Alemar’s Family of Media Characters Fan’s Club was established by Alemar’s Mass Market Books Division in Manila, Philippines in 1977.
Alemar’s Mass Market Books Division was established by Dr. Ernesto and Alegria Sibal in 1945, initially selling American sourced English text book from a small store. The ‘Alemar’ name is derived from joining 2 names together, ‘ALEgria Sibal’ and ‘MARia’ (Alegria Sibal daughters name).
The business grew in the 1950s and 1960s, opening several bookstores throughout the Philippines to cater for the growing demand for local books, school books and imported books. It went on to sell other items besides books, including stationary, clothing, toys, homewares, magazines and comics.
Alemar’s Mass Market Books Division ceased operating in the 1980’s.
Alemar’s Family of Media Characters Fan’s Club was advertised in a variety of comic books produced by Alemar’s Mass Market Books Division, including Popeye, Star Wars and Blondie comics. An example of an advertisement can be seen below, published in full color and normally found on the last page. The advertisement does hint that the fan clubs were formed prior to the respective comics being released.
Alemar’s Family of Media Characters Fan’s Club offered 8 different character fan clubs to be a member of, including the Phantom, Flash Gordon, Popeye, Ponytail, Hi & Lois, Blondie, Beetle Bailey and Sarge Snorkle. A close-up image of the advertisement can be seen below, with 10 profile images of comic book characters seen, including the Phantom.
The advertisement reads:
Hi kids! Here’s GOOD NEWS for you!
Take time out and be entertained by America’s Super-Lovable Comic Chatacters… soon to come your way to win your hearts in a series of thrilling issues worth reading and collecting from ALEMAR’S!
Thrill to the action-packed, death-defying adventures of THE PHANTOM and FLASH GORDON. The timeless, age-less Super-Heroes whose epic tales span the vastness of space – from the deep jungles to the galaxy, linking the past and the future.
Sail out to the seven seas of fun and laughs with POPEYE, the spinach-loving ex-sailor-man, and enjoy his misadventures with Olive Oil, Brutus and Wimpy.
Read through the homey and googy comic situations in the lives of HI & LOIS – as well as BLONDIE and Dagwood. Discover why they’re the most unforgettable families in the neighbourhood.
Feel carefree and vibrant by tagging along with PONYTAIL and her loyal campus crowd. See what makes them click!
Enjoy the endless tug-of-war between hapless BEETLE BAILEY and his day-to-day nemesis – the bulldozing, sweet-toothed SARGE SNORKLE. You’ll simply love their gags.
And watch for other famous heroes and heroines in our other forthcoming series lined up for your TOTAL ENTERTAINMENT!
For your lasting reading pleasure (and for better benefits),
JOIN the ALEMAR’S Family of Media Characters FAN’S CLUB
(Fill up checklist below, including your name and address, Clip and Mail)
The mail-away coupon seen in the advertisement can be seen below, with a postal address located in Manila, Philippines. Selection boxes are located near the names of the comic book characters you wish to be a club member of, with either one or multiple characters available for selection.
It’s unclear as to what benefit being part of the Alemar’s Family of Media Characters Fan’s Club entailed, or what collateral was provided to club members.
The Phantom 