The Flintstones #23 (Charlton, 1973)
Greetings, fellow retro comic fans! Figment Fossilwright here once again, taking another delightful dive into Bedrock's storied comic book past. While my 1980s childhood was filled with Saturday morning cartoons and second-hand quarter bins, discovering the 1970s Charlton Comics era of Hanna-Barbera titles always brought a distinct flavor and energy to the table!
By June 1973, Charlton Comics had taken over publishing The Flintstones, giving us fun family dynamics featuring Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm alongside Fred and Barney's classic suburban shenanigans. Charlton issues have a wonderfully unique indie charm and kinetic pacing. Grab your favorite stone-age snack and let's review what's inside The Flintstones #23!
Which is Witch?
Plot Summary: Fred and Barney get caught up in a chaotic mix-up involving costumed trickery and local Bedrock misunderstandings. What starts as a simple day takes a strange, spooky turn when rumor spreads that a real witch might be wandering around the neighborhood!
Review & Rating: 8.5/10. Charlton always excelled at bringing goofy, high-energy slapstick into everyday Bedrock life. The visual gags are fast-paced, and Fred's over-the-top reactions to the perceived supernatural threat are classic Flintstone comedy.
The Big Fight
Plot Summary: Fred gets a little too confident in his physical prowess and ends up volunteered for a local sporting exhibition. Barney tries his best to act as Fred's trainer, leading to a series of hilarious training mishaps before the big match even begins.
Review & Rating: 8/10. You can never go wrong with a Fred-and-Barney scheme gone sideways. The banter between the two best friends is crisp, and the stone-age gym gear gags hit all the right notes.
Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm: Playground Pals
Plot Summary: A short feature highlighting Bedrock's favorite toddlers! Bamm-Bamm's super-strength causes a few unintended architectural changes to the neighborhood playground, while Dino tries to keep everyone safe and sound.
Review & Rating: 7.5/10. A charming, lightweight palette cleanser that delivers simple, clean family humor. Bamm-Bamm's effortless feats of strength are always fun to see on the page.
The Bargain Hunter
Plot Summary: Fred decides to prove to Wilma that he can find better deals at the Bedrock flea market than anyone else. Naturally, his attempt to buy cheap tools lands him with a useless, bizarre prehistoric gadget that causes total chaos at home.
Review & Rating: 8/10. A great closing story that captures the quintessential suburban sitcom vibe that made The Flintstones such an enduring franchise across all decades.
Final Thoughts from Figment
The Charlton run of The Flintstones in the early 1970s often flies under the radar compared to the Gold Key era, but issue #23 proves just how fun and vibrant these books were. With expressive line work, relatable suburban storylines, and plenty of prehistoric creature gags, it's a solid addition to any retro comic collection!
- Figment Fossilwright
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