The Lost Heroes of Novelty Press

NOVELTY PRESS was a publisher during THE GOLDEN AGE OF COMICS. They had many interesting and unique heroes including BLUE BOLT, TARGET, SPACEHAWK, MANOWAR the WHITE STREAK, and SUB ZERO. This line also featured the first team up of JOE SIMON and JACK KIRBY as well as the work of CARL BURGOS, MICKEY SPILLANE, and BILL EVERETT.
Become a Patreon member: www.patreon.co...
or make a one time donation on Paypal: paypal.me/FizzFop

[@richmcgee434]

I was working in a comic shop when Dark Horse released their Basil Wolverton In Space trade with most of the Spacehawk stories in it. I'd already run in to his work, but most of our customers hadn't even heard of him. Must have convinced fifty people to give him a try, and most of them thanked me for cluing them in. The guy's style was just uniquely compelling, and (at least until the publishers forced him into prosaic anti-Axis stories during WW2) his storytelling was tremendously imaginative.

[@buddysmith7794]

Some good batch of characters. And man that editors page letter somethings never change.

[@robertheadley8561]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKa5q4Z7pK-Zh8k

[@michaeltuz608]

The Spacehawk stories are wonderful! Wolverton didn't just think outside of the box, it seems as though he didn't even know that the box existed. Such unique style and vision. One of the best.

[@FizzFop1]

I feel the same way Michael!

[@springheeledjackofthegurdi2117]

the funny thing about Blue Bolt's comics was that they pioneered the love triangle dynamics that would dominate the silver age especially when it comes to the superman staple of books, part of me wants to do an anthology that's just Blue Bolt and company getting into the shenanigans that you'd expect in Lois Lane or Superboy but I don't think I'd be able to get enough people together for it.

[@jamessimms3449]

The Blue Bolt is a really great idea. I've been working on my own version of his story. It emphasises the John Carter background and scifi setting, while also presenting the Green Sorceress in a more relatable light. I actually have a reprinted collection of Blue Bolt comics for reference. Also, if you are writing your own stuff, be careful; Joe Simon's estate is notorious for their lawsuits.

[@FizzFop1]

Thanks James! That's good to know. Good luck with your version...that character is begging to be redone. The concept is too good to pass up.

[@theblocksays]

Personally, I really got a Flash Gordon vibe from Blue Bolt myself, Green Sorceress is like Ming and Princess Aura rolled into one given her lust for power but desires the good ole' boy scout hero.

[@blackphoenix77]

What if Target became a mascot for Target? 🎯 😂

[@NeilRossHistoryComedyPoetry]

Another exemplary foray into the Golden Age, Fizz! Your patented approach of taking the material -- but not yourself -- seriously, continues to delight. Long may you run! (I think another aspect that allowed Wolverton to develop such a unique style, along with his distance from the bullpens of power, was his vaudeville background. The relationship between comics and performance is a neglected avenue -- even if only as the road to revisiting Wally Wood's 'Separation Blues' :)

[@worldcomicsreview354]

I love learning about fun, obscure old stuff like this!

[@sneakyskunk1]

That flub with the Blue Bolt had me doubled over with laughter. Thank you for leaving it in. This video was a fun look at forgotten heroes of yesteryear(and the impressive talent behind them).

[@nickwalker7850]

Once again yet another kickass upload my dude. Fun fact: I actually had a print out of a Target comics cover I really liked hung up on my bedroom wall and it actually was looking at that cover that got me into seriously bodybuilding when I was in my early teens. Something about the way Bob Wood drew the character seemed still impressive but more attainable than batman or superman. Years later I'm still only about three quarters way to that goal, but making progress lol. 😂

[@FizzFop1]

Hey Nick! Keep up the fight. I'm in my fifties, and thanks to the lockdown, I work out everyday. Currently in my best physical shape ever. I focus on core and upper body.

[@kevinpillar6934]

Interesting to hear about comic book publishers that didn't make it

[@gentleman-shutterbug]

Great episode. I never thought of it before, but Space hawk reminds me -- somewhat -- of Russell Keaton's fabulous Buck Rogers Sunday pages from the early 1930s.

[@FizzFop1]

Now that you mention it, I can see the influence. Thanks Michael.

