This is the first comic to be based on a TV character. While the marionette’s greatest fame came from television, the seeds of Howdy’s origin are actually in radio. He appeared as one of several characters on a local show that was only available in the New York market. On that show, The Triple B Ranch, Howdy was a ranch hand who spoke with the voice of a country bumpkin. The three Bs in the title came from Big Brother Bob Smith, the host. He would eventually become Buffalo Bob. The character of Howdy was a stand-out on the show. Smith’s agent suggested that Howdy be given a try-out on TV. So, the format was adapted to television as Puppet Playhouse and debuted in December 1947. Within a week the show was renamed The Howdy Doody Show. The creator of the original Howdy got into a dispute over licensing rights with NBC. This meant that the character of Howdy needed to change. In March of 1948, the Howdy we know today debuted. He was now an all-American kid who had 48 freckles, one for each state in the Union. The character was a massive success. The licensing was huge. Dell gave him his own comic in 1950 (the book actually appeared on newsstands in late 1949). It lasted until 1957 when it was canceled with issue #38. He was still popular and made two more appearances in Dell’s all-purpose title, Four Color. The pages are cream to off-white. The book is CGC-certified 9.0. (VF/NM). This copy is tied with three others as the third highest graded copy they have seen. This is also one of nicest photo-cover comics you will ever see. CGC has certified this copy as part of the Crowley Collection.