The Ultimate Dennis the Menace Thread 3 3

[ComicBookGuy]

He always enjoyed seeing children smile when he drew DTM for them.

 

I lost contact with my father around 1973.

We never spoke much after that.

I am only now just finding out what he was up to until the time of his death.

 

I am still his #1 fan though.

 

Jim

 

Your dad sounds like a great guy! I could always sense that from his work: his love of the characters, his workmanship, his attention to detail, and his sense of humor.

 

Before you said that your dad stopped doing Dennis comics in the mid-1960s. Do you know what he did after that? I think you said he worked in advertising, but did he do any other comic work? There was speculation on another website that he worked on a series of Dennis comics in the late 1970s called Dennis the Menace and the Bible Kids. I have looked at those comics and don't think they are your dad's work at all. Did he still do any comics at that point in time?

 

I'm sorry you lost track of your dad for a while. If you ever wish to share any more biographical information about him, such as his birth, life story, etc., I know we'd all love to hear it, but I can also appreciate that your family history is a private matter as well.

 

Overall, as a fan of Dennis the Menace, I find lots of info is available about Hank Ketcham since he wrote a biography, and Jay North has always been a celebrity in and out of the news. But the two figures I have always wanted to know more about and can never seem to find information about are your dad (The Good Artist) and Ketcham's son Dennis, the inspiration for the strip. ANY information you ever have to share about either topic I will ALWAYS be interested in hearing about.

 

Jim, thanks again for taking the time to chat with us, and I hope you continue to stay here as a permanent participant and encourage any other Dennis fans to join us.

 

Joe

[ComicBookGuy]

For Joe - I've been swamped with work and with helping my daughter start her very first "real" job, so free time is at a premium. I may be able to haul out my box of Dennis comics this weekend and start scanning again.

 

Question for any and all - who gives the "star" ratings to the threads on this board? I really think this one deserves at least one more star!

 

Bill, I can't wait to see more of your posts. I was just looking back at all those posts where you located the first Joey and Gina strips and appreciate the time and work it must have taken to locate those. Your list of off-shoot characters from the Dennis books is an amazing bit of research as well. And thanks for clarifying the Standard / Pines issue!

 

If you happen to be unsure about what to scan next, it would be cool if one of us could find that Ruff story that is based on Jim's dog-washing event. I know I've seen it but can't remember which issue it's in. Even if I locate it, I believe I have expressed how skittish I am about scanning high grade comics into my scanner.

 

As for those star ratings, if you scroll down to the bottom of any page in this thread, there is a place where you can rate the thread. Five stars is the highest rating, and I think one is the lowest, and you can rate only once. Hopefully we'll get some fans to raise our rating!

 

Joe

[Wiseguy-migration]

 

 

Your dad sounds like a great guy! I could always sense that from his work: his love of the characters, his workmanship, his attention to detail, and his sense of humor.

 

Before you said that your dad stopped doing Dennis comics in the mid-1960s. Do you know what he did after that? I think you said he worked in advertising, but did he do any other comic work? There was speculation on another website that he worked on a series of Dennis comics in the late 1970s called Dennis the Menace and the Bible Kids. I have looked at those comics and don't think they are your dad's work at all. Did he still do any comics at that point in time?

 

I'm sorry you lost track of your dad for a while. If you ever wish to share any more biographical information about him, such as his birth, life story, etc., I know we'd all love to hear it, but I can also appreciate that your family history is a private matter as well.

 

Overall, as a fan of Dennis the Menace, I find lots of info is available about Hank Ketcham since he wrote a biography, and Jay North has always been a celebrity in and out of the news. But the two figures I have always wanted to know more about and can never seem to find information about are your dad (The Good Artist) and Ketcham's son Dennis, the inspiration for the strip. ANY information you ever have to share about either topic I will ALWAYS be interested in hearing about.

 

Jim, thanks again for taking the time to chat with us, and I hope you continue to stay here as a permanent participant and encourage any other Dennis fans to join us.

 

Joe

 

 

******************************************************************88

 

The Dennis Bible Kids was not my dads.

Anyone with an eye for detail can see it.

 

I don't think he ever did any more comicbook material, after '66.

He did some very cool drawings for Boeing Aircraft when they were touting the 747.

I have to round up what items I have, and ask my wife to help me scan them.

 

My oldest sister had some things of our fathers, and she sent them to me a long time ago. I will try and locate them.

 

As much as I'd like to, I really can't tell you anything more about Dennis K.

Except he drank a LOT of coca cola.

 

 

I find it funny that if I read the DTM books, I can jog my memory by reading names my father had placed in the story.

Someone earlier in this thread made note of that fact also.

I found out later that my father would include the names of various people he met, some who belonged to charitable orginizations (ie Lions, Rotary) were 'fined' for that offence.

Money always went to a good cause.

 

A very big benefit to being the artists son was that most anything you saw DTM play with, I also played with.

There is a story where DTM trys to build a plastic model of a ship.

My father and I built that ship, The Cutty Sark, and I played with it a lot until some younger friends came over one holiday and shipwrecked me.

I can almost smell the airplane glue...sniff.

 

My father liked to drive fast, and at various times had a few sports cars in the late 50's

He took me out to the Laguna Seca racetrack for a car race.

During intermission (lunch break) dad decided he was gonna drive on the track with his Triumph TR-3. He took advantage of the fact that the pedestrian walkways were open across the track, and hooked a hard left.

He managed to get halfway around the track, when the marshalls stopped him.

He put the car in reverse, and drove backwards around the track close to where I was.

The marshalls stoped him there, and were about to arrest him when he pointed to me

and said something to them. They looked at me, I put on my best sad face, and they let the old man go with a stearn warning.

 

 

DTM-Mexico

When my father and I went to Mexico, he was a real celebrity there.

We got special treatment in quite a few places.

I took time off from school to go. bwahahahaha.

He had hired a guide who escorted us all the time we were there until we reached

Acapulco.

What an adventure for sure!

It is extra special to be able to relive that one.

Recently, my fathers 2nd wife (1st step-mother) gave me a large tin mask we bought on that trip. It is big and gaudy, but I like it.

 

I'm rambling again, sorry.

 

We met Shirley Jones the actress in Acapulco.

I was in love.

Cantinflas was there also.

 

We were in Guadaljara, I was sick and had to stay in my hotel room.

Tea and toast brought me back to life.

Dad was feeling sorry for me, so he went downstairs, and across the street where there

was a marimba band. He paid the band to move down the street a little and play so I could see and hear them.

.

 

Sorry Joe, what was the question?...

 

Jim

 

PS Punky and Sreamy Mimi were aslo my favorite non DTM characters that got publication.

[BillyBatson4360]

First of all, I - for one - would absolutely love to see any other artwork done by Al Wiseman.

 

Jim, you were right when you said no other artist ever came anywhere close to the version your father drew. His work was so head and shoulders above the rest that it was instantly recognizable to me even as a kid.

 

There was time from the mid-50's through the very early 60's when your father's style and the sydicated strip were very closely matched (no coincidence that period is my favorite for the daily panel strip). Then the daily strip got a little looser while the comic books looked like somebody drew them in a rush on their lunch hour.

 

I'm curious about a couple of things. Initially, Al Wiseman was cranking out all the Dennis books - 12 monthly issues, 2 seasonal annuals (Christmas & Vacation Specials), and a number of one-shots (Dennis & Joey, etc.). When he left the monthly, he was still doing the specials. Was Dennis still his only job at that time, or did he start accepting other free-lance assignments?

 

Also, your father seemed very fond of straight lines in his illustrations. The furniture and cars always seemed to have very straight, sharp angles to them. I think that's why he excelled at illustrating buildings. Did you notice this?

 

Regarding some of his amazing backgrounds (like you find in the Vacation travels specials). Did he work from photographs? Did he create sketches while on location? Did he use a lightbox with a photograph projected onto his drawing board to create his illustration over?

 

I have long noticed the trend for the names of real people to pop into the strip. I never knew if that was a Fred Toole device, something your father liked to do, or a combination of the two. I have always felt your father must have drawn some real people he knew into the strip because the faces of the people in his crowd scenes were always so distinctive.

 

Finally, how close or exaggerated are the self-portraits your dad drew of himself in various Dennis stories?

[Wiseguy-migration]

 

 

There was time from the mid-50's through the very early 60's when your father's style and the sydicated strip were very closely matched (no coincidence that period is my favorite for the daily panel strip). Then the daily strip got a little looser while the comic books looked like somebody drew them in a rush on their lunch hour.

 

***

I think HK had some good folks help him on the early Sundays & dailys.

