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Publisher: Dell
Years in Operation: 1929 - 1988
Disclose Detail
Country: Flag United States Web Site: Brands: 30 Indicia Publishers: 9 Series: 529 Printings: 7156 (6790 Issues) Disclose Notes: Info for Dell in the early years:
Dell Publishing Co. 100 Fifth Avenue, New York NY;
Harry Steeger (editor);
Abril Lamarque (comic art editor);
Edythe Seims (assistant editor);
George T. Delacorte, Jr. (managing editor).
(Information from "The American Comic Book: The Evolutionary Era, 1884-1939" by Denis Gifford.)

Dell was founded in 1921 and first published comics with the original 1929-30 run of "The Funnies", which looked like a newspaper insert but was distributed on newsstands. Eastern Color Printing Company was involved with several of Dell's earliest comic book ventures, although the exact nature of each partnership is not always clear. Later Dell worked closely with Western to produce a line a comics before Dell produced a line of comics wholly on their own for about a decade. The company's comic book division folded in 1973, although Dell continued to publish the occasional book with comics content, including newspaper strip collections. Dell became part of Bantam Doubleday Dell (http://www.comics.org/publisher/5554/) in 1988, ceasing to exist as an independent company.

Dell's first three regular titles -- Popular Comics (February 1936), The Funnies (October 1936), and The Comics (March 1937) -- were packaged and printed by M.C. Gaines at the McClure Syndicate offices. These followed Gaines' early format for Famous Funnies by using newspaper-strip reprints.

Around 1936, Dell started to work with Western (also known as Western Printing and Lithographing Company, a Racine, Wisconsin firm), first using Western's plant in Poughkeepsie, New York as their printer. Dell turned over production duties on Popular Comics and The Funnies to Western in 1939. In 1944 they formalized their arrangement, with Dell financing the comics and Western providing the editorial work and the printing. Western retained complete control over select titles such as Red Ryder and Walt Disney's Comics and Stories, though even those titles carried the Dell emblem after 1948.

(Some of the information for the above from Funnybooks: The Improbable Glories of the Best American Comic Books by Michael Barrier and Mark Evanier's "News from Me" blog [http://www.newsfromme.com/iaq/iaq07/])


******* "© Robert S. Callender" Explained *******

When Western Printing produced comic book content that was not a licensed property, it was copyrighted in the name of Robert S. Callender (or, sometimes, Oscar Lebeck, e.g. Animal Comics, a Lebeck project). Callender was not the writer. He was Western Printing's copyright holder.

Robert S. (Bob) Callender, b. 1913, youngest child of Gene Callender of Racine, Wisconsin society, was an executive at Western Printing. On Oct. 9, 1937 Mr. Callender married Wynnefred Wadewitz, b. 1916, daughter of Edward H. Wadewitz.

Robert S. Callender's father-in-law, Edward H. Wadewitz, had risen by initiative to be the secretary, treasurer and general manager of the Western Printing & Lithographing Company: he was a moving spirit in the development, enlargement and control of that undertaking.

