Hector Comics #3

Hector and his pal Tex dive headlong into Western mode after watching the latest cowboy flicks, complete with full frontier dialect and rope work—much to the exasperation of the school's no-nonsense teachers. When a well-meaning mix-up lands Hector's principal in the line of fire, Miss Gripe decides to take matters into her own hands, rallying the rowdy crew for what she calls a proper celebration. It's a six-page romp through teenage enthusiasm run wild, as kids and authority figures alike get swept up in the Old West craze of 1954.

Hector's track shoes seemed like a smart idea after slipping on ice, but the noisy cleats create unexpected chaos once he gets to school—turning a simple morning mishap into a chain of misunderstandings that lands him in hot water with the principal and staff. Between damaged floors, mixed-up blame, and mischievous classmates making things worse, Hector has to figure out how to set things straight before the whole school day goes sideways.

Ziggy watches in amazement as his girl-crazy best friend Alf, who's always claimed to hate girls, suddenly shows up to the dance with a date named Annie in tow—carrying her books, buying her sodas, and sporting the unmistakable starry-eyed gaze of a fellow completely smitten. When pressed by the curious gang about this shocking reversal, Alf reveals the irresistible quality that's won him over. It's a humorous look at how even the most confirmed bachelor can fall under love's spell, 1954-style.

When Hector learns he's finally getting a shot on the basketball team, he's thrilled—until he discovers that both he and rival Dextor are competing for the same prize: the most dances with a new girl at the post-game dance. Determined to win, Hector gets some unexpected coaching from Bonnie, captain of the girls' team, and the two discover a real connection. But when Dextor resorts to sneaky sabotage during the big game, Hector's got to stay sharp to come out on top.

Hector lands a promotion to soda jerk when his boss leaves him in charge, but his cocky friend Dextor crashes the celebration and leaves without paying—forcing Hector to put him to work in the apron to settle the debt. What starts as sweet revenge spirals into chaos when Dextor's surprisingly good at making sodas, impressing the customers so much that Hector worries about his own job, all while Dextor wreaks havoc in the kitchen with the dishwashing.