Funnies Inc.

Funnies Inc.

Type	Comic book packager
Headquarters	New York City
Industry	Comics

Funnies Inc. was a pioneering comic book packager that played a significant role in the early development of the American comic book industry. Founded in 1939 by Lloyd Jacquet, Funnies Inc. was instrumental in creating content for some of the first comic books published by major companies, including the first appearance of Marvel Comics' Sub-Mariner and Human Torch.

History

Funnies Inc. was established in 1939 by Lloyd Jacquet, a former editor at Centaur Publications. The company was one of the first to specialize in creating complete comic book stories and artwork, which they would then sell to publishers. This business model allowed publishers to quickly produce comic books without maintaining a full-time staff of writers and artists.

Early Success

Funnies Inc.'s first major success came with the creation of "Marvel Comics" #1, published by Timely Publications in 1939. This landmark issue featured the debut of the Human Torch, created by Carl Burgos, and the Sub-Mariner, created by Bill Everett. These characters would go on to become iconic figures in the Marvel Universe.

Contributions to the Industry

Funnies Inc. was known for its stable of talented creators, including Carl Burgos, Bill Everett, and Paul Gustavson. The company produced content for a variety of publishers, including Timely Publications, Quality Comics, and Fox Feature Syndicate.

Decline and Closure

The company thrived during the early years of the comic book boom but began to decline in the early 1940s as publishers started to develop their own in-house creative teams. Funnies Inc. ceased operations in 1942, but its impact on the industry was already cemented.

Legacy

Funnies Inc. is remembered as a trailblazer in the comic book industry, helping to establish the model of the comic book packager and contributing to the creation of some of the medium's earliest and most enduring characters. The company's work laid the groundwork for the future success of Marvel Comics and influenced the development of the superhero genre.

Also see

• Marvel Comics
• Timely Publications
• Sub-Mariner
• Human Torch (android)
• Lloyd Jacquet
• Comic book packager