Hillman Periodicals was an American publishing company active primarily from the late 1930s through the 1950s. The firm produced a range of periodicals, including general‑interest magazines, true‑crime titles, and comic books. It was founded by Alex L. Hillman, a former newspaper publisher who expanded into magazine and comic‑book publishing.
History
- Founding and early years – Hillman Periodicals was incorporated in 1938 in New York City. The company initially focused on pulp‑style magazines that catered to popular interests such as crime, romance, and celebrity gossip.
- Magazine publishing – Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, Hillman issued a series of successful titles, notably:
- Crime Detective (1942–1955) – a true‑crime magazine featuring investigative reports and sensational cases.
- Real Detective (1945–1951) – a similar publication emphasizing forensic and police work.
- Modern Screen (1941–1962) – a film‑industry magazine covering movie stars and productions.
- True Confessions (1945–1973) – a women's magazine presenting personal narratives and advice columns.
- Comic‑book publishing – In the early 1940s the company entered the comic‑book market, producing both original titles and licensed properties. Notable series included:
- Air Fighters (1942–1947) – a war‑action comic featuring aerial combat stories.
- Clue (1947–1950) – a mystery comic that presented short detective tales.
- The Fly (1959–1963) – a superhero title that introduced the character The Fly, later acquired by Archie Comics.
- Later years and cessation – By the early 1960s, competition from television and changing reader preferences led to a decline in Hillman's periodical sales. The company gradually wound down operations, and its assets were sold or discontinued by the mid‑1960s.
Legacy
Hillman Periodicals contributed to the mid‑20th‑century American magazine and comic‑book landscape, particularly in the true‑crime genre and early superhero comics. Several of its titles, especially Crime Detective and True Confessions, are cited by historians as representative of post‑World War II popular culture. The company’s comic‑book characters, notably The Fly, continued to appear in other publishers' line‑ups after Hillman ceased publishing.
