National Comics Publications

US comic book company (1946–1961)

National Periodical Publications Inc.Formerly|

* National Comics Publications
(1946–1961)

|

Company type| Subsidiary[1] (1967–1977)
Industry| Publishing
Predecessors|

* National Allied Publications
(1935–1936)
* Nicholson Publishing
(1936–1938)
* Detective Comics
(1936–1946)
* All-American Publications (1939[2]: 147 –1946)

Founded| September 30, 1946; 78 years ago (September 30, 1946)
Founder|

* Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson
* Harry Donenfeld
* Jack Liebowitz

Defunct| 1977; 48 years ago (1977)
Fate| Rebranded as DC Comics in 1977
Successor| DC Comics
Headquarters| New York City, U.S.
Products| Comic books
Parent|

* Kinney Services Inc. (1967–1972)
* Warner Communications (1972–1977)

National Comics Publications (NCP; later known as National Periodical Publications Inc. or simply National) was an American comic book publishing company. It was the direct predecessor of modern-day DC Comics.

## History

[edit]

Cover art of the first comic book by National Comics Publications

The corporation was originally two companies: National Allied Publications Inc. (also known as National Allied Newspaper Syndicate Inc.[3] and later Nicholson Publishing Co., Inc.[4]) which was founded by Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson in 1935[5][6][7] to publish New Fun,[note 1] the first American comic book with all-original material rather than comic strip reprints, and Detective Comics Inc.,[6] which was founded on December 31, 1936[8] by Wheeler-Nicholson with Harry Donenfeld and Jack Liebowitz to publish Detective Comics.[9] Wheeler-Nicholson fell into deep debt to Donenfeld and Liebowitz, and in 1938, Donenfeld and Liebowitz petitioned Wheeler-Nicholson's National Allied into bankruptcy and seized it, and as a result, Liebowitz took over and folded National Allied into Detective Comics.[10][11]: 20 [12]

Max Gaines' All-American Publications and Detective Comics Inc. merged to become National Comics Publications Inc.[13] on September 30, 1946.[14][11]: 50 [15] National Comics was renamed "National Periodical Publications Inc." in 1961.[11]: 102 [16][17]

Despite the official names "National Comics" and "National Periodical Publications", the company began branding itself as "Superman-DC" in the early 1940s.[18]

In 1967, National Periodical Publications was purchased by Kinney National Services.[19] In 1977, the company changed its name to DC Comics.[20]

## See also

[edit]

* National Comics Publications, Inc. v. Fawcett Publications, Inc.

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ The company debuted in 1935 with the tabloid-sized New Fun: The Big Comic Magazine #1 with a cover date of February 1935; New Fun #1 (Feb. 1935) at the Grand Comics Database. The entry notes that while the logo appears to be simply Fun, the indicia reads, "New FUN is published monthly at 49 West 45th Street, New York, N.Y., by National Allied Publications, Inc.; Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson, President ... Inquiries concerning advertising should be addressed to the Advertising Manager, New FUN,...."

