Wheelan’s style has a particular charm for me. He still drew in the style of an earlier time. It was not changed by him to reflect contemporary tastes of the 1940s. “Comics” McCormick was a feature Wheelan did for two different publishers: M.C. Gaines (Educational Comics), and Frank Temerson (publishing comics under various names. In this case called Continental Magazines, publishers of Terrific Comics) where Wheelan’s work was shown. Obviously Wheelan was allowed to retain the rights to his character. “Comics” McCormick appeared in five issues of early EC Comics after appearing in five issues of Frank Temerson’s comics.
“Comics” appeared in Terrific Comics numbers 2-6, and today’s story is from the final issue, number 6 (1944).
For more “Comics” adventures click on the thumbnail:
It's perhaps worth noting that Segar's Thimble Theater in which Popeye later appeared, was launched as a replacement for Wheelan's Midget Movies, which in effect became Minute Movies when Wheelan left Hearst. (Of course, Segar didn't stick with lampooning movies or other theatre.)
ReplyDeleteI completely agree that the willful old fashion of Wheelan's style is appealing.
I knew a child who, like Quentin, would have delighted in the claim to be ahead of me on that park ride. Unlike young Master McCormick, I would have insisted that other child to be four planes behind me — ah, modular arithmetic! — which would from that child have provoked tears.
Daniel, even Chester Gould did “Fillum Fables” in 1924.
ReplyDeleteSomeday I hope to find a copy of the article Vernell Coriell did on “Minute Movies” that caught my attention in the early '60s, and gave me a lifelong interest in Ed Wheelan.