A HISTORY OF THE COMIC STRIP

Leapin' Lizards! 'nother dry run on the comics, this time with a European slant (most of the illustrations here were exhibited at the Louvre in Paris). American readers have a bonus here in a brief jaunt through European comics, but since the U.S. has been the fountain head of most of the finer funnies the authors bring the heavy--and it is very heavy at times--sociological, esthetic and historical artillery to bear on our products. Once they launch into giants within living memory of some of us--Krazy Kat, pre-World War I ""Hans and Fritz,"" Happy Hooligan, etc. then humpfs and snorts of outrage may alternate with delighted gasps of recognition. The authors have missed completely the delicious parody of the traditional melodrama in Hairbreadth Harry (if memory serves there was but one ""orphan girl,"" Belinda Binks, and one ""mustachioed scoundrel,"" Rudolph Rassendale); Kayo Mullins a ""gallows bird"" indeed! and who would consider old rocket-borne Wilma ""timid and trembling""! Helas! However, the dogged research has turned up copious surprises and delights, and the loftier analysis is illuminating if not entirely convincing. Many, many illustrations. Legion of Honor for our humble friends.