But after a while they got slopy. I don't even look at it nowdays.

 

 

 

 

I'm curious about a couple of things. Initially, Al Wiseman was cranking out all the Dennis books - 12 monthly issues, 2 seasonal annuals (Christmas & Vacation Specials), and a number of one-shots (Dennis & Joey, etc.). When he left the monthly, he was still doing the specials. Was Dennis still his only job at that time, or did he start accepting other free-lance assignments?

 

***

Yes, DTM books were his major work.

I don't recall any free-lance work at that time.

 

 

 

Also, your father seemed very fond of straight lines in his illustrations. The furniture and cars always seemed to have very straight, sharp angles to them. I think that's why he excelled at illustrating buildings. Did you notice this?

 

***

He worked as a draftsman when he left the navy.

Sometimes, he was too smooth.

There is a Christmas special, I think the '57, where DTM draws his own xmas cards.

My father had me draw some cards, and then sorta traced them, to look like a 4 year olds.

 

 

 

Regarding some of his amazing backgrounds (like you find in the Vacation travels specials). Did he work from photographs? Did he create sketches while on location? Did he use a lightbox with a photograph projected onto his drawing board to create his illustration over?

 

***

He used a lot of photos, postcards and such to help him. I don't recall ever seeing him sketch on assaignment.

He did use a lightbox for all his DTM work. (that box belongs to Eldon Dedini's neice)

One time, for the Wash.D.C. book, he bought a large photographic bellows that had a lightboard attachement.

Most of the inspiration comes from his memory.

The DTM stories began as a blank sheet of paper usually divided into 6 panels. Al would draw tracings in blue and red pencil, then using the lightboard he would india ink the strathmore pages.

 

 

 

I have long noticed the trend for the names of real people to pop into the strip. I never knew if that was a Fred Toole device, something your father liked to do, or a combination of the two. I have always felt your father must have drawn some real people he knew into the strip because the faces of the people in his crowd scenes were always so distinctive.

 

***

Lots of real people in my fathers drawings. Fred Toole would put some names in, but my dad put his friends faces in all the time.

Someday we will scan in all 3 wives.

 

 

 

Finally, how close or exaggerated are the self-portraits your dad drew of himself in various Dennis stories?

 

 

***

The self-portraits were sorta close. If you look at the inside cover to Hawaii and Mexico,

you can see what he looked like.

He had a crew cut, Buddy Holly glasses, smoked Chesterfields. Wore those short-sleeved shirts.

 

 

 

Jim

*********************************************************************************

[Wiseguy-migration]

I mentioned Bill Alger before, and all the work and research he has done on Al Wiseman.

Bill has been most helpful in filling in blanks in my fathers work.

Bill even started this:

http://www.alwiseman.com/

Bow tie, short sleeve shirt, Buddy Holly glasses, yup that's Al.

 

Thanks again Bill.

 

I was just going through some of the items Bill sent me, and came across a

piece of tracing paper in red and blue pencil.

It was for the cover of Standard Comics DTM #6

The cover shows Dennis running on the steering wheel of a naval ship.

The final cover differs from the tracing a little, but not much.

 

Scans coming son I hope.

 

Jim

[Wiseguy-migration]

DTM in Mexico. There is a story that shows Dennis with a large mask.

see at : http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-4/995866/dennismasklg.JPG

 

My Ex Step-Mother just gave that mask to me a few weeks ago.

Here is the original:

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-4/995866/mask.JPG

 

 

Also, here is a photo of my only tatoo:

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-4/995866/jimsarm.JPG

Done in Holland a few years ago.

My salute to the old man.

 

Jim

[Wiseguy-migration]

 

Just trying something here.

Sorry

 

Jim

[Wiseguy-migration]

 

Maybe I can get this to work.

 

Jim

 

At least my post numbers go up.

[Wiseguy-migration]

One more time.

[Wiseguy-migration]

 

Sketch

[Wiseguy-migration]

 

Final Cover

[Wiseguy-migration]

Special thanks to my wife Teresa for the above pics.

 

Jim

[Wiseguy-migration]

I found this article by Tom Jackson:

http://www.trilogyville.com/tomjackson/22.htm

 

I have not had a chance to talk to Tom yet.

By the way my Gradfathers nickname was "Doc".

 

 

Jim

[Gutterflower-migration]

Jim,I just have to say that gaining insight into your father's work and personal life via your memories is fascinating. Thanks again to you for sharing them, and to Teresa for the scans. Your tattoo is an amazingly good likeness of our beloved DTM.

