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, Oskar 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.
******* Helen Meyer Editing Credits on Dell Issues Produced by Western Publishing *******
The indicia of Dell Comics issues produced by Western Publishing, up until mid-1962, often credited Helen Meyer as "editor". This is not an accurate reflection of the situation.
Helen Meyer was not an actual editor on these books. She was Dell's business liaison to Western Publishing, and she worked with Western editor Chase Craig determining which books should be published each year.
Chase Craig edited all or most of the Dell and Gold Key comics issued out of Western's West Coast offices from 1950 thru 1975. Other books were edited out of Western's New York office under a variety of editors.
Chase Craig should be listed as the primary editor of Western's best-known licensed titles (Disney, Warner Bros., Hanna-Barbera, Walter Lantz, MGM, etc.) published during the period discussed. Craig's Western editorial credits should stand through 1975. Alice Nielsen Cobb's through 1968. After that, and until Western's end as a comic book publisher in 1984, Del Connell should be the credited editor for all West Coast titles.
Per Donald Dale Milne (July 2024): "...our current use of the Editor field includes ALL corporate, editorial, and production people."
To this end, Helen Meyer and the various Dell executives and corporate personnel (if listed in the indicia) are to be optionally placed in the Editor field with their titles as they appear in the indicia - but, should an indexer choose to do so, the uncredited Western editorial and production staff should be added as well.
Don's suggested example below should be followed as a guide that acknowledges the important contributions of Western Publishing, and in particular Mr. Craig, toward the success and popularity of these titles.
Editing: Helen Meyer (credited) (editor, business manager, vice-president); Alice Nielsen Cobb (managing editor) (actual); Chase Craig (editor) (actual); Tom McKimson (art director); George Delacorte (credited as George T. Delacorte Jr.) (publisher, president).
Does this data need corrections? Become an editor.
Series Name | Years in Print | Issues (Printings) |
100 Pages of Comics {Comic Books} | 1937 | 1 |
1000 Jokes {Comic Books}
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 | 117 |
1000 New Jokes {Comic Books}
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}
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}
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}
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}
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 |
Adventures of Mighty Mouse {Comic Books} | 1959 - 1962 | 12 (15) |
Air War Stories {Comic Books}
Note: flying stories of various wars
|
1964 - 1966 | 8 |
Alice in Wonderland {Comic Books} | 1950 | 1 |
Alley Oop {Comic Books}
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}
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}
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}
Note: Not actually a comic book, just text and illustrations.
|
1942 | 1 |
Andy Hardy {Comic Books}
Note: Numbering continues from Four Color (Dell, 1942 series) #389 [1], 447 [2], 480 [3], 515 [4].
|
1954 | 2 |
Angel {Comic Books}
Note: Issue numbers begin with #2, following the tryout in Four Color (Dell, 1942 series) #576 (August 1954).
|
1954 - 1959 | 15 |
Animal Comics {Comic Books} | 1942 - 1948 | 30 |
Annie Oakley & Tagg {Comic Books}
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 & Tagg" 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}
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}
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}
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}
Note: "Barbie" and "Ken" are licensed trademarks of Mattel, Inc.
|
1962 - 1964 | 5 |
Barry M. Goldwater {Comic Books}
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}
Note: TV adaptation. Issue #1 was published as #1013 of the Four Color series.
|
1960 - 1961 | 8 (14) |
Battle of the Bulge {Comic Books} | 1966 | 1 |
Beach Blanket Bingo {Comic Books} | 1965 | 1 |
Beany and Cecil {Comic Books}
Note: Based on the animated television series by Bob Clampett.
|
1962 - 1963 | 5 |
The Beatles {Comic Books} | 1964 | 1 (2) |
Beep Beep {Comic Books}
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}
Note: For first four issues see Four Color (Dell, 1942 series) #469, 521, 552, and 622.
|
1956 - 1962 | 34 (35) |
Beetle Bailey and Sarge {Trade Paperbacks}
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}
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}
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}
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}
Note: Adaptation of the ABC network television series (1964-1972).
|
1965 - 1969 | 14 |
The Big Valley {Comic Books}
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}
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}
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}
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
Indicia details and tracking information from Jon Ingersoll via the GCD Error List (October 10, 2010).
