Walter Lantz Woody Woodpecker #118

Woody Woodpecker #118 was published during the late 1950s as part of the long-running Dell Comics series dedicated to Walter Lantz’s frenetic animated creation. Following the success of the character’s theatrical shorts, these comic books served as a primary medium for expanding the Woody Woodpecker universe, often featuring serialized stories that captured the same manic energy and slapstick humor seen in the cartoons.

The interior art for this period of the series was typically produced by the industrious staff at Western Printing and Lithographing, the production house responsible for Dell’s line. The design followed the established house style for licensed animation comics, prioritizing clear, expressive character posing and vibrant colors that appealed to a younger demographic. While these issues were created as inexpensive ephemeral entertainment, they are now regarded as important artifacts of mid-century American animation history.