Four-Color Shadows

The Spirit-Will Eisner-1940

2012-03-06T17:53:00.000-05:00

Like many of my generation, I discovered the late Will Eisner's SPIRIT via the Harvey reprints of 1966. What we have here, though, is an early one, only 3 months in, with the creator still trying to find the right balance for his creation. Today would have been Will Eisner's birthday. His SPIRIT lives on (in spite of Frank MIller!).

The Presto Kid-Dick Ayers-1955

2012-03-06T08:28:00.000-05:00

Dick Ayers is remembered for his inks over Jack Kirby, his work on THE HUMAN TORCH and years of penciling SGT FURY AND HIS HOWLING COMMANDOS but he's mainly regarded for his westerns. Here's one that's a little different--a masked cowboy hero who uses stage magic rather than guns.

The Hood-Alan Mandel-1942

2012-03-06T00:37:00.002-05:00

Kind of a nifty-looking super-suit on this fellow. I spent the whole story trying to figure out just how his hood stays on with all that action, though.

Captain Marvel and the Lie Detector-1942

2012-03-05T21:09:00.000-05:00

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED AT BOOKSTEVE'S LIBRARY IN 2010.

Odds are that unless you were in Canada in 1942 or a subscriber to THE BUYERS GUIDE FOR COMICS FANDOM in 1973, you have never seen this CAPTAIN MARVEL story no matter how big a fan you might be of the Big Red Cheese. In the early seventies, around the time DC brought back SHAZAM, TBG began running some old stories in their entirety that DC would never have printed. These included some with Billy's stereotype "valet" and comic relief, Steamboat, as well as a handful of not bad tales that had been crafted solely for the Canadian market! I used to keep all of my TBG issues (and later CBG issues) in the closet but over the years this became a big and rather ominous firetrap so about twenty years ago I went through them and clipped or ripped out a couple of boxes of fun, informative, nostalgic or important pages. Now, through the modern miracle of scanning, I can pass them on to you! Oddly enough, looking at this story now it reminds me of nothing less than Mick Anglo's original UK MARVELMAN tales, currently being reprinted by Marvel and themselves originally based on...CAPTAIN MARVEL.

Apologies for the few tears and blurs and the illegible panels on page two which were apparently that way in the original printing. Hope you enjoyed it. I have a few more if anyone's interested. Let me know.

The Return of Astro-Howard Sherman-1963

2012-03-05T13:26:00.000-05:00

Looks kind of like Ramona Fradon art to me but it's generally accepted to be by Golden Age artist Howard Sherman. This is yet another DC story that seemed to be floated as a type of "pilot" for a regular series.

The Blue Streak-Crash Comics-1940

2012-03-04T10:04:00.000-05:00

The Blue Streak was...well...the defender of the people. Says so. A bit of a wordy but kind of fun early superhero tale from unknown hands. In spite of the last panel's plug, this was his final appearance.

Johnny Rebel-George Tuska-1941

2012-03-04T00:32:00.000-05:00

Just when you think you've seen it all as far as goofy sidekicks, you find Johnny Rebel, a southern-fried superteen whose sidekick is--and I'm not making this up, Rufus, the old family retainer. Words fail me. Even in 1941, this seemed like a good idea to someone? GCD says it's probably George Tuska and I think I see it...although he's clearly imitating Lou Fine.

Black Venus-Harvey Kurtzman-1946

2012-03-03T09:22:00.001-05:00

Black Venus was a reasonably non-descript superheroine (revived in recent years by AC Comics and others do to her PD status). This installment is of interest for the very early stylized comic book art from Harvey Kurtzman. Kurtzman went on to be unquestionably one of the most influential comics creators of all time but mainly in the humor genre.

Miss America-Ken Bald/Sid Greene-1944

2012-03-03T05:22:00.000-05:00

Timely's MISS AMERICA was more than just a comic book. It was an attempt at coming up with an all-around magazine that appealed to female readers with articles, columns and features on things that would interest girls. IT also featured Miss America comics, as seen here.

The Phantom Creeps-Movie Comics-1939

2012-03-02T13:42:00.000-05:00

MOVIE COMICS was a bizarre series that tool actual movie stills and heavily retouched them to become comics panels in adaptations of then-current films. Bela Lugosi had started his downward slide by this point but was still not at his lowest point. This movie--and thus this story--has one of the ugliest robots ever.

The Red Skull Strikes Again-Captain America's Weird Tales-1949

2012-03-02T09:04:00.001-05:00

What we have here is the very last Captain America story from the Golden Age of Comics. With this issue the title became CAPTAIN AMERICA'S WEIRD TALES and withe the next (and final) issue, even Cap would be missing but for the title. Fitting that he goes out with the Red Skull in a tale presumably written by Stan Lee although the artist is unidentified at GCD. In just a few short years there would be the stillborn fifties revival with commie-smasher Cap but it would be a full decade and a half before Sub-Mariner found our hero frozen in ice.

