Spring Road Super Review: The Case of the Ex-Explorer (Part 1) -- Smash Comics #63 (FEB 1945)

Smash Comics #63 (FEB 1945)

The story begins with Dave Clark's curiously still-unnamed boss at the radio station, which seems to constantly change names. (In this issue, it's WXBZ.) Mr. [insert authoritative sounding name] is irrationally ranting as per the stereotype of bosses in this time. He charges in on Dave as the latter is wrapping up a children's program.

Nice name and all...but is it just me, or are those two on the right about
to throw hands?

Mr. I'm-so-furious-I-gotta-carry-my-billy-club-to-talk (yes, really) is upset because WXBZ is getting beaten in the ratings by ZKQ. The boss-man in his infinite managerial wisdom has decided (this week) that the reason his station is performing second-best is its lack of a bona fide explorer on the air.

While complaining that the kids' shows are, "a drug on the radio market" he blurts out that he'd be willing to pay $50,000 as a signing bonus for a real explorer, and after that the fella could "name his own salary!" About this time, Mr. I'm-a-brave-manager takes a breath, allowing Dave to inform him that they are still on-air. Throughout Big City, all manner of radio listeners react to the boss-man's ill-considered announcement.

Meanwhile, Dave commiserates with Wackey and Gabby over his predicament. There just aren't many real explorers left, and the only one he knows of--one, "Prentice"--is already under contract with ZKQ. While bemoaning the untimely death of Prentice's assistant, J. C. Catlett--who otherwise would've been a good option--the phone rings.

The voice on the other end of the line claims to be the supposedly-deceased Catlett. The famed ex-explorer relates that he had only faked his death in order to enjoy retirement, but the irresistible lure of $50K has drawn him back into the public spotlight. Catlett agrees to come over for a talk, but before he arrives Dave produces an old photo of Catlett, "just in case some phony's trying to horn in." Wackey, for his part, assures Dave that, having gone on some expeditions in his younger days, he'll have no trouble recognizing whether this is the real J. C. Catlett.

When the door bell rings, Dave and Wackey both seem pretty well convinced that they're dealing with the real McCoy. Only Gabby registers any hesitancy...and then, only within his own private thoughts.

Yeah...nothing suspicious here. I'm sure this is the real J. C. Catlett.😏

While this front-porch negotiating is going on, some thugs (presumably members of the previously introduced Ziggy Rollo gang) arrive on the scene with their own Catlett imposter. Taking umbrage at having been beaten to the punch, the gangsters and seize both "Catlett" and his pet "panda," tossing them into an awaiting car.

While Dave is on the phone telling his boss that he's now locked down "the real Catlett" for WXBZ, Gabby informs his pal that...uh...some guys are shoving your explorer into a car. Quickly changing into his costume (which effectively means, he put on his domino mask and fedora) Midnight dashes out the front door and hails a conveniently waiting cab to follow the abductors' car.

Back at WXBZ, Boss I'm-really-bitter-I-didn't-get-the-job-as-the-Monopoly-Man has called up his counterpart at ZKQ to talk trash. (Because...I guess that's how businessmen established dominance in the 1940s?!)

No sooner do they get off the phone than the ZKQ Honcho turns to his explorer, Prentice (who, conveniently just happens to be standing around the office in his safari gear, rifle in hand) demanding to know how his rival can have Catlett, when Prentice had previously given assurance of his erstwhile partner's death. At this point, it begins to become clear why there are conflicting stories regarding exactly where and when Catlett died.