Masked Marvel-Graham Ingels-1949

We've had this Ghost Rider-type character here before and noted that he appeared when the industry was still trying to figure out if horror or westerns would be the next big trend.  This time, though, it confuses the issue even more as he's drawn here by the man who would eventually EC's slimiest artist (and arguably THE creepiest of all the horror artists!). 

Johnny Peril-Frank Giacoia/Sy Barry-1952

This serious Bob Kanigher tale can't help but be compared to Kurtzman and Wood's similarly sound effects laden MAD story but this one actually came a couple years earlier!

On the Trail of the Witch-Jack Kirby-1962

Another fun little "monster" filler here, supposedly inked by Dick Ayers although it doesn't quiiiite look like it to me. Serviceable work from Kirby, though, who was already starting to be spread a little thin. Note the plug at the bottom of the last page.

The Jester-Pete Riss-1945

Originally by Paul Gustavson, this colorful hero is here credited to the prolific Pete Riss, known for everything from Hopalong Cassidy to Millie the Model, but sure looks to me like the work of Fred Guardineer.

Captain Marble Flies Again-Ross Andru/Mike Esposito-1954

MAD's "Superduperman,"highlighting Kurtzman and Wood's battle between Superman and Captain Marvel lampoons is considered by many to be the ultimate superhero spoof but it was not the ONLY Captain Marvel appearance in the satire comics. This one was actually written by the Big Red Cheese's # 1 writer, Otto Binder!

Pep Morgan at Riverdale-Creig Flessel-1936

"PEP" Morgan? "Riverdale?" Is this very early series from Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson's publishing company, pre-Superman, yet another link in the chain that would lead to Riverdale's Archie Andrews in PEP COMICS a few years later? Or just coincidence? 

Glory Forbes-Al Walker-1946

I didn't use to care much for Fiction House comic stories but between this blog and working on Yoe Books' "Best of" Fiction House book recently (as well as contributing slightly to a couple of Roy Thomas's PLANET COMICS books), I've become a big fan! And Al Walker is my favorite of the almost uniquely Fiction House artists.