RICHIE RICH No. 45, May 1966

When just a little comic book lover, I could lose myself staring at Richie Rich covers like this one by Warren Kremer, which were always gag cartoons about Richie’s lavish lifestyle. Richie so enjoyed his vast wealth. Who could blame him? I loved how unabashedly rich he was. The following three stories are from Richie Rich No. 45, May 1966.

When artist Sid Couchey was 14 he sent Walt Disney a letter in which he explained to Mr. Disney that his pencils were all sharpened and he was ready for employment. There is something of that brash innocence that infuses the following stories, all of which have the unmistakable Couchey touch.

Couchey had a wonderful sense of visual humor, and his drawings fit these funny stories to a tee. I just love the way Mrs. Rich is drawn in the first story, Driving Lessons.

This ad is from the same issue. I want this bad.

M-G-M'S LASSIE in "The Treasure Hunt" Pt. II

Let’s get right to Part II of M-G-M'S Lassie No. 3, April-June 1951, which is heaped with gorgeous layouts (my favorite? page 15). The wonderful communication and pure love between a boy, Rocky, and his dog, Lassie, makes this comic sing. The artists involved really capture the team’s supreme confidence and adventurous exaltation. Both art and script are put into high gear for the home stretch.

This beautiful illustration comes from the back cover of the same issue. All this for 10¢.

And here's a shot of the noble girl taken from inside back cover.

For those wishing more M-G-M's Lassie, there's another fine example at friend Lysdexicuss' blog, TEN CENT DREAMS. Just click HERE!

M-G-M'S LASSIE in "The Treasure Hunt" Pt. I

This story comes from M-G-M’s Lassie no. 3, April-June 1951; and produces the too self-satisfied melancholy of nostalgia for a time when men smoked pipes and dressed in suit jackets throughout the day - for the age of simple adventure before mass media morphed boys' dreams from hunting treasure to performance stardom. And, of course, it makes me miss Lassie.

I am also nostalgic for the time when comics had this kind of craftsmanship; before panels became full pages that screeched like babies for attention. This artist, who is sadly unknown to me, draws and inks each panel to a specific purpose with a disciplined, beautiful touch. Part II will come in a couple of days.

Part II will be posted February 26th.