[@Demonstryke13]

Blue Bolt and Spacehawk were my favorites (I enjoyed your Spacehawk video too), great stuff!!!

[@MrTimelord77]

Another good video I enjoy how you plant the seeds of wonder by mentioning which characters are public domain.

[@Kitsaplorax]

Thanks for this obscure line!

[@gnayr1305]

Another solid video. Thanks for the history lesson. I was only familiar with the character Blue Bolt and didn’t know the history. I appreciate it. 🙏

[@markfields7999]

Thank you this is awesome. Well appreciated.

[@jackadams3968]

Thank You Thank You!! Can't wait until the next one! Really enjoy your series "Lost Heroes of Golden Age"! Stay Safe!

[@papacastor7458]

My hands are full with old characters that you introduced me to. There is a straight road between your Channel and our board Game. Many thanks! Great video as always

[@unclerat2131]

This was great. I don't think I have ever heard of Novelty Press, but its history is amazing. The best part was seeing the art of Basil Wolverton, who sounds like a superhero's name, and finding out his wife was Honor Lovette was perfect. I knew Wolverton's work at first sight, but I never knew the artist's name. Great job, thanks.

[@summonersumnerus4364]

Great stuff! I really enjoy this channel :)

[@astrocitizen]

HAHAHA! Very good Comic Book Guy impersonation! The Target was interesting... a kind of Anti-Bullseye if you will. When Dynamite resurrected him as part of their Project: Super Powers lineup, they made him the series' resident super-speed character -- making him the "Moving Target" -- as they were sadly at a loss for one from their regular selection of Nedor/Better Pub. characters to fill the role. Probably a smart move... once you get past the likes of GA Flash, Whizzer, Johnny Quick, and Silver Streak, I think all you had left was a guy -- don't remember his name -- whose "super-speed" was based on rocket-powered proto-roller skates.

[@LungsOutJem]

Is it just me, or did Manowar look an awful lot like The Vision?

[@ber15fu1]

You mean vision is similar to Manowar

[@LungsOutJem]

@@ber15fu1 that's not how that works. If I look like my brother, my brother also looks like me. "Like" does not have a higher or lower order.

[@princecharon]

@@LungsOutJem Pretty sure Bernardo is pointing out that Manowar came first.

[@schristy3637]

No it is not you. I thought the same thing too.

[@LungsOutJem]

@@princecharon oh, I understood what he was trying to say, but word choice is very important. "Looks like" and "similar" have no implied order of origin, while "resemble" and "favor" have a slight implied order. "Echo" and "simulate" on the other hand have a strongly implied order, while "parallel" interestingly has a required equality. I don't mind being corrected, as long as it's done right.

[@Skravage2]

Another great video. Always love finding out about the golden age of comics. Thanks.

[@Cervando]

You never cease to amaze me. You keep finding characters I have never heard of. In particular l love finding out how Golden Age characters influenced the Silver Age. I wonder what Stan Lee would have done without them 😜

[@FizzFop1]

Hi Mike! Thanks for watching! Stan Lee certainly mined these obscure characters for ideas.

[@Cervando]

@@FizzFop1 Not just the obscure, but I wish the originals got more credit, as too many people think he created all his characters without any outside help. After he left Marvel, his creations were absolutely terrible, as he didn't have the talent around him to provide any input.

[@Cervando]

@@FizzFop1 Meant to say I love your videos. I noticed you made a slip of the tongue, do you not edit your videos, or did you leave it in for laughs? If the former, then I am even more impressed with your diction.

[@FizzFop1]

@@Cervando I think it was In "Marvel Comics: The Untold Story"..There's a story that Stan Lee and Jack Kirby car pooled to and from work during the early mid 1960s...someone who rode with them said all they talked about was old comic books and how they could adapt them into new characters.

[@FizzFop1]

@@Cervando This time I left it in for laughs...I must have spent a half hour twisting over Blue Bolt...lol.

[@thedreadtyger]

Spacehawk is a treasure.

[@captaincartoonia9536]

I think you should do an entire episode on The Target or redo the Spacehawk epside, those seem like interesting ideas

[@travishiltz4750]

Interesting episode. I'm a big fan of GA heroes and comic history and knew very little about Novelty Press. Always a pleasant surprise to come across a new comic universe. I like how Target had several costumed sidekicks and how White Streak and Red Seal looked more like partners, than hero and sidekick. Kind of a Power man and Iron Fist deal. Looking forward to checking out more episodes.

