Marvel is working some sort of deal where reprints of old comic books will be inserted into Sunday newspaper sections around the country. I gather the idea is that the newspapers get them for free and can tout them as a selling point, and Marvel's costs are paid for by the new advertising they sell in the comics. Even if they lose a few bucks on the deal, it's probably good promotion for their characters. On the other hand, it'll probably make the regular comics, which cost $2.99 and up, seem even more overpriced.
I couldn't help but be amused by the item that ran today in the Register-Guard, a newspaper that comes out of Eugene, Oregon. Here's one paragraph…
The first in the Spider-Man collectible series, "Amazing Fantasy: Introducing Spider Man," is dated Aug. 15, 1962, and features the art of celebrated cartoonist Stan Lee. It chronicles the transformation of bookworm Peter Parker into the web-spinning wonder in the blue and red tights.
Someone please explain to these people that Stan Lee is not a cartoonist and that the comic in question was primarily drawn by Steve Ditko, not by Stan Lee. Also, it's a reprint of Amazing Fantasy #15. which was cover-dated August of '62. It's not dated "August 15, 1962."
While I'm on the topic: Can anyone supply me with copies of these reprints? They come free in the Sunday sections so if your local newspaper carries them, it oughta be easy to round up a few of 'em from the neighbors.