Notes on Captain Carrot And His Amazing Zoo Crew #4

CAPTAIN CARROT AND HIS AMAZING ZOO CREW No. 4
June 1982

Cover Credits

STORY

"His Name Is...Mudd!" (25 pages)

Credits

Feature Characters

Villain

Other Characters

Cameo Appearances

Synopsis

(Story continues in part from issue #3.) Celebrating their latest victory and the ensuing fame it has brought, the Zoo Crew lounge about Byrd Rentals' place in Bel-Airedale, while Captain Carrot tries to get the team motivated enough to help him look for a headquarters there in Califurnia. Rubberduck, Yankee Poodle, and Fastback, however, opt to leave for the Okey-Dokey Swamp in the Southeast U.S.A., where Byrd Rentals is set to co-star in a new film called "Swamp Meat" with Fara Foxette. In the Okey-Dokey Swamp, meanwhile, a scene is shot with Fara Foxette and the stuntman playing the swamp monster, when she storms off the set after some "gloop" (used to give the monster a disgusting appearance) falls on her. The director, Mr. Sprockett, orders his gopher to get rid of the entire supply of "gloop," and the gopher promptly dumps it in the swamp. While in California Captain Carrot, Alley-Kat Abra and Pig-Iron check out several places, including a vacant warehouse in disrepair, during their search for a headquarters, Timmy-Joe Terrapin is reunited with his mother and his new stepfather and siblings in the Okey-Dokey Swamp. There in the swamp, the "gloop" has mixed with the remains of old Alfred E. Newgator, a distant relative of Timmy-Joe's who was lost in the swamp nearly fifty years earlier, creating a monster out of rotting vegetable matter, muck, and mire which is dubbed "Mudd." Back on the set of "Swamp Meat", Fara and Byrd are in the midst of shooting a scene when Mudd walks up and, seeing Fara, abducts her (as all good monsters would), and runs off into the swamp. Fastback speeds back to Califurnia to gather up his teammates, and they all return back to the swamp to save Fara. The sympathetic monster Mudd is finally defeated when the water current caused by draining the swamp apparently dissolves him.

Annotations

INSIDE FRONT COVER: This advertisement for the first Swamp Thing movie, directed by Wes Craven, is notable only because the story in this issue somewhat parallels the plot of the film, at least insofar as it concerns an animal turning into a weird type of vegetable yet still remaining attracted to sexy female animals. Also, the movie which is being filmed in this issue, Swamp Meat, is apparently the Earth-C version of this Swamp Thing movie, albeit a bit late in its production.

PAGE 1: Title, "HIS NAME IS... MUDD!" As mentioned in last issue's notes, "Your name is mud!" was a common enough slur at one time, although isn't as much in use nowadays.

T Campbell notes about this issue that, "By now everything was really gelling. The figure drawings are more three-dimensional and realized, and so are the characters. This issue's inks are a little 'muddier' than most, suiting the subject matter to a tee."

The newspaper Roger's holding is called the "Los Antelopes Courier-Pigeon", a pun/parody of the Los Angeles Courier, which is a fictional newspaper as far as I can tell. On the 1983 television show The A-Team, a reporter named Amy Amanda "Triple A" Allen (played by Melinda Culea) works for the Los Angeles Courier. Since this issue predates The A-Team by at least a year, there may be no connection between the two fictional newspapers.

The date on the newspaper says "Monday, March 22, 1982."

The headline next to the newspaper title says, "Dog bites dog!" a variation of the joke headline, "Man bites dog."

The headline next to photo of "Feathers" Fillmore says, "The Hood beneath the Hood: Captured ACROSTIC leader revealed to be brother of President Mallard Fillmore."

The credits for this issue are inserted into the newspaper: "Special section on state of the comic-book arts by Scott Shaw! and Chad." (Charles "Chad" Grothkopf was the cartoonist who drew virtually all of the adventures of Hoppy the Marvel-Bunny for Fawcett Publications' Funny Animals from 1942 to 1947, as noted in the letters page of issue #5.) "Dave Manak, Editor." "Kongaroo, Frogzilla, and Jailhouse Roc sent to bed without supper. Exclusive story by Roy Thomas." "The Zoo Crew triumphant! Photo paw-colored by Tom Zuiko." "Comic book letterers form union to protest writers who sneak in background information in the form of non-existent newspapers..." In the shadows below this at the bottom can be seen: "John Costanza elected first prez..."

PAGE 2: Panel 1: "Califurnia" is a pun of California. In the background can be seen the "Follywood" sign.

