Spangles is a comic book Ken Wagner was working on circa 1948. Early in his career Ken designed circus posters and this was a natural branch from what he had previously done. It is interesting to note that Spangles presents the origin of Pee Wee the clown. Pee Wee was Ken Wagner's partner on Comic Cut-Ups which aired on WOC TV-6 Davenport, Iowa during the 1950s, starting in 1949 when the station first signed on the air. This cartoon not only presents the origin of one of the most beloved characters in the history of the station but also shows Pee Wee as an adult character, sometimes without make-up no less! Presenting Spangles for the first time in six decades... from the Ken Wagner collection!

I am so glad for today's technology, to be able to preserve, show and share things like this so conveniently. It is terrific to have this artwork my Father drew as so much of his work was lost through the years. Most all of it was commercial artwork - consumable, expendable stuff and Dad never spent time saving, photographing or preserving it. What a shame now.

He was totally self-taught. He said he once sent away for a correspondence course, got the first lesson and couldn't afford any more.

Spangles, with all the creative characters and story lines, is indicative of the knack my father had for his shows on TV. Coming up with ideas and putting them together for weekly and later daily shows had to take a prolific mind. He must have had some "dry spells" but I never noticed them.

- Ken Wagner Jr.