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Four Color #461 cover
Cover: John Stanley

Four Color #461

Apr 1953 · Dell · 0.10 USD
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“Padlock Problem”

In "Padlock Problem," a 1953 Four Color comic, John Stanley crafts a delightfully absurd adventure where a Martian saucer, baffled by the shriek of Tubby’s violin, mistakes his accidental noise for a weapon. When the tiny aliens follow Tubby to a sidewalk display of mechanical men, they blend in as toys—only to be scooped up with the rest when Tubby takes them home, along with Gloria. With John Stanley handling writing, art, and inks throughout, and his own distinctive style defining the cover, this whimsical tale of mistaken identity and Martian mischief remains a quirky gem from the era.

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writer, artist, inker John Stanley · cover John Stanley

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Full credits

writer, artist, inker John Stanley
cover pencils, inks John Stanley

Full plot ⚠ may contain spoilers

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A flying saucer from Mars is observing Tubby's town. Tubby is taking violin lessons and makes such a high-pitched squeak that its vibrations cause damage to the saucer and its inhabitants. The saucermen assume that Tubby was doing the sound intentionally as a weapon and decide to capture him. The tiny men from Mars follow Tubby to a sidewalk demonstration of mechanical men, blending in with the toy men. When a policeman runs the salesman off without the toys, Tubby gathers them up, Martians and all, and takes them home. Gloria comes, too.

Plot details indexed by the Grand Comics Database (CC BY-SA).

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