"BIFFO The BEAR Is An EASTER EGG With LEGS..."

Biffo the Bear - he's a good egg



One wintry, snow-clouded night in the late '70s (I think), myself and a friend were heading home after visiting a mutual acquaintance.  As we were passing a block of flats, a motion at one of the windows on the first floor caught our attention and we stopped to observe what was happening.  A parent, in the act of putting his child to bed for the night, was writing on the condensation on the inside of the glass pane as the infant bounced excitedly up and down in the background.  (We could just see the top of the head, popping into view every few seconds.)

We stood transfixed, trying to decipher the reversed writing (accompanied by an oval-shaped figure) as, word by word, it took form before us - "Biffo... the... Bear... is... an... Easter... egg... with... legs!"  We fell about laughing at the silliness of the proposition, and, judging by the sound of muffled merriment emanating from within, the youngster was equally amused.  Then the snow and the wind caught us on the nape of our necks and propelled us, much cheered by our diversion, in the direction of home and the promise of our own warm beds awaiting us at journey's end. (I was reminded at the time of a similar scene in The WIND In The WILLOWS.)

If memory serves, at the time of this incident my friend was home on leave from the Navy, having joined not long before.  (Or, if memory fails to serve, he joined not long after.) We kept in touch via the occasional letter and it very soon became almost a custom for each of us to finish our episodic epistles with the slogan "Biffo the Bear is an Easter egg with legs!" I could neither read nor write the catchphrase without images of the night in question springing to mind, and having a hearty chuckle at the memory.  Naturally, I assumed that my friend viewed the occurrence through the same nostalgia-tinted spectacles as myself. It was one of those shared moments that neither of us were likely to forget.

Or so I thought.  Imagine my surprise then, when on a short visit back home with his new wife a year or two later, my friend enquired of me whence the slogan that we so freely bandied about between ourselves had originated*. "Don't you remember?" I asked, somewhat puzzled by his lack of recollection.  He didn't, so I gave him a quick recap of the events of that snow-swept night only a Winter or two before. He still couldn't recall, and explained that he only used the phrase because I did, and because he found it funny.

Odd, isn't it?  Sometimes, moments (or things) that folk regard as having, in some indefinable way, bonded them together - whether it be with friends, brothers, sisters, or lovers - and which they imagine to be fondly-recalled points in their mutual histories and experiences, turn out to be entirely one-sided affairs, having far more significance to one of them than the other.

It reminds me of times when I'd hear my father recount to my mother an obviously cherished moment from their past, followed by the expectant words "Don't you remember, dear?" - only to be met by a blank stare, a bewildered shake of the head, and a disheartening "No!"  I suddenly comprehend, with an insight and clarity that only time can bring, the disappointment etched on his face and no doubt in his heart.  (Such moments also happened in reverse, of course.)

I sometimes wonder how many friendships, relationships, or acquaintanceships survive only on the ghost of a memory of some past event that one of the parties involved has long-since forgotten - if, indeed, they ever remembered in the first place.  Kind of sad to consider, don't you think?

(*And he did so in the very flat of the person we were making our way home from on the night we witnessed the event, as he and his wife were staying there during their visit.)  

******

(Note to overseas readers: BIFFO The BEAR was - and occasionally still is - a character in the famous U.K. comic, The BEANO - published weekly by D.C. THOMSON since 1938 and still going strong-ish.)

WHAT'S WRONG WITH U.S. COMICBOOKS THESE DAYS? LEMME TELL YOU...

Images copyright their respective owners

What's wrong with modern-day American comicbooks?  Well, it's obvious, isn't it?  They're sh*te!  You don't need me to tell you that.  But why are they like that, you may wonder.  One word: Adults.  Yep.  Adults are/is the problem.  (You can sort out the grammar for yourselves.)

Once upon a time, comics were produced for a readership of kids from about 5 to 14.  There were a few older people who read them as well, of course, but most of them tended to have no friends and smelt a little odd.  What's more, the readership constantly renewed itself; once you grew too old for comics (usually when you discovered girls, Melvin), another batch of kids were right behind you, ready to take your place in the scheme of things.

