The Little Wise Guys were created by Charles Biro and introduced as sidekicks to the 1940’s Daredevil of Lev Gleason’s titular publication. By issue #70 of Daredevil Comics, the namesake character was gone and the guys were on their own, their adventures geared (somewhat) to a younger audience. Biro is credited with this cover.
Scarecrow’s Lucky Blunder features a typically rollicking Charles Biro story with Ralph Mayo art (according to Grand Comic Book Database). As previously mentioned, the hard edge of the Daredevil crime stories was gone – but not quite. Mayo mixes some hard faces and characters among his loose, “cartoony” little wise guys; and Biro’s story has a gritty moment or two (like the sailor drowning at sea).
Hold on to your hats! It’s a story with a moral lesson, Charles Biro style! This story conjures the same baseball spirit as Field of Dreams - but three decades previous. As the last panel indicates, Republic Pictures released “Roogie’s Bump” in 1954, starring Robert Marriot and Ruth Warrick.
The varying subjects of these two ads from the same issue certainly suggest a broad demographic. I quit smoking a few years ago and suggest never starting, but I still want that Original Kentucky Tavern Barbecue Ash Tray.
The Explorer Kit rocks~ and~ shouldn't every child have their own Barb-B-Q ashtray ?
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of these guys, thanks for the enlightening! That ash tray is cool on the last page too. I almost wished I was a smoker just so I could use it.
ReplyDeleteLysdexicuss and KW: Nice to see the ads scoring some points! These were two awesome ones. Hell, that ashtray even comes with "oriental incense!"
ReplyDeleteAnd on top of everything else, the Electro Signal Gun sends messages by Day OR Night! Incredible!
ReplyDeleteMyrrpage: No question. With this rig, you'll be all set to "explore." International code is included!
ReplyDeleteNow THIS is great. I'm a big fan of the hard to find Gleason comics. Great to see this later entry.
ReplyDeleteHey, Jeffie! Thanks. Me too, although I never know quite what to make of the Little Wise Guys - particularily the little blond boy, whose age is an open question. I have seen him in some stories wooing adult women and slugging it out with dangerous criminals. I think Charles Biro may have been a bit crazy (in a very entertaining way). Always great art, too, wether Biro or Mayo or whoever.
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