While journeying past the Alps, and on their way to certain adventure — finding a lost treasure! — Kevin and Brett pause for an archery lesson. Who better to have as a teacher than Kevin? Surely he’s the finest archer in the land…

An impromptu contest between Kevin and a local hotshot ends with the expected result. Speaking of expected results, what did Kreigh Collins have against raptors? (In an October 1949 “Mitzi McCoy” sequence, Tim Graham had made a pin cushion of an osprey. Although it’s a similar stunt, it’s nice to see the differences in perspectives between the two illustrations.)

Their land journey over, Kevin and Brett set sail for the exotic East — to Byzantium (which is sometimes referred to as Istanbul or Constantinople).

Note the cute advertisement for the (second) re-release of Walt Disney’s 1937 feature Snow White at the bottom of the page. And speaking of treasure, it turns out that our heroes aren’t the only ones digging around for it.

Moab demonstrated that he had honorable principles as a youth, when he first saw the jewels being hidden; what about now, when he seeks them as an adult?

After spotting the inn, a weary Kevin approaches, looking for simple refuge. However, the innkeeper sees an easy mark. Kevin meets Brett for the first time, and immediately feels protective of the lad.

Brett seems to appreciate the kindness Kevin has shown him, and soon repays his new friend with a daring act. Kevin learns that Brett is clever as well as brave, and a bond is forged.

Inspiration for the February 10 comic came from a short story titled A Terribly Strange Bed by the English novelist Wilkie Collins (familial relationship to Kreigh Collins is unknown, but unlikely). Interestingly, Wilkie Collins credited a painter by the name of W. S. Herrick with the idea of the death-trap bed.

Horrors of another kind happened a couple years ago when I received a shipment of several “Kevin the Bold” comics I had purchased, among them the one featuring the “terribly strange bed.” Either a very disgruntled postal worker deliberately disregarded the instructions on the envelope or the package was completely mangled by a sorting machine. Either way, it’s a very sad result for what was a particularly nice copy of a beautifully-printed and dramatic comic strip.

In general, “Kevin the Bold” featured longer sequences than Kreigh Collins’ earlier strip, “Mitzi McCoy.” This allowed for more complicated storylines and better character development. An early 1952 storyline was an exception; it lasted only four weeks. However, it introduced a character who would appear in many of Kevin’s future adventures, Brett Hartz.

In another departure from formula, Brett was introduced more gradually than normal. He and his grandfather appeared in the final panels of the two comics at the end of the previous sequence. Normally, these transitions were more abrupt (and they are shown apart from the rest of their comics in order to avoid revealing the end of the dramatic Baron Von Blunt sequence).

January 13, 1952

January 20, 1952

Brett, an orphan, is being raised by his grandfather. Grandpa has taken precautions to safeguard the family riches — unfortunately, he has not been careful enough.

The landlord’s less serious crime was eavesdropping, but the information he heard proved tempting enough for him to act far more fiendishly. If only there was a champion of children and the oppressed to come to Brett’s aid!