Peter Gray's Comics and Art

Bob McGrath's DC Thomson comic work through the years..

2012-01-29T10:23:00.004Z

a kind of three bears but with pigs!! From early Nutty 29th March 1980

qute a gruesome strip bullying at its extreme...though it is nicely over the top..

Nutty 3rd October 1981 some nice silhouettes in this one..

A kind of Ginger from Beezer character..

Andy thinks this one isn't Bob it is from Beezer and Topper 13th october 1990..

This is Bob..from Beezer book 1969..some nice angles in this one..and colour work..

more to add.........

Bob McGrath's last ever The Three Bears..

2012-01-24T16:51:00.004Z

Beano 21st Sept 1985 the last one by Bob..
This was not good news to me as a kid..Simply Smiffy didn't work for me that replaced it..and the strip didn't last long so other kids must of not liked it..I didn't want the comic to be just about Dennis the Menace and the Bash street kids..

Bob stopped drawing Ginger in The Beezer in the 80's..so he must of retired...
I like his work even more now..just look at how 3D the characters are...with weight..and great emotions..I would love to be able to draw in this solid way..my cartoons come out flat:) Every panel is also different and varied..

One thing about The Three Bears was the detail made it tricky to read when it was on the inside last page..the paper was too thin..so it was better inside the comic..

Well worth looking at Bob's work again..I recommend it..

Cracker comic's Mad adverts and The Dandy's Madvertisement

2012-01-18T08:44:00.004Z

The Dandy 29th October 2011 by Steve Munro..really enjoying these ads and often very funny..these ads are based on todays adverts..and a little retro from the 80's..

Ken Harrison is the artist..

Cracker comic number 1 had a fun Mad advert on the back page...not quite as topical But good fun..
these ads remind me more of the 50's Mad comic!!

http://home.btconnect.com/thetopper/madads.php

New for 2012 Animal art, some landscape and a pet commission

2012-01-15T10:04:00.005Z

Redid the background colour blue for the Polar Bear and cub has the red pink sea was distracting..

Normally I leave the background white But I'd thought it might look good with a slight rough pencil effect..also it hide the lines I'd rubbed out..

This took a long time to do But glad I kept going...the last hedgehog on the right was to be not drawn in But felt it was needed to show they are baby hedgehogs..as they do look unusual from looking up at them..they are following there Mum who is in front of them..couldn't fit everyone in..But the mother wasn't needed..the babies are the star!

I knew this would be a popular one...you just want to play with this kitten..I actually drew this on its side But works well this way up like you see..very pleased with this one.

for my Mum and Aunty I did landscape drawings for Christmas cards..a nice change but not sure if they will be my main thing..back to animals me thinks..
Also I had bought some new watercolour pencils so gone back to doing colour pictures..

I like the idea of fresh snow...Giles was the master of this...good fun leaving the gaps of the fence and bench...I like the idea you are the first to see this..

This is an earlier picture and has been popular enough to be included on my animal art website..also with the new ones you see and the last animal art post I did on this blog..

http://petergraycartoonsandcomics.blogspot.com/2011/10/new-animal-art-for-autumn-part-2.html

http://www.petergrayanimals.co.uk/

Heres the photo I had to use.for my A3 drawing...it certainly had a look! I zoomed in on the picture and softened the expression a bit...
If you would like me to draw your pet please email me at
thejeep2000@yahoo.co.uk

Hope you like the results...I did my best..:)

Happy New Year with Lion comic 1966

2012-01-01T18:34:00.003Z

A great eye catching New Year cover..heres the info about it.

Quite a clever way to use the New Year motif...also the robot and pals wrecking our own weapons for our own good..a clever twist!

quite a chilling tale...and what a great walkie talkie:)

Well I never guessed that!!

I don't have the info on the artists names and my field is humour comics..if anyone would like to help please leave a comment..

Its interesting has Lew Stringer said on his comic blog on adventure comics at Christmas how some stories can include the seasonal theme..here it is But with the New Year celebrations..

A Reg Parlett gem

The slogan is based on a World War 1 poster where a child asks his Dad what did you do during the war..to make you feel guilty..

Giles the master super RNLI Christmas card..

2011-12-29T11:06:00.003Z

I love Giles and he must of influanced many comic cartoonists over his time...he has inspired me..

I always love his naughty children he does and busy pictures...also the extra detail when you find them it makes you laugh out loud!! (which I often do!)

The picture above is funny But also beautiful..Giles is the king of drawing all different weathers..I love his snow scenes ...his depth he puts into a picture.. his brick work...buildings..people..clothes..boats..just basically everything is great..:)

The amount Giles drew and the quality..SPEECHLESS!!

http://www.cartoons.ac.uk/collections/CG

Giles is online..But I recommend you buy a book on ebay you won't regret it..

http://www.rnli.org.uk/
The image also shows how brave and strong these men are..going out in all weathers..lets support the RNLI..we might need them one day..

Happy Boxing Day Bob Hill's Fun Fear meets everyone from the ghostly Go Round

2011-12-26T18:20:00.002Z

Whoopee 31st Dec 1977

I'm not sure if I've already posted this gem..

Happy Christmas..a nice border by Robert Nixon and Terry Bave drawing Shiver

2011-12-25T18:12:00.003Z

Whoopee 27th Dec 1975

Lovely Creepy Christmas border look at the cracker being pulled by the Christmas pud!! With a light centre..

Have a great day!!

Christmas Judy comic Big n' Bertha by Gordon Bell 1981

2011-12-24T18:04:00.002Z

Only two humour pages in the whole comic...this one stood out..I love the way Gordon draws dogs...its funny to think that Gordon was in the running for drawing the Dennis the Menace and Gnasher if David Sutherland hadn't got the job...when David Law retired..

The dog and the father have a certain Dennis the Menace Dad and Gnasher about them..

Theres nothing like a dog with a pipe..:)

Whoopee Christmas covers

2011-12-19T15:52:00.008Z

1974 there was no whoopee Christmas issue due to printer strike see comments thanks Bruce..

1975
Robert Nixon

1976 Need scan of this issue please..

1977
robert Nixon

1978 there was none due to industrial action at the printers see comments below..thanks Bruce for info..

1979 need scan of this issue please..

1980
Robert Nixon

1981
Nick Baker

1982
Mike Lacey

1983
David Mostyn (Snack-man artist)

Robert Nixon
1984 last Christmas issue (theres a better not ripped issue at Lew Stringer's blog under Christmas Whoopee 1984!!)

All these covers are so eye catching and full of Christmas fun..

Christmas Topper 1987

2011-12-17T16:47:00.003Z

Robert Nixon
A front cover But the start of a story which was in the centre pages..

Ken Hunter
of course based on Star Wars droids..its fun seeing all the different robot head shapes.also trying to all fit in the transporter:)

Gordon Bell's spin-off from Beryl the Peril of the 80's..if Dennis can have Gnasher than so can Beryl with Pearl...even Desperate Dan had Dawg...

Another Gordon Bell gem this was in The Topper before The Bash Street pups Pup Parade replaced it in 1989..
This strip is a bit like Top Cat! also these cats have attitude!!

Heres a great poster page!! not sure of the artist..but great fun and lively..
UPDATE Mervyn Johnston is the artist thanks to Spy in the comments..

Gordon Bell with some great gags!! Christmas Pudle is the best..

Now this is a gem!!
I love a strip with lots of jokes in it..a bit like the recent Harry Hill strip in The Dandy(what will replace it?) Maybe Nigel could bring this strip idea back and call it The Dvd kid!!:)
Nutty also had a strip like this called Steevie Star..

We finish with more creativity...reminds me of the Whizzer and chip one by Terry Bave Sammy's Scribbler but in that one readers could suggest fun ideas for a strip..

So a Top comic..

Jim Petrie in the Christmas Beano and look out for my initials Jim has added..P.G!!!

2011-12-14T20:12:00.003Z

Thanks Jim it made my year!!:)

Get the Christmas Beano today..

Jim still got it..

See vase in first panel in gold letters..
Peter Gray

The Dandy's Black Bob redeveloped in the 1990's as a comic character Wee Bob by Sid Burgon

2011-12-11T20:40:00.003Z

The Dandy 14th July 1990
Just got 30 1990 Dandy's today from an Antique fair and discovered this unusual strip..

A very cute sheep dog..look at those eyes..its a shame this strip didn't have a longer life..

Scared Stiff-Sam meets Fun Fear

2011-12-05T22:14:00.002Z

Whoopee!! 12th Feb 1977

Its nice of Robert to mention Mike Lacey the artist for Scared Stiff-Sam...for a second I thought the two artists drew this strip..But Robert drew it all..

UPDATEJim Petrie's Minnie the minx with a shop named after him Petrie and Spencer!

2011-11-30T23:00:00.004Z

title panel changed..But notice the name in the second panel..:0)

Beryl the Peril with Minnie the minx 1981 annual

Jim never signed his Minnie the minx page except the last one he did in 2001...But he has sneaked it in this 60's reprint strip..

Again brilliant action and movement..check out panel 5 of Minnie collecting grub quickly..great visual!! Today's comic artists can learn from Jim..

From the same annual...Heres that name again.I wonder if that is what Jim Petrie looked like in the 60's? :)

Ken Reid also used to add his name to shop fronts in say Roger the Dodger so its at least nice of DC Thomson to let the artist name appear in the strip in a subtile way..mind you in the Power comics (Pow!, Smash! Wham! etc..) most artists were free to sign there strip in the 60's...though some artists didn't?

Mike Lacey's Scared-Stiff Sam the first one

2011-11-24T22:25:00.003Z

Whoopee!! number 4
1974

Inspired by Bruce's blog post on Scared-stiff Sam I'd thought it would be nice to show you the first one..

http://toonworks.brucelaing.com/comicblog/2011/11/24/scared-stiff-sam-from-whoopee/

Its interesting that Mike Lacey often signed this comic page and so he must of liked this strip..
Its a great character and some good over the top stuff to the extreem..

http://planetrandom.net/

2011-11-24T16:26:00.002Z

Peter,

First I'll say thank you, I really appreciate the time.

Please find attached a preview version of a comic called H.O.P.E.: Tales of the Nuclear Family. This is the first chapter of a larger comic and comes in at 14 pages. This chapter introduces "Zeke" Sanchez and some of the members of the "Nuclear Family". The main characters are a multicultural collection of unrelated individuals who survive together as a family in a post-apocalyptic wasteland... I'll leave the rest to the comic.

The finished cover is still in development so please excuse the contact information placeholder I have as the first page. And I'm open to all feedback and I hope you like it!

Best Regards,

Ray

Check out the website and see for yourself..

http://planetrandom.net/

UPDATE!!!Pup Parade the Bash Street dogs and cats!! the early days..

