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Issue: Sad Sack Comics #4
Publication Date: March 1950
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Disclose Detail
Issues: #4 of 290 Issues (297 Printings)
Title:
Variant: unnamed
Rating: [no rating]
Publisher: FlagHarvey
Brand: Harvey Comics HView Brand Images2
Indicia Publisher: Harvey Publications Inc.
On Sale Date: 01/01/1950
Volume: 1
Pages: 36
ISBN:
UPC/EAN: none
Price: $0.10 USD
Indicia Frequency:
Content Items: 40 (24 stories, 1 cover)
Editor(s): Leon Harvey
Disclose Notes: Golden Age; pre-Comics Code Authority
First indication that Kenneth Fred Selig (KFS) began work at Harvey Publications, Inc. His initials "KFS" are inked along with brief B&W sketch of characters Blondie and Dagwood promoting Blondie Comics in middle half of page 2 at left.
  Does this data need corrections? Become an editor.
Disclose Format
Publication Type: Comic Book
Color: color
Dimensions: standard Golden Age US; then standard Silver Age US; then standard Modern Age US
Paper Stock: newsprint
Binding: saddle-stitched
Publishing Format: was ongoing series
Format Notes:  
Disclose Reprinted In0
There is currently no data for this Issue being reprinted anywhere.
Disclose Reprinted From0
There is currently no data for this Issue being reprinted from anywhere.
Disclose Images1
Cover, Front
Original Artwork
Digital Edition
Adult Image
Title Page
Indicia on this Page
 
 
Assets0
 
spacer
Disclose Content Items (40 total)
Disclose Issue Images
Teacher First Grade

Illustration  on  Cover, Front
Credits
Letterer(s): typeset
Subject Matter
Genres: childrens, humorous
Character(s): Sad Sack; boy student
Synopsis: A first grade boy presents teacher Sad Sack an apple-sized bomb with lit fuse.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: [pantomime; no dialogue]
Assumed title taken from sign at front of teacher's classroom desk.
Disclose
Blondie Comics 16

Preview (from Publisher)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Penciller(s): KFS
Inker(s): KFS
Letterer(s): typeset
Subject Matter
Genres: drama, humorous
Character(s): Blondie; Dagwood; Daisy (the dog)
Synopsis: Preview of Blondie Comics Monthly by Chic Young featuring thumbnail cover of issue #16 (March 1950).
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 0.5
Disclose Notes: Pencil and ink characters Blondie and Dagwood at left promote issue #16 and are signed with initials © KFS (Kenneth Fred Selig), a 40+ year employee of Harvey Comics.
Disclose
Dick Tracy Comics 25

Preview (from Publisher)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Penciller(s): CT
Inker(s): CT
Letterer(s): typeset
Subject Matter
Genres: crime, mystery
Character(s): Dick Tracy; villain Flat Top; detective Pat
First Line: Flat Top is on the roof Pat! Be careful! He's armed!
Synopsis: Dick Tracy hollers out to his detective assistant to be careful.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 0.5
Disclose Notes: Publisher's preview of Dick Tracy Comics Monthly #25 (March 1950) with thumbnail of cover.
Pencil and ink thumbnail sketch of Dick Tracy with his speaker watch summoning, "Calling all Dick Tracy Fans!" by an illustrator with initials © CT.

Indicia for Sad Sack Comics (v1#4) (March 1950) printed at bottom of page 2 indicating Contents © 1950 by Harvey Features Syndicate and George Baker.
Disclose
Ace Dairy

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Genres: humorous
Feature(s): The Sad Sack
Character(s): Sad Sack; Sad Sack's wife
Synopsis: Tired from delivering milk all day, Sack is home relaxing when his wife--who's cooking dinner--yells at him to go get milk.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: [pantomime; no dialogue]
Sad Sack's apartment door is numbered 13A.
Assumed title inferred from Sad Sack's milk delivery truck.
Disclose
Harvey Comics are Good Comics

Promotional Material (from Publisher)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Colorist(s): ? (11 cover photo thumbnails)
Subject Matter
Genres: adventure, childrens, crime, drama, humorous, mystery, sports, superhero
Synopsis: Full page color promotional ad for the then current 11 series of comics published by Harvey.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: Assumed title taken from underscored first line in middle of page 4.

