tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77829666661365028022024-03-12T21:38:49.216-07:00The SlipperThe Slipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17231598306094150274noreply@blogger.comBlogger84125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782966666136502802.post-16754410413752428322023-12-31T16:30:00.000-08:002023-12-31T16:30:36.210-08:0010th Annual Christmas Roundup 2023! <p> Hard to believe I've been doing this for ten straight years now!</p><p>Hope you had a best holiday season whatever you celebrate or don't. Now let's get into this year's treats.</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Let's begin with Doctor Who Magazine, as The Doctor came back with a bang this Christmas. Here's our traditional Lew Stringer strip:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJveEsf9sfyGH9UwxnjyzvjFeHErCAfA-4vLkl7kwnK54Ks-nb45lks3Cn0O8jQb-XDON5IiApW2aOxd8U4jSFA0VLm951lg4933wfSCX37NJAkgA2hSGmPwdYyq9lMHg-5mntsrIBNuyHuZpiPpwbXpDl3vK7RbXC9ovExHg8eR76FGz6I3v8L2jWgcRV/s1624/xmas%202023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="736" data-original-width="1624" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJveEsf9sfyGH9UwxnjyzvjFeHErCAfA-4vLkl7kwnK54Ks-nb45lks3Cn0O8jQb-XDON5IiApW2aOxd8U4jSFA0VLm951lg4933wfSCX37NJAkgA2hSGmPwdYyq9lMHg-5mntsrIBNuyHuZpiPpwbXpDl3vK7RbXC9ovExHg8eR76FGz6I3v8L2jWgcRV/s320/xmas%202023.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There was also a multi-part strip featuring the Fourteenth Doctor and Donna (in between the TV stories The Star Beast and The Wild Blue Yonder) bouncing around in time, appearing at a Morecambe and Wise Christmas show...</div><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBbSsbCD7U06ux9tWEujGExx5gZW3xrNdd-SJJ5Fip2j4NCNt_JaUzCkNNEey9jdNPHZB6sfDHHGM7L5MXYpYoGw1UfTo0H94IazRdI-0uzaBEFtB4eN45G_56hRzlKqftQTGFjr_e2Z72VxjA2LWVMbqor3P3uWdn4aMsGgla-oHk4EqZAt3y3KXO_SQS/s1895/xmas%202023%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1120" data-original-width="1895" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBbSsbCD7U06ux9tWEujGExx5gZW3xrNdd-SJJ5Fip2j4NCNt_JaUzCkNNEey9jdNPHZB6sfDHHGM7L5MXYpYoGw1UfTo0H94IazRdI-0uzaBEFtB4eN45G_56hRzlKqftQTGFjr_e2Z72VxjA2LWVMbqor3P3uWdn4aMsGgla-oHk4EqZAt3y3KXO_SQS/s320/xmas%202023%202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(RIP Glenda Jackson)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...and at a young Donna Noble's Nativity performance:</div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGPytolGa6U7gMylsCxrekHV7OLDYlERDMxcuBff-ZKzyw_0u8emIL0B72-SltiFAIDAKIdQyQyU6JoV58WOXuSyEjgeUh9Hs9eT7J2b-fMHQN-ygtiu0eeFe2U30lqsHgq-Y-XwaAdU6PekYtJYTG9uRfx4tJLgQAWT28gu9eRHfshVSUHo6TMRbA53a5/s1300/xmas%202023%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1088" data-original-width="1300" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGPytolGa6U7gMylsCxrekHV7OLDYlERDMxcuBff-ZKzyw_0u8emIL0B72-SltiFAIDAKIdQyQyU6JoV58WOXuSyEjgeUh9Hs9eT7J2b-fMHQN-ygtiu0eeFe2U30lqsHgq-Y-XwaAdU6PekYtJYTG9uRfx4tJLgQAWT28gu9eRHfshVSUHo6TMRbA53a5/s320/xmas%202023%201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To Fulchester now for a quick run through of Viz strips.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-1DFA6EKKuDmfHs5TJpWPnQNEsOuuEiX1G8tV5iG10h7Hp2u4yDBPJTRvp0cOFsdb5bvzfNMGNnhS7mbA7F6e4w-O9Ar3VKUPvARYxjluus1UxW9ZSRTtQZmOP6R03N7laei152qHv6PZH7Mn9pYU5T854Z0TrSKa-WHBvG4i6LMEmAD4JI5a-jyRYUF4/s844/xmas%202023%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="769" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-1DFA6EKKuDmfHs5TJpWPnQNEsOuuEiX1G8tV5iG10h7Hp2u4yDBPJTRvp0cOFsdb5bvzfNMGNnhS7mbA7F6e4w-O9Ar3VKUPvARYxjluus1UxW9ZSRTtQZmOP6R03N7laei152qHv6PZH7Mn9pYU5T854Z0TrSKa-WHBvG4i6LMEmAD4JI5a-jyRYUF4/s320/xmas%202023%203.jpg" width="292" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU-rHcVgkYIuBBo4_-ZWkiQgayUf0dZCrSq2YsRQ84lankNcnLIvczBUDr15VlUBrEBQ8wNaSyQoU246CiuwDuVuHwZdPcQkRKgEVemQ0hDvQ8GgOs28th0rmO5XRWSWMjv0K3JoPJP3B2DAsl9NZ4DEVvu6JpLQ4U_R-DsoF94wLTUA8o6jsqnhv3NEI3/s817/xmas%202023%204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="817" data-original-width="482" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU-rHcVgkYIuBBo4_-ZWkiQgayUf0dZCrSq2YsRQ84lankNcnLIvczBUDr15VlUBrEBQ8wNaSyQoU246CiuwDuVuHwZdPcQkRKgEVemQ0hDvQ8GgOs28th0rmO5XRWSWMjv0K3JoPJP3B2DAsl9NZ4DEVvu6JpLQ4U_R-DsoF94wLTUA8o6jsqnhv3NEI3/s320/xmas%202023%204.jpg" width="189" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3sIA1OE5crvEWw0eV_E88mmClKsj87uJjlmWBD3qS2koDb55CdPrfx6Uf4ZBp39_XzoV6TrwuKbYD3FDYyMxPA5lNtAHLkHsTkRHsWhN_nIuBE24DmyILfsNfpXMry84Cb5xgY9eE8S-VrarfbtClCgJnxByZyVYPnWWFzINhT-IYDnykTflWXtg6t-T4/s1803/xmas%202023%205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="655" data-original-width="1803" height="116" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3sIA1OE5crvEWw0eV_E88mmClKsj87uJjlmWBD3qS2koDb55CdPrfx6Uf4ZBp39_XzoV6TrwuKbYD3FDYyMxPA5lNtAHLkHsTkRHsWhN_nIuBE24DmyILfsNfpXMry84Cb5xgY9eE8S-VrarfbtClCgJnxByZyVYPnWWFzINhT-IYDnykTflWXtg6t-T4/s320/xmas%202023%205.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMex-u337bb4uGQDfqK9fGb9mvW3BekCm3bC7MoYAtDt4rREuN8HZBSoszNNqnoql_SoDoNuxowOKOvFqq47yx5RoD8QN3WLO3mp2xN3gPWbQdP2wRpMYRDqILT3A3vMj3gJ85N3jEtP2hBY72zV21LpGAOFP6iL1byUvz8LTiA7E7hsyj0K6hyphenhyphenRY6zw53/s715/xmas%202023%206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="715" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMex-u337bb4uGQDfqK9fGb9mvW3BekCm3bC7MoYAtDt4rREuN8HZBSoszNNqnoql_SoDoNuxowOKOvFqq47yx5RoD8QN3WLO3mp2xN3gPWbQdP2wRpMYRDqILT3A3vMj3gJ85N3jEtP2hBY72zV21LpGAOFP6iL1byUvz8LTiA7E7hsyj0K6hyphenhyphenRY6zw53/s320/xmas%202023%206.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Jq0c9k8dgMtkCIhuH33m1WSaadhuFSVYw0JriSdVbY1eerwhH6WI5FVmpm-YepdWOO-JrW2YeO-R9purfa-LCfX0id8yeVj1_z0hkk3NqI3_XFGjnU4Xz6_ONPre8Qci8lDhahm7A5_WnaMBLCm_igDxXLU_NK88M5mG8cFdsowQooQepP2454fB4H-K/s644/xmas%202023%207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="644" data-original-width="558" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Jq0c9k8dgMtkCIhuH33m1WSaadhuFSVYw0JriSdVbY1eerwhH6WI5FVmpm-YepdWOO-JrW2YeO-R9purfa-LCfX0id8yeVj1_z0hkk3NqI3_XFGjnU4Xz6_ONPre8Qci8lDhahm7A5_WnaMBLCm_igDxXLU_NK88M5mG8cFdsowQooQepP2454fB4H-K/s320/xmas%202023%207.jpg" width="277" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGVdM-tqZhDsjZ-8pWNfkp4GMvuCmUvXiiI58IMoHbUcDqqZdG0r_GrKdneulOJyjWF20hg6GGHEce9Iz908bklZpur3FnwfUOvPrG50sncBDaEN8HovP6BTrXLoEzIGq-lK4rpeuce4iDpgc8OIKYdReqhxJRdGJNdyKaY4oO2-dkgRgIpdHeESdzHgpW/s1153/xmas%202023%208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="644" data-original-width="1153" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGVdM-tqZhDsjZ-8pWNfkp4GMvuCmUvXiiI58IMoHbUcDqqZdG0r_GrKdneulOJyjWF20hg6GGHEce9Iz908bklZpur3FnwfUOvPrG50sncBDaEN8HovP6BTrXLoEzIGq-lK4rpeuce4iDpgc8OIKYdReqhxJRdGJNdyKaY4oO2-dkgRgIpdHeESdzHgpW/s320/xmas%202023%208.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRiNj6ugC46kli2UyymmB4Ro6QeHb1O_VeIP4sxKI83K_J9lpjpiuHjZEHr2K_E_iGNaXXE6bwFxhHOuZNhCVWSmF7uW4R5IfrEFwChj7u_jiXxhNiDSxGkI4avsrcEBQ_oBNP7831aJI3nq-yPmPA4G6mJxTyP0Ep91LrRcCzOq0fzbRpYnbVtwaXxH0E/s1208/xmas%202023%209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="845" data-original-width="1208" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRiNj6ugC46kli2UyymmB4Ro6QeHb1O_VeIP4sxKI83K_J9lpjpiuHjZEHr2K_E_iGNaXXE6bwFxhHOuZNhCVWSmF7uW4R5IfrEFwChj7u_jiXxhNiDSxGkI4avsrcEBQ_oBNP7831aJI3nq-yPmPA4G6mJxTyP0Ep91LrRcCzOq0fzbRpYnbVtwaXxH0E/s320/xmas%202023%209.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(RIP Annabelle Giles)</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijxPByI1L70tgZqL4xTUnNelqpHu2g-5ZqEwM6oImMZwS2QX0l6HRDaUZBGRwmfmQl_HZkXFmlfG5-SCsaD9sY9iVT9vukcnSOdj-16jh-s6hHKTLZvWqAo2wbdzQDCEsTBhUW2hSw2ppsz-oi0lqI4_PSsnU3Fr-RvSqqdhNniB2Uu6gTkVvs3juLbigg/s839/xmas%202023%2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="833" data-original-width="839" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijxPByI1L70tgZqL4xTUnNelqpHu2g-5ZqEwM6oImMZwS2QX0l6HRDaUZBGRwmfmQl_HZkXFmlfG5-SCsaD9sY9iVT9vukcnSOdj-16jh-s6hHKTLZvWqAo2wbdzQDCEsTBhUW2hSw2ppsz-oi0lqI4_PSsnU3Fr-RvSqqdhNniB2Uu6gTkVvs3juLbigg/s320/xmas%202023%2010.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5zS3Z0qy8LGNbI8TYYd-wzzLfViYiWwdG0UPmSVbJsuGQFa8nyYp6aq_uqznvVnT_P9CGq-3p_VBXk-tIYR6oBULNduM_xhgxTU2Q3m757US1JCmWK-Swt9hEv7OviOANrEz3lIp0bVg1ymoGJWniozoF-4Te74mlBXUkw9bXvRnurxUlV79NDAesj27/s942/xmas%202023%2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="514" data-original-width="942" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5zS3Z0qy8LGNbI8TYYd-wzzLfViYiWwdG0UPmSVbJsuGQFa8nyYp6aq_uqznvVnT_P9CGq-3p_VBXk-tIYR6oBULNduM_xhgxTU2Q3m757US1JCmWK-Swt9hEv7OviOANrEz3lIp0bVg1ymoGJWniozoF-4Te74mlBXUkw9bXvRnurxUlV79NDAesj27/s320/xmas%202023%2011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Not much festive in 200AD this year but there is this:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiql_493crFeLvwXdK4C7PLstVTRj4HFCcfo6oxoD_e0Q0k5Za_XXdJt1wZoVDlPcaYvsgDDsXJ6KKfuy1NF_givwLtKXIadBTJGBPuevtsJpZ4m-rhGn-ThKMGeBVuVsjzJlLNp6UPIlPk_-lk4XZU2c0TE4zB192WiwEgl1XcDyJy877xfF639hPUgO0Y/s1318/xmas%202023%2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="517" data-original-width="1318" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiql_493crFeLvwXdK4C7PLstVTRj4HFCcfo6oxoD_e0Q0k5Za_XXdJt1wZoVDlPcaYvsgDDsXJ6KKfuy1NF_givwLtKXIadBTJGBPuevtsJpZ4m-rhGn-ThKMGeBVuVsjzJlLNp6UPIlPk_-lk4XZU2c0TE4zB192WiwEgl1XcDyJy877xfF639hPUgO0Y/s320/xmas%202023%2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp8utP9ItSMbUZjLorypxwkatPUBml2fnlaKosd6JyWHrdiOhitOpIwtaCwf1D7DJoeWabchbskmvxon0CdEoXFa0Z7KK6n3oks4rtaYea4CFMResyTeE5IRx8FcPaP6kfBBA2FGunPDFs4oiNnaVip3MzkezcE20HTWj4LiIU-S5qwQP1Iu8JElI2CKaU/s1748/xmas%202023%2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1748" data-original-width="1359" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp8utP9ItSMbUZjLorypxwkatPUBml2fnlaKosd6JyWHrdiOhitOpIwtaCwf1D7DJoeWabchbskmvxon0CdEoXFa0Z7KK6n3oks4rtaYea4CFMResyTeE5IRx8FcPaP6kfBBA2FGunPDFs4oiNnaVip3MzkezcE20HTWj4LiIU-S5qwQP1Iu8JElI2CKaU/s320/xmas%202023%2013.jpg" width="249" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now for a cluster of my favourite Private Eye cartoons of the Christmas issue:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG7MkbJ1RJJk5LdV9u45WJ4gpQtdsJK6uCjjcBDQ5age1eGXClhhTXGFA1OvHUJUcp5gqEgx_wDPFQMuAqmXguW6UdCOFp-wftvpMUo_ilq6Zq62FVRmiHnSAFc65v0EYJ_YD-8JV-X093fvRYqQVXl6tz6m1Vvh1xkIk5iIzEli_umgX5SGhICnoXrJW6/s1359/xmas%202023%2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1359" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG7MkbJ1RJJk5LdV9u45WJ4gpQtdsJK6uCjjcBDQ5age1eGXClhhTXGFA1OvHUJUcp5gqEgx_wDPFQMuAqmXguW6UdCOFp-wftvpMUo_ilq6Zq62FVRmiHnSAFc65v0EYJ_YD-8JV-X093fvRYqQVXl6tz6m1Vvh1xkIk5iIzEli_umgX5SGhICnoXrJW6/s320/xmas%202023%2015.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0mDyUPrwNz6sH-v2C43IBOoco9k9oqDhY2fT41QazuRLC3AJFlMG8GDu_wl2yuWSBlSm3ingywKKYSeb1S3sQy94JSvD6AyAawMJOosSbBcZ06sHYBE4PJqCMNirLPsCBtuVYaq-nkVS1jTSyigJRMPWTEpp7prArlOOBrugkN3aGpWOJ9pF6IKVfGOZH/s898/xmas%202023%2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="644" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0mDyUPrwNz6sH-v2C43IBOoco9k9oqDhY2fT41QazuRLC3AJFlMG8GDu_wl2yuWSBlSm3ingywKKYSeb1S3sQy94JSvD6AyAawMJOosSbBcZ06sHYBE4PJqCMNirLPsCBtuVYaq-nkVS1jTSyigJRMPWTEpp7prArlOOBrugkN3aGpWOJ9pF6IKVfGOZH/s320/xmas%202023%2016.jpg" width="229" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdhx1cptuxrFpZp9_2OxB7m3PEvx9BC_zskLppiRn9dLzXjBXJHGorurgbpGNpWWGre0o3mAjp6DxNzHjr0i5Z8Y6ec_qTYYMn3RBjRjuY0XCaN92WRWMjX516xUFnQKoM7cNg4wY-0raiWtpg_0nSM7PgzRIlVZqG2iXYJGi7ZJUvQSdFBIGQ3t_wntW5/s720/xmas%202023%2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="720" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdhx1cptuxrFpZp9_2OxB7m3PEvx9BC_zskLppiRn9dLzXjBXJHGorurgbpGNpWWGre0o3mAjp6DxNzHjr0i5Z8Y6ec_qTYYMn3RBjRjuY0XCaN92WRWMjX516xUFnQKoM7cNg4wY-0raiWtpg_0nSM7PgzRIlVZqG2iXYJGi7ZJUvQSdFBIGQ3t_wntW5/s320/xmas%202023%2014.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTOiBhuUkNCGeQmeShT1seou8HK17arQKgXrHSecZ_wQlYhIPE8o9JOX1W0q-FuTsiWjviVY54d8QO8csx4kkAoSG-4qSykxsjRablCb8tk5lQw5116gP_7Bpws1R_Wxm8qdBpPrq-DMEbXC98llNANZVbVy28XYXRLXQPZ2bMZ30krKIGipc7Hg2-fgV/s699/IMG_20231231_0012_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="579" data-original-width="699" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTOiBhuUkNCGeQmeShT1seou8HK17arQKgXrHSecZ_wQlYhIPE8o9JOX1W0q-FuTsiWjviVY54d8QO8csx4kkAoSG-4qSykxsjRablCb8tk5lQw5116gP_7Bpws1R_Wxm8qdBpPrq-DMEbXC98llNANZVbVy28XYXRLXQPZ2bMZ30krKIGipc7Hg2-fgV/s320/IMG_20231231_0012_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUROaYVYqCG0gILlpY08oyhPad8cEp48zGhPYUk08r1tqafk_oFFX_tEB8ikCcBholzZjelMlkCypO6quoju-szLtl8HixlZ4lfzkf1oUqrSpYWrdp8Bjbj5OT7VIzWntCp_Jw_T8aRBuxVoprYP6F3QGGgklLtzt_P5J7X0aiWvy-jdomtzrfa98ShGpQ/s996/xmas%202023%2022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="996" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUROaYVYqCG0gILlpY08oyhPad8cEp48zGhPYUk08r1tqafk_oFFX_tEB8ikCcBholzZjelMlkCypO6quoju-szLtl8HixlZ4lfzkf1oUqrSpYWrdp8Bjbj5OT7VIzWntCp_Jw_T8aRBuxVoprYP6F3QGGgklLtzt_P5J7X0aiWvy-jdomtzrfa98ShGpQ/s320/xmas%202023%2022.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHF_fPSbXGiismF_wn4hl4Sc7LEl4A2A-uHZsCT1SLUL961WBzdfHe2Na5-Cm5B69WHfNkDTs9bLVEzaSpKIvnYIxJPr-jjJK-ZPwZP2xOA7HLZQpeOquhA4dNsGqp273xA-MaKd1CM9_O67Jn9NVG-NC6S9xpBhkbAe8NLP8K2j9aRREb-dh5tbBpsfhyphenhyphen/s715/xmas%202023%2023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="606" data-original-width="715" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHF_fPSbXGiismF_wn4hl4Sc7LEl4A2A-uHZsCT1SLUL961WBzdfHe2Na5-Cm5B69WHfNkDTs9bLVEzaSpKIvnYIxJPr-jjJK-ZPwZP2xOA7HLZQpeOquhA4dNsGqp273xA-MaKd1CM9_O67Jn9NVG-NC6S9xpBhkbAe8NLP8K2j9aRREb-dh5tbBpsfhyphenhyphen/s320/xmas%202023%2023.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To The Beano then, where this year's running plot concerns a rogue elf who abandons his North Pole post to hang in Beanotown and Santa gives chase.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB9Rh1Yyac9SxK3VXaQ8lAYY04dd29hW9cLk34Dc5EEzokU69P_mVsNvQX_XulB_FkRMkpPuenWSlLb56F0QA9p_iKv0O9vO13WdULgPOb725XM-BeB9QwIUO494ihkzmDEJZu6ahvxwFxFy1YflI_5oDdEwt1XX8pzoH1tOWufynZUappjwLhsTebg4bw/s1164/xmas%202023%2024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="1164" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB9Rh1Yyac9SxK3VXaQ8lAYY04dd29hW9cLk34Dc5EEzokU69P_mVsNvQX_XulB_FkRMkpPuenWSlLb56F0QA9p_iKv0O9vO13WdULgPOb725XM-BeB9QwIUO494ihkzmDEJZu6ahvxwFxFy1YflI_5oDdEwt1XX8pzoH1tOWufynZUappjwLhsTebg4bw/s320/xmas%202023%2024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOU1V1umdkGe-jXJRKVn7zhJCbTFlZQBefyoRGizbuwkMSclO7iAPcFe2I5ej4VH_eWTLBGUJ2KCtDhBCi-NRg0NyR9RQSdSbe2cDP790u4qpCVbDfOSmSu5ggno19S4_JRsg9Vh13Ww6QnxcTgMKFwLA-eTy5YVHofdbV3s03KHIn4wsq9zKs3X1itFOW/s1300/xmas%202023%2025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="785" data-original-width="1300" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOU1V1umdkGe-jXJRKVn7zhJCbTFlZQBefyoRGizbuwkMSclO7iAPcFe2I5ej4VH_eWTLBGUJ2KCtDhBCi-NRg0NyR9RQSdSbe2cDP790u4qpCVbDfOSmSu5ggno19S4_JRsg9Vh13Ww6QnxcTgMKFwLA-eTy5YVHofdbV3s03KHIn4wsq9zKs3X1itFOW/s320/xmas%202023%2025.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWa9X1cLE04UeGXFTHKPEsS_WLYe82bwIoA85-j0xZXU8cjxrjitdtBSaJafxsnzJScaU2wkwhIZYMjWVgYnvE1qoppppVcYhqnWJUa-al5azneoCa-tXXPCtbnz1vNoaY_SJqFyM3iwx3FYUSAmvEso2vidkrqXfNrzyjKwoaBMitIA8dH-289UaVWjAg/s947/xmas%202023%2026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="947" data-original-width="796" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWa9X1cLE04UeGXFTHKPEsS_WLYe82bwIoA85-j0xZXU8cjxrjitdtBSaJafxsnzJScaU2wkwhIZYMjWVgYnvE1qoppppVcYhqnWJUa-al5azneoCa-tXXPCtbnz1vNoaY_SJqFyM3iwx3FYUSAmvEso2vidkrqXfNrzyjKwoaBMitIA8dH-289UaVWjAg/s320/xmas%202023%2026.jpg" width="269" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiulyPCJ4r7HecMzJyU8Mn_VM-JVsm0brXq67jZDgMyHKzZBdqY4StCfoAKfMR6VFzcZ7stBwc5wqrIRwvvAQKzkfCKOdvNTpM4Qt044AuNlTiypSqoU-PfxgUgvT2uGv6in9AVC2gNzYKtqoDxkfulIS-Z7Tl6MNG59GsVfbE4VoC-0ybMUVcfWBw671uY/s1170/xmas%202023%2027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="1170" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiulyPCJ4r7HecMzJyU8Mn_VM-JVsm0brXq67jZDgMyHKzZBdqY4StCfoAKfMR6VFzcZ7stBwc5wqrIRwvvAQKzkfCKOdvNTpM4Qt044AuNlTiypSqoU-PfxgUgvT2uGv6in9AVC2gNzYKtqoDxkfulIS-Z7Tl6MNG59GsVfbE4VoC-0ybMUVcfWBw671uY/s320/xmas%202023%2027.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixU8303GjeIEf7VRsSWcKEHHDV1ojgLeltZRMKEnOG75gpSGlq-N3fiVZM_JoIxojk1HMEMxGJjkKWk3WkYu0Zu_xo7J8kD4g9H0O0yxqBkjj4UUb2nqAiq2Xoj81pGXxh0kKhYrdx1iOzGPAPC4uMIXDj59oCYR_R8R8FxsE4EQpooeAG20CP3ZStGpgk/s1440/xmas%202023%2028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="644" data-original-width="1440" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixU8303GjeIEf7VRsSWcKEHHDV1ojgLeltZRMKEnOG75gpSGlq-N3fiVZM_JoIxojk1HMEMxGJjkKWk3WkYu0Zu_xo7J8kD4g9H0O0yxqBkjj4UUb2nqAiq2Xoj81pGXxh0kKhYrdx1iOzGPAPC4uMIXDj59oCYR_R8R8FxsE4EQpooeAG20CP3ZStGpgk/s320/xmas%202023%2028.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBMljL9H5ILToWNh_ezwbO5kvEejS-vlAakd4j1Y9L59fz3-dAUaZV0b7Fk7TyDxBl15FjwTFSXAyve3PXEEOIGgrofBa-Xldfx8H2Rcp7-j86dpUSlqOnlBR3SVdKU3qbzhWwRAPiNCtwUBjM56ne-0_urJoLWq1yagFp3loPsJpeuGxN7ht3ryuWj99i/s1088/xmas%202023%2029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1088" data-original-width="764" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBMljL9H5ILToWNh_ezwbO5kvEejS-vlAakd4j1Y9L59fz3-dAUaZV0b7Fk7TyDxBl15FjwTFSXAyve3PXEEOIGgrofBa-Xldfx8H2Rcp7-j86dpUSlqOnlBR3SVdKU3qbzhWwRAPiNCtwUBjM56ne-0_urJoLWq1yagFp3loPsJpeuGxN7ht3ryuWj99i/s320/xmas%202023%2029.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2kPINhx58FFlrazqKkAcXLqmdQkGcgz3sZ05E5RqsxhgmzgABgyH1_pnqIicQALB6V0ZK9iEVZN_T-D-6_xRo6If4GgLVNkh-e4pbUMp7zF838ztScooLVrDlHfcw-SXo21V-2kvkzqLjdfXa8CEkzw7emhCsZnSaaSerlQUiUgFhT122mgLEAp_xTUMs/s763/xmas%202023%2030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="763" data-original-width="682" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2kPINhx58FFlrazqKkAcXLqmdQkGcgz3sZ05E5RqsxhgmzgABgyH1_pnqIicQALB6V0ZK9iEVZN_T-D-6_xRo6If4GgLVNkh-e4pbUMp7zF838ztScooLVrDlHfcw-SXo21V-2kvkzqLjdfXa8CEkzw7emhCsZnSaaSerlQUiUgFhT122mgLEAp_xTUMs/s320/xmas%202023%2030.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHeGoQlyO-WXL4F-ebwqDwGQvjUvD28n1sE2p1DlS4FYG_C6W1uHmUlZ_XHeCgyy_FjY5KIHpj7Qmxqg98LV6wYxuU8tjO4O9iFJ6KxaKukr4udGu5OvhOBEVGo6Jp3039F4QWV82Wk5oM92cm4BCtu0csqCq4G6vJZaAbI_6dhV8mO4zsWW7h1L12pCmq/s991/xmas%202023%2031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="991" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHeGoQlyO-WXL4F-ebwqDwGQvjUvD28n1sE2p1DlS4FYG_C6W1uHmUlZ_XHeCgyy_FjY5KIHpj7Qmxqg98LV6wYxuU8tjO4O9iFJ6KxaKukr4udGu5OvhOBEVGo6Jp3039F4QWV82Wk5oM92cm4BCtu0csqCq4G6vJZaAbI_6dhV8mO4zsWW7h1L12pCmq/s320/xmas%202023%2031.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This year's Beano Christmas Special featured the town being stuck in a Groundhog Day style time loop, which soon gets boring (hey, like that Xmas episode of Lois and Clark: Twas the Night Before Mxymas!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I've saved till last a new treat this year, as we now have a new regular UK comic: Monster Fun!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yes, after a few specials to test the market, Rebellion resurrected the classic comic with some old favourites given a new spin. Here are some highlights of the Xmas issue.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeBE0WbyYrxeXMiu_Sb-LJhYMf72K_zxxiwf1Z2CrHHfueh5NnVF40negWsvJ6GnmjcKhbR98Q4DPFVoavXI1iQoDkF5WywrEyysBpzrPvL2-qhOcOna5ezGoejz7tIBe3zdF-9N76v4H9yt96pmCAkjvC9QIoEymVPWIZtmqvQMhJ5IXZRaN_c1pL33TF/s1002/xmas%202023%2032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1002" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeBE0WbyYrxeXMiu_Sb-LJhYMf72K_zxxiwf1Z2CrHHfueh5NnVF40negWsvJ6GnmjcKhbR98Q4DPFVoavXI1iQoDkF5WywrEyysBpzrPvL2-qhOcOna5ezGoejz7tIBe3zdF-9N76v4H9yt96pmCAkjvC9QIoEymVPWIZtmqvQMhJ5IXZRaN_c1pL33TF/s320/xmas%202023%2032.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLr1T4yhX1UYl421_Lp8haw8mzxggEvBqJk3kR5HsYusnfDDea63iT0PNhh3PyiSsJIEQJzjR3LE2SEq003o1tQ_Sil0fyDZ7Hcw9UgHV7zL09TS-emBsXsJeKzErZHyqaic9A1NJwvYTGaZ-fy8l5Hq6gHsmLIeab32MWO4KQsRuLqDmVi-bc7X_0jMYE/s2328/xmas%202023%2033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="972" data-original-width="2328" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLr1T4yhX1UYl421_Lp8haw8mzxggEvBqJk3kR5HsYusnfDDea63iT0PNhh3PyiSsJIEQJzjR3LE2SEq003o1tQ_Sil0fyDZ7Hcw9UgHV7zL09TS-emBsXsJeKzErZHyqaic9A1NJwvYTGaZ-fy8l5Hq6gHsmLIeab32MWO4KQsRuLqDmVi-bc7X_0jMYE/s320/xmas%202023%2033.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ-GUwuAaDfzKmnZenbtgbue6qqhAu-1E9bFT64yelgwLQ4eZ_Q6kEXI3EEtDixtTug1c3PfbsCAIljSVZtt7OAvw55mJPJqwyShyotCKNMzd4lqfOi0AesSD9gCmpQz6VxDrp9_MiQQuMbkPfI3NwRGmKCSNKgl1_M_yONebEy_zVbdLW6CmcpHe73Q-K/s2067/xmas%202023%2034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2067" data-original-width="1651" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ-GUwuAaDfzKmnZenbtgbue6qqhAu-1E9bFT64yelgwLQ4eZ_Q6kEXI3EEtDixtTug1c3PfbsCAIljSVZtt7OAvw55mJPJqwyShyotCKNMzd4lqfOi0AesSD9gCmpQz6VxDrp9_MiQQuMbkPfI3NwRGmKCSNKgl1_M_yONebEy_zVbdLW6CmcpHe73Q-K/s320/xmas%202023%2034.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil_2HEwLuYLSKlO0KJWrbdQUaJW5gkaBi_i2GgZOWUL-8oZWk1qfyYp5FTj5TgXpJzuX_KdjedfbupMMU_TQRHoZEerH-_WIDChaBV7smHe_wG9EzeZIUG-cSnddGhAYXwlPwT4m5C1pMlFvxKWBJRSqkNloZWBlv8w9I88bEJb6OA7BXYybVLv9N_GiyQ/s2377/xmas%202023%2035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="2377" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil_2HEwLuYLSKlO0KJWrbdQUaJW5gkaBi_i2GgZOWUL-8oZWk1qfyYp5FTj5TgXpJzuX_KdjedfbupMMU_TQRHoZEerH-_WIDChaBV7smHe_wG9EzeZIUG-cSnddGhAYXwlPwT4m5C1pMlFvxKWBJRSqkNloZWBlv8w9I88bEJb6OA7BXYybVLv9N_GiyQ/s320/xmas%202023%2035.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Z6ZBPRvJKH97GRakx_5ryiIGjxsUsJN9pvR81-kB_5dr2lzz9q6b_rUR2RcVwy4PG50G2AyWqfJrodXgkrtJDetf-McQrrdXTrtR-fR7COiaZciUjoEVDt19mUVmejzawgLfLC3ciFMVhcyoX4D52tQLiMDYA1VeuumR9IFI-r6IXq6M_0qlu5FDbfI7/s2458/xmas%202023%2036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2458" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Z6ZBPRvJKH97GRakx_5ryiIGjxsUsJN9pvR81-kB_5dr2lzz9q6b_rUR2RcVwy4PG50G2AyWqfJrodXgkrtJDetf-McQrrdXTrtR-fR7COiaZciUjoEVDt19mUVmejzawgLfLC3ciFMVhcyoX4D52tQLiMDYA1VeuumR9IFI-r6IXq6M_0qlu5FDbfI7/s320/xmas%202023%2036.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A particular delight is a new version of Worldwide Weirdies, as originated by the great Ken Reid.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPd-lpxJH40Ua8Gh7EyetR9sdlItgOnjF1czsIy6jeK19Ba-Yek5HSEV3FnVDEswfaG3q5MZ4-kDohkKpF6D3bYS6CoeYO7QiN6i4H_VyCiqaAaqGXN-6oZitV9OEn1W5dR5GWaPsgKZOc2u-kbjczymGKbO46Cu-h4s4cn55829t6zLVE3EcnEpmvNySG/s3318/xmas%202023%2037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3318" data-original-width="2356" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPd-lpxJH40Ua8Gh7EyetR9sdlItgOnjF1czsIy6jeK19Ba-Yek5HSEV3FnVDEswfaG3q5MZ4-kDohkKpF6D3bYS6CoeYO7QiN6i4H_VyCiqaAaqGXN-6oZitV9OEn1W5dR5GWaPsgKZOc2u-kbjczymGKbO46Cu-h4s4cn55829t6zLVE3EcnEpmvNySG/s320/xmas%202023%2037.jpg" width="227" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That's it for this year. Have a great 2024 and who knows, I might actually be able to put out some new blogs (crosses fingers, touches wood).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>The Slipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17231598306094150274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782966666136502802.post-55935840800890077952023-01-19T02:41:00.001-08:002023-01-19T02:41:17.469-08:009th annual Christmas round up 2022<p> Merry Christmas Slipperettes! (Yes, I KNOW!)</p><p>Another year slips by with almost no activity here. I am getting to grips with <a href="http://the-slipper.blogspot.com/2020/07/anxiety-comics.html" target="_blank">my anxiety disorder</a> but still find it hard to get things done.</p><p>That said, I'm a sucker for tradition so let's have a look at 2021's Beano Christmas special. And when Santa goes missing, suspicion falls on Minnie. Because of all the times she's kidnapped him.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMVJCm5e_xGEkB4P-633rCrYz8VXJHnJFSJeEQ7xNaNAuZOJieTje-Ze1v-AhOzAQjhXBRBfcH11Qoui0myNQm4_D3rI_xTQ0MUAN-hsjcLdLgnMr_EF6HcCjzzEPhYIRx2mHFNDMRLTxmD1IDKRhK-u7eTAnCgxtNzi9naKxavnQyi4bMJ8f9Z8nEcA/s801/IMG_20221230_0002_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="620" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMVJCm5e_xGEkB4P-633rCrYz8VXJHnJFSJeEQ7xNaNAuZOJieTje-Ze1v-AhOzAQjhXBRBfcH11Qoui0myNQm4_D3rI_xTQ0MUAN-hsjcLdLgnMr_EF6HcCjzzEPhYIRx2mHFNDMRLTxmD1IDKRhK-u7eTAnCgxtNzi9naKxavnQyi4bMJ8f9Z8nEcA/s320/IMG_20221230_0002_edited.jpg" width="248" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqrtQo8E5N8Vzy8dhrdWSPG-uP6409Kiqpvi355UrEkF1TCqOorPE8VGhbKmvBNg3Owc-HhCE6sjF7KTyhPBGTHOEjOgmaZPjqSSdOo-H3j9moylgaDOKZ_hgpoeFi5a7J3aQj6OBlA9rsHuF6DkmQ0Q_skBjsu0QR2KtlzBkeaiukE6z-HaAudel56w/s1267/IMG_20221230_0003_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="850" data-original-width="1267" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqrtQo8E5N8Vzy8dhrdWSPG-uP6409Kiqpvi355UrEkF1TCqOorPE8VGhbKmvBNg3Owc-HhCE6sjF7KTyhPBGTHOEjOgmaZPjqSSdOo-H3j9moylgaDOKZ_hgpoeFi5a7J3aQj6OBlA9rsHuF6DkmQ0Q_skBjsu0QR2KtlzBkeaiukE6z-HaAudel56w/s320/IMG_20221230_0003_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWTgty7hvT-JCF2VtSz7CDjF6Twh-oMAnVGC_mTc6SlpgotbqB-KU5MWCqXhK0Ww8fNJwAMf_rLRwL7xCWkMhjjWEQU8mIPSPJuo96VxMVaUWtScMENjKjyHhEWI-A9KKQwAxHb0aoqttVUI8Ae_-QKE8qQSZBQrJD8QEvaKbGehXJSpx6RCZDS9gAZQ/s1684/IMG_20221230_0004_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="741" data-original-width="1684" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWTgty7hvT-JCF2VtSz7CDjF6Twh-oMAnVGC_mTc6SlpgotbqB-KU5MWCqXhK0Ww8fNJwAMf_rLRwL7xCWkMhjjWEQU8mIPSPJuo96VxMVaUWtScMENjKjyHhEWI-A9KKQwAxHb0aoqttVUI8Ae_-QKE8qQSZBQrJD8QEvaKbGehXJSpx6RCZDS9gAZQ/s320/IMG_20221230_0004_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dangerous Dan recruits the whole gang as secret agents but then has to wipe their memories at the end.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And now a selection of images from the Beano published in Christmas week.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0PNLTPN74bxbX6fKF-G7udpa_NoS4dcHl-8pLuHJNXnIr4S74ZHR1O_vXycwPoDu2jtsLkHn41WolnGzftQ-2rcjmMdayy52h5VaBog19bBM_nVoOf-ZOkGuwpoNOkEw_LQ9SCFY5dAhXq6Lc1yCdO5r7UM2tr6dcvCfN8k2bt2VrKUr9yFoKVpr4w/s1781/IMG_20221231_0002_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="1781" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0PNLTPN74bxbX6fKF-G7udpa_NoS4dcHl-8pLuHJNXnIr4S74ZHR1O_vXycwPoDu2jtsLkHn41WolnGzftQ-2rcjmMdayy52h5VaBog19bBM_nVoOf-ZOkGuwpoNOkEw_LQ9SCFY5dAhXq6Lc1yCdO5r7UM2tr6dcvCfN8k2bt2VrKUr9yFoKVpr4w/s320/IMG_20221231_0002_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIdyllYObsuKI2rWJPTfrldiu36HiD3rlCvMiJOq31WIo702Gze-6BAm-nwPMUVy7cxxlXb0i5C61iyl4HuuHixsDMzgi_Q_58g9mbnxepoBOqig9H3qqPevfSZ1IM_PT4w1PFoyTcQTv0ZXo-PD1bDeMXKd2vf_8A9mh39YSxFyeLjln2MJus9S5b5A/s1121/IMG_20221231_0003_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="655" data-original-width="1121" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIdyllYObsuKI2rWJPTfrldiu36HiD3rlCvMiJOq31WIo702Gze-6BAm-nwPMUVy7cxxlXb0i5C61iyl4HuuHixsDMzgi_Q_58g9mbnxepoBOqig9H3qqPevfSZ1IM_PT4w1PFoyTcQTv0ZXo-PD1bDeMXKd2vf_8A9mh39YSxFyeLjln2MJus9S5b5A/s320/IMG_20221231_0003_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bananaman faced the menace of the Snowman. Who we last saw in Danger Mouse...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fPfZUjv_kF38zYFKui3IVOPXXnR9ZgWw6JQq1MpIrclmvIZGOKqcLAjxLtCUv205sQVYW_28FN6s12lPMIlC5Pz6D0bzPZKv6shQbFdaFzJxpPsRmUjxKWLm6T-hGK9OG64955Qt4t5mhJAgP9ffm5MyzVo1qISPS3L32lsT0ov500eJiWNDsIc4Hw/s1657/IMG_20221231_0004_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="1657" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fPfZUjv_kF38zYFKui3IVOPXXnR9ZgWw6JQq1MpIrclmvIZGOKqcLAjxLtCUv205sQVYW_28FN6s12lPMIlC5Pz6D0bzPZKv6shQbFdaFzJxpPsRmUjxKWLm6T-hGK9OG64955Qt4t5mhJAgP9ffm5MyzVo1qISPS3L32lsT0ov500eJiWNDsIc4Hw/s320/IMG_20221231_0004_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4rRAOKEL3wCZcaR_0zZ_lioiblx0Vv0QRzmAJOjTAgMYQFuDYf5oQFMg7IiKP4ICIYfU5Qkfrsv81RngzR_dvWJx5gGBg5di_5Sp76Gd3n3HsMaOSs19hiovRxK2JyUfppUYc4yZFLvjTTlrfc3iW_9bYG3bSU1BdmnwuYUpDmo3VipkSVErwrkYXAg/s841/IMG_20221231_0005_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="695" data-original-width="841" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4rRAOKEL3wCZcaR_0zZ_lioiblx0Vv0QRzmAJOjTAgMYQFuDYf5oQFMg7IiKP4ICIYfU5Qkfrsv81RngzR_dvWJx5gGBg5di_5Sp76Gd3n3HsMaOSs19hiovRxK2JyUfppUYc4yZFLvjTTlrfc3iW_9bYG3bSU1BdmnwuYUpDmo3VipkSVErwrkYXAg/s320/IMG_20221231_0005_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEhNLMnfTuGWOZXnszSlVAsxmzb-r0eWXaB7UjzpEGrxrYVxDIYSOuq1T7voqn1-XR1pK3RClBHl6bRqlX6iJJIjPiiuaIwAEUkkbRV4uuHtX_ywgUCiqpRps5JXNB9aKcOPWXbVjc6d_AUVh8TyAGaBm8Hu_7W2h4P_SD2nucEREcKUstNnVlvodpbg/s1274/IMG_20221231_0006_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="878" data-original-width="1274" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEhNLMnfTuGWOZXnszSlVAsxmzb-r0eWXaB7UjzpEGrxrYVxDIYSOuq1T7voqn1-XR1pK3RClBHl6bRqlX6iJJIjPiiuaIwAEUkkbRV4uuHtX_ywgUCiqpRps5JXNB9aKcOPWXbVjc6d_AUVh8TyAGaBm8Hu_7W2h4P_SD2nucEREcKUstNnVlvodpbg/s320/IMG_20221231_0006_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlcwJPXgICTQYzTkTE-6OwW5k60WeurozOqv9oxybEcj9NM7Q7DOatmXG7oTTSIZU79MLadS3sGc9h5C7vqhIIsnr92MRQFbIxQoVTxDzOqZAgX9zQiN0dCu8hd0p22hPgWYM5XSwYRVLNe68BQuwmslBzAnnioGusR-1qZjEol-PK1_euCuN6D2MmLA/s1099/IMG_20221231_0007_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="934" data-original-width="1099" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlcwJPXgICTQYzTkTE-6OwW5k60WeurozOqv9oxybEcj9NM7Q7DOatmXG7oTTSIZU79MLadS3sGc9h5C7vqhIIsnr92MRQFbIxQoVTxDzOqZAgX9zQiN0dCu8hd0p22hPgWYM5XSwYRVLNe68BQuwmslBzAnnioGusR-1qZjEol-PK1_euCuN6D2MmLA/s320/IMG_20221231_0007_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Not much Christmassy imagery in 2000AD or the Megazine but I did enjoy this return of an old favourite.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil8JAomqDfpdBX6_bKzdolw2XpGNu0GcQCSv1g0dShF_5tLYqpemPhQ4etPHP2KH77hNnqo-N6MPcmkNfx2UwoUUlsk-jYu-UDBqDUj3tlLRks95223PPPChTKOjY7iJRVfs3MnNQiaidO1-JDZflnQXMKa2jC5wD4zCnjrG4mJIx9djjPwg0VZ2pFrw/s697/IMG_20221224_0001_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="697" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil8JAomqDfpdBX6_bKzdolw2XpGNu0GcQCSv1g0dShF_5tLYqpemPhQ4etPHP2KH77hNnqo-N6MPcmkNfx2UwoUUlsk-jYu-UDBqDUj3tlLRks95223PPPChTKOjY7iJRVfs3MnNQiaidO1-JDZflnQXMKa2jC5wD4zCnjrG4mJIx9djjPwg0VZ2pFrw/s320/IMG_20221224_0001_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And Lew Stringer gave us another Dalek Christmas in Doctor Who Magazine.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCGdNOdttjPlcRvi-HjqiVPTZN9DPQ9_L1qKx1psspjHctJiuUcFWiTcl77ZVW_crlXcB3kGeFCc06aJpKBdZ9DkOOpOpkaKZUEYm6cWyNnpQFK1X_Ku8Xt8xQMZINbHW5rdCCsNphRcuNbUTM6KzGgJZQ-OPLq7DKjdkUwsDyP4DpP-ulWtc2HnDkA/s806/IMG_20221230_0001_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="806" data-original-width="736" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCGdNOdttjPlcRvi-HjqiVPTZN9DPQ9_L1qKx1psspjHctJiuUcFWiTcl77ZVW_crlXcB3kGeFCc06aJpKBdZ9DkOOpOpkaKZUEYm6cWyNnpQFK1X_Ku8Xt8xQMZINbHW5rdCCsNphRcuNbUTM6KzGgJZQ-OPLq7DKjdkUwsDyP4DpP-ulWtc2HnDkA/s320/IMG_20221230_0001_edited.jpg" width="292" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Till we meet again. </div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>The Slipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17231598306094150274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782966666136502802.post-60534509615026654832021-12-27T10:29:00.001-08:002021-12-27T10:29:55.728-08:00Eighth Annual Christmas Round Up 2021<p> It's time for another round up of UK comics and cartoons!</p><p>Let's start with a cluster from Private Eye.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7TgDfxvmwZ_FJ3FTLGTtJd03ajg08szjkdIqYeJASOxkyBD7-azztbl6FfySeEAutKslBAg8i9P7wxH9dmUofK_6-nXnQEfyZ8lHKQrtCcIH4yQwDeukVXyoXQ8dpKMAdGRCigk1WhqntiaKNbtBRn6THSZF08VQa1MBfEoY7_KABXFWmC0nWFkVGFg=s1072" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="1072" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7TgDfxvmwZ_FJ3FTLGTtJd03ajg08szjkdIqYeJASOxkyBD7-azztbl6FfySeEAutKslBAg8i9P7wxH9dmUofK_6-nXnQEfyZ8lHKQrtCcIH4yQwDeukVXyoXQ8dpKMAdGRCigk1WhqntiaKNbtBRn6THSZF08VQa1MBfEoY7_KABXFWmC0nWFkVGFg=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvekX_gG5FSh6M38jWI6ODFAiEiKm6EFRLtH7MsR-prkIhP3KWjOp9F6e7b2RzYRkKcBGlkqJdRvfWbOR-E5kW_IgpEviM0XmNR3NlGIDF3zZ_bVwzMwET6kDqdQMY7eiWiUFwC_wAYGrXLzQw-j8Kz0rpHf00LTLWQVFS4VDeHZ8f6TKsq8SlU_AAFw=s1110" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="790" data-original-width="1110" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvekX_gG5FSh6M38jWI6ODFAiEiKm6EFRLtH7MsR-prkIhP3KWjOp9F6e7b2RzYRkKcBGlkqJdRvfWbOR-E5kW_IgpEviM0XmNR3NlGIDF3zZ_bVwzMwET6kDqdQMY7eiWiUFwC_wAYGrXLzQw-j8Kz0rpHf00LTLWQVFS4VDeHZ8f6TKsq8SlU_AAFw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiGiInkLIgri6kiviwVE2tzjcm09niTGZI2fNZHTmYjU9Sfu71vZL8t3hd8WerJMi5ly9IyO0X1OO3VOOHXKR3xW4o4ta4lc8hgrW__bhhwHvNGL57bI4Imvb3hB-uX0EQ-SYOyHfT4tP3PSMZSn4nEo-PJ3wCxH5SS3LGB1Q24Ut2ePS0gN2hnXQ9Jpw=s709" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="709" data-original-width="693" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiGiInkLIgri6kiviwVE2tzjcm09niTGZI2fNZHTmYjU9Sfu71vZL8t3hd8WerJMi5ly9IyO0X1OO3VOOHXKR3xW4o4ta4lc8hgrW__bhhwHvNGL57bI4Imvb3hB-uX0EQ-SYOyHfT4tP3PSMZSn4nEo-PJ3wCxH5SS3LGB1Q24Ut2ePS0gN2hnXQ9Jpw=s320" width="313" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5hr0-dWTs2nrxSSHZUFZWBADw4Ojr0fMS8Qk_kuihf-8O8sm--dEnC9yf84ZzyGtGUhvjweAkDZ0kbl36DPCmodpBjvCcMPoMgEKjtiQsifuKyC3jB5otSNT5BDt8s8ldDgBT7u54B8rj8agzhexKMIPBKLLzbWh_rL7qQL9W_ZZQL0mq3I05E3l1PQ=s1007" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1007" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5hr0-dWTs2nrxSSHZUFZWBADw4Ojr0fMS8Qk_kuihf-8O8sm--dEnC9yf84ZzyGtGUhvjweAkDZ0kbl36DPCmodpBjvCcMPoMgEKjtiQsifuKyC3jB5otSNT5BDt8s8ldDgBT7u54B8rj8agzhexKMIPBKLLzbWh_rL7qQL9W_ZZQL0mq3I05E3l1PQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWW2hkJ0V-0c63TR1XUn4HcM1mPHv0ciptZEmRqVyWCO45SamfnlCszz7qv1TRrYrpbQxJbHhdeEn6KROL7hvsVkcXPAph17R0G1JKXcE6ZkK6mGRceGfJJyG6N0UQgJu68brw_29WfiVn1nhjiaZtcUBmkERvy0iYRrjszO87ktlmk1_fKSuZKffN8w=s736" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="736" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWW2hkJ0V-0c63TR1XUn4HcM1mPHv0ciptZEmRqVyWCO45SamfnlCszz7qv1TRrYrpbQxJbHhdeEn6KROL7hvsVkcXPAph17R0G1JKXcE6ZkK6mGRceGfJJyG6N0UQgJu68brw_29WfiVn1nhjiaZtcUBmkERvy0iYRrjszO87ktlmk1_fKSuZKffN8w=s320" width="313" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgH2V87JqQjdJfnWqNtb4CuMTElNGlqbJzvbGLj6d1tTXeMlUAKin0RmlCg8a2KQ-zslwV7lXwtCL47mbazcs-DGEZk37gPT1A2QFeQxpe_6OPMl0A29GGXpksrks2LK9-tVOAFb5leGahgrKI-gQbom0460xrJ4yA3r_oXSbC4qDZqJyLRS_GRL_jrLA=s1100" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="1100" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgH2V87JqQjdJfnWqNtb4CuMTElNGlqbJzvbGLj6d1tTXeMlUAKin0RmlCg8a2KQ-zslwV7lXwtCL47mbazcs-DGEZk37gPT1A2QFeQxpe_6OPMl0A29GGXpksrks2LK9-tVOAFb5leGahgrKI-gQbom0460xrJ4yA3r_oXSbC4qDZqJyLRS_GRL_jrLA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In Doctor Who Magazine Lew Stringer shows us some time-travel shenanigans that is 100% canon to me now.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhGCYHt5Z6yfb6pYHu9hbN5jHBziPuW0_6JbhoXuFq2g6Sh8TvgKPcZT7w6eU4NTJMUL_LV5aWIrwccXDXjh-Qp6uMuKAaDlxNj2df8SPOmTEv-GNHbNFwmuglQ67ASJy7mhF4j9YgG6xflXxOs7L-4oE8ucZ0HnfEikPycKRWp1SWUwC6CshogVYuOOA=s1641" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="926" data-original-width="1641" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhGCYHt5Z6yfb6pYHu9hbN5jHBziPuW0_6JbhoXuFq2g6Sh8TvgKPcZT7w6eU4NTJMUL_LV5aWIrwccXDXjh-Qp6uMuKAaDlxNj2df8SPOmTEv-GNHbNFwmuglQ67ASJy7mhF4j9YgG6xflXxOs7L-4oE8ucZ0HnfEikPycKRWp1SWUwC6CshogVYuOOA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Doctor herself saves a panto.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjXWbvUV3r1Ot6V8pEs0zqatjUM8aqAM1IVYB6eSGBikqa4cd3I4GpeHuoMXnGX3yRUzmyNmyrfhy3WXFQwBD9j9jeOcE1cQ-Zo41qYzrpLPgQRNn4t08Noo1FROSifHHD6mTfQe2tddnsvN8EIw4TunACeYvFqFMdzS5luZ-XJzEVDNm_icUtW1ojjg=s2285" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1515" data-original-width="2285" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjXWbvUV3r1Ot6V8pEs0zqatjUM8aqAM1IVYB6eSGBikqa4cd3I4GpeHuoMXnGX3yRUzmyNmyrfhy3WXFQwBD9j9jeOcE1cQ-Zo41qYzrpLPgQRNn4t08Noo1FROSifHHD6mTfQe2tddnsvN8EIw4TunACeYvFqFMdzS5luZ-XJzEVDNm_icUtW1ojjg=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Panto is also the subject of the running story in The Beano as the kids are tasked with the school play. Find out how they got on at the end of this selection.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfdl7OwTgJD--W5Cy9LgRkAOPfeuuxPMPh4sswGZR33BTA6oiLEl_AgTKFEyglhrK0C6s5Zp7M4AMZ2zYl0twdnaKqXE3LMtXpVQ5DfOSMZrmFons_DLbUaR04Ut-iAEUjUgpab-_bakQkNofHQJUR6GgH6pOmS-jUuM_k-L98JhMm9qAaHdb6ungihA=s1532" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="1532" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfdl7OwTgJD--W5Cy9LgRkAOPfeuuxPMPh4sswGZR33BTA6oiLEl_AgTKFEyglhrK0C6s5Zp7M4AMZ2zYl0twdnaKqXE3LMtXpVQ5DfOSMZrmFons_DLbUaR04Ut-iAEUjUgpab-_bakQkNofHQJUR6GgH6pOmS-jUuM_k-L98JhMm9qAaHdb6ungihA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_Qvh4dzZVIo4k9_ZgK647F6-xjmtwYT9gt6BSGIFqMMtpkAMag-R0-za17lFcAeeqnPQpMztvQx5DBcEJ_G7fXZZhdbvmpwdiLVVsSbf6swHHJ7_q0Fdp4uM9Qt_EHiDs7wzDcWnwfhLD4pxYWmPJtoxP8bBjCAPkzG5NscBUXfren0JGslsa_btePA=s1561" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="1561" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_Qvh4dzZVIo4k9_ZgK647F6-xjmtwYT9gt6BSGIFqMMtpkAMag-R0-za17lFcAeeqnPQpMztvQx5DBcEJ_G7fXZZhdbvmpwdiLVVsSbf6swHHJ7_q0Fdp4uM9Qt_EHiDs7wzDcWnwfhLD4pxYWmPJtoxP8bBjCAPkzG5NscBUXfren0JGslsa_btePA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8FvX2FX8D_5vYWd3rLqlEXDAMOddiRWNQMuj_dbfCQr6X4JMed8JQLe7NhBnpkWETIdPaF12G1M3Va8S93RIN3VwiWhMUwboKCm_xIZLacsn4ghjjcWvH0oVGzcJ_iFm8UxHD4Mf7y83Kz1SLkM7hMcbmkV9OeaJEGQ74RBvtXx_FeGILqR-MCBKOpQ=s1419" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="872" data-original-width="1419" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8FvX2FX8D_5vYWd3rLqlEXDAMOddiRWNQMuj_dbfCQr6X4JMed8JQLe7NhBnpkWETIdPaF12G1M3Va8S93RIN3VwiWhMUwboKCm_xIZLacsn4ghjjcWvH0oVGzcJ_iFm8UxHD4Mf7y83Kz1SLkM7hMcbmkV9OeaJEGQ74RBvtXx_FeGILqR-MCBKOpQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Minnie's Mum gets a Kyle Rayner-style surprise.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4nrHHsbvtlRZxanqwzDZBmLXnwE48RW36N6mkFGmPiim1JPo4rCxniC_crZr6mOliCNvM0S-rBN7S5zYVhTbo-GY5Xc0PdUuoVmlH2EN4M9TJnKX_Qlweq2GWLFwhvC8rBAbtdVKH-rkPApIGZhUxtfvXCXknd0uMMoDvyhuI6uDzZCZqn7JI9OEDLg=s915" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="915" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4nrHHsbvtlRZxanqwzDZBmLXnwE48RW36N6mkFGmPiim1JPo4rCxniC_crZr6mOliCNvM0S-rBN7S5zYVhTbo-GY5Xc0PdUuoVmlH2EN4M9TJnKX_Qlweq2GWLFwhvC8rBAbtdVKH-rkPApIGZhUxtfvXCXknd0uMMoDvyhuI6uDzZCZqn7JI9OEDLg=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVtQybWkM8-CDLgJm2pL9NuPO3QrgSJ2lGZa3beKRCXsxqJHV-lZq5_TMwlCoTJxjEHq__N0TPpv2CXXJ9XHaeet0MjAFy1DpxQXkOmB4m6Q8FJm-G53sVk5u08c4V8GANovcAYO2xQuv_t38FaZi4rPHcyuiNhVK0vJlo-8HPaCTJwxJNaEohVFbdhg=s916" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="916" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVtQybWkM8-CDLgJm2pL9NuPO3QrgSJ2lGZa3beKRCXsxqJHV-lZq5_TMwlCoTJxjEHq__N0TPpv2CXXJ9XHaeet0MjAFy1DpxQXkOmB4m6Q8FJm-G53sVk5u08c4V8GANovcAYO2xQuv_t38FaZi4rPHcyuiNhVK0vJlo-8HPaCTJwxJNaEohVFbdhg=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgusezyUZaDlQw2YHDVp8P5lo3mVissXnD5PPDpEpIWLPsWVebxtR5tx9ltcCumLNAqXpkvpKeoXYMZ6EjQlBJsN0tUS18HsbmwRbsCYfx0ixY8IkjGnYe0FUKqcTR1pOCqN30Xx4BgSWWDB92HQm_DFsnqTRYNeNdKXaO4qKKS81usOVBSfXBaYlp6fQ=s1143" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="1143" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgusezyUZaDlQw2YHDVp8P5lo3mVissXnD5PPDpEpIWLPsWVebxtR5tx9ltcCumLNAqXpkvpKeoXYMZ6EjQlBJsN0tUS18HsbmwRbsCYfx0ixY8IkjGnYe0FUKqcTR1pOCqN30Xx4BgSWWDB92HQm_DFsnqTRYNeNdKXaO4qKKS81usOVBSfXBaYlp6fQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEieC36ZjDcto7tg-XuPpV6niotSFjRZ-piHkVRECQ6SgN8wJXvsyRw4gUSUtwtWjl-jfdw7gKclhuAkEKF7wNojyI_LJ3UmOLoTBGdJKDJkwPdUL0nHMuEzTfH4pZkTp9aKCVtEUa5g2Ib0iGLTYZLTKUSfv3fx8WUJ8R-Yk3aP-Z2hBTf5-ad0Neq64w=s693" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="633" data-original-width="693" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEieC36ZjDcto7tg-XuPpV6niotSFjRZ-piHkVRECQ6SgN8wJXvsyRw4gUSUtwtWjl-jfdw7gKclhuAkEKF7wNojyI_LJ3UmOLoTBGdJKDJkwPdUL0nHMuEzTfH4pZkTp9aKCVtEUa5g2Ib0iGLTYZLTKUSfv3fx8WUJ8R-Yk3aP-Z2hBTf5-ad0Neq64w=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjaUvtLu8txcSUxb7b5_7fLc4ccJs-IJcCrCwMDTVf-uBDFagqghx2cZKImhFu9zDug6k48IaJ69wVhRBsNmMEPywKH7TXUdqFXQ5MtV1LFi-REz7_aWOvsqyZeaPlCUNFjwnavlkg1IH3WbgejFTrWUJ2wdb7P4R24KJvfEFvjQ8wOrvYlnoipWvPIYQ=s1245" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="1245" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjaUvtLu8txcSUxb7b5_7fLc4ccJs-IJcCrCwMDTVf-uBDFagqghx2cZKImhFu9zDug6k48IaJ69wVhRBsNmMEPywKH7TXUdqFXQ5MtV1LFi-REz7_aWOvsqyZeaPlCUNFjwnavlkg1IH3WbgejFTrWUJ2wdb7P4R24KJvfEFvjQ8wOrvYlnoipWvPIYQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLVZvgpqIEewXNSVZNrwhX_uUS9s9LNdkT8UYUq184Uz5CkyK860vjDbAnMVn1Cr5NvIzHfet0vfjMVyFkW5Q4P36lNCIkXnXbounAYRCdmW4b4dOe08vUY2neZM2UsweW-GF6vhqHU5QrkGJwcb6wXhRMImYSu1T4X2k5SqVRjSIMjdZixeXXmOQoEg=s2232" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1569" data-original-width="2232" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLVZvgpqIEewXNSVZNrwhX_uUS9s9LNdkT8UYUq184Uz5CkyK860vjDbAnMVn1Cr5NvIzHfet0vfjMVyFkW5Q4P36lNCIkXnXbounAYRCdmW4b4dOe08vUY2neZM2UsweW-GF6vhqHU5QrkGJwcb6wXhRMImYSu1T4X2k5SqVRjSIMjdZixeXXmOQoEg=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYdsjz4cABd2notCO7UDukoFmgPPtcE-kNaJdcwP2J_MBOIVcR-8T66ffkkYv9ZBAQOfALSUKqgpIpbhBa_wiLp5N13as1hAcgt1TvrocdLvj4qGch7BQgo_7rPLcMUaJLrNplWlgPyYivYKPKOwYqqcSd9vLsI6x2azA3odJ0stuo1jRT3JyDDw4kWQ=s1208" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="1208" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYdsjz4cABd2notCO7UDukoFmgPPtcE-kNaJdcwP2J_MBOIVcR-8T66ffkkYv9ZBAQOfALSUKqgpIpbhBa_wiLp5N13as1hAcgt1TvrocdLvj4qGch7BQgo_7rPLcMUaJLrNplWlgPyYivYKPKOwYqqcSd9vLsI6x2azA3odJ0stuo1jRT3JyDDw4kWQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Beano Christmas Special has a through story about elf revolution. And Santa does not get kidnapped this year. The elves do.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhp7MQi8-e5q63DfVHcWpQFlRBPcddYn8DqHhfjxjKuN21LwyOKxOcprMnpvqR3oqoVN4a-okJ1-z5xI7bECzrud1VX4AC-Ry8mMM8rdqVVelLcZ28-CQFd6EqOiL_ci8nnkdG9WyrCh1IcWPmYcCZNB0TLD3pFQPgXc0YFxRavhm-qN60HYwy71fxG6w=s2733" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2733" data-original-width="2372" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhp7MQi8-e5q63DfVHcWpQFlRBPcddYn8DqHhfjxjKuN21LwyOKxOcprMnpvqR3oqoVN4a-okJ1-z5xI7bECzrud1VX4AC-Ry8mMM8rdqVVelLcZ28-CQFd6EqOiL_ci8nnkdG9WyrCh1IcWPmYcCZNB0TLD3pFQPgXc0YFxRavhm-qN60HYwy71fxG6w=s320" width="278" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEim2ZSO-3Y_WxNKCorR1BmNcXacMvkQqmxOvQNhwU5gB6F3u0y8SKbNmsRy5p-GCsnbpvRqWsJhXFVaECApgKIhYFeesqZAqG3pN1ZYiTdbFX1a50qgmi5prHJJdWMt4aF0_TVlt-EHm98vIUS0-wfd8Dr45-7TNJLwyuLnEiK2TA_oIbmAkdAdcchX9g=s2209" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1142" data-original-width="2209" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEim2ZSO-3Y_WxNKCorR1BmNcXacMvkQqmxOvQNhwU5gB6F3u0y8SKbNmsRy5p-GCsnbpvRqWsJhXFVaECApgKIhYFeesqZAqG3pN1ZYiTdbFX1a50qgmi5prHJJdWMt4aF0_TVlt-EHm98vIUS0-wfd8Dr45-7TNJLwyuLnEiK2TA_oIbmAkdAdcchX9g=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhV8P4DgAfKcSe-XyH8lnvAFTsrEQF9YLhZW8Zp4mSFXN51ZyjSKFhrqNWfcuQdVk060UfHDmdkEy6pQVhL7BEFuc5DqUR6uU_7X3Ql7Nx3oDShhZ4CxgMvu0YLAz6GyLjttjEAxlEc9uvhPtWhmoLLwfer1ksbVgp83iI_OuqCYIPzyr9slAWP01Yxww=s2182" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2116" data-original-width="2182" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhV8P4DgAfKcSe-XyH8lnvAFTsrEQF9YLhZW8Zp4mSFXN51ZyjSKFhrqNWfcuQdVk060UfHDmdkEy6pQVhL7BEFuc5DqUR6uU_7X3Ql7Nx3oDShhZ4CxgMvu0YLAz6GyLjttjEAxlEc9uvhPtWhmoLLwfer1ksbVgp83iI_OuqCYIPzyr9slAWP01Yxww=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And finally a spattering of Viz. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiErnVjN-VAEcxEpoZgznJ3R3vIqNp4nAInimh4-l1LUhhqcdLJtDh4jcykhADCBj_uL7wIgxrb66Zwl9av9dWNjE6WRb7QN6_fw8c8EHDJM-PQ_wnv_a7VCcz1IuizKs8uLB-L6Q6Gsj_3ctvGYxHChFZvYiA1PlWLNjW3sOZXaUsmhqBOY0FzfA7uSg=s893" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="822" data-original-width="893" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiErnVjN-VAEcxEpoZgznJ3R3vIqNp4nAInimh4-l1LUhhqcdLJtDh4jcykhADCBj_uL7wIgxrb66Zwl9av9dWNjE6WRb7QN6_fw8c8EHDJM-PQ_wnv_a7VCcz1IuizKs8uLB-L6Q6Gsj_3ctvGYxHChFZvYiA1PlWLNjW3sOZXaUsmhqBOY0FzfA7uSg=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-3pYvYWcyqo-VxurYkY2W3nk2r3qhQ2n7sWtXoE2RPO-IjPw-IKSlYYZBHLiFFBKqASWa3Ai9nTB4KIBCh5cvHK1KZJgfTrrFH84fFXa6kDEcihfMkuKZW08pxUeJTJfsUGitJl2qj642CSigeqz9t-ZkFUYDyOqLdajcznor1A78KsDNrbN9AIF-FA=s689" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="689" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-3pYvYWcyqo-VxurYkY2W3nk2r3qhQ2n7sWtXoE2RPO-IjPw-IKSlYYZBHLiFFBKqASWa3Ai9nTB4KIBCh5cvHK1KZJgfTrrFH84fFXa6kDEcihfMkuKZW08pxUeJTJfsUGitJl2qj642CSigeqz9t-ZkFUYDyOqLdajcznor1A78KsDNrbN9AIF-FA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEios43-04a3tTTJv68PLHZcyiRRM3qVU-P0BWwhVRKxRB6iC8HRVkO7FD1BgTgdL2SDjB8_L3ZvW1lQRI-59HcGRzh3RrBX0_tACd4KN3XrmWI5LfABmadzvY64RHFKnWsBjOH-Be48D3GGBc_2w4VtsX8T3ChTBIlNyMrAY2Le_hTHtiUxk7tfxnz6kA=s872" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="634" data-original-width="872" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEios43-04a3tTTJv68PLHZcyiRRM3qVU-P0BWwhVRKxRB6iC8HRVkO7FD1BgTgdL2SDjB8_L3ZvW1lQRI-59HcGRzh3RrBX0_tACd4KN3XrmWI5LfABmadzvY64RHFKnWsBjOH-Be48D3GGBc_2w4VtsX8T3ChTBIlNyMrAY2Le_hTHtiUxk7tfxnz6kA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBCX3PSpbSzWGhIR3EAmkyAPRjxgdOeuvwqC3SsN9ZgzniOf1LwfB0-zRuPcyuJrZG2vlhIcZQl5JkHAsjDOM1Zp7bE9MSF7pjOTsegsBbwewGXLwXh01Wzgq6eWNeq5aykFuI6LSPcSVkFfnHMHmeamlQsXcgd7i2b_ZOl1KvcbtDSIQ4VM4jhYHNKg=s644" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="644" data-original-width="579" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBCX3PSpbSzWGhIR3EAmkyAPRjxgdOeuvwqC3SsN9ZgzniOf1LwfB0-zRuPcyuJrZG2vlhIcZQl5JkHAsjDOM1Zp7bE9MSF7pjOTsegsBbwewGXLwXh01Wzgq6eWNeq5aykFuI6LSPcSVkFfnHMHmeamlQsXcgd7i2b_ZOl1KvcbtDSIQ4VM4jhYHNKg=s320" width="288" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And that rare heart-warming image of 8-Ace's family is how we'll leave it for this year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy Holidays to all!</div><br /><p><br /></p>The Slipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17231598306094150274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782966666136502802.post-12743350434105980182021-10-31T05:15:00.006-07:002021-10-31T05:38:28.358-07:00Arbitrary list of comic book werewolves<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MbWHC68wX8o/YX2rGeJCueI/AAAAAAAAFOA/YXqodzACss8OBvbXRdPR21v2UgL6zZGtACLcBGAsYHQ/s952/RCO017_1469523484_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="486" data-original-width="952" height="163" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MbWHC68wX8o/YX2rGeJCueI/AAAAAAAAFOA/YXqodzACss8OBvbXRdPR21v2UgL6zZGtACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/RCO017_1469523484_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">It's that time of year again! When we find out which of our devices will automatically put the time back one hour and which won't. Oh, and Hallowe'en.</p><p style="text-align: center;">So let's list!</p><p style="text-align: center;">We've done <a href="http://the-slipper.blogspot.com/2014/10/a-guh-guh-guh-ghost-or-6.html" target="_blank">ghosts</a>, <a href="http://the-slipper.blogspot.com/2017/10/arbitrary-list-of-comics-draculas.html">draclias</a> and <a href="http://the-slipper.blogspot.com/2018/10/an-arbitrary-list-of-comic-book.html">frankingsteins</a> on previous Halloweens, so this year we've</p><p style="text-align: center;">AN ARBITRARY LIST OF COMIC BOOK WEREWOLFS!!!</p><p style="text-align: center;">There were more of these than I thought so to cut down the list I am not including characters that only appeared in a single issue (eliminating a lot of UK and US horror comics) or characters that appeared among ensembles such as families (like Uncle Raoul from The Bojeffries Saga) or teams (Warren Griffith from the Creature Commandos). So if I'm missing your favourite, I'm sorry. But you tell me who it is in the comments.</p><p style="text-align: center;">The rules meant I couldn't talk about my favourite New Mutant, Rahne Sinclair.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YXcaIuj9TQk/YX2uz7_bEgI/AAAAAAAAFOI/sKOmEmYMf78FDzljET21Jdzvr54lIbetgCLcBGAsYHQ/s367/scots_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="361" data-original-width="367" height="315" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YXcaIuj9TQk/YX2uz7_bEgI/AAAAAAAAFOI/sKOmEmYMf78FDzljET21Jdzvr54lIbetgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/scots_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">ON TO THE LIST!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1: Anthony Lupus</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zp3TkTqmtFk/YX2vw0S4SaI/AAAAAAAAFOQ/wJCHOWlp5BUuo7yfBMHEew7POPivOoLmQCLcBGAsYHQ/s959/RCO003_1469523484_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="489" data-original-width="959" height="163" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zp3TkTqmtFk/YX2vw0S4SaI/AAAAAAAAFOQ/wJCHOWlp5BUuo7yfBMHEew7POPivOoLmQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/RCO003_1469523484_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There are surprisingly few recurring lycanthropes in the DC universe so I'll start the list with this Batman adversary. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lupus (yes, really) isn't actually a bad guy, he's being manipulated by Professor Milo, who has promised to cure him of his condition... in exchange for doing some little jobs (like killing Batman).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ultimately he removes himself from society to live with Alaskan timber wolves before Batman has to bring him back to save his dying sister.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Scare factor: 3</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A well-meaning guy under it all but his feral beast side gave Batman a run for his money.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vR_j5y0DZzA/YX2xpvooyhI/AAAAAAAAFOY/BStTztydeyceTn8XJ5HKDmcBKfXlY1nJQCLcBGAsYHQ/s965/RCO009_1469523484_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="736" data-original-width="965" height="244" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vR_j5y0DZzA/YX2xpvooyhI/AAAAAAAAFOY/BStTztydeyceTn8XJ5HKDmcBKfXlY1nJQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/RCO009_1469523484_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2: Jimmy Olsen</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_KLUR5Igag0/YX2x33hMU_I/AAAAAAAAFOc/57CV-nc4W1Y2bW_3tfCHA9sInc9A-vSEgCLcBGAsYHQ/s589/SupermansPalJimmyOlsen44ONE_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="589" data-original-width="523" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_KLUR5Igag0/YX2x33hMU_I/AAAAAAAAFOc/57CV-nc4W1Y2bW_3tfCHA9sInc9A-vSEgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/SupermansPalJimmyOlsen44ONE_edited.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My love of the Silver Age adventures of Superman's Pal is well-documented so I had to include this. Jimmy has been wolf-manned at least twice. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">See, Superman gave Jimmy a bottle of potion he'd got from Merlin (a perfectly ordinary thing to happen in the Silver Age) and after accidentally drinking from it (honestly, Superman what were expecting to happen?) finds himself transformed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Only the kiss of a pretty girl will lift the curse but even his (sort-of) girlfriend Lucy Lane is not happy about that idea.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When it happens again, in a story involving extra manipulation from Mr Mxyzptlk, Jimmy manages to get a kiss from just about the entire cast of female characters in the Superman family to no avail!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dPujPDSDjec/YX20Ku4q2oI/AAAAAAAAFOo/ck4zSM4L1fsSin4WOHRlnjnDqL3LyeokQCLcBGAsYHQ/s522/SupermansPalJimmyOlsen52THREE_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="228" data-original-width="522" height="140" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dPujPDSDjec/YX20Ku4q2oI/AAAAAAAAFOo/ck4zSM4L1fsSin4WOHRlnjnDqL3LyeokQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/SupermansPalJimmyOlsen52THREE_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Scare factor: 0</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He's only changed physically, He's still Jimmy Olsen. He's still wearing a bow tie.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">3: Werewolf By Night</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QXhLXCFeFbU/YX20rMehISI/AAAAAAAAFOw/7lnULa-buQoYCxDT4KBBb1KWQlIDaWLewCLcBGAsYHQ/s299/download.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="169" data-original-width="299" height="169" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QXhLXCFeFbU/YX20rMehISI/AAAAAAAAFOw/7lnULa-buQoYCxDT4KBBb1KWQlIDaWLewCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/download.jpeg" width="299" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">From a time when Marvel were trying to bring horror comics back (Tomb of Dracula, Ghost Rider, Man-Thing) came the story of...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jack Russel!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yeah, Anthony Lupus sounds better now, right?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jack (or Jacob as he was known then) finds out as a teenager his family has the werewolf curse and he too will find himself transforming <strike>and play on the school's basketball team.</strike></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Played out as a sad curse, Russel was desperately afraid of taking human life so would lock himself up when the full moon was due.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">His own title lasted more than three years and he's kicked about the Marvel universe since then, including occasionally teaming up with similar creatures in The Legion of Monsters.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Scare factor: 3</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For exactly the same reasons as Lupus.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_1MtX89q4vA/YX24LnVbM1I/AAAAAAAAFO4/jCFbRfQuvH8hM_SR3vkD8aR_c72-5v8ZQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1500/werewolf-by-night_series_rumor_disney_marvel-studios_.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="841" data-original-width="1500" height="179" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_1MtX89q4vA/YX24LnVbM1I/AAAAAAAAFO4/jCFbRfQuvH8hM_SR3vkD8aR_c72-5v8ZQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/werewolf-by-night_series_rumor_disney_marvel-studios_.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">4: Man Wolf</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_ZV4TsGfBCE/YX24lL2OAiI/AAAAAAAAFPA/oVVvmaMmriE_LlVXP0EFa4yo7nxLfXq7gCLcBGAsYHQ/s864/john-jjj.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="431" data-original-width="864" height="160" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_ZV4TsGfBCE/YX24lL2OAiI/AAAAAAAAFPA/oVVvmaMmriE_LlVXP0EFa4yo7nxLfXq7gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/john-jjj.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hero astronaut John Jameson (yes relation) not only gets really good press from the The Daily Bugle but he's actually been to the Moon!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And, this being the Marvel universe, he found a magic ruby there that could turn him into a wolf creature.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Obviously.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">His ability to control these transformation very much depend on the story he is in.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh and he also spent some time in another dimension called Other Realm where he ruled as Stargod. So there's that.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He has also made some interesting style choices.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Scare factor: 2</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mostly on the side of the angels but can lose control.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4H-dKUGw-gM/YX26qRZiUHI/AAAAAAAAFPI/a4VGq-JXKYsmi_NlCxodX_0IXX4xxJEmwCLcBGAsYHQ/s500/john-jonah-jameson-iii-1615904-normal.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="355" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4H-dKUGw-gM/YX26qRZiUHI/AAAAAAAAFPI/a4VGq-JXKYsmi_NlCxodX_0IXX4xxJEmwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/john-jonah-jameson-iii-1615904-normal.jpg" width="227" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">5: Freddie Fang, The Werewolf Cub</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y2iEgF4INBM/YX27ADWDNjI/AAAAAAAAFPQ/FcuJzw_5x8kWObJHzgU4VNMsqkIyhOIHgCLcBGAsYHQ/s299/Freddie_Fang_13_055_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="235" height="299" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y2iEgF4INBM/YX27ADWDNjI/AAAAAAAAFPQ/FcuJzw_5x8kWObJHzgU4VNMsqkIyhOIHgCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Freddie_Fang_13_055_edited.jpg" width="235" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Twisting the Cub Scout motto of doing a good deed every day this wolf cub (living with perfectly ordinary human parents) is egged on by a sinister Akela-type figure to cause trouble in this strip by UK legend Reg Parlett.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The series ran in Cor!! from 1970-72 and would typically feature Freddie attempting to do something to ruin someone's day before it backfires and he's accidentally done them a favour!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Scare factor: 1</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Utterly useless but he's meaner than Jimmy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--W8D2jwiPmY/YX28oeJgdaI/AAAAAAAAFPY/gs9D3NIwqLk5FTKP3ekkC4_3nYXUMSZNgCLcBGAsYHQ/s776/Freddie_Fang_13_055_edited2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="294" data-original-width="776" height="142" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--W8D2jwiPmY/YX28oeJgdaI/AAAAAAAAFPY/gs9D3NIwqLk5FTKP3ekkC4_3nYXUMSZNgCLcBGAsYHQ/w376-h142/Freddie_Fang_13_055_edited2.jpg" width="376" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">6: Werewilf</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I6fFTorgi98/YX29ZTDKoSI/AAAAAAAAFPg/xMmfqa1ebPELVMj2h3G9poGz4ohESyyPwCLcBGAsYHQ/s379/image-asset_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="201" data-original-width="379" height="170" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I6fFTorgi98/YX29ZTDKoSI/AAAAAAAAFPg/xMmfqa1ebPELVMj2h3G9poGz4ohESyyPwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/image-asset_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This short-lived strip by Graham Allen arrived in Whoopee! in 1976 and started by having a trip to the zoo marred by young Wilf getting a nip from the flying false teeth of a sneezing wolf. Yes really.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A typical strip would see Wilf being bullyed/picked on/excluded by someone who would then get the fright of their lives when Wilf transformed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Scare factor: 4</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He's not gonna eat you (this is a children's humour strip) but the design is intended to scare!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eSUKNWJrXNY/YX2-8eKItGI/AAAAAAAAFPo/ld7Ij3eaSjkUgzCuCYuIKqat8q-Fch2ugCLcBGAsYHQ/s415/16586893_1366443173411958_1615431571265228546_o_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="163" data-original-width="415" height="160" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eSUKNWJrXNY/YX2-8eKItGI/AAAAAAAAFPo/ld7Ij3eaSjkUgzCuCYuIKqat8q-Fch2ugCLcBGAsYHQ/w406-h160/16586893_1366443173411958_1615431571265228546_o_edited.jpg" width="406" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">7: Black Baron</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LTtQ-YnLZTw/YX2_x3OI_4I/AAAAAAAAFP4/jPiPQpeCPWYP8BSzXtNma5YeNxv3jJsrgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1003/RCO012_1477652340_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="1003" height="142" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LTtQ-YnLZTw/YX2_x3OI_4I/AAAAAAAAFP4/jPiPQpeCPWYP8BSzXtNma5YeNxv3jJsrgCLcBGAsYHQ/w425-h142/RCO012_1477652340_edited.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Staying with UK comics but going back to the Marvel universe we have this character who first appeared in Super Spider-Man and Captain Britain in 1977.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A charming aristocrat, Rupert Kemp, has been talking to Brian (Captain Britain) Braddock's love interest Courtney Ross and soon he's asked her back to his castle where we discover that he is secretly...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A VAMPIRE!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Eh?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So he's nothing to do with the string of werewolf killings around foggy old London town, then?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Erm... yes. That's him too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He's a vampire <u>and</u> a werewolf! Unlucky, man.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Anyway, long story short, Captain Britain stabs him with a silver chalice he found in the Baron's home after squishing one end to a point.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SHX8JhRkV40/YX3HqfcExxI/AAAAAAAAFQM/OoQx9cSmErgJWDqKIeb8B14skY4JCTgIACLcBGAsYHQ/s992/RCO013_1477652222_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="992" height="135" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SHX8JhRkV40/YX3HqfcExxI/AAAAAAAAFQM/OoQx9cSmErgJWDqKIeb8B14skY4JCTgIACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/RCO013_1477652222_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Scare factor: 4</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">An actual credible threat but for heaven's sake pick a lane!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fIxwT60GxJ8/YX3HEXTDyaI/AAAAAAAAFQE/FcdwMUUx1h4rNeHw3QkgxbWYHAYsmneSwCLcBGAsYHQ/s472/RCO018_1477652537_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="472" data-original-width="287" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fIxwT60GxJ8/YX3HEXTDyaI/AAAAAAAAFQE/FcdwMUUx1h4rNeHw3QkgxbWYHAYsmneSwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/RCO018_1477652537_edited.jpg" width="195" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">8: Bigby Wolf</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jn6eRKkSU34/YX3M53ymRkI/AAAAAAAAFQU/_YQ6Q07-ggE-vjpzmyQ9tOO2kdmtsOh5ACLcBGAsYHQ/s584/bigbywolf1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="584" height="170" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jn6eRKkSU34/YX3M53ymRkI/AAAAAAAAFQU/_YQ6Q07-ggE-vjpzmyQ9tOO2kdmtsOh5ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/bigbywolf1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All right, not really a werewolf, I'll admit. Technically his natural state is wolf and he uses magic to appear human. I just wanted to mention Fables.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bill Willingham's Vertigo series is about fairy tale characters living in exile in modern day New York. Bigby has been elected to serve as the sheriff of their community. However not everyone in town trusts him because he was previously the Big Bad Wolf of various stories.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He can transform back to his lupine self if required though.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Scare factor: 3</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He's a good guy but he can be the bad guy if necessary.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z4X5On3WN-w/YX3Ny0kMPvI/AAAAAAAAFQo/InNJoVrsJz0_D-FzeJ5KfEoibmEdF8ZkgCLcBGAsYHQ/s584/bigbywolf2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="584" height="219" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z4X5On3WN-w/YX3Ny0kMPvI/AAAAAAAAFQo/InNJoVrsJz0_D-FzeJ5KfEoibmEdF8ZkgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/bigbywolf2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">9: Judge Dredd</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-StPwN87OAM0/YX3NyBmv1eI/AAAAAAAAFQg/tPMjcW_A6nAtATd78uG21ZHDy60GS1mpQCLcBGAsYHQ/s987/JudgeDredd_CryoftheWerewolf-prc-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="987" height="260" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-StPwN87OAM0/YX3NyBmv1eI/AAAAAAAAFQg/tPMjcW_A6nAtATd78uG21ZHDy60GS1mpQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/JudgeDredd_CryoftheWerewolf-prc-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wait, what?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yes, in 2000AD, progs 322-328 (1983), Mega City One has a werewolf outbreak.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After some initial skepticism, enough Judges see the werewolfs (including one that was once a Judge) to understand what is going on. We're working on the "get bit, you turn" rules. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dredd figures out that he needs to leave the Mega City to find the source. He finds himself in the long-abandoned city of New York and defeats the white werewolf that started it all.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e-2L-Yjnssg/YX3NyNkCm6I/AAAAAAAAFQk/_35Qtum1XCkD5FDeO8sEzkw3vA-CSj3FQCLcBGAsYHQ/s967/RCO038_1490237099_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="733" data-original-width="967" height="243" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e-2L-Yjnssg/YX3NyNkCm6I/AAAAAAAAFQk/_35Qtum1XCkD5FDeO8sEzkw3vA-CSj3FQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/RCO038_1490237099_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Unfortunately he also received a bite that curses him too. After living as a wolfman in the cursed earth, it's only luck that means he is rescued by a disgraced Judge who brings him back to Mega City One where they synthesised a cure.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Scare factor: 3</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Significantly less scary than regular Dredd. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This may be the only time we ever see Dredd without his helmet! (I've not checked)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PbRRh8kMnFE/YX3NyDaHmYI/AAAAAAAAFQc/jJQX2FAvG4EOaN2BXOYY1td22u9kPpVjQCLcBGAsYHQ/s982/RCO045_1490237099_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="351" data-original-width="982" height="114" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PbRRh8kMnFE/YX3NyDaHmYI/AAAAAAAAFQc/jJQX2FAvG4EOaN2BXOYY1td22u9kPpVjQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/RCO045_1490237099_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">10: Cap Wolf</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AIsdyXmaWPA/YX3NzMwZHhI/AAAAAAAAFQs/wHGApAE37oMrAMM1HdfqZ5_BQUr-AiagwCLcBGAsYHQ/s584/capwolf02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="584" height="245" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AIsdyXmaWPA/YX3NzMwZHhI/AAAAAAAAFQs/wHGApAE37oMrAMM1HdfqZ5_BQUr-AiagwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/capwolf02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm in the middle of reading Mark Gruenwald's run on Captain America (thanks Disney+!) and one of the highlights has been</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">THAT TIME CAPTAIN AMERICA BECAME A WEREWOLF!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A plot by Dredmund, the Demon Druid (man, I love superhero comics) using John Jameson's moonstone leads to Steve Rogers being werewolfified.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Along the way he fights Wolverine and Cable, Dredmund becomes Starwolf and a transdimensional evil version of Cap shows up (cos Infinity War was happening at the same time).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Anyway, the best thing that happens is that Cap saves the life of the president (heavily implied to be Reagan) after he is also infected and becomes a werewolf.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Comics are fun.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Scare factor: 1</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Even werewolf Steve retains his morality.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Q3Silx3qiA/YX3Nzfl_WTI/AAAAAAAAFQw/xi3zfiDIkiYkYUMcQjxcsMNxWsHhoNZIwCLcBGAsYHQ/s355/unnamed.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="281" data-original-width="355" height="253" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Q3Silx3qiA/YX3Nzfl_WTI/AAAAAAAAFQw/xi3zfiDIkiYkYUMcQjxcsMNxWsHhoNZIwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/unnamed.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">11: Marv Wolfman</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CWbRszLKt8I/YX6D9q6mF1I/AAAAAAAAFRE/KZDyGmcTEykqI_BOeKwFlpW2z4hiAgznACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/MV5BNTEyMDYwYjAtYzdkYy00MTQ4LWIzYmEtYmYwOGRhNjM4OTI4XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNzY1ODU1OTk%2540._V1_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CWbRszLKt8I/YX6D9q6mF1I/AAAAAAAAFRE/KZDyGmcTEykqI_BOeKwFlpW2z4hiAgznACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/MV5BNTEyMDYwYjAtYzdkYy00MTQ4LWIzYmEtYmYwOGRhNjM4OTI4XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNzY1ODU1OTk%2540._V1_.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To be honest I thought of throwing the long-time DC writer and guest star on last year's CW crossover Crisis on Infinite Earths as the punchline because his name but then I remembered an actual thing about his name.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">See, for many years comics were bound by a code set by the Comics Code Authority (it was a whole thing caused by a moral panic in the 1950s) and that code has a list of things that weren't allowed in comics. A list that was mainly devised to ruin EC Comics and other horror publishers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Anyway, in 1969 DC published a story in House of Secrets #83 which was credited to "a wandering wolfman". The CCA rejected the story as "wolfman" was a banned word. DC's Gerry Conway had to explain that this was, in fact, the author's actual name and the ban was lifted. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A side effect of this is that DC started giving credit to its creators.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Scare factor: 0</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He's a cuddly old man. I imagine. I don't really know much about him.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sNaPv1x9Wbs/YX6IqB8yTXI/AAAAAAAAFRM/QgySM-URRpQ24yxe74RItbeO_R3t_kW_wCLcBGAsYHQ/s696/crisis-on-infinite-earths-marv-wolfman-cameo-1203096.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="696" height="179" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sNaPv1x9Wbs/YX6IqB8yTXI/AAAAAAAAFRM/QgySM-URRpQ24yxe74RItbeO_R3t_kW_wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/crisis-on-infinite-earths-marv-wolfman-cameo-1203096.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That's it for this Hallowe'en, next year... I dunno... skeletons?</div>The Slipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17231598306094150274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782966666136502802.post-88354888548175379082021-01-01T16:52:00.145-08:002021-01-02T09:12:23.229-08:00Seventh Annual Christmas Roundup 2020!<p> Happy New Year!</p><p>Yes, I know it's late but a combination of illness, my continuing <a href="https://the-slipper.blogspot.com/2020/07/" target="_blank">anxiety disorder</a>, and (y'know) that <a href="https://the-slipper.blogspot.com/2020/10/" target="_blank">thing</a> the entire world dealt with in 2020 really got in the way.</p><p>Another odd difference this year is that there are only UK comics on the roundup because I live in a tier 3 (now tier 4) part of the country (readers of the future/other countries it means the Covid infection rate is particularly high here) which means my regular comics shop has been closed for months. </p><p>I don't even know what Christmas specials/issues came out this year. Were there superhero specials? Did Krampus visit Tarot: Witch of the Black Rose again? If you bought any please let me know in the comments so I can seek them out after lockdown. Yes, I know I can get them digitally but I prefer getting physical copies, not least to support the shop I love.</p><p><br /></p><p>Let's start with a roundup of the Beano Christmas Special 2020 (published in October), which had a story that ran through most of the strips. General Blight is stealing the Christmas spirit from the residents of Beanotown.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IvlbS-e-hiE/X-_CWuV79mI/AAAAAAAAFB0/8vdwz_M3si0LiUe8Hd_roXNjV2yxSvhLwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_20201226_0002_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1480" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IvlbS-e-hiE/X-_CWuV79mI/AAAAAAAAFB0/8vdwz_M3si0LiUe8Hd_roXNjV2yxSvhLwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20201226_0002_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Santa is required. I love that they are sticking with the continuity that Minnie has history with him (see previous roundups).</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5XseiKVLmnA/X-_CnENowlI/AAAAAAAAFB8/919iuF9pC_4qPKF1uuNvZQTOyTEcsbERQCLcBGAsYHQ/s793/IMG_20201226_0003_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="771" data-original-width="793" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5XseiKVLmnA/X-_CnENowlI/AAAAAAAAFB8/919iuF9pC_4qPKF1uuNvZQTOyTEcsbERQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20201226_0003_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4iosrpt7Ovg/X-_Co0NoZwI/AAAAAAAAFCM/Xkd5vvW1JuEkxRB05vKfS1EATVwPSM20QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1090/IMG_20201226_0004_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="820" data-original-width="1090" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4iosrpt7Ovg/X-_Co0NoZwI/AAAAAAAAFCM/Xkd5vvW1JuEkxRB05vKfS1EATVwPSM20QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20201226_0004_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y5AZu_7pyEo/X-_CpV9U6PI/AAAAAAAAFCQ/MKPcKV3KN7wO2v5HU2av8hHw4OPQqB_LACLcBGAsYHQ/s822/IMG_20201226_0005_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="822" data-original-width="803" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y5AZu_7pyEo/X-_CpV9U6PI/AAAAAAAAFCQ/MKPcKV3KN7wO2v5HU2av8hHw4OPQqB_LACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20201226_0005_edited.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xByWBkN-VPw/X-_CrBMPLHI/AAAAAAAAFCU/t3GGmz8cqPkfQHlvXQx6ooeXHxDGLov9wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1473/IMG_20201226_0006_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="693" data-original-width="1473" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xByWBkN-VPw/X-_CrBMPLHI/AAAAAAAAFCU/t3GGmz8cqPkfQHlvXQx6ooeXHxDGLov9wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20201226_0006_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aSKBQI5PIw0/X-_Csj9PRAI/AAAAAAAAFCg/_xSQNyQptGsYAKQisl6_FkgCZSU9ncCIwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1321/IMG_20201226_0007_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="806" data-original-width="1321" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aSKBQI5PIw0/X-_Csj9PRAI/AAAAAAAAFCg/_xSQNyQptGsYAKQisl6_FkgCZSU9ncCIwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20201226_0007_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yD99m7vDVCs/X-_Ct3rcN8I/AAAAAAAAFCk/xwibqSQqJaUrIyTkg6EsDkgDrQxusqGgwCLcBGAsYHQ/s709/IMG_20201226_0008_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="709" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yD99m7vDVCs/X-_Ct3rcN8I/AAAAAAAAFCk/xwibqSQqJaUrIyTkg6EsDkgDrQxusqGgwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20201226_0008_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2ff9YqBdyrw/X-_CvOjfKZI/AAAAAAAAFCw/pW7ljTUYtZI_woMX4WiwQwa5PcAthZK0ACLcBGAsYHQ/s796/IMG_20201226_0009_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="796" data-original-width="726" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2ff9YqBdyrw/X-_CvOjfKZI/AAAAAAAAFCw/pW7ljTUYtZI_woMX4WiwQwa5PcAthZK0ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20201226_0009_edited.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It should be noted that Numbskull Santa is different from regular Santa.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">At one point Billy Whizz chases Santa and we learn that canonically Billy's powers work on water the same as The Flash's. Also bonus Superman: The Movie reference.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wCFe7Do2koc/X-_CwX89wuI/AAAAAAAAFC0/2XqqwzGbR90J_51G6wIj-qI800TvIRFCACLcBGAsYHQ/s1549/IMG_20201226_0010_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="655" data-original-width="1549" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wCFe7Do2koc/X-_CwX89wuI/AAAAAAAAFC0/2XqqwzGbR90J_51G6wIj-qI800TvIRFCACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20201226_0010_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LyrYk5M1OKk/X-_CxutbqZI/AAAAAAAAFDA/bBar9gXATNYPRQQzU99IoW39WKZcMxOQgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1440/IMG_20201226_0011_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="763" data-original-width="1440" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LyrYk5M1OKk/X-_CxutbqZI/AAAAAAAAFDA/bBar9gXATNYPRQQzU99IoW39WKZcMxOQgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20201226_0011_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hJL8qaNrRfU/X-_Cy9u8UMI/AAAAAAAAFDE/X8sUDwZ2MHgs-iSzWUOddPwbL7PJy01ogCLcBGAsYHQ/s856/IMG_20201226_0012_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="796" data-original-width="856" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hJL8qaNrRfU/X-_Cy9u8UMI/AAAAAAAAFDE/X8sUDwZ2MHgs-iSzWUOddPwbL7PJy01ogCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20201226_0012_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cmirvys31XM/X-_C0ZLAKlI/AAAAAAAAFDQ/DKeFa75WlpEVojiglJ1hjF2EkQEXEe-CwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1466/IMG_20201226_0013_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="1466" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cmirvys31XM/X-_C0ZLAKlI/AAAAAAAAFDQ/DKeFa75WlpEVojiglJ1hjF2EkQEXEe-CwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20201226_0013_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q108z_ehzk0/X-_C2S0uNsI/AAAAAAAAFDc/Zen414SQVecsTDUsgFgwnHKIJZXlN7A1QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_20201226_0014_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1480" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q108z_ehzk0/X-_C2S0uNsI/AAAAAAAAFDc/Zen414SQVecsTDUsgFgwnHKIJZXlN7A1QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20201226_0014_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Viz roundup time now. From issue 601</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qGXEsGdEEX4/X-_C3FXc23I/AAAAAAAAFDo/L2Ga9TQ2YB8gWfc6Oz6mTiI53_fNDPYFgCLcBGAsYHQ/s856/IMG_20201226_0015_edited2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="850" data-original-width="856" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qGXEsGdEEX4/X-_C3FXc23I/AAAAAAAAFDo/L2Ga9TQ2YB8gWfc6Oz6mTiI53_fNDPYFgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20201226_0015_edited2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UJ_Xgh3VYIw/X-_C2z2tM2I/AAAAAAAAFDk/UQtguhdCpWo-9hAezDMOP6lFQcFFqvr9ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1289/IMG_20201226_0015_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="725" data-original-width="1289" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UJ_Xgh3VYIw/X-_C2z2tM2I/AAAAAAAAFDk/UQtguhdCpWo-9hAezDMOP6lFQcFFqvr9ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20201226_0015_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JkOwVRVuDZw/X-_C3iw95dI/AAAAAAAAFDs/xlOGZwwvVUIvhmpNOFPK7ZRMSuLSd3NBwCLcBGAsYHQ/s650/IMG_20201226_0016_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="633" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JkOwVRVuDZw/X-_C3iw95dI/AAAAAAAAFDs/xlOGZwwvVUIvhmpNOFPK7ZRMSuLSd3NBwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20201226_0016_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-46GocPIwTCI/X-_C4Z51veI/AAAAAAAAFD8/TVAsJ6g2-0QjX8uS2UkVWcv20Z19gtrtwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1197/IMG_20201226_0017_edited2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1197" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-46GocPIwTCI/X-_C4Z51veI/AAAAAAAAFD8/TVAsJ6g2-0QjX8uS2UkVWcv20Z19gtrtwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20201226_0017_edited2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JaR6TBpu43Y/X-_C4eoqovI/AAAAAAAAFD0/WhkbRIUp7ooXHXoUh34J2KT8xynI2BcBgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1002/IMG_20201226_0017_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="817" data-original-width="1002" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JaR6TBpu43Y/X-_C4eoqovI/AAAAAAAAFD0/WhkbRIUp7ooXHXoUh34J2KT8xynI2BcBgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20201226_0017_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To 2000AD now.