While researching an article, I downloaded Amazing Mystery Funnies Volume 2, Number 7 [Whole # 11] (July, 1939) from the extraordinary Golden Age Comics site. Noteworthy for the first appearance of the Fantom of the Fair, one of the earliest masked comic book heroes, the tale featured the dynamic art of creator Paul Gustavson.

His work offered clean lines and sensational action. It’s obvious how this character influenced the countless masked heroes to come and helped to spawn an entire industry.

Gustavson’s work alone would be enough to makes this into an impressive issue, but there is also a sensational two-tone crime story from the legendary Bill Everett (creator of the Sub-Mariner and co-creator of Daredevil).

Interestingly, Will Eisner’s Spirit premiered roughly one year later in 1940!

The remainder of the comic contains a smattering of mostly quality western, humor, science fiction and even prose tales. This was back in the era of the 52 page cross-genre comic book anthology!

Do yourself a favor, visit Golden Age Comics and download this gem along with thousands of other great titles.

Amazing Mystery Funnies was originally published on The Geek Curmudgeon