Detail
Hermes Press
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The original cover was for G-Men [v18 #2, February 1940] (10¢, pulp) which slugged "Murder Over London," starring Dan Fowler by C. K. M. Scanlon, and "Postage Stamp Payoff" starring Ogden L. "Pee-Wee" Holmes by Edward Churchill. C. K. M. Scanlon was a pseudonym for Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson and was the publishing house name required for the Dan Fowler feature.
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Starts at the inside front cover with two blank pages with only the faintest of backgrounds suggesting the inside of platinum age comics, "Bob Merritt and his Flying Pals." The third page is completely white.
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No illustrations.
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The cover to a pulp fiction periodical containing a novelette, "Shavetail," by Malcolm Wheeler-Nelson. Adventure [v76 #1, September 15, 1930] ed. A. A. Proctor (The Butterick Publishing Company, 25¢, pulp).
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This is a cover to a pulp fiction periodical containing a novel, "The Song of Death," by Malcolm Wheeler-Nelson. Adventure [v73 #1, December 15, 1929] ed. Anthony M. Rud (The Butterick Publishing Company, 25¢, pulp).
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This is a cover to a pulp fiction periodical containing a short story, "Rider of the Golden Mare," by Malcolm Wheeler-Nelson. Adventure [v95 #3, July 1936] ed. Howard V. L. Bloomfield (Popular Publications, Inc., 15¢, pulp).
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No illustrations.
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Christmas carolers.
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The author discusses a few of the technical challenges in documenting such rare source material and hopes that she inspires other people to look into the origins of the comic book.
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This is the cover for New Fun (DC, 1935 series) #v1#1, a one-page cliffhanger for an ongoing story (only appearing on the series' covers).
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This is the cover for New Fun (DC, 1935 series) v1#2.
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The author acknowledges the well-known introduction of Superman to TV and movie fans in the 1950s leading to an interest in the de facto beginning of superheroes in 1938 with Action #1 but describes the aim of this book as digging deeper into the three and a half years leading up to the print premiere of Superman. She gives a quick survey of what is known and speculated about National Allied Publications during those formative years and offers a short bibliography at the end of the introduction.
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This is the two-page Shuster illustration accompanied by text opening a short story by Jerry Siegel. This was originally self-published while the two men were only 18 years old, more than five years before Action Comics #1. The story appeared in issue #3 of a typed, mimeographed science fiction fanzine titled, "Science Fiction: The Advance Guard of Future Civilization," lasting five issues. This is presented here between the first and second page of the introduction.
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The reproduction here is said to be from 1935. As pictured it is signed and dedicated by "the artist creator of Superman." This is the strip that would be reconfigured and used in the first Superman story in Action Comics (DC, 1938 series) #1.
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The bottom 3/4 of the page is reserved for various promotional and high school photographs of Jerome Siegel and Joe Shuster. This appears between the first and second page of the introduction.
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This is a single full-page studio portrait of Harry Donenfeld, Jack Liebowitz (owners) and Irwin Donenfeld (executive) of National Allied Publications. Undated.
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Photograph of Harry Donenfeld at work. Appears between page one and two of the chapter on Harry Donenfeld and Jack Liebowitz.
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Three covers are reproduced from a stable of pulp fiction titles published by Donenfeld:
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This cover reproduction is a from a pulp fiction periodical, Spicy Mystery Stories [v4 #4, February 1937] (Culture Publications, Inc., 25¢, pulp). This cover is included to demonstrate the type of material Donenfeld was publishing before entering into his partnership with Wheeler-Nicholson.
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Dated 2008.
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This is a cover to pulp fiction periodical, G-Men [v18 #2, February 1940] (10¢, pulp). The illustration is taken from the "Dan Fowler" story attributed to C. K. M. Scanlon--which was a pseudonym for Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson--as it was the publishing house name required for the Dan Fowler feature authors.
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This is the cover to a pulp fiction periodical, Weird Tales [v22 #4, October 1933] (25¢, 128pp+, pulp, cover by M. Brundage).
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This is the cover to New Fun (DC, 1935 series) #v1#3
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This is the cover to New Fun (DC, 1935 series) #v1#5. Appears between page 1 and 2 of Chapter Four: New Fun.