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JHvXDbg5pjU/X-_C5FJFKvI/AAAAAAAAFEA/YTGkVyhDsV8gTtgjXOcKrukoz5veq523wCLcBGAsYHQ/s893/IMG_20201226_0018_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="519" data-original-width="893" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JHvXDbg5pjU/X-_C5FJFKvI/AAAAAAAAFEA/YTGkVyhDsV8gTtgjXOcKrukoz5veq523wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20201226_0018_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oVH84PhpMZc/X-_C6hDBwhI/AAAAAAAAFEI/aXe5Qskc6csXul8j9ZCl3ful2x5qYBwCgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_20201226_0019_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1040" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oVH84PhpMZc/X-_C6hDBwhI/AAAAAAAAFEI/aXe5Qskc6csXul8j9ZCl3ful2x5qYBwCgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20201226_0019_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A house ad for Judge Dredd Megazine has this glorious image of Judge Death (who returns in that issue, but in no Chrisssstmassssy way) murdering Santa. Happy Holidays!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DkbtP_4usO0/X-_C-nl--oI/AAAAAAAAFEY/QewB4TYsJ4ESu2Z4i7EBkAZTl05-7_A2QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_20201226_0021_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1816" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DkbtP_4usO0/X-_C-nl--oI/AAAAAAAAFEY/QewB4TYsJ4ESu2Z4i7EBkAZTl05-7_A2QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20201226_0021_edited.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To Doctor Who Magazine where Lew Stringer riffs on an idea from a few years ago.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p2Qp8Fq85pc/X-_C_ABbrUI/AAAAAAAAFEg/oALIi8ZwdqgSRRTmlEyNII-Oj4fWXHrkgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1608/IMG_20201226_0022_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="915" data-original-width="1608" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p2Qp8Fq85pc/X-_C_ABbrUI/AAAAAAAAFEg/oALIi8ZwdqgSRRTmlEyNII-Oj4fWXHrkgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20201226_0022_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There was a Dredd story in Judge Dredd Megazine that riffed on Jingle All the Way.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c_8SIsKNugU/X-_DA8LhF7I/AAAAAAAAFEo/Wk1I4m2HDW415qBeGotuh5dRxtHmFcXQACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_20201226_0023_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1211" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c_8SIsKNugU/X-_DA8LhF7I/AAAAAAAAFEo/Wk1I4m2HDW415qBeGotuh5dRxtHmFcXQACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20201226_0023_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Private Eye cartoon roundup now, with plenty of mentions of you-know-what...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nJy-z1MXqso/X-_DBRM0StI/AAAAAAAAFE0/ksRU5lZdc8kaoweRnSj7gpQ4DpkOrEZQwCLcBGAsYHQ/s758/IMG_20201226_0024_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="693" data-original-width="758" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nJy-z1MXqso/X-_DBRM0StI/AAAAAAAAFE0/ksRU5lZdc8kaoweRnSj7gpQ4DpkOrEZQwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20201226_0024_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xa7ugrsfXqM/X-_DCDI3kyI/AAAAAAAAFE8/sHqYMgB4opcwG1UpJ9MlbbWCj31tOF8OACLcBGAsYHQ/s1424/IMG_20201226_0025_edited2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="936" data-original-width="1424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xa7ugrsfXqM/X-_DCDI3kyI/AAAAAAAAFE8/sHqYMgB4opcwG1UpJ9MlbbWCj31tOF8OACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20201226_0025_edited2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jU148g124xQ/X-_DCmEnRCI/AAAAAAAAFFE/SVKanKNxaegH4BSRFqjw2qI2B4VZl_RnQCLcBGAsYHQ/s818/IMG_20201226_0025_edited3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="520" data-original-width="818" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jU148g124xQ/X-_DCmEnRCI/AAAAAAAAFFE/SVKanKNxaegH4BSRFqjw2qI2B4VZl_RnQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20201226_0025_edited3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iAgahY7MkvU/X-_DCJYcvhI/AAAAAAAAFE4/AlmS5wnVdKkzb4u8JFJMiOBGR9ARNt5ygCLcBGAsYHQ/s1283/IMG_20201226_0025_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1283" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iAgahY7MkvU/X-_DCJYcvhI/AAAAAAAAFE4/AlmS5wnVdKkzb4u8JFJMiOBGR9ARNt5ygCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20201226_0025_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TS-jVwWfv7w/X-_DEH2pWsI/AAAAAAAAFFU/9gGopdBHbRQi_e3w7e6oAwQOZz2Is9iOQCLcBGAsYHQ/s742/IMG_20201226_0027_edited2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="514" data-original-width="742" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TS-jVwWfv7w/X-_DEH2pWsI/AAAAAAAAFFU/9gGopdBHbRQi_e3w7e6oAwQOZz2Is9iOQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20201226_0027_edited2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Ir2xrgFt24/X-_DEHJsnjI/AAAAAAAAFFY/vqNrQmISmcYNU-N4SC-9uDhn_sZVxDgdQCLcBGAsYHQ/s693/IMG_20201226_0027_edited3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="693" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Ir2xrgFt24/X-_DEHJsnjI/AAAAAAAAFFY/vqNrQmISmcYNU-N4SC-9uDhn_sZVxDgdQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20201226_0027_edited3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cGcqNmQDTtc/X-_DDcIDIzI/AAAAAAAAFFI/BkHmZ72ppLgveTh25W_0LzNRiBWXKNpuwCLcBGAsYHQ/s731/IMG_20201226_0027_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="633" data-original-width="731" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cGcqNmQDTtc/X-_DDcIDIzI/AAAAAAAAFFI/BkHmZ72ppLgveTh25W_0LzNRiBWXKNpuwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20201226_0027_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MVuHKLF2VGY/X-_DEqVg6SI/AAAAAAAAFFc/Nij2IGNRbyMTO_NcaqVsojrxtmcPJ1VswCLcBGAsYHQ/s682/IMG_20201226_0028_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="682" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MVuHKLF2VGY/X-_DEqVg6SI/AAAAAAAAFFc/Nij2IGNRbyMTO_NcaqVsojrxtmcPJ1VswCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20201226_0028_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mojKnX-Hhiw/X-_DFeO1kTI/AAAAAAAAFFo/TWmmVEiSTJ0YGmlZas_Rj6IzkTCB7RwVACLcBGAsYHQ/s1083/IMG_20201226_0029_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="1083" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mojKnX-Hhiw/X-_DFeO1kTI/AAAAAAAAFFo/TWmmVEiSTJ0YGmlZas_Rj6IzkTCB7RwVACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20201226_0029_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Like the Special, the Christmas issue of The Beano (No 4056) had a story that ran through most of the strips. This time about robot Christmas trees that Rubi Screwtop invented that gain sentience and rampage through Beanotown.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3l03ImvKr80/X-_DGGqw3fI/AAAAAAAAFFw/4l0z640Dg4Uf5nMWTNFGEb3H3H_0BFMiACLcBGAsYHQ/s1007/IMG_20201227_0001_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="882" data-original-width="1007" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3l03ImvKr80/X-_DGGqw3fI/AAAAAAAAFFw/4l0z640Dg4Uf5nMWTNFGEb3H3H_0BFMiACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20201227_0001_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3shW4AkWZTg/X-_DGxNJEoI/AAAAAAAAFF4/8fbhVjO35Nob_3jwexQJhZ3-LbhuMTqtACLcBGAsYHQ/s1316/IMG_20201227_0002_edited2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="1316" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3shW4AkWZTg/X-_DGxNJEoI/AAAAAAAAFF4/8fbhVjO35Nob_3jwexQJhZ3-LbhuMTqtACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20201227_0002_edited2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UEsVmJ_qkCg/X-_DGn4765I/AAAAAAAAFF0/pjdxUyJzsW49JEYzCi0arZbugwhyPLZNACLcBGAsYHQ/s720/IMG_20201227_0002_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="720" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UEsVmJ_qkCg/X-_DGn4765I/AAAAAAAAFF0/pjdxUyJzsW49JEYzCi0arZbugwhyPLZNACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20201227_0002_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rINXeMWhF9c/X-_DH2KFjZI/AAAAAAAAFGE/DQCewusRrzQGFctEnuDtnu7HT9--1VfLwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1045/IMG_20201227_0003_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="1045" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rINXeMWhF9c/X-_DH2KFjZI/AAAAAAAAFGE/DQCewusRrzQGFctEnuDtnu7HT9--1VfLwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20201227_0003_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dg-xpgD-hqk/X-_DI8Ak8TI/AAAAAAAAFGI/BFd1HPzWKVEAB4XRN3QkL9B-nZ2pkGjwwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1430/IMG_20201227_0004_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="1430" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dg-xpgD-hqk/X-_DI8Ak8TI/AAAAAAAAFGI/BFd1HPzWKVEAB4XRN3QkL9B-nZ2pkGjwwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20201227_0004_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Throwing in this Betty and the Yeti panel because I was convinced it was a take on a Charles Addams cartoon, but I can't find it anywhere. I may be thinking of a different cartoonist. I may be mad. Help me out in the comments if you know.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZgxRTxq2PA0/X-_DJjcfYVI/AAAAAAAAFGQ/MS6ZukHWv0guN3TXFjUo0YqrbU3Xi1iNACLcBGAsYHQ/s833/IMG_20201227_0005_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="833" data-original-width="812" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZgxRTxq2PA0/X-_DJjcfYVI/AAAAAAAAFGQ/MS6ZukHWv0guN3TXFjUo0YqrbU3Xi1iNACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20201227_0005_edited.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VMfOpYU9a_g/X-_DKf7ICyI/AAAAAAAAFGY/anjAlrEaYe8ct5uedIhrH-4cZnLE6VWSACLcBGAsYHQ/s888/IMG_20201227_0006_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="860" data-original-width="888" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VMfOpYU9a_g/X-_DKf7ICyI/AAAAAAAAFGY/anjAlrEaYe8ct5uedIhrH-4cZnLE6VWSACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20201227_0006_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OeepWi6uK3Q/X-_DLQg_2mI/AAAAAAAAFGg/xj2HrF9AsLUQSSvh_jm_FMY9nN5MJAb1gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1218/IMG_20201227_0007_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1218" data-original-width="812" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OeepWi6uK3Q/X-_DLQg_2mI/AAAAAAAAFGg/xj2HrF9AsLUQSSvh_jm_FMY9nN5MJAb1gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20201227_0007_edited.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I like that Dennis' tree decided to chill and watch the Bond film.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WZpmFsFNkkE/X-_DMCjNT4I/AAAAAAAAFGs/lQXMTqUZy84-HOZoCmoVSxc663F2OfZ8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1305/IMG_20201227_0008_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="731" data-original-width="1305" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WZpmFsFNkkE/X-_DMCjNT4I/AAAAAAAAFGs/lQXMTqUZy84-HOZoCmoVSxc663F2OfZ8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20201227_0008_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This panel from Bananaman isn't very festive, but I just love seeing Eric transform like the 80s cartoon.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j44gNmH4G30/X-_DNOTx7MI/AAAAAAAAFGw/19FB9YZ-n40dczAugWt5fRul2LLN-IfpgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1462/IMG_20201227_0009_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="861" data-original-width="1462" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j44gNmH4G30/X-_DNOTx7MI/AAAAAAAAFGw/19FB9YZ-n40dczAugWt5fRul2LLN-IfpgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20201227_0009_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Billy Whizz did a Vicar Dibley and was booked for too many Christmas dinners and ends the day with a tryptophan crash. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hyy-1YXLkrA/X-_DN_YOf1I/AAAAAAAAFG8/UX157uqjxwcAf1vZTojb9TNOgQge4hczQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1289/IMG_20201227_0010_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="671" data-original-width="1289" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hyy-1YXLkrA/X-_DN_YOf1I/AAAAAAAAFG8/UX157uqjxwcAf1vZTojb9TNOgQge4hczQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20201227_0010_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love the little meta joke about comics always having a white Christmas.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QO4QH17FsSs/X-_DOQF62UI/AAAAAAAAFHE/bNPUd11dTT0NDNfjo_F9V_sEVlVvFGvpACLcBGAsYHQ/s1473/IMG_20201227_0011_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="725" data-original-width="1473" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QO4QH17FsSs/X-_DOQF62UI/AAAAAAAAFHE/bNPUd11dTT0NDNfjo_F9V_sEVlVvFGvpACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20201227_0011_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l5oOpbrEEQg/X-_DPMtfnGI/AAAAAAAAFHM/ef_vGaP63rUQzAXIhpnmSX-udt_WbO3NACLcBGAsYHQ/s1619/IMG_20201227_0012_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="747" data-original-width="1619" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l5oOpbrEEQg/X-_DPMtfnGI/AAAAAAAAFHM/ef_vGaP63rUQzAXIhpnmSX-udt_WbO3NACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20201227_0012_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pP6nYvEt0MU/X-_DP2Sk7uI/AAAAAAAAFHU/FIOYd0kv2-U71EclMtX_WZc_MCrP-BkcQCLcBGAsYHQ/s693/IMG_20201227_0013_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="693" data-original-width="693" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pP6nYvEt0MU/X-_DP2Sk7uI/AAAAAAAAFHU/FIOYd0kv2-U71EclMtX_WZc_MCrP-BkcQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20201227_0013_edited.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So that's done for another year. Stay safe and we'll get through this. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All the best for 2021 from Slipper Towers!</div>The Slipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17231598306094150274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782966666136502802.post-28615236230674834322020-10-07T10:46:00.006-07:002020-10-08T12:39:15.525-07:00Viral Comics!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tpleeQDPsO8/XyGkpa4gBeI/AAAAAAAAE9Q/iNXztNsifcAqCPrTXzzHKcqq1ArwK9V2ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/94177087_10158514300338885_948541508686970880_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="858" data-original-width="960" height="286" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tpleeQDPsO8/XyGkpa4gBeI/AAAAAAAAE9Q/iNXztNsifcAqCPrTXzzHKcqq1ArwK9V2ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/94177087_10158514300338885_948541508686970880_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's still the time of the Covid-19 pandemic. I'm aware you, reader, probably know that but I'm saying that for the benefit of someone who might be reading this in some future time when this is all over. Assuming that happens.</div>
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<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1230" data-original-width="1600" height="246" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pRArA-QLEGE/XyGkqIifB_I/AAAAAAAAE9c/e4t9sZtartIZ3WzkxD3-8lNAAELcR21vgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/RCO002_1594121344.jpg" style="text-align: left;" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One of my first thoughts after the lockdown started was of Edgar Allan Poe's short story The Masque of the Red Death. It's about a group of rich people who lock themselves up in a castle so that they can party while the peasants outside are dying of the plague.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This might remind one of certain footballers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There's lots of comics adaptations of this story but I can recommend the one by Richard Corben from 2013 (published as The Raven and The Red Death by Dark Horse).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="782" data-original-width="701" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zRvwzMu5jC0/XyGky9ZwhEI/AAAAAAAAE_Q/lm-cAVMRZEU0U77tjgCO0V0v1vYaX5LTACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/boong.jpg" style="text-align: left;" width="286" /></div>
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Anyway, like many other people, I have used some of my lock-down time to catch up on some things I've missed and revisit some old favourites.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OHn-FjxHnrg/XyGkp8Uj0MI/AAAAAAAAE9Y/lExfpvRU0Qs1K7M3DJtx58uLvVEl7tnCACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/RCO002_1592324118.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1230" data-original-width="1600" height="246" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OHn-FjxHnrg/XyGkp8Uj0MI/AAAAAAAAE9Y/lExfpvRU0Qs1K7M3DJtx58uLvVEl7tnCACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/RCO002_1592324118.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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For example, I have read The Wild Storm from 2017 by Warren Ellis and Jon Davis-Hunt and this panel struck me as sad. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y__upRFq5To/XyGkuErGu6I/AAAAAAAAE-U/OOZQVDqGasosCwZgftFPjjoPrb9Dj8GyQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/RCO016_1583415438_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="283" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y__upRFq5To/XyGkuErGu6I/AAAAAAAAE-U/OOZQVDqGasosCwZgftFPjjoPrb9Dj8GyQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/RCO016_1583415438_edited.jpg" width="188" /></a></div>
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(And I hasten to point out this was before I knew what we now know about Ellis)</div>
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I've also been rereading Neil Gaiman's groundbreaking Sandman (1989) (on and off) and had forgotten that that starts with a worldwide "sleepy sickness" that baffles doctors (spoiler: it's a supernatural cause).</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qJuivNp7zfk/XyGkvk5SYGI/AAAAAAAAE-o/XZDCQoVd8jEmrLxP-nVem4iltzC6gpLmQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/RCO026_1582321813_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="915" height="117" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qJuivNp7zfk/XyGkvk5SYGI/AAAAAAAAE-o/XZDCQoVd8jEmrLxP-nVem4iltzC6gpLmQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/RCO026_1582321813_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I had The Wilds by Vita Ayala and Emily Pearson (2018) recommended some time ago so I gave it a go.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_M4GUcXj2gY/XyGkqYPtmSI/AAAAAAAAE9g/vX3sfuMuGsg24aDOX8Vvy1ySm83UiKQxQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/RCO003_1583388622_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="837" data-original-width="944" height="283" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_M4GUcXj2gY/XyGkqYPtmSI/AAAAAAAAE9g/vX3sfuMuGsg24aDOX8Vvy1ySm83UiKQxQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/RCO003_1583388622_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Yep, it's about a worldwide disease. A bacterium that slowly turns people into plant-like organisms after becoming rage-induced "zombies".</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8sNWNDMUUVg/XyGkqjTSGFI/AAAAAAAAE9k/vx0ybU3evP0dwcjumVS_liGcC9ILLDHZACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/RCO003_1583504161_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="1029" height="212" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8sNWNDMUUVg/XyGkqjTSGFI/AAAAAAAAE9k/vx0ybU3evP0dwcjumVS_liGcC9ILLDHZACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/RCO003_1583504161_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's good, too. We see the lives of the survivors and the specialist jobs of those with the skills to hunt for supplies. The plant-based plague makes for some very interesting visuals.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LAQGwKF_ACc/XyGkr4JwrVI/AAAAAAAAE94/6SCrqTmg4GktdFC-ioAqRZjLpxWw0y8_wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/RCO009_1583388622_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="309" data-original-width="972" height="101" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LAQGwKF_ACc/XyGkr4JwrVI/AAAAAAAAE94/6SCrqTmg4GktdFC-ioAqRZjLpxWw0y8_wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/RCO009_1583388622_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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But there were plenty of things to draw parallels with our current situation. The importance of masks, for example.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8B1fqAdgu0Q/XyGksSSZFMI/AAAAAAAAE98/UvPlT4HSQpo3BzeT3e_PbJeinjS_nnvPwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/RCO009_1583388622_edited2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="984" height="207" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8B1fqAdgu0Q/XyGksSSZFMI/AAAAAAAAE98/UvPlT4HSQpo3BzeT3e_PbJeinjS_nnvPwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/RCO009_1583388622_edited2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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All right, so we have ourselves a theme. Viral outbreaks. Let's take a look at some comics where they happen.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NuMfDpqmlRg/XyGkunUdrEI/AAAAAAAAE-c/QxDVlv-dRjEjJ1sorRNr_cve94-aPYDKQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/RCO019_1583511562_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="511" data-original-width="967" height="169" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NuMfDpqmlRg/XyGkunUdrEI/AAAAAAAAE-c/QxDVlv-dRjEjJ1sorRNr_cve94-aPYDKQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/RCO019_1583511562_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A virus (or a bacterium) is invisible. So how does one show it in a visual medium?</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8v74KhSpaCc/XyGkpWD1kXI/AAAAAAAAE9U/uk-HavWODS4h4AZzXPrK58OTzO8k6MuOACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/98354728_2992902084088824_7795970107347304448_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="642" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8v74KhSpaCc/XyGkpWD1kXI/AAAAAAAAE9U/uk-HavWODS4h4AZzXPrK58OTzO8k6MuOACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/98354728_2992902084088824_7795970107347304448_o.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
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...Okay, that's one way.</div>
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The more usual way is to show it's effects on a group of people.</div>
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Or smurfs.</div>
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We have covered the history of those little blues gits before (click <a href="http://the-slipper.blogspot.com/2017/04/on-waterboarding-and-smurfs.html" target="_blank">here</a> for smurfin' more!) and mentioned their viral outbreak in their first solo story, Les Schtroumpfs Noirs (or in it's anglicised, pallet-swapped reprint Purple Smurfs, 1963) by Peyo there. But to reinforce for our purposes today we will notice that the virus crosses over from animal (a fly) to smurf.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w84MVnHTN-0/XyGkoQWH7-I/AAAAAAAAE9I/p1MrjWvY0mMbMfEWkubGe0GXZGzWeo0ZgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/102441883_2952154408211599_6336782461955452510_o_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="357" data-original-width="635" height="179" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w84MVnHTN-0/XyGkoQWH7-I/AAAAAAAAE9I/p1MrjWvY0mMbMfEWkubGe0GXZGzWeo0ZgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/102441883_2952154408211599_6336782461955452510_o_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We see that the virus can be passed from Smurf to Smurf by contact. Well, biting.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EeNR7hyYaAg/XyGkoQjEUaI/AAAAAAAAE9E/yv9ALyuqzO0xU6u0OGRWSSRclxy8R-zAwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/102330861_2952161031544270_2988643444568839290_o_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="598" height="179" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EeNR7hyYaAg/XyGkoQjEUaI/AAAAAAAAE9E/yv9ALyuqzO0xU6u0OGRWSSRclxy8R-zAwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/102330861_2952161031544270_2988643444568839290_o_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And it's left for Papa Smurf to develop the vaccine, administered by bellows.<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LqyB3tHGgbk/XyGkoSVTSTI/AAAAAAAAE9M/UI49rYO0iRkjvVyKLhwjcyZKsGr3M6GpQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/102409634_2952175521542821_942105706294902239_o_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="181" data-original-width="296" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LqyB3tHGgbk/XyGkoSVTSTI/AAAAAAAAE9M/UI49rYO0iRkjvVyKLhwjcyZKsGr3M6GpQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/102409634_2952175521542821_942105706294902239_o_edited.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I did comment on my previous post just how much this story resembles a zombie outbreak (albeit years before Night of the Living Dead) so let's briefly mention zombies.<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZPjTbioqjto/XyGks6PCy5I/AAAAAAAAE-A/klwrh1HMJKsjanH52pcXHb9Ec0lcyZRjgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/RCO011%2B%25281%2529_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="711" data-original-width="1031" height="220" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZPjTbioqjto/XyGks6PCy5I/AAAAAAAAE-A/klwrh1HMJKsjanH52pcXHb9Ec0lcyZRjgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/RCO011%2B%25281%2529_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Zombie comics have become their own mighty sub-genre, thanks largely to the all-conquering The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore and Charlie Adlard (2003-2019). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LCPT8Eh9zjg/XyGktXqyjMI/AAAAAAAAE-E/yFacB8sgWH4jVFogyc5Z2R4qDC6u8xk9ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/RCO011_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="473" data-original-width="955" height="158" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LCPT8Eh9zjg/XyGktXqyjMI/AAAAAAAAE-E/yFacB8sgWH4jVFogyc5Z2R4qDC6u8xk9ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/RCO011_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But zombies are undoubtedly their own category, to be covered another time. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XOy3xKR0pkE/XyGkuguL3LI/AAAAAAAAE-Y/fr5wtKv0_KMZ5cEIq69wO-9xs18FuRBJQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/RCO018_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="489" data-original-width="957" height="163" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XOy3xKR0pkE/XyGkuguL3LI/AAAAAAAAE-Y/fr5wtKv0_KMZ5cEIq69wO-9xs18FuRBJQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/RCO018_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">However, my favourite mass-extinction comic story (and everyone should have at least one) is Brian K Vaughn and Pia Guerra's Y: The Last Man.</div></div>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cj6Bqd9bZfs/XyGkqgpFyvI/AAAAAAAAE9o/763bbdLg5nYiI5bLAUTje4PPx05MKUc9QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/RCO005_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="859" data-original-width="940" height="292" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cj6Bqd9bZfs/XyGkqgpFyvI/AAAAAAAAE9o/763bbdLg5nYiI5bLAUTje4PPx05MKUc9QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/RCO005_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A tale of a world where every male mammal, apart from the titular Yorick and his monkey Ampersand, died instantly from an unknown disease. I won't spoil any of it here but I do recommend it.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6-vkWqpHlOc/XyGkwSsoLTI/AAAAAAAAE-0/t6KNwjnbRZoPGUqs0yNOb4PYBT4XiV8pQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/RCO055_1550455345_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="513" data-original-width="753" height="218" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6-vkWqpHlOc/XyGkwSsoLTI/AAAAAAAAE-0/t6KNwjnbRZoPGUqs0yNOb4PYBT4XiV8pQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/RCO055_1550455345_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Skipping to a different kind of comics, Daniel Clowes' David Boring (2000, originally serialised in Eightball) features a sequence where the eponymous David is led to believe that germ warfare has struck the mainland and he's forced into quarantine in a house on an island with a group of (mainly) strangers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BxFyRoA0spM/XyGkx3DrOsI/AAAAAAAAE_E/tfZjXbAGfrcs_SxTs0x5MR0RuPshNIa6ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/RCO062_1550455345_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="521" data-original-width="375" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BxFyRoA0spM/XyGkx3DrOsI/AAAAAAAAE_E/tfZjXbAGfrcs_SxTs0x5MR0RuPshNIa6ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/RCO062_1550455345_edited.jpg" width="230" /></a></div>It doesn't take look for paranoia and recriminations to start.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--wvVGAzwfUo/XyGkyUBoSNI/AAAAAAAAE_I/q-Zf7LRglp8oePv8YqLL_xuErjGOCjvEACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/RCO063_1550455345_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="521" data-original-width="1150" height="144" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--wvVGAzwfUo/XyGkyUBoSNI/AAAAAAAAE_I/q-Zf7LRglp8oePv8YqLL_xuErjGOCjvEACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/RCO063_1550455345_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Again, I won't spoil things.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On to the world of 2000AD now and a major outbreak of the virus 2T(fru)T (ahem) has driven a sizable portion of the residents of Mega City Two mad, at the start of the epic story The Cursed Earth (1978) by Pat Mills and Brian Bolland (among others).</div></div></div>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uPwfTLcVu6Y/XyGkrWM326I/AAAAAAAAE9w/ko8HExteGzILPzwI6_J68SnGuLL6IQw9ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/RCO007_w_1468425994_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="691" data-original-width="1055" height="209" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uPwfTLcVu6Y/XyGkrWM326I/AAAAAAAAE9w/ko8HExteGzILPzwI6_J68SnGuLL6IQw9ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/RCO007_w_1468425994_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The scientists of Mega City One have developed a vaccine and it's up to Dredd to deliver it.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OkzDW6xdvmc/XyGkrgHWgZI/AAAAAAAAE90/n4Vun5lewVAsogqR5AA3CnBVD0Mxb3KHgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/RCO008_1468425994_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="514" data-original-width="1092" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OkzDW6xdvmc/XyGkrgHWgZI/AAAAAAAAE90/n4Vun5lewVAsogqR5AA3CnBVD0Mxb3KHgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/RCO008_1468425994_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In a later story, a virus carried on the weather drives the resident of Mega City One mad with Block mania! (1982)</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oSvI9jXKciA/XyGkwzHCpUI/AAAAAAAAE-4/c7RXPq4dQ14YSnFS_GHZd4QPoOM3RcqYwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/RCO057_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="358" data-original-width="903" height="126" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oSvI9jXKciA/XyGkwzHCpUI/AAAAAAAAE-4/c7RXPq4dQ14YSnFS_GHZd4QPoOM3RcqYwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/RCO057_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And, reflecting the world of 2020, this doesn't stop the citizens from taking to the beaches...</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XWS00m2uaTU/XyGkx7q4dxI/AAAAAAAAE_A/fyg9FCbgylI8CDWorh2uQvVqGYkXj0QNgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/RCO057_edited3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="589" height="217" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XWS00m2uaTU/XyGkx7q4dxI/AAAAAAAAE_A/fyg9FCbgylI8CDWorh2uQvVqGYkXj0QNgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/RCO057_edited3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To the world of superheroes now and perhaps the best outcome for a viral outbreak: SPIDER-POWERS!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I9MXekAfohY/XyGkynHMi1I/AAAAAAAAE_M/pftaZmHScPEhYb4TdhujM7whcC16vbmawCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/RCO089_1582371992_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="947" height="132" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I9MXekAfohY/XyGkynHMi1I/AAAAAAAAE_M/pftaZmHScPEhYb4TdhujM7whcC16vbmawCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/RCO089_1582371992_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Marvel's 2011 crossover Spider-Island (various writers and artists) event saw the residents of Manhattan mysteriously developing the proportional strength and agility of a spider! Plus, y'know, sticking to walls an' that.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oPoBdiISU7o/XyGkv9gtZmI/AAAAAAAAE-s/sfEF4GkQz-obYDRXF1lEiHd-ijVBEuuQwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/RCO028_1582371893_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="479" data-original-width="921" height="166" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oPoBdiISU7o/XyGkv9gtZmI/AAAAAAAAE-s/sfEF4GkQz-obYDRXF1lEiHd-ijVBEuuQwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/RCO028_1582371893_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fortunately New York mayor J Jonah Jameson (yes, really) was the proper authoritarian leader they needed. Immediate lockdown and forced quarantine stopped the spread any further.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mEO2zUxtVjU/XyGkwED8lkI/AAAAAAAAE-w/MWSnJAoU518NhYJ4Jrj7Czh1_cfXhHrfQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/RCO028_1582371893_edited2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="620" data-original-width="921" height="215" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mEO2zUxtVjU/XyGkwED8lkI/AAAAAAAAE-w/MWSnJAoU518NhYJ4Jrj7Czh1_cfXhHrfQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/RCO028_1582371893_edited2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Say what you like about JJ, he was a strong leader in a time of crisis.</div></div></div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IbzU1Huw9lc/XyGktt2QN8I/AAAAAAAAE-I/ctmI4DIQ6Lk7-Nfa4JGeXE1lju7noMoMQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/RCO012_1478571955_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="417" data-original-width="879" height="151" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IbzU1Huw9lc/XyGktt2QN8I/AAAAAAAAE-I/ctmI4DIQ6Lk7-Nfa4JGeXE1lju7noMoMQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/RCO012_1478571955_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On now to Gotham City, which in the 1996 crossover Contagion (various writers and artists) was in the grip of the Clench!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3N_vqVO61-o/X331b2s4ahI/AAAAAAAAFAk/VIfyQR7EaCATpgVpQQBbHUlBD98-VaPBwCLcBGAsYHQ/s879/RCO013_1478571524_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="422" data-original-width="879" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3N_vqVO61-o/X331b2s4ahI/AAAAAAAAFAk/VIfyQR7EaCATpgVpQQBbHUlBD98-VaPBwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/RCO013_1478571524_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">An engineered airborne virus, by people working for R'as Al Ghul, was brought into Gotham by one of the city's rich elite and spreads rapidly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xALOUV9q5u0/XyGkvW-VkyI/AAAAAAAAE-k/tK-OdCQzRkkQg0LVkO9bicct9SPlaIbmQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/RCO022_1478571524_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="877" height="208" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xALOUV9q5u0/XyGkvW-VkyI/AAAAAAAAE-k/tK-OdCQzRkkQg0LVkO9bicct9SPlaIbmQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/RCO022_1478571524_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Gotham's rich elite, however, believe they are safe in their climate-controlled towers.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a463ysvSi_0/XyGkuIBK8yI/AAAAAAAAE-Q/6UcNcicEmq4tKCJ4CQQDFoeBlJh01UYjwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/RCO014_1478572100_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="447" data-original-width="909" height="157" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a463ysvSi_0/XyGkuIBK8yI/AAAAAAAAE-Q/6UcNcicEmq4tKCJ4CQQDFoeBlJh01UYjwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/RCO014_1478572100_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yep, we're back to the Red Death.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It will be interesting to see how this world-changing event is represented in comics in the future. It's already being addressed in some quarters. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mMzEBTfnNhU/X335SU-TzlI/AAAAAAAAFBI/0ySNfPn03VokWFOe-l2Rr6jiwiWnA4uHQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="1536" height="99" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mMzEBTfnNhU/X335SU-TzlI/AAAAAAAAFBI/0ySNfPn03VokWFOe-l2Rr6jiwiWnA4uHQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Six Chix, 2020)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Some newspaper comic strips (remarkably) were ahead of the curve on this. If you want to know more about how that field has adapted, you can read <a href="https://www.polygon.com/comics/2020/6/10/21284457/coronavirus-comic-strips-funny-pages-newspapers">this article from Polygon</a> by The Comics Curmudgeon, Josh Fuhrlinger.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On my first trip back to comic shop post-lockdown, I was surprised to find this exchange in one of the new batch of books I'd picked up from The Boys: Dear Becky by Garth Ennis and Darrick Robinson:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VIwgshTDb7w/X332AHro-vI/AAAAAAAAFA0/9HwmSiRcm-IVwySQXZb9LucZQd76UZrJwCLcBGAsYHQ/s514/RCO010_1591173645_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="514" data-original-width="465" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VIwgshTDb7w/X332AHro-vI/AAAAAAAAFA0/9HwmSiRcm-IVwySQXZb9LucZQd76UZrJwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/RCO010_1591173645_edited.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I imagine this was substituted in late for a different disease, but kudos to the editors for making a scene (following one set in a crowded Scottish pub) feel new.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Some people were alarmed to find there was a character from a recent Asterix story (Asterix and the Chariot Race by Jean-Yves Ferri and Didier Conrad, 2017), a champion chariot racer whose name...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c-_4KHT850k/X3313PgUyGI/AAAAAAAAFAw/YcQl-bnqfbIa5uwjGnQ-xc27vrkl_7UUwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1110/RCO014_1582256276_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="1110" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c-_4KHT850k/X3313PgUyGI/AAAAAAAAFAw/YcQl-bnqfbIa5uwjGnQ-xc27vrkl_7UUwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/RCO014_1582256276_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yes, the word corona-virus may have only broke through to the mainstream with Covid-19 but it was a term in use well before. And the typical Asterix punning-name convention inevitably led to this.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The story itself is a Cannonball Run-style romp with Coronavirus as the favourite (he's cheating, natch).</div></div></div></div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WgXOy4TBqCk/X331yeDlzoI/AAAAAAAAFAs/8CCJOsDa01MJtjEUwNt8Ai9yzvk9fsUZQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1108/RCO015_1582256276_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="1108" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WgXOy4TBqCk/X331yeDlzoI/AAAAAAAAFAs/8CCJOsDa01MJtjEUwNt8Ai9yzvk9fsUZQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/RCO015_1582256276_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That's all for now. If you know of any outbreaks I've missed, feel free to let me know in the comments and maybe I'll do another.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(I've just thought of the Legacy virus from X-Men, which was more of an AIDS allegory, so don't put that)</div></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wrkibx01gLM/XyGku6cSxkI/AAAAAAAAE-g/48qkBMR6pOUlkYLn7X4BogZb0Hkpd7qCgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/RCO021_1594121353_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="565" data-original-width="207" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wrkibx01gLM/XyGku6cSxkI/AAAAAAAAE-g/48qkBMR6pOUlkYLn7X4BogZb0Hkpd7qCgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/RCO021_1594121353_edited.jpg" width="117" /></a></div>The Slipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17231598306094150274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782966666136502802.post-80871252180352370732020-07-22T13:46:00.005-07:002020-07-22T13:46:47.162-07:00Anxiety Comics<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6-SKeTMu4es/XxhtGRLPf9I/AAAAAAAAE6Y/S3PivscjUfEQ8p5-7YMkFtee3dT4S2SxwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/download.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="204" data-original-width="246" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6-SKeTMu4es/XxhtGRLPf9I/AAAAAAAAE6Y/S3PivscjUfEQ8p5-7YMkFtee3dT4S2SxwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/download.jpeg" /></a></div>
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Let me start with an apology.</div>
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If you have been a regular reader of this blog then you may be surprised to see it return. I know some of you have been waiting for more. Thank you for your faith, Extremely Creamy.</div>
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My series reviewing The Beano through the decades was abandoned, I posted only one "real" blog in 2019, plus the Christmas round-up. I wrote an obituary for Stan Lee in 2018 but failed to finish it. I promised to return in 2020 but here we are over half-way through it and this is the first thing.</div>
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Truth is: I have not been taking care of my mental health.</div>
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I have been suffering from an anxiety disorder for most of my adult life. </div>
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I thought I was dealing with it but it was getting worse.</div>
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I thought it was due to the things in my life that were going wrong, making every day stressful, but I was neglecting the childhood traumas that were the root cause of all this.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YdJDRWe6zuQ/XxhuSADGmtI/AAAAAAAAE7A/A-OE7a87FpMUfvqRoV9pma19bEhW08ecACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/13825503._SX540_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="540" height="157" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YdJDRWe6zuQ/XxhuSADGmtI/AAAAAAAAE7A/A-OE7a87FpMUfvqRoV9pma19bEhW08ecACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/13825503._SX540_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anyway, all of this is not some "poor me" post, I'm doing this because I think it's only fair for me to give you, reader, an explanation but also because I believe it's important to be open and honest about mental health.</div>
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I'm getting help. I'm getting better. The lockdown has meant I've been receiving counselling over the phone but it has helped. A lot.</div>
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Some of you might be struggling. You may not even realise that you have a problem. Remember: there's nothing wrong with asking for help.</div>
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My anxiety had reached the point where it was preventing me doing anything I did not have to do. So this blog went waaaaaay down the priorities list.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X89DF6Nf8yA/XxhutTZvj3I/AAAAAAAAE7Q/L-OLjDn8JR4YGP0BzhRq8i17iFsXjL9WACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/93791888_3162690957083861_6204598670214561792_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="796" data-original-width="503" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X89DF6Nf8yA/XxhutTZvj3I/AAAAAAAAE7Q/L-OLjDn8JR4YGP0BzhRq8i17iFsXjL9WACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/93791888_3162690957083861_6204598670214561792_n.jpg" width="202" /></a></div>
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So let's try to redress that. </div>
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I have many ideas for blog posts going forward (I'll be starting with one on virus outbreaks you may want to avoid if the current state of the world is too much for you). I have things I want to tell you about Popeye and The Addams Family and Li'l Abner as well as analysing forgotten UK comics, creators and characters.</div>
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But as we have established a theme here, let's talk anxiety.</div>
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As a child I was drawn to characters who were unhappy.</div>
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Peter Parker was a sad sack for whom things never went right.</div>
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Batman's whole raison d'etre is due to childhood trauma.</div>
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And Bloom County's Binkley had a whole closet for his anxieties.</div>
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And they could get creative.</div>
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He did, eventually learn to deal with them, mind.</div>
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But the one character above all who fits the pattern for anxiety is this guy.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XVdWH9xVqgM/Xxh0btqUMWI/AAAAAAAAE8c/qGG1LosGzpEcRKyUbvIhQRd3zvpsXkdYQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/1317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="586" data-original-width="700" height="267" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XVdWH9xVqgM/Xxh0btqUMWI/AAAAAAAAE8c/qGG1LosGzpEcRKyUbvIhQRd3zvpsXkdYQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/1317.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Good Ol' Charlie Brown.</div>
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Everything you need to know about Charlie Brown and Peanuts is in that first strip from 1950.</div>
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Charlie Brown is just happily going about his day while another kid (Shermy) talks about hating him.</div>
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The world hates Charlie Brown. For no real reason. It's just how his world is. He won't win a ball game or a spelling bee. He won't kick that football.</div>
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He won't get a Valentine card or anything but rocks on Hallowe'en.</div>
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The tree will always eat his kite and the little red-haired girl will never speak to him.</div>
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Charlie Brown you are truly my spirit animal.</div>
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We will return to a regular blog, covering comics history and unearthing comics oddities.</div>
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And if you are suffering, don't suffer in silence. If you feel there's no-one you can talk to you can see your GP who can give you advice.</div>
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We can all get better</div>
The Slipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17231598306094150274noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782966666136502802.post-11220182595931103512019-12-31T10:48:00.001-08:002020-01-01T07:27:48.399-08:00Sixth Annual Christmas Roundup 2019<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
MERRY CHRISTMAS SLIPPERETTES!</div>
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I'll admit it's been the slowest year here (sorry, life stuff) but things will happen in 2020, I promise.</div>
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So lets kick off our annual Holiday Roundup with a trip to Beanotown with the Beano Christmas Special 2019.</div>
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Nice to see that year Minnie tied Father Christmas up is still canon.</div>
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The regular Beano had plenty of Christmas cheer too:</div>
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Lovely to get a bit of Hunt Emerson in there.</div>
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This year's Dandy Annual had the format of an old Cheeky annual in that followed the characters over the course of a year. Christmas sees Desperate Dan forced to play Santa which gave us a glimpse of some neglected past Dandy characters:</div>
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From the wholesome to the filthy with a Viz roundup from issue 291.</div>
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On to some festive cartoons from Private Eye, issue 1512.</div>
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American Mythology have been putting out reprints of classic licenced properties plus occasional new stories based on them (stick to the reprints, please!). They put out a reprint of Casper the Friendly Ghost stories as Casper's Classic Christmas #1, in which Casper meets a fake Santa who has taken over the North Pole and has to rescue the real one!</div>
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The My Little Pony Holiday Special 2019 introduced us the Equestria Hearthswarming equivalent of Krampus, Krumple Horn.</div>
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And on the evidence of this panel, quite possibly Mr Hanky, too.</div>
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Meanwhile Rarity discovers the true meaning of the season.</div>
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The Doctor, like Casper confronts a fake Santa in Titan's Doctor Who The Thirteenth Doctor Holiday Special #1-2.</div>
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And, like the ponies, the villain turns out to be <strike>Krumple Horn</strike> Krampus.</div>
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Krampus also turns up to administer his now traditional thrashing to Tarot: Witch of the Black Rose (#119).</div>
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That Jim Balent knows what he likes.</div>
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You be you, Jim. I'm not judging.</div>
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Another new tradition is the annual Klaus book by Grant Morrison Dan Mora and this year's (Klaus and the Life and Times of Joe Christmas) was a delightful series of 25 almost wordless two-page images impossible to summarise here.</div>
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DC's seasonal special was New Years Evil #1and less Christmassy than usual. It featured Toyman attacking with some 90s throwback action figures. </div>
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There's a Poison Ivy story set at New Year which I'm only including here because it featured Orca the Whale Woman. </div>
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I try to include any other holidays from other faiths/cultures but the only one I found this year was in a Wonder Woman story which features Ares lamenting the fact that Poseidonia has been forgotten. I don't think this was ever a real thing but let me know if I'm wrong. </div>
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Harley Quinn #68 had an adventure is a Christmas theme park. </div>
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And there was a welcome Umbrella Academy special about everyone's favourite time-travelling assassins in Hazel and Cha Cha Save Christmas. </div>
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Having only read Umbrella Academy for the first time this year this was a pleasant addition.</div>
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Lew Stringer gave us a Davros Christmas Carol in Doctor Who Magazine #546. </div>
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And 2000AD prog 2162 gave us Droid Christmas movies, </div>
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some seasonal Mega-City One carnage </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-putr-hG7LPo/XgyoHjKpbOI/AAAAAAAAE3I/NGgVhB4PItoji9o4QjvobkvlJkFX9LQvQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20191231_0015-1_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1418" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-putr-hG7LPo/XgyoHjKpbOI/AAAAAAAAE3I/NGgVhB4PItoji9o4QjvobkvlJkFX9LQvQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20191231_0015-1_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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and a (vampire's) kiss under the mistletoe for Durham Red.</div>
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And thus ends the decade. Onwards to the 2020s!</div>
The Slipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17231598306094150274noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782966666136502802.post-18085819309663107942019-04-02T15:32:00.000-07:002019-04-03T03:38:29.925-07:00The Long, Confusing and Legally Complicated History of Captain Marvel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fl19zrwm9w4/XJAUZ0cPy1I/AAAAAAAAEds/fyXhiCqLyo8pHh2e8oWd46RXXcoH0KoUwCLcBGAs/s1600/Captain-Marvel-Shazam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1400" height="160" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fl19zrwm9w4/XJAUZ0cPy1I/AAAAAAAAEds/fyXhiCqLyo8pHh2e8oWd46RXXcoH0KoUwCLcBGAs/s320/Captain-Marvel-Shazam.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Typical.</div>
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You wait ages for a Captain Marvel movie then two turn up at once.</div>
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I saw Marvel Studios' "Captain Marvel" a couple of weeks ago and before it started we were treated to the trailer for Warner Bros' upcoming movie "Shazam!", out Friday. I couldn't help but point out that Shazam was the original Captain Marvel.</div>
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Let me explain.</div>
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Let's go back to the beginning. And by the beginning, I mean issue #2.</div>
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The first character to be known as Captain Marvel appeared in Whiz Comics #2 in 1940.</div>
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Whiz Comics was published by Fawcett Comics. Fawcett was a publishing house founded in 1919 and was dipping its first toe into the fresh waters of Superhero comics.</div>
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Incidentally there was no Whiz Comics #1.</div>
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See, the whole genre of superheroes was only slightly over one year old. Superman had hit and had hit big. There was a positive gold rush among every publishing house to get their own superman. </div>
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Trouble was, it was such new genre that no one knew what superhero stories really were yet. As a result writers and artists were flailing around trying anything they could to see if it worked. Hence we got heroes with names like Mr Satan and The Press Guardian.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YpEfYORbbUc/XJAdNb90WjI/AAAAAAAAEeE/OXCuLcRsbe0gn48cXV0_TiZdwAVglznAgCLcBGAs/s1600/PressGuardian_InsaneOrigins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="204" data-original-width="500" height="130" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YpEfYORbbUc/XJAdNb90WjI/AAAAAAAAEeE/OXCuLcRsbe0gn48cXV0_TiZdwAVglznAgCLcBGAs/s320/PressGuardian_InsaneOrigins.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A personal favourite of mine is Red Bee. A wrongly-coloured bee-themed hero with a trained bee who lives in his belt. The bee is called Michael. I'm not making any of this up. </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--tgjk_jXUI8/XJAdQPdU2DI/AAAAAAAAEeI/FHnJI7n3eGw45_VTJOczhTVfqdIOlHjtQCLcBGAs/s1600/red_bee_comics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="387" data-original-width="400" height="308" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--tgjk_jXUI8/XJAdQPdU2DI/AAAAAAAAEeI/FHnJI7n3eGw45_VTJOczhTVfqdIOlHjtQCLcBGAs/s320/red_bee_comics.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anyway, so many comics were being published that didn't last beyond the first issue that cynical readers started avoiding issue #1, instead only buying something that had proven popular enough to get a second issue. Hence the first issue of Whiz Comics was issue #2. Quite clever of Fawcett. I did warn you this might get confusing.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0oR0hUe2uxk/XJFg3pq_GiI/AAAAAAAAEeY/jOIhxiKBuB0SNrKymFAL5WbldRCqzDPSwCLcBGAs/s1600/BeckShazam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="829" height="179" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0oR0hUe2uxk/XJFg3pq_GiI/AAAAAAAAEeY/jOIhxiKBuB0SNrKymFAL5WbldRCqzDPSwCLcBGAs/s320/BeckShazam.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Captain Marvel was created in 1939 by writer Bill Parker and artist C C Beck and was aimed at a younger audience than most other superhero comics.</div>
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The story concerns a homeless 12-year-old newsboy named Billy Batson who stumbles upon an ancient wizard while trying to sleep in the subway. The wizard is named Shazam and grants Billy powers of "the gods" (they aren't all gods) whenever he says the name. </div>
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It turns out Shazam is an acronym and gives Billy:</div>
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<ul>
<li>The wisdom of Solomon</li>
<li>The strength of Hercules</li>
<li>The stamina of Atlas</li>
<li>The power of Zeus</li>
<li>The courage of Achilles</li>
<li>The speed of Mercury</li>
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These manifest by putting Billy in the body of a full-grown, muscle-bound man in a red onesie with a cape.</div>
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The stories aimed at children combined with Beck's clean, simple, cartoonish style made Captain Marvel a big hit straight away. Plus children could relate to Billy more than any of the adult superheroes.</div>
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In fact Captain Marvel became so popular that the other publishing houses noticed and started marketing more towards children (Robin gets introduced to Batman later in 1940, for example).</div>
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And soon there were spin offs for Fawcett as the money rolled in.</div>
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Billy's friend Freddie Freeman became Captain Marvel Junior, Billy's long lost sister becomes Mary Marvel and then there was Uncle Marvel who... well that's a weird creepy story for another day...</div>
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And eventually (because of course) Hoppy the Marvel Bunny.</div>
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There is a charming simplicity to these stories that are delightful, especially when Otto Binder starts writing for them after Parker joined the army in October 1940. Viddy this rather literal representation of Captain Marvel versus the World:</div>
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Binder introduces a character that becomes Billy's best friend. A tiger in a suit called Mr Tawky Tawny.</div>
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Over the next few years the Marvel family get an impressive bunch of villains to battle, including CM's dark reflection Black Adam...</div>
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...archetypal evil scientist Dr Sivana...</div>
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...and Sabbac, who takes his powers from Satan, Any, Beelzebub, Belial, Asmodeus and Craetis...</div>
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To repeat in case you missed that HE TAKES POWER FROM SATAN!</div>
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And, of course one of the single greatest characters in any comic ever. Gentle reader, feast your eyes on the fearsome Mr Mind!</div>
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That's right. He's a tiny alien caterpillar who communicates through a radio set he wears round his neck. And he can control minds. He is the antagonist in a whopping 25-part story called The Monster Society of Evil in which he teams up with all CM's villains and ends with him being caught and sentenced to death. He gets the electric chair and his body is stuffed and put on public display. </div>
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Three things to note about that: First, stories aimed at children were a lot grimmer back then; Second, they had to create an electric chair for a caterpillar; Third, even after all that he still comes back in future stories.</div>
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Incidentally, some of you may have noticed something familiar about Captain Marvel's cape. And you are not wrong.</div>
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Elvis was a big fan of Captain Marvel.</div>
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Or, more accurately Captain Marvel Jr. The people who worked for him got given badges and more emblazoned with something close to the Marvel Family logo.</div>
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Captain Marvel gets popular in the 1940s. Very popular. He also becomes the first Superhero to make it to the movies. </div>
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By the 50s he is outselling Superman, unseating him as America's number one hero. So his publishing house, National Periodicals (later DC) does the only thing it can.</div>
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It sues.</div>
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And this where our story really starts.</div>
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The company that owned Superman (we'll call them DC) claimed that Captain Marvel infringed on their star and should cease and desist. </div>
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This is nonsense.</div>
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Captain Marvel's look, story, power set and storytelling style were sufficiently removed from Superman's that it was unlikely any reasonable court would find in DC's favour. And there were enough other superheroes out there that were brazen Superman knock-offs that it was decidedly fishy they went after Fawcett. Besides, Captain Marvel could fly before Superman could.</div>
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It seems that this was just DC trying to eliminate the competition. And it worked.</div>
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By 1953 Fawcett had lost so much money in legal fees that they gave up. They could not afford to keep publishing Captain Marvel comics. Or any other comics.</div>
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However that is not the end of our story. We will be seeing him again.</div>
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Captain Marvel also had a huge following in the UK. A publishing house called L Miller and Son, Ltd (snappy name) had been publishing black and white reprints of Captain Marvel and Captain Marvel Jr. They were popular and profitable. So when the stories stopped in 1953 they looked for replacements. British writers and artists were hired to... well, rip them off.</div>
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New stories arrived. Only Captain Marvel was now Marvelman and Captain Marvel Junior became Young Marvelman.</div>
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And this is where our story really starts.</div>
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Billy Batson is Micky Malone and his catchphrase "Holy Moley!" is now "Holy Macaroni!" and instead of saying "Shazam!" to change he says "Kimota!" (read it backwards).</div>
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Cos it's the 50s now and superpowers don't come from wizards, they come from nuclear power and radiation.</div>
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There's a Dr Sivana analogue in Dr Gargunza, too.</div>
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Though, sadly, I have not yet found a Mr Mind.</div>
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We don't get an origin of his powers and in the very first story his secret identity is discovered by shady foreign-type agents...</div>
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That's right, beat a child with an iron bar.</div>
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They take place in an America through the eyes of Brits in the 50s. There are some creative attempts at slang...</div>
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They are weird and charming in their own way but lack the craft of CM.</div>
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Oh, and remember how Captain Marvel debuted in Whiz #2? Well Marvelman debuted in Marvelman #25. This was because issues #1-#24 were titled Captain Marvel.</div>
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Marvelman continued to be published until 1959, when a change in UK law made American comics accessible and the sales dropped.</div>
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This is, however, not the last of Marvelman, either, we will be seeing more of him.</div>
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In the early 60s, of course, Stan Lee starts the Marvel age of superheroes, with Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko and the rest. The company formerly known as Timely and Magazine Management changed its name to Marvel Comics in 1961 and superheroes were back in a big way.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xC_BHP2jgGs/XJVTGtJYAbI/AAAAAAAAEh8/Lpt4AI-RxJobkHeEol1Sr7x1AdAif9WzQCLcBGAs/s1600/51In9qkhkWL._SX334_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="336" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xC_BHP2jgGs/XJVTGtJYAbI/AAAAAAAAEh8/Lpt4AI-RxJobkHeEol1Sr7x1AdAif9WzQCLcBGAs/s320/51In9qkhkWL._SX334_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="215" /></a></div>
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While there was not quite the gold rush there was in the Golden Age, a few new publishing houses cropped up to cash in. One such was M. F. Enterprises, whose owner, Myron Fass, had noticed that the name Captain Marvel was still available for use as the company that owned it no longer existed. So, in 1966, we get <u>another</u> Captain Marvel.</div>
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And this where our story really starts.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sl9RWcw9F04/XJVVK5QpeDI/AAAAAAAAEiQ/r78C3yVKgqYWNa45-3L3hJZl8_wjr3GggCLcBGAs/s1600/Split01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="866" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sl9RWcw9F04/XJVVK5QpeDI/AAAAAAAAEiQ/r78C3yVKgqYWNa45-3L3hJZl8_wjr3GggCLcBGAs/s320/Split01.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>
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Yeah, this one's weird and slightly upsetting. This one is an alien android who can fire off the individual parts of his body with the magic word "Split!" then call them back by saying "Xam!"</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fZ1GHLd_7zY/XJVV6QTE1dI/AAAAAAAAEiY/RZzivQPfdHcivuj7otZxpV987Yi-yCwXwCLcBGAs/s1600/1659741-captainmarvel8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="214" data-original-width="431" height="158" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fZ1GHLd_7zY/XJVV6QTE1dI/AAAAAAAAEiY/RZzivQPfdHcivuj7otZxpV987Yi-yCwXwCLcBGAs/s320/1659741-captainmarvel8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I don't like it. </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8UKEht5AItE/XJVV-VrehYI/AAAAAAAAEic/tsOm8sgnCjECxbr-1707G1me5SwLtZuUgCLcBGAs/s1600/cap4_pg3.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="296" data-original-width="576" height="164" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8UKEht5AItE/XJVV-VrehYI/AAAAAAAAEic/tsOm8sgnCjECxbr-1707G1me5SwLtZuUgCLcBGAs/s320/cap4_pg3.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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Make it stop!</div>
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Anyway, legal matters didn't really trouble MF as the comic featured characters called Plastic Man and Dr Fate (no relation to pre-existing characters owned by other companies) but it was this that finally prompted a letter from DC's lawyers:</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vn0deGvpC-w/XJVXZycTbgI/AAAAAAAAEis/qEMKxq0AIDAwZJfqhOo7C5c7JYh7gDo8wCLcBGAs/s1600/cap3.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="324" data-original-width="219" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vn0deGvpC-w/XJVXZycTbgI/AAAAAAAAEis/qEMKxq0AIDAwZJfqhOo7C5c7JYh7gDo8wCLcBGAs/s320/cap3.gif" width="216" /></a></div>
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Marvel Comics sued over the use of their company's name and received a settlement of $4,500.</div>
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There was no reason to worry though as the entire company lasted less than two years and this Captain Marvel ended in September 1967 having appeared in just six comics. </div>
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We won't be seeing him again.</div>
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However, Stan Lee sees the opportunity and immediately seizes the name Captain Marvel for, y'know, Marvel Comics.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NGi-lmoNuHs/XJVZeV7ClDI/AAAAAAAAEjA/rsJE8IUSxE4uEuqXL75ZzR0S0bgswqHXACLcBGAs/s1600/A1nsIP4MN3L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NGi-lmoNuHs/XJVZeV7ClDI/AAAAAAAAEjA/rsJE8IUSxE4uEuqXL75ZzR0S0bgswqHXACLcBGAs/s320/A1nsIP4MN3L.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
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And this is where our story really starts.</div>
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This Captain Marvel makes his début in Marvel Super-Heroes #12 in a story by Stan Lee and Gene Colan. </div>
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A member of the alien Kree race, Mar-Vell was a spy sent to Earth to gather information ahead of a possible invasion. His commanding officer, Colonel Yon Rogg and his love Medic Una are on board a ship orbiting the planet.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RfYRY8DlsGY/XJVeJb3fSHI/AAAAAAAAEjM/f6VwOmHMKc4mXUMBgkY9XGiM3BJ7_WWgwCLcBGAs/s1600/msh14-720x413.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="720" height="183" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RfYRY8DlsGY/XJVeJb3fSHI/AAAAAAAAEjM/f6VwOmHMKc4mXUMBgkY9XGiM3BJ7_WWgwCLcBGAs/s320/msh14-720x413.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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For reasons political and carnal Yon Rogg would prefer it if Mar Vell did not come back, so frequently sabotages his mission.</div>
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Meanwhile, on Earth, Mar Vell poses as a scientist at gets work at a US Air Force military base. It is there he meets Carol Danvers.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-COPogej1MDw/XJVgHZk1-zI/AAAAAAAAEjY/ZW72x-ePGCwmB-PAI97y_j5bJDHgQzb8ACLcBGAs/s1600/Carol_Danvers_first_apearance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="250" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-COPogej1MDw/XJVgHZk1-zI/AAAAAAAAEjY/ZW72x-ePGCwmB-PAI97y_j5bJDHgQzb8ACLcBGAs/s320/Carol_Danvers_first_apearance.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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We haven't seen the last of her.</div>
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He finds himself gaining sympathy for the Earthlets, donning his Kree uniform to protect them from various threats with his super-strength and flight powers. The first time he does this he gives his name but is misheard and the name "Captain Marvel" sticks.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Cit9AJQygc/XJVhxmVgEqI/AAAAAAAAEjk/7WqxWwxWDx4_Qtref6U6mURO3C5vd2qhgCLcBGAs/s1600/captain-mar-vell-marvel-comics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="382" data-original-width="680" height="179" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Cit9AJQygc/XJVhxmVgEqI/AAAAAAAAEjk/7WqxWwxWDx4_Qtref6U6mURO3C5vd2qhgCLcBGAs/s320/captain-mar-vell-marvel-comics.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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He finds himself drawn closer to Carol Danvers and their friendship is shown to Una by Yon Rogg to make her jealous.</div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">This Captain Marvel got his own title starting in May 1968 in which he fought on as a double-agent, hoping the humans don't find out his true mission and Yon Rogg doesn't find out his sympathies.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SejArysd9BA/XJqNrImSHMI/AAAAAAAAEj4/DuoSy41aTZM3psnufWBL1HoTKz_Uvt99wCLcBGAs/s1600/729423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="811" data-original-width="541" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SejArysd9BA/XJqNrImSHMI/AAAAAAAAEj4/DuoSy41aTZM3psnufWBL1HoTKz_Uvt99wCLcBGAs/s320/729423.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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There came a point when comics stopped throwing the word "holocaust" around so lightly...</div>
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The book doesn't really take off and when writer Roy Thomas and artist Gil Kane take over in issue #17 (Oct 1969) they change a lot.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NpBUVf6OVtA/XJqOxEB5riI/AAAAAAAAEkE/T8p2qnA8xS0zWP1nHsVY1Yj9_Wr-GDNrwCLcBGAs/s1600/detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="820" data-original-width="550" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NpBUVf6OVtA/XJqOxEB5riI/AAAAAAAAEkE/T8p2qnA8xS0zWP1nHsVY1Yj9_Wr-GDNrwCLcBGAs/s320/detail.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
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In a story about Mar Vell preventing a plot by Ronan the Accuser to overthrow the Kree's ruler, The Supreme Intelligence, he is rewarded with a boosted power set and (thankfully) a much better costume.</div>
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Incidentally, Colan himself is on the record about how much he disliked his own original CM design.</div>
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Soon after, a story ends with CM accidentally trapped in the Negative Zone and only one person can help him: Marvel Comics' perennial sidekick, Rick Jones.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kwL5EL8SUOo/XJqScuabDjI/AAAAAAAAEkQ/VvmM6bk5yiIAvmuMLUJsOcg8WNKS-_1RQCLcBGAs/s1600/Hulk-Bruce-Banner-Iconic-Marvel-Comics-p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="654" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kwL5EL8SUOo/XJqScuabDjI/AAAAAAAAEkQ/VvmM6bk5yiIAvmuMLUJsOcg8WNKS-_1RQCLcBGAs/s320/Hulk-Bruce-Banner-Iconic-Marvel-Comics-p.jpg" width="244" /></a></div>
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Rick has been around since 1962's The Incredible Hulk #1, where he stuck around as Bruce Banner's sidekick for some time before becoming the second Bucky, sidekick to Captain America. He'd later be sidekick to Rom: Spaceknight, but never mind that now.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X1r79ap5tR4/XJqTLZl8ilI/AAAAAAAAEkY/dPwuaJc4fxcb9CELSXF8sP4_zHj_CIouACLcBGAs/s1600/51f5d12c457b60363027c5b89da7f1b7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="482" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X1r79ap5tR4/XJqTLZl8ilI/AAAAAAAAEkY/dPwuaJc4fxcb9CELSXF8sP4_zHj_CIouACLcBGAs/s320/51f5d12c457b60363027c5b89da7f1b7.jpg" width="186" /></a></div>
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He's very much between gigs when we join him in this story and an alien force guides him to an abandoned Kree base where he finds the negabands!</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fA5YH2e19CA/XJqUPi95lrI/AAAAAAAAEkk/XWap_Aluc2QB1tDXUlFh8l10UElxeuONwCLcBGAs/s1600/main-qimg-f6da35b48f701321f69f7d66022fcb34.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="878" data-original-width="602" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fA5YH2e19CA/XJqUPi95lrI/AAAAAAAAEkk/XWap_Aluc2QB1tDXUlFh8l10UElxeuONwCLcBGAs/s320/main-qimg-f6da35b48f701321f69f7d66022fcb34.webp" width="219" /></a></div>
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Long story short, they're magic bracelets that, when struck together enable Mar Vell to swap places with Rick, or vice versa.</div>
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So only one of them can exist on Earth at any time, the other must stay in the Negative Zone.</div>
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A young man carries out a ritual and becomes a full-grown Superhero. We are straying dangerously close to the original Captain Marvel again.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EFsiCmNmhDM/XJqVLR5IYnI/AAAAAAAAEks/Yh6x8ygJ4TE1qDtqlFbP2lPXDE3m7FQzgCLcBGAs/s1600/6a00d8341c4e3753ef013488dbb64f970c-350wi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="511" data-original-width="350" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EFsiCmNmhDM/XJqVLR5IYnI/AAAAAAAAEks/Yh6x8ygJ4TE1qDtqlFbP2lPXDE3m7FQzgCLcBGAs/s320/6a00d8341c4e3753ef013488dbb64f970c-350wi.jpg" width="219" /></a></div>
