The Golden Age thread is chockablock with poor art, bizarre anatomy, unintentionally (?) suggestive elements, general nuttiness. WTF, right?
Then there are the other ones. Every so often I run across a cover that seems like it should "make sense" but I can't quite work out what the artist was trying to convey. It probably comes down to one of three things:
cultural references no longer commonly understood
poorly realized situation/gag
99 out of 100 people understand it just fine (I am the 1%!)
I'll post 'em, you guys help me out. Deal?
Posted by Power Boy on :
<spits in hand. extends to shake with LYL>
Posted by Dev - Em on :
Can we just exclude all Liefeld covers right off the bat and accept that they are in a class all their own?
Posted by Power Boy on :
what category would that be.
I can only think of really bad things to say.
Posted by Dev - Em on :
Better left unsaid methinks. Posted by Leap Year Lord on :
The Wikipedia disambiguation page for Eight-ball says that it's "U.S. military jargon for a soldier often in trouble"
OK, that's sort of making sense. But how does the guard house play into it? I've heard of standing guard as punishment, but that sounds pretty plush when compared to a frozen trench on the Russian front*. (The comic is dated January 1946 which probably means it was written months earlier, possibly even when the war was on.)
*thank you, Colonel Klink
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
The only thing I can think of is she is a mother who doesnt want her son going off to war and is pretending he's crazy?
8 ball = "Section 8", which is when the army dismisses you for cracking up.
"he's in the guard house" = meaning, that's where they'd lock up a crazy person? I'm unsure of that one. "We locked him in the guard house" *sounds* like it could be a recurring phrase in the 40's, but I cant pinpoint where I've heard it.
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Now I cant tell if the man is a soldier or some milkman / trash collector mash-up.
Posted by Leap Year Lord on :
There we go. I'd only been thinking of a guard house as a guard BOOTH (at an entrance of a camp) but guardhouse can mean JAIL in the military.
Posted by Dev - Em on :
Where's the guys other leg? In the can?
Posted by Leap Year Lord on :
Any bakers in the house?
What the F is in her left hand, and what the F is she doing with her right hand?
That could be a special kind of cake pan, I guess. I'm no expert in the field.
As for the right hand, that sort of looks like testing a cake for 'doneness' with a toothpick, but it doesn't work. First, if that is NOT the pan but the actual cake, well, shiny blue/black cake? That could be explained by poor touch-up work to the photo. BUT...who turns a cake out of a pan and THEN tests it?
Posted by MLLASH on :
It's burnt to a crisp and bent the toothpick. Anyway, that's what I "see" when I look at it.
Posted by Angdar Fel on :
Not a good dating tip from Van Johnson.
Posted by Leap Year Lord on :
NO ONE holds a cake like that to test it, but I'll ignore that because the scene is exaggerated for the camera.
Also, if your cake is burned SO BAD that it is blue/black, there's no way you'd test it. You'd know it by the smell. Again, exaggeration for the camera -- fine.
It's a photo so I expect "reality" (as opposed to something in a drawing that doesn't work) but of course they didn't burn a cake just to take this picture. So what IS that prop in the model's hand?
Posted by Eryk Davis Ester on :
Jeepers! She's just a young, inexperienced teenager! She clearly has no idea what she's doing.
Hence her taking dating advice from clearly gay actors!
Posted by Timber Wolf on :
It's clearly a indication that it's okay to put something crooked into baked goods.
Posted by Kinetix (Zoe Saugin) on :
And why is she holding the cake with a towel? if she knew the cake was tough enough to be held by a towel, why waste a perfectly good toothpick testing it?
Posted by MLLASH on :
Teens never think about wasting things!
Posted by Angdar Fel on :
What teens do you know?
Posted by MLLASH on :
I feel a little sorry for the model on the cover. I am sure she thought it would be her big break. Instead, she likely died a penniless, cat-hoarding spinster, her one claim to "fame" dissected 60 years later by nerds on a message board. Heartbreaking, really. *dabs tear*
Posted by Dev - Em on :
Poor Matilda.
Posted by MLLASH on :
She waltzes... and bakes... no more.
Posted by Invisible Brainiac on :
But she shall live on... in the annals of Legion World history.
Posted by Set on :
quote:Originally posted by Leap Year Lord: [QB]
My first thought is that it was a horribly bad translation, and the original word was 'garderobe,' which can mean 'bathroom.'
But then a visit to Wikipedia reminded me that normal people haven't called bathrooms 'garderobes' since they stopped living in castles, and I need to come back to earth now.
Posted by Set on :
Clearly Miss Teen America isn't testing a cake for 'done-ness,' but is actually 200 ft. tall and probing a blue-black alien saucer-craft to torment the aliens inside!
Posted by Leap Year Lord on :
Gag: "Oh no, the cake came out wrong!". Check.
Still undetermined: the prop is that is standing in for the "cake". Cake pan or jello/aspic/pate mold seems likely, I've never seen one that color. Metal ones are copper or dull silver, and plastic ones are bright.
I've also wondered if it could be fake jello (like wax fruit). You know, like all the photographers had lying around back in the day. But again, it's too dark. Jello would be red or green, or something bright.
