The Real-Great Adventures of Terr'ble Thompson

Who's the bravest, fiercest, most-best hero of all? Who was "Nero's hero, had Robin Hood a-quiver, and made Alexander great"? Why, it's Thaddeus "Terr'ble" Thompson, that's who, but don't bother looking him up in your history books. Terr'ble is a seven-year-old boy who travels the length and breadth of world history, fixing what needs fixing in the classic exploits of antiquity's greats, all the while allowing such luminaries as Columbus, George Washington, Davy Crockett, Cleopatra and Sir Gawain to take the credit. Frequently thwarting the efforts of his arch foe, Mean Morgan, Terr'ble Thompson always saves the day and somehow makes it home in time for dinner. Creator Deitch, an Oscar-winning animator, is perhaps best known for his '60s cartoon whiz kid Tom Terrific, and both characters share the same initials, a sketchy, geometric art style—a precursor of pop art—and boundless creative energy. The Terr'ble comic strip lasted a bare six months in 1955–1956 and was forgotten until now, a historical wrong that is finally being righted, providing readers of all ages with a fun and charming volume. (Jan.)