For a children’s comic from the period it’s not too bad. Kudos to both the artist and writer for capturing the actual look and dialog of the original 5 minute shorts that usually aired daily on local American kiddie shows across the country throughout the 1960’s. I can’t imagine there is any appeal here beyond nostalgia for those who grew up with Diver Dan at the time and cherished every episode. There is sentimental fun for those of us who did, however, and if such a thing is possible, the art of Miss Minerva the Mermaid makes her look even MORE beautiful than she already was in the shows!
By Robb_K
I must admit that I never saw the TV show (was already 15 years old in 1960). But, the artwork in this book was quite good. I also never saw a fish that smoked a cigarette at all, let alone under water, and never saw one wearing spectacles under water, except for Mr. Limpitt. It was refreshing to see a book that contained a large enough number of pages in a single story to actually develop a setting, and to flesh out the characters' traits and background, and to give the story a proper pacing, moving slowly towards the climax, and leaving room for a decent epilogue. That is not to say that this story took advantage of that. I liked the IBC gag best. And I found the mention of P.S. 32 interesting. That is a typical elementary school from New York City, often mentioned in films. I believe that it is in Brooklyn, and several famous people attended it. Can anyone here from New York Metro Area tell me why that school is famous?
By The Australian Panther
Maurice Whitman at his best.
https://www.lambiek.net/artists/w/whitman_maurice.htm
Partial List here, including some archival collections.
https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/2918952.Maurice_Whitman
Cheers!
By positronic1
Does no one have a scan of DIVER DAN #2 (July 1962), Dell's only follow-up to this four-color issue? It would be nice to be able to read both issues.
Additional Information
Name
1254 - Diver Dan | Published
Publication
Price: 0.15 USD | Pages: 36
Notes
Indicia title is "DIVER DAN, No. 1254." No code number. Copyright 1961 by National Broadcasting Co., Inc. Based on the 1961 "Diver Dan" TV series.
On sale date is Library of Congress copyright record publication date.
Cover
Diver Dan / 1 page
Feature
Diver Dan
Genre
Children
Characters
Diver Dan (photo of Frank Freda); Baron Barracuda; Trigger
Comic Story
Open and Shut Case (1 page)
Synopsis
Baron Barracuda tries to get Dan caught in a giant clam.
Feature
Diver Dan
Genre
Children
Characters
Diver Dan; Baron Barracuda; Trigger
Pencils
Maurice Whitman
Inks
Maurice Whitman
Notes
Inside front cover in black and white.
Art resembles signed pages by Whitman per Wayne Smith and reported to the Facebook page Comics History Exchange, 24 March 2018.
Comic Story
The Masquerade Ball (32 pages)
Synopsis
Diver Dan, Minerva, and their fish friends have a party on a wrecked treasure ship.
Whitman's initials located in the first panel of the story. Initials located by Wayne Smith and reported to the Facebook page Comics History Exchange, 24 March 2018.
Comic Story
School Daze (1 page)
Synopsis
The Baron and Trigger visit their old school teacher, Mrs. Heda Shellback.
Feature
Diver Dan
Genre
Children
Characters
Baron Barracuda; Trigger
Pencils
Maurice Whitman
Inks
Maurice Whitman
Notes
Inside back cover and black and white.
Art resembles signed pages by Whitman per Wayne Smith and reported to the Facebook page Comics History Exchange, 24 March 2018.
Comic Story
Eelectricity (1 page)
Synopsis
Baron Barracuda and Trigger set a trap for Diver Dan with an electric eel hiding in a treasure chest. The Baron drops his monocle in the chest and is shocked by the eel when he tries to retrieve it.
Feature
Diver Dan
Genre
Children
Characters
Baron Barracuda, a barracuda; Trigger, a trigger fish; an electric eel
Pencils
Maurice Whitman
Inks
Maurice Whitman
Notes
Back cover and in color. This strip is replaced by an advertisement in some editions.
Advertisement
Daisy B-B Gun Gift Ideas! (1 page)
Feature
Daisy B-B Guns
Letters
typeset
Notes
Back cover. Illustrated ad for Daisy B-B Guns. Models No. 1894, No. 25, No. 94, and No. 179 are depicted. This ad replaces the "Eelectricity" comic strip in some editions.
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