Then MARVEL COMICS hit the scene and things changed forever.  Suddenly comics were cool, not to mention interesting.  The comics buying public couldn't get enough of them, and, what's more, were reluctant to give up on them even when the siren call of the opposite sex first made itself heard in the hearts, minds and loins of pimply-faced males everywhere.  So they continued to read and collect them well past the age that former generations of readers had traditionally abandoned them for other pursuits, even into adulthood.

This created a problem.  No grown-up wants to be associated with childish interests, so the readership expected - nay, demanded - that their comics grow up with them and reflect their 'adult' tastes and sensibilities.  Also, some of the fans became writers and were only too happy to oblige, being of a like-minded opinion.  On top of that, they wanted to be seen not as purveyors of simple kiddie-fare, but as creators of an artform that was socially 'relevant' and worthy of serious consideration.

That's when the decline set in.  Eventually, characters like SUPERMAN and SPIDER-MAN got married (no, not to each other) because the 'creators-who'd-once-been-fans' were married and wanted to write about subjects of which they had experience; that reflected their lives and those of their friends.  Embarrassed by their origins as ephemeral amusement for children, comics became too serious (to say nothing of pretentious) in their quest to be regarded as 'legitimate' literature.  Add to that the direct sales market and the ever-increasing cost of what had once been the cheapest form of entertainment available, and whatever remained of any childhood or young teenage readership simply dissipated over time.

That's the 'Reader's Digest' account, but you get the gist.  So what's the solution?  Simple.  Publishers need to get back to producing mass-marketed, inexpensive comics for children (and those who keep the spirit of childhood alive within them).  Forget fancy and expensive paper, socially relevant themes, 'arty-farty', clear as mud, photo-realistic artwork.  Simply give people what they're crying out for - good, old-fashioned, entertaining tales to divert attention from life's harsh realities and which will take readers on a rip-roaring, magic-carpet ride into worlds of fantasy and enchantment.

Remember... comicbooks once sold in their millions when the above recipe was the order of the day.  Something to consider perhaps?  (The above covers represent, to me, examples of when comics were more-or-less at their best.)

ONE LAST WALK...

Zara Thustrasia

When I was much younger than I am now (a child in fact), I subscribed to the notion of 'best' friends.  There's an irony in the concept of course, because a best friend isn't someone who is necessarily 'better' than other friends, but is instead merely one whom we like more than the rest.  Over the years, I'm sure I've been a better friend to some people than those they'd regard as their 'best' pal, but I'm never going to be eligible for the position.  (Not that I'd want or even try to be.)

So I long ago abandoned the idea of best friends - as far as people go.  However, anyone who has ever had a dog will know that the only species on the planet fit to qualify for such an accolade is the canine one.  Dogs are always genuinely glad to see us, never bear a grudge for however many times we've scolded them over some doggie-misdemeanour, and their chief delight in life is to lie at our feet or by our side and simply bask in the  pleasure of our company.



My dog passed on to the great 'Kennel Club in the sky' over thirteen years ago.  ZARA was her name; a black and gold German Shepherd of the most placid temperament imaginable.  She lived for twelve years, seven months, and I still remember the sound of her, near the end of her days, trying to drag herself up the stairs to my room simply to be with me.  (When I heard her, I'd go downstairs and carry her up.)

What a poseur

She had cauda equina, a condition which 'fused' the nerves in her spine together, making it difficult for her to walk.  I'd noticed it was getting worse and mentioned it to the vet when Zara was getting her annual booster jags.  "She'll be fine for years yet!" he'd said.  Seven or so days later, she could hardly walk, so I took her back and the first thing he said on sight of her was: "That dog should be put to sleep!"  I reminded him that only a week before, he'd said she was in fine form.  "A lot can change in a week!" he muttered.  X-rays revealed that she'd also developed internal tumours, for which nothing could be done.

I explained that, as long as she wasn't in any pain, putting her to sleep wasn't an option I was prepared to consider at that time.  He gave her a course of tablets, but said that they'd only be of short-term benefit.  A fortnight later, for the first time, she had difficulty breathing.  It was the night of November 25th, 1998 and I'd hoped Zara might see one more Christmas at the very least.  I fetched the Christmas tree down from the attic and put it up in the living-room, switching on the tree lights so that she could watch them twinkling in the gloom.

