Leave It to Binky #27
Leave It to Binky #27 (July–August 1952) is a representative mid-run issue of DC's most sustained teen-humor franchise, appearing at the height of the postwar 'teenager' phenomenon that Sheldon Mayer and Bob Oksner helped codify in four-color form. The issue's expansive cast — drawing on recurring Biggs family members, the girlfriend Peggy Baxter, her scheming counterpart Soozie Smith, and supporting players like Buzzy Brown — captures the full ensemble depth the series had built in just four years. At least one story from this issue, 'Friendship Pin,' was considered good enough to be reprinted multiple times during the 1968 Silver Age revival, a clear editorial vote of confidence in the issue's material. The catalog listing of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis as indexed characters also reflects how DC's teen-humor titles of the early 1950s freely wove real-world celebrity pop culture into their fictional teen worlds.
In "Peggy — Look! A friendship pin for only a dollar—", Binky and Peggy race to snag a pair of bargain friendship pins, while Uncle Snootly scrambles to secure a crucial contract before his train departs. Written by Hal Seeger and brought to life with crisp, expressive art by Bob Oksner—both inks and pencils—this 1952 DC gem captures the charm and timing of small-town hustle with a touch of whimsy.
Sell my copy
Have this issue — or a whole collection? Get a fair offer from us, skip the marketplace fees and the hassle.
We Buy Collections ▸History
The series was conceived by Sheldon Mayer, who extended his earlier Scribbly work into a fully teenage mode; as Bob Oksner recalled, 'Binky was a little older version of Scribbly, more of a teenage focus.' Oksner handled the art from the series' 1948 launch through its 1958 cancellation, and issue #27 falls squarely in that core Oksner run. Larry Nadle served as the series editor during the original run, and the creative team of Mayer (concept/script) and Oksner (art) remained the backbone of the book through this period. The issue was published by National Periodical Publications (DC's formal corporate name at the time) as a bi-monthly title at the standard 10-cent cover price.
Trivia · 8 facts
- Cover date: July–August 1952; published by National Periodical Publications (DC Comics) as part of the original 60-issue run (1948–1958).
- Art by Bob Oksner, who helmed the series from its debut through the 1958 cancellation; characters and concept originated with Sheldon Mayer.
- The story 'Friendship Pin' from this issue was reprinted in Leave It to Binky #61 (July 1968) and #63 (November 1968) during the Silver Age revival, with hairstyles and fashions updated for the 1960s.
- A story from this issue was also reprinted in Leave It to Binky #62 (September 1968), making this one of the more heavily mined issues from the Golden Age run for the revival.
- Content from issue #27 was additionally reprinted in the Swedish edition Binky (Williams Förlags AB) #1/1974, with Binky and Peggy's hair redrawn to update the styling.
- Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis are indexed as characters in this issue — consistent with DC's practice of inserting real celebrity references into its teen-humor titles at a time when Martin & Lewis were the top box-office draw in Hollywood.
- The issue features Buzzy Brown, a character shared with DC's companion teen-humor title Buzzy, illustrating the interconnected nature of DC's mid-century teen line.
- The series as a whole ran 82 issues across multiple decades (1948–1977), spawned a spin-off (Binky's Buddies, 12 issues, 1969–1970), and was part of the broader DC humor line cancelled en masse between 1971 and 1972.
Cast · 26 characters
Full credits
Full plot ⚠ may contain spoilers
▸ Reveal full plot — may contain spoilers
Binky and Peggy try to time their arrival at a store just right in order to buy bargain friendship pins. Meanwhile, Uncle Snootly must get a contract to Bertram before his train leaves.
Plot details indexed by the Grand Comics Database (CC BY-SA).