The history of promotional comics is a long one; some historical examples include Little Orphan Annie's Popped Wheat giveaways, Motion Picture Funnies Weekly (with the first appearance of Sub-Mariner, a movie theater giveaway) and "Donald Duck's Atom Bomb" (a scarce Carl Barks story, given away by Cheerios). Many continue to be produced up to the present; "Free Comic Book Day" provides many freebies each year at brick-and-mortar comic shops everywhere. Many of the current films and DVD releases feature promotional comics as enticements.
Personally, I have found promo comics to be a lot of fun; often being produced in odd sizes and formats makes them unique and attractive. Here's a few of my favorites, with thanks to the Grand Comic Book Database for some of the images.
I got one of these as a kid with a bag of chips. Still recall asking my Mom for that particular brand, just for the comic...
| Fairmont Potato Chips Giveaway, 1970 |
| Cartoon Network Comic given with VHS Tapes, 1996 |
On the right:
| Planned Parenthood giveaway, 1976 |
| Adventures of the Big Boy 92, c. 1964 |
| March of Comics 293, 1966 |
How about you? Share your comments and memories of these humble yet appealing freebies, while I go pursue that elusive Pop-Tarts Batman mini from 1966...
| Free Comic Book Day giveaway, 2008 |
| Aim Toothpaste giveaway, 1980 |
| Pizza Hut giveaway, 1978 |
| Chicago Tribune giveaway, 1980 |