Owen Fitzgerald in Happy Comics!

Today, my dear friends, we have a small treasure from Owen Fitzgerald (1916-1994).

Mr. Fitzgerald began, as so many comic book artists have before and after him, as a Disney animator in the late 1930s. And, like so many others, he turned to comic book illustration to supplement income. By 1944, Fitzgerald was working for Publisher, Ned Pines comic book publications (ANC, Standard/Better/Nedor). I think Mr. Fitzgerald today is best remembered for his wonderful work for DC comics in the 1950s (“The Adventures of Bob Hope”, “Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis”, etc.). Finishing strong, he drew “Mickey Mouse” and “Supergoof” stories for Walt Disney comics and animated for Hanna-Barbera through the 1970s.

Today’s story features one of Fitzgerald's ongoing characters for Happy Comics, Francois Feline. Of note is the wonderful dialogue supporting an unusual story. Of note as well is the elegant lettering from Melvin Miller, who work set the lettering style for the Standard lineup of comics all through the 1940s.

Today’s story comes from Happy Comics No. 28, November 1948.

Now for the promised surprise from last post! Illustration legend, Frank Frazetta, cut his teeth in the 1940s illustrating comics, often for Ned Pane publications providing one panel illustrations to accompany one page text stories (usually from writers, Betty Cummings or Elizabeth Starr). In this particular issue of Happy Comics, there were three such panel illustrations. Enjoy!!

I am confident usual readers of the Big Blog will be familiar with Mr. Frazetta's epic work, but for those who might wish to know more, click HERE.

Well, that's all for now, Kids! Coming up: Let's take a deep dive into this issue of Happy Comics and start with a happy story from Don R. Christensen (Don Arr).

I will see you all again very soon. Until then, I hope you are all warm, safe, and happy! --Your friend, Mykal