Jack Bradbury in Coo Coo Comics!

Today we are going to love the work of Jack Bradbury, a legend in great kids’ comics from the Golden Age! This story, featuring one of his signature characters, Tuffy the Cat, comes to us from Coo-Coo Comics No. 33 – May, 1947.

Mr. Bradbury began his art career as an animator for Walt Disney Studios in 1934 around the age of 20. He worked as an “in-betweener” (the animator who creates all the drawings between the extremes of the action of a cartoon character), eventually working up to larger features. Mr. Bradbury worked as an animator on “Pinocchio” (1940), “Fantasia” (1940), and “Bambi “(1942). He left Disney after the animation strike of 1940, worked at an aircraft factory briefly, went to work for the animation department at Warner Brothers and eventually worked the remainder of his career in comics.

During the 1940s, Mr. Bradbury drew comics for Better Publications (Nedor/Better/Standard/Pines) which produced Coo Coo Comics and many other fantastic titles. Bradbury began for Western Publications in the late 1940s, where he would illustrate many Disney Characters for Dell Four Color (Comics).

Jack Bradbury artwork exemplifies the extremely high standard of kids’ comics cartooning in the Golden Age, where artists like Dan Gordon, Al Hubbard, Lynn Karp, Ken Hultrgren, Jack Bradbury, Jim Davis, Otto Feuer, Howie Post, Carl Barks, and many others provided the kids of America with consistently beautiful work.

Here, just look at Mr. Bradbury’s gorgeous, organic work in this funny animal take on the tale Aladin's Lamp!

Well, that's all for now, Kids! Coming up: Let’s do another story from Coo Coo Comics (1947) this time highlighting the work of Al Hubbard and his take of Supermouse!

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

--Your friend, Mykal

It's Jack Bradbury Day at the Big Blog!

Hello, Kids. Nice to visit with you again!

Today is Jack Bradbury day at the Big Blog. Mr. Bradbury is one of my favorite artists because of his lovely work with the brush. His panels, characters, buildings always have such depth and life, his work always so beautifully balanced. Each panel a work of art.

In these two stories today, we see Mr. Bradbury’s skills in full effect with Pluto the Pup!

Pluto has always been unique in the Disney universe in that he is a real dog. He barks like a dog, and he uses all four legs to walk; unlike Goofy who is a dog with human characteristics (Goofy can talk and walk on two legs, just like us humans).

There is a sweet innocence in Pluto that I love – moments of genuine wonder in his open gaze (like with most dogs). You will see what I mean over the course of these two stories! These stories come from Four Color No. 853 (October 1957).

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

Just for fun let's include the the inside covers of this issue of Four Color, all done by Mr. Bradbury in black & white (as if to truly accentuate his wonderful, lush brush).

Jack Bradbury in Issue #45 of Ha Ha Comics!

More from Ha Ha Comics No. 45, September 1947. Today, the great Jack Bradbury; who was one the most fluid and distinctive cartoonists of the Golden Age. His brushwork was just so beautiful, his characters so well defined. Are you convinced yet that the WWII era was the greatest time for kids' comics?

More from Giggle Comics circa 1949

Here are a couple of more fantastic artists that graced the pages of post-war, golden age kid's comics. The first story, starring Fremont Frog, is the unmistakable work of Jack Bradbury, whose luxurious brushwork was an era stable. The following Wacky Wolf story is by Bob (Wick) Wickersham, who was an animator at Columbia and also a frequent contributor to Giggle and other era comics. Both stories come from Giggle Comics No. 64, April 1949.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here's a cool ad from the same issue. Imagine, the boy or girl that marveled and desired this technology in 1949 could grow up to see their grandchildren in 2013 talking on cell phones which connect them to the world.

Frazetta and Bradbury: Funny Animal Masters!

Frank Frazetta (Fritz) became a legendary artist in his lifetime, one best known for his powerful illustrative work. Who among us of the appropriate age hasn't bought a John Carter of Mars or Conan the Barbarian paperback reprint on the strength of the cover alone? But that doesn't mean Frazetta wasn't a master funny animal cartoonist, too. See for yourself! Early in his career, he did a fair share of funny animal work. This Dodger the Squirrel story comes from Coo Coo Comics No. 41, September 1948.

You want to see more kids' comics from Frazetta, right? Then, boy, do I have good news! Craig Yoe and IDW Publishing have collected all of Frank Frazetta's funny work in one volume! Needless to say, I've already got mine on preorder. I know you will want to do the same. Just click HERE!

And just for good measure, let's do a seldom seen Jack Bradbury story from the same issue! Masterful, indeed! For those that may not know, Bradbury is at the top of my personal favorites list. Isn't it easy to see why?

This ad comes from the back cover of the same issue. A flashlight, much like a pocket knife, was one of those tools a boy longed for to feel grownup like his Dad.