YOGI BEAR'S EXPRESS CHRISTMAS...

Copyright relevant owner

Here's a couple more HANNA-BARBERA strips from a 1960 edition of TV EXPRESS WEEKLY.  The first features YOGI BEAR, followed by two tiers of Mr. JINKS with PIXIE & DIXIE.  Strictly speaking, Yogi's strip isn't Christmas-related, apart from being set in Winter, but I doubt that you'll hold that against me.  The comic's cover logo doesn't necessarily come from the same one as the strips, though it just might do.  (When I scanned the images I didn't bother noting the specifics of which came from what.)  Due to the page-size, I had to scan it in two halves so you'll need to view each section separately when you click on them to enlarge.  (Remember to click again for full size.)  Well worth it though.

For all those interested in Hanna-Barbera cartoons and related topics, be sure to jump over and check out the most excellent YOWP site here - you'll love it.

WHOOPEE - It's The CHRISTMAS REPRINT NUMBER...

Copyright REBELLION

Looking through my back issue files recently, I uncovered this Christmas ish of The BEST Of WHOOPEE MONTHLY from 1985 - over a quarter of a century ago.  I was buying the title at the time, but I was given this copy by BOB PAYNTER, the group editor of IPC's humour division, when I was down in London on business.  Why do I remember?  See the little number atop the right-hand corner? 2014 - that means it was Bob's personal copy.  An unmarked spare must've found its way into his file cabinet.  A lovely ROBERT NIXON illustration adorns the cover, no doubt culled from one of the weekly editions as the monthly was all-reprint.

The back cover features a nice BOOK WORM tale, drawn by SID BURGON, and complementing the approaching Festive Season, which would still have been around a month away when the comic first came out.  Although dated December, it probably went on sale in November (at the latest), to give it plenty of shelf life and a greater chance of selling.  These magazines were really very good value for money and it's a shame they're not still around today.  

TIGER TIM'S WEEKLY CHRISTMAS NUMBER...

Copyright relevant owner

TIGER TIM made his first appearance in a one-off comic strip in The DAILY MIRROR on April 16th 1904, before getting his own spot in The MONTHLY PLAYBOX, a children's supplement to The WORLD And His WIFE MAGAZINE, in November of that same year.  He was also featured in The PLAYBOX ANNUAL, the first of which appeared in 1909.  Then, when The RAINBOW was launched in 1914 (dated February 14th), Tim had the front cover spot, along with his chums The BRUIN BOYS.  So far, JULIUS STAFFORD BAKER had been the artist, but before long, S. J. CASH and then HERBERT FOXWELL took over the artistic reins.

Under Foxwell, Tiger and his pals became virtual superstars, with Tiger getting his own comic, TIGER TIM'S TALES, the first issue of which was dated June 1st 1919. Around eight months later, the comic was relaunched as TIGER TIM'S WEEKLY (issue dated January 31st).  Tiger may well be the longest-lasting regular comic character ever, as, even after the demise of his own starring titles, his last appearance was in 1985 in JACK And JILL WEEKLY. 

Anyway, all that aside, I thought you may appreciate seeing a Festive number of ol' Tiger's title from 1923 - just to give you a taste of Christmas past.  Apologies to any Glaswegians who thought this post was going to be about the former RADIO CLYDE DJ, also named Tiger Tim. 

CHRISTMAS DENNIS HAS TO GO - SAY GOODBYE WITH A "HO HO HO"...

Copyright D.C. THOMSON & Co., Ltd

And here's the final part of our DENNIS The MENACE 'Christmas' cover gallery. As mentioned previously, out of 39 books over a period of 55 years (1955-2110), only the five that I've featured in this and two previous posts have had anything resembling a Festive-themed cover - and any hint of such has been entirely due to the use of a 'snowy' scene in which Dennis got up to his usual mischief.  (Though, as can be seen on the back cover below, it wasn't snow in this instance but ice cream.)

No sign of baubles, choir singers, Christmas cards or Santas - or any other traditional images associated with the Season were utilised in suggesting the time of year.  Who knows, but if the Dennis books ever reappear in the future, perhaps Santa may show up yet.  And if he does, no doubt Dennis will be pulling his beard or stealing his reindeer for a ride 'round the block.  Now wouldn't that be something?

The above two painted illustrations would make a great Christmas card.  Are you listening, DCT?