Li'l Genius #51

A perfectly charming slice of 1964 Charlton humor, this issue of Li'l Genius features a delightful cover by Jon D'Agostino showing the red-haired little title character at a produce stand, gleefully spreading his arms wide to answer the grocer's question — "How big do you want one?" — with an enthusiastic "THIS BIG!!" as a towering pile of watermelons looms behind them. The playful size gag and warm, rounded cartooning capture exactly the lighthearted tone that made this series such an enjoyable read for younger audiences in the early '60s. With a story titled "Carrot Top" and writing by Joe Gill, this issue delivers the kind of easygoing fun that defined Charlton's kid-friendly line.