When a Turtle Fights an Crocodile--the Lion Wins

 

cover artist unknown

Animal Adventures ran for three issues in 1953 and 1954. The product of a small publisher, with the artists and writers who created it largely unknown, it's one of the many comics from that era that have been largely forgotten. But, by golly, Animal Adventures had some downright adorable stories in it. And if being adorable doesn't deserve being remembered and celebrated, then I don't know what does.

Animal Adventures #1 (December 1953) includes a wonderful tale starring Tobias Turtle, whom we meet while he is running for his life from a crocodile who wants to have Tobias for dinner. But when the two of them collide with King Leo, they both end up getting tossed in the slammer. That seems a bit harsh on Tobias, who was simply trying not to be eaten. But royal justice is often unreliable. 

Apparently, this sort of thing of thing happens a lot and King Leo decides to put a stop to it by arranging a jousting tournament. Tobias and the crocodile will fight it out once and for all on the field of honor.

I love the next part, as it follows the logic of the universe in which it is set while remaining too adorable for words. Since the kingdom is populated by intelligent animals, then it's not surprising to learn that the horses are intelligent as well. Two of them have to be recruited to be mounts for Tobias and the croc. This worries the poor horses, though, since they are afraid they'll get hurt. We also see that neither of the "knights" are particularly good at being knights.

The day of the duel arrives. Tobias and the crocodile are now enthusiastic, with each of them convinced he'll win easily. The horses, though, are still terrified.

Predictably, the joust does not go well. Both horses panic and abruptly stop after beginning the initial charge. The two knights are thrown from their frightened mounts and smash together.

All of which excites King Leo so much that he falls from his box, lands on the knights and knocks both of them out. So the winner is... King Leo--who soon begins to revel in the cheers of the populace.

Tobias and the crocodile wake up to realize they've been forgotten. But if neither of them won, that also means neither of them lost. This becomes the basis of the two becoming friends.

It's adorable. It literally drips with adorable-ness. It's more adorable than a barrel full of babies playing with puppies. I love it.

This issue is available to be read online HERE.

Next week, we return to Superman Family to see what Krypto is up to. That sounds like it might be adorable.