Silvertip's Roundup - in pictures

By Max Brand

Comic Book Version

This comic contains two stories bound back-to-back. These are both adaptations of books by well-known authors. Double Western Pictorials were published in Australia by the Junior Readers’ Press and distributed by Gordon and Gotch (A/sia) Ltd. I believe Dell originally published them in America. The comic isn’t dated so I can’t tell you when it was published. It measures 18.5cm X 13.5cm and has a colour cover, the interior being black and white.

The artwork is very detailed with a lot going on in each panel. Characters are recognizable and the artist uses a variety of viewpoints to add dramatic drama to his illustrations. Unfortunately I can’t name the artist, as he isn’t acknowledged in the comic.

Never having read Silvertip’s Roundup before, I can’t say how faithful the comic version is to the original. In this much shortened telling the story is fast moving and full of action. Silvertip is a man who seems to live to right wrongs and has a couple of faithful companions to help him, both animals, his horse Parade, and his wolf, Frosty. Both these animals have amazing abilities and seem to understand the human tongue, which for me stretches belief somewhat. Silvertip himself is very good at second-guessing and terrific at spotting even the smallest clue to help him perfectly work out what has happened.

The bad guys and the man Silvertip is trying to save, Passkey Jones, are entertaining characters too. The plot includes an amazingly lucky escape from a house set to blow up at any second and, of course, good triumphs over bad by the end.

Overall an enjoyable read that leaves me looking forward to reading the other Double Western Pictorial that I have in my collection, this has Silvertip and Stolen Stallion as one of the stories.

This issue of the comic book sees Silvertip’s Roundup backed with Zane Grey’s The Rainbow Trail.

Click on the scan of the first two pages below to see a readable version.