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December 1965

Lobo the first African American comic book character to headline his own series. Lobo was a former Union soldier in the Civil War who moves west after the war where he becomes a cowboy who is wrongfully accused of murder. His accuser gives him the moniker "Lobo," or lone wolf. The gun-slinger sets out to prove his innocence. On his way he saves "Old Timer" from drowning in a river, a gold miner who had also been wrongfully accused of a crime. Old Timer gives Lobo a bag of his signature gold coins in gratitude for saving his life. The coins have a wolf's head and the letter "L" printed on them. Lobo finds the actual murderer, but he dies before he can clear Lobo's name. Before he dies, the Older Timer makes Lobo promise that he will spend the rest of his life helping others find justice. The series had two issues: December 1965 and September 1966 (also known as Dell Comics #12-439-512 and #12-439-610).

Lobo, Number 1, December 1965 edition, published by Dell Publishing Company. This first issue was written by DJ Arneson and illustrated by Tony Tallarico and was the first comic book series with an African-American lead character. The front cover of the magazine is predominately yellow, red, and blue. The top third of the cover features the comic’s masthead in white outlined red, stylized text that reads [Lobo] set against a yellow background. The publisher’s name and the comic book’s number are printed in a blue and purple box the top left corner with light blue and black text that reads [DELL / 12¢ / 12-439-512] and the date below the box in black text [DECEMBER]. In the top left corner is black text that reads [COLLECTOR’S ISSUE]. The right side of the front cover is dominated by an illustration of the comic book’s titular character, Lobo. Lobo is depicted in all blue with a brown ammunition belt and brown boots. He is facing the viewer with a pistol drawn in proper his right hand. Behind him is his red shadow. In the background are additional illustrations of a reward poster for Lobo, Lobo on his horse named Midnight, and Lobo in an Old West gunfight. Text on the left side of the front cover reads [BRANDED / FOR LIFE / AN HONEST MAN… / BLAMED FOR A / CRIME / HE DID NOT COMMIT!] at the center and [READ THE FIRST / DRAMATIC / ADVENTURES / OF LOBO / A FUGITIVE ON / THE SIDE OF / THE LAW] on the bottom. The back cover features a large yellow order form for the American Specialty Company. The interior pages are off-white with color illustrations, advertisements, and text. The comic book is thirty-two (32) pages and is staple-bound.

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Books and Published Materials

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

National Museum of African American History and Culture

2019.28.24.1

comic books

© Dell Publishing Co. 1965
Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

ink on paper (fiber product) with metal

H x W x D (Closed): 10 1/4 × 6 15/16 × 1/8 in. (26 × 17.7 × 0.3 cm)
H x W x D (Open): 10 1/4 × 13 7/8 × 1/2 in. (26 × 35.3 × 1.2 cm)

Title • Lobo, No. 1

nmaahc_2019.28.24.1

NMAAHC

LOBO, NO. 1

National Museum of African American History and Culture

CC0

1960s

Dell Publishing Co. • Tallarico, Tony • Arneson, DJ

New York City • United States • North and Central America

Justice • Amusements • American West • Violence • Comics and graphic novels • Race relations • Military

City • New York City • State • New York • Country • United States • Continent • North and Central America

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