Single Series (1938) comic books

Stories and art by Rudolph Dirks and others. Mama, the Inspector and most of all the Captain bear the brunt of Hans and Fritz's mean-spirited pranks, but the Kids always get it in the end. A hornet's nest and a chimney combine to make a bad day for The Captain and Mama. The Kids fool Mama into thinking the Captain is walking around without his head. Dum Dum exploits the folk wisdom that you should never wake a sleepwalker. In the "topper" strip Hawkshaw the Detective, Hawkshaw solves mysteries in less than a minute. The Captain and the Kids; Hawkshaw the Detective. 64 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

2nd Edition. Stories and art by Rudolph Dirks and others. Mama, the Inspector and most of all the Captain bear the brunt of Hans and Fritz's mean-spirited pranks, but the Kids always get it in the end. A hornet's nest and a chimney combine to make a bad day for The Captain and Mama. The Kids fool Mama into thinking the Captain is walking around without his head. Dum Dum exploits the folk wisdom that you should never wake a sleepwalker. In the "topper" strip Hawkshaw the Detective, Hawkshaw solves mysteries in less than a minute. The Captain and the Kids; Hawkshaw the Detective. 64 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Stories and art by Harry O'Neil. United's anthology series presented a different comic-strip character in every issue. This issue focuses on Western adventure drama Broncho Bill by Harry O'Neil. Baby-faced Broncho Bill faces cattle rustlers, bank robbers and assorted owlhoots in the Old West. Broncho Bill investigates Mystery Ranch, but two desperadoes reach it first, drawn by rumors of hidden gold. The outlaws try to scare off Bill... but who is trying to scare off the outlaws? The "topper" strip, Bumps, is about a boy growing up in the circus, based on O'Neil's own life. Bumps meets a stray puppy who isn't afraid of any lion. Broncho Bill; Bumps. 64 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Stories and art by Charlie Plumb and Bill Conselman. United's anthology series presented a different comic-strip character in every issue. This issue focuses on Depression-era rags-to-riches hero Ella Cinders. Ella takes out an injury policy on her brother Blackie, but she's the one who's accident-prone. Ella and Blackie take a cruise. In the "topper" strip, Chris Crusty gets lost in a funhouse maze and finally finds a guide, who's been lost even longer. Ella Cinders; Chris Crusty. 64 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Al Capp. Stories and art by Al Capp. United's anthology series presented a different comic-strip character in every issue. This issue focuses on the hillbilly antics of Al Capp's Dogpatch, and features the first-ever appearance of Li'l Abner in a comic book. Li'l Abner is selected to represent Dogpatch in the county wrestling Champeenship. But lowdown gamblers from Skunk Hollow ambush Abner before the fight. With Abner's wrist injured, Mammy must substitute for him in the ring, disguised as Th' Masked Marvel. 64 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Ernie Bushmiller. Stories and art by Ernie Bushmiller. United's anthology series presented a different comic-strip character in every issue. This issue features Fritzi Ritz. Fritzi was later known as "Aunt Fritzi" in the Nancy comic strip. Wally is excited to work in an office full of beautiful women, not realizing they're mannequins, in a strip that showcases Bushmiller's "good girl" art. Wally tries to pull a fast one when Fritzi sends him tie shopping. A very early version of future strip star Nancy appears in some of these stories; in one, Nancy goes into a colorful carnival fun house. In the "topper" strip, Phil Fumble goes girl-watching on the beach and forgets to get in the water. Fritzi Ritz; Phil Fumble. 64 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

2nd Edition. Cover by Ernie Bushmiller. Stories and art by Ernie Bushmiller. United's anthology series presented a different comic-strip character in every issue. This issue features Fritzi Ritz. Fritzi was later known as "Aunt Fritzi" in the Nancy comic strip. Wally is excited to work in an office full of beautiful women, not realizing they're mannequins, in a strip that showcases Bushmiller's "good girl" art. Wally tries to pull a fast one when Fritzi sends him tie shopping. A very early version of future strip star Nancy appears in some of these stories; in one, Nancy goes into a colorful carnival fun house. In the "topper" strip, Phil Fumble goes girl-watching on the beach and forgets to get in the water. Fritzi Ritz; Phil Fumble. 64 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Dick Moores. Stories and art by Dick Moores. United's anthology series presented a different comic-strip character in every issue. This issue features the classic adventure strip Jim Hardy by Dick Moores. When Jim Hardy gets a job driving an armored car, gangster "Rocks" Roscal sees a chance for revenge. Later, the crook called Stump wants Uncle Joe's newspaper, and he's willing to do anything to get it. But when he has Uncle Joe roughed up, he's stepped over a line. 64 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Ben Batsford. Stories and art by Ben Batsford. United's anthology series presented a different comic-strip character in every issue. This issue features the classic adventure strip Frankie Doodle by Ben Batsford. As the strip starts, Frankie is the youngest member of the Doodle Family (the strip's original title). But tragedy turns Frankie into an orphan and the heir to a fortune, making him the target of his crooked lawyer, Mr. Shady. Shady is aided in his attempts to seize the fortune by Mrs. Krule, tyrannical head of the orphanage. So Frankie runs away, and begins a life of adventure. 64 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart CGC 2.0 $199.00 View scans Paper: Off white Label #4332430005 Consignment. 3% buyer's premium charged at checkout. Other items consigned by Poka

