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Lassie comics were published by Dell under the name MGM's LASSIE, and later Gold Key. Some comics were sold as Top Comics. Regular comics are 7 1/4" x 10 1/4" in size - though I have a couple Australian Lassie comics that are small, which would otherwise be the big size in the USA. If you are thinking of the small comics that were giveaways at shoe stores in the USA, they are looked at in more detail on the March of Comics page.
The Unofficial Lassie Website has more information about the history and content of Lassie Comics.
If you have more details to add, please let me know! The covers described are USA comics unless otherwise stated.
Comics to collect include:
- #1 October-December, Dell, 1950
Front cover: Colour photo of Lassie's head, right side. There is a blue background. Three images at bottom on yellow background, of a boy in red shirt and blue jeans playing with Lassie.
- #2 January-March, Dell, 1951
Front cover: Painted colour illustration of Lassie standing on a boat deck with the wind blowing his coat. This Lassie is clearly the first, Pal. There is a blue sky background. The boat hull is white, with a brown mast, and the boat's first name is "Sea".
- #3 April-June, Dell, 1951
Front cover: Painted colour illustration of Lassie running through vegetation with a blond-haired man in blue jeans and white shirt with a gun strapped to his back. Lassie looks like Pal. The sky is "sky blue", paler than on the first two issues.
Front cover (British comic): Painted colour illustration of Lassie playing with a bullfrog.
- #4 July-September, Dell, 1951
Story: Marooned
Front cover: Painted colour illustration of Lassie and seagulls.
Back cover: Painted colour illustration of Lassie with two people.
- #5 October-December, Dell, 1951
Front cover: Painted colour illustration of Lassie playing with a bullfrog.
- #6 January-March, Dell, 1952
Front cover: Painted colour illustration of Lassie jumping over a barbed wire fence, with an addressed and stamped envelope in his mouth.
- #7 April-June, Dell, 1952
Front cover: Painted colour illustration of Lassie leading a bay (black and brown) horse around a racetrack, with the lead in Lassie's mouth. Lassie seems to be grinning and appears to have a mischievous look to me! The horse, who has a white star on its forehead, looks like it is trotting.
- #8 July-September, Dell, 1952
Story: Lassie Comes Through
Front cover: Painted colour illustration of Lassie standing on a clifftop, looking very majestic with the wind blowing his fur forward and tail between the hind legs. Lassie's right front paw is raised.
- #9 October-December, Dell, 1952
Front cover: Painted colour illustration of Lassie resting on the deck of a boat with the right leg over the edge further than the other. Lassie is enjoying the breeze, sights and sounds (aaah, I am using my imagination! Lassie looks like he's enjoying himself!) There is a wooden wheel behind Lassie on the left of the cover.
- #10 January-March, Dell, 1953
Front cover: Painted colour illustration of Lassie protecting a flock of sheep (in the background) from a bald eagle (in foreground) who has its talons open as it flies at Lassie. Lassie is on his hind legs.
- #11 April-June, Dell, 1953
Lassie a trip to the everglades
Front cover: Painted colour illustration of Lassie (on a helicopter?) looking down at people on a beach waving.
- #12 July-September, Dell, 1953
Front cover: Painted colour illustration of Lassie rescuing a cute tabby kitten from a fire. Lassie appears to be jumping through a window.
- #13 October-December, Dell, 1953
Front cover: Painted colour illustration of Lassie gripping a man's blue shirt by the shoulders - the man is on a half-submerged raft and Lassie is pulling. The water is rough and sky dark with clouds.
- #14 January-February, Dell, 1954
Front cover: Painted colour illustration of Lassie having fun running through a field, with a red-chested bird flying just above him. There is a red farmhouse in the background. It's a perfect day for playing - blue skies and the odd yellow flower dotting the lush green grass.
- #15 March-April, Dell, 1954
Story: Roundup In Rio
Front cover: Painted colour illustration of Lassie lying on grass next to a wooden fence, looking at a cute brown and white hound puppy on his back! What a soft cushion! There is a water bowl by Lassie's front paws.
- #16 May-June, Dell, 1954
Story: Adrift on the Amazon
Front cover: Painted colour illustration of Lassie with four fluffy chicks.
- #17 July-August, Dell, 1954
Front cover: Painted colour illustration of Lassie leaping over a tree log on a beach. Lassie looks extremely happy!
- #18 September-October, Dell, 1954
Story: Secret of the Jungle
Front cover: Painted colour illustration of Lassie herding several wild animals away from a bushfire in the distance. The animals jumping a log are a hare (or rabbit?), fox and raccoon.
- #19 November-December, Dell, 1954
Front cover: Painted colour illustration of Lassie walking on the train tracks holding a red flag by its stick in his mouth. There is a river behind and the tracks stop there.
