Harvey Comics Classics, Vol. 2: Richie Rich

Harvey Comics Classics #2

by Jerry Beck, Leslie Cabarga

Move over Uncle Scrooge! The richest character in comic book history is about to get his due. Harvey Comics' original creation Richie Rich, the Poor Little Rich Boy, represented the fantasies of every comic book-loving kid growing up in the 1960s and 70s. Now, Dark Horse is delighted to present the ultimate tribute to the boy who has everything - and we mean everything! This mega compilation of the essential Richie collects his earliest and most substantial stories for the first time ever. Created by Sid Jacbson and Warren Kremer as a back-up feature in Little Dot comics in 1953, Richie Rich went on to become Harvey's biggest money maker, appearing in over fifty different spin-off titles over the next 40 years. In addition to the magnificent comic art of Warren Kremer, Richie was also drawn by animation great Steve Muffatti and comics legend Ernie Colon.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Komik, Childrens

480 pages, Paperback

First published October 31, 2007

About the author

Jerry Beck (born February 9, 1955 in New York City) is an American animation historian, author, blogger, and video producer. The author or editor of several books on classic American animation and classic character, including The 50 Greatest Cartoons (1994), The Animated Movie Guide (2005), Not Just Cartoons: Nicktoons! (2007), The Flintstones: The Official Guide to the Cartoon Classic (2011), The Hanna-Barbera Treasury: Rare Art Mementos from your Favorite Cartoon Classics (2007), The SpongeBob SquarePants Experience: A Deep Dive into the World of Bikini Bottom (2013), Pink Panther: The Ultimate Guide (2005), and Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies: A Complete Illustrated Guide to the Warner Bros. Cartoons (with Will Friedwald, 1989). He is also an authority on the making of modern films, with his books detailing the art of Mr. Peabody and Sherman, DreamWorks' Madagascar, and Bee Movie. Beck is also an entertainment industry consultant for TV and home entertainment productions and releases related to classic cartoons and operates the blog "Cartoon Research." He appears frequently as a documentary subject and audio commentator on releases of A&E's Cartoons Go To War as well as DVD collections of Looney Tunes, Popeye the Sailor, and Woody Woodpecker cartoons, on which he serves a consultant and curator.

Early in his career, Beck collaborated with film historian Leonard Maltin on his book Of Mice and Magic (1980), organized animation festivals in Los Angeles, and was instrumental in founding the international publication Animation Magazine. In the 1990s, Beck taught course on the art of animation at UCLA, NYU, and The School of Visual Arts. In 1993, he became a founding member of the Cartoon Network advisory board and he currently serves as president of the ASIFA-Hollywood board. He co-produced or was a consultant on many home entertainment compilations of Looney Tunes, MGM Cartoons, Disney Home Video, Betty Boop, and others. In 1989, he co-founded Streamline Pictures and first brought such anime as Akira, Vampire Hunter D, and Miyazaki's Laputa: Castle in the Sky to the United States. He himself compiled collections of cartoons of Warner Bros., Woody Woodpecker, and the Fleischer Studios. As Vice President of Nickelodeon Movies, he helped develop The Rugrats Movie (1998) and Mighty Mouse.

In 2006, Beck created and produced an animated pilot for Frederator Studios and Nickelodeon. That cartoon, "Hornswiggle", aired on Nicktoons Network in 2008 as part of the Random! Cartoons series. Currently, he is teaching animation history at Woodbury University in Burbank, California.

In 2004, Beck and fellow animation historian and writer Amid Amidi co-founded another blog, Cartoon Brew, which focused primarily on current animation productions and news. Beck sold his co-ownership in Cartoon Brew in February 2013 and started an Indiewire blog, Animation Scoop, for reports on current animation while continuing to write about classic animation at Cartoon Research.

Reviews

[Little Timmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable read of these comics as enjoyed as a kid. Sometimes it's just nice to sit back and go to an earlier time. Recommended

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highlights/Notes:

Richie Rich began in 1952 as a backup strip in Little Dot #1. It wasn't until 1960 that Richie finally merited his own title. Steven Muffatti drew the earlier strips. The comic was mainly drawn by Warren Kremer, Ernie Colon and Sid Couchy.

Part 1: The Golden Years

"The Dancing Lessons", Little Dot #1, in color: Richie Rich sneaks out of dance lessons to play baseball and uses his dance skills to outfight a bully.

"The Big Race", LD #3, in color: Richie sabotoges his own soap box derby racer so his friend, Johnny, can win the prize money.

"Crime Doesn't Play", LD #5, in color: Armored trucks are on strike. Richie outwits a thief working for his father and makes his father's daily bank deposit.

"A Fool of Water", LD #7, in color: Reggie van Dough, Richie's spoiled cousin, plays poolside pranks on Richie and his friends.

"Problem Child", LD #2: Reggie invites himself over to Richie's place and creates havoc.

"Crime Doesn't Play", LD #5,: Armored trucks are on strike. Richie outwits a thief working for his father and makes his father's daily bank deposit.

