SUNDAY FUNNIES WITH KERRY CALLEN…
By KERRY CALLEN
Continuing my series reviewing 20th Century comic books that claim The Battle/Fight/Bout/Showdown of the Century on their covers…
This week’s battle — ABNER YOKUM vs. DAISY MAE SCRAGG! First presented in Al Capp’s Li’l Abner #72, 1949, published by Toby:
WHY ARE THEY FIGHTING?
Funny story. Let’s start at the beginning.
As president of “The Lily-White League,” Miss Gerta Girdlebuster addresses the other Klan league members on how disgraceful boys and girls act in this day and age (1949). Her dream is to find “the one 100 percent Good American Boy.” After tireless hours (as a Peeping Tom) she finally succeeds.
Soon, 19 year-old Abner Yokum agrees to become the spokesperson for all-that-is-good-in-childhood. Li’l Abner’s speeches are very successful and soon young’uns all over are turning their lives around!
This makes the Lily-White League so successful that when elderly philanthropists die, they leave all their money to the league! This upsets “The Sweet Innocence Society.” The Society suddenly goes on a quest to find a “100 percent Perfect Good Girl” to compete with the League’s “100 Percent Good Yokum”.
Guess who they find! That’s right, Daisy Mae Scragg!
Suddenly, with “100 percent Perfect Good Scragg” becoming popular, millionaires are confused about where to donate their money. The solution? Have a physical battle! Duh.
Perhaps it will even be the battle of the century!
HOW EPIC IS THE BATTLE?
The contestants come out blindfolded, because, um, well… we’ll get back to that. (Not really.)
As the bell rings, they both remove their blindfolds. Daisy Mae immediately SMACKS Li’l Abner!
By “SMACKS” I mean she kisses him. So, of course, the referee starts kissing Daisy May too!
Yeah, it’s probably some obscure boxing rule that hardly ever comes into play. Anyhoo, this is where our story ends.
WHO WINS?
In true love, there are no losers.
IS IT THE BATTLE OF THE CENTURY?
No. No, it is not.
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NEXT TIME AROUND: Joe Palooka vs. Humphrey Pennyworth! It’s a real boxing match! With hitting! Click here.
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MORE
— What WAS the COMICS BATTLE OF THE 20th CENTURY? Part 1: The Human Torch vs. the Sub-Mariner. Click here.
— WHAT IF MARVEL STUDIOS Produced… THE GREAT LAKES AVENGERS?! Click here.
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KERRY CALLEN spent much of his career as an artist and art director, developing product for Hallmark, but has also dabbled in comics for many years. As a freelancer, he creates work for a range of needs, spanning from Mad Magazine to children illustrations. He has two graphic novels available on Amazon worldwide, Halo and Sprocket: The Definitive Collection, as well as Dirtnap: Mystic Spit.
June 8, 2025
I used to read Li’l Abner in the 60s and 70s when Capp wasn’t doing much of it himself anymore. Also found at least one paperback from its glory days. Somewhere some comic or TV show did a riff on “Lilly White Christian School.” Maybe Doug Marlette. Thanks, Kerry!
June 8, 2025
Gotta say this one is my lead candidate so far
June 8, 2025
June 8, 2025
Hmm, I posted a “ha ha” face, but it didn’t appear.