{{Short description|Defunct comic book publisher}} {{Infobox publisher | name = Farrell Publications | founded = 1940 | defunct = 1958 | founder = Robert W. Farrell | image = | headquarters = New York City | country = United States | keypeople = Robert W. Farrell, Jerry Iger | parent = Elliot Publishing Company (1940–1945)<br />Excellent Publications (1951–c. 1954)<br />Dearfield Publishing (1955–1958) | publications = Comic books | topics = | genre = Horror, romance, Western, adventure, superhero, funny animals | imprints = Ajax<br />America's Best<br />Decker Publications<br />Four Star Publications<br />Red Top Comics | url = }} '''Farrell Publications''' is a series of American comic book publishing companies founded and operated by Robert W. Farrell in the 1940s and 1950s, including '''Elliot Publishing Company''', '''Farrell Comic Group''', and '''Excellent Publications'''. Farrell is particularly known for its pre-Comics Code horror comics, mostly produced by the S. M. Iger Studio.<ref name="Howlett">Howlett, Mike. ''The Weird World of Eerie Publications: Comic Gore That Warped Millions of Young Minds'' (Feral House, 2010).</ref> Farrell also published romance, Western, adventure, superhero, and talking animal comics. Farrell acted as editor throughout. In addition to packaging art for Farrell from the beginning, Jerry Iger was the company's art director from 1955–1957.
== History == <!-- Partnered with Myron Fass. Publisher: Revived two newspapers: Brooklyn Eagle & the Daily Mirror Syndication -->
=== Farrell Publications === Farrell began '''Farrell Publications''' in 1940, operating until 1948. From 1940–1945, he was co-owner of the '''Elliot Publishing Company''', (known for their imprint Gilberton, which became independent during that period). Some of Farrell's imprints and brands from this era were '''American Feature Syndicate''', '''Four Star Publications''', and '''Kiddie Kapers Company'''. Probably the most notable title produced during this period was ''Captain Flight Comics'', published under the Four Star brand.
=== Farrell Comic Group === After a short hiatus, Farrell founded the '''Farrell Comic Group''' in 1951 with the financial backing of Excellent Publications. Imprints included '''America's Best''', '''Ajax Publications''', '''Ajax-Farrell''', '''Decker Publications''', '''Red Top Comics''', '''Steinway Comics''', and '''World Famous'''.<ref name="WhosWho">{{Cite web |title=Farrell entry - Who's Who bio |url=http://www.bailsprojects.com/bio.aspx?Name=FARRELL,+BOB |access-date=2025-09-28 |website=www.bailsprojects.com}}</ref><ref>The company's comics usually bear an Ajax logo on the top left corner of the cover, and the words "A Farrell Publication" on the top right. Because of this, most comics historians tend to list Ajax-Farrell as a publisher rather than an imprint. Based upon a survey of the indicia of a number of comics bearing the Ajax logo, however, it seems clear that Ajax was an imprint of Excellent Publications, Inc., all overseen by founder/editor Robert W. Farrell.</ref> No matter the imprint, most titles had the words "A Farrell Publication." thumb|left|''Phantom Lady'' vol. 2, #2 (Feb./March 1955) Ajax-Farrell Publications. Contributors to Farrell titles from this period included Ken Battefield, L. B. Cole (who had previously contributed covers to ''Captain Flight''), Matt Baker, Bruce Hamilton, and Steve Ditko. (The company published Ditko's first professional comics work. He had illustrated writer Bruce Hamilton's science fiction story "Stretching Things" for the Key Publications imprint Stanmor Publications, which sold the story to Farrell, where it finally found publication in ''Fantastic Fears'' #5 [Feb. 1954].)<ref name="bb20">Bell, ''Strange and Stranger: The World of Steve Ditko'' (Fantagraphics Books, Seattle, Washington, 2008), p. 20. {{ISBN|978-1-56097-921-0}}.</ref><ref>[http://www.comics.org/details.lasso?id=244841 ''Fantastic Fears'' #5] at the Grand Comics Database</ref>
Farrell's horror line consisted of ''Fantastic Fears'', ''Haunted Thrills'', ''Strange Fantasy'', and ''Voodoo''. All four books were produced by the Iger Studio and featured a consistent "house style."<ref name="Howlett" /> Like many horror comics, all four titles fell victim of the Senate Subcommittee on Juvenile Delinquency and were cancelled by the end of 1954.
In 1954 Farrell acquired the rights to the Phantom Lady comic strip series, previously owned by Fox Feature Syndicate and before that, Quality Comics. Farrell published four issues of the short-lived title from January to June 1954. The company also published Phantom Lady backup stories in two issues of its comic ''Wonder Boy''. Phantom Lady as well fell under the baleful gaze of anti-comics crusader Fredric Wertham, who objected to the character's titillating costume. Changes were consequently made so that her cleavage was covered and shorts replaced her skirt.
After the cancellation of its popular horror titles in early 1955, Farrell received a cash infusion from Dearfield Publishing, which became a key investor.<ref name="WhosWho" /> The company switched focus to romance, Western, and talking animal comics. In 1957, Farrell and former Iger studio-mate Myron Fass attempted to re-enter the horror/fantasy field with a quartet of Comics Code-approved titles made up of pre-Code material with the goriest panels excised. This resulted in incoherent stories and flat sales.<ref name="Howlett" />
The company continued publishing until 1958, but never with the same success.
== Titles include == * ''All True Romance'' (13 issues, 1955–1958) — acquired from Comic Media; Ajax imprint * ''Bride's Secrets'' (19 issues, 1954–1958) — Ajax imprint * ''Captain Flight Comics'' (11 issues, 1944–1947) — Four Star Publications imprint * ''Fantastic Fears'' (9 issues, 1953–1954) — Farrell/Ajax imprint * ''Haunted Thrills'' (18 issues, 1952–1954) — Farrell/Ajax imprint * ''The Lone Rider'' (26 issues, 1951 - 1955) — Farrell/Ajax imprint * ''Phantom Lady'' (4 issues, 1954–1955) — originally published by Quality Comics, Fox Features Syndicate, and Star Publications; Ajax imprint * ''Samson'' (3 issues, 1955) — originally published by Fox Features Syndicate; Ajax imprint * ''Strange Fantasy'' (13 issues, 1952–1954) — Farrell/Ajax imprint * ''Voodoo'' (19 issues, 1952–1955) — Farrell/Ajax imprint * ''Wonder Boy'' (2 issues, 1955) — originally published by Quality Comics; Ajax imprint
== Notes == {{reflist}}
== References == * {{gcdb publisher|id=226|title=Ajax; Farrell}} * {{gcdb publisher|id=3402|title=Elliot}} * {{gcdb publisher|id=217|title=Decker}} * {{gcdb publisher|id=140|title=Four Star Publications}} * {{gcdb publisher|id=161|title=Great American Comics; Peter George Four Star Publication; American Features Syndicate}} * {{gcdb publisher|id=3558|title=Kiddie Kapers Company}}
{{Commons category}}
Category:Defunct comics and manga publishing companies Category:Comic book publishing companies of the United States