Introduction by Pete Millar

I don't know exactly when I first came in contact with Alex…or how it all came about. I do know that as a young, struggling publisher/cartoonist, it was the best thing that ever happened to my publications (DRAG cartoons and ED "Big Daddy" ROTH) and to ME personally…as I had, as most of you, been BIG fans of Alex Toth and to have his art grace the pages of those two publications was beyond my wildest dreams.

When I first started my publication, the only member of my "staff" was Dennis Ellefson, my right hand man. But I did have quite a few freelance contributors, such as Jim Willoughby, Willy Ito, Jim Mueller, Jim Williams, Woody Kimbel, and Foster Moore (Napoleon).

By 1964 I decided to expand my publications and was looking for fresh talent. I was given the names of Rick Griffin, Mel Keffer, Hy Mankin, Russ Manning, Alex Toth, Warren Tuffs, and Gilbert Shelton…all high caliber cartoonists in their own right. Never dreaming they'd be the least bit interested in stepping down from the quality publications they've drawn for previously, but I gave it a shot. And they each responded enthusiastically.

My normal page rate at that time was $50.00 per page. But I couldn't offer those "heavyweights" that kind of money so I "robbed Peter to pay Paul" and offered them $75.00 per page and that included lettering. But much to my surprise, I discovered that in the comic book business, there are separate individuals who are story writers, pencilers, inkers, and letterers. For someone like me who did it ALL, it came as a big surprise. But Alex was something special…not only did he grasp the world of Drag Racing and write his own stories, he delivered them COMPLETE and all for only $75 bucks a page! But that was, and is, the cartoonist Alex is. He researches his subject matter and draws with authenticity, but of course you fans of Alex already know that.

So when Manuel asked me to write an introduction to this publication, I felt quite honored to, once again, be associated with someone like Alex Toth.