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At one point CM is caught in a climactic battle with Yon Rogg in the presence of Carol Danvers (Medic Una having been fridged not long before). Danvers is injured in an explosion caused by a Kree device call the Psyche-Magnitron. After CM rescues her she does not return to this book.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PsvQDbT7PTM/XJqVT2D8WhI/AAAAAAAAEkw/VYdsFJgsAYocpEuC9XXJfuR4lORMoD43gCLcBGAs/s1600/14175131_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="418" data-original-width="520" height="257" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PsvQDbT7PTM/XJqVT2D8WhI/AAAAAAAAEkw/VYdsFJgsAYocpEuC9XXJfuR4lORMoD43gCLcBGAs/s320/14175131_f520.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We still haven't seen the last of her.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pOEJqdCmOwI/XJulFnk_GdI/AAAAAAAAEoE/Rb6E6NxSsY4DP3YuGM58dkZzEmdCUlNogCEwYBhgL/s1600/Screen-shot-2012-12-01-at-10.59.15-PM_65-500x249.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="249" data-original-width="500" height="159" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pOEJqdCmOwI/XJulFnk_GdI/AAAAAAAAEoE/Rb6E6NxSsY4DP3YuGM58dkZzEmdCUlNogCEwYBhgL/s320/Screen-shot-2012-12-01-at-10.59.15-PM_65-500x249.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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The revamp, however, was not enough. Sales were still low and Captain Marvel ceased regular publication. But, for legal reasons, Marvel Comics still had to produce Captain Marvel comics if they wished to hang on to the name.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wjXfYxZpCio/XJqVw8If0LI/AAAAAAAAEk8/n-ZVN4irwmApurIgc5nxNgXIkjPXdNkRQCLcBGAs/s1600/kree-skrull-war.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="704" data-original-width="1280" height="176" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wjXfYxZpCio/XJqVw8If0LI/AAAAAAAAEk8/n-ZVN4irwmApurIgc5nxNgXIkjPXdNkRQCLcBGAs/s320/kree-skrull-war.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Mar Vell became a key player in The Avengers' first major space story The Kree-Skrull War, also written by Roy Thomas. By this time Rick had found a way to free him from the Negative Zone so they could exist independently.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fjl-EHDTQvA/XJqWqVBGCoI/AAAAAAAAElI/nVRPmWBLplgt7-R-Hstl2RaH19pIPP29QCLcBGAs/s1600/detail%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="820" data-original-width="550" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fjl-EHDTQvA/XJqWqVBGCoI/AAAAAAAAElI/nVRPmWBLplgt7-R-Hstl2RaH19pIPP29QCLcBGAs/s320/detail%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
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A new series is launched off the back of this, starting with Captain Marvel #22 (Sep 1972) but at issue #25 writer/artist Jim Starlin takes him on a new path. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TJuE9l3E-9o/XJqXKqnWdvI/AAAAAAAAElQ/Jqdt42EDGWgUhQMxBFBvPd_thPONqmClgCLcBGAs/s1600/134f6254b503318730db596c7a8a8c1f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="660" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TJuE9l3E-9o/XJqXKqnWdvI/AAAAAAAAElQ/Jqdt42EDGWgUhQMxBFBvPd_thPONqmClgCLcBGAs/s320/134f6254b503318730db596c7a8a8c1f.jpg" width="234" /></a></div>
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It's Starlin who is known for building up the cosmic side of the Marvel Universe, creating epic space adventures with Adam Warlock, Thanos the Mad Titan, Drax the Destroyer and Gamora.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c25Ar-W8rTc/XJqYoEr7OMI/AAAAAAAAElc/sLpnHdVnlGEZzRZCJh4rG6ZuYfEMOCK7wCLcBGAs/s1600/Drax-Captain-Marvel-Comics-classic-h03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="349" data-original-width="725" height="154" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c25Ar-W8rTc/XJqYoEr7OMI/AAAAAAAAElc/sLpnHdVnlGEZzRZCJh4rG6ZuYfEMOCK7wCLcBGAs/s320/Drax-Captain-Marvel-Comics-classic-h03.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Starlin's stories have a strong cult following but again the sales aren't great. The series is eventually cancelled in 1979.</div>
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Unfinished stories by Starlin saw print in Marvel Spotlight (keeping that name on the cover) and eventually, in 1982, Captain Marvel did the one thing he is remembered for.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ti7nqWD3TDc/XJqY0QU8N_I/AAAAAAAAElg/0H5vyFlCwxMG_9iymzqbo0kAKGTffQalgCLcBGAs/s1600/RCO055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1041" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ti7nqWD3TDc/XJqY0QU8N_I/AAAAAAAAElg/0H5vyFlCwxMG_9iymzqbo0kAKGTffQalgCLcBGAs/s320/RCO055.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
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He died.</div>
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No, really. The Death of Captain Marvel is a true landmark in comics history.</div>
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It was the first graphic novel published by Marvel. And it's really good.</div>
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You might think of the deaths of superheroes you know about. The last desperate act that saves the world. Confronting the unbeatable foe. Giving a life so that others may live.</div>
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Mar Vell didn't get that.</div>
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He got cancer.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FOjrr-98Szk/XJqcZeI3IPI/AAAAAAAAElw/8DWU_dkUXrgLOFw-KEvq9W0NuFBQaWJcACLcBGAs/s1600/RCO068_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="509" data-original-width="469" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FOjrr-98Szk/XJqcZeI3IPI/AAAAAAAAElw/8DWU_dkUXrgLOFw-KEvq9W0NuFBQaWJcACLcBGAs/s320/RCO068_edited.jpg" width="294" /></a></div>
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The Death of Captain Marvel is not your average superhero story. It mostly consists of characters reacting to watching their friend waste away. It's a slow, painful death and it really packs an emotional punch.</div>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8wjafW1QN3A/XJqcdl1KvNI/AAAAAAAAEl0/AW-FSZyEoV8GLAQYsYhRIwXmOaeQwZm2wCLcBGAs/s1600/RCO069_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="687" data-original-width="940" height="233" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8wjafW1QN3A/XJqcdl1KvNI/AAAAAAAAEl0/AW-FSZyEoV8GLAQYsYhRIwXmOaeQwZm2wCLcBGAs/s320/RCO069_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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And that is the last we'll hear from him.</div>
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Now, however, Marvel Comics have a problem. Because they need to keep publishing Captain Marvel comics if they want to keep that name.</div>
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Why is that a problem, you may ask?</div>
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Let's go back to DC.</div>
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When Fawcett ceased it gave DC two advantages. It removed the competition and it enabled them to poach talent. Otto Binder's writing was put to work on Superman. He brought that child-friendly goofiness from Captain Marvel and gifted it to what we now know as the Silver Age Superman. </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--SIqZ5iTBRg/XJuJZM41f2I/AAAAAAAAEmA/JqFPKG0GEVoDmrjbTs_SCUoJF8vhAW0SACLcBGAs/s1600/170px-Action_Comics_242.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="242" data-original-width="170" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--SIqZ5iTBRg/XJuJZM41f2I/AAAAAAAAEmA/JqFPKG0GEVoDmrjbTs_SCUoJF8vhAW0SACLcBGAs/s1600/170px-Action_Comics_242.png" /></a></div>
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He gives us such mainstays as Supergirl, Bizarro, Brainiac, the bottled city of Kandor and, lest we forget, lion-head Superman.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I3GeeTNVu8U/XJuJp4woyEI/AAAAAAAAEmI/JUWB9r1UmqcFjZbxNDpH9r16zwT-tIiUQCLcBGAs/s1600/18x7di5l0gc4bjpg.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I3GeeTNVu8U/XJuJp4woyEI/AAAAAAAAEmI/JUWB9r1UmqcFjZbxNDpH9r16zwT-tIiUQCLcBGAs/s320/18x7di5l0gc4bjpg.webp" width="320" /></a></div>
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I love this stuff.</div>
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I've seen it argued that those silver age Jimmy Olsen stories I love so much were from Binder writing Tawky Tawny stories but putting Superman's best friend in them instead of Billy's.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bkjlRz8Wfac/XJuKP8plAzI/AAAAAAAAEmQ/3rzBRxtV3yUN5nTGTYyVge636mZAcx7PQCLcBGAs/s1600/3f87f6dc981250ff160b0b11a438459e-250x380.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="380" data-original-width="251" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bkjlRz8Wfac/XJuKP8plAzI/AAAAAAAAEmQ/3rzBRxtV3yUN5nTGTYyVge636mZAcx7PQCLcBGAs/s320/3f87f6dc981250ff160b0b11a438459e-250x380.png" width="210" /></a></div>
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They do have the same taste in suits.</div>
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I'll also give a quick mention to a two-part story from Action Comics #272-273 wherein Supergirl meets Marvel Man.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zptlElLmfm4/XJuLJFMv7oI/AAAAAAAAEmc/YaPpxeV4YE4Smh1sGgnLxyQZJ8_IiSWDQCLcBGAs/s1600/Marvel_Man.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zptlElLmfm4/XJuLJFMv7oI/AAAAAAAAEmc/YaPpxeV4YE4Smh1sGgnLxyQZJ8_IiSWDQCLcBGAs/s1600/Marvel_Man.png" /></a></div>
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And Binder sneakily writes a story featuring a godly-powered villain with the acronymic name Zha-vam!</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ozQWGqyGB4A/XJuMVwj91VI/AAAAAAAAEmo/2JmOetVb_Q8f2sDBT6m2yyiFor_kTS5lgCLcBGAs/s1600/2238965-zha_vam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="518" data-original-width="380" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ozQWGqyGB4A/XJuMVwj91VI/AAAAAAAAEmo/2JmOetVb_Q8f2sDBT6m2yyiFor_kTS5lgCLcBGAs/s320/2238965-zha_vam.jpg" width="234" /></a></div>
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That's four of the same gods from Shazam!</div>
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Then, in 1972, DC publisher Carmine Infantino went and got the rights to the actual original Captain Marvel.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AxE3p5a_KWg/XJuRRBGT60I/AAAAAAAAEm0/2nTvOcrcpdEO1L1KCjQQGGMLfYvwIiCJQCLcBGAs/s1600/cbe3d1add421c7f7f07539a710ad4616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="785" data-original-width="546" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AxE3p5a_KWg/XJuRRBGT60I/AAAAAAAAEm0/2nTvOcrcpdEO1L1KCjQQGGMLfYvwIiCJQCLcBGAs/s320/cbe3d1add421c7f7f07539a710ad4616.jpg" width="222" /></a></div>
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However DC did not publish new Captain Marvel stories straight away. They tested whether there would be any interest by first inventing another CM analogue and dropping him into a Superman story. </div>
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Presenting: Captain Thunder!</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vUwEG1ihsT4/XJuR1iKA8SI/AAAAAAAAEm8/Y-2PeW4GYLgcPl97tgZPHkonPfMEZFyXwCLcBGAs/s1600/CaptainThunder276.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="337" data-original-width="500" height="215" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vUwEG1ihsT4/XJuR1iKA8SI/AAAAAAAAEm8/Y-2PeW4GYLgcPl97tgZPHkonPfMEZFyXwCLcBGAs/s320/CaptainThunder276.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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He has a different emblem and all the names were changed, but this was Billy Batson, accidentally transported from another universe who gets into a misunderstanding that leads to a fight with Superman.</div>
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Reader reaction was positive so DC went ahead and published a new Captain Marvel comic in February 1973.</div>
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Except...</div>
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They can't call it Captain Marvel. Because of the other Captain Marvel. Mar Vell. Of Marvel Comics.</div>
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So instead...</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lAEcOLRoQcM/XJuahtks7eI/AAAAAAAAEnI/FGJeaOTDbeMxviFfT2XMiPTk8g4p_5WcgCLcBGAs/s1600/13213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="597" data-original-width="401" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lAEcOLRoQcM/XJuahtks7eI/AAAAAAAAEnI/FGJeaOTDbeMxviFfT2XMiPTk8g4p_5WcgCLcBGAs/s320/13213.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
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The comic is titled Shazam! </div>
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With the subtitle "The Original Captain Marvel". Which they were forced to remove after another letter from Marvel Comics. Thereafter the cover referred to him as "The World's Mightiest Mortal".</div>
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It featured reprints of the original stories plus new stories, originally written by Dennis O'Neil and drawn by C C Beck, the co-creator of CM.</div>
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It was able to get some extra readers when a Saturday morning TV show called Shazam! airs on CBS between 1974 and 1976.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dZEHy6ohuYw/XKOEydVek0I/AAAAAAAAEto/T3gzZVtOfTIcVrTU4RrVmtF0ZJwXGr3AACLcBGAs/s1600/maxresdefault.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="633" data-original-width="1107" height="182" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dZEHy6ohuYw/XKOEydVek0I/AAAAAAAAEto/T3gzZVtOfTIcVrTU4RrVmtF0ZJwXGr3AACLcBGAs/s320/maxresdefault.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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By this point it had been well-established that DC characters lived in a multiverse. Infinite Earths existed, separated by "vibrational frequency". So we are told that the Marvel family lived on "Earth-S" and we hadn't seen them in twenty years due to a terrible plot involving Dr Sivana and suspended animation.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x8MnHLWNNXs/XJue1eGJtDI/AAAAAAAAEnU/BY6sw1BoK_Q6HNTFZKZUT9qS1QtFwRZDQCLcBGAs/s1600/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5uZXdzYXJhbWEuY29tL2ltYWdlcy9pLzAwMC8yMDYvODI3L2kwMi9jZWM5NWJhYjRkZWU5Y2RmNWUyNGMwZmFmNmEwN2VmZC5qcGc%253D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="294" data-original-width="575" height="163" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x8MnHLWNNXs/XJue1eGJtDI/AAAAAAAAEnU/BY6sw1BoK_Q6HNTFZKZUT9qS1QtFwRZDQCLcBGAs/s320/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5uZXdzYXJhbWEuY29tL2ltYWdlcy9pLzAwMC8yMDYvODI3L2kwMi9jZWM5NWJhYjRkZWU5Y2RmNWUyNGMwZmFmNmEwN2VmZC5qcGc%253D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Eventually, DC streamlined their multiverse, which was confusing for new readers, in their house-clearing Crisis on Infinite Earths. This ended with all their characters living on the same Earth and always having done so.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vm_FTgc4VbI/XJufx0YMp1I/AAAAAAAAEnc/ia4ywNtNrTwHmygHYIlf3WgqlzJ9GAp8wCLcBGAs/s1600/JFhnCjt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="787" data-original-width="662" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vm_FTgc4VbI/XJufx0YMp1I/AAAAAAAAEnc/ia4ywNtNrTwHmygHYIlf3WgqlzJ9GAp8wCLcBGAs/s320/JFhnCjt.jpg" width="269" /></a></div>
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Now Captain Marvel, the Big Red Cheese, could interact with any of DC's other characters any time the writers wanted.</div>
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Owned by the very company responsible for killing him.</div>
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Let's check back in with Marvel Comics.</div>
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So, to hang on to the name Captain Marvel, now that Mar Vell was dead (and that was too powerful of story to simply undo) and there was a rival at the Distinguished Competition, they needed a new one.</div>
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Step forward Monica Rambeau.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aIoKjTytOcE/XJuiczogE9I/AAAAAAAAEno/ZshRsCbkZCgrqcekAmatLBT1zc8fU5DVACLcBGAs/s1600/Captain_Marvel_Vol_2_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="308" data-original-width="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aIoKjTytOcE/XJuiczogE9I/AAAAAAAAEno/ZshRsCbkZCgrqcekAmatLBT1zc8fU5DVACLcBGAs/s1600/Captain_Marvel_Vol_2_1.jpg" /></a></div>
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This Captain Marvel got her powers from another pesky sciencey explosion and can convert her body to energy. </div>
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She debuted in The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #16 in 1982, by Roger Stern and John Romita Jr. Romita has stated that he based her look on Pam Grier.</div>
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Incidentally, this was the first Captain Marvel I knew, owing to her presence in Secret Wars, the first superhero comic I read regularly.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PBwyNtHey7k/XJulJJpqHeI/AAAAAAAAEoA/2JPggs1Qi7EDcpg1va1c4vYQsSoLZNb0gCLcBGAs/s1600/secret-wars-bozo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="739" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PBwyNtHey7k/XJulJJpqHeI/AAAAAAAAEoA/2JPggs1Qi7EDcpg1va1c4vYQsSoLZNb0gCLcBGAs/s320/secret-wars-bozo.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
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James Rhodes was Iron Man at this point, too, so I grew up with diversity in my superhero stories. Thanks for that, Marvel.</div>
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However, the character never really catches on, even though she ends up leading The Avengers.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OFtS-EtSdCs/XJum7QayXPI/AAAAAAAAEoQ/qSfIcnNnd80Cf8loMWNdvpG8Qa1yjR9SwCLcBGAs/s1600/mon3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="914" height="157" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OFtS-EtSdCs/XJum7QayXPI/AAAAAAAAEoQ/qSfIcnNnd80Cf8loMWNdvpG8Qa1yjR9SwCLcBGAs/s320/mon3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The fact that she once lead The Avengers is something she apparently brings up all the time, according to Warren Ellis' brilliant superhero satire Nextwave.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lYVjmb2teDo/XJ9O77WPn6I/AAAAAAAAEoc/A_Nygv2tg8Yp4VyS4tD9ZdQNybRRIbLowCLcBGAs/s1600/MR_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="1022" height="172" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lYVjmb2teDo/XJ9O77WPn6I/AAAAAAAAEoc/A_Nygv2tg8Yp4VyS4tD9ZdQNybRRIbLowCLcBGAs/s320/MR_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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She passes the name on to Mar Vell's son, Genis Vell, who becomes Marvel Comics' third Captain Marvel.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UHU_5VgH5QU/XJ9PBiZX2DI/AAAAAAAAEog/W6Let-a1iNMwtWeMNCWjs20Ti6reE2IdQCLcBGAs/s1600/250px-Capitanmarvel3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="371" data-original-width="250" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UHU_5VgH5QU/XJ9PBiZX2DI/AAAAAAAAEog/W6Let-a1iNMwtWeMNCWjs20Ti6reE2IdQCLcBGAs/s320/250px-Capitanmarvel3.png" width="215" /></a></div>
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She took the name Photon until Genis Vell decides he wants that name too, before becoming Pulsar and then Spectrum.</div>
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Genis Vell first appeared in Silver Surfer Annual #6 (1993) before getting his own title in 1994 by Fabien Nicieza and Ed Benes, which (as I'm sure you won't be surprised to hear) doesn't sell well and is cancelled after six issues, with another six produced that remained unpublished.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xNVDs-zXv68/XKO4yg8ziFI/AAAAAAAAEuw/4WebD32QIzESPsTmaiozjloLGsbhUPnfgCLcBGAs/s1600/tumblr_inline_pk1fnl1B811r6tlg1_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="847" data-original-width="1000" height="271" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xNVDs-zXv68/XKO4yg8ziFI/AAAAAAAAEuw/4WebD32QIzESPsTmaiozjloLGsbhUPnfgCLcBGAs/s320/tumblr_inline_pk1fnl1B811r6tlg1_1280.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Genis Vell's sister Phyla Vell took over the mantle in her own Captain Marvel mini-series in 2004 by Peter David and Paul Azaceta.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tGpr8layyGo/XKO6C0_D0zI/AAAAAAAAEu8/TNFJ3I6jieobFp-S1TsTA94RmwCSXQNpwCLcBGAs/s1600/593015-si.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="615" data-original-width="1245" height="157" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tGpr8layyGo/XKO6C0_D0zI/AAAAAAAAEu8/TNFJ3I6jieobFp-S1TsTA94RmwCSXQNpwCLcBGAs/s320/593015-si.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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There was a Skrull sleeper agent called Khn'nr who appeared as Captain Marvel during Secret Invasion and the Kree hero Noh Varr, formerly known as Marvel Boy also briefly took up the mantle.</div>
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But what of the British comics?</div>
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The generation that grew up reading Marvelman were now superhero creators themselves. And there is something about the Captain Marvel model more than any other that keeps coming back.</div>
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For example, there is Thunderbolt Jaxon, a little boy who finds a magic belt that can transform him into an adult superhero.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tIQEc2eX9lk/XJ9PK2G0BHI/AAAAAAAAEok/2qSlUm1JYbQgQehVgP4montZfnYN_2iHACLcBGAs/s1600/tbjaxon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="257" data-original-width="512" height="160" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tIQEc2eX9lk/XJ9PK2G0BHI/AAAAAAAAEok/2qSlUm1JYbQgQehVgP4montZfnYN_2iHACLcBGAs/s320/tbjaxon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Or Little Eric. When Eric eats a banana an amazing transformation occurs!</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KsIsLTEpRTM/XJ9PStRLyEI/AAAAAAAAEos/FpFL-34NVP8JHCjGX4xyShWB2eqipDSTQCLcBGAs/s1600/image-placeholder-title.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="349" data-original-width="620" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KsIsLTEpRTM/XJ9PStRLyEI/AAAAAAAAEos/FpFL-34NVP8JHCjGX4xyShWB2eqipDSTQCLcBGAs/s320/image-placeholder-title.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Or even Superted, who transforms by saying his magic words.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HQf02bnJo3M/XJ9PYyQhKhI/AAAAAAAAEow/yHRjenwobb8Uyt6Nteo9_KjT6D91wMd1gCLcBGAs/s1600/superted-1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="159" data-original-width="138" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HQf02bnJo3M/XJ9PYyQhKhI/AAAAAAAAEow/yHRjenwobb8Uyt6Nteo9_KjT6D91wMd1gCLcBGAs/s1600/superted-1a.jpg" /></a></div>
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It always disturbed me how he took his outer skin off...</div>
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It's now the 1980s and UK comics editor Dez Skinn wants to bring Marvelman back.</div>
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He was putting together a new anthology comic in the style of 2000AD and Alan Moore desperately wanted to write it for him.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mp4infMQvnU/XJ9Pzz49vZI/AAAAAAAAEpA/eFtug8wXHGIGLrs7dRhqOAHBFcEX1zegwCLcBGAs/s1600/miracleman5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="658" data-original-width="475" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mp4infMQvnU/XJ9Pzz49vZI/AAAAAAAAEpA/eFtug8wXHGIGLrs7dRhqOAHBFcEX1zegwCLcBGAs/s320/miracleman5.jpg" width="231" /></a></div>
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With art by Gary Leach, Marvelman debuted in Warrior #1 in 1982 in a very contemporary Britain.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mk8iTWPaNos/XJ9QgL4BJ4I/AAAAAAAAEpM/h56oqNpEGJ83-ls_4_dexMotoBMgt8WRQCLcBGAs/s1600/miracleman7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="905" data-original-width="475" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mk8iTWPaNos/XJ9QgL4BJ4I/AAAAAAAAEpM/h56oqNpEGJ83-ls_4_dexMotoBMgt8WRQCLcBGAs/s320/miracleman7.jpg" width="167" /></a></div>
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And this is where our story really starts.</div>
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There is a central mystery as to what happened to the Marvelman characters, where they went 20 years ago. Mickey is an adult with a wife and a job and one day remembers he used to be a superhero. But it's when he finds his old sidekick Kid Marvelman that things take a dark turn.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hUgXerkxZd0/XJ9Qn1IqKXI/AAAAAAAAEpQ/oAY4U-44buIhQ56qHYmYZD_KxkoAd3XnwCLcBGAs/s1600/Warrior_Issue_03_Page_09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1095" data-original-width="1509" height="232" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hUgXerkxZd0/XJ9Qn1IqKXI/AAAAAAAAEpQ/oAY4U-44buIhQ56qHYmYZD_KxkoAd3XnwCLcBGAs/s320/Warrior_Issue_03_Page_09.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Moore uses the trappings of superhero storytelling to weave a parable of politics and power and the nature of good and evil in that way he would later do with Watchmen.</div>
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The series ended on a cliffhanger in issue #21 (Aug 1984) possibly because of a legal threat from Marvel Comics (although it may have been due to arguments between Moore and Skinn) but Skinn had successfully licenced the character to American publishers, first Pacific Comics (which went out of business) then Eclipse Comics.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YtnvswjX4pw/XJ9RGWcBCGI/AAAAAAAAEpc/T0QnJVeDGyAsKOBC6DqFl4KLqvZN7SRmwCLcBGAs/s1600/miracleman22.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="274" data-original-width="591" height="148" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YtnvswjX4pw/XJ9RGWcBCGI/AAAAAAAAEpc/T0QnJVeDGyAsKOBC6DqFl4KLqvZN7SRmwCLcBGAs/s320/miracleman22.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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They reprint a newly-colourised version of Marvelman, in the standard US format, with each issue containing four "chapters" of the original.</div>
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Except...</div>
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They can't call it Marvelman.</div>
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You know, because Marvel Comics.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/---KJidIpyKM/XJ9SBZkIQLI/AAAAAAAAEpo/HVhWxxFgTXISTf-z46f94KOeD-4FQ3A9wCLcBGAs/s1600/Miracleman1cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="416" data-original-width="270" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/---KJidIpyKM/XJ9SBZkIQLI/AAAAAAAAEpo/HVhWxxFgTXISTf-z46f94KOeD-4FQ3A9wCLcBGAs/s320/Miracleman1cover.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
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So instead the book and indeed the character are renamed Miracleman. Which is fine for contemporary readers but a bit of a shame for those who want to tie this character back the one from the 50s.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-73PuomxZ_Sw/XKKJwqXq4TI/AAAAAAAAEp8/TvQa0nxhsDQuAcXVKP5IVfTWH4ATkYbBgCLcBGAs/s1600/4009608-3999463-0%252Bmiracleman2014009_dc11_lr-page-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="421" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-73PuomxZ_Sw/XKKJwqXq4TI/AAAAAAAAEp8/TvQa0nxhsDQuAcXVKP5IVfTWH4ATkYbBgCLcBGAs/s320/4009608-3999463-0%252Bmiracleman2014009_dc11_lr-page-001.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
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All the UK strips were reprinted in issues #1-#6, and after that Moore wrote new stories, continuing on with future X-Men artist Chuck Austen (under the name Chuck Beckum).</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eJ-uluIpp2I/XKKKAw9VRzI/AAAAAAAAEqE/145Hc4-RNawIYO0WOz9E2xaqiOzWHNfjACLcBGAs/s1600/miracleman95.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="353" data-original-width="591" height="191" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eJ-uluIpp2I/XKKKAw9VRzI/AAAAAAAAEqE/145Hc4-RNawIYO0WOz9E2xaqiOzWHNfjACLcBGAs/s320/miracleman95.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Moore and Austen are on the book until issue #16 when Neil Gaiman and Mark Buckingham take over on #17 (1990).</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F9o3o9cL-1E/XKKKTOjIpwI/AAAAAAAAEqM/kbW3QAnfsV81zFBT2IxAwE8tEiBSdPutwCLcBGAs/s1600/33435-3537-37331-1-miracleman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="412" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F9o3o9cL-1E/XKKKTOjIpwI/AAAAAAAAEqM/kbW3QAnfsV81zFBT2IxAwE8tEiBSdPutwCLcBGAs/s320/33435-3537-37331-1-miracleman.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
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Eclipse comics, guess what, went bankrupt in 1994 and Miracleman ended, unresolved with issue #24. #25 was completed but has (as of time of writing) never been fully published.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g8TGXqFHWgE/XKKMDbyqZ0I/AAAAAAAAEqY/OILGjwo56YoGy_f9llbvGAxsncXnDkGaQCLcBGAs/s1600/miracleman-24-04-panel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="274" data-original-width="972" height="90" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g8TGXqFHWgE/XKKMDbyqZ0I/AAAAAAAAEqY/OILGjwo56YoGy_f9llbvGAxsncXnDkGaQCLcBGAs/s320/miracleman-24-04-panel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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In 1996 Todd McFarlane (the Richard Branson of comics) bought Eclipse's assets which was presumed to include Miracleman. However, this being a licenced, pre-existing character was not necessarily the case. Being Todd McFarlane he made merch anyway.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VfPC3fmMXLQ/XKKMs1dnulI/AAAAAAAAEqg/p5azyzwWfLsj715HvcCzURtUqvkXPjJGgCLcBGAs/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="186" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VfPC3fmMXLQ/XKKMs1dnulI/AAAAAAAAEqg/p5azyzwWfLsj715HvcCzURtUqvkXPjJGgCLcBGAs/s1600/download.jpg" /></a></div>
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There is a long drawn-out legal process here that I don't fully understand but the key points are that Gaiman sued McFarlane in 2001 over ownership rights and that the courts ultimately decided that original creator Mick Angelo was the true owner of the rights in 2009.</div>
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Then, in a another twist, Marvel Comics stated that they wish to buy Marvelman/Miracleman that same year.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YMawFSBGqd0/XKKNoiskavI/AAAAAAAAEqs/ANcW2OTzG_kNDdxKKnuHv0YaDuuwh_-bACLcBGAs/s1600/Marvelman_Family%2527s_Finest_Vol_1_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1035" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YMawFSBGqd0/XKKNoiskavI/AAAAAAAAEqs/ANcW2OTzG_kNDdxKKnuHv0YaDuuwh_-bACLcBGAs/s320/Marvelman_Family%2527s_Finest_Vol_1_3.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
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They managed to reprint "classic" Marvelman strips (yes he was Marvelman again) and eventually all the Moore run and about half the Gaiman.</div>
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Interestingly, because of an ongoing dispute between Moore and Marvel (and DC), Moore's name does not appear anywhere, the writing instead credited to "The Original Writer". Moore also donated all his royalties to Angelo.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kRpR9sH75Z4/XKKOKCCBleI/AAAAAAAAEq0/4ti_mLNLQfoMcz1Dr-l5BnDcDRAeA0b2wCLcBGAs/s1600/miracleman75.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="222" data-original-width="584" height="121" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kRpR9sH75Z4/XKKOKCCBleI/AAAAAAAAEq0/4ti_mLNLQfoMcz1Dr-l5BnDcDRAeA0b2wCLcBGAs/s320/miracleman75.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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The was also a "lost" story by Grant Morrison, written in the 80s but now illustrated by Joe Quesada and a new story by Peter Milligan and Mike Allred.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6LrT-2tIC2U/XKKOfz_8NxI/AAAAAAAAEq8/MQCglUa9Uc0SAESV0PGWQzh6huhkHyp8wCLcBGAs/s1600/miracleman79.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="319" data-original-width="299" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6LrT-2tIC2U/XKKOfz_8NxI/AAAAAAAAEq8/MQCglUa9Uc0SAESV0PGWQzh6huhkHyp8wCLcBGAs/s1600/miracleman79.png" /></a></div>
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So, after many legal battles, Marvel now own Marvelman and DC own Captain Marvel.</div>
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So what of DC and their Captain Marvel?</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZjQoZoBs2vs/XKKQ5P_TfOI/AAAAAAAAErI/NZqI73eCQpImEPW16F6TgjdBvz42ukbugCLcBGAs/s1600/684253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="921" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZjQoZoBs2vs/XKKQ5P_TfOI/AAAAAAAAErI/NZqI73eCQpImEPW16F6TgjdBvz42ukbugCLcBGAs/s320/684253.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
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Well, post-Crisis Cap gets a new origin story that fits in with the DC Universe in Shazam! The New Beginning written by Dann and Roy Thomas with art by Tom Mandrake. At the same time he gets a place in the Justice League during the well-respected series by Keith Giffen and J M DeMatteis.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5J_qxYd1rw8/XKKS3nrFyKI/AAAAAAAAErU/RKMqF81ZGf4IWQMYnqFu5yjQaBbp5lDmwCLcBGAs/s1600/Justice%2BLeague%2B1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1043" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5J_qxYd1rw8/XKKS3nrFyKI/AAAAAAAAErU/RKMqF81ZGf4IWQMYnqFu5yjQaBbp5lDmwCLcBGAs/s320/Justice%2BLeague%2B1.jpeg" width="208" /></a></div>
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However, as with Mar Vell, the Shazam titles don't take off particularly well. The four-issue mini-series sells quite decently and he gets a guest appearance in Action Comics (an anthology book at that time) in a story that re-introduces Golden-age villain Captain Nazi.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6PINRzyGqYg/XKKVoeyIu3I/AAAAAAAAErg/GFvFIy1Wz6sMBdCf2Tk5K_Hs7t1VBJMagCLcBGAs/s1600/Captain-Nazi-DC-Comics-Captain-Marvel-1970s-h1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="484" data-original-width="725" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6PINRzyGqYg/XKKVoeyIu3I/AAAAAAAAErg/GFvFIy1Wz6sMBdCf2Tk5K_Hs7t1VBJMagCLcBGAs/s320/Captain-Nazi-DC-Comics-Captain-Marvel-1970s-h1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This was intended to start a new ongoing series but various attempts to do so failed to launch.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cqe0WTZK8_c/XKKXxkupilI/AAAAAAAAErs/P5nftN1cqxINYY8TchwvxR5M6XlC0eNbACLcBGAs/s1600/250px-Power-of-shazam-cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="377" data-original-width="250" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cqe0WTZK8_c/XKKXxkupilI/AAAAAAAAErs/P5nftN1cqxINYY8TchwvxR5M6XlC0eNbACLcBGAs/s320/250px-Power-of-shazam-cover.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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An original graphic novel called The Power of Shazam! by Jerry Ordway was published in 1994, retelling his origin. This was followed by a monthly series which started in 1995.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mkX5p3EqbJw/XKKYR-k42EI/AAAAAAAAEr0/eYtERqdkP4swIr1yceZby3fBbJNvJFyrwCLcBGAs/s1600/pos3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="304" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mkX5p3EqbJw/XKKYR-k42EI/AAAAAAAAEr0/eYtERqdkP4swIr1yceZby3fBbJNvJFyrwCLcBGAs/s320/pos3.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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Issue #27 features a story in which time-travelling future hero Waverider shows Billy some potential alternate paths Captain Marvel could have taken...</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PwgLh74jHgE/XKKakcWbmpI/AAAAAAAAEsA/EoChwUxIqb85kkflT-MS5GSfNAHfDPr_wCLcBGAs/s1600/RCO014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1041" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PwgLh74jHgE/XKKakcWbmpI/AAAAAAAAEsA/EoChwUxIqb85kkflT-MS5GSfNAHfDPr_wCLcBGAs/s320/RCO014.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
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Ordway there, having some fun. As well as Captain Thunder and Hoppy the Marvel Bunny you can see a "SPLIT!" version and a carefully non-infringing Rick Jones-alike.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q7EP2N3WP5A/XKKb7iUZyPI/AAAAAAAAEsM/elx_K_9NYfY0AuGdXPUohYt0__f0ieKFgCLcBGAs/s1600/%2524%2528KGrHqJ%252C%2521h%2521E1fPckY-9BNkuyhn0Kw___32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="695" data-original-width="451" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q7EP2N3WP5A/XKKb7iUZyPI/AAAAAAAAEsM/elx_K_9NYfY0AuGdXPUohYt0__f0ieKFgCLcBGAs/s320/%2524%2528KGrHqJ%252C%2521h%2521E1fPckY-9BNkuyhn0Kw___32.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
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After the mid-90s event "Marvel Vs DC" both universes got temporarily smooshed together as Amalgam. This featured Batman and Wolverine combined to form Dark Claw and Superman and Captain America making Super Soldier.</div>
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I only bring this up because the Amalgam comic JLX #1 features a character that is a combination of Billy Batson and Mar Vell called, appropriately enough, Captain Marvel.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ni0jExOSR_g/XKKdekX3RVI/AAAAAAAAEsc/pBQGnDUt4bwrlZdmLJka3fWQNVPEOowkQCLcBGAs/s1600/William_Mar-Vell_%252528Amalgam_Universe%252529_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="296" data-original-width="350" height="270" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ni0jExOSR_g/XKKdekX3RVI/AAAAAAAAEsc/pBQGnDUt4bwrlZdmLJka3fWQNVPEOowkQCLcBGAs/s320/William_Mar-Vell_%252528Amalgam_Universe%252529_001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Power of Shazam! was eventually cancelled in 1999 and DC had made various attempts to start a new series but I believe the central child-like wholesomeness of the original Captain Marvel set it at odds with the increasing darkness of the DC Universe. It just wasn't a good fit.</div>
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The series Countdown, for example saw Mary Marvel (one of the purest, most innocent characters in comics) get corrupted by Darkseid. This got worse during Final Crisis.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cuMzNTNfB6Q/XKN7WlwpgNI/AAAAAAAAEso/aBDWH_OmdBspSrRVdkYqlIgJsbrEleC8gCLcBGAs/s1600/68db017687e66e67d09b305bbbf78acb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="925" data-original-width="1280" height="231" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cuMzNTNfB6Q/XKN7WlwpgNI/AAAAAAAAEso/aBDWH_OmdBspSrRVdkYqlIgJsbrEleC8gCLcBGAs/s320/68db017687e66e67d09b305bbbf78acb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And, before that in 52, the big bad behind a large part of the plot was Mr Mind, now in an evolved form that looked like this:</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wLspl5p3RJY/XKN70dVE1LI/AAAAAAAAEsw/gd7UOk6f4LceMByT14k6h4RLL1HcjLP_QCLcBGAs/s1600/945593-mind_48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1271" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wLspl5p3RJY/XKN70dVE1LI/AAAAAAAAEsw/gd7UOk6f4LceMByT14k6h4RLL1HcjLP_QCLcBGAs/s320/945593-mind_48.jpg" width="257" /></a></div>
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And that's to say nothing of the Big Red Cheese himself being the villain of 1996's possible future mini-series Kingdom Come.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EPSl5BjGSz0/XKN8cLDNOaI/AAAAAAAAEs4/jCGL3aMUURojLaQ3CHfJ7VMLlOjLbOp6gCLcBGAs/s1600/Captain-Marvel-dc-comics-14289004-1024-1613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1016" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EPSl5BjGSz0/XKN8cLDNOaI/AAAAAAAAEs4/jCGL3aMUURojLaQ3CHfJ7VMLlOjLbOp6gCLcBGAs/s320/Captain-Marvel-dc-comics-14289004-1024-1613.jpg" width="203" /></a></div>
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If you want my opinion (and why wouldn't you?) the best DC-published Captain Marvel comics are Shazam! The Monster Society of Evil, by Jeff Smith (creator of Bone);</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJ162PxSYzw/XKN9VzwbUSI/AAAAAAAAEtA/MSvdUPwXPS0lZtOaw3DwEgb65M5ewwa6QCLcBGAs/s1600/24945963.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="398" data-original-width="396" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJ162PxSYzw/XKN9VzwbUSI/AAAAAAAAEtA/MSvdUPwXPS0lZtOaw3DwEgb65M5ewwa6QCLcBGAs/s320/24945963.jpg" width="318" /></a></div>
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and Convergence: Shazam! by Jeff Parker and Evan "Doc" Shaner,</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HEt1pfB-nks/XKOAyiLtoYI/AAAAAAAAEtM/RLAAai9OEXEjMaRQaGxempkViFAjUS5awCLcBGAs/s1600/RCO015_1480991401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1231" data-original-width="1600" height="246" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HEt1pfB-nks/XKOAyiLtoYI/AAAAAAAAEtM/RLAAai9OEXEjMaRQaGxempkViFAjUS5awCLcBGAs/s320/RCO015_1480991401.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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both of which stick to the formula and style of the childlike 40s stories.</div>
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By the time of the New 52 relaunch in 2012, DC gave up on Captain Marvel. They finally realised that no-one outside of comics fans knew he was even called Captain Marvel. The comic and the 70s TV show some still remembered were called Shazam, so surely that was his name.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3efn-hM5NW4/XKOC3WvMHKI/AAAAAAAAEtY/SG93ttoDAVExP2_1Djhhti-KmHTqbqxywCLcBGAs/s1600/Justice_League_0_Shazam_Alt_Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="388" data-original-width="256" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3efn-hM5NW4/XKOC3WvMHKI/AAAAAAAAEtY/SG93ttoDAVExP2_1Djhhti-KmHTqbqxywCLcBGAs/s320/Justice_League_0_Shazam_Alt_Cover.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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So a back-up story in the re-launched Justice League (by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank) admits defeat and now he is called Shazam, relinquishing the name Captain Marvel at last.</div>
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This was at around the same time Marvel Comics launched their new Captain Marvel, to great critical and commercial success. Presenting the new Captain Marvel: Carol Danvers!</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nSB9EDJqeP4/XKOD7G2N34I/AAAAAAAAEtg/slt5JjoofYIdbHtx6fTr9XtkOEMw9SF4QCLcBGAs/s1600/Cover_of_Captain_Marvel_1_-_2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="379" data-original-width="250" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nSB9EDJqeP4/XKOD7G2N34I/AAAAAAAAEtg/slt5JjoofYIdbHtx6fTr9XtkOEMw9SF4QCLcBGAs/s320/Cover_of_Captain_Marvel_1_-_2013.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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Remember her?</div>
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When last we met she was being hit by an exploding psyche-magnitron. In 1977 Gerry Conway brought a little taste of the "women's lib" revolution to Marvel Comics. He'd been resonsible for co-creating Power Girl for DC just a year earlier who also wore her feminism on her sleeve.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8O6FSWMbv5E/XKOQ-6pgEZI/AAAAAAAAEt0/lH78z3PaLmoo7tmUWkjIviaCaV3t0eIAACLcBGAs/s1600/55803386_2083012625067308_952276837449334784_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="380" data-original-width="392" height="310" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8O6FSWMbv5E/XKOQ-6pgEZI/AAAAAAAAEt0/lH78z3PaLmoo7tmUWkjIviaCaV3t0eIAACLcBGAs/s320/55803386_2083012625067308_952276837449334784_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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To be fair Marvel had always pushed for equality. Go back and have a look at the panel of her first appearance in 1968. Carol is not only the head of security at a military base; "man or woman she's the finest head of security a military base could want!"</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--rXtENMdnd8/XKOUPBFPHOI/AAAAAAAAEuA/k0VCsnI5e0op-4M-WpjHTnU2yPe7m1zyQCLcBGAs/s1600/255px-Msmarvel1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="387" data-original-width="255" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--rXtENMdnd8/XKOUPBFPHOI/AAAAAAAAEuA/k0VCsnI5e0op-4M-WpjHTnU2yPe7m1zyQCLcBGAs/s320/255px-Msmarvel1.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
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Like a lot of attempts at politically aware comics of the 70s written by straight white men, one can file some of it under "They meant well".</div>
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Ms. Marvel #1 by Conway and John Romita (Jan 77) gives us our first look at Carol Danvers' new superhuman persona. And that "Ms." is a well-chosen feminist moniker. No "Marvel Girl" she.</div>
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It turns out that when a psyche-magnitron explodes on you, you get Kree-like superpowers. That's just science.</div>
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Danvers had been discharged from the military and wrote a best-selling whistle-blowing expose of NASA. But now she is working in New York city for jolly old J. Jonah Jameson, editing the Bugle-published magazine "Woman".</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ikfA9iJX0EY/XKOvqmg4POI/AAAAAAAAEuM/mEHRteYqa3wPw38sFA4RMiUCZNHMheBkgCLcBGAs/s1600/Capture-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="824" height="155" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ikfA9iJX0EY/XKOvqmg4POI/AAAAAAAAEuM/mEHRteYqa3wPw38sFA4RMiUCZNHMheBkgCLcBGAs/s320/Capture-2.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Conway left the book after just two issues, leaving future comics superstar Chris Claremont to take over. Sales, once again, aren't great, so by issue #19 Claremont decides to take the book in a different direction.</div>
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Ms. Marvel meets Captain Marvel for the first time since that explosion with Yon Rogg, as Mar Vell once again finds himself accused by the Kree Supreme Intelligence. Carol gets involved to help an old friend and is taken captive by Ronan the Accuser along with him.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GPcG-Qt9aiM/XKOyXMeXCYI/AAAAAAAAEuY/LO_P95VciRgwsEUnahczxZ8GgCTsZey-gCLcBGAs/s1600/msmarvelgenes_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="478" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GPcG-Qt9aiM/XKOyXMeXCYI/AAAAAAAAEuY/LO_P95VciRgwsEUnahczxZ8GgCTsZey-gCLcBGAs/s320/msmarvelgenes_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Long story short, she saves the day, gets caught in another Kree device, gets a new power set and, come next issue, a new costume.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ysfkBuE-29U/XKO1u48chDI/AAAAAAAAEuk/D3QKDOrrKZI2MCl1RVhUkpchHJvYlV0WACLcBGAs/s1600/3244160bdfcb40e50159c4152c553dd8._SX176_QL80_TTD_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="251" data-original-width="176" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ysfkBuE-29U/XKO1u48chDI/AAAAAAAAEuk/D3QKDOrrKZI2MCl1RVhUkpchHJvYlV0WACLcBGAs/s1600/3244160bdfcb40e50159c4152c553dd8._SX176_QL80_TTD_.jpg" /></a></div>
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However, low sales once again scuppers the run and Ms. Marvel is cancelled after 23 issues.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bTJsf3qKQew/XKO77NLtDTI/AAAAAAAAEvI/ReItziRRKiUJX-37FFX9qHLxqJkgsjuJwCLcBGAs/s1600/ed228b126aaed9edf24d16ccd328c97c2d63aa1b_hq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bTJsf3qKQew/XKO77NLtDTI/AAAAAAAAEvI/ReItziRRKiUJX-37FFX9qHLxqJkgsjuJwCLcBGAs/s1600/ed228b126aaed9edf24d16ccd328c97c2d63aa1b_hq.jpg" /></a></div>
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However, during that time Claremont has created various characters, including Rogue and Mystique, that he would go on to use in his All New All Different X-Men. Rogue, indeed, acquired her super strength and flight ability by absorbing them from Carol.</div>
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And Ms. Marvel found herself appearing in The Avengers and occasional other Marvel titles where she gets treated pretty appallingly.</div>
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It starts with Avengers #200 by David Micheline and Jim Shooter, wherein the team come back to Avengers Mansion to find a heavily pregnant Carol Danvers.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dcKKG2Tj-3o/XKPAPBOofWI/AAAAAAAAEvU/TeLZSgHsp5w995D97iqJFQME69k-sea2QCLcBGAs/s1600/msmarvelclaremont2_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="292" data-original-width="238" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dcKKG2Tj-3o/XKPAPBOofWI/AAAAAAAAEvU/TeLZSgHsp5w995D97iqJFQME69k-sea2QCLcBGAs/s1600/msmarvelclaremont2_edited.jpg" /></a></div>
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The problem being this should be impossible, in spite of how happy her friends are for her.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RO82Ed8GYpM/XKPC9OoIAhI/AAAAAAAAEvg/vZs_ysdpkuIp2z7OMK4osbmTpOUPDa5twCLcBGAs/s1600/RCO006_1475773370_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="394" data-original-width="541" height="233" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RO82Ed8GYpM/XKPC9OoIAhI/AAAAAAAAEvg/vZs_ysdpkuIp2z7OMK4osbmTpOUPDa5twCLcBGAs/s320/RCO006_1475773370_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The gestation is rapid and the child, once born, grows quickly to adulthood. And the explanation ain't great.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WMjHosHN-bA/XKPDjM07KzI/AAAAAAAAEvo/RihtiA7iy70kvI6OxhHk7sEwTGl-2rT2gCLcBGAs/s1600/msmarveldisplay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="306" data-original-width="620" height="157" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WMjHosHN-bA/XKPDjM07KzI/AAAAAAAAEvo/RihtiA7iy70kvI6OxhHk7sEwTGl-2rT2gCLcBGAs/s320/msmarveldisplay.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Nutshell version: A being called Marcus, trapped in another dimension, found a way to escape by using Carol's womb.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vVnXjDq5_Wg/XKPEvzFPpNI/AAAAAAAAEv0/xheXe_z3hugcWFHUvok4wdfg1bHPKrCngCLcBGAs/s1600/RCO034_1475773370_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="352" data-original-width="755" height="149" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vVnXjDq5_Wg/XKPEvzFPpNI/AAAAAAAAEv0/xheXe_z3hugcWFHUvok4wdfg1bHPKrCngCLcBGAs/s320/RCO034_1475773370_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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He used psychic technology to seduce Carol and, well... impregnate her with himself.</div>
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The whole thing is really icky and when Carol decides to travel to another dimension with her new lover/son to start a new life all the Avengers are thrilled for her. I won't go into it in any more detail here but if you want to read more, <a href="http://www.carolastrickland.com/comics/msmarvel/index.html" target="_blank">here</a> is an excellent essay by Carol A Strickland.</div>
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Anyway, this story so infuriated Chris Claremont that when he got the chance to write Avengers Annual #10 he had Ms. Marvel return to voice his complaints. Carol has escaped back to Earth, Marcus having died of accelerated old age, and she is pissed at the Avengers.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7N-sA2rpFH8/XKPKxYByv5I/AAAAAAAAEwA/GxIoopwCPg8UQCSoXF2oSdimnRKCBOuFQCLcBGAs/s1600/msmarvelclaremont11_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="289" data-original-width="593" height="155" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7N-sA2rpFH8/XKPKxYByv5I/AAAAAAAAEwA/GxIoopwCPg8UQCSoXF2oSdimnRKCBOuFQCLcBGAs/s320/msmarvelclaremont11_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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She slaps Thor and makes her point about them abandoning her.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S_ZVWRuGDmQ/XKPLcKWN84I/AAAAAAAAEwI/GzI1xdDnS-wAga4r_LbPBTgKPEp4_0aFQCLcBGAs/s1600/msmarvelclaremont12_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="308" data-original-width="603" height="163" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S_ZVWRuGDmQ/XKPLcKWN84I/AAAAAAAAEwI/GzI1xdDnS-wAga4r_LbPBTgKPEp4_0aFQCLcBGAs/s320/msmarvelclaremont12_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Not surprisingly, Carol takes this opportunity to leave Earth with the X-Men and have some adventures in space, in spite of Rogue, who was created as a Ms. Marvel villain, now being on the team.</div>
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Readers of a certain age may remember the episode of X-Men: The Animated Series wherein we learn of Rogue's back story and see a comatose Ms. Marvel.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RBw15RBIwqU/XKPSk7dxhvI/AAAAAAAAEwU/AbcGuhH7O9Eqq0p70fCJti8qkvz1GJJmACLcBGAs/s1600/XMen15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="476" data-original-width="630" height="241" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RBw15RBIwqU/XKPSk7dxhvI/AAAAAAAAEwU/AbcGuhH7O9Eqq0p70fCJti8qkvz1GJJmACLcBGAs/s320/XMen15.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anyway, Carol flies off with the X-Men to help the Shi'ar, before being captured by the Brood and experimented on. However her Kree blood confuses them and they end up changing her power set again.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LKZirEjZrPU/XKPVyojZZNI/AAAAAAAAEwg/oHDWSu5drxwMJDM4YqOddMqWldF-2yXYwCLcBGAs/s1600/Image%2B%2528113%2529_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1472" data-original-width="1173" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LKZirEjZrPU/XKPVyojZZNI/AAAAAAAAEwg/oHDWSu5drxwMJDM4YqOddMqWldF-2yXYwCLcBGAs/s320/Image%2B%2528113%2529_edited.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>
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She changes her name to Binary and has space adventures for a bit (like the Captain Marvel movie) before coming back to Earth after a considerable absence. This leads to an awkward moment when she drops in on Avengers mansion and is introduced to... er... Captain Marvel...</div>
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Yeah, no-one thought to tell her...</div>
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Over the next decade or so she gets depowered back to Ms. Marvel level, takes on the name Warbird, becomes an alcoholic and is suspended from the Avengers for being drunk on duty.</div>
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You can't keep Carol down, though, and she overcomes her personal problems, becomes an asset during Civil War and eventually becomes leader of the Avengers.</div>
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Other stuff happens, but let's skip to July 2012, when a new Captain Marvel series is launched by Kelly Sue DeConnick and Dexter Soy.</div>
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Following a battle with Absorbing Man, Captain America suggests she takes on the name of Captain.</div>
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She does and a new Captain Marvel enters the Marvel Universe. A Captain Marvel both popular and critically acclaimed. </div>
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She has more space adventures, meets with Rocket and finds a <strike>cat </strike> flerken.</div>
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She makes some weirdly out-of-character mistakes in Civil War II (which I'll cover some other time) and that brings us near enough to now that I'll stop.</div>
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There are other characters named Marvel (other Ms. Marvels and Marvel Boys for example) but I think I've wasted enough of your time.</div>
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Captain Marvel. Splendid chaps. All of them.</div>
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(I mean apart from that "Split!" one, he was just weird.)</div>
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And just yesterday, Alex Ross released a piece of art featuring all the characters inspired by the original Captain Marvel he could think of. Including some I hadn't thought of before (Ultraman, He-Man...).</div>
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Have fun with this.</div>
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The Slipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17231598306094150274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782966666136502802.post-36612540248269437522018-12-25T04:03:00.000-08:002018-12-29T15:27:04.781-08:00Annual Christmas Roundup 2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />The Slipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17231598306094150274noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782966666136502802.post-81236654033368823882018-11-02T05:00:00.002-07:002018-11-02T05:00:11.692-07:00The Beano #2280: Living in the 80s with a killing joke<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pm5B8u1wp-w/W8EYSj-b29I/AAAAAAAAESA/K8NyEQiuKdU1BPILP1WdDgYFHVkJOy7hQCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B2280%2B18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="715" height="238" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pm5B8u1wp-w/W8EYSj-b29I/AAAAAAAAESA/K8NyEQiuKdU1BPILP1WdDgYFHVkJOy7hQCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B2280%2B18.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And awaaaaay we go one more time into Beano history.</div>
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We have been celebrating <a href="https://the-slipper.blogspot.com/2018/07/happy-birthday-beano-slap-up-feasts-all.html" target="_blank">80 years of The Beano</a> this year and reviewing issues from its history based on reprints from <a href="https://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/limited-edition-80-years-of-fun-beano-box-set" target="_blank">this boxed set</a> from DC Thomson.</div>
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The issues so far have been from <a href="https://the-slipper.blogspot.com/2018/08/the-beano-issue-1-not-for-vegans.html" target="_blank">1938</a>, <a href="https://the-slipper.blogspot.com/2018/08/the-beano-272-immediately-post-war.html" target="_blank">1945</a>, <a href="http://the-slipper.blogspot.com/2018/08/beano-452-enter-icon.html" target="_blank">1951</a>, <a href="https://the-slipper.blogspot.com/2018/09/the-beano-954-now-were-talking.html" target="_blank">1960</a>, and <a href="https://the-slipper.blogspot.com/2018/09/the-beano-1768-half-way-there.html" target="_blank">1976</a>. Go and read them if you want. Or not. I can't make you. I mean, it would be polite but whatever. You break my heart if that's who you are.</div>
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This time, for the first time in this series, we are looking at an issue I actually owned as a child. Presenting The Beano #2280 from 1986.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fhm0DmidmA0/W8EYRm5V2_I/AAAAAAAAET0/60YfUH7Me3EbIAYKaHkrjh2Ml7Yg54nOACEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B2280%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1164" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fhm0DmidmA0/W8EYRm5V2_I/AAAAAAAAET0/60YfUH7Me3EbIAYKaHkrjh2Ml7Yg54nOACEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B2280%2B1.jpg" width="232" /></a></div>
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This is the issue after Dennis' faithful companion Gnasher went missing and is the start of the <strike>national</strike> Gnational search that gained much media attention at the time. We have covered the full story here at Slipper Towers before so if you want the full story have a look <a href="https://the-slipper.blogspot.com/2015/09/do-you-remember-where-you-were-when.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </div>
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We won't go into detail on that again, suffice to say at this point the Menace household is feeling the loss but we end on this panel:</div>
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Spoiler: it's Mike Read, then host of the BBC Radio 1 breakfast show and future UKIP-supporting Chevy Chase botherer. Mike Read has beautiful breath.</div>
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So, on to stuff we have not covered before as we venture inside.</div>
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Page 2 gives us a Bash Street Kid in his own spin-off strip: Simply Smiffy.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SHiS8FA2bNQ/W8EYXLw7LsI/AAAAAAAAETk/GuxFO_KZDIsy0kn678VIrYPaNZ9vRhyfwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B2280%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="581" height="278" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SHiS8FA2bNQ/W8EYXLw7LsI/AAAAAAAAETk/GuxFO_KZDIsy0kn678VIrYPaNZ9vRhyfwCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B2280%2B3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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An easily-forgotten strip by Jerry Swaffield, it featured Smiffy's exasperated brother Normal Norman dealing with the constant disasters as Smiffy always gets things wrong. I am interested in the rarely-seen relatives of Beano characters and am the kind of nerd who wonders which ones are canon.</div>
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Ian McDiarmid's Roger the Dodger is next with a brief lesson in gender normatives.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lq8-bF83NJI/W8EYX2a1yWI/AAAAAAAAET0/3McX1c9ae2MizuvsJJpy_Yc8oW1qtL_UACEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B2280%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="443" data-original-width="523" height="271" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lq8-bF83NJI/W8EYX2a1yWI/AAAAAAAAET0/3McX1c9ae2MizuvsJJpy_Yc8oW1qtL_UACEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B2280%2B4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Roger assumed he wouldn't have to learn cooking because of his genitals but has to come up with a wheeze to get out of it instead.</div>
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It doesn't go well.</div>
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Then-popular TV show 100 Great Sporting Moments provides Minnie the Minx with this week's mischief.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g0GUq90Mmnk/W8EYYfDBBLI/AAAAAAAAET0/vvgqHEKE0L4DbStQmGRZ5sbDwnJdt_c5gCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B2280%2B6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="505" data-original-width="375" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g0GUq90Mmnk/W8EYYfDBBLI/AAAAAAAAET0/vvgqHEKE0L4DbStQmGRZ5sbDwnJdt_c5gCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B2280%2B6.jpg" width="237" /></a></div>
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Love Jim Petrie's faces.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PLEfRW_icvY/W8EYYm2fc4I/AAAAAAAAET0/WuNwKH6k1poSDqbnif4I-uFLOx3gg_JcwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B2280%2B7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="585" height="272" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PLEfRW_icvY/W8EYYm2fc4I/AAAAAAAAET0/WuNwKH6k1poSDqbnif4I-uFLOx3gg_JcwCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B2280%2B7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Minnie goes about causing chaos as usual.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Uj5GPy3StYM/W8EYYg0kzqI/AAAAAAAAET4/vaNMlw7jtKsjxYJ1psXqmkHizOuIST_zwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B2280%2B8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="509" data-original-width="336" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Uj5GPy3StYM/W8EYYg0kzqI/AAAAAAAAET4/vaNMlw7jtKsjxYJ1psXqmkHizOuIST_zwCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B2280%2B8.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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Then talks directly to the artist.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_rp7I3IruA8/W8EYY2lo9rI/AAAAAAAAETw/yOE89n-pwJIUz3SnDY425Sws9TAU-dWRACEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B2280%2B9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="502" data-original-width="610" height="263" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_rp7I3IruA8/W8EYY2lo9rI/AAAAAAAAETw/yOE89n-pwJIUz3SnDY425Sws9TAU-dWRACEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B2280%2B9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It inevitably ends with a slipper.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FSoqSjOlW0A/W8EYP23D3FI/AAAAAAAAET4/wMzekwFwemo6H89DEiUhhk2jO5aUM6hZQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B2280%2B10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="501" data-original-width="884" height="181" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FSoqSjOlW0A/W8EYP23D3FI/AAAAAAAAET4/wMzekwFwemo6H89DEiUhhk2jO5aUM6hZQCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B2280%2B10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Lord Snooty next and Snitch and Snatch are playing spacemen.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2QylAoBQj-c/W8EYQbPyYGI/AAAAAAAAETk/NNa7AoMkLV43pdGTkuvGf1pNq1E_h6tqACEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B2280%2B11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="365" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2QylAoBQj-c/W8EYQbPyYGI/AAAAAAAAETk/NNa7AoMkLV43pdGTkuvGf1pNq1E_h6tqACEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B2280%2B11.jpg" width="258" /></a></div>
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Then Ball Boy has his game delayed by the parkie.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hh9vuiUre_M/W8EYQk3rn2I/AAAAAAAAET4/zTo9p3_OswUOjfdznQwRa6lmSSlGjvEhgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B2280%2B12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="386" data-original-width="469" height="263" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hh9vuiUre_M/W8EYQk3rn2I/AAAAAAAAET4/zTo9p3_OswUOjfdznQwRa6lmSSlGjvEhgCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B2280%2B12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's worth pointing out Benji, who played on the team and is generally depicted as BB's closest friend, was one of a very small number of non-Caucasian British comics characters of the time.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-knOwfFKpRgk/W8EYRTVZf_I/AAAAAAAAET4/wLyzfZZ_ftIKT4kx9iC5aLFR1MYYIoImgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B2280%2B13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="458" data-original-width="1469" height="99" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-knOwfFKpRgk/W8EYRTVZf_I/AAAAAAAAET4/wLyzfZZ_ftIKT4kx9iC5aLFR1MYYIoImgCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B2280%2B13.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-55SLK1d8HnM/W8EYSI7OVhI/AAAAAAAAETk/uNUrSj0_Ym4RUGvHKoMl9n4B4yTOGrDGwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B2280%2B15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="458" data-original-width="805" height="182" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-55SLK1d8HnM/W8EYSI7OVhI/AAAAAAAAETk/uNUrSj0_Ym4RUGvHKoMl9n4B4yTOGrDGwCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B2280%2B15.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Time for the letters' page and we finally get an answer to the question of how old Dennis is.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BBec1uBoY2k/W8EYRgfkjMI/AAAAAAAAETk/TFcQKD0WDlsRd9O9ggeE6am47hGHhodiwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B2280%2B14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="693" data-original-width="329" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BBec1uBoY2k/W8EYRgfkjMI/AAAAAAAAETk/TFcQKD0WDlsRd9O9ggeE6am47hGHhodiwCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B2280%2B14.jpg" width="151" /></a></div>
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I said it was AN answer.</div>
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Dennis' pet pig Rasher got his own spin-off strip in 1984, also drawn by David Sutherland. It ran till 1984.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pgei-zmCXrI/W8EYSJ_JXuI/AAAAAAAAETk/8aEW-CvDbwMSAsof7eGdcCrpe-WmNIeYQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B2280%2B16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="444" data-original-width="437" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pgei-zmCXrI/W8EYSJ_JXuI/AAAAAAAAETk/8aEW-CvDbwMSAsof7eGdcCrpe-WmNIeYQCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B2280%2B16.jpg" width="314" /></a></div>
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Sutherland's Bash Street Kids still dominate the middle pages.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0EYDTAOhT8A/W8EYSfynh_I/AAAAAAAAET0/uz-CjocuFp8lDv4qe9e9aXfUMjlLSZD4ACEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B2280%2B17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="552" height="309" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0EYDTAOhT8A/W8EYSfynh_I/AAAAAAAAET0/uz-CjocuFp8lDv4qe9e9aXfUMjlLSZD4ACEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B2280%2B17.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Danny has come up with the funniest joke in the world and is whispering it to everyone.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pm5B8u1wp-w/W8EYSj-b29I/AAAAAAAAETs/yXIXT20Fpf88EzVaWChAVL_4GJFxHxBKwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B2280%2B18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="715" height="238" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pm5B8u1wp-w/W8EYSj-b29I/AAAAAAAAETs/yXIXT20Fpf88EzVaWChAVL_4GJFxHxBKwCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B2280%2B18.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I love the faces Sutherland draws in this story. Look at Fatty's spit-take:</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CDhGkqc8umg/W8EYTB5vtVI/AAAAAAAAETo/-V_ycOwjyyswTQvdxrSe25cYBQy3Z7xPQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B2280%2B19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="494" data-original-width="841" height="187" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CDhGkqc8umg/W8EYTB5vtVI/AAAAAAAAETo/-V_ycOwjyyswTQvdxrSe25cYBQy3Z7xPQCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B2280%2B19.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And here's our first look at Winston, the Janitor's cat.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-02G9oFCwexQ/W8EYTAUkcSI/AAAAAAAAETw/KlXMGCuqyX8YBpZdXFrnOcVHkooQ3tr3ACEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B2280%2B20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="508" data-original-width="606" height="268" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-02G9oFCwexQ/W8EYTAUkcSI/AAAAAAAAETw/KlXMGCuqyX8YBpZdXFrnOcVHkooQ3tr3ACEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B2280%2B20.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Danny is sent to the Head's office where he gets out by telling Head the joke.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BvjJn1zg0_I/W8EYTxm3AvI/AAAAAAAAET4/5VU-wqTizkUjzY7AvSvU7bChkrLwPGJ2ACEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B2280%2B21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="873" height="179" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BvjJn1zg0_I/W8EYTxm3AvI/AAAAAAAAET4/5VU-wqTizkUjzY7AvSvU7bChkrLwPGJ2ACEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B2280%2B21.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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That power should not be wielded lightly...</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/b_GeQ4EEdTk/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/b_GeQ4EEdTk?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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Ivy the Terrible next, a tearaway four-year-old with ambitions to be the next Dennis or Minnie.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_OYZYxe70sY/W8EYUTPqHAI/AAAAAAAAET0/aEc9UqD25ikws_ccycx3PCEC2d6PiWs0gCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B2280%2B22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="491" data-original-width="405" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_OYZYxe70sY/W8EYUTPqHAI/AAAAAAAAET0/aEc9UqD25ikws_ccycx3PCEC2d6PiWs0gCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B2280%2B22.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
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Created by Robert Nixon in 1985, he continued drawing it until his death in 2002.</div>
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Billy Whizz is doing some housework.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9KCnyrQXyy4/W8EYUh69CdI/AAAAAAAAETw/ZpVCFEy_Pl8Y2fH5LvkMU8esxyffGfbZQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B2280%2B23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="397" data-original-width="577" height="220" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9KCnyrQXyy4/W8EYUh69CdI/AAAAAAAAETw/ZpVCFEy_Pl8Y2fH5LvkMU8esxyffGfbZQCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B2280%2B23.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Smudge "the scruffiest boy in town and proud of it!" is another 80s newcomer, created in 1980 by John Geering.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NjMrZydjBOk/W8EYVHUlyxI/AAAAAAAAET4/6aAzdI4VeScLjxH3Hg6Mt21p-lMpxV1DACEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B2280%2B24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1028" data-original-width="718" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NjMrZydjBOk/W8EYVHUlyxI/AAAAAAAAET4/6aAzdI4VeScLjxH3Hg6Mt21p-lMpxV1DACEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B2280%2B24.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
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I love Geering's work and his frequent fourth-wall breaking characters. Look at this poor child's horrified plea to the reader before he leans on the panel border.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jBjkQcrEZTA/W8EYVEoxIvI/AAAAAAAAETg/Hffw5Lbg4Dc0kpotL6m-3lX5dQBrX2yXgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B2280%2B25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="523" data-original-width="733" height="228" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jBjkQcrEZTA/W8EYVEoxIvI/AAAAAAAAETg/Hffw5Lbg4Dc0kpotL6m-3lX5dQBrX2yXgCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B2280%2B25.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Pup Parade with the Bash Street Pups continues, although it would move to The Topper in 1989.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kGw9BfWMSTo/W8EYVKaXuFI/AAAAAAAAET4/9wbBQfUKB0ch6yAsByohemvF6KFnldqawCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B2280%2B26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="470" data-original-width="509" height="294" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kGw9BfWMSTo/W8EYVKaXuFI/AAAAAAAAET4/9wbBQfUKB0ch6yAsByohemvF6KFnldqawCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B2280%2B26.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's still just Bones and Sniffy in this story.</div>
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"Baby-Face" Finlayson has relocated from the old West to modern-day Britain. Somehow. Let's not question it. </div>
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This week he raids a supermarket.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6j8lTd5jr3s/W8EYVwIXOII/AAAAAAAAETg/noDW4_TcXo0TyhNnk5NAdUtL-vwTIARawCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B2280%2B27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="588" height="271" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6j8lTd5jr3s/W8EYVwIXOII/AAAAAAAAETg/noDW4_TcXo0TyhNnk5NAdUtL-vwTIARawCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B2280%2B27.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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But you can take the bandit out of the old West...</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-42wQKCYcxE0/W8EYWV4uflI/AAAAAAAAETs/UONhpfkgSFg8JHDhFQICK233yi0n9QkqACEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B2280%2B28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="574" data-original-width="996" height="184" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-42wQKCYcxE0/W8EYWV4uflI/AAAAAAAAETs/UONhpfkgSFg8JHDhFQICK233yi0n9QkqACEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B2280%2B28.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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For most of the 80s he'd stopped being "The cutest bandit in the West" and was now "The cutest bandit around". In the final strip of this run he tries to kidnap the Beano editor and is posted back to America as punishment.</div>
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Little Plum, however, remains firmly in a Western setting.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y9WMZXp-MHw/W8EYW3mEUVI/AAAAAAAAETk/h0BddkpgIR4jBZMmOc8e8QjNHcwweyrkgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B2280%2B29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="725" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y9WMZXp-MHw/W8EYW3mEUVI/AAAAAAAAETk/h0BddkpgIR4jBZMmOc8e8QjNHcwweyrkgCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B2280%2B29.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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...Not that you'd know it from the illustration, but it is.</div>
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Biffo the Bear persists. Here he is at his occasional day job as zookeeper, somewhat exploiting his charges.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wrz0JpH0nPo/W8EYXCBN8tI/AAAAAAAAETo/-8Mj4lNDBd0oAp7qltXbAaGZuo-Ts2lfQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B2280%2B30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="494" data-original-width="523" height="302" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wrz0JpH0nPo/W8EYXCBN8tI/AAAAAAAAETo/-8Mj4lNDBd0oAp7qltXbAaGZuo-Ts2lfQCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B2280%2B30.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Tom and Dick are still being bested by little sister Sally in the strip Tom, Dick and Sally.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RcZTZkW61ns/W8EYXgKu5kI/AAAAAAAAETo/00Z-l5Pk6tMoK_JbTkmPzGVWzDfyJq5bwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B2280%2B31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="772" height="221" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RcZTZkW61ns/W8EYXgKu5kI/AAAAAAAAETo/00Z-l5Pk6tMoK_JbTkmPzGVWzDfyJq5bwCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B2280%2B31.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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On the next page, ordinarily, would have been Gnasher's Tale, where Gnasher reflects on his younger days....</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i9dh3gLzUOc/W9w3h46SsMI/AAAAAAAAEWY/7tkksi3rBbwVnPW1HlGRicFjijOYIWBNwCLcBGAs/s1600/Gnashers%2BTale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i9dh3gLzUOc/W9w3h46SsMI/AAAAAAAAEWY/7tkksi3rBbwVnPW1HlGRicFjijOYIWBNwCLcBGAs/s1600/Gnashers%2BTale.jpg" /></a></div>
