Toby Press: John Wayne Adventure Comics (U.S.)
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)
World Distributors: John Wayne Adventure Annuals (UK)
Associated Newspapers: John Wayne Adventures (Australia)
John Wayne Movie Comic Books
Other Comic Books Featuring John Wayne
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.