The Brady Bunch-Jose Delbo-1969

2012-03-02T01:08:00.001-05:00

Unlike many other comics adapted from TV shows, Dell's BRADY BUNCH was made up of more than just the same old lightboxed stills of the actors used over and over. The art here is by Jose Delbo and if it's not an exact likeness of all the characters, it's enough for the reader's recognition. An unsung artist responsible for many uncredited sixties and seventies comics, I got to watch Delbo thoroughly enjoying himself at last year's Cincinnati Comic Expo, drawing and dancing and with a huge smile all the while..

The Private World of Negative Man-Arnold Drake and Bruno Premiani-1966

2012-03-01T17:20:00.000-05:00

Today, March 1st, was the birthday of the late comic book scribe, Arnold Drake. Drake created a number of my childhood favorites including STANLEY & HIS MONSTER, DEADMAN and THE DOOM PATROL. He also wrote this story, illustrated by regular DP artist Bruno Premiani, which really creeped me out as a kid with its skeletal faces!

The Blue Beetle and Spunky-Phil Bard-1942

2012-03-01T05:22:00.001-05:00

The first BLUE BEETLE comic I ever bought--as a nickel back issue at Osborn's grocery store in 1966--was the 1965 Charlton issue in which he fights the Red Knight. Little did I know until yesterday that there had been a Golden Age Red Knight who bedeviled the Golden Age Blue Beetle and his spunky young pal...well...Spunky. Often saddled with less than first string artists, this outing by Phil Bard (signing as Oliver Ashford) is no exception. It's got some good layouts and that nifty splash but...note that Phil's Spunky looks like a midget even out of costume!

Zip-Jet-Al Plastino-1953

2012-02-29T19:10:00.000-05:00

Apparently this guy was retooled from Rocketman to be Zip-Jet, "Supersonic Enemy of Evil."Bet those costumes were hard to keep clean. GCD says this is Al Plastino who would go on to be an important utility player for DC and the man who alternated with Murphy Anderson on redrawing Jack Kirby's Superman figures.

Sherry Flippe-Suspense-1944

2012-02-29T01:08:00.000-05:00

Here's another one where I'd like to give credit where credit is due. A nice mix of cute "good girl art" and good cartooning, later stories are by Tony Di Preta but no one seems to want to claim this one...or is that supposed to be the artist's name someone has penciled in above? If so, who?

The Unknown-Sid Greene-1948

2012-02-28T15:44:00.000-05:00

In the vein of all the other storytellers of the macabre such as radio's Whistler and Mysterious Traveler and Bob Powell's Man in Black (called Fate)--as opposed to the more tongue-in-cheek EC ghoulunatics and the later Cain and Abel--here we have THE UNKNOWN. A great logo! GCD has no clue but I think it's a safe bet this is by SUPER MYSTERY COMICS regular Sid Greene as there's a little "S.G." on the lower right of the splash panel.

No Rest For the Dead-The Unseen-1954

2012-02-28T05:16:00.013-05:00

A creepy little horror tale here with some fascinating art by...well, who? My best guess would be Mike Sekowsky although it looks much more like his early seventies work than his Golden Age style. Page two, on the other hand, makes me think of Alex Toth and Mike Peppe--regulars in this title--, especially the girl. BUT...just when I'm convinced, I'd swear page three was drawn by Jerry Grandenetti! Never mind the fact that the third panel on page one looks to me to be inked by Ralph Reese...who was five years old at the time! Experts, chime in, please.

Happy and His Pappy-Kin Platt-1942

2012-02-27T22:47:00.000-05:00

These fun little one-pagers from, of all places, STARTLING COMICS, seem to be artist Kin Platt's more domestic version of POPEYE. Platt went on to a prolific career as a children's book author.

Joe Miller-The Graveyard Scene-Master Comics-1946

2012-02-27T01:35:00.001-05:00

No clue on the writer or artist of this two page filler and it's really only amusing if one is familiar with the famous and infamous Joe Miller Joke Book with its creaky old jokes. Here we have one version of how that book may have come about.

Maverick-Dan Spiegle-1961

2012-02-26T17:39:00.000-05:00

I've been spending a lot of time with the old MAVERICK TV series lately for a project I'm assisting on. I've always loved the Garner episodes, of course, but this time I've developed a particular enjoyment for Jack Kelly's Bart Maverick, also. Here he is from around the time of the fourth season when Roger Moore--yes-THAT Roger Moore (of all people) also appeared as English-accented cousin Beau Maverick! Art here is by Dan Spiegle, my favorite Dell/Gold Key artist who got even better in later years on his various series with Mark Evanier.

Bootkins-Edgar Martin-1937

2012-02-26T00:09:00.000-05:00

Ummm....For those who thought hallucinogenic drugs didn't come into vogue until the sixties.

Oswald the Lucky Rabbit and Woody Woodpecker-New Funnies-1942

2012-02-25T16:11:00.000-05:00

Not really an early comics crossover, Woody, although his star would eventually shine much brighter, was merely a semi-regular supporting animal (or to be more precise, bird), in the stories of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit in NEW FUNNIES. Filled with cutesy animal strips, this long-running Walter Lantz anthology also featured ANDY PANDA, FELIX THE CAT and one of the most blatantly racist strips around, L'IL EIGHTBALL.