Posted by Leap Year Lord on :
"The Sarge"'s "Yeah, you and who else?" sounds like a typical response to an unlikely claim, like a small guy threatening to kick a big guy's ass. But "The Private" is leaning away from the Sarge and even has one of his hands up so the body language doesn't read right for that.
I can't explain "The General" AT ALL. Not why he is on the ground, or what is supposed to happen next. The closest gag I can figure is Sarge chewing out Private when Sarge is inadvertently about to hit the General but neither the dialogue nor the blocking bear that out.
Does the Private's left hand mean anything, or does the artist just draw hands weird? (Look at the General's. Ouch!)
When I was a kid, the comeback was "Yeah? You and what ARMY?" I don't know if that has anything to do with it.
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Looks like the General is on the joke with the private. He's setting up the Sargent so when the Sarge is pushed by the Private, his legs will buckle against the General and he'll instantly fall to his butt. This was a recurring 'gag' throughout 30's - 50's cinema, comic strips, etc.
I guess the irony is that the Sarge can kick around the Private, but he too answers to someone who can kick him around, the General.
Posted by Exnihilo on :
quote:Originally posted by Cobalt Kid: This was a recurring 'gag' throughout 30's - 50's cinema, comic strips, etc.
...and in real life, at least when I was growing up.
The classics never die, as evidenced by what the kid shouts at the end.
quote:Originally posted by Leap Year Lord: "The Sarge"'s "Yeah, you and who else?" sounds like a typical response to an unlikely claim, like a small guy threatening to kick a big guy's ass. But "The Private" is leaning away from the Sarge and even has one of his hands up so the body language doesn't read right for that.
I think the Private's body language is part of the set up. He's ostensibly backing down to lull the Sergeant into a false sense of security until the General gets into position and then... push!
Posted by Exnihilo on :
Oh... and actually now that I look closer, I don't think that rank is supposed to be a General, but rather a Major... who would generally be a Company Commander and therefore, likely the Sergeant's "boss", supporting Cobie's idea about the hierarchy of pushing someone around.
[ November 16, 2012, 08:45 AM: Message edited by: Exnihilo ]
Posted by MLLASH on :
It's amusing to me because the standard phrase as I know it best is, "You and WHAT ARMY?" and these guys are Military.
Posted by Leap Year Lord on :
I have no recall of the push-over thing, either from real life or movies. I can easily image it as a "Little Rascals" thing though.
What's not clear is why the top brass (actual rank unimportant -- main idea is that he IS ranking) would be in on it.
Posted by Set on :
quote:Originally posted by Exnihilo: Looks like kids are still at it, too:
The classics never die, as evidenced by what the kid shouts at the end.
Armies? So last century. Today, it should be, 'Oh yeah, you and what unmanned predator drone?'
And, at some point in the future, 'Oh yeah, you and what artificially-intelligent fourth-dimensional bioweapon?'
Posted by Exnihilo on :
quote:Originally posted by Leap Year Lord: What's not clear is why the top brass (actual rank unimportant -- main idea is that he IS ranking) would be in on it.
The rank isn't super-important, but it does give the joke a little more punch if he were a Major, because then the reason that he's in on it is a little more clear.
This might be a little boring but, by way of explanation... basically, you wouldn't expect that the average low ranking sergeant would have much day-to-day interaction with a general... generals don't tend to hang around with enlisted men.
But if he were a Major - implied by the gold leaves on his epaulettes - then it's likely that he's the head of the "Company" - a smaller army unit - that the sergeant is in, and is basically the Sergeant's "boss".
So... just as the Sergeant bullies the Private (who he's in charge of), his rightful comeuppance (for being a bullying jerk) would come at the hands of his own boss, the Major. If the Private were to simply push the Sergeant without the Major's involvement, he'd be punished, but the "You and Who Else?" makes all the difference, because now the Sergeant has no recourse.
Posted by Leap Year Lord on :
There's definitely a "there's the boss and there's the BIG BOSS" element that is not specific to the military, but the uniforms make it clear who's who in the scenario.
Sarge is probably supposed to be a loudmouth jerk, but "yeah, you and who else" HAS to be in response to a fresh remark.
I think the whole thing is visual gag that doesn't really flow with the "you and who else" conversational gambit.
Like with the Miss America cover (and lots of covers, really) you allow for certain exaggeration/simplification/whatnot to make the gag work -- or not. Even so, I can't help wondering if a senior officer would really dress down (in any manner) a lower-ranking officer in front of a GI. I can't claim any real knowledge of military culture, but it just doesn't seem right.
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
What's interesting is that in say, 1946, probably just about every kid buying comics knew the structure / ranks of the military.
I can tell you most kids today do not know that--not even close.
Posted by Exnihilo on :
quote:Originally posted by Leap Year Lord: Like with the Miss America cover (and lots of covers, really) you allow for certain exaggeration/simplification/whatnot to make the gag work -- or not. Even so, I can't help wondering if a senior officer would really dress down (in any manner) a lower-ranking officer in front of a GI. I can't claim any real knowledge of military culture, but it just doesn't seem right.
