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Issue: Sad Sack Comics #5
Publication Date: May 1950
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Disclose Detail
Issues: #5 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: 03/01/1950
Volume: 1
Pages: 36
ISBN:
UPC/EAN: none
Price: $0.10 USD
Indicia Frequency:
Content Items: 38 (23 stories, 1 cover)
Editor(s): Leon Harvey (per indicia)
Disclose Notes: Golden Age; pre-Comics Code Authority
  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
 
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Disclose Content Items (38 total)
Disclose Issue Images
The Gala Opening

Illustration  on  Cover, Front
Subject Matter
Genres: humorous
Character(s): Sad Sack; scruffy dog
Synopsis: Sadly, Sad Sack has his grand opening shoe shine parlor during a heavy downpour.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: [pantomime; no dialogue]
Assumed title is excerpt of headline, "The Story Behind The Cover: 'The Gala Opening'", which is a text story accompanying full-color thumbnail reproduction of front cover on page 28.
Disclose
Blondie Comics #19

Promotional Material (from Publisher)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset
Subject Matter
Genres: drama, humorous
Character(s): Blondie Bumstead; Dagwood Bumstead; Alexander Bumstead; Cookie Bumstead; Daisy (the dog)
Synopsis: Preview of Blondie Comics Monthly by Chic Young featuring thumbnail cover of issue #19 (June 1950).
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 0.5
Disclose Notes: Pencil and ink characters Blondie, Dagwood and family promote issue #19 in upper half of page 2.
Disclose
Dick Tracy Comics 28

Promotional Material (from Publisher)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Letterer(s): typeset
Subject Matter
Genres: crime, mystery
Character(s): Dick Tracy; assistant detective; underworld killer The Brow; Summer Twins
First Line: Help! Help! The Brow is torturing my sister!
Synopsis: One Summer Twin cries out for help as her twin sister is being tortured by The Brow.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 0.5
Disclose Notes: Publisher's preview of Dick Tracy Comics Monthly #28 (June 1950) with thumbnail of cover includes
pencil and ink thumbnail sketch of Dick Tracy with his speaker watch summoning, "Calling all Dick Tracy Fans!"

Indicia for Sad Sack Comics (v1#5) (May 1950) by Harvey Publications, Inc. printed at bottom of page indicating Contents © 1950 by Harvey Features Syndicate and George Baker.
Disclose
Ace City Rodeo

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Genres: humorous
Feature(s): The Sad Sack
Character(s): Sad Sack; Cowboy Joe; Doctor; Paymaster
Synopsis: Sad Sack tries to one-up guitarist and country-western singer Cowboy Joe by wrangling a bull.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: [pantomine; no dialogue]

Assumed title taken from yellow banner over stadium entrance in panel 2.
Disclose
Bobby Shelby and His Pals Form a Bike Safety Club

Public Service Announcement  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset (p. 4)
Subject Matter
Genres: adventure, childrens, sports
Feature(s): Bobby Shelby
Character(s): Bobby Shelby; Pals
First Line: I have called this meeting to tell you about my new bike safety club.
Synopsis: Bobby forms a club to promote bicycle safety. Very brief plug for new Shelby Donald Duck Bicycles.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: The PSA appears on page 4. Verified Lee Elias signature in panel 5 at left on page 4 upper half.
Disclose
Extra Help

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Genres: humorous
Feature(s): The Sad Sack
Character(s): Sad Sack; farmer
Synopsis: Sad Sack gets cheated out of 10.00 USD by a farmer when lightning finishes a tree to be chopped down.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: [pantomime; no dialogue]
Disclose
All for One

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Genres: humorous
Feature(s): The Sad Sack
Character(s): Sad Sack; plumber; housewife
Synopsis: As assistant to A. Jerk Plumber, Sad Sack carries an overloaded heavy tool bag on a house call to find that the plumber only needed one tiny tool to fix a leak.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: [pantomime; no dialogue]
Disclose
A Day's Work

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Genres: humorous
Feature(s): The Sad Sack
Character(s): Sad Sack; hired lady
Synopsis: Ace Electric Appliances salesman Sad Sack offers a free washing and ironing demonstration to a woman he thinks is a housewife.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: [pantomime; no dialogue]
Disclose
Don't Look Now

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Genres: humorous
Feature(s): The Sad Sack
Character(s): Sad Sack; policeman; random pedestrians
Synopsis: A policeman turns a blind eye as pedestrians litter the street while sanitation worker Sad Sack cleans up the mess, however, the second Sack tosses a gum wrapper he's hauled away by same policeman.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: [pantomime; no dialogue]
Disclose
Cost of Living

