Art Gates: Gag Cartoonist

There is always a lot of history you just don't know.

Until a couple of years ago, I didn't know that fellow who created the original Flash for DC Comics, Harry Lampert, was also a prolific gag cartoonist of the 1950s. I met his daughter last month, at the Bunny Bash, and she said she had boxes of his originals and was considering starting a blog: a Harry Lampert Gag Cartoon a Day kinda blog. I encouraged her to start it up!

Ger Apeldoorn at his Fabuleous Fifties Blog now showcases the gag panel cartoons of Art Gates. Art is, as Ger points out, known to comic book collectors as a journeyman comic book artist who worked for a variety of comics publishers, including Simon & Kirby's own Mainline, as well as Charlton Comics. Mr. Gates also did gag cartoons. He started while in the service, and continued afterward. He worked on a number of syndicated features, including a syndicated panel titled "Service Smiles." After working in sales for the syndicates, he began his own: Gates Features.

Take a look at the selection Ger shares.

Art Gates Lambiek page

Again With the Comics reprints one of the Charlton HILLBILLY COMICS.