When morning came, I rang the vet and then carried Zara up to my room, and placed her on my bed to make her as comfortable as possible.  When the vet arrived, Zara lifted her head to look at him - then looked at me, licked my hand, and laid down her head with a sigh - almost of relief.  After examining her, the vet confirmed it'd be better to put her to sleep.  Still clinging to some forlorn hope, I said that if there were any other options, regardless of expense, I'd prefer to explore them first.  He shook his head sadly.  "No, it's time" he said.

Zara as a pup

I signed for the lethal injection, which the vet then went out to his car to fetch.  When he returned, he said: "Her circulatory system is 'down', so I'll have to inject it straight into her heart.  It isn't going to be pleasant - you might want to leave the room."  I was holding Zara's paw and stroking her head, determined to be with her to the end.  It was the least I could do - she'd always been there for me.  "I'll stay" I said.

The vet administered the injection, stood back and watched.  After a while, he said: "I'm sorry, this has never happened before - she won't die."  Consumed with guilt, I protested that if she could resist a lethal injection, maybe something could've been done for her after all.  "No, she's got a strong heart, but she needs more than that to survive" he replied.  Finally, he'd no choice but to fetch another injection to administer.  Zara eventually breathed her last, to the sounds of 'Walking In The Air' from a wind-up Snowman doing its slow, circular dance close by.

I then had to help the vet put Zara in a bag and carry her out to his car.  I'd arranged with him to have her privately cremated in a place called 'Elysium Fields', but it couldn't be done until after the weekend.  On the appointed day, a friend, who was a minister, ran me through, and Zara was laid out on display before me.  She looked like she was sleeping, but she was frozen solid.  I stroked her fur for one last time, before my friend said a few words and read a poem over her, and she was then taken off to be 'attended' to.

Having fun in the back garden

I didn't know that the process would take two hours, so we sat in a cafe until it was time to collect her ashes.  I was struck by how long they retained their warmth - as if, in some strange way, life itself yet lingered.  Four years later, I finally scattered them in the back garden, where her spirit probably runs around snapping at wasps to this day.

I probably shouldn't divulge this, but on the day I scattered her ashes, I first looped her lead through the handle of the bag that the box was in, and took her for one last walk around the places she'd known and loved when she was alive.  I don't know whether anyone noticed me taking a carrier bag on a lead for a stroll - I'd have got some strange looks if they had, but it was something I felt compelled to do.  If you've ever had a dog, you'll understand; if not, you'll think I'm completely bonkers.  (Not that I was dragging the bag behind me - it was by my side.)

Two best friends - in one last walk together.  What could be more fitting?

******

ZARA THUSTRASIA ROBSON

May 3rd, 1986 - November 26th, 1998

******

 "Well!  I've seen men go to courageous death
In the air, on sea, on land!
But only a dog would spend his breath
In a kiss for his murderer's hand.

And if there's no heaven for love like that,
For such four-legged fealty - well!
If I have any choice, I tell you flat,
I'll take my chance in hell."

From "Rags" - by Edmund Vance Cooke.

FELLOW BLOGGERS - CAN YOU HELP?

I've noticed recently that I'm having trouble going back into the comments section of one or two blogs to read follow-up remarks.  When I try, the page I'm on either freezes, or, if I do get back into the comments section, all I see is an enlarged white comments box which fills most of the page and is frozen in place.

In other words, I can leave a comment on my first visit, but I can't read it or any responses on subsequent visits - although I can leave new comments on other posts on the same blog.

Can anyone hazard a guess as to what the problem might be?

******

(UPDATE:  The problem now seems to have sorted itself, but I wish I knew what caused it in the first place.  Anyway, back to business as usual, I hope you'll be glad to hear.)  

24 HOUR BLACKOUT? BAH, HUMBUG!

Yup... it's an upside down world!

I notice that some sites (Wikipedia for one) made themselves unavailable for 24 hours in protest at the proposed copyright clampdown on the internet that the U.S. government are considering at the moment. Seems to me akin to going on hunger strike to protest about food restrictions - or taking a vow of silence to protest about threats to freedom of speech. Go figure.

THE DAY STAN LEE CALLED ME A FOOL...

November 15th, 1991.  A day I remember as if it were yesterday.  Better than yesterday in fact, because I can't actually recall what I did a mere 24 hours ago.  But that's by-the-by.  That day, more than 20 years ago, is etched in my memory because it's the day I met the legendary STAN LEE.  Who could forget a day like that?

