Early Gold Key Comic

Take a look at the Saved From the Paper Drive blog's entry for today:  a 50 year old Gold Key comic titled "Hanna Barbera Band-Wagon." It was 25 cents for 80 pages back then. Quite a great trove of comics! And this was about the ninth comic ever in the Gold Key line.

It's the coloring that got me: big blocks of color for the borderless panels tend to prevail. Borderless panels were standard for Gold Key. It was the coloring of this story that looked a little different. Not bad different, just different. Very colorful. The balloons are rectangular with a single line (ala Doonesbury) to the speaker's mouth. The art is by John Carey, who knew his way around a zippy pen line.

Ray Bradbury EC Splash Pages

 Michael Dooley at Imprint Magazine reproduces Ray Bradbury splash pages (with art by Wally Wood, Al Williamson, Joe Orlando, Jack Davis and others) from 1950s EC Comics.

Interview: Joe Kubert and Andy Kubert

Photo of Andy Kubert and Joe Kubert by Robert Sciarrino for The Star Ledger.


Father and son Joe and Andy Kubert talk about Joe's king career in comics and the Joe Kubert School in this wonderful Star-Ledger article titled It runs in the family: Father and sons share art, namesake school by Amy Kuperinsky

Andy Kubert talks about his Dad:

"In the comic industry, he’s up here," he said, pitching his hand up above his head to indicate Joe Kubert-caliber talent. "And the rest of us are down here," he continued, lowering it significantly to his sitting leg.

"So all this space in between," he said, waving up and down, "I don’t even think about it."

Joe Kubert beams.

"I told him to say that."

Video: BILL THE BOY WONDER: THE SECRET CO-CREATOR OF BATMAN by Marc Tyler Nobleman

Bill Finger (1914-1974) was one of those uncredited Golden Age comics writers. He worked anonymously on Batman with Bob Kane. He created the Batman we know today -- the costume, the Sherlock Homes-style detective, the Doc Savage-like scientist.

It was 1938 in the then-new post-Superman age. Action Comics #1 had created a sudden boom in superhero comics. Content was needed. New superheroes were welcome.

Bob Kane had sketched an idea for "The Batman" (in a red suit!) and called his friend Bill to brainstorm about it.

"I got Webster's Dictionary off the shelf and was hoping they had a drawing of a bat, and sure enough it did. I said, 'notice the ears, why don't we duplicate the ears?' I suggested he draw what looked like a cowl... I had suggested he bring the nosepiece down and make him mysterious and not show any eyes at all... I didn't like the wings, so I suggested he make a cape and scallop the edges so it would flow out behind him when he ran and would look like bat wings. He didn't have any gloves on. We gave him gloves because naturally he'd leave fingerprints." -- quote from Legions of Gotham

So, even though pretty much every Batman story had a "by Bob Kane" credit, that was not true.

Marc Tyler Nobleman corrects this. The prolific author has a new book out, with illustrations by Ty Templeton, titled BILL THE BOY WONDER: THE SECRET CO-CREATOR OF BATMAN. Like Marc's previous BOYS OF STEEL, BILL THE BOY WONDER sets out to give credit where credit's due. Bill Finger, decades after his death, is on the map.

Here's a fun video to promote the YA book, which will be out in July 2012:

Fran Matera 1924-2012

 Above: A STEVE ROPER AND MIKE NOMAD Sunday strip courtesy of Comic Book Catacombs.

Francis "Fran" Matera, best known for drawing King Features' STEVE ROPER AND MIKE NOMAD, died at his home in Safety Harbor, Florida on March 15, 2012. The cause was complications from prostate cancer. He was 87.

He is survived by his three sons, Fran Matera Jr., Chris and Guy Matera, and four grandchildren. Services, according to the Tampa Bay Times, are 2:15PM. March 30; Bay Pines National Cemetery, 10,000 Bay Pines Blvd., St. Petersburg.

Mr. Matera delineated the adventures of STEVE ROPER AND MIKE NOMAD for twenty years beginning in 1984, until the last day of the comic strip, December 26, 2004.

Through his mentor, local comic strip artist Alfred Andriola, Matera found a staff position with Quality Comics after graduating high school in Connecticut. Eight months later, he interrupted his art career when he served in the Marines during World War II. While serving on the USS Augusta, he drew a portrait of visiting President Harry Truman.

After his 1947 discharge, he assisted Andriola on KERRY DRAKE. After that, he took over the Milton Caniff-created DICKIE DARE comic strip.

