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Issue #3
The third issue of the Dick Van Dyke Show comic book was a distinct improvement over #2 for a number of reasons. One was the return of veteran illustrator Dan Spiegle to the art chores. Another was the first comic book appearance of Alan Brady although, as was then the custom on the show, his face is never shown. The following season, Carl Reiner would begin appearing on-camera in the role but the comic book continued to only show the back of his head or to otherwise hide his likeness. In the book-length story that fills this issue, horror movie actor Boris Bella has agreed to be the special guest on an episode of The Alan Brady Show but insists that the writers come to his home to discuss the material he will perform. Based on what he reveals of his career in this story, Boris Bella is a cross between Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi, though he looks more like Vincent Price. Laura tags along as Rob, Laura and Buddy go to Bella's mansion for the meeting but then a storm (seemingly) erupts outside and they're stuck there for the night. An array of ghosts scare them, including one that Buddy describes as looking like Mel Cooley but with hair. (SPOILER WARNING) It turns out Buddy's right. It is Mel. He and several stuntmen have played all the scary things, and even Alan Brady himself climbed into a gorilla suit to help out the joke. All of the writers' panic has been captured by hidden cameras as part of a new TV show that Alan's production company has in the works...a Candid Camera rip-off to be hosted by Boris Bella. The ending works better in the comic than it probably reads here, and it also works better in the comic than it did on the TV show two years later. In the fourth season episode, "The Ghost of A. Chantz," Rob, Laura, Buddy and Sally wind up having to spend the night in a possibly-haunted cabin. Again, it turns out they're secretly being filmed for Alan's new hidden camera show, and it's probably safe to assume this plot was inspired by the comic. The Gold Key story also has a funny ending where Alan is unable to remove his gorilla mask (which has hidden his face from us...a nice touch) and is screaming at Mel as the cameras film his dilemma for possible use on the show. All in all, not a bad issue. |
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© 2007 Mark Evanier Hosted by Dreamhost |
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