I prepared in advance.  I made sure there was film in my trusty RICOH MIRAI, and I mic'd up with a SONY recording WALKMAN before setting off to meet the great man.  I not only have photos of the momentous moment, but also an audio recording of the interchange between Mr. MARVEL and myself.  I wanted to preserve the encounter for posterity.

It's excruciating to listen to because of the simpering, snivelling, grovelling, crawling, ingratiating, manner in which I engage with Stan.  It's the most embarrassing example of 'brown-nosing' you'd ever hear - if I was prepared to let you hear it.  All I can say in my defence is that, hey - it was Stan Lee.  You'd have been the same.

During the course of events, I asked Stan to sign a few books I'd taken along for the purpose.  Not one, but a few, so there's no doubt I was chancing my arm.  As Stan signed away, I apologised for being so greedy.  "Not at all... I love it, I love it, you fool!", he said in the most affable manner imaginable, with a twinkle in his eye and a broad grin upon his beaming countenance.

We chatted about other things - about SAM ROSEN and ART SIMEK, some new mags that MARVEL U.K. were going to publish, and mainly how thrilled I was to actually meet him.  But I was never so thrilled as when Stan (The Man) Lee called me a fool in such a friendly fashion as to make it seem like a compliment.

And you know what?  From him it was.

SUPERMAN, 'BOB BILLENS', AND ME...

Images copyright DC COMICS

I was looking for some biographical information on a well-known comics artist a couple of days back, and duly entered his name (or so I thought) into the search box at the top of the screen. Being the impatient type, I picked the first one on the proffered list and hit the key - only to discover that it wasn't the individual I was looking for.

My mistake, but - many years ago - I had a friend whose name was very similar to that of the artist, and, in my haste, I'd unconsciously typed his name - Bob Billens - instead of the intended Bob Billings.  (Names changed to protect the guilty, but they really are that similar.) The face of what appeared to be a complete stranger stared out at me from the screen, and I was about to backspace to the previous page when something made me look again more closely.

Wonder of wonders! It was the actual former friend of nearly half my life ago, apparently doing very well in the world - if his self-penned many fine words in tribute to him and his achievements can be taken at face value.  Not that it matters much - he was always his own biggest fan.  And anyway, what's a blog for if not to blow one's own trumpet?  (And, in his case, try and generate a few freelance employment opportunities.)

What struck me, however, was just how old he looked, which is why I hadn't recognised him at first glance.  Being the nostalgic sort, I just couldn't stop my mind from rewinding back through the many years to when I first met 'Bob', sometime in 1979.  As I have to fill this blog with something, I may as well tell you about it now.  Hopefully, I'll contrive a way of making it seem at least vaguely interesting before we reach the end of the story.

Starting in February 1979, I worked in my local Central Library for about six or seven months. Quite a few of the 'head' librarians were given to looking down their noses at those working 'under' them, and boasting about the extent of their overdrafts.  (As banks only give money to those who've already got money, they considered it some sort of status symbol to be accorded the 'honour' of owing loads of dosh.)  They really were a tedious bunch of pretentious, insufferable poseurs.

I'd been there for perhaps only a couple of months when a female colleague one day exclaimed: "You sound just like Bob Billens...", before explaining - in response to my predictable enquiry - that 'Bob Billens' was a university student (just graduated) who worked in the library during the Summer months.

Anyway, before long, I got to meet Bob Billens, and - sure enough - he did sound a little like me.  Amazingly, he was also a dyed-in-the-wool comicbook geek like myself, and we soon hit it off - talking comics and swapping opinions on what we thought of the new SUPERMAN movie with CHRISTOPHER REEVE (which was then still only a few months old).  We also indulged in a fair amount of secret sniggering at the pomposity and pretensions of our library 'masters'.

I very quickly became discontented and suddenly quit the job, but our friendship continued. However, not too long afterwards, Bob and his wife (in a pre-planned career move) 'upped-sticks' and relocated to England.  We kept in touch for a few years until, gradually, his new life claimed him completely and his already steadily-waning inclination to maintain contact finally evaporated.

