Reading the story, it looks like this is not the first appearance of "Padlock Homes", but it's the earliest I can find on comicbookplus. It's from Champ Comics #19, published in June 1942. The guy who scanned it is known as "narfstar." Script, pencils and inks are all credited to Ed Wheelan. I like him. Reminds me a little of Popeye creator E.C. Segar. Padlock, Watzis and the Professor will return.