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However... Gnasher has gone missing! So, for the second time, Gnasher's Tale is replaced with...</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OFPM6amuRIc/W8EYXuy4StI/AAAAAAAAET4/s2SsZDYA3s0U6g0kOpqLjamXG8NFrRZ1wCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B2280%2B32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="1180" height="59" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OFPM6amuRIc/W8EYXuy4StI/AAAAAAAAET4/s2SsZDYA3s0U6g0kOpqLjamXG8NFrRZ1wCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B2280%2B32.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Foo-Foo! A tale told by Walter the Softy's poodle!</div>
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Wait a moment. Something has changed... I'm sure the <a href="https://the-slipper.blogspot.com/2015/09/do-you-remember-where-you-were-when.html" target="_blank">last time</a> we looked at this period of Beano history it had a different title...</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O10lhVnmWqg/W8EYPhwTDBI/AAAAAAAAETs/dfqDBKIZB00n8YfRpGFgbk5dDXNBpM2kACEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B2279%2B10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="232" data-original-width="1384" height="53" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O10lhVnmWqg/W8EYPhwTDBI/AAAAAAAAETs/dfqDBKIZB00n8YfRpGFgbk5dDXNBpM2kACEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B2279%2B10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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That was it! I guess this change in the reprint shows that DC Thomson have acknowledged the implicit homophobia in a lot of the language used to describe "softies".</div>
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(Yes, I have mentioned <a href="https://the-slipper.blogspot.com/2014/07/we-need-to-talk-about-dennis.html" target="_blank">before</a> about homophobia in Dennis.)</div>
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Anyway, this week we see how Foo-Foo first met Gnasher at a doggy birthday party:</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9ERVvDi_GCw/W8EYXxkIG8I/AAAAAAAAETs/8awr_b9J6TYHhtB1qzPpqz5dmZphJN6FACEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B2280%2B33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="494" height="301" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9ERVvDi_GCw/W8EYXxkIG8I/AAAAAAAAETs/8awr_b9J6TYHhtB1qzPpqz5dmZphJN6FACEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B2280%2B33.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's again drawn by Sutherland and as I failed to mention it last time, I'll add that I really like the design of the younger versions of Dennis and Walter. And that takes Sutherland page total this issue up to 6. And I remind you that he is still drawing The Bash Street Kids today, after 57 years! I wish I had his work ethic.</div>
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So that rounds out the issue and ends our visit to the 80s.</div>
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Come back next time for our 90s issue.</div>
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What will it be?</div>
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Seriously, what? There isn't a 90s reprint in the boxed set so I'm not sure...</div>
The Slipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17231598306094150274noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782966666136502802.post-50234542419177557032018-10-31T05:49:00.001-07:002018-11-17T15:48:47.299-08:00An arbitrary list of comic book Frankensteins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RDO95ZdjIlI/W9l-4TgJgkI/AAAAAAAAEUs/n09OV0vM-8MOroiAhweXVt4hqainUz57gCEwYBhgL/s1600/frankenstein06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="584" height="218" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RDO95ZdjIlI/W9l-4TgJgkI/AAAAAAAAEUs/n09OV0vM-8MOroiAhweXVt4hqainUz57gCEwYBhgL/s320/frankenstein06.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's that time of FEAR again! Halloween!!!!!</div>
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So to accompany an occasional feature that gave us arbitrary lists of, <a href="http://the-slipper.blogspot.com/2014/10/a-guh-guh-guh-ghost-or-6.html" target="_blank">ghosts</a>, <a href="https://the-slipper.blogspot.com/2017/10/arbitrary-list-of-comics-draculas.html" target="_blank">Draclias</a> and <a href="http://the-slipper.blogspot.com/2015/03/arbitrary-list-of-irish-comics.html" target="_blank">the Irish</a>, here is a list comics-based Frankensteins!</div>
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(And don't bother correcting me, I KNOW the correct terminology is Frankingsteins)</div>
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1: DC's Frankenstein</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qafRpWxYtWg/W9l--MpyRDI/AAAAAAAAEVA/RvwSBUqX_iAJhMFGBFVHJR7oFhzmQowhwCEwYBhgL/s1600/ssfrankenstein0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="1150" height="167" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qafRpWxYtWg/W9l--MpyRDI/AAAAAAAAEVA/RvwSBUqX_iAJhMFGBFVHJR7oFhzmQowhwCEwYBhgL/s320/ssfrankenstein0.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Versions of Frankenstein had appeared in DC Comics before (Batman and Robin met him back in 1948) but it was Grant Morrison and Doug Mahnke's version from Seven Soldiers (2005) that really caught on.</div>
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This one survived the Arctic encounter from the end of the novel and swam to America. After several adventures he goes into hibernation before being reawakened in the present day by a bullied child with psychic abilities.</div>
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He is recruited by SHADE (Super Human Advanced Defense Executive) and now fights monsters for the government. He's great.</div>
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Scare factor: 3</div>
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He's monstrous but on the side of the angels.</div>
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2: Dell's Frankenstein</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GHX7JAO5PH8/W9l-9hJuIwI/AAAAAAAAEU4/JDLTl6mHTSc2pgLBtYJ__3-0VLInjaikgCEwYBhgL/s1600/frankend3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="165" data-original-width="508" height="103" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GHX7JAO5PH8/W9l-9hJuIwI/AAAAAAAAEU4/JDLTl6mHTSc2pgLBtYJ__3-0VLInjaikgCEwYBhgL/s320/frankend3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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As with Dracula and the Werewolf, Dell attempted a superhero version of the monster in 1966, borrowing a lot of trappings from other heroes...</div>
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After an adaptation of the 1931 movie in issue #1, issue #2 sees him come out of hibernation in the present day where he sees a stone with "Frank" engraved on it and decides to take the civilian name "Frank N Stone". Yes, really.</div>
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By using a Caucasian-flesh-coloured mask by day he lives as a millionaire in a mansion with his butler. Yes, really.</div>
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But he also goes out to stop crime as Frankenstein, fighting the weird villains who plague the city.</div>
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There is a nosy lady reporter who is determined to find the truth about Frankenstein and is sure that he is secretly playboy millionaire Frank N Stone.</div>
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It's everything ridiculous about the silver age.</div>
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Scare Factor: 1</div>
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On the side of the angels but quite presentable, all things considered.</div>
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3: Marvel's Frankenstein</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hixRZlezogc/W9mMS6pVEqI/AAAAAAAAEV4/H_vDhVxEN9Aypt_Ue5366y-hz1jCwV_ywCLcBGAs/s1600/marvel.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="321" data-original-width="646" height="159" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hixRZlezogc/W9mMS6pVEqI/AAAAAAAAEV4/H_vDhVxEN9Aypt_Ue5366y-hz1jCwV_ywCLcBGAs/s320/marvel.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Following the success of Tomb of Dracula, in 1973 Marvel launched Monster of Frankenstein. Initially written by Gary Friedrich, later Bill Mantlo with art by Bob Brown, John Buscema and others.</div>
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This one survived the Arctic encounter from the end of the novel only to get frozen in ice, Captain America-style, before being rescued and thawed out and going on a quest for vengeance against his creator (who, it seems, also survived).</div>
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Ultimately, Frankenstein is left to wander Europe, having Hulk-style adventures before being manipulated into helping bring Dracula back to life.</div>
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Like the others he goes into hibernation and wakes in the present before being cancelled. But this does mean he can occasionally pop up to have a fight with Iron Man, Spider-Man or whoever.</div>
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Scare factor: 4</div>
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Unpredictable. As likely to murder you as save you. Which is maybe why he didn't catch on.</div>
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4: Frankie Stein</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iQ_lkts_6Fg/W9mBvuLOvaI/AAAAAAAAEVo/x6jq0BiYZm8mEicuW9op0n5GiDdT4i_JwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Frankie_Stein_1_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="756" height="121" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iQ_lkts_6Fg/W9mBvuLOvaI/AAAAAAAAEVo/x6jq0BiYZm8mEicuW9op0n5GiDdT4i_JwCEwYBhgL/s320/Frankie_Stein_1_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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From the genius of Ken Reid, created for Wham! in 1964, Frankie is a good-natured chid-like creation who doesn't know his own strength.</div>
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His "Dad" is Professor Cube, an irritable mad scientist who wants nothing more than to be rid of the beast. Frankie, however sees most the attempts to destroy him as playtime.</div>
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Frankie was revived for the pages of Shiver and Shake by the great Robert Nixon in 1973 and is the version I grew up with. It popped up in various titles including Monster Fun and Whoopee! until that was cancelled in 1984.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VGcAkh51-6s/W9mBtuMnINI/AAAAAAAAEVk/MHhj98z03KcYpolVGuM7Z81uSaJDaKUkgCEwYBhgL/s1600/download.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="750" height="197" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VGcAkh51-6s/W9mBtuMnINI/AAAAAAAAEVk/MHhj98z03KcYpolVGuM7Z81uSaJDaKUkgCEwYBhgL/s320/download.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Scare Factor: 3 Could easily kill you by accident, but he's a sweetheart.</div>
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5: Doc Frankenstein</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5gYIm0N3HdQ/W9l-7R1bloI/AAAAAAAAEU0/3xOlT_fUT18YKfJch06jMK7l3Cz3AShOgCEwYBhgL/s1600/RCO005_1471666237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1585" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5gYIm0N3HdQ/W9l-7R1bloI/AAAAAAAAEU0/3xOlT_fUT18YKfJch06jMK7l3Cz3AShOgCEwYBhgL/s320/RCO005_1471666237.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
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Created in 2004 by Steve Skroce and Geoff Darrow but scripted by the Wachowski sisters, this version is super smart and anti-superstition.</div>
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This one survived the Arctic encounter from the end of the novel and made his way back to Europe where he devoted himself to learning. He is shown to have influenced various important political movements through history (especially American) and there is lots of left-wing diatribes.</div>
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The villains of the story are priests who see social and scientific progress as inherently bad and Frankenstein must be destroyed.</div>
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We are give a "true" history of God by a fairy that negates his whole point, mind and the whole thing feels like it desperately wants to be Preacher.</div>
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Scare factor: 1</div>
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He's more likely to argue with you about your dream catcher than fight you.</div>
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6: Dick Briefer's Frankenstein</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v-h8mQhhB3o/W9l-8Z0pMtI/AAAAAAAAEUw/1bCoUIoJOuQK7Wi0hnRm19ttDUKN9-G1ACEwYBhgL/s1600/RCO012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1041" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v-h8mQhhB3o/W9l-8Z0pMtI/AAAAAAAAEUw/1bCoUIoJOuQK7Wi0hnRm19ttDUKN9-G1ACEwYBhgL/s320/RCO012.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
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These are delightful.</div>
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Published by Prize Comics between 1940 and 1954, Briefer's Frankenstein is regarded by some historians as the first ongoing horror comic. Although it really is more of a humour title.</div>
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Another super-strong but sweet-natured monster, was created to cause chaos but instead got swept up in the beauty of the world, bringing flowers and birds back to his creator.</div>
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He was set up as a foe to various superheroes from the same publisher but also got to fight Nazis. By 1945 all pretense at horror was abandoned as Frankenstein left the castle and settled down in a nice house in the suburbs. "The Merry Monster" had the sort of wacky comedy mishaps we'd later associate with the likes of The Munsters.</div>
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I haven't read many of these but I'm definitely going back for more!</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6f_gDl4EPWc/W9l-8sUTZPI/AAAAAAAAEU8/MIVDrmfdowgecOAiWEWSBJMHQwkHZdGPQCEwYBhgL/s1600/RCO104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1041" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6f_gDl4EPWc/W9l-8sUTZPI/AAAAAAAAEU8/MIVDrmfdowgecOAiWEWSBJMHQwkHZdGPQCEwYBhgL/s320/RCO104.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
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Scare factor: 1</div>
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Definitely the cuddliest Frankenstein.</div>
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7: Madman</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OpcyZ4rHWYc/W9l-6sxbE1I/AAAAAAAAEUs/GQ_JX3p3K14UFSLPhx1pzzrZKounf1u3wCEwYBhgL/s1600/2105762-madman_20th_hc_web_72c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OpcyZ4rHWYc/W9l-6sxbE1I/AAAAAAAAEUs/GQ_JX3p3K14UFSLPhx1pzzrZKounf1u3wCEwYBhgL/s320/2105762-madman_20th_hc_web_72c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Not strictly a Frankenstein but I felt I had to mention Mike Allred's terrific Image Comics run, created in 1990.</div>
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Zane Townsend was killed in a car accident then brought back to life by two scientists. Having no memory of his previous life the boffins give him the name of their favourite artist (Frank Sinatra) and favourite scientist (Albert Einstein) and call him...</div>
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Albert Sinatra!</div>
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I'm kidding, it's Frank Einstein.</div>
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He now has blue skin and telepathic powers and decides to live a life as a sort of superhero.</div>
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Scare factor: 1</div>
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The smarts and heart of the best Frankensteins.</div>
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8: Franken Castle</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jptlDeRqF7A/W9mMM1aqhPI/AAAAAAAAEV8/dtr6cw984zE_l2pkGXG4AMcy3rWuCqGXACEwYBhgL/s1600/frankencastle21previewend_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="382" data-original-width="541" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jptlDeRqF7A/W9mMM1aqhPI/AAAAAAAAEV8/dtr6cw984zE_l2pkGXG4AMcy3rWuCqGXACEwYBhgL/s320/frankencastle21previewend_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This might surprise fans of the Netflix show but The Punisher, Frank Castle was killed. At least twice.</div>
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The first time he came back as an avenging angel, emissary of God (we don't talk about it). But the second time, after being hacked to pieces by Wolverine's son Daken, he was stitched back together and reanimated by a team of Marvel monsters.</div>
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The year-long story from 2009 by Rick Remender and Tony Moore (with others) absolutely shouldn't have worked but it absolutely did.</div>
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And if you don't believe me, here's Castle firing a machine gun from a dragon:</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3cgVeGtNndo/W9l-87uso5I/AAAAAAAAEU0/rHa86fpMwhA1WD6A575Y4NDCqVy4wARQwCEwYBhgL/s1600/frankdragon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="600" height="174" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3cgVeGtNndo/W9l-87uso5I/AAAAAAAAEU0/rHa86fpMwhA1WD6A575Y4NDCqVy4wARQwCEwYBhgL/s320/frankdragon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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'Nuff said.</div>
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Scare factor: 5</div>
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Honestly regular human Punisher is a 4.</div>
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9: Frankenstein from Dare-a-Day Davy</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q03lVDTig5w/W9mBpzvOYBI/AAAAAAAAEVc/nunMapo-ePgEo0SPqvRnn2K2uqbzXzjLwCEwYBhgL/s1600/DF_009_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="409" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q03lVDTig5w/W9mBpzvOYBI/AAAAAAAAEVc/nunMapo-ePgEo0SPqvRnn2K2uqbzXzjLwCEwYBhgL/s320/DF_009_edited.jpg" width="258" /></a></div>
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I am indebted to the fine blog <a href="http://kazoop.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Kazoop</a>!! for this and it's back to Ken Reid.</div>
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Dare-a-Day Davy was a strip for Pow! by Reid and Walt Thorburn which centred around a boy who couldn't resist a dare. Readers could submit their own dares with a pound being paid if they used it. It ran for 86 issues from 1967-8.</div>
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However when one reader suggested Davy dig up the remains of Frankenstein and kiss it, it all got a bit much. </div>
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Reid was paid for his work, but without his knowledge it was never printed. In fact it's only due to then-Odhams employee Steve Moore (later a comics writer of note) rescuing the art that it survives.</div>
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Maybe they thought it was a step too far into gruesome territory. It probably would have created a bit of a storm if parents saw it. Full story <a href="http://kazoop.blogspot.com/2017/03/banned-dare-day-davy-episode.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EMfBU5Y78rw/W9mBrmB7bAI/AAAAAAAAEVg/BW8sMqtHgsAIc2zYSVuf59UUYJbHqnLPACEwYBhgL/s1600/DF_010_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="470" data-original-width="498" height="301" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EMfBU5Y78rw/W9mBrmB7bAI/AAAAAAAAEVg/BW8sMqtHgsAIc2zYSVuf59UUYJbHqnLPACEwYBhgL/s320/DF_010_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hey kids! Don't descrate graves!</div>
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Scare Factor: 3</div>
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I mean he can't actually do anything. This Frankingstein is a skellington. Still pretty horrific though.</div>
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10: Frankenmoose</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Gu34YfEFBs/W9l-8Oh0xBI/AAAAAAAAEVA/E-ng6YLIUuMAHt_LKf-qofX6HVDBW1wvgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Image%2B%25283%2529_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1018" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Gu34YfEFBs/W9l-8Oh0xBI/AAAAAAAAEVA/E-ng6YLIUuMAHt_LKf-qofX6HVDBW1wvgCEwYBhgL/s320/Image%2B%25283%2529_edited.jpg" width="203" /></a></div>
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The ongoing Archie's Madhouse horror comics line that brought us zombie carnage in Afterlife with Archie and <a href="https://the-slipper.blogspot.com/2014/10/sabrina-teenage-witch-best-comic-of.html" target="_blank">The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina</a> also gave us Jughead: The Hunger. </div>
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This re-imagines Riverdale's loveable hamburger-eating asexual Pendleton Forsyth Jones III (aka Jughead) as a werewolf. </div>
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A series of grisly murders have taken place and only Jughead knows that it was he who did it, in the grip of a lycanthropic curse. </div>
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However, in issue #9, which came out last week, Riverdale's resident science nerd has apparently taken it upon himself to bring back one of the beast's victims to (presumably) use him as a weapon. Moose Mason! </div>
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I'm looking forward to seeing Midge in full Elsa Lanchester gear soon, if that's where this is going...</div>
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Scare factor: ?</div>
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I give this rating the same as Boris Karloff's credit because I just don't know yet. He has appeared in exactly one panel of story.</div>
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Also, wasn't Dilton killed too?</div>
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It's also worth mentioning that the great Bernie Wrightson illustrated an edition of the novel in 1983 with typically awesome art.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jufIrN0iF8I/W9mcTVbI_HI/AAAAAAAAEWI/TIfobZQ2oMYC9l9Zj-EGpF7v35I1I8uogCLcBGAs/s1600/frankensteinalivealive01-preview-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="980" height="252" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jufIrN0iF8I/W9mcTVbI_HI/AAAAAAAAEWI/TIfobZQ2oMYC9l9Zj-EGpF7v35I1I8uogCLcBGAs/s320/frankensteinalivealive01-preview-6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A start was made turning it into an ongoing comic, written by Steve Niles called Frankenstein Alive! Alive! but Wrightson died after only three issues had been completed.</div>
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So that's it for another year. Till then you can spend your time looking for the differences in these Slylock Fox panels. Happy Samhain!</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HcI2T6MVpeU/W9mB0j33sKI/AAAAAAAAEVs/_xRs2sExBoYLVpxAxS7eu4DMpVN-sNAbgCEwYBhgL/s1600/i120906slylock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="242" data-original-width="760" height="101" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HcI2T6MVpeU/W9mB0j33sKI/AAAAAAAAEVs/_xRs2sExBoYLVpxAxS7eu4DMpVN-sNAbgCEwYBhgL/s320/i120906slylock.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The Slipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17231598306094150274noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782966666136502802.post-63329495191889295342018-09-26T07:03:00.000-07:002018-10-26T02:27:47.215-07:00The Beano #1768: Half way there<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qJhqzCau_w4/W6AjrOkaBXI/AAAAAAAAEP0/cFYuDlyN4BU6VzywtXZFe1FUbEPNSDrCACLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1976%2B24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="501" data-original-width="653" height="245" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qJhqzCau_w4/W6AjrOkaBXI/AAAAAAAAEP0/cFYuDlyN4BU6VzywtXZFe1FUbEPNSDrCACLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1976%2B24.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Welcome back to my reviews of significant issues of The Beano from across its eighty-year history, as chosen by <a href="https://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/limited-edition-80-years-of-fun-beano-box-set" target="_blank">DC Thomson</a> themselves.</div>
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It all began with <a href="https://the-slipper.blogspot.com/2018/07/happy-birthday-beano-slap-up-feasts-all.html" target="_blank">this</a> post, giving a personal overview, then went on to look at issues from <a href="https://the-slipper.blogspot.com/2018/08/the-beano-issue-1-not-for-vegans.html" target="_blank">1938</a>, <a href="https://the-slipper.blogspot.com/2018/08/the-beano-272-immediately-post-war.html" target="_blank">1945</a>, <a href="http://the-slipper.blogspot.com/2018/08/beano-452-enter-icon.html" target="_blank">1951</a> and <a href="https://the-slipper.blogspot.com/2018/09/the-beano-954-now-were-talking.html" target="_blank">1960</a>. So go and have a look at any or all or none of them.</div>
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This issue is dated June 5th 1976 and will be the last issue I look at (for a while at least) that was printed before I was born. Albeit only by a few weeks. I'm old guys. So old. Like body-giving-up-on-me old...</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4Ak0-pfcl5E/W6AjnRgEsxI/AAAAAAAAERI/yze159s95K8Ia1_jusN3hnxOjFMCLeE0gCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B1976%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1164" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4Ak0-pfcl5E/W6AjnRgEsxI/AAAAAAAAERI/yze159s95K8Ia1_jusN3hnxOjFMCLeE0gCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B1976%2B1.jpg" width="232" /></a></div>
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Ahem.</div>
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So the first thing to notice is that cover star. Yes, our boy <a href="https://the-slipper.blogspot.com/2014/07/we-need-to-talk-about-dennis.html" target="_blank">Dennis the Menace</a> has finally taken up his rightful place on the cover. Knocking off boring old Biffo the Bear after 26 years (!) as cover star. Dennis took to the front page in 1974.</div>
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Also, one may notice the banner across the top declares the existence of the Dennis fan club! More on that story later...</div>
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Another new development is that Dennis' adventure continues on the back page! The whole back page!</div>
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Let's take a leap over there right now and see what's on the other side of that wall...</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qamgMPWAe9Y/W6AjqGnlSwI/AAAAAAAAERM/oL1QFMjwg7A4aqFsy0bakV6R0ifDp0BrwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B1976%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1021" data-original-width="1379" height="236" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qamgMPWAe9Y/W6AjqGnlSwI/AAAAAAAAERM/oL1QFMjwg7A4aqFsy0bakV6R0ifDp0BrwCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B1976%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Feels weird going to the back page so soon in the review, but needs must.</div>
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One more thing to note before we move on is the change of creative personnel. Many of the artists I mentioned in the <a href="https://the-slipper.blogspot.com/2018/09/the-beano-954-now-were-talking.html" target="_blank">1960</a> issue review are no longer here. They lost Ken Reid and Leo Baxendale to Odhams/Fleetway back in 1964 and Dudley Watkins and Davy Law to the Reaper's scythe more recently.</div>
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Hence, this Dennis is by the great David Sutherland, who took over in 1970 and continued until 1998. It's a striking visual that retains the spirit of Law while being its own thing. And still the Dennis most people think of.</div>
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Inside we go on our journey into the now 20-paged Beano.</div>
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Page 2 gives us Wee Ben Nevis, a michty Scottish boy who disnae ken his ane strength.</div>
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Here he is slamming his teacher's car door.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aNeoqUh5Ng4/W6Ajs9qt2nI/AAAAAAAAEQ8/1ANy16CJz2UHgT421YXio6hUiNyyp1LMACEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B1976%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="505" data-original-width="487" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aNeoqUh5Ng4/W6Ajs9qt2nI/AAAAAAAAEQ8/1ANy16CJz2UHgT421YXio6hUiNyyp1LMACEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B1976%2B3.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>
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An unremarkable strip by Vic Neill, who would go on to create the much better The McTickles.</div>
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Next up, another long-lived, fondly remembered strip: Pup Parade (starring the Bash Street Pups).</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-53ZqYfUWFN8/W6Ajt3JzSHI/AAAAAAAAERA/m_S5ugytH2IeyRgqy2C2WII5D94Ww67XwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B1976%2B4%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="217" data-original-width="1343" height="51" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-53ZqYfUWFN8/W6Ajt3JzSHI/AAAAAAAAERA/m_S5ugytH2IeyRgqy2C2WII5D94Ww67XwCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B1976%2B4%2B.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Doggy analoggies to the Bash Street Kids, Bones, Sniffy, 'Enry, Tubby, Wiggy, Manfred, Peeps, Dotty and Pug (and sometimes Spinner the Spider) were created by Gordon Bell in 1967 and stayed in The Beano until 1988 before going on to The Topper/Beezer and Topper until 1992.</div>
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This week, Bones and Sniffy are playing golf.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IrI5nuT0wfU/W6AjuJqbjpI/AAAAAAAAERM/ms2oiAu4g9kAauPC7dyzDYqQf0TV8K2_wCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B1976%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="465" data-original-width="545" height="273" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IrI5nuT0wfU/W6AjuJqbjpI/AAAAAAAAERM/ms2oiAu4g9kAauPC7dyzDYqQf0TV8K2_wCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B1976%2B5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Minnie the Minx now gets two pages, due to her popularity.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6zM42cmBmH8/W6AjuS0b9_I/AAAAAAAAERM/mOBkAbmLxXMP8_WvBsZNvvu61UDW8PgNgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B1976%2B6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="494" data-original-width="1014" height="155" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6zM42cmBmH8/W6AjuS0b9_I/AAAAAAAAERM/mOBkAbmLxXMP8_WvBsZNvvu61UDW8PgNgCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B1976%2B6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Now drawn by <a href="http://the-slipper.blogspot.com/2014/08/jim-petrie-appreciation.html" target="_blank">Jim Petrie</a>, who took over from Baxendale in 1962 and continued till 2001. Again this is a wonderful continuation, adding Petrie's style to Baxendale's designs making a beautiful new thing.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--Fl04jM_do4/W6Aju_LEJrI/AAAAAAAAERQ/0wgBZLnGlV4R-vgjaTwalw97xCbBlaH3ACEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B1976%2B7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="491" data-original-width="657" height="239" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--Fl04jM_do4/W6Aju_LEJrI/AAAAAAAAERQ/0wgBZLnGlV4R-vgjaTwalw97xCbBlaH3ACEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B1976%2B7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We get to see a bunch of pranks as Min does warm-up exercises, practicing for doing things like stealing from nemesis Fatty Fudge.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TGfbEAuxFTs/W6Ajung1BrI/AAAAAAAAERQ/HG3rPpCW5041QgT1dw64vr0fSgu1-rmjwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B1976%2B8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="505" data-original-width="614" height="263" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TGfbEAuxFTs/W6Ajung1BrI/AAAAAAAAERQ/HG3rPpCW5041QgT1dw64vr0fSgu1-rmjwCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B1976%2B8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And it all ends with a slipper.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pF5wMtJLzE4/W6AjvEnWbkI/AAAAAAAAERM/5TWTjSmMFX0KQVUmSHEu234kNCTsGKe5gCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B1976%2B9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="502" data-original-width="430" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pF5wMtJLzE4/W6AjvEnWbkI/AAAAAAAAERM/5TWTjSmMFX0KQVUmSHEu234kNCTsGKe5gCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B1976%2B9.jpg" width="274" /></a></div>
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Lord Snooty (and his pals) are still here, but by now we're down to just Scrapper, Fat Joe, Doubting Thomas, Snitch and Snatch. The girls and the animals are gone.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OC1j9GBZll4/W6AjmA2A_NI/AAAAAAAAEQ4/WwnHj7Muu_YfbsmWZOXEkVwWBZSZy-v_gCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B1976%2B10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="549" height="218" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OC1j9GBZll4/W6AjmA2A_NI/AAAAAAAAEQ4/WwnHj7Muu_YfbsmWZOXEkVwWBZSZy-v_gCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B1976%2B10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Although, frankly, the personalities of all the characters are interchangeable at this point.</div>
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Dudley Watkins ceased drawing the strip in 1968, with Robert Nixon taking over until 1973. Here we have Jimmy Glen, who drew the strip until 1988.</div>
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Although fondly-remembered (not least by me), this has little of the charm of Watkins' work and is so far from the original concept it may as well be any group of kids, like The Banana Bunch, say.</div>
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In this strip the gang hire a "lightning artist" to paint their portrait and to test his skills they get him to sketch Billy Whizz.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HCDT6fFhpak/W6Ajmdy_zRI/AAAAAAAAERM/ptwqlt4BzN0rt4ZG_0UsNrxkUp5gsnfPgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B1976%2B11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="382" data-original-width="563" height="217" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HCDT6fFhpak/W6Ajmdy_zRI/AAAAAAAAERM/ptwqlt4BzN0rt4ZG_0UsNrxkUp5gsnfPgCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B1976%2B11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Another well-loved character next with Ball Boy. The football mad tyke only arrived the previous October and was drawn by Malcolm Judge until he passed in 1989 and has been appearing on and off by various artists ever since.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RoRsQrWhs1Q/W6AjnIrKLyI/AAAAAAAAEQ4/j4hdjiKPoKMbsX3FzH2aOAoi1jQYLXaIgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B1976%2B12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="433" data-original-width="422" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RoRsQrWhs1Q/W6AjnIrKLyI/AAAAAAAAEQ4/j4hdjiKPoKMbsX3FzH2aOAoi1jQYLXaIgCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B1976%2B12.jpg" width="311" /></a></div>
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Sorry, not much football action this week. And none of his regular team mates show up either.</div>
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On the next page is one of my childhood favourites: "Baby-Face" Finlayson, the cutest bandit in the West.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nvls4gmSqZQ/W6AjncZIKII/AAAAAAAAERA/faMiTLra7VE1fvl1Wr6xk3mBPlOw-20XQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B1976%2B13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="541" data-original-width="469" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nvls4gmSqZQ/W6AjncZIKII/AAAAAAAAERA/faMiTLra7VE1fvl1Wr6xk3mBPlOw-20XQCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B1976%2B13.jpg" width="277" /></a></div>
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A thief (usually of food, not unlike The Three Bears) who looked like an ugly baby and got around in a motorised pram.</div>
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Surely he was based on Baby Face Finster from the 1954 Bugs Bunny cartoon Baby Buggy Bunny (not one of Chuck Jones' best but still pretty good, you can watch it <a href="https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2oqds3" target="_blank">here</a> if you want).</div>
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<img alt="Image result for baby face finster" src="https://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g60/Valentine-13/FinsterCigar.jpg" /></div>
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Finster is a bank robber who uses his small stature to disguise himself as a baby. The name, presumably a play on real-life 1930s bank robber Baby Face Nelson. </div>
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Anyway, a typical "Baby-Face" Finlayson story would involve a relative who is also named "Something-Face" helping with a robbery. This week sees astronaut cousin "Moon-Face" attempt to steal the Moon's cheese. Obviously it goes wrong and they are arrested in a cheese factory by resident antagonist Marshal "Marsh" Mallow.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nRyQGung7lM/W6AjoLk_hyI/AAAAAAAAERI/1bPiG32hOA0O8XsiXdShCJMiTWP8gMFpACEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B1976%2B14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="509" data-original-width="740" height="220" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nRyQGung7lM/W6AjoLk_hyI/AAAAAAAAERI/1bPiG32hOA0O8XsiXdShCJMiTWP8gMFpACEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B1976%2B14.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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"Baby-Face" had first appeared in Little Plum and was created by Ron Spencer (not to be confused with the Magic the Gathering artist which Wikipedia <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baby_Face_Finlayson" target="_blank">links</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Spencer" target="_blank">to</a>) from 1972 to 1991. The art style is delightfully bizarre.</div>
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Then we get a rather more down-to-earth strip with Tom, Dick and Sally. A simple strip about a little girl constantly besting her bullying older brothers.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vo0rdS2MnlI/W6AjoYYgnTI/AAAAAAAAERQ/0Qps2PuouDQC7gXqWN7bTjosBokQowWoQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B1976%2B15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="527" height="273" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vo0rdS2MnlI/W6AjoYYgnTI/AAAAAAAAERQ/0Qps2PuouDQC7gXqWN7bTjosBokQowWoQCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B1976%2B15.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It was created by Dave Jenner but mostly drawn by Keith Reynolds and ran from 1975 to 1986.</div>
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A small tangent here but when I watched the sitcom Third Rock From the Sun I noticed the male characters took the names Tom, Dick and Harry and the female took the name Sally. I always wondered if it was because of this strip. Seems unlikely, right?</div>
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We have now reached the centre pages which now has The Bash Street Kids spread over them, given room to go wild.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oR8iTUfARrw/W6AjoWkjDGI/AAAAAAAAERE/W-imotG17J85ez35n9PEoBOMzn2p-D-6ACEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B1976%2B16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="577" height="280" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oR8iTUfARrw/W6AjoWkjDGI/AAAAAAAAERE/W-imotG17J85ez35n9PEoBOMzn2p-D-6ACEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B1976%2B16.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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As with Dennis, this is now drawn by the wonderful David Sutherland. Sutherland took over in 1961 and I never tire of reminding people he is <u>still</u> drawing it every week to this day. That's one strip a week for 57 years!</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_S4SkO0BzOY/W6AjozxVmjI/AAAAAAAAERQ/zFaj1rhneBADVgU-JARn-VhckdiCZjOBQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B1976%2B17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="581" height="274" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_S4SkO0BzOY/W6AjozxVmjI/AAAAAAAAERQ/zFaj1rhneBADVgU-JARn-VhckdiCZjOBQCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B1976%2B17.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I love the style of this. And now we have Sidney's twin sister Toots as a regular as well as class swot Cuthbert Cringeworthy. Cuthbert was really another Walter.</div>
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A pun on the word "spelling" leads to Toots pretending to be a witch and putting the frighteners on Teacher, right across the centre staples...</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3dJkqO9ac_w/W6AjpTwcPOI/AAAAAAAAEQ8/iLDIATaTLVEq8kv8Q5xIFbNLX9Q9nf19QCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B1976%2B19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="494" data-original-width="736" height="214" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3dJkqO9ac_w/W6AjpTwcPOI/AAAAAAAAEQ8/iLDIATaTLVEq8kv8Q5xIFbNLX9Q9nf19QCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B1976%2B19.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Of course Teacher figures it out eventually...</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MB7YdOqJDFw/W6AjpWKC9zI/AAAAAAAAERA/fd1x9i-f-eEUR--BGbKnEgcKLv1552gGQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B1976%2B18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="841" height="189" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MB7YdOqJDFw/W6AjpWKC9zI/AAAAAAAAERA/fd1x9i-f-eEUR--BGbKnEgcKLv1552gGQCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B1976%2B18.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Next up, The Three Bears, which, since Baxendale left in 1961, was drawn by Bob Mcgrath until 1985.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aPyAyMNkvlY/W6AjqMRbSUI/AAAAAAAAERM/iF_2HNgKVuMMwsIowmM28GLaSJtU6eULACEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B1976%2B20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="431" data-original-width="324" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aPyAyMNkvlY/W6AjqMRbSUI/AAAAAAAAERM/iF_2HNgKVuMMwsIowmM28GLaSJtU6eULACEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B1976%2B20.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Like last time we see them decoding smoke signals. But lets get to comedy violence!</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-taJL2sCkPw8/W6AjqZd4p4I/AAAAAAAAEQ4/PsDZbaDiIjMYNXD9US5BTriTySdI8kJzwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B1976%2B21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="434" data-original-width="660" height="210" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-taJL2sCkPw8/W6AjqZd4p4I/AAAAAAAAEQ4/PsDZbaDiIjMYNXD9US5BTriTySdI8kJzwCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B1976%2B21.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Nice!</div>
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Another stone-cold classic next: Billy Whizz!</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tg2UzWs2V-M/W6AjqpGhmUI/AAAAAAAAERE/HzOw0IalM7cILB0LSsA91DIx8yoyJX2CACEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B1976%2B22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="551" height="284" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tg2UzWs2V-M/W6AjqpGhmUI/AAAAAAAAERE/HzOw0IalM7cILB0LSsA91DIx8yoyJX2CACEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B1976%2B22.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Like Ball Boy (and last time's Colonel Crackpot's Circus) this is another creation of Malcolm Judge. The fastest boy alive debuted in 1964 and was kept on after his creator's death in 1989, passed around various artists and been more-or-less consistently appearing ever since. </div>
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I was fascinated with that design as a kid, the way the antennae-like hair stuck up and the lines around his head didn't join. "Are they allowed to do that?" </div>
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Another icon we have not seen before on this journey is Roger the Dodger.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GwNl4pV4h4o/W6Ajq2h17SI/AAAAAAAAERQ/2_-CgQRf1dIat96sQ6r-CPD47KO9xSY7wCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B1976%2B23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="487" data-original-width="592" height="263" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GwNl4pV4h4o/W6Ajq2h17SI/AAAAAAAAERQ/2_-CgQRf1dIat96sQ6r-CPD47KO9xSY7wCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B1976%2B23.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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At this point Roger is drawn by the great Frank McDiarmid (well-known for his work for Fleetway such as The Krazy Gang, Cheeky and Pongo Snodgrass).</div>
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This version of Roger has less of a cheeky look and more of a malevolent evil. I guess that fits. He is more of a schemer than his contemporary mischief-makers. He also has a pet crow called "Crow".</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qJhqzCau_w4/W6AjrOkaBXI/AAAAAAAAERA/onbHrCwPKXE-9c6Y9o-nl3X-GQUq0BtMgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B1976%2B24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="501" data-original-width="653" height="245" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qJhqzCau_w4/W6AjrOkaBXI/AAAAAAAAERA/onbHrCwPKXE-9c6Y9o-nl3X-GQUq0BtMgCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B1976%2B24.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I really like McDiarmid's style but it feels like he's holding back on the weirdness he will bring to his later creations. He drew the strip from 1976-1986 after various artists had been given a chance following creator Ken Reid.</div>
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Ah yes, Ken Reid. Can't help feeling we've been slightly robbed by not getting any Roger by Reid. The strip was on its only hiatus at the point of the last issue we looked at. But if you want, you can have a look at some Reid strips <a href="http://petergraysukcomicartists.blogspot.com/2009/09/ken-reids-beanos-roger-dodger.html" target="_blank">here.</a></div>
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Next up is the first appearance ("Starting now!") of Jacky Daw with Maw and Paw.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b0YB9rmyo1Y/W6AjrVT4wYI/AAAAAAAAERA/wUsqWYCjNKwrAFQoRtDp5kKcUPzT7fvnwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B1976%2B25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="556" height="257" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b0YB9rmyo1Y/W6AjrVT4wYI/AAAAAAAAERA/wUsqWYCjNKwrAFQoRtDp5kKcUPzT7fvnwCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B1976%2B25.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A simple strip about a clumsy young bird which, I'm told, is by David Gudgeon and has this nifty gag where Jacky is twanged out of the panel:</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZOYla0WkoSk/W6AjrtmoeYI/AAAAAAAAERA/BDcPKLUf_t4WT7hcioCcdtPn8d786VemwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B1976%2B26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="978" height="139" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZOYla0WkoSk/W6AjrtmoeYI/AAAAAAAAERA/BDcPKLUf_t4WT7hcioCcdtPn8d786VemwCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B1976%2B26.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I love it when comics do that kind of thing.</div>
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Boring old Biffo the Bear is still around, now drawn by Jimmy Glen. It really feels like a relic by now. A thing from the 1930s. Which it definitely is but feels like it hasn't noticed how the rest of the comic has changed.</div>
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The art style looks like it's stuck in the old Beano (is Glen just too devoted to replicating Watkins' style?) and this week's strip has Biffo and pal Buster playing with a hoop and stick as well as men having their shoes shined. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ODJKzGri-b0/W6Ajr68UIxI/AAAAAAAAERQ/Jpxg13VrK7En_jzWpFv1f6vn1RsE6_9AwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B1976%2B27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="496" data-original-width="490" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ODJKzGri-b0/W6Ajr68UIxI/AAAAAAAAERQ/Jpxg13VrK7En_jzWpFv1f6vn1RsE6_9AwCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B1976%2B27.jpg" width="316" /></a></div>
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Surely this stopped with The Little Rascals?</div>
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A glimpse of the past is followed by a glimpse of the future!</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MqcFAQyKId8/W6AjsQBThPI/AAAAAAAAERM/-31wKf1cLOQBvMjKO8aBEzxsSSJE_pncQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B1976%2B28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="483" data-original-width="1400" height="110" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MqcFAQyKId8/W6AjsQBThPI/AAAAAAAAERM/-31wKf1cLOQBvMjKO8aBEzxsSSJE_pncQCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B1976%2B28.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's the Dennis the Menace Fan Club! The launch of the society I and many others joined and was re-launched <a href="https://shop.beano.com/dennis-and-gnasher-fan-club-pack.html?utm_source=AdWords&utm_medium=PPC&utm_campaign=fan-club-ad-group&utm_term=fan-club&utm_content=link&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1IiC7eXY3QIVy7HtCh11QQJ1EAAYASAAEgJ2dvD_BwE" target="_blank">this year.</a></div>
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By joining the fan club you were also made a member of Gnasher's Fang Club.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Aw-PNULYf8Y/W6AjsbWZhaI/AAAAAAAAERA/4HWYprLddW8nWDJJq5i0-TrfqCV4khA3gCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B1976%2B29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="607" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Aw-PNULYf8Y/W6AjsbWZhaI/AAAAAAAAERA/4HWYprLddW8nWDJJq5i0-TrfqCV4khA3gCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B1976%2B29.jpg" width="287" /></a></div>
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You got a wallet, a membership card, two badges (one of them furry, with googly eyes) and access to the secret code words.</div>
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This was also the first Beano letters page. </div>
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Being the first meant that they didn't have any letters yet from readers, so instead they came from within Beanotown.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VjKG_viOR2I/W6Ajs-Qm5EI/AAAAAAAAERI/3Sog76WNdlAoyW1QPexKp8FazFN8RbVFQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B1976%2B30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="339" data-original-width="498" height="217" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VjKG_viOR2I/W6Ajs-Qm5EI/AAAAAAAAERI/3Sog76WNdlAoyW1QPexKp8FazFN8RbVFQCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B1976%2B30.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Grandpa was another Reid creation, now drawn by Jimmy Glen.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VO1Wla8Ts0w/W6AjtZPJCDI/AAAAAAAAEQ8/CIcUxfWD5vox9nhc8k2Ycb_gXJbunr9YgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B1976%2B31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VO1Wla8Ts0w/W6AjtZPJCDI/AAAAAAAAEQ8/CIcUxfWD5vox9nhc8k2Ycb_gXJbunr9YgCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B1976%2B31.jpg" width="230" /></a></div>
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The adventures of another mischief-maker but this time with the twist that he's an elderly gentleman getting into scrapes.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n_sR6hSbIDY/W6AjtVy7qYI/AAAAAAAAERI/jMPh69eT7JIMr2Mgt4qJug47fdKx2_9iQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B1976%2B32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="436" data-original-width="487" height="286" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n_sR6hSbIDY/W6AjtVy7qYI/AAAAAAAAERI/jMPh69eT7JIMr2Mgt4qJug47fdKx2_9iQCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B1976%2B32.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anyone wondering about the problematic nature of cultural appropriation of Native American culture can relax. He's just got stang off of some nettles.</div>
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Anyway save that indignation for Little Plum.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BhOFZamqjb8/W6AjtX_QmGI/AAAAAAAAERE/FRcm4YR3oD0r_fzHBbefhVgQzteHyvOjQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B1976%2B33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="505" data-original-width="372" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BhOFZamqjb8/W6AjtX_QmGI/AAAAAAAAERE/FRcm4YR3oD0r_fzHBbefhVgQzteHyvOjQCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B1976%2B33.jpg" width="235" /></a></div>
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Yep, Baxendale's "Redskin Chum" is still with us, now drawn by Ron Spencer (as mentioned earlier) and I love the style of it.</div>
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And that's it. We've reached the back cover once more and The Beano has found its Platonic ideal. First went the prose stories, then the picture stories and now we've seen the back of adventure stories altogether. The comic is now entirely made up of humour strips, plus the letters page. Not that future editors won't experiment with non-humour content in the future.</div>
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Before I go, I have one word to say to you, dear reader.</div>
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Ding.</div>
The Slipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17231598306094150274noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782966666136502802.post-39135683407326163222018-09-05T04:06:00.000-07:002018-09-05T04:06:20.249-07:00The Beano #954: NOW we're talking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cE5f2tprCPM/W4phQKhuXrI/AAAAAAAAEOk/dRcEQ_Y55lA3lAET--PPLWLmRN0ZPRelwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B1960%2B30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="502" data-original-width="845" height="190" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cE5f2tprCPM/W4phQKhuXrI/AAAAAAAAEOk/dRcEQ_Y55lA3lAET--PPLWLmRN0ZPRelwCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B1960%2B30.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And so we continue our journey through the 80-year history of The Beano, the UK's longest-running comic.</div>
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If you want to, you can read my personal history of The Beano <a href="https://the-slipper.blogspot.com/2018/07/happy-birthday-beano-slap-up-feasts-all.html" target="_blank">here</a>, or visit my reviews of single issues from <a href="https://the-slipper.blogspot.com/2018/08/the-beano-issue-1-not-for-vegans.html" target="_blank">the 1930s</a>, <a href="https://the-slipper.blogspot.com/2018/08/the-beano-272-immediately-post-war.html" target="_blank">the 1940s</a> or <a href="http://the-slipper.blogspot.com/2018/08/beano-452-enter-icon.html" target="_blank">the 1950s</a>. Go on. I'll wait for you here.</div>
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You're back! Great!</div>
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Okay, today we are looking at issue #954 from 1960 and this is the point where it <u>really</u> starts to look like the comic we all grew up with. Largely thanks to some newer talent. But we'll get to that.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kROUaS1X70w/W4phBiOVJWI/AAAAAAAAEMA/Yj_HofW_3ykq7954mWWq-uY7yEwDR4hLgCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1960%2Bcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1164" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kROUaS1X70w/W4phBiOVJWI/AAAAAAAAEMA/Yj_HofW_3ykq7954mWWq-uY7yEwDR4hLgCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1960%2Bcover.jpg" width="232" /></a></div>
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As you can see, Biffo the Bear has stuck around as cover star, still drawn by the great Dudley D Watkins. I love the expression on Biffo's face here (and his pal Buster's face too).</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vKl5NobAtNg/W4phG88wt3I/AAAAAAAAEME/lWoEhN44F2kRz9IOeRGioK4ZC1ttQb6-ACLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1960%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="508" data-original-width="671" height="242" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vKl5NobAtNg/W4phG88wt3I/AAAAAAAAEME/lWoEhN44F2kRz9IOeRGioK4ZC1ttQb6-ACLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1960%2B1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The inside of the comic has, however, made great leaps forward in style. In fact, this issue was chosen for the <a href="https://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/books/limited-edition-80-years-of-fun-beano-box-set" target="_blank">boxed set</a> because the comic had had a redesigned "new look". </div>
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The editor of The Beano from issue #1 was George Moonie but in 1959 Harold Cramond took over, bringing a fresh approach to the children's comic market. </div>
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For example, there's that new logo you can see on the cover above. That combination of black, yellow and red that (with variations) remained that standard for the almost sixty-tear period since. The page count is now up to a healthy 16 pages.</div>
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And there's the characters...</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EvZ9-dnzHT4/W4phLAZtENI/AAAAAAAAEMs/fwjOkKLbn4k7mPnUljhRnRy-A_xMloZZgCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1960%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="492" data-original-width="498" height="315" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EvZ9-dnzHT4/W4phLAZtENI/AAAAAAAAEMs/fwjOkKLbn4k7mPnUljhRnRy-A_xMloZZgCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1960%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Dennis The Menace is, of course, still with us. His popularity meant he now gets a full page, instead of the half he had when last we saw him. He is also the first thing the readers see once they're past the cover. </div>
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And Davy Law's art really pops off the page here. I love it. His style has developed incredibly well.</div>
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The story here concerns Dennis' Dad offering to take on his judo teacher. I love how casually cruel Dennis is to the other boys in town...</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gd_P-fW3Tuk/W4phPS7AHKI/AAAAAAAAENc/N2avR23qTusq-taMQ2MWvDo0Dq1J-0qdwCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1960%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="758" height="210" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gd_P-fW3Tuk/W4phPS7AHKI/AAAAAAAAENc/N2avR23qTusq-taMQ2MWvDo0Dq1J-0qdwCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1960%2B3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Of course the whole thing is a misunderstanding as Dad thought he was challenged to a game of Ludo and after a humiliating defeat he takes it out on the boy.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7O3qJwOpBo8/W4phR8bToQI/AAAAAAAAEN8/y8_5Eo4cd-QKmSKzWjhmPAwHbAdyoY9JACLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1960%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="527" data-original-width="318" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7O3qJwOpBo8/W4phR8bToQI/AAAAAAAAEN8/y8_5Eo4cd-QKmSKzWjhmPAwHbAdyoY9JACLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1960%2B4.jpg" width="193" /></a></div>
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Our first spanking! Not a slipper though...</div>
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On to page three and we get another of those all-time great comics creators. It's our first glimpse (on this tour) of the work of Leo Baxendale.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ma59A2AXOMg/W4phSeL5UPI/AAAAAAAAEOA/F52gPNUhNmMnfIJO3pUNAVhxSrQ0mrf3QCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1960%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="429" data-original-width="422" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ma59A2AXOMg/W4phSeL5UPI/AAAAAAAAEOA/F52gPNUhNmMnfIJO3pUNAVhxSrQ0mrf3QCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1960%2B5.jpg" width="314" /></a></div>
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This is The Three Bears, itself a spin off from Baxendale's Little Plum (more on him later).</div>
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Ma, Pa and their son Teddy are three bears who live in a cave near to a town in an Old West setting. They are perpetually hungry and looking for food to steal.</div>
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In this story, a coyote is reading smoke signals and discovers a shipment of steaks will soon be passing through. When word reaches the bears they are determined to beat all the other animals to it.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hlkd7ryiHAQ/W4phSjd4ZJI/AAAAAAAAEOE/DOxD_gSTmLQQQJ1RAB_CfeOFU6XOucQxgCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1960%2B6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="549" height="256" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hlkd7ryiHAQ/W4phSjd4ZJI/AAAAAAAAEOE/DOxD_gSTmLQQQJ1RAB_CfeOFU6XOucQxgCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1960%2B6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I love Baxendale's cartoony style which looks like it was heavily influenced by US animators like Tex Avery and Bob Clampett.</div>
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Oh, and it all turns out to be another hilarious misunderstanding.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-72jduwlr9do/W4phSv8TzbI/AAAAAAAAEOI/5nGRz-H5vj4Q87oxngu-jk2KfHO4ogr4QCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1960%2B7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="444" data-original-width="336" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-72jduwlr9do/W4phSv8TzbI/AAAAAAAAEOI/5nGRz-H5vj4Q87oxngu-jk2KfHO4ogr4QCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1960%2B7.jpg" width="242" /></a></div>
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Adventure time now with The Ting-A-Ling Taylors. This one has a high concept that sounds like a Viz parody.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jtnQt8_GvJM/W4phTFcVBkI/AAAAAAAAEOM/VkGJcLGUSWUl5xu5PEIGG6OogFmU0ef9gCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1960%2B8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="837" data-original-width="592" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jtnQt8_GvJM/W4phTFcVBkI/AAAAAAAAEOM/VkGJcLGUSWUl5xu5PEIGG6OogFmU0ef9gCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1960%2B8.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>
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So it's a family who live on an African wildlife reserve. </div>
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And they own a big red fire engine.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IaWkrWU8zN0/W4phTQwiSuI/AAAAAAAAEOQ/VUPYH17mimkGRAm6s16GtBbCmoGxK2gYwCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1960%2B9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="494" data-original-width="523" height="302" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IaWkrWU8zN0/W4phTQwiSuI/AAAAAAAAEOQ/VUPYH17mimkGRAm6s16GtBbCmoGxK2gYwCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1960%2B9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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All right, so we've got an ethnic stereotype and the "great white saviour" trope but this was well written and nicely presented so I'll allow it.</div>
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This was a two-page story and featured the fire engine being used to subdue the elephant for long enough that they treat the injured foot that was driving it mad.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l9EipUwWCvw/W4phHEJR4zI/AAAAAAAAEMM/7ts0NZK9jhgWouqVq4XTWqdY9NliafytQCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1960%2B10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="491" data-original-width="1375" height="114" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l9EipUwWCvw/W4phHEJR4zI/AAAAAAAAEMM/7ts0NZK9jhgWouqVq4XTWqdY9NliafytQCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1960%2B10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This strip did not last long, I imagine because the writer ran out of ways a fire engine could be used to solve animal problems.</div>
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Time to check in with the only character to have appeared in every review so far: Lord Snooty. And his pals.</div>
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The "pals" seem to be the same ones as the last time we saw them, apart from Polly who is no longer in the gang (or possibly has been edited out).</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ffi4y_TLF2M/W4phG00Oe6I/AAAAAAAAEMI/1-F602G-FJQqMv31mvj5SWeujWWPK-tpgCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1960%2B11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="372" data-original-width="628" height="189" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ffi4y_TLF2M/W4phG00Oe6I/AAAAAAAAEMI/1-F602G-FJQqMv31mvj5SWeujWWPK-tpgCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1960%2B11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Excitingly, however, we do get our first glimpse of Professor Screwtop! All right maybe not exciting for you but I perked up when I saw him.</div>
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Anyway, Screwtop was Bunkerton's abent-minded wacky inventor character and hit all the same cliches of the type from Gyro Gearloose to Professor Branestawm. In later years he would turn up in other strips. I have an 80s Beano Comic Library where he invents a time machine a sends various characters back through history. I'll do that one here someday.</div>
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But more interestingly, a version of the character was brought back into the comic recently and appears in the current Dennis animated series along with his daughter Rubi Von Screwtop.</div>
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<img alt="Image result for ruby von screwtop" 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" /></div>
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Back to the story in hand and the gang find the Professor's invention of a mobile paddling pool useless so head back to the castle...</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RFHvMNBHCZ4/W4phH65rX3I/AAAAAAAAEMQ/s0pLaM_V8H8im-hT_ezQPPyVJB7o5tbPwCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1960%2B12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="364" data-original-width="718" height="162" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RFHvMNBHCZ4/W4phH65rX3I/AAAAAAAAEMQ/s0pLaM_V8H8im-hT_ezQPPyVJB7o5tbPwCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1960%2B12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Note that Watkins was allowed to sign this strip.</div>
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Also: this page featured an ad for the latest Black Bob book ("The Dandy Wonder Dog")</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0SylS2bY-g4/W4phIhUWOnI/AAAAAAAAEMU/_szdcjQVWdYPpO86kY8lHE5GpE46qD2rwCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1960%2B13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="353" data-original-width="1382" height="81" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0SylS2bY-g4/W4phIhUWOnI/AAAAAAAAEMU/_szdcjQVWdYPpO86kY8lHE5GpE46qD2rwCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1960%2B13.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's time for some more of that sweet sweet Baxendale action next as we get our first look at another iconic (and I do not use that word lightly) British comic strip:</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RPP0wSumdWU/W4phI2KbR0I/AAAAAAAAEMY/KDPhHqxIr_ocXTS4AVKYqgf_shcdSkblgCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1960%2B14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="520" data-original-width="488" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RPP0wSumdWU/W4phI2KbR0I/AAAAAAAAEMY/KDPhHqxIr_ocXTS4AVKYqgf_shcdSkblgCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1960%2B14.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Yes! It's The Bash Street Kids! Another bunch of characters we all know.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8xOh--nVtUo/W4phIzEcJ1I/AAAAAAAAEMc/C-ELIfQJmuUshNccCe035WKgsQtuBXrEACLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1960%2B15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="516" data-original-width="502" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8xOh--nVtUo/W4phIzEcJ1I/AAAAAAAAEMc/C-ELIfQJmuUshNccCe035WKgsQtuBXrEACLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1960%2B15.jpg" width="311" /></a></div>
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Drink in that panel. It's fascinating to see how much Baxendale crammed into every drawing at this point in his career. And I love this comedy violence!</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z4uXAivp7sc/W4phJcWxjMI/AAAAAAAAEMg/8XdQcMzU1e05l3o0Y6wNh9Y7BxOYezMUQCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1960%2B16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="494" data-original-width="469" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z4uXAivp7sc/W4phJcWxjMI/AAAAAAAAEMg/8XdQcMzU1e05l3o0Y6wNh9Y7BxOYezMUQCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1960%2B16.jpg" width="303" /></a></div>
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Originally titled "When the Bell Rings" in 1954 it was a strip that showcased the chaos of kids leaving school, usually featuring one large panel packed with detail.</div>
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In 1956 the formula was simplified and Baxendale picked out his favourite characters and put them all in a single school class and renamed it The Bash Street Kids.</div>
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In this strip the kids are recognisably the same as the ones you'd see in today's Beano. Namely Danny, Smiffy, Wilfrid, Sidney, Fatty, Plug, Spotty and 'Erbert. Only Toots is missing.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wmGzAw7VrXA/W4phKN3oiII/AAAAAAAAEMk/CQrCo3BSA1ME7qinnS8W9c_7WJY39wWJwCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1960%2B17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="491" data-original-width="870" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wmGzAw7VrXA/W4phKN3oiII/AAAAAAAAEMk/CQrCo3BSA1ME7qinnS8W9c_7WJY39wWJwCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1960%2B17.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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More please!</div>
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The centre pages are given over to The Great Flood of London, another adventure strip set in the far-off future of 1970. Not much has changed but we live underwater.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OA9Z2R38rpI/W4phLPjIlQI/AAAAAAAAEMw/mJKadz1e_0USwPg7WAm4Oc6T9r-7c9NjQCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1960%2B18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="577" data-original-width="1523" height="121" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OA9Z2R38rpI/W4phLPjIlQI/AAAAAAAAEMw/mJKadz1e_0USwPg7WAm4Oc6T9r-7c9NjQCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1960%2B18.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This was why the Thames flood barrier was built. </div>
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Yes a "mysterious burning planet" caused sea levels to rise and London was evacuated.</div>
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Harry Foster, however decided that he was keeping his family there in spite of what an obviously terrible idea it was because Brexit means Brexit and it would be an insult to democracy to give in now.</div>
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So yes, they live in the Elizabeth Tower in the Palace of Westminster (it's <u>not</u> called Big Ben) and scavenge from submerged shops.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wQy7GNXdheo/W4phKmmyLFI/AAAAAAAAEMo/CV9COYMKLGY_UAoo-6AIXKWkMMGdAjBdQCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1960%2B19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="552" height="269" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wQy7GNXdheo/W4phKmmyLFI/AAAAAAAAEMo/CV9COYMKLGY_UAoo-6AIXKWkMMGdAjBdQCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1960%2B19.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Remarkably, it is drawn by David Sutherland, the man who would take over Dennis from Davy Law and is still drawing The Bash Street kids today after taking over from Baxendale in 1962! That's 56 years!</div>
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Simple gag strip Wonder Boy is next. About a boy who wonders. </div>
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Here he is wondering what it would be like to be a long jumper.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9yHR3u6Pghc/W4phLX3-w3I/AAAAAAAAEM0/dAwsVYBC3UUZ3uZ4DBG7onpImaPrP7pDQCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1960%2B20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="461" data-original-width="523" height="282" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9yHR3u6Pghc/W4phLX3-w3I/AAAAAAAAEM0/dAwsVYBC3UUZ3uZ4DBG7onpImaPrP7pDQCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1960%2B20.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This page also has an ad for the new Beano Book, promoted by more Baxendale art with a picture of Little Plum. I said we'll get to him later.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1L7xWPE1gYE/W4phMlPVaeI/AAAAAAAAENA/b25Kea7u4Xwa5XkaJUg7cBneO-jzfxyfQCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1960%2B21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="584" data-original-width="1398" height="133" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1L7xWPE1gYE/W4phMlPVaeI/AAAAAAAAENA/b25Kea7u4Xwa5XkaJUg7cBneO-jzfxyfQCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1960%2B21.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Next up: Little Plum. </div>
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It's that Baxendale man again.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ecs9OxA_Syk/W4phMOTcqAI/AAAAAAAAEM4/tbhCJEob8N0Yhg2GPkvm3n-8EsaobL3SACLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1960%2B22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="457" data-original-width="555" height="263" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ecs9OxA_Syk/W4phMOTcqAI/AAAAAAAAEM4/tbhCJEob8N0Yhg2GPkvm3n-8EsaobL3SACLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1960%2B22.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Again, I love all the little details, like the fish biting things.</div>
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Little Plum was a juvenile Native American in an Old West setting. He'd get up to the same sort of mischief as his UK-based contemporaries and usually get punished by the leader of his tribe, "Chiefy".</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HoG0-A7EQXw/W4phMpW5VgI/AAAAAAAAEM8/5F94wSb4C8gc_ZkPUfm8PvF3ZMVPMbAgwCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1960%2B23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="747" height="192" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HoG0-A7EQXw/W4phMpW5VgI/AAAAAAAAEM8/5F94wSb4C8gc_ZkPUfm8PvF3ZMVPMbAgwCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1960%2B23.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It was long-running and still occasionally appears in today's Beano, now drawn by another British comics legend, Hunt Emerson.</div>
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Some elements could be considered problematic today. For example the way characters talk is um heap big stereotype. But Little Plum is fondly remembered for a reason.</div>
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There's a final two-page adventure strip with extra-terrestrial hero The Danger Man.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FHyHAvf13No/W4phNDNGgGI/AAAAAAAAENE/rTkx0U85g80QAGia1mZk_-jwZDfcC9OdwCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1960%2B24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="501" data-original-width="801" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FHyHAvf13No/W4phNDNGgGI/AAAAAAAAENE/rTkx0U85g80QAGia1mZk_-jwZDfcC9OdwCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1960%2B24.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Nope, no relation to John Drake.</div>
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/GdDUqs0nd4A/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GdDUqs0nd4A?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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This Danger Man is from Mars and lives on an island in the south Atlantic.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_aSysIYbAIE/W4phN6QUKzI/AAAAAAAAENI/6rqD7FPbMA4z3exaGHrg31kByIi78vDEgCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1960%2B25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="610" data-original-width="729" height="267" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_aSysIYbAIE/W4phN6QUKzI/AAAAAAAAENI/6rqD7FPbMA4z3exaGHrg31kByIi78vDEgCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1960%2B25.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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There he waits for calls for help regarding disasters, whereupon he can launch his specially-built rocket crafts, loaded with equipment to deal with any emergency.</div>
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This is Thunderbirds, five years early!</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RB71bBTBzHo/W4phOIJaJXI/AAAAAAAAENM/Qs-OA1b21eYXgKcR4OfG3dt6TxjNjWLugCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1960%2B26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="484" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RB71bBTBzHo/W4phOIJaJXI/AAAAAAAAENM/Qs-OA1b21eYXgKcR4OfG3dt6TxjNjWLugCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1960%2B26.jpg" width="311" /></a></div>
