To Soar! To Sing! Take Off! Take Wing!

It's rather astonishing what Kelly was capable of creating, and as much as I appreciate what he produced in his time, I just wish he could have created so much more . . .

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Prehysteria

Kelly, turned loose!

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Happy Sunday!

That's a powerful scene, there on the right.

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More Exquisite and Lush Than Usual

This 1966 period was truly a major high water mark in comic strip history. To have this kind of art delivered to my doorstep every day was exhilarating, and I've saved every one of the strips to this day.

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Looka THAT!

Even though there was plenty of trouble in the world in 1966 (is there a year when there's not?), I have fond memories of that year, and of course Pogo was a collecting cornerstone for me, along with so many other cheap thrill treasures.

My copy of Prehysterical Pogo did go blooey, but I'm happy to report that since those blogging days I found a near-mint 1st edition replacement copy. 

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1966 — What in the Whirled . . .

Speaking of Pogo in Pandemonia, I did a little pictorial essay about it in my Kelly 100th Birthday Tribute Zine . . . what . . . seven (!) years ago. Some of you long-term viewers prolly downloaded that zine, but for those who haven't, and new-comers, I'll post some page spreads one at a time. 

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The Fearless Army

I know I've posted this panel some time in the past, but it's such a beauty, and I'm experimenting here with full high resolution to see if it comes across that way on your end. Please let me know in the comments if it comes in large for you. If so, I'd love to post more panels at full rez.

This is from Kelly's peak of artistic creativity from the 1966-67 Pandemonia period. Even though I have all the tear sheets from that time, I hope I live long enough to see the Fantagraphics volume covering all that, just because it will be a beautiful book!