Subscription coupon could be clipped and mailed to:
Harvey Comics
1860 Broadway
New York, 23, N.Y.
Disclose
Stiff Back Liniment Co.

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Genres: humorous
Feature(s): The Sad Sack
Character(s): Sad Sack; liniment vendor
Synopsis: Sad Sack takes a job walking a sandwich board advertising Stiff Back Liniment all day for 1.00 USD.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: [pantomime; no dialogue]
Assumed title taken from company door and sandwich board.
Disclose
Grocery Bag Help

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Genres: humorous
Feature(s): The Sad Sack
Character(s): Sad Sack; woman in red dress; policeman
Synopsis: Sad Sack offers to assist a woman carrying an armload of groceries.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: [pantomime; no dialogue]
Disclose
Stock Market Clean Up!

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Genres: humorous
Feature(s): The Sad Sack
Synopsis: Sad Sack misunderstands an ad posted for the stock market.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: [pantomime; no dialogue]
Assumed title inferred from theme of strip.
Disclose
Noisy Affair

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Genres: humorous
Feature(s): The Sad Sack
Character(s): Sad Sack; neighbor woman; neighbor woman's husband
Synopsis: Sad Sack, in a bath robe, confronts neighbor woman about loud music just as her hubby arrives home.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: [pantomime; no dialogue]
Assumed title inferred from theme of strip.
Disclose
Beer

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Genres: humorous
Feature(s): The Sad Sack
Character(s): Sad Sack; Woman pushing baby buggy; Woman's husband
Synopsis: Sad Sack offers to push a woman's baby buggy uphill and home only to find it filled with beer.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: [pantomime; no dialogue]
Assumed title taken from panel 12 on page 9.
Disclose
Defend, Assist, Touchdown!

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Genres: humorous
Feature(s): The Sad Sack
Character(s): Sad Sack; football players; fans
Synopsis: Sad Sack thwarts 4 tacklers and assists his team's running back across goal line for a touchdown.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: [pantomime; no dialogue]
Sad Sack wears football uniform number 13.
Disclose
Ace Bookeeping Co.

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Genres: humorous, nature
Feature(s): The Sad Sack
Character(s): Sad Sack; elevator attendant; subway passengers
Synopsis: After working hard in stuffy city office, riding suffocating subway, climbing dingy stairs, Sad Sack inhales deeply outside only to choke on sooty city air.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: [pantomime; no dialogue]
Assumed title taken from sign in panels 2 and 3 of strip.
Disclose
Sad Sack Market

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Genres: humorous
Feature(s): The Sad Sack
Character(s): Sad Sack; passersby; patron
Synopsis: Nobody patronizes Sad Sack Market on its grand opening except one customer seconds after closing.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: [pantomime; no dialogue]
Assumed title taken from shop sign in panels 2 and 3.
Disclose
Silence is Golden

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Genres: humorous
Feature(s): The Sad Sack
Character(s): Sad Sack; winded orator; audience
Synopsis: A long-winded speech during a formal meeting puts Sad Sack to sleep.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: [pantomime; no dialogue]
Assumed title inferred from theme of strip.
Disclose
Bananas

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Genres: humorous
Feature(s): The Sad Sack
Character(s): Sad Sack; woman; policeman
Synopsis: A lady slips on banana peels discarded from a policeman who's helped himself to Sad Sack's bananas.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: [pantomime; no dialogue]
Assumed title taken from sign throughout strip.
Disclose
Fancy Shoes

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Genres: humorous
Feature(s): The Sad Sack
Character(s): Sad Sack; shoe salesman
Synopsis: Sad Sack baffles a shoe salesman upon separating one sole to a new pair of shoes.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: [pantomime; no dialogue]
Assumed title taken from sign in store glass window.
Disclose
Meet the Family

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Genres: humorous
Feature(s): The Sad Sack
Character(s): Sad Sack; date; girlfriend's mother; girlfriend's father; girlfriend's brother; girlfriend's dog
Synopsis: Sad Sack has a dismal dreadful experience while meeting his girlfriend's family.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: [pantomime; no dialogue]
Assumed title inferred from theme of strip.
Disclose
Honey of a Rescue!

