STAN LEE - AND ME...

It's STAN (The Man) LEE's birthday today, and that's the only excuse I need to show this photo of the MARVEL MAESTRO and myself again.  (I was freelancing for Marvel when this pic was taken so, in effect, Stan was my boss at the time.)  He's eighty-nine today, which means he's probably only got about another 50 years of productive life ahead of him.  (Everyone knows that comicbook heroes age at a slower rate than the rest of us, and Stan's the biggest comicbook hero of them all.)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY STAN!

Now, as it's Stan's birthday, why not treat yourself to this nice book all about him?  It's published by TWOMORROWS PUBLISHING, and is likely still available at your local comics shop.

BELMONT ON BOXING DAY...

My old primary school in 1984/'85

Christmastime tends to make me sentimental - usually for the Christmases of my past, but also for the past in general.  Above is a photo taken back in the mid-1980s (on a 110mm camera, hence the less-than-sharp image) of the view across the road and down the hill from the house in which I lived from 1965 until '72.

Thirteen years later, things were pretty much the same as they'd always been, apart from the absence of the annexed huts in the grounds of my old primary school.  Around four years later (1989), amenity housing for the elderly was built on the field in the foreground, and - currently - a new school is being built on the football pitches in the background.  When it's completed, at some as yet undetermined time, the old school - my old school - will be demolished and houses and/or flats will be built in its place.

I attended this school for nearly five years (between '65 and '70) and, due to its proximity to my house, I also played within its grounds 'after hours' and at weekends.  Even after moving from the neighbourhood, I found myself back in its hallowed halls on many occasions over the years; at coffee mornings, jumble sales, and Christmas fayres and the like.  It's strange to think that one day, in the not-too-distant future, this small but reassuring pleasure of reconnecting with this particular aspect of my childhood will be denied me when the school is no longer there.

The view from the upstairs hallway

I often take a walk along to my old school of an evening (weather permitting, and sometimes even when it isn't) and, if no one else is around, sit on a bench in what's left of the playground for a while and lose myself in memories of yesteryear, recalling what it was like to be a boy with eternity in his grasp.  (Or so it seemed at the time.)  Strange as it may sound, I just want to spend some time in its company while I still can, before it's taken from me forever.

It's a bittersweet experience, not unlike sitting at the bedside of a terminally-ill friend or relative who hasn't even been told he's dying, never mind that it will be soon.  (Happened to a friend of mine, believe it or not.)  I sit and look at my old school and just remember - and when I take my unwilling leave, I feel like a cad for pretending that everything is as it was and always will be.

The school doesn't know its fate, you see.  It welcomes me in the same simple, honest, 'glad-to-see-me' way each time, unaware of the secret I'm keeping.  It probably regards the new building under construction as a companion, not a replacement.  (I wonder if old dogs think the same when a new puppy is brought into the house, or do they somehow know that this presages their inevitable end - and resent it?)  Each time I leave, I hope I have enough time to come back again before... well, you know - 'before'...

Photo taken by departing teacher Mrs. Tighe in 1967.  The annexed
 huts sat at the edge of the playground directly in front of the school 

But hark at me, imbuing inanimate objects with sentience and feelings.  Just can't help it though.  Each time I learn that a landmark from my childhood has (or is about to) become a victim of 'progress' (and there've been quite a few casualties over the years), I feel diminished in some way; almost as though my very essence is being eroded along with those monuments to my youth, as - one by one, year by year - yet another of my life's 'signposts' falls by the wayside, never to be seen again.  (Except in faded photographs and dim and distant memories of younger and happier times.)

Perhaps that accounts for the compulsion of collectors like myself to seek out and surround ourselves with tangible reminders of the past.  Each treasure from childhood that we succeed in reacquiring is an attempt to compensate in some way for everything else that is lost to us over the years, and somehow helps to close the gap between then and now.  

Soon, the New Year will be upon us, and we'll toast it as the harbinger of new hope and new beginnings, conveniently forgetting that it's a false friend who promises much, but delivers little - with each and every visit leaving us only less time to look forward to than we had before.

******

If you enjoyed this post, you may also like this one.

A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS & A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL CRIVVIES...

