If you grew up in the bay area during the 1960s or 70s, then does this edition of Family Comic Friday have a treat for you. Pat McCormick's Charley and Humphrey are back in a new series of comic books from 10 Ton Press.
Now I'm not from San Francisco. In fact, the furthest West I've ever gotten is Albuquerque. But I remember seeing some of the exploits of Charley (the Horse) and Humphrey (the Dog) a couple of years back in a documentary about local TV kids shows. Last month, when I saw the notice for this new series, I placed an order through my favorite LCS because I remembered how funny these two puppet pets were.
After a couple of weeks of waiting, my copy finally turned up. COVID is still causing shipping delays from Diamond Distributing. But I must say, this premier issue was worth the wait.
Issue #1 has Charley very nervous about having to make a speech that will christen a new ship at the docks where the horse works. Roommate Humphrey is a little peeved at not being invited to the big event. That's mostly because where Humphrey treads, trouble follows. And follows it does when a batch of nasty fleas decide that horse meat is a tastier treat than dog.
Expect a lot of laughs and a bunch of mayhem when Humphrey takes the Bay area's slowest means of mass transit to stop the fleas from ruining Charley's big day at the docks!
I really enjoyed this comic. The writing was very well balanced between big slapsticky jokes and dry witticisms between the bus driver and Humphrey. Be sure to explore the backgrounds of each pages as there are some great Easter egg gags hiding.
I liked the artwork too. It mostly captures the look and style of Pat McCormick's puppets very well. Though the way artist John Hageman positions each character's mouth when they are speaking in some odd off-kilter way did irk me somewhat. Overall, I liked the style which looked like an animated sibling of Spongbob Squarepants and Ren & Stimpy.
Even though I compare the artwork in this book to one of the most controversial kids cartoons of all-time, this issue was wholesome fun. Writer Justin Sane made sure to make the good clean fun very clever. Nothing is dumbed down here; meaning that kids and adults will find something in this book to enjoy.
This is the first all-ages work from 10 Ton Press. The Indy publisher is mostly known for it's line of rock and roll biographical one-shots which are not for kids. But you'd never know it hear. The publisher has plans for at least 10 issues to be released bi-monthly. Meaning issues #2 should be hitting stores in March.
If you grew up to Charley & Humphrey and your grandkids or kids love to read- get them this book! Preorder it! In the meantime while you wait, fire up Youtube where there are dozens of skits starring Charley, Humphrey and friends to watch. Each are less than 2 minutes long. Each are guaranteed to make you laugh!
Worth Consuming!
Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.
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