Hap Hopper-Jack Sparling-1940

Here's a black and white special. This is the first story of HAP HOPPER as drawn for the newspapers by Jack Sparling. As a kid, I saw Sparling's art everywhere but it always seemed rushed and I rarely cared much for it. Here in this early work, one can see the immense talent he had and his great skill with expressions. 

Monsieur Gravedigger-Reed Crandall-1971

Here's a late story from the brilliant Reed Crandall who by this point hadn't done color comics in ages. Look for a new book on Crandall coming soon from ToMorrows.

 

The Living Mummy -Manny Stallman-1952

Anoher beautifully drawn tale from the pen of the oft-maligned Mister Manny Stallman. By this point, I am convinced that he probably IS the most under-appreciated comic book artist of them all. 

Steve Battle Undercover Agent-Fred Morgan-1941

A wonderfully stylized splash heads up an otherwise fairly undistinguished tale.

Captain Kangaroo-Mike Sekowsky-1956

To those of a certain age, nothing sets off the nostalgia gene like Captain Kangaroo, Mr. Green Jeans, Bunny Rabbit, and the Treasure House. And here it's drawn by Mike Sekowsky just before he took on his major role in revitalizing DC's superheroes by drawing JLA!