2011-11-21T20:51:00.005Z

Hi Peter,
Here's the whole of the first Bash Street Dogs! The little red notice was on the corner of The Bash Street Kids story, next to the puppet
of Danny.
Cheers,

George

Thanks George it is soo different the strip back then...great to see the whole thing..:))

Gordon Bell's first Pup Parade and they look very different...they were more doggy then..no hat for Bones said Jonny Whizz and as said by Digifiend at comicsuk forum they didn't seem to have names then..

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=4671

Heres David Sutherland's version in The Beano book 1969..also the Bash Street Cats...its interesting to think if the cats were the ones that took off in The Beano comic instead!

Christmas Beano 1968..
Heres my earliest Beano comic I have to the date of the first Pup Parade this is Gorden Bell's version of the cats as well in the story..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Beano-comic-1326-1967-First-PUP-PARADE-FINE-phil-comics-/250931279840?pt=UK_Books_comics_Magazines_UK_Comics_ET&hash=item3a6cab77e0
Bid for the first Pup Parade Beano 1967 16th December..

Thanks Phil for a glimpse of the first one

Terry Bave, Sid Burgon and Roy Davis (writer) interview in Golden Fun 1980's and many more thanks to Phil Rushton

2011-11-18T17:35:00.004Z

'A Line in Chuckles' was serialized over three consecutive issues of Golden Fun
- no's 15, 16 and 17. As Terry and Sheila always hoped to publish it as a proper
book I don't think it'd be fair to post the whole thing on the internet. To give
you a sample, however, here's a page from the first installment in which Terry
describes his transition from Odhams to IPC during the late 1960s.

As you can see the miniscule type allowed GF editor Alan Clark to cram a great deal into every page, leaving room for several chapters in each issue (the first part, for example, contained four more pages of text just like the one above, as well as several well-chosen illustrations). Incidentally, Golden Fun no.15 has an extra bonus for fans of IPC's humour comics as it also features an interview with Terry's contemporary pen-pusher Sid Burgon.- Phil Rushton

Although I'm a bit too old to have any nostalgic recollections of Burgon or Bave from when I was still a child one thing that really impresses me is the extent to which they both seem to have genuinely enjoyed their work.- Phil Rushton

Oddly enough I'd guess that most subscribers to GF at the time were rather more interested in seeing articles about the comics of previous decades than those, like Whizzer & Chips, that were still being published. If the reaction on Comics UK is anything to go by this material would appear to have become a lot more popular now that a whole new generation of 'eighties kids' have grown up.

If Alan Clark himself is out there somewhere (and as far as I know he's still alive) I hope he forgives me for making these brief 'samples' available to a wider audience - especially as they seem to show there'd now be a very real demand for some kind of publication which gathered together the 'Best of Golden Fun' in full.- Phil Rushton

Here is a list of the main contents of the 19 issues of Golden Fun.

1.
The Hotspur by D. Neil [10 sides]
The career of Dixon Hawke by Derek Adley [7 sides]
Sports Fun by Bill Lofts [6 sides]

2.
The rise and fall of the English adventure strip by David Ashford [31 sides]

3.
Teddy Tail of the Daily Mail by Derek Adley [5 sides]
Homeless Hector - the tail (sic) of a lost dog by Bill Lofts [4 sides]
The Detectives by Will Costain [11 sides]
The Silent Three and other secret societies by Mary Cadogan [8 sides]

4.
My favourite characters in comics by Mary Cadogan [5 sides]
An appreciation of Denis McLoughlin by David Ashford [2 sides]
Over the rainbow to Happy Days - Alan Clark interviews Denis Gifford [3 sides]
Collector's notebook by Sarah and Colin Baddiel - with David! [4 sides]

5.
Roy Wilson 1900-1965: a biography/appreciation by Alan and Laurel Clark [15 sides]
An interview with Roy's widow [12 sides]

6.
A short story by Mrs Wilson [8 sides]

7.
Wilson the Wonderman! by Bill Lofts and Derek Adley [15 sides]
Radio Fun by Will Costain [3 sides]
George and Terry Wakefield - a biography/appreciation by Alan and Laurel Clark [10 sides]

8.
David Ashford interviews Frank S. Pepper [11 sides]
The Shipwrecked Circus by Alan and Laurel Clark [6 sides]
Percy James Cocking by Bill Lofts [8 sides]

9.
The comics of war by Mary Cadogan [21 sides]
The man who drew Claude Duval by F. T. Holmes [4 sides]
Tom Browne, R. I. - a biography/appreciation by Walter Bell [4 sides]
Alan Vince interviews Ron Embleton - action artist [7 sides]

10.
Alan Clark interviews Reg Parlett - master of the art [17 sides]
The hardboiled man is back! Denis McLoughlin by David Ashford [3 sides]
Alan Clark interviews Brian Walker [8 sides]
In search of Strang the Terrible - a biography/appreciation by Keith Hodkinson [5 sides]
Dan Dare - studio of tomorrow by Alan Vince [5 sides]

11.
The fantastic art of Ron Turner - a biography/appreciation by John Lawrence [12 sides]
Alan Clark interviews Wally Robertson [7 sides]

12.
Alan Clark interviews Bob Nixon [9 sides]
The Wolf of Kabul by Bill Lofts and Derek Adley [6 sides]
Alan Clark interviews Alfred Bestall [10 sides]
Alias Barry Ford - a tribute by David Ashford [5 sides]
Alan Vince interviews Charles Chilton [8 sides]

13.
Braddock - master of the air by Colin Morgan [12 sides]
Gerald G. Swan's Funnies and Thrills by David Ashford [20 sides]
An Oojah sketch by Will Costain [3 sides]

14.
Alan Clark interviews Ken Reid [19 sides]
Daft I call it! - the story of Hugh McNeill by David Ashford [14 sides]

15.
Dennis! - an appreciation of the comic characters of David Law by Norman Wright [7 sides]
Alan Clark interviews Sid Burgon [8 sides]
Reg Perrott - trailblazer of the adventure strip by David Ashford [10 sides]
A line in chuckles (Pt. 1) by Terry Bave [10 sides]
Rupert Little Bear : the story of Mary Tourtel by Alan and Laurel Clark [5 sides]

16.
Frank Minnitt by Alan Clark [13 sides]
Alan Clark interviews Roy Davis [8 sides]
A line in chuckles (Pt. 2) by Terry Bave [9 sides]

17.
Sexton Blake in pictures by David Ashford [11 sides]
The art of Paddy Brennan by Ray Moore [15 sides]
A line in chuckles (Pt. 3) by Terry Bave [6 sides]

18.
William Blain by Alan Clark [5 sides]
J. H. Valda by Len Hawkey [4 sides]
Allan Morley by Alan Clark [10 sides]
Down the wishing well - a profile of James Clark by Ray Moore [5 sides]
What the comic artist should know - John Turner by Alan Clark [11 sides, 10 of which reprint the chapter Drawing For The Children's Comics from his book What The Press Artist Should Know (London: Isaac Pitman, 1936)]
Big Scion - the story of a small publisher by Steve Holland [3 sides]

19.
H. S. Foxwell by Alan Clark [13 sides]
B. O. Wymer by Alan Clark [6 sides]
David Ashford interviews Alan Philpott [6 sides]
The cat's whiskers - a profile of James Crighton by Ray Moore [5 sides]
R. G. Thomas by Alan Clark [3 sides]

Please note that all articles and interviews are liberally illustrated.

Thanks Phil Rushton its been amazing discovering this...lets hope these can be available in full some how maybe some kind of payment to Terry Bave to read and sent by email?
I'd personally love to read it..
See the post at comicsuk for more info on Golden Fun and other info..
http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=4636&start=15

Roy Wilson's colour front piece from Radio Fun annual 1952

2011-11-13T17:26:00.003Z

I have the annual and had to show you this in full colour..It is brilliant how all the sports merged into one and in different sizes and amazing angles..
The image is leaping off the page!!

These frontpieces of old annuals are great fun..
I've only seen this image in the Comic art of Roy Wilson by Alan Clark in black and white..so heres the nice painted version..

See the first Sammy Shrink thanks to Phil Rushton!!:)

2011-11-13T16:33:00.005Z

Dave Jenner (Punch and Jimmy artist from The Beano of the 60's) started the strip..
So that is how Sammy got his name...he shrank!!!

Here's the "origin" of Sammy Shrink from Wham! 118.

As Terry Bave explains in his autobiography 'A Line in Chuckles' Sammy Shrink was his first professional comic strip assignment. The editor of Wham! told him it was the least popular strip and on the verge of cancelation when he took it over with no.151 - yet it went on to be his longest-running character. To begin with he was asked to ghost the original artist in order to maintain continuity, but over time he was allowed to inject more and more of his own style.
Phil Rushton

Terry Bave's first official Sammy Shrink.

Here's Terry's first published Sammy Shrink strip, as reproduced in the first section of his autobiography when it appeared in the Winter 1985 issue of Golden Fun. Strictly speaking it wasn't his first attempt, however, as he was so dissatisfied with how that turned out he tore it up and started again.
Phil Rushton

Pow! and Wham! 31st Aug 1968 no.85 back cover.. Terry Bave

Knockout 3rd Feb 1973 an early Sammy Shrink when it started again in Knockout..

Whizzer and chips incorporating Knockout 30th June 1973
The first Whizzer and chips Sammy Shrink when Knockout merged with the comic..

Whizzer and chips 4th June 1988 When Sammy could get bigger or smaller!!

All quotes and the two images are from comicsuk forum link below..a part 2 of this topic will follow sometime..Terry Bave in Golden Fun!
http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=4636

Better late than never..Bonfire night issue Cracker's Happy Harry and Sister Sue by Reg Parlett

2011-11-11T19:49:00.002Z

thanks to the excellent often read and reread book The Comic art of Reg Parlett 60 years of comics by Alan Clark I can bring you this gem..
also note the message underneath...Todays Beano and Dandy did celebrate the fireworks night in the biggest way ina long time:)

After hearing about someone swinging a cat by the tail on youtube...cruelty was around in 1936 the poor dog having a fire cracker tied to his tail...also it shows the danger of making fireworks!!!!

I love the rockets used as panel breaks to the page and the cheerful faces on them and the title panel is delightful..

Theres some great early comic firework fun here..

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=4646

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1663

Theres been some really good stuff at comicsuk forum recently which I'll touch on soon....I recommend you have a look for yourself..

Happy Birthday Leo Baxendale..

2011-10-27T20:27:00.005+01:00

From Beezer book first one...
Look at the great different perspective Leo has done for this busy page..also not too over crowded But you're always seeing new things each time..
I so want a book collected together of the Banana Bunch poster pages! :)

Thank you Leo for some great comic work to enjoy over and over again...
Cheers to you Sir!!! :)

My favourite comic artist of all time has to be Leo Baxendale
with Tom Paterson following straight after..

See Lew's blog as well..

Blimey! Its another blog about comics!: Leo Baxendale 81 today: Today is the 81st birthday of the great Leo Baxendale, the original artist and creator of The Bash Street Kids , Little Plum , and Minnie the minx...

