King Comics, a short-lived comic book imprint of King Features Syndicate, was an attempt by King Features to publish comics of its own characters, rather than through other publishers.[1] A few King Comics titles were picked up from Gold Key Comics. King Features placed former Gold Key editor Bill Harris in charge of the line.[2]
The line was published from August 1966 to December 1967.[3] The King Comics Flash Gordon title was well-received, winning three Alley Awards in 1966 and another in 1967.[2] The series had distribution problems throughout its run. Several distributors refused to take the King Comics because their first issues lacked a Comics Code Authority seal; King subsequently obtained a CCA seal, used on all later issues.[2] King Features tried to overcome the distribution problem by selling its titles in special "King Paks" of three to variety stores and supermarkets.