Little Lulu in "The Fortune Teller"

John Stanley is often considered one of the best story tellers in the history of comics. Here's a brief taste. This is from Little Lulu No. 55, January, 1953; and the scans are from my own comic. John Stanley, story and layouts; Irving Tripp, art:

Two Christmas Stories in Four Color!

Today, Christmas bells keep ringing with two festive stories from Four Color No. 1154, December 1960. I'm not sure who did the wonderful cover, but the first story, "A Surprise For Santa," has the art and scripting of John Stanley. PS: Comic book expert and historian, Alberto Becattini, has identified this as the artwork of Dan Gormley - not Stanley. The second story, "Xavier Patch," is a real gem by an artist unknown to me (but hopefully known to someone) I love the line work and draftsmanship on display in that one (and the story has a simple holiday warmth, also easy to love)! PPS: Hooray! Mr. Becattini has supplied the ID: "Xavier Patch" is the work of Mel Crawford.

LITTLE LULU No. 54, December 1952

John Stanley always manages to touch the joy of being alive. His stories are sprinkled with perfect human moments, so universal they always bring smiles. Next to the towering edifice of Stanley’s reputation, Irving Tripp’s contribution is often overshadowed, but his art is essential to Little Lulu and compliments perfectly the tone and minimalist perfection of Stanley’s stories.

Tubby was Stanley’s agent of sweet chaos and, like every boy in the world, I saw myself in Tubby - myself and all my friends. Here are two Tubby stories from Little Lulu no. 54, December 1952.

This ad is from the same issue. Sure, that Space Ranger kit is amazing, but feast your eyes on that television! You know what was great about those old televisions? They had no remote. Why was that cool, you ask? Well, in my house, only my father ever touched the space-age controls located on the front. Invariably, his walk across the carpeting would produce a static charge that would snap him the moment he touched one of the knobs. He’d curse like a trooper. Darn, that made me howl!

Please enjoy and purchase the Little Lulu Volumes, available from Dark Horse Comics. Just CLICK HERE to have a look!

Andy Panda in "The Mighty Mites"

In the post war Four Color books, Andy Panda and his friend, Charlie Chicken, were featured in some of the most surreal adventures ever staple-stitched between comic covers. This darkly-tinged, rollicking tale of an insane inventor intent on world domination is top of the class. The art here is all Dan Gormley, and no one drew the Panda any better. Gormley did this beauty of a cover, too.

What’s cool about Andy (besides Walter Lantz' design) is his heroic optimism; his very aggressive positivism. With the Panda, if you can't get on board the positive express, you'd best get off the tracks! Notice how he glares and balls up his balloon fists whenever Charlie’s attitude flags. This is from Four Color No. 198, September 1948. Scans are from my own comic.

PostScript: I have learned from my good friend, Gabriel (Joyville), that this great story is by John Stanley, which makes perfect sense. For a wonderful essay on this story, please visit Frank M. Young's blog: Stanley Stories.

More Gormley from the inside front cover. I love the hatcheck girl. Then as now, good help is hard to find.