Thanks, Jacque - I appreciate the info!

The good thing about those serials is that it did allow for exploration of subjects and situations that could not be done in your average 8 page story, and so they tended to be less formulaic.

"As for contentment, that is a myth.  Give a man everything he wishes and he will be unhappy, because he didn't wish for more; give him more, and he will die of his worries.  Only a turtle, asleep on a sunny log, knows contentment!"
-Merlin to Prince Valiant

            Hal Foster 3-7-43