NEIL THE HORSE | Canadian Animation, Cartooning and Illustration

NEIL THE HORSE

$C:\Users\Robert\Documents\CARTOONING ILLUSTRATION ANIMATION\IMAGE CARTOON\IMAGE CARTOON NEIL THE HORSE\NEIL THE hORSE, Neil The Horse, 12, June 1985, 26.jpg$ The motto of Neil The Horse

Created by Katherine Collins aka Arn Saba, the duo “Neil The Horse”, and “Soapy” made their first public appearances in a cartoon story in the Menomonee Falls Guardian a newspaper in Wisconsin U.S.A. which focused on humorous cartoon strips. The paper ran from 1972 to 1976. From 1977 to 1979, they were syndicated by GLP Features. It is hard to pinpoint when “Mam’selle Poupée” made her entrance. It appears it was in a strip done in 1979. She is the major part of a dance story done in 1979. Arn met Barb Rausch at a Comic Art Professional Society meeting in Los Angeles, and their collaboration which became an important part of the visual aspects of “Neil The Horse” began with a “Mam’selle Poupée” story which appeared in Cerebus 45 in the same year. In Arn Saba’s Neil The Horse which began in February 1983 Mam’selle Poupée is a regular character that increases in importance with each new issue as music and dance become increasingly significant themes, until she comes to dominate the stories.

“Neil” a horse is a naïve, child- like character; Mam’selle Poupée, a marionette is worldly and of the theatre; Soapy a cigar chomping alley cat is very street wise. The three watch out for each other or more specifically Mam’selle Poupée and Soapy watch out for Neil.

The visual style is based on a style developed by the Walt Disney Studios for their animation shorts like “Mickey Mouse”. A particular influence was Carl Barks who worked on Disney comic books and was the creator of “Donald Duck”. Beyond this unifying feature the story structure can be a sequence of panels, or illustrated text, or a combination of 4 panels and caption at the top moving the story along while at the bottom of the page is a text giving the full story or it can be a free flowing visual sequence.

“Neil The Horse has a remarkable diversity of genres. Its initial genre was that of a quirky funny animal cartoon, but from there it explored historical, science fiction, fantasy and ultimately musical theatre. A story like Video Warrior” reads like music and dance on paper. Indeed the dance sequences would have been well served by animation. Finally “Neil The Horse” jumped off the page and became a radio play aired on the CBC radio in 1986. When Arn moved to California, a live action musical theatre production was being prepared, but for reasons not associated with the musical it never reached completion. Hopefully, it may yet reach the stage. The second half of Arn Saba’s Neil The Horse, 1-15, July 1988 the last issue before Renegade Press went out of business, showcased the new direction that Saba was taking the “Neil The Horse” concept at that time, but as well this new version was never realized.

MEDIUM:

BOOK GRAPHIC ANTHOLOGY:

Content story graphic:

Potlatch presents The 1980 Comics Annual. Ed., Ian Carr. Potlatch Publications, 1979: “ Neil The Horse: Cannonball Wanted Apply Within.” Car., Arn Saba: 52-53. Colour. “Neil The Horse Goes To Hell.” Car., A. Saba. Assist Dave Roman: 114-117. B&W.

BOOK GRAPHIC COLLECTION:

Content story & Cover book front & back:

The Collected Arn Saba’s Neil The Horse. Car., Arn Saba. Conundrum Press, 2017. The stories in this compendium are gathered from the Neil The Horse periodicals below.

BOOK TEXT & GRAPHIC ANTHOLOGY: All published by Potlatch Publications. Editor Robert F. Neilson. Art Director Mary Tach.

Content:

Activity:

Canadian Children’s Annual, 1980. 1979: “Neil The Horse and Soapy in Puzzleland.” Car., Arn Saba. Assist, Dave Roman: 141-156.

Story text & graphic:

Canadian Children’s Annual, 1981. 1980: “The Bananaburg Players present: The Buried Moon.” Writ. & Illus., Arn Saba: 22-26.

