We all know that koalas don't talk, cows can't walk upright and hippos never wear a suit. Thankfully, no one ever told cartoonists that such creatures couldn't possibly exist.
The idea of animals behaving like people isn't new. Aesop used them to teach us important lessons in his fables. And Walt Disney's cartoons convinced us that there's nothing strange about mice, ducks or dogs that can act, sing or dance. |
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So it's not surprising that Australia's native wildlife has inspired comic-book characters over the years. Koalas may seem a little slow in real life, but it's never prevented them having action-packed adventures on the comic-book page. Just ask Kokey Koala or Captain Koala - if you can keep up with them! |
The kangaroo may be our national emblem, but it also leads a double life as a comic-book hero. Kanga evokes the spirit of the 'boxing kangaroo', while Skippy the Bush Kangaroo manages to say a lot without using words. But don't ask Killeroo what he thinks about his marsupial mates, because he lets his fists do the talking for him!
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Four-legged creatures aren't known for solving crimes - unless they happen to be police sniffer dogs. Yet for some reason, Australian cartoonists think they would make great private detectives. |
Roscoe the Dawg and Hairbutt the Hippo both walk the mean streets, asking questions, taking names and throwing the odd punch to get their answers. About the only thing they have in common with their human counterparts is their fondness for beer and cigarettes!
Illustrations
Top Tim McEWEN (cover artist, born 1967), Greener Pastures No 5, Kensington NSW, Kronos Comics, 1996
Middle Bodine AMERIKAH (writer, born 1961), Jason PAULOS (artist, born 1969), Hairbutt the Hippo No 1, Darlinghurst NSW, Rat Race Comix, 1993
Bottom Martin TRENGOVE (cover artist, born 1957), Roscoe The Dawg, Ace Detective No 3, California (USA), Renegade Press, 198, (detail)
