What follows is a complete John Wayne Comic Book Bibliography. Click on any image to enlarge.
Toby Press: John Wayne Adventure Comics (U.S.)
As seemed to be fitting for the number one action star in Hollywood, John Wayne appeared in comic book form via a number of venues, including two different comic book series’ on two different continents! The first actual comic book series starring John Wayne, was John Wayne Adventure Comics, published by Toby Press. The series ran for 31 issues between 1949 and 1955. Many of the comics featured photo covers (in fact, the first actual comic book photo cover to be used was on John Wayne Adventure Comics, issue #1), although several of the featured original artwork from such noted artists as Frank Franzetta and Walter Howath. Stories were often western in nature, but also included war stories and other action based stories that Wayne was well known for. It was in the western stories that Wayne (who always went by either John Wayne or Johnny Wayne) was given a typical western sidekick by the name of Bonanza Bill.
Toby Press later re-printed three of the John Wayne Adventure stories in their "Big Tex" comic book, issue #1 (June 1953), changing Wayne's name to Big Tex. Same story, same art, just a different name.
Toby Press later re-printed three of the John Wayne Adventure stories in their "Big Tex" comic book, issue #1 (June 1953), changing Wayne's name to Big Tex. Same story, same art, just a different name.
World Distributors: John Wayne Adventure Comics (UK)
These were not published by Toby Press, but by World Distributor’s, and the series ran for 82 issues from 1952 thru 1958. Although some were no doubt reprints from the Toby Press series, there were many that were completely different from the stories that appeared in the United States. In addition, the covers were different as well, with a good number of them featuring original art by Walter Howath. The Toby Press and the World Distributor’s series’ were two different John Wayne Adventure Comics series’, and should not be considered as one series.
World Distributors: John Wayne Adventure Annuals (UK)
In addition to the U.K. series, World Distributors also put out an annual expanded edition of John Wayne Adventure Comics, for the years 1953, 1954, 1955, 1957, 1958, and 1959. It is unknown why there was no annual for 1956, however, all sources who have mentioned the number and years of the printing of the Adventure Annual, all concur that there were only six issues – the ones mentioned here.
Associated Newspapers: John Wayne Adventures (Australia)
John Wayne Adventures comic books were the Australian version of the Toby Press and World Wide Distributors comics. They were not copies, however, and they featured unique artwork and stories not found in the other two series'. They were drawn and printed by Jayar Studios and Sungravure Ltd, and published by Associated Newspapers Red Circle Press. The series was short lived, with a total of only 21 issues published between January 1955 and December 1956. Please note that starting with issue #18, Associated Newspapers dropped the word "Adventures" from the title, and they became known as "John Wayne" comics. Today these comic books are extremely rare and difficult to find.
John Wayne Movie Comic Books
In addition to the three different John Wayne Adventure Comics series’, both Dell and Gold Key comics produced comic books based on various films that starred John Wayne. There were 15 published in all. From Dell Publishing came “Hatari!”, “The Comancheros”, “The Horse Soldiers”, “The Conqueror”, “The Sons of Katie Elder”, “The War Wagon”, “El Dorado”, “Wings of Eagles”, “The Longest Day”, “The Searchers”, “Rio Bravo”, “North To Alaska”, & “Circus World” as part of the Dell “Movie Classics.” Gold Key comics published “McLintock!” and “How The West Was Won.”
Other Comic Books Featuring John Wayne
John Wayne also made appearances in several other comic books as well. These included:
1. “John Wayne, an American Hero”, Personality Comics #1, by Steven Spire, Published by Top Notch Comics (1991). This comic came in two editions, a “standard” edition, and a “limited edition”, which was limited to 2000 copies, each with a numbered card, signed by the artist Caesar Antomattei, glued inside front cover.
2. “Black Cat” comics #27, published by Harvey Comics (1951), and which contained an “exclusive interview with John Wayne”.
3. Colt Westerns (an Australian comic book series), issues: #12 (published in 1963, and which contained the story, “John Wayne in The Vanishing Stagecoach”), #20 (published in 1965, and which contained the story, “John Wayne on the Danger Trail”), #21 (published in 1965, and which contained the story, “John Wayne in Phantom Gunsmoke”), and issue #48 (published in 1968, and which contained the story, “John Wayne in The Devil’s Horsemen”).
4. In 1950, Oxydol/Dreft began using small pocket-sized (6 ½” x 3”) comics as promotional incentive to purchase these products. They were originally offered by mail, with the submission of one Oxydol or Dreft box top, or two Ivory Soap wrappers, plus 15c (sorry, but the offer expired August 31, 1950). There were six different comics in the Oxydol/Dreft mini-comic series, with #4 being “John Wayne in Cowboy Trouble Shooter.” It was a full color, 32-page (including covers) newsprint comic.
5. In 1942, Cinema Comics Herald (published by B.W. Sangor) produced nine small, four-page “Cinema Comics” which were used as promotional "give-aways" at theaters. These little comic books are extremely rare. Of the nine titles produced, two were for John Wayne films. One for “Reap The Wild Wind” and the other for "Lady For A Night."
