The Mercury Man-Rocke Mastroserio-1962

Rocke Mastroserio is often written off as a hack for Charlton Comics if, in fact, he's remembered at all. In truth, though, he could be quite good when he wasn't rushed. Here's a rare example of a superhero story written by Joe Gill. The character only had two appearances, however.

Here Today-Sid Check-1954

Here's a fun little bit of Harvey twisted terror in the EC vein that even includes Wally Wood-like art from Sid Check who, like Wayne Howard later on, could be said to have perhaps assimilated a little too MUCH of Woody into his style. I do, however, see a bit of a Lou Fine look in spots here as well. 

Mr. Mystic-Bob Powell-1940

The art of Bob Powell on these early SPIRIT SECTON strips of MR. MYSTIC always seems so modern and the stories are quick and entertaining, very different from today's 5 issue story arcs where virtually nothing happens.

Burke's Law-TV Century 21 Annual-1965

If anything, TV's BURKE'S LAW starring Gene Barry was more popular in England than in its native US. The series headlined in TV CENTURY 21 and here was the cover feature on that now-legendary UK mag's annual (along with MY FAVORITE MARTIAN and STINGRAY).

Air Wave-George Roussos-1944

As much as I truly hated George "Inky" Roussos' working over Jack Kirby's pencils on sixties Marvels is about how much I continue to LOVE his full art on AIR WAVE from the forties! The stories are just okay but his art is just so damn good looking!

O'Malley of the 4th Precinct-1956

A while back we ran a 1943 Irwin Hasen-drawn story of O'MALLEY OF THE 4TH PRECINCT, a sort of pint-sized Dick Tracy combined with elements of Edward G. Robinson, James Cagney and Jack Kirby. What we have here is a 3/4 page filler by a different artist featuring O'Malley from a full 13 years later in BATMAN # 100! I had no idea he ran that long...or at least kept popping up that late.

Beau Brummell-Nina Albright-1946

Beau Brummell was a real figure in history. You can read about his interesting and influential life here. 

In time, though his name became synonymous with that of a well-dressed, fastidious dandy. He has been played on film and TV by John Barrymore, Barry Morse, Peter Cushing and Stewart Granger, among others. In the sixties, there was even a pop group called The Beau Brummells. Nina Albright provided the art for this costumed hero version who appeared in several short run comic books.