96 pages. Full colour contents.
World Distributors (Manchester) Ltd.
Painted cover by UNKNOWN (uncredited).
Contents:
2 UNTITLED endpaper; a: UNKNOWN (uncredited).
4 Indicia
5 Hanna-Barbera's The Flintstones Annual title page; illustrated by UNKNOWN (uncredited).
6 Contents illustrated by UNKNOWN (uncredited).
7 The Too Old Cowhand w: UNKNOWN (uncredited); a: UNKNOWN (uncredited).
r: The Flintstones (Gold Key) #12 (Jul 1963).
15 Hitting the Thumb on the Nail w: UNKNOWN (uncredited); a: UNKNOWN (uncredited).
r: The Flintstones (Gold Key) #13 (Sep 1963).
21 In There Pitching w: UNKNOWN (uncredited); a: UNKNOWN (uncredited).
r: The Flintstones (Gold Key) #12 (Jul 1963).
29 The Day Pebbles Talked w: UNKNOWN (uncredited); a: UNKNOWN (uncredited).
r: Pebbles Flintstone (Gold Key) #01 (Sep 1963).
34 What's the Use? text story by UNKNOWN (uncredited); illustrated by UNKNOWN (uncredited).
r: The Flintstones (Gold Key) #12 (Jul 1963).
35 Who's Zoo w: UNKNOWN (uncredited); p: Harvey Eisenberg, i: John Liggera.
r: The Flintstones (Gold Key) #13 (Sep 1963).
43 Perry Gunnite Picking the Pick-Pocket's Pocket w: UNKNOWN (uncredited); a: UNKNOWN (uncredited).
r: The Flintstones (Gold Key) #12 (Jul 1963).
47 Tenderfoot Talent Scouts w: UNKNOWN (uncredited); a: UNKNOWN (uncredited).
r: The Flintstones (Gold Key) #12 (Jul 1963).
53 Pebbles Flintstone Playmate for Pebbles w: UNKNOWN (uncredited); a: UNKNOWN (uncredited).
r: Pebbles Flintstone (Gold Key) #01 (Sep 1963).
58 Strictly from Hunger text story by UNKNOWN (uncredited); illustrated by Pete Alvarado (uncredited).
r: The Flintstones (Gold Key) #13 (Sep 1963).
59 Yanks for the Memory w: UNKNOWN (uncredited); p: Harvey Eisenberg (uncredited), i: UNKNOWN (uncredited).
r: The Flintstones (Gold Key) #13 (Sep 1963).
67 Pebbles Flintstone The Genius Who Wore Diapers w: UNKNOWN (uncredited); a: UNKNOWN (uncredited).
r: Pebbles Flintstone (Gold Key) #01 (Sep 1963).
73 Cave Kids When Help is Needed, Holler for a Hero w: UNKNOWN (uncredited); p: Harvey Eisenberg (uncredited), i: UNKNOWN (uncredited).
r: The Flintstones (Gold Key) #13 (Sep 1963).
77 Panic in the Park w: UNKNOWN (uncredited); a: UNKNOWN (uncredited).
r: The Flintstones (Gold Key) #12 (Jul 1963).
82 Model Salesman w: UNKNOWN (uncredited); a: Kay Wright (uncredited).
r: The Flintstones (Gold Key) #13 (Sep 1963).
86 Pebbles Flintstone The Girl Who Cried Mink w: UNKNOWN (uncredited); a: UNKNOWN (uncredited).
r: Pebbles Flintstone (Gold Key) #01 (Sep 1963).
94 UNTITLED endpaper; a: UNKNOWN (uncredited).
96 UNTITLED painting by UNKNOWN (uncredited).
A rather unusual cover, depicting Fred and Wilma Flintstone, along with Barney and Betty Rubble, aboard a boat, doesn't really jive with the television series, though the painting on the rear of the annual is perfectly in keeping with scenes shown throughout the show's run. World, adept at providing stylish packaging for their reprints, have to be applauded for the originality of the images used, and this is one of the more visually interesting examples. The endpaper is also unusual, with a makeshift cinema providing the focus.
Fred's nephew Melvin arrives for a visit, so Fred - attempting to entertain the child - tells Melvin about his days as a cowboy. Melvin, suitably impressed, enters Fred into a rodeo - for every event. His dismay at the painful experience is multiplied when the terra-steers stampede, chasing him through town.
Juxtaposing the wild west with prehistoric times is a recipe for anachronisms, which isn't assisted any by a script which is peppered with modern terms. While the series always played with the use of modern items and society in its setting, here it comes across as too acute. The western elements, especially, feel as if they have been included merely to reference then-popular westerns.
Hitting the Thumb on the Nail is a very modern story, featuring building codes being enforced, and the struggle to maintain appearances with a garage attached to the Flintstone property. While it is played for laughs, I am sure that those who have dealt with such struggles will find something of the truth in its depiction of construction woes. The final panel raises a wry smile, though makes no sense when taken in the context of the cartoon - when, I ask, was Fred without his trusty wheels?
In There Pitching, a baseball story, sees the Dinosaur Lodge Hurlers preparing for their first game, which will be pitted against the Brothers of the Brontosaurus. Fred, predictably, injures both himself and Barney the night before the game. Wilma and Betty substitute for the boys, much to the horror of the umpire. They come through for the team, with the score 9-nil by the end of play. As their strength is needed for the Hurlers, Fred finds himself taking over Wilma's role in the house.
That Wilma and Betty are so competent at sports, and far more talented than their husbands, amuses me no end. It is obvious, in retrospect, given how lazy and unprepared the pair so often are, but to have proof of their wives' superiority in print is wonderful.
Visiting the zoo, Fred and Barney note that a cage reading 'Kangasaurus' is apparently empty, and the zookeeper informs them that it is because the zoo has been attempting to obtain once since opening. The kangasaurus used to frequent Bedrock Canyon, but have since moved elsewhere - the zoo is offering a reward of ten thousand dollars for one. With an eye on the reward money, Fred and Barney decide to see if they can catch one.
They eventually discover a kangasaurus, but it takes a shine to the unlikely pair. Who's Zoo is a perfect Flintstones story, with a logical progression, an amusing dinosaur, and a rather sweet ending.
Cave Kids return for another outing, and it is no more entertaining than the rest of the strips featuring the characters. Did anyone find them funny?
Looking around an auto show, Fred and Barney note innovations such as windshield wipers, which will come in handy when windshields are invented, and convertibles. Seeing Joe Jadeson, an old friend, working the Shoverolet stand, Fred decides to help the man make a few sales.
It was always going to be a challenge for Fred to assist in such an endeavour, and he manages to make matters worse - twice.
A quality collection of strips, besmirched only by the presence of the Cave Kids.
[1964]
The Flintstones Annual
[1966]
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