Cover by Mo Leff. Stories and art by Mo Leff. United's anthology series presented a different comic-strip character in every issue. This issue features the classic fantasy strip Peter Pat by Mo Leff, and the "topper" strip Percy Penguin. Peter Pat is transported to the magical Pagoland, where he has Little Nemo-like fanciful adventures. The strip, narrated in captions like Prince Valiant, was the first official solo work of Mo Leff, a former assistant to Al Capp and Ham Fisher. The weekly strip only lasted a year, so this probably collects the entire run. Human foibles are illustrated by members of the animal kingdom, in the sardonic Percy Penguin. Home Towners; Peter Pat; Percy Penguin. 64 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by John Hix. Stories and art by John Hix. United's anthology series presented a different comic-strip character in every issue. This issue features the Ripley's Believe It or Not-like comic strip Strange as It Seems by John Hix. Freaks of nature, whimsical facts, historical oddities, persons of unusual habits, hero pets, wonders of the animal kingdom, strange foods, medical trivia, and pure plainspoken hokum. 64 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by R. M. Brinkerhoff. Stories and art by R. M. Brinkerhoff. United's anthology series presented a different comic-strip character in every issue. This issue features the Little Lulu-like comic strip Little Mary Mix Up by R. M. Brinkerhoff. Mary's combination of imagination and naivete leads to comical situations. The "topper" strip is the domestic comedy All in the Family. Mary's mom sends her to borrow a card table from the neighbor, but that becomes a whole production. Little Mary Mixup; All in The Family. 64 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Robert L. Dickey. Stories and art by Robert L. Dickey. United's anthology series presented a different comic-strip character in every issue. This issue features the early animal comic strip Mr. and Mrs. Beans by Robert L. Dickey. Both the main strip and the "topper" strips, "Buster Beans" and "Buckey and his Pals," feature the daily lives of dogs. Dickey's style combines realistic dog art and Far Side-style dialogue captions with a four-panel structure, like a traditional comic strip. About the Artist: Robert Dickey; Mr. and Mrs. Beans; Buster Beans; Bucky and His Pals. 64 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Vic Forsythe. Stories and art by Vic Forsythe. United's anthology series presented a different comic-strip character in every issue. This issue features the automotive/ domestic comedy strip Joe Jinks by Vic Forsythe. Joe would eventually become a fight promoter, spinning off two boxing strips, Dynamite Dunn and Curly Kayoe. But at this early date, "Joe Jinks" was still a domestic comedy like Blondie. Joe is in hot water after promoting an experimental gasoline additive. Joe goes fishing for the legendary uncatchable fish known as Tiger Face. The "topper" strips, Divot Diggers and Fussy Foursome, feature golf humor. Joe Jinks; Divot Diggers; Fussy Foursome. 64 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by John Devlin. Stories and art by John Devlin. United's anthology series presented a different comic-strip character in every issue. This issue features the early Milt Gross comic strip Looy Dot Dope - specifically, the Sunday strips done by Milt's assistant John Devlin. Looy is a clueless everyman, similar in look and attitude to Dagwood Bumstead. Following the advice of Dr. Stooge, Looy acts on his primal urges, resulting in a spree of slapstick violence against random strangers. Looy annoys beachfront bodybuilders when he can't get his camera to work. In the "topper" strip, Colonel Wowser is like the Monopoly Man crossed with The Simpsons' Montgomery Burns. Looy Dot Dope; Colonel Wowser. 64 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Harry E. Homan. Stories and art by Harry E. Homan. United's anthology series presented a different comic-strip character in every issue. This issue features the early fantasy humor/adventure comic strip Billy Make Believe by Harry E. Homan. Billy has adventures in an imaginary land of monsters, wizards and strange menaces. This collection may constitute the complete run of the strip, which lasted less than a year. Billy builds a rocket and goes to visit the Man in the Moon. Sinister puppet Jumping Jack kidnaps Dolly Gay and flies away in his toy airplane, so Billy takes off in pursuit, resulting in a dangerous air chase. Then Billy, Bub and Old Mr. Trip Van Twinkle make a trip to the top of the Toyland Mountains. The "topper" strip, "How to Make It," describes amateur craft projects readers can complete. This issue includes 61 "How to Make It" projects, from a spring-operated cannon to a weather vane to a working windmill. Fun cover captures the spirit of the Billy Make Believe strip. Billy Make Believe; How to Make It; H.E. Homan, Artist and Creator of Billy Make Believe. 64 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart GD+ 2.5 $77.00 View scans Staple rust. Rust migration. Water damage. Consignment. 3% buyer's premium charged at checkout. Graded by MCS, not consignor.