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He has two child sidekicks, Jet and Jane (I don't know if they are also Martian or not) and while DM pilots the larger craft the Zoomar, they fly the smaller Zoomets.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fG82SUFiriE/W4phOZmqoyI/AAAAAAAAENQ/X0IAqR4N7kkyy3pX78B5lieXDtAmUJ2BACLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1960%2B27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="491" data-original-width="841" height="186" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fG82SUFiriE/W4phOZmqoyI/AAAAAAAAENQ/X0IAqR4N7kkyy3pX78B5lieXDtAmUJ2BACLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1960%2B27.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This week's story sees them saving the cat from a burning skyscraper in San Francisco.</div>
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It would be churlish of me to point out that San Francisco does not have any skyscrapers, due to it being built on a fault line, so I won't.</div>
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As we head towards the end we get one more Leo Baxendale treat, and another comics icon: Minnie the Minx.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vJGg993bn64/W4phOv2o5pI/AAAAAAAAENU/eff-loo9-rwFiuqlU02PaRGn6_s_NhEhgCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1960%2B28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="502" data-original-width="405" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vJGg993bn64/W4phOv2o5pI/AAAAAAAAENU/eff-loo9-rwFiuqlU02PaRGn6_s_NhEhgCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1960%2B28.jpg" width="258" /></a></div>
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Again, Minnie is a character that survives to this day in the Beano and is as popular as ever. Here we get to see her creator invent some "monsters" that make Min's scary mask prank backfire.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TM3fgv90vv4/W4phPB5LXiI/AAAAAAAAENY/fa3x3I2RTyIJSf0DIRbIVs1z5IJmbbgawCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1960%2B29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="632" height="246" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TM3fgv90vv4/W4phPB5LXiI/AAAAAAAAENY/fa3x3I2RTyIJSf0DIRbIVs1z5IJmbbgawCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1960%2B29.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I love these panels, in spite/because of how contrived they have to be.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cE5f2tprCPM/W4phQKhuXrI/AAAAAAAAENg/545w5YEAGTchhFNeSJcF9ie4QIRKNvl3QCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1960%2B30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="502" data-original-width="845" height="190" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cE5f2tprCPM/W4phQKhuXrI/AAAAAAAAENg/545w5YEAGTchhFNeSJcF9ie4QIRKNvl3QCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1960%2B30.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The inside back cover is Colonel Crackpot's Circus, by Malcolm Judge (who would go on to create Billy Whizz and Ball Boy). A fairly simple concept about the odball characters one would expect to find in a circus.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PQuFcrhOKg8/W4phQblGkjI/AAAAAAAAENk/rvdti9Ypbxcac2sGEjzD7dmjcIhRB25rACLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1960%2B31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="476" data-original-width="722" height="210" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PQuFcrhOKg8/W4phQblGkjI/AAAAAAAAENk/rvdti9Ypbxcac2sGEjzD7dmjcIhRB25rACLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1960%2B31.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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One of us, one of us...</div>
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And so to the back page where we find the other bona fide comics genius working on The Beano at that time.</div>
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The genius is Ken Reid and the strip is Jonah.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v7RHLmSUupk/W4phQah6cvI/AAAAAAAAENo/vfWHu7jazaEyONPmeAERnn1SIGsCEezFwCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1960%2B32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="411" data-original-width="606" height="217" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v7RHLmSUupk/W4phQah6cvI/AAAAAAAAENo/vfWHu7jazaEyONPmeAERnn1SIGsCEezFwCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1960%2B32.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The concept of Jonah is an odd one. He's a man who sincerely believes that his calling in life is be a sailor. However, a combination of clumsiness and coincidence means that every ship he sets foot on sinks.</div>
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Soon his reputation precedes him and no ship will have him so he has to use stealthier methods to get on board. He is, of course, inevitably discovered, usually with a loud "Aaargh! It's 'im!" and then all heck breaks loose.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O6Tj-wERbnA/W4phQgWyc-I/AAAAAAAAENs/YHhLwDIAIzoPbnSQYRXawZ9J5tA5udkvQCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1960%2B33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="531" height="241" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O6Tj-wERbnA/W4phQgWyc-I/AAAAAAAAENs/YHhLwDIAIzoPbnSQYRXawZ9J5tA5udkvQCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1960%2B33.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Unusually, this was a serialised humour strip, with events carrying over week on week. This week starts a new story as Jonah attempts to get cast as "Huckleberry Hack, the runaway who wants to become a chimney sweep on a river boat" in this big-budget movie from Colossal Films.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XpFkKjCnJ10/W4phRBjBARI/AAAAAAAAENw/jCHaEqCmDBQZdedpR8vUV83P5Jwr6CNYwCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1960%2B34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="509" height="256" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XpFkKjCnJ10/W4phRBjBARI/AAAAAAAAENw/jCHaEqCmDBQZdedpR8vUV83P5Jwr6CNYwCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1960%2B34.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Seriously Jonah, who's your agent? I'd never get an audition like that...</div>
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Anyway, when he's asked to take his hat off he is immediately recognised and break out the heck.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g3Yws7b6ZUQ/W4phReZSofI/AAAAAAAAEN0/IZVsNGxPEG8-uNUCf8LGQAhVh3mTZN9CACLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1960%2B35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="632" height="206" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g3Yws7b6ZUQ/W4phReZSofI/AAAAAAAAEN0/IZVsNGxPEG8-uNUCf8LGQAhVh3mTZN9CACLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1960%2B35.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I love Ken Reid's art so much and we'll have a look at his work again some time. Especially his monster designs.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DcrjO2vuHhU/W4phRQxZTAI/AAAAAAAAEN4/UEH51yqjD38YMHChHbz3txmyF2E3drh2ACLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1960%2B36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="393" data-original-width="469" height="268" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DcrjO2vuHhU/W4phRQxZTAI/AAAAAAAAEN4/UEH51yqjD38YMHChHbz3txmyF2E3drh2ACLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1960%2B36.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A cargo of springs sends Jonah back onto the ship as it moves off and we have to wait to see what happens next. Please, DC Thomson, reprint Ken Reid's Jonah.</div>
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It's worth noting here that Reid also created Roger the Dodger the previous year for The Beano, but at this point that strip was on hiatus. So no Roger today.</div>
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But come back next time and we'll see how The Beano looked in the 1970s.</div>
The Slipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17231598306094150274noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782966666136502802.post-82906472524237281992018-08-22T07:35:00.000-07:002018-08-22T07:35:05.757-07:00Beano #452; Enter an icon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6UA1pgiHQS0/W301dmsb6PI/AAAAAAAAELY/g8ZsqztKXK4u7oMvBjC7CemvMVULEvUKwCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1951%2Btop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="325" data-original-width="451" height="230" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6UA1pgiHQS0/W301dmsb6PI/AAAAAAAAELY/g8ZsqztKXK4u7oMvBjC7CemvMVULEvUKwCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1951%2Btop.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Let's continue our trip through the decades of The Beano's life, which began with an overview <a href="https://the-slipper.blogspot.com/2018/07/happy-birthday-beano-slap-up-feasts-all.html" target="_blank">here</a>, continued with a review of the first issue from 1938 <a href="https://the-slipper.blogspot.com/2018/08/the-beano-issue-1-not-for-vegans.html" target="_blank">here</a> and the first issue to sell a million copies <a href="https://the-slipper.blogspot.com/2018/08/the-beano-272-immediately-post-war.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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So now we venture into the 1950s and we can see how the comic is evolving and growing to appeal to a new generation.</div>
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It's issue #452 from 1951 and it was chosen for the excellent <a href="https://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/limited-edition-80-years-of-fun-beano-box-set" target="_blank">boxed set</a> because of a significant new arrival.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PHB7vbNYsjA/W301RNG3_SI/AAAAAAAAELo/MhhWoBcMS7oLQBU-YJ6nK2POh0xGdAX6wCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B1951%2BCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1164" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PHB7vbNYsjA/W301RNG3_SI/AAAAAAAAELo/MhhWoBcMS7oLQBU-YJ6nK2POh0xGdAX6wCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B1951%2BCover.jpg" width="232" /></a></div>
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To begin at the beginning: the cover has changed.</div>
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Boring old Big Eggo has been usurped as cover star by Biffo the Bear, being relegated to mascot. He now occupies the space previously reserved for Little Peanut, whom I am pleased to see the back of.</div>
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Biffo was another Dudley D Watkins creation who first appeared in January 1948 with a Mickey Mouse-inspired look (I assume) and remained cover star until 1974. He continued to appear inside the comic until 1999 has had several attempted revivals since.</div>
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The strips were largely rooted in silent comedy and could feature Biffo in any kind of role. Here he is, running a cafe, being vexed by a human fly from a nearby circus.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kl6tfTzHqWs/W3005vaheFI/AAAAAAAAEKY/15_Ogm82Cy8JfEyxl4fDiXyZ32CRZ9hAwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B1951%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="993" height="131" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kl6tfTzHqWs/W3005vaheFI/AAAAAAAAEKY/15_Ogm82Cy8JfEyxl4fDiXyZ32CRZ9hAwCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B1951%2B1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I do like that image with the laughing walrus.</div>
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Time to go inside.</div>
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As with previous issues, page 1 has three short comic strips. However this issue has no other page with more than one strip, another sign of the comic evolving, giving characters room to breathe and grow rather than just deliver a quick gag.</div>
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Maxy's Taxi is a quick gag strip about a chap called Maxy. Who has a taxi. (Our cabby's here - with fun and cheer)</div>
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Here he is delivering a vibrating package: </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rK4nQn3AUUw/W301NGc5cqI/AAAAAAAAELQ/st9oTZYeg3wGEIELBbs1E7FDDGko3ZtcACEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B1951%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="318" data-original-width="509" height="199" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rK4nQn3AUUw/W301NGc5cqI/AAAAAAAAELQ/st9oTZYeg3wGEIELBbs1E7FDDGko3ZtcACEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B1951%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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No, it's not a box of caravan shakers, it's a jelly.</div>
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Have-a-Go Joe (Do or die - he'll have a try) is seen here living up to his motto by testing a batch of bullet-proof waistcoats! </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bJRcjsXkMac/W301NVHZxQI/AAAAAAAAELU/TX_yFMwEgxIRa_dTLgar_5bqWt-2p_siQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B1951%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="325" data-original-width="484" height="214" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bJRcjsXkMac/W301NVHZxQI/AAAAAAAAELU/TX_yFMwEgxIRa_dTLgar_5bqWt-2p_siQCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B1951%2B3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The last waistcoat is faulty and the final panel is Joe, slumped on the ground, gasping: "Tell my wife I love her..."</div>
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Not really, he gets pinged by a small boy with a pea shooter.</div>
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The Magic Lollipops (suck 'em and see!) survive from #272, but is starting to look old.</div>
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This is a weird one, as a bloke with a complex over his big nose (a kid is seen shouting "What a beak!" in the first panel) and is offered a magic lollipop to help. However the conjuring confectionery turns into garden shears! </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BPh-vM8gPKE/W301NjVWZ1I/AAAAAAAAELU/hqwkZe7NnksgcnqktvaVCrYf2BwbRApMgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B1951%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="307" data-original-width="487" height="201" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BPh-vM8gPKE/W301NjVWZ1I/AAAAAAAAELU/hqwkZe7NnksgcnqktvaVCrYf2BwbRApMgCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B1951%2B4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And the chap is insulted, blames the boy and forces him to do chores. The lesson: never offer to help a stranger.</div>
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The third page is still the home of Lord Snooty and His Pals, as he was in both our previous looks. However the strip had an 18 month hiatus starting in June 1949 and when it came back, he had all-new "pals". </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DtxIJQqMS88/W301N-FvR3I/AAAAAAAAELo/spFPySrNkJkHMPb39m1y0J8BwH65zM1WgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B1951%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="1469" height="48" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DtxIJQqMS88/W301N-FvR3I/AAAAAAAAELo/spFPySrNkJkHMPb39m1y0J8BwH65zM1WgCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B1951%2B5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Scrapper and Rosie (who were there in #1) are still with us, as are troublesome twins Snitch and Snatch (who joined soon after). They are joined with Big Fat Joe and Mary the mule (formerly Contrary Mary) who had their own strip in #1. Added to that is Pongo the dog and three other refugees from cancelled strips: Doubting Thomas, Swanky Lanky Liz and Polly.</div>
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Ah, Polly. now here's another problematic one...</div>
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She was a little girl with a clumsy pet dog in a strip entitled Polly Wolly Doodle and Her Great Big Poodle. And she was a black-face caricature.</div>
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Like Little Peanut, this creates a dilemma for DC Thomson. Have a look at the image above. Polly is the character second from the right. In this reprint she has been white-washed.</div>
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Below is the image as it would have originally looked, published here purely for historical context:</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RxV4Qlug-3s/W31T_37ZENI/AAAAAAAAEL0/H7tIM9pHhFseCldvF-AQVsyDRcFUWXPdQCLcBGAs/s1600/Lord%2BSnooty%2Bunexpurgated.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="151" data-original-width="928" height="52" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RxV4Qlug-3s/W31T_37ZENI/AAAAAAAAEL0/H7tIM9pHhFseCldvF-AQVsyDRcFUWXPdQCLcBGAs/s320/Lord%2BSnooty%2Bunexpurgated.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Also note that the reprint removes the names of the pals, I assume to further eliminate the memory of Polly. She is also edited in the strip itself, which hardly seems worth it as she is only in three out of the thirteen panels and barely visible in them. And as a white girl is barely indistinguishable from Rosie.</div>
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I get it, though. I understand that this kind of imagery is unacceptable today especially in products aimed at children. However Polly was a rare non-white female character appearing regularly in one the most popular (if not the most popular) children's comics of the day. And she was just one of the gang, completely accepted, rarely the butt of jokes. And that seems special and a bit of a shame to ignore.</div>
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Granted, I'm white and not old enough to have read this strips at the time but I'd love to hear opinions of anyone other.</div>
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Anyway, this week's story involves the gang trying to ride bikes but as there aren't enough to go round they end up getting help putting the spare parts together to make one big superbike. </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-arShWY88E8E/W301OZsbVAI/AAAAAAAAELg/muuiqgizwio78sUWBeyMrwHpQ9_StHV0gCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B1951%2B6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="393" data-original-width="813" height="154" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-arShWY88E8E/W301OZsbVAI/AAAAAAAAELg/muuiqgizwio78sUWBeyMrwHpQ9_StHV0gCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B1951%2B6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And that's a terrific piece of Watkins art. Incidentally, that's Polly at the back. Now that I think of it, maybe she was always pushed to the back...</div>
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My favourite discovery on these reviews has been Granny Green, the boy who pretends he is his own grandmother to keep away busybodies. She/he debuted in #1, continued in #272 and here in #452 it gets rebooted!</div>
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They are no longer "Wangles" they are The Quick Tricks of Granny Green. </div>
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"Join the fun with Granny Green - The trickiest Granny ever seen!"</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rYmZq1JcU5w/W301OymkAUI/AAAAAAAAELo/nNaLSwMxq1MCvh1w-qZZC3NHTHAFq62LwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B1951%2B7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="739" data-original-width="973" height="243" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rYmZq1JcU5w/W301OymkAUI/AAAAAAAAELo/nNaLSwMxq1MCvh1w-qZZC3NHTHAFq62LwCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B1951%2B7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's still a prose story, but now a page and a half long. And it's a complete rewrite of the story from #1.</div>
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It clears up some problems and adds some details to make the premise make more sense (Jimmy's dad has gone on a business trip to Australia; The Aunt supposed to look after him is taken ill; the family solicitor supplies "granny" with money;) but it hits all the same story beats.</div>
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The best additional detail is that Jimmy's dad had apparently used to have a drag act! We are told that he had been an actor and "had often done turns dressed up as an old lady". He still has a trunk full of costumes, wigs and make up. I assume for sentimental reasons.</div>
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If you're wondering what was on the other half-page, it saw the arrival of a strip about some kid.</div>
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"Look! Here's a new pal you'll enjoy - He's the world's wildest boy!" </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lW5zKYhmeNU/W301OsOq6FI/AAAAAAAAELc/GPortKTEMrkEu_x-XVnR0UWtwSpKVDzDgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B1951%2B8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="314" data-original-width="552" height="182" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lW5zKYhmeNU/W301OsOq6FI/AAAAAAAAELc/GPortKTEMrkEu_x-XVnR0UWtwSpKVDzDgCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B1951%2B8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It won't last.</div>
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Next we have our first picture strip luckless orphans The Hungry Little Goodwins ("Two brave runaways whose only friend is a hunted highwayman"). A weird hybrid adventure serial of Dickensian poverty and robbery. </div>
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A brother and sister, Jeff and Nell are on the run (from what, I know not) but have a guardian angel in the shape of one "Dick Turnpin", a notorious highway robber. </div>
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I'm not sure why the writer chose not to call him Dick Turpin, the name of the real-life highwayman, romanticised in William Harrison Ainsworth's 1834 novel Rookwood. </div>
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It certainly wasn't copyright reasons. And why change by only one letter? He even has a horse with the same name (Black Bess). And the surtitle on page two calls him "Dick Turpin". </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rYm8NA0Cnc4/W301PDLu8NI/AAAAAAAAELg/qL8ROthWKZkY40MUHJyc9MjhJFthX83ZQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B1951%2B9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="631" data-original-width="758" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rYm8NA0Cnc4/W301PDLu8NI/AAAAAAAAELg/qL8ROthWKZkY40MUHJyc9MjhJFthX83ZQCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B1951%2B9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anyway, this week's thrilling story has our heroes duped out of money by a mean baker and grabbed by the beadle!</div>
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The two of them are forced into the workhouse and made to scrub the floors. Things get full-on Dickens when, after being served "thin, watery soup" for a meal, Jeff asks for more. </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WV-ln9wYLoA/W3007BCYjlI/AAAAAAAAEKQ/PxgPNt6VECE1Shu1Q3t-9OoXbIZ9YQzhACEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B1951%2B10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="721" data-original-width="746" height="309" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WV-ln9wYLoA/W3007BCYjlI/AAAAAAAAEKQ/PxgPNt6VECE1Shu1Q3t-9OoXbIZ9YQzhACEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B1951%2B10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Needless to say, Dick rescues them by threatening the beadle with a pistol.</div>
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Incidentally, the novel Oliver Twist was published 100 years after Turpin was hanged. But the story was started only 3 years after Ainsworth's novel was published. </div>
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The second of only two prose stories is Tommy's Clockwork Town. And it is bonkers. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AifDu1ACz7k/W3007YHByjI/AAAAAAAAEKY/eVEHgsZ0Reo91OXHgcQvPxqBUfsf_xOrQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B1951%2B11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="776" data-original-width="1474" height="168" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AifDu1ACz7k/W3007YHByjI/AAAAAAAAEKY/eVEHgsZ0Reo91OXHgcQvPxqBUfsf_xOrQCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B1951%2B11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Set in the old west, young Tommy Tucker is travelling across America with Professor Corker and a lorry full of clockwork people <u>and</u> a towns-worth of building to house them. </div>
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This week they run across a small town with unruly children ("all sons of cow-punchers") so out-of control we discover them throwing their school-teacher in the river!</div>
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To teach them a lesson, town unleashes the mechanical marvel that builds an entire town next door, complete with clockwork people. Now, as with #272's Tick Tock Timothy, "clockwork people" essentially means androids. </div>
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"The clockwork figures looked so natural that Pudge and his pals thought they were real people."</div>
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Take <u>that</u> Boston Dynamics!</div>
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Anyway, the town teacher rounds the boys up and thrashes some discipline into them. They are soon turned into model citizens. And I don't mean like clockwork models. It's uncomfortable.</div>
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I have, however, been surprised in just how little corporal punishment I've seen in these early issues. I guess it didn't become a comedy trope until later. Was it Leo Baxendale's fault? Come back next time...</div>
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Page two of this story is shared with another Wild West story, this time comedy strip Ding-Dong Belle, about a woman sheriff (a woman?). Here she is tackling the contemporary problem of knife crime. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KMxnhxvL3lI/W3007PvIlzI/AAAAAAAAEKM/0pUytLMcJJ4YoaEK4vbnOKzrdMqWOGO9wCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B1951%2B12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="312" data-original-width="496" height="201" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KMxnhxvL3lI/W3007PvIlzI/AAAAAAAAEKM/0pUytLMcJJ4YoaEK4vbnOKzrdMqWOGO9wCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B1951%2B12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The second of this issue's two picture strips is the continuing adventures of Jimmy and His Magic Patch (Who is Jimmy's latest chum? None other than Robert the Bruce, by gum !).</div>
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We last saw Jimmy as a peasant slave in #272 but our adventure today begins with Jimmy on a school field trip to collect what would today be referred to as minibeasts. Fascinated by a spider he begins thinking about the story of Robert the Bruce. And soon... </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VbEWXMBPoJs/W301Los0jXI/AAAAAAAAELk/OkHBKzkZHU4CZ5a-AXrBu9S8gdvKqmQ0ACEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B1951%2B13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="660" data-original-width="722" height="292" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VbEWXMBPoJs/W301Los0jXI/AAAAAAAAELk/OkHBKzkZHU4CZ5a-AXrBu9S8gdvKqmQ0ACEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B1951%2B13.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The downhearted King of Scotland is shown the famous spider by Jimmy and it gives him resolve to continue into battle. Jimmy, having recently studied the Battle of Bannockburn, gives Robert the strategy he needs to win!</div>
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It's the bootstrap paradox!</div>
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<br /><iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/u4SEDzynMiQ/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/u4SEDzynMiQ?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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It's never mentioned in the story but Robert's enemy here is the English army under Edward II. This means the English readers of The Beano (a significant majority) would cheering on an English defeat.</div>
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The story is resolved by Jimmy pouring his jar of minibeasts down some enemy (English) soldiers' jerkins.</div>
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Then, after winning the day, the patch sends Jimmy home.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AiTxyaVE-fQ/W301LnhlxfI/AAAAAAAAELo/9bkooOkGcGQsoaWP54qCcNKsE4HbRkGfQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B1951%2B14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="715" data-original-width="722" height="316" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AiTxyaVE-fQ/W301LnhlxfI/AAAAAAAAELo/9bkooOkGcGQsoaWP54qCcNKsE4HbRkGfQCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B1951%2B14.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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"If only they knew, Tommy. If only they knew!"</div>
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The back cover still has Pansy Potter on it, but thankfully no Tin Can Tommy. Pansy gets the whole page to herself now and the strip has been re-titled Pansy Potter in Wonderland.</div>
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The original Hugh McNeill strip has been significantly retooled by Jimmy Clark and is far less cartoony than previous. As the title suggests, she now lives in a land full of fairy tale and nursery rhyme characters. </div>
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This week feature that wacky prankster Old Father Time. He turns her Beano back into a 1949 issue (presumably the one where her new look first appeared).</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gWTwR5D7OME/W301LVMgGnI/AAAAAAAAELU/fNXkjRAoyzYEIcpS8cgjljzvgGeJJTvWQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B1951%2B15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="472" data-original-width="476" height="317" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gWTwR5D7OME/W301LVMgGnI/AAAAAAAAELU/fNXkjRAoyzYEIcpS8cgjljzvgGeJJTvWQCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B1951%2B15.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Also note her Popeye-style limbs now.</div>
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After a couple more japes Pansy grabs the sands of time and turns the tables:</div>
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With that ends another enjoyable issue that great old institution: The Beano.</div>
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Another totally insignificant....</div>
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Oh, okay then. Yes this issue is in the box because it has the first appearance of Dennis the Menace, arguably the most iconic British comics character. And one of the most iconic British fictional characters of the 20th century. He is a character I have written about at length, most significantly <a href="https://the-slipper.blogspot.com/2014/07/we-need-to-talk-about-dennis.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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And, in spite of this being a widely reprinted strip, I will present that first Dennis strip in full for those of you who may not have seen it:</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HV9IoKQjJdE/W301Q542BMI/AAAAAAAAELk/pzDdBFISyZ8R6gPEVBUduyPpbJT8EtOowCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B1951%2Bbonus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1097" data-original-width="1462" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HV9IoKQjJdE/W301Q542BMI/AAAAAAAAELk/pzDdBFISyZ8R6gPEVBUduyPpbJT8EtOowCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B1951%2Bbonus.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Next time: We head into the 1960s and visit some more famous mischief-makers.</div>
The Slipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17231598306094150274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782966666136502802.post-46320556148958291122018-08-16T06:54:00.003-07:002018-08-23T15:37:05.660-07:00The Beano #272: Immediately post-war<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TToULy3a9vg/W3MpZV_XdyI/AAAAAAAAEJw/9q1f6LarGyc19BBltl1q0nfsvYq0TzTpACEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2B1945%2B17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="480" height="199" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TToULy3a9vg/W3MpZV_XdyI/AAAAAAAAEJw/9q1f6LarGyc19BBltl1q0nfsvYq0TzTpACEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2B1945%2B17.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Aw yeah! We are carrying on our 80th birthday celebrations for <a href="https://the-slipper.blogspot.com/2018/07/happy-birthday-beano-slap-up-feasts-all.html" target="_blank">The Beano</a>. Last week we looked at the very first issue from <a href="https://the-slipper.blogspot.com/2018/08/the-beano-issue-1-not-for-vegans.html" target="_blank">1938</a>, now we leap ahead to December 1945, the second world war is over and Beano sales hit one million copies for the first time. In fact, if the printing presses would have allowed it DC Thomson would have sold much more, but here we are.</div>
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At this point, due to paper shortages, The Beano was fortnightly, alternating weeks with The Dandy, it is also a mere 12 pages long, the smallest the comic will ever be.</div>
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Edit: A kind reader points out that there was a time when The Beano shrunk even further. They assure me that it briefly went down to 10 pages between 1947 to 1948, and I see no reason to doubt them.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wnsijFq4I00/W3MpOLlKuaI/AAAAAAAAEIQ/-AK11gtOS90I6kqV8Tvjh5OCcj8Q_88WACLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1945%2Bcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1164" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wnsijFq4I00/W3MpOLlKuaI/AAAAAAAAEIQ/-AK11gtOS90I6kqV8Tvjh5OCcj8Q_88WACLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1945%2Bcover.jpg" width="232" /></a></div>
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So we start, as always with the cover. Big Eggo is still the cover star, despite how boring he is. This fortnight he is thwarting a hot air balloon disaster. I don't care.</div>
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Page two has three strips, starting with a clever bird called Cocky Dick (no sniggering at the back) "he's smart and slick". He needn't trouble us.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8SKRV-UmdP4/W3MpRInPYzI/AAAAAAAAEIU/cSV6isbpJrk2t84CuejFIPhrOV0DmI08gCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1945%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="303" data-original-width="473" height="204" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8SKRV-UmdP4/W3MpRInPYzI/AAAAAAAAEIU/cSV6isbpJrk2t84CuejFIPhrOV0DmI08gCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1945%2B1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Below that is Good King Coke (He's stoney broke) who is playing association football. His rubbish performance in goal leads to him producing a statue of him squatting so that the angry fans can kick it up the jacksy. It's... well it's confusing.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E07oiRi5eXI/W3MpTHCLkNI/AAAAAAAAEI0/3PNOpgYFipIE0BCrUbdHHCLWPgVb-4wKwCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1945%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="289" data-original-width="343" height="269" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E07oiRi5eXI/W3MpTHCLkNI/AAAAAAAAEI0/3PNOpgYFipIE0BCrUbdHHCLWPgVb-4wKwCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1945%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And rounding out this page is The Magic Lollipops (suck 'em and see). We have covered this strip <a href="https://the-slipper.blogspot.com/2015/03/come-and-get-your-lollipops.html" target="_blank">before</a> but suffice to say, a rude man who steals from a child gets his comeuppance.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0VzjHIllLw/W3MpTB3kACI/AAAAAAAAEI4/K7DXIv02crMPD3_6ILd3AacO6nSsmaZygCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1945%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="314" data-original-width="430" height="233" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0VzjHIllLw/W3MpTB3kACI/AAAAAAAAEI4/K7DXIv02crMPD3_6ILd3AacO6nSsmaZygCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1945%2B3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The lolly shrinks his head so his titfer no longer fits.</div>
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Page three brings us the joy of Lord Snooty, having winter fun building snowmen. A bunch of grumpy adults try to tear them down but our pals win through with the aid of marble sculptures. Slap up Christmas feasts all round.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DukdAm0vxw8/W3MpTdg-DoI/AAAAAAAAEI8/hWE7T5h_X_8qaoHxEJWzq_NChtvyVdAngCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1945%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="393" data-original-width="798" height="157" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DukdAm0vxw8/W3MpTdg-DoI/AAAAAAAAEI8/hWE7T5h_X_8qaoHxEJWzq_NChtvyVdAngCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1945%2B4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Two page picture strip Jimmy and his Magic Patch comes next, a long-running adventure serial about a boy with a patch on his trousers that enable him to travel through time. Which is pretty good. (Readers of a certain age might remember Tommy's Magic Time Trousers from Round the Bend which was a direct parody)</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_CI49ymkWmU/W3MpTuvgesI/AAAAAAAAEJA/F7fxlTk7KE0kBIzF6UU8MuiIRjjo070SQCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1945%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="707" height="267" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_CI49ymkWmU/W3MpTuvgesI/AAAAAAAAEJA/F7fxlTk7KE0kBIzF6UU8MuiIRjjo070SQCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1945%2B5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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As we join our story already in progress, Jimmy is an indentured serf, forced to turn a giant mechanical wheel. At the end of the tale, he chides a rodent in a pet shop.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dAHM_UE-RaI/W3MpUm_9YMI/AAAAAAAAEJE/BFU9EG_b_oIxXfeHtKMbZg30v4JRCGKJQCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1945%2B6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="693" height="301" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dAHM_UE-RaI/W3MpUm_9YMI/AAAAAAAAEJE/BFU9EG_b_oIxXfeHtKMbZg30v4JRCGKJQCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1945%2B6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Prose story Tick Tock Timothy is next, a two -pager and one of only two prose stories in the issue.</div>
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Timothy is a mechanical marvel, a clockwork toy that might as well be an android. He may need winding up but he responds to Mary's every command. In this episode he even seems to get angry at the cruel blacksmith who has stolen him.</div>
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The ongoing adventure quest is to bring back Peggy's remarkable toy-maker father, kidnapped by a jealous king. It's pretty well written and I'd like to know more.</div>
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Page two of the story also contains this delightful ad for the next issue.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LyXZ3oG-mUA/W3MpUsD2JhI/AAAAAAAAEJI/RMZTkvm-m40xPV3M3vrmMa2D7zW9syv7gCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1945%2B8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="469" data-original-width="390" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LyXZ3oG-mUA/W3MpUsD2JhI/AAAAAAAAEJI/RMZTkvm-m40xPV3M3vrmMa2D7zW9syv7gCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1945%2B8.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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Next comes the continuing adventures of Tom Thumb. </div>
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He has evolved from the prose story he had in issue #1 to a picture strip. He also has gained a tiny friend called Tinkel who appears to be some sort of ethnic caricature but I'm not sure.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UhzXKKK3dJA/W3MpVUOIypI/AAAAAAAAEJQ/O17cJlIlRn8EhOX7WSwiJn7gwuCE8Ww2QCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1945%2B9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="566" data-original-width="699" height="259" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UhzXKKK3dJA/W3MpVUOIypI/AAAAAAAAEJQ/O17cJlIlRn8EhOX7WSwiJn7gwuCE8Ww2QCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1945%2B9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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An encounter with a bully leads our heroes to a Pickle Rick sewer adventure before ending up in the sea!</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hsLhogQot9E/W3MpRiPduUI/AAAAAAAAEIc/2qYb3MobmycZDYebgwJQwzQb4Mj_mkUTgCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1945%2B10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="649" data-original-width="707" height="293" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hsLhogQot9E/W3MpRiPduUI/AAAAAAAAEIc/2qYb3MobmycZDYebgwJQwzQb4Mj_mkUTgCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1945%2B10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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One page prose story The Wangles of Granny Green is, I'm delighted to say, still appearing. </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AoM3RweOfa0/W3MpRgP7i3I/AAAAAAAAEIY/jkhlLhLemYkCzTU41fxe_yzhPx5aJZ44QCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1945%2B11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="407" data-original-width="1408" height="92" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AoM3RweOfa0/W3MpRgP7i3I/AAAAAAAAEIY/jkhlLhLemYkCzTU41fxe_yzhPx5aJZ44QCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1945%2B11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The adventures of a boy who pretends to be his own grandmother, a scheme first concocted in issue #1, this week he/she tricks some swots into dropping through thin ice! This seems a particularly dangerous form of vengeance, but whatever.</div>
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Another survivor from issue #1 is Rip Van Wink (he's 700 years old). He appears to now be working as an errand boy and has moved from picture story to full comic strip.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/---btz4GtqlU/W3MpR3tceoI/AAAAAAAAEIg/xRrxsZqhSicdJ9UeO8upuOpVkQPvizfYwCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1945%2B12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="296" data-original-width="458" height="206" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/---btz4GtqlU/W3MpR3tceoI/AAAAAAAAEIg/xRrxsZqhSicdJ9UeO8upuOpVkQPvizfYwCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1945%2B12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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An hilarious misunderstanding leads to him digging up a small tree and taking its "short root" through the park (geddit?).</div>
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Hairy Dan also survives, though now noticeably more cartoonish. Which I like. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8eK3NLA17OM/W3MpSHfLPKI/AAAAAAAAEIk/-Em52XAaEeEUwg2kvYfrgTaympSMroHNQCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1945%2B13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="292" data-original-width="462" height="202" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8eK3NLA17OM/W3MpSHfLPKI/AAAAAAAAEIk/-Em52XAaEeEUwg2kvYfrgTaympSMroHNQCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1945%2B13.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Little Nell and Peter Pell are newcomers, a simple strip of a little girl with a pet pelican. </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VHARfOMUDSA/W3MpSaKIYXI/AAAAAAAAEIo/XQBWOUe0xSIpx5h6H6wTxhBOjG0X-_O6gCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1945%2B14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="476" height="208" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VHARfOMUDSA/W3MpSaKIYXI/AAAAAAAAEIo/XQBWOUe0xSIpx5h6H6wTxhBOjG0X-_O6gCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1945%2B14.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And just like that we find ourselves on the back page already. Tin Can Tommy is still there, as he was in issue #1, now cut down to half the page. Also now full comic strip, Tommy also appears to have gained a robot brother and a robot cat called Clanky. Whatever became of the parents from our previous look I do not know.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QnUx9UO58Vw/W3MpSgK1KyI/AAAAAAAAEIw/6KEXp8_AojcRTcXqh7q1j9R1AUtKIZKLQCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1945%2B15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="303" data-original-width="469" height="206" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QnUx9UO58Vw/W3MpSgK1KyI/AAAAAAAAEIw/6KEXp8_AojcRTcXqh7q1j9R1AUtKIZKLQCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1945%2B15.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anyway, the boys are teasing the cat who gets its own back on them by disguising soap bars as chocolate.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D-31Gx9yYCQ/W3MpSpMYfUI/AAAAAAAAEIs/vFh1di7HUII9niWmoSXKSWPjC-sZE79hwCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1945%2B16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="444" height="216" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D-31Gx9yYCQ/W3MpSpMYfUI/AAAAAAAAEIs/vFh1di7HUII9niWmoSXKSWPjC-sZE79hwCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1945%2B16.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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But.... they're robots!</div>
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Do they normally eat? Do they need to? It throws up so many questions I will never see answered!</div>
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And finishing off the issue is another long-running popular character: Pansy Potter, the Strongman's Daughter.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TToULy3a9vg/W3MpZV_XdyI/AAAAAAAAEJU/Pwxa3Pfjeo42hbQkDUCpGyKEEPLHTwE8ACLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1945%2B17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="480" height="199" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TToULy3a9vg/W3MpZV_XdyI/AAAAAAAAEJU/Pwxa3Pfjeo42hbQkDUCpGyKEEPLHTwE8ACLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1945%2B17.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The supernaturally strong little girl was created in 1938 by Hugh McNeill and has had various revivals over the years (including a run in Sparky). </div>
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It's a welcome little anarchic burst that seems to prefigure the way the comic will lean as it goes into the 1950s</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bLWJ7KWV0uY/W3MpZQAkH5I/AAAAAAAAEJY/PJw62dfWxywjUc7FGvqfMZgasso7r8SCACLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1945%2B18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="303" data-original-width="1411" height="68" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bLWJ7KWV0uY/W3MpZQAkH5I/AAAAAAAAEJY/PJw62dfWxywjUc7FGvqfMZgasso7r8SCACLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1945%2B18.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And that, faithful reader, is that.</div>
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An all to brief jaunt into the world of austerity Britain, The Beano still holds its head up as the standard bearer of UK comics.</div>
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Next time we shall venture into the 1950s as we see the million-dollar debut of a certain schoolboy...</div>
The Slipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17231598306094150274noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782966666136502802.post-33882097619771934792018-08-08T08:45:00.001-07:002018-08-11T03:29:02.319-07:00The Beano issue #1. Not for vegans.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VPWP79RxP4A/W2m1pR8jJkI/AAAAAAAAEE4/FmepvGOCziUUDB7F3nvE98usbler2tKNQCLcBGAs/s1600/1516385-eggomain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="386" data-original-width="402" height="307" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VPWP79RxP4A/W2m1pR8jJkI/AAAAAAAAEE4/FmepvGOCziUUDB7F3nvE98usbler2tKNQCLcBGAs/s320/1516385-eggomain.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And so we continue our <a href="http://the-slipper.blogspot.com/2018/07/happy-birthday-beano-slap-up-feasts-all.html" target="_blank">80th birthday celebrations</a> for the world's longest-running weekly comic: The Beano. </div>
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Presenting a full (well, nearly) review of Issue #1 of The Beano, from 1938!</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vViua7dJTUY/W2m1s9v3NwI/AAAAAAAAEE8/GzY4jTFLM2c9n9LlkHnoQzrEOuWxkrP1QCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1164" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vViua7dJTUY/W2m1s9v3NwI/AAAAAAAAEE8/GzY4jTFLM2c9n9LlkHnoQzrEOuWxkrP1QCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1%2B1.jpg" width="232" /></a></div>
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No, I haven't gone mad and bought that copy that was on sale on Ebay last week for £25,00. </div>
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There is another way, right now to get a hold of issue 1. For a mere £25 (that's a thousand times less!) you can buy <a href="https://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/books/limited-edition-80-years-of-fun-beano-box-set" target="_blank">this</a> handsome boxed set from DC Thomson which includes the 80th Anniversary bookazine (available separately) as well as art cards, a poster, an exciting free gift (the Gnasher Snapper! I had one of them but ripped it...), a replica Dennis the Menace Fan Club wallet (with badges) and eight reproduction comics representing the span of time of the life of The Beano.</div>
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However this first issue is not a completely faithful reproduction. Take a look at the reprint front cover, printed above. Now look at the original, as taken from that Ebay seller's listing. </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JjuG3J3Q3Qw/W2m1xAPlu3I/AAAAAAAAEFA/lT_0W74TQj8J-0sQcIHq3ZKBhL_V_gUMACLcBGAs/s1600/img_4530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="707" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JjuG3J3Q3Qw/W2m1xAPlu3I/AAAAAAAAEFA/lT_0W74TQj8J-0sQcIHq3ZKBhL_V_gUMACLcBGAs/s320/img_4530.jpg" width="235" /></a></div>
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Spot the difference? I'm not talking about the colour or the alignment. I'm talking about him. The mascot in the top left corner. The grinning black child in tatty clothes munching on a watermelon.</div>
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That, dear reader, is Little Peanut. He was the mascot of The Beano in its early years. And is now expurgated from reprints. </div>
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Thanks also to that Ebay listing, I also know the same mascot presided over a joke page, also missing from this reproduction.</div>
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I publish it here for historical context: </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mbd5MU5NIMY/W2m12HiktrI/AAAAAAAAEFE/ti__ggpO1hErtPFTOAQV_vg1pYk9xbh_QCLcBGAs/s1600/img_4539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="766" data-original-width="960" height="255" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mbd5MU5NIMY/W2m12HiktrI/AAAAAAAAEFE/ti__ggpO1hErtPFTOAQV_vg1pYk9xbh_QCLcBGAs/s320/img_4539.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Now, I'm of two minds as to how I feel about this.</div>
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I completely understand why DC Thomson would choose remove a character that is, at best, racially insensitive but I'm also interested in how art forms fit into history.</div>
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For example, when Warner Bros released their series of Looney Tunes "Golden Collection" DVDs in the 2000s, they came unedited but with a caveat (sometimes delivered by Whoopi Goldberg). When referring to the racist/stereotyping caricatures one would find in the cartoons, it stated that "these attitudes were wrong then and are wrong now". However they argued that to edit these out would not only be interfering with the artists' work but also be like pretending it had never happened, which is worse.</div>
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And then again, I'm sure some people would buy these reprints specifically to give them to children they know. And there are things we'd be, at best, uncomfortable showing to a child of today.</div>
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And then again, again, there are many other things I've seen in these reprints I'd be uncomfortable to show a child. But we'll get to that.</div>
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Let's start with the cover star Big Eggo.</div>
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He's an ostrich who is constantly losing his egg (yes, "his", he is presented as male in spite of the egg thing and there never being another ostrich). In his debut he recovers an alligator egg thinking it is his.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VPWP79RxP4A/W2m1pR8jJkI/AAAAAAAAEFI/sDVJt3MZCaEsX4toj8axcl5GLR6_fZcBwCEwYBhgL/s1600/1516385-eggomain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="386" data-original-width="402" height="307" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VPWP79RxP4A/W2m1pR8jJkI/AAAAAAAAEFI/sDVJt3MZCaEsX4toj8axcl5GLR6_fZcBwCEwYBhgL/s320/1516385-eggomain.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hey! Leggo my Eggo!</div>
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It's worth noting here that pure comic strips were rarely seen on the front cover of other publications at that time. More likely a full-page illustration or a picture strip - that is to say illustrated panels with prose beneath (like in the contemporaneous <a href="https://the-slipper.blogspot.com/2016/10/butterfly-come-for-horrific-racism-stay.html" target="_blank">Butterfly</a>). It is also in full colour, which would have made it (and The Dandy) stand out.</div>
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Let's take a look inside. And the first thing to note about page two is that, like most other pages in the issue, it has a rhyming couplet at the top. Usually relating to the strip below it, or sometimes a joke. I'll quote some as we come to them. This page has: "The Crowd Tied Poor Ping in a Knot - To Prove He Wasn't Talking Rot."</div>
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This relates to the strip on the first third of this page: Here Comes Ping the Elastic Man. Ping stands on a street corner bragging of being "the only elastic man in the whole world". A gang of strangers pull at him in different directions to prove he wasn't talking rot. </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6w1_gbbvx8E/W2m15xLezaI/AAAAAAAAEFM/FGpANMZ2eRgwuW-v82GM7jSyHhLt91aeQCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="480" height="199" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6w1_gbbvx8E/W2m15xLezaI/AAAAAAAAEFM/FGpANMZ2eRgwuW-v82GM7jSyHhLt91aeQCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's a pity the creator isn't still around. I'd love to ask him how he wrote Elastic Man.</div>
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The rest of the page is wasted on a picture strip called Brave Captain Kipper. Our Blimpish hero has gone to sea in a row boat to kill a whale. And through wacky happenstance: </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YgbY3d0hfV0/W2m15yxtd4I/AAAAAAAAEFQ/QHWSpIloWMQ-j_o3M0WCceBHokydPyqiQCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="415" data-original-width="487" height="272" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YgbY3d0hfV0/W2m15yxtd4I/AAAAAAAAEFQ/QHWSpIloWMQ-j_o3M0WCceBHokydPyqiQCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1%2B3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hooray! He murdered that endangered species!</div>
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So, this is one thing that really struck me about this single issue. A <u>lot</u> of animals are killed in this comic. And that is definitely something one would not see in today's stories aimed at children.</div>
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Page three gives us our first legit comics superstar, from the mind of Dudley D Watkins. Marmaduke, the Earl of Bunkerton, known to all as Lord Snooty. </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-77usF2V64Kw/W2m2HstX0aI/AAAAAAAAEHQ/i1fdLYueqUoOO4JUeEirquKAE78he3adgCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="1545" height="69" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-77usF2V64Kw/W2m2HstX0aI/AAAAAAAAEHQ/i1fdLYueqUoOO4JUeEirquKAE78he3adgCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1%2B4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's interesting here to see his original "pals". Only two of these characters survived into the era when I was reading it, indeed surviving until the strip was cancelled in 1990. There was, apparently, a reshuffle in 1950. The two were Rosie and Scrapper. Mischievous twins Snitch and Snatch would join a few issues later. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O2gbe1gEnQo/W2m2H1guLDI/AAAAAAAAEHU/UyF6wYOZwtUqIQGWL-OKsnsAY6l9riUugCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="527" height="227" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O2gbe1gEnQo/W2m2H1guLDI/AAAAAAAAEHU/UyF6wYOZwtUqIQGWL-OKsnsAY6l9riUugCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1%2B5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Our story begins on the Earl's birthday. It's clear he doesn't want a stuffy old dinner party with a bunch of posh kids, so instead he sneaks out. </div>
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(Also, note the dead tiger on the floor.) </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m_XVMt5a_WE/W2m2H46cUwI/AAAAAAAAEHY/zQrEHys7wK8bV5JXvXJcAkzJg0XI0zqxACLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1%2B6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="379" data-original-width="866" height="140" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m_XVMt5a_WE/W2m2H46cUwI/AAAAAAAAEHY/zQrEHys7wK8bV5JXvXJcAkzJg0XI0zqxACLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1%2B6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Yes, he might be a wealthy individual, pretending to enjoy the rich lifestyle by day, but he sneaks out and changes his costume for a life of adventure!</div>
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That reminds me of someone. Maybe someone also created the following year... </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5a-LZVKj4sk/W2m2IB5EOeI/AAAAAAAAEHc/9433DUvLJ7AQD3ZRVDn9OcolDYc8FJOJwCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1%2B7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="357" data-original-width="592" height="192" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5a-LZVKj4sk/W2m2IB5EOeI/AAAAAAAAEHc/9433DUvLJ7AQD3ZRVDn9OcolDYc8FJOJwCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1%2B7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A quick introduction to his pals leads to a goat and cart ride and a collision. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jGNPxRTz5Mo/W2m2Ikx27WI/AAAAAAAAEHg/1O9ml5Dk0vkS2H9iC0Mdk7PN1jkVcolrQCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1%2B8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="368" data-original-width="776" height="151" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jGNPxRTz5Mo/W2m2Ikx27WI/AAAAAAAAEHg/1O9ml5Dk0vkS2H9iC0Mdk7PN1jkVcolrQCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1%2B8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A sneaky slip back into the castle and Snooty can confront the posh boys as they arrive... </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T9RuHmiYozs/W2m2Ip6y51I/AAAAAAAAEHk/xqm2i2XoR281I1anGFvKozbQhGoGsl_IACLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1%2B9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="371" data-original-width="689" height="172" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T9RuHmiYozs/W2m2Ip6y51I/AAAAAAAAEHk/xqm2i2XoR281I1anGFvKozbQhGoGsl_IACLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1%2B9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Bit mean, that.</div>
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Next up, the one character in the issue that is not original. Morgyn the Mighty (also by Watkins). </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qTs9b0VWsL4/W2m1_23E9HI/AAAAAAAAEFg/W5FXilT-_KsVXJkkmkMO0KeNHl4wPw2rgCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1%2B10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="775" data-original-width="1483" height="167" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qTs9b0VWsL4/W2m1_23E9HI/AAAAAAAAEFg/W5FXilT-_KsVXJkkmkMO0KeNHl4wPw2rgCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1%2B10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Yes, Morgyn, a sort-of Tarzan-like character who had became stranded on the mysterious Black Island, filled with dangerous animals.</div>
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It was originally a prose story published in Rover back in 1928 but this was his first appearance as a picture strip. It didn't last long. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2TyY9BTV1hE/W2m1_XxfzDI/AAAAAAAAEFY/WYMOeGr1OnEn4ggwppMvJfxGxzvUh5FFwCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1%2B11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="686" data-original-width="740" height="296" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2TyY9BTV1hE/W2m1_XxfzDI/AAAAAAAAEFY/WYMOeGr1OnEn4ggwppMvJfxGxzvUh5FFwCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1%2B11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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To protect his precious goats, Morgyn has to stab a giant eagle... </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8mFnmmhkznQ/W2m1_kZWz1I/AAAAAAAAEFc/3fANbXs3nyYXzlsIYHwvcptzgE0mAk0MwCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1%2B12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="736" data-original-width="722" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8mFnmmhkznQ/W2m1_kZWz1I/AAAAAAAAEFc/3fANbXs3nyYXzlsIYHwvcptzgE0mAk0MwCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1%2B12.jpg" width="313" /></a></div>
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And a shark. </div>
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More adventure next week.</div>
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Moving on, medieval adventure with Tom Thumb "The Boy Who's Only Six Inches High!" </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rqSWFDE_bEg/W2m2AjZgF4I/AAAAAAAAEFs/BRFPW71wS2Mhzry-vT8BEn-3ltcURIKlQCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1%2B13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="657" data-original-width="1476" height="142" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rqSWFDE_bEg/W2m2AjZgF4I/AAAAAAAAEFs/BRFPW71wS2Mhzry-vT8BEn-3ltcURIKlQCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1%2B13.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The first prose adventure in the book, a poor couple with an inexplicably small child (at least it was an easy birth) are having their land overrun by the Baron's men on their hunting trip. Tom rides the family cat (Peterkins), armed with a darning needle to stop them but ends up captured. The Baron wants him to be his jester but wily Tom tricks them and escapes.</div>
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The second page of this two-page strip has a "joke" at the top of it: "Mary's lamb, nicknamed " Button," rushes motor - Button's mutton." </div>
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And that's not our last dead sheep...</div>
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Humour strip Whoopee Hank The Slap-Dash Sheriff next. </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C6hIVyQNYnc/W2m2ARze1rI/AAAAAAAAEFk/t7pt4ZxntCMuohSgnV1G-zQcnoOIOVHuQCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1%2B14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="476" height="299" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C6hIVyQNYnc/W2m2ARze1rI/AAAAAAAAEFk/t7pt4ZxntCMuohSgnV1G-zQcnoOIOVHuQCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1%2B14.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Whoops! That stranger was robbing the bank and tricked Hank into keep the people inside while he made a getaway. Luckily a handy nearby civil war cannon (yes, really) can be used to shoot nails into the path of the robber's suspiciously contemporary car. </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aZy463YcBeY/W2m2AiQNqVI/AAAAAAAAEFo/CmjYAQE7bM8bEW1XHUFk6sF7yb2NvxYvwCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1%2B15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="457" data-original-width="458" height="318" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aZy463YcBeY/W2m2AiQNqVI/AAAAAAAAEFo/CmjYAQE7bM8bEW1XHUFk6sF7yb2NvxYvwCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1%2B15.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Worth noting here that this is an example of a hybrid strip story/comic strip. There are speech balloons and captions. It took a while for this "comic strip" thing to properly catch on.</div>
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Another example is on the next page: Hooky's Magic Bowler Hat. </div>
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A nice young man called Hooky Higgs offers a passing Indian carpet seller some of his picnic, and in return... </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PovFURX0KIM/W2m2AzRkDwI/AAAAAAAAEFw/oD3L3gECK14NXjzZSVhtcx8uE0P1pOwqgCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1%2B16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="509" data-original-width="495" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PovFURX0KIM/W2m2AzRkDwI/AAAAAAAAEFw/oD3L3gECK14NXjzZSVhtcx8uE0P1pOwqgCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1%2B16.jpg" width="311" /></a></div>
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A genie is quite a gift. </div>
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He is, like Johnny Thunder's Thunderbolt (created two years later), a very literal genie. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bC2aeC1u8PQ/W2m2BHW55GI/AAAAAAAAEF0/FHGfji3SgTYJ5i-QBIvS0vb-K-DB3y74wCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1%2B17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="509" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bC2aeC1u8PQ/W2m2BHW55GI/AAAAAAAAEF0/FHGfji3SgTYJ5i-QBIvS0vb-K-DB3y74wCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1%2B17.jpg" width="301" /></a></div>
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Next panel: Hooky is pink.</div>
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They next accidentally stray in the path of a charging bull. Hooky asks for protection and: </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kazEDZftpSg/W2m2BfVT5AI/AAAAAAAAEF4/YGU0yUR8w7c7rfxKRJ0PWiPXuB61DselACLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1%2B18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="494" height="317" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kazEDZftpSg/W2m2BfVT5AI/AAAAAAAAEF4/YGU0yUR8w7c7rfxKRJ0PWiPXuB61DselACLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1%2B18.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I love that illustration. And I'm happy the bull survived.</div>
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Another prose tale now with one-page story The Wangles of Granny Green. "Tell Your Mum, Tell Your Pa - Jimmy Green's His Own Grandma !" </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vapvs85tLmc/W2m2BjCljTI/AAAAAAAAEF8/Wgg_BwETeQ0pZBMxyQgWmZucBXrm4qQrgCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1%2B19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="335" data-original-width="1465" height="73" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vapvs85tLmc/W2m2BjCljTI/AAAAAAAAEF8/Wgg_BwETeQ0pZBMxyQgWmZucBXrm4qQrgCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1%2B19.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I love this concept. An eleven year old boy whose mother died and father works away a lot is fed up with interfering neighbours restricting his freedom. So he cooks up a wizard wheeze to disguise himself as his own grandmother to keep up appearances. </div>
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This could be a great movie pitch. It's Home Alone meets Mrs Doubtfire!</div>
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Next page has three short strips.</div>
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Wee Peem (he's a proper scream), a mild prankster, seen here with an exploding cigar. </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2aOz6_-_Rdo/W2m2Bvwb6EI/AAAAAAAAEGA/7WTdOO9_HoUP3XF9xeDhzdDbqbmmMR46gCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1%2B20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="309" data-original-width="504" height="196" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2aOz6_-_Rdo/W2m2Bvwb6EI/AAAAAAAAEGA/7WTdOO9_HoUP3XF9xeDhzdDbqbmmMR46gCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1%2B20.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Little <strike>One</strike> Dead-Eye Dick (He's a fun-man and a gun-man), seen here shooting a hat that had blown away. </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XdmkCCh5JtM/W2m2BzioMjI/AAAAAAAAEGE/LnZ4p9bUHKMrTW-ipGZR7dK9x1Tiizs2ACLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1%2B21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="291" data-original-width="728" height="127" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XdmkCCh5JtM/W2m2BzioMjI/AAAAAAAAEGE/LnZ4p9bUHKMrTW-ipGZR7dK9x1Tiizs2ACLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1%2B21.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I don't think that's how wind works.</div>
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And finally Hairy Dan (How Dan won the race with his hairy face), seen here using his beard as a sail. </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4DLc9l7n3Qg/W2m2CE0ZuvI/AAAAAAAAEGI/VpgumcTJ5M8UfiTOTOAdJP9Af59a51fbACLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1%2B22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="308" data-original-width="471" height="209" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4DLc9l7n3Qg/W2m2CE0ZuvI/AAAAAAAAEGI/VpgumcTJ5M8UfiTOTOAdJP9Af59a51fbACLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1%2B22.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Three more strips on the following page.</div>
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Contrary Mary (You can't play a joke on Mary the Moke) seen here contemplating disguising herself as a goat. </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hC8w6645AhI/W2m2CZ8PzxI/AAAAAAAAEGM/xqiFZKWSsHAWL0CtfQuI4on62cdCJ4DpACLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1%2B23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="296" data-original-width="494" height="191" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hC8w6645AhI/W2m2CZ8PzxI/AAAAAAAAEGM/xqiFZKWSsHAWL0CtfQuI4on62cdCJ4DpACLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1%2B23.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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(Incidentally, Mary was one of the characters that joined Lord Snooty's pals in 1950.)</div>
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Smiler the Sweeper (A clever wheeze for catching bees), seen here narrating his actions. </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vSQhjd8nk2g/W2m2ChXREsI/AAAAAAAAEGQ/sbFgPgh7mGQ43Ai-CVuVjOrmprAwUQQjwCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1%2B24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="494" height="193" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vSQhjd8nk2g/W2m2ChXREsI/AAAAAAAAEGQ/sbFgPgh7mGQ43Ai-CVuVjOrmprAwUQQjwCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1%2B24.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And finally Helpful Henry (Just too bad for Henry's Dad), seen here just before he steals street paving slabs. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NrUWbQMTUH8/W2m2Copi-MI/AAAAAAAAEGU/nzs-jYsw-1kWqWQnLodz5qwWNPcWTUDjgCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1%2B25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="317" data-original-width="458" height="221" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NrUWbQMTUH8/W2m2Copi-MI/AAAAAAAAEGU/nzs-jYsw-1kWqWQnLodz5qwWNPcWTUDjgCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1%2B25.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Another one-page prose story, The Wishing Tree. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TToyG_Owz2c/W2m2DA8_VuI/AAAAAAAAEGY/JDQzyci5LsEMeSy1LniY1JFH0kSyUq80ACLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1%2B26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="303" data-original-width="1462" height="66" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TToyG_Owz2c/W2m2DA8_VuI/AAAAAAAAEGY/JDQzyci5LsEMeSy1LniY1JFH0kSyUq80ACLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1%2B26.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Johnny Gray is visiting his grandmother who warns him of the secret wishing tree (which I believe looks like the actor Michael Gough). Johnny goes down and wishes his father (a policeman) could capture the burglar plaguing the town. Said burglar appears and wishes for a horse, which appears and takes him directly to the police station, thus fulfilling both wishes.</div>
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Next page: Big Fat Joe (1 ton of fun), another character that would join Lord Snooty in 1950. A bully gets what-for with the old water-displacement prank. </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dus375PG91g/W2m2DOZAftI/AAAAAAAAEGc/gsqdXHh6_KIf49hqdQN2bmgcvRYzvFkogCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1%2B27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="444" data-original-width="715" height="198" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dus375PG91g/W2m2DOZAftI/AAAAAAAAEGc/gsqdXHh6_KIf49hqdQN2bmgcvRYzvFkogCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1%2B27.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Another two-page prose story, The Shipwrecked Kidds, comes next. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8kbHBQQCAF0/W2m2DwUmPeI/AAAAAAAAEGk/xC4seNOX2x857yFtY-4jpRGovTVKcy9ywCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1%2B28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="1494" height="132" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8kbHBQQCAF0/W2m2DwUmPeI/AAAAAAAAEGk/xC4seNOX2x857yFtY-4jpRGovTVKcy9ywCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1%2B28.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Cyril and Ethel Kidd are two spoilt rich kids, putting down their help, until a freak windstorm strands them, Big Bill Thomson (a sailor hired to send the family on a trip) and Mickey (the cook's assistant) on another mysterious island while the rest of the family and staff are safely on dry land.</div>
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It's a fun romp with a nice change in how the characters relate to each other. The children really are awful to the adults right up until the point where they realise they might die.</div>
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Page two of this has another joke: "Little pheasant, flying by, sudden bang - Pheasant pie." So there's another death.</div>
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Then comes Rip Van Wink, the original Philip J Fry. He awakes from his cave seven hundred years after he put his head down.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yD5-IP2wcGI/W2m2D1l7GeI/AAAAAAAAEGg/6NNFHvNsO0c5JWLNGGueY2d_XtJXbo4WgCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1%2B29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="461" data-original-width="476" height="309" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yD5-IP2wcGI/W2m2D1l7GeI/AAAAAAAAEGg/6NNFHvNsO0c5JWLNGGueY2d_XtJXbo4WgCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1%2B29.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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He trepidatiously wanders out into the real world searching for food (that length of nap will make you hungry) and immediately shoots an arrow at a passing hiker (his enormous backpack made him look like some kind of beast).</div>
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Showing no hard feelings, the hiker gives him some food.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ssvWqW_ce6E/W2m2D6KUvKI/AAAAAAAAEGo/0fMZ_uXJ5k89Zt7RKq956umTBxAMcBrAACLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1%2B30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="473" height="315" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ssvWqW_ce6E/W2m2D6KUvKI/AAAAAAAAEGo/0fMZ_uXJ5k89Zt7RKq956umTBxAMcBrAACLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1%2B30.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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However, he hadn't taken into account that Rip would have no clue what a banana was, let alone tinned food. After eating the bananas whole ("Ugh!") he pops the beef on the fire to cook. It, of course, explodes.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dREBPJC_OvY/W2m2EjVjvFI/AAAAAAAAEGs/aLfqsS3tTWE3SIs0MUeJjNCQcS4kibf2QCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1%2B31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="469" data-original-width="480" height="312" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dREBPJC_OvY/W2m2EjVjvFI/AAAAAAAAEGs/aLfqsS3tTWE3SIs0MUeJjNCQcS4kibf2QCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1%2B31.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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One more one-page prose story with luckless hound My Dog Sandy.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-We9HMj2jzNg/W2m2FDAQTJI/AAAAAAAAEGw/TS_mj88MpDE1lOFw-KMHX6WYUYplADdzgCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1%2B32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="321" data-original-width="1473" height="69" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-We9HMj2jzNg/W2m2FDAQTJI/AAAAAAAAEGw/TS_mj88MpDE1lOFw-KMHX6WYUYplADdzgCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1%2B32.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Out driving sheep with his cruel owner, Watkins ("Watkins had a small-sized sheep farm but he was also a dealer."), a fire engine tears past them, sending the sheep into a panic. Sandy does his best to keep them from harm but two of them are "hit and killed instantly" as the engine plows through them.</div>
