Space Moose/Old 7 the Baffler

April 8, 2009 6:23 PM

Old 7 the Baffler and Space Moose: was the answer ever revealed?

I was recently looking at an archive of the old Space Moose comic strip, and I saw this page. Apparently this is meant to be some sort of puzzle based on the Space Moose strips, but I find the entire thing to be completely incomprehensible.

There's always the possibility that the entire thing was a prank Adam Thrasher was playing on his readers, but if so, it's completely out of character with the rest of his oeuvre, given the general level of subtlety he displayed in his strip. But whether or not "Old 7 the Baffler" is a real puzzle, there doesn't seem to be any discussion anywhere about it.

Can anyone figure this out, or does anyone have any information about this?

posted by UrineSoakedRube to media & arts (6 comments total)

Sterling Gum [pdf]
posted by tellurian at 7:38 PM on April 8

Wow, it never would have occurred to me that the whole thing was a parody of an obscure chewing gum ad.

Thanks, tellurian!
posted by UrineSoakedRube at 7:43 PM on April 8

This article on advertising mentions the 'teaser' Sterling Gum campaign.
posted by tellurian at 7:50 PM on April 8

Upon first glance at this question, I got all excited because I thought you were going to ask about early issues of the The Baffler. Yes! I have them in my attic! Oh.
posted by intermod at 8:46 PM on April 8

On a related note, how can I obtain a copy of Triumph of the Whim?
posted by wcfields at 1:36 PM on April 9

wcfields> On a related note, how can I obtain a copy of Triumph of the Whim?

I could sell you my copy, but it has been personalized -- Adam Thrasher did a little sketch of Space Moose and wrote "Keep it horny, [my name]". Still, mefimail me if you are interested.
posted by UrineSoakedRube at 6:41 PM on April 9