Al Capps Complete Shmoo: The Comic Books

First appearing in Al Capp's "Li'l Abner" comic strip in 1948, the oddly shaped (and happily edible) Shmoo became an overnight phenomenon, spawning an unprecedented merchandising frenzy in the late '40s and 50s. As part of the Dark Horse Archives series, ALL Shmoo comic book appearances are being collected for the first time ever in a deluxe hardcover edition! In addition to every issue of Shmoo Comics from 1949 and 1950, rare bonus stories, and Shmoo-centric advertisements from yesteryear, Al Capp's Complete Shmoo: The Comic Books features an introduction and annotations by certified Shmoo-ologist Denis Kitchen. A persistent presence in pop culture, the selfless Shmoo has served humanity for decades - mostly by offering itself as food - but also by entertaining and tickling our funny bones like no other creature can. Treat yourself to these hilarious adventures, featuring Washable Jones, Super Shmoo, Frankenshmoo, Fu Manshmoo and truly a cast of thousands! This archival collection sports a new cover by Peter Poplaski.

Originally published 1949–50 to capitalize on Shmoo mania, these colorful, simple-minded comics were created by staff, not Capp, and show none of his pointed subtext on human foibles. Older boomers and their elders will recall that Capp's Shmoo resembles a large, bulb-shaped marshmallow on legs and loves to make humans happy. Shmoos reproduce extravagantly; require no food themselves; lay eggs, butter, and other foodstuffs; and when cooked taste like chicken or steak depending on the cooking method. Naturally, Shmoos spell doom for the work ethic—and society as we know it—as Capp savagely drove home in his strip Li'l Abner. In these spin-off stories, youngster Washable Jones leads the Shmoos in a variety of amusing escapades like fighting off turnip termites and putting out a fire threatening Dogpatch. The comics also introduce Super Shmoo. But while this less-subtle fare is adults' loss, the endless puns and far-fetched plots will certainly entertain the 8–12 age group. There's a nice introduction, plus a rant from Capp, and an appendix explicating the period references. Caveat: the brief appearance of black-colored cannibal Shmoos living in the "Souse Seas" may offend some. See also the more sophisticated The Short Life and Happy Times of the Shmoo (Overlook, 2003), which collects the Li'l Abner strips.—M.C.
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