Published in late 1957, issue No. 4 of the French comic book Big Horn follows the same format as its three predecessors. In addition to Warren Tufts’ title comic, it also features John Wheeler’s KID COLORADO, a short story, and Kreigh Collins’ KEVIN LE HARDI (“Kevin the Bold”).

Because the smallish (5-1/4″ x 7-1/8″) BIG HORN comic books are so thick (132 pages), they don’t scan very well. These images are photos I took outside with the comic book spread flat beneath a piece of plexiglass. My apologies for the glare and shadows. First up is BIG HORN, which runs for 35 pages.

BIG HORN is followed by 62 pages of KID COLORADO. I love the introductory pages found in these comic books!

A space-filling three-page short story (“Smoke Signals”), buttresses the comic book’s non-titular features.

KEVIN LE HARDI brings up the rear of the book with the action picking up where it left off in BIG HORN No. 3. Originally published on January 13, 1952, the black and white comic book version pales in comparison to the beautiful Chicago Tribune color reproductions of the early 1950s.

Kevin le Hardi’s introductory page gives some back story (“To come to the aid of Princess Léa, sovereign of Glanstark, Kevin the Bold challenged a robber baron, Von Bleet, to a duel. Despite the Baron’s treachery, Kevin manages to defeat him, but the two men have fallen into a ravine, and Stub, the faithful squire, only finds the remains of von Bleet.”)

The comic book’s next 32 pages contain the conclusion of Kevin’s fifth chapter (Baron Von Blunt/Bleet), an entire (short) chapter, “The Deathtrap,” and the beginning of chapter seven, “The Treasure Hunt.” Although the episodes are edited and rearranged to some degree, the comic book covers 10 original Sunday episodes from January 13, 1952 to March 16, 1952.

As usual, a black and white ad promoting the next issue of BIG HORN is found on the back cover. No. 5 also features Kevin le Hardi.

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For more information on the career of Kreigh Collins, visit his page on Facebook.