When shot-on-location photos of Superman IV he'd taken and promised to send never arrived - with no word from him in the weeks or months that followed - it became clear he'd no intention of getting in touch again.  Not being one to impose myself on people, I didn't pursue the matter, even though I found it slightly puzzling given our common interest.

Perhaps he'd simply concluded that, being hundreds of miles distant, I could serve no further possible practical purpose in his day-to-day life (especially after I'd given him my highly collectable SUPERMAN The MOVIE poster) and was therefore surplus to requirements.

Also, I probably just didn't measure up to his 'sophisticated' new circle of posh friends and colleagues down South.  He'd actually once 'hinted' as much on a brief visit home, when he gave me an odd look and said "I dread to think what the folks at work would say if they saw you."  He tried to say it in a 'jokey' way, but was obviously embarrassed by what he considered my lack of sartorial elegance and less than fashionable appearance.  (Judge for yourselves from the above photo.  I think I look rather saintly.)

The irony of him becoming the same kind of status-seeking, social-climbing snooty snob as the former library colleagues he'd so often claimed to despise and regularly heaped scorn upon isn't lost on me.  It would be on him though, but that's usually the way of such things.

That reminds me - I really must track down a replacement for that Superman movie poster one day.  One that doesn't look quite so old and as tired as Bob Billens.

(And 'Bob' - if by some remote chance you ever happen to read this - I'm sure you'd like to know that 'Big Rosa' sends you her regards.  I can't speak for anyone else though.)

******

And no doubt you'll all be pleased to know that I've now obtained a replacement poster of the one I originally bought way back in January 1979 in the ABC Cinema in Glasgow.

STOP HORSIN' AROUND...

"Er, I've changed my mind.  I'll take the first ones you showed me!"

"Seek and you shall find" is a very old saying from centuries ago.  It also happens to be a very true saying, because I sought and found the four illustrations which I lay before you now.  I drew them either in 1983 or '84 for an equestrian publication of some kind.  The person who commissioned my services was someone for whom I drew newspaper ads to publicise his SONY hi-fi business, and he asked me to produce the illos for some mag or programme pertaining to a horse-riding event he was sponsoring or involved with in some way.  I didn't care - dosh is dosh after all.

"I said you should have bought the hay from Cameron's!"

The inking is a bit heavy, but I was experimenting with different styles at the time.  It would've been nice to have seen the published result, but I never did - so I've no idea what size they were printed or whether they were effective as ads once they were incorporated into whatever body of text accompanied them.

"Looks like he wants his oats again - better nip 'round to Somerville's!"

Still, despite their faults, they're not too bad for a young cartoonist yet finding his way in the world and who'd soon be freelancing for what was then the largest publishing company on the planet.  So, altogether now, let's hear you at the back - "Oh, they can't take that away from me..."  Nosirree!

"Look, is this going to take long?"

I'll post any more as I find them.  Stay tuned.

KOMIC KAVALCADE OF KONTINUING KARICATURES...

Here we are again with some more artwork from the forgotten files of yours truly.  As you can see, the above caricature comes from 1997, and is a scan of a colour photocopy of the original coloured acrylic inks version.  Below is another scan of a photocopy of the original black and white pen drawing.  

The scan below is of a laser copy of the original pencil drawing, which had a slightly softer look to it.  I enhanced the scan to make the detail clearer, but it gains in some ways and loses in others.

Below is the subject of the first picture, a couple of years later with a different hairstyle.  Who knows, maybe she'll be on The ANTIQUES ROADSHOW in fifty years, being told the originals are worth a fortune?  (Excuse me, it's time for my medicine - I'm hallucinating again.)

Tune in again in the near future to see what other items of interest might be on display.

TOYBOX TREASURES Of The PAST: FRED FLINTSTONE'S FABULOUS FAMILY FLIVVER...

Here's yet another superb classic collectable plaything from the early days of my cherubic-faced childhood.  I was about three or four when I first got my original one, but it will doubtless come as no surprise to you when I say that, once again, I've had the above replacement for more years than I ever had its predecessor - even though it sure doesn't feel like it.  Anyway, what you're looking at is a FLINTSTONE FLIVVER, produced by MARX TOYS in the early 1960s.

