CLASSIC COMICS OF YESTERYEAR: YOGI & HIS TOY #1 - COMPLETE ISSUE...

Characters copyright HANNA-BARBERA

Well, okay, it's arguable whether this particular periodical can rightly be regarded as a 'classic', but that's how I regard it as I bought it when it first went on sale in February of 1972.  I was 13 years old and clearly too old for the comic, which was aimed at much younger readers, but I was always a sucker for anything to do with YOGI BEAR.  It seems to me that I was in the house I then lived in for quite some time after this title came out, so I'm surprised to discover that I moved to another residence in another neighbourhood a mere four months later.  Funny how the mind plays tricks, eh?

Anyway, if you had this comic back in 1972, then now you have it again - and if you didn't, then you do now.  Everybody's a winner - unless you're not a Yogi Bear fan that is.  That's unthinkable of course.

(Incidentally, I haven't cleaned up the pages too much, which still show some of the marks of time. I've only whitened up the margins and gutters just a tad.)    

LAUREL & HARDY IN SOAP & WATER...

Just saw this over on MARK EVANIER's blog - very funny, but contains a bit of swearing. It's PETER SERAFINOWICZ's parody of the two great comedians, LAUREL & HARDY.  Check it out.

YOU CAN'T MAKE A MONKEY OUT OF MICKEY - 'COS HE ALREADY IS ONE...

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

The famous Oor WULLIE from The SUNDAY POST introduces #649 of The TOPPER, wherein MICKEY The MONKEY gets up to his usual antics in order to amuse the readers.  Once again, DUDLEY D. WATKINS shows many of today's lesser artists how it's done, with clear, simple storytelling that doesn't induce a headache trying to figure out what's going on.  When I acquired this comic many years ago, it was folded in half (like The BEEZER in the previous post), so you'll have to forgive the crease in the middle of the cover, and the rippling shadows resulting from it.

GINGER DOES A BEEZER...

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

Above is the cover of my own copy of The BEEZER #600.  If you behave yourselves, I may show further pages from this landmark issue.  Look at how easy on the eye DUDLEY D. WATKINS' art is - he made it seem simple.  Some of today's newer artists, whose pages are abstract, convoluted and difficult to follow assaults on the senses, could sure do with taking a leaf out of D.D.W.'s work.

I'm almost ashamed of how I used to take this comic - and dozens of others - for granted when I was younger, as I'm sure we all did back in the day.  It seemed to us that theses comics had always been around and always would be, but, alas, we now know different, much to our cost, and also that of today's generation of comics readers.

Did you buy Beezer back in the day?  What's your abiding memory of this iconic comic?  Tell all in the comments section.

STOP THAT CAR - IT'S MINE!

PHILIP MARSHALL lived four rows away from me in the '60s and early '70s and inherited the mantle of superhero sidekick to yours truly after his predecessor, JOHN FIDLER, hung up his cape and domino mask when we retired our well-worn BATMAN and ROBIN identities.  (If you're wondering what I'm on about, see here.)  Philip was even more enthusiastic about costuming-up than John had been, so we became POWER MAN and WONDER MAN, and ran about our neighbourhood totally oblivious to how ridiculous we must've looked.  However, that's perhaps a tale for another time, as our alter-egos aren't really relevant in this rambling reminiscence.  Philip is though.

It was on or around the occasion of my birthday, perhaps my 9th or 10th.  I had money to spend and I spent it in my local WOOLWORTH'S, buying a MATCHBOX VOLKSWAGON 1600 TL, a Table Tennis (Ping Pong) set, and, I think, two wooden tops (which were a second pair, having acquired the previous ones back around 1963).  The tops may've been bought on another day, but for some reason I associate them with the other two items, so then again, maybe not.  I'd bought the car because it was red, my favourite colour, and at some stage down the line (months at least, at a guess), Philip Marshall asked me if he could borrow it to play with for a while.

Eventually, I realised that he'd had it for quite some time (weeks at least), and remember chapping his door to ask for it back.  I probably had to do it more than once because he claimed he'd forgotten where it was, but, strangely, I'm now uncertain as to whether I ever actually ever got it back or not.  Well, it may've taken me nearly 50 years, but I recently took possession of a replacement for my beloved and never-forgotten little red car (with opening doors), which you see in the photo that opens this post.  The car and box cost me less than a tenner (not counting p&p) on ebay, though pristine examples can go for as high as £50 or more.

So that's one more childhood item re-acquired before I fall off the twig.  What will I turn my sights on next?  Whatever it is, you'll no doubt read about it here on CRIVENS!  I can stand it if you can.

"- - AND SOON SHALL COME: THE ENCHANTERS!" (IF YOU CAN CALL NEARLY 50 YEARS 'SOON')...