Shock Gibson-Al Bryant-1942

2012-02-25T10:33:00.001-05:00

For Daniel. Not the best scans ever but I've straightened and color-corrected as much as possible to present this favorite story of Harvey's SHOCK GIBSON by Al Bryant. Looks like Al forgot to draw his hero's mask in the otherwise splendid splash but the colorist attempted (poorly) to make up for it.

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Gunfighter-Graham Ingels-1949

2012-02-25T00:33:00.000-05:00

From the EC Pre-Trend days, here's future Old Witch artist "Ghastly" Graham Ingels on a violent western story when EC was still floundering around in the wake of the death of founding publisher Max Gaines. Soon enough, Bill Gaines would open the Crypt...but here he was still out on the plains.

Radar the International Policeman-Al Carreno-1945

2012-02-24T00:15:00.001-05:00

RADAR, the first international policeman, appeared for a good run in Fawcett's MASTER COMICS. While he never graduated to a regular solo series, he did have the odd honor of starring in ANARCHO, DICTATOR OF DEATH, the 1947 one-shot (as COMICS NOVEL) featuring a book-length adventure written by Otto Binder. The artist both here and there was Al Carreno, a Mexican-born comics creator who made all the usual Golden Age rounds and later became active in the National Cartoonists Society. Frankly, Radar always looked to me like The Big Red Cheese himself undercover!

Spot Savage-Harry Lampert-1939

2012-02-23T18:16:00.000-05:00

From the pages of ALL-AMERICAN issues 1-6 comes this mostly tri-colored serial strip from the original FLASH artist, Harry Lampert. Do I detect some Sheldon Mayer influence here or is that perhaps just some retouching by the real-life Scribbly? In spite of the last panel, there were no more adventures.

Artist (and possibly writer) Lampert drew only the first few Jay Garrick Flash stories but went on to a long and successful career in comics and later commercial art. Retiring from his own agency in the seventies, he then proceeded to write and publish a number of big-selling (seriously) books on contact bridge!

Lampert lived long enough to enjoy being rediscovered and appreciated by comics fans at conventions.

Death Claims An Enemy-Everett Raymond Kinstler-1951

2012-02-23T00:53:00.000-05:00

Although not remembered as one of the great storytellers of the comic book medium, it's hard to deny that Everett Raymond Kinstler was nonetheless one of the great comics artists since he went on to a splendid career in "real" art including painting the official portraits of several presidents! His work here reminds me of Al Williamson's best EC style...only this came first!

Milton-My Pal Dizzy-1950's

2012-02-22T21:49:00.000-05:00

Horrid, off-register coloring, an ancient one-note gag stretched out over four sideways pages and no real info on who did this at all, it's nonetheless some fairly funny cartooning.

Cool Classic Comics Covers # 1

2012-02-22T05:41:00.000-05:00

The Crimson Avenger-Jack Lehti-1941

2012-02-22T00:19:00.000-05:00

The Crimson Avenger was originally a Shadow-style cloaked hero with a hat and a gun in early, pre-Batman issues of DETECTIVE COMICS. Then, much like what happened with ADVENTURE COMICS' Sandman, he was given a stylized super-suit and a sidekick--in his case the latterly controversial Wing. Here's a nicely drawn 1941 tale--what a great splash!--from Jack Lehti.

Fruitman-Bunny-1968

2012-02-21T14:33:00.000-05:00

Here's a superhero secure in his manhood--Fruitman! Fruitman appeared as a relatively square back-up strip in Harvey Comics hipper-than-hip Archie-esque title BUNNY in the late sixties and early seventies. Eventually he even got his own one-shot title! Internet speculation is that he was created by Hy Eisman and possibly drawn by veteran Bill Williams who had done the fun HENRY ALDRICH comics way back when and later worked with John Stanley. I always enjoyed Fruitman myself...but what did I know? I was nine that year!

Hop Harrigan-Jon Blummer-1946

2012-02-21T06:59:00.001-05:00

Although never a favorite of mine, aviation hero HOP HARRIGAN was at one time popular enough to merit a 99 issue run in ALL-AMERICAN COMICS, his own official fan club, a long-running radio series and a 15 chapter movie serial! Here we see the second attempt at making him over into a more traditional superhero, this one decidedly tongue-in-cheek.

Hawkman-Joe Kubert-1948

2012-02-20T18:59:00.000-05:00

We just ran a yellow-hooded Hawkman story by Kubert back in December but just today we'e had a request for another as well as a request for more Kubert in general (even though we just ran more the other day!). So who am I to NOT give the public what they want? Especially since I've always enjoyed yellow-hooded Hawkman stories by Kubert! Thus one happens to be his final Golden Age story but for another year or so of appearances with the JSA in ALL STAR COMICS.

Mr. Future-Dick Sprang-1946/1950

2012-02-20T07:06:00.000-05:00

Artist Dick Sprang toiled for years as the uncredited ghost for BATMAN's Bob Kane so it's a rare treat to see him actually getting to sign his own name to a story. This HG Wells bio-piece is from REAL FACT COMICS as reprinted in STRANGE ADVENTURES.

