Ah... right you are. Vermin P. Crock - how could I forget? It's been years since that appeared in the local fishwrap. Looks like it is still circulated, though. I think the local paper dropped it in favor of "Curtis". (blech)
I know why I was thinking of B.C., though. The scimitar-toting guy was always on the receiving end of lightning bolts, courtesy of the desert "god" that he worshipped. I'm pretty sure that cartoonist borrowed the B.C. "ZOT!" sound-effect, just like the Admin Moderator here on FR has done. Anyway, thanks for the response.