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array of mystery and adventure strips, articles about radio, movies and sports,
and great prizes. And in the very first issue, February 1935’s New Fun #1,
there ran an ad that introduced the Tom Mix radio show and a premium for the
Dandy Zyp Gun on the back cover. This idea of using premiums as an integral part
of a given character story had met with great success over the radio, but this
was the first time it had been employed in a comic book story design. The story,
titled “Tom Mix and His Ralston Straight Shooters,” may very well have been the
first appearance of Tom Mix in a color continuous panel comic format – though
he also appeared in the Big Little Book series in 1934. He didn’t make another
comic book appearance until 1937 in The Comics #1.
The greatest,
highest-paid Western star of the silent film era, Tom Mix began his career in
1909 with the Selig Polyscope Company. Throughout this career, he dabbled in
practically all aspects of the business – working as troubleshooter, stunt man,
star, writer or director of both silent films and talkies. He also had an
incredibly popular radio show that ran on WEAF and NBC Red Network at 5:15 every
Monday Wednesday and Friday from 1933 until 1950, ten years after he died.
The Ralston Straight Shooters in the story were in reference to Ralston
Purina, the exclusive sponsor of Tom’s radio program, who would feature several
hundred more Tom Mix premiums in the years to come. In this case, the premium
was a Dandy Zyp Gun, and Tom’s pals Jimmy and Jane use this straight shooting
gun in the comic book story featured in the ad to alert Tom about impending
danger. By the sheer nature that they could feel they were a part of the story,
kids would undoubtedly have wanted an all-metal, rubber-capped Zyp Gun of their
own. This is where Ralston came in with their offer at the bottom of the page.
With one Ralston cereal box top and the featured coupon, the Zyp Gun could be
ordered. Naturally, the ad even featured a bit with Tom Mix promoting the
goodness of Ralston wheat cereal – full of vitamins, minerals and delicious
taste.
Today, the Dandy Zyp Gun is also known as the Tom Mix Target Gun.
Both the gun and mailer are very scarce.
ade sure he was prepared. <br><br>Today, Cisco Kid collectibles run the
range from toy rings to records to combs and shoehorns - and a magnificent run
of color comics from Dell publishing - all of which provide yet another example
of a simpler era in American history. <br><br></div>
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of characters from the past. And although she’s especially prominent
today, the fact is, from the moment she was penned by animator Grim Natwick she
has been attracting the attentions of fans all over the world. It’s interesting
that a character who was so racy for her time is now regarded as an icon of
American innocence - whose image can turn a run-of-the-mill item into a instant
collectible.<br><br>She first shimmied onto the scene in a 1930 cartoon from the
Fleischer Studios entitled ”Dizzy Dishes,” a film that actually starred Betty’s
pal Bimbo (who would ultimately become better known for his supporting roles.)
<br