The Man Who Grew Wings-Sid Greene-1956

2012-02-20T00:14:00.002-05:00

All comics fans know that Julie Schwartz was pretty much behind the Silver Age modernization of the forties DC superheroes beginning with the Flash. Hawkman would be a relative latecomer to the party but...he could have been first! Here we have a Post-Golden Age, Pre-Silver Age Hawkman-like character with a sci-fi twist from STRANGE ADVENTURES in 1956. Art here is by Sid Greene and Joe Giella, two illustrators known more for their inking at DC than for their pencilling.

Free-Steve Ditko-1957

2012-02-19T12:05:00.000-05:00

The story here is negligible but the expectedly excellent Ditko art has a bit of an unusual feel to it. An unknown inker, perhaps? Good stuff from his early Charlton run.

The Flaming Scar-Al Williamson-1965

2012-02-19T00:17:00.000-05:00

A decade after EC, the great Al Williamson was still finding outlets for his lovely artwork, here at Gold Key on a horror tale for the very first issue of RIPLEY'S BELIEVE IT OR NOT.

Dr. Mid-Nite-Arthur Peddy/Bernard Sachs-1948

2012-02-18T21:01:00.001-05:00

One of my all-time favorite costumes, here's a late story of Dr. Mid-Nite, the blind superhero who pre-dated Marvel's Daredevil by two decades! Art here is by the Doctor's regular team at the time, Arthur Peddy and Bernard Sachs.

Mitey Powers-Superworld Comics-1940

2012-02-18T00:44:00.000-05:00

If you're an ex-hippie, this one should hit you like an acid flashback. I don't know who drew it or much else about it but do you really need to do anything but read and devour this one. I mean...well...look at it!

Willy the Wise Guy-Red Holmdale-1945

2012-02-17T10:07:00.000-05:00

WILLY THE WISE GUY was a minor filler strip by cartoonist Red Holmdale, a veteran of the Binder Shop and a prolific illustrator for Timely and MLJ/Archie.

The Devil's Dagger-Ken Battefield-1941

2012-02-17T00:04:00.002-05:00

THE DEVIL'S DAGGER was a top-hatted Green Hornet type (mixed with a bit of The Spirit) who fought crime in early issues Fawcett's MASTER COMICS. He had a speedy car and a chauffeur as sicekick. By day he was a crusading newspaper editor. The artist, Ken Battefield, worked at various forties art shops and supplied strips to various publishers. He is said to have been the one to get Carmine Infantino his first job in comics.

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The Avenger-Ray Harford?-1940

2012-02-16T11:55:00.000-05:00

This creepy looking guy is THE AVENGER, the same character Jack Kirby would draw for DC some 35 years later. A pulp character ostensibly created by the folks who brought you Doc Savage (but not really), in this version he was a wordy so-and-so with a couple of assistants who fought crime only with his genius, money and great strength. Personally, I think he just creeped the bad guys out so they'd surrender.

Experiment 1000-Nick Cardy-1957

2012-02-16T00:05:00.001-05:00

Artist Nick Cardy did some amazing work in comics, mainly for DC, from the fifties through the seventies and early eighties. He was so good that the company used him a lot...and when he worked fast, he wasn't as good. Looking at something like this early gorilla story, however, is enough to make a comics fan drool. It was 1957, the EC artists had spread to the winds and comics were pretty bland...even the good ones! Then you see something like this. Panel after panel--the lighting, the shadows, the detail, the unique visual characterizations! This was probably a throwaway piece for Cardy, a quick assignment for a quick buck. But without even trying, he made it all so beautiful!

Tag...You're It-Sid Check & Howard Nostrand-1954

2012-02-15T10:19:00.000-05:00

GCD has a question mark next to Sid Check here but there's no doubt it's noted EC mimic Nostrand on inks on this very EC-like story. This was from Harvey's TOMB OF TERROR just before the Code.

The Story of the Red Cross-Bill Everett-1941

2012-02-15T00:03:00.002-05:00

If one needed more proof of just how prolific Sub-Mariner creator Bill Everett was in the early days of comics, here he is with the non-fiction STORY OF THE RED CROSS from TRUE COMICS. Blake Bell's new compilation of early Everett stories, AMAZING MYSTERIES, can be ordered elsewhere on this page.

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Sgt. Furious & His Hostile Commandos-John Severin-1967

2012-02-14T13:11:00.001-05:00

John Severin's death has been reported today. A nearly lifelong favorite of mine, I wrestled with which story of his to post in tribute as he never, ever had a half-hearted piece. I finally settled on this story, written by the very much in the news this week Gary Friedrich and drawn by Severin. A note-perfect MAD-style parody of SGT FURY & HIS HOWLING COMMANDOS--by that title's then-current team (often with penciler Dick Ayers), this NOT BRAND ECHH tale was most likely the very first exposure I ever had to both writer and artist back in 1967. R.I.P. John Severin.