Image copyright D.C. THOMSON & Co., Ltd

Here's hoping you've all found something worth reading in your visits to

this humble site.  Hope to see you back in the New Year - if not sooner.

BEANO AND DANDY BARGAINS...

Although it will probably be possible to pick up the 2012 BEANO and DANDY Annuals for around £1.99 each after Christmas as shops try to offload leftover stock, if you're still looking to put a little something extra into wee Jimmy's stocking before the 25th, then get yourself down to SAINSBURY'S today (Christmas Eve) while there's still time.  Why?  Because they're currently selling their Annuals for a mere £3 each, which is a pretty decent bargain - both of them for £6.

 Remember, you read it here first. 

CHRISTMAS WITH BIG HEAD AND THICK HEAD...



From The Dandy, issue dated Feb 8th, 1964

I'm actually ancient enough to remember when KEN REID's artwork appeared in D.C. THOMSON comics, before he later became a mainstay over at ODHAMS PRESS, then FLEETWAY/IPC.  The original artist of ROGER The DODGER, he also drew JONAH and GRANDPA for The BEANO, as well as the adventures of BIG HEAD And THICK HEAD, which appeared on the back page of The DANDY every week.

After departing for Odhams, he was replaced by FRANK McDIARMID, who - going by the example below - managed to imitate his style very well indeed.

From The Dandy, issue dated Dec 25th, 1965

So, here's another Christmas treat for all you discerning Criv-ites - two Big Head and Thick Head back-page Dandy delights for your personal perusal and appreciation.

The BEANO'S BIFFO The BEAR'S HOME MOVIES...

Image copyright D.C. THOMSON & Co., Ltd

A lovely Christmas cover from the December 1954 issue of The BEANO to drool over this time around, Crivvies.  Although printing technology has advanced in leaps and bounds in modern times, there's just something about that old 'Ben Day' dots colouring technique which adds to the atmosphere in a way which modern colouring simply can't quite match - despite its superior reproduction.  Look at that snow-clad logo - absolutely great, isn't it?

To read the strip, click on the image to enlarge - then click again for optimum size. 

SLEIGHBELLS In The SKY... (Updated)

Art copyright REBELLION, poem copyright ME*

For many years, visitors to various 2000 A.D. fan sites (and even the official one) researching the works of writer GORDON RENNIE, would have seen the name of one story attributed to him that wasn't his.  Upon discovering this, I decided to own up and take the blame, thereby removing the blot on his otherwise sterling reputation.

Yes, dear reader, 'twas I who penned this particular episode of THARG'S FUTURE SHOCKS, entitled SLEIGHBELLS In The SKY.  Frankly, I thought the lettering was a bit too big, the colouring too dark, and some slight editorial revision detracted from the consistency of the meter, but otherwise it was a nice-enough little Christmas filler.

The cover doubled as the 2000 A.D. Christmas card that year, sent from the office of THARG The MIGHTY to all contributors.  I still have mine tucked away, in case it ever becomes valuable.  Watch out for me on the ANTIQUES ROADSHOW in about 30 years.

*In case you're wondering, I never submitted an invoice for the 'script', so consequently was never paid for it.  That means IPC/FLEETWAY, EGMONT, or REBELLION never acquired the copyright for it.

******

There's a wee story behind this poem, so in case any of you are interested, here it is.  One day back in the late '70s or early '80s I was browsing through some old Reader's Digest mags stored up in the loft and happened to read an article by someone lamenting the loss of magic from their adult Christmases in comparison to those of their youth.  It struck me as being a good theme for a poem one day (when I could be bothered), but I never got around to writing it until, weeks or months later, one of my pals 'phoned me and said he was writing a poem, but was stuck on how to end it - could I assist?  Sure, I said.

He popped along and showed me what he'd done.  The last verse was incomplete, lacking either two or three lines to draw things to a close.  I therefore made a few suggestions, including the title, and he was delighted, incorporating my contributions into his poem, and off he eventually went, pleased with the result.  However, his meter wasn't exactly perfect in places and his rhyme was a bit forced at times, so I essentially rewrote the poem overnight and made what I considered improvements in those areas.

