Captain Spiff

Captain Spiff is the comic-book hero Buddy Norman follows with such devotion that he barely leaves the house all winter. The character's adventures and movie locations make Buddy dream of a father-son trip to Canyonlands. A new Captain Spiff issue later becomes a test of Buddy's real-world character when Jay Smouse steals it from Mr. Handelman's shop and gives it as a thank-you gift. Buddy is tempted to keep the comic because he admires the series, but returns it after remembering his Trail Life oath. Captain Spiff remains a fictional favorite rather than a moral guide. The comic's greatest role is showing the difference between enjoying heroic adventures on a page and practicing honesty, loyalty, and courage when a friend has done wrong.