TERRIFIC COVER GALLERY PART SIX...

Copyright MARVEL COMICS

Well, we've passed the half-way mark.  This latest instalment of 1967 TERRIFIC front and back covers takes us up to #28 and, as there were only ever 43 issues in total, that leaves only 15 to go.  Regular readers will have noticed that some of these pin-up pages have also appeared in the FANTASTIC COVER GALLERY posts.  That's simply because a few of them were simultaneously printed in both comics - but not always, sometimes being entirely different between both titles.  If you bought both of them, you occasionally had two copies of the same pin-up - if you didn't, you only had one, but probably missed some good ones by not buying the companion paper.  Ah well, who ever said that life was easy?

Remember to tune in again for Part Seven - coming soon.

THE ULTIMATE BEANO SUMMER SPECIAL #2...

Copyright D.C. THOMSON & Co., Ltd

For those of you who may not already know, The ULTIMATE BEANO SUMMER SPECIAL #2 is on sale even as I type these words.  It's exclusive to WH SMITH's, so there's no point going looking for it in any other shop as you'll be wasting your time.

I'd love to show you the contents, but I can't without damaging the spine and cover, so you'll just have to buy your own copy.  Priced at £4.99, it contains all your favourite Beano characters from previous Summer Specials and the weekly comic.

Go on - relive your yesterdays today!

The DENIS GIFFORD LETTER(S)...

Copyright relevant owners

Back in 1976, I submitted a one page strip to the late comics collector and historian DENIS GIFFORD's new magazine, ALLY SLOPER.  Denis wrote back, saying that the inking style I had employed wouldn't reproduce too well so he would be unable to use it.  (Probably his polite way of saying it was cr*p.)  However, he complimented me on my lettering, saying he had no doubt I would be able to make a living from it were I so inclined.

I immediately replied, offering my services as a letterer, and he responded with the missive which you can read above.  Unfortunately, his first letter is lost to the mists of time and hence I can't reproduce it here.  (I'm not quite sure by what stroke of good fortune his second one survived.)  If it hadn't been for Denis, it would probably never have occurred to me to seek employment as a comics calligrapher, so thanks, Denis.

Interestingly though, when I first started school, the very first thing I was complimented on - even before my artwork - was my handwriting.  In fact, in both Primaries and the Secondary school I attended, my handwriting was the first thing to be noticed and commented upon, leaving me to wonder if I was fulfilling some kind of destiny when I started signwriting and then eventually lettering for comics many years later.

Another thing I was good at as a boy was finding money - so let's hope I'm fated to come into possession of large amounts of the stuff soon.  I must remember to buy myself a Lottery ticket this coming Wednesday.  (It could be me!)   Anyone know if it's a rollover?

******

For Part Two, click here.