sunday comics

Kevin Neustrasivi

What I find most enjoyable about sharing my grandfather’s comics on this blog are the connections I have made with far-flung readers across the world, and discovering the different languages my grandfather’s comics have been translated into.

The following comics were sent to me by my friend in Serbia, Marko Davidovic. They appeared in a comic book called Veseli Zabavnik. Because I cannot read Serbian, I rely on an online translator, and it yields some peculier results.

The first two pages originally were published in 1952, on April 27 and May 4. Because of the way the episodes were broken up on the comic book’s pages, the May 4 episode is incomplete. The original versions are below.

KTB Serbian 042752A 100 qcc VZ51 26

Above, Kevin Neustrasivi translates to “Kevin Frustrating,” and below, Osveta Plave Zatocenice translates to “The revenge of a blue prisoner.” What is also interesting is that the artist’s name was listed as “Krejg Kolinsa.”

KTB Serbian 042752B 100 qcc VZ51 26

The next comics originally ran in August, 1952. The typeset text at the bottom of the first page translates as “from the next issue of new episodes.”

KTB Serbian 081052B 100 qcc VZ51 26KTB Serbian 081752A 100 qcc VZ64 26KTB Serbian 082452B 100 qcc VZ64 27KTB Serbian 082452C 100 qcc VZ65 29

I refer to this sequence as “The Dragon,” but according to my translator, it is “Flame and Zmai.” I think I’m missing something. The original comics are below.

Now available for pre-order!

Visit the Lost Art Books website to place your order for The Lost Art of Kreigh Collins, Vol. 1: Mitzi McCoy. In addition to the entire run of “Mitzi McCoy,” the book includes the opening sequence of the comic strip “Mitzi” evolved into, “Kevin the Bold.”

The book also features an extensive introduction and previously unpublished artwork and photographs..

Mitzi McCoy Cover 150

 

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

Fearless Girl

KTB 120163 BWP 150.jpg

Kevin has tricked Bouchard’s henchmen, but Jacques has a trick of his own—dirty, of course.

KTB 120863 BWP 150.jpg

Love has also caused Marie to act impetuously, and Paul’s father couldn’t help but notice.

KTB 121563 BWP 150

Paul and Marie are set for their happily ever after, and Kevin departs for England. But after crossing the English Channel, Kevin lands in hot water, and the comic transitions into a new sequence.

Now available for pre-order!

Visit the Lost Art Books website to place your order for The Lost Art of Kreigh Collins, Vol. 1: The Complete Mitzi McCoy. In addition to the entire run of “Mitzi McCoy,” the book includes the opening sequence of the comic strip “Mitzi” evolved into, “Kevin the Bold.”

The book also features an extensive introduction and previously unpublished artwork and photographs.

Mitzi cover final

 

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

Honorable Intent

Kevin, Marie, and Paul are all trying to do the right thing. But  in trying to protect the other, they are working at cross-purposes.

KTB 111063 BWP 150.jpg

Kevin stumbles across the heartbreaking sight of a distraught, beautiful woman and his primal instinct, to help those in need, kicks in. However, further complications arise when Paul’s father is introduced.

KTB 111763 HA 150 qcc.jpg

Once Kevin fully grasps the situation, he takes matters into his own hands.

KTB 112463 BWP 150.jpg

Now available for pre-order!

Visit the Lost Art Books website to place your order for The Lost Art of Kreigh Collins, Vol. 1: The Complete Mitzi McCoy. In addition to the entire run of “Mitzi McCoy,” the book includes the opening sequence of the comic strip “Mitzi” evolved into, “Kevin the Bold.”

The book also features an extensive introduction and previously unpublished artwork and photographs.

Mitzi cover final

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

Rejected

Kevin’s new friend Paul Fortin proves that love is blind… in this case, to danger.

KTB 102063 BWP 150

After taking a punch in the previous week’s episode, Paul was left with a nasty black eye. Instructions for the colorists were left at the bottom of the original illustration, but unfortunately, I do not have any color examples of the above comic to show how the bruise was rendered. However, the comic below, with events from the same day, shows no evidence of Paul’s black eye (although Kevin mentions it in the dialog).

KTB 102763 HA 150 qcc.jpg

Despite a beggar’s helpful tip, Jacques Boucher shows how ruthless he is—not a good sign for Paul. Making matters worse, Boucher is not the only one plotting against the young student.

KTB 110363 BWP 150

But worst of all (to Paul), he has now been rejected by the object of his desire.

(continued)

Now available for pre-order!

Visit the Lost Art Books website to place your order for The Lost Art of Kreigh Collins, Vol. 1: The Complete Mitzi McCoy. In addition to the entire run of “Mitzi McCoy,” the book includes the opening sequence of the comic strip “Mitzi” evolved into, “Kevin the Bold.”

The book also features an extensive introduction and previously unpublished artwork and photographs.

Mitzi cover final

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

Defending Her Honor

The following “Kevin the Bold” sequence, which began in late September 1963, seems to have been an attempt to relate to college-age readers of the funnies. It portrays the students’ 16th-century counterparts as being not so different from themselves. Quick to fall in love, idealistically standing up for their beliefs, and living like slobs—some things never change. (Except for the part about college kids reading newspapers).

Having just arrived in Paris, Kevin is attracted to its beauty and stumbles into a messy scene.

KTB 092963 HA 150 qcc

KTB 100663 BWP 150.jpg

Paul’s actions are based on emotions rather than logic, and he is headed toward danger to which he is blind. Luckily, his new friend Kevin is more worldly, and willing to help.

KTB 101363 HA 150 qcc.jpg

(The sequence continues next week).

In commemoration of this blog’s third anniversary, I would like to thank all of its readers for their continued interest in my grandfather’s comics career.