New Animal art for Autumn part 2

2011-10-25T16:46:00.002+01:00

I'm in my black and white period :)
Quite liked doing cross hatching for the background a new thing for me to do...also doing a sleeping animal...normally my animals are looking right at you..so nice to do something different..

Later on I'll add to my main website so you can buy cards and prints using paypal.
www.petergrayanimals.co.uk

The Best British Comic Convention ever...the first trip I'd like to do in my time machine if I had one!!

2011-10-13T22:37:00.004+01:00

Years ago one of the greatest joys of attending a comics convention was the official programme for which many artists would donate a page of artwork. 'Comics 101', held in March 1976, was one of the earliest such events and though I wasn't able to attend in person I did manage to acquire the booklet produced for it. To be honest I'd forgotten all about it but having just accidentally stumbled across it again I thought it'd be interesting to post some of the contributions here - especially as a worrying number of the artists represented are no longer with us.

Thanks to Phil Rushton for the pictures and info on this amazing event..

What is so great about these pictures is some of these artists were in there 80's and things like Casey's Court and Laurel and Hardy seems like such a long time ago..But here they are alive and well in 1976. Its fun seeing the same style they would use for that era..
If anyone actually went to the event it would be fun to hear more...please email me and I'll do a blog post on your experience..I may look green when you tell me;)

More p[ictures and info at the link...comicsuk forum..
http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=127&t=3233

Beano annual fun title panels..

2011-10-12T22:45:00.004+01:00

Today's Beano annuals don't use fancy title panels that much..

The best time for this was the 70's Beano annuals..

I love them...very creative..fun..bold striking design and sometimes surreal..

Andy Hunt's Allo Allo from Fast Forward

2011-10-10T21:16:00.003+01:00

Another David Croft classic comedy brought to life as a comicstrip..

The artwork might not be quite up to the standards of Ford and Titcombe but to my mind the script has a surprisingly authentic ring!

- Phil Rushton

Thanks Phil for the image

'Allo Allo' in Fast Forward was drawn by Andy Hunt. The first ones were written by Kern Roderick-Jones but later ones by Andy Hunt. David Croft supervised the writing and drawing by OKing it. Nigel P

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=145&t=4516&start=15

Jim Petrie's the first official Minnie the minx he did for The Beano

2011-10-06T09:33:00.005+01:00

The Beano 3rd June 1961
Here is the first one. I'm sure Jim had ghosted a few Minnies before But this is when it became weekly in The Beano..which amazingly Jim drew for 2000 issues!! up to 2001! What a brilliant artist....see a reprint of 1966 Minnie in todays Beano and just be in awe...also Jim is coming out of retirement one more time(hopefully more;) ) to draw a Fatty Fudge page which is of course a character from Minnie.

Lets have a closer look at this in more detail..
Jim is obviously a good letterer as he does many variations on the titles through the years..
I love the figure work throughout he knows how to put the body in different angles. The pose of Minnie in the head dress a real 3D postion..very solid looking..strong.
In the totem pole there looks like Wilfred!
Its fun seeing how times have changed e.g the light bulb being used for the shaver socket!!
Again the Dad in the chair is shown in two panels in different ways..nothing is flat!
Love the gag of the bird using pan pipes!!:)
Another note is that Minnie isn't in every panel and somtimes hidden a bit with just a face or hat showing..lots of variations...
As noted before every expression is different in each panel..
A good use of the rake in the last panel to break up the foreground and background..

What a beginning!!

UPDATE Bill Ritchie lending a hand to draw Korky with James Crighton

2011-10-05T08:54:00.005+01:00

found this advert in The Beano of this issue..

A nice cat like Korky by James the last panel...But the top three is by Bill...maybe the original plan was the cover to just be Korky filling the whole page?!

Looks like Bill Ritchie to me, Peter: very unusual!

I can't remember any other instance of Bill 'ghosting' although he's not really hiding his style [on frame 3 especially].
The main picture with the 'whizz-bang' or whatever looks like Crichton job, though.......
Nice find! Spy

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=4533

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korky_the_Cat
Reading the wiki it shows when Charles Griggs starts in
Charles Grigg from issues 1052 to 2116 (January 20, 1962 to June 12, 1982.)
But has I've proved on the last post Charles was drawing the odd Korky before that date!

Image taken from comic vine...reloaded up on here
http://www.comicvine.com/the-dandy/49-26867/?page=15

Charles Griggs The Dandy's Korky the cat comic covers..and the first Charles drew of Korky

2011-10-03T21:11:00.005+01:00

Very early Charles Korky..

A nice perspective picture..

What a striking page layout!

This is a Classic Korky..what glee he has with that fish!

What an amazing octopus!! A bit like the annual one we saw in the last post..Charles sure draws them strange looking..

As you can see Korky could do some great eye catching covers..

Charles Grigg's Korky the cat Dandy Annual covers and title pages

2011-10-02T23:35:00.006+01:00

1961 one of the first by Charles Griggs

I love this cover it must be the sweets..

Charles did some great title pages as well..

1965

Heres an unusual cover which carrys on in the inside covers and back to the conclusion at the back cover...

Korky works well as he is very cat like...very memorable face..the blacks really show up well on a cover like Biffo the bear was for The Beano..

Biffo and Korky were Disneyesque in looks and intention; classically-depicted characters destined to run for decades.

Their 'inherent blandness' [to some] nevertheless gave reassurance to generations of readers.

There was no real personality in there, [well, maybe a wee bit with Korky, who could be mischevious on occassion] but it didn't matter; they were instantly-recognizable and iconic.

Mickey Mouse has no real personality either, but he's the most famous cartoon character on the planet, and has been for decades Spy

I like this quote from Spy a lot...he is right they are very Disney in there look and appeal..quote from link..
http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=4411&start=15

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=4436

UPDATED Peter Ford's Tv Action's Dad's Army thanks to Phil Rushton

2011-09-30T21:34:00.003+01:00

Here's an example of Kids' Army from Tops no.2:

I know it's only tangentially related to David Croft but the Dad's Army connection is specifically mentioned in the header (in fact it's the only thing that really justifies the strip's inclusion in a comic based around TV shows and personalities). Also it's exceptionally well drawn imho; anybody recognize the artist?

- Phil Rushton

...And finally, in spite of this supposedly being a non-comics discussion, here's an example of Bill Titcombe's version of Dad's Army from TV Comic, followed by a page of Hi De Hi from TV Tops:
Phil Rushton

In keeping with the tribute to David Croft here is Dad's Army from TV Action comic.

Drawn by Peter Ford.

Its lovely seeing new adventures of this comedy series in the comics...this is what is good with the comic medium.

Dad's Army was also in Tv Comic.

As for spin-off series you might want to check out 'Kids' Army' from DC Thomson's Tops.

- Phil Rushton

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=145&t=4516&p=51709#p51709

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Countdown_(Polystyle_Publications)#Relaunch_as_TV_Action

http://lewstringer.blogspot.com/2007/01/countdown-for-tv-action.html

Wow comic's Rob Lee's Hi de hi hi de hooooo

2011-09-29T09:55:00.003+01:00

Wow number 1 5th June 1982

Wow number 2 12th June 1982

This strip is superly done by Rob Lee who has that great Robert Nixon style...this strip didn't last long sadly..about 20 issues But was reprinted in Wow summer specials..

Based on Hi de Hi the comedy by David Croft and Jimmy Perry...
David Croft has died and leaves us with some great comedies to enjoy over and over again..

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-11011664

New Animal art for Autumn

2011-09-24T17:26:00.004+01:00

A redrawn three pigs But this time in black and white..as requested by a customer..

My cheeky hamster!

My second attempt at an Owl (Barn) and its better than my previous Owl (Snowy)..my art has changed a lot.. even this year..
I now plan my work a lot more in pencil and take my time than before...also I'm not afraid to draw off the animal off the edge of the page..before I used to cheat the proportions to try and fit it in..

I was asked to draw Llamas...they meant Ring-tailed lemur!! DOH! So I now have both..

Heres the full image..

I did this for my Mum's Birthday..flowers are a tricky thing to paint..its hard to be sensitive when I like doing bold lines..colour and shapes..

I like this one..my third one..

I've been getting some tips from an artist...She suggested that I draw the same animal several times in different poses..this has resulted in me getting used to it and getting better at the subject..I've drawn four white tigers in a row and I like the fourth one best (the one with the black background of it lying down)

This is my first all acrylic painting ..I liked it so much I've now given up watercolour pencils and sticking to acrylics just love the vibrancy!!! Very pleased with this one and is selling very well at craft fairs already!!

PG Tips- Backgrounds in pictures can make your main image not very clear. See below..
I liked the idea that its a sunny day for the rabbit to be outside briefly to eat the snowmans carrot nose..it distracted the eye the large sun and bright peachy red sky...also has this was to be a Christmas card it didn't look like one! So I cooled it down with blue sky added a stronger red colour for the snowmans hat..red is a good Christmas colour..also added more shadow to the bit I wanted you to see e.g the carrot..I also struggled to get the mouth right on the snowman...its very easy to make it look too sinister and too alive!! The snowman now has a friendly smile..

old version..

Buy cards and prints online using Paypal. Just follow the link...

http://petergraycartoons.blogspot.com

See the first Bill Ritchie's Toots from Bunty number 1 thanks to stevezodiac

2011-09-19T17:55:00.003+01:00

1958 Bunty number 1
What a masterpiece and this character ran for over 30 years by the same artist Bill Ritchie!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bunty

I have finally found the sketch that Bill sent to me some years back after I had written to him: stevezodiac

what a gem to own..

just found the envelope that that sketch came in and Bill also sent me a nice letter and some Cat Street photocopies including this one featuring the artist himself (with a little note from him at the bottom) ..stevezodiac

Interesting to seeing all the cutting Bill had collected for reference to his drawings..

Quotes and pictures from comicsuk forum..
http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=127&t=3350&start=90

Peter Woolcock's Playhour's Mimi and Marmy

2011-09-14T17:29:00.003+01:00

Playhour summer special early 80's a reprint

Love how Peter draws each panel from different perspectives..

http://www.lookandlearn.com/if?img=0&search=Peter+Woolcock&cat=all&bool=phrase

Jack and Jill's Bert Felstead Fliptail the otter

2011-09-12T23:21:00.005+01:00

This is a reprint from Jack and Jill comic 11th April 1981..

I wonder if the story carried on with a big mess in the house caused by those two..

this as a good guess is by Bert Felstead..UPDATE it is http://www.lookandlearn.com/history-images/A008165/Fliptail-the-Otter?img=1&search=Fliptail the Otter&cat=all&bool=phrase

..just love the little animals in the background..oooh this is just so delightful..you could eat it:) it makes me feel very young reading these..

also love the art in Katie Country Mouse..anyone know the artist..couldn't see it at Look and Learn..the style must be similar to another strip..

