EASTER FROLICS WITH FRANKIE STEIN...

Copyright REBELLION

As a special 'egg-stra' Easter treat (ho ho, I'm so funny), here's the FRANKIE STEIN strip from WHAM! #44, cover-dated April 17th 1965, as drawn by the inimitable KEN REID.

A SUPER-SMASHING EASTER TO ALL CRIV-ITES!

Fear not, fellow frantic ones - your humble host hasn't forgotten that

it's Easter. To prove the point, here's the first in a two-part piece that looks

at all the Easter-themed strips in SMASH! #61, cover-dated April 1st 1967.

It's strange, but when I think back to comics of my childhood which featured

stories with Easter eggs, I invariably first think of RONNIE RICH before any

other. Must be because it was an Easter Ronnie strip that I first saw, although

whether it was the one below or not is lost in the myriad mazes of my mind.

Anyway, enjoy a glimpse into yesteryear - and be sure to join us again

for part two - coming soon.

SMASH! COVER GALLERY - PART SEVEN...

Copyright REBELLION

With the relaunch of SMASH! in March 1969, a new feature appeared on the cover every week which effectively numbered each issue.  WARRIORS Of The WORLD started at #1 from the first new edition and continued right up 'til #41.  The Christmas-themed cover was actually #42, but later collectors could be confused by the fact that the 43rd issue continued with WOTW #42, perhaps giving them the impression that they've got an unbroken run when they might actually be missing an issue.

So, unless you've got that Christmassy covered comic nestling between WOTW #41 & 42, then your collection is incomplete.  Better get on eBay right away and start tracking it down.

The good thing about that Christmas cover is the fact that it conjures up memories of the old Smash!  In fact, if it weren't for the new masthead, it would fit right in with the ODHAMS PRESS incarnation of the comic.  To think that I was a mere primary school pupil when these six comics first went on sale is mind-boggling - it seems like only yesterday, not 45 years ago!

Tempus fugit right enough!