Monday, October 16, 2023
Toppers: Jo-Jo The Jester
As we've discussed before, the NEA syndicate had an unusual take on Sunday toppers -- they often had different artists work on them than the main strip. Here's an example of that, where Salesman Sam by George "Swan" Swanson was paired up with the topper Jo-Jo the Jester by Jim Lavery.
Lavery did occasional work for NEA, but this was his most visible contribution. Why he squandered the opportunity on this odd strip I cannot guess. Jo-Jo is a fellow who goes around in clown makeup, with no explanation why that might be. The other characters in the strip seem to find this to be perfectly normal street attire. This is the backdrop to tired jokebook gags that have little to recommend them.
Jo-Jo the Jester did not last long as the topper to Salesman Sam. It debuted on October 10 1926 and ended one year later on October 2 1927, to be replaced by J. Disraeli (Dizzy) Dugan by another NEA bullpenner, Irving Knickerbocker.
Labels: Topper Features
