Two covers in one: Pogo No. 5

On the cover of Pogo No. 5, May-July 1951, Albert is helping Pogo plant a garden, But Albert overdoes everything, so the cover shows him with a shovel full of an irate Sam Gopher in a bathtub—Albert has dug up the poor critter's bathroom.

The back cover is a classic Kelly composition about balance, the comic-book equivalent of a Rube Goldberg drawing. Albert sits on the open top of a barrel, which floats easily in tranquil pond amid a few lilies. On his lap is a goldfish bowl, in which he fishes—the goldfish inside the bowl eyes the unbaited hook nervously. Rackety Coon Chile sits on Albert's nose, happily fanning him, while Pogo sits on Albert's tail while pedaling an eggbeater to create a makeshift engine. By the expression on Pogo's face, it's clear that he is resigned to indulging his friend, who has shaded himself by looping a parasol through the back of his coatless collar.

Inside are a just three stories, are gems, but I like the sight gag on the inside front cover best. Howland Owl is sitting on the ground, leaning against a tree, while reading what appears to be Pogo No. 5. Pogo walks by and is pleased to see Owl enjoying his namesake comic. He struts away proudly, but once he's gone, Owl reveals that he's really been laughing at the writing in a book hidden inside the comic, whose cover bears the word "Shakespere," misspelling and all.