I'm a big fan of Sheldon Mayer's work as editor, writer, and artist. Sheldon was the person who pulled Superman from the reject pile and put him into Action #1. He was DC's earliest and best editor involved in the creation of the JSA and most of its members. Additionally, he wrote and drew the wonderful Scribbly strip - a semi-autobiographical strip about a young cartoonist.

He's probably best known for Sugar and Spike; though, I have to admit that Scribbly is my favorite. The main S&S series went to 98 (in the US). In 1992, DC issued #99 (DC Silver Age Classics Sugar and Spike 99), but there has never been a 100th issue.

To fill the time as we wait for DC to create and publish S&S 100 and to honor Sheldon Mayer's most famous characters, I've commissioned a few 100th issue covers. I try to find artists with an all-ages feel and have them create the cover. Sometimes I participate a lot (for example, Fred Hembeck's where I had a very specific idea that he nailed) and sometimes very little (Katie Cook where I just asked for her Gronk characters with S&S).

Discussion of the art
In this case, I approached Kerry Callen about doing the commission. Kerry has had work in Mad for a long time, but I first noticed his work on Facebook where I would occasionally find episodes of Super Antics which features new (and generally embarrassing) adventures of the Justice Society of America. You can see more of Kerry's work on his blog.

The first time I reached out (2019), he was only doing digital work which didn't appeal to me. Not so long ago (2022), I saw a commission on FB done in pen and ink and I thought "Time to ask again!" I reached out a proposed my usual - a faux S&S 100 cover and a few suggestions.

Kerry went with a Birthday cover and, guess what, I got it on my birthday!

The image above is a digital coloring job. The black and white original is in the Additional Images.

I think his S&S are very much on model and the cover is one that I could see Sheldon doing. I'm thrilled.

P.S., I need to find a better copy of this issue! :)

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