COO COO COMICS - Supermouse and Bruno

I’m posting a Supermouse story for two reasons: First reason is – who needs a reason to post a Supermouse story? Second reason is to thank cartoonist, Jim Engel, for his wonderful contribution last post. Supermouse is Jim’s favorite funny animal comic book character. This is Soupie courtesy of Al Hubbard (thanks for the ID, Jim). That works out double cool, as Hubbard is Jim’s second favorite funny animal cartoonist (after Walt Kelly). Mr. Engel is a man of highly refined taste. This comes from Coo Coo Comics No. 35, September 1947.

Since were discussing favorites, I had to post a story by Jack Bradbury from the same issue. No artist’s work jumps off the page, straight into my eyeballs, quite the way do the bouncy, bold pages of Bradbury. His stuff always looks bright and edible as candy. You can never, ever go wrong with JB.

This ad is from the same issue. Chester Gould introduced the two-way wrist radio in the Dick Tracy strip in January of 1946. My guess is you are looking at one hot Christmas item for the winter of 1947. It didn’t come cheap, though. $3.98 in 1947 clams equals about $39.95 in 2010 hard-earned dollars.

Giggle Comics - "This is the House!"Supermouse - "Say It With Flowers"

Let’s finish up 2009 with some work from two masters. First up is Jack Bradbury’s beautiful brushwork in a story featuring Spencer Spook. Bradbury’s panels always looked like brightly colored candy, good enough to eat. This is from Giggle Comics No. 46, October 1947. All scans are from my own comic.

Next let’s enjoy the wondrous work of Milt Stein in a Supermouse story. No one drew “Supie” like Stein. I love this story which has Supermouse providing us with a true superhero moment – proving himself as physically brave and powerful within his universe as Superman is in his. This is from Supermouse No. 7, May 1950. All scans are from my own comic. For a glimpse at the cover for this and previous story, click appropriate label at end of post.

This ad is from the same Supermouse issue. Have you ever noticed how many “get muscles today” ads ran in comics? What? Did advertisers think we comic lovers were all a bunch of skinny geeks? Did they have to rub it in?

Donald Duck in "Billfolds of Bills"

While Carl Barks will always be the Duck Man, many legends took their turn at Disney. This story is done by Jack Bradbury. Individual style can get a bit lost with Disney. Yet Bradbury is such a brilliant artist, he will have his day (or panel)!

Much of page 6 bears the Bradbury touch, particularly the heads on the wall, the bearskin rug, and Dewey checking the shotgun barrels. Hmmm. Wait. There it is! Almost as good as a Bradbury signature! Page 10, panel 5! Pure, unadulterated Bradbury!

Hey! The cover is by Walt Kelly! This is from Walt Disney Comics and Stories No. 113, February, 1950. All scans are from my own comic. Just click the image for the big picture.

This is from the back cover of the same issue. I love this two-color back covers, which Dell loved to do. This story is by Bob Carp with art by longtime, Disney veteran, Al Taliaferro.

The Hepcats in "The Wienie Bake"

The Hepcats had so much to teach us squares; like the official definition of words like “groovey” and “hassel.” I didn’t know those words were for the cool set in 1949, did you? You know what else is cool? Nearly all of the meat butchers in this brilliantly simple story are pigs. That’s just extra extra cool - and a bit unsettling if you think about it too long.

The art here is by kid comic giant, Jack Bradbury. His drawing and line work is the stuff legends are made of – fluid yet precise and always infused with a contagious sense of joy. His panels are compact and brimming with good stuff. Bradbury was a Disney man during the 30s; and during the 40s his stuff often appeared in Coo Coo Comics, Giggle Comics, and Ha Ha comics. His work is timeless, beautiful and iconic. This is from Ha Ha Comics, No. 67, August, 1949. The scans are from my own (rather over-read) comic.