HAPPY COMICS No. 19, May, 1947

Today we have a pair from Happy Comics No. 19, May 1947. First, I must insist that we don't rush passed this lovely cover. The artist is unknown, but I love the line. Whoever it is, they follow Carl Barks' rule about eyes: The pupil "pie-cuts" always point along line of sight. Download THIS POST!

"Scamper" is the work of one of the greatest funny animal artists of all time: Al Hubbard (signed). With the possible exception of Walt Kelly (or animator, Chuck Jones), no artist did "cute" any better than Hubbard. And, of course, his draftsmanship was flawless.

This next story, "Superstrip," is not signed, but, boy, is it something to look at. Great brushwork, character design (great "bounce"), backgrounds - it's all there. I wonder if this might be Frank Frazetta? I see a lot of FF in the stuffy, pompous hog; but nothing else quite matches up. Other times I see Lynn Karp and even a hint of Jim Tyer (in the Mayor character). A collaboration? Hopefully, someone with a more experienced eye will set me straight and ease my spinning head. (Check comments by Alberto! It's Gil Turner.)

Frazetta did a ton of header art on the text stories for this title and others in the late 1940s. I put these three headers from this issue together in a triptych, thinking that these were all done by him. (John and Alberto come to the rescue. This little display is Jim Tyer - Check comments)

GIGGLE COMICS No 36, December 1946

American Comics Group (ACG) published both Giggle Comics and Ha Ha Comics. Both titles were published monthly between 1943 and 1955. With this whopping one-two punch, a catalogue of classic material was produced which continues to shine brightly. These stories (and great Dan Gordon cover) from a 1946 issue are typical of the monthly brilliance.

Superkatt is Dan Gordon’s best remembered creation and why in the world wouldn’t he be? He is a standard housecat that wears diapers, an oversized bowtie, and a blue baby bonnet as a kind of uniform – and, despite his name and profound delusions of grandeur, is completely without superpowers.

If you love kids’ comics, you love Dan Gordon. It’s really as simple as that. His characters practically jump off the page with dimension and texture. I particularly love Superkatt’s dog pal, Humphrey, and house maid, Petunia (despite her unfortunate dialogue). Also amazing are Gordon’s layouts and lettering.

I believe this next Duke and the Dope story to be the work of Ken Hultgren, primarily a Disney animator that did a ton of comic book work for ACG.

This Potsy the Parrot quickie is the always lively, engaging work of Don Arr (Don R. Christensen).

Gil Turner did this single Sweet William page. I know Turner best for his Disney character work for Dell (L’il Bad Wolf and Bucky Bug). His style here seems a bit looser that his Disney/Dell work – a little more free and fun. I like!

More Gordon before I let you go. This magnificent inside back cover, advertising the ACG comic, Cookie; displays the artists astounding composition and brushwork to the fullest.