Little Beaver

Little Beaver is a young Native American boy who serves as the loyal young sidekick to Red Ryder, the Western cowboy hero. Debuting in 1939, he appeared in comics published by Dell based on Fred Harman's popular newspaper comic strip.

Few characters can claim a Golden Age debut alongside the likes of Clark Kent, Superman, and Bruce Wayne — but Little Beaver has been doing exactly that since first appearing in Crackajack Funnies #12 in 1939, making this Dell favorite one of the most enduring young characters in American comics history. Born from the creative energy of the Golden Age, Little Beaver went on to anchor titles like Red Ryder Comics and even a self-titled series, accumulating nearly a hundred catalogued appearances across an remarkable span stretching all the way to 2025 — over eight decades of comic book life. That kind of longevity is rare company indeed, and collectors have taken note, with at least one appearance earning recognized key-issue status. Whether you're a Golden Age devotee or simply love discovering the deep roots of Dell's classic lineup, Little Beaver is a genuinely rewarding corner of comics history to explore.