Jack Cole's Dickie Dean, boy inventor

Paul Tumey (the web's favorite Cole authority) argues that Dickie Dean was an especially personal character for the cartoonist. It's easy to imagine Cole, arguably the Golden Age's most inventive creator after Eisner, identifying strongly with a high school student who came up with ray guns and flying cars in his free time.

From Silver Streak #9

Thoughtful naughtiness at 9 Chickweed Lane

Seeing more of the Black Mask -- another instalment of Briefer's Pirate Prince

From Daredevil #13

Dick Breifer's Pirate Prince unmasks the Black Mask

From Silver Streak #18 (1942):






The plot twist probably didn't come as much of a surprise, particularly given Briefer's fondness for tough female protagonists. (and yes, readers did see more of the Black Mask.)

WWII propaganda board game

From Daredevil #10

Update: These and other WWII themed games and puzzles are available here.

From 1940, a colorful vision of the future courtesy of L.B. Cole

John Severin, R.I.P.

Mark Evanier has the essential obituary here.

The Spirit -- when it all came together

One of these days, when I'm feeling flush, I'll break down and buy myself a complete hardbound set of the Spirit so I can really watch it develop from the beginning. It's possible that reading straight through will change my opinion, but for now I suspect that June of 1941 was when the strip became fully realized.

It had been brilliant and filled with wonderful ideas from the beginning but the first appearance of Dusk is the first story where the strip's mature style and flavor are evident. This is all the more impressive when you remember that the medium itself was still in its infancy.