So, what is the “bigfoot” cartooning style? I’ll admit off the mark that it is an expression one hears seldom these days.
I have always defined it thus: Bigfoot is a style of cartooning, once predominant in comic books and comic strips, where the characters’ hands, feet, noses, all extremities, were drawn oversized and exaggerated largely for comic appeal. This style reigned supreme in the Golden Age (late ‘30s to early ‘50s). Today, the expression I hear used when people define the style is “cartoony” which leaves me cold. It feels lazy to me, like describing a summer day as “summery” or butter as “buttery.”
Today we have a prime time example of bigfoot cartooning from a past master, Vincent Fago, whose work could be the bigfoot template. Mr. Fago enjoyed an exceptionally long career in comics and animation with highlights including his tenure with Terrytoon Comics, the Fleischer Animation Studios, and Timely Comics (for Stan Lee). Side note: His brother, Al Fago, created Atomic Mouse for Charlton Comics.
What I love most about Vince Fago’s work is he often creates an interesting deep focus in his panels (third panel first page is a good example or second panel second page). Also, Mr. Fago’s panels are always rich in telling details. A forgotten master, is Mr. Fago.
This comes from Happy Comics No. 28, November 1948.
Well, that's all for now, Kids! Coming up: Let's Continue our deep dive into this issue of Happy Comics with a story from another great, Lynn Karp.
I will see you all again very soon. Until then, I hope you are all warm, safe, and happy!
--Your friend, Mykal
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