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Gelder, Lawrence Van (February 4, 1971). "A Comics Magazine Defies Code Ban on Drug Stories". The New York Times. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
2. ^ Jones, Gerard (2004). Men of Tomorrow: Geeks, Gangsters, and the Birth of the Comic Book. New York: Basic Books. ISBN 9780465036561.
3. ^ Booker, M. Keith (2014). Comics Through Time: A History of Icons, Idols, and Ideas. Santa Barbara: Greenwood Press. p. 7\. ISBN 978-0313397509.
4. ^ Fertig, Mark (2017). Take That, Adolf!: The Fighting Comic Books of the Second World War. Fantagraphics Books. ISBN 9781606999875.
5. ^ Marx, Barry, Cavalieri, Joey and Hill, Thomas (w), Petruccio, Steven (a), Marx, Barry (ed). "Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson: DC Founded" Fifty Who Made DC Great: 5 (1985), DC Comics
6. ^ a b Goulart, Ron (1986). Ron Goulart's Great History of Comics Books. Contemporary Press. p. 55\. ISBN 0-8092-5045-4.
7. ^ Benton, Mike (1989). The Comic Book in America: An Illustrated History. Dallas, Texas: Taylor Publishing. pp. 17–18\. ISBN 978-0-87833-659-3.
8. ^ Twitter.com
9. ^ Wallace, Daniel; Dolan, Hannah (2010). "1930s". DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle. London, United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. p. 17\. ISBN 978-0-7566-6742-9. "The launch of Detective Comics defined [Malcolm] Wheeler-Nicholson's young comics company and set it on an ascendant path within the industry...His smart business decision to partner with businessmen Harry Donenfeld and Jack Liebowitz on Detective Comics guaranteed that his company's third title would at least be solvent."
10. ^ Thomas, Roy (2000). All-Star Companion: An Historical and Speculative Overview of the Justice Society of America. Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing. p. 13\. ISBN 1893905055. "By 1938 Major had faded into history..."
11. ^ a b c Cowsill, Alan (2014). DC Comics Year by Year: Updated Edition. London: Dorling Kindersley. ISBN 9780241015858.
12. ^ Klein, Todd (2013-07-08). "The DC Comics Offices 1930s-1950s Part 1". Todd's Blog. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
13. ^ Bridwell, E. Nelson (1972). Batman: From the 30s to the 70s. Feltham: Spring Books. p. 4\. ISBN 0600313034.
14. ^ "Young April 12, 1948 Findings of Facts". Scribd. Retrieved 11 December 2016. "DETECTIVE COMICS, INC. was a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York, and was one of the constituent corporations consolidated on September 30, 1946, into defendant NATIONAL COMICS PUBLICATIONS, INC."
15. ^ Jones, Gerard (2004). Men of Tomorrow: Geeks, Gangsters and the Birth of the Comic Book. New York: Basic Books. p. 223\. ISBN 0465036562.
16. ^ Bart, Peter (September 23, 1962). "Advertising: Superman Faces New Hurdles; Publishers of Comic Books Showing a Decline Television Termed Chief Reason for Revenue Drop". The New York Times. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
17. ^ Thompson, Maggie; Dean, Michael; Frankenhoff, Brent; Greenholdt, Joyce; Miller, John Jackson (1995). Comics Buyer's Guide 1996 Annual. Krause Publications. p. 81\. ISBN 0873414063. "Beginning as National Allied Publications in 1935  [sic] and becoming National Allied Newspaper Syndicate the next year, it changed to National Comic  [sic] Publications in 1946 and National Periodical Publications in 1961..."
18. ^ Eury, Michael (December 2002). Captain Action: The Original Super-Hero Action Figure. TwoMorrows Publishing. p. 46\. ISBN 1893905179. Retrieved January 20, 2019.
19. ^ "DC Comics". Don Markstein's Toonopedia. November 17, 2011. Retrieved August 10, 2012.
20. ^ "DC Comics, Inc.: Private Company Information". Bloomberg. Retrieved 2016-08-06.

## Further reading

[edit]

* Charles Wooley (1986). Wooley's History of the Comic Book, 1899-1936: The Origin of the Superhero. Lake Buena Vista [self-published].

* v
* t
* e

DC Comics

* Warner Bros. Discovery
* Warner Bros. Discovery Publications

Key People|

* Jim Lee (CCO)
* Amit Desai (EVP, Creative director)
* Anne Leung DePies (Senior VP & GM)
* Whitney Ellsworth
* Irwin Donenfeld
* Carmine Infantino
* Jenette Kahn
* Paul Levitz
* Dan DiDio
* Bob Harras
* Marie Javins

Publications|

* Comics (A–B)
* Comics (C–F)
* Comics (G–J)
* Comics (K–O)
* Comics (P–S)
* Comics (T–Z)
* Current comics

Universe|

* DC Universe
* Multiverse
* Characters
* Metahumans
* Crossovers
* Teams and organizations
* Criminal organizations
* Government agencies
* Alien races
* Locations
* DC Index
* Who's Who

Lines and imprints|

| Current|

* Black Label
* WildStorm
* Hill House Comics
* The Sandman Universe
* Murphyverse
* Vertigo
* DC Graphic Novels for Kids
* DC Graphic Novels for Young Adults
* Earth One
* Mad
* Milestone
* DC Universe Infinite

|

Defunct|

* All-Star
* Amalgam
* CMX
* DC Ink
* DC Zoom
* Focus
* Elseworlds
* Hanna-Barbera Beyond
* Helix
* Impact
* Johnny
* Just Imagine...
* Minx
* The New Age of DC Heroes
* Paradox
* Piranha
* Tangent
* WildStorm
* America's Best Comics
* Cliffhanger
* Homage
* Wonder Comics
* DC's Young Animal
* Zuda

Reprints|

* Active
* DC Omnibus
* DC Comics Absolute Editions
* DC Finest trade paperbacks
* DC Compact Comics
* DC Compendium
* Defunct
* DC Archive Editions
* list
* DC Chronicles
* DC Comics Classics Library
* Showcase Presents
* list
* DC Comics Graphic Novel Collection
* DC Comics – The Legend of Batman
* List of DC Comics reprint collections
* List of DC imprint reprint collections

Predecessors|

* All-American Publications
* National Comics Publications
* Acquired Companies
* E. C. Publications
* WildStorm Productions
* Acquired Characters
* Charlton Comics
* Fawcett Comics
* Quality Comics
* Fox Feature Syndicate
* Acquired Brand Names
* Crestwood Publications
* Standard Comics

