Abbott and Costello-Tony Tallarico-1970

Ostensibly based on the early 1960s animated series (thus the Hanna Barbera in the title) these comics outlasted the show by nearly a decade and were generally very creative and much more fun than the cartoons!

Iconoclast-Johnny Craig-1981

Although not a patch on his great 1950s EC stuff, here's the one and only Johnny Craig a full 25 years beyond his prime and still an amazing storyteller.

Star Hawkins-Mike Sekowsky-1961

It seemed to be only a DC thing but for reasons unknown, imps were big in the early '60s. Mr. Mxyzptlk, Bat-Mite, and then these guys! Why stop at one or two when you can have a bunch of imps?

Circus Freak-A.C. Hollingsworth-1953

Always a pleasure to see the innovative stylings of Alvin Hollingsworth, definitely one of my favorites of the artists I've discovered through posting their work here.

Journey-William Messner-Loebs-1987

Lovely art and coloring from William Messner-Loebs, one of the most talented folks to emerge form the '80s comic boom. He is an unsung comics creator if ever there was one but one,this weekend in San Diego, is getting the Finger Award for his writing! Congratulations! The official Finger site has this to say about him:

Bill Messner-Loebs has been a cartoonist and writer since the 1970s. He has worked for DC, Marvel, Comico, Power Comics, Texas Comics, Vertigo, Boom!, Image, IDW, and the U.S. State Department (for which he produced a comic about the perils of land mines). He has written Superman, Flash, Aquaman, Mr. Monster, Hawkman, Green Arrow, Wonder Woman, Dr. Fate, Jonny Quest, Spider-Man, Thor, and the Batman newspaper strip. He wrote and drew Journey: The Adventures of Wolverine MacAlistaire and Bliss Alley, and he co-created The Maxx and Epicurus the Sage. He has also delivered pizzas, done custom framing, been a library clerk, sold art supplies, and taught cartooning.

Yogurt-Little Iodine-1951

Some lovely Hatloesque art on this odd little backup with its early look at computers.

William Boyd-John Prentice (?)-1952

Yet another behind the scenes show biz story, this one of the man who played and more or less became Hopalong Cassidy.

Molly O'Moore and Scoop Scanlon-Cat-Man Comics-1946

CAT-MAN COMICS is one of my favorite Golden Age titles because even the back-up stories are fun and generally well-drawn. 

Catfish Joe-Larry Harris-1944

The thing about most of the L'IL ABNER clones in 1940s comic books is that they tended to be well-drawn, just like Capp's newspaper strip (no matter who was drawing it any given time! Frazetta? Lubbers?). This one, however, is an exception. 

Paul Anka-Charles Nicholas-1960

Continuing in the tradition of popular performers getting bio stories, here's pop star Paul Anka getting a very bland treatment.