Colonel Sanders Comics #No. 1
Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) / Custom Comic Services • Colonel Sanders Comics (Promotional Series)
Writer
Uncredited (Likely Custom Comic Services Staff)
Interior Artist
Adolphus and Jackson (credited as Adkins/Jackson)
Cover Artist
Adolphus and Jackson (credited as Adkins/Jackson)
Publication Date
1965 (Estimated)
Cover Variant
Regular Promotional Edition
Printing
First Printing
Comic Description
Promotional comic featuring Colonel Sanders in 'The Great Brain Robbery.' In this story, an antagonist attempts to steal the Colonel's 'Top Secret Recipe.' The issue features lighthearted adventure aimed at children and includes advertisements for KFC products.
Condition & Value
Condition Grade
Very Good/Fine (CGC 5.0)
Condition Details
Visible rounding and blunting of the top and bottom corners. Noticeable spine stress and vertical indentation along the spine. Slight cover scuffing and apparent darkening or oxidation of paper along edges (typical for this thin paper stock). Minor edge wear near the bottom 'Free Coupons' banner.
Estimated Market Value
Raw: $30 - $60; Graded (CGC/CBCS 5.0): $120 - $180
Recent Sales
Recent sales for mid-grade copies range from $45 to $75 depending on the presence of coupons. High-grade (9.0+) copies can fetch over $400 due to the fragility of the paper.
Grading Recommendation
Moderate Recommendation. While a rare 1960s promotional item, the condition shown suggests a mid-grade result (Fine range). Unless sentimental, professional grading may only be cost-effective if it is suspected to be a 7.0 or higher after a professional press and clean.
Notable Features
Rare 1960s promotional giveaway; Includes 'Free Coupons' on pages 7 and 8 (value is higher if coupons are intact); Features early KFC branding and the 'Finger Lickin' Good' slogan; Origin story elements for the Colonel Sanders mascot.
Authentication Notes
Authentic 1960s newsprint production. The color registration has the characteristic coarse dot matrix of mid-century promotional prints. No known counterfeits of this specific promotional giveaway exist in high frequency, but check for modern reprints which lack the specific paper aging shown here.