Advertisement (Comic Format)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset
Subject Matter
Genres: sports
Feature(s): Old Nick; Bit-O-Honey
Character(s): Honey Schutter; ski jumper; skiing class
First Line: Here he comes! Boy, is he traveling!
Synopsis: Cute blonde girl and mister save downhill ski jumper from catastrophe then make plug for Bit-O-Honey candy bars.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: Assumed title inferred from 1st panel.
Disclose
Have You Heard?

Filler  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset (p. 18, left half)
Subject Matter
Genres: humorous
First Line: Sally is two-thirds married to that fellow.
Synopsis: Series of two- and three-liner jokes.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 0.5
Disclose Notes: Jokes occupy left-hand column of page 18 (centerfold).
Disclose
Track 5

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Genres: humorous
Feature(s): The Sad Sack
Character(s): Sad Sack; train conductor; large woman passenger; fit young lady; young lady's boyfriend
Synopsis: Sad Sack gives up his train seat to a young lady who rudely saves a later open seat for her friend.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: [pantomime; no dialogue]
This one-page story was a full-bleed printed across the centerfold (pages 18-19).
Disclose
Teacher's Pet!

Text Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset (p. 19, right half)
Subject Matter
Genres: humorous
First Line: Miss Williams clapped her hands and said,E
Synopsis: Teacher's Pet! is filler poetry.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 0.5
Disclose Notes: Poem occupies right-hand column on page 19 (centerfold).
Disclose
Fleer's Dubble Bubble Gum

Advertisement (Comic Format)  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Genres: childrens
Feature(s): Dubble Bubble Gum
Character(s): Pud; Pud's pals
First Line: Gosh, Pud, that's a super-duper tree hut!
Synopsis: Five panels of comics-form advertising for Frank H. Fleer Corporation's Dubble Bubble Gum features Pud and his pals ice skating and blowing bubbles.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 0.5
Disclose
Filmatic Movieviewer

Advertisement  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset
Subject Matter
Genres: non-fiction
First Line: Just like having your own movie theatre right in your pocket.
Synopsis: Color illustrated ad introducing the new 1950 Filmatic movieviewer.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 0.5
Disclose Notes: Assumed title taken from both third paragraph and coupon.
Coupon could be mailed to:

Fun Parade, Inc. Dept. 34
1860 Broadway
New York 23, N.Y.
Disclose
To Shave or Not

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Genres: humorous
Feature(s): The Sad Sack
Character(s): Sad Sack; Sad Sack's wife
Synopsis: Sad Sack is told to shave but shocks his wife; coming out of the bathroom all bandaged and still unshaven.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: [pantomime; no dialogue]
Assumed title inferred from theme of strip.
Disclose
Rooming House

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Genres: humorous
Feature(s): The Sad Sack
Character(s): Sad Sack; landlady
Synopsis: Sad Sack rents a furnished room but when he complains of its broken bed he's assessed damages.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: [pantomime; no dialogue]
Assumed title takem from vacancy sign outside.
Disclose
Violin Lessons

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Genres: humorous
Feature(s): The Sad Sack
Character(s): Sad Sack; Violin Professor Floot
Synopsis: Violin Professor Floot rejects Sad Sack after hearing him play violin.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: [pantomime; no dialogue]
Assumed title taken from poster and sign in panels 2 and 3.
Disclose
Steep Grade

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Genres: humorous
Feature(s): The Sad Sack
Character(s): Sad Sack; motorist
Synopsis: Pedestrian Sad Sack is offered a lift by a motorist passing up the hill.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: [pantomime; no dialogue]
Assumed title taken from road sign in panels 2 and 3.
Disclose
Tim's Grill

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Genres: humorous
Feature(s): The Sad Sack
Character(s): Sad Sack; grill manager
Synopsis: Sad Sack threatens to quit dish-washing at the diner but then the boss offers a meal to keep him on.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: [pantomime; no dialogue]
Assumed title taken from lettered kitchen slop bucket and sign in storefront window.
Disclose
Megaphones

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Genres: humorous
Feature(s): The Sad Sack
Character(s): street performer; Sad Sack; megaphone salesman
Synopsis: Sad Sack covets money made by a street performer then decides to try singing in the street himself.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: [pantomime; no dialogue]
Assumed title taken from last panel of strip.
Disclose
Can You Solve These Puzzles?