My favourite Felstead strip (though he wasn't the only one to draw it) was Fliptail the Otter, which not only featured delightful colouring but also included some beautifully realistic wildlife art alongside the more cartoonish characters such as Fliptail himself.

Here's an example taken from my own collection of original art which didn't cost me anything like as much as that Leo page. Of course there are many more pages on display at the excellent Look & Learn site.
Phil Rushton.
http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=4477

lots more to see here at Look and Learn site..
http://www.lookandlearn.com/if?img=0&search=Fliptail%20the%20Otter&cat=all&bool=phrase

Ken Reid's Scorcher and Score's Harry Hammertoe the Soccer Spook

2011-09-12T23:13:00.002+01:00

2nd June 1973

3rd March 1973

Heres a new Ken Reid i've missed..

Its worth buying the football comic just for Ken's work alone:)

Bert Felstead's Jack and Jill comic's The Happy days of Teddy and Cuddly

2011-09-10T17:30:00.004+01:00

Jack and Jill 28th Jan 1961
I love this story...

Parents today should buy old nursery comics like Jack and Jill from ebay and read them to there children or with them..
Junior comics today are just boring, badly drawn or just photos of the tv character and very simple activities mags and have very little in story telling or good fun art picture stories..just an idea:)

Jack and Jill 16th March 1962
You can see Bert 'Fel' Felstead signature...

http://www.lookandlearn.com/characters/index.php?alpha=1

http://bearalley.blogspot.com/2007/04/bert-felstead.html

Bert Felstead drew this strip as well as Hugh McNeill

Solano Lopez's Score and Roar's Nipper thanks to Steel Claw!

2011-09-10T16:59:00.004+01:00

NIPPER - Appeared in all 41 Issues of SCORE 'n' Roar No.1 (Sep 19th 1970) To (June 26th 1971) and made the merge to SCORCHER AND SCORE (July 3rd 1971)Steel Claw

See Steel's site on Score and Roar and the other characters here..
http://scorenroar.blogspot.com/2010/11/score-n-roar-covers-strips.html

Bill Ritchie's Syd the Sport from Rover and Wizard Thanks to Bruce..

2011-09-07T10:32:00.003+01:00

From Bruce's blog...thanks Bruce for finding this new Bill Ritchie gem..

http://toonworks.brucelaing.com/comicblog/2011/09/07/sydsport/#comment-390

Solano Lopez's the first Raven on the wing thanks to Phil Rushton

2011-09-06T20:15:00.003+01:00

Valiant dated 2nd March 1968
thanks to Phil Rushton
http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=4461
a discussion on football related stories has started on comicsuk forum..more images to be seen here..

Peter Woolcock's Jack and Jill's Freddie the frog

2011-08-31T20:41:00.003+01:00

28th Jan 1961 Jack and Jill

cover art by Hugh McNeill

Nursery titles like HHOP, Playhour, Jack & Jill, Bimbo, Once Upon a Time, etc. had some fantastic free gifts and were amongst the most successful comics ever published; what's more I suspect they would have been the first type of comic most of us read (or at least owned) - in spite of which they are very rarely collected today. The trouble is that adults only tend to retain a handful of impressionistic memories from infancy. To my mind this is a great shame as these titles didn't only contain work by artists such as Bill Ritchie, Hugh McNeill, Ron Embleton and Don Lawrence, whose work is well-known from publications aimed at older readers, but also some equally remarkable art by people who are now all-but forgotten because they specialized in the nursery market throughout their career. One example of the latter group is the amazing Peter Woolcock whom I'd rate alongside Carl Barks and Reg Parlett as a true master of the humorous comic strip - yet wonderful pieces of his original artwork from the 1950s and 1960s can be acquired for next to nothing today!

Here, for instance, are a couple of panels I picked up from the Birmingham International Comics Convention on Saturday for just £1 each:
...To see how phenomenally good he was one only has to look at the skill with which he added the incidental background characters in these enlarged details from the above scenes:

A brilliant artist - one of the very best in fact. IMHO It would be criminally unjust to ignore him just because he only drew for the very young!

- Phil Rushton

Thanks phil for bringing it to our attention..Peter
http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=4428&start=30

http://www.illustrationartgallery.com/acatalog/Peter_Woolcock_Art.html

http://www.lookandlearn.com/characters/index.php?c=freddiefrog

Solano Lopez's Buster's The Wizard of Football

2011-08-30T08:23:00.002+01:00

Buster 26th June 1971

Buster 17th July 1971

This is a another quirky strip...I like how he builds up the team confidence to win...

Solano Lopez's Buster and Jet's the first Pete's Pocket Army

2011-08-29T09:00:00.003+01:00

Not my favourite of Lopez though fun..a good idea the tiny punch in his fist..
This strip maybe a light adventure though it does have dark moments like when Pete is possessed by a mask!!

http://www.bustercomic.co.uk/pocket.html

Pete's Pocket Army
Launched: 28th April 1973
Ended: 18th February 1978
Script - Tom Tully

Solano Lopez's Buster and Jet's The World-Wide Wheelers

2011-08-26T17:12:00.004+01:00

Buster and Jet 3rd June 1972

The last one 14th October 1972

What a great quirky strip..I love it..

This is in tribute to the artist Solano Lopez who died at 83..

I'll be also putting up another time more of his amazing work soon..

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=127&t=4401

http://www.dandare.info/artists/lopez.htm

http://www.bustercomic.co.uk/world.html

World-wide Weirdies Whoopee! 1974 where it all began..

2011-08-26T15:46:00.001+01:00

1)12th October 1974

www.toonhound.com
first one...thanks to Frazer from Toonhound.

2) 19th October 1974 thanks to John for the scan.

3) 26th October 1974

4) 2nd Novemeber 1974

5) 9th Novemeber 1974

7) 23rd Novemeber 1974

8) 30th Novemeber 1974 Thanks Frazer.

9) 7th December 1974 Thanks Frazer.

10) 14th December 1974 Thanks Frazer.

11) 21st December 1974

28th December 1974 no Whoopee!! due to industrial action

Hi, continuing the subject of my today’s reply to the post about no Buster due to industrial action, I have now checked my WHOOPEE collection for 1978 and can confirm that the comic was not published for three weeks in the end of the year on 9th, 16th and 23rd December 1978. The clue is the uninterrupted storyline of the Wonder Car adventure strip in Whoopee issues dated 2nd December and 30th December 1978 hinting that there were no issues in between.

Other IPC titles also appear to have been affected in that period in 1978: Cheeky Weekly took a three-week break on Dec. 16th, 23rd and 30th, whereas Buster was 4 pages thinner than usual on 9th, 16th and 23rd December (or maybe the copies that I own don’t have middle pages; could someone please count pages in their copies and let me know?).

So far I have identified the following dates when there was no Whoopee:
28th Dec 1974
4th Jan 1975
11th Jan 1975
9th, 16th and 23rd December, 1978
17th, 24th, 31st May, 7th June, 1980
Plus one combined issue dated June 21/28, 1980

Could someone please check if there were any interruptions in 1979. Also, was Whoopee published on February 7, 1981?
klakadak-ploobadoof

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=2557&p=19901&hilit=whoopee#p19901

please email me the World-Wide Weirdies to my email..lets complete this together here...
thejeep2000@yahoo.co.uk

Rafiq Raja said...
Peter, What did the Whoopee magazine contained other than the World Wide Weirdies.... would love to see any sample cartoons featured in the inner pages....

ÇómícólógÝ

11 April 2009 00:11
Peter Gray said...
I've put up a whole Whoopee!! number 1 comic up already on the blog..see the blog tabs on the left..

http://petergraycartoonsandcomics.blogspot.com/search/label/Whoopee.%20number.%201.

The Bumpkin Billionaires by Mike Lacey is my favourite..a real Whoopee!! classic..

11 April 2009 01:23
Rafiq Raja said...
Ooh la... I didn't even notice that you already posted the complet whopee no.1 issue already. Love them all.... can imagine what fantasy this title would have received when it was published first.

All are pretty new for me... Don't remember any of them featuring in India before. But the artwork and humor is all related to the other Valiant, or IPC titles famous in this part of the world.

11 April 2009 14:19

Ken Reid's World Wide Weirdies 1975

2011-08-21T21:35:00.003+01:00

4th January 1975
11th January 1975 No Whoopee!! due to industrial action

13) 25th January 1975

14) 1st February 1975

NEW 15th Feb 1975 Thanks to Bruce

17) 22nd February 1975

19) 8th March 1975

20) 15th March 1975

21) 22nd March 1975

37) 12th July 1975
The eyes are staring out of this one...due to the fact they are centered in the pupils.

42) 16th August 1975
Thanks for the scan Bruce..

43) 23rd August 1975

45) 6th September 1975
A very creepy windmill...Ken is great at drawing horrible menacing teeth!!

46) 13th September 1975

47) 20th September 1975

23) 5th April 1975

24) 12th April 1975
Thanks Bruce for the scan..

25) 19th April 1975 thanks to John.

29) 17th May 1975
Thanks to John for the scan..

31) 31st May 1975

34) 21st June 1975

35) 28th June 1975

NEW 19th July 1975 thanks to Bruce

48) 27th September 1975
The Isle of Wight this is based on.

49) 4th October 1975

50) 11th October 1975

51) 18th October 1975
Wookey hole caves...

52) 25th October 1975
A clever pun on a place name!!

53) 1st November 1975
This is really creepy...insects crawling around always get to me...shudder!!

54) 8th November 1975

55) 15th November 1975

56) 22nd November 1975

57) 29th November 1975

58) 6th December 1975
This is a very alive building..

59) 13th December 1975
Ken is super at drawing creepy spooky old trees...faces work well on them.

60) 20th December 1975

61) 27th December 1975

Anonymous said...
very unusual stuff, PETER; even by KEN'S ghoulish standards! I've already collected every single one of these onto disc....the 'pencil' one is the most untypical-ever REID entry in this field, I reckon.......he is still one of the all-time UK greats, however off-putting some of these images are.

SPY.

16 April 2009 18:12

Steven Henderson said...
These are great Peter cheers for highlighting them!

27 April 2009 10:45

King Viswa said...
Wow,

Liked the 1st One which is a Spook of Our Own Taj Majal.

The others are Equally interesting too.

Never ever heard about this Magazine, Until i Came across your Post.

King Viswa.
தமிழ் காமிக்ஸ் உலகம்

9 April 2009 14:50
Peter Gray said...
Welcome to the weird world of Ken Reid...he was in another world..very strange stuff..

you made me smile about talking about India..its amazing to be able to talk to you from such a far away country...glad the British humour can travel..

9 April 2009 15:50

World-wide Weirdies Whoopee! 1976

2011-08-18T10:50:00.003+01:00

10th January 1976
Robert Nixon's Creepy Calendar....very different in style to Ken But I like it..love to see the first part...when Ken Reid ended the series maybe Robert should of carried it on..Terry Bave did a good version called Imagine in Buster of the 90's. I do like these posters in comics and getting the reader involved.
Maybe The Beano could do a version!! Of course Ken Reid is the master!!

