The Weird World of Retro Comic Book Ads

Buy 1 Product, Get 1 at 50% Off! Discount Applied Automatically.

Starting in the 1950s comic books were filled with cheap novelty goods sold in high volume and low production costs.

But the perceived value (and profit) was high thanks to clever marketing and imaginative illustrations.

Reimagining of a retro comic advertisement by Robin Banks

A reimagining of a retro comic advertisement page by Robin Banks using our ColorLab comic color formula brushes and textures.

As a kid, I loved comics—not so much for the storylines, but for the colorful ads promising outlandish mail-order novelties.

I remember the thrill of clipping out an order form, mailing it off, and 4-6 weeks later a package arrived with an ingenious little novelty. Opening the package felt like acquiring a rare treasure.

This magic is part of what inspired me to start RetroSupply.

Below you'll discover some of the products we've created to capture the spirit of those vintage comic ads. Enjoy!

Shop Comic Ad Packs

Each of these products was made with consideration for their ability to work well in recreating retro comic book ads. Grab one or grab 'em all!

True Analog Halftones

Halftones were used to get more shades with one color ink. DupliTone gives you the same tonal percentages and layering ability of real halftones.

View DupliTone

CMYK Print Effects

ColorLab emulates the color formulas found in vintage comics using brushes and color formulas based off real comic color charts and systems.

View ColorLab

Honest Comic Fonts

Bad fonts can ruin comic art. Nail the look of vintage comics with this collection of vintage comic fonts designed by comic academic Christopher Sperandio.

View the Vintage Comic Font Pack

InkChamp Printing Press Photoshop Actions

Printing Press Perfection

Create custom offset printing effects, from the inky mayhem of a tiny comic book mail-order advertisements to cereal boxes. Must love Photoshop actions.

View InkChamp

Shop the Comic Ad Collection

Mail-Order Mysteries. This book shows you what arrives in the mail vs what the ads show—one of my favorite retro books ever! Get the book
Comic History: Linework and Print. Dig deep into the history of comics with this three-part series. Read the article
Filmotype Fonts. Some of our favorite vintage fonts are from Filmotype. Every font is made from 20th century display fonts. View the fonts
How to Draw a Comic Panel. From sketches with blue and red pencils to final textures—it's all here. View the tutorial