[Manners], LD #10: one page strip in which Richie gets rewarded for giving up his bus seat to a lady.

"Something Fishy", LD #8, b&w: Reggie horns in on richie's fishing trip with his friends.

"Bruise Cruise", LD #10: Reggie invites Richie and his pals for a ride on his yacht...so he can prank them at sea. Fortunately, Harkins, Reggie's beleagured chauffer, saves the day.

"A Thief's Grief", LD #11: While Johnny runs for the cops, Richie foils a burglary in his home by the infamous Louie the Looter.

[Ski Jump], LD #11: One page comic in which Richie films a ski champion.

[Treasure Map], LD #12: One page comic in which Richie plans a treasure hunt for his friends.

"Out West", LD #12: Reggie arrives uninvited at Richie's ranch and plays dangerous jokes on Richie and his friends but winds up outsmarting himself.

"From Richie to Rags", LD #13: Reggie bets Richie that PeeWee and Freckles are only friends with Richie because of Richie's wealth.

[Charity Ball], LD #14: One page strip in which Richie dresses as a street urchin for a charity ball.

"Pool of Fun", LD #14: Richie and friends enjoy his new pool.

"Oil's Well", LD #15: Richie, PeeWee and Freckles go fishing in the Everglades and discover oil.

"Some Voayage", LD #16: Clarence learns some manners when he goes on a voyage with Richie.

"Knots to You", LD #17: Richie tries to convince Freckles and Pee Wee to join his scout troop but Reggie keeps pranking them.

[News Stand], LD #17: The packing box for a new piano makes a perfect newstand for Freckles.

"Tree's a Crowd", LD #18: Richie, Pee Wee and Freckles are building a treehouse and Reggie decides he'll build a bigger and better one.

"Living It Up", LD #19: Pee Wee and Freckles are quarantined with Richie while he recuperates from the Measles.

"The Mayor and the Minors", LD #22: Richie is honorary mayor for the day and Reggie attempts to sabotage him.

[Rich Kid], LD #22: One page strip in which Richie disguises himself in old clothes to hide his wealth.

"The Good Sport", LD #23: Reggie tests Richie's good nature through a series of pranks which backfire.

[Sailboats], LD #24: Pee Wee, Freckles and Richie sail boats on the lake.

"Bashful Billy", LD #24: Richie helps Billy overcome his shyness. Little Dot makes a cameo.

[Punished], LD #26: one page strip in which Richie has been sent to his room as punishment. Casper the Friendly Ghost is playing on a movie screen in his room.

"Man of the House", LD #26: Richie and Cynthia van Friggle play house while their mothers attend a club function.

"The Best of Gifts", LD #27: Despite the amazing birthday gifts from his family, Richie prefers playing with his friends.

[Bathtime], LD #28: One page strip in which Richie takes a bath in a small pool.

"A Matter of Luck", LD #28: Reggie tries to prove Richie's four leaf clover isn't lucky.

“Who’s News”, LD #35
[A Spare], LD #37
[Too Soft], LD #39
“Gifts for Gloria”, LD #39
[Dad’s Yacht], LD #40
“Any Luck?”, LD #40
“The Big Brain”, LD #41
[Horace], LD #43
“A Living Doll”, LD #46
[One of Everything], LD #50
“The Tomorrow Clock”, LD #50
“The Tycoon”, LD #51
“First Anniversary”, LD #53
[Dad Owns It], LD #55
[Pitching Arm], LD #56
“Twinkletoes”, LD #60
“The Molehill Mountain”, LD #62
“It’s a Gift”, LD #64
“Meets Uncle Smart”, LD #66
[Gum Safe], LD #68
“The Big Race”, LD #69
[Whopper], LD #7
[Lucky Horseshoe], LD #8
“First Date”, LD #33

