Mike Lynch Cartoons: "Kit Karter: Have Kart, Will Travel" Art by Mad Magazine's Dave Berg

Comic books reflect fads of the times and this one reflects a short-lived fad (that was probably over by the time this saw print) of Go Kart racing. It was, according to the internet, a "thing" for a while. (Vintage Karts has a lot about this time.) Dell Comics, always looking for an angle, published this well-meaning one-shot comic book to cash in on the craze. Kit Karter No. 1, May-July 1962 was published by Dell and is copyright by the same. The teenage series features a cast of eight, all shown on the interior front cover for your easy reference. There's the lead kid, Kit, and his buddy "Axil Greez," Kit's mom and dad, his kid sister "Go Go Karter." There are also a couple of pretty girls (Claire Daloon, Vera Crews) and Kit's rival, Kris Kross.

Dave Berg, later of Mad Magazine's "The Lighter Side" feature, provides the art. The stories all have to do with the acquisition of and operation of go karts. For such a narrow concept, the stories are lively and fun. One plus: Dave likes to draw midcentury modern furniture, so the Karter home is fun to look at. Here's the opening story. Like Archie, it's all about a broke teen looking to make some money. Dad - the authority figure who won't give him the money for a go kart - gets embarrassed in the process and ... well, you'll see.