Activity  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Letterer(s): typeset
Subject Matter
Genres: childrens
Synopsis: Four puzzles for kids
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose
Are You a Sad Sack?

Letters Page  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset
Subject Matter
Genres: childrens, humorous, teen
First Line: The membership of the Sad Sack Fan Club has grown to such proportions that we're now ready for a little competition.
Synopsis: Sad Sad Fan Club offers 1st prize of 15.00 USD, 2nd prize of 10.00 USD, and 25 runners-up prizes of one year free subscriptions for best future entries.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 0.75
Disclose Notes: Letters of comment from Joseph R., Ernie S., Robert N., Thorny F., and "Baldy" Davis from Cranston, RI; Wichita, KS; Fairmont, WV; Columbus, OH; and Roseville, CA, respectively (p. 28).
Disclose
Jive Talk

Activity  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Letterer(s): typeset
Subject Matter
Genres: non-fiction
First Line: If you think you're hep to the jive, put your thinkbox to work and let's start cookin' with gas ...
Synopsis: Word matching between colloquialisms and their definitions.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 0.25
Disclose Notes: Filler activity for lower right quarter of page 28.
Disclose
The Knockout

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Genres: drama, romantic, teen
Character(s): Winnie the Waitress; waiter; Joe Lockwood; boxer; referee
First Line: Hey . . . What's up at the snack shop? Looks like Winnie's made a conquest.
Synopsis: Winnie the Waitress casts a long glance at a handsome hunk of a shy customer at the snack shop.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 2
Disclose
Three Great Comics by Ham Fisher

Promotional Material (from Publisher)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset
Subject Matter
Genres: adventure, childrens, humorous, teen
Feature(s): Joe Palooka; Humphrey; Little Max
Character(s): Joe Palooka; Humphrey; Little Max
Synopsis: Harvey Publications ad for three Ham Fisher comics on sale at all newsstands
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 0.5
Disclose
Everyone Loves the Sad Sack

Preview (from Publisher)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Letterer(s): typeset
Subject Matter
Genres: humorous
Character(s): Sad Sack
Synopsis: Harvey Publications preview of Sad Sack Comics issue #5
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 0.5
Disclose Notes: Special subscription offer included coupon in lower right corner that could be cut and mailed to:

Harvey Publications
1860 Broadway
New York, 23, N.Y.

12 issues could be purchased for every 1.00 USD subscription (2 free issues).
25 issues could be purchased for every 2.00 USD subscription (5 free issues).
Disclose
.... Our Fan Club "Hero"

Text Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset
Subject Matter
Genres: drama, teen
Character(s): Gary Clark; Minnie Rogers; Tom Clark; fans; girl
First Line: Some things are occasions, and some things are OCCASIONS.
Synopsis: A girl presides over a special meeting of the Gary Clark fan club; keen to announce they will be able to meet him in person outside a hotel in Parington.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: text story filler for page 32
Disclose
In the Nick of Time at the Midget Auto Races

Advertisement (Comic Format)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset
Subject Matter
Genres: adventure, drama
Feature(s): Old Nick; Bit-O-Honey
Character(s): Spectators; Old Nick; Cute Blonde Girl
First Line: Wow! Looks as if there's going to be an accident!
Synopsis: Old Nick goes to the auto races, then--using an ambulance--saves spectators from a burning runaway midget race car before endorsing his Old Nick candy.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose
Help Wanted

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Genres: humorous
Feature(s): The Sad Sack
Character(s): Sad Sack; personnel manager; executive
Synopsis: Sad Sack answers a help wanted sign seeking a bright young man for executive office.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: [pantomime; no dialogue]
Assumed title from poster in panels 2-4.
Disclose
Be a Radio-Television Technician

Advertisement  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): ? (photos) (p. 35)
Inker(s): ? (photos) (p. 35)
Letterer(s): typeset
Subject Matter
Genres: non-fiction
Feature(s): National Radio Institute
Character(s): J.E. Smith (photo)
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: On inside back cover in black and white (p. 35).
Disclose
Prizes For You

Advertisement  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Penciller(s): ? (p. 36)
Inker(s): ? (p. 36)
Colorist(s): ? (p. 36)
Letterer(s): typeset
Subject Matter
Feature(s): American Seed Co.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: Ad for prizes for selling seeds for the American Seed Company. On back cover of comic (p. 36).

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