Thanks for stopping by, Yoc! I've seen that bespectacled avatar after the back cover of comics here all the time, it's nice to hear from the person behind it. (Also, Distinguished Competition, I got that reference).
Oh boy, Walt Kelly! My father has a few collected editions of Poog comics which I read and enjoyed, though the political stuff mostly went over my head. He drew Lyndon B Johnson as a moose for some reason. I was also delighted when I first ran across his work in a book here.
First up, More Fun Comics 7. You know, I was planning on reading the whole of the book and commenting on anything else notable, but honestly these single page serials are too much for me. I can't imagine reading these at the time, following a dozen serials at a page a month! But isn't "Down by the Old Mill Stream" a delightful little piece? Such cute characters. I love the little mice ones, and the four in the back struggling with the fish they've caught! Lots of mishaps going on here, but I'm sure they'll be alright.
It's odd seeing Kelly doing human figures like the Camp Comics page. The proportions are fun though. Poor Clarence! Starts trying to stretch himself tall, ends thinking he's been cut in half.
Ok, on to Animal Comics and the first appearance of Pogo! I was wondering how different Pogo would be in his first appearance, and the answer is "Entirely". It's like the evolution of Arthur (the Aardvark) or Garfield (the cat), except even more so! Oh, early Pogo is so cute in his shirt and little bow tie! I spot an early version of Churchill the turtle in here, too. Charming art as always. I love his little background swamp critters, like Beetle in his hat.
As for the story, that's rather different too! Instead of what would be the typical Pogo "Funny animals getting into wacky situations plus political commentary", you've got a more folkloric, Briar Rabbit style tale, with Albert as the outsmarted villain. I gotta say I like it.
This book has a second Walt Kelly story in Muzzy and Ginger. Ginger is just the cutest little thing. A fun little story of animal antics, ending, heartwarmingly, with the animals getting adopted. Love that Muzzy kept the hat.
Next, March of Comics #3. I'm not familiar with "Our Gang" but the premise seems straightforward. Kelly's art feels more generic here, probably cause he's representing real people. My goodness this story goes a mile a minute, doesn't it? Treasure! Attempted murder! Gunfights! Bricks to the face! Identical twins! I know if I was a kid in 1947 and I got this for free at the Hobby Horse, I'd have loved it.
And finally the Peter Wheat giveaway. I don't know what I was expecting (a boy who lives on a wheat farm, maybe?), but it wasn't a whimsical fantasy story full of adorable characters. Walt Kelly is in his element drawing all these little critters. Did he create this specific mascot or did he just get handed a perfect opportunity? Oh the panel on page 15 with the little woodland army is just so cute! Especially for a giveaway, this is a lovely little piece.
All in all we have a great selection this time, in particular the Pogo story and the Peter Wheat giveaway. Kelly is at his best drawing little critters of various types. Thanks once again for coming over, yoc, and for selecting such fun reads!
