Blowhard McDuff

Talented, sixteen year-old clarinetist who appeared semi-regularly in the teen comic book series Ozzie and Babs (December 1947 - Fall 1949). And one random appearance in Fawcett's Funny Animals #64, reprinted in Giant Comics #1 (Summer 1957). He appeared in short, text-only stories by R.R. Symes, a pseudonym for Rod Reed.

Appearances:

• "Hot Prescription," #4 (September 1948)
• "Hot Stuff," #5 (October 1948)
• "Mr. Ghost Goes to Town," #6, (November 1948)
• "Blowhard Goes Off the Cob," #7 (December 1948)
• "Blowhard's Big Fight," #8 (January 1949)
• "Blowhard Cracks a Safe-Cracker," #9 (February 1949)]
• "Wacky Wedding," #10 (March 1949)
• "Blowhard's Bus," #11 (April 1949)
• "Blowhard's Wild Goose," #12 (Summer 1949)
• "The Killer's Revenge," #13 (Fall 1949)
• "Modern Pied Piper," in Fawcett's Funny Animals #64 (Fall 1949)

In "Hot Prescription," he has an audition with Dr. Serge T. Benson, music director of the International Broadcasting Network Chain. But at the hotel, he accidentally performs for wealthy swing/jazz-hater H.T.B. Cashmore, who smashes his clarinet. But McDuff gets paid off for his troubles with a thousand-dollar check by Cashmore's business manager.

"Hot Stuff" has his band, Hot Stuff With McDuff, playing on the same bill with Oakie Sherman and his orchestra. In "Mr. Ghost Goes to Town," the combo's name has changed to McDuff's Hot Stuff, and mentions drummer Rat-tat Miller and pianist Vinnie DiBello.

"Blowhard's Big Fight," features rival trumpeter Willie Butternut.

"Wacky Wedding" mentions an unnamed guitarist.

"Blowhard's Bus," mentions Moe Klinkers and His Orchestra, and has the band's name as Blowhard McDuff and His Hot Stuff.

"Blowhard's Wild Goose" features his horn players, Kent and Sellers.

"The Killer's Revenge" features friendly rival clarinetist Buddy Smith.

External Links

• https://www.comics.org/series/14340/
• Ozzie and Babs #4 (September 1948)
• Ozzie and Babs #5 (October 1948)
• Ozzie and Babs #7 (December 1948)
• Ozzie and Babs #8 (January 1949)
• Ozzie and Babs #9 (February 1949)
• Ozzie and Babs #10 (March 1949)
• Ozzie and Babs #11 (April 1949)
• Ozzie and Babs #12 (Summer 1949)
• Ozzie and Babs #13 (Fall 1949)
• Giant Comics #1 (Summer 1957)