… t h g i r y a d “Start the
AL CAPP
AL CAPP (1909–1979) was born Alfred Gerald Caplin in New Haven, Connecticut. In 1932, he became the youngest syndicated cartoonist in America, drawing Mister Gilfeather, a daily panel for the Associated Press. The following year found him ghosting the popular boxing strip Joe Palooka for Ham Fisher, in which he created a memorable sequence about a hillbilly named Big Leviticus. In 1934, Capp headed for the hills, leaving Fisher behind, to launch a strip of his own—Li’l Abner.
n the h volume—Ab frantic Sadie a is th te Introducing a e in r c o l ls a A e Pig G ustrations! and tours th wk Gal, and n a o H s r l, a a C the world’s fr G n lf u o eW ree-G oodnik, whil search of Th all the way ls in e t v s a e tr w t y u m o Battlin’ McN Mam goes t’s nothing— Then Abner a . y th a t D u s B . in hs! k to Haw l Passiona on and laug E ti f c o a c ld li r b o u p w e er f this sights in th en! It’s out o v e S r e b m u cus N to Planet Pin
LI’L ABNER
” ! t h g i f a d i o v a d n a y elieve m g i K in order to r d e k a ic k e k b …kic ilarious Kigmy, the critter that loevretas tokes on Evil-Eye Fleagle and
In addition to the enormous popularity of his comic strip, Capp was arguably the most famous cartoonist of his generation. He was a frequent and outspoken guest on NBC’s Tonight show, spanning hosts Jack Paar, Steve Allen, and Johnny Carson. He was also a guest, panelist, and sometimes host on late ’40s and early ’50s television programs and even briefly had his own show. The prolific satirist also wrote a syndicated newspaper column, had his own syndicated radio show, and was a frequent guest lecturer at campuses nationwide, a sideline that created a firestorm late in his career. Capp retired Li’l Abner in 1977 after a 43-year run, and died two years later.
MORE THAN 700 SEQUENTIAL COMICS FROM
1949—1950
idwpublishing.com $49.99 libraryofamericancomics.com
VOLUME 8
1949-1950
I
t’s amoozin’, but not confoozin’—it’s the complete Li’l Abner! This important series continues the first-ever comprehensive reprinting of the comic strip—including both dailies and meticulously restored full-color Sundays. Al Capp’s comedy masterpiece introduced many outrageous concepts, among them Sadie Hawkins Day, the Shmoo, the Double-Whammy, Lower Slobovia, Lena the Hyena, the Bald Iggle, and General Bullmoose—and the inventions continue in this volume when the world meets the loveable and eminently kickable Kigmies. Li’l Abner became “must” reading, a sensation not just in America, but throughout the world, with a total readership exceeding 60,000,000, among them celebrity admirers such as Charlie Chaplin, John Steinbeck, Harpo Marx, John Updike, John Kenneth Galbraith, and even Queen Elizabeth. The comic strip spawned a long-running Broadway musical, as well as two films. The Eisner and Harvey Award-winning team of Dean Mullaney and Bruce Canwell place the strip—and Capp himself—in perspective, providing context to the barbed satire, outlandish fantasy, and beautiful mountain gals of Li’l Abner. Dogpatch has plenty of pork chops, turnips, and Kickapoo Joy Juice for all, so it’s time to head for the hills and enjoy this latest entry in the complete Li’l Abner!
THE LIBRARY OF AMERICAN COMICS libraryofamericancomics.com
CO-EDITOR AND DESIGNER
Dean Mullaney CO-EDITOR
Bruce Canwell ART DIRECTOR
Lorraine Turner CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Denis Kitchen PRODUCTION ASSISTANCE
Janice Eggie DIRECTOR OF MARKETING
Beau Smith PUBLISHED BY
Ted Adams Thanks to Hakes Americana and Collectibles, Mike Fontanelli, the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum at Ohio State University, Justin Eisinger, and Alonzo Simon. Special thanks to Denis Kitchen for loaning his collection of Li’l Abner Sunday pages and to the Capp family for providing original syndicate proofs.
Capp Enterprises, Inc. is represented by Kitchen, Lind & Associates. Direct inquiries to denis@kitchenandlind.com.
Published by: IDW Publishing a Division of Idea and Design Works, LLC 2765 Truxtun Road • San Diego, CA 92106 www.idwpublishing.com Ted Adams, Chief Executive Officer/Publisher Greg Goldstein, Chief Operating Officer/President Robbie Robbins, EVP/Sr. Graphic Artist Chris Ryall, Chief Creative Officer/Editor-in-Chief Matthew Ruzicka, CPA, Chief Financial Officer Dirk Wood, VP of Marketing Lorelei Bunjes, VP of Digital Services Jeff Webber, VP of Licensing, Digital and Subsidiary Rights Jerry Bennington, VP of New Product Development
ISBN: 978-1-63140-594-5 First Printing, April 2016
Distributed by Diamond Book Distributors 1-410-560-7100
Li’l Abner © 2016 Capp Enterprises, Inc. Li’l Abner, Daisy Mae, Mammy Yokum, Pappy Yokum, Kickapoo Joy Juice, Sadie Hawkins Day, Fearless Fosdick, Shmoo, and Joe Btfsplk’s Diner ® Capp Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. The IDW logo is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. All rights reserved. The Library of American Comics is a trademark of The Library of American Comics, LLC. All rights reserved. “Hillbilly Heaven” © 2016 Bruce Canwell. With the exception of artwork used for review purposes, none of the comic strips in this publication may be reprinted without the permission of Capp Enterprises, Inc. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information and retrieval system, without permission in writing from Capp Enterprises, Inc. Printed in Korea. The strips reprinted in this volume were produced in a time when racial and social caricatures played a larger role in society and popular culture. They are reprinted without alteration for historical reference.
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