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Watkins takes it out on Sandy with a thrashing ("You stupid brute!"), causing him to run away. He endures several more Dickensian miseries before being taken in by kindly young shepherd named John Murray. And then their true adventures begin. I guess.</div>
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Time for one last two-page prose story: The Ape's Secret.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1BLEdkRcCJ0/W2m2F2TPTiI/AAAAAAAAEG4/1NbBBQWAzLswQd9JgfkqPzw9XsjHET8WQCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1%2B33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="1451" height="135" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1BLEdkRcCJ0/W2m2F2TPTiI/AAAAAAAAEG4/1NbBBQWAzLswQd9JgfkqPzw9XsjHET8WQCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1%2B33.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Circus boy Jimmy (who performs an act with spring heels) is due to inherit his uncle's business (the circus itself) but just after Uncle Jed dies a performing chimp (Algy) snatches the will and hides it. So cruel uncle Jules gets it instead. Can Jimmy and kindly clown Tumbler save the circus and themselves and figure out exactly what Algy did?</div>
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I liked this one, it had a real Lemony Snicket air to it.</div>
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Another picture story next with The Wild Boy of the Woods.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W-wgMmtd1ww/W2m2FnpWKxI/AAAAAAAAEG0/icGwq5KwSYEFkE6rpBgnkPl0zbu4KOtNwCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1%2B34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="729" height="273" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W-wgMmtd1ww/W2m2FnpWKxI/AAAAAAAAEG0/icGwq5KwSYEFkE6rpBgnkPl0zbu4KOtNwCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1%2B34.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We have covered him before, specifically because he owned a <a href="https://the-slipper.blogspot.com/2015/01/three-words-giant-robot-hitler.html" target="_blank">GIANT ROBOT HITLER</a>!</div>
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Quick version, he's a low-rent Tarzan called Derek.</div>
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Above you can see him as he's about to enter his tree house with fish he'd caught on privately-owned land. Not a treehouse, it's a house in a tree. He's opening the front door. </div>
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He lives with an old hermit he knows simply as Grandad.</div>
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There's a room in there to cut his hair.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-faSA_gluhIA/W2m2FyYVkVI/AAAAAAAAEG8/d-O3Eyw-5hEMAmyr15u38cj24eB4GSdDQCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1%2B35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="736" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-faSA_gluhIA/W2m2FyYVkVI/AAAAAAAAEG8/d-O3Eyw-5hEMAmyr15u38cj24eB4GSdDQCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1%2B35.jpg" width="314" /></a></div>
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The hermit announces he's leaving home after living a lie. See, Derek is no relation, he was simply found in the woods. So the hermit headed off into the city to find out where he came from, leaving Derek behind to fend for himself.</div>
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None of that makes any sense but it sets up the story of a boy living in the woods with nothing but his own wits, which is a good premise.</div>
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However, whilst out poaching again, he stumbles into a trap for him, laid by gamekeepers and hauled off meet justice.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zfAfXEPk6_A/W2m2Gp4qpeI/AAAAAAAAEHA/vQ4VyWz54uUi0Nq_96IPxJ8Z8B26xw-AgCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1%2B36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="635" data-original-width="733" height="277" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zfAfXEPk6_A/W2m2Gp4qpeI/AAAAAAAAEHA/vQ4VyWz54uUi0Nq_96IPxJ8Z8B26xw-AgCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1%2B36.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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What happens next? I'll never know.</div>
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Two more humour strips are on the penultimate page. The first is Uncle Windbag (He tells tall tales).</div>
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Another Blimpish figure, his curious nephew asks if he'd ever hunted tigers. He regales him with the time caught a tiger by the tail and literally ripped its skin off.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SSJTwdgcSRs/W2m2GxBClhI/AAAAAAAAEHE/t315cpF79BgwO_YcSwR6bGUg6YvI4rNvwCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1%2B37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="328" data-original-width="491" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SSJTwdgcSRs/W2m2GxBClhI/AAAAAAAAEHE/t315cpF79BgwO_YcSwR6bGUg6YvI4rNvwCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1%2B37.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I mean, at least he didn't kill it but let's face it, a skinless tiger won't live long.</div>
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Anyway, young Billy decides to prank his uncle by draping a real dead tiger's pelt over himself.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZVqwu5d29VU/W2m2HKlCL4I/AAAAAAAAEHI/bA0Gpx4ohRIeBLP1pwxHIzTWhqOA-cJgQCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1%2B38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="354" data-original-width="484" height="234" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZVqwu5d29VU/W2m2HKlCL4I/AAAAAAAAEHI/bA0Gpx4ohRIeBLP1pwxHIzTWhqOA-cJgQCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1%2B38.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Below that is tedious strip Monkey Tricks in which animals play cricket.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-siK8ZQAnqjE/W2m2HawsYvI/AAAAAAAAEHM/6PTr9PBRIDofYnjh57yinWydRGSGHRbuwCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1%2B39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="502" height="197" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-siK8ZQAnqjE/W2m2HawsYvI/AAAAAAAAEHM/6PTr9PBRIDofYnjh57yinWydRGSGHRbuwCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1%2B39.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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There is no joke to speak of.</div>
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And now, we've reached the back page and the secret origin of Tin-Can Tommy The Clockwork Boy.</div>
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Cartoonish art hides a dark background.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tr6JdufxRmQ/W2m2Ocuw6pI/AAAAAAAAEHs/mphD6L0GCBYH0zDkZ2jwyEPWJMbganQdACLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1%2B40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><strike><img border="0" data-original-height="476" data-original-width="718" height="212" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tr6JdufxRmQ/W2m2Ocuw6pI/AAAAAAAAEHs/mphD6L0GCBYH0zDkZ2jwyEPWJMbganQdACLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1%2B40.jpg" width="320" /></strike></a></div>
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Yep, let's kick off with a dead child.</div>
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A displacement activity for the mourning father is to build a robot.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MASTVCRIrfQ/W2m2OftvznI/AAAAAAAAEHo/20hCSchxXn4FIWnizsohvbpe8-6aKSSXwCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1%2B41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="437" data-original-width="715" height="195" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MASTVCRIrfQ/W2m2OftvznI/AAAAAAAAEHo/20hCSchxXn4FIWnizsohvbpe8-6aKSSXwCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1%2B41.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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That's literally all that happens in issue one, let's look forward to <strike>more</strike> android antics in the future!</div>
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And that's the end of The Beano, issue one from 1938. Join me next time for an issue from 1946!</div>
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(No point complaining, I am doing this.)</div>
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Finally tally: Number of dead animals: 12</div>
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Dead humans: 3</div>
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Dead bees after being sucked into vacuum cleaner: Unknown</div>
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Animals spontaneously generated by magic: 1 horse</div>
The Slipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17231598306094150274noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782966666136502802.post-14373102281406615202018-07-29T17:16:00.000-07:002018-07-30T04:07:12.288-07:00Happy Birthday The Beano: Slap-up feasts all round<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lffkPn1A_bI/W15HTUOeTsI/AAAAAAAAD-g/ziWwSO31M4IpcQ78U1DuKBMQfS3p2HBDQCLcBGAs/s1600/elt200805312227077832727.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="208" data-original-width="620" height="107" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lffkPn1A_bI/W15HTUOeTsI/AAAAAAAAD-g/ziWwSO31M4IpcQ78U1DuKBMQfS3p2HBDQCLcBGAs/s320/elt200805312227077832727.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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It is the 80th birthday of two things I have known my whole life. One of them was my mother. The other was The Beano.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cw2iaTLyOJo/W15HnCxIS_I/AAAAAAAAD-o/OmwjgE9n6B8Nip1S34f0ytnMtEcX6Ay4ACLcBGAs/s1600/Beano-Comic-Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="263" data-original-width="537" height="156" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cw2iaTLyOJo/W15HnCxIS_I/AAAAAAAAD-o/OmwjgE9n6B8Nip1S34f0ytnMtEcX6Ay4ACLcBGAs/s320/Beano-Comic-Image.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Yes, 80 years old. A permanent fixture of my childhood which I loved dearly. After falling from favour as I grew into adulthood, I eventually returned to appreciate from a more cultured perspective what can be offered today.</div>
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And the same can be said of The Beano.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pJXq1ZsEXgw/W15H3zMg-wI/AAAAAAAAD-w/5X_A_prGwp85zFHo0IQVKvq75LfrfTXJACLcBGAs/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="177" data-original-width="285" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pJXq1ZsEXgw/W15H3zMg-wI/AAAAAAAAD-w/5X_A_prGwp85zFHo0IQVKvq75LfrfTXJACLcBGAs/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a></div>
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Growing up in the UK in the 1980s meant experiencing the last golden era of humour comics. The old guard survived (Topper, Beezer, Buster, Whizzer and Chips), new titles came and went (I'll always have nostalgic glows when I think of School Fun or Hoot) and publishers could still experiment with the format (Nipper, Oink!).</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wKPSDbWIsQk/W15ISr2fVYI/AAAAAAAAD-4/UujjFppgtoAwN8_9PdRVWX9LSgmbM6pzgCLcBGAs/s1600/s-l300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="209" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wKPSDbWIsQk/W15ISr2fVYI/AAAAAAAAD-4/UujjFppgtoAwN8_9PdRVWX9LSgmbM6pzgCLcBGAs/s1600/s-l300.jpg" /></a></div>
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But it was the Big Two, the unassailable juggernauts of UK comics that looked down on all the others. The Dandy and The Beano.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kAe9MFldZNI/W15It9c_2WI/AAAAAAAAD_A/4g086yi6KUQIk-dtcK--tkKSFmFlhLcvgCLcBGAs/s1600/s-l1600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kAe9MFldZNI/W15It9c_2WI/AAAAAAAAD_A/4g086yi6KUQIk-dtcK--tkKSFmFlhLcvgCLcBGAs/s320/s-l1600.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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They weren't just fun, they carried a weight of history. Your parents read them. Your grandparents maybe did. Your teachers did. Everyone knew the characters.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-48jktTfIBXo/W15I8DNH8rI/AAAAAAAAD_E/y_soA98XpRk1LZG-FatBVAtqua9o1-KSQCLcBGAs/s1600/0075071500000258-4452668-image-a-22_1493319678494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="634" height="235" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-48jktTfIBXo/W15I8DNH8rI/AAAAAAAAD_E/y_soA98XpRk1LZG-FatBVAtqua9o1-KSQCLcBGAs/s320/0075071500000258-4452668-image-a-22_1493319678494.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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They were everywhere in pop culture besides. If you wanted to shorthand comics for a joke it was one of these two.</div>
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Eric and Ernie sit in bed, Ernie's reading the financial Times, Eric's reading the Beano. Billy in Kes reads a Desperate Dan story. Benny Hill plays a sports reporter but the camera cuts early and he's reading The Beano. Yosser Hughes in Boys from the Black Stuff tells the kindly priest: "I'm desperate, Dan." </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ME0LJBBFeNM/W15JZOdMujI/AAAAAAAAD_Q/zGH4Azo4ynkXdDaIiBw3RvCT9QyLJl5PQCLcBGAs/s1600/images%2B%25281%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="290" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ME0LJBBFeNM/W15JZOdMujI/AAAAAAAAD_Q/zGH4Azo4ynkXdDaIiBw3RvCT9QyLJl5PQCLcBGAs/s1600/images%2B%25281%2529.jpeg" /></a></div>
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I could go on.</div>
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Incidentally, if you were thinking of telling me it was The Dandy in that Morecambe and Wise Sketch, have another look. It's a Beano with a fake (and inaccurate) Dandy masthead. Viddy:</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jb4ugHz5XWA/W15JpEvWHHI/AAAAAAAAD_Y/UaTpOiv78qMsx4w4m-W4ZXKlJksIWB6fQCLcBGAs/s1600/MW2-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="768" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jb4ugHz5XWA/W15JpEvWHHI/AAAAAAAAD_Y/UaTpOiv78qMsx4w4m-W4ZXKlJksIWB6fQCLcBGAs/s320/MW2-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anyway, in 1987 DC Thomson started hyping the 50th Anniversary of the Big Two. And it seemed exciting. Special celebratory issues were hotly anticipated (well, by me, at least), The "50 Years" logo was slapped on everything and a special bumper book was published.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DdQ0r7lMgJo/W15KKSmVJlI/AAAAAAAAD_o/ZsmxbdB9ZNonZflk_iS_NRr1AkP4yYu4wCLcBGAs/s1600/s-l300%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="227" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DdQ0r7lMgJo/W15KKSmVJlI/AAAAAAAAD_o/ZsmxbdB9ZNonZflk_iS_NRr1AkP4yYu4wCLcBGAs/s1600/s-l300%2B%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
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I loved that book. I pored over every page. That nerdy part of my brain that loves to learn the history of something was tickled for maybe the first time. I loved learning about the weird old characters that no longer exist (particularly wartime propaganda efforts like Addie and Hermie and, ahem, "Musso the Wop") as well as seeing what my favourite characters looked like as originated by their creators. Of course, this being a DC Thomson publication, none of those creators were credited (they're much better at this now).</div>
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I also got the Beano and Dandy Panini sticker album. The only sticker album I ever filled. 30 years later and I'm still proud of that.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3oQ6ZB-Dczo/W15K1OlqvDI/AAAAAAAAD_4/vk1Z-7OcLJM3vM96XrlhvNgMJDWyy-YUACLcBGAs/s1600/Beanostickeralbum1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="463" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3oQ6ZB-Dczo/W15K1OlqvDI/AAAAAAAAD_4/vk1Z-7OcLJM3vM96XrlhvNgMJDWyy-YUACLcBGAs/s320/Beanostickeralbum1.jpg" width="231" /></a></div>
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I have to admit that over the next few years I strayed. I became a bit of a Fleetway snob. Especially after the release of Big Comic, an all-reprint fortnightly which taught me a lot of comics history and celebrated the creators, whose names I started to learn. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-869AFK5XVjI/W15LCjNyeLI/AAAAAAAAD_8/3ug5JSl00O0e6AUQN2TSL7vqld6Y6rfZwCLcBGAs/s1600/bigcomic3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="409" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-869AFK5XVjI/W15LCjNyeLI/AAAAAAAAD_8/3ug5JSl00O0e6AUQN2TSL7vqld6Y6rfZwCLcBGAs/s320/bigcomic3.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>
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Then after leaving school I became more interested in American comics and stopped buying UK-created ones. I feel kinda guilty now given that very soon after Whizzer and Chips, The Beezer and The Topper ceased to be. And then Buster went too. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XTRtLHqlg1M/W15LRly2KyI/AAAAAAAAEAE/JjGxndQ9jzAaykmoE6FdWwD_sUMCdCpYgCLcBGAs/s1600/busterlast1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="496" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XTRtLHqlg1M/W15LRly2KyI/AAAAAAAAEAE/JjGxndQ9jzAaykmoE6FdWwD_sUMCdCpYgCLcBGAs/s320/busterlast1.jpg" width="244" /></a></div>
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So, ultimately (and I know I'm oversimplifying here) we were left with just The Dandy and The Beano. </div>
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Both survived several redesigns and relaunches but eventually <a href="http://the-slipper.blogspot.com/2012/08/britains-oldest-comic-to-cease.html" target="_blank">The Dandy</a> went on its 75th birthday in 2012. </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9nCSNLUVGoQ/W15LgUjtqoI/AAAAAAAAEAM/_vJs8OOtPZE_KS0KdUpdMl5YmO7mcB2nQCLcBGAs/s1600/91H7bsDXi2L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1130" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9nCSNLUVGoQ/W15LgUjtqoI/AAAAAAAAEAM/_vJs8OOtPZE_KS0KdUpdMl5YmO7mcB2nQCLcBGAs/s320/91H7bsDXi2L.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>
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So that leaves us with just The Beano as the last British comic.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SPu6cEjidfE/W15L_fu98rI/AAAAAAAAEAY/KeJQ3L6f4coclLPV7ZdTOyUcAeMwH7ypQCLcBGAs/s1600/00.default.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="492" data-original-width="375" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SPu6cEjidfE/W15L_fu98rI/AAAAAAAAEAY/KeJQ3L6f4coclLPV7ZdTOyUcAeMwH7ypQCLcBGAs/s320/00.default.jpg" width="243" /></a></div>
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All right the last comic for children.</div>
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Toxic is a magazine with comic strips.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6pq439LpJvQ/W15M2cRge-I/AAAAAAAAEAs/Ymb313-tNyUmS0eF9nGlHJjjBevOaf8JwCLcBGAs/s1600/issue-cover-website-342-900x900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6pq439LpJvQ/W15M2cRge-I/AAAAAAAAEAs/Ymb313-tNyUmS0eF9nGlHJjjBevOaf8JwCLcBGAs/s320/issue-cover-website-342-900x900.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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All right, The Phoenix is not as widely available as it should be like The Beano. And it calls itself a story comic. </div>
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Right, so The Beano is the last remaining humour comic for children.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k0--ImxbJZE/W15NJ8r8FSI/AAAAAAAAEA0/Wiio-X1i7A4MslgjpRUY3n-i1Kbvia3fwCLcBGAs/s1600/b109e463822efe0d2b93511c448e2818e8df0a17c71bae200abe738bfc16.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="715" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k0--ImxbJZE/W15NJ8r8FSI/AAAAAAAAEA0/Wiio-X1i7A4MslgjpRUY3n-i1Kbvia3fwCLcBGAs/s320/b109e463822efe0d2b93511c448e2818e8df0a17c71bae200abe738bfc16.jpeg" width="276" /></a></div>
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So why The Beano? Why is that the last comic standing? What kept it going when all around fell? It's not just surviving, either, it's thriving.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q6X4Tnc1liU/W15NUVipG0I/AAAAAAAAEA4/kVP7kTfw5OAoR28PjjAZkdb7MiTh-ZcBgCLcBGAs/s1600/img_4663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q6X4Tnc1liU/W15NUVipG0I/AAAAAAAAEA4/kVP7kTfw5OAoR28PjjAZkdb7MiTh-ZcBgCLcBGAs/s320/img_4663.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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Let's go back to the start. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OPFxe4MjhIQ/W15Nja1rdnI/AAAAAAAAEBA/3ZxSj_TflZccfBOQ3aZge2Pa3lbeOuoWgCLcBGAs/s1600/220px-BoysOwnPaperIssue1Jan1879.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="308" data-original-width="220" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OPFxe4MjhIQ/W15Nja1rdnI/AAAAAAAAEBA/3ZxSj_TflZccfBOQ3aZge2Pa3lbeOuoWgCLcBGAs/s1600/220px-BoysOwnPaperIssue1Jan1879.jpg" /></a></div>
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The children's publishing industry was booming in the 1930s. The "boys' papers" of the earlier decades were being superseded by the new American-style way of story-telling. Comics.</div>
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Before this the papers were composed entirely of prose stories with occasional illustrations, which then evolved into a series of illustrated panels arranged to tell a sequential story, with prose beneath them. Sometimes in rhyme. Think Rupert the Bear. </div>
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Then came the new innovation: The speech bubble.</div>
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This might seem like an unnecessary history lesson but the point is that DC Thomson were exploiting this new format more than any of its competitors. The Dandy Comic (as it was originally) was also in a smaller "half tabloid" format than the other children's papers and had more colour, making it stand out. It would be some time before they went full comic but The Dandy and The Beano were big hits straight away, along with sister paper The Magic.</div>
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Then came World War II. Many of the comics that flourished in the 30s vanished. There weren't as many people (men) around to make them and paper rationing made them harder to print in the numbers the publishers wanted. Weekly comics then became fortnightly. But our Big Two survived.</div>
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In 1946 The Beano's circulation reached one million. </div>
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Then in the early 1950s came the next thing that marked out The Beano as special. The hiring of three bona-fide comics geniuses.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X3kLR55TAXY/W15QAl1oriI/AAAAAAAAEBs/ZeOYqcY4HNkg1z8H2_NP5zl8dBBAKcMEACLcBGAs/s1600/Lord_Snooty.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="169" data-original-width="221" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X3kLR55TAXY/W15QAl1oriI/AAAAAAAAEBs/ZeOYqcY4HNkg1z8H2_NP5zl8dBBAKcMEACLcBGAs/s1600/Lord_Snooty.gif" /></a></div>
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The great Dudley D Watkins had been working for the Big Two from issue one (creating Desperate Dan and Lord Snooty among others) but now we got a new generation with a new, anarchic style.</div>
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Artists like Ronald Searle had been pushing boundaries of taste in cartoons and the great animation geniuses like Tex Avery were using comedic violence to great purpose. In 1952 Harvey Kurtzman creates Mad Magazine which has a seismic effect on comics.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pLpPiffErU0/W15RY1heqYI/AAAAAAAAECA/jZh07halWpEPHvRgY3uPoTRcSuAdzGNkgCLcBGAs/s1600/6a00e553df6489883401157155bf5c970b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pLpPiffErU0/W15RY1heqYI/AAAAAAAAECA/jZh07halWpEPHvRgY3uPoTRcSuAdzGNkgCLcBGAs/s320/6a00e553df6489883401157155bf5c970b.jpg" width="251" /></a></div>
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All this means there was a zeitgeist for this kind of rebellious storytelling. And The Beano hires:<br />
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Davy Law, who gives them Dennis the Menace (and gives The Topper Beryl the Peril).</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1mVdMfK0hzA/W15Rsu3thkI/AAAAAAAAECI/s1AHBDz8NsMOfOy_m6jZi8_ClscETOvQwCLcBGAs/s1600/download.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="158" data-original-width="319" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1mVdMfK0hzA/W15Rsu3thkI/AAAAAAAAECI/s1AHBDz8NsMOfOy_m6jZi8_ClscETOvQwCLcBGAs/s1600/download.jpeg" /></a></div>
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Ken Reid who gives them Roger the Dodger and Jonah.</div>
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And Leo Baxendale who gives them Minnie the Minx, The Bash Street Kids and Little Plum (among others)<br />
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Now, I'm not going sing the praises of these three here (look 'em up if you don't know about them, they're great), suffice to say the combined effort meant that The Beano had a distinct tone now, as the current <a href="https://summerreadingchallenge.org.uk/" target="_blank">Summer Reading Challenge</a> has it: Mischief Makers!</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vzCkortzNiU/W15TCnMhg8I/AAAAAAAAECk/Oin6NnHhq2ECFq9tA6BuMfqzPfbRVSGUgCLcBGAs/s1600/bellrings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="201" data-original-width="636" height="101" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vzCkortzNiU/W15TCnMhg8I/AAAAAAAAECk/Oin6NnHhq2ECFq9tA6BuMfqzPfbRVSGUgCLcBGAs/s320/bellrings.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's those characters that define British comics. Apart from Jonah (who disappeared many years ago) all those characters still appear regularly in The Beano today. They still work for today's kids exactly as they did 65 years ago.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kfYf9LjOiig/W15TlOpfIfI/AAAAAAAAECw/rSJjzFwl1mswbeybRRwM6L5uQiH924MDQCLcBGAs/s1600/zzap%2B063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="394" data-original-width="1063" height="118" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kfYf9LjOiig/W15TlOpfIfI/AAAAAAAAECw/rSJjzFwl1mswbeybRRwM6L5uQiH924MDQCLcBGAs/s320/zzap%2B063.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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An argument over creative rights and pay lead to Baxendale and Reid (and others) jumping ship and creating many awesome strips for comics published by Odhams from the 60s on, which makes them Britain's equivalent of Image Comics in the 90s.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_BI1MFAG0kY/W15T2GIFPMI/AAAAAAAAEC4/LKsFb35jhFkR_pjE55fiwz2_7aot64RFQCLcBGAs/s1600/wham.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1553" data-original-width="1134" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_BI1MFAG0kY/W15T2GIFPMI/AAAAAAAAEC4/LKsFb35jhFkR_pjE55fiwz2_7aot64RFQCLcBGAs/s320/wham.jpg" width="233" /></a></div>
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However, because their DC Thomson contracts were "work for hire" this meant The Beano could carry on publishing new stories with these characters with new writers and artists taking over. And the creators wouldn't get a penny. The history of comics is full of stories like this. The current League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: The Tempest #1 that came out this month tells the full story of what happened to Leo Baxendale in particular (written by Alan Moore who has had similar problems).<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tkMd79a-kbI/W15UwiezGaI/AAAAAAAAEDE/IUrSC2WScRE8dtnKXcbxZ5M61MmUZreEACLcBGAs/s1600/tempest1cover.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="419" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tkMd79a-kbI/W15UwiezGaI/AAAAAAAAEDE/IUrSC2WScRE8dtnKXcbxZ5M61MmUZreEACLcBGAs/s320/tempest1cover.png" width="209" /></a></div>
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Luckily, they'd hired brilliant new artists like John Sutherland (who is <u>still</u> drawing The Bash Street Kids every week) and <a href="https://the-slipper.blogspot.com/2014/08/jim-petrie-appreciation.html" target="_blank">Jim Petrie</a> to carry on their work.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UAoCnUaNIlc/W15VGRsFgPI/AAAAAAAAEDM/NYrERUyTuuYWz4x9dPTkHkoajxCr8tLtACLcBGAs/s1600/Beano_No_1991_11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="916" height="144" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UAoCnUaNIlc/W15VGRsFgPI/AAAAAAAAEDM/NYrERUyTuuYWz4x9dPTkHkoajxCr8tLtACLcBGAs/s320/Beano_No_1991_11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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By the 1980s DC Thomson started to follow a trend set by IPC (the company that took over the Oddhams titles and later became Fleetway), absorbing failing comics into successful ones. That way popular characters could live on after the death of their parent title.<br />
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And because The Beano had too many popular characters to unseat, these strays went to The Dandy.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D3IlihwsGJk/W15Viti5hbI/AAAAAAAAEDU/XdTtOXONRxgCuQi2_l1aR7ya11Y0a9q7gCLcBGAs/s1600/the-dandy-and-nutty-from-jan-11th-peter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D3IlihwsGJk/W15Viti5hbI/AAAAAAAAEDU/XdTtOXONRxgCuQi2_l1aR7ya11Y0a9q7gCLcBGAs/s320/the-dandy-and-nutty-from-jan-11th-peter.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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So when Nutty failed, The Dandy got Bananaman. When Hoot ceased to be, The Dandy got Cuddles (who was teamed up with Dimples and eventually ret-conned as twins, but that's a story for another time). They got The Topper's Beryl the Peril too.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VSs8UOOcWy8/W15VzZOoABI/AAAAAAAAEDc/sHLzZIC8RGAYdhQfI_r_fCRSkt5H7bwnQCLcBGAs/s1600/220px-Cuddles_and_Dimples_from_The_Dandy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="218" data-original-width="220" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VSs8UOOcWy8/W15VzZOoABI/AAAAAAAAEDc/sHLzZIC8RGAYdhQfI_r_fCRSkt5H7bwnQCLcBGAs/s1600/220px-Cuddles_and_Dimples_from_The_Dandy.jpg" /></a></div>
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I remember thinking as a child that this was DC Thomson admitting defeat. The Beano was the superior comic, because The Dandy needed help. The Beano did eventually get The Beezer's Numskulls and the unassailable Bananaman, however.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rIQp4IThJp0/W15WA772PjI/AAAAAAAAEDg/nmSwhQi8Vw8m1D_NfqHqRh9KnKmBOw7CACLcBGAs/s1600/07c3732e0aaaedb453ccdf6c9045b044ef9e06cb7147eef021f7b302ccbd.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rIQp4IThJp0/W15WA772PjI/AAAAAAAAEDg/nmSwhQi8Vw8m1D_NfqHqRh9KnKmBOw7CACLcBGAs/s320/07c3732e0aaaedb453ccdf6c9045b044ef9e06cb7147eef021f7b302ccbd.jpeg" width="224" /></a></div>
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The Beano also was the comic that was most successful in other media.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0aIvKRD7LYM/W15WS--mTpI/AAAAAAAAEDs/2V70yR94ubku4T22sD9AHlW1GCLyOxanQCLcBGAs/s1600/s-l300%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0aIvKRD7LYM/W15WS--mTpI/AAAAAAAAEDs/2V70yR94ubku4T22sD9AHlW1GCLyOxanQCLcBGAs/s1600/s-l300%2B%25282%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
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Of all British comics characters there are few that made the leap to film or TV. I count Colonel Blimp and the girls of St Trinians. There have been attempts to market Dan Dare, Jane and Andy Capp. There was a pretty good Perishers cartoon when I was young and a few Viz characters have transitioned.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NLXwKpY_6Dw/W15WkAC0l1I/AAAAAAAAED0/0MJHzcoR_4g0a-yVd5MIrf0qByHCRLZmACLcBGAs/s1600/MV5BM2NiOTM2YjItZTM1MC00MTk0LTkyN2QtNjQzZTEyZGI4N2Y3XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNDE4OTY5NzI%2540._V1_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1198" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NLXwKpY_6Dw/W15WkAC0l1I/AAAAAAAAED0/0MJHzcoR_4g0a-yVd5MIrf0qByHCRLZmACLcBGAs/s320/MV5BM2NiOTM2YjItZTM1MC00MTk0LTkyN2QtNjQzZTEyZGI4N2Y3XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNDE4OTY5NzI%2540._V1_.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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But The Beano....<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3O5YdEIQu84/W15W0OCO2NI/AAAAAAAAED8/AfFDh6N5_KUpYNv1ruL0vg5tEEts_r5QACLcBGAs/s1600/BananaMan_Introduction_Shot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="187" data-original-width="250" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3O5YdEIQu84/W15W0OCO2NI/AAAAAAAAED8/AfFDh6N5_KUpYNv1ruL0vg5tEEts_r5QACLcBGAs/s1600/BananaMan_Introduction_Shot.JPG" /></a></div>
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The first DC Thomson property to leave the medium was Bananaman, in a great TV series voiced by The Goodies which I grew up with (or, for pedants, up with which I grew).<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kAfEbBqEVPE/W15XVhZJNRI/AAAAAAAAEEE/LfMGD4bL6YkJszykbEU0SJgLqM-0NuehQCLcBGAs/s1600/440_dennis1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="389" data-original-width="440" height="282" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kAfEbBqEVPE/W15XVhZJNRI/AAAAAAAAEEE/LfMGD4bL6YkJszykbEU0SJgLqM-0NuehQCLcBGAs/s320/440_dennis1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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But there have been three (THREE) different animated series based on Dennis the Menace, a Beano Video from 1993 (featuring various characters) and there is currently a live-action Minnie the Minx in production.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZHjFmPP7x1M/W15XjoftS3I/AAAAAAAAEEI/5skt5aktRj4UfwJA8gBwSjbuNuZPhCS7wCLcBGAs/s1600/526x297-os_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="297" data-original-width="526" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZHjFmPP7x1M/W15XjoftS3I/AAAAAAAAEEI/5skt5aktRj4UfwJA8gBwSjbuNuZPhCS7wCLcBGAs/s320/526x297-os_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Take THAT Whizzer and Chips!<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9xmVg130f4M/W15X1cgs-JI/AAAAAAAAEEU/1oABEL0FpOMGCJwPvJUfa1222Myvo3tKACLcBGAs/s1600/Dennis_with_Guitar-MAIN-760x537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="537" data-original-width="760" height="226" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9xmVg130f4M/W15X1cgs-JI/AAAAAAAAEEU/1oABEL0FpOMGCJwPvJUfa1222Myvo3tKACLcBGAs/s320/Dennis_with_Guitar-MAIN-760x537.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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They were also early in adopting the internet as a way to reach fans (beanotown.com launched in the early noughties to entice new readers, no longer extant) and has a popular Mario Kart-style racing game.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zO9sItGzliI/W15YMnqwmgI/AAAAAAAAEEc/T3_DfZ7zM_YQ85dEKFlFTcp2PW37JDgYACLcBGAs/s1600/528646-racing_010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zO9sItGzliI/W15YMnqwmgI/AAAAAAAAEEc/T3_DfZ7zM_YQ85dEKFlFTcp2PW37JDgYACLcBGAs/s320/528646-racing_010.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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There are a series of Dennis books by popular author Steven Butler, aping the style of the Wimpy Kid/Tom Gates books that the target audience love.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xzUaD4ukBVY/W15YZaAtimI/AAAAAAAAEEg/n8mj83NRKKwPq7C-WlrQ2YBGqg3Tt1g6gCLcBGAs/s1600/YF_dennis_the_manace.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="841" data-original-width="581" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xzUaD4ukBVY/W15YZaAtimI/AAAAAAAAEEg/n8mj83NRKKwPq7C-WlrQ2YBGqg3Tt1g6gCLcBGAs/s320/YF_dennis_the_manace.png" width="221" /></a></div>
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And this Summer the theme of the government-sponsored library-awareness scheme Summer Reading Challenge is built around <a href="https://summerreadingchallenge.org.uk/" target="_blank">Beano characters</a> (yeah, I've plugged that twice, I like libraries).<br />
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So that is why I love The Beano. And why it survives.<br />
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Everybody we know loves to read The Beano.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N03sHSFnAT8/W15YsOmFpjI/AAAAAAAAEEs/Zu_uMGBlc4EukrThQ-BEafltjogngiy9ACLcBGAs/s1600/Beano-Badges-Dennis-the-Menace-Gnasher-1993-Boots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="291" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N03sHSFnAT8/W15YsOmFpjI/AAAAAAAAEEs/Zu_uMGBlc4EukrThQ-BEafltjogngiy9ACLcBGAs/s320/Beano-Badges-Dennis-the-Menace-Gnasher-1993-Boots.jpg" width="232" /></a></div>
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Coming next: a series of reviews based on significant issues through Beano history. I've read some extraordinary stuff and I want to share it with you!</div>
The Slipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17231598306094150274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782966666136502802.post-59421091075162546452018-05-19T04:19:00.003-07:002018-07-31T13:27:29.643-07:00It's somebody's wedding day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qbOGCd6irwo/WvyskXtgvZI/AAAAAAAAD9E/imErA0sZIHoykFYgPQB54R4uyj_M5GpTACEwYBhgL/s1600/Buster%2B7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="492" data-original-width="1097" height="143" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qbOGCd6irwo/WvyskXtgvZI/AAAAAAAAD9E/imErA0sZIHoykFYgPQB54R4uyj_M5GpTACEwYBhgL/s320/Buster%2B7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Yes! It's happening again! Some people I don't care about are going through a public ritual I dislike!</div>
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Seriously, though, I hope the day goes well for Harry and Meghan (I don't care but feel pressured to make it seem like I do, no offence if you do care, each to their own, I care about old comics and they're not even sentient so I'm the dumb one).</div>
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Currently available is issue 3935 of Last Comic Standing The Beano and they've put out a Royal Wedding (capital r capital w) special!</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U6YNMp5D_CU/WvysSMKL02I/AAAAAAAAD88/-x7TD6cxksw-ZJ5K18nNJMuiJMbIetB4gCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beano%2Bcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1145" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U6YNMp5D_CU/WvysSMKL02I/AAAAAAAAD88/-x7TD6cxksw-ZJ5K18nNJMuiJMbIetB4gCEwYBhgL/s320/Beano%2Bcover.jpg" width="229" /></a></div>
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I say special, but really the only Royal Wedding (capital r capital w) content is an excellent 8-page Beano all-stars story written by Nigel Auchterlounie with art by Nigel Parkinson (both of whom have commented on my <a href="https://the-slipper.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/we-need-to-talk-about-dennis.html" target="_blank">Dennis the Menace blog</a>.)</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e2GtPUmg7mE/WvysMFMa25I/AAAAAAAAD5E/7dM1ZQSV6MYV8LIpEQh5KxGuFGhRdliXwCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1094" data-original-width="1475" height="237" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e2GtPUmg7mE/WvysMFMa25I/AAAAAAAAD5E/7dM1ZQSV6MYV8LIpEQh5KxGuFGhRdliXwCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The (delightfully bonkers) premise is that all Royal Weddings (capital r capital w) since 1066 have taken place in Beanotown, in secret. </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hVTJW8xYyis/WvysLhc-_aI/AAAAAAAAD48/hgRoWADdr-g3hhMIfM_IWUmeT5mFUH8IACLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="541" data-original-width="765" height="226" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hVTJW8xYyis/WvysLhc-_aI/AAAAAAAAD48/hgRoWADdr-g3hhMIfM_IWUmeT5mFUH8IACLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Brenda throws a lot of shade at the French in this, it's like a Blackadder special. Anyway, the secret is blown and everyone in town attends. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zK09K15FEgA/WvysLxHAT8I/AAAAAAAAD5A/URZEK_nCHmkEREcVst-vOjSeBmyNnaVNwCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="566" data-original-width="924" height="196" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zK09K15FEgA/WvysLxHAT8I/AAAAAAAAD5A/URZEK_nCHmkEREcVst-vOjSeBmyNnaVNwCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Dennis the Menace (the good one) causes problems when he drops cake all over the bride. </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ADoL5sOcUKE/WvysMjgJeGI/AAAAAAAAD5I/kjyyl6pmK4A7z2k9-zz91y-fE8mffnuUwCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="531" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ADoL5sOcUKE/WvysMjgJeGI/AAAAAAAAD5I/kjyyl6pmK4A7z2k9-zz91y-fE8mffnuUwCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B4.jpg" width="301" /></a></div>
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Particularly bad time for that...</div>
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Minnie the Minx (a ginger) hatches a plan to get involved. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tiOUsBAseRA/WvysMyql4YI/AAAAAAAAD5M/RdL02mo-t-83iJaE4j0AgYlUxp0mQHXaQCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="519" data-original-width="967" height="171" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tiOUsBAseRA/WvysMyql4YI/AAAAAAAAD5M/RdL02mo-t-83iJaE4j0AgYlUxp0mQHXaQCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And there's a sub-plot with Walter the softy (and I really like how he is the "villain" of Beanotown, like Montana Max, it gives him more agency than just being a victim of homophobic bullying) secretly recording the Wedding (capital w) on his phone and getting Professor Screwtop (good to see he's still around, he was a Lord Snooty supporting character back in my day, a great design and useful plot device, like Batman's Carter Nichols) to make a ray gun (doesn't really matter what it is, it inevitably backfires)(I really do ramble in the brackets, don't I?). </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6Y9O85zNevs/WvysNc74OMI/AAAAAAAAD5Q/Kq71pY_LaW4U0-uDgZzne8gk5yuIg-rFQCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="1469" height="116" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6Y9O85zNevs/WvysNc74OMI/AAAAAAAAD5Q/Kq71pY_LaW4U0-uDgZzne8gk5yuIg-rFQCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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At which point we get the best joke in the strip. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EJVgH2i32Cg/WvysNjDpJrI/AAAAAAAAD5U/A4mmH3JT9ekuAsNGCTbcjHqrBCKjJCIVwCLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="541" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EJVgH2i32Cg/WvysNjDpJrI/AAAAAAAAD5U/A4mmH3JT9ekuAsNGCTbcjHqrBCKjJCIVwCLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B7.jpg" width="283" /></a></div>
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*applauds*</div>
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And it's a slap-up-feast all round! </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8B32nfOC12s/WvysP-6pVwI/AAAAAAAAD5Y/7TQ0NTz1JzYQBJ1n1etgRdMziDl7bINMACLcBGAs/s1600/Beano%2B8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1482" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8B32nfOC12s/WvysP-6pVwI/AAAAAAAAD5Y/7TQ0NTz1JzYQBJ1n1etgRdMziDl7bINMACLcBGAs/s320/Beano%2B8.jpg" width="296" /></a></div>
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So that's 2018, but what if we take a trip back in time? </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A3NpnM6Paso/WvysSBi7qEI/AAAAAAAAD5k/sjWUG4ljfeEAa9Z4CEcpCWFLApwJLF-OgCLcBGAs/s1600/Buster%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1339" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A3NpnM6Paso/WvysSBi7qEI/AAAAAAAAD5k/sjWUG4ljfeEAa9Z4CEcpCWFLApwJLF-OgCLcBGAs/s320/Buster%2B1.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
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It's 1981 and Buster is celebrating the Royal Wedding (capital r capital w) that will probably always be regarded as <u>the</u> Royal Wedding (capit... ah you get it).</div>
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Buster was the great survivor of British comics. At least for IPC/Fleetway. It lasted from 1960 to 2000, absorbing all the cancelled comics along the way including the other great comic-absorbing behemoth Whizzer and Chips in 1990, making it Fleetway's sole surviving humour comic. And it was one of my favourites.</div>
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This issue is cover dated 1st August 1981 and came out two days before the fairytale wedding we all know.</div>
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The cover star of Buster was called... er... Buster. And his strip went through several different styles and was introduced as the son of Andy Capp, the internationally-known newspaper strip character created by Reg Smythe. </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4_Jakdqckgo/Wv_xlOF5f8I/AAAAAAAAD9c/ch5P8HHKU6IBxJyH1XZmXFd3ewt1KX_CgCLcBGAs/s1600/DMR_NEC_030617capp_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="615" height="212" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4_Jakdqckgo/Wv_xlOF5f8I/AAAAAAAAD9c/ch5P8HHKU6IBxJyH1XZmXFd3ewt1KX_CgCLcBGAs/s320/DMR_NEC_030617capp_02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Oh, Andy Capp, you wife-beating drunk...</div>
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This was quietly dropped quite soon after his first appearance (I suspect for legal reasons) but he continued wearing a similar flat cap to Andy's for most of his comics life. </div>
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(Incidentally, the final issue of Buster had him finally taking of his cap to reveal he had the same hair as Dennis the Menace and had to leave it on for copyright reasons.)</div>
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At this point the cover strip was Buster's Diary and detailed the day-to-day adventures of another well-meaning comics scamp. Here Buster and his Mum are being shamed by their grumpy neighbour for not appropriately dressing up their garden for the street party in honour of the RW.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6aoFBAHjD_U/WvysV_repXI/AAAAAAAAD6E/1kn5dZ4YOB4wITC5kntrC4lr6zg7joAewCLcBGAs/s1600/Buster%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="494" data-original-width="580" height="272" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6aoFBAHjD_U/WvysV_repXI/AAAAAAAAD6E/1kn5dZ4YOB4wITC5kntrC4lr6zg7joAewCLcBGAs/s320/Buster%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Clumsy shenanigans ensue which lead to Buster accidentally stealing the neighbour's decorations and selling them in exchange for Union Jack for their garden.</div>
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Slap-up feast all round!</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iThKQvq2cUc/WvysZU7Wk2I/AAAAAAAAD6w/j--5fXBQCiMhmMtqkYDOOiT1TVtkeBZTgCLcBGAs/s1600/Buster%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="485" data-original-width="937" height="165" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iThKQvq2cUc/WvysZU7Wk2I/AAAAAAAAD6w/j--5fXBQCiMhmMtqkYDOOiT1TVtkeBZTgCLcBGAs/s320/Buster%2B3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Note that one person with the Princess Di hairdo.</div>
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Buster's Diary was drawn by Reg Parlett and we haven't heard the last of him.</div>
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Next strip is X-Ray Specs, by Mike Lacey, about a kid called Ray who had some X-ray Specs.</div>
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I desperately wanted X-ray specs as a child because of this strip and always felt Ray lacked ambition. This week, for example he visits a beauty contest...</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wI9TTZT-anU/Wvysc3n2WEI/AAAAAAAAD7g/qSVvBZuQNuo1hU7AmqhyhGrdN6emYWXOwCLcBGAs/s1600/Buster%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="487" data-original-width="577" height="270" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wI9TTZT-anU/Wvysc3n2WEI/AAAAAAAAD7g/qSVvBZuQNuo1hU7AmqhyhGrdN6emYWXOwCLcBGAs/s320/Buster%2B4.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>
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Oh, Ray, surely you're not going to...</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nxakcy_OixM/WvysiPn-4HI/AAAAAAAAD8Q/9c8Mv7Gd7MEOaiqSb4dTYTtgQWO33C3rQCLcBGAs/s1600/Buster%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="491" data-original-width="505" height="310" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nxakcy_OixM/WvysiPn-4HI/AAAAAAAAD8Q/9c8Mv7Gd7MEOaiqSb4dTYTtgQWO33C3rQCLcBGAs/s320/Buster%2B5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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*phew*</div>
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More fun next with one of the more famous strips, the class-war based Ivor Lott and Tony broke.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UGrGMP6mf-4/Wvysj_9vT3I/AAAAAAAAD8o/RasAbm6z8CUokrJVDgmtRv2lKuFtY90OgCLcBGAs/s1600/Buster%2B6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="487" data-original-width="523" height="297" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UGrGMP6mf-4/Wvysj_9vT3I/AAAAAAAAD8o/RasAbm6z8CUokrJVDgmtRv2lKuFtY90OgCLcBGAs/s320/Buster%2B6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This week, poverty-stricken Tony has gone to that London to watch the procession.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qbOGCd6irwo/WvyskXtgvZI/AAAAAAAAD8s/45AYVswFcasUap1BYDQ8IrIsDoO937KpQCLcBGAs/s1600/Buster%2B7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="492" data-original-width="1097" height="143" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qbOGCd6irwo/WvyskXtgvZI/AAAAAAAAD8s/45AYVswFcasUap1BYDQ8IrIsDoO937KpQCLcBGAs/s320/Buster%2B7.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
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He finds a nice spot to watch it only to find posh neighbour Ivor has hired the entire hotel on that road to have exclusive viewing privilege and orders the oik off his land.</div>
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Tony sneaks in, via the coal chute, however.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4rYIZS0kgyg/WvyskbWAJkI/AAAAAAAAD8w/o-e6KJV-CBUe3NL8ysnA8Hxsb4TGEQ4HgCLcBGAs/s1600/Buster%2B8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="454" data-original-width="505" height="287" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4rYIZS0kgyg/WvyskbWAJkI/AAAAAAAAD8w/o-e6KJV-CBUe3NL8ysnA8Hxsb4TGEQ4HgCLcBGAs/s320/Buster%2B8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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An attempt to flush him out leads to Ivor accidentally soaking the crowd outside and inviting them in as an apology.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZymk8ZrzoM/Wvysky-yFuI/AAAAAAAAD80/1085cdg6Q8kZlojoOW2Zkqf9K2dCxASHgCLcBGAs/s1600/Buster%2B9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="476" data-original-width="870" height="175" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZymk8ZrzoM/Wvysky-yFuI/AAAAAAAAD80/1085cdg6Q8kZlojoOW2Zkqf9K2dCxASHgCLcBGAs/s320/Buster%2B9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The poor <u>always</u> win.</div>
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This was a Reg Parlett strip but this one was drawn by Jim Crocker.</div>
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Next comes Billy Blow. A boy who can blow.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UDpoJ36dLBo/WvysRMOpmRI/AAAAAAAAD5c/Bp0EfWYPoKUSy0XhqL7ksjeCl8UvVS5pgCLcBGAs/s1600/Buster%2B10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="484" height="308" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UDpoJ36dLBo/WvysRMOpmRI/AAAAAAAAD5c/Bp0EfWYPoKUSy0XhqL7ksjeCl8UvVS5pgCLcBGAs/s320/Buster%2B10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We can skip this one.</div>
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Then there's Deadly Headly: Vampire Detective by Martin Baxendale. At this point the strip had gotten somewhat away from the "Detective" premise and Headly was more of a secret agent-type. In this issue we even meet his "Q":</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J0pM0fAsiL0/WvysSBERZpI/AAAAAAAAD5g/EO69jI9wLMsPptcm4-go3T1ReNxb9e7XgCLcBGAs/s1600/Buster%2B11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="491" data-original-width="488" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J0pM0fAsiL0/WvysSBERZpI/AAAAAAAAD5g/EO69jI9wLMsPptcm4-go3T1ReNxb9e7XgCLcBGAs/s320/Buster%2B11.jpg" width="318" /></a></div>
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...and gets a sweet ride.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QBcGxvUynw0/WvysTAl0tpI/AAAAAAAAD5s/k3x8uLgI0KMOduK0mXdAp5ff6HQxrOUJACLcBGAs/s1600/Buster%2B12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="635" data-original-width="570" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QBcGxvUynw0/WvysTAl0tpI/AAAAAAAAD5s/k3x8uLgI0KMOduK0mXdAp5ff6HQxrOUJACLcBGAs/s320/Buster%2B12.jpg" width="287" /></a></div>
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The proper treat in this issue is The Leopard from Lime Street, a feature of Buster since 1976. One of the very few successful British superhero strips, this is, I think, drawn by Eric Bradbury.</div>
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13-year-old Billy Farmer (not the voice of Goofy) was scratched by a radioactive leopard (yes, really) and gained proportional strength and agility and learned about power and responsibility. He, naturally, makes a leopard costume and fights crime.</div>
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By this point, the "Leorpardman" was popular enough to have his own line of merchandising.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cJfeGdjixBY/WvysTxcYCzI/AAAAAAAAD5w/qF1yDovcUNwmQQMcJMr1f4g5IyWg0XaEwCLcBGAs/s1600/Buster%2B13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="776" data-original-width="1083" height="229" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cJfeGdjixBY/WvysTxcYCzI/AAAAAAAAD5w/qF1yDovcUNwmQQMcJMr1f4g5IyWg0XaEwCLcBGAs/s320/Buster%2B13.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The ongoing plot involves Billy devising a trap for new villain in town: The Roller Monster!</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7bR8h4JkFCU/WvysUZL6e6I/AAAAAAAAD50/n6hYI0QJ8CkwYLz1jjG_XFxzhd6hHfHuACLcBGAs/s1600/Buster%2B14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1050" height="244" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7bR8h4JkFCU/WvysUZL6e6I/AAAAAAAAD50/n6hYI0QJ8CkwYLz1jjG_XFxzhd6hHfHuACLcBGAs/s320/Buster%2B14.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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YES!</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xszzaZ3QuKU/WvysUtg-SyI/AAAAAAAAD54/WzdYlVJi9D4Z6TdPfIhteED9tnbb_UcWACLcBGAs/s1600/Buster%2B15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="635" data-original-width="1101" height="184" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xszzaZ3QuKU/WvysUtg-SyI/AAAAAAAAD54/WzdYlVJi9D4Z6TdPfIhteED9tnbb_UcWACLcBGAs/s320/Buster%2B15.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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However, catching the thief will be tricky if he wants to maintain his secret identity and seem like a normal boy. He even has his own Lana Lang, determined to blow his secret!</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q879Y3-84s8/WvysUyKSxuI/AAAAAAAAD58/o0vpcTUB-zUdQPE-i7ecye4WTFWJuiajgCLcBGAs/s1600/Buster%2B16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="758" data-original-width="982" height="247" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q879Y3-84s8/WvysUyKSxuI/AAAAAAAAD58/o0vpcTUB-zUdQPE-i7ecye4WTFWJuiajgCLcBGAs/s320/Buster%2B16.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I used to skip the adventure strips when I was a kid but now I want to read more! (Fortunately Rebellion have got hold of the rights and are reprinting them. See <a href="https://shop.2000ad.com/catalogue/RCA-H0005" target="_blank">here</a>. I'm not sponsored.)</div>
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Humour strip next about a shark with false teeth. </div>
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Gums.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sASC4_1cmrE/WvysVfjLCwI/AAAAAAAAD6A/wMEQJv6E2GkzaFoFpfBYOiJo80KxX7lYwCLcBGAs/s1600/Buster%2B17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="450" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sASC4_1cmrE/WvysVfjLCwI/AAAAAAAAD6A/wMEQJv6E2GkzaFoFpfBYOiJo80KxX7lYwCLcBGAs/s320/Buster%2B17.jpg" width="295" /></a></div>
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Drawn by Robert Nixon, this is a fun strip in which Gums just wants to be left alone!</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-apTVAcSMi1Y/WvysWKpapKI/AAAAAAAAD6I/USKSojufQrEktPmG86WrDqELI6vXzcRLQCLcBGAs/s1600/Buster%2B18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="476" data-original-width="1600" height="95" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-apTVAcSMi1Y/WvysWKpapKI/AAAAAAAAD6I/USKSojufQrEktPmG86WrDqELI6vXzcRLQCLcBGAs/s320/Buster%2B18.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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(Edit: A helpful reader points out it's not Robert Nixon, it's Bananaman co-creator John Geering, slip of the mind, there)</div>
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Superhero parody and puzzle fun next with Master Mind!</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QKfuxzdprSA/WvysWKIgz_I/AAAAAAAAD6M/_kLkAvJm6SYuR_p5Vn-T_fzAFLCPX0-fACLcBGAs/s1600/Buster%2B20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="465" data-original-width="534" height="278" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QKfuxzdprSA/WvysWKIgz_I/AAAAAAAAD6M/_kLkAvJm6SYuR_p5Vn-T_fzAFLCPX0-fACLcBGAs/s320/Buster%2B20.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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J E Oliver liked to incorporate puzzles and games in with his strips and this one includes a maths-based magic trick.</div>
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The running gag of Master Mind is that he changes by stepping into a phone booth and saying the magic word ("Pass!").</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PSctYiRzxUM/WvysWqy9hbI/AAAAAAAAD6Q/0k29dEs7jEUJVhZRdQleCYdPqyK66MEAgCLcBGAs/s1600/Buster%2B21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="495" data-original-width="549" height="288" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PSctYiRzxUM/WvysWqy9hbI/AAAAAAAAD6Q/0k29dEs7jEUJVhZRdQleCYdPqyK66MEAgCLcBGAs/s320/Buster%2B21.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here, he helps a stage magician out by doing it during his act.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CaMns2CarSE/WvysW3Yj0OI/AAAAAAAAD6U/hR3-z667xYswzEOeVOKDPOA0lmhM9oXVgCLcBGAs/s1600/Buster%2B22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="463" data-original-width="454" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CaMns2CarSE/WvysW3Yj0OI/AAAAAAAAD6U/hR3-z667xYswzEOeVOKDPOA0lmhM9oXVgCLcBGAs/s320/Buster%2B22.jpg" width="313" /></a></div>
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Incidentally, I find it fascinating how most British superheroes are based on the Captain Marvel-style transformation. Marvel Man, Thunderbolt Jaxon, Bananaman, Superted...</div>
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An ad was below this for a show I <u>so</u> want to see:</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-doQ5-oE2-ik/WvysXBoAYqI/AAAAAAAAD6Y/6XpihV8Mf080xDCqqjscff7_kGLhho8KQCLcBGAs/s1600/Buster%2B23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="314" data-original-width="917" height="109" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-doQ5-oE2-ik/WvysXBoAYqI/AAAAAAAAD6Y/6XpihV8Mf080xDCqqjscff7_kGLhho8KQCLcBGAs/s320/Buster%2B23.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A Bugs Bunny sports-themed show Starring Wonder Woman and Batman!?</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GPmtCZY0cqo/WvysXZLMQ1I/AAAAAAAAD6c/cdLECc9Y8xwUuQGVbTyAFlGfRNTvVYPLgCLcBGAs/s1600/Buster%2B24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="307" data-original-width="801" height="122" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GPmtCZY0cqo/WvysXZLMQ1I/AAAAAAAAD6c/cdLECc9Y8xwUuQGVbTyAFlGfRNTvVYPLgCLcBGAs/s320/Buster%2B24.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Oh, the past, why do you taunt me?</div>
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Also an ad for Heller model kits featuring Robbie Robot to make a Range Rover seem interesting.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uDXV2Ll_kLM/WvysX8M0hrI/AAAAAAAAD6g/aKCvUWi0FjwX0UnNY9CrQNynFL8L1ThPwCLcBGAs/s1600/Buster%2B25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="502" data-original-width="859" height="187" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uDXV2Ll_kLM/WvysX8M0hrI/AAAAAAAAD6g/aKCvUWi0FjwX0UnNY9CrQNynFL8L1ThPwCLcBGAs/s320/Buster%2B25.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Next up, Worzel Gummidge knock-off Strawbelly.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bEQAD7g4_v8/WvysYDB6sCI/AAAAAAAAD6k/Z6iNOGchJ_w_xT4DZrK0ZmMrled6-6UaQCLcBGAs/s1600/Buster%2B26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="502" data-original-width="574" height="279" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bEQAD7g4_v8/WvysYDB6sCI/AAAAAAAAD6k/Z6iNOGchJ_w_xT4DZrK0ZmMrled6-6UaQCLcBGAs/s320/Buster%2B26.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This was, I believe an Ian Knox strip, but here drawn by an unknown fill-in. In it, the animated scarecrow tells a story from his distant past.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AOPaURztV4Y/WvysYdrTbhI/AAAAAAAAD6o/r0tRpe24bpoNEY_GHHlKPsFTFC_C7EKeQCLcBGAs/s1600/Buster%2B27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="491" data-original-width="823" height="190" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AOPaURztV4Y/WvysYdrTbhI/AAAAAAAAD6o/r0tRpe24bpoNEY_GHHlKPsFTFC_C7EKeQCLcBGAs/s320/Buster%2B27.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Another slap-up feast.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kyWXfPB1C1M/WvysYp6k9sI/AAAAAAAAD6s/eR8KoB_tRlsq0XE0UJ1E1scMMUNfphJIACLcBGAs/s1600/Buster%2B28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="462" data-original-width="848" height="174" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kyWXfPB1C1M/WvysYp6k9sI/AAAAAAAAD6s/eR8KoB_tRlsq0XE0UJ1E1scMMUNfphJIACLcBGAs/s320/Buster%2B28.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The centre page spread was an image of the RW procession, heading to St Paul's. It's too big for me to reproduce here, but you can have a taste of it.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RDP83OxiiVk/WvysaDxPlfI/AAAAAAAAD64/vqrfFjyv3aokIXwM_Ls25n1W0uOa2NLCACLcBGAs/s1600/Buster%2B29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1122" data-original-width="1227" height="292" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RDP83OxiiVk/WvysaDxPlfI/AAAAAAAAD64/vqrfFjyv3aokIXwM_Ls25n1W0uOa2NLCACLcBGAs/s320/Buster%2B29.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Various Buster characters were dotted around the scene for added puzzle fun. Here's Faceache and Deadly Headly hiding among the guards.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OocNw4cLDM8/WvysZhwybtI/AAAAAAAAD60/-grOcJRVYzMCjmQjqO9LLrJRm7utbiDWACLcBGAs/s1600/Buster%2B30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="487" data-original-width="336" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OocNw4cLDM8/WvysZhwybtI/AAAAAAAAD60/-grOcJRVYzMCjmQjqO9LLrJRm7utbiDWACLcBGAs/s320/Buster%2B30.jpg" width="220" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xR-5iDQwApE/WvysaVVbOpI/AAAAAAAAD68/dVO0N9FgiJ4wHVKyD0HMT9Ad_1I5DEmpwCLcBGAs/s1600/Buster%2B31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="613" height="267" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xR-5iDQwApE/WvysaVVbOpI/AAAAAAAAD68/dVO0N9FgiJ4wHVKyD0HMT9Ad_1I5DEmpwCLcBGAs/s320/Buster%2B31.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Another Reg Parlett strip next with Disappearing Trix. She can disappear at will.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rbljc1wF-Lg/WvysatAEgyI/AAAAAAAAD7A/YefYbtbrHnof_D4Yg14MOqLL84q-y5VpACLcBGAs/s1600/Buster%2B32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="212" data-original-width="350" height="193" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rbljc1wF-Lg/WvysatAEgyI/AAAAAAAAD7A/YefYbtbrHnof_D4Yg14MOqLL84q-y5VpACLcBGAs/s320/Buster%2B32.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here she uses her power to teach a bully a lesson.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h42eGTvqU40/Wvysa6kZ6rI/AAAAAAAAD7E/cvfhXVKjKO8TQa6ie9KF-oOymm8Da0KigCLcBGAs/s1600/Buster%2B33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="646" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h42eGTvqU40/Wvysa6kZ6rI/AAAAAAAAD7E/cvfhXVKjKO8TQa6ie9KF-oOymm8Da0KigCLcBGAs/s320/Buster%2B33.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sidebar here but there's something I want to say about the way Parlett draws "cute" girls like Trix.</div>
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When I first watched Community I stared at Alison Brie for ages trying to figure out who she reminded me of.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AEFDS_5KdD0/Wv_xl6d_wSI/AAAAAAAAD90/PJYQj6I5uPgHGDL6EqanKo3QjRDXoTrHACEwYBhgL/s1600/community-alison-brie-interview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="576" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AEFDS_5KdD0/Wv_xl6d_wSI/AAAAAAAAD90/PJYQj6I5uPgHGDL6EqanKo3QjRDXoTrHACEwYBhgL/s320/community-alison-brie-interview.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And it finally hit me, she looks like a Reg Parlett drawing of a cute girl.</div>
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More specifically Bewiched Belinda from Whizzer and Chips.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aWI50VWG6HI/Wv_xllF3v8I/AAAAAAAAD94/AT8VFW4eiQIJp0CQ4Qn2QAWTSNSrBiyOwCEwYBhgL/s1600/belinda_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="314" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aWI50VWG6HI/Wv_xllF3v8I/AAAAAAAAD94/AT8VFW4eiQIJp0CQ4Qn2QAWTSNSrBiyOwCEwYBhgL/s320/belinda_edited.jpg" width="269" /></a></div>
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Sorry, had to get that off my chest and there's no way to slip it into normal conversation.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uleGejtZwqM/Wv_xlJgaeMI/AAAAAAAAD9s/Tu99mdt9NXwGZ4b6K-TA0MldavjQ4ma4wCEwYBhgL/s1600/Bewibel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="319" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uleGejtZwqM/Wv_xlJgaeMI/AAAAAAAAD9s/Tu99mdt9NXwGZ4b6K-TA0MldavjQ4ma4wCEwYBhgL/s320/Bewibel.jpg" width="236" /></a></div>
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That's <u>so</u> Annie.</div>
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Next comes Mummy's Boy, an oddity by Norman Mansbridge about an over-protective mother.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QdY10dHsYxI/WvysbGLGcwI/AAAAAAAAD7I/E03wAK3DMhcaA9XTHV1RgKtDv0-3cS-ZACLcBGAs/s1600/Buster%2B34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="570" height="234" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QdY10dHsYxI/WvysbGLGcwI/AAAAAAAAD7I/E03wAK3DMhcaA9XTHV1RgKtDv0-3cS-ZACLcBGAs/s320/Buster%2B34.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Pretty sure I'm right in believing it was the basis for Spoilt Bastard in Viz.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hJYkXKwla3k/WwAB3i3NrzI/AAAAAAAAD-A/uOnUQyjrSG8cm71tuEvKjdNwNcKcjubzQCLcBGAs/s1600/Spoilt_bastard.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="332" data-original-width="265" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hJYkXKwla3k/WwAB3i3NrzI/AAAAAAAAD-A/uOnUQyjrSG8cm71tuEvKjdNwNcKcjubzQCLcBGAs/s320/Spoilt_bastard.png" width="255" /></a></div>
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S.O.S. Squad are a team of helpful youngsters who will take on any job.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_tmXe2gQh2c/Wvysbb_qhwI/AAAAAAAAD7M/ZT8SMyMEPfkneqDyLzsX1IhoNo2ubIWvACLcBGAs/s1600/Buster%2B35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="938" height="162" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_tmXe2gQh2c/Wvysbb_qhwI/AAAAAAAAD7M/ZT8SMyMEPfkneqDyLzsX1IhoNo2ubIWvACLcBGAs/s320/Buster%2B35.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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They take orders from the mysterious Zed from inside a box. I think this is a riff on Charlie's Angels.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PbTj8i2BuTk/WvysbjgZF2I/AAAAAAAAD7Q/zC2I4eiuIich2LkOqggaGxSBhAOLE9fKQCLcBGAs/s1600/Buster%2B36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="486" data-original-width="558" height="278" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PbTj8i2BuTk/WvysbjgZF2I/AAAAAAAAD7Q/zC2I4eiuIich2LkOqggaGxSBhAOLE9fKQCLcBGAs/s320/Buster%2B36.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Kid Kong is a giant child-like talking ape and another Robert Nixon character, though here drawn by Rob Lee.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aGwsq6JRHnY/WvyscA1UX9I/AAAAAAAAD7U/HIg5QeDQeT8f7nTpu2xlO-ZLLe2ZeRDzgCLcBGAs/s1600/Buster%2B37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="556" data-original-width="651" height="273" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aGwsq6JRHnY/WvyscA1UX9I/AAAAAAAAD7U/HIg5QeDQeT8f7nTpu2xlO-ZLLe2ZeRDzgCLcBGAs/s320/Buster%2B37.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Au3PGmi0igM/Wvyscn7YNPI/AAAAAAAAD7c/HdHhWHiL2acgi-XqsEPmqBgoXs9hqxJSgCLcBGAs/s1600/Buster%2B38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="729" data-original-width="598" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Au3PGmi0igM/Wvyscn7YNPI/AAAAAAAAD7c/HdHhWHiL2acgi-XqsEPmqBgoXs9hqxJSgCLcBGAs/s320/Buster%2B38.jpg" width="262" /></a></div>
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There's reader-submitted joke page which manages to stay on-topic.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3nYKjHbDQ-I/WvysckEcR4I/AAAAAAAAD7Y/28G61TuKU3kbeNzwaLVD82ipE03YNpiEwCLcBGAs/s1600/Buster%2B39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="372" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3nYKjHbDQ-I/WvysckEcR4I/AAAAAAAAD7Y/28G61TuKU3kbeNzwaLVD82ipE03YNpiEwCLcBGAs/s320/Buster%2B39.jpg" width="279" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_8HVn7xJ1sA/WvysdcDtgGI/AAAAAAAAD7k/fcCpi7Qos88-zPyZraOuzBPR-oYRULOYgCLcBGAs/s1600/Buster%2B40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="260" data-original-width="491" height="169" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_8HVn7xJ1sA/WvysdcDtgGI/AAAAAAAAD7k/fcCpi7Qos88-zPyZraOuzBPR-oYRULOYgCLcBGAs/s320/Buster%2B40.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And more Martin Baxendale with Clever Dick, the Daft Inventor, here trying to trick his dog (Napoleon) into digging a pool.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-31l3MhWtVi4/WvysdgQl3CI/AAAAAAAAD7o/IIjHU1gJzbMnnbBTeYI29O2zdJUeN-enACLcBGAs/s1600/Buster%2B41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="683" height="186" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-31l3MhWtVi4/WvysdgQl3CI/AAAAAAAAD7o/IIjHU1gJzbMnnbBTeYI29O2zdJUeN-enACLcBGAs/s320/Buster%2B41.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Another character that I believe inspired a Viz strip, Gilbert Ratchet.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_P9pOyBNsxk/WwAEMIE4ukI/AAAAAAAAD-M/Epby5Q4ZZdgrc-F5HcnOa0Yj-Jo8FlP-QCLcBGAs/s1600/gilbert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="378" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_P9pOyBNsxk/WwAEMIE4ukI/AAAAAAAAD-M/Epby5Q4ZZdgrc-F5HcnOa0Yj-Jo8FlP-QCLcBGAs/s320/gilbert.jpg" width="242" /></a></div>
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(Although it may equally be Timothy Tester or some other inventor-type)</div>
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(Edit the same helpful reader reminds me Screwy Driver, a Dandy strip that IS closer to the style of Gilbert Ratchet)</div>
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Boxatricks is a very odd strip by Brian Walker about a sentient box of mechanical wonders.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kgCUfRr52F8/Wvysd99Am4I/AAAAAAAAD7s/3FNZyhhJ4R40YAEmU991fSSTvmZG__dQwCLcBGAs/s1600/Buster%2B42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="508" data-original-width="489" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kgCUfRr52F8/Wvysd99Am4I/AAAAAAAAD7s/3FNZyhhJ4R40YAEmU991fSSTvmZG__dQwCLcBGAs/s320/Buster%2B42.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>
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Back on theme, there's a family who can't have a street party...</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CvgZ1E-R-vc/WvyserodStI/AAAAAAAAD7w/AjX5THOr4IUVlPU6z2P6rdVm1U4L7s_bACLcBGAs/s1600/Buster%2B43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="496" data-original-width="1138" height="139" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CvgZ1E-R-vc/WvyserodStI/AAAAAAAAD7w/AjX5THOr4IUVlPU6z2P6rdVm1U4L7s_bACLcBGAs/s320/Buster%2B43.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The helpful box is whisked through a window and extends further than it ever has (I mean probably, I don't know).</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5JFzHmiWb3g/WvysgTFrljI/AAAAAAAAD78/eSPVDvfN7Y4tad3QYK4jhMcOm_4al49bQCLcBGAs/s1600/Buster%2B44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1600" height="192" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5JFzHmiWb3g/WvysgTFrljI/AAAAAAAAD78/eSPVDvfN7Y4tad3QYK4jhMcOm_4al49bQCLcBGAs/s320/Buster%2B44.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Barry and Boing is the only other adventure strip concerning an alien robot and the boy who found him. What starts as a simple game of hide-and-seek...</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U7posOGAM-k/WvysfLmszcI/AAAAAAAAD70/6jb0wjQaWPg3UfUo7gjZ6us5J1OHKg5qwCLcBGAs/s1600/Buster%2B45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="588" data-original-width="496" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U7posOGAM-k/WvysfLmszcI/AAAAAAAAD70/6jb0wjQaWPg3UfUo7gjZ6us5J1OHKg5qwCLcBGAs/s320/Buster%2B45.jpg" width="269" /></a></div>
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Turns into one of those terrifying 70s public safety films...</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uaid6aZc55Q/Wvysf3wJ8VI/AAAAAAAAD74/Cb_BCoakSLcWnJRjyITk__1655EwJNEwACLcBGAs/s1600/Buster%2B46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="614" data-original-width="888" height="221" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uaid6aZc55Q/Wvysf3wJ8VI/AAAAAAAAD74/Cb_BCoakSLcWnJRjyITk__1655EwJNEwACLcBGAs/s320/Buster%2B46.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d1ZcCUr6bew/WvysguJo2rI/AAAAAAAAD8A/FdnQRxEWmU0Z7APDUJDPwuUvvrolmYAOgCLcBGAs/s1600/Buster%2B47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="619" data-original-width="1134" height="174" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d1ZcCUr6bew/WvysguJo2rI/AAAAAAAAD8A/FdnQRxEWmU0Z7APDUJDPwuUvvrolmYAOgCLcBGAs/s320/Buster%2B47.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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What happens next? I'll never know.</div>
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The <u>real</u> treat of this issue, however is the awesome Faceache by the brilliant Ken Reid. A character that can change the look of his face (or by this point his entire body) with an audible "SCRUNGE"! Here he's tricking his public school friend out of a pie he's been sent.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ng0g83rT6z4/Wvysg1WeF4I/AAAAAAAAD8E/6HQWRAsX4fgeNjhM-p8wy3wj32uvibY8QCLcBGAs/s1600/Buster%2B48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="542" height="283" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ng0g83rT6z4/Wvysg1WeF4I/AAAAAAAAD8E/6HQWRAsX4fgeNjhM-p8wy3wj32uvibY8QCLcBGAs/s320/Buster%2B48.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Time for some Ken Reid specialty monster drawings!</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TK7pZpJt6uM/WvyshhqpMSI/AAAAAAAAD8I/TRsFfEP9kRQDZQ1Jj6iwGRGaQYK2HCbvACLcBGAs/s1600/Buster%2B49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="473" data-original-width="705" height="214" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TK7pZpJt6uM/WvyshhqpMSI/AAAAAAAAD8I/TRsFfEP9kRQDZQ1Jj6iwGRGaQYK2HCbvACLcBGAs/s320/Buster%2B49.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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More please!</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hVMwScUnujs/WvyshwzLiFI/AAAAAAAAD8M/OjzogYfmdA4RaBbqL1n18Z5e-zsXF09pgCLcBGAs/s1600/Buster%2B50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="476" data-original-width="730" height="208" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hVMwScUnujs/WvyshwzLiFI/AAAAAAAAD8M/OjzogYfmdA4RaBbqL1n18Z5e-zsXF09pgCLcBGAs/s320/Buster%2B50.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Thank you! </div>
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I include the next panel purely because I love the design of the teacher.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_4fnTMQQRLk/WvysiZug2sI/AAAAAAAAD8U/QviFptYEU4UO_En274kfQFLpFwozHiyGQCLcBGAs/s1600/Buster%2B51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="646" height="230" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_4fnTMQQRLk/WvysiZug2sI/AAAAAAAAD8U/QviFptYEU4UO_En274kfQFLpFwozHiyGQCLcBGAs/s320/Buster%2B51.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Naturally, it all goes wrong for Faceache...</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sfbfxUq4VGk/WvysiwDaySI/AAAAAAAAD8Y/YO8PjXVsUNE78GiT6yb7To4ZjOMXNHjlwCLcBGAs/s1600/Buster%2B52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="642" height="239" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sfbfxUq4VGk/WvysiwDaySI/AAAAAAAAD8Y/YO8PjXVsUNE78GiT6yb7To4ZjOMXNHjlwCLcBGAs/s320/Buster%2B52.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I love Ken Reid's work so much and they have also been recently reprinted by <a href="https://shop.2000ad.com/catalogue/RCA-H0004D" target="_blank">Rebellion</a>.</div>
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One more puzzle page and we're almost done.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FxQRj9rN3bM/WvysjIRMNqI/AAAAAAAAD8c/mp1Ow_NU8t4o6vCp06jmJnBqnaefMEYHACLcBGAs/s1600/Buster%2B53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="501" data-original-width="577" height="277" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FxQRj9rN3bM/WvysjIRMNqI/AAAAAAAAD8c/mp1Ow_NU8t4o6vCp06jmJnBqnaefMEYHACLcBGAs/s320/Buster%2B53.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The back cover stars Chalky. Not not Jim Davidson's friend, the boy who's "quick on the draw", which means he can sketch very realistic images very fast.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h54q8zAwinU/WvysjITVNkI/AAAAAAAAD8g/L-v4kYSA2xUEOaMCanaJjHd79ZjTyU64wCLcBGAs/s1600/Buster%2B54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="509" data-original-width="495" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h54q8zAwinU/WvysjITVNkI/AAAAAAAAD8g/L-v4kYSA2xUEOaMCanaJjHd79ZjTyU64wCLcBGAs/s320/Buster%2B54.jpg" width="311" /></a></div>
