#mlj magazines

[browsethestacks]

Vintage Comic - Zip Comics #041

Pencils: Harry Sahle

Inks: Harry Sahle

MLJ/Archie (Nov1943)

[onlylonelylatino]

Introduction and origin of the Black Hood by Al Camy

[congressarchives]

Archie Comics was founded in 1939 as MLJ Magazines by Louis Silberkleit, Maurice Coyne and John Goldwater (“MLJ” being the first initial of each name). Initially MLJ published superhero comics such as Blue Ribbon Comics, Top Notch Comics and Pep Comics. In 1941 the company introduced the character of Archie Andrews, along with Jughead, Betty, and soon after, Veronica, in the pages of Pep. By the end of the 1940’s Archie had become the company’s star and namesake.  

When the US Senate decided to investigate the relationship between juvenile crime and comic books in the early 1950’s, what would become the Subcommittee on Juvenile Delinquency not only called on the publishers of so-called “crime” or “horror” comics, such as EC Comics, but all those invested in the industry. The letter above, signed by Louis Silberkleit, one of the founders of Archie Comics, illustrates the complexity of responses by the industry to the Senate.

Letter from Archie Comics, 8/17/1950; Records of the U.S. Senate

[onlylonelylatino]

First appearance of the Shield by Irv Novick

[shadowwingtronix]

BW's "Yesterday's" Comic> Zip Comics #1

"Yesterday's" Comic> Zip Comics #1

[shadowwingtronix]

BW's "Yesterday's" Comic> Top Notch Comics #2

"Yesterday's" Comic> Top Notch Comics #2

[shadowwingtronix]

BW's "Yesterday's" Comic> Pep Comics #2

"Yesterday's" Comic> Pep Comics #2

[siscosfavoritecomics]

Today's 500 Great Comic Book Action Heroes post comes in the form of a Star Spangled hero that predated Marvel's fka Timely Comics Captain America.

The Shield made his first appearance in MLJ's Pep Comics number 1 (1940.) His run would last until Pep Comics number 65.