JUST WILLIAM:THE LOOK IN STRIPS CHRONOLOGY

[jim244]

STORY 1: "The Outlaws and the Triplets"
ISSUESS 14 - 16 1977
WRITER:RICHMAL CROMPTON
ARTIST:ARTHUR RANSON

They thought they had lost Henry's baby sister but of course they hadn't.
Yet the Outlaws (Williams' gang) in searching,came up with three different prams.
Having accidently abducted unknown infants and fearful of the consequences,they decide to leave the lot at a conveniant local baby show.

[jim244]

STORY 2: "The Mysterious Stranger"
ISSUES 17-20 (1977)
WRITER: Richmal Crompton
ARTIST: ARTHUR RANSON

It was Williams' Uncle Frederick who started the whole thing.
He'd given William a book "Hunted By The Reds" about Russians called Bolsheviks.
The Outlaws are convinced that a man who had rented a local cottage was the dreaded "Dimtitch" from the book.
A thrower of bombs ,a kidnapper of Russian Princesses...

[jim244]

STORY 3: "Williams' Mammoth Circus"
ISSUES 21 - 24 (1977)
WRITER: RICHMAL CROMPTON
ARTIST: ARTHUR RANSON

The outlaws had arranged a circus in honour of their one and only girl ally, Joan.
They chose Rosemount school for the venue believing it to be empty except for the deaf, elderly, caretakers' Mother.
Their acts included some insects ,a dog ,a cat, a parrot, a rat and a toy monkey.
Little did they know that one classroom was occupied by members of the ' society for the study of psychical philosophy' on a weekend course.

[jim244]

STORY 4:"William the Money Maker"
Issues 25-27 (1977)
WRITER:RICHMAEL CROMPTON
ARTIST:ARTHUR RANSON

It was the year of the great exhibition, Wembley, with the pride of the British Commonwealth on show to the nation.
It was an event that had come to the attention of William, Ginger, Douglas and Henry, commonly known as the outlaws.
Smeared with boot polish, they became natives and put on their own exhibition.
This comic strip is very funny, introduces Violet Bot who was joint star with William in the then current television series but
would never be reprinted these days as would be judged rather "un-woke".
Great art and the best strip in this series so far.

[Robbie Moubert]

I believe the William strips were written by Look-in stalwart Angus Allan (adapted from Crompton's original stories) and drawn by Arthur Ranson. The first episode is signed "ARfter Thomas Henry." Henry was the illustrator of the original books.

[jim244]

I believe the William strips were written by Look-in stalwart Angus Allan (adapted from Crompton's original stories) and drawn by Arthur Ranson. The first episode is signed "ARfter Thomas Henry." Henry was the illustrator of the original books.

Hi Robbie and many thanks for your post.
You are totally correct in both points.
So let me explain:
Angus Allan did indeed adapt the Crompton books for the strips. However, they are so close to the original stories I decided to credit Crompton as the writer. Obviously as the lovely Richmal passed away in 1969 she certainly had nothing to do with Look in Magazine directly.
As for Ranson, this is a curious one : Yes of course Arthur drew Just William along with many other Look-in strips including Sapphire and Steel.
However, according to an interview with Angus Allan, Arthur initially used the name John.
As I believe his middle name was James this makes no sense and may be incorrect.

[jim244]

I believe the William strips were written by Look-in stalwart Angus Allan (adapted from Crompton's original stories) and drawn by Arthur Ranson. The first episode is signed "ARfter Thomas Henry." Henry was the illustrator of the original books.

I would like your help Robbie (as you have posted several times in this Look-in section with excellent information) any idea about The Bionic Woman strips?? I know Burns and Bolton drew them but Ranson is said to have drawn one or more or filled in.
I would appreciate anything you know about this as I am drawing a blank.
Cheers

[Robbie Moubert]

I would like your help Robbie (as you have posted several times in this Look-in section with excellent information) any idea about The Bionic Woman strips?? I know Burns and Bolton drew them but Ranson is said to have drawn one or more or filled in.
I would appreciate anything you know about this as I am drawing a blank.
Cheers

My initial thought was that it was all Burns and Bolton but a quick Google turned up a couple of pages on the Comic Art Fans website - 1978, Issue 6, Pages 1 & 2. Sure enough, it turns out he drew story 12, The Smugglers. Perhaps John Bolton wasn't immediately available when JMB left the strip.

https://www.comicartfans.com/GalleryPie ... ce=1626106

https://www.comicartfans.com/GalleryPie ... Sub=205325

[jim244]

I would like your help Robbie (as you have posted several times in this Look-in section with excellent information) any idea about The Bionic Woman strips?? I know Burns and Bolton drew them but Ranson is said to have drawn one or more or filled in.
I would appreciate anything you know about this as I am drawing a blank.
Cheers

My initial thought was that it was all Burns and Bolton but a quick Google turned up a couple of pages on the Comic Art Fans website - 1978, Issue 6, Pages 1 & 2. Sure enough, it turns out he drew story 12, The Smugglers. Perhaps John Bolton wasn't immediately available when JMB left the strip.

https://www.comicartfans.com/GalleryPie ... ce=1626106

https://www.comicartfans.com/GalleryPie ... Sub=205325

Brilliant and many thanks Robbie.
I will edit the artist credit on story 12 accordingly.
Really appreciate this, many thanks.

[jim244]

I believe the William strips were written by Look-in stalwart Angus Allan (adapted from Crompton's original stories) and drawn by Arthur Ranson. The first episode is signed "ARfter Thomas Henry." Henry was the illustrator of the original books.

I have edited the artist to read Arthur Ranson, I genuinely did read an article that claimed he was drawing under the name of "John" at the time but can find zero evidence for this and now wonder whether it was simply a post that claimed an interview with Angus Allan but in reality was some sort of joke. I don't know the truth.
Thanks for your help.

[jim244]

STOTY 5: "Three Dogs and William"
ISSUES 28 - 32 (1977)
WRITER: RICHMAEL CROMPTON
ARTIST: ARTHUR RANSON

Williams' Sister Ethel was looking after a boyfriends' alsatian, Wotan, which William called "rotten".
A feud with Williams' mongrel, Jumble, put the later in the vets.
Then a strange small white dog befriended William...