Pig-Iron's use of an oil can (with a rag) to presumably keep his joints well-greased (assuming his reference to getting a "sun tan" was a joke or a half-truth) is very reminiscent of the way Dorothy uses oil to free up the Tin Woodsman's metallic joints in M.G.M.'s 1939 movie The Wizard of Oz.

Panels 1–3: T Campbell noted Alley-Kat Abra's interesting use of the very familiar "Rog-baby" when answering Roger Rabbit in Panel 1, her use of "Rog" again in Panel 2, and Yankee Poodle's snide comment about Abra and Roger, "I'm sure you two will be very happy together," in Panel 3, has T Campbell speculating:

Did something... HAPPEN... between issues #3 and #4 of which we're unaware? Felina seems a whole LOT, um, "friendlier" to the Captain than before, and Rova's picking up on it. Maybe Roger was right to insist that Felina team up with him in the previous installment. Sadly, though, the next few pages would pretty much be the high point of their relationship until the OZ-WONDERLAND WAR.

PAGE 3: Panel 2: A "Super-Squirrel" poster can be seen on the wall behind Roger.

"Hamsonite luggage" is a pun on Samsonite, the luggage manufacturer.

Panel 7: "Geronimole" is a pun on Geronimo, the famous Apache warrior of the 1800's. "Geronimo!" is also an exclamation, usually shouted when someone is jumping into something; I don't know when this came into use, but I'm guessing it came about because of Geronimo's style of attack.

PAGE 4: Panel 2: Rubberduck calls Pig-Iron a "glory-hog."

Panel 4: The "Okey-Dokey Swamp," as mentioned in last issue's notes, is a pun on the Okefenokee Swamp in southeastern Georgia and northeastern Florida.

Panel 6: Captain Carrot says, "Just run off, like ships deserting the sinking rats!"

PAGE 5: Panels 3–4: The hints of a possible romance between Captain Carrot and Alley-Kat Abra continue in this panel, when she says: "Listen, there's nothing wrong with being Roger Rabbit! I, for one, dig his type more than I dig super-heroes, if you must know." In the next panel she also seems very eager to go "grab some grub" with the Captain.

Panel 4: "MacDarnold's" is Earth-C's version of McDonald's Restaurants, the fast-food restaurant franchise.

"Sunspot Boulevard" is a pun on Sunset Boulevard, the famous street that links Hollywood and Beverly Hills, and on which Billy Wilder's 1950 film, Sunset Boulevard was based. Brad Walker notes also that "Andrew Lloyd Webber made a musical from the movie," although the musical debuted in 1993, some years after the publication of this issue.

PAGE 6: Panel 1: "San Furnando Valley" is a pun on the San Fernando Valley, the region in California which lies northwest of Hollywood across the Santa Monica Mountains, and part of which is in Los Angeles.

"Fara Foxette" is a pun on Farrah Fawcett, the actress who was most famous in the 1970's as "America's Love Goddess" and pin-up queen.

Panels 2–3: The references to "a desolate marshland forsaken by civilized animalkind...and now inhabited by far less demanding creatures" in Panel 2, and "Nearby, screaming herons stretch their sleek wings toward the angry heavens...mottled bullfrogs sing their croaking nightsongs..." in Panel 3, hint at a much more complex variety of animal life on Earth-C than previously seen. T Campbell notes:

This panel and the next imply that un-evolved animals DO exist on Earth-C, including herons and bullfrogs. And since we just saw Frogzilla last issue, four-legged frogs apparently CO-exist with their more evolved cousins. Some interesting stories could have come of this, if CAPTAIN CARROT had had the 300-issue run it bloody well deserved.

PAGE 7: Panel 4: The director's cap says, "Director person."

PAGE 8: Panel 1: "Beaverly Hills" is a pun on Beverly Hills, California, the famous residence of many Hollywood actors and actresses.

"Toadeo Drive" is a pun on Rodeo Drive, one of the most famous shopping districts in the USA.

The portrayal of Fara Foxette in this panel and this story prompted T Campbell to say:

It's worth noting just how much Roy and Scott get away with in Fara Foxette. She throws a typical star tantrum and essentially gives herself the afternoon off from the set, and in later scenes, is consistently a whiny, shallow tramp. Lord only knows how Farrah Fawcett looked at this portrayal, when she got her hands on it. Come to think of it, Burt Reynolds doesn't get off too lightly either.

Panel 2: "Mr. Sprockett," the name of the director, may be a reference to an existing person or character, or maybe a joke: I really don't know. Michael Norwitz adds that "Sprockets are, I think, the little cylinders on film projectors with the studs through which the film runs.  If it's also a pun on some specific director's name, nothing's coming to mind." The stunt-man's name is "Blacky."

Panel 3: Sprockett's gofer (the name for an errand boy in the film industry: "go fer this, go fer that," and in this case, "go fer lunch") is, naturally, a literal gopher.