PERIODICAL GRAPHIC: Arn Saba’s Neil The Horse published by Aardvark Vanaheim until issue 1-10, Dec. 1984, then by Renegade Press for the rest of the run. All contents black & white. All Cerebus, The Aardvark published by Aardvark Vanaheim. All contents black & white.

Content:

Activity:

Arn Saba’s Neil The Horse. 1-8, June 1984: “Soapy’s Cross Words (and Puzzle) by Nosilla Niabcm.” Writ., Nosilia Niabcm. Illus., Arn Saba.

Advertising:

Arn Saba’s Neil The Horse, 1-15, July 1988: …. Advertising for the first “Neil the Horse” Car., Arn Saba: 6-7. Advertising for the second “Neil the Horse” story “Creatures of Earth.” Car. Arn Saba: 42. Both first appeared in the Menomonee Falls Guardian newspaper in 1976.

Lyrics & Music, Composer, Lyricist, & Illus., Arn Saba. Arranger, Pete McCabe.

Arn Saba’s Neil The Horse, 1-3, June 1983: “Another Highway Song”14-15.

Arn Saba’s Neil The Horse, 1-12, June 1985: “Wind That Shakes the Barleycorn”: 15.

Paper Doll & Costume:

Arn Saba’s Neil The Horse. 1-1, Feb. 1983: “Great Women of ze Comics.” Illus., Arn Saba. Costume Designer, Barb Rausch. (Great women are: Daisy Mae, Sheena & Little Orphan Annie).

Arn Saba’s Neil The Horse …:. “Great Women of the Comics.” Illus., Arn Saba. Designer, Barb Rausch.

1-2, April. 1983: Rosie Ze Riveter, Katy Keene & Mama Katzenjammer.

1-3, June. 1983: Modesty Blaise, Red Sonja & Dragon Lady.

1-4, August 1983: Lil Lulu, Leetan & Phantom Lady.

1-5, Nov. 1983: Dale Arden, Betty Boop & Miss Fury.

1-6, Feb. 1984: Olive Oyle & Miss Mizzou.

Arn Saba’s Neil The Horse…: “…” Designer, Barb Rausch: ….

1-5, Nov. 1983: “Faerie Finery, Fashion”.

1-7, Apr. 1984: “Faerie Finery, Fashion.”

1-9, Sept. 1984: “Beautiful Barbarienne.

Arn Saba’s Neil The Horse. 1-8, June 1984: “Mam’selle Poupée Salutes Katy Kon ‘83 With Three Outfits From The 60’s.” Car., Arn Saba.

Arn Saba’s Neil The Horse. 1-12 June 1985: “Poupée’s Summer Sun Fun Wear.” “Florida ‘50’s Fashion’s #1-6 “by Scott Johnson. “Summer of ’85 Fashions #7-10” by David Puckett. “Additional Fashions & Rendering.” By Barb Rausch.

Portrait:

Arn Saba’s Neil The Horse. 1-10, Dec. 1984: “…” … “Pictures by Post.” Yori & Ysai Griffowl sent a drawing of themselves and Neil on the occasion of their wedding: 20. “Painting” by Ted Nelson: 21. “Scene an Alien Discotheque.” Illus., Arn Saba: 28.

Arn Saba’s Neil The Horse. 1-11, April 1985: “Mam’selle Poupée & Fred Astaire.” Illus., Arn Saba: 1.

Arn Saba’s Neil The Horse. 1-12, June 1985: “…” Illus., Arn Saba: …. “Making The World Safe For Musical Comedy” : 26. “This Looks Like A Job For Musical Comedy” : 27. “for the Groovy San Diego Con ’83”: 28. “Making The World Safe For Musical Comedy”: Back cover. [Different]

Arn Saba’s Neil The Horse. 1-13, Dec. 1986: Character designs for the Hogan’s Alley All-Stars.” Car., Arn Saba.

Story:

Cerebus, 1-41, Aug. 1982: “A Unique Story: Neil The Horse The Magic Balloon.” Car., Arn Saba: 24-27.