62) 17th January 1976
Back to Ken Reid :)

63) 24th January 1976

64) 31st January 1976

65) 7th February 1976
Love this one and the one below..

66) 14th February 1976

69) 6th March 1976

75) 17th April 1976
Thanks to Robbie in the comments it is The Fear-os of Alexandria

77) 1st May 1976

80) 22nd May 1976

85) 26th June 1976

96) 11th September 1976

103) 30th October 1976
Love the orange background showing through in the missing eye!!

104) 6th November 1976

110) 18th December 1976
I like this one very clever..

Robbie Moubert said...
Looks like it's "Fear-os" which would make sense as the Lighthouse at Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, was on the island of Pharos.

28 April 2009 21:03
Peter Gray said...
That sounds right thanks Robbie..

World-wide Weirdies Whoopee! 1977

2011-08-14T16:13:00.004+01:00

117) 5th February 1977
These images are from a another world...an amazing drawing..

119) 19th February 1977
A very horrible sight...

122) 12th March 1977

127) 16th April 1977

130) 7th May 1977
I like this one..

131) 14th May 1977
love the monster tadpoles swimming in the sky

132) 21st May 1977
This is a good one..I like the feet..

133) 28th May 1977

134) 4th June 1977

135) 11th June 1977 Jubilee issue

136) 18th June 1977
spooky..could imagine this in a theme park..

137) 25th June 1977

a more fun one..

Its been great relooking at Whoopee!! with other top gems..
Reg Parlett in Creepy car..Fun Fear and Orrible Hole.
Also Super Mum by Dicky Howett
Lots of Mike Lacey in Bumpkin Billionaires...Kid's Court and Scared Stiff Sam.
Scream Inn by Brian Walker..also top work from Terry Bave...Tom Paterson..Robert Nixon..Nick Baker..Sid Burgeon..
Whoopee!! is just the best!!

138) 2nd July 1977

139) 9th July 1977

140) 16th July 1977
Love the creepy sand faces...

141) 23rd July 1977
Very creepy...eeeek!! what an atmosphere..

142) 30th July 1977
Quite an amazing image...

143) 6th August 1977

144) 13th August 1977

145) 20th August 1977
I love this one...so much humour and lots going on..love the scared ghost on the ghost train.

146) 27th August 1977

147) 3rd September 1977
I love Charles Dickens books and this is my favourite one...probably as the characters are very cartooney and over the top....so a good one for Ken Reid to do.

10th Sept 1977

126) 8th October 1977
Love the plane with real teeth and smoke out its nostrails.

22nd October 1977

129) 29th October 1977
Love the green jester in the sky...also I've seen this building...

5th Nov 1977

131) 12th November 1977

132) 19th November 1977

136) 17th December 1977

26th Nov 1977

135) 10th December 1977
Love the fiery mouth of the house...

24th Dec 1977

31st Dec 1977

John Gilheany said...
Ken Reid should have received a knighthood or something. If he'd chosen a more 'respectable' medium that would probably have been the case.

17 June 2009 17:52
Anonymous said...
amazing....i got £2 for the fright house one; I remember I sent in something based on what I thought the Whitehouse looked like, so bore no relation Kens great finished drawing!
Really good to see it again and takes me back to being a 11

2 February 2011 13:40
Peter Gray said...
Thats the one I like...so glad you inspired the initial idea..

Alway fun hearing from readers who won these competitions..

2 February 2011 19:31

John said...
Hi Peter, my name is John from Australia, and I only discovered your blogspot recently and I am enjoying your posts, and of course, your comic collections. As a comic collector for over 40years, I am appreciating so much more in British comics through web blogs such as yours. Keep up the great work and passion. The World-Wide Weirdies has been great to see as I was unaware of this wonderful and creative work of Ken Reid.

12 June 2009 12:19
Peter Gray said...
Thats the idea of the blog...to show a new generation or other countries our British comic talent...
Also you get to see my new cartoons:)

Thanks John your comments have made my day!

12 June 2009 17:47
blackpuddingbertha said...
I am a massive fan of Ken Reid now! Funnily enough his work really used to disturb me as a kid (in a good way mind you) but now I am able to really appreciate it!

Loving these!

John M. Gilheany said...
Astonishing and inimitable as ever although perhaps a nod to Dastardly and Mutley in the top picture!

I seem to remember either a Krazy or Monster Fun annual from the early '80's which featured a fully painted double-page spread by K.R. on pages 2-3 - of a guided tour around London where all the main monuments were given the 'wrld.w.ws.' treatment. I further recall that it may have been reprinted from a summer special.

I wonder what IPC did with all the artwork?

A worse horror than anything depicted by Ken Reid is reputed to have befallen Joe Colquhoun's original art for Charley's War which was used to soak up water from a burst central heating pipe!!!

20 June 2009 14:34
Peter Gray said...
Would be interesting to find out what happened to the original art for these masterpieces..shame I can't show any more until people send me some scans..thanks John for your two scans..number 2 being one of them..

http://www.toonhound.com/poster-12.htm

Heres the poster you were talking about...see it at toonhound Fleetstreet. :)

With Bear Alley books taking off we might see some Ken Reid comic work collected together at last for us to marvel.

20 June 2009 19:10
John M. Gilheany said...
Ah yes! I should have that Summer Special somewhere: the creepy bus driver and freaked-out kids were a wonderful contrast and although the windows are half-open they'd clearly prefer to stay put!!!

20 June 2009 20:33
Rafiq Raja said...
Peter, that pull out poster where the word-wide weirdies of Ken Reid were used in a realistic setting was too good. Thanks to you, otherwise I wouldn't have know the artworks were used to feature a poster too :)

ÇómícólógÝ

24 June 2009 07:57

Ken Reid's World Wide Weirdies 1978

2011-08-14T15:52:00.005+01:00

14th Jan 1978

28th Jan 1978

11th Feb 1978

18th Feb 1978

25th Feb 1978

4th March 1978

11th March 1978

18th March 1978

25th March 1978

1st April 1978

8th April 1978

15th April 1978

22nd April 1978

29th April 1978

6th May 1978

13th May 1978

20th May 1978

27th May 1978

10th June 1978

14th October 1978

21st October 1978

John Gilheany said...
Notice how every corner of these pictures beholds cold comfort - even the moon has a louche look about it!

What a series, and surprising it took so long for comics to receive sensible artistic consideration, given that Ken Reid set a standard in the early '70's which to many, remains unurpassed to this day.

18 December 2010 20:29

joe bloke said...
fantastic.

17 December 2010 20:06

John M. Gilheany said...
The Four Ghoster Bed is perhaps my favourite in the whole series: so intense! I tend to wonder what the bloke could have done to incur a visitation from that lot!

19 December 2010 17:44

Peter Gray said...
I agree I wouldn't want those posters on my wall.very creepy and from another world..they feel they are alive!!

19 December 2010 22:43

Planet of the apes in The Dandy..well in a smaller way..Dinesdale of the apes!

2011-08-08T20:11:00.003+01:00

The Dandy 19th April 1980

Bill Holroyd draws this great strip..these comic adventures are great fun to read..
As a good guess...if I had the last episode of this...the Gorilla is a man dressed up and is an animal trainer gone bad..mind you those chimps are very smart..oooh er..

With the new Planet of the apes film coming soon...I'd thought it would be fun to see the Dandy version..
http://www.apeswillrise.com/

Meet-ups Claws meets Paws

2011-07-31T19:35:00.004+01:00

Styx (Leslie Harding Whoopee! 14th Jan 1978

What an energetic busy style...

Krazy number 1 16th October 1976 (must show the first Cheeky sometime from this issue)

Whoopee Summer special 1979
Great whizzing lines..
Styx draw for many magazines and newspapers a panel cartoonist...

Ian Knox's 6 Million Dollar Gran in more detail..

2011-07-22T20:20:00.004+01:00

Ian's work is amazing...the way hes drawn that dog, horses, elephant and angry lion...the fun movement of characters...the crazy furniture..Gran turning into a train for running so fast..

I hope these visuals will inspire and make you try out new things in your own comic work..

Jim Petrie and Ian Knox are great artists to learn from...

Martin Baxendale's comic work the son of Leo..:)

2011-07-19T09:15:00.007+01:00

Buster mid 70's
Thanks to Leo Baxendale himself in an earlier post we now know that this is by Martin Baxendale who took over some of Leo's Buster comic work when he left to do Bad Time Bedtime story in Monster fun 1975 April. The style is very good and I really thought it was by Leo Baxendale or Colin Whittock.

Jackpot early 80's...Tom Paterson was the main artist and Nigel Edwards

Whoopee and Wow..a good team up of Kid Comic and Smiler when Whoopee's Smiler joined Wow's Kid Comic.

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=127&t=4322
Here is the post I did trying to work out Martin Baxendale's early work before he signed it..

http://toonworks.brucelaing.com/comicblog/2011/07/18/deadlyhedley/
See Deadly Headley here at Bruce's site..

Jim Petrie's Jackpot comics The Incredible Sulk in more detail

2011-07-17T21:16:00.004+01:00

It made it to the cover and back page in colour..

The first one Jackpot number 1
5th May 1979

As you can see Jim puts so much energy into his work...what a great character for him to play with..its almost bouncing off the walls..and that lower lip covering his nose in a huge sulk is so memorable!!!
Heres some great images I've found looking through...must do this with another top artist Ian Knox sometime..

The Beano recently had an angry character...though sadly short lived...see Nigel's blog..
http://nigelparkinsoncartoons.blogspot.com/2011/06/year-ago-on-my-birthday-thanks-my.html

p.s.
I will get round one day to put up the World Wide Werdies..I havn't forgotten..just have to be in the mood as it will take a lot of sorting out..

Ken Hunter see how he draws a Rag and Bone cart from many angles!

2011-07-14T20:14:00.003+01:00

The Beezer 11th Feb 1967

This is really well done..Ken not only draws the horse and cart from many angles he also draws what is on the cart from different angles...and you can see all the objects on the cart very clearly as well..very clever and well thought out..
I remember having to draw objects from different angles in CDC GCSE (Craft Design and Communication I think it stood for) at school... But boy that sure is a complicated object Ken has pulled off..

Watch the Son talk about his father Ken Reid

2011-07-12T20:39:00.004+01:00

I thought this link may interest you. It is about Ken Reid and his under appreciation in his local area. Watch the video to the right of the article as well, it features Ken Reid's son, Anthony.

Its great seeing this thanks Lee Richardson..

http://www.salfordonline.com/salfordvideos_page/29268-video:_salford_toons_and_talent_-_ken_reid.html
The Frankie Stein shown in the clip is a later one by Robert Nixon..otherwise its a delightful to see the Son speaking about his father..also didn't know fudge the elf was on his grave stone..

http://www.salfordonline.com/salfordvideos_page/25923-saving_salford%27s_famous_fudge_tree.html

http://www.salfordonline.com/salfordvideos_page/27621-oh,_fudge!_famous_salford_tree_pruned_but_saved.html
Here a tree that Ken Reid use to draw for his cartoons..a nice knotty tree...glad its been saved..