Robert S. Callender (Mr. Wadewitz's son-in-law) was the Managing Editor and Business Manager for Whitman Publishing Co., Poughkeepsie, N.Y., owned by Western Printing and Lithographing Company of Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
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Series Name Years in Print Issues (Printings)
100 Pages of Comics {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: Issue number on back cover.
1937 - 1
1000 Jokes {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: The original year of publication listed is an estimate. Later issues are cover-titled "1000 Jokes Magazine," which appears in the indicia of #41, 44, 45, 47, 49, 57, 60-61, 64, 67, 73, 75, 76, 78, 80, 95, 195 [105], 196 [106], 107, 108, 110, 111, 114, 118-121, 123-125 & 129.
1939 - 1969 116
1000 New Jokes {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: Sporadic series, often unnumbered and undated, featuring part color, celebrity photo covers. After switch to 1000 Jokes it becomes regularized with dates and numbering.
1934 - ? 0
12 O'Clock High {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: Based on the ABC television series "12 O'Clock High," broadcast from 1964 to 1967, which was, in turn, based on the 1949, 20th Century Fox film, "Twelve O'Clock High," which was, in turn, based on the novel "Twelve O'Clock High" (1948) by Sy Bartlett and Beirne Lay, Jr.
1965 - 2
3-D-ell {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: Number 2 does not exist, according to the Overstreet Price Guide. Part of a short-lived fad for three-dimensional comics. Red/blue 3-D glasses included.
1953 - 2
77 Sunset Strip {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: Story continued after six issues of Four Color (series 2). Story continued in 77 Sunset Strip (Western, 1962 series) for two issues.
1962 - 1
87th Precinct {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: First issue is Dell Four Color #1309 (April-June 1962). Based on NBC-TV series "87th Precinct," which ran from Sept. 25, 1961, to Sept. 10, 1962.
1962 - 1
Abraham Lincoln Life Story {Comic Books} 1958 - 1
Adlai Stevenson {Comic Books} 1966 - 1
The Adventures of Little Orphan Annie {Comic Books} 1941 - 1942 3
The Adventures of M. G. M.'s Lassie. Presented by Red Heart Dog Food. {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: Red Heart Dog Food giveaway. Name of work per Copyright Entries, and cover. Date of publication is December 20, 1949, per Copyright Entries.
1949 - 1
Adventures of Mighty Mouse {Comic Books} 1959 - 1962 12
Air War Stories {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: flying stories of various wars
1964 - 1966 8
Alice in Wonderland {Comic Books} 1950 - 1
Alley Oop {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: Based on the Alley Oop comic strip by V. T. Hamlin (1900-1993); See also previous series by Dell (Four Color [1942 Series], #3), Standard Comics (1947 Series), and Argo (1955 Series), and subsequent series by Dragon Lady Press (1987 Series), and Kitchen Sink (1990 Series).
1962 - 1963 2
Alvin {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: Based on the 1961-1962 animated television series "The Alvin Show", which was based on the novelty recording act Alvin and the Chipmunks (which started in 1958).
1962 - 1973 28
Alvin and His Pals in Merry Christmas with Clyde Crashcup and Leonardo {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: from the TV cartoon; reprinted with a 4/1966 issue
1963 - 1
Alvin and His Pals in Merry Christmas with Clyde Crashcup and Leonardo {Comic Books} 1966 - 1
Alvin for President {Comic Books} 1964 - 1
America In Action {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: Not actually a comic book, just text and illustrations.
1942 - 1
Andy Hardy {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: Numbering continues from Four Color (Dell, 1942 series) #389 [1], 447 [2], 480 [3], 515 [4].
1954 - 2
Angel {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: Issue numbers begin with #2, following the tryout in FOUR COLOR #576 (August 1954).
1954 - 1959 15
Animal Comics {Comic Books} Public Domain 1942 - 1948 30
Annie Oakley & Tagg {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: Based upon the 1954-1957 TV series "Annie Oakley", which was sometimes called "Annie Oakley and Tagg" to distinguish it from other Annie Oakley projects. "Tagg" refers to Tagg Oakley, Annie's (fictional) little brother. The 3 Annie Oakley issues of Four Color (Dell, 1942 series) (438, 481 & 575) were counted by Dell as the first 3 issues of this series. "Annie Oakley and Tagg" on cover but "Annie Oakley & Tagga" in indicia.
