The Loudmouth-Norman Maurer-1956

Here's something one doesn't see every day--Norman Maurer at Atlas. Known for his crime art at Lev Gleason, his humor art at St. John, his management of the Three Stooges and his later war comics for DC, this is a splendidly drawn military throwaway. Would love to have seen Maurer on early Marvel superheroes!

Little Eva-1952

Although not as obvious as most, timing would seem to indicate LITTLE EVA to be yet another DENNIS THE MENACE variant, this one by way of LITTLE LULU, of course. Some lively, very smooth art here (by??) with some fun expressions and situations.

Ghost Artist-Bhob Stewart/Russ Jones, Steve Ditko/Jim Aparo?-1973

Here's the oft-reprinted GHOST ARTIST, shown yet again because Robby Reed, in his epic telling of the Ditko story, mentions this as being inked by Jim Aparo! Sure looks like it, too...only Bhob Stewart himself wrote about the behind the scenes of this piece here and he doesn't mention it, nor do I spot any other references to it. Plus, Aparo was long gone from Charlton by '73 and well-ensconced at DC. Either way, a fun insider story inspired by the studios of Leonard Starr and Wally Wood. And when you're done, check out DIAL B FOR BLOG's unprecedentedly amazing Ditko piece!

http://www.dialbforblog.com/archives/695/ 

The Banshee-Dennis O'Casey-1941

One of the first X-MEN comics I ever bought was the one featuring the origin of The Banshee. A couple of years later, there was a horror movie entitled CRY OF THE BANSHEE. I was disappointed to find that it was completely unrelated. This Golden Age strip is also completely unrelated.

Fearless Flint-H.G. Peter-1942

Here's a chapter of the serialized episodes of FEARLESS FLINT, THE FAMOUS FLINT MAN, drawn in the quirky, instantly recognizable style of Harry Peter, the artist better remembered today for  the unique, old-style look with which he imbued the WONDER WOMAN strip!

William Penn-Frank Frazetta-1946

Everybody's favorite babes and barbarians painter, Frank Frazetta, had to start somewhere! Here's Fritz at age 18--not even old enough to vote in those days--telling us the story of Pennsylvania pioneer William Penn...with nary a buxom wench to be found.

Dr. Styx-Bernard Baily-1945

Doctors in comic were, of course, almost as prolific as Captains. Following on the hot heels of Dr,. Hormone, here's one Dr. Styx, a Phantom Stranger-style fellow drawn by Spectre artist Bernard Baily. Here' he's working for a man named Stones. Styx and Stones. Get it?

Kane and Abel, Private Detectives-John Ewing-1937

Here we have the story that answers the musical question, "What if Adolf Hitler was a pipe-smoking private eye?" It can also be read as a "Mutt and Jeff" strip or even a Peter Cook/Dudley Moore sketch!