MYSTERY ISLAND There is so much syndicated matter in the way of illustrated strips and stories being worked off on the public that it will come as a pleasant surprise to many of our readers to know that we have an Australian artist capable of producing work immeasurably superior to the imported rubbish so extensively published by many of our newspapers. Our young readers are well acquainted with the work of Mr. Will Donald, whose humorous “Blue Gum” sketches appear on this page. In a book which he has published — “Mystery Island” — Mr. Donald strikes out in a new direction. He has produced a picture story of island adventures, in which plenty of thrills are provided for the reader. The plot is worked out in a way which maintains the reader’s interest throughout. There are also a number of pages of humorous sketches, including some “Blue Gum” selections, and altogether the reader gets full value for the modest price — sixpence — at which “Mystery Island” is sold. From Australian Worker 22 January 1941
And it sold out according to Australian Worker 25 June 1941:
“Captain Katseye.” Send for Free Illustrated Catalogue. Picture stories have become very popular, especially those of mystery and adventure. Some of these appear regularly in the newspapers, but are from the pens of overseas writers and artists. How-ever, an Australian, Mr. Will Donald, has proved an adept in the conception of pictorial stories, and his work has made a successful appeal to those who like this form of entertainment. Just before Christ-mas last year his “Mystery Island” so caught on that the first edition quickly sold out. Mr. Donald, whose “Bluegum” series on this page has been so popular with our young readers, is again before the public with “Captain Katseye,” in which mystery and invention are blended in a way that keeps the interest of the reader alive right through. The wind-up of the story is something out of the ordinary run, but it is one with a good laugh in it. Mr. Donald’s thriller can be bought for a modest sixpence, so it should go like hot cakes with young and old alike.
Further reading all retrieved on 19 November 2021
Read more about Will Donald:
- biographical entry on Design and Art Australia Online; and
- on Comiclopedia
- in a blog at Pikitia Press.
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