1955 - 1959 15
Around the Block [with Dunc & Loo] {Comic Books} 1961 - 1
Around the Block with Dunc & Loo {Comic Books} 1962 - 2
Around the World Under the Sea {Comic Books} 1966 - 1
Bachelor Father {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: First issue is Dell Four Color Series II #1332 (April-June 1962). Based on TV series that ran on CBS, NBC, and ABC from September 15, 1957, to September 25, 1962.
1962 - 1
Backfield in Motion {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: Part of a larger Dell Books paperback series, not all comics. Continues from series #1395. Continues into series #1397. Imprint: Dell Books / Dell Publishing Co., Inc. First Canadian Printing. New gag cartoon book
1974 - 1
Ballyhoo {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: Adult oriented humor magazine. Lots of cartoons about drinking, prohibition, repeal, gambling, girls, the depression, gangsters. Social commentary on the times. Many of the cartoons are risque. Also contains fake advertising (like "wacky packages"). Large format 8.5" X 11.5" on nice stock.
1931 - 1939 86 (89)
Ballyhoo {Comic Books} 1948 - ? 6
Barbie and Ken {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: "Barbie" and "Ken" are licensed trademarks of Mattel, Inc.
1962 - 1964 5
Barry M. Goldwater {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: An electoral comic for the Republican Party's Presidential nominee, Barry M. Goldwater; Dell also produced one for the Democrat nominee and incumbent, President Lyndon B. Johnson (Dell, 1965 series); Dell’s cover code was 12-055-503; with -503 giving an off-sale date of March 1965; however, both comics were released around September 1964; the election was held Tuesday November 3, 1964, with Johnson achieving a 'landslide' victory; There were other politically themed comics from Dell, including commemoratives for: Abraham Lincoln (giant), Adlai Stevenson, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy & Life Stories of American Presidents (giant).
1965 - 1
Bat Masterson {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: TV adaptation. Issue #1 was published as #1013 of the Four Color series.
1960 - 1961 8 (10)
Battle of the Bulge {Comic Books} 1966 - 1
Beach Blanket Bingo {Comic Books} 1965 - 1
Beany and Cecil {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: Based on the animated television series by Bob Clampett.
1962 - 1963 5
The Beatles {Comic Books} 1964 - 1 (2)
Beep Beep {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: The 3 Beep Beep issues of Four Color (Dell, 1942 Series) (Nos. 918, 1008, and 1046) are considered by Dell to be the first 3 issues of this series. Gold Key series began in 1966 with the title Beep Beep the Road Runner. Cover title for this series Beep Beep The Road Runner.
1960 - 1962 11
Beetle Bailey {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: For first four issues see Four Color (Dell, 1942 series) #469, 521, 552, and 622.
1956 - 1962 34
Beetle Bailey and Sarge {Trade Paperbacks} Disclose
Note: Copyright 1954 - 1958 by King Features Syndicate, Inc. Designed and produced by Western Printing & Lithography Company.
1958 - 1
Ben Bowie and His Mountain Men {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: The 6 Ben Bowie and His Mountain Men issues of Four Color (Dell, 1942 series) (#443, 513, 557, 599, 626, 657) are considered by Dell to be the first 6 issues of this series.
1956 - 1959 11 (12)
Ben Casey {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: Adaptation of the ABC television series (1961-1966) starring Vincent Edwards. The five symbols that appear on every cover represent Man, Woman, Birth, Death, and Infinity; and were part of the tv show's opening sequence.
1962 - 1965 10
Best Cartoons of the World {Comic Books} 1969 - 1
Best Cartoons of the Year {Trade Paperbacks} Disclose
Note: Numbering continued from non-comic Dell Books imprint series #0503. Numbering continues into non-comic Dell Books imprint series #0505. Copyright 1967 by Lawrence Lariar. Cartoons from Saturday Evening Post copyright 1966-1967 by The Curtis Publishing Company. Saturday Review cartoons copyright 1966-1967 by Saturday Review, Inc. Reprints Dodd, Mead & Company 26th edition hardcover by same name.
1968 - 4
The Beverly Hillbillies {Comic Books} 1963 - 1971 21
