jedijim-migration

Thanks Comic Book Guy, Ya, '91 sounds about right for my purchase from Metropolis. That was around the time that they would brag that they had (or could get) a #1 of every comic ever printed I still have to pull that out to scan. It's in my safety deposit box so kind of a hassle. Also, any confirmation on a date when the Sundays started?? Thanks! Jim

I've been reading with great interest about Wiseman's confirmed involvement with the early Dennis Sundays. The copy of the letter by Wiseman is fascinating and I'd be interested how you came in possession of it. Also, when did the Sunday's actually begin? I always thought it was '53, but now I've have heard '52. Also, all of the original papers that carried the daily did not carry the Sunday, at least at first, as the Seattle P-I, which still carries Dennis, didn't pick up the Sunday until late into the 50's. I have always love the early Sundays and am very disappointed that the upcoming Fantagraphic book won't be including them. Jim

Hi All, Given what we know from previous posts, who was drawing the Sunday strip from '52 - '58 when Holley took it over?? Thanks for your help. J

I was looking over some early Wiseman giants and it struck me how cool the way (presumably Wiseman's idea) he draws Dennis's feet as round. He even makes the footprints in the snow round as shown in the airvent drawing earlier posted. Just an observantion on how his art is distinctive. Along with the previously mentioned "little dust cloud" behind Dennis running, I find this also a clever convention.

Like many (if not all), I too, am a huge fan of Wiseman's art and am thrilled to actually find a forum of similar folk. My DTM history starts with the In Hawaii story from '73 and began a quest to get all the early issues. I am in awe of Wiseman clean lines and sense of balance and perspective that I lost all interest in the "looser" art of later issues. I think my favorite Bonus issue is #4 Vacation special where they go to Monterary and meet Bing Crosby. Beautiful art! My collection is far from complete and nowhere near what many here have, however I do have all the Wiseman issues including a VF+ issue of #1 (it isn't slabbed, but I bought it from Metropolis in NY about 15 years ago and they had it listed as a NM). I also have VG copy that I bought for $30 when I was 18. I have a few pieces of original art, a daily from Oct '51 (it's the panel that's actally reprinted on the cover of those little metal coasters that came out in the early 50's, the gag is something about a "tantrum") that I'm sure was drawn by Ketchum, a fantastic '53 Sunday with Dennis and father on a roller coaster (that I, at least, think is inked by Wiseman) and a page from issue #3. I have to agree with all of you, that as a person looking for high grade early issues they are extremely hard to find. In thirty years of looking, I've seen around 6 copies of issue #1 with only one in as good of shape as mine, but that doesn't mean they don't exist. I too, am always amazed to see a Richie Rich #1 (which I also have and love) file copy go for crazy money (3K and up) and yet Dennis stuff in that grade, which I know is more rare. doesn't command any where near that. Finally, to add my two cents in on the actual first day of DTM, I think the Fantagraphics press release is incorrect. (By the way, they are NOT reprinting the Sunday strips as part of there upcoming series, major disappointment) I believe the first strip debuted on March 12th 1951 (not 14th). Why?? The 12th was a Monday (the traditional day that a new strip would start), Maurice Horn in the Encyclopedia of Comics lists the 12th as day one, and finally, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, which was one of the first papers to publish Dennis (and they still do) during the week leading up to the 12th were publishing little Coming On Monday teaser ads. I have attempted to attach a .jpg of one, so we'll see if it works. I really love hearing all your stories, and seeing your collection. More later. Jim