 

I wish I had something to contribute in the way of questions or scans, but unfortunately I don't. Reading this thread as it grows is a real treat to all of the Dennis collectors/fans. Your father will never be forgotten.

 

~Linda

Edited April 22, 2005 by Gutterflower

[Wiseguy-migration]

Jim,I just have to say that gaining insight into your father's work and personal life via your memories is fascinating. Thanks again to you for sharing them, and to Teresa for the scans. Your tattoo is an amazingly good likeness of our beloved DTM.

 

I wish I had something to contribute in the way of questions or scans, but unfortunately I don't. Reading this thread as it grows is a real treat to all of the Dennis collectors/fans. Your father will never be forgotten.

 

~Linda

 

Thanks Linda.

It is an experience for me also.

 

Ok, so what was your first DTM comic?

 

 

 

Jim

[Wiseguy-migration]

DTM Finland.

Notice the reversal of color on the clothes.

 

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-4/995866/FinnishDTM.JPG

Edited April 22, 2005 by Wiseguy

[tth2]

Thanks Jim, that's awesome! And thanks for sharing all your insights.

[BillyBatson4360]

First, the reversal of colors on Dennis' clothes. If you look at a number of the Dennis covers you'll find that that reversal pops up every now and again. I have to assume it was an artistic decision. (For eaxmple, just check my avatar.)

 

Second, I've already gone to Bill Alger's site. We should all drop by and e-mail the man some encouragement. I'm very hopeful that it could be the start of the long overdue recognition that Al Wiseman has coming.

 

Third, I really want to thank Jim for the memories he's sharing with us here. For the longest part of my life, I've just known Al Wiseman as a name and by the outsanding examples of his art I've had in my collection (and believe me, assembling a full set of Wiseman Dennis comics was harder than any run of a Marvel Comic title I ever put together - and at one time, I had 'em all).

 

Now, I've finally been able to get answers to some of the questions that have plagued me for a long time (I've been wondering why Al stopped doing Dennis ever since the day I picked up Dennis Giant # 9 "Dennis Goes to Camp" as a kid and it wasn't done by "the good artist.")

 

More than that, I've started to get an idea of who Wiseman was as a man. Ketchum got to write his autobiography. Until just a few days ago, all I knew about Al Wiseman's life came from a single brief article in Robin Synder's "The Comics." Heck, today I even know what brand of cigarettes he smoked.

 

So, Jim, thanks for sharing your dad with us.

 

I've got a lot more questions, but they can wait for another time.

 

BTW, I read a plug Fred Hembeck gave this thread on his website. With Fred and now Bill Alger's site - together with this thread - maybe we can finally make Wiseman a known commodity in comic book circles (after all, even Carl Barks was a "ghoster" once upon time).

[ComicBookGuy]

Second, I've already gone to Bill Alger's site. We should all drop by and e-mail the man some encouragement. I'm very hopeful that it could be the start of the long overdue recognition that Al Wiseman has coming.

Third, I really want to thank Jim for the memories he's sharing with us here.

 

Well said, Bill!

 

Jim's arrival on this thread has been a blast. Already the expectations I had for this thread when I began it have been far and away exceeded, and I cannot believe how lucky we are to have Jim here.

 

I've emailed about 10 Dennis bidders on eBay about this thread and will continue to do that in the future. I've also emailed a person who I believe is the biggest Dennis collector in the world. If you guys think I'm hardcore, just look out when - if - this guy arrives! At some point I hope to get just about every Dennis collector here before launching a full-blown website, perhaps within the coming year.

 

I cannot wait for Bill Alger's site to be launched. I emailed him several days ago but haven't heard back yet. If anyone hears anything, please let us know. I would like to see what he is going to do before setting mine up so there isn't much repetition between the two. I do know I want to have a complete index of all Dennis comic books with cover scans. I want to have the index work in such a way that stories can be found by title, artist, and all issues they appear in. I also want a collection of homages, all tv shows with sypnoses & ratings, all books, movies, toys, etc., along with a chat room, polls, and links.

 

Jim, the tattoo, the mask, the pics, everything -- keep it coming! We're all loving it. I love that #6 sketch and noticed it was different from the actual cover. I wonder who has all your dad's art work. It's got to be out there somewhere!

 

Joe