General|

* List of DC Comics imprints (publications)

Adaptations|

* DC Characters
* Films
* Television series
* Arrowverse
* DC Animated Universe
* DC Universe (franchise)
* Novels
* DC Games
* Rocksteady Studios
* Batman
* Superman
* Unproduced
* imprint films

Related|

* DC Comics rating system
* DC FanDome
* DC Implosion
* Detective v. Bruns
* National v. Fawcett
* Warner v. ABC
* DC Universe (streaming service)
* Warner Bros.
* DC Entertainment
* DC Studios

* Category

* v
* t
* e

Golden Age of Comic Books

Ace Comics|

* Captain Courageous
* Doctor Nemesis
* The Flag
* Lash Lightning
* The Raven
* Unknown Soldier
* Vulcan

All-American
Publications|

* The Atom
* Al Pratt
* Black Canary
* Doctor Mid-Nite
* Charles McNider
* Doiby Dickles
* The Flash
* Jay Garrick
* Gay Ghost
* Green Lantern
* Alan Scott
* Hawkgirl
* Shiera Sanders Hall
* Hawkman
* Carter Hall
* Hop Harrigan
* Johnny Thunder
* Justice Society of America
* The King
* Mister Terrific
* Terry Sloane
* Neptune Perkins
* Red Tornado
* Sargon the Sorcerer
* Terrific Whatzit
* Thunderbolt
* Ultra-Man
* The Whip
* Wildcat
* Ted Grant
* Wonder Woman

Centaur Comics|

* Airman
* Amazing-Man
* The Arrow
* The Clock
* The Eye
* Fantom of the Fair
* Magician from Mars
* The Masked Marvel
* Minimidget

Charlton Comics|

* Atomic Mouse
* Captain Atom
* Nightshade
* Mr. Muscles
* Nature Boy
* Space Adventures
* Yellowjacket

Dell Comics|

* Doctor Hormone
* Flash Gordon
* The Owl
* Phantasmo
* Supermind's Son
* Zorro

Fawcett Comics|

* Bulletgirl
* Bulletman
* Captain Marvel
* Captain Marvel Jr.
* Captain Midnight
* Dan Dare
* Golden Arrow
* 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

Fox Comics|

* 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

Harvey Comics|

* Black Cat
* Captain 3-D
* Captain Freedom
* Green Hornet
* Invisible Scarlet O'Neil
* Kato
* Shock Gibson
* Spirit of '76

Lev Gleason
Publications|

* Captain Battle
* Claw
* Crimebuster
* Daredevil
* Little Wise Guys
* Silver Streak

MLJ Comics|

* 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

National Allied
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
* Jim Corrigan
* Speedy
* Roy Harper
* Squire
* Star-Spangled Kid
* Sylvester Pemberton
* Starman
* Ted Knight
* Stripesy
* Stuff the Chinatown Kid
* Superboy
* Kal-El
* Superman
* Superwoman
* Lois Lane
* Tarantula
* TNT
* Tommy Tomorrow
* Vigilante
* Greg Saunders
* Wonder Woman
* Zatara

Nedor Comics|

* 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

Novelty Press|

* Blue Bolt
* Dick Cole
* The Target
* The Targeteers
* The Twister

Prize
Publications|

* Atomic-Man
* Black Owl
* Fighting American
* Green Lama
* Yank & Doodle

Quality Comics|

* Archie O'Toole
* #711
* Black Condor
* Blackhawk
* Blue Tracer
* Bozo the Iron Man
* Captain Triumph
* Doll Girl
* Doll Man
* Firebrand
* 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

Timely Comics|

* All-Winners Squad
* American Ace
* The Angel
* Black Marvel
* Black Widow
* Claire Voyant
* Blazing Skull
* Blonde Phantom
* Blue Blade
* Blue Diamond
* Breeze Barton
* Bucky
* Bucky Barnes
* Captain America
* Captain Wonder
* The Challenger
* Citizen V
* The Destroyer
* Dynamic Man
* Father Time
* Ferret
* Fiery Mask
* The Fin
* Golden Girl
* 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
* Vision
* Whizzer
* Robert Frank
* Witness
* Young Allies

Misc.|

* American Comics Group
* Superkatt
* 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
* Buck Rogers
* Hydroman
* Phantom Magician
* EC Comics
* Moon Girl
* Superduperman
* Elliot Publishing Company
* Kismet, Man of Fate
* Fiction House
* Fantomah
* Hillman Periodicals
* Airboy
* The Heap
* Holyoke Publishing
* Cat-Man
* Kitten
* Miss Victory
* L. Miller & Son, Ltd.
* Kid Marvelman
* Marvelman
* Young Marvelman
* Magazine Enterprises
* Funnyman
* Maple Leaf Publishing
* Brok Windsor
* Iron Man
* Rural Home Publications
* Green Turtle
* Street & Smith
* The Avenger
* Doc Savage
* The Shadow
* Supersnipe