6. In 1939, National Periodical Publications (D.C. Comics), published a comic book based on the film “Stagecoach” (issue #2, May 1939).
7. In January 1948, issue #16 of the “Tim McCoy Western Movie Stories” comic book featured both “The John Wayne Story” and a comic book version of “Red River.”
8. In 2002, AC Comics published their John Wayne biographical comic book on John Wayne, as Western Movie Heroes #3. The comic is still available from AC Comics, via their website. (http://www.accomics.com/accomics/wes...johnwayne.html)
9. Issue #5 of Atlas Comics’ satirical comic book, “Riot”(April 1956), sort of a Mad Magazine clone, did a send up of John Wayne.
10. An Australian comic book called “Gunslinger Western” (published by Gordon & Gotch) featured John Wayne stories in two of their issues: “Song of the Six Gun” (issue #1, 1964), and “Gunfight in Paradise” (issue #6, 1964).
11. in 1960, Popsicle ™ ran a promotional contest in conjunction with the release of John Wayne’s 1960 epic, “The Alamo”, with one of the premiums being an Alamo comic book with John Wayne as Davy Crockett.
12.“Tell It To The Marines” comic book, issue #13 (Toby Press, 1955) featured John Wayne in an artistic pose from “The Sands of Iwo Jima” on the cover.
13. “Screen Thrills Illustrated” issue #2 (Warren Press, September 1962), featured a story titled, “John Wayne – Duke of Action”.
14. “With The Marines”, issue #1 (1953), also featured a John Wayne story.
15. Another satirical comic book, “Get Lost!” (published only three issues in 1954. Published by Ross Andru and Mike Esposito), featured a parody of John Wayne in “Hondo” in their third and final issue.
16. Frank Frazetta’s “Comic and Crypt” issue #7 (November 1972, C&C Publications) featured a “John Wayne” story.
17. The “Preacher” comic book series published by Vertigo (an imprint of DC Comics) which ran until 2000, featured a recurring character called “The Duke”. Although the character is never actually identified as John Wayne, and his face usually remains in shadow, he does have the look, mannerisms and speech pattern of John Wayne. “The Duke” was an imaginary friend of Jesse Custer, the hero of the series, and he would appear to Jesse to offer advice and words of encouragement when needed. “The Duke” also made an appearance in another Vertigo comic book, “The Sandman” (issue #1, January 1, 1989).
18. John Wayne also makes an appearance in “The Al Williamson Reader” (2008 by Pure Imagination Publishing), a book devoted to noted comic illustrator Al Williamson, who provided much of the art found in the Toby Press comic book series “John Wayne Adventure Comics.” Wayne appears in the story, “Chief Victorio’s Last Stand Drum.”
John Wayne also made appearances in the following comic books:
19. Nostalgia Illustrated (published by Marvel Comics): Issue #8 (August 1975) and Issue #4 (April 1975)
20. Bill Barnes America’s Air Ace Comics (published by Street & Smith), Issue #9 (1940), which featured a comic book version of the John Wayne film, “Flying Tigers.”
21. Best of the West (published by AC Comics), Issue #5 (January 1999)
22. Golden Age Greats (published by AC Comics), Issue #11 (January 1997)
23. The ’Nam comic book (published by Marvel Comics), Issue #41 (February 1990)
24. The Big Book of Vice (published by Paradox Press), Issue #1 (January 1995)
25. Epix comic book (published by Epix), Issue #199107 (January 1991)
26. Tung Metall comic book (published by Epix), Issue #199001 (January 1990)
27. Spoof (published by Marvel Comics), Issue #3 (January 1973) and Issue #4 (March 1973).
28. Cracked comic book, Issue #93 (July 1871) and Issue #135 (September 1976)
29. Crazy comic book, Issue #23 (March 1977), Issue #47 (February 1979), Issue #48 (March 1979), and Issue #54 (March 1977)
30. Gang Busters comic book (published by DC Comics), Issue #4 (June 1948)
31. Dream Of Love comic book (published by IW Comics), Issue #9 (1952), contains a one-page "interview" with John Wayne titled "Paging John Wayne".
Note: Although some would classify MAD Magazine as a “comic book”, it is actually more of a magazine, albeit a “comic” magazine, and those issues where John Wayne appears in MAD are listed in the magazine section of the John Wayne bibliography.
1. “John Wayne, an American Hero”, Personality Comics #1, by Steven Spire, Published by Top Notch Comics (1991). This comic came in two editions, a “standard” edition, and a “limited edition”, which was limited to 2000 copies, each with a numbered card, signed by the artist Caesar Antomattei, glued inside front cover.
2. “Black Cat” comics #27, published by Harvey Comics (1951), and which contained an “exclusive interview with John Wayne”.
3. Colt Westerns (an Australian comic book series), issues: #12 (published in 1963, and which contained the story, “John Wayne in The Vanishing Stagecoach”), #20 (published in 1965, and which contained the story, “John Wayne on the Danger Trail”), #21 (published in 1965, and which contained the story, “John Wayne in Phantom Gunsmoke”), and issue #48 (published in 1968, and which contained the story, “John Wayne in The Devil’s Horsemen”).