No, you're absolutely right... that sort of "dressing down" in front of someone's subordinates would very rarely happen (and be deemed really inappropriate if it did) but... yeah... suspension of disbelief, and all that.
Trust me... if military accuracy was a prerequisite to comic strips, "Beetle Bailey" would have been cancelled on day one.
Posted by Eryk Davis Ester on :
quote:Originally posted by Cobalt Kid: What's interesting is that in say, 1946, probably just about every kid buying comics knew the structure / ranks of the military.
I can tell you most kids today do not know that--not even close.
80s kids learned it via G. I. Joe.
Posted by Leap Year Lord on :
Is there a joke here?
Posted by MLLASH on :
Not that I can see???
Posted by MLLASH on :
I mean, really. I've checked this a few times and I don't see the joke.
I assume there's some sort of Irish thing at play here, based solely on costuming, and the idea of the ass not wanting to walk is well-known, but I see NO connection and nothing to make it an obvious "TEE-HEE" cover.
Unless there's something amusing about Irishmen and donkeys I am missing--?? *looks to Cobie*
Posted by Leap Year Lord on :
Middle man definitely wants to get to the parade or procession or whatever.
Does redhead want to stay or go? At first I thought he was sitting, which = stay, but I think the tails of his jacket look like a stool or something.
Is it that his foot is braced against the animal's leg as a way to pull it along...but is really preventing the animal from moving?
Posted by Eryk Davis Ester on :
I think they all just want to join in the St. Patrick's Day Parade, and the donkey just isn't cooperating. I think that's all there is to it.
Posted by Leap Year Lord on :
Nah, I think it's that he's pulling the head with the rope but his foot is pushing and blocks the animal from moving. It's not that noticeable because redhead's shoe blends into middle man's shoe.
Posted by Eryk Davis Ester on :
I think it's just a trick of (bad) perspective. He's leaning back with his left foot pointing in the air, trying to get the donkey to move. I think the heel is supposed to be touching the ground on the far side of the donkey's right (background) leg.
I would expect the next move to be for the donkey to stop resisting and for him to fall flat on his posterior.
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Yeah...I'm at a loss on this one. I think Eryk might be right on the pretty bare extent of the joke.
Posted by Leap Year Lord on :
Again, is there a joke here?
Going by the pitcher's stance I think the ball is still mid-pitch, and MAYBE the gag is that it's called a strike before the batter can reasonably swing. "Funny"!
What are the signals the ump is making? Is STRIKE ONE cover text? If it is dialogue, who is saying it?
Posted by lancesrealm on :
It looks to me like the batter is disagreeing with the call, and the umpire is making a fist, getting ready to deck the batter. If that is the case, I think it is kinda strange that the umpire is making the fist with his left hand, unless he is a lefty.
Posted by Eryk Davis Ester on :
If the gag is that it's being called mid-pitch (which isn't a bad gag), then you'd think they would've shown the ball mid-flight. As well as making more obvious that "Strike One" is the umpire's dialogue.
Posted by Reboot on :
Since the umpire's right arm is in an impossible position (try it - you can't put your arm at that angle behind you with your thumb down), it's probably just bad, rushed, art.
It occurred to me that the pitcher may have called "strike one" to distract the batter, and the batter may be objecting to this (possibly even, in a never-in-real-life moment, mistaking it for the umpire calling it). Or it may just be the logo being in the way of the call being in the more logical place.
Posted by Eryk Davis Ester on :
Ooh, I like the pitcher-calling-it theory...
Posted by Leap Year Lord on :
...a brief break in the WTFery....
You went and read Punch 16 didn't you? Cover to cover. And you wondered who bought the tie.
v This guy. Posted by the Hermit on :
Splash Waters?? Really?!?
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
I like how the cop is just enjoying seeing a guy get reamed out by a hot woman in a fancy dress. Preparing to sweep in?
And that's mighty formal dress wear for the middle of the day.
Posted by Eryk Davis Ester on :
So, apparently IW specialized in basically illegally reprinting other companies comics!
So, now I'm wondering if "Splash Waters" was originally published by someone else. Posted by Jerry on :
Yeah, but will you kiss me in the dark, Baby?
Posted by Exnihilo on :
quote:Originally posted by Eryk Davis Ester: So, now I'm wondering if "Splash Waters" was originally published by someone else.
Century Publications (a Canadian company) - 1946:
Posted by Leap Year Lord on :
Century was part of Superior Publishers Limited: "A Canadian publisher who mostly reprinted American comics from the same time period. Also published a number of original series that were distributed in the United States."
Haven't found info about a comic titled Splash Waters or other mention of a story (in an anthology book) with him as a character, although we know it exists. No sign of his identical cousin Pound Sand either.
Baseball cover still mysterious too.
Posted by Leap Year Lord on :
GCD page for Full of Fun. It's clear FoF reprints the story Exy posted. GCD notes: "Most likely Bernard Baily Studio material from the mid-40s."
Posted by Leap Year Lord on :
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
![[Hmmm?]](graemlins/hmmm.gif)
