The dribble glass was a typical comic book advertisement Comic book advertisements are a common feature in American

comic book A comic book, also called comicbook, comic magazine or (in the United Kingdom and Ireland) simply comic, is a publication that consists of comics art in the form of sequential juxtaposed panels that represent individual scenes. Panels are of ...

s mainly from the 1940s onwards. As these advertisements were directed at young people, many made sensational claims, and sold the products for a few dollars or less, to be sent to a post office box. Products offered included

novelty item A novelty item or simply novelty is an object which is specifically designed to serve no practical purpose, and is sold for its uniqueness, humor, or simply as something new (hence "novelty", or newness). The term also applies to practical items wi ...

s, toys, and self-improvement courses such as drawing and body building.

Companies

The Johnson Smith Company placed advertisements for gadgets and toys that appeared on the back cover of many historically significant comic books, including ''

Action Comics ''Action Comics'' is an American comic book/ magazine series that introduced Superman, one of the first major superhero characters. The publisher was originally known as National Allied Publications, and later as National Comics Publications ...

'' #1 (June 1938) (the first appearance of the character Superman) and '' Detective Comics'' #27 (May 1939) (the first appearance of the character Batman).

Notable products offered

* Charles Atlas illustrated bodybuilding book * Disappearing ink *

Dribble glass A dribble glass is a drinking glass that has holes hidden in its etched design. The purpose of a dribble glass is for pranks. When a person tilts the glass to take a drink from this glass, they will end up spilling the liquid on their clothing as ...

Itching powder Itching powder is a powder or powder-like substance that induces itching when applied onto human skin. This is usually done as a practical joke or prank to an unsuspecting victim. Description and uses The cause of the irritation can be mechanica ...

* Joy buzzer *

Latex mask A rubber mask is a mask made of rubber. Typically, these are made of latex or silicone rubber and designed to be pulled over the head as a form of theatrical makeup or disguise. The theatrical makeup used by Michael Crawford when he played the ...

* Potato gun *

Sea-Monkeys Sea-Monkeys is a marketing term for brine shrimp (''Artemia'') sold as novelty aquarium pets. Developed in the United States in 1957 by Harold von Braunhut, they are sold as eggs intended to be added to water, and almost always come bundled in a ...

Sneezing powder Sneezing powder is a group of powders or powder-like substances that induce sneezing when someone is exposed to them. This is usually done as a practical joke or prank to an unsuspecting victim. Sneezing powders containing ''Veratrum album'' alkal ...

* Squirting flower * Stink bomb *

Whoopee cushion A whoopee (or whoopie) cushion is a practical joke device involving flatulence humour, which produces a noise resembling human flatulence. It has also been referred to as a farting bag, pooting cushion, windy blaster and Razzberry Cushion. Histo ...

X-ray specs X-ray specs or X-ray glasses are an American novelty item, purported to allow users to see through or into solid objects. In reality, the spectacles merely create an optical illusion; no X-rays are involved. The current paper version is sold und ...

The ads also included recruitment of youngsters to act as salespeople for products such as greeting cards and the national newspaper '' Grit''. WowComicsNo14page66.png OutOfTheNightNo11pp34A.png MadMonstersNo6pp61.jpg WebOfEvilNo5pp2.jpg WebOfEvilNo15page1.png GirlsFunAndFashionNo46pp42.png WebOfEvilNo3pp1.jpg LittleAudreyNo6pp2.jpg

References

External links

* Comics Advertisements {{comic-stub

Companies

Notable products offered

See also

References

Further reading

External links