The European
Tin Tin albums by Herge and the
Asterix albums by Goscinny and Uderzo were familiar from my childhood. When I started going to Cal in 1977, I learned to prowl the comic book stores and used book stores along Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley and found English-language albums of
Lucky Luke by Goscinny and Morris. Some albums followed the European fashion and listed the artist Morris before the writer Rene Goscinny. My favorites included
Western Circus, The Stagecoach, and
The Tenderfoot. I loved the humble, laidback cowboy Lucky Luke and his smart talking horse Jolly Jumper. I loved the slogan: "The man who shoots faster than his own shadow." All the stories ended with Lucky and Jolly heading off into the sunset while he sang: "I'm a poor lonesome cowboy and a long way from home..."
I reread my handful of Lucky Luke titles many times over the years. I was immensely frustrated when the library system where I work bought dozens of Lucky Luke titles, but only in Vietnamese. Finally, an English publisher
Cinebook offered newly translated works until we have over 70 titles available. The series was started by creator Morris, but I still recommend starting with the albums written by Rene Goscinny.
I can't imagine acquiring a Morris original so I've been keeping my eye out for animation art. This rather oddly posed drawing turned up with another collector and I traded an odd BTAS Robin drawing. My guess is Lucky is jumping from a second floor balcony looking to land on Jolly Jumper. It was common in the albums to find Jolly anticipating an escape path. I think I found a legitimate online source for animated episodes:
LUCKY LUKE ENGLISH OFFICIAL 🇺🇸 youtube channel
