Beep Beep the Road Runner #22 (Gold Key, February 1971, 15 cents)
"The Conked Condor" In this six-page uncredited story, Wile E. Coyote is trying to "bop" himself a road runner by launching boulders at them. Instead, he hits a condor, which lands in a cactus before meeting Road Runner and his three children. The condor "can't get started from flat ground," so he can't fly away from Wile E., who catches him. The road runners, however, free him.
"Lost and Frown'd" On a very windy day, Road Runner and his children find a wallet belonging to R.J. Jaye of 123 June St. They go to town to return it to him, byt Wile E. Coyote ambushes them. Jaye discovers Wile E. picking his wallet up off the stoop. "Did you say a wallet-stealing coyote?" "The worst kind!"
"Slippery Target" This four-page Cool Cat story features a hunter who slips in the morning dew, spiked shoes from the "Hope for Hunting" chest, a foot chase, and a gun that needs loading. In the end, Cool Cat escapes slipping and sliding around in the hunter's old shoes.
Showing posts with label Gold Key. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gold Key. Show all posts
Monday, August 27, 2018
Tuesday, December 12, 2017
That Coyote's Mean
Beep Beep the Road Runner #20 (Gold Key, October 1970, 15 cents)
"Knights and Daze" This uncredited eight-page story drawn by Phil de Lara and lettered by Bill Spicer entails a time machine used by Wile E. Coyote. Accidentally sending the road runners—the Road Runner we know and love, and his three sons—800 years in the past, the coyote follows them, unintentionally insulting Sir Loin (ha!), who demands "revenge to save my honor as a knight!" Before the queen, the Road Runner jousts Sir Loin (hee!) while wearing a lantern case as a helmet. They leave with Wile E. hanging onto the doorknob.
Rather than try to adapt the cartoon as a wordless comic—or with only the coyote and other characters speaking—Gold Key gave the Road Runner three sons and decided that they should all speak in rhyme. "Please, ma'am... no! That coyote's mean... but we can't drive his time machine!" The overall effect is quite irritating.
"Feather or Not!" In this six-page story written by Don R. Christensen and drawn by Phil de Lara, the Native American Sleepy Wolf is sent to get some nice, new feathers for his tribe. He encounters the road runners, who are beeping as they walk rather than speaking—but Wile E. trips him before he can catch them.
The whole group happens upon the "injun village," where the Native Americans try to catch the birds as well as the coyote, leading them to hide in an eagle's nest. The road runners distract Sleepy Wolf by dowsing Wile E. with "some cactus goo... to stick like glue" before showering him with loose feathers.
Even though AIM didn't occupy Wounded Knee until 1973, 1970 is awfully late for such a dim-witted and insensitive portrayal of Native Americans. The rhyming dialogue continues to irritate and distract from what could be a promising comic.
"Leave It to Beavers" Featuring more uncredited work by Christensen, de Lara, and Spicer, this six-page piece opens with the coyote "too tired to chase those road runners anymore" and planning to rest in the "quiet river country." There, he nevertheless captures two of the road runner youth. Enlisting the aid of the industrious beavers, their father lures the coyote to an obstacle course of sorts.
"The Big Bus Fuss" Drawn by Pete Alvarado and lettered by Spicer, this four-page story stars Cool Cat. The hunter tries to shoot Cool Cat, "that fugitive from my trophy room." Interrupted by a monkey and a hippopotamus, the hunter decides to trick Cool Cat by picking him up in a bus. Unfortunately, other animals want to ride the bus, too.
The issue also included Gold Key Comics Club News, the Stamp and Coin Collector's Corner by George Allard, a Reader's Page featuring Doodles, a one-page Bugs Bunny text piece ("The Carrot Crisis," a 1956 story reprinted from the Dell Looney Tunes #173), and a one-page Road Runner gag, "Slicker Tricker Trap," in which the coyote fails again.
Availability: The Gold Key Road Runner material has not been collected, but the more recent DC Looney Tunes series has. There are three volumes: Looney Tunes: Greatest Hits Vol. 1: What's up Doc?, Looney Tunes: Greatest Hits Vol. 2: You're Despicable!, and Looney Tunes: Greatest Hits Vol. 3: Beep Beep.
