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Good afternoon, Kids! So nice to visit with you all again!
Today we have some rare work from the Golden Age of comics, Mr. Ellis Holly Chambers (both cover and story).
I have not been able to find even a shred of biographic information regarding Mr. Chambers. There seems no information to be found regarding year of birth or death, birthplace, family . . . nothing.
The only scrap that has been passed down that I've been able to find comes third-hand from the great Harvey artist, Howie Post; who apparently shared a studio with the artist in the ‘40s in New York City.
This interesting if distrubing scrap comes from my friend Sherm Cohen and his blog, Cartoon SNAP!:
"Milton Knight provides some tantalizing information about cartoonist H. Chambers:
'It's Holly Chambers! (Holly was his middle name; I think his first name began with an E.) My late friend, Howie Post, used to share a studio with him and had several vivid tales to tell: he described Chambers as a handsome, charismatic "psychotic" who could walk out with a bar stool and stare down the bartender with a 'what are you going to do about it?'
Post also revealed that Chambers was a heroin addict who could shoot up and complete a comic book overnight: 'Who needs women when you have this??'
As colorful as his comics, that was Holly Chambers. Howard lost track of him in the 50s, and suspected that he was "rubbed out" by his drug connections.”
It would seem there is just enough known or rumored about Mr. Chambers to make him forever a mysterious legend. If anyone out there has any more cheerful or biographical info on Mr. Chambers or his life, I'd be very happy to hear it. As of now, his wonderful, joyful work will be his most meaningful and endearing legacy.
This story comes from Cosmo Cat #2 (September-October 1946)
Coming up next, another artist from the same Cosmo Cat issue! Pat Parrish!
I will see you all again very soon. Until then, I hope you are all warm, safe, and happy!
--Your friend, Mykal
Good afternoon, Kids! So nice to visit with you all again!
Today, making his first appearance on the Big Blog, is cartoonist Al Hartley.
Before WWII, Mr. Hartley worked as a commercial artist in New York City before serving as a bomber pilot in the European theater. After the war, he went to work for Ned Pine’s Standard Comics and its imprints, Better Publications and Nedor Publishing. In 1949, Mr. Hartley went to work for Stan Lee at Timely Comics (which merged into Atlas Comics – the forerunner to Marvel).
As Marvel moved into the Silver Age, Mr. Hartley realized that he didn’t have much interest in drawing superheroes. In 1967, he became a born-again Christian and went to work for Archie Comics, increasingly placing his growing faith at the center of his stories. In 1972, Mr. Hartley launched Spire Christian Comics. In 1980, he was awarded the prestigious Inkpot award.
Here we find the kind of romance/teen story Mr. Hartley loved and for which he is best remembered. This comes from “Cookie” (April-May 1947)
Coming up next, a real rarity! A 10-page story from Ellis Holly Chambers from 1947. You do NOT want to miss it!
I will see you all again very soon. Until then, I hope you are all warm, safe, and happy!
--Your friend, Mykal
Good afternoon, Kids! So nice to visit with you all again!
I am always glad to post the work of Dan Gordon, one of my favorite cartoonists from what I think of as the golden age of kids’ comics – the mid-40s to mid-50s. Today we find Mr. Gordon at his very best, working in his prime with one of his signature characters – Cookie!
Never stiff or static, his characters always move with weight and bounce. And he was such a fine draftsman and storyboard craftsman – just look at the way these panels move the eye right along, telling a smooth, effortless story. John Kriscfalusi of Ren and Stimpy fame cites Dan Gordon as an influence.
As wonderful as was Mr. Gordon’s comic book work, he is probably better remembered today as an animator. His work graced the cartoons from a who’s who of studios from the 30s through the 60s: Fleischer, MGM, Terrytoons, Van Beuren, and Hanna-Barbera to name a few.
Dan Gordon worked into the 1960’s. While re-watching the early episodes of The Flintstones recently (so good!), I was pleasantly surprised to see Mr. Gordon’s name appear for an animation credit!
This gorgeously-told story appeared in “Cookie” No. 6, April-May 1947. And, hey! Dan Gordon did the sweet cover for the issue as well!
Coming up next, the work of Al Hartley. First appearance on the Big Blog!
I will see you all again very soon. Until then, I hope you are all warm, safe, and happy!
--Your friend, Mykal
Good afternoon, Kids! So nice to visit with you all again!
Today we have a real treat! Some very early work from Howie Post!
Mr. Post is best remembered as one of the premier Harvey Comics artists working in the 50s and 60s. After about 1957, he was the main artist on Harvey’s Hot Stuff title, drawing the endearing little devil with happy aplomb.
Among his other prominent work was drawing “funny animal” comics for DC since the mid-40s (as the work posted here). He worked as an animator for Paramount in the 60s and worked steadily for DC and Marvel through the 60s and into the 80s. Mr. Post also taught at the School of Visual Arts for several years. Animator John Kricfalusi (The Ren and Stimpy Show) has said that he was influenced by the work of Howie Post. Mr. Post passed away in 2010.
Howie Post is one of my personal favorite cartoonists. For me, his work is always so loose and free, so much fun to look at, and drawn with such joy. His work always makes me happy.
This story comes from Animal Antics No. 16 (September-October 1948). Even at this early date, all the happy, joyful elements are in place. His characters seem bouncy and alive, and his panel composition is so confident and beautiful! Enjoy!
I've included a couple of ads from this issue. I really love the beautiful graphic art that was so often displayed in comic book ads of this vintage.
For those interested as I was, Ewell Blackwell was a dominant right-handed pitcher of his day and is still considered one of the finest pitchers of his era. Mr. Blackwell was tall (6 ft 6 in), whipcord thin, and had a mean sidearm delivery. Ewell loved his Wheaties and played in a six-year straight All-Star Game streak from 1946-1951.
And as for the Rice Krispies page - isn't it just beautiful?
Coming up next, some typically gorgeous work from Dan Gordon.
I will see you all again very soon. Until then, I hope you are all warm, safe, and happy!
--Your friend, Mykal
Good afternoon, Kids! So nice to visit with you all again!
In my enthusiasm exalting the wonderful character of Goofy in my last post, I fear I gave short shrift to the artist of the story, Al Hubbard. Mr. Hubbard is one of my favorite comic book artists of all time. His work is always instantly recognizable to me (and any fan of comic book art) by his gorgeous, luxuriant inking. Mr. Hubbard’s work always appears so rich and wet even though it was done and reproduced on pulp paper (in this case) 70 years ago.
In these two one-page stories, taken from the inside back and front covers Four Color No. 468 (May 1953), Mr. Hubbard's linework leaps forward. I always love these black & white inside covers from the older Four Color comics! It really allows the inking and brushwork to shine and with Al Hubbard, that’s an especially rich gift!
Let's revel in the beauty of Hubbard!
Coming up next, a real treat: Some early Howie Post (another favorite of the Big Blog) from 1948.
I will see you all again very soon. Until then, I hope you are all warm, safe, and happy!
--Your friend, Mykal
