Indicia title is "FRANCIS, THE FAMOUS TALKING MULE, No. 1090." Code number is FRANCIS O.S. #1090-604. Copyright 1960 by David Stern. Last of seventeen Francis the Talking Mule Four Colors. Based on the "Francis the Talking Mule" movie series. On-sale date from 1960 Books and Pamphlets, Copyright Office, Library of Congress.
Cover
1 page
Feature
Francis the Famous Talking Mule
Letters
typeset
Genre
Humor
Characters
Francis, the talking mule; Peter Stirling
Pencils
David Gantz
Inks
David Gantz
First Line
How can I draw with my boots on?
Comic Story
The Camera Hog (1 page)
Synopsis
Pete gets interviewed on a "man on the street" TV show, but Francis does all the talking.
Feature
Francis
Genre
Humor
Characters
Francis, the talking mule; Peter Stirling
Script
Paul S. Newman
Pencils
David Gantz
Inks
David Gantz
Notes
Inside front cover; black and white.
Comic Story
Mule Train (12 pages)
Synopsis
Pete and Francis are part of a covered wagon mule train that is to travel across the country. Among the travelers is a gang of bank robbers, who plan on pulling jobs in each city the mule train stops at. After they rob the bank in the first town the train stops in, Francis finds the stolen money and ends the scheme.
Feature
Francis
Genre
Humor
Characters
Francis, the talking mule; Peter Stirling; Hank
Script
Paul S. Newman
Pencils
David Gantz
Inks
David Gantz
Comic Story
Francis In Orbit (10 pages)
Synopsis
Two government scientists hire Francis to take part in some top-secret space flight tests. Pete is also part of the tests, but neither knows why they are being tested. Francis then overhears the scientists talk about sending him aboard a rocket into orbit where he'll be able to report conditions because of his ability to talk.
Feature
Francis
Genre
Humor
Characters
Francis, the talking mule; Peter Stirling; Professor Rocket; Professor Missile
Script
Paul S. Newman
Pencils
David Gantz
Inks
David Gantz
Comic Story
Oil and Troubled Waters (10 pages)
Synopsis
A sheik is the ruler of the only Arab land that doesn't have oil. He is told by his soothsayer that his problems will be solved if he can find a "man who speaks like a jackass". One of the sheik's agents in America encounters Francis, and thinking the search is for a "jackass that speaks like a man", takes Francis and Peter back to his country. Francis is given an ultimatum--find oil in three days or Peter will die. Francis doesn't find oil, but Peter does, as he's digging his own grave!
Feature
Francis
Genre
Humor
Characters
Francis, the talking mule; Peter Stirling
Script
Paul S. Newman
Pencils
David Gantz
Inks
David Gantz
Notes
Peter's last name is spelled "Sterling" in this story. In all the movie references it is spelled "Stirling". Last panel is Dell's "A Pledge to Parents".
Comic Story
Triple Threat Mule (1 page)
Synopsis
Francis tries out for the football team, but is rejected because he can't fit into the uniform.
Feature
Francis
Genre
Humor; Sports
Characters
Francis, the talking mule; Peter Stirling
Script
Paul S. Newman
Pencils
David Gantz
Inks
David Gantz
Notes
Inside back cover; black and white.
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Pencils
?; ? (photograph)
Inks
?; ? (photograph)
Letters
typeset
Notes
Back cover; color. Illustrated ad for Know Your America album and sticker set. American Geographical Society, Garden City, N.Y.
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