Holyoke Publishing

Holyoke Publishing originated with Sherman Bowles, who had taken over his family's Springfield, Massachusetts newspaper dynasty, consisting of The Republican and other papers. He entered comic-book publishing through his printing division, which took over two existing titles from Frank Z. Temerson's Helnit Publishing Company: the superhero series Cat-Man Comics and the war comics series Captain Aero Comics. This occurred in late 1941, with comics cover-dated January 1942 and February 1942. Temerson's staff, including artist Charles Quinlan, continued to produce both series. Holyoke's next acquisition was the superhero series Blue Beetle, taking it over from Victor A. Fox's bankrupt Fox Publications beginning with issue #12 (June 1942). The two titles acquired from Heinit reverted to Temerson's new company Et-Es-Go Magazines (later Continental Magazines) following Holyoke's Cat-Man Comics vol. 3, #7, the overall 17th issue, and Captain Aero Comics vol. 2, #4, the overall 10th issue (both Jan. 1943). Holyoke Publishing leased commercial space at 1475 Broadway in Manhattan in April 1944. ==Confusion with Temerson titles==

Because of incomplete documentation of the early days of the American comic book, some sources misstate Holyoke's role. One common resource, for example, erroneously refers to Holyoke "imprints including Et-Es-Go Mags, Continental Magazines, Helnit Publishing Co. and Tem Publishing Co." The book The Comic Book in America erroneously states that Holyoke "entered the comic-book superhero business with Crash Comics (May 1940)....", though Crash Comics Adventures was a Temerson title predating Holyoke. That book also erroneously claims Temerson as the Holyoke founder, writing, "Temerson also changed his company's name to Holyoke Publishing," and additionally claims, "By 1943, Holyoke was known as Continental Publishing." Howard Keltner's Golden Age Comic Index 1935-1955 (Revised Edition) groups Bilbara, Tem, Helnit, Et-Es-Go, Narrative Publishers and Aviation Press with Holyoke. Narrative and Aviation were both clients of Temerson's art director, L. B. Cole, giving their publications a similar look. == Creators ==

Among comics creators who did some of their earliest work at Holyoke are Joe Kubert, on features starring Volton, Flagman and Alias X for Cat-Man Comics and Captain Aero Comics. Dan Barry drew the Hood and Tiger Squadron. Carmine Infantino drew "Hell's Angels", a war series, for Sparkling Stars. ==Sherman Bowles==

Sherman Hoar Bowles was the scion of three generations of men named Sam Bowles who ran the Springfield, Massachusetts newspaper The Republican and other periodicals from 1797 to 1919, when Sherman took the reins. His mother, Elizabeth Hoar, of Concord, Massachusetts, was the Beth of Louisa May Alcott's novel Little Women. as well as Alliance Manufacturing He eventually turned over his holdings to a beneficial trust for his 500 newspaper employees. ==Titles==

Comic books • Veri Best Sure Fire — The Grand Comics Database notes, "Exact publication date is unknown. Several stories are continued in Captain Aero #11. Thus, this is most likely a renamed inventory issue of Captain Aero Comics with hitherto unpublished stories." "Same as Veri Best Sure Shot Comics?" • Veri Best Sure Shot — As noted above under Veri Best Sure Fire == Characters ==

Originated at Holyoke • Ali Baba • Blackout (continued at Frank Temerson's companies) • Boxie Weaver • Gargoyle • Hell's Angels • Phantom Falcon • Red Cross (continued at Frank Temerson's companies) • Tiger Squadron • Volton (unrelated to Bilbara's Volton the Human Generator (Guy Newton)) Originated at Frank Z. Temerson companies • Alias X • Captain Aero • Cat-Man • Kitten • Commandos of the Devil Dogs • Deacon • Flagman • The Hood (unrelated to Marvel Comics' Hood) • Miss Victory • Pied Piper (published by Helnit and Holoyoke only) • Ragman (unrelated to DC Comics' Ragman) • Solar (last published by Holyoke before Temerson reclaimed characters) Originated at Fox Publications • Blue Beetle Appearing in Temerson titles and Holyoke One Shot • Captain Fearless ==References==