Cover by Paul Berdanier. Stories and art by Paul Berdanier. United's anthology series presented a different comic-strip character in every issue. This issue features the early history/science comic strip How It Began by Paul Berdanier. How It Began chronicles the origins of common sayings, cultural trends, and history-changing inventions and technologies. The "topper" strips, Of All Things; If You Want to Know; Twice Told Tales likewise concerned historical or cultural trivia. Berdanier was also the artist of United Features' superhero/ military strip The Spark Man, over in Sparkler Comics (1941 2nd Series). Roses; Books; Tobacco; The Dollar Sign; and 60 more. About the Artist: Paul Berdanier; How it Began; Of All Things; If You Want to Know; Twice Told Tales. 64 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart CGC 4.5 $250.00 View scans Paper: Cream to off white Label #4366438003

Stories and art by George M. Lichtenstein, J. Carver Pusey, Ed Dodd, Amelia Opdyke Jones, and Maurice Ketten. United's anthology series presented a different comic strip in every issue. This issue changes that up, featuring one-panel gags by a variety of early comics artists, including George "Lichty" Lichtenstein of "Grin and Bear It" and pioneering female cartoonist Amelia "Oppy" Opdyke Jones (inventor of the word "litterbug"). Grin and Bear It; Opportunity Knox; Benny; Cat Tales; Back Home Again; The Young Idea; Freddie and Fritz; Home Towners; Can You Beat It! 64 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Bernard Dibble. Stories and art by Bernard Dibble and others. United's anthology series presented a different comic-strip character in every issue. This issue features comedy domestic strip Danny Dingle by Bernard Dibble. Danny and Dilbury try to be chivalrous, but that backfires in a big way. Danny meets Nellie's wacky Uncle Pecan, who does everything backwards. While Danny and his father are in Concarnio, Ma's old suitor Jellicoe returns, now wealthy and wanting a second chance. Danny Dingle; Dub Dabs. 64 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Al Capp. Stories and art by Al Capp. United's anthology series presented a different comic-strip character in every issue. This issue focuses on the hillbilly antics of Al Capp's Dogpatch, and features the second appearance of Li'l Abner in a comic book. The antics of Dogpatch's cornpone population befuddle Li'l Abner, even while they comment satirically on 1940s American culture. Capp's art style and writing are close to the peak of their precision. 64 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Stories and art by Harry O'Neil. United's anthology series presented a different comic-strip character in every issue. This issue focuses on Western adventure drama Broncho Bill by Harry O'Neil. Baby-faced Broncho Bill faces cattle rustlers, bank robbers and assorted owlhoots in the Old West. Outlaws catch Bill in a precarious position over the Powder River Chasm. Broncho Bill and his sidekick follow a hunch to the identity of the rustler gang's secret leader. The "topper" strip, Bumps, is about a boy growing up in the circus, based on O'Neil's own life. Bumps thinks he and his dad can get vaudeville work with his new hand-walking stunt. Plus a vintage ad for a "Tarzan of the Apes Spinner" (like a pog?): "Be the First in Your Crowd." Creator of Broncho Bill: Harry O'Neill; Broncho Bill; Bumps. 64 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart CGC 4.0 $800.00 View scans Paper: Cream to off white Label #4332885001

Add to cart GD- 1.8 $320.00 View scans External and internal tape. Staples added (not manufacturing). Internal pen markings.