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Jacquet was the editor of New Fun Magazine for juveniles. Goodman was the publisher of Timely Comics. Burgman was the comic artist who would create The Human Torch, circa 1940.
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This is a single frame reproduction blown up to fill the entire page. The frame is taken from the Barry O'Neill feature in More Fun Comics (DC, 1936 Series) #v1#10, May 1936. The original feature was originally just two pages long and ten frames. This frame (the story opener) was selected to highlight O'Mealia's higher-quality art and the myriad pulp origins of the main character, going back years to 1933 in Wheeler-Nicholson's own writings. The Fang Gow storyline lasted through 35 parts for more than four years.
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This is a photograph of Leo E. O'Mealia from 1905 at work at an illustrator's desk surrounded by scraps of art, ink, and brushes.
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The author includes the iconic cover to Action Comics (DC, 1938 Series) #2 and to study O'Mealia's remarkably advanced story-telling art.
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This is the first installment collected as the author explains that the preceding installments were too costly to acquire. She only summarizes the arc's beginnings in the text (see page 35 for that synopsis).
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Bonfils is introduced here as Bonfil, with spelling corrected in later installments.
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The author credits Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson as the writer through part 29.
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The author credits Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson as the writer through part 29.
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The author credits Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson as the writer through part 29.
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The author credits Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson as the writer through part 29.
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The author credits Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson as the writer through part 29.
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The author credits Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson as the writer through part 29.
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The author credits Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson as the writer through part 29.
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The author credits Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson as the writer through part 29.
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The author credits Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson as the writer through part 29.
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The author credits Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson as the writer through part 29.
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The first frame of this story is the same as the last frame of the previous story, but it has been redrawn by the new artist, Ed Winiarski (replacing Leo E. O'Mealia). The author of this collection makes a point of analyzing the lower quality of Winiarski's art exemplified here. This is the last installment collected as the author explains that the remaining installments were too costly to acquire. She only summarizes the arc's conclusion (see page 35 for that synopsis).
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Only the first page of the two-page story is presented. The story originally appeared in More Fun Comics (DC, 1936 series) v2#3 [15] (November 1936). This page is presented between page one and two of Chapter Six, Artists and Writers.
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The reproduction here leaves room on the page for two more small images:
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True to Walt Kelly's nature, each page being a single frame allows for extraordinary detail of the goings-on about town with several micro-scenes all playing out mid-frame such as two women whispering, one child rescuing another from falling out a window, etc. The two one-page scenes are framed as if it were a single poster, with the feature banner spreading across the top while the sides and bottom are bordered in intricate scenic detail. These pages are presented in this compilation between page one and two of Chapter Six, Artists and Writers.
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This is page one of the original four-page story published in New Adventure Comics (DC, 1937 series) v1#12 (January 1937). Characters and synopsis only cover this one page. Visit https://www.comics.org/issue/155/#3887 for the full description.
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This story is page one of the original two-page story published in More Fun Comics (DC, 1936 series) v2#5 (17) (January 1937). Characters and synopsis only cover this one page. Visit https://www.comics.org/issue/154/#3858 for the full description.
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The cover consists of various excerpts from Nicholson features. The page is presented in this compilation between page one and two of Chapter Seven, The Comics of 1936.
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The art credits were verified by Vin Sullivan himself. The page is presented in this compilation between page one and two of Chapter Seven, The Comics of 1936.
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This is one-frame blowup of from the last page of [Alaskan Adventure, Part 7] (Bob Merritt) from More Fun Comics (DC, 1936 series) v2#9 (21).
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This is a single frame reproduction blown up to fill half a page. The frame is taken from the Barry O'Neill feature in More Fun Comics (DC, 1936 series) #v2#7 (19). Appears between page 1 and 2 of Chapter Eight: Bob Merritt.
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This is a single frame reproduction blown up to fill half a page. The frame is taken from the Barry O'Neill feature in More Fun Comics (DC, 1936 series) #28. Appears between page 1 and 2 of Chapter Eight: Bob Merritt.
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'The Wasp' and 'Trigger' are not super-villains - just thugs from Monk's crew with decent nicknames.
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This segment is the last installment collected here and the second-to-last ever written for Bob Merritt. Similar to the explanation for the missing episode of Barry O'Neill, the author states on page 127 that the final installment of the Bob Merritt story arc collected here (originally published in More Fun Comics (1936 series) #30 March-April 1938) was left out because of the rarity of the original material. However, she explains that the uncollected sequence is one-page, black and white, and ends with Bob flying off with "to be continued."