Bozo continues as part of Four Color (Dell, 1942 series) #464 (Apr-1953), #508 (Oct-1953), #551 (Apr-1954) & #594 (Oct-1954); with a further revival, Bozo the Clown (Dell, 1962 series) #1-4
|
1952 | 4 |
Bozo the Clown {Comic Books}
Note: The 1 Bozo the Clown issue of Four Color (Dell, 1942 series) (#285) is considered by Dell to be the first issue of this series.
Full indicia's (capitalization original):
2: BOZO THE CLOWN and the WEATHER WIZARD
3: BOZO THE CLOWN and THE MYSTERIOUS BOX OF SHADOWS
Indicia and tracking information from Jon Ingersoll via the GCD Error List (October 10, 2009).
|
1951 - 1952 | 2 |
Bozo the Clown {Comic Books} | 1962 - 1963 | 4 |
The Brady Bunch {Comic Books} | 1970 | 2 |
Brain Boy {Comic Books}
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}
Note: One of a series of celebrity biography one-shots.
|
1962 | 1 |
Brenda Starr {Comic Books} | 1963 | 1 |
Buck Jones {Comic Books}
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}
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}
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 (64) |
Bugs Bunny's Christmas Funnies {Comic Books}
Note: This is one of the Dell Giants series.
|
1950 - 1958 | 8 (13) |
Bugs Bunny's Christmas Party {Comic Books}
Note: This is one of the Dell Giants.
|
1955 | 1 (2) |
Bugs Bunny's County Fair {Comic Books}
Note: Dell Giant.
|
1957 | 1 (2) |
Bugs Bunny's Halloween Parade {Comic Books}
Note: This is one of the Dell Giants.
|
1953 - 1954 | 2 (3) |
Bugs Bunny's Trick 'n' Treat Halloween Fun {Comic Books}
Note: This is one of the Dell Giants series.
|
1955 - 1956 | 2 (3) |
Bugs Bunny's Vacation Funnies {Comic Books}
Note: Dell Giant
|
1951 - 1959 | 9 (12) |
Bullwinkle {Comic Books} | 1962 | 1 |
The Bullwinkle Mother Moose Nursery Pomes {Comic Books}
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}
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}
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}
Note: Part of the Dell Giant series with individual indicia titles.
|
1958 | 1 (2) |
Cain's Hundred {Comic Books}
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}
Note: Continuation of Four Color #1354.
|
1962 | 1 |
Camp Runamuck {Comic Books} | 1966 - ? | 1 |
Car 54, Where Are You? {Comic Books}
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}
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 |
Carl Anderson's Henry {Comic Books}
Note: "Carl Anderson's HENRY" in indicia.
|
1948 - 1961 | 65 (66) |
The Castilian {Comic Books} | 1964 | 1 |
The Cat {Comic Books} | 1966 | 1 |
Charlie Chan {Comic Books} | 1965 - 1966 | 2 |
Charlie McCarthy {Comic Books}
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}
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 (25) |
Cheyenne Autumn {Comic Books} | 1965 | 1 |
The Chief {Comic Books}
Note: The one The Chief issue of Four Color (Dell, 1942 series) was counted by Dell as the first issue of this series.
|
1951 | 1 |
A Christmas Treasury {Comic Books}
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}
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}
Note: adapted from the TV cartoon (part of THE ALVIN SHOW)
|
1963 - 1964 | 5 |
Colt .45 {Comic Books}
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}
Note: Main stories are usually set during World War II, while the back-up stories are set in various eras. Mostly non-fiction.
#9 mis-numbered as a second #8.
|
1961 - 1973 | 40 |
Comic Album {Comic Books} | 1958 - 1962 | 18 (19) |