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And, yes, it's that Parlett again.</div>
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(Edit: It's that helpful reader again -see comments- Parlett never drew Chalky, this is probably Dick Millington)</div>
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Here Chalky has drawn a man eating plant to frighten a bully.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-53ExMcvbkq0/WvysjuI5zMI/AAAAAAAAD8k/shT92W8XdbQ7YWksehxiuWmiDuc_SXBAQCLcBGAs/s1600/Buster%2B55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="523" height="273" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-53ExMcvbkq0/WvysjuI5zMI/AAAAAAAAD8k/shT92W8XdbQ7YWksehxiuWmiDuc_SXBAQCLcBGAs/s320/Buster%2B55.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And that's it. Buster in 1981. I hope you enjoyed that like I did. </div>
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Now to get some sunshine...</div>
The Slipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17231598306094150274noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782966666136502802.post-6280999209695030432018-02-03T16:12:00.001-08:002018-02-05T13:00:17.954-08:00Comics and Monkees<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hvzK-77rRfQ/WnCTkMems9I/AAAAAAAAD18/7lJnpF5nsEcUYm7T8JQkYRotm0BSP7q0wCLcBGAs/s1600/Image%2B%252870%2529_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="553" data-original-width="1235" height="143" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hvzK-77rRfQ/WnCTkMems9I/AAAAAAAAD18/7lJnpF5nsEcUYm7T8JQkYRotm0BSP7q0wCLcBGAs/s320/Image%2B%252870%2529_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I've been thinking.</div>
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About the relationship between pop music and comics. </div>
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There have been plenty of fictional bands with long histories in comics. Dennis and the Dinmakers, for example.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZAy4Cyu7It4/WnCTkZ53PRI/AAAAAAAAD3k/5QAgSZgfHvkLeE6zOb54Hl3fCrcwTBfJwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Image%2B%252871%2529_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="620" data-original-width="797" height="248" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZAy4Cyu7It4/WnCTkZ53PRI/AAAAAAAAD3k/5QAgSZgfHvkLeE6zOb54Hl3fCrcwTBfJwCEwYBhgL/s320/Image%2B%252871%2529_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Seen here in their original line up of Dennis, Curly and Walter.</div>
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Then there's Deathtongue (who later changed the name to Billy and the Boingers after parent group pressure).</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D5dJtIqc44s/WnCTtJBD_qI/AAAAAAAAD3k/N2FOV-ZgZ3IEYQRlGb9qHNc4fzUVq0jdwCEwYBhgL/s1600/deathtng.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="894" height="153" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D5dJtIqc44s/WnCTtJBD_qI/AAAAAAAAD3k/N2FOV-ZgZ3IEYQRlGb9qHNc4fzUVq0jdwCEwYBhgL/s320/deathtng.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And of course, there is the single greatest fictional band of all time: Josie and the Pussycats!</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QIuIg8gDTVE/WnCTugR7EDI/AAAAAAAAD3k/sblrrgYl3tgafjqxdU7wKdOPwE7WOfW-QCEwYBhgL/s1600/original-grid-image-12002-1487309472-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="538" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QIuIg8gDTVE/WnCTugR7EDI/AAAAAAAAD3k/sblrrgYl3tgafjqxdU7wKdOPwE7WOfW-QCEwYBhgL/s320/original-grid-image-12002-1487309472-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Then there's Marvel's The Mary Janes and Dazzler, DC's Black Canary and many more.</div>
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Then there's the real life bands who have made the transition to comic characters.</div>
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As is so often in pop culture terms, it starts with The Beatles.</div>
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Dell comics got in early and nabbed the rights to publish the first Beatles comic July 1964. It's a solidly drawn but unremarkable history of the band with some pin-ups. And it sold just badly enough for them not to bother with any more. </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aYKmoE7fkTs/WnCUYeGKgzI/AAAAAAAAD30/Ey131BWijgEvto2oMwTwfuYi7hBrFv9EwCLcBGAs/s1600/01-beatles1-580x280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="580" height="154" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aYKmoE7fkTs/WnCUYeGKgzI/AAAAAAAAD30/Ey131BWijgEvto2oMwTwfuYi7hBrFv9EwCLcBGAs/s320/01-beatles1-580x280.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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There are a couple of other official Beatles comics; a Marvel Super Special (again telling the history of the band) and an adaptation of Yellow Submarine from Gold Key as well as an adaptation of Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (the Frampton/Bee Gees movie) which was only published in French.</div>
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Their counterparts in the Marvel 616 universe, however, were replaced by shape-shifting Skrulls at the start of their careers.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wC8ghnrThKk/WnCTp9KerwI/AAAAAAAAD3s/euAmgzCLWRMiJiyY6ClYaj4I44izqJgdgCEwYBhgL/s1600/12-wisdom2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="600" height="307" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wC8ghnrThKk/WnCTp9KerwI/AAAAAAAAD3s/euAmgzCLWRMiJiyY6ClYaj4I44izqJgdgCEwYBhgL/s320/12-wisdom2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Them Skrulls play the long game.</div>
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Perhaps the band with the greatest fictional life is the good old Knights in Satan's Service themselves: KISS!</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VSuSPX6ekH4/WnCTtA5ounI/AAAAAAAAD3s/5dY_DoKtQi4aoE3HTmfMkI5P_d8iWGmwACEwYBhgL/s1600/kisscomc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="291" data-original-width="216" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VSuSPX6ekH4/WnCTtA5ounI/AAAAAAAAD3s/5dY_DoKtQi4aoE3HTmfMkI5P_d8iWGmwACEwYBhgL/s1600/kisscomc.jpg" /></a></div>
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After an appearance in Howard the Duck in 1977, they got their own special, supposedly printed with the blood of each band member mixed in with the ink.</div>
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In the Marvel universe they are legit superheroes, appearing in one more special the following year.</div>
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From 1997-2000, Image produced a Kiss comic called Todd MacFarlane's Kiss: Psycho Circus (catchy) and there were also series by Dark Horse, Platinum Studios, IDW and Dynamite.</div>
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They also starred in a crossover with the characters in Archie comics, as well as meeting Dynamite's Vampirella.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-irbN3xYMtq0/WnCTuA94G0I/AAAAAAAAD3o/Vj46OUva0GY65CuUC6YzWl2IeTVnFQMYACEwYBhgL/s1600/c36d677918567840feb6a0e61a1636fd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-irbN3xYMtq0/WnCTuA94G0I/AAAAAAAAD3o/Vj46OUva0GY65CuUC6YzWl2IeTVnFQMYACEwYBhgL/s320/c36d677918567840feb6a0e61a1636fd.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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I guess the theatricality of the band lends itself particularly to the over-the-top sensibilities of the funnybooks. In fact, with the make-up, costumes and pseudo-mystical trappings, there's no other act I can think of that would be more suited to being dropped in to a comic book world.</div>
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Except maybe Alice Cooper.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5_uA0zHOB7Q/WnCTt3ZaYiI/AAAAAAAAD3g/LYpGol7Ziiw4sPeWaNHToTTsh5ZIYMruACEwYBhgL/s1600/mp50k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="371" data-original-width="450" height="263" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5_uA0zHOB7Q/WnCTt3ZaYiI/AAAAAAAAD3g/LYpGol7Ziiw4sPeWaNHToTTsh5ZIYMruACEwYBhgL/s320/mp50k.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Yep, Cooper also got himself a Marvel Comics one-off in 1979. He's also had some more recent, smaller press titles.</div>
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He also has the same name as Betty Cooper's Mum. From Archie comics.</div>
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Inevitably, Insane Clown Posse also got on board with this, having a comic from Chaos Comics that started in 2000 and fed on their own mythology.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e4EvLmdi3wI/WnCTqzU2MiI/AAAAAAAAD3o/uTRmNidCE3IPjjwL0Sam3vAu_26gsbFygCEwYBhgL/s1600/635549-icppen11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e4EvLmdi3wI/WnCTqzU2MiI/AAAAAAAAD3o/uTRmNidCE3IPjjwL0Sam3vAu_26gsbFygCEwYBhgL/s320/635549-icppen11.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
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Here in the UK, our bands tended to have adventures that were less grim and more... well wacky. </div>
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Madness, for example, who had a regular strip in Look In! in the 80s.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rFbde0TOyXw/WnCTrhmbqnI/AAAAAAAAD3s/ddTajWUHThwyk8zvqUqcF1OI71uiL4MYwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Lookin_madimages.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="314" data-original-width="750" height="133" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rFbde0TOyXw/WnCTrhmbqnI/AAAAAAAAD3s/ddTajWUHThwyk8zvqUqcF1OI71uiL4MYwCEwYBhgL/s320/Lookin_madimages.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And the absolute insanity of that time Roy Race picked two members of Spandau Ballet to play for his football team, Melchester Rovers in 1986 in Tiger (to be fair they did win the Milk Cup that year).</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bwpLhlswuD0/WnCTvOW72lI/AAAAAAAAD3k/qvdytcTp0QML7FDZPwpUeMQnjccDyXGegCEwYBhgL/s1600/rovers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="302" data-original-width="379" height="254" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bwpLhlswuD0/WnCTvOW72lI/AAAAAAAAD3k/qvdytcTp0QML7FDZPwpUeMQnjccDyXGegCEwYBhgL/s320/rovers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Harvey Comics published light-hearted child-friendly adventures of New Kids on the Block, starting in 1991, even getting them to meet some of their stable of characters. Richie Rich...</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vnujDmdHwU4/WnCTuSRYA3I/AAAAAAAAD3g/RkqrsAsSoiYxxrVg0jL4l3-gujRVsnX2wCEwYBhgL/s1600/new-kids-on-the-block01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vnujDmdHwU4/WnCTuSRYA3I/AAAAAAAAD3g/RkqrsAsSoiYxxrVg0jL4l3-gujRVsnX2wCEwYBhgL/s320/new-kids-on-the-block01.jpg" width="209" /></a></div>
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...and Wendy the Good Little Witch.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rM4YxyRB-hA/WnCTwJZ1sBI/AAAAAAAAD3w/EKvy1SAZT_EFoWqtY-mY7gNH3zpC8F0jQCEwYBhgL/s1600/wnk8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="634" data-original-width="620" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rM4YxyRB-hA/WnCTwJZ1sBI/AAAAAAAAD3w/EKvy1SAZT_EFoWqtY-mY7gNH3zpC8F0jQCEwYBhgL/s320/wnk8.jpg" width="312" /></a></div>
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And I could also bring up that time The Punisher fought with Eminem...</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-162Vv8Bo-wU/WnCTqVJtWhI/AAAAAAAAD3s/JeXwDHy7zLAg-D74-2feA9jCNhhxcv0lQCEwYBhgL/s1600/1364297-eminem_punisher_marvelcom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="249" data-original-width="344" height="231" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-162Vv8Bo-wU/WnCTqVJtWhI/AAAAAAAAD3s/JeXwDHy7zLAg-D74-2feA9jCNhhxcv0lQCEwYBhgL/s320/1364297-eminem_punisher_marvelcom.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And as recently as 2016 The Flaming Lips appeared on stage with Lila Cheney in X-Men '92.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LkyIeAA12BE/WnCVeBpWxcI/AAAAAAAAD4A/3vlN4l6xkpQuq7ats0bySvst6cvv4HHIQCEwYBhgL/s1600/X-Men-92-6-6-600x911_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="339" data-original-width="593" height="182" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LkyIeAA12BE/WnCVeBpWxcI/AAAAAAAAD4A/3vlN4l6xkpQuq7ats0bySvst6cvv4HHIQCEwYBhgL/s320/X-Men-92-6-6-600x911_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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But let's move on to our main story. Hey, Hey. They're The Monkees.</div>
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Yes, the cultural impact of The Beatles had an effect even beyond the world of comics. Apparently it had changed something called pop music too.</div>
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I'm sure you don't need me to tell you that the massive success of those lovable mop-topped Liverpudlians meant everyone in the entertainment industry wanted their own version. And musical talent was not a high priority.</div>
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The Monkees were four young men put together after a lengthy audition process, picked for their looks and charm. Songs were written (and for the most part performed) for them, many of them solid bubblegum pop classics by great songwriters. But the main thing was the TV show. </div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/96A0uyFWQHs/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/96A0uyFWQHs?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe><br />
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It was a wacky, colourful sitcom that could drop the foursome in any kind of situation just to have them run around, make silly jokes and beat the baddy. They were kept being the perennial underdogs, success just out of reach. </div>
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They were an instant hit and a merchandising phenomenon.</div>
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A one-off collection of black and white strips was produced by Popular Library in 1966, so soon after the pilot that Mike is still referred to as "Wool Hat".</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HKxRhzNUOdk/WnCTsGcwAkI/AAAAAAAAD3g/ndh--tSXm10a3cdt0vdW-bY8CIwz_H8XQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Screen-Shot-2017-04-08-at-11.38.38-AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="473" data-original-width="588" height="257" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HKxRhzNUOdk/WnCTsGcwAkI/AAAAAAAAD3g/ndh--tSXm10a3cdt0vdW-bY8CIwz_H8XQCEwYBhgL/s320/Screen-Shot-2017-04-08-at-11.38.38-AM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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It was reprinted a year later in the UK by the Daily Mirror as The Monkees Crazy Cartoon Book.</div>
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By December 1966 Dell Comics got hold of the licence and started publishing strips that were properly in tune with the style of the show.</div>
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Typically, a story would start with the boys as literal starving artists, too poor to have a meal between them:</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MS8H6cUBSg0/WnCTjAXEkXI/AAAAAAAAD3k/oZGPkyT5EgMtT_8cc_lcQ7VlOimzyjWSgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Image%2B%252867%2529_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="1235" height="150" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MS8H6cUBSg0/WnCTjAXEkXI/AAAAAAAAD3k/oZGPkyT5EgMtT_8cc_lcQ7VlOimzyjWSgCEwYBhgL/s320/Image%2B%252867%2529_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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They'd soon get a call to adventure of some kind and be off on some kind of visually expressive romp.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AlfN3I3ou-U/WnCTjXnHC-I/AAAAAAAAD3k/dQeGnzy6tWMVrTcXuWt14kUQVBS4tBJEwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Image%2B%252866%2529_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1180" data-original-width="1229" height="307" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AlfN3I3ou-U/WnCTjXnHC-I/AAAAAAAAD3k/dQeGnzy6tWMVrTcXuWt14kUQVBS4tBJEwCEwYBhgL/s320/Image%2B%252866%2529_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I really enjoy how quickly the scenes change, throwing in as many jokes per page as they can in ways that the TV show wouldn't have the time or budget to set up.</div>
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There's lovely little comics only jokes, usually relating to the comparative characters.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hvzK-77rRfQ/WnCTkMems9I/AAAAAAAAD3g/q9iZCDrirTkdc9ufli5g58Xv7_DD1pEdgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Image%2B%252870%2529_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="553" data-original-width="1235" height="143" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hvzK-77rRfQ/WnCTkMems9I/AAAAAAAAD3g/q9iZCDrirTkdc9ufli5g58Xv7_DD1pEdgCEwYBhgL/s320/Image%2B%252870%2529_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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There was a whole team of different writers and artist working on these, including future DC honcho Dick Giordano.</div>
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The comic book Monkees could have things done to them their real-life counterparts could not.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3oEbNGYvcMs/WnCTkPGiV5I/AAAAAAAAD3k/x2KNRELOMXgE1qOQR4u8-4uJ67wBcbLowCEwYBhgL/s1600/Image%2B%252869%2529_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1161" data-original-width="632" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3oEbNGYvcMs/WnCTkPGiV5I/AAAAAAAAD3k/x2KNRELOMXgE1qOQR4u8-4uJ67wBcbLowCEwYBhgL/s320/Image%2B%252869%2529_edited.jpg" width="174" /></a></div>
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Even their superhero alter-egos appear.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XDywKb0mNGc/WnZGJNE6vQI/AAAAAAAAD4Q/NBP3VrWN8mQ57GDKdMeTEjHheilU3G_wACLcBGAs/s1600/monkeymen1b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="442" data-original-width="600" height="235" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XDywKb0mNGc/WnZGJNE6vQI/AAAAAAAAD4Q/NBP3VrWN8mQ57GDKdMeTEjHheilU3G_wACLcBGAs/s320/monkeymen1b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sure, they call them the Supermonkees instead of the Monkeemen, but it's near enough...</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kb0Thkfdtnw/WnZGJG9oBOI/AAAAAAAAD4M/875TGwl6FnoA_RAqi5lZyDrGvRzhcq7VACEwYBhgL/s1600/monkees4a-580x312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="312" data-original-width="580" height="172" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kb0Thkfdtnw/WnZGJG9oBOI/AAAAAAAAD4M/875TGwl6FnoA_RAqi5lZyDrGvRzhcq7VACEwYBhgL/s320/monkees4a-580x312.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sure, there's the occasional racial faux pas...</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HAYCoQi3ETs/WnCTjiltb4I/AAAAAAAAD3w/2hLzIIsDOt0b9YhBqaSZ3VvMu2PkANOPwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Image%2B%252868%2529_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="562" data-original-width="614" height="292" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HAYCoQi3ETs/WnCTjiltb4I/AAAAAAAAD3w/2hLzIIsDOt0b9YhBqaSZ3VvMu2PkANOPwCEwYBhgL/s320/Image%2B%252868%2529_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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But very little to object to from a 21st Century perspective, which is very refreshing.</div>
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The comic only ran for 16 issues (well 17, but #17 was a reprint of #1) and the only UK publication was in two "Annual" style comics albums, which is how I read them.</div>
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Before we leave sixties, I feel I have to mention that there is an episode of The Monkees TV show that features an uncreditted Burgess Meredith in his full Batman '66 Penguin costume and persona.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LU64VF048MI/WnCTsr64cJI/AAAAAAAAD3o/CseZXMBUoMw38lQHw1L_Re_MxDN54DaTQCEwYBhgL/s1600/burgess_meredith.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="437" data-original-width="600" height="233" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LU64VF048MI/WnCTsr64cJI/AAAAAAAAD3o/CseZXMBUoMw38lQHw1L_Re_MxDN54DaTQCEwYBhgL/s320/burgess_meredith.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I say "features" but it's really a series of cutaways to him laughing at the boys' antics with the evil stage hypnotist of the episode. He's probably not even in the room. They may have just used out-takes from Batman.</div>
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Anyway, skip forward to 2018 and there's a new Archies comic. </div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/h9nE2spOw_o/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/h9nE2spOw_o?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe><br />
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The Archies were another product of that 60s bubblegum pop explosion. The characters of the long running Archie Comics (more on them <a href="http://the-slipper.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/sabrina-teenage-witch-best-comic-of.html" target="_blank">here</a>) were put into a cartoon series in which they were in a band together. The producers hoped that (like many other TV shows of the era) they could spin off some real-world record sales from this. The best result was Sugar Sugar, a massive hit and still a pop classic.</div>
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A couple of years ago The Archies had a crossover adventure with The Ramones.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cxdzp2JXZqM/WnZGsghP6CI/AAAAAAAAD4g/fgciYw-EbXA1jdz2dqwM5hmQ1j_xlPblgCEwYBhgL/s1600/ramones.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="719" data-original-width="1280" height="179" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cxdzp2JXZqM/WnZGsghP6CI/AAAAAAAAD4g/fgciYw-EbXA1jdz2dqwM5hmQ1j_xlPblgCEwYBhgL/s320/ramones.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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(There was time-travel shenanigans caused by Sabrina's magic to make sure it was Ramones at their best)</div>
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It was silly and fun.</div>
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Anyway, when Archie relaunched its Archie characters in the new style, it kept the band together. </div>
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Then in October 2017 a new series launched written by <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "ubuntu"; font-size: 15px;">Alex Segura and Matthew Rosenberg (of the previously mentioned Ramones one-off) with art by J</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "ubuntu"; font-size: 15px;">oe Eisma.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "ubuntu"; font-size: 15px;">It tells the story of teenage band The Archies going on the road, trying to make it in the tough business called show. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "ubuntu"; font-size: 15px;">Issue 3 featured a guest appearance from Chvrches:</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3wY6v6xD-YE/WnZJfU6wSRI/AAAAAAAAD4o/qxslJuV2L_YIKpqSINgytD8k5BxPwvRxwCLcBGAs/s1600/Image%2B%25282%2529_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1195" data-original-width="1265" height="302" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3wY6v6xD-YE/WnZJfU6wSRI/AAAAAAAAD4o/qxslJuV2L_YIKpqSINgytD8k5BxPwvRxwCLcBGAs/s320/Image%2B%25282%2529_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "ubuntu"; font-size: 15px;">But issue 4 (out now) features the reason I wrote this: Presenting The Monkees!</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zjj1iGdwMwg/WnCTf4GLamI/AAAAAAAAD3g/GfXua9Hzl8IxzT0aAFJTcLtprkrqHtgtACEwYBhgL/s1600/Image%2B%252857%2529_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1051" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zjj1iGdwMwg/WnCTf4GLamI/AAAAAAAAD3g/GfXua9Hzl8IxzT0aAFJTcLtprkrqHtgtACEwYBhgL/s320/Image%2B%252857%2529_edited.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
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No time travel this time, it's a pure dream sequence cop-out!</div>
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When Archie is knocked out during a gig (it wasn't going well) he wakes up in 1966 and watches someone get kidnapped!</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T49fQlDlbZs/WnCTfMCxDXI/AAAAAAAAD3k/RZ_Z2OEmPVINowyABjLJOdrvDC1NrHg9ACEwYBhgL/s1600/Image%2B%252858%2529_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="584" data-original-width="1241" height="150" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T49fQlDlbZs/WnCTfMCxDXI/AAAAAAAAD3k/RZ_Z2OEmPVINowyABjLJOdrvDC1NrHg9ACEwYBhgL/s320/Image%2B%252858%2529_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It was Davy Jones! Making (I believe) his first public appearance since his death in 2012.</div>
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We get to see the Monkeemobile...</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hQNCNqKwArU/WnCTgXkRV8I/AAAAAAAAD3k/Uo4VC-S3WgoG4HSAkQIr9lITlYqwLrU9ACEwYBhgL/s1600/Image%2B%252859%2529_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="620" data-original-width="1235" height="160" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hQNCNqKwArU/WnCTgXkRV8I/AAAAAAAAD3k/Uo4VC-S3WgoG4HSAkQIr9lITlYqwLrU9ACEwYBhgL/s320/Image%2B%252859%2529_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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...and the Monkeemen!</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EXt-1a1CvQI/WnCTgVT3tkI/AAAAAAAAD3s/UZ0t4Jl9nik9tqKPDtkkB9a9fkghtnkGgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Image%2B%252860%2529_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="1314" height="93" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EXt-1a1CvQI/WnCTgVT3tkI/AAAAAAAAD3s/UZ0t4Jl9nik9tqKPDtkkB9a9fkghtnkGgCEwYBhgL/s320/Image%2B%252860%2529_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The wacky cartoon rules of the Monkees' previous comics starts affecting the Archies in ways they find confusing.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EM4pcNu-Eog/WnCTgzAGttI/AAAAAAAAD3g/yvQZ0Dt3UgUv9zW90lD0M3oS7W_viW0HwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Image%2B%252860b%2529_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="1221" height="117" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EM4pcNu-Eog/WnCTgzAGttI/AAAAAAAAD3g/yvQZ0Dt3UgUv9zW90lD0M3oS7W_viW0HwCEwYBhgL/s320/Image%2B%252860b%2529_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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By the way, those are canon costumes from old-style Archie comics. Many Archie characters have superhero counterparts. Archie is Pureheart. Betty is Super Teen. </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uWqxgsIk0Ws/WnCThJ5WXZI/AAAAAAAAD3s/IfpvaOnv1A0HkxUlV5rbliqTNP275H_ZACEwYBhgL/s1600/Image%2B%252861%2529_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="763" data-original-width="721" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uWqxgsIk0Ws/WnCThJ5WXZI/AAAAAAAAD3s/IfpvaOnv1A0HkxUlV5rbliqTNP275H_ZACEwYBhgL/s320/Image%2B%252861%2529_edited.jpg" width="302" /></a></div>
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The story involves an evil promoter making Davy sing for his band and features fun little in-jokes.</div>
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And the whole thing ends with a bubblegum supergroup. </div>
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And as the Monkees get to sing the Archies' song it's only fair that when Archie regains conciousness IRL he gets back up and sings a Monkees classic!</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Zh4BTYkRO0/WnCTi7GvZAI/AAAAAAAAD3s/0pDxDrrhgt00bba2vLQd5EsFlm3zicE0ACEwYBhgL/s1600/Image%2B%252864%2529_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="736" data-original-width="1238" height="190" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Zh4BTYkRO0/WnCTi7GvZAI/AAAAAAAAD3s/0pDxDrrhgt00bba2vLQd5EsFlm3zicE0ACEwYBhgL/s320/Image%2B%252864%2529_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This was a lot of fun and you should get it while you can.</div>
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And next month The Archies guest stars Tegan and Sara. Which is pretty cool but I doubt I'll have as much to say about that.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/CFUOnT0ZnUc/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CFUOnT0ZnUc?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe><br />
P.S. Hey DC Comics! If you don't commission a Batman '66/Monkees crossover you are missing an open goal!The Slipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17231598306094150274noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782966666136502802.post-88361476646328701332017-12-30T15:29:00.000-08:002017-12-30T15:29:13.420-08:00Fourth Annual Christmas Round-Up 2017As we lunge head-first into a new year, let's have one last Christmas tradition: The Slipper's round-up of this year's festive comics.<br />
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Let's kick off with 2000AD.<br />
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In the Beano Christmas issue, So Beano puts a reader on the pitch with Ball Boy in a Beanotown v Toppertown match. Some old DC Thomson characters are brought out of retirement, including Beryl the Peril and original recipe <a href="http://the-slipper.blogspot.co.uk/2017/10/halloween-with-tricky-dicky.html" target="_blank">Tricky Dicky.</a> </div>
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Two things I learned this Christmas: the Beano kids' parents seem to have been given real names. Minnie the Minx's dad is called Darren (even though he was once given the name Victor back in the 80s, but things are very different now) and improbably enough, Roger the Dodger's dad is called Les Dawson. I am baffled by this knowledge. </div>
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And secondly, there are a lot of Doctor Who fans at DC Thomson.</div>
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Dennis think's that must be Santa... </div>
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He is clear that he isn't Doctor Who "any more", he's just plain old Peter Capaldi now. He invites Dennis and Gnasher into his grotto... </div>
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Minnie does her own version of The Twelve Days of Christmas (Dennis did this in a Beano I got in the 80s; I still sing "Two Hurtled Gloves and a Parsnip from a Spare Ski" to this day) </div>
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The great Hunt Emerson does a regular strip turning readers into Beano characters</div>
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And The Bash Street kids puts on a Nativity that is in tune with the gender-fluid zeitgeist.</div>
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Take that Hamilton!</div>
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This also is a theme in Faith's Winter Wonderland Special as Faith is dragged into a consumerist nightmare version of the Lewis Carroll story.</div>
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I've never read Faith before (I've had it recommended loads) so don't know what her deal is, but she does rescue a woman called Alice who was a TV star when Faith was a child.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GhqnGgWoHDE/WkgR7JIe13I/AAAAAAAADxs/SkHZSP-aA-g5B46g2hRRZxImXJB8EzkmwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Christmas%2B2017%2B34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="915" data-original-width="1201" height="243" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GhqnGgWoHDE/WkgR7JIe13I/AAAAAAAADxs/SkHZSP-aA-g5B46g2hRRZxImXJB8EzkmwCEwYBhgL/s320/Christmas%2B2017%2B34.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anti-capitalism is also the theme of this year's My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Holiday Special.</div>
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Why have one day when we can have a whole Hearthswarming SEASON!?</div>
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Let's round up this year's Viz: </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R2tS8RAtw4I/WkgRzznnGeI/AAAAAAAADvU/I2Hn1hkgJ90SkMQkdZVO2ZAw9_1mX893QCLcBGAs/s1600/Christmas%2B2017%2B20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="811" data-original-width="1146" height="226" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R2tS8RAtw4I/WkgRzznnGeI/AAAAAAAADvU/I2Hn1hkgJ90SkMQkdZVO2ZAw9_1mX893QCLcBGAs/s320/Christmas%2B2017%2B20.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Die Kitty Die Christmas Special #1 is also in tune with the events of 2017 as Kitty explains to Jack Frost the meaning of consent. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RIa9C0NmHJg/WkgR0AgvYhI/AAAAAAAADvY/JfqBfsAANqQ62GO_VyuI67HPejiLErGVgCLcBGAs/s1600/Christmas%2B2017%2B21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="782" data-original-width="1302" height="192" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RIa9C0NmHJg/WkgR0AgvYhI/AAAAAAAADvY/JfqBfsAANqQ62GO_VyuI67HPejiLErGVgCLcBGAs/s320/Christmas%2B2017%2B21.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is refreshing from a comic (based around Archie and Harvey parodies) that largely played sexual assaults for comedy.</div>
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Doctor Who Magazine didn't have a Christmas story apart from Lew Stringer's comedy strip. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kH4HBDezYcs/WkgR0aDScpI/AAAAAAAADvc/eHt7-Y1K3f4bf3GmyrhpKUrx-QTSo2UtgCLcBGAs/s1600/Christmas%2B2017%2B22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="549" data-original-width="1127" height="155" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kH4HBDezYcs/WkgR0aDScpI/AAAAAAAADvc/eHt7-Y1K3f4bf3GmyrhpKUrx-QTSo2UtgCLcBGAs/s320/Christmas%2B2017%2B22.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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"Put it in the curry!" (sorry)</div>
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The Beano Christmas Special featured Minnie the Minx kidnapping Santa for the <a href="http://the-slipper.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/second-annual-christmas-round-up-2015.html" target="_blank">second</a> time. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ph7tRJEpxw/WkgR0RtPlYI/AAAAAAAADvg/cP5lFMJEOuUE7AC_Qh5r8O2YADtkdUt6ACLcBGAs/s1600/Christmas%2B2017%2B23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="502" data-original-width="747" height="215" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ph7tRJEpxw/WkgR0RtPlYI/AAAAAAAADvg/cP5lFMJEOuUE7AC_Qh5r8O2YADtkdUt6ACLcBGAs/s320/Christmas%2B2017%2B23.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EXu-4h8h-2A/WkgR05pVBNI/AAAAAAAADvk/YLpjXQIHHqsN7G-xid5atfyupL05cr9-QCLcBGAs/s1600/Christmas%2B2017%2B24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="582" data-original-width="1516" height="122" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EXu-4h8h-2A/WkgR05pVBNI/AAAAAAAADvk/YLpjXQIHHqsN7G-xid5atfyupL05cr9-QCLcBGAs/s320/Christmas%2B2017%2B24.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Numskulls find themselves in Santa's head... </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-la495AStJGQ/WkgR1KD97nI/AAAAAAAADvo/M1dZKoKhqS81ZXJJKn7PQsaJ2sE0zm3ZACLcBGAs/s1600/Christmas%2B2017%2B25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="633" height="275" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-la495AStJGQ/WkgR1KD97nI/AAAAAAAADvo/M1dZKoKhqS81ZXJJKn7PQsaJ2sE0zm3ZACLcBGAs/s320/Christmas%2B2017%2B25.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Tarot: Witch of the Black Rose #107 was a Yule special which featured a Teen Tarot story where Boo first comes out as a werecat... (don't worry if none of that means anything, you aren't missing anything) </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RKno2Z4qkk4/WkgR19a04nI/AAAAAAAADvs/Ayvrv5d79fQU00UhnDdNNLhwEynAX9fQgCLcBGAs/s1600/Christmas%2B2017%2B26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="998" data-original-width="1288" height="247" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RKno2Z4qkk4/WkgR19a04nI/AAAAAAAADvs/Ayvrv5d79fQU00UhnDdNNLhwEynAX9fQgCLcBGAs/s320/Christmas%2B2017%2B26.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The main story features the return of Krampus, and things get.... filthy. </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0OCoXKJU81A/WkgR2uQiKkI/AAAAAAAADvw/SPwOAY1imk4Z-A1a4PbXBQYwQtimZvjzwCLcBGAs/s1600/Christmas%2B2017%2B27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="968" data-original-width="1600" height="193" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0OCoXKJU81A/WkgR2uQiKkI/AAAAAAAADvw/SPwOAY1imk4Z-A1a4PbXBQYwQtimZvjzwCLcBGAs/s320/Christmas%2B2017%2B27.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Let's walk away from all that, to the Beano Annual 2017 where the Bash Street Kids help Santa by replacing his lost reindeer with some returning character cameos: The Bash Street Pups.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QS7trUFeFGY/WkgR2i8CAPI/AAAAAAAADv0/0u4hYx06YLkDGYQwg7yDc7fTHEQJK9FawCLcBGAs/s1600/Christmas%2B2017%2B28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="497" data-original-width="1455" height="109" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QS7trUFeFGY/WkgR2i8CAPI/AAAAAAAADv0/0u4hYx06YLkDGYQwg7yDc7fTHEQJK9FawCLcBGAs/s320/Christmas%2B2017%2B28.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Puzzlingly, the Dandy Annual 2017 (which proved a lot more difficult to find this year which I hope doesn't mean they're stopping publication) included a character that was horribly out of place back in the mid-90s. <a href="http://the-slipper.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/arbitrary-list-of-irish-comics.html" target="_blank">Fiddle O'Diddle</a>! </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ls8Yah8FwVw/WkgR21uqQEI/AAAAAAAADv4/W9ZSTpBzNKghsUcFsMgmoZA6Yh0Q7lgiwCLcBGAs/s1600/Christmas%2B2017%2B29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="781" height="286" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ls8Yah8FwVw/WkgR21uqQEI/AAAAAAAADv4/W9ZSTpBzNKghsUcFsMgmoZA6Yh0Q7lgiwCLcBGAs/s320/Christmas%2B2017%2B29.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And Cuddles and Dimples went to a cosplay competition. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LoXr-QWXCug/WkgR4b-UftI/AAAAAAAADv8/2s5V9mAdQL01pwdOoK3TDug2w4Xt3NiRwCLcBGAs/s1600/Christmas%2B2017%2B30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="497" data-original-width="1441" height="110" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LoXr-QWXCug/WkgR4b-UftI/AAAAAAAADv8/2s5V9mAdQL01pwdOoK3TDug2w4Xt3NiRwCLcBGAs/s320/Christmas%2B2017%2B30.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Oh, look, another Dalek...</div>
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Here's a selection of the best Private Eye cartoon: </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bb2fPHjY9Ww/WkgR7ma6ndI/AAAAAAAADwU/cZJ4dtTST1EZhgHoWlHQh5o_ohqRikvOQCLcBGAs/s1600/Christmas%2B2017%2B35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="484" data-original-width="440" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bb2fPHjY9Ww/WkgR7ma6ndI/AAAAAAAADwU/cZJ4dtTST1EZhgHoWlHQh5o_ohqRikvOQCLcBGAs/s320/Christmas%2B2017%2B35.jpg" width="290" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6agnvs0rybc/WkgR7qwyRpI/AAAAAAAADwY/FqhtB1m2RwEqYowJ2oNEwUM780MQk1H7gCLcBGAs/s1600/Christmas%2B2017%2B36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="460" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6agnvs0rybc/WkgR7qwyRpI/AAAAAAAADwY/FqhtB1m2RwEqYowJ2oNEwUM780MQk1H7gCLcBGAs/s320/Christmas%2B2017%2B36.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RyjCOwXvvV8/WkgR7z6W_DI/AAAAAAAADwc/85r3poSfuoY0aqsScyP4P61YyLn_uVvQACLcBGAs/s1600/Christmas%2B2017%2B37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="519" data-original-width="494" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RyjCOwXvvV8/WkgR7z6W_DI/AAAAAAAADwc/85r3poSfuoY0aqsScyP4P61YyLn_uVvQACLcBGAs/s320/Christmas%2B2017%2B37.jpg" width="304" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jv3w8X10tns/WkgR8Eor-yI/AAAAAAAADwg/dExhsYAVay0Nskav5-hXF5VM50di3SYhACLcBGAs/s1600/Christmas%2B2017%2B38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="422" data-original-width="449" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jv3w8X10tns/WkgR8Eor-yI/AAAAAAAADwg/dExhsYAVay0Nskav5-hXF5VM50di3SYhACLcBGAs/s320/Christmas%2B2017%2B38.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tirC-KveHZQ/WkgR8JplYCI/AAAAAAAADwk/fI7WPII-rq05i2gnhK540bLJ21zVozdswCLcBGAs/s1600/Christmas%2B2017%2B39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="588" data-original-width="773" height="243" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tirC-KveHZQ/WkgR8JplYCI/AAAAAAAADwk/fI7WPII-rq05i2gnhK540bLJ21zVozdswCLcBGAs/s320/Christmas%2B2017%2B39.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2uyDCSSn8ko/WkgR8mfxLJI/AAAAAAAADws/B1FtDHXyYuc1n_h7EEC5Ehs7XG89uowSACLcBGAs/s1600/Christmas%2B2017%2B40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="647" data-original-width="494" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2uyDCSSn8ko/WkgR8mfxLJI/AAAAAAAADws/B1FtDHXyYuc1n_h7EEC5Ehs7XG89uowSACLcBGAs/s320/Christmas%2B2017%2B40.jpg" width="244" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OBhUJNwuXgI/WkgR90WqSLI/AAAAAAAADww/KKUhAU7KqGAvkAPi_edgmFI0DSX5iXM2ACLcBGAs/s1600/Christmas%2B2017%2B41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="741" data-original-width="1491" height="159" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OBhUJNwuXgI/WkgR90WqSLI/AAAAAAAADww/KKUhAU7KqGAvkAPi_edgmFI0DSX5iXM2ACLcBGAs/s320/Christmas%2B2017%2B41.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The only superhero Christmas from the big two I found this year was DC Holiday Special 2017 </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B15eKZAfdh4/WkgR9-tDU4I/AAAAAAAADw0/cth1gqPN8nEXnNZkPI7kDS5SwwBZpdD1QCLcBGAs/s1600/Christmas%2B2017%2B42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="1276" height="163" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B15eKZAfdh4/WkgR9-tDU4I/AAAAAAAADw0/cth1gqPN8nEXnNZkPI7kDS5SwwBZpdD1QCLcBGAs/s320/Christmas%2B2017%2B42.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b1XKpO47cps/WkgR-GFsBCI/AAAAAAAADw4/ZmRKVdnxBWQZioHYvizQVPzIo1k8gyScQCLcBGAs/s1600/Christmas%2B2017%2B43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="919" data-original-width="1240" height="237" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b1XKpO47cps/WkgR-GFsBCI/AAAAAAAADw4/ZmRKVdnxBWQZioHYvizQVPzIo1k8gyScQCLcBGAs/s320/Christmas%2B2017%2B43.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Flash story features Wally West singing that song that so popular <a href="http://the-slipper.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/annual-chrismas-round-up-2016.html" target="_blank">last year.</a> </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zzqwaXAieXs/WkgR-ojXM9I/AAAAAAAADw8/s9q5Y6VJVY0Eql3d6IlQBcBCt7RJxP6NwCLcBGAs/s1600/Christmas%2B2017%2B44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="747" height="289" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zzqwaXAieXs/WkgR-ojXM9I/AAAAAAAADw8/s9q5Y6VJVY0Eql3d6IlQBcBCt7RJxP6NwCLcBGAs/s320/Christmas%2B2017%2B44.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X_TJZM-goZg/WkgR_eX9ecI/AAAAAAAADxA/LVDwHpc-pLcUE4IZ9Hvk64ahsKeW78UDwCLcBGAs/s1600/Christmas%2B2017%2B45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="585" data-original-width="1229" height="152" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X_TJZM-goZg/WkgR_eX9ecI/AAAAAAAADxA/LVDwHpc-pLcUE4IZ9Hvk64ahsKeW78UDwCLcBGAs/s320/Christmas%2B2017%2B45.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Atomic Knights make a surprise comeback. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BycYgeQnwTA/WkgR_tvuIjI/AAAAAAAADxE/hffxhHa3PA8CLNnvqVLT_rQKlIQ7epivQCLcBGAs/s1600/Christmas%2B2017%2B46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="669" data-original-width="1179" height="181" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BycYgeQnwTA/WkgR_tvuIjI/AAAAAAAADxE/hffxhHa3PA8CLNnvqVLT_rQKlIQ7epivQCLcBGAs/s320/Christmas%2B2017%2B46.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vn_8abzb9wY/WkgR_iqgA8I/AAAAAAAADxI/idB1m5Z4BbATCMsrl_sq7jhxx48JJ-31QCLcBGAs/s1600/Christmas%2B2017%2B47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="877" data-original-width="1279" height="219" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vn_8abzb9wY/WkgR_iqgA8I/AAAAAAAADxI/idB1m5Z4BbATCMsrl_sq7jhxx48JJ-31QCLcBGAs/s320/Christmas%2B2017%2B47.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Swamp Thing, the avatar of the Green, grows himself from a single sprig of mistletoe on a space station. </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4xceKG2YS2k/WkgR_1rzIWI/AAAAAAAADxM/Zo5bSoVfzx8Nnc6I3A-ykJbTEu1NcG1iwCLcBGAs/s1600/Christmas%2B2017%2B48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="621" data-original-width="568" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4xceKG2YS2k/WkgR_1rzIWI/AAAAAAAADxM/Zo5bSoVfzx8Nnc6I3A-ykJbTEu1NcG1iwCLcBGAs/s320/Christmas%2B2017%2B48.jpg" width="292" /></a></div>
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And the spirit of the season means the Kents invited John Constantine in to celebrate with them. </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w1ZSsU61SVQ/WkgSA5eVUYI/AAAAAAAADxY/J6FzJwXETSgJxjw3cw6QyB9ajih3j_ysgCLcBGAs/s1600/Christmas%2B2017%2B49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="992" data-original-width="1288" height="246" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w1ZSsU61SVQ/WkgSA5eVUYI/AAAAAAAADxY/J6FzJwXETSgJxjw3cw6QyB9ajih3j_ysgCLcBGAs/s320/Christmas%2B2017%2B49.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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(There's also a lovely Hanukkah story featuring Sgt Rock by Tom King and Frencesco Francavilla, but it doesn't lend itself to having a single image plucked out) </div>
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Happy Hearthswarming Everypony!</div>
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The Slipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17231598306094150274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782966666136502802.post-83024018726591057412017-10-30T12:50:00.001-07:002017-10-30T17:37:29.599-07:00Arbitrary list of comics Draculas'Tis the season everyone. Happy Goth Christmas!<br />
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For Hallowe'en a couple of years back, I did a list of comic book <a href="http://the-slipper.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/a-guh-guh-guh-ghost-or-6.html" target="_blank">g-g-g-ghosts</a> so it's time for another arbitrary list! (A Top Ten would probably be better for click-bait, but that's really not me...)<br />
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1: DC's Dracula<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gUKG53QeBwA/WfdqfTlYj0I/AAAAAAAADtI/s60SH1QlDzwZi-pklghs5VPmuy3sDsgegCLcBGAs/s1600/maxresdefault.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gUKG53QeBwA/WfdqfTlYj0I/AAAAAAAADtI/s60SH1QlDzwZi-pklghs5VPmuy3sDsgegCLcBGAs/s320/maxresdefault.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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DC had a few goes at putting Dracula himself (and various analogues) into their superhero universe (and there is that very unauthorised <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=382FPwYcrKQ" target="_blank">Andy Warhol movie</a> with Batman and Dracula) but in 1991 Doug Moench and Kelley Jones made an "Elseworlds" tale of the Lord of vampires fighting Batman for control of the world. I love Jones' weird gothic art style and it spawned two sequels. </div>
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At the risk of spoiling: Batman eventually destroys Drac (betraying his oath to never kill) but succumbs to a bite he received, eventually becoming a vampire himself.</div>
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If you ask me, having Batman turn into a demonic bat-creature is a bit overkill on the theme. However that version of Batman keeps coming back and vampire Earth is one of DC's official 52 Earths.</div>
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Scare factor: 4</div>
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He ultimately wins. Against Batman. Which is very rare.</div>
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2: Marvel's Dracula</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zjxdiNzUssQ/Wfdqd2uc2yI/AAAAAAAADtc/vAkiX78iaE8MWqZYtqqhOeckZreTK6RXwCEwYBhgL/s1600/3596939-drac.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="707" data-original-width="720" height="314" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zjxdiNzUssQ/Wfdqd2uc2yI/AAAAAAAADtc/vAkiX78iaE8MWqZYtqqhOeckZreTK6RXwCEwYBhgL/s320/3596939-drac.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Dracula has been a core character in the Marvel Universe for decades. And he's rad.</div>
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Originally looking like your classic cape 'n' medals Count of the movies in stories set in non-descript middle-European countries it was bringing in his half-vampire nemesis Blade that pushed him into the superhero stories proper.</div>
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He's fought Doctor Strange, Apocalypse, Hulk and Deadpool among many other Marvel heroes and villains. He's been killed more times than Hammer's Dracula too and still keeps coming back.</div>
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His best moment might be firing vampire hoards at Captain Britain FROM THE MOON!</div>
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Scare factor: 5</div>
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This guy's hardcore</div>
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3: Dell's Dracula</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l2WrH1sftJ0/Wfdqdn-Xm6I/AAAAAAAADtc/LfuFYvSdwzAPACVMse8uGR-DvaPnFx2KwCEwYBhgL/s1600/6186492288_4899638c88_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="632" data-original-width="464" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l2WrH1sftJ0/Wfdqdn-Xm6I/AAAAAAAADtc/LfuFYvSdwzAPACVMse8uGR-DvaPnFx2KwCEwYBhgL/s320/6186492288_4899638c88_z.jpg" width="234" /></a></div>
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This one is bonkers. A short-lived 60s comic series that made Dracula a superhero. </div>
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He's actually a blood descendant of your actual Dracula who is also a scientist, whose experiments with bat blood (yes, really) accidentally turned him into a sort-of-not-really vampire.</div>
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He travelled to America, changed his name to Al U Card (yes, really) and became a costumed vigilante, along with his girlfriend as his sidekick, Fleeta (as in fleidermaus, I think).</div>
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Scare factor: 1</div>
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A vigilante hero in a bat costume? Ridiculous.</div>
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4: Draculass</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EynMNHyxg3E/Wfdqe4X3f3I/AAAAAAAADtc/ZQ4HzBYqZuMkusi4S3XnOje_Wiv3ZXXzwCEwYBhgL/s1600/draculass1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="307" data-original-width="336" height="292" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EynMNHyxg3E/Wfdqe4X3f3I/AAAAAAAADtc/ZQ4HzBYqZuMkusi4S3XnOje_Wiv3ZXXzwCEwYBhgL/s320/draculass1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Aw yeah! </div>
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Created by Terry Bave for Monster Fun in 1977, Draculass is Dracula's daughter, sent to live with a human family after her father... well it's not said exactly but it's heavily implied he's met the wrong end of a wooden stake.</div>
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Only the family's daughter, Maisie, can see Draculass for the monster she is, constantly looking for a fresh supply of blood from the locals. Maisie usually prevents anything bad from happening. But not always...</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YhTl_XFjY_M/WfdqfdNemFI/AAAAAAAADtc/FCyCoHwW8nIXZOwPtBcKE5DY7Jkuo9XHgCEwYBhgL/s1600/draculass2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="311" data-original-width="643" height="154" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YhTl_XFjY_M/WfdqfdNemFI/AAAAAAAADtc/FCyCoHwW8nIXZOwPtBcKE5DY7Jkuo9XHgCEwYBhgL/s320/draculass2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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In this world, a vampire bite doesn't lead to anything more harmful than requiring a sticky plaster, however. But look at that satisfied monsterous expression!</div>
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Scare factor: 3</div>
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Bave's style is usually put to more genteel strips like Toy Boy or Sammy Shrink, so seeing his art on beast like Draculass makes it all the weirder and scarier.</div>
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5: Dracula (from Dr McNinja)</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b9rATN33mQE/Wfd2YAxn0NI/AAAAAAAADto/UUU2nAKXCMkDT28YUSA1sXvobFD2ApQNwCLcBGAs/s1600/2008-06-3011p44.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="792" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b9rATN33mQE/Wfd2YAxn0NI/AAAAAAAADto/UUU2nAKXCMkDT28YUSA1sXvobFD2ApQNwCLcBGAs/s320/2008-06-3011p44.gif" width="220" /></a></div>
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The Adventures of Dr McNinja is a webcomic by Chris Hastings with utterly ridiculous OTT action movie-style stories. In the story "Punch Dracula" the titular hero unexpectedly steps through a portal to find himself in Dracula's castle. On the Moon.</div>
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There Dracula has acquired Benjamin Franklin's head in order to find out what the afterlife is like (the answer: It's like a bad restaurant). He also has Hitler, Tupac, the original Paul McCartney and other people he likes. Bruce Lee is also there but Dracula didn't take him, he just jumped to the Moon once.</div>
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Scare factor: 4</div>
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When he suspected McNinja was going to kill him he swapped himself out with a robot double. Also he could kill anyone on Earth instantly with his Moon laser if he wants. Oh, and he cured cancer but hid the cure on Mars.</div>
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6: Dracula Dobbs</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WvNGIPnqTJI/Wfd5H-0sriI/AAAAAAAADt4/3jRUx7-aLYw_vJY2R_ZGQmu9-WO-sXKwACLcBGAs/s1600/Dracula%2BDobbs%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="296" data-original-width="358" height="264" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WvNGIPnqTJI/Wfd5H-0sriI/AAAAAAAADt4/3jRUx7-aLYw_vJY2R_ZGQmu9-WO-sXKwACLcBGAs/s320/Dracula%2BDobbs%2B1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Created for Buster in 1987 by Nigel Edwards, this is another Dracula whose family do not know the real horror with which they live. For after he is put to bed by his parents, Dracula Dobbs stalks the night. Searching for... </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TGUW1MPADIc/Wfd5H3iJf-I/AAAAAAAADt0/lCmglrBGgm41dvGnG4sUlzCkY-6sHq8bgCLcBGAs/s1600/Dracula%2BDobbs%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="605" height="151" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TGUW1MPADIc/Wfd5H3iJf-I/AAAAAAAADt0/lCmglrBGgm41dvGnG4sUlzCkY-6sHq8bgCLcBGAs/s320/Dracula%2BDobbs%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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GRUB!</div>
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Yeah, he doesn't crave human blood so much as takeaway food. At last I can empathise!</div>
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Scare factor: 2</div>
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Still quite menacing but easily defeated. Usually by just stepping out of his way and letting him walk into a lamp post or something.</div>
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7: Dracula (from Scream!)</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NnS7-ws_E1U/Wfd8HgTiyiI/AAAAAAAADuE/QPtDJiJqqJYFH-R4HA730TbIxWSs4x--wCLcBGAs/s1600/draccy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="247" data-original-width="350" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NnS7-ws_E1U/Wfd8HgTiyiI/AAAAAAAADuE/QPtDJiJqqJYFH-R4HA730TbIxWSs4x--wCLcBGAs/s320/draccy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Now we're talking.</div>
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Scream! was a horror anthology comic from the creators of 2000AD and fondly-remembered part of my childhood.</div>
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Written by Gerry Finley-Day with art (mostly) by Eric Bradbury, it sees a Dracula travelling from his home ("In a crypt in a ruined church behind the Iron Curtain") to a recognisably contemporary Britain (well, in the early 1980s).</div>
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He has also been mistaken for a Soviet defector (the cold war still very much a thing) and trailed by KGB agent as well as being given a safe house by British intelligence.</div>
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He was also recently revived in the Scream and Misty Special, which is currently available from Rebellion!</div>
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Scare factor: 5</div>
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The sequence in which he feasts on a patron in a cinema while he watches a Dracula movie will haunt me for a long time.</div>
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8: The Tracksuit Draculas</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z3JBVHB6rVc/Wfd_NfhzwlI/AAAAAAAADuQ/PhihX1QuFcMvLRsUX1AF3FMzmrGN8n5lQCLcBGAs/s1600/tracksuit.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="243" data-original-width="500" height="155" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z3JBVHB6rVc/Wfd_NfhzwlI/AAAAAAAADuQ/PhihX1QuFcMvLRsUX1AF3FMzmrGN8n5lQCLcBGAs/s320/tracksuit.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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An organised crime gang, apparently Ukranian, who dogged Hawkeye's life during the run by Matt Fraction and David Aja.</div>
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Okay, not really Draculas, it was just a (slightly racist?) nickname given to them by Clint, but they were scary. See, Hawkeye was taking some time away from the Avengers (it's a whole thing) and wanted a reasonably quiet life, occasionally fighting street-level crime. Then this bunch of bozos (they hired a mercenary called The Clown to help them for pity's sake) want to take control of the building in which he lives. And Hawkeye stands in their way.</div>
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Scare factor: 4</div>
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For in the end isn't mankind the TRUE monsters?</div>
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(No, it's Draculas that are the true monsters)</div>
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Happy Hallowe'en boils and ghouls!!!!</div>
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*Cackles*</div>
The Slipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17231598306094150274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782966666136502802.post-73202644715680864922017-10-30T09:04:00.000-07:002018-03-04T16:43:01.440-08:00Halloween with Tricky Dicky<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l1vx_8TDlHI/WfRUFvus35I/AAAAAAAADos/qlgzMbJjabsz5doO7snOnrTuYd5VIxB8wCLcBGAs/s1600/1345173-dandy64.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1045" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l1vx_8TDlHI/WfRUFvus35I/AAAAAAAADos/qlgzMbJjabsz5doO7snOnrTuYd5VIxB8wCLcBGAs/s320/1345173-dandy64.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>
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It's time for something SPOOOOOOKY for all Hallow's eve. Presenting Dandy Comic Library #64 from 1985: Tricky Dicky's Hallowe'en Horrors! Which in spite of that front cover, was drawn by original strip artist John Dallas.</div>
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Hallowe'en is a time for pranks and japes and horror-movie-themed dressing up. But let's remind ourselves of some old traditions. Murdering pagans and carving lanterns. As you can see from the cover image above, there was a time when pumpkins were not in such plentiful supply round these parts so the British tradition was to hollow out turnips and swedes. A thing I had genuinely forgotten until I started writing this today.</div>
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Anyway, a little mini history lesson: Tricky Dicky is a name belonging to three different UK comics characters. The first being this chap from IPC/Fleetway's Cor! who appeared regularly from 1970 to 1973: </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pyphhfo3u-o/WfRUaBUGLWI/AAAAAAAADsE/Mryh90n2mBce5wNRPh4nEvRGSzIv5bK6gCLcBGAs/s1600/td1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="122" data-original-width="779" height="50" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pyphhfo3u-o/WfRUaBUGLWI/AAAAAAAADsE/Mryh90n2mBce5wNRPh4nEvRGSzIv5bK6gCLcBGAs/s320/td1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Essentially a rip-off of Beano's Roger the Dodger, this Dicky used pranks to get out of doing work or avoiding some other unpleasant happening. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-viWdHWntxH8/WfRUaXUFzvI/AAAAAAAADsI/4y8Utjf7ErIFULs1xdzPwv5pGzHCDNhBgCLcBGAs/s1600/td2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="231" data-original-width="219" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-viWdHWntxH8/WfRUaXUFzvI/AAAAAAAADsI/4y8Utjf7ErIFULs1xdzPwv5pGzHCDNhBgCLcBGAs/s1600/td2.jpg" /></a></div>
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He was created by Cyril Gwyn Price although he died soon after the strip started so other artists took over almost immediately. Inevitably the schemes would fail and Dicky would usually receive some old-school punishment.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1aDMALPsRuM/WfRUZ_jAg1I/AAAAAAAADr4/CraUhx2H9AQfDMWsT2ig0hR2YqbVBYIWACLcBGAs/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="395" data-original-width="1000" height="126" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1aDMALPsRuM/WfRUZ_jAg1I/AAAAAAAADr4/CraUhx2H9AQfDMWsT2ig0hR2YqbVBYIWACLcBGAs/s320/download.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Look! A slipper!</div>
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The second Tricky Dicky (we'll get to him in a minute) was a pure prankster. He pranked for the joy of pranking and leads us to the third:</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KcSF_Pnorj8/WfRUZ0s-kTI/AAAAAAAADr8/RIsUoSIT9XgkkHcpZ5g2BnBVx6tIUF-WACLcBGAs/s1600/download.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="243" data-original-width="207" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KcSF_Pnorj8/WfRUZ0s-kTI/AAAAAAAADr8/RIsUoSIT9XgkkHcpZ5g2BnBVx6tIUF-WACLcBGAs/s1600/download.png" /></a></div>
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This Dicky, created in 2013 by Laura Howell, is regarded as the same character as the second (I said we'll get to him, just wait, can't you?) but I believe the personality differences and complete change of design mark him as a totally separate entity. </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C5w2HheIgak/WfRUZlfCXsI/AAAAAAAADrw/sbAKy13iwHY0khgBWG4JsxeVVGQmQhV9ACLcBGAs/s1600/download%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="165" data-original-width="305" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C5w2HheIgak/WfRUZlfCXsI/AAAAAAAADrw/sbAKy13iwHY0khgBWG4JsxeVVGQmQhV9ACLcBGAs/s1600/download%2B%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
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This Dicky still loves to prank but tends to be more even-handed with who deserves punishment. Usually his teacher, Mr Throbb. </div>
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In the current, continuity-filled Beano, he goes to the same school as the other menaces of Beanotown and staff room scenes can often be seen with Throbb taking coffee with Dennis' Miss Creecher and the Bash Street Kids' Teacher (he doesn't have a name, we just call him Teacher).</div>
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This Dicky also has a regular practical jokes page where he shows the reader how to fool their friends.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7JTwsEWuyjs/WfRUaDhQD4I/AAAAAAAADsA/PMlsmAmZfOsrfOwbW2lqq77xCkg-jH2ggCLcBGAs/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="192" data-original-width="263" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7JTwsEWuyjs/WfRUaDhQD4I/AAAAAAAADsA/PMlsmAmZfOsrfOwbW2lqq77xCkg-jH2ggCLcBGAs/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div>
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Have a look at the Beano's Tricky Dicky page <a href="https://www.beano.com/posts/beano-superstars-tricky-dicky" target="_blank">here</a> if you want more. It taught me that Dicky's dad owns Beanotown's joke shop, which at least answers a major question I've always had about him. Where does he get those wonderful toys?</div>
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It has also just occurred to me that maybe we have another <a href="http://the-slipper.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/we-need-to-talk-about-dennis.html" target="_blank">Dennis the Menace</a> scenario here and this Dicky is the son of the Tricky Dicky with which I grew up.</div>
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Also: quick passing mention of a character called Tricky Dicky who appeared in the first series of comics-inspired childrens' ITV series Zzzap! in 1993.</div>
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<img src="https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/zzzap/images/4/49/N68291977596_7300.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20090908132538" /></div>
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A private eye-type with no face, he is otherwise irrelevant to us.</div>
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The Tricky Dicky we care about here was created in 1977 for DC Thomson's <a href="http://the-slipper.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/christmas-post-topper-1976.html" target="_blank">The Topper</a> and drawn by John Dallas. He became the cover star in 1979, usurping Danny's Tranny (stop it) and before being deposed himself by Beryl the Peril (also at this point drawn by Dallas) in 1986. He survived in Topper to the very end, even after it was merged into <a href="http://the-slipper.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/christmas-post-no4-beezer-1976.html" target="_blank">The Beezer</a> in 1991 and that finally breathed its last in 1993.</div>
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He still popped up every now and then in The Beano, eventually having a "guest star" strip in 1999. This was one of a series of "pilot" strips that ran where readers could vote on which characters got to become regulars (The Three Bears won).</div>
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But never mind all that: It's 1985 and Tricky Dicky has woken up very happy. Why, you ask?</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-khcJlHQgkJ4/WfRUK4ch_II/AAAAAAAADpc/ll-Sfusmfuwsr_IXI54DcpSKS6rfSmeuQCLcBGAs/s1600/Tricky%2BDicky%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="889" height="203" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-khcJlHQgkJ4/WfRUK4ch_II/AAAAAAAADpc/ll-Sfusmfuwsr_IXI54DcpSKS6rfSmeuQCLcBGAs/s320/Tricky%2BDicky%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Which means Dicky gets to do a full day's work of pranking! </div>
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I've just checked: 31st October 1985 was a Thursday, so he probably should have been in school. It may have been half-term in Beanotown though, so benefit of the doubt. </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CGRgFeGPpnk/WfRUOyarG2I/AAAAAAAADqI/N2cMu6phyjIXO5sP3fhHoNVgfQ2wiPzXACLcBGAs/s1600/Tricky%2BDicky%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="644" data-original-width="874" height="235" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CGRgFeGPpnk/WfRUOyarG2I/AAAAAAAADqI/N2cMu6phyjIXO5sP3fhHoNVgfQ2wiPzXACLcBGAs/s320/Tricky%2BDicky%2B3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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First off, he offers to help Mum put out the washing. Which involves an elaborate ghost prop.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wr_B7XQbKmI/WfRUUb1f1eI/AAAAAAAADq8/OTh1ZotqNxkAX0ducDSS0az27LCujyDKgCLcBGAs/s1600/Tricky%2BDicky%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1184" data-original-width="920" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wr_B7XQbKmI/WfRUUb1f1eI/AAAAAAAADq8/OTh1ZotqNxkAX0ducDSS0az27LCujyDKgCLcBGAs/s320/Tricky%2BDicky%2B4.jpg" width="248" /></a></div>
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I often wondered where Dicky got these amazing props from. Most of them involve complex design that seem beyond the ken of even the canniest schoolboy. There must be a genius joke shop proprietor in town.</div>
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<img src="https://i.imgur.com/As7h56N.gif" /></div>
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Dashing into the garden he encounters Dad, who is pondering how to keep birds off of his freshly-planted seeds. </div>
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Our hero offers a scary scarecrow he happens to have in his big ol' case o' tricks.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x1TDoAQCtno/WfRUYBV9zDI/AAAAAAAADrc/4tT06JrCTp40jZalK0FFaXYdCp1pFiUpgCLcBGAs/s1600/Tricky%2BDicky%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="610" data-original-width="901" height="216" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x1TDoAQCtno/WfRUYBV9zDI/AAAAAAAADrc/4tT06JrCTp40jZalK0FFaXYdCp1pFiUpgCLcBGAs/s320/Tricky%2BDicky%2B5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's a dracula!</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9H6R3xJ6muE/WfRUYVyY7SI/AAAAAAAADrk/gEYgE1Z5SGcVIfNTFM834ONqp_Q5Jfy8QCLcBGAs/s1600/Tricky%2BDicky%2B6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="694" data-original-width="882" height="251" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9H6R3xJ6muE/WfRUYVyY7SI/AAAAAAAADrk/gEYgE1Z5SGcVIfNTFM834ONqp_Q5Jfy8QCLcBGAs/s320/Tricky%2BDicky%2B6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The unexpected movement, speech and reaction to what the scarecrow heard frightens Dad off. Again, a very elaborate prop.</div>
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TD then goes off to the park.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z421wjW47tA/WfRUZHY3soI/AAAAAAAADro/XNkRpB5KPlca63hCzaJHLYYQW3K0MndtACLcBGAs/s1600/Tricky%2BDicky%2B7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="565" data-original-width="877" height="206" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z421wjW47tA/WfRUZHY3soI/AAAAAAAADro/XNkRpB5KPlca63hCzaJHLYYQW3K0MndtACLcBGAs/s320/Tricky%2BDicky%2B7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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"Topper chum" (remember this is a Dandy Comic Library, nice of them to acknowledge the source for these characters) Beryl the Peril was created in 1953 by David Law, less than two years after he created Dennis the Menace. She appeared in issue #1 of The Topper and every issue since. She survived the end of The Beezer and Topper, transferring to The Dandy in 1993. At this point in her existence her artist is also John Dallas.</div>
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Anyway, here she is on the hunt for a pumpkin for Hallowe'en (left it a bit late, there, haven't you?). Dicky offers her one from the ol' case o' tricks but Beryl thinks that it's too small.</div>
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Dicky insists that it's a grower, not a shower.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g__GR71eebs/WfRUZWYXqQI/AAAAAAAADrs/RqBULLw3YCIumOWHoXOMAJqd46fasoVDgCLcBGAs/s1600/Tricky%2BDicky%2B8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="888" height="209" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g__GR71eebs/WfRUZWYXqQI/AAAAAAAADrs/RqBULLw3YCIumOWHoXOMAJqd46fasoVDgCLcBGAs/s320/Tricky%2BDicky%2B8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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However it keeps on growing.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iG3cjWU0X_k/WfRUZhDbhmI/AAAAAAAADr0/ogB5xCIiw2QIovHJWBEqPWEaaNdNdy1AQCLcBGAs/s1600/Tricky%2BDicky%2B9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1172" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iG3cjWU0X_k/WfRUZhDbhmI/AAAAAAAADr0/ogB5xCIiw2QIovHJWBEqPWEaaNdNdy1AQCLcBGAs/s320/Tricky%2BDicky%2B9.jpg" width="245" /></a></div>
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Beryl goes off to get the park keeper to throw Dicky out. But the evidence has been minimised.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iSvh3gHZKBg/WfRUGEnXuJI/AAAAAAAADow/YdC8R8GDkjMUCG4o1UAk_GFwV_YasbqbgCLcBGAs/s1600/Tricky%2BDicky%2B10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="646" data-original-width="861" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iSvh3gHZKBg/WfRUGEnXuJI/AAAAAAAADow/YdC8R8GDkjMUCG4o1UAk_GFwV_YasbqbgCLcBGAs/s320/Tricky%2BDicky%2B10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Two things here: </div>
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One: Not like Beryl to be a grass. Snitches get stitches, Beryl!</div>
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Two: Was there a time that park keepers wielded such authority? I know it's a trope of UK humour comics (Tom Paterson's The Park in Jackpot and Buster soon made the Parkie the central character for instance) but I never saw such a being in real life at any point in my childhood. </div>
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Maybe it was one of those things that used to be commonplace but by the 1980s seldom seen. Like milkmen now.</div>
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Anyway, TD is away and has found new victims, a trio of wannabe witches.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lpe4IBlve4Q/WfRUGqLK6EI/AAAAAAAADo4/31-sAa6GgEIitIKelTXNEaNlP0ot0qv2QCLcBGAs/s1600/Tricky%2BDicky%2B11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="577" data-original-width="892" height="206" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lpe4IBlve4Q/WfRUGqLK6EI/AAAAAAAADo4/31-sAa6GgEIitIKelTXNEaNlP0ot0qv2QCLcBGAs/s320/Tricky%2BDicky%2B11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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They dance around the cauldron, misquoting Shakespeare and...</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pG3xvcxrPd8/WfRUH8CETZI/AAAAAAAADpA/XKirNRjtgrwEKCxF2DwD6KTJBhh-0vIeQCLcBGAs/s1600/Tricky%2BDicky%2B12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1171" data-original-width="910" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pG3xvcxrPd8/WfRUH8CETZI/AAAAAAAADpA/XKirNRjtgrwEKCxF2DwD6KTJBhh-0vIeQCLcBGAs/s320/Tricky%2BDicky%2B12.jpg" width="248" /></a></div>
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These props are still pretty amazing but then when the weird sisters take TD's offer of some brooms...</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3UQStjDZ26I/WfRUH1KgXVI/AAAAAAAADo8/IzbwMwlQEecgKQ2GD6P9KnXZxDayQcJKQCLcBGAs/s1600/Tricky%2BDicky%2B13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="730" data-original-width="861" height="271" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3UQStjDZ26I/WfRUH1KgXVI/AAAAAAAADo8/IzbwMwlQEecgKQ2GD6P9KnXZxDayQcJKQCLcBGAs/s320/Tricky%2BDicky%2B13.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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ACTUAL FLIGHT!</div>
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Seriously, what is powering them?</div>
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We then get a cutaway to this observer:</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MzVwGveGsrU/WfRUH7Q4sxI/AAAAAAAADpE/l2EyrZVWAtEYIltRQ2vB3yjbI71mQBA3gCLcBGAs/s1600/Tricky%2BDicky%2B14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="454" data-original-width="870" height="166" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MzVwGveGsrU/WfRUH7Q4sxI/AAAAAAAADpE/l2EyrZVWAtEYIltRQ2vB3yjbI71mQBA3gCLcBGAs/s320/Tricky%2BDicky%2B14.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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No idea. He's there for exactly one panel and never referred to again.</div>
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He looks a *bit* like Patrick Moore (astronomer and then TV regular) but that is largely context-based, I think. He should at least have a monocle.</div>
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Out of the park and on to the high street.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7mXrc6zKjaY/WfRUJHu-_rI/AAAAAAAADpI/p0gMdmq8H3MCQZQ2UiRreZsfqswpqg6cQCLcBGAs/s1600/Tricky%2BDicky%2B15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="565" data-original-width="876" height="206" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7mXrc6zKjaY/WfRUJHu-_rI/AAAAAAAADpI/p0gMdmq8H3MCQZQ2UiRreZsfqswpqg6cQCLcBGAs/s320/Tricky%2BDicky%2B15.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm guessing "Halloween Horror" is the movie playing but it could also be a mini horror festival.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nbyhbGMUkVA/WfRUKg6qf-I/AAAAAAAADpY/f9_Kg1OaXtYmJIWvzlaCcAxAPP6CiQ2HQCLcBGAs/s1600/Tricky%2BDicky%2B16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="565" data-original-width="871" height="207" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nbyhbGMUkVA/WfRUKg6qf-I/AAAAAAAADpY/f9_Kg1OaXtYmJIWvzlaCcAxAPP6CiQ2HQCLcBGAs/s320/Tricky%2BDicky%2B16.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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At which point the usher grabs Dicky, immediately throws him out and contacts the police.</div>
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jk, he lets Dicky go in and bother the paying customers.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QJzol2qhIvc/WfRUJaDOe6I/AAAAAAAADpM/xoxXUPRgU3ogyNa9Sx0XHzY-N6_H0OhvwCLcBGAs/s1600/Tricky%2BDicky%2B17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="862" height="210" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QJzol2qhIvc/WfRUJaDOe6I/AAAAAAAADpM/xoxXUPRgU3ogyNa9Sx0XHzY-N6_H0OhvwCLcBGAs/s320/Tricky%2BDicky%2B17.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Time to reach into the ol' case o' tricks.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FiyT4toVFQY/WfRULc4GkOI/AAAAAAAADpk/IvUDt_RwltA1mn4HTg2qaFi8uZl6YMy2QCLcBGAs/s1600/Tricky%2BDicky%2B21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="388" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FiyT4toVFQY/WfRULc4GkOI/AAAAAAAADpk/IvUDt_RwltA1mn4HTg2qaFi8uZl6YMy2QCLcBGAs/s320/Tricky%2BDicky%2B21.jpg" width="217" /></a></div>
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And that guy thought he was definitely on for an over-the-jumper fumble.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jT_bj5vw7RQ/WfRUKCJcWaI/AAAAAAAADpQ/48cdQF7srgIXtzXAAsPLzEuUqduTGFxOgCLcBGAs/s1600/Tricky%2BDicky%2B18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="852" height="216" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jT_bj5vw7RQ/WfRUKCJcWaI/AAAAAAAADpQ/48cdQF7srgIXtzXAAsPLzEuUqduTGFxOgCLcBGAs/s320/Tricky%2BDicky%2B18.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Somebody is not <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/5live/films/code_of_conduct.pdf" target="_blank">Wittertainment code compliant!</a></div>
