When most people think of the Golden Age (1938-1956) of comic books, they typically think of Superman, Batman, the Human Torch, and Captain America. While the Golden Age did give us the true beginning of all the superheroes we know and love, it also gave us a style of artwork unique to the time that has never been replicated. That style is known as Good Girl Art, abbreviated by fans today as GGA.
Good Girl Art was the depiction of women in comic books, particularly characters who were bad to the bone, slick, tough, or a temptress dressed in form fitting attire. The style had peaked in popularity during the 1940’s when comics were extremely popular with servicemen fighting the war. It gave our real life heroes abroad a tasteful way to “girl watch” as they fought the good fight. Out of all the artists who practiced GGA at the time, one of the most well noted was Matt Baker. Baker, who unfortunately passed away at the age of 37 in 1959 was one of few African Americans working in the comic book industry at that time. His work on Phantom Lady and Fiction House Jumbo Comics are some of the most iconic covers of all time.
This coming Saturday at Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers we will be offering the Henry Anderson Collection of Golden Age comic books. While the collection does offer your caped and hooded heroes, it has a larger selection of Fiction House Jumbo Comics, Jungle Comics, and Planet Comics with numerous examples of GGA. Some of which are the finest examples to come to market in years. While heroes are all the rage today, these Good Girls are sure to light the auction block on fire.
If you’re curious and want to learn more stop by! It’s a fantastic collection of comics you would be hard pressed to see again in one setting, and knowing they came right out of an estate in the Edgewood section of Cranston, Rhode Island makes it even better. For more information feel free to give us a call or come visit us at the gallery!
