Publishers / Dell / Popular Comics (1936) / #74
74April 1942
$0.10

Popular Comics #74

Dell · April 1942 · on sale 1942-03-02

First appearance: Belle WayneFirst appearance: Owl Girl
How to read this file
  • Every claim on this page traces to a public bibliographic record; the sources are listed at the bottom of the file.
  • A first-appearance badge means this is the earliest non-flashback appearance on record in this database.
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Identification plate

Series
Popular Comics (Dell, 1936 series)
Issue
#74
Publication date
April 1942
Key date
1942-04-00
On-sale date
1942-03-02
Indicia publisher
Dell Publishing Co. Inc.
Price
$0.10
Pages
68

Match the book in your hand against this plate before paying an edition-specific price.

Why this issue matters

First appearance of Belle Wayne - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Owl Girl - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

The evidence

Claims here come from the story records for this issue, listed under Sources at the bottom of the file. Character hubs with full evidence tables are coming to this site.

Contents

SeqStoryTypePagesCreditsCharacters
0-cover1Connie, Smilin' Jack, Terry Lee, The Owl, Nick Terry, Jack Martin
1-comic story1script: Bill Holman; pencils: Bill Holman; inks: Bill HolmanSpooky, Cookie Stover, Smokey Stover
2-comic story8script: Zack Mosley; pencils: Zack Mosley, Boody Rogers; inks: Zack Mosley, Boody Rogers; letters: Boody RogersSmilin' Jack
3Look!! The Funnies Featuring Captain Midnightpromo (ad from the publisher)0.67
5-comic story8script: Milton Caniff; pencils: Milton Caniff; inks: Milton Caniff; letters: Frank EngliConnie, Terry Lee, Pat Ryan
6-comic story7script: Frank Thomas; pencils: Frank Thomas; inks: Frank ThomasOwl Girl First, The Owl, Nick Terry, Belle Wayne First
7-comic story4script: Frank King; pencils: Frank King; inks: Frank KingJessica; Nina Clock; Skeezix Wallet; Tops; Uncle Avery; Walt Wallet
8The "John Doe" Gangcomic story6pencils: Dan Gormley; inks: Dan GormleyChief John Winston; Officer Murphy; Officer Kelly; The John Doe Gang (villains); Johnnie Chek (villain); Joe Meggs (villain)
9-comic story4John Crusoe; Mae Crusoe; Mary Crusoe; Paul Crusoe; Ted Crusoe; Andy; Bam; Biff
10-comic story1script: Bill Holman; pencils: Bill Holman; inks: Bill HolmanSpooky, Smokey Stover
11-comic story1script: Bill Holman; pencils: Bill Holman; inks: Bill HolmanSpooky, Smokey Stover
12Fifty Blank Passportstext article1letters: typesetMr. Sheldon
13-comic story1pencils: John Hermann; inks: John HermannJoe Snoope; Spencer Gable; Tracey Fonda
14-comic story6script: Bob Jenney; pencils: Bob Jenney; inks: Bob JenneyThe Masked Pilot; Tom; Jim Steele (death); Kurt (villain)
15-comic story8script: Albert Hartje; pencils: Will Ely; inks: Will ElyThe Hurricane Kids [Alan Burnham; Dave Burnham]; Captain Bill Brady; Omu
16-comic story8pencils: Jim Chambers; inks: Jim ChambersThe Voice [Tim Brant]; Curly Rand; Professor Bert Wilson; Marsha Forbes; Barney (villain); Igor Thorenson (villain); Stillet (villain); Wart Hafner (villain)
17-cartoon1script: Herc Ficklen; pencils: Herc Ficklen; inks: Herc Ficklen
18Famous Stories #1 - Treasure Islandpromo (ad from the publisher)1

Plus 0.33 pages of advertisements and other matter across 1 sequence, as published.

Where to read it

CollectionYear
Smilin' Jack1942On eBay ›
Gang Busters1943On eBay ›

Reading the story costs a fraction of owning the issue. Both routes are on every file.

Before you buy

  • Golden-age paper is brittle. Ask about page suppleness and check edges for chips in the photos.
  • Check for trimmed edges, married covers, and clipped coupons - all common on books this old.
  • Confirm the indicia matches this plate; many golden-age titles changed names mid-run.

Series context

Sources

Found an error in this file? corrections@comicrecord.com