Now available for pre-order!

Visit the Lost Art Books website to place your order for The Lost Art of Kreigh Collins, Vol. 1: The Complete Mitzi McCoy. In addition to the entire run of “Mitzi McCoy,” the book includes the opening sequence of the comic strip “Mitzi” evolved into, “Kevin the Bold.”

The book also features an extensive introduction and previously unpublished artwork and photographs.

Mitzi McCoy Cover 150

 

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

 

More Lore

Because “Up Anchor!” ran for over three years, Kreigh Collins had to come up with quite a bit of material to fill the two topper panels of its 174 Sunday comics. All of this information needed to be fresh, but sometimes the accompanying illustrations required a bit of recycling.

UA 121568 150 HA qcc.jpg

December 15, 1968

Say… that lad hopping over the tree stump looks familiar. Where have I seen that pose before?

Leapfrog

At left, from the Methodist Publishing House’s Bible Picture Story Comics, is a young Jesus (1946); at right, Brett from “Kevin the Bold” (1955).

KTB 121563 BWP Leapfrog 150 small

Brett from “Kevin the Bold” (1963).

Back in the days before the internet, illustrators were wise to keep a “morgue,” where reference images were stored. These images came in handy for future assignments, and I’m unaware of a pose Collins copied more often than the boy playing leapfrog.

Here are some more examples of “Water Lore.”

UAWL 042069 150 qccUAWL 042769 150 qccUAWL 052569 150 qccUAWL 062969 150 qccUAWL 070669 150 qccUAWL 080369 150 qcc

After three weeks of “Water Lore,” I am happy to say that I will be making a major announcement in next Sunday’s post.

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

Water Lore, Boat Show Edition

After the launch of “Up Anchor!,” a promotional event for the new comic strip was held a few months later at the New York City Boat Show.

 

The New York Times ran articles about the show opening and closing; unfortunately, there was no mention of my grandfather’s participation. They did mention 434 exhibits and 14 educational booths, I guess that will have to suffice.

Kreigh Robert Boat Show.jpg

Kreigh Collins was accompanied by his new NEA boss, Robert Molyneux.

At the boat show, Collins worked on the episode of “Up Anchor!” shown below. Note the inscription beneath the strip’s logo, “Drawn at New York Boat Show.” The episode ran  May 4, 1969, and because the boat show lasted from January 25 until February 2, it shows the cartoonist was still working with his customary three-month lead time.

UA 050469 150 HA qcc.jpg

In addition to nautical trivia, sailing regulations, and knot-tying how-to, “Water Lore” featured personal anecdotes based on Collins’ travels with his family aboard their 45-foot schooner. The Collinses encountered much in the 15 years they spent aboard Heather, sailing the Great Lakes, off shore in New England, and on their travels along the Mississippi River, Erie Canal, and Intracoastal Waterway. Here are some of those first-hand observations.

UAWL 032369 150 qccUAWL 040669 150 qcc

In addition to nutty things his kids did or saw, others were based on places they had spent time while cruising.

UAWL 030969 150 qccUAWL 041270 150 qcc.jpgUAWL 030269 150 qcc

Lake Huron and the St. Clair River were crossed during any trips eastward through the Great Lakes, and Holland, Michigan was the location of Heather’s home port on Lake Macatawa (which connects with Lake Michigan).

UAWL 021669 150 qcc

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

A Bitter Enemy

In search of their prey, Kevin and Moab split up. While Kevin stays with their horses, Moab is startled by a pair of dangerous-looking foes.

KTB 072653 HF 200 QCCKTB 080253 HF 200 QCC

Moab is able to persuade his would-be killer to show him a different type of mercy than she had intended, but unconscious, he is soon confronted by another bitter enemy.

KTB 080953 HF 200 QCC

The backstory is revealed as Kevin faces off against the cave bear, without the benefit of Dr. Claustus’ clever strategy.

KTB 081653 HF 200 QCC

The sequence wraps up neatly, despite the fact that several more cave bears survive. And as usual, further danger awaits.

A Plan of Attack

Longing for a quiet life in Ireland, and a reunion with Moya McCoy, Kevin and Brett instead journey eastward in an attempt to help Moab and his tribe battle their weird ursine enemy.

KTB 062853 HF 200 QCC

En route, they encounter an old friend of Kevin’s, Dr. Claustus. Hearing of Moab and Kevin’s plan against the bears, the old scientist has a couple of solid suggestions. As far as dealing with the bear’s mysterious mistress, Dr. Claustus’ advice is less concrete, but rather witty.

KTB 070553 HF 200 QCCKTB 071253 HF 200 QCC

Meanwhile, the situation worsens dramatically for Moab’s tribe — he and Kevin are too late to save another victim from the fearsome Cave Bears.

KTB 071953 HF 200 QCC

The Cave Bear

“Kevin the Bold” is essentially historical fiction, as Kreigh Collins used real events from the 15th and 16th centuries on which to base Kevin’s adventures. At times, the comics veered into the realm of fantasy, as with this mid-1953 sequence featuring an enormous, fearsome Cave Bear*.

*Skeptical reader: you say bears only walk on two feet in cartoons? Sure of that? A bear spotted in my home state of New Jersey became famous for his gait. (Sadly, “Pedals” was recently killed during this fall’s hunting season).

KTB 060753 HF 200 QCC

Back in the funny papers, Kevin and Brett arrive in Antwerp, Belgium, seeking passage to Ireland. Their quest for peace and quiet ends abruptly with a chance encounter with an old friend. Soon enough, Kevin and Brett learn of their next adventure, and they have set sail for the East.

KTB 061453 HF 200 QCCKTB 062153 HF 200 QCC