There were at least a couple of versions of this titanically terrific toy: friction-drive and battery-operated.  (The batteries didn't go in the car, but in a 'remote control' unit attached by a cord.  No infra-red gizmos in those days.)  The photos I've seen of the latter version had a different FRED figure, made of tin, in the driving seat, but I daresay it's possible that some had the same plastic figure as the friction-drive version in the photo above.  Also, the battery one had 'Flintstone Flivver' printed along each side of the car, whereas the friction one usually didn't - though I believe I've seen photos of ones that did.

In an effort to bring you the best of both worlds, I've graciously bestowed upon you photos of the friction-drive Flivver, and the box for its battery-operated counterpart.  Also pictured (below) is someone else's flivver and its original box.  I sure hope you appreciate my unselfish generosity to you.  Once again, this is a highly desirable collectable, and could easily set you back a couple of hundred pounds for a pristine condition model - if you could ever find one that is.

Now tell me - do I spoil you, or what?    

KID ROBSON'S KARTOONS, KARICATURES & KOMIC STRIPS...

Don't worry about the title - I know how to spell.  Looking through my files recently, I found a few pieces of art - finished and unfinished - from several years back.  The first is this double caricature, which, even if I say so myself, isn't a bad little pencil drawing.  In case you're wondering, 'DUNN KWIK ' is a pseudonym I use from time to time when I've produced something in a hurry.

Above is an OOR WULLIE cartoon someone asked me to draw.  It's only three and a half by five and a half inches, but the recipient was fair chuffed with their little freebie.  One day, when I've got the energy, I'll sit down and paint a full-page Oor Wullie cover. 

A few years ago, for my own amusement, I doodled a few 'roughs' of a cartoon strip I dreamt up in an idle moment.  These examples were drawn quickly with a black gel ball-point pen in a blue feint-ruled jotter.  (I've upped the contrast in order to 'white out' the blue lines, but you can still see a hint of them.)

I should stress that these are not 'finished ' strips, which - if I'd ever got 'round to doing - would've had more time spent on them and been drawn and lettered to a proper professional standard. 

    

The fourth and last one (below) I never completed, even though I had only one panel left to draw.  (Just lost interest.)  As I said, these were mere doodles and are no indication of my finished drawing standard, examples of which can be found elsewhere on this blog.

If you click on the above image to enlarge, you'll see the faint pencil indications of the girl throttling the guy in the final panel.  Must finish it off one day, and then draw them all out properly perhaps.  Anyway, that's yer lot for now.  At least until I uncover any more lost or mislaid art lying around my house.

YOGI & HUCK - WALKIN' BACK TO HAPPINESS...

Following on from a previous post, one of my favourite toys from childhood was a YOGI BEAR & HUCKLEBERRY HOUND WALKER by LOUIS MARX TOYS.  The fact that it's Huck and Yogi, and not Yogi and BOO BOO, suggests that it's an early piece of merchandise from when Huck's show first hit TV, in which Yogi was only a support act, albeit an extremely popular one.  Yogi soon went on to eclipse the ol' hound-dog and was awarded his own TV show, in which he had his own second-stringers, SNAGGLEPUSS and YAKKI DOODLE.

Marx Toys also produced a range of DISNEY character Walkers, plus other ones, such as POPEYE, etc., but ol' Yogi and Huck are hard to beat.  I've also got a FRED & BARNEY one, which you can see if you click here.  These toys command quite high prices in collectors' circles, and are highly sought-after by lovers of HANNA-BARBERA memorabilia.

When I acquired this a number of years back to replace the one I'd owned as a child (I've now had it for around twice as long as its predecessor), I was struck by the noise it makes as it toddles down an incline, wobbling slightly from side-to-side as it does so.  It's a soft, slow 'rattling' intonation, and I was surprised to be reminded of what had once been a familiar sound, neither heard nor thought about since I was a lad.  However, upon hearing it once again, all the old memories came flooding back in a rush, making me realize that one never truly forgets anything.  It's all still there, lying dormant just under the surface, waiting only for the proper catalyst to allow it to spring, full-blown, back into one's consciousness, bringing with it recollections of earlier times.

Any particular toy you remember from childhood?  Why not share it with us in the comments section?

TV COMIC'S LAST STAND...