Matera's line up of comic strip and comic book work is tremendous: LITTLE ANNIE ROONEY, REX MORGAN, the 1981 INDIANA JONES movie tie-in comic, ghosting strips such as JUDGE PARKER, APARTMENT 3-G, REX MORGAN; he drew hundreds of comic book stories for Charlton, St. John and the Catholic comic book series TREASURE CHEST. Fran Matera also drew THE HULK and TARZAN for Marvel Comics.

In 2009, Sherri Ackerman profiled Matera for The Tampa Tribune:

He married the love of his life, a beautiful blonde named Patricia, and moved her south to Delray Beach where the couple lived in an old two-story house on Swinton Avenue nicknamed White Haven. There, they raised three boys, Fran Jr., Chris and Guy. The family eventually moved to Safety Harbor, where Patricia died in 2004. Matera's sons live nearby. One day, they'll inherit their dad's famous portrait, though Matera has heard more than once that it belongs in the White House or a museum. A copy of the original resides at the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum Independence. MO. Some friends have even suggested Matera sell his sketch with its famous signature, a moment in time that still leaves Matera wondering: Did Truman realize then how valuable that piece of paper would

one day become? "I don't see how it could ever be sold," Matera says. "It's priceless."

Fran Matera Web site
Fran Matera Wikipedia page

Josie DeCarlo R.I.P.

Photo of Josie DeCarlo from Spindizzy News. 


Josie DeCarlo, wife of ARCHIE artist Dan DeCarlo and the inspiration for JOSIE AND THE PUSSYCATS, has died. She died in her sleep on March 14, 2012. No information on her age.

Ethan Minovitz, writing for the Big Cartoon News, has more: 

Born Josie Dumont, she was a French cit­i­zen. She met her hus­band in Bel­gium on a blind date shortly after the Bat­tle of the Bulge; he spoke lit­tle French.

“We com­mu­ni­cated with draw­ing, ” she said. “He would draw things for me to make me under­stand what he had in mind. He was really so amus­ing. Instead of just using words, he would use car­toons to express him­self. Right away, we knew that we were meant for each other.”

More from Mark Evanier here. 
Comic Book Resources link here.

Sid Couchey 1919-2012

Harvey Comics artist Sid Couchey died March 11, 2012. He was 92. He had been diagnosed with Burkitt's lymphoma last month. He died peacefully at his home in Inman, SC. Service will be held in Inman, as well as Mr. Couchey's longtime place of residence, Essex, NY.

Sid Couchey is best known as a prolific illustrator for the popular Harvey Comics in the 1950s and 60s. He churned out many pages with no byline (typical for the time) for titles such as LITTLE DOT and RICHIE RICH. In the 1980s, he drew covers and interior illustrations for GOOD OLD DAYS Magazine.

A heartfelt obituary by Suzanne Moore and Alvin Reiner for the Press Republican is here.

The Comics Reporter has an obituary here.

Below: host Derek Muirden visits Sid Couchey on a past episode of the local PBS program "People Near Here."



More video at Home Town Cable Network.

2004 Podcast: NPR North Country Radio: Remembering Life in a Comic-Book 'Factory'

Some scans from his art for GOOD OLD DAYS Magazine in the 1980s.

From 2010: RICHIE RICH Artist Collaborates on Book with Daughter.


Mr. Couchey learned cartooning from the Landon Correspondence Course.

Emilio Squeglio 1927-2012

 Above: a 2007 photo of Emilio Squeglio with an issue of ALTER EGO Magazine #64, which has an interview with him about his days at Fawcett.



Golden Age comic book artist Emilio Squeglio has died. He passed away during the night of March 12, 2012. No further details at this time.

Born in May 19, 1927 in Brooklyn, NY, Emilio attended the High School of Industrial Art. This is the same high school that fellow cartoonists and fellow Berndt Toast Gang members Joe Giella (BATMAN, MARY WORTH), Sy Barry (THE PHANTOM) and Al Scaduto (THEY'LL DO IT EVERY TIME) attended.

Upon graduation, he worked in the comic book division at Fawcett Publications assisting Mr. Beck (He always called C.C. Beck "Mr. Beck.) on its flagship Captain Marvel titles.

Within a year, National Periodical Publications (DC Comics) won its court case against Captain Marvel, essentially shutting down the Fawcett superhero line. Young Emilio went from the comic book division to the advertising promotion department. 