- #20 January-February, Dell, 1955
Front cover: Painted colour illustration of Lassie with two small birds (willy wagtails?) in the snow.
- #21 March-April, Dell, 1955
Front cover: Painted colour illustration of Lassie running across a field urgently, carrying a medical bag by its handle. The bag appears almost cylindrical, is brown, and has a white circle with a red cross in it, on the side.
- #22 May-June, Dell, 1955
Stories: The Isle of Adventure; The Flying Wolf; The Nature Lover
Front cover: Painted colour illustration of Lassie, head and neck, from the right side. These painted covers show gorgeous detail and some, like this one, are quite realistic! Art by Matt Baker.
- #23 July-August, Dell, 1955
Stories: The Treasure of Lassie; Storm Over the Pampas; Forest of Fear
Front cover: Painted colour illustration of Lassie in a boat with a boy snoozing and fishing rod.
- #24 September-October, Dell, 1955
Stories: The Warrior; Jungle Rivals; The Law of the Jungle; The Guardian
Front cover: Painted colour illustration of Lassie picking up a lifesaver (rubber tube circle with a hole in the middle) by rope attached to it. Lassie is on a wooden jetty. There are a couple of white birds flying in the sky.
Back cover: Profile of the Beagle dog breed.
- #25 November-December, Dell, 1955
"She braved the jungle's fury to save her captive friends."
Stories: The Thieftakers; Desperate Journey; A Dog for Manuelo; Gift from the Sea; Reina - the Black Panther
Front cover: Painted colour illustration of Lassie walking through the jungle in the rain.
Back cover: Advertisement for Cracker Jack nut toffee.
Inside back cover: Advertisement for Juicy Fruit.
- #26 January-February, Dell, 1956
Stories: The Trembling Mountains; Danger in the Deep; The Golden Godess; The Black Jaguar
Front cover: Painted colour illustration of Lassie play-bowing to a sea turtle.
- #27 March-April, Dell, 1956
Stories: Valley of the Lost; Mountain Rescue; Lassie Meets the Emperor
Front cover: Painted colour illustration of Lassie in a down position, very detailed 3/4 front on view.
Back cover: Profile of the Irish Setter dog breed.
- #28 May-June, Dell, 1956
Front cover: Painted colour illustration of Lassie jumping over a log with a monkey in the background.
- #29 July-August, Dell, 1956
Front cover: Painted colour illustration of Lassie with a thatched roof in the background and what appears to be a bamboo pole fence in the foreground.
Back cover: Advertisement for the Schwinn 3 speed Corvette bike.
Inside cover: A story about Dalmatians (a dog breed).
- #30 September-October, Dell, 1956
Front cover: Same illustration of Lassie in a storm as for Lassie Golden Press comic book front 1978.
Lassie comic covers, Issues 1 to 30
- #31 November-December, Dell, 1956
Stories: Danger Ahead; Boy of the Wilderness; My Friend Pinto; Reina The Black Panther; Lassie Finds a Star
- #32 January-February, Dell, 1957
Front cover: Painted colour illustration of Lassie running through the jungle with two beautiful macaws flying overhead - one red, yellow and blue, and to its left a yellow and blue macaw.
- #33 March-April, Dell, 1957
Front cover: Painted colour illustration of Lassie walking through the rainforest with a waterfall behind.
Back cover: Profile of the Pomeranian dog breed.
- #34 May-June, Dell, 1957
Front cover: Painted colour illustration of Lassie balanced on a log in a river. The trees and grass in the background are bent - looks like a strong wind - and Lassie's fur is ruffled. The sky is dark though there is no sign of rain in the picture.
- #35 July-August, Dell, 1957
Front cover: Painted colour illustration of Lassie in a cave filled with golden coloured artifacts.
- #36 September-October, Dell, 1957
Front cover: Painted colour illustration of Lassie in the forest, looking over his shoulder at several wild deer. A puzzle was based on this beautiful detailed picture!
- #37 November-December, Dell, 1957
"Brave... Loyal... Soon to face her 'Test of Fire'!"
Front cover: Colour photo of Lassie on a grassy bank with vivid blue sky behind. A similar photo is seen on the cover of the book Lassie and her Day in the Sun but Lassie is looking straight at the camera in the comic photo with body turned to the left. On the book cover Lassie's body is to the right. It is possible the photos were taken in the same location.
- #38 January-February, Dell, 1958
"Lassie finds a 'Mystery Bone'!"
Front cover: Colour photo of Lassie in a doorway of wooden appearance.
- Lassie comic 1958
Lassie Programs, Inc.
