Dan Brand and Tipi-Frank Frazetta-1949

A lot of early Frazetta art from this series was widely reprinted in 1970's fanzines and we all loved it. I still do but I look at it now and I see what seems to be a strong Hogarth influence mixed with some Will Eisner and maybe--even though they were both pretty much contemporaries--some Joe Kubert.

The Secret Files of Dr. Drew-Jerry Grandenetti-1951

Giving credence to the theory that the more familiar DR. DREW stories credited to Grandenetti were, in fact, actually laid out by and/or mostly drawn by his mentor Will Eisner, here's one with less than nothing in common with those either in layout or execution but looking exactly like Jerry's familiar style at other companies later on.

The Snowman-The Topper-1980

Looking out at all that snow and ice still outside my window, this seems a little too close and creepy!

Full Hands, Empty Heart-John Rosenberger/Vince Colletta-1973

Who better to write and edit romance comics than DC's king of the WAR comics, Robert Kanigher? Here we have what is most likely the earliest example of an interracial romance in a mainstream comic book. Was there a backlash? Don't know? Anyone? It's rather melodramatic but this would have been heavy stuff at the time. It's quite nicely drawn by Rosenberger--who was in his element here--and the much-maligned Vinnie who was quite good at DC in the early '70s in my opinion.

Dr. Science-C.C. Beck-1952

This isn't the Dr. Science from the Duck's Breath radio show. In fact, it's more like TV's Mr. Wizard. But still...some rare non-Captain Marvel art from Beck, one of the all-time great cartoonists, in this period.

Peabody's Improbably History-Four Color-1961

Last week, I watched the recent MR. PEABODY AND SHERMAN movie on Netflix. Yes, it reimagines and modernizes the originals but it was great fun, as were these Dell comics from back when the show was still on the air! 

Tommy Tomorrow-Jim Mooney-1957

Well, it's Oscar night tonight. What better time to look into the future and the past at the same time to visit Tommy Tomorrow today to attend The Academy Awards...of Spaaaaaace?

Low Noon-Short Ribs-1962

I love the clean, '60s modern style of this piece. It's from a FOUR COLOR issue of the newspaper strip SHORT RIBS. It may, in fact, be pasted up strips. Not sure.