Bewitched {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: Adaptation of the ABC network television series (1964-1972).
1965 - 1969 14
The Big Valley {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: Adaptation of the ABC-TV western series starring Barbara Stanwyck, Richard Long, Peter Breck, Lee Majors, and Linda Evans.
1966 - 1969 6
The Blazing Forest {Comic Books} 1962 - 1
The Blue Phantom {Comic Books} 1962 - 1
Boatniks {Comic Books} 1961 - 1
Bodé's Cartoon Concert {Comic Books} 1973 - 1
Bonanza {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: Previous issues released as Four Color (Dell, 1942 series) #1110 (June-August 1960), #1221 (September-November 1961) and #1283 (February-April 1962).
1962 - 2
Boys Love Girls...More or Less {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: Continues from non-comic Dell Book imprint #0806, Continues on as non-comic Dell Book imprint #0808. Copyright 1970 by Mort Gerberg.
1970 - 1
Bozo {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: Indicia details (capitalization in the indicia): 4: BOZO and THE BIG BALLOON 5: BOZO in THE LAND OF FORGOT 6: BOZO VISITS THE SANDMAN'S CASTLE 7: BOZO, featuring Bozo the Capitol Clown
1952 - 4
Bozo the Clown {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: Full indicia's (capitalization original): 2: BOZO THE CLOWN and the WEATHER WIZARD 3: BOZO THE CLOWN and THE MYSTERIOUS BOX OF SHADOWS
1951 - 1952 2
Bozo the Clown {Comic Books} 1962 - 1963 4
The Brady Bunch {Comic Books} 1970 - 2
Brain Boy {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: The Brain Boy issue of Four Color (Dell, 1942 series) #1330, is considered by Dell to be the first issue of this series.
1962 - 5
Brenda Lee Life Story {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: One of a series of celebrity biography one-shots.
1962 - 1
Brenda Starr {Comic Books} 1963 - 1
Buck Jones {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: The 1 Buck Jones issue of Four Color (Dell, 1942 series) (#299) is considered by Dell the first issue of this series. The Buck Jones feature continues in Four Color (Dell, 1942 series) #460.
1951 - 1952 7
Buffalo Bill Jr. {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: The Buffalo Bill Jr. issues of Four Color (Dell, 1942 series) (#673, 742, 766, 798, 828, and 856) are considered by Dell to be the first 6 issues of this series. #7, 8 & 13 (at least) have the title in the indicia as "Buffalo Bill, Jr." Based on the 1955-1956 television series of the same name (usually spelled "Buffalo Bill, Jr.")
1958 - 1959 7
Bug Movies {Comic Books} 1931 - 1
Bugs Bunny {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: The 27 Bugs Bunny issues of Four Color (Dell, 1942 Series) were counted by Dell as the first 27 issues of this series.
1952 - 1962 58 (60)
Bugs Bunny's Christmas Funnies {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: This is one of the Dell Giants series.
1950 - 1958 8 (13)
Bugs Bunny's Christmas Party {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: This is one of the Dell Giants.
1955 - 1 (2)
Bugs Bunny's County Fair {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: Dell Giant.
1957 - 1 (2)
Bugs Bunny's Halloween Parade {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: This is one of the Dell Giants.
1953 - 1954 2 (3)
Bugs Bunny's Trick 'n' Treat Halloween Fun {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: This is one of the Dell Giants series.
1955 - 1956 2 (3)
Bugs Bunny's Vacation Funnies {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: Dell Giant
1951 - 1959 9 (12)
Bullwinkle {Comic Books} 1962 - 1
The Bullwinkle Mother Moose Nursery Pomes {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: Bullwinkle previously appeared in Rocky & His Friends (Four Color #1128) (first appearance), Rocky & His Friends (Four Color #1152), and Bullwinkle and Rocky (Four Color #1270). After this issue, he also appeared in another Bullwinkle (Dell #01-090-209, July-September 1962), before a new series (Western, 1962 series). Based on the 1959-1964 television show that had two different titles in its original run ("Rocky and His Friends" and "The Bullwinkle Show") and several more titles in syndicated reruns, but is known now as "The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends".
1962 - 1
Burke's Law {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: Based on ABC-TV series "Burke's Law," which aired from September 20, 1963, to January 12, 1966. All issues feature Gene Barry photo covers.
