Bicentennial Gross-Outs #1
Published by Yentzer and Gonif and © the respective creators below, July 1976
Title: “Filipino Massacre”
Synopsis: A third lieutenant recounts the terrible toll on natives when the U.S. took control of the Philippines from Spain.
Writer: William Stout
Artist: Stout
Review: This issue earns high marks on the strength of William Stout’s work, beginning with this chilling piece that uses comics art as a tool for telling history. While a more common use of the medium today, this nonfiction tale offers a then-surprising curveball to kick off this Bicentennial one-shot.
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Title: “Realityland!”
Synopsis: Frankie Rat offers a tour of Wutz Reality’s Realityland playground, featuring drugs, sex, politics and nuclear annihilation.
Writer: William Stout (as Wutz Reality)
Artist: Stout (as Wutz Reality)
Review: The strongest story in this collection. William Stout’s cartooning shines while paying homage to a variety of famous styles.
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Title: “Indian Giver 1763”
Synopsis: A banished “Mingo” warrior is recruited by the British for a revenge plot that does its deed before boomeranging.
Writer: Uncredited
Artist: Uncredited
Review: A short-but-poignant tale featuring stylish art. It’s a shame this promising work was left uncredited.
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Title: “Roscoe Pitts: The Man Who Changed His Fingerprints!!”
Synopsis: An accused burglar uses an extreme surgery technique to escape the advent of fingerprint evidence.
Writer (story): George DiCaprio
Writer (script): Warren Greenwood
Artist: Greenwood
Review: This two-page true-crime story reads like a particularly intense installment of Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
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Title: “Great American Assassins Series Hero #1: Dr. Frank Holt”
Synopsis: Fledgling college professor Frank Holt bombs the vice president’s office and attempts to assassinate J.P. Morgan.
Writer: George DiCaprio
Artist: Jim Serpiello
Review: Another nonfiction tales, this one muddles some factual details. It also features promising cartooning despite simple, flat linework.
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Title: “Beddy Bi-Centennial Story”
Synopsis: Friends with benefits reconnect while debating the relative merits of the United States at the Bicentennial.
Writer: Icelandic Codpiece Comic Studio
Artist: Icelandic Codpiece Comic Studio
Review: One of the most gratuitous, pornographic-for-no-reason stories this reviewer has read, but the cartooning is quite good.
Grade (for the entire issue): B+
Cool factor: An early tour de force from a young William Stout, who was already an exceptional cartoonist.
Not-so-cool factor: There is a major talent drop off after Stout.
Notable: Also contains a frontispiece by William Stout, along with a “Bicentennial Bonanza!” spoof ad page credited to Billay Boy (but also appears to be by Stout), inside back cover by Fred Romanek and back cover by Jim Himes.
Character quotable: “Let us see ourselves honestly – let’s view not only our highlights, our heroes and our accomplishments, but our dark side; our painful and sometimes shameful misdeeds whose stains we have often sought to cover up!” – Uncle Scam, Bicentennial spokesman
Editor’s note: This review was written July 14, 2026.
