Tuesday, October 5, 2010

The Life of Davy Crockett (in 3 comic pages)


Over at the blog British Comic Art, proprietor "Crow" has posted a 3-page graphic biography of old Davy from the 1973 annual, The Hotspur. It's nicely done, and mostly accurate.

To read the story, please click HERE.

A couple of minor historical errors: Davy did not take "Pretty Betsy" with him to the Alamo, but the rifle did get there eventually. It now resides in a glass case inside the chapel. And I'm pretty sure his tussle with the panther on the way to Texas happened only in the imagination of the author (believed to be Richard Penn Smith) of Colonel Crockett's Exploits and Adventures in Texas, written after Davy's death. And finally, serious historians and Crockett descendants will tell you he was never called "Davy." That's an assertion I cannot refute, but the name works fine for me.

Thanks to Paul Bishop of the always-cool Bish's Beat for the tip!
at

5 comments:

  1. Deka BlackOctober 5, 2010 at 1:58 AM

    Evan, one question. When i was a kid, in Spain was broadcasted a live action TV series dedicated to american tales and legends and famous people of your country.

    One i remember very well is the one dedicated to Davy Crockett. Since was a kid's show i doubt if is real or not the thing about his pet bear. (In the series he called him "friend").

    Is real? The historic mr. crockett has a bear?

    ReplyDelete
  2. pattinase (abbott)October 5, 2010 at 4:08 AM

    I wonder why they began to use Davy then? Friendlier for kids?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Charles GramlichOctober 5, 2010 at 8:37 AM

    Love the sketching. Really seems to capture the emotion and tension.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Evan LewisOctober 5, 2010 at 11:53 AM

    There's a tale from one of the old Crockett Almanacks, circa 1836, where Davy tells of taming a bear to sit at table and eat with his family. Maybe one of these days I'll reprint it. Other Almanack stories had Davy doing such things as riding comets through the sky, so they are not meant to be believed.

    Another story, that has been used in children's books, involves Davy and a pet bear named Deathhug. Another enjoyable whopper.

    Since the Disney Davy was so popular with us kids back in the 50s, some have seen him a kids hero ever since.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Deka BlackOctober 5, 2010 at 2:14 PM

    Well, since i watched as a kid, i loved him. But a dog would be easier of feed! ;)

    ReplyDelete