Ha Ha Comics No. 17, February 1945 W/ Jim Tyer, Ken Hultgren, and Irving Dressler

Today, let's enjoy the work of Jim Tyer, Ken Hultgren, and Irving Dressler (with just a splash of Dan Gordon tossed in for good measure) - all appearing in a 1945 issue of Ha Ha Comics.

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The wondrous animation Jim Tyer contributed to Terrytoons in the late 1940s and 1950s (featuring headliners like Mighty Mouse, Heckle and Jeckle, & Gandy Goose and Sourpuss) pulsate and tremble as though the screen were suddenly given a jolt of electricity. Mr. Tyer's earlier comic book work is equally vibrant and unique. A fine example: This Pete Parrot outing.

Few cartoonists did more work in the Funny Animal Golden Age than Ken Hultgren who, like Tyer, was perhaps first and foremost an animator; albeit for Disney. I love his Bully the Bulldog character in this Robespierre story.

Irving Dressler is the cartoonist for this oddball (and slightly disturbing) tale starring Red Rabbit. Mr. Dressler would go on in future decades to animate many Popeye cartoons, vintage early 1960s.

Finally, here's a quick shot of Dan Gordon's artwork in this black and white inside front cover.

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.

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)