The Funnies #42

This April 1940 issue of The Funnies showcases the remarkable breadth of Dell's anthology format, packing its cover with preview vignettes of nine different strips — from Rex, King of the Deep's mysterious underwater craft to the Wonderland of Oz characters, Captain Easy, Alley Oop, Speed Martin, Sky Ranger, John Carter of Mars, Bosko, and The O'Malley Kids. The John Carter of Mars strip, written by Edgar Rice Burroughs and illustrated by John Coleman Burroughs, gives the issue a particular draw, with a dramatic underwater scene hinting at aquatic adventure. At just ten cents, this colorful mosaic cover captures the genuine excitement of an era when a single comic could sweep readers across genres in a single sitting.