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an entire family

”Bachman”, the model train manufacturer’s resident superhero

The red-haired super-chief superhero

The website of BACHMAN THE MASTER RAILROADER cartoonist Dan “The Man” Danglo reveals that: “Dan Danglo was born in Brooklyn with a burning desire to work for Walt Disney and 18 years later found himself working at Terrytoons. During World War II, Dan served with the 4th Air Force in San Francisco as cartoonist for the headquarters newspaper. After the war, Dan did comic book penciling, magazine gag cartoons and worked in the story department at Famous Studio doing POPEYE and CASPER THE FRIENDLY GHOST storyboards. He also did storyboards and layouts for the feature-length cartoon TUBBY THE TUBA at NY Tech. In 1956, Dan became Art Director in the Visual Presentation Department at Young and Rubicam Advertising Agency. In 1970, Dan became Vice-President of Visual Presentation and Creative Director of Rollerman Enterprises creating corporate cartoon spokesmen and marketing properties. Dan has also taught Animation Storyboarding at Hofstra University and Animation Layout and design at the School of Visual Arts. Dan is a card-carryin' member of the National Cartoonists Society and the Berndt Toast Gang.”

This comic’s 6-page “Bachman The Master Railroader” story was “written and designed” by Dan Danglo of the “Rollerman Ent. Inc.” Unfortunately, after that decidedly Oddball cover, it’s a bit of a letdown. The untitled tale begins as an entire family -- consisting of a father, a mother, a son, a daughter and a pet pooch -- exit a “Toys & Hobbies” shop with their new Bachmann model railroad set:

FATHER:
When we get home, the whole family can pitch in and set up the layout.

DAUGHTER:
I hope it’s easy -- I’ve never done it before.

DOG (thinking):
Me neither.

Soon, the family arrives home, and his son can’t wait to play wit their new model railroad set:

SON:
C’mon Dad, Let’s get started! I’ve got the caboose!

FATHER:
I’ve got the locomotive.

DAUGHTER:
I’ve got the tracks.

MOTHER:
And I’ve got a box car full of cookies.

But later, after setting up the simple ring-shaped track, the family has a disappointing with their new model railroad:

MOTHER:
Should it look like that?

SON:
Is that “it”?

DAUGHTER:
Oh -- wow!

DOG (thinking):
?

FATHER:
We seem to have a little problem here!

But after the mother makes a crucial phone call…

MOTHER:
…And then the cars came off the tracks -- and we need HELP!

…”Bachman”, the model train manufacturer’s resident superhero (complete with engineer’s hat and cape!), shows up in a burst of white light:

BACHMAN:
This sounds like a job for BACHMAN!! Always at your service. Happy to help you get the most fun out of setting up your model trains.

FATHER:
O.K. Bachman. So show us what to do.

First, Bachman (I guess since he’s a superhero, his name should be pronounced “Bach Man”, huh?) shows the family a checklist of their train set’s contents. Then he demonstrates how to assemble the tracks, cautioning them to “lay out your tracks on a hard, clean, flat surface, like a door or table top -- or piece of plywood.” Next, Bachman shows how Bachmann’s exclusive “simplimatic plug in wiring system” attaches to the train tracks. After the father plugs the power pack into a wall outlet and turns it on, the toy locomotive starts whizzing around and around the circle of tracks:

BACHMAN:
A-OK.

DOG (thinking):
ARF!

DAUGHTER:
Look at it go.

SON:
WOW!

Then, after demonstrating how to couple the train’s cars (“I could handle that job”, thinks their pup), offers some trouble shooting tips. “If your trains fail to operate, check the following…”

BACHMAN:
…Make sure your power pack is plugged in.

BACHMAN:
…Metal objects across the tracks will cause a short circuit.

BACHMAN:
…All the locomotive and freight car wheels must be on the tracks.

BACHMAN:
-- Check all the track connections -- they just be tight.

BACHMAN:
The locomotive wheels and tracks must be cleaned regularly.

The red-haired super-chief superhero goes on to pitch such Bachmann products as “”Bachman Track Cleaner” and “a complete line of accessories to add to the fun of model railroading, including Plasticville buildings, scenery, switches, cars -- and much more...” before tipping his hat and signing off:

BACHMAN:
Remember Bachman is always ready to help. Just call me at: 1-800-356-3910

Also included in this issue of BACHMAN THE MASTER RAILROADER are the following features and advertisements:

• “Bachmann…No. 1 In Quality”, an inside-front-cover ad for “HO & N Electric Train Sets & Other Model Railroad Products” from “Bachmann Industries, Inc.” of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

• “Celebrate With Us!”, an inside-back-cover ad celebrating “The 40th Anniversary Of Plasticville -- The Original Plastic Village” available from “Bachmann Industries, Inc.”

• “Bachmann -- Quality Since 1833”, a back-cover company logo, accompanied by a ¼-page “Lifetime Limited Warranty” for the model railroad set that this “giveaway” comic originally accompanied.

ODDBALL FACTOID – Cartoonist Dan Danglo has also done work for Warner Bros. and Hanna-Barbera on such characters as “The Tasmanian Devil”, “Scooby Doo” and “Scrappy Doo”; he’s also worked on many projects involving “Felix The Cat”!

New Next Week: ODDBALL COMIC #1,218, MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2008: You won’t believe your senses! Hendrikson has no sight! Stanislaus has no hearing! Andre has no smell! Olaf has no touch! And Chuck has no taste! (Big deal -- neither does ODDBALL COMICS!) Don’t miss this week’s spotlight on a Silver Age issue of BLACKHAWK that cover-features “Five Fears For The Blackhawks”! It’s the funnybook that gave Helen Keller a superiority complex! (Did I mention that we have no taste?)

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