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#272
Walter Lantz New Funnies, #271

Published: September 1959

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Issue Contents:
The Strange Case of the Black-and-White Bandleader!
Storyline

A black-and-white image of the real-life Walter Lantz (the creator of these characters), draws a concert scene played by Woody Woodpecker, Andy Panda, and Oswald the Rabbit, who are drawn in full-color.

Credits
Story Notes

Though Woody, Andy, and Oswald appear in full color, their "boss, artist, and bandleader", Walter Lantz, is pictured in black and white. Lantz's pose could could also be taken for his leading the band, as well as drawing it. The unusual presence of Lantz on the cover practically overshadows the gag of Woody's long beak being used to hold his sheet music which, under any other circumstance, would be the main gag. Lantz also interacts with his characters on the cover of #270 (the previous issue), where he also appears in black and white. Conversely, other covers around this time have a small color head-shot of Lantz seen on the picture tube of a cartoon TV set. Nearly all television sets were of the black and white variety in 1959, despite Lantz being pictured in color.

The Little Bank Robbers

Story Featuring Woody Woodpecker

"Bills! Bills! Bills! Nothing but bills!"

Storyline

The kids find a bag of stolen money and Woody thinks that they've robbed a bank.

Credits
Story Notes

A beat-for-beat remake of (or predecessor to – depending on how the dates actually fell) the 1959 Augie Doggie television cartoon “Million-Dollar Robbery”, also written by Michael Maltese. The original printing of the comic story was likely released in July 1959 (in order to have a cover date of September 1959) and the cartoon is listed as having first aired on December 1, 1959. Maltese has ported-over his cartoon plots to Western’s Dell and Gold Key comics a number of times, but never did the two versions both first appear inside of six months.

Charlie's Peachy Job

"Charlie Chicken! What are you doing in a taxi?"

Storyline

Charlie gets a job cleaning the Peachy Petroleum Building. He starts at the bottom, but intends to reach the top one way or another.

Credits
The Best Stings in Life Are Free!

"Pappy! Pappy! The circus is in town!"

Storyline

Rather than take Breezy to the circus – or the ball game, or the movies, or anything else that costs money – Papa Windy takes him deep into the woods for a day, to show him how much fun they can have for free. Turns out, not a whole lot!

Credits
Story Notes

This story also plays-out like a Maltese Augie Doggie cartoon, though not a specific one as with Sequence 2.

Oswald the Avenger

Story Featuring Oswald the Rabbit

"Look out, Poppa Oswald! Ow! Watch where you're going!"

Storyline

A big bruiser takes advantage of Oswald, prompting the rabbit to take judo lessons. After one lesson, Oswald calls out the bruiser for a rematch, and the rabbit lucks-out with a victory employing his one judo hold. Flushed with power, he declares himself “Oswald the Avenger” and sets out to right wrongs. He should have gone back for more judo lessons instead.

Credits
Amateur Nite

Story Featuring Andy Panda

Storyline

At "Amateur Nite", Andy has a very amateurish night of juggling.

Credits
Story Notes

Pantomime. Top half of page. Three panels of story, plus the "Dell Pledge to Parents"

The One Dose Cure

Story Featuring Woody Woodpecker

""Gee, Splinter," Knothead sighed one day."

Storyline

When Knothead and Splinter plan to fake illness to get out of going to school, Woody gets wise and makes them wish they hadn’t.

Credits
Hey Kids! ...No Matter How Old You Are!

"...No matter what type of bike you want... Schwinn has one for you!"

Story Notes

Illustrated ad for Schwinn bicycles. Schwinn "Debutante" model girls' bike is depicted. A "Free full size... big... new 36-page comic book" (titled "Schwinn Bike Thrills") is offered by mail. Arnold, Schwinn, & Co., Chicago 39, Ill. Color ad on back cover.

Want a Lucky Rabbit's Foot?

"Get one free plus 3 extra issues… by subscribing now to your favorite Dell Comic title."

Credits
Story Notes

Subscription ad for Dell Comics, offering a “genuine Lucky Rabbit’s Foot” as an additional premium. Color ad on inside back cover.

Kraft Candies. Good, Like All Kraft Foods

"Kraft Fudgies are double-header winners, creamy smooth, rich tasting, wonderful!"

Story Notes

Ad for Kraft Fudgies chocolate candy. Color ad on inside front cover.

"Playing is a lot more fun with the F-500 Fury 500-shot cap machine gun"

Story Notes

Ad for the F-500 Fury 500-shot cap machine gun, with a contest offering a California trip as a prize. Lower half of page.