"Knights and Daze" This uncredited eight-page story drawn by Phil de Lara and lettered by Bill Spicer entails a time machine used by Wile E. Coyote. Accidentally sending the road runners—the Road Runner we know and love, and his three sons—800 years in the past, the coyote follows them, unintentionally insulting Sir Loin (ha!), who demands "revenge to save my honor as a knight!" Before the queen, the Road Runner jousts Sir Loin (hee!) while wearing a lantern case as a helmet. They leave with Wile E. hanging onto the doorknob.
Rather than try to adapt the cartoon as a wordless comic—or with only the coyote and other characters speaking—Gold Key gave the Road Runner three sons and decided that they should all speak in rhyme. "Please, ma'am... no! That coyote's mean... but we can't drive his time machine!" The overall effect is quite irritating.
"Feather or Not!" In this six-page story written by Don R. Christensen and drawn by Phil de Lara, the Native American Sleepy Wolf is sent to get some nice, new feathers for his tribe. He encounters the road runners, who are beeping as they walk rather than speaking—but Wile E. trips him before he can catch them.
The whole group happens upon the "injun village," where the Native Americans try to catch the birds as well as the coyote, leading them to hide in an eagle's nest. The road runners distract Sleepy Wolf by dowsing Wile E. with "some cactus goo... to stick like glue" before showering him with loose feathers.
Even though AIM didn't occupy Wounded Knee until 1973, 1970 is awfully late for such a dim-witted and insensitive portrayal of Native Americans. The rhyming dialogue continues to irritate and distract from what could be a promising comic.
"Leave It to Beavers" Featuring more uncredited work by Christensen, de Lara, and Spicer, this six-page piece opens with the coyote "too tired to chase those road runners anymore" and planning to rest in the "quiet river country." There, he nevertheless captures two of the road runner youth. Enlisting the aid of the industrious beavers, their father lures the coyote to an obstacle course of sorts.
"The Big Bus Fuss" Drawn by Pete Alvarado and lettered by Spicer, this four-page story stars Cool Cat. The hunter tries to shoot Cool Cat, "that fugitive from my trophy room." Interrupted by a monkey and a hippopotamus, the hunter decides to trick Cool Cat by picking him up in a bus. Unfortunately, other animals want to ride the bus, too.
The issue also included Gold Key Comics Club News, the Stamp and Coin Collector's Corner by George Allard, a Reader's Page featuring Doodles, a one-page Bugs Bunny text piece ("The Carrot Crisis," a 1956 story reprinted from the Dell Looney Tunes #173), and a one-page Road Runner gag, "Slicker Tricker Trap," in which the coyote fails again.
Availability: The Gold Key Road Runner material has not been collected, but the more recent DC Looney Tunes series has. There are three volumes: Looney Tunes: Greatest Hits Vol. 1: What's up Doc?, Looney Tunes: Greatest Hits Vol. 2: You're Despicable!, and Looney Tunes: Greatest Hits Vol. 3: Beep Beep.
Wednesday, November 29, 2017
The Greatest Elephant Show Ever
Baby Snoots #1 (Gold Key, August 1970, 15 cents)
This uncredited comic book is one of Gold Key's non-licensed, original titles. It features Baby Snoots, a young elephant in a diaper and bonnet reminiscent of Harvey's Baby Huey and perhaps inspired by Fanny Brice's old-time radio character Baby Snooks.
"The Super Trooper" (five pages) On the eve of their "last act before we retire from the big top," Mama and Papa Dear, Snoots's parents, are dismayed when the little pachyderm takes to the trapeze, putting on "the greatest elephant show ever." After a discordant trumpet performance, the ringmaster fires him. In parallel, Uptite Mouse attempts to frighten Snoots and seemingly attaches himself to the family.
"Lest We Forget" (six pages) Now friends, Snoots and Uptite try to remember the elephant's "very important errand." Inspired by a goat named Butter, Snoots remembers, but the requested dairy product melts on the way home. Their blueberry pancakes now cold, his father sends him out for pizza, which also reaches home unfit for eating. A pie is also ruined.
"Facing the Music" (eight pages) Disappointed in Snoots's trumpet playing, the Professor, Snoots's music teacher, ends his lessons. Snoots is approached by two swarthy, bearded crooks in trench coats who plan to use him to trick the Rajah into opening his safe, revealing the combination. The Rajah gives Snoots a bag "filled with peanuts," and Uptite foils the crooks' plan. Regardless, Snoots takes the stage at Carnegie Hall. His parents are so proud.
"The Rainmakers" (six pages) Papa Dear thinks Snoots has learned all the steps to "an honest Indian rain dance." He is wrong!