Stories: Lassie's New Partner; Lassie Flames of Fear
1958. Australian comic, small size, black and white comic pictures.
Front cover: Colour photo of Lassie and Timmy. Hmm are there two versions of this issue? I found another cover that just shows Lassie, also a colour photo. Lassie has his paw up. Did he just open a door?
- #39 March-April, 1958
"Lost - 'The Runaway' Found - A new friend for Lassie"
Stories: The Runaway; A Lesson in Flames; Challenge of the Wild
Front cover: Colour photo of Lassie next to a tree stump.
- #40 May-June, 1958
Front cover: Colour photo of Lassie in a 3/4 front on view, with paws up on a wood rail or log, and a crude log post and rail fence behind.
- Television Picture Stories! 1958
Lassie Programs, Inc.
Stories: Thundering Hoofs, The Challenge
Front cover: "Television Picture Stories!" in yellow on a blue background at the top of the comic. Painted colour illustration of Lassie on the steps of what looks like a white weatherboard building.
Australian comic, small size, black and white comic pictures.
- #41 July-August, Dell, 1958
"Faced with 'The Challenge'!"
Story: The Challenge
Front cover: Same colour painted illustration as for the above Television Picture Stories! 1958, Lassie Programs, Inc., but with slightly more of Lassie and surroundings showing.
- #42 September-October, Dell, 1958
"Timmy finds a friend when he becomes 'Lassie's New Partner'."
Story: Lassie's New Partner
Front cover: Colour photo of Lassie and Timmy peeking around a door.
- #43 November-December, Dell, 1958
"Friends again after 'The Feud'."
Story: The Feud
Front cover: Colour photo of Timmy feeding Lassie a sandwich. Timmy has a cheeky smile!
- #44 January-March, Dell, 1959
"Lost!...and all around them a 'River On A Rampage'."
Stories: River on a Rampage; Lassie Wins A Prize
Front cover: Colour photo of Timmy holding a lantern, with Lassie.
- #45 April-June, Dell, 1959
Story: Danger at Dusk
Front cover: Colour photo of Timmy with blue baseball cap on, baseball glove on his left hand, with Lassie who is holding a baseball in his mouth.
- #46 July-September, Dell, 1959
Front cover: Colour photo of Timmy fishing with Lassie.
- #47 October-December, Dell, 1959
Front cover: Colour photo of Timmy and Lassie. Timmy is resting his chin in his left hand, and holding school books that are held together by a leather strap. He has a dreamy, faraway look in his eyes.
- #48 January-March, Dell, 1960
"Lassie fights a blinding blizzard to free Timmy from a snowy trap!"
Front cover: Colour photo of Lassie (Spook) and Timmy, who is holding a lantern.
- #49 April–June, Dell, 1960
"Timmy and Lassie discover a helpless doe can be dangerous game!"
Front cover: Colour photo of Timmy and Lassie.
- #50 July-September, Dell, 1960
"To protect Timmy, Lassie fights her most valiant battle with an angry bull!"
Story: Moonlight Menace
Front cover: Colour photo of Timmy hugging the second Lassie, with his head against his ruff. Gorgeous! Timmy is wearing a red checked shirt.
- #51 October–December, Dell, 1960
"An unseen danger follows Lassie and Timmy, becoming more deadly with each passing minute!"
Front cover: Colour photo of Timmy on his bicycle and Lassie (Spook) who has his paws up on the handlebars. There is a yellow background. Timmy is wearing a checked red shirt with the grey jacket again - it shows white, red and black stripes on it near his waist.
- #52 January-March, Dell, 1961
"Alone and adrift, Lassie and Timmy battle a storm at sea!"
Front cover: Colour photo of Timmy and Lassie (Spook) with green background. I love this photo of Spook!
- #53 April-June, Dell, 1961
"A cave-in threatens to turn a tunnel into a tomb for Lassie and Timmy!"
Front cover: Colour photo of Timmy in a bright red fireman's hat (that says Fire Chief on it) with Lassie holding a hose near the spout end in his mouth. This Lassie is Spook. Timmy has the green hose coiled over his left shoulder. He looks a little anxious!
- #54 July-September, Dell, 1961
Front cover: Colour photo of Timmy holding a torch, with Lassie.
- #55 October-December, Dell, 1961
Lassie Programs, Inc.
Stories: The Spike-Horn; The Lariat
Front cover: Colour photo of Timmy holding a stick, with Lassie.
- #56 January-March, Dell, 1962
"Lassie and Timmy brave a bear's slashing paws to rescue an unfriendly neighbour!"
Front cover: Colour photo of Lassie on Timmy's right, with Timmy standing beside her with his left foot up on the rock ledge where Lassie is sitting. Timmy is holding binoculars, squinting at something in the distance. There is a brown binoculars case on the ground in front of Lassie. Hey, my parents have that kind of case for their binoculars!!