Nice to see people in Salford caring about one of there locals..Ken Reid..
A Ken Reid book is long over due showing his amazing comic work..or a Jonah complete book..

Les Barton's Ma Kelly's Telly going on forever....

2011-06-30T09:23:00.002+01:00

Sparky 31st July 1971
That last panel made me think there must be very little men inside that telly the little men are watching...then are the very little men watching a tv as well!! my mind has just blown up..BOOM!!:)

Jim Petrie's The Sparky People a darts match with The Beano editors..writers

2011-06-29T08:04:00.003+01:00

17th July 1971 Sparky

Heres a gem and you can see on there backs there names..
one is Al?

The other is Ian whc must be Ian Gray
http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/2007/sep/20/guardianobituaries.pressandpublishing

Can't see who is the bowler hatted character? Come on someone must know a Beano worker who wore a bowler hat...:)

Minnie the minx by Jim Petrie a closer look..movement part 3

2011-06-27T08:23:00.000+01:00

Jim is great at capturing time movement..he would of beena good Billy Whizz artist..
He sure is great at drawing energy..

Minnie the minx by Jim Petrie a closer look..expressions part 2

2011-06-26T18:33:00.004+01:00

Beano Dec 23rd 1978

Back from my holiday from Portland..so not as many blog posts this Month..
I've took with me my 1977/78 Beano's and marvelled at the artists talents what great craftmanships..
This one stood out look how Jim has captured so many different expressions of Minnie..two different looks in each panel..
Jim must of used a mirror..
loved the tongue of Minnie used in a fun way...also the rapid nod side to side of the head on the top of the page 2...also what fun to see them all as turkeys!!
All artists including me should try and copy some of these expressions...
Jim really made each panel different and the characters..

Minnie the minx by Jim Petrie a closer look..

2011-06-15T19:09:00.002+01:00

Beano 1968 23rd Nov

Look at this wonderful panel...blinking at the top then eyes looking downwards..what a clever originla use of falling down a manhole gag..

Two different perspectives...a nice mirror image..
Also nice touch of the father doing his shoe lace by leaning on the dustbin...
we don't see G.P.O signs now!
Love the Dad squashed up in a over the top way nose peeping out..
also the over the top leap of rage...no eyes seen as its also a great low angle used on both panels..

Also nice the follow on....you could see this in a animation...

Hope the newer artists in The Dandy study past comic artists like Jim..to get new ideas for there own comic character...

Another point is how Jim draws hands...they are really good and different each time..

New for June- Animal Art to Buy in Prints and cards

2011-06-13T19:10:00.002+01:00

Wolf Cubs

Lion and Cubs (there will be a better picture up of this later..there are 3 cubs in the actual picture)

http://petergraycartoons.blogspot.com/

also up is
Two Rabbits kissing

White Horse and Brown Pony

Three spotty black piggies

Kangaroo and roo

Two lambs leaping version 2 drawn landscape
which you saw here in an earlier post..

How it all began...Norman Mansbridge's Jackpot comics Little and Large Lenny

2011-05-31T07:28:00.002+01:00

From number 1 Jackpot 5th May 1979

So Lenny was born with this gift..
Fleetway sure did some unusual characters hence why they needed an origin..thats why I like owning number 1 comics..or issues where new characters start..

Of course Little and Large is a 1980's BBC comedy double act which I enjoyed as a kid..One sketch Eddie Large doing a Popeye impression and dressed up with Sid Little dressed as Olive...great humour for a kid..wonder what it would be like to watch now! knowing me I'd still like it.I love silly humour :))

I think I will show the origin of Full 'O Beans next time..

How it all began Robert Nixon's Laser Eraser Jackpot number 1

2011-05-27T09:09:00.002+01:00

Jackpot number 1
5th May 1979

jackpot number 2
12th May 1979

I love this strip especially with the alien angle in the strip..this first strip shows the alien bit looked liked it was to be dropped..glad the writers could see lots of fun ideas keeping this concept..its a shame it wasn't around when it merged into Buster..Buster and Jackpot

If anyone wants to see the first Jackpot Full O' Beans let me know..it was in Big Comic number 1

Thank you DC Thomson...The Ultimate Beano Summer Special number 1!

2011-05-26T11:24:00.004+01:00

This is really exciting news the summer special is back with great glossy reprints of Beano Summer specials..which look really good..
£4.99 64 pages
Go to WHSmiths now in the comic section and buy now..

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=4197
We're discussing it here...I seem to be the only one that has it so far...hopefully Lew will get one and will see his review soon..

Lets hope number 2 will come out this year.maybe a Chritsmas theme special

How it all began Ian Knox's Jackpot's The Funtastic Journey

2011-05-26T09:29:00.003+01:00

Jackpot number 1
5th may 1979
Loads of great boot gags and props..love the telephone..and sock world..:))

Jackpot number 2
12th May 1979
Isn't this just a brilliant strip...:)

For Captain Storm...as requested..;) who does the Yellow pages blog (see my blog list on the left) and has showed some Funtastic Journey..

Its such a great imagnative strip...boy I sure miss these type of comics...
I as a kid thought Terry and Gavin wrote and drew the strip..of course its by Ian Knox..not suire of the writer...

John Geering's The Dandy's Neighbourhood Wood

2011-05-25T08:32:00.003+01:00

The Dandy 18th Jan 1997

Heres a fun cartooney John Geering short lived strip...love the staggering characters at the end..also love his paint colouring work..

Nick Brennan's Dandy comic work

2011-05-23T09:07:00.005+01:00

Frawg The Dandy 31st Jan 1998

Sneaker The Dandy 3rd May 1997

Blinky The Dandy 3rd March 1997

Peter Piper The Dandy 3rd May 1997

Peter Piper The Dandy 13th March 1999

Noah's Ark The Dandy 15th July 2006

Nick Brennan has a unique style...the bendy legs are great fun..i enjoy his work..I liked Blinky the best its just a great character very silly..
He also has drawn for The Beano Crazy for Daisy and is now drawing todays Billy Whizz..

Bill Ritchie's cartoon strips in the Rover and Wizard

2011-05-21T17:40:00.002+01:00

Rover and Wizard 11th Jan 1964

What a master Bill is...love the before and after gag so clever..
also the ref one is spot on...
I have to admit I havn't read any of these text stories maybe I should..I did buy it in the hope that there was some cartoons inside..not many But some good Bill gems..

Terry Bave's Baby Smasher from Smash comic

2011-05-20T17:30:00.002+01:00

Smash 26th August 1967

Smash 23rd March 1968

Here a very early Terry Bave..reminds me of Nipper which was later in Whizzer and chips unless that was reprints of this strip..also Pudding tops appeared in early Whoopee!! which must of been a reprint from this come to think of it..

My new animal art..new for May with my PG Tips

2011-05-13T22:10:00.004+01:00

May 2011

I've had another go at drawing the lambs..this one above was from March 2010...you can see that I've improved my drawing skill...though it still has charm the one above..

My tips in drawing animals is to try and have a conection between them...the animal touching together helps this..like my two rabbits touching noses..or the horse and pony and the three pigs rubbing together..touch shows a bond..whether friendship..parent love..or relationship..
If I drew two animals seperate it leaves a space..a gap..its not so warm..

Another a thing I've learnt creating these animals is the importance of drawing fur...I had originally drawn the two rabbits with one with just an orange shape with no detail..it had short fur in the photo so I drew it like that..But when I showed it to people they said they all liked the rabbit on the left and not the right..they said they felt they could stroke the left one...so I've changed the right one with lots of fur detail..so it shows how drawing fur can change a picture...
its interesting that people want to stroke a picture..another connection thats good in a animal picture..

Soon I'll put these up at my website so you can buy a3 and A4 mounted prints and cards of my new animals..
www.petergrayanimals.co.uk

Bill Ritchie's The Dandy's Smitten

2011-05-09T21:08:00.002+01:00

20th July 1991 The Dandy

Heres a short lived Bill Strip I've recently rediscovered...a nicely painted coloured strip...

It sure shows the mixed feelings a boy goes through in this strip..

Tom Paterson's Squinty McPhee The Dandy 1998

2011-04-30T09:46:00.002+01:00

The Dandy 26th September 1998

We've seen this guy many a time in Calamity James...well here he is in a one off strip in The Dandy...:)

The Dandy's page numbers by Jamie

2011-04-28T08:27:00.005+01:00

What is so good about about this small detail is
A) Its different every week
B) The numbers are clear
C) they are great fun and creative..

The Beano has started doing page number pictures as well...But it looks like theirs will stay the same each week (could be wrong!) a Minnie Beret for Minnies page a splattered tomato page number for Dennis...

But well done Jamie for bringing in this fun idea..and lets hope it continues to be different even after a year and not on a loop..:)

Jamie has done other great details in The Dandy (e.g the Blue Blob characters that appear on lots of pages...the Dandy issue number on the contents page has started to be different) and draws some very funny pages like Desperate Dan, Thingummy Blob and The Arena of Awesome which I'll cover another blog post in the future..

http://www.fumboo.com/
Jamie Smart

New Animal art..Kangaroo plus my PG Tips..

2011-04-24T23:50:00.004+01:00

I'll put it up on my animal art site later on for sale of cards and prints..
www.petergrayanimals.co.uk

Spy asked me for some of my tips in art he said I should call it PG Tips!...well here are some of my thought process and ideas..

The Kangaroo above is drawn using two photos from different books..the original photo of the kangaroo had a blurred background...I found a picture of Ayres Rock which fitted perfectly with the drawing..the grasses I added also helped to highlight the babys head...also like the distance I've created..the rock also has a similiar shape to the kangaroos curved body..the grasses also are like the fur on the kangaroos body...its useful in a drawing to have similar shapes throughout..like the shadow on the rock and on the kangaroos back..

Another thing I do is I try not to draw everything and leave spaces so the eye can move around...I don't draw every bit of fur for example..
I often draw right up to the edge of the picture partly as I like drawing the animals face best and not so keen on drawing feet:)..But also it does make it more dramatic and has more impact then if this kangaroo was smaller with more landscape..

My biggest difficulty is when to colour and when to keep it black and white has my customers..friends and family all like different ones..so I do both...this kangaroo is more of a detailed drawing I decided not to colour it...though would love to paint some nice reds on Ayres rock..so I will in the future draw another kangaroo art and in colour another time..
I also try to make each picture different...partly because I want to experiment with new ideas..colours..a new animal..and to keep pushing myself..
John K's blog has really helped me with his animation advice...he is often going on about making the negative space interesting and clean..which I try and do..and other useful tips..

