Cover of The Flintstones #23 comic book published by Gold Key Comics in 1964

Sep 07, 2026| The Flintstones | 0 comments

The Flintstones #23 (Gold Key, 1964)

Hey there, fellow prehistoric pals and comic lovers! Figment Fossilwright here, taking a joyful stroll down memory lane. Growing up back in the 1980s, I may have missed the original newsstand arrivals of these 1960s Gold Key classics, but discovering them in dusty back-issue bins during my youth was like unearthing pure bedrock gold! Hanna-Barbera's stone-age family has a special place in my heart, and opening up The Flintstones #23 from November 1964 is an absolute treat.

Published during the height of Flintstone-mania—with Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm bringing fresh toddler energy to Bedrock—this issue delivers high-flying stone-age slapstick, classic Fred-and-Barney schemes, and that delightful Gold Key artistic charm. Grab a Bronto burger, kick back, and let’s dive into this classic issue page by page!

The Fire-Eater

Plot Summary: Fred decides to show off his cooking skills by whipping up a super-spicy dish featuring wild prehistoric peppers. Naturally, things escalate quickly when Fred's fiery culinary creation causes a string of chaotic misunderstandings around Bedrock, turning him into a literal "fire-eater" in the eyes of his neighbors.

Review & Rating: 8/10. Classic Fred Flintstone hubris at its finest! The visual gags of Fred reacting to the spicy concoction are drawn with fantastic Hanna-Barbera expressiveness. It’s a short, punchy opener that gets the issue off to a hilarious start.

The Big Blowout

Plot Summary: When Fred and Barney attempt to fix a tire using stone-age mechanics and prehistoric creature tools, their lack of handyman prowess turns a simple chore into an absolute disaster area. One mishap leads to another, resulting in a noisy, destructive sequence that draws the ire of Wilma and Betty.

Review & Rating: 7.5/10. The creature-as-appliance gags shine brightly here! Seeing how prehistoric critters act as pneumatic tools never gets old. While the plot is straightforward, the physical comedy is top-tier Gold Key material.

Dino's Big Day

Plot Summary: Spotlighting Bedrock’s favorite Snorkasaurus, this story follows Dino as he attempts to guard Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm while out in the yard. Dino runs into a series of pesky neighborhood pests and distractions, going to extreme lengths to stay loyal to his duties while maintaining his chaotic pet charm.

Review & Rating: 9/10. Dino steals the show! Silent or pantomime-style pet stories in Hanna-Barbera comics are always a delight, and watching Dino maneuver around Bedrock's wildlife to protect the kids is both heart-warming and genuinely funny.

The Super Saver

Plot Summary: Fred becomes obsessed with saving money after looking over the family budget, deciding to cut corners on every routine household expense. Barney gets dragged into Fred's frugal experiments, which—predictably—backfire disastrously and end up costing Fred twice as much to repair the damage.

Review & Rating: 8.5/10. This feels like a classic animated TV episode script placed right onto the comic page. Fred's schemes to save a couple of clams only to end up in deep trouble is standard Flintstones storytelling done right.

Final Thoughts from Figment

The Flintstones #23 is a fantastic example of why Gold Key's Hanna-Barbera line held up so well throughout the 60s and beyond. The vibrant artwork, crisp panel layouts, and cozy suburban-prehistoric humor offer pure escapism. Whether you're a long-time collector like me or someone discovering these stories for the first time, this issue delivers plenty of Yabba-Dabba-Doo moments!

- Figment Fossilwright