When I 'phoned him the next day and read him the result, he said "Huh, it's not my poem any more, it's yours!" and I suppose he was right.  My version was inspired more by the Reader's Digest article, but there's no denying that my friend's poem was also an influence.  I typed 'Inspired by lines of verse written by MC' on any copies I made so that he wasn't completely deprived of acknowledgement, but, of course, 2000 A.D. credit boxes don't accommodate more than one name at a time in the space allowed for each contributor, so he didn't get a mention.

I've still got his version somewhere (with my original assistance), and when I find it I'll let you see it so that you can compare their merits.  His first verse is punchier than mine, but unfortunately, his meter isn't consistent, which is why I rewrote it.  Because he'd said it was now my poem, I subsequently made further amendments so it reflected my 'voice' rather than his, but his incarnation will forever belong to him.

And that's the story behind the poem - hope it was of interest.

WHEN CHRISTMAS WAS JUST DANDY...

Image copyright D.C. THOMSON & Co., Ltd

As anyone not living on the outer reaches of Tatooine or recovering from serious brain surgery can tell you, the content of The DANDY's current incarnation (with a couple of exceptions) is a big putrid pile of pongy poo, thus rendering it redundant for any practical purpose.  It's not even fit for lining the bottom of Polly the parrot's cage, as the idea is to take sh*t out, not put it in.

So, let's return to an earlier era when The Dandy still sold in many multiples of thousands and, unlike today, didn't have cheap plastic tat attached to help it sell to those who don't actually want the comic itself.  Kids and bigger kids - I give you the cover of the Christmas Dandy from 1947.  (Round of applause.)

Back then, KORKY The CAT was the cover star, and had been since issue #1 in 1937, eventually being replaced by DESPERATE DAN in 1984.  Until then, he had missed only one cover - in 1945 when KEYHOLE KATE grabbed top-billing for an issue.    

WHAT DO CAPTAIN BRITAIN AND WD-40 HAVE IN COMMON?

Image copyright MARVEL COMICS

Behold!  The ever-lovin' tenth issue of CAPTAIN BRITAIN from 1976.  Although it's dated December 15th, it actually went on sale the week before (8th), as is the way of British weekly comics.  (No, they don't all go on sale on Dec 8th - I mean they usually hit the shops a week before the date on the cover.  There are exceptions of course.)

In my mind, I've always associated this issue with Christmas 1976, although the actual Christmas number didn't appear 'til a couple of weeks later.  The reason I remember this one though, is because the day I bought it there was snow on the ground - just like on the cover.  Also, I was signwriting a pickup truck in a garage forecourt that day, and, because of the cold, I couldn't work quite as fast as I would've liked.  Plus, it was also a month to the very day since I had packed in my job at BOOTS The CHEMISTS.

Another thing I remember is a visiting rep expounding the advantages of a 'new' product to the garage owner (Mr. McTIER), while demonstrating its properties on a large nut and bolt.  The product?  WD-40.  I say new, but actually WD-40 was developed in 1953 and first became commercially available in San Diego in 1958. I can only assume it was still pretty much a 'secret' in Britain in 1976 though, for the rep to be pushing it as the 'next big thing'.

Funny the things that stick in one's mind, eh?  That's why CB #10 will always remind me of Christmas 1976 (and WD-40) more than just about anything else.  I was young, the world lay at my feet - and the future was mine for the taking.  

DENNIS HAS SNOWBALLS - WALTER HAS NO - ER, LET'S LEAVE THAT THERE, ACTUALLY...

Image copyright D.C. THOMSON & Co., Ltd

One can never have enough of DENNIS The MENACE in my opinion.  Of course, I mean when he was funny, not the anaemic, cutesy-looking, wimpy impersonator who's taken his place in recent years.  (Sigh.)  Never mind - at least we have nearly 20 years worth of classic Dennis strips as drawn by his original artist DAVEY LAW to enjoy - like the one which graces this very post.

Hard as it may be for some people to believe, I know of one comics collector who has never cared much for the exploits of the indomitable Dennis.  Doesn't like humour strips about 'rough boy' apparently.  The irony involved in his being the living embodiment of WALTER The SOFTY is obviously lost on him.  We rugged, manly, he-men type collectors can look down on his effete wimpishness with well-deserved contempt.  We're Menace fans and proud of it.  

