I do not know when Hazel and the Constable were first introduced. I have, in my collection, all the Harold Gray Strips in the Complete Little Orphan Annie, volumes 1 thru 14. I also have a complete collection of all the Little Orphan Annie strips after Harold Gray’s death, beginning on July 22, 1968 and going through April 21, 1974. In addition, I have a fairly complete collection of the Leonard Starr strips from 1979 thru 1993. I cannot find Hazel and the Constable in any of these. I can only conclude that Hazel and the Constable were first introduced either in the Harold Gray era after 1949, or the Leonard Starr era after 1992.
FAMOUS COSTUMED CRIMEFIGHTERS SCHOOL, Lesson #72: The Supernatural. Though the heroine above is technically not in “superhero” classification, necessarily, she does possess some dealings with the supernatural that many of our graduates envy. While it is true that death is not necessarily permanent in our business (it seems everyone ends up that way at least once, only to be brought back to fight another day), our subject appears to have unusual dealings with the supernatural. (For further details, see our file on Mr. Am under “known associates.”) This can have a distinct advantage to the hero or heroine, as it can remove the normal fear of death and intensify their particular crusade. Of course, depending on what the particular afterlife denizen had desired to do in his or her afterlife, it can be a something of a bother; our sources tell us the following was overheard from before this particular story arc aired: (Dispatcher): Bloodleigh! Slasher! Yer up! ( Bloodleigh ): Yay! Who are we tormenting today? (Dispatcher): No one – this is a code 222! ( Slasher ): Helpful Spirits? We haven’t done that old bit since we were teamed up with Cosmo Topper! We don’t get to scare anybody? That’s no fun! (Dispatcher): Maybe somebody else, but not this one… it’s The Kid. (Bloodleigh): The curly redhead? Geez, what is she now, over 80? ( sigh ) All right, all right, give us a minute to dig out those old spinster and ancient policeman costumes…
davidf42 about 6 years ago
All settled down in our own place, Sandy! Good to feel half-way permanent for a change, eh?
Arf!
But, gee! All the swell friends we’ve made out there in the world! Captain Sparks, and Celia, and Little Joe
And Tom Short, and Chet Gilbreath, and Connie Gail! And Junior, and Rhapsody, and Tony the Duck!
And that sweet guy, Boo Boo! And that terrific Lady Vesuvia! Yep, never know who you’re gonna meet!
Never know who you’re ever gonna meet again either, I guess!
For goodness’ sake, is that Little Annie?
Huh? Hello?
Why, it certainly is! Imagine that!
Thunderation! We haven’t seen Little Annie since…
Well, where are you?
We’re right here, child! Can’t you see us?
Well, it is rather bright out here, isn’t it?
So it is! Let the girl’s eyes adjust!
!!!
Continuing: Rattle and Clank!
davidf42 about 6 years ago
I do not know when Hazel and the Constable were first introduced. I have, in my collection, all the Harold Gray Strips in the Complete Little Orphan Annie, volumes 1 thru 14. I also have a complete collection of all the Little Orphan Annie strips after Harold Gray’s death, beginning on July 22, 1968 and going through April 21, 1974. In addition, I have a fairly complete collection of the Leonard Starr strips from 1979 thru 1993. I cannot find Hazel and the Constable in any of these. I can only conclude that Hazel and the Constable were first introduced either in the Harold Gray era after 1949, or the Leonard Starr era after 1992.
davidf42 about 6 years ago
Morning, Anniephans!
Today’s link:
http://www.gocomics.com/annie/2009/04/14
jrankin1959 about 6 years ago
FAMOUS COSTUMED CRIMEFIGHTERS SCHOOL, Lesson #72: The Supernatural. Though the heroine above is technically not in “superhero” classification, necessarily, she does possess some dealings with the supernatural that many of our graduates envy. While it is true that death is not necessarily permanent in our business (it seems everyone ends up that way at least once, only to be brought back to fight another day), our subject appears to have unusual dealings with the supernatural. (For further details, see our file on Mr. Am under “known associates.”) This can have a distinct advantage to the hero or heroine, as it can remove the normal fear of death and intensify their particular crusade. Of course, depending on what the particular afterlife denizen had desired to do in his or her afterlife, it can be a something of a bother; our sources tell us the following was overheard from before this particular story arc aired: (Dispatcher): Bloodleigh! Slasher! Yer up! ( Bloodleigh ): Yay! Who are we tormenting today? (Dispatcher): No one – this is a code 222! ( Slasher ): Helpful Spirits? We haven’t done that old bit since we were teamed up with Cosmo Topper! We don’t get to scare anybody? That’s no fun! (Dispatcher): Maybe somebody else, but not this one… it’s The Kid. (Bloodleigh): The curly redhead? Geez, what is she now, over 80? ( sigh ) All right, all right, give us a minute to dig out those old spinster and ancient policeman costumes…
Durak Premium Member about 6 years ago
David, thank you. You’re the only reason I bother to follow Annie. Trying to read the poor quality image is just too much work.