Additional editorial material includes Gold Key club news, reader doodles and jokes, career profiles, and a one-page Snoots gag about roller skating.
Availability: Even though the title ran 22 issues, Baby Snoots has not been collected, not even by Gwandanaland Comics. (I traded messages with Lance Jones; the series is not in the public domain.) An almost 500-page collection of Baby Huey material, Harvey Comics Classics Volume 4: Baby Huey, is available.
This uncredited comic book is one of Gold Key's non-licensed, original titles. It features Baby Snoots, a young elephant in a diaper and bonnet reminiscent of Harvey's Baby Huey and perhaps inspired by Fanny Brice's old-time radio character Baby Snooks.
"The Super Trooper" (five pages) On the eve of their "last act before we retire from the big top," Mama and Papa Dear, Snoots's parents, are dismayed when the little pachyderm takes to the trapeze, putting on "the greatest elephant show ever." After a discordant trumpet performance, the ringmaster fires him. In parallel, Uptite Mouse attempts to frighten Snoots and seemingly attaches himself to the family.
"Lest We Forget" (six pages) Now friends, Snoots and Uptite try to remember the elephant's "very important errand." Inspired by a goat named Butter, Snoots remembers, but the requested dairy product melts on the way home. Their blueberry pancakes now cold, his father sends him out for pizza, which also reaches home unfit for eating. A pie is also ruined.
"Facing the Music" (eight pages) Disappointed in Snoots's trumpet playing, the Professor, Snoots's music teacher, ends his lessons. Snoots is approached by two swarthy, bearded crooks in trench coats who plan to use him to trick the Rajah into opening his safe, revealing the combination. The Rajah gives Snoots a bag "filled with peanuts," and Uptite foils the crooks' plan. Regardless, Snoots takes the stage at Carnegie Hall. His parents are so proud.
"The Rainmakers" (six pages) Papa Dear thinks Snoots has learned all the steps to "an honest Indian rain dance." He is wrong!
Additional editorial material includes Gold Key club news, reader doodles and jokes, career profiles, and a one-page Snoots gag about roller skating.
Availability: Even though the title ran 22 issues, Baby Snoots has not been collected, not even by Gwandanaland Comics. (I traded messages with Lance Jones; the series is not in the public domain.) An almost 500-page collection of Baby Huey material, Harvey Comics Classics Volume 4: Baby Huey, is available.
Monday, November 13, 2017
Ancient Walls and Cross-Corridors
Brothers of the Spear #10 (Gold Key, September 1974, 25 cents)
"The Deadly Maze" Pencils: Jesse Santos, Inks: Jesse Santos.
Mysterious magicians entertain King Dan-El and his queen Tavane, then try to kill her with a flower of mystery. Sihamba, the queen's maid and herb-doctoress grabs the flower and runs. It is poison!
While hunting for medicinal herbs, Sihamba is kidnaped by Nyanga Imopo, leader of the magicians. Dan-El and Natongo track him and his baboon-like creatures to ancient walls and cross-corridors, a deadly maze. They evade capture to rescue Sihamba.
Santos's artwork isn't that remarkable—a little scribbly and sketchy for my tastes—but the concept of the hunters maze trap is excellent. The leopard-skin disguises are also interesting, if underutilized in the issue (one panel?).
Not as good as Russ Manning's work, but a fun read nonetheless.
Availability: This issue was reprinted in Portuguese. Russ Manning's work on the title was collected in Brothers of the Spear Archives Volume 1.
"The Deadly Maze" Pencils: Jesse Santos, Inks: Jesse Santos.
Mysterious magicians entertain King Dan-El and his queen Tavane, then try to kill her with a flower of mystery. Sihamba, the queen's maid and herb-doctoress grabs the flower and runs. It is poison!
While hunting for medicinal herbs, Sihamba is kidnaped by Nyanga Imopo, leader of the magicians. Dan-El and Natongo track him and his baboon-like creatures to ancient walls and cross-corridors, a deadly maze. They evade capture to rescue Sihamba.
Santos's artwork isn't that remarkable—a little scribbly and sketchy for my tastes—but the concept of the hunters maze trap is excellent. The leopard-skin disguises are also interesting, if underutilized in the issue (one panel?).
Not as good as Russ Manning's work, but a fun read nonetheless.
Availability: This issue was reprinted in Portuguese. Russ Manning's work on the title was collected in Brothers of the Spear Archives Volume 1.
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