DENNIS'S FIRST CHRISTMAS...

Copyright D.C. THOMSON & Co., Ltd

The above three-quarter page strip from 1951 was the very first one to feature DENNIS The MENACE in a 'Christmas' setting.  That this was early in his BEANO career is attested by his diminutive size.  Later on, when artist DAVEY LAW was under pressure, Dennis became elongated because of the speed at which Law was compelled to draw him.  He eventually shrank back down a bit, but here's the Menace before he first gained the look that made him appear as if he'd been on the rack.

A RAINBOW AT CHRISTMAS...

Copyright relevant owner

Following on from the post about TIGER TIM'S WEEKLY, here's another comic-paper he and his chums, the BRUIN BOYS, appeared in - the Christmas Double Number from 1915.  Lovely and Christmassy, ain't it?  Enjoy.

FURTHER FESTIVE FROLICS WITH FRANKIE...

Images copyright relevant owner

Speaking of ROBERT NIXON (as we were in the previous post), and continuing our Christmas theme, here's a wonderful FRANKIE STEIN illustration from the back cover of the WHOOPEE softcover book of the same name from 1975/'76.  This one's a 'must have', so if you don't, get straight onto eBay with you.  If you're lucky, you may even be able to get the 1976/'77 book too.

CALLING CHRIS B - ROBERT NIXON'S OOR WULLIE...

Copyright D.C. THOMSON & Co., Ltd

Reader CHRIS B - in response to a previous post - was recently asking about artist ROBERT NIXON's artwork on Oor WULLIE and The BROONS.  Robert could draw anything, but somehow, to me, his style - wonderful as it was - didn't quite fit the The SUNDAY POST's iconic strips.  When DUDLEY DEXTER WATKINS was drawing the pages, though they were comic enough, I always felt they belonged more in the category of humorous illustration than outright cartoons.

Nixon's style was a bit more cartoony in the classic sense, and therefore not a perfect match for the long-established look that preceded him.  Which is not to say that his style was bad - it was just a tad out of sync with what readers were used to and expecting.

However, Watkins is a hard act to follow (as was Nixon in 99% of his output).  I'd go so far as to say that the only artist ever to come close to Watkins (if not actually equal him, in fact) is KEN H. HARRISON, who drew Wullie and the Broons back in the late '80s and '90s.

Anyway, I can't find any Broons by Nixon in a cursory browse through my library, but, here - for Chris B (and anyone who's interested) - are some panels of Bob Nixon's Oor Wullie from the 1995 book (published in '94).  I couldn't scan the full page without cracking the spine, so hopefully these examples will suffice in giving you a taste of his take on the character.    

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?

MORE FESTIVE FUN & FRIVOLITY With DENNIS The MENACE...

Copyright D.C. THOMSON & Co., Ltd

Continuing our DENNIS The MENACE book covers with a hint of Christmas about them, we now present two, count 'em - two - from a few years back. There isn't a Menace book for 2012, though that's maybe because DCT don't want to detract attention (or sales) from the BEANO/DANDY Dennis Celebration book which is in the shops even as I type these very words.  Perhaps there'll be a Dennis & Gnasher book next year - we'll just have to wait and see.

In the meantime though, enjoy this reminder of when Dennis and his chums occasionally played in the snow.

Another two still to come.  Don't miss 'em!

FREE CHRISTMAS COMPETITION TIME - A DENNIS The MENACE BOOK COULD BE YOURS...

Images copyright D.C. THOMSON & Co., Ltd

As it's nearly Christmas, I thought I'd do something different in the world of blogging and have a competition.  (As long as it's not breaking any rules.)  The prize is a pristine, unread copy of D.C. THOMSON's 50th Anniversary book on DENNIS The MENACE, published back in 2001.

Unfortunately, only UK residents can enter, and - as this is a competition for collectors - only over 21s, so no kids please.  (Though you can ask a parent to enter on your behalf.)

Please also note that this competition isn't open to fellow bloggers with their own comics sites - it's  'civilians' only.

