A Big Blog Favorite: Dan Gordon!

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

I am always glad to post the work of Dan Gordon, one of my favorite cartoonists from what I think of as the golden age of kids’ comics – the mid-40s to mid-50s. Today we find Mr. Gordon at his very best, working in his prime with one of his signature characters – Cookie!

Never stiff or static, his characters always move with weight and bounce. And he was such a fine draftsman and storyboard craftsman – just look at the way these panels move the eye right along, telling a smooth, effortless story. John Kriscfalusi of Ren and Stimpy fame cites Dan Gordon as an influence.

As wonderful as was Mr. Gordon’s comic book work, he is probably better remembered today as an animator. His work graced the cartoons from a who’s who of studios from the 30s through the 60s: Fleischer, MGM, Terrytoons, Van Beuren, and Hanna-Barbera to name a few.

Dan Gordon worked into the 1960’s. While re-watching the early episodes of The Flintstones recently (so good!), I was pleasantly surprised to see Mr. Gordon’s name appear for an animation credit! This gorgeously-told story appeared in “Cookie” No. 6, April-May 1947. And, hey! Dan Gordon did the sweet cover for the issue as well!

Coming up next, the work of Al Hartley. First appearance on the Big Blog!

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

--Your friend, Mykal

Dan Gordon's SuperKatt!

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

Dan Gordon remains a favorite cartoonist of mine, so it’s always a good day when I can share some of his work. It seems many comic book artists from this era (40s/50s) had animation backgrounds, but Mr. Gordon’s directorial background with various animation studios was very extensive. Most notably, he directed several Popeye shorts for Famous Studios which were known for their frenetic action and fast pace. It was this breakneck sense of movement that Mr. Gordon carried onto his storytelling and comic book work for Giggle Comics in 1944.

Superkatt was Mr. Gordon’s best-known reoccurring creation in Giggle Comics, a character intended to poke gentle fun at the emerging costumed superhero genre. Pure fun, the character is a simple housecat (albeit a talking one) who wears a diaper, a baby’s bonnet, and a bowtie to fight minor, local injustice.

So, let’s enjoy Mr. Gordon’s glorious, lush work! This story comes from Giggle Comics No. 20 (June, 1945)

Coming up next, the work of Ken Hultgren!

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

--Your friend, Mykal

Dan Gordon and Ray Thomson (Double Bubble Ad!)

A quick, two-pager today from Golden Age kids' comics master, Dan Gordon. And also let's love a Double Bubble ad with art work by Ray Thompson. I love Thompson's round, bouncy work - so much like like chewing gum bubbles! I'd love to see a collection of his ad work for Fleer. This is all from Ha Ha Comics no. 91, August-September, 1953.

Superkatt! - Giggle Comics No. 71, May 1950

Here's is some work from the great Dan Gordon. If I had to pick a single cartoonist to exemplify bigfoot (cartoony) cartooning, I just might choose Dan Gordon. Ok, I would throw into that select group Jack Bradbury, Walt Kelly, Al Hubbard, and Harvey Eisneberg. Oh yes, what about Bob Wickersham, Ken Hultgren, Warren Kremer and . . ." Oh well, suffice to say, Gordon was one of the truly greats. This is from (I think) Giggle Comics No. 71, 1950

Apologies for the unfortunate racial stereotypes portrayed at the end of this story. Hopefully, it won't distract the eye from Gordon's incredible talent. Different times.

From the Pages of Giggle Comics - 1949

Today let’s enjoy a couple of stalwarts from the golden age of kids’ comics, Dan Gordon and Ken Hultgren. These two were oft contributors to the pages of kids’ comics in the postwar period, both artists forging an immediately recognizable style. Gordon is a particular favorite of mine.  His work is so lively. Mr. Gordon does both the cover and the first Superkatt story.  Mr. Hultgren’s work is on display in the Duke and the Dope story. Both stories are from the pages of Giggle Comics No. 64, April 1949.