Sappo of Saturn-Fantastic Worlds-1952

By 1952, nearly everything was going sci-fi--books, comics, movies, radio. Here's an example of the kind of innocuous filler that had been around since day one in comics...only here with an otherworldly twist. 

Frankenstein and Rock 'N Roll-Joe Maneely-1958

Fans have long speculated about Joe Maneely, Stan Lee's professed favorite comics artist, being the main artist on the sixties Marvel superheroes had he not died in a 1958 accident. Personally, I think he's have gone on to more pieces like this CRACKED story, perhaps moving on to the greener pastures of MAD. His humor work here was impressive as all get out!

The Old Hulk-Doug Wildey-1965

We've had a request for more Doug Wildey art so here he is from the mid-60s channeling Al Williamson's EC art on a Harvey back-up story. As for the title, I don't see any green guys anywhere.

Blonde Bomber-Speed Comics-1946

I couldn't describe this feature any better than this bit I found online:  "Honey Blake is an ace newsreel camerawoman as well as an expert chemist and a decent acrobat and detective. She gets involved in various crazy adventures along with sidekick cameraman Jimmy Slapso. Not sure why she's called the Blonde Bomber other than being a blonde bomb."

The Payoff-Doug Wildey-1957

GODZILLA's all over the news this week so this is our tribute to the Big G. What's that? You don't see it? Well, you see, this story is drawn by the great western comic artist, Doug Wildey. Wildey also created JONNY QUEST for Hanna-Barbera and, in a later stint, developed the animated GODZILLA TV cartoon of the seventies!

Island in the Sky-Jack Kirby/Al Williamson-1958

I bow to no one in my admiration of the late, great Al Williamson whose sci-fi stories and Raymond-inspired illustrations are among the best ever. That said, I've never been a fan of his sketchy inking of others whether it be Wally Wood early on, Curt Swan in later years or, as seen here, Jack Kirby. Many folks love this combination, though. Just not me. What's YOUR opinion?

Captain Marvel Jr.-Mac Raboy-1943

The great Mac Raboy did the definitive Cap Jr stories but if I didn't know better I'd say this one was one of those where later series artists imitated him. Not his best work. In fact, it's pretty wacky storywise, too! Jr. saves $150,000 in stolen money from Nazis by pushing them off a cliff to their deaths. When he attempts to return the stolen money he is simply GIVEN it as a reward! As Freddy, he goes to buy a ski lodge for the city's poor newsboys only to find it was JUST sold! So he suggests the owner simply put HIS name on the deed instead and refund the other buyers' money. Incredibly, the owner immediately agrees. This being 1943, the other buyers, of course, are murderous Nazis! Perhaps the oddest part is the supporting character of Arky, often drawn looking like swipes of Will Eisner's Ebony, and his dog, most definitely a swipe of Clifford McBride's Napoleon!