Stories and art by Hal Foster. United's anthology series presented a different comic-strip character in every issue. This issue focuses on the Tarzan strip during the run of Hal Foster, the future artist of the legendary Prince Valiant strip. Reprints Tarzan Sundays #88 (11/6/1932) to #151 (1/28/1934). Tarzan battles the menace of an ancient Egyptian civilization that has somehow survived in the jungle to the present day. Egyptian archers get a bead on the ape man after he takes down an attacking panther. Plus a vintage ad for a "Tarzan of the Apes Spinner" (like a pog?). Creator of Tarzan: Edgar Rice Burroughs; The Menacing Stream. 64 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Stories and art by Charlie Plumb and Bill Conselman. United's anthology series presented a different comic-strip character in every issue. This issue focuses on Depression-era rags-to-riches hero Ella Cinders. Stranded on an island, Ella struggles to make herself known to a native, who turns out to speak perfect English. Ella offers to take over her brother's job at the carnival, but maybe she should have asked what the job was first. Blackie's dropped banana peel leads to a chain-reaction of disasters for Ella. In the "topper" strip, Chris Crusty is a little fuzzy on the nature of "artificial" respiration. Plus biographies and photos of Ella Cinders' writer-artist team, Bill Conselman and Charlie Plumb. And a vintage ad for a "Ella Cinders Spinner" (like a pog?). Bill Conselman and Charlie Plumb Who Bring You Ella Cinders; Ella Cinders; Chris Crusty. 64 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Stories and art by Bernard Dibble. United's anthology series presented a different comic-strip character in every issue. This issue focuses on super-powered baseball player Iron Vic. A rare United Features character who originated in comic books (rather than strips), Iron Vic's superpowers were downplayed in favor of sports drama by this point in his series. Iron Vic shows four juvenile delinquents how they can change their lives, both on and off the field. Then he confronts the sinister Dr. Spagna. Plus a biography of artist Bernard Dibble, cartoonist of this and Danny Dingle. Bernard Dibble, Artist, Writer, Baseball Player; Demon of the Diamond; The Kids Idol. 64 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Hal Forrest. Stories and art by Hal Forrest. United's anthology series presented a different comic-strip character in every issue. This issue focuses on aviator hero Tailspin Tommy. The treacherous Cardigan and Betty struggle on his yacht and fall into the ocean, as Tommy races to reach them. Skeets has only one shot to stop the shark that's heading toward Betty. And if he succeeds, they still have to follow the treasure chart and find the treasure before Cardigan does. Plus a biography of Hal Forrest, aviator and cartoonist of Tailspin Tommy. Ace airplane cover by Forrest. Meet Hal Forrest, Air Ace Who Pilots Tailspin Tommy; Demon of the Diamond; The Kids Idol. 64 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Stories and art by Olive Ray Scott and Ed Kuekes. United's anthology series presented a different comic-strip character in every issue. This issue focuses on Alice in Wonderland, the short-lived 1934 strip based on the Lewis Carroll fantasy classic. Writer Olive Ray Scott and artist Ed Kuekes created new adventures in Wonderland for plucky Alice. The footmen let Alice into the Duchess's house, where once again her curiosity gets the better of her. The "topper" strip was Knurl the Gnome. Undine shows Knurl the Gnome the pearls her father got her as a birthday present - but really, she's just showing off. Alice in Wonderland; Knurl the Gnome. 64 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Raeburn Van Buren. Stories and art by Raeburn Van Buren. United's anthology series presented a different comic-strip character in every issue. This issue focuses on comedy-drama Abbie an' Slats: the comic-strip adventures of city boy Slats, his small-town sweetheart Becky, and Becky's reprobate father "Bathless Groggins," with exceptionally nice art by Raeburn Van Buren. This collection starts at the very beginning of the strip, with city boy Slats being adopted by his country aunt Abbie, and meeting the love of his life, small-town girl Becky. Plus a biography of Raeburn Van Buren, creator of Abbie and Slats. Presenting Raeburn Van Buren Who Brings You Abbie an' Slats; Abbie an' Slats. 64 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by R. M. Brinkerhoff. Stories and art by R. M. Brinkerhoff and others. United's anthology series presented a different comic-strip character in every issue. This issue features the Little Lulu-like comic strip Little Mary Mix Up by R. M. Brinkerhoff. Mary's combination of imagination and naivete leads to comical situations. The "topper" strip is the domestic comedy All in the Family. Mary's mother wants to invite her teacher to dinner, but Mary manages to get that mixed up too. Little Mary Mixup; All in The Family. 64 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Dick Moores. Stories and art by Dick Moores and others. United's anthology series presented a different comic-strip character in every issue. This issue features the classic adventure strip Jim Hardy by Dick Moores. Nancy is abducted by Cartover's thugs as part of his plan to seize power on the island nation of Santovia. To rescue her, Jim and Phil must navigate the open seas of the South Atlantic in a tiny boat. When gas runs out and the sharks are circling, Phil thinks all is lost. That's when the pirates turn up in the ghost ship. 64 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Raeburn Van Buren. Stories and art by Raeburn Van Buren, Charlie Plumb and Bill Conselman. United's anthology series presented a different comic strip in every issue. This issue focuses on two: Depression-era rags-to-riches hero Ella Cinders, and comedy-drama Abbie an' Slats. Ella's brother Blackie takes a tour of the museum with his friends, but their reenactments of the sculptures aren't appreciated by the other patrons. Blackie has a close encounter with an escaped lion at the circus. Abbie an' Slats features Slats, his small-town sweetheart Becky, and Becky's reprobate father "Bathless Groggins," with exceptionally nice art by Raeburn Van Buren. Wealthy Cissy decides to have Bathless and Becky run out of town so she can have Slats to herself. Ella Cinders; Chris Crusty; Abbie an' Slats. Final issue of the series. 64 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.