From Big to Little to Big Again

 

cover art by Walt Kelly

Last week, I said we'd review an issue of Hawkman, but I abruptly changed my mind when struck with an overwhelming desire to bask in the pure wonderfull-ness of Fiary Tale Parade.

The first story in F.T. Parade #9 (March-August 1944) is drawn by Walt Kelly. The writer is unknown, though its not impossible that this was Kelly as well. In any  case, the tale is fun to look at (typical of any Kelly-drawn tale) and cleverly written.

There's a big tournament coming up in the Kingdom, so the king sends his son (Prince Robin) out into the forest to invite travellers to the event. Robin finds a pair of dwarfs. They're reluctant to attend the tournament, since people tend to laugh at them. Robin insists, though, and--at first--people who see the drawfs stifle their laughter because the little guys are guests of the prince. 

But when Robin's dad sees them, he can't contain himself. And the king laughing at the drawfs gives everyone else implicit permission to do the same. But everyone soon finds out that laughing at these particular drawfs is not a wise thing to do. 

Everyone in the castle, except Robin, is reduced to the size of a drawf. This stops their laughter, but it also makes a quest necessary. The only way to reverse the curse is to get a magic ring from Snogweir the giant.

Armed with a magic sword and accompanied by the drawfs, Robin rides to Snogweir's castle. Robin chases off some cowardly goblins who are standing guard. When Snogweir comes out to fight, Robin and drawfs discover he can be beaten by repeatedly whacking him on his sensitive nose.

The ring is recovered and the curse is lifted.

The story is indeed cleverly written and beautifully illustrated--a phrase, by the way, the describes just about any story in Fairy Tale Parade. I especially enjoy the idea of the giant's bulbous nose being his weakpoint. It's all quite silly, but it's supposed to be silly and is told with enough confidence and craft to be enjoyed as an adventure story as well as a children's tale. 

You can read it for yourself here. 

Next week, we'll visit with a monkey who's running for mayor.