YEARS: 1967-1969

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Box for Ben Cooper’s newly acquired comic and cartoon licenses and the first design to feature Marvel comic characters.

There were two versions of the box with different text on the front.

In 1968 Ben Cooper promoted their “Saturday’s Heroes” line of costumes which included:
Spiderman, King Kong, Superman, Super President, Fantastic Four, Shazzan, Aquaman, Herculoids, Birdman, The Impossibles, Atom Ant, Eighth Man, Coil Man, and Space Ghost among others.

The name seems to have originated from CBS who advertised their “Saturday’s Super Heroes” morning cartoons in 1967.

The artwork wrapped around the sides of the box, see the full layout here (link).

Design Notes:

The illustration of The Incredible Hulk is based on Jack Kirby’s 1965 cover art for Tales to Astonish #67 but might be more specifically influenced by the title card art from the 1966 cartoon or 1967 Philadelphia Gum trading card art.

Thor is based on a 1964 Jack Kirby pinup that appeared in Journey Into Mystery #110 which was also used as promotional/licensing art for decades.

The side panel illustration of Wonder Woman is most likely based on Ross Andru’s 1966 cover art for Wonder Woman #165.

I’ve yet to find the source of the Spider-Man illustration or that of the unidentified character on the bottom right.

Typefaces: Filmotype Crest/Filmotype Cameo (“comic book hero costume”), Letraset Metro/Portly (“exclusive!”), Balloon (“Saturday’s Heroes…”).