Cerebus, 1-44, Nov. 1982: “A Unique Story: Neil The Horse.” Car., Arn Saba: 24-27.

Cerebus, 1-45, Dec. 1982: “A Unique Story: Mam’selle Poupée as suggested by Katannya Jantzen, age 10.” Writ, & Pen., Arn Saba. In., Warren Greenwood. Fashion & Layout: Barb Rauch: 24-26. “Neil The Horse Advertises Himself.” Car., Arn Saba: 27.

Arn Saba’s Neil The Horse, 1-1, Feb. 1983: “Mam’selle Poupée & Neil the Horse.” Car., Arn Saba. “Neil The Horse: “Sur Toits de Bananaburg.” Writ. & Pen., Arn Saba. In., Warren Greenwood.

Arn Saba’s Neil The Horse, 1-2, April 1983: “Mam’selle Poupée & Neil the Horse.” Car., Arn Saba. “Neil The Horse: Cannonball Wanted.” Car., Arn Saba. First appeared in Potlatch presents The 1980 Comics Annual.

Arn Saba’s Neil The Horse 1-3, June 1983: “Neil The Horse Meets Mr. Coffee Nerves.” Car., Arn Saba.

Arn Saba’s Neil The Horse, 1-8, June 1984: No title. Writ., Arn Saba & Barb Rausch. Pen., Barb Rausch. In., Arn Saba.

Arn Saba’s Neil The Horse…: “…”Writ. & In., Arn Saba. Pen., Barb Rausch.

1-9, Sept. 1984: “Pt. 1: The Hour Of the Hand of the Shadow Fiend from the Forgotten Blood-Cursed Crypt!!?!

1-10, Dec. 1984 “Pt. 2: Night Of the Flames of Wrath At The Lost Temple Of The Talons Of Fear And Death.” Assist, Dave Roman.

Arn Saba’s Neil The Horse, 1-11, April 1985: “Mam’selle Poupée.” Car., Arn Saba.

Arn Saba’s Neil The Horse, 1-12, June 1985:

“Neil The Horse.” Car., Arn Saba: 24-27. Originally “A Unique Story” in Cerebus, 1-44.

“Neil The Horse: Another Day At The Office.” Car., Arn Saba. Assist., David Roman.

Arn Saba’s Neil The Horse, 1-14, July 1988: “Neil The Horse.” Car., Arn Saba: 2-5. “This Is Neil The Horse”: 7-42, 56. See Content strip cartoon below. “Neil The Horse Advertises Himself”: 61. “A Unique Story: Mam’selle Poupée”: 62-64. These last two first appeared in Cerebus, 1-45.

Arn Saba’s Neil The Horse. 1-15, Aug. 1988: “Neil The Horse: The Magic Balloon.” Car., Arn Saba. 2- 5. (First appeared as “A Unique Story” in Cerebus, 1-41)

Story graphic & songs:

Arn Saba’s Neil The Horse. 1-1, Feb. 1983: “Neil Goes To Hell.” Car., Arn Saba. Assist., Dave Roman.

Song: “The Devil’s Interlude.” Composer & Lyricist,, Arn Saba, 1982. Arrange., Pete McCabe.

Arn Saba’s Neil The Horse …: “Neil The Horse: Video Warrior…” Car., Arn Saba..

1-4, Aug. 1983: Ch. 1

1-5, Nov. 1983: Ch.: 2:

1-6, Feb. 1984: Ch. 3.

1-7, Apr. 1984: Ch. 4:

Songs : Composer & Lyricist, Arn Saba. The Reason.” Arrange., Pete McCabe. Ch. 1.

“Here I am Falling in Love with You.” Arrange., G. P. Graham Ch. 2.

“Bananas are Here to Stay.” Arrange., G. P. Graham. Ch. 3.

“With You.” Arrange., Pete McCabe. 1-7, Apr. 1984. Ch. 4.