He eventually wound up in the art department for TRUE Magazine, where he worked with the many artists and cartoonists. In 1955, he became Art Director for American Artist Magazine. He also aided in designing art instruction books for publisher Watson-Guptill. In addition to his full time position, during the 1950s and 60s, he studied design at NYU and Pratt. 

In 1962, he began an 18 year stint designing books for Reinhold Publishing. He continued doing freelance book design after leaving Reinhold in 1980.

I knew Emilio these past dozen years through the National Cartoonists Society get togethers. Although in not the best health, he would arrive at the monthly Berndt Toast Gang lunches to talk shop with colleagues. Unable to drive, several members would regularly call him at his Floral Park home asking if they could drive him. 

Above: Emilio Squeglio's NCS autobio.

My thanks to Jim Amash for letting me know the news of Emilio's passing -- and for those great interviews with Emilio in ALTER EGO Magazine.

Related: Jerry Ordway talks about the cover of ALTER EGO #91, which features a jam cover by both Ordway and Squeglio.

Moebius 1938-2012

Very sad news. Jean Giraud AKA Moebius AKA Gir died in Paris after a long illness. He was 73.

Tributes to the French comics artist master are springing up all over. Tom Spurgeon at the Comics Reporter has a bio here and many video links here. 

STRANGE ADVENTURES #237: "The Skyscraper That Came to Life!"

Above: a giant, clomping Empire State Building made me plunk down my twenty cents. STRANGE ADVENTURES is copyright 1972 by National Periodical Publications, Inc.

Pretty much any title that ended in an exclamation mark was, when I was a kid, worth checking out. STRANGE ADVENTURES Vol. 23, No. 237, July-August 1972 had a cover story with just that.

"The Skyscraper That Came to Life!" was written by John Broome with art by Sid Green and Joe Giella. This is a comic book I remember buying with my own money and reading during a long car trip from Kansas to Colorado.

Here's the idea (spoiler alert): General Zo, an alien from the planet Kalar-Wi comes to Earth, disguised as a film producer. He's searching for his missing alien colleagues.

Here's his wacky plan:

So, he has this science fiction film under his arm. It's titled "Invasion of the Skyscrapers" and it's created using advanced alien technology. He sells the movie, gets it distributed and it will "come to the attention of our missing agents, who'll realize that someone from Kalar-Wi has arrived! No matter where they are on Earth, they'll contact the producer -- me! All I have to do is wait!" I guess the agents are film fans and will recognize Kalar-Wi CGI effects!

The entire story, along with the great twist ending is here. It's just 6 pages, but it's 6 pages I'll always remember:

As you can see, it was actually a reprint from STRANGE ADVENTURES #72, September 1956. So, even thought it was 16 years old when I first read it, I didn't care. It still resonated! And it had exclamation points!

And I never dreamed at the time that one day I would be in the Berndt Toast Gang and get to have lunch every month with the one and only Joe Giella, who now draws the MARY WORTH comic strip!

Video: Spain Rodriguez, Dan Fogel and Mark Bode

October 2, 2011: Here are cartoonists Spain Rodriguez, Dan Fogel and Mark Bode at a book signing at The Escapist comic book store in Berkeley, CA.

Philadelphia: Tomb of Dracula #10 (1976) Live! Onstage!

Above cover to Marvel Comics' TOMB OF DRACULA #10 from the Grand Comic Book Database, cover by Gil Kane with inks by Tom Palmer. Interior written by Marv Wolfman. Gene Colan penciled with Jack Abel inking.

Philadelphia's Play & Players Theater will perform the comic book onstage, which features the debut of "Blade -- The Vampire Slayer!" Details below:

Superheroes Are Super!
Comic book nerds rejoice! Now you can watch your favorite classic comic book titles come to life during these staged, word-for-word readings, equipped with low-budget costumes, special effects, witty wordplay and, of course, some physical hijinks. The October “issue” will include a performance of Tomb of Dracula #10 from 1976 and a special appearance by Philly cartoonist Robert Berry, who will be honoring the recently deceased graphic artist Gene Colan and his legendary work. December’s “issue” will have a holiday theme.
Oct. 21-22. Dec. 9-10. 9pm. $12-$15. Plays & Players Theater, 1714 Delancey St. 215.735.0630. playsandplayers.org

Read more: http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/arts-and-culture/comedy/The-Best-Comedy-Events-This-Fall-2011.html#ixzz1Yga0pkK0

TOMB #10 has a July 1973 cover date according to the Grand Comic Book Database. Perhaps the 1976 date is a misprint.

