Kookie Koyote-Laurel and Hardy-1963

 Larry Harmon's Kookie Koyote here appeared as a backup in Dell's early sixties LAUREL AND HARDY title. Most likely, the character was one that Harmon (who was also Bozo the Clown) had created or planned for animation but, as near as I can tell, only appeared here with anonymous--not great but not bad-- art.

Zatara the Master Magician-Ralph Mayo-1950

 One of the first Golden Age comic boo artists I became aware of was Ralph Mayo. I saw his name on a JOHNNY QUICK reprint in a FLASH ANNUAL or 80 PAGE GIANT. He was one of those utility players who was all across the board in the forties and fifties, drawing all kinds of strips for a dozen different companies. Here he is on an atypical late tale of Zatara from WORLD'S FINEST in 1950. Zatara's first name, by the way, is apparently Giuseppe. I just learned that last week! His daughter is, of course, Zatanna, apparently her first name, making her Zatanna Zatara. Yeeks!

Tune in Channel 1 Tonight-Jack Sparling-1967

 Jack Sparling is yet another comics artist whose work I have appreciated much more in recent years. He was often found at Dell and in SICK magazine and other lower-profile areas but he really did have an interesting style and a good storytelling skill. This is from a late issue of THE OUTER LIMITS done for Dell long after the series itself had left the air.

Aquaman's Sea Cops-John Daly-1950

Here we have an early AQUAMAN strip drawn by John Daly. To me, one of the unsung hallmarks of this series is that no matter who drew it for most of its prime years--Paul Norris, Ramona Fradon, Nick Cardy, Jim Aparo--the character always seemed to have a unique face. It wasn't just Bruce Wayne or Barry Allen in an orange shirt. Daly, an advertising artist in the '20's who ended up in comics, is certainly no exception. This is a fun story from ADVENTURE COMICS. 

The Man Hunters-Jim Mooney-1956

Originally best known for his sci-fi and superhero art for DC, one can actually find Jim Mooney art at many other companies in the forties and fifties. Here we have some amazingly smooth work from post-Code Atlas, recognizable as his and yet in a way much more detailed than his DC work of the same period.

 

Blue Eyes and a Gun: The Story of Stella Irwin--Gangsters Can't Win-1948

 No idea on the artist but GCD notes the distinct swipes from movie stills--notably Gable and Mitchum. This is an interesting but typical example of the "crime does not pay" style comics that exploited the violence before letting the law win out in the end almost as an afterthought.

A Stranger Among Us-Bill Everett-1956

 Here we have some particularly choice artwork from Bill Everett, creator of The Sub-Mariner (arguably the very first Marvel Superhero!). This is from the first issue fo WORLDS OF SUSPENSE, a 1956 Atlas title.

Spooky-Howie Post(?)-1966

 Some great examples of old style gag cartooning can be found in the one and two page filler strips that dot (pardon the pun) the Harvey kids comics of the sixties and seventies. Spooky was created by and generally drawn by Howie Post but not sure if he drew this one.

Batman and Robin (and Alfred) PSA-Jerry Robinson/George Roussos-1944

Today we have NO-color shadows with this absolutely beautifully designed and drawn WWII public service ad by Jerry Robinson and George Roussos.

Von Mohl Vs. The Ants-Steve Ditko-1954

 What more can one say about the legendary Steve Ditko? Here we see an early but already striking example of his storytelling from Charlton's STRANGE SUSPENSE STORIES.