Images copyright MARVEL COMICS

Sometime back in 1968, I bought a copy of the above THOR comic (#143), and had fun comparing it with its British reprint in a couple of issues of SMASH!  I think I got the US comic first, but after 49 years I couldn't swear to the order I acquired them.  I read the story again in the '70s when it was reprinted in SPIDER-MAN COMICS WEEKLY, but in 1979 a pal gave me a copy of the subsequent issue, #144.  I'd previously read the UK reprints of this story in Smash! and SMCW, but this was the first time I saw it in colour.  It wasn't in great condition, so I cut a couple of panels out to put up on my wall (one of them's still there, the other lies in wait somewhere), but I don't recall being struck by the magnitude of obtaining this follow-up issue a whopping 11 years after its predecessor.  That was over half my life away at that time and such facts usually left an impression on me.

Anyway, I obtained a replacement for #143 many years ago (and it featured in one of my FAVOURITE COMICS OF THE PAST posts a few years back), and on Thursday I received #144, finally owning both issues at the same time, something I hadn't managed to do back in the '60s (or the '70s).  The first of these issues introduce The ENCHANTERS, two of whom Thor defeats in the next ish, with ODIN dealing with the third one in #145.  I already have all 3 comics reprinted in MASTERWORKS, OMNIBUS, and EPIC editions, but you know me - I like to be thorough so I may purchase #145 one day just to complete the 'trilogy'.  (Update: Bought one on ebay, so it's now scanned and added to the post.) 

So, Criv-ite chums, enjoy the covers of all three comics, the first two of which were, as I said, originally separated in my life by 11 years, and the second and third by 40 years.  To reiterate:  Got my original copy of the first in 1968, the second in 1979, and the third in 2017 - meaning I now own all three comics for the first time at the same time 50 years after they were first published.  Why do I feel I've accomplished something significant?  And why do I also feel that you all think I'm totally bonkers?  H'mm, don't bother answering that second question - just enjoy these three covers by JACK KIRBY.

   

SUPERMAN'S WORLD ADVENTURES...

SUPERMAN copyright DC COMICS

If I remember rightly, these WORLD ADVENTURE LIBRARY text stories (with illustrations) never read 'quite right'.  There was always something about them that suggested the writer wasn't too conversant with the characters whose adventures he was relating.  However, having had this SUPERMAN 'book' when I was a kid, I couldn't pass up the chance of owning it again when I saw it on ebay recently, and it now joins the ranks of the two BATMAN companion publications in my collection.  I got a replacement for the 2nd issue of the Batman one in Gosport in 1981 (meaning I've now had it for far, far longer than I ever had  my original '60s copy), and I got a replacement for the first ish a couple or so years back.

Guess I really must get around to actually reading them one day - hopefully before too much longer.

(And, yes, I agree - the above cover does seem like little more than a 'rough'.  The space for the shilling price has been indicated by the artist, but ignored, and there's too much space between the logo and the illustration underneath.)

Did you have any of these publications when you were a kid, readers?  Share your reminiscences of them in the comments section.  

TOYS 'R' ME...

Regular reader (and sometimes commenter) CJ asked me if all four of my walls are covered in posters or merely one.  He'd obviously forgotten seeing these photos the first time they were posted, so going on the assumption that others of you will have done the same, I thought I'd show them again.  True, I was taking photos of the toys rather than the posters, but you can still see them in most instances.  Some of them duplicate others, but there are two (even three) sets of photos here, taken a few years apart, so there'll be slight differences between them.  And remember - this is only one room.  (I had to pack all the toys away a couple or so years ago, and haven't yet put them back out.  Maybe one day.)

HE'S OKAY FOR SOUND - AND SIGHT...

When the above article about the late JOHN BARRY, who died aged 77 on January 11th 2011, was published in the DAILY MIRROR on February 11th 1960, he was only 25 years of age.  It would take another 12 or 13 years for me to discover John Barry's music for the JAMES BOND movies, by which time he was in his early 30s - around the same age, in fact, that SEAN CONNERY was when he first started playing Bond.  Not that that tidbit means anything in particular, but I thought I'd throw it in anyway and it's entirely up to you whether you want to attach any kind of significance to it or not.

I discovered this article back around 1977, when I took it upon myself to paint the skirting boards in my bedroom.  First I had to lift my carpet, as well as, if I rightly recall, the one that had already adorned the floor when I first moved into the house. Beneath the under-carpet was linoleum, and when I lifted that, various newspaper sheets covered the floorboards.  Among them was the issue of the Daily Mirror that contained this article, so as I was by then a confirmed John Barry fan, I cut it out and attached it to my bedroom wall. I also remember an article about SHIRLEY BASSEY, but whether that was in the same newspaper or another one has now faded from my memory.  I kept it for a while, but eventually it was consigned to history.