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Genres: humorous
Feature(s): The Sad Sack
Character(s): Joe (steakhouse owner); Sad Sack; steakhouse employee
Synopsis: Angered and disgusted by a worker kicking up dust from sweeping and odors from taking out the trash at Joe's Steak House, Sad Sack loses his appetite then tosses out his steak only to be charged 4.00 USD anyway.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: [pantomime; no dialogue]
Disclose
Being Helpful

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Genres: humorous
Feature(s): The Sad Sack
Character(s): wife; husband; Sad Sack
Synopsis: Sad Sack unwittingly insert himself into a domestic dispute and gets beaten to a bloody pulp.*
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: [pantomime; no dialogue]

* This type of humorous/satirical story with illustrated violence would probably have been rejected by the Comics Code Authority had it been in place five years earlier.
Disclose
Carrying Charges

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Genres: humorous
Feature(s): The Sad Sack
Character(s): Joe (steak house owner); Sad Sack
Synopsis: Sad Sack gets sick to his stomach at Joe's Steak House, passes out, gets swept out with the garbage, then hauled off to the city dump when Joe realizes Sad Sack hadn't paid for his steak.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: [pantomime; no dialogue]
Disclose
You Can't Win

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Genres: humorous
Feature(s): The Sad Sack
Character(s): Owner (Tim's Grill); Employee (on strike); Sad Sack
Synopsis: Sad Sack gets caught up in a labor dispute outside Tim's Grill.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: [pantomime; no dialogue]
Disclose
Room for Rent

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Genres: humorous
Feature(s): The Sad Sack
Character(s): Landlady; Sad Sack; Policeman
Synopsis: Sad Sack complains to a policeman after being violently evicted for not being able to pay his 50.00 USD rent, but the policeman pleads with the landlady to offer him Sad Sack's apartment instead.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: [pantomime; no dialogue]
Disclose
Rags to Riches

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Genres: humorous
Feature(s): The Sad Sack
Character(s): Sad Sack; bum; policeman
Synopsis: Dressed in his finest suit, tie, and top hat, Sad Sack is robbed at gunpoint by a bum who exchanges his slovenly clothes for Sad Sack's, but Sack gets arrested upon seeking revenge.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: [pantomime; no dialogue]
Disclose
Town Hall

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Genres: humorous
Feature(s): The Sad Sack
Character(s): Sad Sack; Doorman; Clothier; formal patrons
Synopsis: Sad Sack shows up at Town Hall for work but is refused entry by the doorman because he's not dressed in formal wear.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: [pantomime; no dialogue]
Disclose
Water, Please

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Genres: humorous
Feature(s): The Sad Sack
Character(s): Sad Sack; waiter
Synopsis: After being chewed out by patron Sad Sack for not refilling his water, the waiter collapses onto a chair after which Sad Sack rushes to the kitchen to get him a glass of water.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: [pantomime; no dialogue]
Disclose
Schwinn Black Phantom

Advertisement  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset (p. 317)
Subject Matter
Genres: childrens, non-fiction, teen
Feature(s): Schwinn Bicycle
Synopsis: illustration of the new 1950 Schwinn Black Phantom bicycle
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose
Are You a Sad Sack?

Activity  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): Alfred Harvey ? Leon Harvey ? (p. 18, left half)
Letterer(s): typeset (p. 18, left half)
Subject Matter
Genres: humorous
Feature(s): Are You a Sad Sack?
First Line: If you're not a Sad Sack yourself, perhaps you know someone who is.
Synopsis: Sad Sack Contest offers 10.00 USD for first prize and 5.00 USD as a second prize or a special one year subscription by sharing a 'Sad Sack' experience in a letter or on a penny (0.01 USD) postcard.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 0.5
Disclose Notes: Three current entries are typeset: P.K., Conn.; L.C., Mass.; D.L., New York.

Entrants could submit their sad stories to:

SAD SACK CONTEST
1860 BROADWAY
NEW YORK 23, N.Y.
Disclose
Relax in the West

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Genres: humorous
Feature(s): The Sad Sack
Character(s): Sad Sack; various sales people; Native American salesman
Synopsis: Sad Sack cannot seem to escape sales people pestering him. So, he takes a road trip to camp and relax in the West only to be pestered by Native Americans hawking their handicrafts.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: [pantomime; no dialogue]

Eleven panel comic strip printed as a full-bleed centerfold spread across pages 18 and 19.

