Issue Contents:
Characters
- Jim Albright
- Captain Midnight
- Phantasmo [inset]
Credits
- Pencils: Dan Gormley
- Inks: Dan Gormley
- Colors: Gilles Laplagne
Choose Your Prize
"After defeating Ivan Shark's attempt..."
Characters
- Jim Albright
- Captain Midnight
- Chuck Ramsay
- Ivan Shark
- Fury Shark
Credits
- Colors: Gilles Laplagne
"Boy! That's one of the best steaks I've ever eaten!"
Credits
- Pencils: E. C. Stoner
- Inks: E. C. Stoner
- Colors: Gilles Laplagne
Chapter XII
"Hurled upward by thundering rocket blasts, the space ship shot through the helium-oxygen atmosphere of the planet Thostia."
Characters
- Mac Harmon
- Frank Blade
Credits
- Colors: Gilles Laplagne
A NEW Life Begins for Andy Panda (1)
"Well, what do you know about that?"
Storyline
As a talking animal, Andy Panda is lonely in his jungle home until he is discovered by naturalist Marion and her kid brother Tommy. Befriending the panda, the pair plan to take him back to the United States as a companion, but not before an encounter with two ruthless wild animal hunters who have heard legends about talking pandas - and hope to make a fortune by trapping one.
Characters
- Andy Panda
- Tommy
- Marion (referred to as "Sis" in this story)
- two ruthless wild animal hunters
- tiger
- movie director (cameo in opening splash panel only)
Credits
- Script: Gaylord Du Bois
- Pencils: Borja Pindado
- Inks: Borja Pindado
- Colors: Gilles Laplagne
- Letters: Borja Pindado
Story Notes
This is the first appearance of Andy Panda, as well as the first appearance of a Walter Lantz character in The Funnies (Dell, 1936 series). Two prior of issues of Crackajack Funnies (Western, 1938 Series) #39-40 offered Andy Panda appearances of 3 and 2 pages respectively and were the first appearances of a Walter Lantz character in comic books. After three more issues, "The Funnies" will be rechristened "New Funnies" and later becomes "Walter Lantz New Funnies" (as Lantz characters slowly take over the series), with Andy Panda as its lead feature. This story kicks off a series of tales where Andy Panda exists as a "talking animal" in a civilized world of realistically rendered humans. Later, Andy will shift to a more cartoon-like setting, eventually taking-on Charlie Chicken (whom Andy hatches from an egg in New Funnies #79) as a sidekick for the rest of his comic-book run. The unofficial title, "A NEW Life Begins for Andy Panda" is derived from the title of the first Andy Panda animated theatrical short "Life Begins for Andy Panda", which tells the story of the panda's birth. The "NEW Life" title tribute heralds Andy Panda's decades-long "life" in comic books. Per this story, Andy Panda is said to have originally lived in Tibet (page 2, panel 4), where the tale takes place.
"Far below the surface a diver works feverishly on the hatch of a sunken submarine."
Characters
- Lt. Robert Steele USN
- Captain Frank Vernon USN
- "Red" Malone Seaman First Class
- LT "Bill" Sheridan USN
- Tommy Andrews Gunner's Mate First Class
Credits
- Colors: Gilles Laplagne
Story Notes
The main characters (above) are all introduced in the opening splash panel with portraits and accompanying captions. Last appearance, although story is labeled as continued.
"A fly can walk upside down because there is a little hollow pad on each foot which causes a suction when pressed on a surface."
Storyline
Facts about flies, ostriches, poisonous snakes; flowers and cicadas.
Credits
- Colors: Gilles Laplagne
Story Notes
Feature occupies approximately 50% of the page, with the rest dedicated to various small advertisements.
It's Free This Exciting New Book
Stamps
"Champion of the people, defender of truth, guardian of our fundamental rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."
Characters
- Mr. District Attorney
Credits
- Pencils: Maurice Kashuba
- Inks: Maurice Kashuba
- Colors: Gilles Laplagne
"Master, look! Green vegetation looms in the distance."
Credits
- Pencils: Erwin Hess
- Inks: Erwin Hess
- Colors: Gilles Laplagne
"After many exciting adventures while convoying a British ship across the Atlantic to England, Rex and his friends, aboard the two super-subs, are now on the return trip to the U.S.A."
Characters
- Rex, King of the Deep
- Nan
- Butch
- Tim
- Captain Wolfe (German U-boat commander)
- German U-boat crew
Credits
- Pencils: Tom Hickey
- Inks: Tom Hickey
- Colors: Gilles Laplagne
Philo Vance and the Crossword Puzzle Mystery
"In an English Channel port..."
Characters
- Speed Martin
- Judy Jackson
Credits
- Script: Julia Solis
- Colors: Gilles Laplagne
Story Notes
Last appearance, although story is labeled as continued.
Can You Draw a Villain?
Featuring November Funnies Contest
Story Notes
Inside back cover.