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Beads in the Comics

Beads show up in the comics a lot. Or maybe they are just easier to keep track of there.

Cartoon strips that feature Native Americans often have beads woven into their plot. One is "Catfish" by Wright. In one strip Trader Jim ("Franchises Available; Born to Barter") holds up a string of beads to two natives saying, Here's a fine string of quality beads... Five Buffalo hides!

One customer whips out a jeweler's loupe and declares, These are nothing but cheap costume jewelry... One Buffalo hide.

Another "Catfish" tells the same story in reverse. A white, bearded man in a Flea Market asks a native son sitting there, Do ya accept beads and trinkets?
The dealer answers, Sure... as long as they are wrapped in bills or credit cards.
For more on along these lines see Beads Buying Manhattan.

The most consistent bead lover among cartoonists is Tom K. Ryan, who does "Tumbleweeds." Several friends have sent me examples of his strips over the years; it is not carried locally. Hope Ryan doesn't mind me quoting him at such length.

A Native American behind a rock says to a white man, Guess what... Geronimo's favorite bead necklace broke.
White man, Oh, major tragedy.
He leaves and returns shot full of arrows, You might have mentioned the 2,000 grouchy Apache braves on their hands and knees.

Another strip: He (handing over a necklace: Fer you, Sweets! The sacred bead necklace.

She: Why's it sacred?

He: Tiny bead, so round so fair/ Strung betwixt your fellows there
Impaled on a long string line/ Beads in front and beads behind!
Doth it not feel rather odd/ With that string run through your bod?
Doth yer inhibitions shout/ For unfettered worlds without?
Alas, disemboweled doo-dad/ It appears that you've been had.
She stares blankly.
He: It inspired my 'Hymn to the Common Bead.'

Note: one or more images on this page may be copyrighted. I believe their use is covered by the "fair use" clause (Section 107) of the U.S. Copyright Law. If any copyright holder informs me in writing that the use is not fair, I shall remove the image in question.

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