Warren Kremer's "Giant" Masterpiece: Stumbo!

Great to be with you all again, kids!

Warren Kremer was born in the Bronx in 1921. His father was a sign painter. Kremer always claimed that his steady drawing hand was his legacy, inherited from his dad.

In 1948, his good friend and fellow artist, Steve Mufatti, got him at Job at Harvey Comics, where he remained for 35 years. After Harvey’s closing in in the 1980s, Mr. Kremer went to work for Marvel’s wonderful (but brief) Star Comics, designed for younger readers. He suffered a stroke in 1989, which left him tragically paralyzed on his left side. His left hand was his drawing hand. Kremer tried to learn to draw with his weak (right) hand, but the results left him with frustration. His disappointment was great, he did not draw again. Mr. Kremer died after a short illness in 2003 at the age of eighty one.

Warren Kremer is very high on the list of my favorite kids’ comics artists, and I think his creation, Stumbo the Giant, is his artistic masterwork. The page layouts and panel composition were always so beautiful, as were Mr. Kremer’s use of perspective and proportion, which always gave incredible weight and depth to Stumbo’s universe.

This story is from Devil Kids Starring Hot Stuff No. 41 (September 1969)

Well, that's all for now, Kids! Next up: More Stumbo from Warren Kremer. Stay tuned!

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

Mid-Century Modern Cartooning from Whitman BIG Tell-a-Tale!

Great to be with you all again, kids!

A slight diversion this afternoon, kids, from comic book stories to a grand one provided by the popular Whitman Tell-a-Tale books. These hardcover books were published from the 1940s through the 1970s by the Whitman Publishing Company and provided wonderful stories for young readers. And, much like the better remembered Little Golden Books, always provided beautiful art as well.

My Father Can Fix Anything was written by Mabel Watts who wrote dozens and dozens of titles for both Whitman and Golden; with beautiful illustrations from the husband and wife team of Bonnie and Bill Rutherford.

I could find out little biographical information about Bonnie and Bill, other than that they were married for 35 years, were freelance artist by trade.

I love their work here, which perfectly captures the essence of that mid-century modern, minimalist and clean style of cartooning so popular in the era.

This book was sent to me by Facebook friend and cartoonist, Mike Lynch. I saw this artwork highlighted on his Facebook page and had to have it.

This comes from “My Father Can Fix Anything,” Whitman Publishing Company, Racine Wisconsin - 1965

Well, that's all for now, Kids! Coming up: I think it's about time I shared something from the great Harvey Comics line, perhaps somethng from the great Warren Kremer. Stay tuned!

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