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| Buster's Diary: Art by Angel Nadal. Images copyright relevant owner |
Sometimes I'm astounded by my generosity. I mean, who else would bestow upon his loyal readers a complete, 1965 issue of BUSTER & The BIG ONE? Some other blogs might be content to tease their members with one or two panels from a page, or a couple of pages at most, but I believe in occasionally going the whole hog and presenting the complete issue, adverts and all. (No, don't thank me - that's what I'm here for.)
The Big One came out on October 10th, 1964 (cover-dated 17th) and only lasted for nineteen issues before it was merged with Buster. Some sources claim that The ASTOUNDING ADVENTURES Of CHARLIE PEACE started in the short-lived comic, but he actually first appeared in a special preview in VALIANT the week before beginning his regular spot in Buster Capp's popular publication. I understand, though, that some of his strips were reprinted in The Big One during its brief run.
This is the first instalment in a three-part series. Hopefully, you'll find something interesting in the contents - or perhaps even revive a few half- forgotten memories from your childhood. For
Part Two, click
here.
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| Maxwell Hawke: Art by Eric Bradbury |
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| Our Great Grandpa: Art by Trevor Metcalfe |
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| Whacko with Claude & Cuthbert: Art by James Malcom |
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| Son of Sherlock: Art by Stan McMurty or Graham Allen |
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| Toys of Doom: Art by Solano Lopez |
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| The Astounding Adventures of Charlie Peace: Art by Tom Kerr |
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Good to see the Jimmy Edwards story included, Kid; he's one of those half-forgotten memories from my early days. Along with other comedy figures off the telly - like Harry Worth and Charlie Drake - he's lurking in the far corners of my mind somewhere. I remember them with a certain amount of affection, but their particulars are all very vague - Harry Worth would do something strange with his legs in a shop window, and my older brother would take great delight in shouting out WHACKO! at odd times.
ReplyDeleteCharlie Drake will be on view in part 3, but - ah, Harry Worth. Everyone up and down the land did that thing with the shop window. I remember it well. Seemed a nice man, which he doubtless was. Gentle humour, sadly missed.
ReplyDeleteGood God, Reg Varney looks positively sinister in that caricature!
ReplyDeleteReg Varney sometimes looked positively sinister in real life 'though.
ReplyDeleteQuestion: I understand that The Big One was printed on larger than usual paper - so when it joined Buster, did Buster grow for a bit? Was The Big One folded up inside it? Or was it just the characters that joined, and not the format?
ReplyDeleteWithout digging things out to check, if I recall correctly, Buster was quite a large-sized comic for a few years from its beginning, and when Buster & The Big One were merged, the comic retained its usual, Buster-sized page dimensions. The Big One on its own was around the original Beezer and Topper size, THB. So, to answer your question, Buster didn't become The Big One size.
ReplyDeleteAh, so a straight character-transfer then? Cheers for clearing that one up, it was a matter of minor consternation for me, for some reason.
ReplyDeleteNo bother, THB. Send me your address if you want a free facsimile Badtime Book. It's not a prize as your answer was too late - it's a present. Don't worry, I won't publish your address.
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