Al & Fred Visit Mexico! (Part 2)

Perhaps you remember part one of our controversial, hard-hitting series of investigative reports covering Al & Fred's (and little Jim Wiseman's) fact-finding mission to Mexico (which formed the basis for their audacious international political expose Dennis the Menace in Mexico).

Well, actually, "part one" was just some scans from the Mexico funnybook. But they were exciting scans, nonetheless.

And this time? Even more excitement!

You see, way back when globe-hopping Al took his jaunt to Mexico, he purchased a rather large, hand-crafted traditional mask for reference. That very same metal mask has now found itself in the possession of his son Jim and daughter-in-law Teresa. Teresa was kind enough to share a photo of this mask. She wrote:

"Jim's stepmother, Sue Dewar, with whom we are still very close, gave Jim the Mexican mask that Al bought on that trip and used in the comic."

Here's the mask:


Panels from Dennis the Menace in Mexico:



Thanks for the photo, Teresa! Your images and insights are always appreciated.

Teresa also added some personal information about herself and Jim (and Dennis the Menace in Mexico):
 
"It's funny - Jim and I never met until 1984, yet at different times in our lives we lived very close to each other and had mutual friends and acquaintances.  When he was about 5 and I was 3 we lived one street over - I was just young enough not to be let out of the yard so we never met.  My parents were rather strict and we were poor growing up, so comic books were something we never had unless they were "hand-me-downs" or used.  The one that I did have and cherished for years was Dennis the Menace in Mexico - literally the story of Jim visiting Mexico with Al.  Who would have thought that I'd end up married to him?" 

Could be fate. Or maybe that mysterious Mexican mask has mystical powers after all...




Jim Wiseman had previously posted the mask image on the Ultimate Dennis the Menace Thread. Here's what Jim wrote on the thread about the mask and his childhood visit to Mexico:

"Recently, my father's 2nd wife (1st step-mother) gave me a large tin mask we bought on that trip. It is big and gaudy, but I like it.

"When my father and I went to Mexico, he was a real celebrity there. We got special treatment in quite a few places. I took time off from school to go. bwahahahaha.

"He had hired a guide who escorted us all the time we were there until we reached Acapulco. What an adventure for sure!"

"We met Shirley Jones, the actress, in Acapulco. I was in love. Cantinflas was there also.

"We were in Guadalajara, I was sick and had to stay in my hotel room. Tea and toast brought me back to life. Dad was feeling sorry for me, so he went downstairs, and across the street where there was a marimba band. He paid the band to move down the street a little and play so I could see and hear them."



Visit the Ultimate Dennis the Menace Thread and read up on all things Dennis. They do great work there!

Al & Fred Visit Mexico Posts:
Part 1
Part 2

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