- #57 April-June, Dell, 1962
"Timmy and Lassie survive a plane crash to begin a perilous mission of mercy!"
Front cover: Colour photo of Timmy in a sleeping bag with Lassie sitting on his left.
- #58 July-September, Dell, 1962
"Lassie and Timmy defy a gang of toughs to rescue a small boy and his pet raccoon!"
Front cover: Colour photo of Timmy on a stepladder, reaching out to take the hammer from Lassie's mouth. Timmy is wearing a white shirt and blue jeans with a patch on the knee.
- #59 October-December, Gold Key, 1962
"In the African jungle, Lassie and Timmy encounter deadly superstition, triggered by a toy balloon!"
Story: Flames of Decision
Front cover: Colour photo of Lassie holding a rope with Timmy climbing up the rockface. Timmy has a red baseball cap on his head.
First Gold Key issue. There is a back cover photo of Timmy and Lassie.
- #60 January, Gold Key, 1963
"Condemned to death by an African chieftain, Timmy and his parents place their last hope for rescue on Lassie!"
Front cover: Colour photo of Timmy and Lassie in a jungle, looking at a large wooden carved mask.
- #61 Gold Key, 1963
Front cover: Colour photo of Timmy, slightly bent over, and Lassie (Baby) in a low cave.
- #62 Gold Key, 1963
"In the treacherous African swamps, Lassie is attacked by a giant crocodile!"
Front cover: Colour photo of Lassie and Timmy in a jungle. The shadow of a fern is on Timmy's shirt.
- #63 October, Gold Key, 1963
"Timmy and Lassie brave a raging jungle river to save a train from plunging through a washed-out bridge!"
Story: Flame of Courage
Front cover: Colour photo of Timmy standing with Lassie on his right. There are palm trees in the background. They are on a wooden bridge. The photo is taken looking up at them and their faces look quite serious!
- #64 Gold Key
Front cover: Painted colour illustration of Lassie walking through the jungle in the rain.
- #65 Gold Key, 1965
Wrather Corporation.
Stories: Flaming Forest; Backfire Blowout
Front cover: Colour photo of Corey Stuart and Lassie.
Back cover: Black and white photo of Corey Stuart and Lassie.
Inside back cover: Article - The Man Behind Lassie
- #66 Gold Key, 1966
"Lassie uncovers a twenty-year-old mystery and leads the search for Old Thunder's lost treasure!"
Wrather Corporation.
Stories: Old Thunder's Lost Treasure; The Lonely Lookout on Hickory Hill
Front cover: Colour photo Lassie with Corey Stuart, who is holding binoculars, in a field with a tree log and rocks in front of them.
Back cover: Black and white photo of Lassie.
Inside front cover: Advertisement for the Official Lassie Forest Ranger Kit - contents: photographs, forest ranger handbook, badge, emblems (can be ironed onto garments like t-shirts), and wallet (vinyl wallet contains Official Insignia, Identification Card, Picture of Lassie, Membership Card and folding vinyl storage for 18 photos and cards.
- #67 Gold Key, 1966
Wrather Corporation.
Stories: Top Secret; The Gray Shadow
Front cover: Colour photo of Corey Stuart and Lassie.
Back cover: Black and white photo of Corey Stuart and Lassie (Baby).
- #68 Gold Key, 1967
"Forest ranger Corey Stuart and Lassie unravel the secret of The Shadow At Ghost Town."
Wrather Corporation
Story: The Shadow at Ghost Town
Front cover: Colour photo Corey Stuart with Lassie.
Back cover: Black and white photo.
- #69 Gold Key, 1967
Wrather Corporation.
Stories: The Intruders of Sawtooth Ridge; The Rescue
Front cover: Colour photo of Corey Stuart with binoculars around his neck and radio mike in hand, and Lassie on the pickup.
Back cover: Black and white photo of Corey Stuart and Lassie. This is the last Lassie comic to feature forest ranger Corey Stuart.
- #70 Gold Key, 1969
Wrather Corporation.
Stories: Showdown at Pinewood Summit; Menace of the Grizzlies
Front cover: Colour photo of Lassie, Jack De Mave and Jed Allan.
Lassie comic covers, Issues 31 to 70
- Lassie Comic Album, 1976
Front cover: Colour illustration with Timmy's head, Lassie's head/ruff, and a horse with rider jumping. Text from front cover - 'Also suitable for colouring and crayoning.' 48 pages in black and white. Approximately A4 in size.
- Lassie, 1978
Golden Press book of many comic stories, in colour, 224 pages.
Front cover: Painted colour illustration of Lassie in a thunderstorm - a couple lightning flashes are in the dark, cloudy sky.
Comics reprinted from 1954-55 and 1957-58.
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