super-Mystery Comics)
- The Raven (in Sure-Fire Comics and Lightning Comics) based on Ace pulp character Moon Man.
- The Sword (in Captain Courageous Comics, Lightning Comics, Super-Mystery Comics)
- The Unknown (in Four Favourites)
- The Unknown Soldier (in Our Flag Comics)
- Vulcan (in Four Favourites, Super-Mystery Comics)
- Whiz Wilson, Time Traveler (in Sure-Fire Comics)
- X The Phantom Fed (in Sure-Fire Comics and Lightning Comics) based on Ace pulp character Secret Agent X.
References
- ^ a b c Ace Magazines at the Grand Comics Database
- ^ Magno and Davey at Don Markstein's Toonopedia. Archived from the original on March 21, 2015.
- ^ "Magno (Ace Magazines)". Write Ups. July 25, 2019.
External links
- Media related to Ace Comics at Wikimedia Commons
- Ace Magazines at the Comic Book DB (archived from the original)
- 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