So, since 1977 that article has adorned my bedroom wall in whichever house I lived in, and regular readers will be all-too aware of the fact that I'm again living in the same house I was then, after my family moved to another domicile in 1983, and then back to this one again in 1987.  However, it was showing its age (and had been for a while), suffering from discolouration and staining, with the paper having become increasingly fragile over the years and bearing quite a few discreet repairs.  Now was the time to replicate and replace this document, so that it can accompany me through however many years lie ahead.

First of all I scanned the original, then digitally removed the marks of the tape that had originally affixed it to my wall.  I tidied up various parts of it, then printed it out on card, the better to have a copy that's a little more robust than its paper predecessor.  I've included a couple of photos of them on the wall so that you can compare them in context (see footnote on second pic).  I've also included scans of the article 'before and after' (the 'after' is at the top of the post) so that you can all admire my handiwork and tell me what a good job I've done.  (Oh, go on, don't be spoilsports.)

And in case you were wondering, no, I didn't put the previous tenant's carpet and lino back again after painting the skirting boards;  I put new newspapers down over the floorboards and put my own carpet over them, and that situation lasted until 1983, when we moved to another house in a different neighbourhood.  Just over four years later, I was back in that room, again painting the skirting boards, putting down new newspapers, laying another carpet, and, of course, putting the article back on its old spot on the wall.

Who was it said "The more things change, the more they remain the same" ?  In this instance he was right.

I had to cheat with this one, as I didn't take a photo before removing
it from the wall  (I've got an old pic somewhere, but can't find it)  so I
merely hung it over its replacement.  The image sizes of both are the
same, though I left a slightly wider margin around the new one (as
you can see) as the old one was pretty close-cropped in places.

TWO COMICS IN ONE... DOUBLE THE FUN - SHIVER & SHAKE #s 1, 2, & 3 (UPDATED)...

Images copyright relevant owners

Three new acquisitions I picked up fairly recently are SHIVER & SHAKE #s 1-3, so here are the covers to not only Shiver, but also Shake, plus the back-page CREEPY CREATIONS, just to satisfy the completists amongst you.  Looking at these comics today, it's hard for me to believe that I bought my originals over 44 years ago, it only seems like a fraction of that time.  Did you buy Shiver & Shake when you were a youngster, Criv-ites?  Then feel free to share your memories of the comic in the comments section.

BLAST FROM THE PAST - TARKAN #1...

Images copyright relevant owners

TARKAN is apparently a much bigger character than I gave him credit for, having appeared in comics and movies, though I knew him only from a 1973 British reprint mag.  Although I bought several issues, I was never too impressed with the whole thing, finding the art rather primitive compared to the American MARVEL and DC artists I was familiar with.  He first appeared in 1967, created by SEZGIN BURAK, and that's about as much interest or energy I can generate to tell you about this Turkish comic strip hero.  I recently re-acquired the first ish (for old times' sake), so thought I'd publish some pages here to give you a taste of what you didn't miss if you've never heard of the character before.

Big of me, eh?  Are you familiar with Tarkan and, if so, what's your take on this Turkish titan?  Tell all in the comments section.

      

FAMOUS FIRSTS - SAMMY SHRINK...

From WHAM! #118, cover-dated September 17th 1966, comes the very first appearance of SAMMY SHRINK as drawn by DAVE JENNER.  TERRY BAVE took over drawing the character in issue 151, and continued to draw him for many years afterwards in a variety of periodicals.  This strip, which has been extended on either side of the page to make it wider, was resized into 2 pages and reprinted in the 1973 KNOCKOUT Annual.

Not many people are aware that Sammy started as a full-sized boy before shrinking.  Even Terry Bave evinced surprise at this when I happened to mention it to him the other night.  Was Sammy Shrink one of your favourite strips as a comics-reading lad?  Then tell us why in the comments section.

BABE OF THE DAY - BECKY RULE...

Here's the bedazzling BECKY RULE to usher in the month of October, Criv-ite chums.  Not exactly dressed for the weather, but certainly attired to win a place in our hearts.

WHAM! - IT EXPIRED WITH BARELY A WHIMPER...

Behold - the cover to the last-ever issue of WHAM! - #187 to be exact.  Notice anything strange about it?  How about the fact that there's no 'Great news inside for all readers!' banner at the top of the page concerning the periodical's upcoming merger into POW!.  This was highly unusual, as most comics usually gave readers a heads-up when there wasn't going to be any more issues of a title.

However, inside, News From The Floor of '64 goes into overdrive, with a response to a letter suggesting that one of the reasons for the merger is to save readers some pocket money, as there'd now be fewer POWER comics to drain their finances.  Utter pants of course, but they couldn't exactly say the comics were being merged because circulation on one of them had fallen below a certain point.

Anyway, here are the front and back covers, plus the pages announcing the merger, along with readers' letters.  I thought Wham! was a great comic back in the day, but that was mainly because of The FANTASTIC FOUR, FRANKIE STEIN, SAMMY SHRINK, plus one or two others.  Did you have a favourite strip?  Then tell us what it was in the comments section!