Kiss merchandising

The rock band Kiss is known not only for its makeup (and its removal in the 80s), pyrotechnic stage act and large success in the 1970's, but also for its relentless licensing of merchandising. A full list of Kiss-related products and services is probably not possible, but this article will attempt to list the most notable in terms of success and scope.

According to Sandra O'Loughlin in an article for "BrandWeek" magazine, "Kiss has licensed its name to more than 2,000 product categories, from lunch boxes and comic books to credit cards and condoms to become nearly a one-billion-dollar brand." [http://www.brandweek.com/bw/news/recent_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001995800]

Bass player Gene Simmons (and one of the two continuous members - non founders have not been equal partners since the initial lineup split), who has been the most aggressive and ambitious member of the band in seeking merchandising deals, has voiced disregard for the portions of his fan base who disapprove of such merchandising. In his book "Sex Money Kiss," he states: "I think it's cool to see my face on a lunchbox. It's fun. I'm doing this for me. You don't have to buy one."

Merchandise

*Action figures - In 1978 the popular superhero toy company Mego released a line of action figures of each band members. There exist two variants: one series with ordinary "skinny" bodies, and one series with muscular, more superhero-like, physiques. Starting in 1997 and continuing to the present day, McFarlane Toys has manufactured several different series of action figures and figurines, ranging from the exaggeratedly demonic series of figures to the more realistic and representative "Alive" series, depicting the band performing in 1975 costumes. "See also: Kiss action figures.
*Comic books - In 1977 Marvel Comics published a magazine-format full-color comic book presenting the band as superheroes. Blood from each band member was drawn by a registered nurse, witnessed by a notary public, and poured into the vats of red ink used for printing the comic at Marvel's Borden Ink plant in Depew, New York. [http://www.snopes.com/music/artists/kisblood.htm] Marvel also published a second Kiss comic magazine in 1979 with much less fanfare. In 1997, Image comics began publishing Todd McFarlane's "", a much darker and mystical series than the previous Kiss comics. 31 issues were published. [http://www.kissasylum.com/psychocircus/comics/] In 2002, Dark Horse comics published a Kiss comic book authored by X-Men writer Joe Casey, which lasted for thirteen issues. Each issue was released in two versions, one with a drawn cover and one with a photo cover. The first four of these stories were later collected in a graphic novel entitled "Rediscovery." [http://www.darkhorse.com/profile/profile.php?sku=12-252] . On January 30 2007 it was announced that the [http://www.kisscomicsgroup.com/en KISS Comics Group] , a joint venture between Platinum Studios and the band, would launch a new comic "KISS 4K" with an oversized $50 Destroyer Edition, at the Wizard World Los Angeles Convention in March and with an ongoing series to follow in May by writer Ricky Sprague and artist Kevin Crossley. [http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=9504]
*Condoms - In 2002 a line of Kiss condoms entered the market, in varieties such as "Love Gun Protection," "Tongue Lubricated," and "Studded Paul". [http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/06/03/1022982667194.html]
*DVD and VHS - Kiss has released - and kept in print - more video releases than many other bands of similar stature. Their video output runs the gamut from live performances like "Rock the Nation Live!" to MTV television specials like 1985's "Animalize Live Uncensored" and 1996's "Unplugged", to video collections like 1989's "Crazy Nights" and documentaries like 1992's "X-treme Close-up." A slightly edited version of their 1978 feature film "Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park" was finally officially released on DVD as part of "" after years of alleged copyright issues which saw a VHS version released by GoodTimes in the 1980s and a contested DVD pulled from the shelves shortly after its release in 2005. "See also: Kiss filmography."

*Games (non-video) - The "Kiss On Tour" board game was offered in stores in 1978. In 2003 a Kiss-themed variation of Monopoly was released as Kiss-opoly. In 2006 a card game called "Got to Choose" appeared.

*Kiss Coffeehouse - A specialty coffee retailer operating in Myrtle Beach, SC, with other outlets in the planning stages. Sells Kiss-brand coffee, food, thermoses, mugs, and other products.
*Kiss Him/Kiss Her - In February 2006, the band announced a new product line of beauty, shampoo and fragrance products entitled "Kiss Him" (for men) and "Kiss Her" (for women). [http://www.brandweek.com/bw/news/recent_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001995800] The Kiss Him" line includes cologne, shampoo/body wash, deodorant, body spray and shaving cream. The "Kiss Her" line features perfume, body lotion, shower gel, and bath splash. Both are marketed by Gemini Cosmetics.

*Kiss Kasket - From 2001 to 2006, Kiss offered for sale a custom-made coffin emblazoned with imagery of the band for $4500. On the Howard Stern radio show, Gene Simmons said of the casket, "This is the ultimate Kiss collectible. I love livin’, but this makes the alternative look pretty damn good." [http://www.popsmear.com/brandnew/kiss.html] The coffin is frequently cited as a prime example of just how extreme the band's quest for merchandising can be.

*Pinball - In 1978 the first Kiss arcade pinball machine was introduced by Bally, and stayed in circulation well into the 1980s. [http://www.pinballrebel.com/game/pins/kiss/kiss_pinball.html] In 2001, a "Kiss Pinball" game was released for the PlayStation [http://www.gamespot.com/ps/puzzle/kisspinball/review.html] . In September 2006 it was announced that a new coin-op machine was in the works from Kiss licensee ICUP. [http://kissonline.com/]

*Platinum Visa Card - FirstUSA bank offers a Kiss Platinum VISA card. According to their promotional material, cardholders "receive monthly updates, news and inside gossip straight from the veteran shock rockers". [http://www.firstusa.com/cgi-bin/webcgi/webserve.cgi?partner_dir_name=kiss&page=cont]
*Trading cards - In 1978 Donruss released a series of Kiss bubble gum trading cards.

*Video games - for Sega Dreamcast in 2000, "Kiss Pinball" for the PlayStation in 2001.
*Zippo lighters - In the 1990s a set of four Zippo lighters was released, each featuring a cover image from the band's 1978 solo albums.
*Other - Although frontmen Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons object to drugs, there have been KISS cigarette lighters, ashtrays, wine, and a drinking game.