JACKIE GLEASON comic books - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

tv star collector · 09-21-2007, 07:40 PM

The latest issue of COMICS BUYER'S GUIDE (November 2007) has an interesting article about DC Comics' short-lived comic book series JACKIE
GLEASON AND THE HONEYMOONERS, which ran for 12 issues (1956-1958).
Although the artists are not credited, it appears to be drawn in the same
style as the earlier series (by Mike Roy & Mike Peppe), published by St. John
(1955). It was even more short-lived, only lasting four issues. As funny as
"The Great One" was on screen, his comedy just didn't translate well to the
comics medium. The author of the article claims it was because his show
was aimed at adults, not kids. But other adult comedies (SGT. BILKO, I LOVE
LUCY, etc.) enjoyed success in comic books. There was even an "I Love Lucy" newspaper strip! Gleason's comic also featured, in short vignettes,
other Gleason characters like Reggie Van Gleason and the Poor Soul (but no
Joe the Bartender for obvious reasons). There was also a 1986 HONEYMOONERS comic book, which Gleason himself gave his personal stamp
of approval. The last HONEYMOONERS comic book series ended in 1987,
after 13 issues. Any other collectors of TV-inspired comic books out there?

Bill S. · 09-21-2007, 08:50 PM

I have the 13 HM comics from the 80's and I think they're great. I've been wanting to get my hands on some of the comics from the 50's, but most of the copies I see on eBay are pretty expensive. Do you have any of the 50's ones? If so, can you tell me a little bit about the stories included? Are they based on actual episodes or are they all new material? Also, would it be possible for you to post a scan of that article from the Comic Buyer's Guide? Let me know, thanks.

tv star collector · 09-22-2007, 04:01 PM

Yes, I have DC's JACKIE GLEASON & THE HONEYMOONERS #6 (May 1957). I
got that one a few years ago (on eBay, I think) for only $6.67. All the
issues feature original stories (writers are also uncredited). In this one,
hilarious complications ensue when Alice's Raccoonettes hold a pie sale across
from the bazaar run by Ralph's Raccoon Lodge. Alice wins in the end by
coaxing Ralph to pay $1 for a pie and kiss. (Quoted from the CBG article by
Michelle Nolan) It also includes shorter stories featuring Charlie Bratton,
Reggie Van Gleason III, Stanley R. Sogg, and the Poor Soul. I also have the
first St. John issue of JACKIE GLEASON (Sept. 1955), which I ordered from a
seller's comic catalog back in 1978 for only 75 cents. It's complete (but in
fair condition), with a great photo cover of Jackie as Ralph Kramden
surrounded by caricatures of his other characters. Written by Frank Ryan
and Bill Shelley, with art by Mike Roy & Mike Peppe, it has a Honeymooners
story for the lead. Interestingly, unlike the later DC series, you never see
the faces of Ed Norton or Alice Kramden. Perhaps only Jackie Gleason gave
St. John permission to use his likeness, because Norton is shown wearing a
bandage on his face (he explained he got into a fight with another sewer
worker); and Alice is only seen from the back. The inside front cover is a
an autographed drawing of Gleason while the inside back cover is an auto-
graphed photo of Gleason as Reggie. The back cover is an ad for a
"Jackie Gleason Souvenir Album" that contains stories, pictures and songs.
It could be ordered for 50 cents back in 1955. Other stories featured Reggie,
the Poor Soul, Charlie Bratton, Mr. Finch (who was also played by Art
Carney--his face curiously is shown), Fenwick, the Poor Soul, and Rudy the
Repairman. There's also a 2-page commercial spoof for "Mother Fletcher,
the Famous Sponsor of the Late Late Late Late Show."

09-21-2007, 07:40 PM	#1
tv star collector I Love Susie Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 18, 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 4,486	JACKIE GLEASON comic books The latest issue of COMICS BUYER'S GUIDE (November 2007) has an interesting article about DC Comics' short-lived comic book series JACKIE GLEASON AND THE HONEYMOONERS, which ran for 12 issues (1956-1958). Although the artists are not credited, it appears to be drawn in the same style as the earlier series (by Mike Roy & Mike Peppe), published by St. John (1955). It was even more short-lived, only lasting four issues. As funny as "The Great One" was on screen, his comedy just didn't translate well to the comics medium. The author of the article claims it was because his show was aimed at adults, not kids. But other adult comedies (SGT. BILKO, I LOVE LUCY, etc.) enjoyed success in comic books. There was even an "I Love Lucy" newspaper strip! Gleason's comic also featured, in short vignettes, other Gleason characters like Reggie Van Gleason and the Poor Soul (but no Joe the Bartender for obvious reasons). There was also a 1986 HONEYMOONERS comic book, which Gleason himself gave his personal stamp of approval. The last HONEYMOONERS comic book series ended in 1987, after 13 issues. Any other collectors of TV-inspired comic books out there?

09-21-2007, 08:50 PM	#2
Bill S. Member Senior Member Join Date: May 11, 2003 Posts: 1,112	I have the 13 HM comics from the 80's and I think they're great. I've been wanting to get my hands on some of the comics from the 50's, but most of the copies I see on eBay are pretty expensive. Do you have any of the 50's ones? If so, can you tell me a little bit about the stories included? Are they based on actual episodes or are they all new material? Also, would it be possible for you to post a scan of that article from the Comic Buyer's Guide? Let me know, thanks.

09-22-2007, 04:01 PM	#3
tv star collector I Love Susie Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 18, 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 4,486	Yes, I have DC's JACKIE GLEASON & THE HONEYMOONERS #6 (May 1957). I got that one a few years ago (on eBay, I think) for only $6.67. All the issues feature original stories (writers are also uncredited). In this one, hilarious complications ensue when Alice's Raccoonettes hold a pie sale across from the bazaar run by Ralph's Raccoon Lodge. Alice wins in the end by coaxing Ralph to pay $1 for a pie and kiss. (Quoted from the CBG article by Michelle Nolan) It also includes shorter stories featuring Charlie Bratton, Reggie Van Gleason III, Stanley R. Sogg, and the Poor Soul. I also have the first St. John issue of JACKIE GLEASON (Sept. 1955), which I ordered from a seller's comic catalog back in 1978 for only 75 cents. It's complete (but in fair condition), with a great photo cover of Jackie as Ralph Kramden surrounded by caricatures of his other characters. Written by Frank Ryan and Bill Shelley, with art by Mike Roy & Mike Peppe, it has a Honeymooners story for the lead. Interestingly, unlike the later DC series, you never see the faces of Ed Norton or Alice Kramden. Perhaps only Jackie Gleason gave St. John permission to use his likeness, because Norton is shown wearing a bandage on his face (he explained he got into a fight with another sewer worker); and Alice is only seen from the back. The inside front cover is a an autographed drawing of Gleason while the inside back cover is an auto- graphed photo of Gleason as Reggie. The back cover is an ad for a "Jackie Gleason Souvenir Album" that contains stories, pictures and songs. It could be ordered for 50 cents back in 1955. Other stories featured Reggie, the Poor Soul, Charlie Bratton, Mr. Finch (who was also played by Art Carney--his face curiously is shown), Fenwick, the Poor Soul, and Rudy the Repairman. There's also a 2-page commercial spoof for "Mother Fletcher, the Famous Sponsor of the Late Late Late Late Show."