* v
* t
* e

Comic book publishers in North America

Active|

* Aardvark-Vanaheim
* Abrams ComicArts
* AC Comics
* Action Lab Comics
* Ahoy Comics
* AiT/Planet Lar
* Alias Enterprises
* Alien Books
* Alternative Comics
* Antarctic Press
* Arcana Studio
* Archaia Entertainment
* Archie Comics
* Aspen MLT
* Avatar Press
* AWA Studios
* Beyond Comics
* Black Eye Productions
* Black Mask Studios
* Black Sands Entertainment
* Boom! Studios
* Caliber Comics
* Class Comics
* Comic House
* Conundrum Press
* Creative Impulse Entertainment
* Cross Infinite World
* Darby Pop Publishing
* Dark Horse Comics
* DC Comics
* Milestone Media
* Vertigo Comics
* Denpa
* Devil's Due Publishing
* Drawn & Quarterly
* DSTLRY
* Dynamite Entertainment
* Eureka Productions
* Fantagraphics
* First Second Books
* HarperCollins
* Hermes Press
* Humanoids Publishing
* Hyperwerks
* IDW Publishing
* Sunday Press Books
* Image Comics
* Skybound Entertainment
* Iron Circus Comics
* J-Novel Club
* Kaiten Books
* Kodansha USA
* Vertical
* Koyama Press
* La Pastèque
* Last Gasp
* Legendary Comics
* Lev Gleason Publications
* Les 400 coups
* The Library of American Comics
* Mad Cave Studios
* Papercutz
* Marvel Comics
* Moonstone Books
* MyFutprint Entertainment
* NBM Publishing
* Northwest Press
* Oni Press
* Panini Comics
* Platinum Studios
* Radical Comics
* Radio Comix
* Red 5 Comics
* Rip Off Press
* Seven Seas Entertainment
* Shadowline
* Slave Labor Graphics
* Sumerian Comics
* TidalWave Productions
* Titan Comics
* TKO Studios
* Tokyopop
* Top Cow Productions
* Udon Entertainment
* Valiant Comics
* Vault Comics
* Viz Media
* Vortex Comics
* WaRP Graphics
* WildStorm
* Yen Press
* Zenescope Entertainment
* Z2 Comics

Former|

* Aircel Comics
* All-American Publications
* AfterShock Comics
* Amalgam Comics
* American Comics Group
* Anglo-American Publishing
* Another Rainbow Publishing
* Ape Entertainment
* Apple Comics
* Arcade Comics
* Atlas Comics
* Atlas/Seaboard Comics
* Awesome Comics
* Azteca Productions
* Bell Features
* Blackthorne Publishing
* Bongo Comics
* Broadway Comics
* Cat-Head Comics
* Catalan Communications
* Centaur Publications
* Chaos! Comics
* Charlton Comics
* Columbia Comics
* Harry "A" Chesler
* Comico
* ComicsOne
* ComiXology Originals
* Continuity Comics
* Continüm Comics
* Crestwood Publications
* CrossGen
* Dabel Brothers Productions
* David McKay Publications
* Defiant Comics
* Dell Comics
* Del Rey Manga
* Disney Comics
* Double Take Comics
* Dragon Lady Press
* Dreamwave Productions
* Eastern Color Printing
* EC Comics
* Eclipse Comics
* Eternity Comics
* FantaCo Enterprises
* Fawcett Comics
* Fiction House
* First Comics
* Fox Feature Syndicate
* Future Comics
* Gemstone Publishing
* Gilberton
* Gladstone Publishing
* Gold Key Comics
* Harris Comics
* Harvey Comics
* Highwater Books
* Hillborough Studios
* Hillman Periodicals
* Holyoke Publishing
* Innovation Publishing
* Kitchen Sink Press
* Lion Forge Comics
* Magazine Enterprises
* Mainline Publications
* Malibu Comics
* Maple Leaf Publishing
* Millennium Publications
* Mirage Studios
* National Comics Publications
* Nedor Publishing
* New Reliable Press
* NOW Comics
* Pacific Comics
* Pendulum Press
* Print Mint
* Quality Comics
* Renegade Press
* Revolutionary Comics
* Semic Comics
* Sirius Comics
* Sirius Entertainment
* Skywald Publications
* Sparkplug Comics
* Standard Comics
* Strawberry Jam Comics
* Street & Smith
* Tekno Comix
* Timely Comics
* Topps Comics
* Tundra Publishing
* Viper Comics
* Warren Publishing

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