When it comes to proposals, he’s pennywise and pound (cake) foolish!

In regard to the original comic panel (below,), the guy’s missing mouth is odd, but that’s clearly a printing error. (The mouth is there in the black and white photostat of the art as it was originally drawn.)

But what flummoxes me is the half-empty caption box that’s floating in the art. I’ve never seen a caption box before with so much empty space., Obviously, more text was planned for that spot. Normally, text was lettered—or in Charlton’s case, typed with a giant typewriter—right on the original art. But it’s possible that extra text was planned for this caption, then pasted on and simply fell off before printing. Or maybe someone forgot to add it. This is the type of oddity that makes Charlton Comics so maddening—and fascinating.

Art possibly by the Vince Colletta Studio. From the story “The Right Love” in First Kiss #34, 1963.

Scan from black & white original art for First Kiss #34.

 

Transcription:

SCENE: Man sitting in a restaurant looks at a waitress walking by.

MAN (thinking): I’ll propose! I hope she says “yes!” Then I won’t have to tip her!

1963 Art: Possibly the Vince Colletta Studio Color: Diego Jourdan

Art Code: DJP.lk386

↓ Transcript
SCENE: Man sitting in a restaurant looks at a waitress walking by.

MAN (thinking): I’ll propose! I hope she says “yes!” Then I won’t have to tip her!

1963 Art: Possibly the Vince Colletta Studio Color: Diego Jourdan

Art Code: DJP.lk386