Famous Funnies

Famous Funnies has the distinction of being the first modern comic book title. Its first regular issue, May, 1934’s Famous Funnies #1, was reputedly the first monthly comic book. That issue reprinted newspaper strips such as Mutt & Jeff, Joe Palooka, and other popular dailies. With issue #3, Famous Funnies kicked off a Buck Rogers strip that was to last throughout most of its two-decades-long run.

A typical issue of Famous Funnies alternated gag strips like Oaky Doakes and Bobby Sox with serial adventure strips such as Steve Roper or headliner Buck Rogers. Clearly, the newspaper strip was the model being followed, although later issues, particularly the Frank Frazetta covers on issues #209–216, had more of a true “comic book” feel. Other art highlights include the first professional work by Al Williamson on an interior ad that ran in issues #169–170.

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#105

Apr 1943

Cover: $0.10

A: Dick Calkins

1 copy for $77.95
#118

May 1944

Cover: $0.10

2 copies from $2.47
#119

Jun 1944

Cover: $0.10

W: Clifford McBride · A: Clifford McBride

1 copy for $15.95
#156

Jul 1947

Cover: $0.10

1 copy for $59.95
#164

Mar 1948

Cover: $0.10

1 copy for $140.00