The Hepcats in "The Wienie Bake"

The Hepcats had so much to teach us squares; like the official definition of words like “groovey” and “hassel.” I didn’t know those words were for the cool set in 1949, did you? You know what else is cool? Nearly all of the meat butchers in this brilliantly simple story are pigs. That’s just extra extra cool - and a bit unsettling if you think about it too long.

The art here is by kid comic giant, Jack Bradbury. His drawing and line work is the stuff legends are made of – fluid yet precise and always infused with a contagious sense of joy. His panels are compact and brimming with good stuff. Bradbury was a Disney man during the 30s; and during the 40s his stuff often appeared in Coo Coo Comics, Giggle Comics, and Ha Ha comics. His work is timeless, beautiful and iconic. This is from Ha Ha Comics, No. 67, August, 1949. The scans are from my own (rather over-read) comic.

Frazetta and Bradbury: Funny Animal Masters!

Frank Frazetta (Fritz) became a legendary artist in his lifetime, one best known for his powerful illustrative work. Who among us of the appropriate age hasn't bought a John Carter of Mars or Conan the Barbarian paperback reprint on the strength of the cover alone? But that doesn't mean Frazetta wasn't a master funny animal cartoonist, too. See for yourself! Early in his career, he did a fair share of funny animal work. This Dodger the Squirrel story comes from Coo Coo Comics No. 41, September 1948.

You want to see more kids' comics from Frazetta, right? Then, boy, do I have good news! Craig Yoe and IDW Publishing have collected all of Frank Frazetta's funny work in one volume! Needless to say, I've already got mine on preorder. I know you will want to do the same. Just click HERE!

And just for good measure, let's do a seldom seen Jack Bradbury story from the same issue! Masterful, indeed! For those that may not know, Bradbury is at the top of my personal favorites list. Isn't it easy to see why?

This ad comes from the back cover of the same issue. A flashlight, much like a pocket knife, was one of those tools a boy longed for to feel grownup like his Dad.

Two From Jack Bradbury!

Recently, good friend, Pappy (of Golden Age Comics Blogzine fame) ran a great Beany & Cecil post by Jack Bradbury. Feeling inspired, I dove into my collection, looking for some JB. Being such a fan of the artist, I didn't have to look far. Bradbury was one of the greatest cartoonists of all time, and these two stories give evidence to the claim. Both are from Coo Coo Comics No. 36, November 1947.

This first has Bradbury doing his version of Supermouse, a character many greats worked on (Milt Stein, Al Hubbard, Dan Gordon, and Gene Fawcett to name a few). Bradbury's Supermouse, to say the least, holds its own in some very fast company.

This second story stars Dodger De Squoil, a feisty, scrappy squirrel with a Brooklyn accent; who seems more than a little influenced by a well known feisty, scrappy rabbit with a Brooklyn accent. More great stuff here - what great character design.

Finally, this awesome ad from the same issue. "Fellers - here's a dream of a game!" Show of hands. Who would rather play with this than with PS3? C'mon! I can't be the only one!

Lynn Karp and Jack Bradbury Get Happy!

Finishing up points of interest from Happy Comics No. 19, May 1947 (for the cover see last post), we have artwork today by Jack Bradbury and Lynn Karp - both ex-Disney animators making their unique and everlasting mark in the world of kids' comics. First, let's enjoy this Bunnyboy outing by Mr. Karp (written by his oft-times partner and full-time brother, Hubie Karp): Download THIS POST!

Next comes a Pansy the Chimp story, which featured another of comicdoms lovable and completely forgotten characters, Orville Hambone. Gratefully, the outstanding cartooning of Jack Bradbury will never be forgotten.

This ad for the paperback edition of Niven Busch's Western novel, Duel In The Sun (timed for the release of the Hollywood movie of the same name), is from the same issue.