Where Zombies Walk-A.C. Hollingsworth-1952

2012-02-14T00:44:00.000-05:00

Here's another stylishly drawn horror tale from AC Hollingsworth, one of the few African-American artists working in the comic book field in the 1950's. This one's a tale of traditional zombies as opposed to those brain-eating, flesh-dripping walking corpses so popular in TV and movies today.

Cat's Death-Joe Kubert-1953

2012-02-13T17:34:00.000-05:00

Here we have some prime Joe Kubert from the living legend's early peak period at St. John. This was when his art was very much an obvious influence on contemporaries such as Everett Raymond Kinstler and Steve Ditko. Very creative layouts, too, in this pre-code horror tale.

We're Nominated For a Rondo!

2012-02-13T17:08:00.001-05:00

The Rondo Awards are somewhat prestigious Fan Awards given out annually for best horror-related stuff--movies, magazines, merchandise...and blogs. Imagine my surprise this year when going through marking my ballot as I see THIS very blog! Shouldn't they TELL you when you've been nominated for a Rondo? Anyway, since we cover as much comedy, crime, superhero and funny animal stuff here as we do horror, I'm guessing we don't stand a chance. That said, if you're a fan of this blog, we'd appreciate it if you'd consider voting for us when filling out your Rondo Ballots this year.

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VOTING IS OPEN TO ALL FANS AND YOU NEED NOT VOTE IN ALL CATEGORIES! Your name must be included on your ballot.

Congo Bill-Ed Smalle-1954

2012-02-13T00:13:00.001-05:00

Here we have, by request, Congo Bill...and not just ANY Congo Bill but the story that debuts the ersatz Jungle Jim's sidekick, Janu the Jungle Boy. Art on this edition of the longtime back-up feature from ACTION COMICS is by Ed Smalle, a former shop artist whose work appeared from most comics companies in the forties and fifties, up to and including EC!

Kid Science-Vic Herman-1951

2012-02-12T00:10:00.000-05:00

Here's another strip from the prolific cartoonist, Vic Herman. His best known and longest-lasting creation was Harvey's LITTLE DOT but his work was always fun to look at, even on filler strips such as KID SCIENCE here.

Linus and Snoopy-Fritzi Ritz-1958

2012-02-11T00:39:00.000-05:00

Not Schulz but some clever cartooning nonetheless. This is from a late issue of FRITZI RITZ. For more info on PEANUTS in the comics check here.

Sir Galant of the Round Table-Bob Powell-1957

2012-02-10T00:41:00.000-05:00

Seems like every company still around in the late fifties put out a Robin Hood title to cash in on the popularity of the Richard Greene TV series (and the fact that Robin Hood is in public domain). This tale of one of Arthur's knights was a back-up in an issue of the M.E, version, dawn by the always excellent Bob Powell.

Thor-Pierce Rice-1940

2012-02-09T00:44:00.000-05:00

By far, the most popular post we've had here is the Golden Age THOR from WEIRD COMICS so we thought we'd share another one. Only...not exactly. Technically this is the final episode of this series only Thor doesn't actually appear. Instead, his "spirit" inhabits a man, giving him the Thunder God's powers so he can beat the bad guys and save the day.

Mister Breger-Dave Breger-1969

2012-02-08T00:04:00.000-05:00

MISTER BREGER was a long-running newspaper strip started by cartoonist Dave Breger when he was in the army. Some sources credit Breger with the earliest use of the term, "G.I. Joe." This is a Charlton back-up strip done not long before the artist's death and may, in fact, have been ghosted as was the case with most--but not all!--strips to appear in comic books.

The Monkey & the Bear-Howie Post-1953

2012-02-07T08:57:00.000-05:00

Been a few weeks since we ran some Howie Post so here's the Fox and the Cro....err...I mean, the Monkey and the Bear. Not the most original funny animal concept ever but always a treat to see the masterful cartooning of Mr. Post.

The Last Voyage of the Nightingale-Don Perlin-1969

2012-02-06T00:18:00.000-05:00

Never thought of as a particularly innovative artist, here's veteran Don Perlin, probably best remembered for his later work on Marvel's WEREWOLF BY NIGHT, doing some pretty creative stuff with panels, layouts and Wally Wood-style lighting effects in a 1969 issue of Charlton's venerable THE MANY GHOSTS OF DOCTOR GRAVES.

Alias the Spider-John Cavallo-1943

2012-02-05T04:38:00.000-05:00

Yesterday we had Tarantula and now today we have yet another Spider-Man antecedent, Alias the Spider! Well...no. Come to think of it, this guy is more of a Robin Hood/Green Arrow kind of guy. For some reason. Seriously. Bows and Arrows. Look for yourself.

Tarantula-Star Spangled Comics-1943

2012-02-04T00:46:00.000-05:00

A striking splash and a familiar, if unidentified art style, highlight another tale of John Law, THE TARANTULA, a sort of combination of the much-later Spider-Man and DC's own superhero version of the Sandman.

Bullseye-Simon & Kirby-1955

2012-02-03T00:01:00.000-05:00

Here we have a different type of "Charlton Bullseye" from either the logo, the comic or the fanzine of that name in the seventies. In fact, this was 1955 and the Mainline Comics title BULLS EYE was continued for two more issues by Charlton. Some marvelous late period S&K work here.

