Legendary Comic Book Publishers Brought Back to Life by PS Artbooks
- PS Artbooks
- 4 days ago
- 5 min read
At PS Artbooks, our mission is simple: to revive and preserve the golden treasures of comic book history. Over the decades, many publishers helped shape the industry with unforgettable characters, unique storytelling, and bold artwork. We've dedicated ourselves to restoring the very best of these classics—bringing them back to collectors, historians, and fans of vintage comics. Here’s a look at the most popular publishers whose works we proudly reprint and restore.
Quality Comics
Notable Titles: Plastic Man, Blackhawk, Doll Man, The Spirit
Founded by Everett M. "Busy" Arnold, Quality Comics was one of the premier publishers of the Golden Age. Known for slick production values and stylish art, Quality introduced readers to richly drawn heroes and thrilling war stories. Jack Cole’s Plastic Man is perhaps the most famous—an elastic superhero with a sense of humor and a unique art style that stood out even then. Blackhawk, another standout, was an international squadron of WWII fighter pilots that blended high-octane action with intrigue. PS Artbooks restores many of these iconic stories, giving fans a chance to appreciate their original glory.
Ajax-Farrell Publications
Notable Titles: Voodoo, Strange Fantasy, Fantastic Fears, Haunted Thrills
Farrell’s output in the early '50s captured the dark heart of the pre-Code horror boom. With moody, often shocking covers and bizarre tales, Farrell’s books like Voodoo and Haunted Thrills are now prized examples of pulp horror. Their stories of mad science, undead vengeance, and cosmic terror struck a chord with readers—and censors! PS Artbooks proudly preserves the atmosphere and artistry of this important chapter in comics history.
Harvey Comics
Notable Titles: Black Cat Comics, Black Cat Mystery, Witches Tales, Tomb of Terror, Chamber of Chills
While Harvey is best known today for lighthearted fare like Casper the Friendly Ghost and Richie Rich, the publisher’s earlier days were filled with horror, adventure, and even superheroes. Black Cat, for example, was a strikingly modern female hero—part movie star, part masked vigilante. Their horror anthologies like Tomb of Terror are now cult classics. PS Artbooks helps bridge these two eras, bringing Harvey’s forgotten horror and adventure
gems back to the spotlight.
Fiction House
Notable Titles: Planet Comics, Sheena, Jungle Comics, Fight Comics
If there’s one publisher that captured the pulpy spirit of the '30s and '40s, it’s Fiction House. Their comics exploded with action, exotic settings, and empowered female leads. Planet Comics remains one of the most visually exciting titles of the Golden Age, combining rocket-fueled sci-fi with dazzling pin-up-style art. And Sheena, Queen of the Jungle—a trailblazing female hero—showed readers that women could be just as bold and daring as any male counterpart. PS Artbooks restores these eye-popping adventures in full color, preserving their historical and artistic legacy.
Ace Magazines
Notable Titles: The Beyond, Web of Mystery, Love at First Sight, Crime Must Pay the Penalty
Ace was a master of multiple genres, from chilling horror anthologies like The Beyond and Web of Mystery to crime and romance stories. Their distinctive cover art and imaginative horror stories made them stand out during the pre-Code era. PS Artbooks curates these eerie, suspenseful tales and presents them in high-quality collections, perfect for horror and noir fans alike.
Magazine Enterprises
Notable Titles: Ghost Rider, The Durango Kid, Thun’da, Cave Girl
Founded by Vincent Sullivan (who previously helped launch Superman and Batman), Magazine Enterprises had a strong focus on Westerns and jungle adventures. Their original Ghost Rider (no relation to the Marvel character of the same name) blended horror and westerns in a visually striking way. Cave Girl, one of their standout characters, delivered prehistoric thrills with bold storytelling. PS Artbooks brings these explosive tales back to shelves, complete with restored artwork and classic cover reproductions.
American Comics Group (ACG)
Notable Titles: Adventures into the Unknown, Forbidden Worlds, Herbie, Skeleton Hand
ACG was a quiet pioneer in many ways. Adventures into the Unknown is considered the first ongoing horror comic series, beating others to the punch with intelligent, eerie tales. Their stories were often more psychological or science fiction-based than overtly gory. Later, ACG gave us Herbie Popnecker, the surreal and hilarious “Fat Fury” who became a cult hit. With PS Artbooks, you can dive into the thoughtful and often whimsical world of ACG.
Avon Publications
Notable Titles: Eerie, Out of This World, City of the Living Dead, Witchcraft
Avon brought the same pulp sensibilities that made their paperback books famous into their comics. Their horror and science fiction titles were moody, mysterious, and unafraid to push boundaries. Comics like Eerie (which predates Warren's version) delivered gripping one-shots of supernatural suspense and gothic horror. PS Artbooks ensures these short, impactful tales live on in pristine restored editions.
Fawcett Comics
Notable Titles: Captain Marvel, Spy Smasher, Ibis the Invincible, Bulletman
Fawcett was once the biggest rival to DC Comics, thanks largely to the popularity of Captain Marvel (now known as Shazam). The original Captain Marvel Adventures were whimsical, humorous, and full of heart—offering a child-friendly alternative to the darker superhero fare. Fawcett also had its share of mystical and action heroes, like Ibis and Spy Smasher. PS Artbooks pays homage to Fawcett’s storytelling legacy by preserving the magical energy of these titles.
Charlton Comics
Notable Titles: Gorgo, The Question, Ghostly Tales, Strange Suspense Stories
Charlton had a scrappy charm, publishing everything from horror to romance, sci-fi to superhero fare. Their low-budget productions meant they took creative risks—and launched the careers of greats like Steve Ditko. Comics like Strange Suspense Stories and Ghostly Tales delivered spooky thrills, while characters like The Question would later find new life under DC Comics. PS Artbooks offers crisp reprints of Charlton’s underrated gems, letting fans appreciate their originality and grit.
Dell Comics
Notable Titles: Kona, Monarch of Monster Isle, Ghost Stories; Space Man, Four Color
While Dell is often remembered for its licensed properties, the publisher also created original and imaginative series that pushed genre boundaries. One standout is Kona, Monarch of Monster Isle—a thrilling adventure series featuring a wild man protecting a family stranded on a prehistoric island filled with dinosaurs and deadly threats. It’s a pulpy, action-packed ride that blends jungle adventure with sci-fi flair.
Ghost Stories delivered eerie, atmospheric tales of the supernatural, combining suspenseful storytelling with surprisingly moody artwork for a publisher more associated with family-friendly fare. Meanwhile, Space Man blasted readers into the far reaches of outer space with stylish retro-futurism and cosmic adventure.
These lesser-known gems show that Dell wasn’t just about adaptations—they also took creative risks that resulted in some truly memorable comics. PS Artbooks restores these unique and imaginative series with the same attention to detail and historical respect we give all our classic reprints.
Preserving Comic Book History, One Page at a Time
These publishers laid the groundwork for the comic industry we know today. Whether you’re drawn to the bold lines of Golden Age heroes, the eerie chill of pre-Code horror, or the charming innocence of mid-century humor and adventure, PS Artbooks is here to help you rediscover it all.
Explore our extensive library and experience the timeless magic of these historic publishers—restored with care, printed with precision, and ready to be treasured all over again.
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