THE GIANT HOLIDAY FANTASY COMIC ALBUM

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steelclaw
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THE GIANT HOLIDAY FANTASY COMIC ALBUM

Post by steelclaw »

I picked it up the other day.

Image

Does anyone know what comics the following Adventure strips came from,all from Fleetway Comics.

THE MEN FROM THE STARS
THE TROUBLE - SEEKERS
SIMON TEST & THE ISLANDS OF PERIL
THE MARCHING TREES
TOBY'S TIMEPIECE

See more of this Mega book here.

http://ukcomicsarefun.blogspot.com/2009 ... album.html

Raven
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Re: THE GIANT HOLIDAY FANTASY COMIC ALBUM

Post by Raven »

Toby's Timepiece used to appear in the Shiver and Shake Annuals/Holiday Specials. I'm not sure if it appeared elsewhere.

Kashgar
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Re: THE GIANT HOLIDAY FANTASY COMIC ALBUM

Post by Kashgar »

From memory I'm certain Simon Test was originally in Smash and the Trouble Seekers was in either Valiant or Smash. I'll plump for Valiant.
The Men from the Stars was a reprint from either a Thriller Picture Library or Super Detective Library which had first been reprinted in a Buster book in the mid 1960's or possibly even in the Buster Book of Thrills. The Marching Trees had also originally appeared in an early Buster Book.
As for Toby's Timepiece I'm pretty sure it was originally in one of the IPC comic titles in the early 1970's, can't think which off-hand though.
If your desperate for more exact info just let me know.

steelclaw
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Re: THE GIANT HOLIDAY FANTASY COMIC ALBUM

Post by steelclaw »

Thanks you two, quite a Variety of comics used for this book,I have a couple of Shiver & Shakes I will have to dig them out.

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Peter Gray
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Re: THE GIANT HOLIDAY FANTASY COMIC ALBUM

Post by Peter Gray »

I've seen that story in Shiver and Shake annual found it in the 1977 annual...he is battling the spider..

Kashgar
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Re: THE GIANT HOLIDAY FANTASY COMIC ALBUM

Post by Kashgar »

Managed to discover a few more details.
The Simon Test strip reprinted in GHFCA originally first appeared in Valiant 10/4/71-29/5/71 following the merger of Valiant and Smash. He was originally a Smash character though.
The Trouble Seekers did originally appear in Valiant 25/5/70-3/4/71. As I haven't got my copy of the Album to hand I can't say for certain which particular adventure was reprinted though.
The Marching Trees originally appeared in the Buster Book for 1965.
I'm also starting to think that Toby's Timepiece may have been a creation that was only used in annuals/holiday specials as mentioned by others and not a strip that ever appeared in a weekly comic.

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Digifiend
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Re: Toby's Timepiece

Post by Digifiend »

A bit like the early Beano and Dandy annuals then. Marmaduke Mean the Miser for example was in neither comic, but was in the 1939 Dandy Monster Comic (dunno about later ones) and the 1940 Beano Book. And of course to this day, those annuals feature adventure stories which aren't in the weekly!

steelclaw
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Re: THE GIANT HOLIDAY FANTASY COMIC ALBUM

Post by steelclaw »

Thanks guys I've added the info to my blog.

steelclaw
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Re: THE GIANT HOLIDAY FANTASY COMIC ALBUM

Post by steelclaw »

Peter the Annual on your blog must be related to the Giant holiday fantasy comic album, I've never seen that one before where did you get it?

Image

http://petergraycartoonsandcomics.blogspot.com/

Lew Stringer
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Re: THE GIANT HOLIDAY FANTASY COMIC ALBUM

Post by Lew Stringer »

They're books compiled by Mike Higgs. We discussed them here last year:

http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/viewtop ... dfb#p15787

Lew
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Peter Gray
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Re: THE GIANT HOLIDAY FANTASY COMIC ALBUM

Post by Peter Gray »

It was a long time ago...can't really remember..must be 'the works' shop...or something like that.
the book says it was first published 1989.

It really did introduce me to so many new characters...so thanks Mike Higgs.
Lets hope Bear Alley books will get new young readers on board like the one above did for me..

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stevezodiac
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Re: THE GIANT HOLIDAY FANTASY COMIC ALBUM

Post by stevezodiac »

I've seen this book a few times but always put off by the poor reproductions. Is the artwork as muddy looking as i remember?

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SID
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Re: THE GIANT HOLIDAY FANTASY COMIC ALBUM

Post by SID »

Heard about this book in one of Lew's blogs. Would love to get a copy but alas I can't find any. It's advertised on Amazon but is not available. :(
Reading comics since 1970. My Current Regulars are: 2000 AD (1977-), Judge Dredd Megazine (1990-), Spaceship Away (2003-), Commando (2013-), Monster Fun (2022-), Deadpool and Wolverine (2023-), Quantum (2023-).

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