Marvel flashback: Classic ads from the Golden Age

It was 70 years ago that Marvel Comics No. 1 was published, and throughout the year the mighty Hero Complex will be honoring that landmark moment in publishing history with special features. Today we have some amazing "house" ads from Timely Comics of the 1940s (the company that published Marvel Comics No. 1 in October of 1939 and would eventually evolve into Marvel Comics).      

The ad above appeared in "Sub-Mariner" No. 6 to promote "The Human Torch" No. 8. It's interesting how some character concepts endure through the years, even if only in name and visage. This Human Torch (created by Carl Burgos) was an android but his moniker and flaming image were so striking that Stan Lee and Jack Kirby recycled them when they created the Fantastic Four in 1961, ushering in the shining 1960s renaissance for the House of Ideas....

The ad below appeared in "Young Allies" No. 1 to promote "Captain America Comics" No. 7. Down near the bottom is a pitch for kids to join the patriotic hero's fan club: "Now you too can join Captain America's Sentinels of Liberty and thereby help Captain America and Bucky in their great war against spies in our country! Let's all get together behind Cap and be on the constant lookout for spies...." I bet a lot of kids groaned when they got to the price tag for membership. Dropping a dime in the mailbox was a major investment for youngsters in the summer of 1941....

Here's another great one below...