Lou Fine was born on today's date in 1914. He became one of Quality Comics most important talents and filled in on The Spirit for several years. He left mainstream comics after a time and took his refined art to the world of advertising.
Joe Hercules hit the stands in the first issue of Hit Comics. He took over the cover slot for many issues beginning with the tenth.
As rendered by Lou Fine, he looked positively kinetic as he busted up cars, bears and bad guys. He was drawn inside the comic mostly by Reed Crandall, so Hercules at Quality had the top talent the company had to offer.
What he didn't have was an origin aside from just being born a right-thinking American male. A mid-western farm boy who fights for right with powers greater than regular men, the source of his powers is never explained -- the Golden Age of comics was resplendent in its simplicity.
Read his debut adventure here.
Here are the Hercules covers from his run in Hit.
Rip Off
As rendered by Lou Fine, he looked positively kinetic as he busted up cars, bears and bad guys. He was drawn inside the comic mostly by Reed Crandall, so Hercules at Quality had the top talent the company had to offer.
What he didn't have was an origin aside from just being born a right-thinking American male. A mid-western farm boy who fights for right with powers greater than regular men, the source of his powers is never explained -- the Golden Age of comics was resplendent in its simplicity.
Read his debut adventure here.
Here are the Hercules covers from his run in Hit.
Rip Off
Have a great Thanksgiving tomorrow, Rip! I'd love to try some pumpkin pie but it's just not available here in the UK.
ReplyDeleteI insist on pumpkin pie (actually I find sweet potato pie to be a shade better, but pumpkin is traditional) and I am already looking forward to sinking my teeth into it tomorrow at my daughter's house. Enjoy the day as best you can.
DeleteYou can get Pumpkin pie in Scotland (Glasgow area ) at least ( an assume rest of UK) . I had a slice in a local coffee shop yesterday and it was very nice.
ReplyDeleteI always enjoyed seeing Lou Finest art when it was reprinted in DC 100 pagers, I seem to recall some lovely Ray strips that he drew.
Have a great Thanksgiving Rip ( and all in the US except Trump supporters lol)
I remember Fine from some of those 100-pagers, some of the finest comics ever produced. Loved 'em!
DeleteHappy Thanksgiving, Rip! I am a fan of sweet potato pie as well, but I'll take whatever gets made! Enjoy your day with your family.
ReplyDeleteThanks, and back at you amigo.
DeleteI remember seeing that Hit Comics #17 image in Steranko's History, and naturally learned of Lou Fine, and many others at the time. But my oh my, that cover is just so perfect. In fact the others are like a story in themselves, each one perfect for framing.
ReplyDeleteThat's likely where I first saw the image as well. Great stuff!
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