An intrepid AAUGH Blog reader (hi, Michael) called our attention to issue 59 of Alter Ego, a magazine on comic book history. In there is an interview with Al Plastino, long-time comic book artist, former cartoonist of the Nancy comic strip, and most relevant to this discussion, the guy whom United Feature Syndicate had tapped for taking over Peanuts should something happen to Schulz (back before it was decided that Such Things Would Not Be Done.) Among the illustrations for the article are small but clear reproductions of three Plastino Peanuts dailies, showing us what might have been. It’s not Schulz, but then again, what could be?

Plastino had a similarly never-to-be-loved-by-fans role in comic books. When Jack Kirby (whose role as the original artist behind the Fantastic Four, Hulk, X-Men, and so many more make most important artist in American comic book history) started doing Superman comics, the editor wasn’t satisfied with the look of the character, and had Plastino redraw all of the Superman heads.

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