Arn Saba’s Neil The Horse. 1-11, Apr. 1985: “Mam’selle Poupée: Congratulations! You’re in the Show!” Writ.& Ink., Arn Saba. Pen., Barb Rausch. Assist., David Roman..

Song: “Congratulations! You’re in the Show!” Composer. & Lyricist., Arn Saba, 1985. Arrange., G.P. Graham.

Arn Saba’s Neil The Horse, 1-13, Dec. 1986: “Mam’selle Poupée & Fred Astaire: I Was Waiting For You.” Writ. Some Pen., & In., Arn Saba. Figure Pen., Barb Rausch. Assist. & background In., David Roman.

Song: “I Was Waiting For You.” Com. & Lyr., Arn Saba, 1985. Arrange., Pete McCabe.

Arn Saba’s Neil The Horse, 1-13, Dec. 1986: “Mam’selle Poupée & Neil the Horse: Night Suite.” Car., Arn Saba.

Songs; Composer & Lyricist,: Arn Saba.

“Does Love Live in the Night?.” Arrange., Pete McCabe.

“The Downbeat.” Arrange., G.P. Graham.

“Nothing.” Arrange., Pete McCabe.

Story text & illustration:

Arn Saba’s Neil The Horse. 1-2, April 1983: “The Bananaburg Players present The Buried Moon.” Writ. & Illus., Arn Saba. Originally appeared in Canadian Children’s Annual, 1981.

Arn Saba’s Neil The Horse. 1-9, Sept. 1984: “Break It To Make It.” Writ. & Illus., Arn Saba. Story text, illustration & song:

Arn Saba’s Neil The Horse …: “Neil The Horse in Old New France.” Writ. & Illus., Arn Saba. Assist. & costume design, Barb Rauch.

1-1, Feb. 1983: Pt. 1:

1-2April 1983: Pt. 2.

1-3, June1983: Pt. 3:.

1-4, August 1983: Pt. 4.

1-5, Nov. 1983: Pt. 5,

1-6, Feb. 1984: Pt. 6,

Song: “Those Who Marry.” Comp. & Lyr.,Arn Saba, 1982. Arrange., Pete McCabe. (In Pt. 2.)

Cover

Front & back:

Arn Saba’s Neil The Horse…: Illus., Arn Saba..
1-1, Feb. 1983.	1-2, Apr. 1983.	1-9, Sept. 1984.	1-12, June 1985.	1-15, Aug.1988.

Wrap around:

Arn Saba’s Neil The Horse …: Illus., Arn Saba..

1-3, June 1983.

1-4, Aug.1983

1-5, Nov. 1983.

1-6, Feb. 1984.

1-7, April 1984.

1-8, June 1984.

1-10, Dec. 1984.

1-11, Apr. 1985.

1-13, Dec. 1986.

1-14, July 1988.

PERIODICAL GRAPHIC ANTHOLOGY:

Content:

Strip cartoon:

Charlton Bullseye, 1, June 1981: “Neil the Horse.” Car., Arn Saba. (Colour)

Story:

Charlton Bullseye, 2, July 1981: “Neil The Horse.” Car., Arn Saba. (Colour).

NEWSPAPER:

Content strip cartoon:

From 1977 to 1979, “Neil The Horse” strips were syndicated by GLP Features an association of Ontario cartoonists. A package of strips were sold to weekly community newspapers two examples were:

The Express {Meaford], 30 May 1979: “The Comics”: 14.

The Money Stretcher, 16 May 1979: “The Comics”: B6.

Reprints appear in:

Arn Saba’s Neil The Horse…: Car., Arn Saba: …

1-1, Feb. 1983: 2, 15.

1-2, April 1983: 8-9, 23

1-3, June 1983: 11-12, 21.

1-10, Dec. 1984: 18-19, 27

1-12, June 1985: 2, 16-17.

1-15, August 1988: 8-15, 26-31.

Arn Saba’s Neil The Horse. 1-14, June 1988: “This Is Neil The Horse.” 6-41. Arn’s first cartoon story that appeared in the Menomonee Falls Guardian newspaper 1975.

