Li'l Bad Wolf in "Funnel Trap" and Donald Duck in "Ten-Star Generals"

Here is work from two masters featured in Walt Disney’s Comics and Stories #132, September 1951 (Carl Barks' cover). First is Harvey Eisenberg’s take on Li’l Bad Wolf. Eisenberg is best remembered for his Hanna-Barbera work; but he did his share of Disney characters for Western Publishing as well. I love the action line dwelling within these loose, round characters.

It is often said that Carl Barks’ comic book stories were for adults as well as children. What made that true were not his themes or his command of language (although both were very sophisticated); rather there was an assumed level of reader intelligence in his work that made children feel like adults. In the last panel on page 3, Huey stares straight at the reader with a look of flat trust and mutual understanding.

Li'l Bad Wolf in "Sorcerer's Hat" and Bucky Bug in "Bug-Collecting Giant"

A couple of brisk 8 pagers from Walt Disney Comics and Stories No. 113, February, 1950. This first one is a Li’l Bad Wolf story written, penciled and inked by Gil Turner.

No son ever loved a father more that did Li’l Wolf. His father, Zeke Wolf, loved being bad. His long, toothy snout drooled at the thought of the three little pigs, forever grinning at the thought of eating them. Li’l Wolf would not allow his father to degrade himself in evil, however, and always saved his dad from the disgrace of his own nature.

This tale of found good fortune is a fine lesson in how to tell an 8 page comic story. Bravo, Mr. Turner. Bravo, also, to Walt Kelly for the cover. All scans are from my own comic.

Have you ever wondered in an idle moment what the world looks like to a bug? Here’s your answer.

This second tale is a rhyming fable, as were all Bucky Bug stories. The art is by the great Tony Strobl, who is on most people’s short list of funny animal all-time-greats. Much like the aforementioned Kelly, Strobl could go cute without a trace of cloying sugar. I love the details Strobl brings to the bug’s world, which was the magic of these tales – a pipe for a furnace, a matchbook for a table, etc.

I also love that the bugs live so happily in Junkville, among all the junk.

Last but not least is a two-color story from the back cover. Make that certainly not least, consider the art is by Al Taliaferro.

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.

Donald Duck in "The Biggest Arguments"

Behold! Carl Barks! Barks’ legacy strides thorough kids’ comic book history like a T-Rex, a member of the dominant breed. His work with Disney's ducks made him one of the immortals.

One of the things that made Barks so cool was the level of research he put into his stories. Catch a gander here of the detail concerning the salmon hatchery and the business thereof; one can almost see a drawing table littered with magazine articles and photo references. Also, Barks commented on heavy themes with the grace of a feather blowing across granite. Here, he takes on Nietzsche’s Will to Power and the concept of Superman without a bit of fuss.

You know what else is cool? Barks was a bit mad. If you value your sanity, don’t stare at the fish in the first panel very long. Oh, did I mention? He could draw anything and everything perfectly. This comes from Walt Disney’s Comics and Stories No. 192, September 1956. All scans are from my own comic. Just click the image for the big picture!

Here’s an ad from the same comic. Then as now, celebrity endorsements sometimes seemed a bit incongruous. Here, Andy Devine promotes Scotch Brand cellophane tape.