To win this Collecters' item classic, all you have to do is answer the following five questions:

1)  Who was Dennis the Menace named after?

2)  What month and year did he first appear?

3)  Which two other famous comic characters is Dennis's artist Davey Law also known for?

4)  What was the original name of the character from The People's Journal who was transformed into Dennis for publication in the Dennis books?

5)  What other famous comics character was revealed to have a 'Dennis the Menace' haircut in 1999/2000?

Type your answers in the comment box with your real name and age - no further details.  The names of all those with five correct answers will be put into a hat and one will be chosen at random in about 10 days.  I will then post the winner's name, who can contact me with his or her postal details, which will not be published publicly and will be immediately discarded once the book is sent. P.O. Box Numbers are acceptable.  No other contact from me will follow and no personal communication outside of this blog will be entertained.

Competition closes on December 28th, 2011.

Okay peeps, what are you waiting for?  GET TO IT!

CRIKEY! YOGI BEAR & FRIENDS CHRISTMAS CRACKERS...

Copyright relevant owner

Not too long ago, I parted with a pile of old comics (TV EXPRESS WEEKLY) that were gathering dust in a wardrobe.  They were originally  IPC file copies which had been given to me a quarter of a century ago, but apart from some superb RON EMBLETON colour covers, the only other pages that appealed to me were some lovely HANNA BARBERA strips such as YOGI BEAR and his friends.  I scanned the covers and the HB strips before passing them on, so I'm able to offer you a little treat here by sharing with you some of the earliest, U.K. produced HB TV tie-in strips from 1960.  I didn't bother noting which strips go with which covers or mastheads so it's a bit 'pot-luck', but here's the first of some lovely Festive frivolities to feast your peepers on.

  

And don't forget to check out YOWP's great blog on all things HANNA-BARBERA here - it's not to be missed.

SEASONAL SPIDEY SWINGS OVER THE CITY IN THE SWIRLING SNOW...

Copyright MARVEL COMICS

Here's a nice little cover from the 1995 The AMAZING SPIDER-MAN Annual (released at the end of '94). It's got a nice Christmas feel about it.  Wonder if Spidey is wearing his heavy underwear under his cossie?  (Incidentally, the back cover was the same as the front.)

FESTIVE FUN For EVERYONE - With DENNIS The MENACE...

Copyright D.C. THOMSON & Co., Ltd

Surprisingly, out of the 39 DENNIS The MENACE books published by DCT from 1955 to 2010, only five of them have covers that could be considered even remotely Festive.  No indoor adorned Christmas trees, Santas, reindeer, presents, decorations or whatever - only snow - and only one snowman.  You'd have thought a scene of Dennis menacing SANTA would've been ripe with possibilities for a good Seasonal cover, but no - so we'll have to make do with what we have.

On the run-up to Christmas, I'll feature the front and back covers of those five books. The first is from 1985, which was the last book to come out two years after the preceding one, and also two years before the following one.  This means that the 1987 book (published in '86) became the very first actual Annual, as it came out one year before the next one.  (There were no books issued between the 1978 and 1983 editions.)

So... enjoy Dennis's hi-jinks as he gets up to mischief on the 'slopes'.  Snow joke.  (Get it?  'S'no joke.  Groan.)

Remember... click on the images to enlarge... then click again for optimum size.

NEXT:  SEASONAL SPIDEY!  

The 2011 CHRISTMAS BEANO - A REVIEW...

Images copyright D.C. THOMSON & Co., Ltd

A nicely coloured and atmospheric wrap-around cover by STEVE BRIGHT adorns this year's CHRISTMAS BEANO.  It's not actually referred to by that Festive appellation though, the only name in evidence being that of the comic.  At least they've given the logo a touch of snow, which is nice to see.  Bright is a well-respected artist (and deservedly so), but a few of the characters on the back cover look as if they're running around in a miniature village on account of being out of proportion to the background.  A minor quibble perhaps, but it's slightly jarring to notice such an obvious discrepancy in perspective from an artist of Bright's calibre.  If he was responsible, that is, as some of the characters may have been added by other hands at a later stage in production.