My art is expressive..childlike..and has character..
and you can see the cartoonist of me in my art..as well as my love of the Mr Men when I use bold outlines and bright flat colours..

I stick to drawing animals has drawing people in my mind is a lot harder..
I draw a picture a week...5 a Month..normally one of them is not working so I just move on to the next..when I try to correct one thats not working it can make it even worse...and be overworked..
I draw on my lap in my chair or in the library..when sunny on a bench in the park..
I use watercolour pencils and a bit of acrylic paint on top...so mixed mediums..
I always use photos But try to make it different to what I'm seeing...so it becomes my image..

Its important to show your art to lots of people it always useful to get feedback..
I of ccourse enjoy drawing..though it can feel intense when working on a piece I do a lot of staring at it and keep fiddling with it to try and get it to what I want.
..it can be hard to stop..

I've started doing a speadsheet for the first time and it is tough seeing how much you spend..rather than make...But I'm slowly getting there and doing well in selling prints which have improved my profits greatly than just selling cards..

I am working hard to make this work and take off..I will get there one day..

Has Spy has said in his comments I've learnt a lot from studying comic art like Jack Prout who is an amazing artist..
also Tony Hart 'Hart Beat'...Rolf Harris Cartoon Club tv programs have been very inspiring and some good episodes are up on youtube.....I even say watching an episode of Hart Beat in September 2009 is what inspired me to give it ago...Tony had drawn this amazing elephant...so this is what got me started..

Spring is here!! A great The Passing Show cover 1937

2011-04-22T23:28:00.004+01:00

20th March 1937

I bought this today for £7...the cover just was enough in itself for me to buy...just full of joy and fun..a nice Spring fairy type women pushing the man to enjoy his garden once again...with a lovely bright yellow background...

Inside there are some nice old drawn adverts for cameras..vacuum cleaners..erm cigarettes...lots of men smoking pipes..:)..also there is adverts for the Coronation year...not enough cartoons inside for my liking..and lots of stories to read..But the cover and the adverts are the best thing about it..

the artist is Gilbert Wilkinson..
http://www.cartoons.ac.uk/artists/gilbertwilkinson/biography

See more Passing Show covers here...though the one above isn't on there website..
http://www.advertisingarchives.co.uk/index.php?service=search&action=do_quick_search&language=en&q=the+passing+show

George and the Dragon the three versions that have appeared in The Dandy

2011-04-20T08:31:00.003+01:00

The Dandy 24th December 1988
Here George looks like a Viking Yosemite Sam type..not sure of the artists name..this w a short lived strip..

The Dandy 12th November 1988

The Dandy 13th March 1999 Heres George and the dragon again in one of the last pieces John Geering drew..

The New Dandy 30th October 2010...Buy it today!
Andy Fanton a new Dandy artist which I really enjoy especially the hidden details..also nice style..he also has a great chatty blog..

http://www.andyfanton.com/

Its fun to know Andy came up with this idea of George v's the Dragon and didn't know that it had has a life in The Dandy before..

NEW UPDATE Ken H Harrison's The Dandys The Golden Ol' Days

2011-04-19T08:17:00.009+01:00

The Dandy 20th July 1991 Steve Bright ghost job..thanks Spy
Steve does a great job capturing the 1930's...great period details in this..like the wooden seats in the bus..and some of the games kids played...
UPDATE number 2. Steve Brght said he didn't draw this...see comments..so who did?
Love to see more of this..though a short lived strip..

The Dandy 16th Sept 1989 Ken H Harrison..

not so good tone colours in this one..

Its fun seeing that the Doctor can smoke freely..:)

Ron Spencer's The Dandy 'Tumba and Rumba the mimicking elephant'

2011-04-18T08:48:00.003+01:00

The Dandy 16th September 1989..I don't have many from this era so this is the only example I have..as you can see Ron has great fun drawing the elephants...love the squashed up nose after running into a fire engine! also some great human characters in this..really captures the early era..

Meet-ups Bananaman meets Gums!

2011-04-16T15:31:00.004+01:00

The Dandy 15th Jan 1994..I think Gums has appeared other times in Bananaman despite it from another comic company..DC Thomson..so interesting to see..its fun how Gums name is mentioned in the strip indirectly..:)

Buster 30th October 1982
IPC Magazines Ltd

Tom Paterson's comic booklet for The Dandy 1995

2011-04-12T09:29:00.005+01:00

Funeral action figures!!

The Christmas Dandy had two covers..one by Steve Bright was on the front this is the back cover..pretty gross decorations!!

I wonder if Tom Paterson will draw for the Dandy again look what they are missing!
Tom does a great job on Fred's Bed in The Beano at the moment.

Nigel Parkinson said in the comments on a previous post that The Dandy also did cut out booklets and here is one from The Christmas Dandy.

http://petergraycartoonsandcomics.blogspot.com/2011/02/mini-comic-bookletsand-other-collecting.html

Meet-ups Mastermind meets The Champ!

2011-04-11T17:31:00.003+01:00

Big comic number 28 originally from Buster 1980's

In the queue is The Champ But also E.C Ryder on the phone
E.C Ryder was from music paper Disc in the late 70's.
Both drawn by Jack Edward Oliver.:) Jack was great for the hidden details..and of course theres Popeye!..Doctor Who..The Joker references as well...Wow!

I'm so pleased I became Jack's friend...and I still miss him..

http://www.oocities.org/pjgcomics/

http://www.jeoliver.co.uk/

My new animal art now ready to buy online.Meercat face....White horse running..Giraffe and Baby..Brown Horse and pony running..Two Donkeys

2011-03-31T19:45:00.009+01:00

Now ready to buy as A3/A4 Mounted prints and cards
www.petergrayanimals.co.uk
so you can buy prints and cards of these new designs..
Drawn a Kangaroo and Roo this week as well..
:)

Baby Boomer blog has started..

2011-03-30T17:32:00.005+01:00

Great news Spy (Rab Smith my internet friend..one day we will meet up!) has started a blog all about his super comic strip Baby Boomer which I've mentioned on here before..

http://zoomertoonsrabsmith.blogspot.com/

It has a great 30's/40's New York feel..good gags..and very Betty boopish..now to catch up on the rest of the blog posts..

Any new posts will show up here on the left on my blog list..or become a follower yourself..

Sidney's Stately Home from Buster and Monster fun

2011-03-26T17:38:00.004Z

Buster and Monster Fun 25th March 1978

Theres nothing like a old house full of secret passageways..and fighting off intruders like the olden days ..and I'm sure he finds treasure hidden away in the end and can restore the home to former glory..

http://www.bustercomic.co.uk/sidney.html
The Buster website doesn't know the artists name...my guess its Mike Western?
Whoever did draw it..they did a great job...

Tom Bannister's amazing comic work for DC Thomson

2011-03-22T10:34:00.009Z

Desert Island Dick and Olly its amazing how these writers kept these Topper stars fresh for so many years..

The Mother looks very like Pop in a wig!! No wonder they had twins!
Here are two of the best and funniest comic strips by Tom from the Beezer...
Pop Dick and Harry not forgetting Towser!
and Colonal Blink, Aunty and Rover..

Great use of the large format...a great looking down shot in that last panel..

I love how the horse Pedro is a character in his own right in Figaro..Tom often used this device to good effect..

Al Change the last new character by Tom in the now smaller size Topper..a very interesting concept..done in the safety of a comic rather than real life!

Beano Book 1962 the inside book front and back covers..

The only time Tom drew for The Beano..

Heres where the pet which Tom is great at drawing took centre stage..
I love how he sometimes draws his characters talking to the reader..

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=127&t=4093
See at comicsuk forum Rays great piece on Tom from The Comic Journal. thanks to Phoenix.
Also at the same post is some nice scans showing Tom putting his name and a likeness..wonder if he did have that kind of beard? thanks to Niblet!

Ray is and hopefully resuming later doing a post on the top 100 strips in Topper and Beezer showing which character had the most appearances...

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=3987

Tom's work is well worth looking at again..it has a new perspective reading it as an adult..it really reached different ages his strip..

UPDATED! Happy 60th Dennis the Menace!!

2011-03-17T10:02:00.007Z

David Parkins did a lovely bold style of Dennis and Gnasher..its a shame he couldn't draw more as he was very good..
http://www.comicvine.com/the-beano/49-26847/?page=6

A very early Dennis from The Beano book 1954

A nice one by David Sutherland..

This is the annual I bought at a jumble sell at Northmead middle school Stoughton Road Guildford...I was first in line and ran to the book section (I loved old comics even then)and got this gem...this is where I discovered David Law's Dennis...what a effect it had on me..Dennis was less happy for a start unless he was causing bother trouble...the art work was more darker..quickly drawn But full of life..

Gordon Bells take on Dennis...he also had a bit of Davy Law in his take on Dennis..

Nigel does a great Dennis in this era...it has lots of energy!!

I love this long tiger story which Tom drew each week..

A nice strong cover by Jim Hanson

A nice 80's Beano..
My era of Dennis when he didn't have teeth:)
Love David Sutherlands take on Dennis the Menace and I think the best artist to draw Gnasher..

I've changed my bear picture..after my Mum said what was wrong with it...which I agreed...here is the new changes I've made and it looks a lot better..

Fun Title panels are back in The Beano..thanks to the new Ivy the Terrible artist Diego Jourdan

2011-03-14T09:55:00.004Z

image from comicsuk forum

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=3828

As said before in earlier posts see the label Comic Fun mastheads

The title panel can be a great way to do something new with the character making surreal..whacky..and unusual images. A very creative concept.

I also like the cartoony feel in the new strip..and it can get away with more extreem action and slapstick.

Buy the Beano and see what you've been missing..

http://www.diegojourdan.net/

Just a side note the new Dandy has got every strip with a title panel to play with with which is good news indeed..

Two new animal pictures..Tiger face and Cow

2011-03-13T16:36:00.003Z

Two new animal cards and A3 and A4 Mounted Prints are up to buy..

http://petergraycartoons.blogspot.com/

Buster Holiday Fun Specials 1969-74 buy at ebay..

2011-03-10T23:36:00.005Z

A nice back cover by Reg Parlett.also its in lovely painted colour..
originally from Eagle 60's comic..

Eric Roberts originally from 50's Knockout comic..

I like Phil-comics items he sells and he often shows some nice images as well..BID NOW..
http://shop.ebay.co.uk/phil-comics/m.html?_ipg=200&_sop=12&_rdc=1

at comicsuk
http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Specials/SpecialWhole.asp?FirstTime=Yes
you can see the other Buster summer specials..just wish they were a little bigger to see..so that is why its nice what Phil has shown..so thanks Phil..

Faceache in India!!

2011-03-08T10:55:00.003Z

His new name is called Palamuga Mannan Joe which means ’The Multi-faced Joe’

http://www.comicology.in/2010/03/siruvar-malar-faceache-x-ray-survival.html
See link to read and see more..

Thanks to paw broon from Comicsuk forum for the heads up..