Brad Walker also points out that:

At one point Sprockett says, "Don't say "yes" till I finish talking!" One of many (perhaps fictional) Goldwynisms, i.e., sayings attributed to producer Samuel Goldwyn. Others include "A verbal contract isn't worth the paper it's written on" and "Include me out!"

See a list of Goldwynisms here.

Panel 4: Byrd Rentals' mention of being "under the influence of duck sauce" (a condiment used in Chinese cuisine) is probably a joke referring to the slang term for liquor, "sauce," and the fact that Byrd is a duck.

Panel 5: "Tom Snide-Hare Show" is a pun and reference to Tom Snyder's late night show Tomorrow, in which Rona Barrett did indeed appear beginning in 1980, but Tom Snyder's disapproval of the drastic changes on his show resulted in his being fired, and the show with Rona didn't last very long after that, being replaced by a certain "young upstart" (at the time) named David Letterman.

"Swamp Meat" is the name of the movie being filmed, and is a parody of the movie, Swamp Thing, which came out in 1982 and which was based on the DC Comic of the same name. T Campbell notes that:

SWAMP THING was a movie in the making when CC#4 came out. It had also recently been re-launched as a comics series. It's a sign of the times in which CAPTAIN CARROT was made that Roy was trying to cross-promote it with a HORROR series... but then, before Alan Moore came on board, SWAMP THING was about as scary as a sand castle.

PAGE 9: Panel 2: "Mine not to reason why...!" is a reference to "Their's not to reason why, Their's but to do and die", a line from Alfred, Lord Tennyson's famous poem, The Charge of the Light Brigade (1854).

Panels 3–6: T Campbell comments on these four panels:

If I'm reading this correctly, the menace that the Zoo Crew face is NOT the unidentified thing that killed Alfred E. Newgator at the end of #3. Rather, it is Alfred E. Newgator's reanimated corpse... which means that Timmy Joe Terrapin is partly responsible for the (second) death of his distant relative. Still, the Zoo Crew show considerably more remorse than they did with Starro [at the end of issue #1].

Panel 7: "Thomas Wolfcall" is a pun of Thomas Wolfe (1900–1938); and "...you can go home again..." is a reference to his posthumous 1940 novel, You Can't Go Home Again.

"Memfish" is a pun on Memphis, Tennessee, which was named for the first capital of ancient Egypt.

The classic phrase, "...when I was knee-high to a tadpole!" is sometimes used in the South U.S.A., with variations.

PAGE 10: Panel 1: "Don Coyote," the name of Timmy Joe's new stepfather, is a pun on Miguel de Cervantes' satirical 1605 novel, Don Quixote.

"Aridzona" is a pun on the U.S. state of Arizona as well as a commentary on that state's weather.

The fact that Timmy Joe's mother has remarried and that her husband is now supposed to be his "new paw" begs the question of what happened to Timmy Joe's old "paw," especially if Timmy Joe's father is the same father of his very young, unnamed little brother. Presumably, if the series had continued, Timmy Joe's backstory would have been filled in.

PAGE 11: Panel 1: "Uncle McSnurtle" is a reference to McSnurtle the Turtle, alias the Terrific Whatzit, a funny animal version of the golden age Flash who first appeared in Funny Stuff #1 (Summer, 1944).

Timmy Joe's mother mistakenly calls his alter ego "Fatback." Wikipedia's article on fatback states that:

Fatback is the layer of fat along the back of a pig, used as a cut of meat. It is often used to make lard. Fatback is a traditional part of southern U.S. cuisine and soul food, where it is used for cracklings or cracklins, and to flavor stewed vegetables such as greens and black-eyed peas.

Panel 2: "Alfred E. Newgator," as mentioned in last issue's notes, is a pun of "Alfred E. Neuman," the mascot of Mad magazine since the mid-1950's. It should be noted also that Newgator is drawn to resemble a somewhat-older Albert the Alligator, from the Pogo comic strip, whic was set in the Okefenokee Swamp, which is here called the Okey-Dokey Swamp. Click here to view this picture of Albert the Alligator for comparison's sake.

Panel 3: "Charlie's Angelfish" is a pun on Charlie's Angels, the famous television show which began in 1976 and which was a hallmark of the 1970's. Farrah Fawcett starred in the first season only.

Panel 4: A few panels from Earth-C's Just'a Lotta Animals #202 are seen here, featuring the Crash, Green Lambkin, Wonder Wabbit, Super-Squirrel, Batmouse, and Aquaduck. The top left panel is an homage to the cover of Justice League of America #25 (February, 1964), and the story, "Outcasts of Infinity", although the Atom's funny animal counterpart (introduced in issue #14 as "The Item," a tiny elephant) is not pictured in the Just'a Lotta Animals version.

