Charlie Horse by Hal Cooper from Hit Comics #41 July 1946
This “Charlie Horse” 5-pager is exactly the kind of comics I love to see: oddball and unpolished golden-age funny animal comics that fall outside of the generic house-styles. Anyway, on that basis, this one’s a winner – And check out that cool angle in the second panel of the fourth page!
Charlie Horse by Hal Cooper from Hit Comics #41 July 1946
I couldn’t find much info on cartoonist Hal Cooper … according to “Who’s Who of American Comic Books,” Hal Cooper was the founder of the Cooper School of Art in Cleveland, and worked on other filler comics like Atomic Tot and Marmaduke Mouse. If any of you have any more about this funny animal cartoonist, please let me know!
Hal Cooper is my great great Uncle.
ReplyDeleteHi Vanessa -- thanks for your comment -- It's really nice to hear from people like you that know or have known the artists personally. I'm very glad to know that he and his work is fondly remembered. If you ever want to share any memories or drawings online, I will be happy to post them. Take care...Sherm
ReplyDeleteI used to be Hal Cooper's assistant in 1967,1968,1969,1970. He had a big sign up in the window of a store front in Wilton Manors, Florida. It read: "Cartooning Classes!" I walked in and a very nice man in his 50's was sitting at a drawing board smoking a pipe. I was shy as I told him that I liked to draw cartoons, too. He asked me to bring in some of my work to show him. I was quite excited since I had never met a real cartoonist before! I was 20 years old. I brought in my artwork the next day and he told me that I drew very well. He offered me some free cartooning lessons. He let me sit in his studio classroom to practice inking lots of his pencil sketches with a brush and india ink for 2 weeks. After that he hired me as his assistant/inker. I received a weekly paycheck. I was very happy and I learned a lot about drawing cartoons and comic strips from a real cartoonist! Hal Cooper!
ReplyDeleteI used to be Hal Cooper's assistant in 1967,1968,1969,1970. He had a big sign up in the window of a store front in Wilton Manors, Florida. It read: "Cartooning Classes!" I walked in and a very nice man in his 50's was sitting at a drawing board smoking a pipe. I was shy as I told him that I liked to draw cartoons, too. He asked me to bring in some of my work to show him. I was quite excited since I had never met a real cartoonist before! I was 20 years old. I brought in my artwork the next day and he told me that I drew very well. He offered me some free cartooning lessons. He let me sit in his studio classroom to practice inking lots of his pencil sketches with a brush and india ink for 2 weeks. After that he hired me as his assistant/inker. I received a weekly paycheck. I was very happy and I learned a lot about drawing cartoons and comic strips from a real cartoonist! Hal Cooper!
ReplyDeleteHalf Cooper appeared in this public information, education film encouraging amateur art: Adventures in Art, Basic Art
ReplyDeletehttps://youtu.be/ItA9M1d1GZo
Thanks Adam -- that's a great find!!
ReplyDeleteI met Hal Cooper at Dwight D. Eisenhower elementary in 1968/1969.
ReplyDeleteI have an autographed drawing of Marmaduke mouse that he did for me. I can email the picture to you if you would like to see it. It still is in perfect condition.
Gino
I met Hal Cooper in 1968-1969 at Dwight D. Eisenhower elementary in Davie Florida. I have an autographed drawing of Marmaduke mouse that he did for me. I can email a picture of it if you would like to see it. It still is in perfect condition.
ReplyDeleteGino
As a young girl, I received art lessons from Mr. Cooper in Florida. Although I am not a cartoonist, I am now a professional artist, thanks to Mr. Cooper, I learned persistence and
ReplyDeletedisciplined.
As a young girl, I received art lessons from Mr. Cooper in Florida. Although I am not a cartoonist, I am now a professional artist, thanks to Mr. Cooper, I learned persistence and discipline.
ReplyDeleteI also went to Dwight D. Eisenhower Elem.