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=134&t=4073

Whizzer and chips the Backwood Boys by Jack Clayton

2011-03-07T14:15:00.002Z

Whizzer and Chips 18th Dec 1971

Whizzer and Chips 2nd October 1971

A great cartoony style by Jack..I like the simple feet
Use label to see other comic work Jack clayton has drawn like for example Cheeky's Paddywack.

Reg Parlett's Whizzer and Chips Lib an' Archie and their Magic Piano

2011-02-28T10:33:00.009Z

Whizzer and Chips 1st May 1978 It stated off as just being called Magic Piano.

I've found another Reg Parlett comic character he did..I don't think he did it for long before Joe McCaffrey took over (I think that is the name of the artist that drew it next!). The strip is a great concept and lots of old and new tunes are played resulting in fun results..again Reg is the master at drawing an object in so many different ways in each panel..also nice expressions on the piano!! the eyes mixed in to the woodwork and the grinning teeth of the smile in the keyboard..

Mike Lacey ghosting a kind of Reg Parlett/Joe McCaffrey style..
which is unusual as Mike often drew different characters in his own style..also normally the cover was for Sid and Shiner..

It is a nice cover..Mike the king of comic covers..

Inside annual Joe McCaffrey

Reg Parlett Knockout's Full house

2011-02-26T09:39:00.007Z

Knockout 11th September 1971

Its a fun simple idea and I can't believe I've overlooked this strip for the blog..
The girl seems to love George Best both boy and girl are in there bedrooms and the father is often battling against the mice of the house..Mother is often found in the kitchen..the crows always looking down to see what they are all up to this week..
Love the naughty baby!!:))Also a budgie a cat and dog are also in the action..
Love how the whole house (including sometimes the basement) is used and lots of busy pictures to enjoy in each room..

http://knockoutcomic1970s.blogspot.com/2010/02/knockout-covers-no1-to-no27.html
See steelclaw great website on Knockout..

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=4049
Full House from Knockout chat on comicsuk forum

Buster comics The Runaways

2011-02-22T23:38:00.004Z

Joe Colquhoun
Buster 13th Dec 1975
http://www.bustercomic.co.uk/runaways.html

This is a nice strip full of drama and adventure..

Comicsuk forum Great posts 2

2011-02-20T22:58:00.011Z

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3422
at last: BABY BOOMER
Great seeing Spy's comicstrip work..

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=4001
Dennis the Menace tinplate clicker
also Danny, Minnie and Biffo.what a great free gift!!

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2964
Things that only happen in comics..

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2429
Buddy comic discussion

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3756
Comics seen on Tv programs..

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3788
Questions for John Stokes (Buster's Marney the fox)

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3748
'widescreen' comics: original-format BEEZER and TOPPER
Beezer and Topper in full size..wonderful to see..

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3939
Fudge the elf by Ken Reid...a real eye opener! Much more going on in this strip it had a lot more punch then I realised..

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3800
'You'll never work for the BEANO again!''
Leo Baxendale leaving the Beano..also Ken Reid..

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3682
Whacko comic with art by Terry Bave.
Lyons Maid produced it..so lots of icecream and lolly references in the pages..

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3811
Weirdest-Ever Comic Strips!
Girls comic pages which are great to see..lots of imagination and atrangeness like
The girl in the mask..
Balloon Girl
Though that horse picture is just evil!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3767
Different birds featured in comics like Polly the Parrot in Mickey the Monkey..

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3737
Some great Steve Bell mazes he did for Cheeky to see..

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1498
Western strips in comics..

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3410
Patriotic British Heroes

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3634
See Ken Harrison's Broons and Oor Wullie IN color! also in few colours..

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3631
Masters of Genre
who was the best in Dark Comedy, Comedy general, Comic Adventure, Sci Fi, Fantasy, TV realted artists, Sport, Romance and War.

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3610
Years of "Maxwell Hawke" in `Buster` comic!

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3147
Prehistoric characters
like Toppers Big Uggy!

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2893
Jonah book vol 1 and 2...lets hope this happens one day!!
At least we got the best of The Dandy's wonder dog Black Bob book..so there is a chance..

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3533
British Comics and WWII 1945-1965
like The Beezers 'The Heroes of Paradise Road'

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3514
Buster artists interviewed for the 50 year Birthday
http://www.bustercomic.co.uk

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3114
Best ever free gifts in comics....e.g the Gnasher Snapper..

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2650
Easter comic covers..

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3508
Bash street kids and Young Desperate Dan text stories and images in The Wizard

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3409
The "gross comics" debate

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3451
Eric Bradbury

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2409
More Chriatmas covers some amazing covers!!!!!

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3263
Longest running merged masthead cover appearance

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3222
The class system in comics

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3241
When we were young...old photos of us as comic fans...

including me!!:)

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3045
Beanos on the Loose!
Adverts in other comics of The Beano also
David Sutherland Bash Street early years..with great title panels..

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3078
Breaking the Fourth Wall
I love this in comics..when the characters are reading themselves..or know they are a comic..

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2981
Groan! It's the grown-ups!
Characters like Jonah, The Bad Lads, L Cars, Send for Kelly etc..

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2982
Comics that make you laugh:))

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2896
One Small Step - Moon Wanderers and Others

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2737
Nick Kelly: A Spy For All Seasons!
sadly some of the images have gone..still worth reading..a very inventive well drawn story..

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2954
Comic Stories...and how they end

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2900
Comic `Ads` on the Telly!

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2884
Bring back Summer Specials!

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2857
Euan Kerr leaves DC Thomson

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2640
A 1960's comic countdown.
Kashgar tells us The most successful comic to be launched in the 1960's, at least as regards longevity.

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1135
Express Weekly

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2711
MOST `Nauseating` comic character of all time

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=942
Should The Beano and Dandy have more detailed work..?

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1105
Dudley Watkins Centenary
One day a whole book should come out on this great comic artist..

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1802
magazine and comic covers
As mentioned on this blog before bring back drawn magazine covers..why does nearly every magazine have to have a photo on it..

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2301
Les Barton

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1623
From ghoulies and ghosties and long-leggety beasties...
Harry's Haunted House for example..

also from Kashgar
As promised list of contents of Monster Fun No 1 dated 14/6/75.
Cover - Kid Kong using free gift 'plate wobbler' art Robert Nixon
Frankie Stein (Honorary Ed) art Robert Nixon
Kid Kong art Robert Nixon
X-Ray Specs art Mike Lacey
Martha's Monster Make-up art Ken Reid
Dough Nut and Rusty art Trevor Metcalfe
Grizzly Bearhug - Giant art Andrew Christine
Ugly Mug photo competition
Art's Gallery art Mike Lacey
Badtime Bedtime Storybook art Leo Baxendale
Draculass art Terry 'news of my death has been much exagerrated' Bave
Brainy and his Monster Maker art anon
March of the Mighty Ones art Mike White
Monster Hits gag page
Major Jump - Horror Hunter art Ian Knox
Creature Teacher art Tom Williams
Tom Thumbscrew the torturer's apprentice art Trevor Metcalfe
The Invisible Monster art Sid Burgon
Cinders she's hot stuff art Norman Mansbridge.Very useful information thanks Kashgar

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2420
Moon Madness from Smash!

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1697
Sea-monkeys, 'onion-gum' and X-ray specs......
Those strange ads in American comics where you can buy X Ray specs!!

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2393
Chix in comix
like Minnie in The Beano..

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2322
Dandy v Beano - Why is Beano the more successful?

more to be added soon to this post..up to discussion page 14..

Hope people are finding this useful.its taking a long time to do..though fun rereading old posts..

so many good topics we've discussed at comicsuk forum

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/index.php

The mini comic booklets..and other collecting fun!

2011-02-17T12:00:00.001Z

Spotter book of TV Whoopee! 28th January 1978.
Spotter guide booklets were also popular..you ticked it off when you spotted them..
So watching Blue Peter you could then tick off Valerie..don't know the other people..
tick off when you spot a cameraman..

Slow Coach 1973 by Frank Mc Diarmid and Lucky Dick 1976 by Ian Knox
A Whizzer and Chips Merry Memories Booklet which resulted in readers voting for one of these old characters to come back..as a good guess it was Beat your Neighbours.

Cards could be collected and later played into a game..
26th Feb 1983 Buster Xray Specs game

Buster by Reg Parlett 15th December 1984
You could make up a diary booklet..this was a popular theme..Krazy comic did this..

World Wide Werdies drawn this time by Robert Nixon did a Calendar booklet showing the seasons with monsters!

http://petergraycartoonsandcomics.blogspot.com/2009/04/ken-reids-world-wide-weirdies-january_27.html
Love to see the other one..sadly don't have that one..I like how hes blended the Autumn and Winter season into one picture..though shame the booklet was only in two parts..
(Ken did do the Calendar one Month at a time in a Shiver and Shake annual..)

This was a treat you could collect the booklets together to make the first number one Whizzer and Chips! (20th October 1979)
They also did this with Buster number 1 booklet..

Sid Burgon drawing (Whizzer and Chips 10th and 24th October 1981) Joker used the booklet pages to tell a gag a page so you didn't have to wait until next week to find oput what happens next..

Paul Ailey Whoopee! 14th October 1978

These mini comics appeared at times in IPC comics and a few times in DC Thomson. Sometimes you had to buy four comics then cut out and put in order making a bigger mini comic.
These can be puzzle books, joke books..
http://www.bustercomic.co.uk/pullouts.html

Also they did comic samplers booklets to give you a flavour of other comics you may not have bought..e.g Mickey Mouse Weekly, Whoopee, Cheeky..so another good idea..

http://www.enterthestory.com/badtime_bedtime_books.html
Leo Baxendale of course did the great Badtime Bedtime booklets in Monster fun see link for examples and info..

Jack Edward Oliver did an amazing choose your own adventure type Cliff hanger booklet..it time traveled Cliff to different eras it was very clever work..you had two options to choose from taking you to a different page in the booklet..

http://www.oocities.com/pjgcomics/index.htm
Off Topic...its so good to see my geocities back online thanks oocities..
See on the page for all my other websites on top comic artists..it made me very happy to see this!

I know there was an Ivy the Terrible booklet in The Beano by Robert Nixon But DC Thomson didn't seem to do many of these...unless you know better..
Maybe the new Dandy could bring back comic booklets...mind you I wouldn't want to cut my comic up..:)

New Animal art up to see..

2011-02-15T16:22:00.004Z

I always liked the tv series Lassie watching in the early 80's..

I'd thought it would be interesting to just do a few spots of colour on this cat..making the eyes stand out..

Just like the lion one I've zoomed right into the face..I'm going to do a series of these..drawing a close up of a Cow face next..:)

This one was just too good to be a Christmas card for my Wife only, so now other people can have this as a card or prints..got permission from her.

Buy these as Cards,
A3 and A4 Mounted Prints at
www.petergrayanimals.co.uk using Paypal