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Get 'im!</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VLAvSljX5nQ/WfRUKf_k8II/AAAAAAAADpU/G4J7R32uvMQ6MRzxBaU9JI10TjbrAXR4QCLcBGAs/s1600/Tricky%2BDicky%2B19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="559" data-original-width="865" height="206" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VLAvSljX5nQ/WfRUKf_k8II/AAAAAAAADpU/G4J7R32uvMQ6MRzxBaU9JI10TjbrAXR4QCLcBGAs/s320/Tricky%2BDicky%2B19.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I do love this guy's reaction:</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Oli4BhHx-WY/WfRULYqnj4I/AAAAAAAADpg/tTMvGuWQTHQRFfYEIFsGiFN5QAfU0imGACLcBGAs/s1600/Tricky%2BDicky%2B20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="586" data-original-width="892" height="210" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Oli4BhHx-WY/WfRULYqnj4I/AAAAAAAADpg/tTMvGuWQTHQRFfYEIFsGiFN5QAfU0imGACLcBGAs/s320/Tricky%2BDicky%2B20.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We get a glimpse of the movie in question at this point:</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a3eWYC2AQX4/WfRUL2StRpI/AAAAAAAADpo/GKnwx59-w5MPvQJD5GeovO1Ejtqd_sG-wCLcBGAs/s1600/Tricky%2BDicky%2B22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="873" height="220" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a3eWYC2AQX4/WfRUL2StRpI/AAAAAAAADpo/GKnwx59-w5MPvQJD5GeovO1Ejtqd_sG-wCLcBGAs/s320/Tricky%2BDicky%2B22.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's a Frankingstein!</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RffbGw4bR0E/WfRUMa3x2DI/AAAAAAAADps/h2MfrcgzXqgZU56F9bW56QhZNEUNeQX2wCLcBGAs/s1600/Tricky%2BDicky%2B23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="524" data-original-width="868" height="193" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RffbGw4bR0E/WfRUMa3x2DI/AAAAAAAADps/h2MfrcgzXqgZU56F9bW56QhZNEUNeQX2wCLcBGAs/s320/Tricky%2BDicky%2B23.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The usher (or manager) finally does what he should have from the start and gets TD to leave. He runs out, pulling one more prank on the way:</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n90YR48lneE/WfRUMpqgKtI/AAAAAAAADpw/7bmTR37O960bn89UOMb-tBntElvycIO1gCLcBGAs/s1600/Tricky%2BDicky%2B24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="884" height="205" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n90YR48lneE/WfRUMpqgKtI/AAAAAAAADpw/7bmTR37O960bn89UOMb-tBntElvycIO1gCLcBGAs/s320/Tricky%2BDicky%2B24.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The ice cream, it seems, are on a ferromagnetic tray.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RiNxxDV_gA4/WfRUNL90PkI/AAAAAAAADp0/ZKQuXm3xo3MzMaAqe8BUAtimlYunNkuRwCLcBGAs/s1600/Tricky%2BDicky%2B25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="730" data-original-width="880" height="265" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RiNxxDV_gA4/WfRUNL90PkI/AAAAAAAADp0/ZKQuXm3xo3MzMaAqe8BUAtimlYunNkuRwCLcBGAs/s320/Tricky%2BDicky%2B25.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Those people did nothing to deserve this, but then, life is chaotic and unfair.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VyXVQTLoO6Y/WfRUNgYZeHI/AAAAAAAADp4/8sc9UzKpuQEuyCCsCUePSHcx3HUxqvw_QCLcBGAs/s1600/Tricky%2BDicky%2B26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="880" height="206" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VyXVQTLoO6Y/WfRUNgYZeHI/AAAAAAAADp4/8sc9UzKpuQEuyCCsCUePSHcx3HUxqvw_QCLcBGAs/s320/Tricky%2BDicky%2B26.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Again, you've left it a bit late. There will be a queue.</div>
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TD decides to offer the boys costumes from the ol' case o' tricks. They accept. They are idiots.</div>
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They then take off their clothes behind a bush in the park.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hNaT1Ww1cTI/WfRUN_y5sCI/AAAAAAAADp8/ywB3MBhkpyoHg5zMT2pGavCvTkpb-RpowCLcBGAs/s1600/Tricky%2BDicky%2B27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="912" height="186" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hNaT1Ww1cTI/WfRUN_y5sCI/AAAAAAAADp8/ywB3MBhkpyoHg5zMT2pGavCvTkpb-RpowCLcBGAs/s320/Tricky%2BDicky%2B27.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'll spare you this one: There's itching powder in the costume. Quite a low-concept prank at this point.</div>
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Next kid is dressed as a dracula.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PblaqblPdzw/WfRUOM1VbJI/AAAAAAAADqA/bwuyHekIqQoGPCF5f61kD-JzqjbHx7MGACLcBGAs/s1600/Tricky%2BDicky%2B28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="574" data-original-width="864" height="212" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PblaqblPdzw/WfRUOM1VbJI/AAAAAAAADqA/bwuyHekIqQoGPCF5f61kD-JzqjbHx7MGACLcBGAs/s320/Tricky%2BDicky%2B28.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Again, this somehow has the power of flight. Dicky remote controls him around like a model plane before smashing his face into an iron street lamp.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JNseTduNwu8/WfRUOtODAPI/AAAAAAAADqE/TD3A-Pb1qE8oB-1g5gbX-OIED2N_FgdkQCLcBGAs/s1600/Tricky%2BDicky%2B29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="861" height="224" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JNseTduNwu8/WfRUOtODAPI/AAAAAAAADqE/TD3A-Pb1qE8oB-1g5gbX-OIED2N_FgdkQCLcBGAs/s320/Tricky%2BDicky%2B29.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Stop laughing and call an ambulance, you monster!</div>
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Talking of monsters...</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CwyweW71_8E/WfRUPCm7Y_I/AAAAAAAADqM/TaN-OLwtCukjyT6k_nB0ppZp1-KKOcv5ACLcBGAs/s1600/Tricky%2BDicky%2B30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="876" height="207" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CwyweW71_8E/WfRUPCm7Y_I/AAAAAAAADqM/TaN-OLwtCukjyT6k_nB0ppZp1-KKOcv5ACLcBGAs/s320/Tricky%2BDicky%2B30.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Two points: </div>
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One: It's Frankingstein. </div>
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Two: You're mixing your Victorian Gothic literature. Potion was for Mr Hyde.</div>
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Dicky pulls off his mask.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4K2oEyQWtAQ/WfRUPXcmIHI/AAAAAAAADqQ/-P9ehtk2lucifbRoe8G9KyIkNfoAajdFQCLcBGAs/s1600/Tricky%2BDicky%2B31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="562" data-original-width="888" height="202" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4K2oEyQWtAQ/WfRUPXcmIHI/AAAAAAAADqQ/-P9ehtk2lucifbRoe8G9KyIkNfoAajdFQCLcBGAs/s320/Tricky%2BDicky%2B31.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Not really, this isn't a Twilight Zone-type curse, he just put on two masks at once. Like I said: idiots.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NDDXfx5MBYI/WfRUPz-Ui1I/AAAAAAAADqU/Gq_5jaJjS6U-QmHnU1IiEdW-b1s7-PzTACLcBGAs/s1600/Tricky%2BDicky%2B32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="556" data-original-width="882" height="201" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NDDXfx5MBYI/WfRUPz-Ui1I/AAAAAAAADqU/Gq_5jaJjS6U-QmHnU1IiEdW-b1s7-PzTACLcBGAs/s320/Tricky%2BDicky%2B32.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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What!? The owner of the joke shop!? It's made clear here that they have never met before so...</div>
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<img src="https://i.imgur.com/As7h56N.gif" /></div>
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Dicky gets revenge for the boot up the bum by offloading a bunch of his remaining pranks in the joke shop.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fKRCZRUrJzI/WfRURYdAUKI/AAAAAAAADqg/vd2oZs91ULAXZsxOgEea-e3kv0ubCEwuACLcBGAs/s1600/Tricky%2BDicky%2B33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1162" data-original-width="934" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fKRCZRUrJzI/WfRURYdAUKI/AAAAAAAADqg/vd2oZs91ULAXZsxOgEea-e3kv0ubCEwuACLcBGAs/s320/Tricky%2BDicky%2B33.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
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Maybe Dicky designs and makes these things himself. Maybe he moved to Beanotown as an adult to set up the best joke shop in town. And now passes that pranking knowledge to his offspring, TDjr.</div>
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Never mind that now, Dicky wants to bother an estate agent. I know that feeling.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0x7cRAezplA/WfRUQ9-kO5I/AAAAAAAADqY/ux97q68EsD0pV5MBa2G_sA6RFGHkaXeXgCLcBGAs/s1600/Tricky%2BDicky%2B34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="572" data-original-width="874" height="209" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0x7cRAezplA/WfRUQ9-kO5I/AAAAAAAADqY/ux97q68EsD0pV5MBa2G_sA6RFGHkaXeXgCLcBGAs/s320/Tricky%2BDicky%2B34.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Dicky, in old man disguise like the Harbinger of Doom trope from horror movies. Of course, he is ignored.</div>
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Dicky sneaks in the back door and...</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gQFwx3z0_Ag/WfRURI26kYI/AAAAAAAADqc/Egp4X8PqI8QgLZjyHY17rRYXVA9j7wGZQCLcBGAs/s1600/Tricky%2BDicky%2B35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="883" height="210" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gQFwx3z0_Ag/WfRURI26kYI/AAAAAAAADqc/Egp4X8PqI8QgLZjyHY17rRYXVA9j7wGZQCLcBGAs/s320/Tricky%2BDicky%2B35.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Again, a bit low-tech compared to what has come before...</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ewOKzRMJsYc/WfRURxU8T9I/AAAAAAAADqk/S37uoQJEA1MKYEUcxbMBtnYArgvE66XKwCLcBGAs/s1600/Tricky%2BDicky%2B36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="673" data-original-width="903" height="238" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ewOKzRMJsYc/WfRURxU8T9I/AAAAAAAADqk/S37uoQJEA1MKYEUcxbMBtnYArgvE66XKwCLcBGAs/s320/Tricky%2BDicky%2B36.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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THAT'S more like it!</div>
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No idea how he rigged that up.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_NnWIzd0gw0/WfRUSVaBH9I/AAAAAAAADqo/MAAbzXQTFTwdPMSuZFJS8n0JHMnNvRuqACLcBGAs/s1600/Tricky%2BDicky%2B37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="511" data-original-width="901" height="181" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_NnWIzd0gw0/WfRUSVaBH9I/AAAAAAAADqo/MAAbzXQTFTwdPMSuZFJS8n0JHMnNvRuqACLcBGAs/s320/Tricky%2BDicky%2B37.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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WHAT!? There was a <a href="http://the-slipper.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/a-guh-guh-guh-ghost-or-6.html" target="_blank">g-g-g-ghost</a> there all the time!</div>
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Let's dash off to the Waxworks Museum. Nothing scary has ever happened in one of them!</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WMGvToo8ScE/WfRUSiQ3PFI/AAAAAAAADqs/3DlXbLwAi7cFE9HpRuCKPIYUAITh2LS5wCLcBGAs/s1600/Tricky%2BDicky%2B38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="898" height="195" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WMGvToo8ScE/WfRUSiQ3PFI/AAAAAAAADqs/3DlXbLwAi7cFE9HpRuCKPIYUAITh2LS5wCLcBGAs/s320/Tricky%2BDicky%2B38.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Barking up the wrong tree there girls...</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-alHlDcDpn9s/WfRUS5ahhcI/AAAAAAAADqw/RrbSBd0L29wSVUBA-wSQg9aA911R-OUeQCLcBGAs/s1600/Tricky%2BDicky%2B39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="556" data-original-width="895" height="198" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-alHlDcDpn9s/WfRUS5ahhcI/AAAAAAAADqw/RrbSBd0L29wSVUBA-wSQg9aA911R-OUeQCLcBGAs/s320/Tricky%2BDicky%2B39.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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(Remember when Minnie the Minx thought Boy George was <a href="http://the-slipper.blogspot.co.uk/2016/06/that-time-minnie-minx-met-jimmy-savile.html" target="_blank">soppy?</a>)</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q6zMJQA0s6E/WfRUT_QwfMI/AAAAAAAADq0/CqCkn-g4Cr4gNMZtd6yQGEzc8TF7NXv5gCLcBGAs/s1600/Tricky%2BDicky%2B40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="586" data-original-width="906" height="206" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q6zMJQA0s6E/WfRUT_QwfMI/AAAAAAAADq0/CqCkn-g4Cr4gNMZtd6yQGEzc8TF7NXv5gCLcBGAs/s320/Tricky%2BDicky%2B40.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It took me a couple of reads to understand that panel. I thought at first it was 80s puppet duck Orville and some other character.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ivHVacQPEkM/WfdNJXo5uOI/AAAAAAAADsc/aR5IPPkI_AMVQHKIJ1df-n9aCOPwNyNHgCLcBGAs/s1600/cometomyparty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="597" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ivHVacQPEkM/WfdNJXo5uOI/AAAAAAAADsc/aR5IPPkI_AMVQHKIJ1df-n9aCOPwNyNHgCLcBGAs/s320/cometomyparty.jpg" width="318" /></a></div>
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Then I realised it was a play on Torville and Dean, at this time still riding high on their Olympic success the previous winter. Why they couldn't just call them their real name, I don't know, especially after the Boy George bit.</div>
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Anyway, Dicky drives their waxwork around like a toy car, knocking them down.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Gg59b64ff4/WfRUUQQhZJI/AAAAAAAADq4/MeaMA_tQoo0i48lyg_WYSR7UN9txA5yogCLcBGAs/s1600/Tricky%2BDicky%2B41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="739" data-original-width="900" height="262" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Gg59b64ff4/WfRUUQQhZJI/AAAAAAAADq4/MeaMA_tQoo0i48lyg_WYSR7UN9txA5yogCLcBGAs/s320/Tricky%2BDicky%2B41.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It turns out that Dicky is famous enough to have his own model in this museum. Which makes it more odd that anyone would trust him at any time, but whatever.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6xQIdlqW9eo/WfRUUvgPURI/AAAAAAAADrA/ml0ImKJNJtI6sHbqoArbSH6uOtLCj8lhACLcBGAs/s1600/Tricky%2BDicky%2B42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="880" height="209" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6xQIdlqW9eo/WfRUUvgPURI/AAAAAAAADrA/ml0ImKJNJtI6sHbqoArbSH6uOtLCj8lhACLcBGAs/s320/Tricky%2BDicky%2B42.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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TD manages to scare them by appearing in two places at once (even though they know at least one of them is a model, but whatever).</div>
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They leap out into another humour comic trope...</div>
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Fresh laid concrete!</div>
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Which sets instantly.</div>
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Anyway, Dicky had enormous fun on Hallowe'en...</div>
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LOOK OUT, HE'S GOT A SLIPPER!</div>
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Dicky runs into the funfair and hides in the Ghost Train (we're sort-of bringing it back to Hallowe'en).</div>
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However, it turns out more intense than he thought.</div>
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Especially when Dad colludes with the travelling folk who run the fair to keep him in there.</div>
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One: It's skellington.</div>
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And that's that. HAPPY HALLOWE'EN BOILS AND GHOULS!!!!</div>
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Sorry, I meant boys and girls.</div>
<br />The Slipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17231598306094150274noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782966666136502802.post-2609545664369644432017-10-18T14:36:00.000-07:002017-10-18T14:36:32.032-07:00Inhuman treatmentThis week I paid money to watch a TV show on an IMAX screen. I am an idiot.<br />
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The TV show in question was Marvel's The Inhumans, the latest spin-off from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), itself, of course, based on the characters of the comic book universe of Marvel Comics. I'm going to stop using the prefix "Marvel's" which comes before many (if not all) of the movies and shows I'll mention, firstly for expedience and secondly because it's silly.<br />
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The MCU currently has (at least) three distinct areas of storytelling.<br />
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1; The Movies<br />
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These started with Iron Man in 2008 and built up the characters who became The Avengers as well as Ant Man, Doctor Strange and The Guardians of the Galaxy.<br />
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There is also Spider-Man, who exists in a legal grey area.<br />
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2; The Netflix TV shows<br />
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Starting with Daredevil in 2015 these shows were designed to give us a "street-level" look at superheroes (which sort-of means "TV budget friendly"), a darker, grittier take on the big colourful movies world. It also gave us Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and the team up show The Defenders. The Punisher will also be getting a show soon. They have no direct tie to the movies beyond the occasional oblique reference to "events" in them.<br />
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3; The ABC TV shows<br />
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These began with the highly-trumpeted Agents of SHIELD in 2013 a show us nerds got very excited about (there were Whedons on board) and then most of us sort of fell away from. I mean, I'm told it got good in later seasons but there's too much actual good telly now, right? It even brought a version of Ghost Rider into MCU continuity which is fun.<br />
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We also got Agent Carter, which was much better but suffered worse ratings so ended after only two seasons.<br />
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The second season of Agents of SHIELD introduced the concept of Inhumans to the MCU, having the character Skye discover her true parentage (teased since the first episode).<br />
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And this is where we'll take a little history detour, as is my wont.<br />
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If you were to look up the origins of The Inhumans on TV's the internet, you'd be told that they debuted in Fantastic Four #45, in 1965. This is not strictly true. So it's a good thing I'm here.<br />
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Medusa is the first Inhuman to appear in a Marvel comic, and that is in Fantastic Four #36, earlier that same year. She was one of a team of super-villains, calling themselves the Frightful Four. Wikipedia describes the Frightful Four as "the antithesis of the Fantastic Four", which is overstating things considerably. The other three were the Wizard (who had previously battled the Human Torch), Spider-Man baddy the Sandman and *ahem* Paste-Pot Pete.<br />
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Now, I have a certain amount of affection for Paste-Pot Pete. His criminal gimmick was glue and pretty soon after he was renamed "The Trapster" because even Stan Lee thought "Paste-Pot Pete" was dumb. The Trapster still occasionally pops up in Marvel comics today (he was one of the inmates of Pleasant Hill during the Avengers story Standoff! for example) and others will mock him by calling him Paste-Pot Pete. I believe he should embrace his original name and reclaim it. But I'm a sucker for ridiculous superhero characters. Give me Bat-Mite or Doctor Bong over Deathblow or Thunder Strike any day.<br />
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We are not given much information about Medusa on this first appearance. She has prehensile hair (and a lot of it) and a general stand-offish attitude but her background is a mystery. It strikes me as a character Jack Kirby came up with whilst doodling that Stan then put into the script.<br />
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Medusa appears a few more times in FF before we find her home and that is found via Crystal.<br />
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In FF #45, Johnny Storm (the Human Torch) spots a pretty young woman in a state of distress in the streets, so immediately puts some moves on her.<br />
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Oh, Johnny!<br />
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This leads to the FF going back to the young woman's home. A land in the Himalayas (oh, the mysterious East....), shrouded in fog. Well, not fog, exactly, it was more of a mist. Terrigen mist to be precise.<br />
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This land, Attilan, is home to Crystal's people: The Inhumans. We find that they have kept themselves secret from the regular humans of the 616 world because of their <strike>mutations</strike> extraordinary abilities.<br />
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Yes, the Terrigen mists that surround them imbues them with powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men. And we are introduced to the Attilan royal family.<br />
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The queen is Medusa and we find that she was suffering from amnesia during her previous appearances and is not (as previously seen) a villain of any sort.<br />
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We meet most of the other Inhuman characters including Gorgon, who has stomping powers from is big ungulate legs. Triton, the water-based one (there's always one). And Karnak, whose power is to see the flaw in anything. My Mum has the same power. Especially with anything I do.<br />
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The king of this realm, to whom Medusa is queen, is Black Bolt. An Inhuman whose power is in his voice. Even the smallest whisper sends out massive shock-waves that can floor a person.<br />
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And also, as any medium-level superhero fan can tell you: His full name is Blackagar Boltagon.<br />
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Think about that. Obviously either Stan or Jack just came up with the name "Black Bolt" because it sounded cool and then, much later it was decided to give him a full name, perhaps because the name Black Bolt had no connection to his powers. And they called him Blackagar Boltagon<br />
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Now, I know I'm not the first to make this joke but it is like finding out Spider-Man's full name is Spideragar Managon.<br />
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Greenagar Lanternagon<br />
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Ghostagar Rideragon<br />
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Jessicaagar Jonesagon<br />
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Make your own up.<br />
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I have saved the best till last though. Lockjaw!<br />
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I bloody love Lockjaw, me!<br />
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You really have to appreciate the creativity of Stan and Jack in the sixties, throwing off new characters like sparks off a Catherine wheel. The truly remarkable thing is that most of those characters still exist in today's Marvel comics and are constantly being given new stories by each new generation of writers and artists. Lockjaw is one of those characters creatives love to pull out and drop in a story. Outside of Inhuman stories he has spent time as sidekick to The Thing and Ms Marvel among others and he is very loyal to his friends.<br />
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Oh, and he can teleport.<br />
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The only potentially disturbing thing about him is the question of his origin. See, as explained, humans become Inhumans after teregenesis <strike>mutates</strike> transforms them. Lockjaw is a dog but it has been heavily implied, if not outright stated that he was humanoid before changing. I don't know if there is an official, canonical answer to that and quite frankly I don't want to look it up in case it's too upsetting.<br />
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We also get to see The Inhumans' chief Big Bad: Maximus the Mad. Deposed king of Attilan and brother of Blackagar Boltagon (hee hee).<br />
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This set a precedent that meant most Inhuman stories tended to revolve around power grabs for the iron throne.<br />
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As well as the key characters (mostly referred to as the royal family) we are shown something of how Inhuman society works. It seems the terrigen mist assigns powers at random and if you get a good one you get to live the high life, a bad one gets you sent to work the mines or similar. A sort of Eloi/Morlock relationship. Let's make no bones about it, Inhuman society is based on slavery.<br />
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Shortly after, Jack Kirby pitched his own Inhumans series to the publishers wherein he intended to introduce many more characters and expand on how their society worked. It was rejected and after Kirby gave us on set up story in new anthology comic Amazing Adventures, he left the company.<br />
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During a Fantastic Four run by Roy Thomas and John Buscema, an attempt is made to ret-con Inhuman society to make them seem less monstrous and the slaves are freed.<br />
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They get their own series in 1975, by Doug Moench and George Perez wherein Maximus teams up with the Kree, a pre-existing alien race with designs on Earth. We would eventually find out that the Inhumans themselves were a result of genetic tampering from the Kree in Earth's distant past. All Inhumans have Kree DNA in them but only exposure to terrigen triggers their power.<br />
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After that, in 1982's Fantastic Four #240 Reed Richards helps the entirety of Attilan relocate to the Moon to preserve their privacy.<br />
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This will directly lead to their first fight with The Avengers as the world governments want to make sure they pose no threat from that significant strategic vantage point.<br />
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Various things happen. Attilan returns to Earth, goes to war with the USA, Maximus makes more power grabs, Black Bolt is revealled as a Skrull, the real Black Bolt returns, they decide to take over the Kree empire, Black Bolt dies heroically, Black Bolt comes back, Attilan returns to Earth as a floating city above New York. You know, standard superhero universe stuff.<br />
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Then came Infinity, a needlessly complicated cosmic story centred around Thanos (the upcoming Big Bad of the MCU) who demands (among other things) that Black Bolt gives him the terrigen crystals (source of the terrigen mist). In order to stop him getting them, Blackagar (nope, still silly) destroys Attilan and the crystals with it.<br />
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This has the unintended effect of having the crystal become a giant cloud which would float around the world, triggering terrigenesis in any human with Kree DNA in them.<br />
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We are going to take a little sidebar here to talk about how this relates to the wider Marvel empire.<br />
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Nowadays we know Marvel as a massive world-conquering brand. Twas not ever thus. The crash of the collectors market in the 90s lead to them filing for bankruptcy and selling off the family silver. By which I mean the rights for other companies to use their characters. We're going to focus specifically on movie rights.<br />
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Around the turn of the century the rights to make Spider-man movies belonged to Sony, X-Men and Fantastic Four belonged to 20th Century Fox and a handful of other characters belonged to Universal and Paramount (there was also another company that bought the rights to Namor the Submariner which I can't imagine they look back on as a wise investment).<br />
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Now, Spidey and Wolverine have been (by some considerable margin) Marvel's two biggest characters for many years, in terms of both comics sales and merchandising. The superhero movie genre had been in decline until Bryan Singer's X-Men and Sam Raimi's Spider-Man proved you could make good superhero movies that were also hugely popular. Pleasing moviegoers and comics fans at the same time.<br />
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A few more movies come and go based on other Marvel properties but eventually we get 2008's Iron Man. Yes, we've come full circle. That film was made by Paramount and later that same year a movie of The Incredible Hulk was released, which tied in to the characters and events of Iron Man (I don't understand the legal wrangling that must have gone on here).<br />
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Then in 2009 Disney buys Marvel outright. This has a a huge effect. The cinematic rights to most of Marvel Comics' characters now belong to Disney as do the publishing rights to all those characters.<br />
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Except for the exceptions...<br />
<br />
So Sony retains Spider-Man and Fox retains X-Men. There are others but I'm keeping this simple with the important ones.<br />
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It is Fox and the X-Men that interests us here. With ownership of X-Men screen rights, Fox also has the rights to most X-Men related characters and concepts. Not only do they get to use every character from Wolverine or Deadpool to Warlock or Doop, they get the cosmic Phoenix Force, the Shi-Ar Empire and the very concept of "Mutants", which is significant.<br />
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See, when Stan and Jack created "mutants" in X-Men #1 in 1963 it was an easy way to explain how every one of this super-powered team had gained their powers. This new atomic age of nuclear testing had unlocked extraordinary abilities within ordinary children once they reach puberty.<br />
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Boom. Now whenever they need to introduce a superhero or villain they didn't need to come up with a backstory where they were victims of an experiment gone wrong or bitten by a radioactive puffin or whatever, they were a mutant. Job done.<br />
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The problem (as far as the Disney-owned Marvel is concerned) is that Fox now can use <u>any</u> mutant character in Marvel Comics. Even ones created after the movie series started. And now Disney has a massively successful movie series with The Avengers whose only significant rival is a film series made by a rival studio featuring characters and concepts created by their own company.<br />
<br />
The fan theory here (and be assured we have not yet seen any evidence of this being officially mandated by Disney) is that Marvel started deliberately sidelining X-Men and other mutant characters and promoting Inhumans instead.<br />
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The Inhuman royal family became cosmic players in Infinity (mentioned above). Professor X and Wolverine were killed off. New characters were introduced with Inhuman origins such as the terrific Ms Marvel, whereas few if any new mutant characters are created.<br />
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Then there's that terrigen cloud unleashed by Black Bolt. It floats round the world creating new Inhumans wherever it goes but also...<br />
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...it is killing the mutants. Terrigen affects mutants in an adverse, irreversible way. Mutants are dying.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jZ2O0uoUhJU/WefIU-LmuNI/AAAAAAAADoI/ufGG6XkVUHs-y_loDyj1U8BJey3Ax6WagCEwYBhgL/s1600/5269528-20160616_110259.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="832" data-original-width="1305" height="203" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jZ2O0uoUhJU/WefIU-LmuNI/AAAAAAAADoI/ufGG6XkVUHs-y_loDyj1U8BJey3Ax6WagCEwYBhgL/s320/5269528-20160616_110259.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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More recently the Civil War II crossover event entirely hinged on a new inhuman called Ulysses with apparent precognitive abilities and a disagreement between Iron Man and Captain Marvel over how to use him.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D5OBdYil4sQ/WefI9J3g2-I/AAAAAAAADoM/2Xvs5W6d6EkDFEm0zv8YNaZsP30IuD5_QCEwYBhgL/s1600/Image-28-600x421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="421" data-original-width="600" height="224" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D5OBdYil4sQ/WefI9J3g2-I/AAAAAAAADoM/2Xvs5W6d6EkDFEm0zv8YNaZsP30IuD5_QCEwYBhgL/s320/Image-28-600x421.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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All of which brings us to TV's Marvel's The Inhumans.<br />
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I was aware on the way in of this particular project's reputation. More than one viewer had called it the worst thing produced in the MCU, but do you know what?<br />
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They're not wrong. It sits fine alongside the sort of fantasy TV we got in the 90s. It's actually better than the pilots for Justice League or Generation X.<br />
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<br />
But today's TV is awash with comics adaptations. Ironically, the MCU has raised the bar for such material that every TV company is throwing cash at any property they can get their hands on.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nojKcHqwycw/Wee6bQHuaFI/AAAAAAAADkg/4jp9t5eccGsn5YGKyoBDDAMC99EYcqqPwCEwYBhgL/s1600/powers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="350" height="182" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nojKcHqwycw/Wee6bQHuaFI/AAAAAAAADkg/4jp9t5eccGsn5YGKyoBDDAMC99EYcqqPwCEwYBhgL/s320/powers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And even the most ridiculous of them can still be fun. I mean, no-one could mistake, say, Legends of Tomorrow for quality television (the bar for that, too, has shifted significantly) but it remains fun to watch.<br />
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The Inhumans has been in development since at least 2011 and was announced as a movie project in 2014. Somewhere along the way the concept got kicked back to television. This could be a good sign for a TV show. Companies put far more money into developing a movie than a TV show so this starts with all that extra work already done.<br />
<br />
To start with the concepts. This is an Attilan that is on the Moon and we begin with an okay FX shot of the city with a pretty good design. I like that they chose Moonbase Attilan, it gives us an awe-inspiring opening and also explains why these characters have been absent from the MCU, Agents of SHIELD in particular (which has already found the Earth-bound Attilan). Some of the individual designs are great, I especially like Lockjaw, who is like the Kirby drawing come to life and is movie-quality CG, and I love seeing Crystal's weird hair patterns IRL.<br />
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We are introduced to the Inhuman Royal Family. Triton is being hunted on Earth (Hawaii, it turns out) and I initially thought they'd deliberately killed him off early as the least-interesting character.<br />
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We see Gorgon, who has animal legs and hooves. Except when it's too difficult to do the effect and he doesn't. This is really sloppy. It reminded me of the centaurs in Xena: Warrior Princess, but the production team on that were smart enough to usually only shoot them from the waist up.<br />
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The version of Karnak we get is played by Lost's Ken Leung (at least he knows Hawaii already) and has a fun way of showing his ability to see patterns and quickly work out the best course of action. Borrowing from two different recent screen Sherlocks we see words and numbers on the screen flashing up explaining what/who is in the room and calculating the probability of success. However this somehow doesn't stop him from accidentally walking off a cliff later, which is dumb.<br />
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Crystal is our point-of-view character, seeing the royal family thing as an annoying burden.<br />
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Medusa is the queen, wearing a huge red wig that.... I'm sorry, it looks terrible. Maybe it looks okay on a normal TV screen (I doubt it) but in IMAX it could not look more like a wig. The actor (Serinda Swan) looks like she's cosplaying as Geri Halliwell. And that thought made me wonder how much more forgiving I'd have been if they HAD actually stunt-cast Geri Halliwell as Medusa. Oh, and Lockjaw clearly ate up the CGI budget as Medusa'a hair is kept from moving as much as possible, which is a shame. It would have looked pretty good if it was just moving all the time, like Doc Ock's tentacles in Spider-Man 2. And (spoiler) it all gets shaved off later to make sure this isn't a problem for the series.<br />
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And Black Bolt (Blackagar Boltagon) doesn't really have to do anything but stand there stoically and occasionally point. Anson Mount seems to struggle with that.<br />
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The main cast are all as bland as the blandest CW show cast, which I believe is the tone they were asked to deliver. I believe this because of Iwan Rheon who plays Maximus the Mad and is an actor I've respected since he played Simon in Misfits, a wonderfully nuanced weirdo. And as Ramsay Bolton in Game of Thrones proved to be the best scenery-chewing bad guy in a show full of scenery-chewing bad guys. Here, he just sort-of... is. Which is a shame. It feels like the better actors were told to reign it in, maybe to keep the tone of the show more low-key. Which in a show with a giant teleporting dog is an odd choice.<br />
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We also see the two-tier system of Attilan's government. The long-since abandoned comics concept of the Inhumans keeping slaves is brought back. We see a ceremony as two teenagers get exposed to terrigen for the first time. One gets beautiful wings and is deemed worthy to live above. The other gets a far less tangible power so is sent below. It's hard to be on the side of the royal family at this point.<br />
<br />
The rejected Inhuman is later rescued by Maximus and his power is revealed to be, like Ulysses, to get visions of the future (something that seems quite useful to me, but what do I know?). Maximus then launches a coup against the royal family exiles most of them to Earth and frees the slaves. A reminder: Maximus is meant to be the Bad Guy.<br />
<br />
A sort-of fish-out-of-water story begins as the royal family stumble about Hawaii, looking for each other, doing dumb, illogical things because they propel the plot (which is also dumb and illogical).<br />
<br />
I wanted to like it, I really did. I like being the contrary critical voice and I PAID MONEY!The Slipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17231598306094150274noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782966666136502802.post-90107493766208361512017-09-04T09:25:00.001-07:002017-09-04T16:15:39.383-07:00Stand by for Battle-Action!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1MI3qwYmlm4/Wa081npWU5I/AAAAAAAADfg/1XaYS0GNrkQ9vCI-QKqRfqlY60q8eTKzgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Battle%2BAction%2B11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="1124" height="165" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1MI3qwYmlm4/Wa081npWU5I/AAAAAAAADfg/1XaYS0GNrkQ9vCI-QKqRfqlY60q8eTKzgCEwYBhgL/s320/Battle%2BAction%2B11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Let's take another trip back in time and review a single issue of an old British comic.</div>
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Previously I have looked at the <a href="http://the-slipper.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/christmas-post-no3-krazy-1977.html" target="_blank">humour comics</a> which were my childhood favourites and a couple of <a href="http://the-slipper.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/judge-judy-yes-yes-i-will.html" target="_blank">girls' comics</a> which were utterly alien to me until adulthood, now I'm looking at another genre I had little interest in before: Boys' comics. </div>
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Though written and drawn by mostly the same people, British comics for boys were very different from those for girls. Where girls had stories of bullied children kept away from their ponies or indentured servants who want to be ballerinas, boys had war. Usually stories set in the Second World War. Big stories about menly men giving Jerry what for.</div>
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My choice here is the first issue of Battle-Action!</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ewyrx6O86bY/Wa081znt_OI/AAAAAAAADcw/fZ0rgadv7IsOKPtMn4IxGGZw-ojseBLbgCLcBGAs/s1600/Battle%2BAction%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1213" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ewyrx6O86bY/Wa081znt_OI/AAAAAAAADcw/fZ0rgadv7IsOKPtMn4IxGGZw-ojseBLbgCLcBGAs/s320/Battle%2BAction%2B1.jpg" width="242" /></a></div>
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This is not <u>actually</u> a first issue, per se, it is the next issue of Battle, after Action was merged into it.</div>
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Battle was an IPC comic that ran from 1975 to 1988, originally called Battle Picture Weekly until a canny editor noticed that made it sound like a throwback to older "your dad's" comics. It had a more modern sensibility than other, similar comics on sale at the time, even absorbing the long-running Valiant (1962-1976) when that title started losing sales. </div>
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After the merger with Action it went from strength to strength with a notable high point being Charley's War, a realistic and extremely well-researched journey the whole of the First World War told from the perspective of a young man (he is sixteen at the start) becoming increasingly disillusioned. It was written by comics legend Pat Mills and drawn by Joe Colquhoun (of Roy of the Rovers) and is available in a series of graphic novels by Titan.</div>
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Soon, however, problem started to set in. In 1983 the publisher struck a deal with Palitoy, the comany that owned GI Joe, and space was given over to reprint GI Joe comics.</div>
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Now GI Joe never took off in the UK for some reason, which is a shame as I know what a touchstone it is for American boys who grew up in the 80s. Over here the comics, the cartoons and the toys were renamed Action Force, maybe because "GI" was a specifically American term, maybe to make Brits associate them with Action Man, a popular toy line that was linked thematically if not legally.</div>
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The comic was renamed Battle Action Force until 1986 when Marvel UK got the rights to GI Joe and started publishing its own Action Force comic. Battle limped along with its own rip-off Storm Force until January 1988. </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-73dW3rPXwo8/Wa088jmAazI/AAAAAAAADdU/yN04DrflSccjTAEI3pdU4rWi-b6pGDCcQCLcBGAs/s1600/Battle%2BAction%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1273" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-73dW3rPXwo8/Wa088jmAazI/AAAAAAAADdU/yN04DrflSccjTAEI3pdU4rWi-b6pGDCcQCLcBGAs/s320/Battle%2BAction%2B2.jpg" width="254" /></a></div>
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As for Action.... Hoo boy, that's a story for another time.</div>
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Short version: two of the freelancers whose work on Battle had made it a best-seller (the afore-mentioned Pat Mills and future Dredd co-creator John Wagner) were hired to create a new boys' comic for the modern world and today's boys. The result was an exciting blend of tough guys, hyper-violence and killer sharks. Most stories were set firmly in the present, though some were still at war and some in dystopian futures.</div>
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The result: high sales, huge enjoyment and a tabloid "Ban this sick filth" backlash. A threat of boycott by WH Smith meant the editors were forced to pull back on what made it exciting in the first place and sales dropped so much that the title ended with some rescued strips carrying over to Battle. </div>
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Or should I say Battle-Action? For that is where we start today!</div>
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As you can see from the contents page above, we are promised 7 powerful hard-hitting stories! So let's Jump in to Story 1: Major Eazy. </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ph2RMps103I/Wa09B9PFIcI/AAAAAAAADd8/FTRAnAvKdRkRBGAEmuCMBM7r19x580NmQCLcBGAs/s1600/Battle%2BAction%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="780" height="295" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ph2RMps103I/Wa09B9PFIcI/AAAAAAAADd8/FTRAnAvKdRkRBGAEmuCMBM7r19x580NmQCLcBGAs/s320/Battle%2BAction%2B3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Created for Battle from the start by writer Alan Hebden and aritist (and other co-creator of Dredd) Carlos Ezquerra, Eazy is a tough no-nonsense fighter who always went into battle in a chauffeur-driven Bentley. </div>
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Above you can see him driving while his companion (at this point a Bedouin called Tewfik) mows down a bunch of Jerries with ease.</div>
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It's worth noting that in spite of Tewfik calling the Major "El Eazy" and "effendi" it is still refreshing to see an Arab character on the heroic side, even as a sidekick. This is historically acceptable too, as this story starts off in North Africa (date unknown but early in the war).</div>
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However we are about to move... </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lK-NlfxuwRA/Wa09HhK-xII/AAAAAAAADeo/0RFUwdRnonggvR6-tHhvH9XN-ZS8J1OmACLcBGAs/s1600/Battle%2BAction%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="582" data-original-width="592" height="314" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lK-NlfxuwRA/Wa09HhK-xII/AAAAAAAADeo/0RFUwdRnonggvR6-tHhvH9XN-ZS8J1OmACLcBGAs/s320/Battle%2BAction%2B4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Typical hothead hero who won't play the rules.</div>
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Hilariously he insists on taking his car with him. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SIKC5zVrGkI/Wa09K_4Ur7I/AAAAAAAADfE/r5m-HJ21LkAc9LIBM2aj988RaFSK3YqugCLcBGAs/s1600/Battle%2BAction%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="620" data-original-width="1018" height="194" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SIKC5zVrGkI/Wa09K_4Ur7I/AAAAAAAADfE/r5m-HJ21LkAc9LIBM2aj988RaFSK3YqugCLcBGAs/s320/Battle%2BAction%2B5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Shortly after docking in Greece, Eazy sees something suspicious beneath the water... </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vslUrrNc7Vg/Wa09LmMEONI/AAAAAAAADfI/_pX9Wm6jyasr8KPOQs58y0YH05wG-48vACLcBGAs/s1600/Battle%2BAction%2B6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="686" data-original-width="560" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vslUrrNc7Vg/Wa09LmMEONI/AAAAAAAADfI/_pX9Wm6jyasr8KPOQs58y0YH05wG-48vACLcBGAs/s320/Battle%2BAction%2B6.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>
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Spotting two Italian scuba divers planting a bomb on the ship, he does the only thing he can with only one harpoon.... </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IwoIvfNPC_8/Wa09L4wLUgI/AAAAAAAADfM/HQR3cM3GzvgGfHf7GF7lZAlxAdwmUE9xgCLcBGAs/s1600/Battle%2BAction%2B7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="708" data-original-width="690" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IwoIvfNPC_8/Wa09L4wLUgI/AAAAAAAADfM/HQR3cM3GzvgGfHf7GF7lZAlxAdwmUE9xgCLcBGAs/s320/Battle%2BAction%2B7.jpg" width="311" /></a></div>
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Got 'em! </div>
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It's too late to stop the bomb, so Eazy makes sure the priority objective is achieved. Saving his car.</div>
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This 4-page strip was fun! It bodes well for the the rest of this issue.</div>
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Now, a paid message from Palitoy. </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2VGf6wkPbkY/Wa09PKp4N8I/AAAAAAAADfc/HGdaCmCClOUK4bm7OzU06ovy1HIqgfPGgCLcBGAs/s1600/Battle%2BAction%2B8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1211" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2VGf6wkPbkY/Wa09PKp4N8I/AAAAAAAADfc/HGdaCmCClOUK4bm7OzU06ovy1HIqgfPGgCLcBGAs/s320/Battle%2BAction%2B8.jpg" width="242" /></a></div>
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The next 3-page strip is Johnny Red, by Tom Tully and the aforementioned Joe Culquhoun. The strip is surtitled "The pilot who can't fly for Britain!" His backstory (from previous issues of Battle) is that he was dishonourably discharged from the RAF and ended up in Russia with a stolen Hurricane, fighting Nazis from the other side.</div>
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This strip opens at one of history's greatest tragedies: Stalingrad. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uADJCCq4Wb8/Wa09NBnQOBI/AAAAAAAADfQ/eJ4B-QAnmWQknLRCRmqFnB2PtSPzbeNSACLcBGAs/s1600/Battle%2BAction%2B9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="528" data-original-width="522" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uADJCCq4Wb8/Wa09NBnQOBI/AAAAAAAADfQ/eJ4B-QAnmWQknLRCRmqFnB2PtSPzbeNSACLcBGAs/s320/Battle%2BAction%2B9.jpg" width="316" /></a></div>
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All right, keep it light...</div>
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A caption tells us it is May 1942 (and also calls it Leningrad) and we see Johnny (known to the locals as "'Djavol' - The Red Devil!") saving some civilians from an aerial attack. </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--ccvbjk9nuc/Wa080rGPOZI/AAAAAAAADco/tYMoebUGqrc-6gaxAA2rIyEHHbGb07G0ACLcBGAs/s1600/Battle%2BAction%2B10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="574" data-original-width="393" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--ccvbjk9nuc/Wa080rGPOZI/AAAAAAAADco/tYMoebUGqrc-6gaxAA2rIyEHHbGb07G0ACLcBGAs/s320/Battle%2BAction%2B10.jpg" width="218" /></a></div>
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Tales of his heroism do not sit well with him, however and he slips into uneasy dreams... </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1MI3qwYmlm4/Wa081npWU5I/AAAAAAAADcs/aqSTCMOc2HoQItIBrhP-TTbK0Woq6hLiACLcBGAs/s1600/Battle%2BAction%2B11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="1124" height="165" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1MI3qwYmlm4/Wa081npWU5I/AAAAAAAADcs/aqSTCMOc2HoQItIBrhP-TTbK0Woq6hLiACLcBGAs/s320/Battle%2BAction%2B11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A vision of death haunts him as he is called out to another mission...</div>
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To Be Continued... </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PdAhpKI0ZUs/Wa082G5h2NI/AAAAAAAADc0/nTWbKsHpyJQiiKVJvY1rpgH_5TP_mbRsgCLcBGAs/s1600/Battle%2BAction%2B12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="502" data-original-width="964" height="166" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PdAhpKI0ZUs/Wa082G5h2NI/AAAAAAAADc0/nTWbKsHpyJQiiKVJvY1rpgH_5TP_mbRsgCLcBGAs/s320/Battle%2BAction%2B12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Next up, a message from the Airfix Modellers Club, and its Club President, the man with the sandpaper penis. </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UmWBi9pnciI/Wa083zk1joI/AAAAAAAADc8/Q21a0JZMizYhAuchcLsprbuzZMwQi-rzwCLcBGAs/s1600/Battle%2BAction%2B13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="709" data-original-width="1495" height="151" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UmWBi9pnciI/Wa083zk1joI/AAAAAAAADc8/Q21a0JZMizYhAuchcLsprbuzZMwQi-rzwCLcBGAs/s320/Battle%2BAction%2B13.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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On now to Hellman of Hammer Force. Or, more accurately, The Early Adventures of... Hellman of Hammer Force.</div>
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Hellman was created for Action by Gerry Finley-Day and Mike Dory and was unique (as far as I'm aware) in British war comics heroes because he was (drum roll) German! </div>
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Even though the text make it clear he is not a Nazi and has no affiliation to the German war effort, it was still too confusing for some readers.</div>
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"How is it that a German can be a hero?" was the thought of one reader's letter. And the publicity blurbs in the comics themselves still referred to him as a "Squarehead" and a "Kraut".</div>
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This story, however, takes place years before the Action strips, giving us the Secret Origin of Hellman (heir to the mayonnaise fortune). </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7gEMj3H9_PY/Wa083_b3nPI/AAAAAAAADdA/bXVam8UdrUstwq872Lyxgh7bVi-5XAyYACLcBGAs/s1600/Battle%2BAction%2B14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="764" data-original-width="734" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7gEMj3H9_PY/Wa083_b3nPI/AAAAAAAADdA/bXVam8UdrUstwq872Lyxgh7bVi-5XAyYACLcBGAs/s320/Battle%2BAction%2B14.jpg" width="307" /></a></div>
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Here "Hun" is not meant pejoratively, it is the name of the commander of the tank division, rolling into Poland in September 1939. They come across a Polish cavalry on horseback and all tanks are commanded to fire on them. Hellman disobeys because of how unfair it is and after the the Poles are obliterated he is disciplined.</div>
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That evening the soldiers have celebratory drinks in a stable in a nearby village to which Hellman and his crew are not invited.</div>
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Then... </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eBV4Wy5qaAE/Wa083UniEOI/AAAAAAAADc4/AkIatvVamvEhke11xiyCan10E9oBPNb9ACLcBGAs/s1600/Battle%2BAction%2B15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="634" data-original-width="602" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eBV4Wy5qaAE/Wa083UniEOI/AAAAAAAADc4/AkIatvVamvEhke11xiyCan10E9oBPNb9ACLcBGAs/s320/Battle%2BAction%2B15.jpg" width="303" /></a></div>
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Mein Gott!</div>
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All of the tank division but Hellman's crew are wiped out and when an unarmed Hellman stumbles into the stable he takes whatever comes to hand as a weapon. Fortunately what comes to hand is a massive sledgehammer. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sby7H-tYlEI/Wa084WM-5sI/AAAAAAAADdE/HM_CEOOn_tk7JwkLarxEbfMZaakmWll3ACLcBGAs/s1600/Battle%2BAction%2B16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="502" data-original-width="778" height="206" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sby7H-tYlEI/Wa084WM-5sI/AAAAAAAADdE/HM_CEOOn_tk7JwkLarxEbfMZaakmWll3ACLcBGAs/s320/Battle%2BAction%2B16.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Thwack!</div>
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With Hun dead, Hellman is promoted to Major and put in command of the division, which he now renames "Hammer Force". </div>
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Now, have you ever imagined having Yogi Bear to tell you the time? Me too! </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v-n8KOGufmg/Wa088fsFUzI/AAAAAAAADdQ/dWgh_5PlSb8BW7UlT0Le5h_pZrsFJxe0ACLcBGAs/s1600/Battle%2BAction%2B17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1298" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v-n8KOGufmg/Wa088fsFUzI/AAAAAAAADdQ/dWgh_5PlSb8BW7UlT0Le5h_pZrsFJxe0ACLcBGAs/s320/Battle%2BAction%2B17.jpg" width="259" /></a></div>
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Not going to lie, I would wear that Hong Kong Fooey watch today.</div>
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The centre pages are given over to part one of a giant 4-part poster featuring aircraft through the ages. The large image in the centre you can see on the cover at the top of the page, but I'll present the three World War II planes on this week's quarter in full for those who like that kind of thing: </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tE3dfndhlkY/Wa0875N2WpI/AAAAAAAADdM/15PB-ZR860ggClZmPwvfFa_Oej1KhwN-wCLcBGAs/s1600/Battle%2BAction%2B18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="571" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tE3dfndhlkY/Wa0875N2WpI/AAAAAAAADdM/15PB-ZR860ggClZmPwvfFa_Oej1KhwN-wCLcBGAs/s320/Battle%2BAction%2B18.jpg" width="114" /></a></div>
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There's an ad for <a href="http://the-slipper.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/christmas-post-no5-cheeky-1977.html" target="_blank">Cheeky</a> on the next page (with what looks like Dicky Howett art)... </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FUW12HW__S4/Wa086rWFj3I/AAAAAAAADdI/MAPZbg8uopABxmfF3HAvqekUhkAyGvKwgCLcBGAs/s1600/Battle%2BAction%2B19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="958" data-original-width="982" height="312" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FUW12HW__S4/Wa086rWFj3I/AAAAAAAADdI/MAPZbg8uopABxmfF3HAvqekUhkAyGvKwgCLcBGAs/s320/Battle%2BAction%2B19.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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...below which is this exciting ad for Airfix Eagles, a new kind of modelling from the company...</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lLw9KMVMVvA/Wa08-9aCiZI/AAAAAAAADdg/m_tFwiNkA68e0dFaYl0-_69EA5uYjVRzQCLcBGAs/s1600/Battle%2BAction%2B21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="954" data-original-width="1378" height="221" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lLw9KMVMVvA/Wa08-9aCiZI/AAAAAAAADdg/m_tFwiNkA68e0dFaYl0-_69EA5uYjVRzQCLcBGAs/s320/Battle%2BAction%2B21.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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...and the page is completed with the rules to Spinball... </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-giF3UyAt7D0/Wa088_5FI0I/AAAAAAAADdY/BC29dnGH8pQQ8nlXRBD45STj1hyoaZ6dACLcBGAs/s1600/Battle%2BAction%2B20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="940" data-original-width="484" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-giF3UyAt7D0/Wa088_5FI0I/AAAAAAAADdY/BC29dnGH8pQQ8nlXRBD45STj1hyoaZ6dACLcBGAs/s320/Battle%2BAction%2B20.jpg" width="164" /></a></div>
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Ah, yes, Spinball. Originally titled Death Game 1999, it was one of the strips in Action that caught the eye of the moral guardians. Essentially a rip-off of the movie Rollerball, with bits of Death Race 2000 thrown in, it tells of a future in which criminals are forced to play in a deadly team sport with motorbikes and huge steel balls for the entertainment of the masses. Some elements seem to prefigure The Running Man too.</div>
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Conceived by Geoff Kemp but written by Tom Tully, it was drawn by various artists (I can't say for sure who drew this issue's strip but I'm guessing Costa who seemed the closest thing to a regular artist it had).</div>
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The strip was renamed The Spinball Wars to appease the professionally outraged and on its arrival here in Battle-Action we get an introduction to this far off world of 2001. It's always funny seeing predictions of a future that is now our past, so let's have a chuckle at how wrong it is... </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AOh5geUDaDU/Wa08_LHIKAI/AAAAAAAADdk/MMyPK5OBuLwOg7QaThB5eU-bD9_ePtf9QCLcBGAs/s1600/Battle%2BAction%2B22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="642" data-original-width="1480" height="138" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AOh5geUDaDU/Wa08_LHIKAI/AAAAAAAADdk/MMyPK5OBuLwOg7QaThB5eU-bD9_ePtf9QCLcBGAs/s320/Battle%2BAction%2B22.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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"By the year 2001 the world had still to find a formula for total global peace. Rival dictatorships still clashed in short, isolated wars, and people still suffered and died for a thousand different causes... Border clashes</div>
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Guerilla conflict</div>
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Civil war</div>
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Terrorism"</div>
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Oh.</div>
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That was the world of 2001.</div>
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It's spot on.</div>
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How unbelievably depressing.</div>
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Anyway, we press on with a game already in progress. </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--CpLe_r0QCk/Wa089xD2T-I/AAAAAAAADdc/79B6var0_4kTyYYkqL67w8367MdgZO6aACLcBGAs/s1600/Battle%2BAction%2B23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="429" data-original-width="567" height="242" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--CpLe_r0QCk/Wa089xD2T-I/AAAAAAAADdc/79B6var0_4kTyYYkqL67w8367MdgZO6aACLcBGAs/s320/Battle%2BAction%2B23.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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So, we're kicking off with violence. Lovely. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ym_VuYALfuw/Wa08_JXb5aI/AAAAAAAADdo/YYMoYO5BxfkTpxWu3QNVMz-GOjFLUx-CwCLcBGAs/s1600/Battle%2BAction%2B24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="542" data-original-width="636" height="272" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ym_VuYALfuw/Wa08_JXb5aI/AAAAAAAADdo/YYMoYO5BxfkTpxWu3QNVMz-GOjFLUx-CwCLcBGAs/s320/Battle%2BAction%2B24.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A quick info dump on our protagonist before we're introduced to the whole team individually, my favourite is Steel. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IhyxkcfLnGc/Wa08_gBh90I/AAAAAAAADds/eQ2HxANpXNEiK0oZpgll1KDlWoh0JrJ8wCLcBGAs/s1600/Battle%2BAction%2B25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="608" height="244" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IhyxkcfLnGc/Wa08_gBh90I/AAAAAAAADds/eQ2HxANpXNEiK0oZpgll1KDlWoh0JrJ8wCLcBGAs/s320/Battle%2BAction%2B25.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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"In the 1970s, his left eye, and his left arm, would have been termed bionic..." but we're not saying that so don't sue us.</div>
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(Aside: Too many commas in the captions here)</div>
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But... </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sbe5incztcs/Wa09AdqxwuI/AAAAAAAADdw/MPiErk2IS3Y15XANNr1BtJ7SYc87lf7JACLcBGAs/s1600/Battle%2BAction%2B26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="752" height="187" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sbe5incztcs/Wa09AdqxwuI/AAAAAAAADdw/MPiErk2IS3Y15XANNr1BtJ7SYc87lf7JACLcBGAs/s320/Battle%2BAction%2B26.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A twist to the story up to now to show the strip is moving on as it moves house as the stadium explodes! But before anything can happen to the team, an SPV from Captain Scarlet arrives. </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OqrrWUaTL4I/Wa09A_X2wdI/AAAAAAAADd0/UPj1SJAEKdUpi655OcxG9VjPq2d5yU-OQCLcBGAs/s1600/Battle%2BAction%2B27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="542" data-original-width="818" height="212" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OqrrWUaTL4I/Wa09A_X2wdI/AAAAAAAADd0/UPj1SJAEKdUpi655OcxG9VjPq2d5yU-OQCLcBGAs/s320/Battle%2BAction%2B27.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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*Edit* A reader points out that this vehicle is much closer in design to SHADO 2 from UFO and they are not wrong. It's copyright-infringingly close. Viddy:</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JbJnQ8BjU2E/Wa3V33fuhXI/AAAAAAAADfs/b_D-D-sJjjsNxygJ5j69OI6tSrDw620iwCLcBGAs/s1600/51WjiSgHC9L._SX300_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="246" data-original-width="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JbJnQ8BjU2E/Wa3V33fuhXI/AAAAAAAADfs/b_D-D-sJjjsNxygJ5j69OI6tSrDw620iwCLcBGAs/s1600/51WjiSgHC9L._SX300_.jpg" /></a></div>
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They are whisked away and given a demonstration of some brand new equipment... </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FepjmqPN_dA/Wa09BYO3LRI/AAAAAAAADd4/BOWtnZW4JpU71gw-W_WlvZNhEqapGEKVQCLcBGAs/s1600/Battle%2BAction%2B28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="442" data-original-width="1010" height="140" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FepjmqPN_dA/Wa09BYO3LRI/AAAAAAAADd4/BOWtnZW4JpU71gw-W_WlvZNhEqapGEKVQCLcBGAs/s320/Battle%2BAction%2B28.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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But who are these benefactors and what do they want? And why? </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5pfgxIqhMQk/Wa09CkcJglI/AAAAAAAADeE/_tCnbqUc9vkhDMNXIqoREgA1zdmGX_oUACLcBGAs/s1600/Battle%2BAction%2B29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="892" data-original-width="1012" height="282" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5pfgxIqhMQk/Wa09CkcJglI/AAAAAAAADeE/_tCnbqUc9vkhDMNXIqoREgA1zdmGX_oUACLcBGAs/s320/Battle%2BAction%2B29.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The above ad shares space with the following message for readers:</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pcpuXTLB25s/Wa09OHqQHRI/AAAAAAAADfU/-k9RnDWCWmcE3vtIPstK9XXYupbfkq_HQCLcBGAs/s1600/Battle%2BAction%2BLetters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="494" height="311" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pcpuXTLB25s/Wa09OHqQHRI/AAAAAAAADfU/-k9RnDWCWmcE3vtIPstK9XXYupbfkq_HQCLcBGAs/s320/Battle%2BAction%2BLetters.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Ah, Captain Hurricane. By now, the only surviving character from Valiant, created in 1962 by Charles Roylance, his more whimsical adventures had been driven further and further out of place as war stories got grittier and so was relegated to the letters page when Battle absorbed Valiant.</div>
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Next up: Joe Two Beans!</div>
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Originally created for Battle by John Wagner and Eric Bradbury, he is introduced here as "Indian fighter Joe Two Beans" which took me a moment to parse. He doesn't fight Indians, he is an Indian who fights. He's not from India, he's a Native American (Blackfoot to be precise).</div>
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Apparently for the first eleven issues he didn't speak (I'm guessing because Wagner had just watched One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest) but by now he's talking um heap big dialect. He's not exactly Little Plum but it's not much better. At the start of this week's strip he's in a company in New Guinea with his "blood brother" Sawdust Smith whom he is about to save from a snake! </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K3ZaPa4d1-I/Wa09CSMc56I/AAAAAAAADeA/WJmZQEunurMeOZ39U3JU3MuaRQywqU4GwCLcBGAs/s1600/Battle%2BAction%2B30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="607" height="258" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K3ZaPa4d1-I/Wa09CSMc56I/AAAAAAAADeA/WJmZQEunurMeOZ39U3JU3MuaRQywqU4GwCLcBGAs/s320/Battle%2BAction%2B30.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And Native Americans use the whole snake... </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BaEwTbzaF9Y/Wa09CzAkylI/AAAAAAAADeI/NJq9ttmVySsH1zW6hmrzOw0h55solQP7gCLcBGAs/s1600/Battle%2BAction%2B31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="508" data-original-width="418" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BaEwTbzaF9Y/Wa09CzAkylI/AAAAAAAADeI/NJq9ttmVySsH1zW6hmrzOw0h55solQP7gCLcBGAs/s320/Battle%2BAction%2B31.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
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However, when some Japanese fighters fly in out of nowhere, Joe is forced to use the snake as a makeshift lasso! </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kZd6Gvs7R6M/Wa09DvmAtTI/AAAAAAAADeM/SVflQwJLoFwyn59_AK3D1HjNlzpJSfhogCLcBGAs/s1600/Battle%2BAction%2B32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="850" height="184" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kZd6Gvs7R6M/Wa09DvmAtTI/AAAAAAAADeM/SVflQwJLoFwyn59_AK3D1HjNlzpJSfhogCLcBGAs/s320/Battle%2BAction%2B32.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Those sneaky Japanese are destroying aircraft carriers with "a fanatical suicide group known as kamikaze... or divine wind", the one pilot they capture alive does not stay that way for long ("Crazy Nip! He jest shot himself")</div>
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Joe is assigned a new partner to infiltrate an enemy base on Pointless favourite the Solomon Islands. </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OHd0JVjOWkk/Wa09D1VVP7I/AAAAAAAADeQ/xxCUQvTY5hY4hGpxxZKIDY8dUoQAm31XgCLcBGAs/s1600/Battle%2BAction%2B33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="426" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OHd0JVjOWkk/Wa09D1VVP7I/AAAAAAAADeQ/xxCUQvTY5hY4hGpxxZKIDY8dUoQAm31XgCLcBGAs/s320/Battle%2BAction%2B33.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>
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Joe immediately takes against the new guy for racist reasons. </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E2OkkKyOgBg/Wa09D_zc4wI/AAAAAAAADeU/YxXi4832DMAqeLwHxWAbMhmRNRXZY41eQCLcBGAs/s1600/Battle%2BAction%2B34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="578" data-original-width="556" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E2OkkKyOgBg/Wa09D_zc4wI/AAAAAAAADeU/YxXi4832DMAqeLwHxWAbMhmRNRXZY41eQCLcBGAs/s320/Battle%2BAction%2B34.jpg" width="307" /></a></div>
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To be continued...</div>
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I like that a lot, setting up stories to challenge prejudices. Also this story will now have both protagonists non-white. Which is very rare.</div>
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I didn't mention earlier but every story ends with an exciting strap line telling us how great Battle-Action is. I'll include the one from this page: </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3frpv60zV9c/Wa09EHbdfjI/AAAAAAAADeY/hLjJncOjhKUiiPsv-2oCZ_3R-Bt-79RCwCLcBGAs/s1600/Battle%2BAction%2B35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="50" data-original-width="1186" height="13" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3frpv60zV9c/Wa09EHbdfjI/AAAAAAAADeY/hLjJncOjhKUiiPsv-2oCZ_3R-Bt-79RCwCLcBGAs/s320/Battle%2BAction%2B35.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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See, a lot of the personnel from Battle and Action had recently collaborated on the brand new comic 2000AD which made a big deal out of its "Thrill Power!" </div>
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Next up, another well-remembered Action hero: Dredger! I'm including the whole first page of his story, cos it's awesome. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xIN83YOQO9Y/Wa09Jp6EVnI/AAAAAAAADe4/5Dr0S7c3lScPlxfqw8Z5nbOfbJ-b55sGACLcBGAs/s1600/Battle%2BAction%2B36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1285" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xIN83YOQO9Y/Wa09Jp6EVnI/AAAAAAAADe4/5Dr0S7c3lScPlxfqw8Z5nbOfbJ-b55sGACLcBGAs/s320/Battle%2BAction%2B36.jpg" width="257" /></a></div>
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Oh yes, Britain's got Dredger! </div>
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Dredger was James Bond as filtered through Dirty Harry. He was tough, no nonsense (yes, I know, it's the remit for a lot of these characters) and gave little boys of the 70s what they wanted. Created by Geoff Campion but written and drawn by many people (I don't have credits for this story).</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DwYQXHzD-qQ/Wa09G0N0uKI/AAAAAAAADeg/96OU0oP58VANzfNfnBNPf9PpvxKrZ2TXACLcBGAs/s1600/Battle%2BAction%2B37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="710" data-original-width="1472" height="154" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DwYQXHzD-qQ/Wa09G0N0uKI/AAAAAAAADeg/96OU0oP58VANzfNfnBNPf9PpvxKrZ2TXACLcBGAs/s320/Battle%2BAction%2B37.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Someone is targeting members of the agency to which Dredger belongs (DI6). In fact the explosion above has just taken out Breed, who, up till now, was Dredger's sidekick!</div>
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When his boss tells him to leave the case, he makes like Bond and goes rogue. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FdrqFNE2x4Y/Wa09GokJuGI/AAAAAAAADec/tYSGAmR_GF052-behGvt_yGnZZg3wDEfACLcBGAs/s1600/Battle%2BAction%2B38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="702" data-original-width="1036" height="216" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FdrqFNE2x4Y/Wa09GokJuGI/AAAAAAAADec/tYSGAmR_GF052-behGvt_yGnZZg3wDEfACLcBGAs/s320/Battle%2BAction%2B38.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Except Bond never punched out M and then hung him out of a window with tied-together sheets until he gave up his information! </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-plQH4E6dXgQ/Wa09HrYHXrI/AAAAAAAADek/VGBCGGSelMggCxJdr7uWYBYLQKhNj1SNACLcBGAs/s1600/Battle%2BAction%2B39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="515" height="242" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-plQH4E6dXgQ/Wa09HrYHXrI/AAAAAAAADek/VGBCGGSelMggCxJdr7uWYBYLQKhNj1SNACLcBGAs/s320/Battle%2BAction%2B39.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The whole thing ends on a cliffhanger as Dredger returns home to a booby trap... </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jk-tH0fq0vk/Wa09JeV7_iI/AAAAAAAADew/8lKZp-4y0swjfw9D_1jNXRhlTNcYg1TMwCLcBGAs/s1600/Battle%2BAction%2B40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="477" data-original-width="851" height="179" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jk-tH0fq0vk/Wa09JeV7_iI/AAAAAAAADew/8lKZp-4y0swjfw9D_1jNXRhlTNcYg1TMwCLcBGAs/s320/Battle%2BAction%2B40.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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To be continued!</div>
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The strap line on this page might solve our Trident problem: </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LmcrBU2Xpp8/Wa09Ia6BPTI/AAAAAAAADes/kUuI69rbNd0zwWi7T7v307N-6DqFoTw9QCLcBGAs/s1600/Battle%2BAction%2B41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="56" data-original-width="1486" height="12" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LmcrBU2Xpp8/Wa09Ia6BPTI/AAAAAAAADes/kUuI69rbNd0zwWi7T7v307N-6DqFoTw9QCLcBGAs/s320/Battle%2BAction%2B41.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Finally, we have The Sarge, a pipe-smoking Sergeant in North Africa (1942) who we keep being told is the best. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0Y2xeBn9SQY/Wa09JoBrn6I/AAAAAAAADe0/YkKmpRWZudMq0nsPH5-zuVi-7b-iAWOEwCLcBGAs/s1600/Battle%2BAction%2B42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="734" height="229" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0Y2xeBn9SQY/Wa09JoBrn6I/AAAAAAAADe0/YkKmpRWZudMq0nsPH5-zuVi-7b-iAWOEwCLcBGAs/s320/Battle%2BAction%2B42.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This proved trickier to research (no, Google, I don't mean the WWE wrestler) but I think the art is by Mike Western. </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B9lE5VgS01U/Wa09J0EsO3I/AAAAAAAADe8/O3jtLJbXERIb-IKFzlFhaDikJIS0xw9_wCLcBGAs/s1600/Battle%2BAction%2B43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="356" data-original-width="775" height="146" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B9lE5VgS01U/Wa09J0EsO3I/AAAAAAAADe8/O3jtLJbXERIb-IKFzlFhaDikJIS0xw9_wCLcBGAs/s320/Battle%2BAction%2B43.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It is, however, the weakest story in the issue so it's a shame it's the last. Some nice depiction of mine-clearing machinery aside it had nothing to recommend it. </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OrT2pU26loI/Wa09K4S348I/AAAAAAAADfA/jDmuelxwh4whgp8qj483lcYxA--ZtIq7gCLcBGAs/s1600/Battle%2BAction%2B44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="952" height="150" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OrT2pU26loI/Wa09K4S348I/AAAAAAAADfA/jDmuelxwh4whgp8qj483lcYxA--ZtIq7gCLcBGAs/s320/Battle%2BAction%2B44.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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So that was Battle-Action. A more fun read than I was expecting, to be honest. And I have the next few issues so will read on to find out what happens next!</div>
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I'll leave you with the back page ad, a reminder that once every few years, yo-yos come back into fashion. When I was at school they were "Coca-Cola Spinners" and in 1977 you could get a "Treborland Yo-yo and Trick Book" by saving up sweet wrappers. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WFP_6OdXw64/Wa09OFQhXmI/AAAAAAAADfY/mJSn4bUkx1IuZ1ldw6kmoYp4J0shfvW8ACLcBGAs/s1600/Battle%2BAction%2B45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1275" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WFP_6OdXw64/Wa09OFQhXmI/AAAAAAAADfY/mJSn4bUkx1IuZ1ldw6kmoYp4J0shfvW8ACLcBGAs/s320/Battle%2BAction%2B45.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>
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<br />The Slipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17231598306094150274noreply@blogger.com8