1930s and 40s comic book ads

[History student]

Hello!

I am a Ph.D. student in History writing my dissertation on Charles Atlas, the fitness icon who advertised extensively in comic books.  I'm wondering whether any of the older-timers among you (or those who've read lots of the Superman comics from the 1930s and 40s) know whether Atlas advertised in Superman comic books during these years.  If so, do you know of anyplace that has a whole bunch of the books from these years where I could look at them?  Or is it possible to buy them online anywhere?  Lastly, if he didn't advertise in Superman comic books during the '30s and '40s, do you know if you've ever seen any other comic books with Atlas ads in them from these years?

Feel free to respond on the list or to me personally at padurano@yahoo.com.

Thanks,
Dominique

[Captain Kal]

I remember the Charles Atlas ads in various DC comics incl. Superman books in the late 1960's and in the 1970's.

I suggest you look in those.  If you have access to a comics specialty shop, they should have back issues for that era in stock in the stacks.

I don't recall if he advertised in the decades you mentioned.  From the reprints I've seen, he wasn't in the 1930's or 1940's books I read.  I always thought he actually was from the late 1950's or 1960's given his build and the other cultural references of his ads.  They looked like fifties stuff.

[Great Rao]

Hey, check out my Chas Atlas site

[History student]

Hi --

Actually, Atlas' company was founded in 1928 and really took off in the '30s.  Lots of Baby Boomers think of him from the 50s because that's when they were kids and saw him in comic books, but he was actually around during their parents' childhoods, too.  I just need to figure out if he was in comic books that early, or just in the pulps, Popular Mechanics, etc.

THanks,
Dominique