Friday, May 23, 2014

Richie Rich! November, 1968

Traditionally, Americans love financially challenged underdogs in stories featuring the rich because, well, most of us are financially challenged underdogs. One of the few exceptions to this is Harvey's Richie Rich. He has always been one of my favorites. I've yet to meet a comic book lover that didn't have a pretty good opinion of Richie. He's just such a good boy - fair, smart, and just so darned happy about life. Richie and His girlfriend, Gloria, have the aura of American royalty about them. These two stories come from Richie Rich No. 75, November 1968. I believe the artist for both is the great Ernie Colón (but it wouldn't be surprised if I am corrected regarding the second story).

The Richie Rich covers by Warren Kremer were among the cleverest of the Harvey covers - always showing Richie's flamboyant relationship with money. This one is no exception, capturing Richie's pure joy with the green stuff perfectly.

11 comments:

  1. Thanks, Mykal! These are great: the first story is definitely by the hand of Ernie Colón—however, I share your suspicion on the second tale. Though Colón's earlier efforts utilized simpler line work, I suspect Ernie may have penciled "A Little Larcenous" with inks supplied by another Harvey artist.

    Kremer's cover is a delight too, there's such direction/temptation these days to over render or add drop shadows and highlights to comic book covers, that this style of pure color with the most minimal rendering would really stand out nicely amongst any issues currently on the racks.

    Keep up the wonderful posts: wishing everyone a happy and safe Memorial Day Weekend! - Dan

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  2. Dan: I so agree about the Kremer cover. I'd like to say he might have done the second story, but I don't think that's quit right, either.

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  3. As a kid I always wondered who drew the Harvey comics. Every issue looked the same to my young eyes. Every character in every Harvey comic (except Baby Huey) looked related. I remember thinking they all had to be drawn by one guy, and probably his name was Harvey.

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    1. Me too! It wasn't until later that I picked up on styles. Of course, with Harvey, that similar look was intentional with all artists mimicking the house style established by Warren Kremer. With great cartoonists like the the Harvey bullpen, though, styles emerge.

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  4. I do see the small differences now. The biggest style differences seem to pop out on the non-regular characters, like the Yeti.

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    1. Yeah, plus Ernie Colon's adult men always seemed to have small heads.

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  5. Two stories I had never read before...both winners!

    The Artic story manages to cram a lot of adventure into 5 pages, without feeling forced or rushed. The tone is similar to Mickey Mouse's adventures. One touch I liked is the subtle continuity from panel to panel. On the bottom of page 1, they board the plane. On the top of page 2, the plane has already brought them to their destination--but the plane is in full view to ensure that there isn't too much of a storytelling gap between one panel and the next. I also like the judicious placement of Richie's skis in one panel, so that when he has them on in the next panel, there is a sense of continuity.

    I'm not sure I care for the technique of cramming all the back story into a few thought balloons and word ballons, as is done in the story about the larcenous "kid", but it certainly manages to get in the information without losing any of the story's pace. The cop's comment in the final panel is somewhat humorous, as he is obviously cramming in some more of the exposition. I would prefer that part of the story being told in flashback, but as I said, it's a way to maintain the flow.

    These are nicely-drawn and reasonably well-written. Thanks for sharing!

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  6. Scarecrow: Love your analysis of these two stories.

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  7. I had never read either of those, thanks so much for posting! I'm surprised Gloria didn't give Richie more guff for doing whaling the expensive, extravagant way. I love when she tells him off! Great post!

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  8. Richiefan: I know! Gloria was awfully patient with Richie's enthusiasm. That's why they were such perfect friends.

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  9. It seems that the second Richie Rich story (A Little Larcenous), brings the Warren Kremer's design on it.

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