COMICS:  The Science Fair: Story/History of Electronics
In order to get children interested in computers and technology, Radio Shack/Tandy developed several comic books. They were targeted towards elementary school students and helped Radio Shack/Tandy introduce their brand to the consumers of tomorrow; the young science explorers.  These comics helped young students become computer literate by blending the entertainment features of a comic book with facts and useful information about computers.  They stimulated student's interest in reading and motivation them to learn more about computers and the challenges of the computer age.  A special packet was mailed to U.S. teachers that included a sample copy of the comic book, a promotional letter, and order form to request additional free comics for classroom distribution.
 
These comics were initially titled, The Science Fair Story of Electronics.  They were later titled, Radio Shack Presents the History of Electronics. Within these colorful comic books, a teacher instructs her students on the history of science, giving lessons on astronomy, space travel, electricity, electronics, energy, computers, and new developments in electronics.  Production and distribution of the comic books was coordinated by Bill Palmer, Director of In-House Publications. 
 
These free giveaway educational comic books were published by Radio Shack from 1972 to the early 1990s. They were titled as follows:  (1972) ...Man's Greatest Discovery,  (1975) Man's Discovery That Changed The World,  (1978) The World of Tomorrow,  (1979) U.S. Voyager 1,  (1980) The U.S. NASA Space Telescope,  (1981) America's Space Shuttle!,  (1982) America's Space Tug!,  (1983) Passengers on Spaceship Earth!,  (1984) Traveler from Spaceship Earth!,  (1985) Visitor From Outer Space!,  (1986) Space Planes!,  (1987) 111 Years on Planet Earth,  and (1988) Space Exploration

In 1990, one issue of this comic book series included the Archie gang and was titled,  Archie and The History of Electronics
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COMICS:  Tandy Computer: Whiz Kids
From 1982 to 1991, Radio Shack/Tandy produced a series of comic books called, Whiz Kids  (Cat. No. 68-2030). Published by Archie Comics, these comic books were designed to help young students become computer literate by blending the entertainment features of a comic book with facts and useful information about computers. Whiz Kids stimulated interest in reading and motivation to learn more about computers and the challenges of the computer age. 
 
A special packet was mailed to U.S. teachers that included a sample copy of the comic book, a promotional letter, and an order form to request an initial quantity of the books for classroom distribution. The letter also advised teachers that additional copies of the comic books could be obtained, without cost, from participating Radio Shack stores and dealers throughout the U.S. 
 
This was an excellent way for Radio Shack to make additional contacts with teachers and schools that could possibly lead to future sales of computers and software. Production and distribution of the comic books were coordinated by Bill Palmer, director of Radio Shack's In-House Publications. 
 
This promotional and educational publication was a distributed as a free giveaway to students, teachers, schools, and persons interested in science topics, "Compliments of Radio Shack".

Eight issues in all are known to have been published by Radio Shack. All eight issues are shown below. They are titled as follows:  (1982) The Community Action Program,  (1984) The Computer Trap,  (1985) The Computers That Said No to Drugs!,  (1986) News by Computers Foils Kidnappers,  (1987) The Answer to a Riddle,  (1988) Fit to Win!,  (1990) A Deadly Choice, and  (1991) Safeguarding the Environment
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COMICS:  Science Fair: Ticket to Your Future and Superman
The old newstand style comic books are born again - shedding some of its more voilent temperment and stricktly entertainment goal, for a new life educating young minds.
 
According to elementary school teachers, Radio Shack's free comic books were great learning/motivational tools - a natural spin-off from the longtime favorite reading material for young people. The colorful, easy to read, concise format of comic books were a great way to educate students.
 
In 1993, Radio Shack distrubuted hundreds of thousands of its Science Fair - Ticket to Your Future  (Cat. No. 68-2005) to school teachers across the country. The concept and script for this Radio Shack comic book was by Forrest Mims, III author of Getting Started in Electronics and Engineer's Mini-Notebook series of instructional books that were originally sold in Radio Shack electronics stores. 
 
This promotional and educational publication was a distributed as a free giveaway to students, teachers, schools, and persons interested in science topics, "Compliments of Radio Shack".  Of all the Radio Shack comic titles ever published, the Science Fair-Ticket to Your Future is the most rare.  

In 1980, Radio Shack introduced its Superman comics series.  The full-color comic book combined easy-to-read factual information about microcomputers with a typical Superman "rescue" adventure; capturing the interest and imagination of young people.  On the last page of each book was a student's guide to computer jargon. The first issue was introduced to 217,000 U.S. teachers via a special packet containing a sample copy of the book and an order card for requesting additional free copies.  There was also another plus!  Through an arrangement with DC Comics, Inc. of New York, a million copies of the comic book were also bound into the regular Superman comic book for distribution via newsstands.  Three Superman/Whiz Kids issues are known to have been published by DC Comics, as shown below.  They are titled as follows: (1980) The Computer That Saved Metropolis!, (1981) Victory By Computer,  and (1982) The Computer Masters of Metropolis!
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