Promotional Comics I Featuring comic books that were obtained through non-traditional channels

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Key Facts

Promotional giveaway distributed inside popcorn boxes as a tie-in to the Batman & Mr. Freeze: Sub-Zero animated movie

Marvel ⋅ 2008

Low
$5
Mid
$15
High
$50

Key Facts

Promotional giveaway to promote the PBS animated television series

Key Facts

Eight-page comic promoting Nintendo's 'Arcade's Revenge' video game

Included in Total!, a UK published magazine covering Nintendo news

American Forestry Association ⋅ 1949

Low
$30
Mid
$130
High
$325

Key Facts

1st appearance of Smokey the Bear in a comic book story, previously appeared in Public Service Announcements

16-page promotional comic co-published by Carter Oil Company and the American Forestry Association

First printings identified by the Carter Oil advertisement on the back page while later printings have a blank space for participating advertisers

Low
$2
Mid
$8
High
$20

Key Facts

Promotional giveaway printed for The Dark Knight Rises movie (2012)

Reprint of Batman: Bane (1997)

Low
$30
Mid
$90
High
$300

Key Facts

Promotional comic book given away by Lewyt vacuum cleaning company

Low
$1
Mid
$5
High
$18

Key Facts

Promotional giveaway published by Marvel for Home Depot

Low
$1
Mid
$3
High
$12

Key Facts

16-page promotional giveaway distributed during opening weekend of the first Venom film (2018)

Reprint ⋅ King Features ⋅ 1968

Low
$5
Mid
$15
High
$50

Key Facts

Reprint intended as a giveaway for military personnel

Upper-right corner reads 'Complimentary'

Marvel ⋅ 1996

Low
$4
Mid
$12
High
$40

Key Facts

12-page promotional mini-comic produced by Marvel for Combos Stuffed Snacks

Measures 4 inches x 5.75 inches

1st appearance and origin of Combo Man, a college student who gained superpowers after being bombarded with radiation while carrying comic books and Combos

The character is comprised of:

The Incredible Hulk's hair

Cyclops' visor

Iron Man's faceplate

Magneto's cape

Upper part of Punisher chest emblem

Lower part of Captain America's chest emblem

Sabretooth's biceps

Daredevil's forearms (armored)

Carnage's arms

Spider-Man's hands

The Human Torch's knees

Silver Surfer's calves

Second and final appearance in Ziggy Pig-Silly Seal #1 (2019)

Low
$3
Mid
$9
High
$35

Key Facts

Promotional comic book produced by the American Backflow Prevention Association

8-page story to increase awareness of responsible water usage in residential homes

Promo ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2011

Low
$3
Mid
$9
High
$35

Key Facts

Giveaway edition, Not For Resale in place of the UPC box

Low
$0
Mid
$0
High
$0

Key Facts

Newspaper insert distributed by the New York Daily News, later solicited as a physical comic book

Awareness campaign for New York City's public employment services utilizing Peter Parker as a job-seeker

Value unknown

Variant ⋅ IDW ⋅ 2016

Low
$25
Mid
$90
High
$260

Key Facts

One-shot, IDW Media Holdings variant

Produced exclusively for IDW shareholders in January 2017

Low
$5
Mid
$18
High
$65

Key Facts

12-page promotional giveaway from Hitachi

The Fantastic Four battle M.O.D.O.K. in virtual reality

Value represents standard comic book, but there is also a 3D version

Promo ⋅ DC Vertigo ⋅ 1994

Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$3

Key Facts

7-page promotional giveaway featuring Death from the Sandman series

AIDS awareness story with Death demonstrating how to properly wear a condom using a banana as a prop

Guest-starring John Constantine who provides the banana

Originally printed in Shade the Changing Man #32

Independent ⋅ 1999

Low
$4
Mid
$12
High
$45

Key Facts

Cover art by Dave McKean, story by Brian Carroll aka Buckethead, a musician best known for wearing a KFC bucket on his head and a Michael Myers-type mask while performing

16-page promotional comic book originally intended as a giveaway for the 'Giant Robot' album but later used for the 'Monsters and Robots' release

Key Facts

8-page black & white mini-comic

Promotional giveaway created for the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Project to create awareness on keeping storm drains clean

Issue measures 4.5" x 5.5". There exists unauthorized reproductions that measure 8.5" x 11"

Low
$85
Mid
$225
High
$850

Key Facts

Promotional copy given away at the 2020 ALA (American Libraries Association) Midwinter Conference and Exhibition

Back cover is different than the original copy in that it outlines the marketing strategy for the new series

780 copies were printed

GameStop ⋅ Mirage ⋅ 2007

Low
$20
Mid
$80
High
$250

Key Facts

Promotional comic given away at Gamestop with the purchase of the 2007 TMNT video game

Key Facts

Promotional giveaway distributed through the Denver Post advertising M&F Department stores

Low
$12
Mid
$40
High
$110

Key Facts

Promotional movie tie-in for Iron Man 2

Obtained by purchasing a limited edition offering of the cologne 'Only the Brave' by Diesel

Low
$12
Mid
$40
High
$130

Key Facts

Promotional giveaway commissioned by BBDO New York ad agency and its Diversity Council

'Heroes Welcome' by Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Brooks addresses diversity, creativity and acceptance

Reprint ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2005

Low
$5
Mid
$15
High
$50

Key Facts

Promotional giveaway distributed with the Elektra movie DVD

Reprint of Elektra's first appearance in #168

'Not For Resale' printed in the lower left-hand side

Mini-Comic ⋅ Archie ⋅ 1992

Low
$3
Mid
$8
High
$30

Key Facts

2nd appearance of Sonic the Hedgehog

1st appearance of Tails

Mini-comic distributed with the Sega video game

8-page preview of Sonic the Hedgehog #0 (1993)

Promo ⋅ Gametek ⋅ 1996

Low
$300
Mid
$800
High
$2.5k

Key Facts

Promotional comic book given away at E3 in 1996 for a game that was far along in its creation but never released due to the developer, GameTek filing for bankruptcy

Promo ⋅ DC ⋅ 2001

Low
$9
Mid
$25
High
$90

Key Facts

Scarce promotional exclusive produced for a licensing partnership with Infogrames, a video game developer

Reprint ⋅ DC ⋅ 1998

Low
$5
Mid
$12
High
$45

Key Facts

Reprint of Action Comics #1 distributed in 1998 by the US Post Office commemorating 50 years of Superman

Scarce issue, sealed with a book of Superman stamps

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