Head 'Em Up! Move 'Em Out!

WIP: some draft panel closeups from page 3 of the comic; test color ref sheet with desaturated version (looks like I have to adjust colors for Mr. Favor! not sure if coloring will work but I have to give it a shot eventually; hats are floating to show hair and not because they are the targets of an impromptu trick-shooting competition).

A comparison by yours truly

(image from an ebay auction) A rootin'-shootin' fight for land. Actual gun battles over territory claims. Exciting adventure of the Old West to thrill young cowpokes everywhere. Retail $1.98

To start: Did y'all know that Rawhide was made into a Board game in 1960? Well actually 2, and I say that because though both share the same branding and (mostly) the same cover, there are some striking differences.

Let's check 'em out!

The Boxes: Left was made by Lowell for the US/ Right by Berwick for the UK

Pretty similar for the most part.

Biggest difference is of course the b/w photo of Rowdy that was slapped onto the UK edition. Likely to capitalize on Clint's growing stardom.

Smaller (yet significant) difference is the US version simply being called "Game" vs the UK's "Cattle Drive Game".

It's what's Inside that counts:

Big differences here.

If you'll notice the US version game board (left) looks a little more childish? It's far more colorful and haphazard than the UK's (right) where you can clearly see a laid out path and what does look like a desert route.

US board also has no words beside "start"

UK is littered with action/consequence lines (ex: gil favor shoots mountain lion to save steer, pay $100 / rustlers driven off, collect one steer/ steer in river you miss next turn/ etc. ) (full transcript of what's on the board is in a txt file on the chuckwagon)

US has a paper spinner, cowboy token markers, and hit/miss cards

UK has dice, cow markers, money, and tally sheets

So How about the Rules? :

(Full Transcript of both sets of rules is in the Chuckwagon but I'll give you the gist below)

This is where the biggest differences are.

The US version has very little to do with cattle and actually focuses more on obtaining territory to win. It very much feels like they had a vague western game and slapped the RAWHIDE logo on it. There's also a focus on shootouts (hence the hit/miss cards)

The UK version however is all about that cattle drive! To win one has to get their cattle to the railhead and manage to keep the most moeny from their sale. (meaning whoever gets there first may not actually be the winner!) Along the way you find all sorts of typical challenges including dry waterholes, rustler, disease, and more!

The UK version even mentions Favor, Wishbone, Pete, Rowdy, and Scarlet by name! (correctly too, there's no Rowdy goes scouting here)

All that's to say that if you're looking to get one for yourself, make sure you hold out and get the UK version. (in my opinion) I couldn't really find an explanation for the differences but chalk it up to just being one of those things.

Hope y'all enjoyed my rambling! I didn't go into too much detail but I hope I made it interesting. :)

Rawhide

Rawhide

Rowdy's little spin...🥰🥰

Rawhide

Rawhide

(set right after Quince and Scarlet's fight in the beginning of the episode)*

God I love the little conversations like this between Mr. Favor and Rowdy.

Mr. Favor having to deal with his drovers and everything that comes with that and just being Tired. Rowdy ever so slightly challenging Mr. Favor and reminding him that they are all human and need a break. And Favor's last bit of dialogue reminding Rowdy exactly what it means to be a trailboss while still acknowledging he's right.

It's a wonderful mix of nurturing, mentorship, and familiarity that highlights the best parts of their relationship dynamic. ♥

Script to screen series 17/ ?

Incident of the Silent Web - (Deleted scene)

Oh look another bath scene. 🛀

Sadly this one got cut so we never got to see Rowdy watch as Mr. Favor drops slivers of soap into his bath...

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I wonder if part of why it was cut was because it showed Mr. Favor was still actively considering his men and within the episode they seemed to want to make it appear more like Favor neglecting his men was a more conscious choice. Just to add that little extra bit of tension and set up for his big speech at the end.

Script to screen 18/ ?

Drovers at work 3/ ?

Rawhide

Rawhide