TAPE AUDIO CASSETTE:

Content audio & Cover artwork by Arn Saba:

Neil The Horse: Bananas Are Here To Stay: Ten songs from Arn Saba’s Neil The Horse. Composer Arn Saba, 1986.Arrange & Production, Steve McKinnon. Neilcorp, 1986. Voices: Mam’selle Poupée, Wanda Cannon; Soapy, Scott Walker; Neil, Arn Saba also Victor Young; Laurie Hood & Doug Tranquada. Tap dancing: Lesley Ballantyne. Hogan’s Alley All-stars: Keyboards, Steve McKinnon; saxophone & clarinet, Bob De Angelis; trombone, Herb Besson, violin Bill Richards, guitar, Peppy Francis, bass, Dave Piltch, percussion, Dave Campion, drums Barry Keane, emulator operator, Claude Desjardin.

MERCHANDISE:

Match covers:

$C:\Users\Robert\Documents\CARTOONING ILLUSTRATION ANIMATION\IMAGE CARTOON\IMAGE CARTOON N\NEIL THE HORSE match covers.jpg$

Buttons:

$C:\Users\Robert\Documents\CARTOONING ILLUSTRATION ANIMATION\IMAGE CARTOON\IMAGE CARTOON N\NEIL THE HORSE buttons_0001.jpg$

Tee-shirt:

“Neil The Horse: Making The World Safe For Musical Comedy.” Graphitti Designs, 1983.

SOURCE:

Article newspaper:

Toronto Star, 27 Feb.1987: “Here’s your guide to superheroes of Canadian comics.”.

GALLERY:

$C:\Users\Robert\Documents\CARTOONING ILLUSTRATION ANIMATION\IMAGE CARTOON\IMAGE CARTOON N\NEIL, Cerebus 1-45, Dec 1982, 27 .jpg$ Cerebus, 1-45, December 1982: 27.

$C:\Users\Robert\Documents\CARTOONING ILLUSTRATION ANIMATION\IMAGE CARTOON\IMAGE CARTOON NEIL THE HORSE\NEIL THE HORSE, Neil The Horse, 1-1, Feb, 1983_0005.jpg$ Neil The Horse, 1-1, Feb. 1983: ““Great Women of ze Comics.” Inside back cover.

$C:\Users\Robert\Documents\CARTOONING ILLUSTRATION ANIMATION\IMAGE CARTOON\IMAGE CARTOON N\NEIL THE HORSE Neil The Horse 1-15 Aug 1988 fc.jpg$ Neil The Horse, 1-15, August 1988. Front cover. The old “Neil The Horse ends with this issue.

$C:\Users\Robert\Documents\CARTOONING ILLUSTRATION ANIMATION\IMAGE CARTOON\IMAGE CARTOON N\NEIL THE HORSE Neil The Horse 1-15 Aug 1988 bc.jpg$ Neil The Horse, 1-15, August 1988. Back cover. The new “Neil The Horse begins.

$C:\Users\Robert\Documents\CARTOONING ILLUSTRATION ANIMATION\IMAGE CARTOON\IMAGE CARTOON NEIL THE HORSE\NEIL THE HORSE, Neil The Horse, 13, Dec, 1986, 24-25_0001.jpg$ Neil The Horse, 1-13, Dec. 1986: Back cover. Reprint of the poster for the radio play aired on CBC radio

The various narrative forms for “Neil The Horse”

$C:\Users\Robert\Documents\CARTOONING ILLUSTRATION ANIMATION\IMAGE CARTOON\IMAGE CARTOON NEIL THE HORSE\NEIL THE HORSE, Neil The Horse, 1-1, Feb, 1983, 2.jpg$ Neil The Horse, 1-1, Feb. 1983: 2, An early strip (1979) of Mam’selle Poupée.

