Jonesy-Book of the Lump Club-1954

JONESY was one of a couple of Quality Comics versions of ARCHIE and yet another anonymous one. The book theme attracted me to this particular 1954 story from about half-way through the title's run.

Capt. Venture and the Planet Princess-Rafael Astarita-1941

More FLASH GORDON swipes, both in story and art. This is from Fawcett's MASTER COMICS. I warn you now, it's a serial so there's no ending. He was a popular enough character to run several years in two titles. Not related to Gold Key's later CAPTAIN VENTURE.

The She Wolf Killer-Matt Baker-1951

Here's some true crime good girl art from one of the masters of the latter, Matt Baker. The story is little different from one of the standard templates of the "crime does not pay" types of comics that lovingly detailed all the atrocities and only showed the criminal/killer getting comeuppance in the final panel. It's definitely the Baker art that raises this one a step higher than the average.

The Shield and Dusty-Irv Novick-1947

From 1947, by which time he was appearing as a back-up strip in PEP, the title he once headlined, here's THE SHIELD by Irv Novick. Seen above is the cover-like splash page, initialed by the artist at upper left or else I would question the attribution as this is much smoother than his earlier work and shows a strong Caniff influence not normally associated with Novick.

The Werewolf of Washington Square-Everett Raymond Kinstler-1953

Kinstler's art is beyond reproach as he went on to become one of the mist successful former comic book artists of them all. That said, there's some definite and obvious photo reference being used in this nifty little St. John horror, mainly from Fredric March's DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE.

Good Mornin' Judge-Keen Detective Funnies-1939

Short but sweet today with this one-pager made up of several single panel gags. GCD says it's a reprint in fact. The gags aren't particularly amusing but I absolutely love the art from yet another unknown illustrator.

The King-Jon Blummer-1942

One of DC's lesser Golden-Age heroes, The King was wealthy King Standish who used his mastery of disguise and mimicry to fight crime.  He's sort of teamed here with his usual rival, The Witch, a woman who also uses disguise but for her own ends.