Broom Hilda

     If she is a member of the rank and file of the cartoonist’s Witches Union, Broom Hilda belongs to the rank division, and does not work her spells out of Detroit, Michigan. 

     Her surreal world of double toil and trouble is mostly populated by animals: elephants, snakes, buzzards, ostriches, and one porcupine looking thing that walks and talks like a man. 

     All were created by Russell Myers who was born in 1938 in Pittsburgh, Kansas.

     Myers began his career as an artist producing greeting cards for the Hallmark company.

     The cartoonist’s green-skinned, politically incorrect and socially awkward witch began publication as a comic strip in 1970 through the Chicago Tribune Syndicate.
Reportedly the ex-spouse of Attila the Hun, Broom Hilda has trouble attracting men, at least those who don’t turn into The Fly. Flies (and readers) she can attract. Her readers are attracted to a visually dream-like world that resembles ours only in the characterizations of Myers’ wild cast of characters. It is through his erasable witch and her loony buddies that Myers’ pokes his satiric finger into the vulnerable beer belly of our world.

     Myers’ work includes: Lancer--Broom Hilda (‘71); Blackthorn--Broom Hilda (‘85); Ballantine--The Backward Heimlick (‘87); Doing What I Do Best (‘84); I Always Get My Mountie (‘85); Lookin’ Good (‘85); Sneaky Volcanoes (‘82); Space Junk (’86); Grosset & Dunlap--Baying At The Moon (‘77); Boo! (‘77); Flying Low (‘76); Growing Old Gracelessly (‘78); I Love You, Broom Hilda (‘73); Losing Control (‘76); Popcorn Sandwiches (‘77); Ugly is as Ugly Does (‘76); Broom Hilda Presents Mother Nature’s Personal Friend Irwin Troll (‘76); Broom Hilda Rides Again (‘75); Fawcett --Comic Strip Tease (‘82); Life Begins at 1500 (‘81); One Rotten Apple (‘86); and Open At Your Own Risk (‘81); 

     Russ Myers’ work is recommended.

     Some older comics are expensive or difficult to locate. Price guides or comics dealers help. Comics shops, conventions, mail order companies and trade journals are good sources. Prices vary; shop around.

     Review by Michael Vance

     Questions? Comments? Send e-mail to miklvance@yahoo.com.