Powerhouse Pepper #5 (Nov. 1948, Marvel / 20th Century Comic Corp.) — FR 1.0
Last Issue of the Series • Basil Wolverton Chaos Classic
The final issue of Powerhouse Pepper, and a perfect snapshot of Basil Wolverton’s singular brand of grotesque humor — rubber-faced slapstick, mad perspective, and wordplay that lands somewhere between a fever dream and a vaudeville act. This November 1948 closer features full Wolverton art and scripts across three Powerhouse stories, plus a Squeeky short and a spot illustration text piece — all written, drawn, and lettered in his unmistakable hand.
Highlights:
– “Mississippi Mud!” – The cover feature, full Wolverton absurdity: Powerhouse in over his head with a swamp caper.
– “The Smaller Mauler” – A brawler’s ego deflates faster than a punctured dirigible.
– “Powerhouse Pepper’s Portraits of Peculiar People” – A one-page roll call of mugly mugshots.
– Plus “A Flash of Cash” and a text interlude “The Peril of Perkins” for good measure.
One of Wolverton’s most desirable Golden Age humor titles — low print run, scarce survivors, and that unmistakable elastic style that later influenced everyone from Crumb to Groening.
Maj. Picto’s Grading Notes (FR 1.0)
Extensive wear consistent with the grade. Large piece out of top front cover including part of logo; tape pull and writing in mastehad. Lower spine split with small tears, moderate corner loss. Back cover intact with edge chips, mild brittleness at bottom corner. Interior pages complete but brittle at edges, off-white/cream. Staple area stable but spine frayed. Displays well for a survivor of this vintage and era — a rare, presentable copy of the final issue in Wolverton’s most eccentric Golden Age humor run.
Powerhouse Pepper #5 (Nov. 1948, Marvel / 20th Century Comic Corp.) — FR 1.0
Last Issue of the Series • Basil Wolverton Chaos Classic
The final issue of Powerhouse Pepper, and a perfect snapshot of Basil Wolverton’s singular brand of grotesque humor — rubber-faced slapstick, mad perspective, and wordplay that lands somewhere between a fever dream and a vaudeville act. This November 1948 closer features full Wolverton art and scripts across three Powerhouse stories, plus a Squeeky short and a spot illustration text piece — all written, drawn, and lettered in his unmistakable hand.
Highlights:
– “Mississippi Mud!” – The cover feature, full Wolverton absurdity: Powerhouse in over his head with a swamp caper.
– “The Smaller Mauler” – A brawler’s ego deflates faster than a punctured dirigible.
– “Powerhouse Pepper’s Portraits of Peculiar People” – A one-page roll call of mugly mugshots.
– Plus “A Flash of Cash” and a text interlude “The Peril of Perkins” for good measure.
One of Wolverton’s most desirable Golden Age humor titles — low print run, scarce survivors, and that unmistakable elastic style that later influenced everyone from Crumb to Groening.
Maj. Picto’s Grading Notes (FR 1.0)
Extensive wear consistent with the grade. Large piece out of top front cover including part of logo; tape pull and writing in mastehad. Lower spine split with small tears, moderate corner loss. Back cover intact with edge chips, mild brittleness at bottom corner. Interior pages complete but brittle at edges, off-white/cream. Staple area stable but spine frayed. Displays well for a survivor of this vintage and era — a rare, presentable copy of the final issue in Wolverton’s most eccentric Golden Age humor run.