Magno the Magnetic Man-Jim Mooney-1942

2012-02-02T00:15:00.000-05:00

Here's one of my Golden Age faves, MAGNO (and Davy) in an early story with art by the great Jim Mooney. Mooney, of course, would go on to do such series as SUPERGIRL, PUSSYCAT, ELVIRA, OMEGA THE UNKNOWN, SPIDER-MAN and TOMMY TOMORROW.

Prof. Pipp-Jack Farr-1944

2012-02-01T00:06:00.001-05:00

Cartoonist Jack Farr's old school screwball style works perfectly for this Tex Averyesque strip of predictions for post-war America from the Winter of 1944.

Combat Cool-John Severin-1966

2012-01-31T00:58:00.000-05:00

The great John Severin, still drawing comics today after more than six decades in the business, rarely toiled at DC but when he did, as much as readers might have loved to have seen him on Green Lantern or Hawkman, he not surprisingly drew war comics. Here's a back-up from a mid-sixties issue of the short-lived CAPTAIN STORM that somehow manages to have that DC clean house style while still recognizably Severin.

Master Mystic-Green Giant Comics-1939

2012-01-30T00:01:00.000-05:00

We're back down to only three colors here but the art (by yet another artist forgotten to time), is too strikingly odd and cool not to post it! This is from the semi-legendary GREEN GIANT COMICS, brought to you by Funnies, Inc., the shop that also created the mega-controversial MOTION PICTURE FUNNIES WEEKLY # 1 as well as the contents of MARVEL COMICS #1.

Battle Flag of the Foreign Legion-Alex Toth-1950

2012-01-29T00:21:00.000-05:00

So many of the DC artists of the 1940's evolved so rapidly that by the end of the decade they were light years ahead of their earlier work. This was never more true of anyone than of Alex Toth, seen here in a 1950 issue of DC's DANGER TRAIL with some absolutely stunning art and letter-perfect storytelling.

TNT & Dan the Dyna-Mite-Louis Cazeneuve-1943

2012-01-28T10:14:00.000-05:00

A great splash here from the prolific Louis Cazeneuve in a typical tale of this long-running duo from STAR-SPANGLED COMICS by request from what has to be this blog's biggest fan!

Mighty Mite-Tony Di Preta-1946

2012-01-27T00:22:00.001-05:00

Okay, now this is kinda fun--a parody, or perhaps better looked at as a reimagining-- of Billy Batson and Captain Marvel! Art is by TonyDi Preta whose work was pretty much everywhere in comics of the late forties and early fifties. Di Preta finished out his career with long runs on the long lasting newspaper strips, JOE PALOOKA and REX MORGAN, M.D.

Neon the Unknown-Alex Blum-1940

2012-01-26T00:39:00.000-05:00

GCD speculates that this beautifully drawn strip, written by Jerry Iger, was drawn by Alex Blum. Since nearly everything from Quality Comics at this time was drawn to look like it was by Will Eisner, I suppose it can be heard to tell for sure. Note that this stylish mystic literally makes the bad guys' heads explode at the end!

Terry Vance the School Boy Sleuth-Bob Oksner-1943

2012-01-25T00:38:00.000-05:00

Terry Vance was a longtime backup character in MARVEL MYSTERY COMICS. Described as a genius inventor and a schoolboy detective, his sidekick is a monkey named Doctor Watson. What really makes him interesting though is the very early art of Bob Oksner, later known for his work in DC's humor features and SUPERGIRL. Known also for drawing some of the most beautiful girls in comics, there's nary a female to be seen here in this boys strip.

Doctor Fate-Howard Sherman-1942

2012-01-24T00:36:00.000-05:00

In the sixties there seemed some confusion sometimes as to whether Doctor Fate--as Kent Nelson--was an archaeologist or an actual doctor. This story, the first with him as the wisecracking, capeless brawler rather than the mystic, helmeted wizard, seems to be where that confusion came from. In this Gardner Fox tale, Kent reveals that he's "secretly" been attending medical school!

Calling All Cars Featuring Sandy Kean and the Radio Squad-by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster--1937

2012-01-23T00:56:00.000-05:00

Here's yet another of Jerry and Joe's stylish pre-Superman series, this one a serial from MORE FUN COMICS which also featured the duo's DOCTOR OCCULT. It was still a year and a half until ACTION COMICS # 1 but note that Sandy looks very familiar with Joe's stock "hero" face.

Nick Carter-Bob Powell-1948

2012-01-22T00:17:00.000-05:00

Bob Powell, subject of Craig Yoe's most recent collection, was arguably best known for his work on THE SHADOW comic book. A back-up in that comic was another Street & Smith pulp property/radio character, the venerable NICK CARTER, DETECTIVE as played on the air by Lon Clark. Some lovely art in this post-war tale of the gray market with Powell drawing Nick to look very much like his radio actor would a few years later!

