When did the Comics Code loosen?

In 1971. Marvel published an anti-drug storyline in Amazing Spider-Man #96–98 without Code approval, and the Code was revised that year to permit drug references and classic horror characters.

Why did so many horror titles start in the 1970s?

The revised Code allowed vampires, werewolves, and other traditional monsters again after nearly two decades. Tomb of Dracula, Werewolf by Night, and Swamp Thing all launched in the years right after.

Where were 1970s comics sold?

Mostly on newsstands and spinner racks, which were shrinking through the decade. The first direct-market shops opened late in the 1970s and reshaped distribution in the 1980s.

1970s Comic Book Series

Comic series that began publishing between 1970 and 1979. The Comics Code was revised in 1971 after Marvel ran an anti-drug storyline in Amazing Spider-Man #96–98 without Code approval, and the revision reopened horror to mainstream publishers. Tomb of Dracula, Werewolf by Night, and Swamp Thing followed within a few years. Newsstand distribution declined through the decade while the first direct-market shops opened at the end of it. Browse every 1970s series in the catalog with its issue list, creator credits, covers, and release dates.

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Top publishers for 1970s

4,335 series catalogued, published between 1970 and 1979.

Marvel Comics 263 series
DC Comics 119 series
IPC Magazines Ltd. 109 series
Western Publishing 106 series
Charlton 74 series
Murray Comics 71 series

Longest runs for 1970s

Lanciostory (1975) 2,545 issues
2000 AD (1977) 2,489 issues
Skorpio (1977) 2,420 issues
Gespenster Geschichten (1974) 1,657 issues
Yps (1975) 1,271 issues
Knasen (1970) 1,192 issues

Browse other decades

2020s Modern Age 23,325 series 2010s Modern Age 49,415 series 2000s Modern Age 20,267 series 1990s Modern Age 14,689 series 1980s Bronze Age 6,999 series 1960s Silver Age 2,552 series 1950s Golden Age 3,220 series 1940s Golden Age 1,750 series

Browse by medium

Manga Japanese comics: One Piece, Berserk 20,104 series Bande Dessinée French & Belgian comics: Tintin, Asterix 4,679 series

Browse by publication type

Collected Edition 9,801 series One-Shot 9,214 series Limited Series 8,935 series Regular Series 7,158 series Graphic Novel 1,821 series Special 1,369 series

Browse by book format

Trade Paperback 7,123 series Hardcover 2,585 series Omnibus 992 series

1970s FAQ

When did the Comics Code loosen?: In 1971. Marvel published an anti-drug storyline in Amazing Spider-Man #96–98 without Code approval, and the Code was revised that year to permit drug references and classic horror characters.
Why did so many horror titles start in the 1970s?: The revised Code allowed vampires, werewolves, and other traditional monsters again after nearly two decades. Tomb of Dracula, Werewolf by Night, and Swamp Thing all launched in the years right after.
Where were 1970s comics sold?: Mostly on newsstands and spinner racks, which were shrinking through the decade. The first direct-market shops opened late in the 1970s and reshaped distribution in the 1980s.