- Written by
- Fitzgerald, Bertram, American, 1932 - 2017
- Illustrated by
- LeMoine, Gus, American
- Published by
- Fitzgerald Publishing Corp., American
- Date
- October 1976
- Medium
- ink on paper (fiber product) with metal
- Dimensions
- H x W x D (Closed): 10 3/16 × 6 5/8 × 1/16 in. (25.8 × 16.9 × 0.2 cm)
- H x W x D (Open): 10 3/16 × 12 3/16 × 1 1/4 in. (25.8 × 31 × 3.2 cm)
- Description
- Fast Willie, Volume 1, Number 1 from October 1976 published by Fitzgerald Periodicals, Inc. The first issue was written by Bertram Fitzgerald and illustrated by Gus LeMoine. The comic book features eight (8) stories: "Fast Willie in Finders Keepers," "Jose Martinez in Spanish Food for Thought," "Happy Birthday, Frankie," "Don’t Thread on Dee Dee," "Jabar in the Good Old Days," "Fast Willie in Lost Souls," "Hannibal in King of Kung-Fu," and "Jabar in the One and Only." The front cover of the magazine is predominately white with color illustrations. The top third of the cover features the comic’s masthead in red outlined in black with stylized text that reads [FAST / WILLIE / JACKSON]. Above the title is a graphic of Fast Willie’s head with a yellow speech bubble that says [CAN YOU DIG IT?], and another man’s head with a speech bubble that reads [YEAH! I CAN DIG IT!]. The comic book’s issue, [OCT. NO 1], and publisher’s logo, [F / P [encircled in blue]], is printed to the left of the title. The price, [30¢ [encircled in blue]] above black text that reads [P D C / 53160-9] is printed to the right of the title. The front cover is dominated by an illustration of a dance party featuring the comic book’s titular character, Fast Willie Jackson, as well as other regular characters from the series: Jo-Jo, Hannibal, Jabar, and Frankie Johnson. The men are dancing with three (3) women. Surrounding the group are colorful balloons and musical notes. Fast Willie is depicted in the front left, wearing a blue jacket with orange lapels, and red pants. In the right foreground is Frankie Johnson. He is depicted wearing a blue jacket and orange pants. Behind Willie is Jabar, wearing a blue beret and red shirt, and Hannibal, in a yellow turtleneck and black pants. Jo-Jo stands behind Frankie and is wearing and orange turtleneck and an orange bucket hat. The back cover features the six (6) panel story, Jabar in the One and Only. The interior pages are off-white with color illustrations, advertisements, and text. The comic book is thirty-four (34) pages and is staple-bound.
- Place printed
- New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
- Classification
- Books and Published Materials
- Type
- comic books
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
- Object number
- 2019.28.24.2
- Restrictions & Rights
- © Fitzgerald Periodicals, Inc 1976
- Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.