Copyright relevant owner

As related in a recent post, TV COMIC ceased weekly publication in June 1984 after an unbroken run of nearly thirty-four years.  However, it made three more last-gasp appearances before it finally vanished from U.K. newsagents.  First there was an Annual for 1985 (released near the end of '84), and then a 1985 Holiday Special.  This was followed a year later by a Holiday Extra, containing a mix of strips and activity pages.

It's not unheard of for Annuals to continue for years after a weekly comic's demise, KNOCKOUT being a prime example. Knockout comic was published for only two years from 1971 to '73, but the Annual lasted from 1972 (for '73) to 1984 (for '85) - a total of thirteen books over twelve years.  (That's some going.)

Perhaps POLYSTYLE PUBLICATIONS hoped for the same thing with the TV Comic Annual (though it was probably prepared prior to the weekly being cancelled) - but, alas, 'twas not to be.  There was no Annual for the following year, or indeed, any year thereafter.

With the 1986 Special 'done and dusted', the once-popular TV Comic had finally fallen foul to an unfriendly fate in the face of a feckless following forsaking it for friendlier fields.

Such, as they say, is life.   

HUCK & YOGI'S BELATED HAPPY HOGMANAY...

Copyright relevant owner

Here's one I meant to put up at the start of the year but forgot.  Never mind, it's not too late - we're still only a week into 2012, so enjoy seeing how HUCKLEBERRY HOUND and YOGI BEAR (plus some pals) were bringing in the New Year back in 1966.  (Towards the end of 1965 obviously.)  Note that in the third-last panel on page two, it's clear that a 'Knock knock' lettering effect has been inadvertently omitted.  (Tsk, tsk!)

I don't remember ever seeing this title as a kid, but maybe that's simply because I was too busy buying TV CENTURY 21 instead.  Interestingly, both comics were the same price (7d), but with only 16 pages - four in full colour - Huck's weekly was hardly value for money by comparison.  Perhaps the publishers had to fork out an absolute fortune to feature the licensed HANNA-BARBERA characters though.

 

1966, eh?  If you're around my age, I bet it doesn't seem half as long ago as it sounds.

IT'S A VERY FUNNY BUSINESS - OR IS IT?

From the 1977 Mighty TV Comic Holiday Special.  (Reprinted from an earlier issue of the weekly in
all likelihood.  Going by the tones, the original was probably in colour.)  Copyright relevant owner

Funny is funny.  It's a quality which no one ever really outgrows.  The comic strips I found funny as a kid I still find funny today whenever I re-read them.  Is my current enjoyment of an old comic strip merely the echo of a past response, or is each subsequent humorous appreciation a fresh experience unconnected to my initial amusement from years before?

Difficult to say with absolute certainty, but perhaps it's a bit of both.  It's a fact though, that I find a lot of today's comics seriously lacking in humour.  (Which may be a contradiction in terms, but you know what I mean.)  Perhaps I've simply outgrown them, but I don't think so.  How does one outgrow the ability to appreciate humour - in any form?  Occasionally, I consider the contents of a contemporary comic to be funny.  On those rare moments, I would say that's because the material is funny.  By the same token, if I don't find it funny, then it's logical to conclude that it isn't - not that I've outgrown the format.  

However, tastes obviously differ.  What I consider amusing, you may not - and vice versa.  But that merely confirms that we must use our own tastes as the final arbiter in the matter - it's no use arguing about it.  However, going on that principle, in my opinion, in the main, kids are being shortchanged in the humour department these days.  Part of the problem is that, in some quarters, scripts are not being supplied by professional humour writers with a proven track record, but by editorial staff who are augmenting their wages with a little 'freelance' work.

Let's be honest here.  If you're a tremendously talented funny writer for comics, then that's what you'll be doing for a full-time living.  You won't be doing something else as your main source of income while picking up a little extra on the side with the odd script or three.

The debate will go on, of course, as the circulation of comics in general continues to inexorably decline.  In the meantime, enjoy the above offering of what I consider to be a prime example of a funny strip.  Not just funny, but witty and clever also.  One that can appeal to both kids and adults alike, in fact.  Perhaps that's what all comics editors should be aiming for.

******

(Having said that, it wouldn't be allowed today.  A robber seemingly getting away free and unpunished in the final panel?  Can't have that, can we?  Readers are obviously too stupid to assume that he's caught and arrested shortly after.  The PC Brigade have a lot to answer for.)

     

1977 Holiday Special