Li'l Genius #12

A bowling alley turns into pure chaos on this 1961 Charlton gem, as Li'l Genius himself goes airborne — launched right down the lane — while a red-headed pal clutches a jar of glue with a mischievous grin, making it abundantly clear who's responsible for the mayhem. Frank Johnson's cover art keeps things lively with colorful circular portraits along the bottom spotlighting a fun roster of Charlton characters: Black Fury, Wyatt Earp, Timmy the Timid Ghost, Freddy, and Atomic Mouse. Presented by Schiff's Shoes and carrying the Comics Code seal, this ten-cent Blue Bird Comics issue — with a story by Joe Gill titled "Pop for President" — is a cheerful snapshot of early-'60s all-ages comic fun.