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This is the original cover was for Mystery Stories [v12 #1, October 1927] (25¢, pulp) and contained the short story "The Blood Pearls," by Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson.
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Baslyn could be referenced as a villain, but his story as an unwitting protagonist in a story about cursed jewelry transforms him into something of a victim of his greed leading him from one wrong choice to the next with no hope of escape.
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The story arc will finish after part six with no explanation as to whatever happens to the girl.
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In the comics, the story is considered complete, but Tsao-Chung's daughter is never recovered nor is Dato Penang's nephew who had made off with her into the night in part two.
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This is a single frame reproduction blown up to fill the entire page. The frame is taken from The Monastery of the Blue God in New Adventure Comics (DC, 1937 Series) from possibly v2#11 (23) or v2#12 (24), which would have been the tenth or eleventh installment out of twelve. It wouldn't be earlier because earlier installments are sufficiently indexed so as to be ruled out.
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The author, Nicky Wheeler-Nicholson, includes a charming studio portrait of Elsa Bjøerkbom, a woman of aristocratic background, who is Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson's wife and the model and prototype for the heroine of The Monastery of the Blue God. This is apparent in the Major's writing as well as Munson Paddock's art.
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This is the 19th frame of episode 2 of The Monastery of the Blue God, originally published in New Adventure Comics (DC, 1937 series) v2#3 (15) May 1937. The author of this compilation includes this enlarged frame to demonstrate the likeness to the real-life Elsa Bjøerkbom.
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The first two pages are black, white, and red; the last two pages are black and white. The story arc originally appeared in twelve 4-page installments, but only three are collected in this volume, selected by the author of the compilation to highlight the relationship between the family-inspired characters written by her grandfather. Sergeant Miller is described in his first frame as being dressed in a lieutenant's uniform, but the story consistently refers to him as a sergeant.
Notes:
The first two pages are black, white, and red; the last two pages are black and white. The story arc originally appeared in twelve 4-page installments, but only three are collected in this volume, selected by the author of the compilation to highlight the relationship between the family-inspired characters written by her grandfather.
Notes:
The first two pages are black, white, and red; the last two pages are black and white. The story arc originally appeared in twelve 4-page installments, but only three are collected in this volume, selected by the author of the compilation to highlight the relationship between the family-inspired characters written by her grandfather. This 4-page story is the third segment collected and originally occurred either as the tenth or possibly the eleventh installment out of twelve. It wouldn't be earlier because earlier installments are sufficiently indexed so as to be ruled out.
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This is presented between pages 1 and 2 of Chapter Eleven, The Comics of 1937.
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Pen and ink drawing from the artist behind many of Wheeler-Nicholson's classic adaptations for comics.
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There is no reference to any Classics Comics or Classics Illustrated titles from Gilberton.
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This illustration is taken from the 22nd frame of the story, Foe of the Borgias, which originally appeared in New Adventure Comics (DC, 1937 series) v2#1 [13] (February 1937)
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This illustration is a composite of two elements:
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The author of this compilation inexplicably elects to leave out the last page of the story, stating that the story is "almost impossible to obtain."
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This two-page segment reprints entirely one of the two-page bits among 16 episodes of "She," adapted from the H. Rider Haggard novel. There are no dialog balloons - all the narrative and dialog is in short text at the bottom of each panel, with each page generally holding up to eight panels. The comic story originally ran through fifty pages in 16 installments beginning in New Adventure Comics (1937 series) v1#6 (July 1936 through December 1937). This installment (not identified by the author) has to be among the first seven episodes, as they were two pages long--possibly episode six. This is one of only two installments selected for this collection.
Notes:
The first two pages are black, white, and red; the last two pages are black and white. There are no dialog balloons - all the narrative and dialog is in short text at the bottom of each panel, with each page generally holding up to eight panels. This four-page segment reprints entirely one of the four-page bits among 16 episodes of "She," adapted from the H. Rider Haggard novel. The comic story originally ran through fifty pages in 16 installments beginning in New Adventure Comics (1937 series) v1#6 (July 1936 through December 1937). This installment (not identified by the author) has to be among the first few of the last nine episodes, as they were four pages long. This is one of only two installments selected for this collection.
