Classic "Bigfoot" from Vincent Fago!

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

Christmas Time with Al Fago!

Good afternoon, Kids! So nice to visit with you all again!

It is that time of the year again, kids! I will always think of it as my favorite time of the year. So, let's keep it short but sweet: Season's Greetings and love to all!

These beautiful pages are from Frisky Fables No. 10 (January 1948) done up in joyful, holiday style by kids' comics legend, Al Fago!

So, here's hoping your holiday season is full of love, hope, and kindness.

Coming up next, let's go back to 1954 and post some stories from an early character from Harvey Comics, the all-but-forgotten Rags Rabbit via the wonderful work of Harvey legend, Marty Taras! I predict you will absolutely love him!

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

--Your friend, Mykal

TOM CAT No. 7, May 1957

Here come two stories from Tom Cat, one of the many Charlton kids’ comics edited by Al Fago. The cover is Fago as well as the first story - featuring his own creation, Atomic Mouse!

I don’t know the artist for this second Dog Daze story, but I sure like the style. What a fine range of expressions!

ATOMIC MOUSE No. 22, June 1957

Al Fago’s funny animal comic, Frisky Fables, was very popular during the late 1940’s. In the 1950’s, he became managing editor of Charlton, and in 1953 he created his most famous character, Atomic Mouse. Later came Timmy the Timid Ghost. All in all, Fago wrote, drew, and sold comics to kids who loved them for thirty years - a legacy well worth remembering. All stories in this post are Al Fago, as is the bold cover.

Atomic Mouse got his superpowers from eating irriadiated pills of U-235 (an isotope of Uranium), which were made for him by his pal, Professor Invento. This by itself puts our hero in the atomic age hall of fame. Plus, he always wore spats. In this first story, we see Fago’s fluid, well-composed style, reminiscent of Milt Stein. I particularly like panel 5 of the 4th page. Nice character action lines, and what a pretty little castle fantasy town.

The following two stories are happily more of the same. Atomic Mouse had a nice cast of characters, particular the evil team of Count Gatto and his henchman, Shadow. The writing is solid and clean throughout. “I gotta shield my eyes, Count,” says Shadow in Genie. “That’s how brilliant you are!” I can hear the kids saying that one out loud.

Timmy the Timid Ghost was clearly a Casper knockoff, but nonetheless was a solid comic for Charlton. It’s easy to see why from this next story. Fago’s brush work and character design is just so smooth. The reoccurring plot hook of Timmy was that he always performed bravely because he was too frightened to do otherwise (a theme that re-occurs also in the memoirs of many war heroes). The majority of Fago’s legacy is funny animals, but his rendering of the sub crew in this story makes me want to see more Fago funny humans.

This neat page is from the back cover.

Finally, this ad is from the same issue. This certainly looks to me like the work of Bazooka Joe artist, Wesley Morse, but I am unable to confirm it for certain.

Update: A member of Wesley Morse's family has contacted me and verified that this is not his work. Nancy has left her comments on the Chip-n-Dale post of just previous.

Atomic Mouse in "A Whale of a Treasure"

Atomic Mouse was created and drawn by Al Fago, who was a "funny animals" staple. Atomic Mouse is his best known work. I like his simple but solid composition. You know what else is cool? Atomic Mouse eats pills of pure Uranium-235 for his power. Also, he wears spats but no shoes. As far as I can discover, he was the only superhero so adorned. This is from Atomic Mouse No. 22, June, 1957; and all scans are from my own comic.

For an update of this post, including more stories from this issue and improved scans, please click HERE!