Casper via Kremer

No one drew Casper like Warren Kremer (Heck, no one could draw like Warren Kremer). As a kid, I used to stare at his splash panels, getting lost in the beautiful details (still do). He was also a great cover artist (as seen here), the equal of Carl Barks in that department.

I really love this story about a sorcerer's wishing stone, which weaves a lesson into the fun so purely and simply - like only Harvey could do. This comes from The Friendly Ghost, Casper No. 68, April 1964.

Casper in "Kings of Toyland"

Casper was all about bringing forth love from the hardest heart and changing the angriest enemy to a friend. What could be more appropriate for the holidays? Here, he ventures into the toys of Christmas and mediates what is certainly the most gentle war in the history of wars.

This is from The Friendly Ghost, Casper No. 18, February 1960. Harvey comics were never indexed, but I would bet a Christmas cookie that the artist for both cover and story is the great Warren Kremer. Scans are from my own comic.

Casper in "The Absent-Minded Robot"

“Don’t tell us to be sweet and nice!” shouts Stinky of the Ghostly Trio, kicking Casper out of their house. “Well somebody has to!” says Casper, sailing through the air. Thus Casper speaks for the house of Harvey Comics.

It’s about time for some Warren Kremer! Kremer did nearly all the Harvey covers as well as defining the Harvey house style for an entire generation of comic readers. His work on Casper and Richie Rich has become iconic. There is a smooth, fresh beauty to Kremer’s work – particularly on buildings and landscapes. Note the earth full of stones and tree roots in the splash panel, and the dirt path to the door of the ramshackle spook house. Can't you imagine walking around in this world?

This story of Casper’s untiring efforts to help a misfit robot is very typical of Harvey’s gentle storytelling. No hidden meanings lurking with innuendo here for clever adults. Harvey was always focused on the kids. This is from The Friendly Ghost, Casper No. 22, June, 1960. Just click on the image for the big picture.

This ad from the same issue. Young John from Milwaukee took his paper route very, very seriously. When braving the rugged winter sidewalks of Wisconsin, you had better not skimp on tires for that Huffy. This ad never fails to make me regret growing old.