Part 2: The Silver Age

[Clean Cash], Richie Rich #1
"Early to Bed", RR #1
[Burglar], RR #35
[New Car], RR #36
"Mutiny on the Oceanic", Richie Rich Success Stories #23
"The Manta's Menace", RRSS #23
"When Pirates Walked the Plank", RRSS #23
"For the Birds", RR #1
"Pee Wee", RR #1
"The Golden Touch", Rr #2
"Cousin Skinner", RR #3
"His Wonderful Wallet", RR #4
[Hour Glass], RR #6
"Away From It All", Rr #6
"The Mustache Mystery", RR #6
"Mystery of the Catman", RR #8
"Extra Special Care", RR #8
"Something Simple", RR #9
"The Boy and the Butler", RR #9
"Snobsdale", RR #11
[New Car], RR #12
[Deep Pockets], RR #13
"The Time Machine", RR #13
"Richie's Richie", RR #16
"Just Name It", RR #17
[Wishing Well], RR #18
"Our Man Cadbury", RR #18
"Granite Hill", RR #18
[Tidy Up], RR #28
"A Little Family Picnic", RR #31
[$50,000 Suit], RR #32
"The Money Touch", RR #32
"The Boy Miser", RR #32
"...Head Examined", RR #41
[Junk Yard], RR #41
"A Very Healthy Attitude", RR #42
"I'll Keep in Touch", RR # 45
"Driving Lessons", RR #45
[Color Portrait], RR #52
"The Picture", RR #52
"Hollywood Butler", RR #52
"The Atoman", RR #57
"Man Who Couldn't Be Stopped", RR #57
"An Empire is Saved", RR #57
[Uncle Frugal], RR #59
"The Dollar-Mation Dog", RR #59
[Hi-Fi Set], RR #65
"Mammon's Money", RR #67
[Pierre's], RR #67
[Perfect Cork], Rr #68
"The Youth Maker", RR #68
"It Can Be Dangerous", RR #68
[Richie's 5 & 10], RR #70
"The Missing Crown", RR #71
"The Hiding Place", RR #71
[Uncut Diamond], RR #79
"Psychic Delia", RR #80
"The Rare Medium", RR #80
"The Rich Guide", RR #88
"Correct", RR #89
"Invisible Mischief", RR #89
[Dollar Sign], Rr #96
"Craaash!", RR #96
"Number One Boy!", RR #97
"Some Maid, That Butler", RR #98
"Nice to Have Along", RR #100
"The Tycoons", RR #101

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nobody likes a rich kid unless he's Richie Rich. The artwork and stories are cute and it's always fun to see what weird contraptions Richie pays for in each story. I like his friends Freckles and Pee-Wee, and let's face it, his girlfriend Gloria's kinda hot for a little nubbin'.
Richie's always giving shit away, it's nice to know as long as he's making money he has enough to give away.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

A masterpiece. I'm not even kidding. One of my dark secrets is that when my Mom threw away my comics bitd, it wasn't a bunch of classic DC and Marvel books that were hitting the trash can--it was this stuff. Story after story in here tickled synapes that hadn't fired since 1973. And Richie comes off as just as much of a punk as he did when I was reading these comics for the first time; then as now, I want to roll with Reginald Van Dough. Is Reggie ashamed of being rich? Hell no! If Freckles and Peewee were his friends, after a day of playing at the mansion would he let them head back home to their hovel by the railroad tracks--and that's not a metaphor, they lived in a hovel next to the railroad tracks. No, Reggie would lift his boys out of poverty. As I read through the book, I was getting pissed off all over again. Maybe that was the point. Maybe Richie Rich was written by a bunch of undercover socialists, though the nice introduction doesn't say anything about that. The book is mostly black and white with a few color stories thrown in. The clean cel animation-like art doesn't suffer from the lack of color. The stories, as you probably remember, are completely formulaic. Once the writers got hold of a good joke, or a joke they thought was good, they hit it again and again and again. Case in point, whenever Reggie rolls up to take part in Richie's shenanigans, Reggie's driver responds to his orders by saying "Yes, Monster. . . err Mawster!"

That's good stuff.

[Á · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was a huge Richie Rich fan growing up. My brother-in-law had a giant collection of Richie Rich, Uncle Scrooge, and some of the other Disney comics and I read them religiously. The collection was likely from the later 70s-early 80s and had some of the spinoff comics that went with it. So I was pretty excited when I finally got my paws on this collection and sadly I was disappointed.

The art is great, though you really cannot go wrong using the original plates, so that's not the issue. Rather I suspect it's the timeframe and the choice of included issues that I dislike. The first half of the book are short strips from when Richie Rich was included in Little Lulu comics. These stories are trite and the moralizing left me feeling irritated. Richie Rich, the boy who wipes his butt with $100 bills doesn't do moralizing well at all.

The second half of the book picks up when Richie got his own comic. The collection picks up at this point, though I do wonder if there were better represenations of the mastery that was Richie Rich to choose from.

Now, maybe I'm getting cynical with old age, but I don't think that's the issue. Rather I think either I'd enjoy a volume that consisted of later issues from Richie Rich, or Richie Rich sucked and this collection demonstrates that. I hope it's the former.

If you want a collection about a rich comic denizen then I'd suggest The Life and Times of Uncle Scrooge and Life and Times of Uncle Scrooge Companion by Don Rosa.

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aku baca buku cerita Richie Rich waktu masih kelas 3 SD. Aku lupa cover bukunya kayak apa, dan kayaknya dulu itu versi komik. Tapi dulu aku suka sekali buku ini...cukup menghibur...

[Mark Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

More of the same good stuff like in the Casper book.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harvey comics have the best art. Big thick black lines thin fluid fine lines. Most of this book is black and white. The art is so stylized it doesn't need color to sell it.

[Ori · Rating 4 out of 5]

udah lama bgt baca buku ini,msh kecil bgt deh,ga tau sekarang bukunya kemana..:)suka bgt ma richie,masih ada yg jual ga ya???

[Call me Bacce · Rating 3 out of 5]

lucky boy...p-hew...