Electricmastro

Gotta say, I'm impressed by how detailed Henry Kiefer's art is. On this Spurt Hammond, Planet-Flyer page for example, he could have easily chosen to have the laboratory be represented by generic-looking walls and have the robot be one solid color, yet he took the time to draw all these flashing lights and shade the robot in-depth (Planet Comics #3, March 1940).

Can't help but think that this is a parody of Marvel's Human Torch (Man of War Comics #2, January 1942). Art by Martin Filchock.

From Madge the Magician's Daughter (July 7, 1907). Art by W.O. Wilson.

For reference, comic book titles that came out before 1938: January, 1929 - The Funnies (Dell Comics) June, 1933 - Funnies on Parade (Eastern Color Printing) October, 1933 - Famous Funnies – A Carnival of Comics (Eastern Color Printing) December, 1933 - Century of Comics (Eastern Color Printing) April, 1934 - Skippy's Own Book of Comics (Eastern Color Printing) May, 1934 - Famous Funnies Series 1 (Eastern Color Printing) July, 1934 - Famous Funnies (Eastern Color Printing) February, 1935 - New Fun (DC Comics) November, 1935 - Big Book of Fun Comics (DC Comics) December, 1935 - New Comics (DC Comics) February, 1936 - Popular Comics (Dell Comics) April, 1936 - King Comics (David McKay Publications), Tip Top Comics (United Features) May, 1936 - The Comics Magazine (Centaur Comics) November, 1936 - Funny Picture Stories (Centaur Comics) December, 1936 - Detective Picture Stories (Centaur Comics) January, 1937 - New Book of Comics (DC Comics) February, 1937 - Star Comics (Centaur Comics), Star Ranger (Centaur Comics), Western Picture Stories (Centaur Comics) March, 1937 - The Comics (Dell Comics), Detective Comics (DC Comics), DickTracy the Detective (David McKay Publications), Popeye and the Jeep (David McKay Publications) April, 1937 - 100 Pages of Comics (Dell Comics), Ace Comics (David McKay Publications), Western Action Thrillers (Dell Comics) June, 1937 - Feature Books (David McKay Publications), Picture Crimes (David McKay Publications) October, 1937 - Feature Funnies (Quality Comics)

The Upside Downs of Little Lady Lovekins and Old Man Muffaroo (October 18, 1903). Art by Gustav Verbeek.

From Adventure Comics #93 (August, 1944). Art by Jack Kirby.

One of the earliest instances I've seen of a letter printed out in a comic book (Famous Funnies #20, March 1936).

Toodles and the Unfortunate Strawberry Tart (May 3, 1903). Art by Grace Drayton.

From Mamma's Angel Child (circa 1908). Art by M.T. "Penny" Ross.

What seems like an item that was greatly coveted back in the day: a noiseless, portable typewriter (The Comics Magazine #2, June 1936).

From Mamma's Angel Child (circa 1908). Art by M.T. "Penny" Ross.

DickRyan's covers definitely stood out to me. They're like children's storybook art which just gives me a comfy feeling.

You’re welcome!

Plastic Man smoking marijuana in Police Comics #5 (December, 1941). Art by Jack Cole.

From the Minimidget story from Amazing-Man Comics #8 (December, 1939), which is one of the earliest comic books I’ve seen to show nudity. Art by John Kolb.

One of the earlier funny animal comic books not Looney Tunes or Disney-related: Animal Comics #1 (September 8 1942, Dell Comics). Art by H. R. McBride.

An appreciation thread for Hillman Periodicals, who started off with Miracle Comics in 1940 and stopped publishing comics in 1953 in favor of focusing more on magazines before becoming defunct in 1961, their longest-running series having been Airboy Comics, Real Clue Crime Stories, and Western Fighters. Their comics include: Air Fighters Comics/Airboy Comics (1941) Clue Comics/Real Clue Crime Stories (1943) Western Fighters (1948) Crime Detective Comics (1948) Punch and Judy Comics (1944) Dead-Eye Western Comics (1948) Romantic Confessions (1949) Frogman Comics (1952) Hot Rod and Speedway Comics (1952) Mr. Anthony's Love Clinic (1949) Real Sports Comics/All Sports Comics/All-Time Sports Comics (1948) Miracle Comics (1940) My Date Comics (1947) Pirates Comics (1950) Victory Comics (1941) Rocket Comics (1940) Joe College (1949) Crime Must Stop (1952) Monster Crime Comics (1952) Top Secret (1952) Other appreciation threads: https://www.cgccomics.com/boards/topic/470215-publisher-appreciation-threads/

Though comics don't have to have drama to be good, I will admit that by May, 1938, many of those comic books were definitely a reflection of the emphasis on humor the newspaper comics had, unless they were something like DickTracy, Mandrake the Magician, or the Phantom. Popeye was probably Superman's closest comparison in terms of being a superhuman who gained strength from an everyday source (who also wears blue, red, and yellow and had cartoons animated by Fleischer Studios). Also worth noting is that Dell Comics' The Comics #8 had a Buck Rogers-esque feature by Paul H. Jepsen called Rod Rian of the Sky Police, which stands out in a largely humor-focused issue.

Earlier war-related cover from Funny Picture Stories #6 (April 1937, Centaur Comics). Art by Ed Moore.

Artist highlights from Detective Comics (1937-1939): Will Ely (Detective Comics #10): Creig Flessel (Detective Comics #11): Joe Shuster (Detective Comics #24):

Federal Men from New Comics #10 (November, 1936). Art by Joe Shuster. Foe of the Borgias from New Adventure Comics #13 (February, 1937). Art by Sven Elven. She from New Adventure Comics #17 (July, 1937). Art by Sven Elven.

Contact Comics #12 (July 1946, Holyoke Publishing).

Announcement from Spy Smasher #3 (February 25, 1942).

Haha. That probably an appropriate description for Charlton Comics. Atomic Mouse was probably Charlton's most popular character at the time, his solo series having lasted more than 50 issues, and was even more popular than their Yellowjacket superhero they had published about 10 years earlier.