Gold Key (Western); December 1971
Cover by Jack Manning

Title: “The Close Shaves of Pauline Peril”
Synopsis: Spoiled rich girl turned newspaper reporter Pauline Peril flies off to the jungle to interview Tartar, a woman-hating prince of chimps.

Writer: Del Connell
Artist: Jack Manning

Review: Despite a lifelong aversion to humor comics, this reviewer has a soft spot for lady reporters. Sadly, Pauline Peril is no Lois Lane. Writer Del Connell’s script is a lowest common denominator mashup of Saturday-morning tropes, misogynistic stereotypes, and blonde jokes. Its views on women and privilege are very much of its time. Luckily, Pauline fares much better on the art side of the house thanks to the inspired cartooning of co-creator Jack Manning. Expressive brushwork, inspired page design and creative use of limited background color team to make this comic a fun visual treat.

Grade: C+

Cool factor: Inspired art.
Not-so-cool factor: Uninspired characters.

Notable: Also includes “Perils to Beware Of” and “Gold Key Club Comics Mini-Comics” one-pagers, as well as text and reader-art features.

Character quotable: “GRR!! Igga-booby-booba-doo-DO-ZOO! Grr!” – Tartar, misogynistic prince of chimps

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