Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Felix the Cat in "Public Relations"

However you think of the style - "Bigfoot," "Cartoony," or just plain "Kid Style;" it doesn't get any more so than the work of one of the prototype masters, Otto Messmer. "Public Relations" comes from Four Color No 162, September 1947.

Messmer occasionally had help with his Dell comic book work, most notably from Joe Oriolo or Jim Tyer; but this one looks all Messmer to me. Big, bouncy, elastic, and joyful - Messmer forever!

Great stuff, right? Want a big, beautiful, coffee table book of the same? Go buy Craig Yoe's Felix the Cat's Greatest Comic Book Tails! It will make you happy.

9 comments:

  1. Wonderful stream-of-consciousness; the way a good Felix story should be. What is amazing to me about the artwork is that it still has a fast & loose quality to it despite the technically *PERFECT* inking ! So jealous !! ps: I have "slept" in many of the places depicted in this story & am surprised Felix didn't think to try sleeping in a tree. Despite the ever-present fear of falling out, it is more restful than the rest ;~j

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  2. Squishy, squashy and excellent

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  3. Great comic--thanks for this one and all the rest.

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  4. Well, I believe that I will have to pick up Yoe's fine book. This stuff looks great!

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  5. Chuck: It's really good. Not only does Craig's book have a ton (mostly) of Messmer, it has a smattering of Tyer and Oriolo as well. Just great stuff.

    Thanks for commenting. You just reminded me of your Gal Friday feature, which I am off to right now!

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  6. Lysdexicuss: I know what you mean about that inking. What perfection of an art.

    KW: Squishy it is!

    Anonymous: You are very welcome.

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  7. I love this cat! I recently found the whole first season free on DISHonline.com and was reacquainted with how positive Felix can be. I work for DISH Network so I see a lot of new children’s cartoons come through and none of them are as admirable for their positive messages and above normal vocabulary.

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  8. Nicole: I loved that cartoon as a kid, and love it now! Righteo!

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  9. Nifty! Felix certainly is a wonderful, wonderful cat. On an interesting note BTW, Felix first came about in 1919, making him one of the longest-lived cartoon characters!

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