All Comics Small And Great!

When Mighty Marvel blasted onto the pop culture scene in the 1960's there were few domains that didn't see some indication of the success of this little comic book operation. Toys, models, coloring books, and on and on. But one of the most peculiar bits of Marvel flotsam were the Marvel Comics Mini-Books which were available only in coin-operated machines found at the barbershop, the grocery store and suchlike.

These are tiny thumbnail size "comics" (the image above is pretty much life-size) featuring some of Marvel's most high-profile heroes of the era. In addition to the Amazing Spider-Man you could get a book for Thor, Hulk and Captain America. Add to that a Sgt. Fury booklet for war comics fans and even a Millie the Model tomette for the distaff side of the market. I have some vague memories of getting at least one of these (Hulk I think) with my Merry Marvel Marching Society kit. These little items have been fondly remembered by us fans of that time, but I never really imagined I'd be able to get hold of them. Now I have...sort of. 

Now Marvel or more specifically Abrams ComicArts is reprinting them, not just in their original size thank goodness since most of the demographic for this product are wearing bifocals, but in a somewhat larger format. Neatly gathered into a nifty slipcase it's a handsome product. In addition to the six booklets there is also a seventh scholarly tome written by Mark Evanier who describes his own fervor in acquiring these little gems. It took many many quarters and much diligence and patience but eventually he landed all six and as any fan knows, it's utter pleasure when that collection is finally complete. What to do with it then is always a nagging question, but that never occurs to the fanboy completist burning with lust. 

The stories themselves are pretty hapless with art on four of them by Marie Severin (Spider-Man, Thor, Sgt. Fury, and Hulk) and the others undetermined though Evanier gives Carl Hubbell credit for the Cap book and Stan Goldberg did the Millie the Model. Writers are unknown though Denny O'Neil confessed to writing the Cap story. Some of the stories are adventures, some are origin reprises and more than a few pages are just gags. Joke booklets in tiny plastic eggs were the usual faire for Creative House Promotions or C.H.P. and what is known about this outfit today is virtually nil. 

At thirty bucks there is precious little story value here, but I think of it as buying a lava lamp or a peace-sign pendant, just a memento of a bygone age. 

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