“Dell Comics are Good (and Patriotic) Comics!”

“Dell Comics are Good Comics!” was Dell’s slogan and pledge to both parents and children alike.

And, for the “on-sale” period of their JULY, 1945 cover-dated titles, Dell Comics were “Patriotic” comics as well.

As seen in my last three posts, in a gesture unprecedented in comic book publishing, Dell ran the following patriotic message as part of the covers of its three flagship titles: Walt Disney’s Comics and Stories # 58, Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies # 45, and New Funnies # 101 – representing the Walt Disney, Warner Brothers, and Walter Lantz studios respectively.
Here is the full text, for those unable to read it:

“TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE

“Your sons, husbands and brothers who are standing today upon the battlefronts are fighting for more than victory in war. They are fighting for a new world of freedom and peace.

“We, upon whom has been placed the responsibility of leading the American forces, appeal to you with all possible earnestness to invest in War Bonds to the fullest extent of your capacity.

“Give us not only the needed implements of war, but the assurance and backing of a united people so necessary to hasten the victory and speed the return of your fighting men.”
There are seven signatures on this document. Of those I can make out are future United States President Dwight D. Eisenhower, General Douglas MacArthur, and Admiral Chester Nimmitz.

Also interesting is that, if Dell’s cover dates operated similarly to those of its successor Gold Key, these issues would have been on sale in MAY, 1945 – and “V-E Day” was May 08, 1945. So, the releases might have actually come AFTER “V-E Day” but, alas, there was still much more to come.

Here, once again – in a single post, is a retrospective of these notable comic book covers:

Notice that some of the signatures have been repositioned on the Lantz cover (Particularly that of Adm. Nimmitz!)

They probably used that old-fashioned software “photography-shoppe”