Every comics fan is familiar with Krigstein's subway story (excerpt above). 
Not many have seen his earlier work done in the 40s "Classics Illustrated" style (above). I used to hate this style when I saw it later in reprints. If someone told me the artist would transcend this awkward style and go on to become a significant EC artist I wouldn't have believed him. 
Every body's familiar with Kutrzman's 50s work (sample above)...
...but how many have seen his earlier work (above) from 1942 and 43? Looking at the early pages who would have guessed that Kurtzman would have become the legendary stylist and creator of Mad Magazine?
BTW, isn't the "Mr. Risk" page interesting? The anatomy's off but it has guts and appeal. The background figures look like the kind of thing Kirby would draw years later. Is that a coincidence or did one of the artists influence the other?
Here's (above) some Wood from the early 60s. It's the style we're all familiar with. 
Here's (above and below) Wood from the period around 1949 - 50. It's a style that none of us are familiar with. I find these pages shocking! There's not a trace of Wood's later style here! The man completely re-invented himself in the subsequent years.
The reason I posted these is to make the point that none of us should ever get discouraged if our work isn't as far along as we'd like it to be. People learn and people change. Nothing's carved in stone.
