The Hip Flask Sunday feature, developed, written and illustrated by Tom
Raymond and featuring Flask as the central character, first appeared in the
comic book section of the Chicago Tribune in 1950. Just two years later,
Raymond was instructed to change the title of the strip to MYSTERY CITY.
Lawyers acting on behalf of Richard Alan had launched what would become a
long and bitter lawsuit against Furst Features regarding ownership of the
character, and Furst's strip editor hoped to continue MYSTERY CITY with or
without Flask, should they lose the rights to the character.
