Number 1421: Walt Kelly’s Winkie and the Wishing Well

Not long ago I showed you the first Pogo and Albert story from Animal Comics #1, done by Walt Kelly.* Here’s another #1 from Kelly, “Winkie and the Wishing Well” from Fairy Tale Parade #1 (1942). Kelly did the entire contents of this comic, one of the real treasures of the golden age.

I don’t know if “Winkie” is taken from a real fairy tale, or made up by Kelly. If it’s made up at least it has all of the elements of a fairy tale: a cruel master, stalwart child who is sorely put upon by others, a wishing well, a dragon, a giant, and the giant’s pretty daughter.

 **********

*You can read the story by clicking on the picture:

Number 1131: Mo Gollub's Leonora the Beautiful

According to biographical information available online for Morris “Mo” Gollub, he worked at Disney in animation, and got into comic books thanks to “his friend, Walt Kelly.”

I must say, Mo moved in the best circles.

Gollub illustrated some comics, including “Leonora the Beautiful,”attributed to him by the Grand Comics Database. It's from Fairy Tale Parade, Four Color #114 (1946). But he is primarily known as an illustrator, and cover artist for Dell. He did some knockout covers, including these for Turok #11 (1955) and Tarzan #121 (1960). Tyrannosaurus lover that I am, these two dramatic covers are among my favorites.

Turok Son of Stone #11, 1956.

Tarzan #121, 1960

Not only did Gollub draw great dinosaurs, but he had a firm grasp of anatomy, as shown in the original art for a Tarzan cover. This striking painting displays his knowledge not only of the human figure, but  animals as well.

Tarzan #71, 1955.

“Leonora the Beautiful” is not a typical comic book story because it is told in captions. I don’t think captions-only always works in a comic book story, but it does here.

Mo Gollub, who was born in 1910, died in 1984.

Number 1093


The Sorceror's Apprentice


This isn't the "Sorceror's Apprentice" most of us are familiar with from the Walt Disney classic, Fantasia: no Mickey Mouse or brooms carrying water.

The artwork is by someone comic art historians Hames Ware and Jim Vadeboncoeur called "THE Great Unknown." The artwork is very good, but doesn't look familiar to me. If you know who it is please tell us.

From Fairy Tale Parade, Dell Four Color #114, 1946:

Number 1048


Prince Robin and the Dwarfs


It's been nearly six months since I showed a Walt Kelly story from Fairy Tale Parade. The last one was in Pappy's #961, this past June. I wondered then if the story might have been made up by Kelly rather than taken from an actual fairy tale, and while then I equivocated, I'm sure this one qualifies as original to Kelly. I've used the word "whimsy" before to describe Kelly's work, full of funny characters and dialogue, and I'll use it again. Walt Kelly's whimsy carries this funny story, which, within that whimsy, also calls for respect for the little guys.

From Dell’s Fairy Tale Parade #9, 1944: