Little Max Comics

From 1949 to 1961, Harvey Comics published Little Max Comics, a lighthearted, kid-friendly series that ran for 73 issues. The title was anchored by the gag-filled exploits of its namesake, a mischievous little boy, alongside a rotating cast of Harvey regulars including the gentle giant Humphrey Pennyworth and the boxing champ Joe Palooka. Most associated with the steady hand of writer-artist Art Helfant, with additional art by Al Avison and Warren Kremer, the series offered a cheerful, all-ages mix of slapstick and gentle humor that defined Harvey's postwar output. While not as iconic as some of the publisher's later superstars, Little Max Comics remains a charming snapshot of the era's wholesome, gag-a-minute comic book style.