TODAY, I P-P-PICKED UP A PENGUIN (BOOK Of COMICS)...

Cover illustration by Alan Aldridge

Way back in the early '70s, I recall sitting in the Norfolk Restaurant in my home town with a friend, browsing through The PENGUIN BOOK Of COMICS - the original 1967 version, not the 1971 revised edition.  I'd borrowed it from my local library and, many, many years later, I bought that actual book from them in one of their regular clear-outs of old stock.  It was a little beat-up when I acquired it (doubtless the reason why they dispensed with its services), but I still have it today. 

This morning, however, I took receipt of a far better condition copy, the cover of which is shown above.  When this book was first being prepared, the publishers (PENGUIN, obviously) managed to secure permission from NATIONAL PERIODICAL PUBLICATIONS to use the image of SUPERMAN on the cover.  They described in precise detail just how the cover was going to look, a deal was struck and the book was then published.

However, when NPP (now known as DC COMICS) saw it, they weren't too happy and returned the cheque, demanding ten times more than they'd originally agreed to.  Penguin refused, explaining that they hadn't deviated from their initial cover description and sent the cheque back, only for it to be returned yet again.  Not one for giving up easily, Penguin once more sent the cheque to the States, only to hear nothing of the matter from that point on.  What's more, the cheque was never cashed - perhaps Superman, champion of the oppressed, had a word with his publishers.

When the book was reissued in 1971, a brand-new cover was produced and all the DC Comics illustrations used in the previous edition were excluded and replaced with MARVEL COMICS art.  As you can see, I've included the new cover here so that you can compare them both.

Anyway, just thought I'd show off the latest edition to my bookshelf, which I acquired for a mere £1.20.  (The book, not the bookshelf.)  Wotta bargain, I'm sure you'll agree.

Cover illustration by Bob Smithers, based on a design by George Perry

The beat-up library copy - purchased for 65p in 1994

The 1989 reprint of the '71 edition

DRAWING A TEDDY BEAR? IT'S A PICNIC...

The first thing I remember ever drawing was a teddy bear.  It was a photo of a 'special offer' teddy on the back of a packet of KELLOGG'S CORN FLAKES, back in 1964.  I carefully cut out the teddy and smuggled him into school one day in my satchel.  I was 15 at the time - - and, yes, you're right, I'm pulling your leg about my age.  Just checking to see if you're paying attention.

Actually, I was only 5, which some people may consider as still too old to be interested in teddies, but this was 50 years ago remember, when kids were kids and not the chain-smoking, binge-drinking, coke-snorting, sex-obsessed, violent little hooligans they seem to be today.  Anyway, using the cardboard cut-out as a stencil, I drew around it and recorded the outline on a sheet of paper.  Then it occurred to me that it would be a simple enough task to supply the details within the outline, which was composed mainly of circles.

I then realised that the head, ears, body, arms and legs, likewise consisted of circles, and that I could easily draw them without recourse to the 'stencil'.  Voila!  I drew Ted quite a few times before graduating to other subjects.  After all, drawing something seemed to be a simple matter of copying shapes in front of you onto a piece of paper, which I found an easy enough thing to do.

So, whaddya know!  Next thing I knew, I'd developed a bit of a reputation for being a 'good drawer'.  Incidentally, the ted at the top of this post is a stand-in.  The original's arms didn't extend quite so far from his body.  Still, cute little fella, eh?