Fawcett Publications

Fawcett Publications was an American publishing company launched in 1919 in Robbinsdale, Minnesota by Wilford H. "Captain Billy" Fawcett (1883-1940). A World War I Army captain, Fawcett had been a police reporter for the Minneapolis Journal before the war.

Acquisition and recent history

A declining comics market in the 1950s along with a major lawsuit (National Comics Publications v. Fawcett Publications) resulted in Fawcett folding its line of comic books. Lash Larue, Nyoka, Strange Suspense Stories and other titles were sold to Charlton Comics. In 1972, after licensing Captain Marvel and featuring him in new stories, DC Comics purchased the Marvel Family and related characters in 1980.

Related Topics:
1950s - National Comics Publications v. Fawcett Publications - Charlton Comics

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In 1970, Fawcett acquired Popular Library and renamed it Fawcett Books. Fawcett Publications was purchased by CBS in 1977 for $50 million in cash. In 1982, Fawcett was purchased by the Ballantine Books division of Random House.

Related Topics:
CBS - Ballantine Books - Random House

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Whiz Bang Days1, an annual four-day festival held in Robbinsdale, Minnesota, celebrates the glory days of Fawcett Publications. The original Fawcett Publications building, which remained standing in Robbinsdale for decades, was torn down during the mid-1990s. It was located at what is now the terrace for Robbinsdale's 13 Moons Restaurant (4168 West Broadway Avenue).

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