MAGGIE’S WORLD BY MAGGIE THOMPSON Maggie’s World 095: Ads and Comics Comics ads have been around for a while. “Hey Skinny!  . . . Yer ribs are showing!” “How a 97-lb. weakling became the ‘world’s most perfectly developed man.’” “Tired of being picked on?” “The insult that turned a ‘Chump’ into a ‘Champ.’” “The insult […]

MAGGIE’S WORLD BY MAGGIE THOMPSON Maggie’s World 094: When Kids Own Comics There I was in Barnes & Noble in August 2021, checking out what comics-adjacent publications might be lurking on the shelves for non-comics-obsessed children. In the newsstand area I saw Highlights and Jack and Jill—but not comics magazines. It occurred to me that there might be […]

MAGGIE’S WORLD BY MAGGIE THOMPSON Maggie’s World 093: Credit I was 13. Mom used to buy Woman’s Day magazine (7 cents! cheaper than a comic book!) at the grocery store, and at some point I’d read her copy. The June 1956 issue cover-featured Danny Kaye—but there was also a cover notice about a serial starting in the […]

MAGGIE’S WORLD BY MAGGIE THOMPSON Maggie’s World 092: Damage A look at comic-book price guides provides vivid evidence of the importance to collectors of the preservation of four-color treasures. I keep an eye out for beat-up copies of items on my want list, because they can be the most economical way to read the originals. […]

MAGGIE’S WORLD BY MAGGIE THOMPSON Maggie’s World 090: 1961 In this 90th “Maggie’s World,” it seems appropriate to look at milestones. And hey! April 2021 is a pop culture anniversary of sorts. Thanks to Comic-Con’s archive of “Maggie’s World” columns, readers can visit my earlier comments on the history of the world of comics collecting. […]

MAGGIES WORLD BY MAGGIE THOMPSON Maggie’s World 089: Looking for Laughs One of our favorite forms of entertainment has been called “comics” for a long time, emerging from the 1700s usage that meant “funny.” Standing Alone Frequently, as the comics artform developed, one of its most popular—and challenging—formats was the single-panel gag. It may have […]