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This is a single frame reproduction blown up to fill the entire page. The frame is taken from The Golden Dragon feature in New Comics (DC, 1935 series) #v1#9, October 1936. The original feature was originally just two pages long and twelve frames. This frame (the story's action peak) was selected to highlight Hickey's higher-quality art and the myriad pulp origins of these characters, going back years to 1931 in Wheeler-Nicholson's own writings. The Golden Dragon storyline lasted through 31 parts for almost three years. The presentation here is between page 1 and 2 of Chapter Thirteen: The Golden Dragon.
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This is a single panel reproduction blown up to fill nearly the entire page. The frame is taken from The Golden Dragon feature in New Comics (DC, 1935 series) #v1#9, October 1936. The feature was originally just two pages long and twelve panels. This frame (a complimentary profile of Doris on her mount) was selected to highlight Hickey's higher-quality art and the myriad pulp origins of these characters, going back years to 1931 in Wheeler-Nicholson's own writings. The Golden Dragon storyline lasted through 31 parts for almost three years. The presentation here is between page 1 and 2 of Chapter Thirteen: The Golden Dragon.
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• The indexed copy has the pages printed out of order. The correct reading order for this segment is page 228 followed by page 237. This installment is comprised of numbered panels from 1 to 8 and 9 to 15, having the synopsis as described above.
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• Torgadoff is described by Doris as a Tartar, which is a particular Turkic-speaking culture from west-central Russia.
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• Of the six episodes collected from The Golden Dragon, overall the correct reading order is pages 228,237,236,229-235 and 238-243. This is because of the page-ordering misprint.
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• Of the six episodes collected from The Golden Dragon, overall the correct reading order is pages 228,237,236,229-235 and 238-243.
Notes:
• Of the six episodes collected from The Golden Dragon, overall the correct reading order is pages 228,237,236,229-235 and 238-243. This is because of the page-ordering misprint.
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This two-page excerpt appears to be a detached story example (page 3 and 4 of an episode, with the episode's conclusion evident) taken from one of the four-page segments of The Golden Dragon. Only episodes 10 through 21 are four-pagers. The Golden Dragon comic story originally ran through 126 pages in 31 installments beginning in New Comics (1935 series) v1#6 (July 1936 through March 1939). As the series changed names and indicia publishers, the chapters kept up, missing only one issue.
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This sequence is complete and originates from one of the four-page segments of The Golden Dragon. Only episodes 10 through 21 are four-pagers. The Golden Dragon comic story originally ran through 126 pages in 31 installments beginning in New Comics (1935 series) v1#6 (July 1936 through March 1939). As the series changed names and indicia publishers, the chapters kept up, missing from only one issue.
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The cover was originally intended for Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #2, but never used.
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View sequence notes for the original publication https://www.comics.org/issue/293/#6720 for more information about credits. This cover is presented on the second page of Chapter Fourteen, The End Game.
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The bottom left quarter of the page is reserved for a studio portrait of Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson in later years. This is presented on the second page of Chapter Fourteen, The End Game.
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This is page two of the original four-page story published in New Adventure Comics (DC, 1937 series) v1#12 (January 1937). Characters and synopsis only cover this one page. Visit https://www.comics.org/issue/155/#3887 for the full description.
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The three sequences taken from More Fun (DC, 1936 series) #v1#7 are reproduced as a single image effectively retaining the page's original layout.
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The three sequences taken from More Fun (DC, 1936 series) #v1#7 are reproduced as a single image effectively retaining the page's original layout.
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The three sequences taken from More Fun (DC, 1936 series) #v1#7 are reproduced as a single image effectively retaining the page's original layout.
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The author lists a treasure trove of resources for any comics researcher, alongside numerous thanks to individuals and institutions.
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The is the second of four 1-page episodes.
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Includes blurbs for Nicky Wheeler-Nicholson, Jim Steranko and David Armstrong.
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The author includes a full-page, candid outdoor photograph of her grandfather, Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson, in a hat, warm coat, and an ascot.
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Starting just before the inside back cover, the first page is completely white. The last two blank pages have only the faintest of backgrounds suggesting the interior stories of platinum age comics, "Barry O'Neill."
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This is the back cover and is a composite of two elements:
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