As mentioned last time, June 1941 sees Congo Bill's move to Action Comics, with #37. Action was (and is) the home of America's favorite champion, Superman. But of course you knew that.
Astute readers will notice a subtle change in the artwork this month. Til now we've been treated to to the work of George Papp, a DC Comics workhorse who slaved away on such features as Superboy, Green Arrow, and The Legion of Super-Heroes. With the move to Action, we welcome artist Fred Ray, best known for his tireless work on Congo Bill's fellow he-man adventurer, Tomahawk.
We join up with Bill and Prof as they travel to Tabur, to meet Kent's old pal Major Stirling.
In addition to confirmation that Kent is indeed an old bugger...oh, er, sorry, I mean beggar...we learn his first name...Joe. Hmmmph. I thought at the very least he'd have some kind of high-falutin' egghead name like Reginald or Archibald. Unfortunately, his jolly "I want you to meet Congo Bill" gives us no clue to Bill's surname, if indeed he even has one, and isn't legally named "Congo Bill".
In addition to confirmation that Kent is indeed an old bugger...oh, er, sorry, I mean beggar...we learn his first name...Joe. Hmmmph. I thought at the very least he'd have some kind of high-falutin' egghead name like Reginald or Archibald. Unfortunately, his jolly "I want you to meet Congo Bill" gives us no clue to Bill's surname, if indeed he even has one, and isn't legally named "Congo Bill".
Which wouldn't be unheard of, I suppose. Shortly before the birth of an acquaintance of mine, his mother asked his older brothers what they'd like to name the new baby. They said "Buffalo Bill". And that's what they named him. True story.
I also think it safe to assume that "Tabur" is a made-up name, and that the action hasn't all-of-a-sudden shifted to Malaysia.
Of course, Major Stirling has to introduce a girl into the procedings to foul everything up:
Syble. Think it rhymes with bible?
Stirling explains his predicament:
"Askari", as you probably already know, was a generic term for East African natives that were pressed into military service by various colonial powers.
A renegade Askari escapes the compound to warn the enemy, followed closely by Syble, followed even more closely by Congo Bill, who knows the trouble that a nosey dame can cause!
Bill confronts the Askari, who struggles with him at the edge of a steep cliff! Fortunately, the next few panels give Bill a chance to show off many of his masculine skills!
Bill confronts the Askari, who struggles with him at the edge of a steep cliff! Fortunately, the next few panels give Bill a chance to show off many of his masculine skills!
Swimming!!
Tracking!
Pole Vaulting!
Fisticuffs, not to mention witty repartee!
Marksmanship!!
Bossing around uppity dames!!!
All's well that ends well, as the Officer is captured and taken back to the well-appointed offices of Tabur where he can salute his betters to his heart's content!+fiche+054.jpg)
Also in Action Comics this month......
Superman tackles "a couple of hard guys"!
Pep Morgan, Athletic Ace,
sneaks into a male dormitory!
The Three Aces are startledby a giant phallic symbol!
Mr. America gets some boys talking!
And Zatara The Magician
bets on the Beavers!
Join us next time for more testosterone-charged adventures with
Congo Bill and his friends!
1 comment:
In my mind, I had a driving soundtrack playing as you highlighted Bill's display of skills.
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