$C:\Users\Robert\Documents\CARTOONING ILLUSTRATION ANIMATION\IMAGE CARTOON\IMAGE CARTOON NEIL THE HORSE\NEIL THE HORSE, Neil The Horse, 1-1, Feb, 1983, 22.jpg$ $C:\Users\Robert\Documents\CARTOONING ILLUSTRATION ANIMATION\IMAGE CARTOON\IMAGE CARTOON NEIL THE HORSE\NEIL THE HORSE, Neil The Horse, 1-1, Feb, 1983, 24.jpg$ Neil The Horse, 1-1, Feb. 1983: 22-23. An early dance sequence (1979)

$C:\Users\Robert\Documents\CARTOONING ILLUSTRATION ANIMATION\IMAGE CARTOON\IMAGE CARTOON N\NEIL THE HORSE, Charlton Bullseye, _0001.jpg$ Charlton Bullseye, 1, June 1981.

$C:\Users\Robert\Documents\CARTOONING ILLUSTRATION ANIMATION\IMAGE CARTOON\IMAGE CARTOON N\NEIL THE HORSE, Charlton Bullseye, _0002.jpg$ Charlton Bullseye, 2, July 1981.

$C:\Users\Robert\Documents\CARTOONING ILLUSTRATION ANIMATION\IMAGE CARTOON\IMAGE CARTOON NEIL THE HORSE\NEIL THE HORSE, Neil The Horse, 1-1, Feb, 1983, 21.jpg$ Neil The Horse, 1-1, Feb. 1983: 21. From “Neil the Horse in Old France” an illustrated story.

$C:\Users\Robert\Documents\CARTOONING ILLUSTRATION ANIMATION\IMAGE CARTOON\IMAGE CARTOON NEIL THE HORSE\NEIL THE HORSE, Neil The Horse, 1-1, Feb, 1983, 26.jpg$ Neil The Horse, 1-1, Feb. 1983: Back cover. An illustrated poem.

$C:\Users\Robert\Documents\CARTOONING ILLUSTRATION ANIMATION\IMAGE CARTOON\IMAGE CARTOON NEIL THE HORSE\NEIL THE HORSE, Neil The Horse, 2, Apr, 1983, 4.jpg$ Neil The Horse, 1-2, April 1983: “The Bananaburg Players present The Buried Moon”: 4. Another example of the variety of narrative structures you find in “Neil”.

$C:\Users\Robert\Documents\CARTOONING ILLUSTRATION ANIMATION\IMAGE CARTOON\IMAGE CARTOON NEIL THE HORSE\NEIL THE HORSE, Neil The Horse, 13, Dec, 1986, 24-25_0002.jpg$ $C:\Users\Robert\Documents\CARTOONING ILLUSTRATION ANIMATION\IMAGE CARTOON\IMAGE CARTOON NEIL THE HORSE\NEIL THE HORSE, Neil The Horse, 13, Dec, 1986, 24-25_0003.jpg$ Neil The Horse, 1-13, Dec. 1986: “Night Suite.” : 24-25.

$C:\Users\Robert\Documents\CARTOONING ILLUSTRATION ANIMATION\IMAGE CARTOON\IMAGE CARTOON NEIL THE HORSE\NEIL THE HORSE, Neil The Horse, 5, Oct, 1983, 6.jpg$ $C:\Users\Robert\Documents\CARTOONING ILLUSTRATION ANIMATION\IMAGE CARTOON\IMAGE CARTOON NEIL THE HORSE\NEIL THE HORSE, Neil The Horse, 5, Oct, 1983,7.jpg$ $C:\Users\Robert\Documents\CARTOONING ILLUSTRATION ANIMATION\IMAGE CARTOON\IMAGE CARTOON NEIL THE HORSE\NEIL THE HORSE, Neil The Horse, 5, Oct, 1983,8.jpg$ $C:\Users\Robert\Documents\CARTOONING ILLUSTRATION ANIMATION\IMAGE CARTOON\IMAGE CARTOON NEIL THE HORSE\NEIL THE HORSE, Neil The Horse, 5, Oct, 1983,9.jpg$ Neil The Horse, 1-5, Oct. 1983: “Video Warrior, ch. 2”: 6-9

Back to Glossary Index Page