The Pink Panther #36

The Pink Panther #36 was published in 1978 as part of Gold Key Comics' long-running series dedicated to the iconic character originally created by Friz Freleng and Hawley Pratt for the opening credits of the 1963 film. This issue emerged during a period when the character had firmly transitioned from an animated cinematic mascot into a staple of Saturday morning television and syndicated newspaper strips, prompting a sustained demand for tie-in comic book adventures.

Gold Key's series was known for its whimsical, slapstick-driven storytelling that leaned heavily into the silent, pantomime-style humor established in the films. The covers and interiors often featured artists who had worked within the DePatie-Freleng animation studio orbit, focusing on the character's characteristic frustration with his environment and his recurring rival, the Inspector. While these comics were aimed primarily at younger readers and were not historically positioned as high-end collectibles, they remain a significant archival piece of late-1970s character branding and animation-to-print adaptation.