1964 - 1965 3
Butterfly Comics {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: Promotional comics given away by Butterfly Bread. Reprints from Popular Comics such as Smokey Stover, Tailspin Tommy, and the Gumps, plus "Red Magic" a novelty feature by A. W. Nugent. K. K. Publications was suggested by Jerry Bails' Who's Who as the publisher, but the association with Popular Comics makes Dell a more likely candidate.
1936 - 4
Cadet Gray of West Point {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: Part of the Dell Giant series with individual indicia titles.
Public Domain
1958 - 1 (2)
Cain's Hundred {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: Based on police drama "Cain's Hundred," which aired on NBC-TV from Sept. 19, 1961, to Sept. 11, 1962. Series created by Paul Monash.
1962 - 2
Calling Nurse Nellie! {Comic Books} 1961 - 1
Calvin and the Colonel {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: Continuation of Four Color #1354.
1962 - 1
Camp Runamuck {Comic Books} 1966 - ? 1
Car 54, Where Are You? {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: Continues from Four Color (Dell, 1942 series) #1257 - Car 54, Where Are You? (March-May 1962). From the 1961 TV show, which ran for two seasons on NBC. For more information go to http://home.comcast.net/~csmiths/index.html.
1962 - 1963 6 (8)
Car 54, Where Are You? [2nd Printing] {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: Does second print of issue #2 exist? The 2nd printings are listed as 2nd Printing on their covers, plus their dates on the cover and in the indicia are different from the issue they reprint from the 1st series.
1964 - 1965 2
The Castilian {Comic Books} 1964 - 1
The Cat {Comic Books} 1966 - 1
Charlie Chan {Comic Books} 1965 - 1966 2
Charlie McCarthy {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: The Charlie McCarthy feature continues here from Four Color (Dell, 1942 series) #196. The Charlie McCarthy feature continues in Four Color (Dell, 1942 series) #445.
1949 - 1952 9
Cheyenne {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: TV adaptation, starring Clint Walker as 'Cheyenne Bodie.' The covers to Cheyenne #10-12 feature 'Bronco Layne,' as portrayed by Ty Hardin. The 3 Cheyenne issues of Four Color (Dell, 1942 series) (#734, 772, 803) were counted by Dell as the first 3 issues of this series.
1957 - 1962 22 (24)
Cheyenne Autumn {Comic Books} 1965 - 1
The Chief {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: Numbering continues in Indian Chief (Dell, 1951 series) #3. The 1 The Chief issue of Four Color (Dell, 1942 series) was counted by Dell as the first issue of this series.
Public Domain
1951 - 1
Christmas In Disneyland {Comic Books} 1957 - 1 (2)
A Christmas Treasury {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: Part of the Dell Giant Series.
1954 - 1
Cicero's Cat {Comic Books} 1959 - 2
Cimarron Strip {Comic Books} 1968 - 1
Circus World {Comic Books} 1964 - 1
The Cisco Kid {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: Adaptation of the television series based on the character created by O. Henry. First issue was Four Color 292.
1951 - 1958 40 (41)
Clancy the Cop {Comic Books} 1930 - 2
Clementina, the Flying Pig {Comic Books} 1950 - 1
Clyde Crashcup {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: adapted from the TV cartoon (part of THE ALVIN SHOW)
1963 - 1964 5
Colt .45 {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: This series was based on an ABC western television series broadcast between 1957 and 1960 which, in its turn, was based on a 1950 Warner Bros. feature film. Wayde Preston starred in Colt .45 as Christopher Colt, an undercover government agent who concealed his identity by posing as a traveling pistol salesman. The comic book series' regular features included one-page text stories with western themes and four-page stories about characters such as Fresno, a karate-chopping Japanese-American cowboy, and his kid buddy Snubby. Issues sometimes included one-page Chris Colt stories or illustrated text articles on western life and lore. The 3 Colt .45 issues of Four Color (Dell, 1942 series) (#924, 1004, 1058) were counted by Dell as the first 3 issues of this series.
1960 - 1961 6 (10)
Combat {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: Stories of World War II; back-ups of various eras. Mostly non-fiction. #9 mis-numbered as a second #8.
1961 - 1973 40

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