Assumed title taken from sign in travel agency front window of panel 6.
Disclose
Swell All-Purpose Jacket

Advertisement (Comic Format)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ? (p. 19, right half)
Penciller(s): ? (p. 19, right half)
Inker(s): ? (p. 19, right half)
Colorist(s): ? (p. 19, right half)
Letterer(s): typeset
Subject Matter
Genres: childrens, informational
Feature(s): Jacket
First Line: I'm Glad I Got This Swell All-Purpose Jacket!
Synopsis: Four panels of comics-form advertising for an inexpensive jacket that both boys and girls can wear.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 0.5
Disclose Notes: Assumed title is excerpt from first line. Ad appears on right half of page 19 (centerfold).

Order coupon could be clipped and mailed with correct amount in check or money order to:

Youth Jacket Co.
Box 441 Madison Square
New York 10, N.Y.
Disclose
Fleer's Dubble Bubble Gum

Advertisement (Comic Format)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Colorist(s): ? (p. 20, upper half)
Subject Matter
Genres: childrens
Feature(s): Dubble Bubble Gum
Character(s): Pud; Pud's pals; poet/violinist fellow
First Line: Heel and toe and strut yer stuff - now sashay and get ready to ...
Synopsis: Five panels of comics-form advertising for Frank H. Fleer Corporation's Dubble Bubble Gum features Pud and his pals blowing bubbles to an old fellow playing violin and telling rhymes.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 0.5
Disclose
Stay on the Beam

Advertisement (Comic Format)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ? (p. 20, bottom half)
Penciller(s): ? (p. 20, bottom half)
Inker(s): ? (p. 20, bottom half)
Colorist(s): ? (p. 20, bottom half)
Letterer(s): typeset (p. 20, bottom half)
Subject Matter
Genres: sports, teen
Feature(s): Delta Electric Company
Character(s): three boys
First Line: Gee, we're lost for good now!
Synopsis: Four panel comics-form ad for Delta Electric Company bicycle headlight and bicycle horn.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 0.5
Disclose
Generous Guest

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Genres: humorous
Feature(s): The Sad Sack
Character(s): Room Clerk; Sad Sack; hotel guest
Synopsis: Bellhop Sad Sack staggers with a professional weightlifter's luggage and weights only to be tipped with a free weight lifting exhibition pass.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: [pantomime; no dialogue]
Disclose
Hit and Miss

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Genres: humorous
Feature(s): The Sad Sack
Character(s): Woman motorist; Sad Sack; I.M.Crook Lawyer
Synopsis: While parallel parking, a woman motorist barely taps Sad Sack as he's stepping off the curb when a crooked lawyer and witness intervenes.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: [pantomime; no dialogue]
Disclose
Win or Lose

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Genres: humorous
Feature(s): The Sad Sack
Character(s): Sad Sack; Doctor O'Rook; Patient
Synopsis: Sad Sack seeks medical attention after eating at Lousy Food but fully recuperates while in the waiting room only to be billed anyway.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: [pantomime; no dialogue]
Disclose
Split Decision

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Genres: humorous
Feature(s): The Sad Sack
Character(s): Pedestrian; Sad Sack; Hat Salesman; Policeman
Synopsis: Sad Sack is arrested after trying to be a good Samaritan over a disputed man's hat.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: [pantomime; no dialogue]
Disclose
Jobs for All

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Genres: humorous, military
Feature(s): The Sad Sack
Character(s): various personnel managers; Sad Sack; army recruiter
Synopsis: Sad Sack has no luck finding any work until he spots a poster offering: high pay, steady work, room+board, veterans preferred; only to realize after chasing down the address that it's an army recruiting office.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: [pantomime; no dialogue]
Disclose
Pursued

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Genres: humorous
Feature(s): The Sad Sack
Character(s): undercover policeman; Sad Sack
Synopsis: Sad Sack becomes paranoid of a man who's following him and when Sack carelessly crashes through a meat store window the man turns out to be an undercover cop.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: [pantomime; no dialogue]
Disclose
Chain of Champions

Advertisement (Comic Format)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset (p. 27)
Subject Matter
Genres: sports, teen
Feature(s): Old Nick; Bit-O-Honey
Character(s): Nick; 3 other boys
First Line: Get this Super Duper Chain of Champions Key Ring ...
Synopsis: Four boys, including Nick, admire Nick's Major League Baseball star key ring and want theirs, too.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: Comics-form ad employs popularity of MLB stars Joe Di Maggio, Bob Feller, Ted Williams, Stan Musial, Jackie Robinson, and John Mize to promote sales of both Old Nick and Bit-O-Honey candy--through wrappers submitted--as well as key rings and bracelets priced at 0.15 USD each.

