Main Enterprises' What Ever! #4 (Dec '20) is a treat and a half for animation aficionados, consisting of 60 pages of fetching facts and tasty tidbits on select, cartoon classics.
Among the ingredients, one will find four, informative articles by Will Murray on Gertie the Dinosaur, Mighty Mouse, Crusader Rabbit and Tom Terrific. Buck Oviatt dissects Fleischer Studios' animated masterpiece, "Gulliver's Travels", based on Jonathan Swift's allegorical adventures; while Mike Maloney pays special tribute to one of the most popular, children series of the '60s, "The King Kong Show". Last but not least, yours truly ballyhoos Frank Frazetta/Ralph Bakshi's sword-and-sorcery epic, "Fire and Ice".
In addition to these edifying installments, Jim Main shares a heartfelt memorial for artist, Richard Williams, and insightful reviews follow on assorted, indie comics.
To add further panache to the issue, there's exquisite artwork by John Lambert, Kel Crum and Anthony C. Gray, along with many crisp, photo reproductions. To boot, Marc Haines' colorful, front-cover design is a magnetizing splash, and Bob Sodaro's interior layout makes everything gel with adroit flair and aesthetic ingenuity.
On every level, What Ever! #4 is an essential volume for anyone with a passion for endearing characters, enduring animation and ideal, illustrated fancies.
Hard copies of Issue #4 (including postage) are $10 each (for U.S. mailing only). Send checks to Jim Main: PO Box 93, New Milford, CT 06776. For a $2 PDF, contact Mr. Main at mainjim23@gmail.com for details. Without question, you'll be pleased with whichever purchase you make.
