It’s been many moons — too many moons — since my last tribute to ‘80s and ‘90s comic book ads. Even during the drought, they’ve remained the only reason that I continually buy bundles of old comics.

It’s always been that way. As a tween, when I spent every weekend clocking in as many comic shop hours as possible, old advertisements are what kept me interested in those fifty cent bins full of unloved titles. I couldn’t tell you a thing about Dazzler, but I practically owned her whole series.

Back then, the ads in those comics helped me remember things that I was otherwise never prompted to think about. It’s even more true today. Try skimming through a stack of comics from your childhood years. The ads are a hit parade of everything you played, played with, ate, drank, bought, wanted, loved or hated. It’s awesome.

Below: Another six comic book ads from the ‘80s and ‘90s, starring Ash, Mario and the Silver Surfer. Enjoy!

CBS Saturday Morning Preview!
(The Transformers #8, September 1985)

Throughout the ‘80s and into the ’90s, television networks routinely advertised their Saturday morning fall lineups in comic books. Saturday morning television meant everything back then, and learning the various network lineups really revved us up.

This particular ad promoted CBS’s 1985 schedule, which notably included the debut of Hulk Hogan’s Rock ‘n’ Wrestling, starring many of the time’s hottest WWF superstars. If I’m being honest, I thought the show was weirdly boring back then, and couldn’t understand how an animated version of Mr. Fuji wasn’t the greatest thing ever. Read More…

Hello! Below are twelve things that we used to buy from supermarkets. May they make you pine for things you can no longer eat, wear, style with, and/or swallow when you have a headache.

(ad from 1986)

Wise Cottage Fries were big, thick, ridged potato chips. These were a major favorite of my late father’s, to the point where I had to be really careful about eating them when he wasn’t around. Forgetful as he sometimes was, my father had absolute total recall over All Things Cottage Fries. If a bag was emptied by any hand but his, there would be hell to pay.

(I wasn’t always so successful in resisting. The chips were wonderful, after all, and somehow the word “cottage” made them taste twice as good. Also of note: I believe these are still available in some foreign markets!) Read More…

I have a bottle of Crystal Pepsi! And it only cost as much as dinner for two!

I can’t imagine that many of you missed the news, but yes, Pepsi — inspired by an online campaign spearheaded by competitive eater L.A. Beast — has dusted off perhaps its most famously infamous soft drink.

Several weeks ago, they ran an online contest which supplied thousands of lucky fans with brand new Crystal Pepsi six-packs. By my math, 80% of them ended up on eBay. While Crystal Pepsi is rumored to make its official return next summer, I just couldn’t wait that long. Enjoy your 35 bucks, dude from eBay. Read More…