Review: Popular Comics #7 (Aug 1936)

Popular Comics #7
Dell Comics
August 1936

Writing: various
Art: various

August of 1936 saw the continued sale of Popular Comics, a comic-book that reprinted the Sunday strips of popular newspaper strips of the day.
The cover is another mash-up of various characters in the series, but shows Little Orphan Annie in a very out-of-character fashion...about to set off a large firecracker under the backside of someone, while Dick Tracy looks on admiringly.  Very disturbing and wrong.

Still boasting over 100 comics in this issue, there is plenty to read for everyone!

Gone this issue

• Zipper
• Streaky 

Returning this issue:

• A strain on the Family Tie

I also love that the last page announces a contest to name the new comics magazine debuting in a few months!  The winner receives $50.00! That is a lot of money for the time!  I'm assuming that comic will be called, "The Funnies" as that is release then, but I'm surprised that two months would be enough time to receive mail, vote, and print the new comic...makes me wonder how legitimate it really was.

The strips (in order of first appearance):

Gasoline Alley by Frank King.  Cigarettes will get you in trouble every time.


A Strain on the Family Tie by Gaar Williams.  Hidden fireworks can be trouble to those wishing to read the Declaration of Independence!  Heh.


Terry and the Pirates by Milton Caniff:  Why is the Dragon Lady holding them prisoner?  And, can the buy their way out?  Great stuff!  In the second strip, we finally learn the mystery of why they are prisoners.  Wow, she is really evil!


Smitty by Bernd: More baseball fun.

Herby by Bernd: cute


Little Orphan Annie by Harold Gray.  More great philosophizing...this time Warbucks conservative American values versus corrupt politicians.  Even if you are not a conservative, Warbucks makes some great points and I can't wait to see him go into action!


Maw Green by Harold Gray.  Cute!


Always Belittlin' by Percy Crosby.  Makes me laugh out loud most every time!

Skippy by Percy Crosby.   Cute.

Dick Tracy by Chester Gould:  Tracy tries to discover the truth to get innocent Toby Townly out of jail.  Good stuff!

Little Joe by Ed Leffingwell.  The General must stop a coup!

Harold Teen by Carl Ed.   Heh.  When speaking to the wife...never talk about past love!


Reg'lar Fellers by Gene Byrnes.  Fun!

Daisybelle by Gene Byrnes.  My sentiments about sunbathing encapsulated!

Bronc Peeler and Coyote Pete by Fred Harmon:  Still annoyingly not funny.

Smilin' Jack by Zack: As they begin to explore the stratosphere in the new balloon, could there be a stowaway?

The Gumps by Sidney Smith: Nefarious plots in the Arctic continue!

Lovey Dovey by Ferd Johnson. Why losing your keys is bad!  Heh!

Texas Slim by Ferd Johnson. Funny horseshoe humor!

Winnie Winkle the Breadwinner by Martin Branner.  Made me laugh.

Looie by Branner: Not too bad.

Moon Mullins by Frank Willard:  Greed will get you in the end!  Heh.

Kitty Higgins by W (Frank Willard): Trust?  Cute.


Ginger by Banks: Will power versus money...

Little Folks by Jack Knight: More proof why spanking is bad.  Not funny.

Ella and Her Fella by Posen. Always trust the woman.  Cute.

Tippie by Edwina Dumm: Always funny!  Why won't puppy eat?  Heh.

Scribbly by Sheldon Mayer. Heh.  What does a boy wear under his smock?

Ben Webster's Page by Edwin Alger:  Ben learns who the actual son is and his fate the butler is about to provide to him!  He attempts to escape!  This is an exciting strip lately!

Don Winslow U.S.N. by Lieut. Cmdr. Frank V. Martinek U.S.N.R. and Leon A Beroth.  Returning with the Scorpion's secret book, what will be next! Who is Doctor Q?  And, can they stop the attack mentioned in the secret code? I love this strip!

Bos'n Hal Sea Scout by F.V. Martinek U.S.N.R and Leon A. Beroth.  The mutinous crew sails away...

Tom Mix the Fighting Cowboy:  Nothing to see here...move along...

Tad of the Tanbark by Bob Moore and Carl Pfeufer.  Keep moving...

Don Dixon by Bob Moore and Carl Pfeufer.  A little farther....

Sweeney and Son by Posen:  Now you've made it to some fun stuff!

Mort Green and Wife by Gaar Williams: Cute, for once.

Uncle Bill by Gaar Willaims: an unfunny topper.

Life's Little Tragedies by Becks. I still don't like it.

Tiny Tim by Stanley Link:  Tim and Dotty meet the crooked man.  Cute.

Smokey Stover by Bill Holman: An axe in a movie theatre.  Heh.

Whiteboy in Skull Valley by Price:  Bob White must protect Sylvia the circus queen.