Some 30+ years ago, as the comics direct market was a-dawning, publishers fouund they could sell their properties in forms other than comic books and have an outlet all ready for it.
Some of my favorite mainstream comics of that era were the Wolfman/Perez "The New Teen Titans", John Byrne's turn at "The Fantastic Four", Keith Giffen's work on "The Legion of Super-Heroes" and Frank Miller's "Daredevil".
I got all these bitchin', boss, cool posters about then.