4. In 1950, Oxydol/Dreft began using small pocket-sized (6 ½” x 3”) comics as promotional incentive to purchase these products. They were originally offered by mail, with the submission of one Oxydol or Dreft box top, or two Ivory Soap wrappers, plus 15c (sorry, but the offer expired August 31, 1950). There were six different comics in the Oxydol/Dreft mini-comic series, with #4 being “John Wayne in Cowboy Trouble Shooter.” It was a full color, 32-page (including covers) newsprint comic.
5. In 1942, Cinema Comics Herald (published by B.W. Sangor) produced nine small, four-page “Cinema Comics” which were used as promotional "give-aways" at theaters. These little comic books are extremely rare. Of the nine titles produced, two were for John Wayne films. One for “Reap The Wild Wind” and the other for "Lady For A Night."
6. In 1939, National Periodical Publications (D.C. Comics), published a comic book based on the film “Stagecoach” (issue #2, May 1939).
7. In January 1948, issue #16 of the “Tim McCoy Western Movie Stories” comic book featured both “The John Wayne Story” and a comic book version of “Red River.”
8. In 2002, AC Comics published their John Wayne biographical comic book on John Wayne, as Western Movie Heroes #3. The comic is still available from AC Comics, via their website. (http://www.accomics.com/accomics/wes...johnwayne.html)
9. Issue #5 of Atlas Comics’ satirical comic book, “Riot”(April 1956), sort of a Mad Magazine clone, did a send up of John Wayne.
10. An Australian comic book called “Gunslinger Western” (published by Gordon & Gotch) featured John Wayne stories in two of their issues: “Song of the Six Gun” (issue #1, 1964), and “Gunfight in Paradise” (issue #6, 1964).
11. in 1960, Popsicle ™ ran a promotional contest in conjunction with the release of John Wayne’s 1960 epic, “The Alamo”, with one of the premiums being an Alamo comic book with John Wayne as Davy Crockett.
12.“Tell It To The Marines” comic book, issue #13 (Toby Press, 1955) featured John Wayne in an artistic pose from “The Sands of Iwo Jima” on the cover.
13. “Screen Thrills Illustrated” issue #2 (Warren Press, September 1962), featured a story titled, “John Wayne – Duke of Action”.
14. “With The Marines”, issue #1 (1953), also featured a John Wayne story.
15. Another satirical comic book, “Get Lost!” (published only three issues in 1954. Published by Ross Andru and Mike Esposito), featured a parody of John Wayne in “Hondo” in their third and final issue.
16. Frank Frazetta’s “Comic and Crypt” issue #7 (November 1972, C&C Publications) featured a “John Wayne” story.
17. The “Preacher” comic book series published by Vertigo (an imprint of DC Comics) which ran until 2000, featured a recurring character called “The Duke”. Although the character is never actually identified as John Wayne, and his face usually remains in shadow, he does have the look, mannerisms and speech pattern of John Wayne. “The Duke” was an imaginary friend of Jesse Custer, the hero of the series, and he would appear to Jesse to offer advice and words of encouragement when needed. “The Duke” also made an appearance in another Vertigo comic book, “The Sandman” (issue #1, January 1, 1989).
18. John Wayne also makes an appearance in “The Al Williamson Reader” (2008 by Pure Imagination Publishing), a book devoted to noted comic illustrator Al Williamson, who provided much of the art found in the Toby Press comic book series “John Wayne Adventure Comics.” Wayne appears in the story, “Chief Victorio’s Last Stand Drum.”
John Wayne also made appearances in the following comic books:
19. Nostalgia Illustrated (published by Marvel Comics): Issue #8 (August 1975) and Issue #4 (April 1975)
20. Bill Barnes America’s Air Ace Comics (published by Street & Smith), Issue #9 (1940), which featured a comic book version of the John Wayne film, “Flying Tigers.”
21. Best of the West (published by AC Comics), Issue #5 (January 1999)
22. Golden Age Greats (published by AC Comics), Issue #11 (January 1997)
23. The ’Nam comic book (published by Marvel Comics), Issue #41 (February 1990)
24. The Big Book of Vice (published by Paradox Press), Issue #1 (January 1995)
25. Epix comic book (published by Epix), Issue #199107 (January 1991)
26. Tung Metall comic book (published by Epix), Issue #199001 (January 1990)
27. Spoof (published by Marvel Comics), Issue #3 (January 1973) and Issue #4 (March 1973).
28. Cracked comic book, Issue #93 (July 1871) and Issue #135 (September 1976)
29. Crazy comic book, Issue #23 (March 1977), Issue #47 (February 1979), Issue #48 (March 1979), and Issue #54 (March 1977)
30. Gang Busters comic book (published by DC Comics), Issue #4 (June 1948)
31. Dream Of Love comic book (published by IW Comics), Issue #9 (1952), contains a one-page "interview" with John Wayne titled "Paging John Wayne".
Note: Although some would classify MAD Magazine as a “comic book”, it is actually more of a magazine, albeit a “comic” magazine, and those issues where John Wayne appears in MAD are listed in the magazine section of the John Wayne bibliography.