The Work of Norman McGary (Pt. I)

Good afternoon, Kids! So nice to visit with you all again!

Today, and for the next few posts, the Big Blog will be highlighting a wonderful Golden Books painter, Norman McGary.

I could find out very little biographical information regarding Mr. McGary – virtually nothing, in fact. He and his work are listed in several art gallery online sources as an “illustrator of children’s books” or as an illustrator of Hannah-Barbera and Disney characters (as here). And other than a birth/death date (Born October 20, 1930; Died February 10, 2012 – he passed away in California) not much was found.

Mr. McGary did a great deal of work for Golden Books (both big and little). And it all was simply gorgeous. I’ve collected many in my collection and will be sharing them. He often collaborated with the great Hawley Pratt, who always supplied the drawing (as here).

I remember gazing at this book as a child and its beauty left a lasting memory.

This is from Huckleberry Hound, A Big Golden Book from 1960. The author is Carl Memling.

Well, that's all for now, Kids! Coming up: More Norman McGary and Hawley Pratt working with Hanna-Barbera characters - A Little Golden Book starring Lippy the Lion and Hardy Har Har!

I will see you all again very soon. Until then, I hope you are all warm, safe, and happy!

--Your friend, Mykal

Two High-Action Stories from Milt Stein!

Good afternoon, Kids! So nice to visit with you all again!

Today we have two brief but excellent examples of the action-friendly work of Milt Stein, animator and comic-book artist best known for his drawing Supermouse and other characters for Standard Comics in the 1950s. Many legendary cartoonist drew Supie, (Al Hubbard and Jack Bradbury among others) but my favorite was Milt Stein. No one put the zap and zing into Supermouse action panels quite like Milt Stein. His work was always so full of vigorous motion and joy. Looking at these stories, one can see why animator, John Kricfalusi (Ren & Stimpy), is a fan.

I consider the second story a real treasure (I love stumbling across comic book characters I’ve never heard of). Custer the Crocodile is completely forgotten today – so forgotten, in fact, I was not able to find out anything about him regarding creator. Still, I like him. Mr. Stein seems to have enjoyed him, too.

Both these stories come from Supermouse, The Big Cheese No. 24 April 1953.

Well, that's all for now, Kids! Coming up next something a little different. I'm going to dip into my Big Golden Book collection for a Huckleberry Hound story (with a ton of other Hanna-Barbrea characters) by Norman McGary and Hawley Pratt

I will see you all again very soon. Until then, I hope you are all warm, safe, and happy!

--Your friend, Mykal