Sunday, November 22, 2009

Fox and the Crow in
"Trip to the Moon" and "Dream Girl"

Here are two very typical Fox and the Crow stories. Fauntleroy Fox as a well-to-do dandy in red bow tie – a true innocent in the ways of the world. His next door neighbor, Crawford Crow, was a cigar-chomping, street-wise conman who lived to bilk trusting Fauntleroy out of his money.

Artist Jim Davis was primarily an animator who had worked for the top studios (Warner’s and Disney) and moonlighted in Funny Animal comics. Fox and the Crow has become his legacy work. Perhaps it was his animation training, but I love how Davis can infuse a panel with motion effortlessly. Least we forget, Fox and the Crow owed much to writer Hubie Karp, who was the story man behind these samples. This is from Real Screen Comics No. 38, May, 1951. All scans are from my own comic. Just click the image for the big picture.

This from the same issue. If you stare at the dolls and faces too long, sleep may not be easy to find.

11 comments:

  1. My favorite panel is in the first story where Crow is blissfully blowing out his cigar smoke and says: "Capri-Korny..."
    I love the art... it makes me think of the style of animation in some of the Harvey cartoons, and also Terrytoons. How could I have not read these the first time around? That's why this Blog is so dang essential.
    best,
    r/e

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  2. R/E: Thanks! Yeah, his style owes an ton to his animation background. I think most of the cartoonist from this generation thought of themselves as animators first and foremost. Davis also worked for Fleischer studios as well. -- Mykal

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  3. i have several of these. i love the artwork in them. those fun house mirrors used to be high hilarity back then.

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  4. Keith: Whattya mean back then? They still make me shoot soda out my nose ;-} - Mykal

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  5. I wonder if Davis did the coloring as well... Whoever did, made fantastic use of a limited palette~ as it flows perfectly and moves the eye along with the story.

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  6. Lysdexicuss: I researched the heck out of this one, and couldn't find a color credit (or a lettering credit, but that was a silly pursuit anyway). All the stuff from this era was just cheap, throwaway entertainment (as you know), and it sure gets frustrating trying to give credit to these great artists of the past.

    The coloring sure is pretty, though, and you analyze it perfectly. -- Mykal

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  7. Nice blog. Just found it today, just thought I'd let you know.

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  8. It's funny, when I was growing up I sort of turned up my nose at DC Comics' funny animal books, assuming they were just pale knock-offs of Kelly and Barks. I never realized there were talents like Mayer and Davis hiding in there! Thanks for posting these, you are helping my second childhood overtake my midlife crisis!

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  9. Doug: A second childhood is what it's all about, my friend! -- Mykal

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