[@MARK1HOE]

Great work as usual.

[@dravenvandross8281]

This is another great video on these lost superheroes awesome man.

[@electricmastro]

I browsed through Novelty Press’ comics and favored quite a bit of their art, with artists like Jack Warren, John Jordan, Ray Ramsey, Ken Battefield, and Nina Albright. Novelty was probably the comic book publisher Albright ended up working for the most, even more so than the reputably woman-staffed Fiction House. Although much of the interior art from Star Publications was either re-printed or standard, horror artists such as Lee Loeb and George Peltz stuck out to me, and then there’s Jay Disbrow, whose probably the artist people subsconciously picture when it comes to early 1950s monster comic art. I think he only did one cover, so much of his art could only be seen looking past the cover, and was one of the few who drew interior art that truly lived up to Cole’s covers.

[@captaincartoonia9536]

Clicked as soon as this popped up

[@Blofeld001]

I love these forgotten heroes videos.

[@timmarshall2062]

awesome show buddy keep em coming

[@rickytoddbotelho9555]

Excellent choice of review👍😄

[@jackofallclaws6672]

Space Hawk’s artwork looks kinda similar to Little Nemo...or the guy how did the artwork for Where The Wild Things Are.

[@pictureel5863]

You have the best comics content on KZbin. I really look forward to your vids. I’m off to your PayPal site now to support you. Thanks!

[@FizzFop1]

Thank you Pictureel! Every nickel helps create new content.

[@astrofist]

"45", ha! Love it! Great episode

[@michaelgagliano450]

thanks for the tip about comics museum on line

[@midwestmonster9886]

Something about a kid from the 40s calling superheroes "out of date" gets to me.

[@theblocksays]

I highly doubt that was actually a kid.

[@FizzFop1]

@theblocksays...I thought the same thing when I came across it. I suspect there were a lot of adults writing the letters for the easy buck that Novelty Press gave for printing a letter.

[@macsnafu]

I wasn't overly thrilled by their superheroes, but I really liked the detective stories in Young King Cole!

[@stephenwit1]

Thank you I love your channel

[@benjaminyates7889]

Love the more jokey attitude you got going on here btw.

[@empyreanvole]

BTW Spacehawk has the most incredible inking and linework. Basil Wolverton, wow

[@FizzFop1]

I love his work. I get lost just studying his drawings.

[@betaraybrad91]

Awesome. Hope to see a video on fox features syndicate in the future.

[@FizzFop1]

Hi BetaRayBrad! Thanks for watching! I have some scripts for Fox Features...the problem is there are so many great stories about Victor Fox, it's hard to figure out what to keep and what not to tell.

[@betaraybrad91]

@@FizzFop1 I wouldnt be opposed to a longer than usual segment. Just as long as there is a big red and yellow explosion on the third panel of the 1st page.

[@conradojavier7547]

@@FizzFop1 Victor Fox stips Someone's Shoes while shouting "I'M THE KING OF COMICS!, I'M TGE KING OF COMICS!" & Punch that same Guy in the Gut.(I AM A MAN Style)

[@therealcapitanchile]

I love this old comicbooks

[@empyreanvole]

Awesome! You should do a video about the Quality and Charlton comics characters that were snatched up by DC and explaining the distinctions between public domain/copyright and trademark.

[@FizzFop1]

Hi Empyrean Vole! I've done videos on those characters, but I haven't done one explaining the difference between public domain and trademark. That might make a good video.

[@dangerouslydazzling]

I ❤️ your clips

[@NucleaRaptor]

Clarence -P- Tool sounds like's in dire need of a therapeutic wedgie.

[@FizzFop1]

He sure does NucleaRaptor! I hope his bed pan at the old folks home is cold.

[@andresschiffino1262]

May I suggest a rundown of the Warren magazine heroes? Most people think of the Warren mags as just being monster mags, but while going thru my collection I realized they had many recurring superheroes. Vampirella is the obvious choice, but Eerie magazine began to focus on sci-fi and superhero characters.

