Slylock Fox & Comics for Kids
| Slylock Fox & Comics for Kids | |
|---|---|
| Author(s) | Bob Weber, Jr. |
| Website | http://www.slylockfox.com/ |
| Current status/schedule | Running |
| Launch date | March 29, 1987 |
| Syndicate(s) | King Features Syndicate |
| Genre(s) | Puzzles and children's activities |
Slylock Fox is the main character of Slylock Fox & Comics For Kids, a comic strip published by King Features Syndicate. Slylock first appeared 29 March 1987. He was created by Bob Weber Jr., who still writes and illustrates the comic today.[1]. Weber is the son of Bob Weber, Sr., who writes the Moose & Molly comic strip. As its name implies, it is intended for young children. According to the official website, Slylock Fox & Comics For Kids appears weekly in newspapers with a combined readership of over 30 million.[2].
Unlike many other syndicated comic strips, Slylock Fox & Comics For Kids usually consists of only a single panel. Slylock, an anthropomorphic fox detective, is constantly matching wits against his moustached nemesis, Count Weirdly, as well as several other criminals such as Shady Shrew and Slick Smitty. There is no dialogue spoken by the characters. Instead, an omniscient narrator informs the reader of a problem Slylock must solve. These often include escaping from a dungeon, locating stolen goods, or proving conclusively who perpetrated a crime (usually Count Weirdly). Unlike real life, any character accused of a crime is invariably guilty. The solution is printed upside down.
Slylock is assisted by a sidekick, Max Mouse. Max wears pink shorts and a matching bowler hat. Unlike real mice, he is yellow and does not fear getting eaten by a fox.
A varied cast of witnesses, victims, policemen and criminals fill in the rest of Slylock's world. These characters' names usually contain either some form of alliteration, a type of animal, a profession, or a personality trait. This allows Weber to quickly establish a scene and set up a mystery using very little space. Some notable examples include Deputy Duck, Roxy Rabbit, and Shady Shrew. Most of these characters are seen once and never again.
Slylock's name is likely an homage to the fictional detective Sherlock Holmes. Like Sherlock, Slylock is traditionally depicted with a magnifying glass and a blue deerstalker hat; also, he wears a blue suit and cape.
Slylock does not always appear in the comic. Often in his place there will be a mixed bag of puzzles, jokes, simple illustration tutorials, or other fun activities. The Sunday edition always features both Slylock and the activities.
The official Slylock Fox & Comics For Kids website features many additional Slylock mysteries that have never been printed, in addition to other activities. The site was voted an "Educational Best Bet" by USA Today and received an award for "Best of the Net" from About.com in April 1999[2].
It should be noted that the comic strip Pearls Before Swine made a parody of the Slylock Fox strip on January 13, 2008[3]; Weber reciprocated by having Rat and Pig, the two main characters from Pearls, appear in Slylock on February 3, 2008.[4]
It should also be noted that the situations depicted in the Slylock Fox cartoon are often nearly impossible to solve from the "clues" given.
Main characters
- Slylock Fox, a fox detective
- Max Mouse, a sidekick mouse
- Chief Mutt and Deputy Duck, a bulldog and duck
- Slick Smitty, a con-artist and frequent villain.
- Cassandra Cat
- Tiffany Fox and Melody Mouse, Slylock's and Max's romantic interests.
- Count Weirdly, the most often-featured criminal
- Shady Shrew
- Harry Ape
- Reeky Rat
- Wanda Witch
Other characters
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References
- ^ "Don Markstein's Toonopedia: Slylock Fox & Comics". Retrieved June 19, 2006.
- ^ a b "Slylock Fox & Comics for Kids official website". Retrieved June 19, 2006.
- ^ The Pearls parody of Slylock at the Comics Curmudgeon
- ^ Slylock's response to the Pearls parody at the Comics Curmudgeon
