BOOT

Front Page Comic Book, 1945

It's deliberately misleading for the author to say those comics were banned by Congress. Congress investigated the role of comics in causing juvenile delinquency. In order to head off what they saw as a threat of government intervention, comic publishers established their own Comics Code Authority. But even that was not mandatory, as Dell Comics never belonged to the "Code." Many cities passed laws forbidding the sale of crime comics in the late '40s, but none of those laws withstood First Amendment-related challenges. Congress never banned any comics. But I guess saying that is more sensational than the truth. By the way, who thought "mixing and mashing" two classic pre-code covers was a good idea?

Wow, great stuff! If those are your bottom choices, I can't wait to see the "higher-ups." WOF #10 at #24? WTF?

You know this guy...

Here is the fourth comic that was inside the Canadian squarebound giant Christmas Comics. It has one story by George Evans for half of the comic, and one story by Bob Powell for half the comic. There weren't many, if any, other comics with that two story format. From the subject matter and the format info, can you identify the comic? Answer here: This comic was a fun and surprising discovery!

From the Canadian giant squarebound Christmas Comics, an issue of Bob Colt from Fawcett. Can anyone identify the artist?

Christmas in October! Wasn't sure whether to post this in Have A Cigar or here... Recently picked up this odd Christmas comic. I was surprised to find it is an unlisted Canadian squarebound giant with four different comics inside! The contents include: an issue of Giggle or Ha Ha from ACG, an issue of Fawcett's Romantic Stories, an issue of Fawcett's Bob Colt (see next post), and one other comic (see second post following this).

Thanks, BB! Back at you. Here are a couple more Centaurs on the light side...

Those are great! From your scans, looks like CGC was a bit tough on them. When did you get your second (third?) copy? Any differences between the copies/versions?

I'll be waiting by the mailbox! I picked up an interesting comic recently that I think has unlisted Evans art. I'll post it somewhere soon and if you'd be so kind, I'd love to get your opinion..

P.S.: Bonus points for who can name the artist. George Evans?

Here are a couple more Keen Detectives...

Good grief! Love those EYE covers!

Your glass is half-full!

Fantastic "drek," Count! Love that Rocket Kelly - it looks like that rocket ship is coming right at you!

(thumbs u I hope you are saving all these gems for a book someday.

That is one grim story. Kamen's art adds incredible impact to Bradbury's plot. Yeesh!

Thanks for posting that great Sid Check story! He has always been underrated, but his stories always stand out in the books where they appear.

Found this laying around the other day...

Got a copy and have to agree that it is OUTSTANDING. They editors really know their pre-code horror and did a GREAT job selecting stories. There are so many classics here, from outrageous goofy stories to true serious horror. Just some of the contents... The Corpse That Came To Dinner by Reed Crandall and Mike Peppe The Maze Master by Lou Cameron Swamp Monster by Basil Wolverton Colorama by Bob Powell The Man Who Outdistanced Death by George Evans Wall Of Flesh by Bob Powell Custodian Of The Dead by Jack Cole The Slithering Horror Of Skontong Swamp by George Evans Here Today by Sid Check and Frank Frazetta And 31 other stories by the likes of Howard Nostrand, Joe Kubert, Wally Wood, Al WIlliamson, and Rudy Palais, for a total of 40 complete stories. The other comments were right on about the reproduction being excellent. The stories look like they did in the old comics, but the colors are clear and in register. This may be the finest collection reprinting pre-code horror produced yet. Get it while you can!

There they go...off to be burned! I see Astonishing, Uncanny Tales, Web Of Mystery, Strange Fantasy, Big Town, Voodoo, maybe even a Lone Ranger (those ladies were tough!). Poor little boy doesn't look too happy...

THANKS A MILLION for posting all of these. Congrats for all the great pickups. Love seeing those Centaurs!

Here's some other straight Kida work. From the mini-comic Foxhole On Your Front Lawn giveaway comic, produced by Charles Biro for the U.S. Treasury.

Part 2...

That is one jumbled panel. Unless you know for sure who drew the romance pages, I wouldn't count Kida out on the basis of that story. He did some solid work for the later issues of Crime Does Not Pay that looks similar to the romance work. Not saying the romance pages definitely are his work, just that they might be... Here's some other Kida for consideration. Here's some other Atlas work from Marvel Tales 105. Part 1...