Posted in: Comics, Heritage Sponsored, Vintage Paper | Tagged: Chesler, pre-code horror

Paul Gattuso's Iconic Rocket Girl Cover on Punch Comics 20, at Auction

The cover of Punch Comics #20 by distinctive stylist Paul Gattuso is a good example of the weirdly horrific style of the series.

Published Fri, 14 Jul 2023 07:00:10 -0500

by Mark Seifert

Last updated Fri, 14 Jul 2023 07:13:49 -0500

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We've talked about the fascinating and sometimes weird comics from industry pioneer Harry Chesler several times in recent months. Chesler titles such as Punch Comics, Red Seal Comics, and Spotlight Comics among others run the gamut from crime, superheroes, humor — and often even horror. Although they technically preceded the era that Pre-Code Horror collectors usually focus on (1947-1954), their covers and contents make them impossible to ignore in this context. The Punch Comics series was one of the best titles of the line, and included wildly inventive covers by the likes of Gus Ricca, Charles Sultan, Paul Gattuso, and others as well. The cover of Punch Comics #20, credited to Gattuso (perhaps with the help of Ruben Moreira) is a great example of the series, and there's a Punch Comics #20 (Chesler, 1947) CGC FN/VF 7.0 Off-white to white pages and several other issues of the series up for auction in the 2023 July 13 – 14 Pre-Code Horror & Crime Comics Showcase Auction #40227 at Heritage Auctions.

Along with Gus Ricca, distinctive stylist Paul Gattuso is one of the key artists who gave Chesler's comic books their unique look. Gattuso worked for Chesler beginning around 1944, on titles such as Dynamic Comics, Punch Comics and Scoop Comics among others. The character Black Dwarf who appeared in Spotlight Comics and Red Seal Comics is perhaps his best-remembered work, but his wildly creative covers on a range of titles were memorable due to his artistic style, and his usage of particular fantasy and horror elements. While it hardly seems risque from our modern perspective, the notion that the cover of Punch Comics #20 has a giant buzzard clutching a group of seemingly half-naked women has been unfailingly noted in price guides and auction blurbs over the years. Always a tough get and always in demand, there's a Punch Comics #20 (Chesler, 1947) CGC FN/VF 7.0 Off-white to white pages and several other issues of the series up for auction in the 2023 July 13 – 14 Pre-Code Horror & Crime Comics Showcase Auction #40227 at Heritage Auctions. If you've never bid at Heritage Auctions before, you can get further information, you can check out their FAQ on the bidding process and related matters.