Assumed title taken from excerpt in first line of comics-form advertisement.
Disclose
The Gala Opening

Text Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Letterer(s): typeset
Subject Matter
Genres: humorous
Character(s): Sad Sack; scruffy dog
Synopsis: Sad Sack holds his grand opening shoe shine parlor during a heavy downpour.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: The story behind the cover was likely owner/president/publisher Alfred Harvey's idea which was rendered as a sketch (pencils and inks) in collaboration with cartoonist George Baker. A miniature reproduction of the full-color cover complements this text story.
Disclose
New Chapeau

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Genres: humorous, informational, romantic, teen
Character(s): Winnie the Waitress; brunette; M'Sieur L'Adora; Dean Madame Smith; college girls; college boys
Synopsis: During free time Winnie puts on a red polka-dot bikini to work on her tan when shortly afterwards she's lustfully spotted by a visiting French designer, M'sieur L'Adora, just as she climbs into a compromising position atop a ladder* in a cherry tree. Startled, but falling harmlessly to the ground with her cherry basket strewn about, Winnie is cast in a fashion show by M'Sieur L'Adora.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 2
Disclose Notes: Vic Herman's signature in lower right corner of panel 11 on page 30.

Vic Herman cleverly scripts and illustrates this borderline 'good girl' cartoon strip filled with double entendres that would escape comprehension by most children readers, yet likely appeal to older teen and young adult readers.

* This type of mature lusty/romantic story would probably have been rejected by the Comics Code Authority had it been in place five years earlier.
Disclose
Can You Solve These Puzzlers?

Activity  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset
Subject Matter
Genres: humorous
Synopsis: Activity page features four different puzzles with upside down answer key in lower right corner.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose
The Birthday Present

Text Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset
Subject Matter
Genres: childrens, humorous
Character(s): Clyde Hunt; Mr. Willoughby; Mr. Hunt
First Line: Tuesday was Clyde's birthday, and he knew exactly what he wanted.
Synopsis: Despite initial skepticism, Clyde gets the giant Erector set he was wishing for as a birthday gift.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose
Monark Super Deluxe

Advertisement (Comic Format)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset, p. 33
Subject Matter
Genres: non-fiction
Character(s): King on Wheels
First Line: See Monark ... Then Buy The Monark Super Deluxe
Synopsis: Monark's "King on Wheels" is a boyish cartoon hero wearing a red crown and with a large M emblazoned on his red outfit who is promoting the new Monark Super Deluxe bicycle.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: Assumed title is an excerpt from advertisement headline at top of page 17.
Advertisement includes coupon for Monark Silver King, Inc. that could be clipped and mailed to:

MONARK SILVER KING, INC.
Department D179
6501 W. Grand Ave., Chicago 35, Illinois

Address of nearest Monark bicyle dealer could be obtained by calling Western Union by number and asking for Operator 25.
Disclose
Gladiolus

Advertisement  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset (p. 34)
Subject Matter
Feature(s): Michigan Bulb Co.
Synopsis: Sensational offer to flower lovers! 100 prize selection rainbow mix Gladiolus.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose
Motor's Auto Repair Manual

Advertisement (Comic Format)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset (p. 35)
Subject Matter
Character(s): two young men
First Line: Doggone! This job has me licked! Can't figure how to fix it!
Synopsis: Illustrated color back cover advertisement for Motor's Auto and Motor's Truck Repair manuals.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: Assumed title taken from title on spine of large green auto repair book.

Coupon for 7-day free trial in lower right corner with following address:
MoToR BOOK DEPARTMENT
Desk 5010
250 West 55th Street
New York 19, NY
Disclose
Red Ryder Daisy BB Guns

Advertisement  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset (p. 36)
Subject Matter
Genres: western
Feature(s): Daisy BB Guns
Character(s): Red Ryder
First Line: Earn Your Daisy ... I'll Show You How!
Synopsis: Full color ad for Red Ryder Daisy BB Gun Model No. 111 and Daisy Boy Money-Maker Guide Book.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: Back cover (p. 36).

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