amazing_fred-htd-decostumedamazing_fred-htd-profileAMAZING FRED

Real Name: Presumably Fred (but possibly not)

Identity/Class: Presumably terrestrial canine mutant, mutate (or something; see comments)

Occupation: Impressionist

Group Membership: None

Affiliations: Howard the Duck, Beverly Switzler, and Lee Switzler;
    presumably some association with the other acts at the burlesque show (and others) that ended up in the Odd Dimension, including the Apple Sisters and their All-Girl Apple Corps, Captain Wongo and his Norwegian Camels, Doctor Odd, Gregor, Mack Exacto, the burlesque show building's janitor; the employees of Joe's Dinner (sic), including the alleged former Vice-President of the United States of America

Enemies: None

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: Unrevealed;
    formerly a burlesque house in the unidentified "Odd dimension"

First Appearance: Crazy Magazine#65 (August, 1980)

Powers/Abilities: Otherwise a normal dog in appearance, the Amazing Fred has human level intelligence and can speak clearly.

    The Amazing Fred is a master of disguise, able to wear a bird costume and walk on his back legs (or possibly keeping his back legs inside the torso, as the bird costume's legs were far too small for his limbs to fit into) for an extended period of time.

Height: Approximately 2' at the shoulder
Weight: Approximately 45 lbs.
Eyes: Unrevealed (possibly dark green or brown)
Hair: Brown

amazing_fred-htd-auditionHistory:amazing_fred-htd-inline-bird
(Crazy Magazine#65 (fb) - BTS) - Feeling that no one was interested in dog acts anymore, the Amazing Fred disguised himself as a bird (although a big one!).

(Crazy Magazine#65) - Auditioning for the burlesque show run by Howard the Duck, the Amazing Fred (disguised as a bird)waited in line and was the second act to perform.

    Initially unimpressed with the thought of a bird act, Howard asked what he did that was so special. Fred explained, "I am an artiste. I do people calls! Observe..."

    The Amazing Fred then launched into a series of impression, complete with props, including Steve Martin as one of the "Wild and Crazy Czech Brothers," Telly Savalas as "Kojak," Groucho Marx, and...I'm not sure, maybe Jim Neighbors as "Gomer Pyle."?

    Impressed, Howard rushed over and slapped Fred on the back, telling him that it was incredible, easily one of the best acts...however, Howard stopped as he felt some sort of zipper on Fred's back.

    Unzipping the costume, Howard was furious upon finding a dog inside.

    Howard insisted the imposter get off the stage, as he couldn't stand a dishonest performer.

    Slinking away, Fred sighed, "Can I help it no one's interested in dog acts anymore?"

    Later, after magician Dr. Odd seemingly failed to transport the stage to another dimension (actually transporting the whole building and some of the surrounding buildings to the "Odd dimension"), Fred told the dejected Dr. Odd, "Hey, don't let it get ya down! There'll be other auditions!"

Comments: Created by Roger Stern, Pat Broderick, and Armando Gil.

    That's the joke...get it? It would have been fake if it had been a person in the costume, but it...ahhh, what do you know from funny??!!

    What was Fred?

    Crazy Magazine#65 was mis-numbered #66 on the cover. It is numbered correctly in the indicia. It's the one with the Alka-Seltzer-like cover.

    The realm to which Odd transported Howard has not been identified. I've informally referred to it as the "Odd" dimension.

    It's not been told how Howard and Beverly got back to Earth (they were in that realm for a few issues)...nor has it been detailed whether Odd or any of the others ever made it back.

    Howard's story in this issue is described as "Satire...Parody...Space-filler"

Profile by Snood.

CLARIFICATIONS:
The Amazing Fred should be distinguished from:

images: (without ads)
Crazy Magazine#65, Howard the Duck story, pg. 1, panel 1 (in line, in bird costume);
      pg. 2, panel 2 (impressions);
          panel 4 (uncostumed, slinking away);
       pg. 3, panel 7 (profile)
       

Appearances:
Crazy Magazine#65 (August, 1980) - Roger Stern (writer), Pat Broderick (penciler), Armando Gil (inker), Jim Owsley (associate editor), Larry Hama (editor)

First posted: 07/26/2019
Last updated: 01/04/2020

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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