That apart, it's hard to find much fault with The Beano (ignoring such 'filler' material as a contents page and other 'padding').  It's nicely drawn throughout, with consistently rendered, legible lettering - and clear, easy-on-the-eye storytelling which puts its companion paper, The DANDY, to shame.  As The Beano outsells its sister title by about five to one (at the last count), you'd think the struggling Dandy would follow The Beano's template in an attempt to emulate its success (comparatively speaking) - seems like the obvious way to go.  But no - The Dandy continues to trudge its path to potential oblivion by ignoring the solid storytelling principles epitomised by The Beano.  (Relax - D.C. THOMSON won't allow The Dandy to die - yet.  However, it's possible it could still expire in spite of DCT's efforts to save it, as there would simply be little point in keeping it going if sales eventually fall below a certain level.)

Good as The Beano is, however, it's extremely telling that one of the best strips in it (in my humble opinion) is the above reprint of a DAVEY LAW-drawn DENNIS The MENACE tale from (by the looks of it) the 1950s.

The comic is ridiculously over-priced at £3.99, on account of being burdened with a pile of plastic poo that surely nobody in their right mind would see as anything worth having, but if you have £4 to spare, you could possibly spend your money on a lot worse.  (The Dandy Christmas Special for example.)  It would be far better though, if it were priced at around the £1.99 mark.

Click here for The CHRISTMAS DANDY REVIEW!  

The 2011 CHRISTMAS DANDY - A REVIEW...

Copyright D.C. THOMSON & Co., Ltd

This year's The DANDY CHRISTMAS SPECIAL comes in at a whopping £3.99 for 44 pages, at least nine of which are comprised of adverts and/or 'filler' material.  A contents page?  In a comic?  Give me a ruddy break!  The cover - by JAMIE SMART - is surprisingly not too bad, and demonstrates that, at least with large single illustrations, he can turn in an acceptable drawing from time to time.  Unfortunately, however, although his outlines are far more smoothly rendered than the last time I looked, the interior DESPERATE DAN page suffers from the same crammed, confusing, minimalistic storytelling technique which ensures a headache to anyone trying to determine what's happening.  (There is a slight improvement though.  Perhaps if he works at it?)

Unfortunately, Smart doesn't have a monopoly on a lack of coherent and sequential narrative style.  Far too many of the interior strips are comprised of flat, static, repetitive and uninspired drawings, which don't serve to advance the story from one panel to another.  Verbosely lettered word balloons abound, fighting for space with the art, which seems to be trying to force its way into view from the edges of the panel borders.  There are exceptions of course.  LEW STRINGER's POSTMAN PRAT is quite amusing, but even the usually competent (if often uninspired) Stringer seems to be trying to match some of the less well-rendered offerings with a more simplified approach than he normally employs.

NIGEL PARKINSON is the undisputed star artist in The Dandy, though even his wonderfully drawn HARRY HILL strip is a bit 'top-heavy' with dialogue.  Perhaps that's unavoidable with a strip based on a character known for his humorous patter, but at least the lettering is legible and well-rendered.  CUDDLES & DIMPLES is also nicely illustrated - again by Nigel - but in a slightly different style.

The lettering of the word balloons in the issue is better (in the main) than when the comic was relaunched last year, but there are still a few instances where it could be improved.  It's slightly disconcerting having to adjust one's eyes to different styles from one strip to another, and I can't help but feel that the overall reading experience would be improved with a more consistent font throughout the comic.

This issue comes with a load of useless tat that even the most simple and easily-pleased child would be hard-pressed to get excited over, but it's included in an attempt to justify the vastly-inflated price of £3.99, which I'm sure many a parent must balk over.  If you buy The BEANO Christmas number also, both comics will set you back a whopping £7.98.  Yet for one pence more (£7.99), you can currently pick up both The Beano and The Dandy Annual in a 'buy one, get one free' offer at WH SMITH's.

If you want my advice, buy the Annuals, which are far better value for money.  At least £2 has been added to the cost of each comic by the inclusion of a pile of plastic sh*te which isn't worth 50 pence and will be discarded and forgotten about in minutes.

Click here for The CHRISTMAS BEANO REVIEW.