When Fish Turn Bad!
Posted: 19 Mar 2007, 19:29
Recent postings about possible antecedents for Action's not-so-pathetic shark Hookjaw reminded me of one of Tiger's most popular characters from the early 1960s. In keeping with that comic's predominant sporting theme (a concept which predated DCT's Warlord by several years) Louis Bernard was the ultimate 'action fisherman' who made his debut on 17th Nov 1962 when he first encountered his fishy nemesis 'Scarback' - named after a distinctively misshapen fin.
As can be seen from the scans below, this strip was not only strongly reminiscent of Hookjaw but also of the film "Jaws" itself. I'll swear you can almost 'hear' the soundtrack going DUMDUM-DUMDUM-DUMDUM-DUMDUM-DUMDUM! in the background!!!
[IMG:581:800]http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q123 ... arback.jpg[/img]
[IMG:800:518]http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q123 ... rback2.jpg[/img]
Bernard's adventures continued to appear until October 1967 (after which they were frequently reprinted), with most of the artwork being supplied by the hugely underappreciated Sam Fair. Though the two-fisted fisherman confronted a whole range of seriously anti-social fish during his career (including a Killer Whale, and a bunch of Garfish who actually 'took over' a town!) his main quarry was always the wily Scarback who featured in three separate battles of will before he was finally captured.
- Phil Rushton
As can be seen from the scans below, this strip was not only strongly reminiscent of Hookjaw but also of the film "Jaws" itself. I'll swear you can almost 'hear' the soundtrack going DUMDUM-DUMDUM-DUMDUM-DUMDUM-DUMDUM! in the background!!!
[IMG:581:800]http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q123 ... arback.jpg[/img]
[IMG:800:518]http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q123 ... rback2.jpg[/img]
Bernard's adventures continued to appear until October 1967 (after which they were frequently reprinted), with most of the artwork being supplied by the hugely underappreciated Sam Fair. Though the two-fisted fisherman confronted a whole range of seriously anti-social fish during his career (including a Killer Whale, and a bunch of Garfish who actually 'took over' a town!) his main quarry was always the wily Scarback who featured in three separate battles of will before he was finally captured.
- Phil Rushton