In a May 1940 article for the Chicago Daily News, North referred to comics as "a poisonous mushroom growth", "sex-horror serials", and "graphic insanity".

The genre became popular with publishers by 1946,[4][5] but Real Fact Comics was DC's only effort to enter the field.

[6] Prior to the release of the first issue, DC secured the trademark to Real Fact Comics through an ashcan mockup in February 1946 that reused black and white artwork from the cover of Boy Commandos #1.

[10] The sixth issue included a fan letter from science fiction writer Harlan Ellison.

[10] In addition to educational material covering historical figures like Harry Houdini and H. G. Wells, the anthology also included some science fiction stories with characters such as Tommy Tomorrow.