Rip Kirby, Vol. 10: 1970-1973 Hardcover – July 18, 2017

Every year when a new volume of Rip Kirby appears I am delighted. We now have 4 volumes of the entire original Alex Raymond run and even more startling six volumes by the equally talented and almost unknown John Prentice. Prentice who spent decades doing just this strip needs much more exposure.This collection includes Daily strips from April 1970 to January 1973. Nine complete storylines reprinted in this quality deluxe Hard Cover with Dust Jacket, Quality paper and a linen attached book mark are included. The strips are reprinted in crystal clear sharp black & white with 3 comic strips per page in the Landscape Format ( Wider then Tall).The introduction by Bruce Canwell is only average as he dwells on TV dectectives and other non-Germaine material.The stories focus on the glasses wearing bachelor Detective Rip Kirby and loyal valet Desmond who used to be a theif. Desmond is the source of much comedy relief. Rip's two re-occurring girl friends have now departed the strip and the only other regular is Desmond fellow butler and frienemy Wiggins.1) THE SHORT CIRCUITING OF DOCTOR DATA demonstrates writer Fred Dickenson's on the nose and corny use of character names. Calling the villain who knows a lot about computers Dr. Data is just too cute for my taste. This is the most "dated" strip of this collection. When Rip suggests that someday Computers may be come common place Dr. Data insults his intelligence. Anyways this story involves a villain who predict Rip's every move. In the end the defeat Dr Data by using a hole puncher on the computer punch cards. Yes, very dated.2) WHEN RUBBER TURNS TO GOLD is probably my favorite of this collection. It involves Rip and a beautiful girl going down the Amazon River in search of Gold Treasure. Pure escapist adventure.3) THE FATALE MISTAKE is a Desmond centered strip about an old flame. Femina Fatale is more of The on the nose names. While this is meant to be a humoresque run it is interesting for showing us a young Desmond.4) THE PARROT THAT SANG LIKE A CANARY is about armoured car thieves that have a Parrot that talks too much.5) THE MIDAS AFFAIR has Rip and his lady friend dressing like 1920's flappers for a party. Millicent Midas ( who of course is very Rich) is looking for a long lost movie actress.6) THE GIRL WITH SOMETHING EXTRA is about a girl with E.S.P. This was a big craze at the time, but seems a little dated now.7) THE PEERLESS JOHNNY PARAGON is a story with a lot of plot twists about a athelic Mister Perfect and a shrill girl who claims he is a crook.8) GLOW LITTLE GLOWSTEP reminds me of an Alfred Hitchcock movie like To Catch A Theif or something. A romance stolen jewels and people pretending to be something else. Wiggins the butler has a large role in this one. Lots of fun.9) MURDER BY MISANTHROPE is the final story about a derelict bum who has information that Rip needs so Lirby takes him in to try to reform him.As you can tell from my comments the stories are all pretty diverse and entertaining.The John Prentice volumes are not Guaranteed to continue so it is important that we support this project with your purchases. The publisher prints these at almost break even point and he has stated that as long he doesn't loose money they will continue, so your patronage is vital.Highly Recommended.

This is a great mystery comic script. The strip is of course retro but the writing somehow remains fresh and engaging. The artwork is stunning. Please purchase to help keep this series running. You won't regret it.

Another superb collection of storylines from Prentice/Dickenson duo. The book starts as usual with a relatively detailed explanation of the "life and time" around 70's and how that affected the storylines. Also, this volume contains the strip that marks the silver jubilee of "Rip Kirby" printed exactly 25 years after Alex Raymond started the strip. In the same lines, I believe there will be another 10 volumes that it would take to cover all the strips of Rip Kirby (and I hope it continues to come out at a regular cadence).Prentice's art continues to be elegant as usual. Stories cover all diverse characters and themes - scientists, fraudsters, political unrest, scams etc. Interesting to note that IDW chose to rename the stories as it is christened in the Wikipedia. This volume contains 9 storylines starting from "Dr. Data's Deadly Predictions" till the "Case of the Mixed-up Missive".

Enjoyable stories with excellent artwork sharply printed.

Received as advertised.

Great art!

Excellent mystery comic strip of the post war era.

It didn't disappoint. Hated to see it all end. Still it was an inspiration. It's like looking back into time, wonderful.