First, let’s get the things about this ad that “hurt” the most. $4.00 for 12 consecutive issues. 6 $1.00 issues for only $5.00.

Ouch.

To be fair, you’re saving $0.80 to a $1.00, but still.

Also to be fair, $1.00 in 1980 is equivalent to $3.79 to $4.01 today. And $4.00 is equivalent to $16.03 to $16.23.

So…yeah…ouch.

The thing I love about this ad is that it’s an original piece. I dig it when the marketing and production department would use pre-existing covers and art, especially when they do so in interesting ways. Original pieces have a little more zing to them. They stand out more. And sometimes they look awesome.

Especially this one. I love this image of Superman. And I love the idea of Superman selling comics directly. And I love that Superman was enough of a thing when this ad dropped in 1980 that doing a subscription ad solely based on the Man of Steel was something that DC thought was a good idea.

To be fair, Superman’s dialogue can be read as jaunty or vaguely threatening. I’m good either way.

More to follow…