The two volumes of World's Fair Comics weren't the only funny books being peddled from 1939-40. There was another comic being sold during that time as well. That's My Pop! Goes Nuts for Fair was an early precursor to the modern graphic novel. However, with a 25 cent price tag, unusual New Yawker-style syntax and phrases, and an unfamiliar lead character, the book was a minuscule seller and long forgotten by collectors and historians- until now!
Previous to this collection's 2015 publishing, the great comic book historian Craig Yoe had crafted a retrospect on That's My Pop! creator, Milt Gross. During his research, Yoe learned of the World's Fair book. But apparently, he couldn't find any evidence of the book. Once The Complete Milt Gross Comic Books and Life Story debuted, Yoe's search finally bore fruit. A rare comics collector sought of Craig Yoe and presented him a very delicate copy of the missing book Finally, this lost treasure was allowed to return to print and countless new generations of comic book fans.
Comic book legend Jim Steranko pens the forward. A product of the same New York as Milt Gross, Steranko reveals how the cartoonist inspired him as well as capture the Nick Fury, Agent of SHIELD innovator's childhood neighborhood. Yoe continues with an introduction into the history of Milt Gross' That's My Pop! comic strip. He also explains about the history of this book's 1939 production and subsequent failure to find an audience.
When I read from both Steranko and Yoe that this book was full of zany dialect, I was a little apprehensive to read this book further. But my wife knew that I am a fan of Jewish humor, Yoe Books and comics history in general. This was a gift! So I pressed on.
The meat of this volume was actually very good. It's full of clever gags about a man named Pop, who will do anything to save a buck as equally will he attempt to earn a dollar! Some of Pop's schemes are as elaborate as the plans of a Rube Goldberg machine. More often than not, Pop's cons are discovered by the local authorities. Sometimes, the proud papa succeeds! Always off to the corner is Pop's tow-haired son, in awe of his old man's genius.
Milt Gross' comic book is something that could not be published today. His 'tar-baby' renderings of African Americans are just one example of stereotypes portrayed in this book. I highly doubt that the Jewish Milt Gross was racist. His humor just reflects the time period, warts and all.
I am actually glad that Craig You doesn't edit these books. He is a historian and he believes that to revise these works would actually cloud an observers view of the true nature of time period. Being a history major, I agree with this theory.
To erase all presence of past wrongs doesn't make the world better. If anything, it prevents us from trying to do better than our parents and grandparents. They say that failure to learn from the mistakes of history causes us to repeat it. If we can't remember the mistakes of the past, we'll never have an example in which to learn from.
To all publishers out- learn from Craig Yoe! Don't be like DC Comics and cancel a collection of classic comics that depict false characterizations of minorities. Print them as ugly as they are! Then use your introduction, foreword and even afterwords to reinforce that those ideals aren't who you are anymore.
IDW Publishing- I applaud you for supporting Yoe Books in the creation of these time capsules. They are an informative and educational as they are entertaining!
Worth Consuming!
Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.
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