Li’l Abner Vol. 5: 1943-1944

Written and illustrated by Al Capp

In the darkest hours of World War II, why were millions of people laughing? Because they were reading Li’l Abner, that’s why! The fifth volume of this series features daily strips and full-color Sundays from 1943 and 1944, with a zany cast of characters that includes Shadrack Throwback, “The Monster,” Madame Lazonga, and Joan L. Sullivan, plus returning favorites like Moonbeam McSwine, Swami Riva, and Available Jones. Capp also aims his satirical barbs at teen idol Frank Sinatra (yes, Frank Sinatra!), as a starving Li’l Abner Yokum croons his way into female hearts. Meanwhile, the hilarious take-off on Dick Tracy, Fearless Fosdick, is like getting two comic strips in one!