Scribbly and the Red Tornado-Sheldon Mayer-1941

2012-01-21T10:29:00.000-05:00

Sheldon Mayer was a driving editorial force at DC in its earliest days but his heart was in cartooning and the evidence shows him to have been one of the best there ever was! Here's an episode of his long-running SCRIBBLY series starring his young alter-ego and the original version of the Red Tornado!

Choo Choo-Gill Fox-1945

2012-01-20T00:33:00.000-05:00

CHOO CHOO seems to want to be a Good Girl Art strip. In fact it's drawn by Gill Fox, known for his Good Girl Art. The problem is there really isn't much of what one thinks of as Good Girl Art. Still, a fun strip, oddly found in MILITARY COMICS from Quality.

Fly Girl-John Giunta-1962

2012-01-19T00:54:00.000-05:00

PEP COMICS revisited the superheroes of its early days when it featured a few solo FLY GIRL stories (and JAGUAR, too) in the early sixties. This one has some very stylized artwork credited by GCD to John Giunta. Giunta had a very unique style that I didn't care for at all as a regular in DC's sci-fi comics of the same period but here I like it. Credited with being an influence on Frank Frazetta, I can't help but notice a few panels here reminiscent of later work by Steranko so presumably Giunta influenced his work, also.

Mr. Scarlet and Pinky-America's Greatest Comics-1942

2012-01-18T00:06:00.000-05:00

"What are we gonna do tonight, Brain?" "Same thing we do every night, Pinky--fight crime!" Actually, there's no evidence that Mr. Scarlet's oddly named young sidekick ever called him "Brain." This anonymous Fawcett story goes out to Stephen DeStefano as a cheap birthday gift! Happy birthday, sir!

Baby Snooks-Doc Savage Comics-1943

2012-01-17T00:18:00.000-05:00

DOC SAVAGE COMICS seems an odd place for radio stars to be in comics but there they were--Gildersleeve, Jack Benny, Henny Youngman...and here, Fanny Brice as Baby Snooks. Snooks was a shrill and not particularly likable character, a holdover from the singer's Follies days. She was popular enough to last for many years on the air, however. No idea the writer or artist here unfortunately but I've cleaned up the scans as best as I can for your viewing pleasure.

Espionage-Will Eisner-1939

2012-01-16T00:41:00.000-05:00

The monocled super-spy known as Black X was created by Will Eisner several years before The Spirit. First appearing in Quality's FEATURE FUNNIES, the strip would continue to appear for more than a decade. If you thought Eisner was good with those 7 page Spirit stories, look what he managed to squeeze into 4 pages here!

Presto Pete the Magic Bunny-Howie Post-1947

2012-01-15T00:35:00.001-05:00

Here's yet another wonderful, creative and delightful series from Howie Post, the man behind SPOOKY, JIMMINY and ANTHRO. This magic bunny appeared in issues of DC's lesser-known funny animal title, ANIMAL ANTICS.

To read another Post Presto Pete story, go to today's BOOKSTEVE'S LIBRARY.

The Black Terror-Ruben Moreira-1949

2012-01-14T00:32:00.000-05:00

Here's another BLACK TERROR adventure, this one featuring some truly impressive superhero art by Ruben Moreira, best remembered (apparently unfairly) for his serviceable but generally dull art on DC's ROY RAYMOND, TV DETECTIVE series in the 1950's.

Mitzi-Rusty-1947

2012-01-13T00:16:00.000-05:00

Another unfortunately anonymous strip, MITZI was a back-up in the late Timely female ARCHIE comic called RUSTY. It isn't great but, to my eyes, is much better cartooning than its parent feature!

V Man-Ramona Patenaude-1941

2012-01-12T00:01:00.001-05:00

Here's one of the lesser-known patriotic heroes of the WW 2 era in a long and exciting adventure from the january, 1942 issue of THE BIG 3, meaning that it was most likely on the stands just as the US had to deal with Pearl Harbor in December, 1941. This Fox strip credits one "Jay Foster"but GCD suggests that it is one Ramona Patenaude, about whom I know as much as I do Jay Foster.

Pint-Size Pete-A.W. Nugent-1944

2012-01-11T16:44:00.000-05:00

I'm not sure who A.W. Nugent was (is?) but in 1944 he was doing things like this which looks so very much like an underground comic from the late sixties or early seventies. You can't tell me that the Crumb brothers and Jay Lynch and others weren't influenced, at least indirectly, by this Nugent guy!

Talking Corpse-Joe Sinnott-1952

2012-01-10T00:39:00.000-05:00

Often considered the world's best comic book inker, Joe Sinnott was and is no slouch at pencilling either as seen in this 1952 Atlas horror tale. Interesting color on this one also.

Two-Bit, The Wacky Woodpecker-Dave Tendler-1951

2012-01-09T00:09:00.000-05:00

How do you do a woodpecker character and make him different from the already popular Woody? Why, that's easy! make the new version a WC Fields clone. Never mind that the comedian had died about 6 years earlier and in those days, with no television showings or re-releases of his films, was probably totally unknown to your kid audience.

