Kardo the Monster Maker-The Masked Marvel-1940

Some energetic storytelling is on display here in this unsigned 1940 tale from the back pages of THE MASKED MARVEL. Every other story in the issue is signed but this one? No....! 

Trouble in Mexico-Don Heck-1954

Here we have a violent but well-illustrated pre-Code western from the much-maligned Don Heck. In any fair analysis, it's clear that Heck was quite a capable comic book artist. The perception problems seem to come in later years when his sometimes sketchy work was saddled with unsuitable inkers or deadlines that were too fast for him. Here I think I see some Caniff influence, some Jack Davis and maybe a little Alex Toth.

Sargon the Sorcerer-Dennis Neville-1946

A typically goofy tale of Sargon and his sidekick Maximillian, here nicely drawn by one-time Joe Shuster assistant Dennis Neville who was also the original artist on Hawkman! In continuity, Sargon was eventually revived a s ahero, then a villain, then a hero...I think his son or daughter is now carrying on his legacy. One of his legacies anyway. Come to think of it, that was undoubtedly retonned out for the New 52 so...never mind. Just enjoy this one!

The Patriot-Syd Shores-1943

GCD question marks Shores but looks like a good guess to me. THE PATRIOT, here in a variation of his never less than ridiculous costume, was, of course, the low-rent Captain America clone who was later retconned into becoming the third Cap himself. This story introduces his female sidekick, Miss Patriot.

Space Ghost-Evanier/Toth-1978

Here's a little-seen gem that came buried in the back of one of Marvel's licensed Hanna-Barbera kids comics about 34 years ago. Mark Evanier writes for the great Alex Toth, well-known as the designer of  the stylish hero, Space Ghost way back in his 1966 cartoons.

Tara-Gene Fawcette-1948

An all-round utility man, Gene Fawcette was a versatile illustrator who drew everything from super characters and horror stories to Monkees and Looney Tunes! I love his splash page above!

The Nighthawk-Leonard Starr-1951

Leonard Starr is best known for his newspaper strip work on ON STAGE and ANNIE and maybe his lovely European graphic novels with Stan Drake starring KELLY GREEN. He spent some time early on in the simon and Kirby studio, though, and that influence seems to be on display here in this nice-looking cowboy saga.