So I mentioned this one on
BlueSky the other day, and knew I had bought it recently but didn't have it handy. And, um, it was directly behind me. (Another fun bit of nonsense: I recently got rid of my old bed, which had a massive headboard. I miss having it to hang stuff on, but it was in my way for years otherwise; and it being gone has just destroyed my sense of object permanence. I keep expecting to bump into it...) From 1989,
Secret Origins #40, featuring "Gorillas in Our Midst" Written by Cary Bates and Greg Weisman, pencils by Carmine Infantino, inks by Mike DeCarlo; "The Legend of Congorilla" Written by Tom Joyner, pencils by Fred Butler, inks by Kez Wilson; and "If U Cn Rd Ths" Written by Rusty Wells, "plot and tardiness" by Andy Helfer, art by Mark Badger. Cover by Bill Wray.
This series ran to issue
#50: I always think this was closer to the end, but that was probably the
Ambush Bug issue. On the letters page, editor Mark Waid explains the rationale for this all-ape issue: back in the 50's and 60's, the prevailing wisdom was that gorillas sold comics, and he estimates DC had about 200 gorilla/monkey/ape covers. Even though that was some time ago, it's still a beloved bit of DC lore and still returns here and there for stuff like
JLApe. Carmine Infantino did a bunch of those gorilla covers himself, and returns here for the secret origin of Gorilla City, and its two most famous inhabitants, Solovar and Grodd. Then, it's Congo Bill and Congorilla, told completely straight, like a "jungle noir."
"If U Cn Rd Ths" is doubtless the high point, though: the secret origin of Detective Chimp. This one's a departure from his 50's origin, as tiny alien scientists increase Bobo's intelligence; but Waid suggests if you use your imagination it still fits. (Detective Chimp can talk now, can't he? He couldn't for a long time.) Waid also laments he would never get to do another issue like this again...unless he "can dredge up three more gorillas to put in this book next year." Titano, Angel and the Ape, and the Gorilla Crime Boss of Gotham! Boom, done, get on it.
You’re definitely onto something there with that whole object permanence thing. It’s weird what one holds onto, be it out of sentimentality or something else entirely.
ReplyDeleteAnyhoo,
Yes, gorilla/ape covers were HUGELY successful back then. I’m not quite sure exactly what the appeal was, but DC & other comic companies certainly didn’t waste any time running that profitable gimmick into the ground.
Congogorilla is definitely due for a modern return & revival. Maybe a story or miniseries for DC’s Black Label imprint or since Vertigo’s returning, maybe something there. You can’t tell me the idea of a lifelong animal hunter being forced to pay his karmic penance by being stuck in the body of an animal he hunted isn’t appealing & ripe for exploring on various levels.
I think Vertigo already did a Congorilla series. No idea what they did with it- I’ve seen them in dollar bins though.
DeleteI think it’s just one of those ‘monkeys doing human like things and/or in people clothes is funny’ things. There were a ton of movies and even a few TV shows with that.
The last dozen or so issues of Secret Origins was pretty heavy on gimmicks (I think one was the origins of three different buildings) but this one’s pretty good. Definitely agree the Detective Chimp story is the best.
You’re correct, it was from 1999-2000. Sounds like it was pretty good based off this review:
Deletehttps://insidepulse.com/2022/07/27/retro-review-congo-bill-by-cunningham-zezelj-loughridge-for-vertigo-at-dc-comics/