Gangbusters-Dan Gormley-1941

2012-01-08T00:47:00.000-05:00

DC Comics would publish a long-running comic book adaptation of radio's popular GANGBUSTERS series later on but here we have an early Dell version. As violent as any episode aired--or indeed as violent as any of the notorious crime comic books that followed, this POPULAR COMICS feature, later recollected in FOUR-COLOR COMICS, was one of the very first Crime Comics.

Secret Tower-John Romita, Sr-1957

2012-01-07T00:54:00.000-05:00

Even the best had to start somewhere. Here's Jazzy Johnny Romita, one of THE great, successful mainstream comic book artists, with an early Atlas war story, nearly a decade away from proving himself to be perhaps the ONLY artist who could have successfully followed Ditko on SPIDER-MAN at that point.

Windy-Joseph Sulman-1946

2012-01-06T00:07:00.000-05:00

Here we have a story with Windy Braggart, a MORE FUN COMICS character who appeared also in ALL FUNNY COMICS. The art here is by Joseph Sulman, a fun Al Capp-inspired artist who came along at DC in the late thirties but about whom I can find no real information.

Twinkle--Calling All Kids--1949

2012-01-05T00:13:00.000-05:00

PARENTS magazine put out a series of comics and activity magazines for youngsters starting in the mid-forties. This anonymous but lively children's book-like strip is from a 1949 issue of CALLING ALL KIDS.

Mystico the Wonder Man-Leo Morey-1942

2012-01-04T00:15:00.000-05:00

This one is lousy quality scans, I know, but it's yet another comic book magician and one with which I was not previously familiar. The artist is identified as Leo Morey, a pulp and magazine illustrator who also did comics through the Funnies, Inc shop that also brought Carl Burgos and Bill Everett into the field.

Plastic Man-The Invisible Invaders-1952

2012-01-03T00:48:00.000-05:00

A number of folks drew Plastic Man after creator Jack Cole moved on but GCD doesn't want to commit on who this might be. Many of the later stories, this one included to an extent, offer an unusual combination of drama and the strip's trademark comedy.

Dick Tracy Minute Mystery-Dick Tracy Monthly-1949

2012-01-02T00:18:00.001-05:00

Most of the DICK TRACY comic books over the years have been reprints of he Chester Gould comic strips. Dell, Harvey, DC, Gladstone and Blackthorne each had Tracy reprints and there were others, too. From time to time, though, one of these reprint titles would try something new, not by Gould but instead either an assistant such as Dick Locher or an imitator such as Joe Simon (who did some of the Harvey covers). No idea who did this one. In case you can't dope out the strip's mini-mystery, there's no need to flip your computer. Just double-click the solution box I've already flipped down at the bottom.

EXCERPT--Dr. Strange-Colan/Palmer-1969

2012-01-01T00:03:00.000-05:00

What we have here is a brief excerpt from a 1969 DOCTOR STRANGE story which was, in itself, a small part of a larger, multi-issue storyline that, for our purposes, doesn't matter at the moment. This part, however, with a clever script by Roy Thomas, innovative layouts by Gene Colan, masterful finishes by Tom Palmer and lovely coloring (Palmer?) is a wonderful, romantic, nostalgic and nicely presented New Year's Eve vignette. Presumably meant to correspond with the actual point where 1968 became 1969, this issue--following a fill-in reprint--was delayed until several months into the year but still hit me memorably when I first read it.

Note also the cameo from real-life author Tom Wolfe, now a sixties icon himself.

Georgie Visits Timely Comics-1946

2011-12-31T00:11:00.000-05:00

GEORGIE was an ARCHIE or ALDRICH FAMILY-style comic put out by Timely as their superheroes began to fade in popularity. In this particular story by an unidentified artist (Timely experts please feel free to chime in), the characters actually visit the company that puts out their comics! Note that the editor they meet looks not a bit like real-life editor Stan Lee or even publisher Martin Goodman.

Ken Shannon-Reed Crandall-1952

2011-12-30T00:57:00.000-05:00

Quality's big lug private eye, KEN SHANNON, gets a bad rap from some comics fans because he bounced Plastic man out of POLICE COMICS. Hey, if it hadn't been Ken it would have been someone else. The day of the superhero was ending...for a while. This series, largely drawn by the former BLACKHAWK team of Reed Crandall and Chuck Cuidera, was actually pretty good, though, with the unique looking title character reminding me from my own, modern, perspective of TV ELLERY QUEEN Jim Hutton, perhaps crossed with a bit of former GOOD MORNING AMERICA host David Hartman. This particular story, from POLICE COMICS 116, showcased both the ending, as well as the murderer's identity, on the cover! Luckily for you, I'm not showing that cover!

Electro-Steve Dahlman-1940

2011-12-29T00:12:00.001-05:00

Steve Dahlman came from the same group that brought Bill Everett and Carl Burgos into comics, Funnies, Inc. Like those two, his work appeared regularly in early issues of MARVEL MYSTERY COMICS. His character, the robot Electro, never gained the fame of Sub-Mariner or the Human Torch but, as visually sort of a Golden Age Iron Man, he had some well-drawn adventures.