Little Lulu #1: Bam! Bam!

I really like stories like this. Pure mayhem! Rotten little kids running loose always makes for fun reading, and no kids come any rottener than the ones in John Stanley's stories. Lulu, Tubby, and Alvin are completely oblivious to their surroundings, so engrossed are they in their play. Little narcissists! And note how Alvin goes the extra length to show he is rottenest of all.

This story is from Little Lulu #1 (Jan-Feb 1948):

Great Supporting Players #3: Huey, Dewey, and Louie

Carl Barks may not have created Donald Duck's three ever-present nephews, but he sure got the most out of them. Depending on the story, Huey Dewey and Louie functioned as everything from antagonists to Greek chorus. With the creation of the Junior Woodchucks and their all-knowing guidebook, Barks was able to condense a ton of exposition into a very few panels of story (and had a handy source of deux ex machina if he needed it).

My favorites, though, are the stories where the boys match wits with Donald. The power struggles of adult vs. child are familiar territory for everyone; maybe that's why these stories are still so much fun to read.

Here is "Truant Officer Donald" from Walt Disney's Comics & Stories #100 (January 1949); art & story by Carl Barks (the front and back covers are by Walt Kelly):

 

 

Little Archie #3 & Bob Bolling

Just a quick post this time; (I haven't decided yet what to put in the next post). So for now, here is the cover and inside front cover of Little Archie #3.

What's cool about this is the photo of Bob Bolling under a pile of reader mail, explaining to Little Archie (standing in the palm of his hand) the reason for making Little Archie a Giant-Size comic. The book would remain giant-sized until issue #84.

From Little Archie #3 (Summer, 1957):