Monday, December 21, 2015

The Honeymooners #3


honeymooners3
Somewhere around 1986-1990, right before the rise of the Internet, fan clubs stopped publishing newsletters and got into the comic book industry. These books would feature original stories, articles with surviving cast and crew members, and ads for fan-made books and other merch. With an Art Carney interview and an ad for a Honeymooners book made by the founder of the Jackie Gleason fan club, this Christmas-themed issue was one such example. How else could you explain a 1987 comic book about a 1955 TV show? 

 The book, like the classic series, follows the Kramdens (Ralph & Alice) and the Nortons (Ed & Trixie), as they struggle to make ends meet in the Big Apple. Here, Alice has been dropping hints for a new dress for Christmas. A dress that costs $200! (Which in 1987's dollars would be about $827 according to saving.org!) 

   Not wanting to disappoint his beloved, Ralph seeks to get the dress by investing his Christmas bonus on a Christmas tree venture with an old friend. Alice sees this as another one of her husband's get rich quick schemes and a fight ensues. In disgust, the couple wishes that they had never met. Key the 'It's a Wonderful Life' homage...  But there's a twist- fate keeps bringing the two together and the comic's artist and writer can't figure out how! 

    This issue was interesting. I liked the story and it seem very original despite the oft-used holiday plot device. The art was quite good, but the printing was terrible. 

   The bottom third of the page looked like the images were double exposed. I think if this series wasn't a labor of love between a select few Honeymooners fans, they probably could've afforded to not allow a massive print error like this to be released. But I've never heard of Triad Publications and I'm sure for a tiny publisher like them, money was an object. 

   Originally, 24 issues of the Honeymooners was planned but only 12 were released. Sales must have been dismal. Oddly enough, I've only ever found this issue in bargain bins on multiple occasions. And believe me, the bargain bins abound with these type of comics and while they aren't of the best quality they aren't horrible reads.

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

 
  

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