[@99Michael]

The Rook and Jackass are two that spring to mind. I loved Warren magazines with outstanding cover art.

[@FizzFop1]

Hi Andres! Thanks for watching! That's a great idea!

[@pooddescrewch8718]

I once saw an indie group was printing the further adventure of these public domain characters . I was kind of interested but I haven’t read comics in thirty plus tears so I had no idea how to find them .

[@claytonkilbourne9078]

Very Cool.

[@immortallegacy100]

8:38 I guess we know where the artist for the Mega Man NES box cover got inspiration from.

[@nooctip]

And now the team up youve never wanted Dick Cole Wonderboy and Old Cap Harkins The most colorful team ever assembled. Blue Bole, Red Seal, White Rider and the superhorse, and The Green Sorceress

[@kahanitv19]

I just imagine how Hollywood film studios can adpet thise story in the form of films and TV shows

[@mikecrase3047]

Dynamite brought back Target as part of its project superpowers run

[@nighttigercomics7323]

Another great video. You documenting comics in my comfort zone. Go read digital copies!? Come on, Fizz. Let's get out there and track down the origin copies. There's nothing like having one of these in hand and the sweetness of golden age potpourri pulp wafting through the air taking it in with the four color stories of fantasy.

[@FizzFop1]

Hi Nighttiger Comics!!! I've got a few of those Novelty Press Comics in my collection...when I was in High School (back in the 80s), I bought a copy of Blue Bolt (Vol. 2 No. 7) for $10. Today, I imagine that book would land somewhere between $50 -$100. Unless I hit the lottery or get a lot more subs, I think I have to stick to digital. lol

[@nighttigercomics7323]

@@FizzFop1 I find them between $30 and $100 minus the first volume which are extremely scarce. I just can't read digital. There's just something about holding the comic in your hands. I did buy a Blue Bolt #4 for $50 and then the seller contacted me to let me know it was missing several wraps and I asked for a refund. After a bit of Golden age education I released what a great deal it was because of the scarcity of the comic. Simon Comics here on KZbin who is Joe Simon's grandson is the one who educated me. You should sub him if you haven't already. I got to hang with him in NYC a couple years ago. A really cool and knowledgeable young man.

[@FizzFop1]

@@nighttigercomics7323 I know what you mean. I still prefer to hold it in my hand and turn pages-but digital scans let me have access to books I cannot afford.

[@nighttigercomics7323]

@@FizzFop1 I guess it's different for me because I have 8000 comics I still need to read, lol

[@FizzFop1]

@@nighttigercomics7323 YIKES! I've been bagging and boarding my lowly 14 long boxes and I get nothing done...just came across the original run of Captain Canuck and the rest of the afternoon is shot.

[@jonathancraddock1810]

Certain aspects of Blue Bolt remind me of Adam Strange in addition to John Carter.

[@Coolbindus]

2:00 love the mispronunciation)))) haha wonderful moment

[@FizzFop1]

I had a about a half hour of mispronouncing Blue Bolt. I would have a great rhythm going until I hit that word...that and the name Basil Wolverton...that's a name that just doesn't flow off the tongue.

[@holdthetruthhostage]

Working on remaking some Public Domain Characters will contact you soon

[@schristy3637]

There was a B-Movie made in 47 called T-Men. Wonder if one has anything to do with the other. Great video fellow buckeye.

[@FizzFop1]

Hey S. Christy! Hope you are doing well! I think the term "T-Men" refers to the Treasury Department. Similar to the term G-Men. Back in the bad old days, I think they handled bootlegging and counterfeiting.

[@schristy3637]

@@FizzFop1 Off subject. Did you see the trial for the new Dune movie? When it ever may come out??? I afraid it will bomb. The reason is I think this is. People know Spider-Man,The Hulk,Star Wars,and etc. But Dune? Think it will fall flat like The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy(not a bad movie). I would bet if you asked a 100 people have you ever read the book Dune 80% would say no. But would have on clue who Phillip K. Dick is ether.

[@benjaminyates7889]

Saw the name White Streak and instantly thought Ray Stevens lol

[@FizzFop1]

There he goes...

