Timeline – 1967 Part 4

Beetle Bailey Sunday page color proof, December 31, 1967.

In anticipation of the upcoming football season, here is a classic episode in which Sarge gives Beetle and Zero some kicking lessons.

Similar to the page we posted last week, this scenario starts with a plausible set-up. Beetle falls on his head attempting to kick the ball. Zero is determined not to make the same mistake. When he barely lifts his foot off the ground Sarge shows him the right way to do it. Zero then challenges Sarge to see who can lift their leg higher. Sarge, of course, takes the bet and shows his flexibility. But he doesn’t know that Zero is double-jointed.

This is when the story takes a fantastic turn. Zero can actually spin his leg around like a whirligig. Sarge is dumbfounded. In the end, his idea to use Zero’s unique skill in the halftime show provides the punch line.

Beetle Bailey has featured this kind of visual humor to readers for 67 years. They must love it, because they keep coming back for more.

Next week our Timeline series moves on to 1968, so check back with us for some colorful Sunday pages from this peak period.

– Brian Walker