MICKEY MOUSE in "Eviction"

Times are so tough ... (How tough are they?")

Times are so tough, Mickey Mouse is getting evicted.

And what's this mouse doing ogling the lady?

AAUGH! THAT"S NOT THE MICKEY WE KNOW AND LOVE! Heck, she's not even his species!

Art by Floyd Gottfredson from WALT DISNEY'S COMICS AND STORIES #77, February 1947, via The House of Cobwebs

ELLERY QUEEN Comics

The great minds of two bloggers think alike, creating two complete ELLERY QUEEN comic book stories reproduced on the same day.

 

From Pappy's Golden Age Comics Blogzine: ELLERY QUEEN #1, 1952, Ziff-Davis Publications.

And from Saved From the Paper Drive: an Ellery Queen story "The Curse of Kane" from Dell Four Color #1289, March 1962.

Flying Saucers Comics #2, July 1967

The Comic Reading Library has it all here.

Big tip of the space helmet to Stephen DeStefano!

1950s-60s TV Comic Book Covers

The Saved From the Paper Drive blog showcases a mountain of TV-related comic book covers from the 1950s and 60s. Most are Dell and Gold Key. The interesting thing about the collection is that there were comic books for such short lived, not-so-well-remembered series as HE'S DICKENS, I'M FENSTER, IT'S ABOUT TIME and THE NEW PEOPLE.

Begin with Part One here. 

This got me thinking about today's television. What if there were Dell and Gold Key Comics around today? What would their TV show tie-in covers look like?

I think they would go a little like this ...

Above: A BURN NOTICE Dell comic book cover I made up. I would buy it -- especially if it had some Dan Spiegle art in it!

Above: the Gold Key PROJECT RUNWAY comic book cover mock up!

Above: THE MILLIONAIRE MATCHMAKER comic that I Photoshopped. OK, I don't think I'd buy this one.

OK, a 30 ROCK TV comic book with Kenneth the Page on the cover? I would totally read this one.

A mock up cover for Dell Comics' THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF BEVERLY HILLS. Drama, drama, drama! And plastic surgery! This would be a big seller!

 

Note how the line-up for Rachel Maddow's comic book are from THE RACHEL MADDOW SHOW and the other half are from THE LAND OF THE GIANTS! Hoo ha! Mash up, mash up!

And here's a made-up cover for Gold Key Comics' JERSEYLICIOUS!

Lots of fun to mash up these covers, I tell ya!

JACK BENNY COMICS?

Well, no. There were comics about Bob Hope and Jerry Lewis -- but there was never an issue of a book called JACK BENNY COMICS. The above image is a fake that's been making the rounds on the Web.

But Jack and Mary and Rochester and the gang did appear in comics at least once: in a short tale titled "Hello Again! This is Jack Benny"  TRUE COMICS # 69, February 1947!

Saved From the Paper Drive has the scans here!

Wally Wood and Dave Stevens

The cover to Eclipse Comics' May 1986 WORLD OF WOOD #2 sported pencils by Wally Wood and inks by Dave Stevens. Bhob Stewart (who wrote AGAINST THE GRAIN: MAD ARTIST WALLACE WOOD) shows us a few sketches and the finish by this dynamic comics duo.

KING LEONARDO

 The Magic Whistle begins to scan in a 1962 Dell Comics FOUR COLOR COMICS book #1241: KING LEONARDO AND HIS LOYAL SHORT SUBJECTS.

"Simple Hands" by Al Wiseman

"Simple Hands"

by Al Wiseman

OVER 500 HANDS -

IN EVERY CONCEIVABLE POSITION.

Only $3.00 - postpaid

SIZE 81/2 x 11" - PLASTIC BOUND FOR EASY OPENING

CARTOONEWS 330 Myrtle Street  Redwood  City, Calif. 94062

-- from an advertisement in CARTOONEWS #2, May 1975.

I would love to see a copy of this. Never have.

Al Wiseman is best known as Hank Ketcham's DENNIS THE MENACE assistant. He produced many, many issues of the DTM comic book. 

Which gives me an excuse to post a couple of grand Wiseman art examples:

DENNIS THE MENACE #119, March 1972,

DENNIS THE MENACE FAR OUT SPACE STORIES, No. 48, Summer 1967.

 

Back cover of DENNIS THE MENACE FAR OUT SPACE STORIES, No. 48, Summer 1967.

Related: Dennis the Menace Meets Jewish Neighbors (1971)