Number 1778: The cowardly white hunter

I don’t know how many love comics John Buscema did in his long, productive career, but I believe this is the first one I’ve seen. It is from Confessions of the Lovelorn #109 (1959). The title didn’t have much longer to go — another five issues, until #114. It was written by editor/writer Richard E. Hughes and has his trademarks: cowardly hero, beautiful girl, hunky rival, in a fairly exotic setting. In this case, Africa.

I have the same dilemma I always have when reviewing these stories featuring “natives” because the Civil Rights movement was in motion at the time. It was still a few years away from its flashpoints of the sixties, but when I see stories like this I believe the natives were written in just as local color (excuse the expression). I don’t know if anyone, Hughes, Buscema, or the folks at the Comics Code, really thought a lot about it.

Another area in which public opinion has changed is in wanton killing of endangered species, but despite a splash panel with some really nice animal drawings, there are no animals shown, beyond background. All the uncomfortable elements in the story are just props for what is a fairly standard, albeit well-drawn, love comic story.

Posted in: Pappy Comics