Undercover Archie

PEP COMICS #3

(On Newsstands in February 1940)

Irv Novick once again renders the SHIELD for the cover of Pep Comics #3 (on stands in February 1940), hurling some underwater mine’s back at the bad guys! Even though this was a quieter time of the war, before Germany would attack France in the summer (and a year and a half before Pearl Harbor), war was on the minds of the American people, so... this cover probably really stood out on the stands!

(from Pep Comics #3 - February 1940, artwork by Irv Novick)

The Shield battles Count Zongarr and his underwater army of diverse nationality soldiers! It's interesting to note that the Shiled in his early battles squared off with a 'Stokian' spy ring, some Nordic sailors, and here and underwater army of diverse nationalities... seems to be trying very hard during some contentious times to not offend a specific country... while protecting the USA!

(from Pep Comics #3 - February 1940, Story by Harry Shorten with artwork by Irv Novick)

The Shield displays his ingenuity, reminiscent of the Batman, who Novick would famously pencil later in his career!

(from Pep Comics #3 - February 1940, artwork by Irv Novick)

Writer/artist Jack Cole’s ‘The Comet’ was pretty cool for various reason’s, but in Pep #3 he really stepped it up. Not only did his layouts and storytelling continue to have a flair that few other Golden Age artists had at this time, but his theme's and ideas were better than most of his contemporaries. Here, the Comet is hypnotized by Satan’s henchman, Zadar, and is sent on a crime spree, killing policemen in the process.

(from Pep Comics #3 - February 1940, artwork by Jack Cole)

And by the time he beats the hypnotic spell, he’s a WANTED MAN! 

To be continued….

(from Pep Comics #3 - February 1940, artwork by Jack Cole)

In the continuing adventures of the ‘Press Guardian', Mort Meskin continues his advanced layout and design...

(from Pep Comics #3 - February 1940, artwork by Mort Meskin)

 ...and even gives us some bondage and whipping!  

(from Pep Comics #3 - February 1940, artwork by Mort Meskin)

Fu Chang and Press Guardian moved up to the #3 and 4 spots in the reading order, so they must’ve gotten some good feedback on the them… maybe? Anyway, we’re rewarded with the best Fu Chang story yet, by Manly Wade Wellman, and Lin Streeter’s art for it is better as well. 1940’s drug addiction stories are always entertaining… 

(from Pep Comics #3 - February 1940, artwork by Lin Streeter)

...especially when the hero’s girl is jacked up!

(from Pep Comics #3 - February 1940, artwork by Lin Streeter)

Pep Comics #3 was the best full issue of an MLJ Comic yet, and considering it now contains it's most popular hero, it's no wonder that it's popularity would continue to grow. Of course, in a few years... it'd get a real boost!

(from Pep Comics #3 - February 1940, artwork by Lin Streeter)