Playboy #10

"Falling Giraffe" is a striking, self-contained story from 1966, written and illustrated entirely by Claude Smith, showcasing his singular artistic vision. It follows a man in a hospital bed, initially frowning beneath a protest sign that reads "Prepare to Meet Thy Doom," before a quiet moment with a nurse shifts his mood—leaving his expression and the sign’s presence in question. The issue’s bold visuals and subtle narrative are rendered in Smith’s distinctive style, with full creative control evident in every line and color.