[@benjaminyates7889]

@@FizzFop1 ah boogedy boogedy

[@raybokor2]

is there a line of british comics you could do a video on . i do remember the q bikes being in the whooper

[@jalenikezeue4114]

Wait a minute is it possible that Ed boom was inspired by sub zero Man that led to the creation of Sub-Zero

[@CoalDiamondandhisawesomeness]

I bet Clarence Pool is whining right now about the food in his retirement home.

[@FizzFop1]

LOL! Good one!

[@conradojavier7547]

@@FizzFop1 I hope Clarence Pool becomes a Recurring Character on your show.

[@FizzFop1]

@@conradojavier7547 LOL! That's a great idea!

[@mariic2]

Are you going to do an episode on the works of Fletcher Hanks?

[@FizzFop1]

One Day! I have to finish off all the partially done videos first.

[@fabianguzman1013]

Do you think you can do a video on centaur publication or nedor?

[@FizzFop1]

Both of those are great ideas for future videos.

[@ThatJohnKillion1970]

Wow! Trolls were ruining comic books even in the Golden Age.

[@FizzFop1]

Hi John, Thanks for watching! When I came across that comment, I openly broke out laughing. Funny how things change and people don't.

[@shadowthreat8715]

I don't find enough information about: Krisko and Jasper, Dink, Fearless Fellers, Old Cap Hawkins, Karen Drake. 🙄

[@hydrolito]

Golden age of comics started before that with comics in newspapers Hugo Hercules was similar to Superman and in comic strip in 1903.

[@FizzFop1]

I think I need to look up Hugo Hercules.

[@hotpopcorncake]

Hook us with the museum links of the comic

[@blackphoenix77]

Digital Comic Museum: digitalcomicmuseum.com/ Comic Book Plus: comicbookplus.com/

[@FizzFop1]

comicbookplus.com/

[@FizzFop1]

digitalcomicmuseum.com/

[@hotpopcorncake]

@@FizzFop1 Thank you

[@jzeraba]

Do you recommend a book that showcases a variety of Golden Age Art?

[@FizzFop1]

Hi Jorge! I don't know of a single book that has everything. I go to comicbookplus.com or digitalcomicmuseum.com to look at the books in public domain. There's are thousands of books there...unfortunately, they don't have any DC, Timely, or EC Comics on there because those companies did not allow their copyrights to expire. I have found scans of those books on ebay at a fairly cheap price.

[@secretsquirrel6718]

They should make movie about blue bolt!

[@FizzFop1]

It's a cool idea.

[@ivane5110]

Does that mean if Simon & Kirby's Blue Bolt run had been more successful they never would've created Captain America? Thanks for leaving the the flub, by the way

[@FizzFop1]

Knowing Simon and Kirby...they went to Timely for money. Blue Bolt was successful-but I believe Funnies Inc. paid $8 a page. Timely paid around $12. With the way they cranked out stories, that's a huge pay difference.

[@hydrolito]

Different video called Radium Girls and radium more likely to cause weaken bones, teeth that fall out and cancer.

[@chrisrebar2381]

Manowar - Similar look to the Vision ... both androids

[@bogdankljajic5340]

Hmmm...

[@willdgol7501]

The target the first super hero who wants to be shot

[@noonecomics]

When I heard about sub-zero and professor X I went.... 🤔 hmmmmmmmm

[@EWH3]

👍

[@pooddescrewch8718]

I wonder why these kids lost interest in superheroes after the war ?

[@pooddescrewch8718]

Subversive Comic art in the thirties !? Must have shown leg

[@princeofcupspoc9073]

5:30 No, Hulk was a direct rip off of The Amazing Colossal Man. At least in origin.

[@dantheman8103]

Shouldn't make fun of poor Clarence Pool... good chance at this point you are mocking someone long dead.;)

[@professorm4171]

People were burning comics back then with the idea to censor them. The movement started the decline in comics.

[@FizzFop1]

Hi profesorM, thanks for watching. One thing that I didn't cover in this video is that Novelty Press tried to go against the trends...comics began focusing on crime, horror, and science fiction. Novelty Press (probably because of their ties to Saturday Evening Post) tried to go all wholesome. It probably was a major reason for their sales plunge.

[@professorm4171]

@@FizzFop1 everybody went wholesome after pressures from the government and religious groups with the formation of the comics authority, yes?