PAGE 12: Panel 1: "Burger Thing" is a pun on Burger King, the fast-food restaurant franchise.

Panel 2: A sign says:

Now accepting orders
for MONDO CONDO.
Leisurely life-styles
for senior species.
Tennis court - Jacuzzi
Swimming pool - Gymnasium
Oxygen tent.
Opens July 1999—maybe.
Sensible shoes required.

Panel 5: "Taco Bull" is a pun on Taco Bell, a fast-food restaurant franchise which specializes in Mexican food.

PAGE 15: Panel 1: Sprockett's director's hat now says, "Movie brat." T Campbell also remarks that, "Sprockett reveals the real meaning of 'take five,' at least as he uses it."

Panels 4–7: T Campbell notes that "This entire sequence is stolen lock, stock, and barrel from KING KONG, but put in a new context." In that 1933 film, adventurer and movie director Carl Denham hires a poor girl he finds on the streets named Ann Darrow to be the female lead in his new monster picture. The sequence in question that these panels pay homage to occur when Denham has Ann do a few film tests to show her acting range, having her react to an unseen menace off-screen. Her acting ability is so convincing, in fact, that sailor Jack Driscoll (who falls for Ann despite himself) interrupts the test to ensure her safety.

Panel 9: An "Oscar" is a (strangely un-punned) reference to the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences and the Academy Awards ceremonies which take place each year to honor achievements in film.

PAGE 19: Panel 4: "Albu-Turkey" is a pun on Albuquerque, New Mexico.

A billboard sign on the side of the road says, "Visit exciting CURIO CITY. Indian gifts at scalpers' prices. 3 mi." Other than the obvious play on words (rhymes with "curiosity"), I'm not sure if this is a reference to anything else or not. The term "Indian gifts" is a reference to the term "Indian giver," which is, according to Wikipedia, an "expression used for any individual who gives something and then either takes it back or wants to take it back."

The police-dog hiding behind the billboard on his motorcycle is, according to Fastback, the same police officer who gave the speedster a speeding ticket off-panel in issue #1, page 15, panel 1.

PAGE 22: Panel 6: "Muddlehead mudgard" is a phrase I've never heard used anywhere else before.

PAGE 24: Panel 7: "Follywood Reporter" is a pun on the Hollywood Reporter, the second largest film industry trade newspaper in Hollywood (after Variety).

PAGE 25: Panel 5: Sprockett's director's cap now says, "Auteur." The word auteur, according to its entry in Wikipedia, is "French for author" and a term "used to describe film directors who are considered to be artists with their own unique vision."

The clapboard says, "'Son of the Muck-Monster' screen test. Dir: Sprockett. Sc. #1. Take #1."

Panel 6: The preview to the next issue says, "RABBITS of the LAST ARK," which is a pun on Raiders of the Lost Ark, the 1981 film by Steven Spielberg and George Lucas which starred Harrison Ford. "Oklahoma Bones" is a parody of Indiana Jones, the hero of the film.

PAGE 26: Letters page ("The CARROT PATCH"):

Letter from Robert A. Buethe, of Elmont, N.Y. has references to "Roy Tortoise" (Roy Thomas), "Scott Paw!" (Scott Shaw!), "Dial 'H' for Hedgehog" (Dial "H" for Hero), "Wombat Communications" (Warner Communications), "Gnu Keen Titans" (New Teen Titans), "Elks-Men" (X-Men), "Swan Lee" (Stan Lee), "Marmoset Comics" (Marvel Comics), Gardner Fox, and Curt Swan.

Thanks to Brad Walker, Michael Norwitz, and T Campbell for information and/or comments provided on this page.

Relevant Web Sites

Gulf Coast BigFoot Research Organization - A site with reports from all over the world about bigfoot sightings, including so-called "swamp monster" sightings from the southeast USA. Most researchers agree that so-called "swamp monsters" are actually bigfoot living in a swampy terrain.

The Continuity Pages: Swamp Thing - An informative site on DC Comics' Swamp Thing with a full history of the character.

The Swamp - A good site for Marvel Comics' Man-Thing with info and links.

B-Notes - Spawn of the Slithis (1977) - A page on a deliciously AWFUL mud-monster movie of the '70s which also has some info on other muck-monsters in media.

All characters, insignias, and images are Copyright 2006 DC Comics. I make no claim whatsoever on these copyrighted characters, and these annotations are done purely for fun, for no profit whatsoever.

The annotations, however, are mine and mine alone. This means that permission is required in order to reproduce, in full or in part, any part of these annotations.

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